asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the Regent of Persia is likely to visit Persia within any ascertainable period?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Government contemplates extending the representative system and enlarging the General Assembly which in 1910 rejected the Suez Canal contract; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, whether the advisers of His Highness the Khedive are in favour of such action; and whether he will explain why the present occasion is taken for moving further in this direction?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question of 21st November, in which it was stated that no scheme of reform of the nature here indicated is before us at the present moment.

May I ask if the Secretary of State is aware that exceedingly wide currency has been given to reports that the Egyptian Government is moving in that direction, and whether we are to understand that nothing of this kind has been contemplated?

That is so. I think we are aware of the reports that have appeared, but nothing is before the Secretary of State at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state when it is probable that the four days' detention rule for imported Irish livestock will be abandoned; and whether, if no outbreak occurs, he will allow a resumption of normal conditions of import and movement?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of there having been no further outbreaks of cattle disease in Ireland since 7th October, he is now in a position to announce the removal of all restrictions on Irish cattle, except on those coming from the Mullingar district?

My right hon. Friend hopes to be in a position to make a detailed statement to-morrow in regard to future arrangements for the importation of Irish animals into Great Britain.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that certain English masters of fox hounds have secretly imported Irish foxes, in contravention of the Order that no animals should be imported into England from Ireland without undergoing fourteen days' quarantine; whether he will inquire where those imported foxes were enlarged; whether any steps will be taken against those persons responsible for the importations; and whether he will endeavour to obtain the information if the masters of the Foxhounds Association were cognisant of those illegal proceedings?

My right hon. Friend has no information as to the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The provisions of the Order do not apply to foxes.

Would the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to whether foxhounds were imported within the period mentioned?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to receive information as to any possible source of infection, but I must again point out that foxes are not included in the Order.

If foxes are not within the category of the animals to which the Order applies, may I ask whether the attention of the President of the Board of Agriculture has been called to the fact that the regimental goat of the Welsh Fusiliers was put in quarantine for a number of days?

The hon. Member should give notice of the question.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is intended to re-erect the front of the old General Post Office building or for some public purpose; and, if so, whether the intentions of the First Commissioner can be stated?

The front of the old General Post Office cannot, unfortunately, be used in the new building. The First Commissioner is very willing, however, to consider any suitable suggestion for its purchase and re-erection. Neither the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the King Edward Memorial Committee, nor the London County Council have been in a position to accept it, although it has been offered to them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mrs. T. Kirk- man, of 38, Monega Road, Forest Gate, E., made statutory declarations before a commissioner for oaths under the Vaccination Act, 1907, for her twin sons before they were four months of age, and forwarded the forms to the vaccination officer for the West Ham union; whether, after the children had become four months old, Mr. Kirkman was notified that be was the proper person to have made the declarations; whether the officer is now threatening legal proceedings for the non-vaccination of the children; and whether instructions can be given to the officer not to issue sommonses?

I have caused inquiries to be made into this case. The statutory declarations reached the Vaccination Officer on the 9th or the morning of the 10th of October, 1911, and were returned by him without delay and in time to enable them to be properly amended. In my opinion, however, this is not a case in which proceedings should be taken, and I will-convey this opinion to the office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that E. C. Martin, of Dover, duly made a statutory declaration under the Vaccination Act, 1907, before a justice of the peace and forwarded the form to the vaccination officer before the child attained the ago of four months; whether he is aware that nothing was heard until after the child had attained the age of four months, when the officer sent the public vaccinator to offer to vaccinate the child on the ground that the form had been wrongly filled up and was, therefore, illegal; if so, will steps be taken to prevent any proceedings for default, seeing that the parent has not been apprised in what respect the form was wrongly filled up and that he would have been in time to rectify any error that may have arisen if he had been promptly notified after sending it in?

I am informed that the vaccination officer did not receive the declaration referred to in the question, and I am in communication with him on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state what number of local authorities have taken advantage of the offer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer by which additional assistance is given to authorities who provide sanatorium benefit for other than insured persons; whether the local authority in London has made arrangements accordingly; and, if not, what means are open for securing sanatorium benefit in London for other than insured persons?

Local authorities generally, in preparing their schemes, have made provision for the treatment of non-insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, as well as for insured persons. Fifteen dispensaries in the metropolis have been provisionally approved by the Local Government Board, at which treatment may be obtained by persons whether insured or not insured, and arrangements are in progress for the provision of sanatorium accommodation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the East End there are several children for whom no sanatorium provision has been made by the local authority?

I shall be happy to hear of such cases, and to inform the Metropolitan Asylums Board as to the necessity of dealing with these cases at once.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the divisional superintendent of the Hackney district recently reported to the London education authority that twenty-one infant children who have attained the age of five are out of school, that there is pressure on the schools in South Hackney, and that children are unwilling to attend schools where there are vacant places because of the distance; and whether the Board of Education will now call on the London education authority to supply adequate school accommodation in Hackney?

I have made inquiries, and I find that a few children over five years old were temporarily excluded just before the half-yearly promotions were made, and have since been admitted. It is a fact that some schools in South Hackney are full, but there is accommodation available in others in the same district. I understand, however, that some parents have chosen to wait a short time in order to get their younger children into a particular school, either in order that they might attend with their older brothers and sisters, or for some other reason.

What is the same district? How large an area is meant by that?

I am told by my inspectors that in London they would not consider a school more than a mile away in the same area.

asked the President of the Beard of Education whether he is aware that the London Education Committee has been informed by its divisional superintendent that there is still great pressure on the school accommodation in Stepney, Mile End, and St. George's-in-the-East; and what action the Board of Education is taking to correct this acknowledged lack of school places?

My information is that no children of school age are out of school in the districts mentioned in the first part of the question owing to lack of accommodation. The education authority are proposing to provide two new schools in Stepney and to enlarge two of the existing schools. They also propose to provide a new school in Mile End and another in St. George's-in-the-East, and to enlarge an existing school in the last-named district.

May I ask why they are proposing such a great deal of enlargement when there are no children out of school?

It is in order to meet the prospective increase, and also in order to reduce the number of children in attendance at classes in the various schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that two children were admitted to the council school at Tideswell, Derby shire, and then subsequently excluded from the school as they had previously been in attendance at the Church of England school; and what power is there under the Code or any Statute to expel from school children already on the register on such grounds?

The children referred to were admitted on the instructions of the managers of the council school, and subsequently excluded by the local education authority under their regulation to prevent capricious removals. Article 53 (a) of the Code provides that no child may be refused admission on other than reasonable grounds, and I am prepared to consider, on its merits, any appeal made by the parents on this point.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that if the children are admitted and then excluded, it can be brought against them and their parents that the children have been expelled from school? That has actually been done in this case.

I think the action taken in this case would make it clear that there was no imputation of the kind resting upon the children.

asked whether the Board are prepared to allow an extension of time for the receipt of applications from secondary teachers for the return of the fees paid by them for inclusion in the old register of teachers?

The Board announced on the 27th of last month that they would be prepared to receive applications for the repayment of the guinea paid by teachers on admission to Column B of the Register maintained by the previous Registration Council, until the 28th February, 1913; but after that date no further applications will be entertained.

What steps has the right hon. Gentleman taken to make known to teachers this extension of time, of which I have heard for the first time?

An announcement was made in the "Morning Post" on Thursday, and the "Times" on Friday. It has been sent to the daily Press, and I believe also to the weekly Press, and it appeared also in the "Schoolmaster" on Saturday.

Having regard to the fact that the fee has been refunded to only 4,581 teachers out of 11,666 on the register, will the right hon. Gentleman direct that a postcard be sent to every teacher who has not received his fee, informing him of the extension of time?

I will consider it; but I do not know that I can carry out that arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether steps have been taken to prohibit the sale of a pamphlet by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies to which his attention has been drawn?

The Secretary of State is advised that the institution of proceedings would not be warranted in the case of this book.

Does the Home Secretary's Department consider that the pamphlet is a decent one, and is there no means of preventing pamphlets of this nature, in which disgusting details are told, from getting into the hands of young girls?

The Secretary of State has no power to suppress a pamphlet of this kind. The only power open to the Secretary of State is to institute a prosecution on the ground that the pamphlet is indecent or obscene. I am advised that a prosecution on these lines would not be successful.

Does the Home Office accept the statement made in the supplemental question just now that this pamphlet is full of disgusting details and not fit to get into the hands of young persons?

The only question we have to consider is whether it is indecent or obscene, and our opinion is that a prosecution founded on either of those assumptions would not be successful.

You think that the pamphlet is neither indecent nor obscene?

We are advised that if a prosecution were instituted it would not be successful.

Is the pamphlet to be circulated in the schools of the country?

Do I understand the Noble Lord to advise this step?

Certainly not.

That matter has not been before us, and I do not think it necessary or advisable to do so.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a pamphlet written by a very highly respected doctor in Brighton, and written in perfect good faith, to warn persons of the consequences of a certain act?

By whom has the Department been advised I Is it by its legal advisers?

In answer to the Noble Lord, I think that represents my individual opinion. In answer to the hon. Member, we were advised by those who legally advise us.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the rector of Carngiwch-Lithfean-with-Pistyll, united parishes in Carnarvonshire, has recently sued Mr. R. T. Thomas for £6 7s., parochial tithe rent; that the defendant pleaded that there had been very few services in Pistyll Church during six years and that the rector was non-resident; that in answer thereto the rector gave evidence that he held services pretty regularly, but the services were often attended by no person save himself; and whether, in view of these united parishes of 804 inhabitants being thus inadequately served with the religious services of the State Church, legislation will be carried through Parliament to remedy this state of affairs?

My right hon. Friend has no information on this matter other than that given in his question by my hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question—assuming the facts are correct, as, of course, they are?

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the recent Bill with regard to the Church in Wales, it is still before the House of Commons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a young soldier in the Irish Guards, named George Osbourne, being a first offender, was recently sentenced by the Westminster stipendiary to the maximum penalty, in summary jurisdiction, of three months' hard labour for the theft of a blanket, value 6s.; whether, as attention has been directed recently to other sentences passed in this Court, he will communicate with the stipendiary and direct his special attention to the recent Home Office circular dealing with first offenders and the Probation of Offenders Act; and whether he is prepared to advise a reduction of this maximum sentence, and to order in the meantime the removal of Osbourne to the second division?

My right hon. Friend has made inquiry into the facts of the case, and finds no sufficient reason for recommending any interference with the sentence. The magistrate who passed it was not unmindful of the Probation of Offenders Act, and, in fact, availed himself of the Act to discharge a girl of eighteen who was charged jointly with Osbourne, and who was shown to have been coerced by his threats.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it far better to carry out the instructions of the Home Office in the spirit as well as the letter, and not to send a young soldier back to his regiment with the stigma of gaol on him?

If the hon. Gentleman would consult me in this case there are facts which would quite satisfy him.

asked what number of workpeople have been disabled and the number who have died from lead-poisoning contracted in the spelter works in the South Wales district since this disease was scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

The number of cases of lead-poisoning in spelter works in South Wales reported to the Factory Department since 1st July, 1907, the date on which the Compensation Act came into force, is seventy-seven, of which four were fatal. I am unable to say in how many of the non-fatal cases the workman was disabled from earning full wages at the work at which he was employed, so as to come within the provisions of the Compensation Act. I may add that since the beginning of 1910 the number of cases has shown a marked decrease, as compared with the figures for the years 1908 and 1909, the total being twenty-six, of which one was fatal.

asked whether it is proposed to take any further proceedings in connection with the charge against Ben Evans of having torn the clothes and hair and otherwise beaten and ill-treated Mrs. Watson at Llanystumdwy?

The charge in question having been dismissed, my right hen. Friend does not know of any proceedings which it is possible for him to take.

Is there not an advisory committee in Carnarvon to advise the Lord Lieutenant as to who should be appointed to the magisterial bench?

Yes.

Does this arise?

It only arises rather remotely. It would be better if the Noble Lord will put a question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the number of deaths from burning through the use of inflammable flannelette; and whether the number of deaths is now so great as to justify the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into this large and increasing number of fatal accidents?

Yes, Sir. The attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to this matter, but except as regards the year 1904, for which a special Return was obtained from coroners and published in the Judicial Statistics for that year, the only official statistics as to the number of deaths resulting from the ignition of flannelette clothes are those given in the Annual Returns of the Registrar-General, which are based on coroners' certificates. From the Return for 1910, it appears that the number of deaths from burning clothes in that year was 657, and in sixty-seven cases it is stated that the clothes were made of flannelette. I would remind the hon. Members that the Coroners' Committee inquired into and reported upon this question a little over two years ago, and in the circumstances I do not think that the appointment of another Committee 13 called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment whether he is aware that since the introduction of the new Regulations in. April last with respect to oakum picking in His Majesty's prisons, the punishments to prisoners for failing to perform their allotted tasks are much more numerous will he state the total number of punishments that have been inflicted for oakum picking during the six months from May to October last; and the total number of punishments covering the same period for 1911 for the purpose of comparison?

also asked the number of prisoners who have been punished during the past twelve months in the various prisons in the United Kingdom for failing to perform their allotted task of oakum picking?

The only new Regulation with regard to oakum picking has been a reduction of the task from three to 2½ pounds, with an allowance according to the condition of the junk, accompanied by an intimation that the performance of the task so reduced will be strictly enforced. There has been a rise-in the number of punishments for idleness at oakum picking since this change, the numbers punished during the last six months rising to 11,555, as against 6,500 for the previous six months. It is believed, however, that this increase is only temporary, since the number reported for idleness is declining now that the prisoners clearly understand that the daily task, which is well within their capacity, will be exacted or marks will be forfeited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at an inquest held last Wednesday by the Bradford city coroner on the body of Herbert Denby, a willower, in the employment of A. Crossland and Company, shoddy merchants, evidence was given by a member of the said firm to the effect that the shoddy dust, after passing from the machine used for willowing the wool shoddy, was collected and sold every few months to be used as manure on hop gardens in Kent; and whether, in view of the recent increase of anthrax among farm animals throughout Great Britain and the increased risk to human life resulting therefrom, he will take steps to prevent the dissemination of the disease through the medium of possibly infected shoddy dust used for the above purpose?

My right hon. Friend has received a report on this case. It appears that the material handled by the firm in question is the waste produced at the carding stage after the wool has passed through the stages of washing and willowing, in which the danger of anthrax is to a large extent eliminated. The Secretary of State has no information that cases of anthrax among farm animals have been traced to the use of the dust from this waste as manure in the hop gardens of Kent, but he will consult with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture on the subject.

In view of the considerable increase of anthrax among farm animals, will there be continued co-operation between the Board of Agriculture with the object of its suppression?

We shall be very glad to give effect to that view, and if the hon. Gentleman has any communication to make we shall be very glad to receive it.

asked whether His Majesty's inspectors of mines will, as heretorfore, be responsible for the inspection of pit ponies with a view to ensuring their proper housing, feeding, and treatment, and the special horse inspectors, constituted by Section 109 of the Mines Act, 1911, form an auxiliary staff of experts to aid in such inspection, or whether, in future, the duty of inspecting such animals will be discharged exclusively by the latter?

The duty will devolve specially on the new class of horse inspectors, but not to the exclusion of the mines inspectors, who will, as hitherto, be responsible for the enforcement of all the requirements of the Act, including the provisions as to horses. The horse inspectors will act under the supervision of the mines inspectors.

Will the main responsibility still rest with the inspector of mines as regards animals inspected?

The initial responsibility will rest with the inspectors when acting under the supervision of the mines inspector, but the final responsibility is with the mines inspector.

asked whether he has the power to compel the use of safety-doors or gates in hoists or lifts used for the purpose of conveying people from floor to floor in factories, workshops, hotels, etc.; and, if not, whether, in view of the number of accidents that occur in connection with hoists and lifts, the hon. Gentleman will take steps to secure such power?

The Factory Act requires that all hoists in factories shall be securely fenced, and this requirement is enforced by the factory inspectors. As regards hoists or lifts in buildings used for other than industrial purposes, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a question on the subject on the 29th of February last. The Home Office has no jurisdiction in regard to such buildings.

asked whether the Home Secretary can state with regard to the changes made in the representation of a play called "The People's King," on what day, in what manner, and by whom the Lord Chamberlain's attention was directed to the way in which the play was being put on the stage?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the Lord Chamberlain's attention was called to the "make-up" of various characters in this play by the illustrations in a newspaper.

On what day was action first taken?

I cannot say.

asked whether, at any time since the proposal of the inclusive fee for Scottish universities was made, the Department has received representations from any university court, senatus, or general council, or from any other body concerned in the affairs of the universities of Scotland, drawing its attention to the effect of that proposal upon the extra-mural schools of medicine attached to those universities?

Certain observation have been received wih reference to the position of the extra-mural schools as bearing on the question of an inclusive fee in medicine. Such observations, however, relate rather to the difficulty of arriving at an inclusive fee in medicine having regard to the existence of extramural schools, than to the effect of such a fee on those schools.

asked whether the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council was invited to pronounce its opinion on the policy of the inclusive fee for certain courses of study in the Scottish universities; and, if so, whether the right hon. Gentleman can state that opinion?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown was taken upon the legality of the action of the Treasury in making the adoption of the inclusive fee a condition of the increased grants from public moneys to the Scottish universities?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken the trouble to consult the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, on that point?

It was done before my time, and I have not seen that Act.

asked the date when and the means whereby the Corporation of Dublin retarded the valuation of Dublin or expressed the wish that it should not proceed, and how they overruled the provisions of the Dublin Corporation Act under which the valuation was ordered by Parliament; is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Corporation of Dublin is largely composed of publicans, and that publicans were very much alarmed by the result of the revaluation of Belfast, published in 1902 though not technically complete, owing to an error, till 1905, and was the moratorium imposed by the Corporation on the Statute after June, 1902; and is he aware there were 80,000 tenements to be revalued in Belfast and only 48,000 in Dublin?

I understand that in April and November, 1905, and February, 1906, the Dublin Corporation decided by a majority not to ask for the revaluation of the city. I have no information with regard to the second part of the question. The number of tenements in Dublin and Belfast is approximately as stated.

asked if the death rate among old age pensioners in Ireland has now reached the normal expectation of the actuaries for persons over seventy years of age?

For the twelve months ended 30th September last the death rate among Irish old age pensioners was approximately 99 per 1,000. I am not aware with what actuarial standard the hon. Member wishes to make a comparison.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can lay upon the Table the Papers or calculations on which the new Estimates have been based showing that the amount payable for old age pensions in Ireland has reached the maximum and should henceforward decrease each year?

There are no Papers in a form suitable for laying on the Table. The problem is not merely an actuarial one, but depends on considerations relating to the past history of Ireland. I will circulate some figures which go to show that the conclusions arrived at were correct. [See Written Answers this date.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take into consideration the proposal to establish a Business Committee of a thoroughly representative character to deal with the proper allocation of time in respect of Bills of first-class importance and contentious character?

This proposal has been frequently and carefully considered, and I regret that the difficulties which surround its practical application have not yet been removed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman suggest what further step might be taken to elucidate this very important matter to this House?

I am very open to suggestions; I have taken every step I, personally, could.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the appointment of a Committee of unofficial Members of this House to consider the question of whether an alternative to the Guillotine Motion cannot be devised?

I will consider the question.

asked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the advertisement of sale of certain agricultural and cottage property in the vicinity of Woodstock, Oxfordshire; whether he is aware that it is stated that every holding is let at a rental far below its present-day value, and that, though many of the tenants have been in occupation for over twenty years, owing to the demand for property of this description in the neighbourhood purchasers will have no difficulty in properly adjusting the rental; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation forbidding landlords of property let at uneconomic rents from disposing of the same without Government sanction being first obtained?

I have not had my attention called to the advertisement of sale otherwise than by the hon. Member's question. The answer to the last branch of the question is in the negative.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, if he had sent down, he could not have got the information quite easily?

asked whether the Prime Minister is aware that pecuniary loss and hardship is being caused to lessees of land and cottages by the breaking up of large estates; and whether he is in a position to avail himself of the Commission now investigating abuses in the ownership and letting of land to investigate the circumstances that eventuate from any change of ownership with a view to future legislation?

This matter was fully considered by a Departmental Committee, presided over by Lord Haversham, which reported this year. The Report has been published. With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated, all relevant facts will be taken into consideration by the Government in framing any proposals which may ultimately be made.

asked whether the non-official character of the secret Land Inquiry has been brought to the notice of all the persons conducting such inquiry; and whether such persons are at liberty to profess to be acting on behalf of the Government or any Member of the Government?

The non-official character of the Inquiry has been repeatedly insisted on by me in answer to questions, and I cannot doubt that it has been brought to the notice of all persons concerned. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that notices are being issued by people who describe themselves as acting on behalf of the Government in connection with the Inquiry instituted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware than an inquiry has been instituted into the plutocracy of the Radical party?

Would the Prime Minister be good enough to have that information conveyed to those people who are making those inquiries?

I do not think I can do more than make this public intimation in the House.

asked which of the fourteen Hague Conventions of 1907, including Convention No. 14, entitled a Declaration, have been signed on behalf of Great Britain, and which of them have been ratified on her behalf, together with the dates of signature and ratification of each; and will the effect of passing the Foreign Enlistment Bill, brought from the Lords on 7th November, be to authorise the ratification of any one or more, and, if so, which, of The Hague Conventions not yet ratified on behalf of this country?

All the fourteen instruments published in Parliamentary Paper Miscellaneous No. 6, 1908, were signed on behalf of Great Britain and bear the date of 18th October, 1907. With the exception of No. 12 the signatures of the British Plenipotentiaries were attached on the 29th June, 1908 (see Parliamentary Paper, Miscellaneous No. 5, 1908). No 12 was signed in May, 1909. The King's Ratifications of Nos. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 14 were deposited on 27th November, 1909. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has observed the expressions of public opinion in favour of passing the Mental Deficiency Bill at the earliest possible date; whether he can still find time to pass it this Session; and whether, if he cannot, he can make any statement as to its reintroduction at an early date next Session with a view to its passing into law next Session?

As I have already stated, I fear the Government will not be able to find time to pass the Mental Deficiency Bill this Session, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary hopes to reintroduce the Bill early next Session embodying the Amendments made by the Standing Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether time will be given for the consideration of the Feeble-Minded Control Bill which has already passed through Committee?

No, Sir; lam afraid I cannot give any undertaking.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Home Secretary gave a specific pledge that this Bill would be passed this Session?

That is subject, as all such pledges are, to Parliamentary exigencies.

asked when the Report of the Committee appointed to consider the subject of the cost of living may be expected?

I presume that the question relates to the investigation undertaken by the Board of Trade. Good progress has been made with this Inquiry, in spite of the disturbing effect on local prices of industrial and other troubles during the past year. It is not yet possible to state the exact date when the Report will be issued, but I hope that it will be published during the coming spring.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will publish the correspondence which has passed between his Department and the various governing bodies of the Scottish universities upon the question of increased Grants and the adoption of the inclusive fee for certain courses of study?

Yes, Sir; I shall be glad to lay before Parliament so much of the correspondence as relates to the adoption, as a condition of the increased Grants, of the inclusive fee for certain courses of study provided that no objec- tion is entertained to this course by the University Courts of the Scottish universities.

May I ask that there will be no delay in the matter?

I will communicate at once with the University Court on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Government of 1905 made arrangements with the shipbuilding interests of other countries to raise the English load line; if he is aware that it was estimated at the time that the raising of the load line was equivalent to the adding of one million tons dead weight carrying capacity to the mercantile marine; if he is aware that by raising the load line it has been the means of saving the shipowners something like 7½ million pounds; and whether it is the intention of the Government to reduce the load line to what it was prior to 1906?

There is no foundation for the suggestion made in the first part of the question, and I have already informed my hon. Friend on 27th February, 1911, that the estimate of 1,000,000 tons is a great over-statement. I do not know the basis of my hon. Friend's estimate of £7,500,000. As my hon. Friend is aware, the load lines of British ships are fixed solely in reference to the question of safety and not to the possible effect on shipbuilding. As regards the last part of the question I would refer to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Glamorgan, South, of which I am sending him a copy.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that the consequence of the load line being raised moans that more tone could be carried and means preventing ships being built?

It affects a certain number of tons, but I cannot give any estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, since his appointment to his present office, he has received any communications from associations, societies, or guilds of seafaring men, or from individuals who have experienced the dangers of a seafaring life, concerning the deeper loading of ships and additional I cargoes made possible by the altered load- line Regulations issued in 1906; and, if so, whether he will publish these communications for the information of Members?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave on 28th November to a similar question by my hon. Friend and a question by the hon. Member for South Glamorgan.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the question whether he will supply the information, or not?

I answered two questions together on Thursday, when perhaps the hon. Member was not here. I intend to refer all these communications to a Committee which I propose to set up in regard to this matter.