asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any official knowledge of any serious Nationalist movement against the Government of Egypt; if not, can he inform the House what were the special instances which justified the severe sentence of ten years' imprisonment passed upon Ahmed Muktar for sedition; and whether the sentence is open either to appeal or review?

In regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, he may have seen in the Press the report of the circumstances in which three individuals were condemned on the 13th of August last for conspiracy to assassinate His Highness the Khedive, the Egyptian Prime Minister, Lord Kitchener, and Magdi Pasha and Monsieur Dilberoglue, judges in the native Court of Appeal. I have received a report upon this case. With regard to the case referred to by my hon. Friend in a question on 28th November, I understand that Ahmed Mukhtar was arrested on arriving in Egypt with a number of copies of a seditious manifesto, advocating the systematic formation of terrorist societies for the assassination of Egyptian Government authorities.

In regard to the second part of this question, as I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to his question of 25th November, I have no official information respecting the sentence passed on this individual. In regard to the third part of this question, I added on 25th November that the matter is one within the competence of the Egyptian judicial authorities, and that no question arises as to approval by His Majesty's Government. I am awaiting a report on the case, and till this is received I cannot give more information about it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the latter part of my question?

I am awaiting a report and until I receive it I cannot give that information.

Will a translation of the alleged seditious document be laid upon the Table of the House for the information of Members?

I cannot say until I have seen a report of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can now make a further statement about the treatment of Mr. W. S. Hughes by the Government of Columbia.

The Columbian Government state that they are unable to take action either in abandoning or accelerating the trial. Instead of dealing with this matter as a case of simple assault, the Colombian Court has opened a criminal case against Mr. Hughes which cannot be decided upon before March. As the alleged assault took place in February last, the case should have been dealt with long ago, and I am making a further communication to the Colombian Government on the subject.

asked whether it is in tended that the Ambassadors of the Great Powers should meet in conference in one of the European capitals in order to formulate a common policy on the questions arising out of the Balkan war; and whether any information can be given on this matter?

All the Great Powers concerned have cordially approved the suggestion that the Ambassadors in one of the capitals of Europe should engage in informal and non-committal consultations to facilitate exchange of views between the Powers. It will not be a Conference. I cannot give further details at present, but I would propose to give the fullest information I can at the end of questions on Thursday.

asked whether any answer has been received from the Chinese Government to the memorandum of Sir John Jordan on the subject of Tibet; and how the British Government proposes to give effect to this document.

No answer has yet been received from the Chinese Government. I am unable at present to give any further information on this subject.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any communication with the Chinese Government on the subject?

The whole subject is under consideration and will remain so until a settlement has been arrived at.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, as representing the Secretary of State for India, if he will say whether he is satisfied that the amount of the Gold Standard Reserve is sufficient for all possible demands, having regard to the development of India's trade requiring annually larger remittances Eastward, and the consequential risk of larger adverse balances having to be met in times of depression, coupled with the transfer of capital from India in any political trouble; and can he say if his views are shared by the Government of India?

"Sufficient for all possible demands" is a very wide term. But the Secretary of State is satisfied that the recent decision to allow the reserve to rise to £25,000,000 before any part of the profits of coinage is used for other purposes provides for all probable demands. In fixing this figure the Secretary of State acted in consultation with the Government of India and in accordance with their views.

asked the Financial Secretary if he can refer to any Statute or authority which provides that satisfaction of the obligations against which the paper currency reserve is held can be demanded otherwise than in silver?

By Section 3 of the Paper Currency Act of 1910 currency notes are payable to bearer on demand. The Act does not give the bearer any specific light to demand payment in silver or in any other particular form of money, and the notes are therefore payable, at the option of the Government, in whatever money is legal tender in India—that is, under Sections 11 and 12 of the Indian Coinage Act of 1900, in sovereigns, half-sovereigns, rupees, or half-rupees.

Has the holder of the note a right to demand payment in legal tender other than silver?

If the hon. Member will look at the latter part of my answer he will see that whatever money is legal tender can be used, such as sovereigns, half-sovereigns, rupees, etc.

Does not that represent the right of the Government to pay silver obligations in gold and not the right of a holder of a note to demand payment in gold? That would be paying 1s. 4d. for what is worth only 9d.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would give me notice of that.

asked on what day the Bank of England was first instructed by the India Office this year to purchase silver on their behalf; and if he will give a copy of the whole of the correspondence which has passed during 1912 between the India Office and the Bank of England relating to the purchase of silver?

The date referred to was the 30th October. The whole of the correspondence of 1912, between the India Office and the Bank of England on the subject, will be included in the White Paper which has been promised in reply to the hon. Member's question of 4th December.

As the hon. Member has admitted in this House that it was known in the market early in August that the Indian Government were buying silver, why were not future purchases from that date carried out through the Bank of England, instead of waiting until the transactions were exposed in this House?

I should like to have notice of that.

asked whether the whole of the cash balances of the Government of India shown in the Return given on 4th December were on loan during the months of April, May, June, July, and August of this year; if so, what was the average rate of interest received each month; and, if any of the balances were not on loan but were kept ready to meet the payments for silver purchased, will he say how much each month was lying unemployed?

The whole of the cash balances referred to were on loan, except the standing balance, which, under an arrangement that has existed for many years, was at the Bank of England. The average rate of interest received was approximately £3.00 per cent, in April,]912, £2.49 per cent, m May, £2.66 per cent, in June, £2.59 per cent, in July, and £2.63 per cent, in August. No special balance was kept ready to meet payments for silver.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much the standing balance was?

I must consult the Secretary of State before answering that.

asked what words are contained in the contract notes sent to the India Office by Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company which indicate that they acted as brokers, and not as dealers; whether a different contract note is issued by them when they act as dealers; and, if so, will he give a specimen copy of both these different notes?

When acting for the India Office, Messrs. Samuel Montagu and Company sent contract notes, showing that the silver was "bought for" or "sold for" the Secretary of State in Council, thus indicating that they acted as brokers. Specimens of "bought notes" were circulated with the Votes on 19th November and 2nd December, and I am to-day circulating a "bought note" and a "sold note." It has been ascertained that when the firm act as dealers the business is usually confirmed by letter without a contract note; but that, when a contract note is used, it shows that the silver is "bought from" or "sold to" the other party to the transaction. The form used in such cases is being circulated with the Votes.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why the letter in which the Secretary of State assured me they acted as brokers, and not as dealers has not been circulated with the correspondence?

I shall inquire. If the hon. Member is right he will see when he gets the White Paper.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is now in a position to give any further information regarding the recent consideration of the question of the establishment of a mint for the coinage of gold in India?

The Government of India proposed in a dispatch to the Secretary of State dated 16th May, 1912, to open the Bombay Mint to the coinage of sovereigns. Under the British and Indian Coinage Acts, any mint used for the coinage of sovereigns for circulation in the United Kingdom or in India must be constituted a branch of the Royal Mint. The Secretary of State proposed to the Treasury that this status should be given to the Bombay Mint; but the Treasury stipulated that, if this were done, the Bombay Mint should pass under Imperial management. As an alternative they were willing that a separate mint, with a separate staff, should be established. The first alternative would have been inconvenient and the second expensive. The Secretary of State therefore suggested to the Government of India, in a dispatch dated 18th October, that instead of sovereigns, of which large amounts reach India in the course of trade, Indian gold coins of the denomination of, say, ten rupees should be coined at Bombay. The Government of India desire time to consider the matter carefully.

asked whether an eminent architect, other than Mr. Lutyens, has visited India in connection with plans for the new Delhi; whether this architect was consulted by the Viceroy and reported to him in favour of Indian craftsmen being employed in the new Delhi; whether the expenses of this architect's journey were paid by the India Office; and whether, seeing that there is a conflict of expert opinion as to the manner and style in which the new Dehli shall be built, further authorities will be consulted before a decision is taken?

Mr. H. V. Lanchester was engaged to pay a visit to India as a consulting expert to advise as to the site for the new city of Delhi, his expenses being paid by the India Office. The further question of the construction of the buildings has yet to be decided, and the Secretary of State is not prepared at present to make a statement on the subject.

What was the necessity for sending out Mr. Lanchester if full confidence was placed in the Advisory Committee, which is already out there reporting on this very same question?

I have no doubt there was an advantage in having still another expert.

Are we to understand from that reply that the designs of the buildings have not yet been settled?

Yes. The question of the construction of the buildings has not yet been settled.

Will Mr. Lanchester's Report be published, so that we may compare it with the Report of the Advisory Committee?

If the hon. Member will put down a question I will answer it.

asked whether the Government of India and the India Office are aware that there is a traditional school of architects and building craftsmen, in India; and whether their existence will be considered in commissioning architects and builders for the structures to be erected in the new Delhi?

The circumstance mentioned by the hon. Member will, together with all other relevant circumstances, be duly considered.

asked whether the Viceroy, the Government of India, or the India Office is to decide the question of the architects and style of architecture to be employed in the buildings of the new Delhi?

The final decision rests with the Secretary of State in Council.

Will the pledge given by the Under-Secretary of State for India in the course of the Indian Budget that there would be open competition for these buildings be carried out?

If that pledge was given I am sure it will be carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has taken note that certain Lords Lieutenant who have recognised duties and powers in connection with the Territorial Forces have expressed disapprobation of the Territorial system, and their belief that safety is alone to be found in compulsory military service; whether he has considered an expression of opinion made on behalf of the Duke of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex; and whether, having regard to the impossibility of working the Territorial system by county associations presided over by hostile persons, he can devise means whereby Lords Lieutenant may be relieved, if they wish, from these duties?

I believe that the Lords Lieutenant who are presidents of the county associations have carried out their duties as such conscientiously, and I do not think that any expression of opinion of the nature alluded to in the question would affect the manner in which they should discharge the duties of their office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of authorities are stating at the present time that the Territorial Force is incapable of doing the service required, and will he therefore make inquiries to see what Lords Lieutenant are really whole-hearted in this matter?

I do not agree with the statements attributed to some authorities, but I cannot usefully add anything to the answers I have already given.

Is it not a fact that the majority of Lords Lieutenant belong to the party sitting on this side of the House, and that they ate conscientiously doing their duty?

I do not see that that has anything to do with the matter.

asked what is the percentage of men liable for compulsory military service who are called to the colours in Germany, Austria-Hungary, France, and Italy?

The figures are approximately as follows:—

Germany	…	…	50 per cent.
Austria-Hungary	…	…	51 per cent.
France	…	…	88 per cent.
Italy	…	…	29 per cent.

asked what percentage of the men voluntarily enlisting in the British Army and the Territorials form of those who would be available for military service on the basis of the German conscriptive system?

Seventeen per cent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say approximately how many of these men have actually joined the National Reserve?

The last question refers only to the British Army and the Territorials.

asked whether, after the lesson that has been taught in the Balkans as to the advantage that is gained by superior Artillery fire, he proposes to take immediate steps to provide an effective and modern gun for the Territorial Artillery in place of the one they are now armed with?

The present gun in possession of the Territorial Force is an efficient weapon. The cost of rearmament would be very large indeed, and it is not considered that this is the most urgent Service with which we have now to deal.

Are we to understand that the gun supplied for the Territorial Artillery is one that would be effective against any Artillery brought against it?

I say that it is an efficient weapon as compared with the guns in possession of various other Powers. It is a good gun, but it is not the best one, and the cost of rearmament would be very large.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how the rate of firing compares with any foreign gun?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question offhand.

Has there yet been time to fully appreciate what lessons have been taught by the Balkan War?

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Territorial Artillerymen are not worthy of a better gun?

I must not be taken to mean that at all.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received a copy of a resolution, passed on the 20th November, by the East Biding Territorial Association, referring to the Balkan war, and bringing to the notice of the Government the present deficiency in the number of officers and men of the Territorial Force and of their insufficient training, and declaring that, owing to the increase of mobility in transport in the last few years, they urge on the Government the absolute necessity for some kind of universal service to be introduced as soon as possible for the safety of the country; and whether the Government propose to take any action, and, if so, what, to give effect to the views contained in the resolution?

I have received a copy of the resolution in question, which I am informed was carried by a majority of one vote. The Government does not propose to give effect to the suggestion for universal service contained therein.

If the right hon. Gentleman does not propose to take their advice on a matter of policy, will he accept the statement of fact and see what remedy he can suggest to meet the shortage in the number of officers and their insufficient training?

I do not think the House would allow me to make a full statement at Question Time in answer to such a wide question as that. I have already made one statement, and I hope to give fuller information in due course.

Can the hon. Member opposite say whether compulsory military service is the policy of the party-opposite?

That question does not arise.

asked what number of horses, in addition to those now serving in the ranks, are required on mobilisation in the United Kingdom for Household Cavalry, Cavalry of the line, Military Mounted Police, Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Field Artillery, Royal Field Artillery (howitzer batteries). Royal Garrison Artillery (heavy batteries), Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps, and Mounted Infantry, respectively?

It is not considered expedient to publish statistics regarding mobilization arrangements.

asked what number of horses of all kinds he and his advisers consider should be readily available for the requirements of the British Army, in the event of war with another European Power lasting for at least twelve months?

It is not considered to be in the interests of the public service to publish the information required.

asked whether the police horse census has afforded any reliable guidance as to the number of horses available in the country suitable for various military requirements and available in the event of war; when the improved census now being conducted will be completed; and whether the horses included in it are being classified according to the several purposes for which they are best fitted?

The police census of 1910 afforded a fairly reliable guide as to the number of horses generally in the country, but very little information as to the number of horses suitable for various military requirements and available in the event of war. The present census and classification will be completed by the spring. The horses are being classified according to the arms of the Service for which they are most suitable and for which they are required.

asked whether, on applications made, the Inland Revenue has refused to repay the proportion of Mineral Rights Duty applicable under Section 11 of the Finance Act, 1912, to rates paid in 1909–10, 1910–11, and 1911–12 on coal lordships in Scotland; and whether he will state the reasons why the relief afforded by that Section should not be given on account of these three years?

I am inquiring into this matter, and I will communicate further with my hon. Friend.

asked whether, apart from valuations which are being made under the Finance. (1909–10) Act, 1910, there are any, and, if so, what, official valuations in Ireland which show the assessable site value of land in Ireland; and if there are no such valuations, what ground is there for not pressing forward site valuations in Ireland?

As I have repeatedly stated, valuations already exist in Ireland which will be of assistance to valuers in arriving at the assessable site value of land for the purposes of Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, even though valuations may not hitherto have existed showing the assessable site value itself.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether there are any valuations in Ireland which show the assessable site value, and, if not, does not the fact that there are materials which make up easier in Ireland rather indicate that there ought to be more valuations in Ireland than in Great Britain; and how does he account for the fact that only 5,000 valuations were made in Ireland last year while in Great Britain there were 1,500,000?

The hon. Member is asking two or three questions of which he has not given notice. The first part of his question I have already answered.

Does that mean there are no valuations?

Well, what else does it mean?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the losses which are being complained of by owners of property under the operation of Section 2 of the Finance Act, 1912; and whether he can see his way to remedy the cause of this complaint?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the difficulties which have arisen under Section 2 of the Finance Act, 1912; and whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what course in the matter?

My attention has been called to the operation of Section 2 of the Finance Act, 1912, and I am making careful inquiry into the matter.

asked when the House of Commons may expect the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by him to inquire into the relations between local and Imperial taxation?

I have nothing to add to the answer given on the 21st November to the hon. Member for the Tewkesbury Division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will accept the reference handed to him on Thursday for the proposed Committee of Inquiry into the methods of valuation?

I will accept the hon. Member's reference in the following form:—

"To inquire into the working of land valuation prescribed by Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, and to report whether the methods employed and the instructions given to the valuers are generally satisfactory so far as concerns administration, apart from any questions involving either policy or the legal interpretation of the provisions of the Act."

I would propose also to give the following Instruction:—

"The Committee will conduct their inquiry in such a way as to delay the progress of the valuation under the Act as little as possible, consistently with the object of the inquiry being attained."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to the undertaking of the Unionist Government that the bonus of £18,000,000, provided for landlords selling estates in Ireland should be an Imperial and not an Irish charge, whether he will consider the propriety of imposing in the next Budget a special charge upon that interest, seeing landlords are the only persons to derive financial benefit from the undertaking?

I am afraid I can at present make no statement in regard to my Budget proposals for the coming year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise to keep the matter in mind?

Oh, I have got it in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to an action in the High Court of Lord Mowbray v. the Attorney-General, in which Form V. was declared to be illegal and counsel representing the Attorney-General was not even in a position to argue that it was legal; and whether, in view of successive declarations in the High Court that Forms IV., VIII., and V., respectively, were illegal, he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps or give any instructions to prevent his Department from issuing any more illegal forms and threatening His Majesty's subjects with penalties to which they are not liable?

My attention has been drawn to the action in question, which was in respect of a form the use of which has been discontinued for some time. The Department concerned fully realises the importance of issuing only such forms as are in conformity with the law, and I do not propose to take any steps in the matter.

In view of the fact that three forms, one of which was issued to millions of His Majesty's subjects, have in succession been declared by the Courts to be illegal, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary to take some precautions?

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely inaccurate. They have not been declared to be illegal; on the contrary, it was purely a question in one case of the date of the issue of the form.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—I know because I was engaged as counsel—Form IV. was declared to be unauthorised in every case where the person was both the occupier and the owner?

The hon. and learned Gentleman may have been counsel in the case, but I was a party to the case. Therefore I know something about it, and I still say it was not declared to be illegal. It was mainly a question as to the date at which it was issued.

Is it not a fact that whether they are legal or not they have brought in A great deal of interesting information?

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the Board of Agriculture received an application from the Shetland county for assistance for a road leading to the post office, Eshaness; and if he can state on what grounds the application was refused?

I am informed that the road referred to by my hon. Friend was on the list submitted by the county council to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland, but was not considered so strong a case as others for which Grants were made. I do not think that the county of Shetland has any reason to complain of the way in which Grants have been made.

asked whether the detailed evidence now being taken by the Laud Court in Scotland will be made available to Members of this House; and, if so, when and in what form?

The leading decisions of the Land Court, with notes, will be published in the Annual Report (as was done in the case of the Crofters Commission), and will probably also appear in some of the legal journals. It is not proposed to provide for any further detailed report of evidence, which I am advised would be very costly.

Will the conversational remarks of the judges at these inquiries always be published?

No. I do not think conversational remarks will be published.

Is an official shorthand report being taken of these proceedings?

I do not think there is a verbatim report.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give a pledge that persons engaged in the unofficial Land Inquiry will not be appointed to salaried positions under the State unless they enter the public service through the ordinary channels by examination?

I think the contingency against which the hon. Member seeks to guard is highly improbable, but I do not see why I should give the pledge for which he asks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to kindly make inquiry and use his influence so that these persons shall not be given any preference over other persons who have not been engaged in this inquiry?

They will not be given any preference on that ground.

Would it be sufficient if the right hon. Gentleman inquired into their former character?

asked on what day it is proposed to take the Franchise Bill?

The Bill will not be taken till after Christmas.

Will it be taken on the first day after the Christmas Recess?

No.

Will it be taken before the completion of the Committee stage of the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

I cannot say that at this moment.

In view of the great success of the policy of time tables, will a time table also be available for this Bill?

We will consider that.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is prepared to set up a committee of inquiry into the lack of facilities for higher education in Scottish rural schools?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware of the amount of dissatisfaction that exists, and is his Department going to make any inquiry?

I am aware that the amount of dissatisfaction alleged to exist is grossly exaggerated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to receive a deputation on this subject?

No such deputation has yet been suggested.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is the policy of the Scottish Education Department to foster secondary education in Scotland at the expense of higher teaching in the ordinary schools; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the gap, winch is every year widening between the ordinary school and entrance to Scottish universities, shall not endanger the passing of pupils from the primary schools to the universities?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second part, my efforts have been and are consistently directed towards ensuring that the gap to which the hon. Member refers shall not constitute a barrier to the progress of any pupil from the primary school to the university.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a steady decline from year to year in the number of those students?

That is the subject of another question of the hon. Member's.

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman if he knows?

I will answer it when I come to the question.

asked whether the Scottish Education Department propose to abolish all grades of the inspectorate except full inspectors; if so, when is the proposed change to be made: and what are to be the conditions of appointment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the other questions do not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware a public statement has been made on behalf of the Scottish Education Department that it is contemplated abolishing every branch of the inspectorate except the full inspectorate?

No. the hon. Member is mistaken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman believe it if I show it him?

No. I should think it was a misreport.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be surprised———

The lion. Member is getting a long way from the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of students who now enter upon an arts course at the Scottish Universities direct from primary schools has shown a steady decline in recent years; and whether he will consider the advisability of making an early pronouncement of policy whereby higher education will be made reasonably accessible to every parish in Scotland?

The steady decline of which the hon. Member speaks is the natural and inevitable consequence of the steady increase in the number of primary schools which have, on the application of managers, been accorded a higher grade status, the number of such schools having grown from 31 in 1900 to 196 in 1911, and the number of pupils from 3,271 to 26,349. The fact that this movement has been constantly in progress venders it impossible to compile any reliable figures, but the notable rise in the number of matriculated students, which the university statistics for the corresponding period disclose, certainly does not suggest that the path from the primary departments of these and other schools is any less smooth than it was before. As to the last parts of the question, I can only state my policy very briefly within the limits of time necessary in answering a question. While, on the one hand, I am not prepared to do anything to interfere with the system of providing higher education in secondary and higher grade schools, as appears to be desired by a small section of extremists, but which I am certain is not desired by the vast majority of Scottish educationalists, because I believe that that system has done and is doing great service in raising the standard of higher education in Scotland, on the other hand, there is no ground whatever for the suggestion that there is any desire to prevent higher instruction being given in primary schools. On the contrary, I have every desire to assist school boards who are prepared to give higher instruction in rural primary schools and who wish to dial with cases of difficulty or hardship such as may arise in certain rural districts. In districts where the school board finds it impossible to maintain a higher grade school and where such a school is not otherwise of easy access, I am glad to say a practice is growing up with the sanction of the Department of giving selected pupils such instruction in secondary subjects on the lines of the centre school as will fit them to enter at a riper age the second and in some cases the third year of the centre school course and I hope that this practice will become more prevalent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is a riper age?

A year older.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of bursaries awarded for secondary education in Scotland in the year 1909; how many of those who w-ere awarded such bursaries have this year passed into a third year's course preparatory to entering Scottish Universities; and whether he can state the proportion of those who have done so for industrial and rural areas?

In the year 1909 the secondary education committees awarded 4,650 bursaries for secondary education at a cost of £32,100. These figures give only the number of bursaries awarded this year for the first time, and not the total number current. In addition there were bursaries granted from endowment trusts of which I am unable to give particulars, but which amount in the aggregate to a very considerable sum. Undoubtedly by far the larger proportion of the former bursaries, i.e., those granted by the secondary education committees, went to pupils in rural districts, but I am unable to give the particulars asked for in the latter parts of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is cognisant of the discontent existing in educational circles in Scotland on account of the policy of the Scottish Education Department in centralising higher education in a number of secondary and higher grade schools and taking it almost entirely from the primary schools; and whether he is prepared to make this the subject of inquiry by an independent Committee?

As regards the first part of the question, the policy of the Scotch Education Department is not correctly described. I have stated what is the actual policy in reply to my hon. Friend's question, No. 53. For the second part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his previous question. No. 50.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the criticism which has been urged in Scotland by the education authorities on these grounds?

The statement that criticisms on this matter have been urged by all educational authorities is entirely inaccurate.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is proposed to make Any inquiry into the alleged grievances connected with the centralisation of higher education in secondary and higher grade schools and its practical withdrawal from primary schools, as was suggested in a letter addressed to him on the, 8th August by the Association for Securing Higher Education in Rural Schools; and whether he is aware that nothing but a mere acknowledgment has been sent to that letter and the statement that accompanied it from thirty-eight schoolmasters in Aberdeenshire?

I received no communication purporting to come from the association referred to, but I presume my hon. Friend refers to a letter which appeared in the newspapers of the 10th August, signed by Professor Harrower on behalf of an anonymous committee, of which I received a copy after I had already read it in the newspapers. As no opportunity was given me of making a reply before publication of the letter, I felt under no obligation to enter upon a newspaper controversy, especially as I had dealt with the subject in a letter to the Orkney School Board which was published on the 14th August. The statements that accompanied Professor Harrower's letter were anonymous, and no indications were given of the places referred to, so that it was impossible to make any inquiry into the facts or to discuss them with adequate knowledge. Besides, these anonymous statements revealed no grievanccs which could not be remedied by appropriate action on the part of the school boards and secondary education committees concerned, and they afforded no ground for a general inquiry.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether some further investigations can be made into the propriety of the conviction of Oscar Slater at Edinburgh in 1909, when he was sentenced to death for murder, and is now serving a commuted sentence of penal servitude for life; whether he is aware that the verdict was a majority verdict of three in a jury of fifteen; whether he is aware of the nature of the evidence of identification against the prisoner; that certain witnesses as to his identity, whose precognitions had been taken by the Crown, were not called at the trial; and, seeing that the speech of the counsel for the prosecution contained inaccurate statements of fact, and in view of the uneasiness as to the justice of the verdict which has been expressed both in Scotland and England, will he state what steps he proposes to take?

Recent expressions of opinion of a varied character which have appeared in the public Press and elsewhere have been brought to my notice. The case was considered with the greatest care, both at the time of the conviction and again recently. No new considerations have, in my opinion, emerged such as would justify me in reopening the case. I do not consider it to be my duty to enter into a public discussion of the case in reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman's question.

asked the number of rating authorities in Scotland which have made arrangements for exemption from payment of occupiers' assessments on the ground of poverty, under Section 9 of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1911, and the number of rating authorities which have decided that no such exemption can be made under the provisions of the said Act, specifying in each case the authorities concerned?

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not at present available.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in consequence of the passing of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1911, diversity of practice exists among the rating authorities in Scotland in regard to the granting of exemption from occupiers' assessments on the ground of poverty; whether a number of important rating authorities, including the county council of Lanarkshire and a number of parish councils in that county, have adopted machinery for carrying into effect the provisions of the Act relating to this matter; and whether he agrees with the view that it is practicable by some such methods as those which have been adopted by various rating authorities in different parts of Scotland to give effect to the aforesaid provisions of the Act?

The answer to each of the three parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the statement when the House Letting Bill was before the House of Commons that the Bill would not in the slightest degree affect the rights of an indigent occupier to secure exemption from rates, and of the fact that Glasgow, Aberdeen, Paisley, Greenock, and Lanarkshire have made provision under the Act for giving relief to an indigent occupier, he will explain why the city of Edinburgh has declined to give the relief formerly given, and upon what grounds?

I am not in a position to explain the views of the Corporation of Edinburgh on the subject, and, indeed, I am not aware whether they have as yet come to a final decision.

Is it not the fact that this difficulty was pointed out when the Act was passed in this House, and that there is really no Act of Parliament in existence which permits owners to be exempted from rates, but only occupiers?

That may be so, but ways have been found by a number of local authorities for exempting poor occupiers.

But is it not an illegal thing to do?

I do not think it is illegal.

asked whether the Scottish Agricultural Department is yet doing anything to promote the growing of tobacco in Scotland; and whether the same facilities will be offered to Scottish agriculturists as are offered or to be offered to Ireland?

The matters referred to by my hon. Friend are being considered by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the advice he has given to the National Insurance Commissioners in Scotland with regard to trawl fishermen will cover the case of those sharemen who are really the employés of owners of boats, so far as receiving benefit under the Workmen's Compensation Act, but who have hitherto been debarred from receiving its benefits?

The question, what workmen are entitled to participate in the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Act, is one exclusively for the Courts of Law to determine.

Is not the advice the right hon. Gentleman has given in regard to the question diametrically opposed to the custom under the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I am not aware of that.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the retail trade those acquainted with the cheese trade believe that a large business is being done by selling Dutch Cheshire cheese as Cheshire cheese; whether this is due, not to Dutch makers and exporters, who brand cheese of this type, but rather to the defective state of the law here; and whether, under these circumstances, he will bring for ward legislation, or assist measures brought forward, so that by some process of marking this injustice to the producer and consumer may be stopped?

The Board have received representations on the subject to which the hon. Member refers, and it is to be discussed this week at a conference between officers of the Board and representatives of the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture. In these circumstances it would be premature for me to make any statement in reply to the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that cases have recently occurred of worn-out and decrepit horses shipped from Hull arriving dead in Belgian ports; and whether he will take steps, under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, to prevent the repetition of the cruelty resulting from such shipments?

The Returns of casualties during the past three months are not yet quite complete, but, so far as the information is available, they show that out of a total number of 4,074 horses shipped during that period from Hull to Belgian ports, eleven died or were slaughtered on the voyage. All the horses were examined by the Board's inspectors prior to shipment, and were certified to be capable of being conveyed to the ports to which they were consigned and disembarked there without cruelty. I have no reason to believe that there has been any failure on the part of the inspectors in the discharge of their duties in this respect, but I shall, of course, be glad to make inquiry into any specific cases which may be brought to my notice. Special inquiries are instituted in every case in which a horse is reported to have died or been slaughtered in the course of the voyage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Member of this House, sitting on his own side, maintains he witnessed the arrival of a boat laden with these horses, and saw seven unfortunate animals lying dead on the deck? Has the right hon. Gentleman reason to believe that the inspectors are carrying out their duties efficiently?

I believe the case the right hon. Gentleman refers to is that of the "Truro," and I understand that in that case the unfortunate animals were killed as a result of the heavy weather in crossing the North Sea. I have not had any complaint brought to my notice of neglect on the part of inspectors, but I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there have been any cases of swine fever in the counties of Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire. Wigtownshire, and Kirkcudbright within the last six months, and, if so, how many?

Seven outbreaks of swine fever occurred in Ayrshire and two in Wigtownshire during the six months ended the 6th December. No outbreaks have been reported from either Dumfriesshire or Kirkcudbrightshire during that period.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will say what power the Government has in respect of the site now occupied by the Westminster Hospital; and the in the event of the removal of the hospital, that power will be exercised in order to secure that the site shall be used in a manner suitable to the dignity of the situation and so as to provide for the highest public advantage in the future?

The site cannot be used for any other purpose than that of a hospital without the consent of the Crown; and there are various restrictions as to buildings. The Government has the subject under careful consideration from the points of view suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have imposed on the four Universities of Scotland the institution of an inclusive or composite fee of uniform amount throughout the four universities for all the classes included in a particular course of study as a condition precedent to receiving the ultimate increase recommended by Lord Elgin's committee of the existing grants; whether hitherto these universities have managed their internal affairs, subject only to the control of the Scottish Universities Committee of the Privy Council and of Imperial Parliament; and whether he is aware that the general council of the University of Edinburgh looks with disfavour and apprehendsion on this first precedent for subjecting the internal affairs of a Scottish university to the control of a State Department without the express sanction of Parliament for the same?

As regards the first parts of the question, perhaps I may refer the hon. Member to the answers already given on this subject. With regard to the last part, no official communication has been received by the Treasury from the general council of Edinburgh University, but I have had the pleasure of meeting certain members of it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman finally made up his mind on the subject or is he still open to reason and argument?

I am always open to that.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury with reference to the sum of £727,655 voted in 1911 towards paying rates in Ireland under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, how much was allocated to the payment of half the poor rate which before the passing of the said Act was paid by land and house owners in Ireland, distinguishing the amount allocated in respect of each of the latter?

This question should be addressed to the Irish Office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Office have refused me the information, although they have it?

The hon. Member had better put the question again.

asked on whose recommendation Mr. D. R. Daniel, of Carnarvon, late secretary of the North Wales Quarrymen's Union, was given an appointment under the Coast Erosion Committee; was the position thrown open to competition; what salary is attached thereto; what was Dr. Daniel's age when appointed; and will he be entitled to a pension?

Mr. D. E. Daniel received salary at the rate of £200 per annum unpensionable, during his employment from July, 1906, to May, 1911, as Assistant Secretary to the Royal Commission Coast Erosion whose labours ended at the latter date. I have no information as to the remainder of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General if Messrs. J. Hendersons, Limited, coach-builders, of Glasgow, are in dispute with their men in respect to wages; that the firm in question have contracts for the Post Office, and that the wages of painters who have been employed by the firm are less than those current in the district; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware that the firm to whom the hon. Member refers, and who are contractors for mail van services in Glasgow are in dispute with their men in respect to wages; but the facts before me indicate that the wages paid to the painters employed in connection with their mail vans are not lower than those paid by other coach-building firms in Glasgow. If the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary I shall be very glad to consider it.