asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the value of British trade with Persia for the year 1910–11 was £4,541,560, or 26.4 per cent. of Persia's total trade with foreign countries, and that this represents over a period of ten years between £40,000,000 and £50,000,000; is he aware that, in order to preserve this trade, a properly organised gendarmerie under British Indian officers is required to patrol the roads in Southern Persia, and that, no proposal has been made of an armed occupation of the country; is he aware that British traders have already expressed their willingness to pay extra duties, if necessary, to defray the cost of the gendarmerie; and if ho will state the nature of the obstacles which prevent the restoration of order and security for British trade?

I am aware of the fact quoted by the hon. Baronet at the beginning of his question, but a reference to the trade reports will show that the total value for the years 1901 to 1911, inclusive, is £33,721,589 and not between forty and fifty million. The question of the best means of protecting and extending British trade in Persia, has constantly occupied my attention in communication with the Government of India and the Board of Trade. Various schemes have been considered and a creation of a gendarmerie under Swedish officers was finally adopted. I am aware that, early in 1910, certain British firms, engaged in Persian trade, expressed their willingness to submit to the imposition of a surtax of 10 per cent. at Bushire to defray the cost of policing the Bushire-Isfahan road, but it soon became clear that the sum thus obtained would prove insufficient for the purpose and moreover, so far as my information goes, the opinion of the firms interested was not unanimously in favour of the measure, and still less of the extension of the surtax to all the Persian ports of the gulf which was subsequently sug- gested. The obstacles to the restoration of order are the importance and the financial embarrassment of the Persian Government. With regard to the proposal of armed occupation, the proposal made by the hon. Baronet on the 19th for the disarmament of the tribes could not have been carried out except by the occupation of Southern Persia and appeared to be tantamount to a suggestion of that nature.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received particulars of the latest raids by tribes near Shiraz in which a British officer has been killed and an entire caravan of English merchants has been carried off?

I very much regret to say I have had information, the same as has appeared in the Press, of the death of a British officer. I have not, of course, got full details, but His Majesty's Government will have to take the full circumstances into account.

Has the Swedish gendarmerie been the success anticipated for it by His Majesty's Government?

I should have said, previous to the receipt of this grave news, the Swedish gendarmerie had not yet realised all the hopes formed of it, but it has not yet had sufficient experience to say it has proved a failure. In view of the grave news we have received, the whole question will have to be taken into consideration.

In view of the serious situation, can the right hon. Gentleman not devise some means by which British merchants trading in Southern Persia will at least receive the same protection as Russian merchants trading in Northern Persia?

If British merchants trading in Southern Persia were to receive the same protection as Russian merchants trading in Northern Persia, it would, of course, mean sending a large force of British troops for practically an armed occupation of the trade routes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any report of the trial of a corporal of the Portuguese army for the murder of the Rev. A. J. Douglas on Lake Nyasa; if His Majesty's Government were represented at the trial; if there were any provocative or extenuating circumstances justifying the sentence; and whether the Portuguese Government have offered, or have been asked, to pay adequate compensation to the relatives of the victim?

I have as yet only received telegraphic reports of the result of the trial, which moreover differ as to the sentence passed. I must await fuller reports before taking any decision in the matter. A Nyasaland official was deputed to be present, at the trial, and an interpreter was engaged for him by His Majesty's Consul-General at Lorenco Marques. Particulars as to the sentence, so far as we at present possess them, were given yesterday in answer to a question from the hon. Member for the Newport Division of Shropshire.

Can the right hon. gentleman say when he expects to have the fuller information?

I am told it is on its way.

May I ask whether any demand for compensation has been made?

We are waiting for the full report of the trial before we come to a final decision.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will specially ask the reasons there should be such a great difference between the two reports of this trial?

No doubt it will be apparent when we get the full Report.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the ease of Mrs. Laffan and family, who are evicted tenants from the farm at Ballyclough, close to Limerick city, the landlord being Mr. R. F. Furnell; if the, landlord in this case has met a number of influential men of the locality, and stated that he is prepared to sell this property to the Estates Commissioners in order that the Laffan family may be restored to their holding, and has refused to sell to a would-be purchaser as the evicted tenants have been out for the past twenty-six years, and the landlord wants to see them restored; whether the Limerick Golf Club, which holds portion of those lands on lease, have written to the effect that they are willing to give up their lease in order to have the evicted tenant get back her farm; and, in the face of all this, and seeing the feeling that has been aroused in the locality, the Estates Commissioners will take action and purchase this property, putting aside in this case the question of priority in order to have this matter settled at once, when all the parties concerned are anxious for a settlement, and the other tenants have purchased?

The Estates Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made regarding this case, and when these inquiries are completed they will consider what action, if any, they can take in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the lands within the township of Boyle, county Roscommon that are vested in the Estates Commissioners have been let to graziers on the eleven months' system; whether these lettings have now expired; and whether the people of Boyle have asked the Estates Commissioners to formulate a scheme of commonage for the said lands, and have trustees appointed who would be responsible for the annuity, the lands to be used as a commonage for milch cows and other suitable purposes for the benefit of the town?

That portion of the lands of Termon and Warren which has been acquired by the Estates Commissioners has been let by them temporarily for grazing pending the acquisition of an additional portion of Termon, which they hope to acquire at an early date. Representations to the effect mentioned in the concluding portion of the question have been received, and will be considered in the allotment of the lands.

asked in what counties in Ireland the Estates Commissioners have exercised the power of compulsory purchase conferred on them by the Irish Land Act of 1909, and the total amount of land so acquired?

The Estates Commissioners have acquired 1,750 acres in counties Clare, Tipperary, and Waterford under the compulsory provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1909.

Have the Estates Commissioners acquired by compulsory powers a single acre of land in Ulster?

I am not aware of it.

asked whether the landlord of the William estate at Gap- panagroun, Mastergeehy, near Waterville, has accepted the offer for the purchase of his estate made by the Congested Districts Board last July; and, if so, when will the Board complete the sale with the tenants?

The owner has not accepted the offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of this estate.

When will a renewed attempt be made to get this landlord to accept reasonable terms?

I expect the Congested Districts Board will pursue the subject whenever an opportunity offers.

asked whether it is the intention of the Estates Commissioners to acquire by compulsion the untenanted land on the Smith estate, at Ballynanty, Bruff, county Limerick; are they aware that Mr. Arthur White, who has been grazing these lands, is at present farming on the same system some hundreds of acres all over county Limerick; and, in view of the determination of those who were evicted from Ballynanty, as well as the surrounding uneconomic holders and labourers, to clear the evictor and grazier, will the wishes of the public bodies in county Limerick be acceded to and have this land distributed?

The Estates Commissioners are inquiring into this matter, but are not at present in a position to say whether this is a case in which they should or could acquire the lands compulsorily. If, however, there is any intention on the part of the surrounding small holders and labourers as alleged by the hon. Member to interfere illegally with the present user of the lands and any such interference takes place the Commissioners will discontinue all proceedings for the acquisition of the lands.

asked what is the cause of delay in completing the purchase negotiations of three sub-tenants on the Sir George Colthurst estate, townland of Laught, Banteer, county Cork, the names of the sub-tenants being John Buckley, John Leary, and Patrick Lane, seeing that the middleman who has purchased has made satisfactory arrangements with the sub-tenants and is most anxious that the business should be completed at once?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject on the 26th August, 1909, by the then hon. Member for North Kerry. Up to this date the necessary application from all the parties interested has not been submitted to the Land Commission for consideration.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Berridge estate, in Connemara, has yet been purchased by the Congested Districts Board; if not, whether the delay in completing the purchase is due to the fact that the tenants are to be consulted as to the terms of purchase; and will he urge the officials of the Board to lose no further time in ascertaining the views of the tenants?

Negotiations have not yet been concluded between Mr. Berridge and the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of this estate, but a further conference is to take place in a day or two. As soon as the purchase proceedings are concluded no delay will occur in consulting the tenants.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state what steps the Government propose to take to carry out the undertaking given to complete the process of land purchase at the earliest possible date?

I cannot yet make any statement, but the question is receiving careful consideration, and I fully recognise its urgency.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it is now two months since the Chief Secretary gave the House an undertaking on the part of the Cabinet that they would take steps to complete the process of land purchase at the earliest possible moment. Is that not a reason for the consideration of a question which the Chief Secretary declared was more important than Home Rule, and may I ask whether we can expect that the Government will tackle the question next Session?

I hope so.

Will it be a compulsory measure, because a great many landlords in Ireland will not sell otherwise?

It is a complicated question which is receiving very careful consideration.

Will it be necessary to introduce a new Bill in order to facilitate land purchase in Ireland;

I think it probably will, but I should not like to commit, myself.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution unanimously adopted at a public meeting recently held in Newry, claiming for primary education a Supplemental Estimate of £500,000, and to similar resolutions adopted by various managers' associations, by the General Council of County Councils, and by the Commissioners of National Education; whether the populations of Ireland and Scotland are practically the same; that the Grant for primary-education in Scotland is £350,000 greater than the Irish Grant; that the central committee of the teachers' organisation has asked for a Supplemental Estimate; that the salaries of Irish teachers are 50 per cent. below those paid to Scotch teachers; whether a Grant of £185,000 has been diverted from educational purposes; and what action he propses to take in the matter?

I have received many resolutions in favour of increased expenditure on Irish education. For reasons which I have more than once stated, no accurate comparison can be drawn between the Votes for Public Education in Scotland and Ireland. I understand that the average salaries of Irish teachers are nothing like 50 per cent. below those of Scottish teachers. The difference between the population of the two countries is small, but the attendance of pupils for which provision is made in the Estimates is 58 per cent. higher in Scotland than in Ireland. The allocation of the Grant of £185,000, which is the equivalent of the additional Grant paid in England and Wales for educational purposes under the English Education Act of 1902, is provided for by the Ireland Development Grant Act, 1903. As the Development Grant was gradually encroached upon for Irish land purposes, the recurring charges for education originally placed upon it were transferred to the Vote for Public Education, Ireland. The sum voted for elementary education in Ireland per head of population has increased since the financial year 1902–3 from 5s. 8d. to 7s. 10d., or 38 per cent., while the corresponding figure for England and Wales has risen from 5s. 5d. to 6s. 11d., or 28 per cent. In effect, therefore, Ireland has received both the Grant of £185,000 in connection with land purchase, and an equivalent of the additional Exchequer Grants in England and Wales as well. The claims of education in Ireland have received, and will continue to receive, my most careful consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not admit Scotland receives in proportion to its population at least 25 per cent. more than Irleand?

The amounts payable depend upon the average attendance, and owing to the average attendance in Scotland being 58 per cent. higher than in Ireland, the amounts they receive no doubt are greater.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will grant the Return asked for in the name of the hon. Member for East Limerick?

The information asked for is not available. The Return would serve no useful purpose, and its value would be out of all proportion to the trouble and expense involved in its preparation.

asked who made the Report in 1907 upon which the then Dublin Herald of Arms was removed from that position, and he and his companion required to resign their positions in the Army; whether that Report was oral or written; and by whose direction was the matter withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the Courts under the ordinary Criminal Law?

There was no such Report as that referred to. In October, 1907, it was decided, with the approval of the Crown, that the Office of Arms, Dublin Castle, should be reconstituted. This involved the retirement of Dublin Herald, who was notified accordingly, and who resigned office. I know nothing of the circumstances which led to this gentlemen resigning his position in the Militia.

I will raise this matter on the Motion for Adjournment to-morrow (Friday) evening.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether for some years past Daniel Neylon, an evicted tenant on the Stratford estate, Kilfenora, West Clare, has been on the list of the Estates Commissioners as one of those to whom a definite promise of reinstatement has been given; whether he can state the cause of delay in reinstatement; and whether, if that be due to the present deficiency of available land, steps will be taken to accelerate the rate at which the Land Act of 1909 is being put into operation in West Clare?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware that any definite promise such as that referred to in the question was made by them. As I have already informed the hon. Member, Neylon's name was noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners, and his case is at present under their consideration.

May I ask if, considering there are not many evicted tenants still left in county Clare, with a little energy all the cases might be disposed of and these irritating questions removed from this phase of public life?

I agree with the hon. Member that the cause of irritating questions should be removed at the earliest possible moment.

asked the names of the prisoners now on trial in Belfast in connection with rioting, the offences with which they are charged, and the dates when these offences are alleged to have been committed; and whether, in view of the political complexion which has been given to the prosecution by the attempt to secure the hearing of the charges before magistrates likely, owing to their political views, to convict the prisoners, the Government will authorise the release of the accused men, having regard further to the time which has elapsed since the occurrences for which they are charged?

There are no persons now on trial for riot in Belfast, but preliminary investigations by a Justice of the Peace are proceeding in certain cases with a, view to having the defendants returned for trial by a jury at Assizes. As the offences are indictable the hon. Member is wrong in thinking that the magistrates have any power to convict. There is no intention to abandon the proceedings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Government appreciate the loss caused to owners of cattle, sheep, and pigs in Ireland by inability to sell them at the usual period, and consequent inability to meet their usual engagements; and, if any steps are being taken to ease the situation and avert a crisis, will he say what they are?

There can be no question that, owing to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, regrettable and serious loss is falling upon large numbers of those connected directly or indirectly with the Irish cattle trade. Apart from the payment of compensation for animals slaughtered, which has been done in every case, there is no power to mitigate the suffering caused.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the jewels stolen from the Arms Office, Dublin Castle, in 1907, have been replaced; and, if so, will he state the circumstances, so far as known, of the replacement?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Crown Jewels stolen from Dublin Castle have now been restored, and, if so, by whom?

There is no truth whatever in the report that the Crown Jewels have been replaced.

Are not the Crown jewels at present within the reach of the Irish Government awaiting the invention of some plausible method of restoring them without getting entangled in the Criminal Law?

I assure the hon. Member I have no knowledge whatever where these jewels are. I only wish I knew; I would place them in their proper position.

The Chief Secretary is able if he likes to lay them on the Table.

Perhaps the hon. Member will move for them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland 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 lords in Ireland, distinguishing the amount allocated in respect of each of the latter?

The sum mentioned in the Question represents the total amount of the Agricultural Grant, all of which is applied to the relief of rates on agricultural land. Of this sum, £316,730 was applied to the relief of poor rate, and £410,925 was for county cess. The former sum may roughly be taken to represent the benefits derived by owners of land, and the latter to represent the benefit to occupiers from the Agricultural Grant.

asked when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to make further representations to the Treasury as to including in next year's Estimates a sum sufficient to provide new residences I for women students undergoing training as national school teachers in Ireland, to take the place of Talbot House, Dublin, which is admittedly unsuitable and insanitary, and has been a fertile cause of sickness and disease amongst these students?

A further representation will be made to the Treasury in the matter when the Estimates for the next financial year are being considered.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware of the existence of copper mines at Cappagh, in the county Tyrone; and whether he will state the nature, extent, and working capacity of these mines, and when they were first discovered, or, if he is not in a position to do so, whether he will have an inquiry made and report furnished by Mr. Lyhan, the mineral expert to the Department, concerning the past history and possible future development of this industry, of such importance to the immediate neighbourhood and the county at large?

The Department are aware that prospecting for copper was carried out many years ago at Cappagh. The Department's mineral expert will make an inspection at Cappagh as soon as his other engagements permit.

asked whether, in the demesne of the Vandeleur estate, Kilrush, Mr. H. R. Glynn, of Kilrush, is in occupation of the buildings, which he is having painted and repaired; if so, whether Mr. Glynn is one of the richest men in the West of Ireland; under what Land Act it is provided that, following on the expropriation of one landlord, another may become a beneficiary; and whether, in the event of Mr. Glynn having obtained an interest in the demesne, steps will be taken to put an end to this condition of affairs?

Mr. H. R. Glynn is not in occupation of any buildings on the lands of the Department's Forestry Centre at Kilrush.

Will the right hon. gentleman give a promise that in no circumstances whatever shall he be put in occupation of any land?

I have answered the question put by the hon. gentleman on the Paper. I will certainly not give any promise to discriminate between people in Kilrush or anywhere else.

In that, case will the right hon. gentleman explain under what Statute Mr. Glynn could legally obtain any interest whatever in an estate which was——

That question does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in regard to the demesne of the Vandeleur estate, Kilrush, West Clare, his attention has been called to a resolution of the Kilrush branch of the United Irish League strongly protesting against the ranching system which the Department has introduced in the demesne; and whether, in response to the feeling prevailing in West Clare in the matter, he will take steps to terminate these lettings and transfer the demesne again to the control of the Estates Commissioners, so that it may be utilised to the advantage of the local uneconomic tenants in accordance with the Land Act of 1909?

The Department have received a copy of a resolution adopted by the Kilrush branch of the United Irish League calling on the Department to hand over to the Congested Districts Board 250 acres of demesne land for distribution among the people of Kilrush. As the hon. Member was informed, in reply to his question on this subject on the 31st October last, the Department are not in a position to take the course suggested. The Department hold this property, as trustees under the Irish Land Acts, for forestry purposes, and a scheme for the economic development of the whole area into a forest centre is being carried out. The temporary letting of the grass lands will cease as they are planted up.

Is it part of the scheme that this demesne should be cut up and delivered over under the eleven months' system, and that part of it should be handed over to the control of the landlord?

The Department estimate that it will take some five years to plant the demesne. Some of the land will be unoccupied, so far as the forestry scheme is concerned, for that time, and, as we are bound to get the best terms we can for the present for the advantage of the Treasury, we propose to let the land under temporary lettings until it is all planted out.

I will ask the right hon. Gentleman to see that the provisions of the Land Act of 1909 are carried out with a sole eye to the interests of the tenants concerned.

asked whether the attention of the Department of Agriculture in Ireland has been called to the sale of a quantity of English manufactured meal to a man named Patrick O'Connor, Is-landar, Boherbee, county Cork; whether this man's suspicions having been aroused, he got a sample of the meal analysed, and that the analysis of which showed the meal to be adulterated with a large percentage of sawdust; whether the Department of Agriculture has since taken a sample for analysis; if so, what is the result of the Department's analysis; and, if the result is as first stated, what steps the Department of Agriculture propose taking in order to prevent tins imposition on purchasers?

The Department were informed by Mr. O'Connor that he had purchased from a cross-Channel firm a quantity of pig meal, that he had had a sample of this meal privately analysed and that the analyst had reported the presence of sawdust to the extent of about 20 per cent. On the application of Mr. O'Connor the Department sent, one of their official samplers to his premises for the purpose of taking a sample of the meal in question. Mr. O'Connor produced to this officer three bags From which he stated he had taken the sample which he had had privately analysed. The Department's sampler took a sample from these bags, and as the result of a careful examination the Department's analyst reported that he was unable to verify the presence of any sawdust in the meal. In the circumstances no further action by the Department appears to be called for in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, at eight, of the stations in Nyasaland which are recognised as having healthy climates, unmarried district officials have been appointed, some of whom are junior members of the service, whilst at six stations, which are known to be unhealthy and disagreeable, married officials, who are accompanied by their wives and babies, have been located, some of whom are senior to the juniors in question; and, seeing that this is in direct opposition to a policy of, in the interests of morality, encouraging officials to marry, whether he will reconsider his refusal to use his prerogative with the Governor of British Central Africa in connection with the appointments referred to?

I can only repeat what I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 13th November, that the assignment of officers to particular stations is a matter for the discretion of the local Government, in the interests of the public service, with which I do not propose to interfere.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage the marriage of officials in African Protectorates?

Yes, Sir, no doubt it is part of my duty to encourage marriage, but if the encouragement of marriage were to limit the discretion of the Governor as to the posts to which he might send the man who was most needed or most fitted for the post, I might find myself under the necessity of discouraging marriage.

If it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage the marriage of officials in the Protectorates of Central Africa, and if His Majesty's Government find that the officials in charge only put in bachelors, in these circumstances is it not the duty of the Government to interfere?

I have never found that.

If the right hon. Gentleman does find that, will he take such steps as are necessary?

If I find anything of the sort I should reconsider the whole situation.

In view of the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that on Monday I will call attention to this matter on the Motion for Adjournment.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he will forthwith lay the correspondence concerning the Palm Oil Ordinance in the Gold Coast?

The correspondence is not yet complete, and I cannot promise to lay Papers before Christmas, but I will undertake that there shall be no avoidable delay.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he promised lo lay this correspondence, which merely involves printing, a month ago?

I know that the right hon. Gentleman asked me the question a month ago. I can assure him that there has been no delay in preparing the Papers. The right hon. Gentleman himself has had experience of the delays that take place in the preparation of long correspondence which is to be laid before the House.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the precise nature of the offer made by the First Commissioner of Works to the Edinburgh City Council in adjusting the building line in connection with the laboratory at the Royal Botanic Gardens; and why it is now proposed to make additions at the rear of the laboratory, seeing that when the building was erected originally it was stated that such space could not be taken from the gardens?

The whole matter of the building line in Inverleith Row is now the subject of negotiation between the First Commissioner and the Edinburgh Town Council. The First Commissioner, therefore, would be grateful if my hon. Friend would postpone his question until a decision has been reached. A satisfactory outcome is anticipated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether lie has any intention of proceeding this Session with the Shops Act (1912) Amendment Bill, which is now awaiting Report?

My right hon. Friend is sorry that lie is not yet in a position to state what line the Government propose to take in regard to the Bill of the hon. Member for Hammersmith, as the matter is still under consideration. He will let my hon. Friend know as soon as a decision is reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the disciplinary sentences passed on the wounded convicts Bannister and Morris to wear chains for six months; whether this punishment comes before him for review; what opportunities the convicts had to call evidence as to their treatment before their attempt to escape; and how many convicts in our penal establishments are at present wearing chains?

The wearing of leg chains is not a punitive measure; the chains are light and do not restrict the prisoner's movement further than to hamper him slightly in any attempt to escape. If the Governor considers it necessary as a measure of security, he may make a recommendation to the Directors of Convict Prisons, who are empowered by Rule 142 to issue an order for the purpose. Such an order has been made in the case of the two convicts, but as they are at present in close confinement as part of a punishment awarded by the Board of Visitors, there is no need in the meantime for the order to be put in effect. There are at present three other convicts wearing leg chains. Rule 142 provides that every prisoner having a complaint to make shall have ample facilities, either personally to the Governor, the Directors, or the Board of Visitors, or by petition to the Secretary of State. If ill-treatment is-alleged, it would be within the discretion of the authority hearing the complaint to call such witnesses as the prisoner might wish to call in support of his complaint.

ased the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the desire of the Federated States of Malay to be represented on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and whether he would give his sympathetic consideration to any authoritative proposal put forward with this object?

No, Sir.

Might not the case be met if one of the Lords to be appointed under the Appellate Jurisdiction Bill were to be paid by the Federated Malay States?

asked which Colonies are at present represented on the Committee of Imperial Defence, or any Sub-committee of that body; and if the Government contemplate giving each Colony that contributes to the upkeep of His Majesty's Navy the right to be represented on the Imperial Defence Committee?

No Colonies or Dominions are at present permanently represented on the Committee of Imperial Defence or on any of the Sub-committees, but it has been the practice for some years past to take advantage of the presence of representatives of the Dominions in this country to invite them to meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence and of its Sub-committee, the Oversea Defence Committee, when matters affecting their interests are under consideration. With regard to the latter part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for the Fareham Division.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Neath education authority is still refusing to pay salaries to non-provided school teachers at the same rate as the salaries paid to teachers of similar qualifications and experience in the council schools; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to induce the Neath education authority to discharge its legal obligations in this respect?

I have received no communication relating to the matter referred to by the hon. Member, and no question has arisen for the Board's determination under Section 7 of the Education Act, 1902.

Has not the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the case of Alderman Davies' school, and if I can supply him with facts proving that these salaries are lower at that school than the ordinary scale, will he take action?

It is the duty of the authorities to maintain schools efficiently, and they have ample power to vary the salaries in accordance with the varying circumstances of the school. Unless my attention is called to the matter under Section 7 of the Act, I have no jurisdiction in the matter.

If I call the hon. Gentleman's attention to the case will he look into it?

If I have any indication that such a school is inefficient——

It is not a question of the school being inefficient, but of teachers getting lower salaries than the scale, although they have the same qualifications as teachers in other schools.

My jurisdiction only comes in if I am satisfied that the schools are inefficient.

asked whether the conference upon the new rules for lead processes in the potteries, due to be held on 25th November, has been held; and, if so, with what result?

The inquiry under Section 81 of the Factory Act with regard to the draft regulations was held on the 25th of November and two following days, and the Home Office expects to receive the Report of His Honour Judge Ruegg, who was appointed to hold it, very shortly.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to an inquest held in Stoke Workhouse on 2nd December, upon John Piper, a glost placer, of Longton; whether he is aware that the coroner stated that in Piper's case the rules with reference to medical examination of workers in lead processes had been absolutely ignored; that the deceased had been working in lead processes for five years, during which period it was possible that he had never been medically examined at all; and what steps he intends to take?

Yes, Sir; my right hon. Friend has received a report on this case and the proceedings at the inquest. The man was a casual worker, and exact particulars as to his previous employment are not ascertainable. It appears, however, that there was serious neglect in the observance of the provisions in the special rules with regard to the examination of casual workers, and the firm by whom the man was last employed has been severely cautioned. As the man has not been employed in a lead process since 1911, it is not now possible to take proceedings. The new rules, which will be in operation shortly, contains further provisions in regard to the examination of casual workers.

What steps do the Department propose to take to see that the proper observance of these rules is carried out. Otherwise what is the use of any rules at all?

The new rules will shortly be, in operation, and the inspectors, of course, will do their best to give them effect.

Who is to blame for this scandalous breach of the rules?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that lead poisoning is one of those diseases which may be entirely eliminated, and will he see that the new rules are carried to such a point as to make lead poisoning impossible?

That is a very controversial matter, of course.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made any further inquiry as to whether one firm in the spelter trade employ their speltermen six days only in one week regularly; and, if so, can he state the result of such inquiry?

I understand that the occupier of one small works in the Swansea district has, during the last four weeks, been trying the experiment of dispensing with Sunday labour. I have no particulars at present as to how the work is arranged, or as to how far the experiment is proving successful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has inquired into the hours worked by speltermen in the Swansea district over a period of time covering three weeks; and, if so, can he state the result?

The Home Office has asked for some further particulars on the subject, but has not yet received them.

asked whether the speltermen engaged in the Swansea district are the only workmen engaged in a trade scheduled as dangerous who work seven days weekly the whole year round?

No returns are required to be made to the Home Office as to the hours of employment of adult males in the different industries of the country, but I am informed that there are workers employed regularly on Sundays in at least two other industries which are scheduled as dangerous trades under the Factory Act, namely, chemical works and lead smelting.

Does any lead poisoning take place in these chemical works?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the period of time a workman engaged as a spelterman can work at this specific occupation continuously before he is found to have contracted lead poisoning?

Only a small percentage of the men employed in this industry ever contract lead poisoning. In the case of those who are attacked, the period of employment before attack varies according to the workers' susceptibility to lead and other causes.

asked whether the fifteen parishes in Wales which were found by the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales to be without a single communicant in the Established Church will be treated similarly under the Established Church (Wales) Bill as those parishes in which there are communicants?

All parishes in Wales will be treated similarly under the Established Church (Wales) Bill irrespective of the number of communicants. Of course, it will be within the power of the representative body to make any new arrangements as regards the property handed over to it under the provisions of the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether the convicts confined in the Camp Hill Prison. Isle of Wight, many of whom are habitual criminals of the worst type, are allowed to dine together and smoke and chat after meals; whether tablecloths and floral decorations are provided for them, and they are allowed, out of the moneys which they earn in prison, to buy confectionery, sardines, and other tinned meats; whether their cells are fitted with electric bells and hot shaving water is supplied to them when they ring for it; whether they are allowed to adorn their cells with photographs; and whether these luxuries and privileges have been granted with the object of deterring other criminals from seeking to qualify for admission to this prison or inducing those at present confined there to do everything they can to remain there; and (2) whether lie will lay upon the Table of the House of Commons copies of the rules and regulations regarding the privileges and general treatment of the convicts confined in the Camp Hill prison, Isle of Wight?

The rules for preventive detention were laid on the Table of the House in February, 1908, and they will be found in Appendix No. 17a of the Annual Report of the Prison Commissioners, 1910–11. Full information as to the operation of this—a new and experimental system, devised to give effect to the Prevention of Crime Act, 1908—will be found in paragraph 29 of the Commissioners' Report for 1910–11, and in paragraphs 44 to 46 of the last Annual Report, 1911–12, lately issued and presented to Parliament. The hon. Member will find in these documents a statement of the object and purpose of the new system and of the rules for giving effect to it; of the progress made, and of the hopes entertained that, in spite of great inherent difficulties, a successful attempt may be made to segregate from the community persons found on indictment to be habitual criminals, under conditions which, it has been enacted by Parliament, shall, so far as practicable, "be less rigorous than those of penal servitude, and shall admit of such reformative influences as may be best fitted to make these men willing to earn an honest livelihood on discharge." A sentence of preventive detention can only be imposed as supplementary to a sentence of penal servitude, and no convict goes to Camp Hill until he has served the sentence of penal servitude in the ordinary way in a convict prison.

May I appeal to the hon. Gentleman to inform me about the floral decorations?

I have no precise information as to the floral decorations.

Will the hon. Member accept the hospitality of Camp Hill for a month and see how he will like it?

Has there not been serious complaint amongst the convicts that their bells are not answered when they ring for hot water?

In regard to the floral decorations and the unanswered bells, I shall be very glad to make further inquiries.

Are these prisoners detained for life or for any definite period, and is flogging part of the amenities of this prison?

When an hon. Member asks a question of a right hon. Member opposite, is it not considered courteous on the part of the right hon. Member to give some answer to the question put upon the paper?

I gather from the answer given that all these suggestions were admitted and explained.

I beg to give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory answer I propose to raise this question on the Adjournment of the House on Tuesday.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the manner in which the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons is being evaded by the engineer of the Board of Works, Ireland, at the canal at Limerick, by employing men who are known as handymen both at masonry and painting to the detriment of bonâ-fide tradesmen; whether Mr. Fletcher, the engineer, has been waited upon by the local trade societies and asked to discontinue this practice, and that his answer has been that he is not allowed enough money to employ proper tradesmen; and, if this is so, will an inquiry be held into the matter with the view of compelling the Board of Works to carry out the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons?

I have made inquiry into this matter. There has been no violation of the Fair-Wages Resolution, and I understand that the Board of Works engineer did not make the statement attributed to him. Two men have been employed, one on rough whitewashing, etc., formerly done by the lockkeepers, and one on rough masonry work, formerly done by the head of a gang of labourers. This work has never been done by the skilled men represented by the local mechanics' institute, and all work requiring skilled men is kept for such men.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that in several of the London boroughs the result of the last Borough Council Election has been the return of members of a single party only, in many wards without a contest, and that a section of the voters in these boroughs are thus entirely excluded from participation in municipal affairs; and whether the Government will consider the proposal to introduce, or at least favour, next Session the Municipal Representation Bill, which confers optional powers upon the municipalities to adopt proportional representation as the method of election in their councils.

I am not able to give any undertaking on the subject of proportional representation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is in a position to give any reliable estimate of the percentage of old age pensioners in Poor Law infirmaries?

The only information which I can give on this subject is derived from a Return, which I obtained early in the present year. This showed that on the 1st January last there were in workhouses or other Poor Law establishments in England and Wales 2,191 old age pensioners who were receiving relief which did not disqualify for an old age pension—i.e., medical or surgical assistance only. The number of old age pensioners in England and Wales on the 29th March, 1912, was, according to the last Annual Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, 642,524.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board have decided that the provision by boards of guardians of nurses for old age pensioners on account of infirmity caused by old age or resulting from an accident is beyond the scope of Section 3 (1) (a) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to secure the provision of nursing attendance granted on medical recommendation to old age pensioners?

The Local Government Board have acted, speaking generally, on the view indicated in the hon. Member's question; but I may say that where nursing attendance is recommended by the medical officer on account of specific illness, or incidentally to medical or surgical assistance, disqualification would not, in the Board's opinion, ensue. The question of amending the Act of 1908 is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer rather than for me, but I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion to his notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether large numbers of sub-postmasters, since the conditions of and payment for their services were fixed, have had extra duties placed upon them without extra pay; whether such extra duties are concerned with coupon deposits, home safes, and health and unemployment insurance; and does he propose to revise the payment of sub-postmasters in order to make it correspond with their increased duties?

The question of the credit to be allowed for new work is being investigated and will be adjusted as soon as circumstances permit. As regard insurance work in particular, I beg to refer to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Derry on 25th November.

asked the Postmaster-General what sum of money has been expended by his Department in connection with the rural party telephone lines in England, Wales, and Scotland; have Irish farmers had any telephone facilities given; and, if so, will he state the nature of the same and the cost?

The amount actually spent or ear-marked to be spent in connection with rural party lines in Great Britain is £5,000. No such lines have actually been commenced in Ireland, and there are at present only three cases in which the necessary conditions are fulfilled, namely, at Carrickfergus, Kilmaca-nogue, and Two Mile Bridge (Clonmel), and the work of constructing the lines at these places will be shortly begun. The estimated cost of these lines is £315.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the training of young men as unestablished night telephonists to replace established sorting clerks and telegraphists in various provincial towns, he is aware that officials of his Department have stated that the work of night telephonists is not such as should attract young men for permanent employment but is more suitable for a man who has failed in life; whether these arguments have been frequently used against the claim for establishment of the present night telephonists; and whether, in view of the fact that these statements conflict with the present practice of his Department, he will direct that the training of young men for unestablished positions on this admittedly badly-paid work shall be suspended until the Select Committee on Postal Servants has heard the views of the men's representatives?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 24th October, the question of the status and pay of this class will no doubt be considered by the Select Committee. The conditions of service are clearly announced to all applicants.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the installation of the automatic telephone exchange at Epsom has enabled him to judge to what extent more extensive development of this system in London and other centres is desirable; and, if so, has he formulated any plans for installing the automatic system in any of the exchanges of these centres?

The experimental automatic telephone exchange at Epsom has up to the present proved very satisfactory, and, as I stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 20th March last, schemes for the establishment of larger automatic exchanges in Leeds, Brighton, and Portsmouth are under consideration. No further installation of automatic telephone equipment in the London area is, however, at present contemplated.