asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of spirits manufactured in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, for the year ending the 30th day of September, 1912, first in distilleries manufacturing yeast—pot and patent, pot, and in distilleries not manufacturing yeast—pot and patent, patent, pot, giving in each case the number of distilleries working?

The following statement shows the quantities of spirits manufactured in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in the year ended 30th September, 1912, and the number of distilleries working:—

	England.		Scotland.		Ireland.
	Number of Distilleries.	Proof Gallons.	Number of Distilleries.	Proof Gallons.	Number of Distilleries.	Proof Gallons.
Distilleries manufacturing Yeast, using—
Patent Stills with or without Pot Stills	3	3,314,224	7	10,041,581	5	6,523,815
Pot Stills only	—	—	—	—	—	—
Distilleries not manufacturing Yeast, using—
Patent Stills with or without Pot Stills	4	9,409,117	3	6,605,819	2	3,195,115
Pot Stills only	—	—	110	7,399,716	18
Total	7	12,723,341	120	24,047,066	25	9,718,930

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what were the expenses incurred by the Solicitor to the Treasury in Scotland in prosecuting the three solicitors who were imprisoned for non-payment of the solicitor's annual licence; and whether any part of that expense was recovered, or was it all written off as a bad debt?

The expense incurred in the prosecutions mentioned amounted in all to £19 6s. 6d. No part of these expenses has been recovered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the number of

The numbers as they appear in the Income Tax assessments are the following:—

Year.			No. of houses.
1907–08	…	…	6,208,000
1908–09	…	…	6,281,260
1909–10	…	…	6,368,441
1910–11	…	…	6,379,092
1911–12	…	…	not yet available.

Farmhouses are not included. Being included in the assessments upon the lands with which they are occupied, and not assessed separately, their numbers are not known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts provided by the National Debt Commissioners for the purposes of the Public Works Loan Board during the current year, and in each of the four preceding financial years?

The amounts were as follows:—

	£
Financial year 1908–9	2,714,068
Financial year 1909–10	3,293,021
Financial year 1010–11	3,860,301
Financial year 1911–12	3,954,899
Since 31st March 1912	2,885,314

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the movement of cattle in Oldcastle and the surrounding district was restricted because of an outbreak of disease at Mullingar in an adjoining county; if Mullingar is now declared a healthy area and the free movement of stock restored to its normal condition, and why is similar treatment withheld from Oldcastle; whether it is because of an alleged case at Kells many miles distant, which on examination proved not to be a genuine case of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether, having regard to the hardships suffered by stock-owners in the Oldcastle district through no fault of their own, he will now remove the present restrictions and allow the usual fairs to be held next Thursday and Friday?

Certain portions of Oldcastle No. 1 Rural District were included in the district scheduled on the 18th October on account of the foot-and-mouth outbreaks at Mullingar. By Orders of 12th and 16th instant this district was contracted, and now only covers an area having a four or five mile radius from the Mullingar infected places. There is nothing at present to prevent the holding of the fairs referred to, but animals exposed thereat cannot be moved out of the larger area declared yesterday, which includes portions of Westmeath and the whole of counties Meath and Monaghan, as well as the other northern counties.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that Bernard Griffin, cattle dealer, Poyntzpass, county Armagh, has had twenty-eight cattle lying at the port of Newry for a period of ten days, and that they have been inspected daily by the inspectors from the Department, and that no trace of disease has been found amongst them; and can he say how soon he can allow of their being shipped to their destination?

Twenty-eight cattle belonging to a man named Gribbin were inspected on the 8th instant in a field near Newry and found healthy. That port has been closed since the 4th instant. No cattle can at present be moved out of county Armagh, and I cannot say when the port will be again opened.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a memorial from those entitled calling for the winding-up and distribution of the Irish Constabulary Force Fund; whether he has tested the assertion of those persons that the fund was never truly insolvent but had been improperly drawn upon for extraneous purposes; and whether an audited statement showing the effect of those transactions will be circulated among the persons entitled and their votes taken on the question of immediate winding-up and distribution?

The memorial referred to has been received. In 1891, as a result of an inquiry held by the Treasury, it was found that the fund, as it then stood, would not be able to discharge all the claims accruing against it, but the sum of £150,000 then voted by Parliament placed the fund upon a perfectly sound footing. The fund was never improperly drawn upon for extraneous purposes. As I have already stated, the accounts of the fund are audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and I see no grounds whatever, either in connection with the state of the fund itself or the future prospects of the Royal Irish Constabulary, for calling for the premature winding-up of the fund. If the fund is not wound up before the date of the transfer of the Royal Irish Constabulary to the Irish Government, it will remain under the control of the National Debt Commissioners, as it is at present, subject to the statutory trusts for which it was created.

asked the Chief Secretary the date at which the Irish Constabulary Force Fund began to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General; whether a full account of the fund prior to that date may be examined now by a person appointed by those entitled to the fund; what sum was paid out of the fund to Inspector-General Reid; by what authority that payment was made out of a trust fund; what sums were paid to other non-contributors; what sums were paid out of this trust fund for extraneous purposes during the term of office of the official named French who eventually fled from justice; the nature of the offence on account of which he fled; whether an examination of those payments and the recorded purpose will be allowed; and whether the sum of £150,000 voted by Parliament in 1891 was intended to recoup this fund for the unwarranted payments that had been made out of it?

The accounts of this fund have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General since the establishment of his Department, and I do not see that any useful object would be served by having them now examined by a private individual. No grants of money were made to Sir A. Recd or Mr. French out of the benefit branch of the fund; any payments made to them were made out of the reward branch, which is entirely distinct and is derived from fines and penalties. No sums have been paid from the benefit branch to non-contributors, nor has the fund ever been improperly drawn upon for extraneous purposes. The £150,000 voted by Parliament in 1891 was to enable the fund to meet liabilities incurred through the adoption of too generous a scheme of benefits.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the subscribers to the Irish Constabulary Force Fund, whose property it is, have no voice in its administration; whether the memorial he has received from them discloses dissatisfaction and anxiety regarding its administration, and a desire to have it wound up and distributed; and will he say on what grounds this request is refused?

Subscribers to the Constabulary Force Fund Benefit Branch have no voice whatever in its control or management. The Statutes under which the Fund was established provide that it is to be administered under rules sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant, and all payments out of the Fund have regularly been made under his authority. There are no grounds, either in relation to the present state of the Fund or its administration to give rise to any anxiety, and no equitable distribution of the moneys to its credit could be made except in the present normal way of paying all claims of widows and orphans as they arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he can explain the intentions of the War Office with regard to the Army Motor Reserve; whether, although they have been maintained on a contingent allowance of £700 and made use of freely during manœuvres, staff rides, etc., they have now been told that they will not be required on mobilisation; and (2) on what date was the Army Motor Reserve informed that it would not be required on mobilisation; was it due to the knowledge of this fact that the War Office has not gazetted officers from a date early in this year; why was the Army Motor Reserve not given an explanation for the delay in appointing officers, although use was made of the corps in the intervening period; what are the intentions with regard to the seventy-nine officers now in the corps; and whether he will say how such treatment is likely to assist universal service by consent?

As regards this and the next question, the Army Motor Reserve has not been informed that it will not be required on mobilisation. It has been informed that it will not be required for the Expeditionary Force. The reason for this decision is that there is such a large variety of types of car. In making out a recent allotment it was found that out of seventy-two cars offered no less than forty-two were of different makes. The provision of spare parts and other obvious difficulties arising from this great variety render such an organisation wholly unsuited for an Expeditionary Force. On the other hand, this Reserve will be of great value for home defence.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the officers of the Army Motor Reserve have hitherto been counted in the states of combatant officers rendered to the House of Commons, when there was no intention of making use of their services on mobilisation?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the services of Corporal W. Devlin, regimental number 20,635, of the 68th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and of Bombardier G. Jamieson, regimental number 20,632, of the same battery, who acted as range-finders at Wakerstroom, Orange River Colony, in the South African war, have not yet been recognised by his Department; and whether, in view of the distinguished action at great risk of these men, he can yet see his way to grant them the medal and pension, in view of the fact that his Department has given recognition in several instances after a longer lapse of time than would be the case in this instance?

There is no record of Corporal W. Devlin and Bombardier A. Jamieson, 68th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, having been recommended to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their service during the South African war. In these circumstances, they were not considered for that decoration, the possession of which is the necessary qualification for an additional pension.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Hook St. Paul's Church of England school, Surbiton, Surrey, is on the list to receive a Grant; and, if so, whether it is satisfactory in its buildings, properly maintained, and adequate to their requirements in the neighbourhood?

Grant is paid in respect of the school in question. The Board have called attention to the facts that the lighting is not altogether satisfactory and that space is needed for the infants' exercises. The teaching staff appears to be adequate, and the recognised accommodation is in excess of the number in average attendance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Surrey local education authority is providing sufficient school accommodation in the district of Surbiton; and, if not, whether means will be taken to supply the demand without delay?

There is no deficiency of school accommodation in Surbiton, but the local education authority have made proposals to build anew school for 100 infants which would relieve the particular school referred to in the hon. Member's previous question, and the Board are in communication with the authority upon the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the prevalence of unhealthy conditions in the hollow-ware industry, and especially in the galvanising process, and to the report of the inspectors who conducted the Home Office inquiry into tinning, and the evidence to this effect tendered to the dangerous trades committee; and whether, in view of these facts and the alleged injury to the health of the workers engaged in the trade, he is prepared to order an inquiry into the conditions under which the manufacture of hollow-ware is carried on, with special reference to the galvanising process?

This industry has received close attention from the Department for a number of years. The tinning of hollow-ware was dealt with, after a special inquiry, by regulations in 1009, and the number of lead poisoning cases has fallen from twenty-two in 1909 to fourteen in the present year, most of which are slight. The galvanising of hollow-ware was inquired into in 1897 by the Dangerous Trades Committee, who did not recommend that the industry should be scheduled as dangerous, and has been carefully watched since. Last year a further inquiry was made by the Dangerous Trades inspector and one of the medical inspectors, but they were unable to find any evidence of injury to health in the process as ordinarily carried on. The results of the inquiry are summarised in the last annual report of the chief inspector. The existing powers of securing improved ventilation have been found sufficient to deal with cases in which the fumes were not properly disposed of, and no further action seems necessary at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether a few weeks ago he received a request from a gentleman carrying on business in Mincing Lane to inquire into the circumstances of his conviction in a Police Court; whether he refused an inquiry; and, if so, whether he will now, acting on the precedent created by the case of Engine-driver Knox, grant an inquiry?

I have received a representation which appears to be the one to which the hon. Baronet refers, but the facts of the case, as put before me, were not such as to justify action of the kind which I felt it my duty to take in the case of Engine-driver Knox.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now give the name, date, and particulars of the case that occurred within the last two or three years similar to that of Sydney Beal, who was hanged at the age of nineteen years, though strongly recommended to mercy by the jury who tried him?

Beal was twenty years of age when he was executed. Cases of prisoners under twenty years of age who were executed, although recommended to mercy, occurred in 1911, 1909, and 1906. I do not think it would be desirable to discuss the reasons which led to the refusal to advise the exercise of the Prerogative in those cases—such discussion has always been deprecated—but I will privately give the hon. Member the names and particulars if he so desires.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many convictions for drunkenness have been secured during the past five years against those in charge of trains, connected with trains in a responsible capacity, in charge of signal boxes, or in any other capacity in which the strictest sobriety is essential to the safety of train travellers?

The statistics of convictions for drunkenness in the possession of the Home Office do not afford the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department takes any cognisance of the danger to the travelling public from the drinking habits, short of drunkenness, of those in charge of, or connected with, our railways and motor traffic; and, if so, what steps it takes to protect life and limb from this danger?

This question is primarily one of discipline and as such is one for which the employers are responsible. I have no doubt that they are fully alive to its importance. Occasionally the inspecting officers of the Board of Trade have found it necessary to inquire into the sobriety of a railway servant concerned in an accident, and they have taken the opportunity of pointing out in their reports the danger which any laxity in this respect involves. The Board of Trade have no jurisdiction in regard to ordinary motor traffic.

asked the Home Secretary if he has now completed his inquiry into the manner in which Police Court witnesses are subjected to inconvenience and loss of time, as illustrated in the case of Mr. Alexander Horner; and can he take any steps to improve the arrangements for the attendance of witnesses and avoid unnecessary inconveience and loss of time by the publication of a daily list, or the adoption of other measures for obviating the disadvantages of the present system?

I am making inquiry in the matter, and will let the hon. Member have an answer as soon as I am in a position to do so. He will bear in mind that, though I can bring the matter to the notice of the authorities of the Central Criminal Court, I have no power to control their arrangements.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received a copy of Dr. Morgan's report to the Swansea Rural District, Council; and, if so, is he prepared to make any statement as to whether the Home Office Regulations are ineffective and inadequate for the protection of the Swansea speltermen?

I have written to the district council asking them to let me see a copy of the report, but they have not yet had time to reply.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Regulations under Section 57 of the Coal Mines Act of 1911 relating to the shifts of winding enginemen have now been finally adjusted, and when they will be issued?

No, Sir. As I have already stated, the objections which were made to the draft Regulations have, in pursuance of the Act, to be referred to a Referee for inquiry, and the inquiry has not yet been held. The appointment of the Referee rests with the Reference Committee, under Section 117 of the Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether the inspectors of pit ponies under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, have been yet appointed; and whether, having regard to the number of mines in which ponies are used, he will consider as to making a number of additional appointments beyond the six appointments originally contemplated, in order to secure proper inspection?

Candidates for the six appointments were nominated by me, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board for Examinations, at the beginning of this month, and the Civil Service Commission were asked to take the necessary steps for the purpose of their appointment as speedily as possible. As I have already explained it is the duty of the ordinary inspectors, as well as of the special inspectors, to take note of the conditions at the mines they visit in respect of the treatment of the animals employed, and arrangements have been made to give them the assistance, when necessary, of skilled veterinary advice. Until I have had an opportunity of seeing how the new arrangements work, I do not think it would be in accordance with the statements made in Parliament during the passage of the Bill to make any further appointments.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to the absence of rules, difficulties are being raised in County Courts as to the issue of summonses under Section 2 of the Finance Act, 1912; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that the Rule Committee of County Court judges have already drafted rules under the Act of 1912, and they will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. Charles Henry Bird, 56, St. Olaf's Road, Fulham, who was arrested on the morning of 8th November, when at home with seven little children, one a paralytic, and taken to Brixton prison, apparently for failing to pay rates due to the borough council; is he aware that the man was out of work and without means; can he state when the warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. Bird; and what notice was given him of the proposed arrest?

I have no authority to interfere in the matter of the enforcement of rates, but I am informed that the two warrants of commitment in this case were issued on the 26th September last and executed on the 8th November. Mr. Bird had been summoned to appear before magistrates on the 16th May and the 15th August to show cause why he should not pay the rates, but had failed to show any sufficient cause.

asked the Home Secretary when he anticipates that the work of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the use of lead compounds will be finished and the Report presented?

I have made inquiry of the chairman of the Committee, who informs me that no definite date can be fixed for the presentation of the Report. Owing to the heavy character of the work, he thinks it will be at least three or four months before the Report is ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonics whether the result of the inquiries he has instituted as to the mortality amongst pullers of double rickshas in the Straits Settlements; and whether any table can be produced to show the age of pullers in Singapore, the number of years they have followed their trade, and their comparative mortality in relation to other occupations?

I have received a dispatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements in which he informs me that provision for the gradual abolition of double rickshas has been included in a Municipal Bill, which is now or will shortly be before the Legislative Council; but I have not yet received any report on the rate of mortality. I do not think that it would be possible to prepare such a table as is suggested in the second part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a Bill which has been introduced into the Reichstag dealing with the supply of petroleum; and whether, in view of the rise in the price of petroleum, he will have the causes investigated; and whether he will introduce a similar protective Bill should such course be found to be in the interests of the public?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth on the 11th December, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the law, as stated in the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Vacher and Son v. the London Society of Compositors, applies to trade unions of employers as well as trade unions of employés; and whether he will take measures to safeguard employés and others against torts committed by trade unions of employers?

The Government does not think it necessary to propose any such measures.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any statistics are available showing the effect of the open-air treatment for consumption at any public institution intended for that purpose for the last five years, particularly with regard to the present condition of patients who were inmates of such institutions four or five years ago; and, if so, whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House?

Numerous records have been published as regards various institutions, and many results are given in the report of the late Dr. Bulstrode, one of the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board, which was issued in 1908 and presented to Parliament. (Cd. 3657). The various records have not been kept on a uniform basis, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by an attempt to tabulate them. I may add that, in approving institutions under the National Insurance Act, 1911, the Local Government Board have attached to their approval the condition that such records will be kept as the Board, after consultation with the Insurance Commissioners, may require.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. W. D. Elsam, vaccination officer for the Kingston-on-Thames Union, in sending out Form Q encloses therewith a form for reply, which makes no provision for the parent to intimate that he intends to make a declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination if he intends so to do; whether this form for reply has been issued by the Board or with their sanction; and, if not, whether he will cause its withdrawal, seeing that it does not cover the facility open to parents under the Vaccination Act, 1907?

I have seen the form referred to. It is not prescribed or sanctioned by the Local Government Board, and I think its use is open to the objection referred to by the hon. Member. I am informing the guardians accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inquire into the use, consumption, and supply of petrol in this country, with a view to protecting the public against monopoly?

Information is already available as to the uses, consumption, and sources of supply of petrol, and could be furnished to the hon. Member if he so desires. I am not at present satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for an inquiry of the nature suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Messrs. Pearson, Huggins, and Company, clothing manufacturers, of Bristol, have given notice under Section 7 of the Trade Boards Act that the Trade Board rate of 3¼d. an hour shall be obligatory on them; whether, if so, the firm is liable under penalties to pay this rate to women workers in their employment; whether he is aware that a number of girls and women employed by this firm, and entitled under the Trade Board determination to receive the minimum rate, are now on strike and allege that they have not received it, and that some of them, since the strike began, have been forwarded sums of money by the firm in settlement of arrears of payment; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am informed by the Secretary to the Tailoring Trade Board that the firm have given notice under Section 7 (b) of the Trade Boards Act that they are willing that the minimum rates of wages which have been fixed by the Tailoring Trade Board should be obligatory on them. As a consequence the firm would, in accordance with that Section, be liable to fine in the event of their not paying wages equivalent to those fixed. No complaint that the firm have failed to comply with the law has been received by the Board of Trade. I am aware that a dispute is in progress, but I have no information as to the allegations mentioned in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how long it takes to grant a fresh Civil Service certificate to a member of the established Civil Service who is appointed to a post in the Labour Exchange and Unemployed Insurance Department; whether men from outside the Civil Service are frequently able to take up their duties at an earlier date than established Civil Servants who receive their appointments simultaneously; and whether, in such an event, the former take seniority over the latter in spite of their lack of Civil Service experience?

The transfer of an established Civil Servant from one Department to another involves certain formalities and a certain consequent delay An officer's seniority ranks from the day on which he commences duty, but promotion in the Labour Exchanges service depends primarily on merit, and an officer's prospects would never be affected by the trifling delay involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports of cotton piece goods, in million yards, from the United Kingdom in 1911 to the following regions: Europe (except Turkey); Turkey, Egypt, and Africa; America (except United States); United States; British East Indies; China, Java, etc.; and other countries, stating the percentage in each case; and what were the exports of cotton yarns, in million pounds, from the United Kingdom in 1911 to the following regions: Europe (except Turkey); Turkey and Egypt; British East Indies; China, Java, etc.; and other countries, stating the percentage in each case?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member:—

(1) Cotton Piece Goods.
Region.	Quantity Exported thereto.	Proportion of Total Exports.
	Million yards.	Per cent.
Europe (except Turkey)	275.1	4.1
Turkey, Egypt and Africa	1,155.8	17.4
America (except United States)	912.2	13.7
United States	57.1	.9
British East Indies	2,551.6	38.3
China, Java, etc.	1,102.4	16.6
Other countries	599.4	9.0
Total	6,653.6	100.0

(2) Cotton Yarn.
Region.	Quantity Exported thereto.	Proportion of Total Exports.
	Million lbs.	Per cent.
Europe (except Turkey)	131.3	58.7
Turkey, Egypt and Africa	11.6	5.2
British East Indies	37.7	16.8
China, Java, etc.	4.1	1.8
Other countries	39.2	17.5
Total	223.9	100.0

also asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of our exports of manufactures, domestic produce, to the principal protected foreign countries, and to all other foreign countries, in 1903 and 1911?

The following statement gives the information desired:—

Year.				Value of Exports of Articles wholly or mainly Manufactured to
				Principal Protected Foreign Countries.*	All other Foreign Countries.
				Million £s.	Million £s.
1903	…	…	…	74.5	61.7
1911	…	…	…	109.4	112.4
* Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Austria-Hungary, United States of America. For the reasons governing the selection of the foregoing countries, reference should be made to Memorandum II. included in the "Memoranda, Statistical Tables and Charts relating to-British and Foreign Trades and Industry" (Cd. 1761 of 1903).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the approximate total value of the trade of the British Empire with foreign countries in the years 1891 and 1911, respectively?

The following figures give the information asked for:—

	1891.	1911.
	Million £s.	Million £s.
Imports into the British Empire from foreign countries (including bullion and specie)	418	733
Exports from the British Empire to foreign countries (including bullion and specie)	323	623
Total	741	1,356

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all the figures given in the Consular Reports to his Department dealing with the trade between this country and foreign countries are published; and, if not, what is the deciding factor in arriving at the figures to be omitted?

The Annual Consular Reports are revised by the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade, and the general principle adopted is that only those trade statistics are omitted which are obviously redundant or are of practically no significance to British traders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continuous long hours that are being worked at Bradford on the Great Northern Railway Company by locomotive men, extending in some cases to nearly fifteen hours per day; and, having regard to the strain such long hours impose upon the men holding such responsible positions, will he cause inquiries to be made?

The Board of Trade called for a Return of the hours worked by the men in question for a selected week, and it appeared that in a number of cases the periods of duty were excessive. The company explained that during the week in question the traffic was abnormal, but the Board were of opinion that the hours were longer than they should be, and they have urged the company to take steps to reduce the booked periods of duty where necessary and to guard against them being exceeded. If necessary, a further Return will be called for.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any change this year in the arrangements for taking on extra men for Christmas work in the Post Office; and whether he has had any difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number of men for the purpose?

The temporary force for Christmas work is being recruited, as was done last year, through the Labour Exchanges. Owing to the prosperous state of trade the number of applicants for employment has not been so large as usual; but there is no reason to anticipate that a sufficient number of suitable persons will not be forthcoming.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the auxiliary postmen in the Barking district are being taken on from the Labour Exchange at the rate of 5½d. per hour against 6d. per hour paid last year; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the temporary staff engaged to assist during the Christmas pressure. The proposed payment had already been brought under notice and instructions given for the men to receive last year's rates, namely, 6d. an hour for ordinary week-day duty and 8d. an hour for Sunday and Christmas Day duty.

asked the Postmaster-General how many automatic telephone call offices or call boxes were in use in London during each of the financial years ending 1910, 1911, and 1912; how many calls were registered on the meters attached to the instruments in use in those call offices or boxes; how much cash was received for such calls; whether the cash received for calls agreed with the number of calls registered; and, if not, what was the amount of the deficiency or excess?

The number of automatic telephone call boxes in London at the end of March, 1910, 1911, and 1912, were 2,941, 3,030, and 2,867, respectively. Figures giving the number of calls registered on the meters attached to the instruments are not available. Cash collected from the boxes was as follows:—

	£
Year ending March, 1910	61,085
Year ending March, 1911	73,959
Year ending March, 1912	79,032

The differences between the cash collected and the number of calls registered are slight, but the amounts in respect of the years in question are not now ascertainable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet arranged to connect Cavan with the trunk telephone; and, if so, will he state the probable date when this extension will be open to the public?

I have given authority for the extension of the trunk telephone system to Cavan, but I regret I cannot at present give the date when the extension will be completed, as the Post Office engineers are much pressed with work. Every effort will, however, be made to provide the service as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Messrs. Pearson, Huggins, and Company, clothing manufacturers, of Bristol, are contractors to the Post Office; if so, whether he is aware that some 200 women in the employment of the firm are at present on strike and allege inability to earn fair rates of wages; whether an inspector of Post Office contracts has visited the firm since the commencement of the dispute without taking any pains to procure a statement of the grievances of the workers; and whether this inspector has reported favourably or unfavourably to the firm?

Fresh inquiry is being made in this case, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General the respective ages and periods of service of the two Masters in Lunacy, and of the official solicitor associated with the Masters in the Lunacy Department of the Royal Courts of Justice?

Master Fischer was appointed on the 27th October, 1896, and is now eighty-two years of age. Master Theobald was appointed on 17th April, 1907, and is now sixty-five years of age. The official solicitor was appointed on the 1st of May, 1895, and is now sixty-nine years of age. He is not an officer of the Lunacy Department or in any other way associated with the Masters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the appointment of an assistant surveyor to a postmaster-ship opens a vacancy on the secretariat for a new higher division clerk; and, if so, whether any pressure is exerted by the Treasury, or any other body, with a view to create vacancies for higher division clerks by this indirect means?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has now decided to accept the original recommendation of the Greenock Corporation regarding the new scale of wages for the Greenock police?

I am still in communication with the Greenock Corporation on the subject referred to by my hon. Friend, and, pending their reply, I am not in a position to announce a final decision.