asked whether, under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, pro vision was made fixing the status and conditions of employment, including compensation for loss of office and superannuation on retirement, of professors holding office at the time of the passing of that Act in the colleges of Cork and Galway; whether, under the Government of Ireland Bill the money now voted to those colleges by the Imperial Parliament will be handed over to the Irish Government without any legal obligation upon that Government to appropriate such money to the service of those colleges and with freedom to use such funds for entirely different purposes; and whether it will be within the power of the Irish Parliament to repeal or alter any or all of the provisions of the Irish Universities Act, 1908?

The answer to the first two paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. As to the third paragraph, it will be in the power of the Irish Parliament to repeal and alter some, but not all, of the provisions of the Irish Universities Act, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has further considered the position of existing professors at Cork and Galway Colleges under the Government of Ireland Bill; and whether he will propose Amendments to secure such professors from having their tenure of office and conditions of employment, including provisions as to pensions, altered to their disadvantage?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the question by the hon. Member on this subject on the 6th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that there is a strong feeling among the professors that their position is not a secure one under this Bill, and cannot he do something to alleviate that feeling?

No, Sir. Really professorial anxiety is something which is altogether beyond me.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to allay the apprehension entertained in Ireland, he will definitely state whether the Cabinet regards the Land Purchase Aid Fund of £12,000,000 provided by the Land Purchase Act of 1903 as a free grant from the Imperial Exchequer; or whether, in the balance sheet between the two Parliaments, it will continue to be debited against Ireland?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1903 undertook that the cost of the bonus provided in the Land Purchase Bill of that year would not be thrown upon Ireland, and that Parliament then legislated upon that basis; and whether this bonus charge has now been debited against Ireland in the calculation of the alleged deficit on which the Government are founding themselves in the present Government of Ireland Bill?

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, this charge has always been regarded as a charge to Imperial expenditure on Irish account, as appears from the Treasury White Paper and from the Report of the Primrose Committee. But, as I stated yesterday, the matter will be taken into careful consideration by the Government in framing their proposals in regard to land purchase.

asked whether Clause 33 of the Government of Ireland Bill applies to officers employed at the various Post Office wireless stations in Ireland; whether, in the event of the Bill becoming law, the conditions of service of these officers will in any respect become altered; whether these officers will retain their positions on the Imperial transfer list; and whether the present regulation which imposes a period of three years' service at one of the Irish stations will remain in force if, and after, the Act becomes operative?

The intention is to retain the existing wireless stations in Ireland, together with their staff, under the control of the Imperial Post Office; and the conditions of service will not therefore be affected by the Bill.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), how much his Department cost for administrative purposes in the past year, excluding the cost of inspection, and will he distinguish that cost into expenditure on educational administration, expenditure on non-educational administration, and administrative expenditure common to both?

If the hon. Gentleman will move for a Return setting out the various heads of expenditure upon which information is required I shall endeavour to supply it.

asked the number of tons of hay and straw exported from Ireland during the year ended 30th September last; and what percentage of the total amount was shipped from ports in Con-naught and Munster, respectively?

The information asked for is not yet available, as the Returns of exports received by the Department from harbour authorities, shipping companies, etc., at Irish ports for the year ended 30th September last are not yet complete.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that a considerable trade in the export of hay and straw was being done between the town of Longford and South Wales; whether this trade has been stopped by the embargo on Irish hay export; whether he is aware that to a number of small farmers in county Longford this trade was almost a necessity of existence; and whether he will represent to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries the justice of removing this embargo, particularly as no case of cattle disease occurred in county Longford?

There is a considerable trade of this kind between Ireland and South Wales, but the Department have no special information as to what proportion of it comes from the town of Longford. The admission into Great Britain of hay and straw from Ireland is at present prohibited. Communications as regards a modification of the embargo have been passing between the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board has recently stated in reply to questions in Parliament that in about a fortnight's time he hoped to be in a position to announce when a relaxation of the existing restrictions can take effect.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any prospect of this embargo being removed in the near future?

The hon. Member should put that question to my right hon. Friend.

Having regard to the fact that no foot-and-mouth disease exists in the North of Ireland, and the great loss caused to farmers through the inability to export hay at the present juncture, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Agriculture and ask whether it is not possible to remove the restrictions which entail such serious loss?

That is a question for my right hon. Friend, with whom I am in consultation.

Taking into account the fact that the chance of infection is very small as between the East and West of Ireland, in view of the fact that there is no traffic in cattle from the East to the West, and that these restrictions are very vexatious, will the right hon. Gentleman have them removed?

I have nothing to add to what I have already said.

Will the President of the English Board of Agriculture remove this embargo?

He will, if you vote against him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the issue of the "Ceylon Government Gazette "for 30th August, 1912, contained a list of eighty-seven toddy licences offered for resale, the original purchasers having failed to keep up their payments; and whether such licences will in future be discontinued and not offered for resale?

I have observed that a large number of toddy licences were offered for resale by a notice in the issue of the" Ceylon Government Gazette" referred to. I understand that the district in question was formerly a centre of illicit consumption. If there is found by experience to be no real demand for toddy in the district the licences will not be renewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Governor of Ceylon issued on 9th December, 1912, instructions to the provincial Government agents to the effect that the arrack and toddy rents for the year 1913–14 must be sold not later than the end of February; whether he is aware that the existing licences were sold in May and June in 1912 and continue until 30th June next; whether he will state the reason for this proposed early sale; and whether, in view of the promised establishment of advisory committees, he will issue instructions that licences for 1913–14 shall not be put up to auction before May next so that the advisory committees may have an opportunity of considering the proposals of the Government agents and of offering their opinions upon them before they take effect?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, and also to the second part so far as toddy is concerned. It has been the usual practice for arrack and toddy rents to be sold as early as possible in the year. I understand that the reason for the practice is that otherwise purchasers have not sufficient time to make necessary arrangements before the term of their rent begins, and I am afraid that the postponement of the sales until the establishment of the advisory committee, which must await the approval of regulations by the Legislative Council (not now in session) would lead to a serious dislocation of business, as the experience of last year abundantly proved. I may add that instructions have been given to the Government agents which will ensure that the expression of local public opinion is fully invited and considered before any licences are issued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the Kukul Korale, Ceylon, fifteen of the new toddy licences were surrendered by the purchaser at the end of two months; whether the Government agent put them up for resale by public auction in one block, but failed to find a purchaser; whether, when they were subsequently offered for sale singly, only three were sold at a total of Rs.410; whether he is aware that in the Siyane Korale, Ceylon, seven toddy licences were, on 27th November, 1912, put up to auction for resale, but that only one was sold at the sum of Rs.85 for the seven months as against the original bid of Rs.900 for the twelve months; and whether he can issue instructions for the suppression of such toddy taverns as are surrendered on the ground that there is not a sufficient demand for them?

The answer to the first three parts of my hon. Friend's question is, I believe, in the affirmative. There are grounds for suspecting that the difficulties which have been experienced in selling toddy rents are largely due to the opposition of persons interested in the sale of arrack and to the prevalence of illicit toddy consumption. I am not aware what are the facts with regard to the fourth part of the question. The Government of Ceylon have assured me that, if any licences are found to have been issued in districts where there is no genuine demand for liquor, they will not be renewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any commercial concessions in African Crown Colonies or territories have been granted by the Government during the last two years or are under consideration; and, if so, if he will give particulars of the same?

I will give the hon. Member the information as to concessions granted as soon as it has been collected, and will inform him when I am ready to answer a further question on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has taken steps to prevent governors and officers in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates accepting directorships from any companies with whom they have had business relations while in the public service, he will say whether he has sanctioned this action of the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and whether he will take steps to secure that this precedent shall be followed in other Departments?

The statement of the Secretary of State has a more limited scope than my hon. Friend attributes to it. It was to prevent any retiring officer from becoming a director or employé of any company operating in the Colony or Protectorate from which he has retired without permission in writing from the governor of such Colony or Protectorate. As I stated on Tuesday last, I quite agree with this step. With regard to the general question, I think it desirable that public servants who have retired from the service should, before accepting such positions, communicate with the Minister of the Department in which they have served; but, as I also stated on Tuesday, the Treasury have no legal right under existing powers to prevent the acceptance of these positions by retired public servants.

Can my right hon. Friend say or ascertain whether the officials of the Board of Trade who transferred their services to the General Omnibus Company first communicated to their chief the fact that they intended to transfer their services?

I would require notice of that, but no such regulation has hitherto been laid down. I am suggesting that it would be desirable.

asked what particular qualifications Sir Sydney Olivier possesses for appointment as secretary to the Board of Agriculture; whether he has spent his whole Civil service in the Colonial Office and under Colonial Office administration; and whether there are no officials now under the Board of Agriculture who are considered competent to undertake the office of Secretary to the Board?

asked whether Sir Sydney Olivier, K.C.M.G., has had any previous knowledge of or experience in agriculture in the British Isles; and "whether, in his previous British appointments, he has had any practical experience in the Board of Agriculture work?

asked what experience in agriculture Sir Sydney Olivier has which warrants his appointment as permanent secretary to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries?

asked if Sir Sydney Olivier, the newly appointed permanent Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, has any agricultural, in addition to his high administrative, qualifications for his new post?

Sir Sydney Olivier comes to his new work with a fresh mind and with a reputation for ability and energy displayed in every post held by him at home and abroad. I considered the merits and qualifications of many gentlemen, both inside and outside the Civil Service, and I am satisfied that in obtaining Sir Sydney Olivier's acceptance of the offer which I made to him I have secured the man best fitted to perform the varied duties of this important post. With regard to the last paragraph of the question asked by the hon. Member for the Wilton Division, the agricultural community may rest assured that the new Secretary of the Board of Agriculture will continue, as in the past, to observe faithfully the tradition of the Civil Service, of which he has been a member for more than thirty years.

Without in any way finding fault with the appointment, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to ask Sir Sydney Olivier, as Ireland is so greatly interested in an appointment of the kind, to spend a little time in that country before taking up his office?

Is it a fact that Sir Sydney Olivier is a Vice-President of the Fabian Society, which advocates nationalisation and confiscation of all private property?

Is it a fact that Sir Sydney Olivier owes his present appointment to the recommendation of the late Colonial Secretary, the Member for West Birmingham?

Have questions of this kind ever been raised before in the case of the transfer of distinguished public servants from one position to another?

What about the Master of the Mint?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recreations of this gentleman are loafing and dilettantism—

I cannot allow that question. It might just as well be asked what are the recreations of the hon. Member?

asked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the statements contained in Sir Francis Fox's Report as to the damage that has already been done to the structure of St. Paul's by the heavy motor omnibus traffic passing round it; and whether, in view of the extreme danger of delay, the Government will take immediate steps to deal with the matter?

asked if the Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral have expressed the opinion that damage is being done to the building by the motor omnibus traffic, and that they propose to invoke the aid of the City Corporation with a view to divert omnibus traffic from St. Paul's Churchyard; and whether the Government intend to take any action?

asked if the Prime Minister's attention has been called to the paragraph in the Report of Sir Francis Fox on the condition of St. Paul's Cathedral, which states that the introduction of the heavy type of motor omnibus, with its consequently increased vibration, in close proximity to the building is a serious evil, and ought to demand and secure protection on the part of the authorities; and whether he will say if he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am fully aware of the importance of the matter, and am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is considering what action, if any, can be taken.

asked when the remaining stages of the Trade Unions (No. 2) Bill will be taken?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked whether the Secretary for the Colonies has yet made his promised inquiry into the complaints of the Eastern Shipping Company regarding the action of the Governor of the Straits Settlements; and whether he is aware that, in consequence of the ill-treatment which they continue to receive, this English company has already placed one of its ships under the Siamese flag and is taking steps to place a further number under the same flag?

I have now completed the inquiry and hope to communicate my decision to the company's representatives in a few days. I have no information as to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question.

asked whether Dr. Johnson has been appointed to the office of principal civil medical officer of the Colony of Hong Kong and given thereby seniority over Dr. Bell, who has acted upon four occasions for long periods as principal civil medical officer to the satisfaction of the whole Colony; and, if so, why has Dr. Bell, who is senior to Dr. Johnson in the Colonial service, been passed over; and will his pension be thereby considerably less than it would have been had he been given an appointment to which he has reasonably felt himself entitled after his many years of efficient service?

Yes, Sir. The recent vacancy in the headship of the Medical Department of Hong Kong was not filled up by promotion in the Colony because the Governor did not recommend that course. Seniority by itself gives no claim to such a post, nor does the fact that an officer has acted in the post. Pensions in Hong Kong, as elsewhere, depend upon the length of an officer's service and the amount of salary he is receiving at the time he quits the service.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to give some further consideration to a very deserving Colonial officer who has been severely superseded at a time when his career is drawing towards an end?

I do not say anything in the nature of criticism, but I think it very undesirable that this House should discuss the personal merits as between two or three candidates for a post. Of course, I have considered very carefully the merits of the different candidates for the post, and have come to my decision accordingly.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the last two reports of the Public Trustee, declaring the necessity of permanent offices for his Department; and whether it is intended, in connection with the preparation of the Estimates for 1913–14, to make provision of suitable premises for the Public Trustee's increasing business?

A sum of £10,000 was taken in the Estimates for the current year for this service. The building is actively in progress, and a further amount will be taken in the Estimates for 1913–14.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the class to which the Peninsular and Oriental boat "Narrung" belongs; whether she was a cargo tramp steamer, bought from the Blue Anchor Line to be used for the transport of emigrants to Australia on assisted passages; how many tons of cargo and how many tons of coal she carried on her last voyage; what was the height of her main deck above water and load line; and whether, with reference to the complaint as to nearly capsizing on her last voyage from Australia, he has called for a copy of the ship's log or intends doing so?

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer these questions in the absence of the right hon. Gentleman in Committee upstairs. The "Narrung" has held a foreign-going passenger certificate from the Board of Trade continuously since she was built in 1896 for the Australian passenger service. Previous to 1910 she belonged to the Blue Anchor Line, but was not a cargo tramp steamer. On her last voyage she carried 3,500 tons measurement and 2,026 tons weight of cargo and also 1,500 tons of coal. The upper deck was 7 feet 1 inch above the water line. My right hon. Friend has not called for the ship's log-book as it is not usual to enter in that book the vessel's angle of heel. The owners and the master informs me that there is no foundation for the suggestion that the ship nearly capsized on her last voyage to Australia.

Will the President of the Board of Trade send one of the in- spectors of the Marine Department to make inquiries of some other officials besides the master and owner?

I will convey to my right hon. Friend what the hon. Gentleman has asked.

Is it customary to survey and inspect a ship after she has been loaded and before she sets out on her voyage?

I cannot give the hon. member an answer, but I will bring his question to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

asked whether the President of the Board of Trade has made or intends to make any inquiry into the manning of the emigrant ship "Narrung" on her last outward trip to Australia; whether a number of the stewards were really assisted emigrants who were to be paid £1 each for their services at the end of the voyage; whether these men had any experience at all of seamanship; and, if not, why the Board of Trade allowed such a class of persons to be employed by the Peninsular and Oriental Line?

As the "Narrung" was an emigrant ship, inquiry was made as to the manning before the vessel started on her last voyage, and the manning, both on deck and in the engine-room, complied with the Board of Trade requirements. The number of stewards exceeded the requirements by over twenty, and there were also five men who agreed to work as general servants in return for their passage out and a sum of 10s. on arrival. One of the five had previous sea experience.

asked how many counsel, in addition to the Law Officers, were engaged on behalf of the Government in connection with the inquiry into the "Titanic" disaster, their names, and the amounts received by them in respect of their services?

The information desired by the hon. Member is contained in the Statement of Expenses of the "Titanic" Inquiry printed in the Votes in answer to a question asked by the hon. Member for Sutherland on 17th December last, of which my right hon. Friend is sending the hon. Member a copy.

Were the whole of the amounts paid on behalf of the "Titanic" included in that?

I am sorry I cannot say.

asked whether the American Congress appropriated funds to allow a Grant of 2,000 dollars each to be made to the relatives and survivors of American sea-going postal officials drowned in the "Titanic;" that the British Treasury only granted a sum of £165 for the loss of James B. Williamson to his widowed mother and sisters depending on her at Dublin; whether the right hon. Gentleman has supported a claim for a further amount equal at least to the American sum to this poor woman; and, if not, will he now do so?

I regret that it is not possible to take any further steps in this matter such as the hon. Member suggests. I understand that an award from the "Titanic" Relief Fund has been made to Mrs. Williamson of 10s. a week for life.

asked what was the average price of wheat in London, Paris, and Berlin during 1912?

In 1912 the "Gazette" average price of British wheat in London was 36s. and the average price of wheat imported into London was 35s. 10d. In Paris and Berlin the average official prices of wheat—quoted irrespective of origin—were 50s. 4d. and 46s. 6d. respectively. In all cases these prices relate to an imperial quarter.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the state of things revealed by these figures explains the alleged death of the food taxes?

asked if the President of the Board of Trade has received any further correspondence from the Port of London Authority with regard to their proposed scheme for dealing with casual labour which was forwarded to the Board of Trade in April, 1911; and whether there is any probability of a decision being arrived at in the matter?

There has been no recent formal correspondence between the Board of Trade and the Authority on this subject, but the importance of the matter is not being overlooked. The special difficulties of the Port of London are very great, but the matter is receiving my close attention.

asked what steps, if any, have been taken by the Board of Trade to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, may I ask him whether he is aware that the Committee of Inquiry was a perfect farce; that they knew nothing whatever about the industry in Belfast, and nobody paid the slightest attention to them; and whether he thinks it fair that the Board over which the right hon. Gentleman presides should take any notice whatever of the recommendations of such a Committee?

I can only answer the question on the Paper. Preliminary inquiries are being made as to the trades which may most suitably be included in the contemplated Provisional Order extending the scope of the Trade Boards Act. In this connection careful consideration is being given to the recommendations of the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers.

I think the hon. Gentleman said he could only answer the question on the Paper. Why is he paying such attention to the Report, when the Committee was of the nature I described?

If a Committee makes a Report it should have that Report at-tended to.

asked the Postmaster- General if his Department gave a positive promise to Mrs. Robinson, of 18, Pembury Road, Westcliffe-on-Sea, in September last, that a telephone, for which a contract was signed on the 12th of that month, would be ready for use at Coventry House, Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, by the end of September; if he is aware that Mrs. Robinson, relying on this promise, prepared and staffed the house in question as a branch nursing home, a purpose for which it was entirely useless without a telephone; that on 1st October, after having repeatedly appealed to the officials of his Department and receiving only evasive replies, the local manager informed Mrs. Robinson for the first time that he had then known for two weeks there would be difficulty with the Leigh Council about wayleaves; whether he is aware that if his Department had informed Mrs. Robinson at once of this she would have been spared the loss she has sustained in renting and furnishing premises which were entirely useless for her purpose without a telephone and which she has to abandon for that reason; and whether he intends to make any allowance to Mrs. Robinson for the loss she has suffered through the action of his Department?

When Mrs. Robinson signed the contract for a telephone service there was no reason to suppose that anything would occur to hinder the completion of the engineering work, but I am assured that no definite promise was given that the service would be installed by the end of September. As the hon. Member is aware, the delay which occurred was due to causes beyond my control. I regret that Mrs. Robinson should have sustained loss and inconvenience in consequence of the delay, but there is no fund at my disposal out of which any compensation could be paid to her. The circuit was completed and handed over on the 7th instant.

asked with reference to the low wages and bad working conditions of night telephone operators, whether, in the event of their terms of service not being improved early by the action of any Inquiry Committee, the Postmaster-General can assure higher rates of pay to men, many of whom are now employed fifty-four hours for 20s. per week?

The Select Committee on Post Office Servants has not yet heard the night telephone operators, and I cannot anticipate any recommendations it may make.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that in this branch of the public service, men are being paid only 20s, for fifty-four hours work, and does he not think in view of those facts that he ought to act without waiting further the finding of the Committee?

The matter has already had my attention on many occasions, but in view of the fact that the Select Committee is now sitting, I am afraid it would be useless to approach the Treasury.

If the Select Committee report in favour of the men, can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that effect will be given to the recommendation as from the time when the representations were made?

No; I cannot say that the recommendation would take effect retrospectively.

asked whether the casual workers employed in Leeds during the Christmas pressure have been paid at a lower rate per hour than in previous years, in that no overtime rate has been paid in respect of work of over eight hours per day; and what is the reason of the change of conditions of employment?

The casual men employed at Leeds and elsewhere throughout the country on postal work during the past Christmas season were paid for all week-day duty at uniform rates, irrespective of the number of hours worked each day. It is the case that this plan, which was introduced for the purpose of simplifying the complicated procedure previously in force, involved reduction of pay at Leeds, where special overtime rates had been allowed in other years. Taking the country as a whole the revised rates have allowed increased remuneration.

asked whether the Postmaster-General's attention has been called to the fact that the service of the mails to the island of Tiree has recently been irregular and insufficient; whether he is aware that this is due to the substitution for the usual mail boat by Messrs. MacBrayne, the contractors, of a vessel incapable of carrying out the service satisfactorily, especially during the winter season; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the service?

My inquiries in this matter are not yet completed, but I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked whether a large percentage of the male sorting clerks and telegraphists employed at the Oldham Post Office have in the past two years applied to be transferred elsewhere; and whether he can ascertain if this is due to the local conditions of working, and, if so, take some steps to establish greater contentment amongst the staff?

I will make inquiry, and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked whether the Londonderry Post Office has been for some time very much under-staffed, with the result that there has been an abnormal proportion of sickness amongst the officials during the past year; whether the overtime worked during the past six months has on an average exceeded ten hours per week for each official; and whether he will make arrangements for increasing the regular staff?

I am having inquiry made into these matters, and if it appears that any additional force is required it will be provided. An addition to the staff of three male sorting clerks and telegraphists was sanctioned in May of last year.

asked how much the administration of the English, Scottish, and Irish teachers' superannuation funds, respectively, cost during the past year?

The cost of the Irish Teachers' Pension Office in 1912–13 was estimated at £1,249. In addition there is expenditure from other votes which cannot be ear-marked specifically to work in connection with teachers' pensions. In England and Scotland the work is performed by various Departments as part of their ordinary duties, and it is not, I fear, possible to ear-mark any definite amount for this particular service. In all three cases the cost is borne by Votes of Parliament and not by the superannuation funds.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that any additional grant out of public moneys should be made towards medical benefit in respect of the first three months from the 15th January, 1913; and, if so, when it is proposed to obtain the sanction of the House thereto?

The answer is in the negative. The whole cost of the provision of medical benefit for the period referred to in the question will be met out of funds available under the National Insurance Act.

asked how many doctors per thousand of insured persons have the Insurance Commissioners decided to be necessary to secure an adequate medical service in rural and urban areas, respectively, in order to set up a panel in such areas; and on what day was the decision of the Insurance Commissioners on this point taken?

As I have previously stated, the number of insured persons for whom a doctor on the panel can properly be responsible must necessarily vary according to the circumstances of each particular case, and it is therefore impracticable to fix any maximum number either for all areas or for urban and rural areas respectively. In deciding in each case whether adequate medical service has been secured the Commissioners have regard to all the circumstances, and they are, of course, guided to a great extent by the advice and recommendation of the local Insurance Committee. According to the experience of contract practice of a similar character in the past every 1,000 persons on a list would involve on the average thirteen attendances a day, of which eight or nine would be surgery calls and four or five visits at the patient's home for 300 days' work in the year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that a panel would be adequate with one doctor for 5,000 people, or would he give some general idea of what would be considered adequate?

I could not give any general statement; but certainly I do not anticipate one doctor will have to have 5,000 patients in any case.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the case of a doctor who has only consented to join a panel on the understanding that he would be required to treat a small and strictly limited number of insured persons; and whether the Commissioners propose to allow such a bargain to be made with a local insurance committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As, however, the hon. Member is aware, every practitioner on the panel has a right to select the insured persons whom he undertakes to treat, subject, of course, to the distribution amongst, and so far as practicable, under arrangements made by, the several practitioners on the panel, of the insured persons who have failed to make any selection, or who have been refused by the practitioner whom they have selected.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he intends to give medical benefit considering the small number of people who have come in under the panel?

I know that the vast majority of the doctors in this country are prepared to work under the panel system.

asked how many beds for sanatorium benefit have been provided under the National Insurance Act in hospitals for infectious diseases or in isolation wards connected therewith?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The number of beds in isolation hospitals which have been approved by the Local Government Board under the National Insurance Act for the treatment of tuberculosis is 1,732.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he proposes to take supposing an epidemic breaks out and those beds are wanted?

In that case we have beds for both classes of disease.

asked what is the position of a domestic servant under the National Health Insurance Act, who after having been an insured person for some years marries an alien employed in this country, and would she forfeit all future benefits for which she had paid for years?

A domestic servant, in the circumstances stated, would not forfeit all future benefits under the National Insurance Act. If she continued to be employed after marriage she would continue to be insured as an employed contributor and would be entitled to an employed contributor's benefits, though at rates somewhat lower than those applicable to the case of a British subject. If she did not continue to be employed she could either, if she was a member of an approved society, become a special voluntary contributor paying 3d. a week and becoming entitled to medical benefit, and to sickness and disablement benefits at special reduced rates, or she could cease to pay any contributions, in which case she would, whether she were a member of an approved society or a deposit contributor, be entitled to receive certain special benefits until the amount available for the purpose under the Act was exhausted. In any case a sum is reserved to help her to return into insurance, if she becomes employed again after her husband's death, when she is again treated as a British subject for the purposes of the National Insurance Act.

asked when and why Mr. W. J. Braithwaite resigned his position as secretary to the National Health Insurance Committee?

Mr. W. J. Braithwaite vacated the position of secretary to the National Health Insurance Joint Committee on appointment to that of special commissioner of Income Tax on 1st January, 1913.

asked what amount has been received in contributions and is now available for the payment of health insurance benefit under the National Insurance Act?

The amounts received through the sale of health insurance stamps, etc., now amount to about £8,000,000. As the State proportion is added as payment of benefit is made, this would represent a sum available for payments as required under the health insurance provisions of the Act of over £10,000,000, apart from any additional sum which Parliament may vote for medical remuneration.

asked (1) whether a complete set of all orders, regulations, forms, circulars, explanatory leaflets, and memoranda issued up to date by the Insurance Commission since the passing of the National Insurance Act will be given to any Member of this House who applies for it; and (2) why omissions are continually being made by the National Insurance Commission in sending circulars, orders, regulations, etc., to hon. Members of this House who originally asked that all such documents should be sent to them; and whether such omissions are deliberate?

I propose to take Questions 89 and 90 together. The Commission has endeavoured to send as far as possible, to such Members of Parliament as have asked for this, all circulars, orders, regulations, etc., which are not supplied through the Vote Office and which seem of sufficient general interest. But there are a large number of printed documents issued or used by the Commission which would have no interest or value to Members, and the Commissioners have endeavoured to avoid troubling them needlessly with these. If, however, any Member desires a complete collection of all the documents which have been issued either of general or special application, the Commissioners will endeavour to supply him if he will be good enough to allow sufficient time for the purpose.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Mr. J. Thomas Hewitt, president of the Trim branch, county Meath, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, has been appointed an Income Tax collector, and that dissatisfaction exists in the district that this man should, as head of an extreme political association, be placed in a position which enables him to supervise the private affairs of his political opponents and others; and will he say what previous experience Mr. Hewitt had to qualify him for the position, and on whose recommendation was he appointed?

Mr. J. T. Hewitt has been an Income Tax collector since 1902, when he was appointed on the nomination of the then Patronage Secretary to the Treasury. I am not aware of the connection suggested by the hon. Member or that any dissatisfaction exists in the districts for which he acts as collector on the ground suggested in the question. I am informed that Mr. Hewitt is a capable officer, and performs his duties as collector most satisfactorily.

Is it permissible for an Income Tax collector to be president of a local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as this gentleman is?

Why not?

I do not think there is any rule of the service against it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this officer signed the Covenant this question would not have been asked?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take into consideration the circumstances of the theft from a co-operative society- stores at Queensferry, the conviction of the thief and his discharge by the magistrates at Mold, consisting of two private traders of the district; and if ho can take steps to get representation of co-operators on the bench?