asked the Secretary to the Treasury what has been the total expenditure to date upon leaflets, cards, printed regulations, and other literature in connection with the National Insurance Act?

The total expenditure of the Stationery Office to date upon leaflets, cards, printed regulations, etc., in connection with both parts of the National Insurance Act is £127,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the total number of societies of less than 5,000 members approved under the National Insurance Act; and how many of these have less than fifty members?

Exact figures are not yet available. I am informed, however, that about 1,600 of the societies approved have less than 5,000 members, and that of these about fifty appear, from the present returns of cards, to have less than fifty members.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury in how many counties in Great Britain has county associations of small societies been formed under the National Insurance Act; and in how many of them are the constituent societies the approved units for the purposes of the Act?

County associations of small rural societies have been formed in twenty-five counties or county areas in England; in eleven of these the constituent societies are the approved units for the purposes of the National Insurance Act. There are also nine associations of a similar constitution, but embracing small urban societies. I will communicate with the hon. Member as to similar societies in the other parts of Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the rule prohibiting the sale of high-value insurance stamps to any employer who does not emply over fifty men is causing inconvenience and unnecessary trouble; and whether, in view of the fact that it would entail no loss to the Treasury, he will have the rule altered so as to permit the high-value stamps to be provided in post offices in all country towns and sold to whoever may apply for them?

The sale of high-value stamps at post offices is not restricted in the manner suggested in the question. Stamps representing quarterly contributions for men and women respectively are already available at head and branch post offices, and can be obtained through any other post office on notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, where a panel of doctors is incomplete, it is the intention of the Insurance Commissioners to allow practitioners who have their names on the panel to undertake to engage a sufficient number of assistants so that the incomplete panel may become a complete one, and then to close the panel; or whether it is intended never to close panels, so that it may always be open to doctors to enter their names?

The course suggested in the first part of the question might be adopted in any area where the panel was inadequate, and where, therefore, other arrangements had to be made under the proviso to Section 15 (2) of the National Insurance Act. But, as a matter of fact, it has not yet been adopted in any case. Where the panel is adequate it is always open to any duly qualified medical practitioner to join it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why the Regulations of the National Health Insurance Commission (Scotland), dated 27th December, 1912, were not laid upon the Table of the House until the 10th January, and why the same were not printed and obtainable at the Vote Office on the 21st instant; whether this delay was intended to conceal their contents from the House; (2) why none of the twenty-one sets of Regulations under the National Insurance Act laid upon the Table of the House on and since the 8th January were printed and obtainable at the Vote Office up to and including the 21st instant, and when the same may be expected?

I propose to take questions 107 and 108 together. The regulations made by the Scottish Commissioners, dated 27th December, 1912, were sent to the printers immediately, but in consequence of the pressure of printing work and the New Year holidays, were not received until 8th January. Five of the regulations referred to in the second question have been issued to the Vote Office, and the others will be sent there within a few days. I would point out, however, that copies of all the regulations referred to are, and have from the time of presentation been available in the Library. There is therefore no foundation whatever for the suggestion in the latter part of the first question. The hon. Member will also find that some of the regulations to which he refers are in substance the same as others already made and circulated by the English Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that, although modifications in the benefits to be given by the Midland Railway Friendly Society had been proposed, yet that since these modifications had not, up to the present, been passed by the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the Insurance Commission, the Midland Railway Friendly Society is acting legally in paying Mr. Birkin, Registered No. B2577, the sum of Is. 3d. a week superannuation benefit instead of 5s. a week for which he contracted when compelled to become a subscriber to that society when entering the service of the Midland Railway Company over thirty-two years ago; whether, since the reduction of benefits has not yet been formally agreed to by the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the Insurance Commissioners, he will institute an inquiry into the matter, with a view to preventing injustice to members of that society; and whether he is aware that the society gave out to its members that the coming into force of the National Insurance Act was the reason for altering the benefits of the society?

Whether the society referred to was entitled to act on the duly adopted amendments before registration, and what the effect of subsequent registration would be is a question of law. The member complaining has a remedy under the dispute rule in the society's rules, and the dispute can also be referred by consent to the Registrar under Section 68 (3) of the Friendly Societies Act. I am unable to express an opinion on the legal position in answer to a Parliamentary question. The time of the National Insurance Act coming into operation was, I believe, taken as a convenient occasion for effecting a reorganisation which would at some time have been necessary in any event; but as I have stated on several occasions the changes referred to in the question were not due in any way to that Act, but to large deficiencies in the funds entirely unconnected with it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Glasgow insurance Committee is sending insured persons under the National Insurance Act to an institution known as Quarter's Consumptive Home at Bridge of Weir; whether he is aware that, the institution is under Protestant management; that every patient is obliged to join twice a day in Protestant prayers, and that a Catholic patient left the home in consequence; and that a question in this House prevented a Jewish patient from being sent to the same establishment to take part in Christian prayers; and whether, as the Glasgow Insurance Committee has approved of the rule prevailing in the establishment, in spite of the protests of a minority of that committee, he proposes; to take any action in the matter?

The Glasgow Insurance Committee have no powers to determine the rules of the Bridge of Weir sanatorium. They do not send to it any patients who have any conscientious objections to observing the rule mentioned in the question. The only further action they could take would be to refuse to send those who have no such objection. This would, however, obviously be to the disadvantage of Catholics or Jews themselves, as the committee are at present able to find accommodation for them in other institutions, but might have greater difficulty in doing so if they had to send to such other institutions, not only those who object to entering the Bridge of Weir sanatorium, but also Protestants who desire to go there.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, on the coming into operation of the National Insurance Act, the only name upon the panel of chemists for Dovercourt, Essex, was the name of a gentleman who is not a chemist; whether steps have yet been taken to remove from that panel the name of the gentleman in question; by whose authority was his name put upon the panel; whether he is aware that the inclusion on the panel of persons unable and unwilling to dispense is liable to be a source of danger to the public health, and by reason of the consequent delay in procuring the necessary drugs may be fraught with peril to insured persons; and what steps he proposes to take to save insured persons the worry and risk attendant upon taking their prescriptions to persons not in a position to dispense?

I am informed by the Essex Insurance Committee that the person referred to in the first part of the question is a qualified chemist. The other parts of the question do not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if persons entitled to maternity benefit under the National Insurance Act, and who will claim it in full, are entitled to midwifery orders at the hands of boards of guardians?

As the hon. Member is aware, a person who is destitute is entitled to Poor Law relief. The question of destitution is one which must be determined by reference to the circumstances of each individual case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Manchester Insurance Committee has rejected, by fifteen votes to eight, a resolution which would protect insured persons against being required to attend any religious service which did not commend itself to them in any institution in which insured persons would be treated on behalf of the committee; and, as approved societies are now passing resolutions of protest against the action of the Glasgow and Manchester Insurance Committees, can he take steps for the protection of insured persons?

I have not at present received the terms of such a resolution by the Manchester Insurance Committee. I am informed by the committee however, that in a discussion on the subject assurances were given that no such attendance as that complained of was required at any institution with which arrangements had been made or were contemplated by the committee, and that no complaint had been received from any insured person.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs trained officers and how many Excise trained officers have been promoted surveyors in connection with the national health insurance duties which have been added to the work of the Customs and Excise Department?

I explained the course that has been followed in this matter in a reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn on the 5th ultimo (Debates, Vol. 44, No. 157, col. 2493), to which I would ask the hon. Member to refer.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the total membership on the latest date for which the figures are available, and also the corresponding figures for 1910 or 1911, of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and each of the other large friendly societies having over 100,000 members; and, if possible, the estimated total friendly society membership in the United Kingdom at such dates?

At 31st December, 1910, the date of the last complete abstract of the Annual Returns of Registered Friendly Societies (including societies with branches) there were upon the register five societies with branches and four ordinary friendly societies which had over 100,000 members at that date. The membership of the societies in the United Kingdom in comparison with that for the year 1911, where available, was as follows:—

Societies with Branches.	Membership at 31st Dec. 1910.	Membership at 31st Dec., 1911.
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity	759,488	—
Ancient Order of Foresters	621,375	—
Independent Order of Rechabites, Salford Unity	320,739	—
Order of the Sons of Temperance	170,755	—
Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds, Ashton Unity	165,262	—

Ordinary Friendly Societies.	Membership at 31st Dec, 1910.	Membership at 31st Dec. 1911.
Hearts of Oak Benefit, Society	303,483	304,599
National Deposit Friendly Society	219,381	231,192
Northumberland and Durham Miners' Permanent Belief Fund Friendly Society	202,109	206,867
Rational Association Friendly Society	120,118	118,809

The aggregate membership of friendly societies and societies with branches at 31st December, 1910, was 6,710,383. I fear that later figures than those given under the respective headings above are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any other fund in the nature of an insurance fund under the control or cognisance of the Treasury like the Irish Constabulary Force Fund in the management of which the contributors have no voice, in which the request of 95 per cent, of the contributors to have the fund distributed is refused, and from which contributors who survive their wives and children never derive any benefit, no matter how much they have contributed to the fund or what their need; and, in view of the hardship inflicted upon those contributors as compared with contributors to any other insurance scheme, whether the Treasury will sanction the distribution of this fund or its transfer to the Irish Insurance Commissioners to be dealt with by them at their discretion?

With reference to the first part of the question, I cannot usefully add anything to the very full replies recently given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 18th December and the 2nd, 9th, and 16th January. As regards the second part of the question, the fund cannot be diverted from the fulfilment of its obligations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on Thursday, 2nd January, a Mr. Cabena produced an authority on behalf of the Inland Revenue Department to value the farm and buildings, etc., occupied by Mr. J. Bold, in the parish of Knowle, Warwickshire, who under protest was obliged to allow him to make his examination or be penalised up to £50; and whether it is the custom of the Inland Revenue Department to give posts of such authority to persons of non-British origin?

Mr. Cabena's father and grandfather, though of Italian descent, were of British nationality, as is Mr. Cabena himself. I am informed that Mr. Cabena attended on Mr. Gold's farm on the 2nd January for the purpose of aiding a valuer to make certain measurements. No protest was made by Mr. Gold who after the completion of the work was shown, at his request, the formal authorisation of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to inspect on their behalf. The penalty for not permitting inspection is noted on the authorisation, but was not referred to at the interview.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many registered friendly societies have been dissolved or wound up during each of the last five years ending 31st December; and what was the number of the members of such societies?

The number of registered friendly societies which have ceased to exist by dissolution or cancelling, was as follows:—

Year.		Number of Societies.	Membership at latest date available prior to Dissolution, etc.
1908	…	153	4,610
1909	…	169	7,114
1910	…	148	5,522
1911	…	159	7,101
1912	…	699	65,959

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate total amounts at present raised by 1d. in the £ on the Income Tax in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, respectively?

The approximate amounts per penny of Income Tax (excluding Super-tax) contributed in the year 1911–12, were as follows:—

			£
England and Wales	…	…	2,556,000
Scotland	…	…	263,000
Ireland	…	…	100,000

Separate figures for Wales cannot be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Baring failure of 1890 was primarily caused by the unsuccessful attempt of Barings to corner silver in America and London, and by the successful cornering by other powerful financiers of the Argentine paper currency in Buenos Ayres, and that these financial gambling operations finally resulted in a depreciation by 1894 of 51 per cent, in the price of silver, and in a rise to over 350 in the gold premium in Argentina, and that these resulted in the collapse of Barings and in the bankruptcy of Argentina, with a depreciation in securities on the American and European Stock Exchanges of £200,000,000; and whether, under such facts, combined with those of the cornering of silver in 1912, he will introduce legislation with the view of putting an end to these gambling bull and bear operations in options and futures of silver and in finance in general?

I am unable to verify the statements made in the early parts of the question; and, as regards the last part, I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of cases in Lancashire in which builders take land upon ground rent, build upon it, and sell the land and buildings upon terms which include an improved ground rent, the excess of value in the cash received and in the value of the improved ground rent being builders' profits; and whether there are any cases in which such improved ground rents have been charged with Increment Duty?

The answer is in the negative. Improved ground rents are not in themselves chargeable with Increment Duty, though they may constitute part of a price which, taken as a whole, discloses increment value.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of Honora Walsh, who was granted an old age pension by the Cork (Station No. 6) pension committee (Register Xo. 917) in May, 1910, the Local Government, on appeal from the pensions committee, have reversed the decision of the committee and upheld an objection of the pensions officer alleging that she was disqualified on the grounds that she was an inmate of the Cork District Hospital since the 26th April, 1912; whether the pensions committee, in deciding in favour of the pension, acted on the certificate of the medical officer of the union that Honora Walsh was necessarily detained in the workhouse owing to illness, and that he3 as medical officer in charge, had supplied medical assistance and recommended that she be supplied with the food and comforts which were necessary in view of her illness; whether the Local Government Board, on the hearing of the appeal, had any evidence before them showing that the doctor's certificate was erroneous; if not, on what grounds they reversed the decision of the pensions committee; and whether it is the view of the Local Government Board that all relief given in a workhouse hospital disoualifies for the pension even though consisting of medical assistance, including food or comforts, supplied on the recommendation of a medical officer?

The facts generally are as stated in the first part of the question. Before determining the question, the Local Government Board had the case of Honora Walsh inquired into locally by one of their medical inspectors. In cases like this the Board's views are that an old age pensioner who becomes an inmate of a Poor Law infirmary is disqualified for receiving a pension if the case is of a chronic nature in which medical or surgical assistance is quite subsidiary to ordinary relief, including extra diet and nursing. If a person is admitted to an infirmary suffering from some disease which under treatment is capable of cure in a short time, then it is held that no disqualification for pension arises.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the No. 2 national school, situated on Arranmore Island, county Donegal, is overcrowded and that the National Board of Education has given notice to the manager that thirty-nine pupils must at once be excluded in consequence of such overcrowding; whether a sealed consent must be given by the Land Commission to subdivision of the holding selected for the site of a new school before any Grant for such school can be made; whether as long ago as December, 1911, the Land Commission signified their willingness to give such consent, but have not yet done so in the required form; and whether, in view of the urgency of the matter, he will request, the Land Commission to issue a sealed consent without further delay?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the facts are as stated in the first paragraph of the question. I understand that the consent referred to has now been sealed and issued by the Land Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will use his influence with the Estates Commissioners so that they will allow Peter Dwyer to purchase a small holding of one and a half acres, which he holds as a sub-tenant on the Hogan estate, county Wexford?

The Estates Comissioners have inquired into this case, and are not prepared to declare Peter Dwyer, jun., to be a direct tenant for the purposes of sale of the plot which he holds as sub-tenant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a copy of a map prepared by the Unpurchased Tenants' Association of East Down, showing how the districts purchased at greatly reduced annuities are surrounded on all sides by townlands still unpurchased, where the farmers suffer from high rents and uncertainty as to the future; and whether ho will place the map in the Tea Room as soon as the promised Bill for the completion of land purchase is introduced next Session?

I have received the map. I have no doubt that the authors will be glad to supply the hon. Member with a copy, but I cannot undertake to exhibit it and any similar maps which may be prepared by unpurchased tenants in other counties in the way he suggests.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many masters in Irish national schools were, on the substitution of gradation for classification, receiving salaries, exclusive of capitation Grant, amounting to from £117 to £138 per annum, £139 and upwards, respectively; how many places for masters were at the disposal of the Commissioners to fill in each of the following grades:—Second grade, second section of first grade, first section of first grade, when the new system was introduced; what was the average number of vacancies in the second grade since the adoption of the grading system; could the Commissioners have filled these vacancies by promoting assistants; and, in view of the sum saved to the British Treasury by withholding these promotions, will he recommend that the sum thus saved be refunded to the Commissioners to pay the increments and arrears of salary due to the paper-promoted teachers of 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1912?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that on 31st December, 1901, there were 416 male principal teachers and eighteen male assistant teachers in receipt of salaries exclusive of residual capitation Grant ranging from £117 to £138 a year, and 241 male principal teachers and thirteen male assistant teachers in receipt of salaries of £139 a year and upwards. The number of places for masters at the disposal of the Commissioners when the new system was introduced were as under:—

Second grade	2,500
Second division of first grade	500
First division of first grade	300

It would be difficult to say what was the average number of vacancies in the second grade, but on 31st December, 1901, the total number of vacancies was nearly 2,300 for men and women. The total number at present is only about 1,700, of which about 800 are for men. Assistant teachers are not eligible for promotion beyond the third grade unless in exceptional circumstances. There is no power to act on the suggestion in the concluding paragraph.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships Great Britain had in full commission on the 1st April, 1905, giving their names and the stations to which they were allocated; how many battleships Germany had in full commission on the 1st April, 1905, giving their names and the stations to which they were allocated; how many battleships Great Britain will have in full commission on the 1st April, 1913, giving their names and the stations to which, under present arrangements, they will be allocated; and how many battleships Germany will have in full commission on the 1st April, 1913, giving their names and the stations to which they will be allocated?

The information asked for is as follows:—

British battleships in commission with full crews.
1st April, 1905 (32).
Home waters.
"Exmouth"	"Swiftsure"
"Albemarle"	"Triumph"
"Montagu"	"Cæsar"
"Duncan"	"Hannibal"
"Cornwallis"	"Revenge"
"Russell"	"Royal Sovereign"
Atlantic (Gibraltar).
"King Edward VII."	'"Mars"
"Victorious"	"Prince George"
"Majestic"	"Illustrious"
"Magnificent"
Total in Home waters 19

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that one-half of the married quarters known as Cambridge Cottages, Woolwich, consist of one room, without scullery, water-closet, or water; that women have to journey from fifty to 150 yards, and in some instances use a steep flight of stairs, to obtain water for domestic purposes, and that these quarters have been condemned by medical authorities; and whether provision will be made in the Annual Estimates to convert these quarters into two-roomed quarters, with scullery, water-closet, and water facilities?

A certain number of new quarters are being built, and improvements are being carried out in Cambridge Cottages, Woolwich, as funds become available.

asked the Secretary for War whether the Army Council has issued an order that colours are not to be carried by bodies of men belonging to the National Reserve; and whether he is aware that such an order is giving dissatisfaction throughout the country?

The Army Council do not approve of the carrying of consecrated colours by any other bodies than uniformed corps of enlisted soldiers. I do not think this can cause dissatisfaction when it is remembered that the privilege of carrying colours is now and always has been exclusively reserved for fighting units.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the premises of the Dagenham, Hainault Forest, Church of England school, Essex, are still allowed to be open notwithstanding the fact that the temperatures on 13th January, 1913, were as low as 38 to 45 degrees in the main room, 38 to 51 in the class room, and 39 to 51 in the infants' room; whether he is-aware that the master has resigned, giving as reasons for his resignation that the school premises are unsuitable in their present condition for the instruction of children, dilapidated, dangerous to health and also to life and limb, cracks in the school walls admit cold air from outside, the temperature of the school cannot be maintained, the managers as a body do not support the head teacher in the performance of his scholastic duties, and neglect to provide a proper teaching staff, after repeated and urgent requests to do-so; and whether the Board of Education will give directions to the local education authority to provide other accommodation for the school children?

From the reports received from His Majesty's inspector there is no-doubt that the main room is liable to be very cold. Plans for beating it by hot water pipes and radiators have now been submitted and appear to be satisfactory-The Board, however, will not give their approval without stipulating that the walls shall be made good and that the work shall be completed by 25th March. The Board have been notified of the resignation of the headmaster, but not of his reasons for resigning. The local education authority have informed the Board that they have held an exhaustive inquiry into the staff and the management of the school and hope shortly to be able to state that an adequate, suitable, and permanent staff has been provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take any further measures to protect pedestrians from the dangers arising out of the speed permitted to motor omnibuses and taxi-cabs; and whether he can state the number of deaths and accidents which have occurred from those vehicles during the year 1912?

A Select Committee is considering this question, and I cannot take any new measures until I know the result of their inquiries. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford on 6th January.

asked the Home Secretary whether any new evidence in relation to the Eastbourne murder has reached the Home Office casting doubt on the guilt of the prisoner who is condemned for the crime; and, if so, whether a postponement of execution will be ordered until any remaining doubt has been removed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a meeting of the Indian students of Glasgow University, at which over 90 per cent, of the enrolled Indian students were present, where a resolution was unanimously carried protesting against the institution of a caretaker and adviser of Indian students being set up in that university; and, if so, will he see his way not to persist in the appointment of such?

The Secretary of State has seen in the Press a report of the meeting referred to. From inquiries that have been made the Secretary of State is satisfied that the appointment of a local adviser for Indian students at Glasgow is desirable, and will be welcomed by the authorities of the university.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been directed to the fact that, out of forty-four deaths caused by starvation, or accelerated by privation, in London in 1911, ten took place in Shore-ditch and six in Whitechapel; what are the hours during which applicants are not admitted to the workhouse or casual ward in those districts; and what steps, if any, the Local Government Board or the Poor Law inspector for the district have taken to reduce the number of deaths from starvation or privation in these unions?

I am aware of the cases referred to by the hon. Member, which appear to have been of the homeless or vagrant type in which death was due to exposure or neglect. I understand that in both of the unions mentioned sudden and urgent cases are admitted to the workhouse or infirmary at any time of the day or night. In the year 1911 persons were admitted to the casual wards of these unions after 6 o'clock in the evening until the wards were full. As regards the last part of the question, I may say that none of the deaths referred to appears to have resulted from a refusal of admission to a Poor Law institution. The cases for the most part seem only to have been brought to the notice of the Poor Law authorities when it was too late to save life. Perhaps I may remind the hon. Member of the arrangements I have recently made to secure closer co-operation between the central authority, the police, and the voluntary associations who deal with this class of persons, and, so far as these unfortunate cases are preventible, I should hope that the new arrangements may be of assistance.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a man named Wilson who, on 9th January, applied for admission to the casual ward at West Ham; whether this was refused by the porter; whether he then, on the advice of a constable, applied to the relieving officer, who neither gave him an order for the workhouse nor any relief; whether Wilson, accompanied by the constable, applied again at the casual ward, but was again refused by the porter, who said he dared not take in anybody after six o'clock; whether Wilson had been discharged that day from Whitechapel infirmary and was quite destitute; whether the constable had no alternative but to lock the man up, though he had committed no offence, in order to give him shelter for the night; whether he will ask his Poor Law inspector for the district to inspect the relieving officer's application and report book, the porter's book, and the minutes of the guardians, to see if proper entries have been made and that the matter was duly reported to the guardians; and will he obtain a report from his inspector and the police on the matter?

My attention had already been called to this case, and I am making inquiries with respect to it.

asked the right hon. Member for Morpeth, as Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, if he can state the number of petitions presented for and against the Established Church (Wales) Bill, and also the number of signatures; and whether, in the case of petitioners which have infringed the rule that the prayer must appear on each separate sheet, the names so infringing the rule have not been counted?

Eight thousand six hundred and sixty petitions, containing 2,108,298 signatures, have been presented against the Established Church (Wales) Bill. Two petitions, containing two signatures, have been presented in favour of the Bill. The rule is that in no case are any signatures to a petition counted unless the prayer appears at the head of the sheet on which the names are signed. There are some instances, however, in which that rule has been contravened and the names have been counted.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the disease affecting sheep known as scrapie, which is specially rife in Roxburghshire; whether any steps are being taken to schedule this disease; and what precautions, if any, are being taken or are in contemplation to prevent the spread of this disease?

I am aware of the serious losses caused not only in Roxburghshire, but in other parts of Great Britain by the disease known as scrapie. The disease is being scientifically investigated on behalf of the Board, and in the present state of knowledge I am advised that no useful action could be taken with regard to it under the Diseases of Animals Acts.