asked in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law, the basis upon which the pension of a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary would be calculated who had served nineteen years at the time the force was transferred to the Irish Government, and who then elected to retire voluntarily rather than serve under the Irish Government?

If the hon. and learned Member had referred to Rules 2, 3, and 4 of the Fourth Schedule which regulate the calculation of the compensation allowance payable in the circumstances mentioned in the question, he would have discovered for himself that the constable he is thinking about would be entitled to a compensation allowance of 30/50 of what his pay would probably have been in the same rank at the end of the five added years, subject to the limitation that it is not to exceed two-thirds of his annual pay at the time of retirement.

asked upon what date Lord Clanricarde served the writ of injunction on the Congested Districts Board for Ireland to prevent their purchasing his estate under the Land Act of 1909; what delay was consented to by the Board: what is the present position of the case; and what explanation is offered for the delay that has occurred in this matter?

The writs of injunction were served on the Congested Districts Board on the 28th February, 1912. The Board did not consent to any delay in the proceedings but, on the contrary, the Master of the Rolls in April, 1912, at their instance, made the plaintiff's counsel undertake to expedite the proceedings. As the plaintiff did not give notice of trial for the Michaelmas sittings, the Board have taken steps with the object of having the injunction proceedings adjudicated upon during next month.

asked how many houses have been built under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act of 1908; how many of these houses are let at a weekly rent of 1s. 6d. and 1s., respectively; what has been the total cost, and what contribution has been made towards the cost to the local authorities out of the Housing Fund provided by the Act?

The number of houses built or to be built under the Act in 2,274, but precise information as to the number of houses actually built and as to the rents (which are fixed at the discretion of the local authority as regards reasonable charges) could only be obtained by communication with the several local authorities in the country. The aggregate amount sanctioned for building schemes is £438,055. The contributions from the Housing Fund for the three years ended 31st March, 1910, 1911, 1912, amounted to £5,631, and were sufficient to defray the liabilities of the local authorities for principal and interest.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have any objection to obtain for me information as to the rents at which the houses are let because otherwise it would be impossible to tell whether the houses are let to the artisan classes?

I will do the best I can to obtain it. Without circularising all the local authorities I will endeavour to ascertain the largest number of cases I can of what the average rent is.

Can the right horn Gentleman say whether it is a fact that the amount of the loans sanctioned since the passing of the Act of 1908 is about half the amount applied for and sanctioned since the year 1890?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will afford an opportunity to the representatives of the six little girls between the ages of eleven and fifteen years who were expelled from the female school at Tarbert, county Kerry, in the month of February, 1911, to appear before the Com mission of Inquiry about to be held into the national school inspectors, etc., in order that they may fully lay before that Commission the action of the manager, teacher, and the school inspectors who were sent to investigate the charges made, and explain how those inspectors acted in the matter?

I hardly think that this is a case for the Commission, but it is open to the hon. Member to make any representation he may think fit to the Commission, and it will then be for them to decide whether the facts of the case as represented to them bring it within the terms of reference.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to proceedings at Petty Sessions in Athlone on the 24th instant in a case brought by the Congested Districts Board to take possession of a farm now in possession of Mr. P. J. Fallon; whether he is aware that this farm has been boycotted for some time because the owner refused to surrender it at the bidding of the United Irish League, and that 100 tons of hay were burned on the farm; whether it is the intention of the Congested Districts Board to evict the legal owner of the farm and hand it over to the people in whose interest the boycotting was established; and, if so, will the Board pay the owner the price at which the farm has been valued by an independent valuer, or will they compel the owner to accept a price settled by the official valuer, which is only one-fourth of the market value if the land had not been boycotted?

The case referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was not before the Athlone Petty Sessions on the 24th instant, but was for hearing before a sub-commission of the Irish Land Commission on that date, when proceedings were being taken for the resumption of Fallon's holding under Section 5 (6) of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881, and Section 83 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The case is still sub judice, and I cannot therefore make any statement in regard to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, on further consideration, he has decided to publish the results of the inquiry into the expenses incurred by the High Sheriffs of Lancashire during their term of office; and whether he is aware that a number of Lancashire Members of Parliament desire to have this information?

Intimation has reached me that a considerable number of Members of both sides of the House would desire the publication of this Report. I am in communication with the Lord Chief Justice with respect to its contents, but as unfortunately he is at the present moment not well, I should prefer to delay its publication until I can accompany it with a statement of his views on behalf of the judges as to the recommendations therein contained. I may add that the committee inform me that the expenses of the sheriffs in Lancashire come to £3,000 per year in addition to the Treasury allowance of something like a thousand pounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Australian Commonwealth charge 1d. Customs Duty on a single catalogue sent by post from England, which causes hindrance to commercial relations between the Mother Country and the Colonies; and whether he will endeavour to get this matter altered?

Under the Commonwealth of Australia Customs Tariff, trade catalogues are liable to a duty at 6d. per pound, or 35 per cent, ad valorem, whichever rate returns the higher duty. In cases, however, where the total duty on any one mail addressed by any one consignor to any one State of the Commonwealth does not exceed 1s., the payment of duty is waived. Representations as to the effect of this duty on trade between this country and the Commonwealth have on several occasions been made by firms engaged in trade with the Commonwealth and have been brought under the notice of the Commonwealth Government, but that Government has not seen its way to alter the duty, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by further representations at the present time.

asked whether Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, are required to make any and, if so, what deposit of caution or guarantee money as security for the due carrying out of their obligations under the extensive rights granted to them in respect of areas in the Sierra Leone Protectorate, the Gold Coast Colony, or Southern Nigeria?

No, Sir. If the obligations are not carried out the concession will be forfeited.

Is there any limit of time in which these obligations will be carried on?

I think there is, but I cannot carry the whole of the wording in my head. I can give the hon. Gentleman the information.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if, having regard to the reiterated representations by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, when applying for an extensive monopoly in the Sierra Leone Protectorate, that the enterprise would entail a great outlay and expenditure of capital, he will say what is the total sum which Messrs. Lever are under obligation to spend?

As will be seen from page 45 of Cd. 6561, the sum proposed to be expended is £15,000 within one year from the date of the Agreement.

asked whether Mr. Alldridge, who was sent out in 1907 by Messrs. Lever Brothers to Sierra Leone to interview the Governor and negotiate with the chiefs, with a view to obtaining concessions for that firm, was at any time employed by the Government or in any Colonial Department; and, if so, in what capacity was he employed and during what period?

Mr. Alldridge was employed by the Government of Sierra Leone as travelling commissioner or as district commissioner from 1889 until his retirement on pension in August, 1905.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that Civil servants should return to the same Colonies on behalf of private firms?

This is the case of a Civil servant who had received his pension, and there were no conditions attached to the pension to prevent him from seeking other employment for commercial purposes.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman seeking to prevent Governors and other Civil servants on leaving the Civil Service from undertaking directorships at the present time?

Yes, I am doing that. That is quite new action. Mr. Alldridge retired during the tenure of office of the late Conservative Government, and no conditions of that sort were made on his retirement.

He was sent out under the auspices of the present Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the nature of the tramway privileges in the Gold Coast Colony granted, or proposed to be granted, to Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, and the associated firm of W. B. MacIver and Company, Limited, for a term of twenty-one years; the extent of the area to which the privileges apply; the consideration paid, or to be paid, by them; and the capital expenditure which they are required to make in the construction of tramways, railways, or other forms of traction?

No special privileges in regard to tramways are now intended to be given to those firms.

Why has the right hon. Gentleman withdrawn them?

Representations were made to me by Chambers of Commerce here at the time the discussion was going on about the concessions; they thought these grants undesirable, and, on further consideration, I agreed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman furnish us with copies of the correspondence on the subject which is not included in the Blue Book?

There is no correspondence which is in the least material that does not appear in the Blue Book.

What was the amount that Messrs. Lever Brothers contributed to the Radical party funds?

asked whether any and, if so, what steps have been taken to protect and preserve, or obtain a transfer or waiver of the rights of certain Opobo and Bonny traders who hold trading leases on the Imo and Azumini Creek (Aba River) within the area selected by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited; and, in view of their letter to the Colonial Secretary at Lagos, dated 10th September, on the importance of obtaining a monopoly in the rights granted to them, whether they propose to proceed with the selection if anyone else, either native or European, holds similar rights to themselves?

I have no further information on this point than is contained in the published correspondence.

asked whether Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, request for the grant of monopoly rights for the erection of machinery for treating palm kernels as well as for treating the pericarp of palm fruit have been definitely and finally refused in respect of any West African Colonies?

No such rights will be granted in any part of British West Africa.

asked if the withholding of the sole right of erecting machinery for the crushing of nuts from the exclusive right of constructing and working mills for expressing or extracting oil from the pericarp of palm fruit within an area of approximately 311 square miles in the Sierra Leone Protectorate granted to Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, is in tended for the protection of the natives; and in what way will this protection operate, seeing that the rights granted give Messrs. Lever Brothers virtual commercial control over all nuts in a given area so that they can make their own price and prevent the natives from getting full market value?

The withholding of the monopoly of erecting machinery for extracting oil from the kernels of palm fruits was not intended for the protection of the natives as it is extremely unlikely that any native would wish to erect such machinery. The native is protected by the fact that he can continue to sell his nuts or the oil which he may prepare from them to anyone he pleases, if it pays him better to do so rather than to take them to Messrs. Lever's mill. The privilege to be granted to Messrs. Lever is confined strictly to machinery for which novelty is claimed. There is no warrant in the licence for the assertion that "virtual commercial control over all nuts in a given area" has been granted to them.

Is it the view of the Colonial Office that a legal monopoly over a part of the nut is not equivalent to a monopoly over the whole nut?

There is no legal monopoly over any part of the nut. There is a legal monopoly within a limited area to erect a special form of newly invented machinery.

Is not that a monopoly for treating part of the nut?

There is no monopoly of the nut; it is a monopoly of the machinery.

asked in what manner the consent of the natives was obtained to the grant of exclusive rights to Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, in the Sierra Leone protectorate; were the representations of the chiefs or tribal authorities accepted as conclusive; and how was the consent of the chiefs obtained, and did any consideration pass?

The proposals of Messrs. Lever were fully explained to a representative body of chiefs assembled at Yonnibanna on the 11th March, 1912, and they expressed themselves as fully in sympathy with the scheme. So far as I am aware no consideration passed. As the Governor and I were already satisfied that the scheme was not antagonistic to the interest of the natives, there was no ground for not considering the chiefs' acceptance of it as conclusive.

By whom was this explained to the chiefs?

By one of the officials in the service of the Government there; I do not know whether it was the Governor or the Colonial Secretary.

Was the official interpreter a person sufficiently qualified to interpret on an occasion of this character?

I am not acquainted with the official interpreter, but I have no doubt he was properly qualified.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that it was stipulated that the consent of the natives should be obtained? Can he say whether any inquiry was made to ascertain whether the chiefs consulted the natives by referendum or otherwise?

I think the referendum is one of the questions of which I should have notice.

asked whether the Government have entered into any agreement, promise, or understanding with Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, not to grant licences similar to theirs and relating to the same area either in respect to the erection of mills or the construction of railways in the Gold Coast Colony or Southern Nigeria for any fixed period; and, if so, what is the period?

As the hon. Member will see from a perusal of Cd. 6561, any monpoly granted in Sierra Leone or the Gold Coast can only extend to the erection of mills for the extraction of oil from the pericarp of the palm fruit and the term of such monopoly will be twenty-one years. Rights with respect to railways in those Colonies will only be granted under the Proprietary Railway Ordinances of those Colonies, which do not involve a monopoly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what figures and statements relating to the experience of Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, in the Gold Coast, were submitted by them to the Colonial Office in support of their representation that an area of five miles radius in Southern Nigeria would be inadequate, and that a much larger area from which to draw supplies was essential; did the Colonial Office call for any further figures or statements in support of the representation; were they supplied; and, if so, will he communicate them to the House with any other facts which induced him to alter his decision to restrict the grant to an area of five miles radius?

It was represented to the Colonial Office that, as Lever Brothers would have no special rights of purchase or collection within the area, and as the natives would not carry the palm fruit to a centre more than about five miles distant, it would be possible for a rival firm, or firms, established at points only five miles from the mills, to render nugatory the special advantages acquired by Lever Brothers within a circle of only five miles radius. With a radius of ten miles, such competition is still effective for five miles within Lever Brothers' area, but the advantage given is considered to be sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will cause to be exhibited in the Tea Room a map showing the position and extent of any concessions which have been granted during the past three years in the Crown Colonies on the West Coast of Africa?

It would be impossible to exhibit these concessions accurately, on a map of reasonable size, as many of them cover a very small area. The hon. Member will find full information as regards concessions in the Parliamentary Papers which have recently been published in Cd. 5743 of 1911, and No. 68 of 1912, and in my Written Answer to the hon. Member for Dulwich, circulated to-day.

Are there any maps published by the Government?

There are no maps included in the, Papers, but if I can be of any assistance to the hon. Member in the matter of maps, I shall be glad to do what I can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statistics as to the amount of land granted given in the Blue Books cover only those Grants which have received Government sanction, and that, as a matter of fact, Grants ten times as large have been made which have not received official sanction, but are being used by the concessionaires?

The word "Grants" should not be used, but it is quite true that arrangements have sometimes been made by private individuals with local chiefs, but these are not Grants which have been validated by the local Courts.

But they are being acted upon.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Committee to be set up to draft a Women Suffrage Bill will be nominated by the Committee of Selection or by the House; (2) whether the Committee of this House to be set up to draft a Women Suffrage Bill will be appointed this Session; and (3) whether the Women Suffrage Committee which it is proposed to form will be presided over by the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Leader of the Opposition; and whether it is intended that during the proceedings next Session on the Women Suffrage Bill the House should be temporarily led by the Chairman of this Committee?

The question of the formation and appointment of such a Committee, as that to which my hon. Friend refers, rests entirely with the supporters of the movement for Women Suffrage, and is not a matter for the Government. I am not in a position to give my hon. Friend the information he desires on the other points raised in the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how this Committee will communicate officially with the Government in respect of the allocation of the time of the House and other matters?

There is no Committee at the present moment; therefore I could not answer that. I am not certain that I shall be able to answer it when the Committee is appointed.

Will the resulting Bill have preference over all others, irrespective of the ballot and of the claims of other Bills?

I could not reply to that.

asked which are the Supplementary Estimates it is proposed to take before the Recess?

I hope to publish the Supplementary Estimates very shortly, possibly this week.

Will the Supplementary Estimates include an amount for salmon-marking in Scotland?

I think not.

Why not?

Will they include the £50,000 in respect of medical benefit in Ireland?

That is a subject for discussion, I understand. It has not been raised with me at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the speech made by the Governor of British East Africa on 27th December, at the Nakuru Show lunch, in which he stated that he had recommended the Secretary of State that the Governor should have authority to allot lands without auction in cases in which it may appear to him that exceptional circumstances render it desirable that land should be owned by a particular person; and whether he has information as to what are the circumstances to which the Governor alluded, and can give this information to the House?

I have received a despatch from the Governor recommending that, pending the promulgation of a new Lands Ordinance, outstanding applications should be dealt with under existing regulations, subject to an additional condition for auction or, in special cases, allotment at a fixed premium. I have approved of his recommendations generally, but have asked for further information as to the proposal to allot land without competition.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Ordinance is likely to be approved?

I cannot say that today.

Does the right hon. Gentleman, in allowing certain lands to be granted by allotment, whereas others are reserved for auction purposes, see the danger arising from favouritism or the suspicion of favouritism?

Yes, but I think the hon. Gentleman can accept what I have said in my answer that I have asked for further information of the proposals to allot the land.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a public statement by the Governor of British East Africa, in a speech on 27th December, that he was in communication with the Secretary of State with reference to the draft Land Ordinance and had obtained his consent to the removal from the Ordinance of that part which made provision to prevent the accumulation of land in the hands of one individual; and whether he can state the reason for the removal of this restriction?

Yes, Sir; I have agreed to the elimination from the draft Land Ordinance of the restrictions on the amount of land which may be held by one person on the ground that those restrictions will not be necessary to prevent undue accumulation without development when the arrangements proposed as to grant subject to premium determined by auction, personal occupation, and development, are brought into force.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that there are already in spite of this being a new Colony enormous estates in the hands of either one individual, or a large corporation, and does he think it desirable to continue the growth of these enormous estates?

No, I consider it most undesirable to continue their growth, and so long as I remain in my present office they will not be continued. These enormous grants have not been made during my tenure of office, or indeed by the Colonial Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is a good thing to get money into the country for wages for the employment of the natives?

Yes, and that is what is contemplated. I hope to do it by means of small ownership.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think he, is acting in the interest of British East Africa by the establishment of small ownership there?

Yes.

Does the right hon. Gentleman favour small occupancy in this country?

Will the documents relating to the matter be laid on the Table of the House?

I am obliged to the Noble Lord for correcting my mistake. I meant "small occupancy," which is what I have been establishing in East Africa, and what I have been supporting in this country.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, why the Government have been advised to sell the vacant land at the entrance to the Mall, in Cockspur Street, having regard to the fact that permanent buildings will be placed thereupon and therefore preclude all chance of the Admiralty Arch having an approach to Trafalgar Square adequate to its position; and whether this means that all idea of acquiring part of Drummond's Bank and the opposite corner have now been abandoned?

The land referred to belongs to the London County Council. I am informed that they have sold it, thereby precluding, as the hon. Member rightly says, all chance of the construction of a worthy approach to the Admiralty Arch.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury at what periods payments will be made to doctors on the panels who are remunerated on the capitation system, and when will the first payments be made; whether the lists of patients furnished by doctors will be accepted as sufficient for the purpose of payment, or whether it will be necessary to produce the patients' tickets; and whether remuneration will commence to run from 15th January, 1913, or the date when the doctor accepts an insured person as his patient, and how will such date be ascertained?

The Regulations contemplate quarterly payments, but, as I have previously stated, arrangements may be made by insurance com- mittees whereby payments may be made on account during the quarter. The lists of patients sent in by the doctors will be checked by the insurance committees from the lists furnished by the societies, not from the medical tickets. The payments are due as from 15th January or whatever later date the doctor joined the panel.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Hawkins, of St. Paul's Road, Camden Town, an insured person, was recommended for treatment for tuberculosis at home in November, 1912; that since then he has nothing but the doctor's services and cod-liver oil; that the accommodation is very bad and the doctor has made certain requirements, but no further notice has been taken of them than a mere acknowledgment; that consequently the patient is not making any progress; and whether he will take steps to see that this man receives the necessaries ordered by the doctor?

I am informed by the London Insurance Committee that the insured person in question was recommended for domiciliary treatment in November, and has since that time been receiving this treatment, including doctor's services and medicines. Arrangements have been made for the patient to receive other articles ancillary to his treatment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the doctor in charge of the case states that his requirements have not been supplied?

No, I am not aware. I will make any further inquiries of the London Insurance Committee if the hon. and learned Gentleman desires me to do so.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of R. P. Darken, of 223, Clarence Buildings, N.W., entitled to sanatorium benefit and recommended for treatment at home, the clerk to the London Insurance Committee, at an interview which took place between him and the doctor in charge on 2nd January, 1913, informed the doctor that they would not pay for the necessaries ordered by him, such as bedding, supplementary diet, and visits by a nurse; that the local authority would have to pay for them or the man must go to the infirmary, and that the only things allowed for the treatment of such cases were the doctor's services, cod-liver oil, and extract of malt; that a similar statement was made over the telephone to Dr. Sykes, the medical officer of health for St. Pancras; that the doctor in charge attributes the death of his patient to this refusal; that certain articles were obtained from the dispensary in Oakley Square, N.W.; and that no repayment was made in respect of them until the day when a question relating to the matter appeared on the Order Paper of the House of Commons, when a special messenger was sent to the dispensary with a cheque for £10; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the necessaries prescribed by the doctor are supplied?

I am informed by the London Insurance Committee that the clerk to the committee informed the doctor that the committee had no power, and could not in future arrange to supply such articles as coal, but only such food and nourishment as were ancillary to the treatment of tuberculosis The committee are empowered to authorise the supply of articles which are ordered by the doctor and are ancillary to the treatment, hut have no legal power to supply articles not falling within this description. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I may add that the patient did, in fact receive the articles ordered for him and there is no foundation therefore for the suggestion in the fourth part of the question. I am informed that repayment had been sanctioned, and a cheque actually drawn for signature before the hon. Member's previous question was put down on the 13th instant.

Is it to be taken as a rule when the doctor orders ancillary treatment in the case of tuberculosis that the things are not to be supplied?

No, only the articles which can be legally supplied under the Act which rules the ancillary treatment of tuberculosis. The Act is not an Act for giving general relief to poor people.

Is it a fact that these articles are confined to cod liver oil and extract of malt?

Oh, no; a cheque for a considerable sum, I think nearly £10, was paid over for other articles which were for ancillary treatment; but the insurance committee have no power to supply coal, or bread and meat.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information given by the doctor in charge of the case is that the articles he ordered were not coal, but supplementary diet, the daily visits of a nurse, and proper bedding?

Those were the articles supplied.

Is it not the case that these articles were only supplied after such delay as to cause grave and serious injury to the patient?

Oh, no, I have answered that already; that is not so: I have the facts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many claims for unemployed benefit have been received up to 25th January throughout the United Kingdom and for each district separately; if he can state how many of these had been granted and refused, respectively, in each division and the time generally taken to come to a decision; and, if any, how many cases have been referred to the Courts of Referees or Umpire?

The number of claims for unemployment benefit made up to and including 25th January throughout the United Kingdom is 138,222. I will have a statement showing the number received in each of the eight divisions printed in the Votes. Decisions on claims will, it is hoped, be given, as a rule, within the first week of unemployment, in respect of which the workman is not entitled to benefit, and benefit will be paid on each Friday up to and including the previous Wednesday; that is to say, the workman will, as a rule, receive, on the following Friday, the first unemployment benefit to which he may be entitled up to any Wednesday. This will be the general rule in future, but for obvious reasons it has not been possible to adhere to it in all cases with respect to the first mass of applications. As regards the other portions of the question, information is not yet complete, but I will send it to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available. [See Written Answers of this date]

Will the information be printed as a matter of course, or will I have to put down another question?

Genéral statistics will be available, but it depends upon the desirability of the information that is to be given. I will investigate the matter.

asked whether an insured painter, under Part II. of the Act, who has duly paid twenty-six weekly contributions and has had added in respect of past employment twenty-five contributions, who on the 13th January declared on the unemployment fund and declared off on the 25th January is entitled to unemployment benefit; and, if so, to how much, no question having been raised as to disqualification?

In the circumstances described by the hon. Member the workman (assuming him to have been unemployed and to have signed the unemployed register as required from the 13th to the 25th January; both days inclusive) would be entitled to 7s. in respect of the six days of unemployment from 20th January to 25th January, and would receive payment on Friday, 31st January.

asked whether on 25th January the official in charge of the Labour Exchange at Trowbridge informed an insured workman under Part II. of the Act that no funds were available to pay unemployment benefit until 31st January?

I am causing inquiries to be made into the statement referred to by the hon. Member, and will communicate the result to him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the charge made for doctors' notes (for the purpose of claiming sick benefit under the Insurance Act), amounting in most cases to 2s. 6d. each, in the district of Belfast; and whether any action will be taken by the Insurance Commissioners, or any arrangement be made, whereby a sum more in consonance with the cost of such notes in this country might be established?

As my right hon. Friend stated in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Waterford, on the 9th instant, the Government will submit proposals for the Grant of a sum of £50,000 towards expenses incurred in Ireland in connection with the National Insurance Act in consequence of the absence of medical benefit in that country, such sum to be expended in accordance with a scheme to be submitted to the Treasury by the Irish Commissioners. This sum will be in part available for contributions towards the cost, at reasonable terms, of medical certificates granted in connection with claims to sickness benefit. I would point out, however, that societies are not bound to require medical certificates as evidence of illness, and, if excessive fees are demanded for such certificates, they can adopt alternative methods for obtaining such evidence.

asked whether complaints have reached him from a number of chemists and drug store proprietors who have been dispensing for doctors that their exclusion from the panels as dispensers under the National Insurance Act is resulting in a loss in respect to this section of their business; and, seeing that these persons are thus disqualified from dispensing medicines through the passing of the Act, whether any steps can or will be taken to prevent these chemists from being driven out of business?

As I have previously stated, no persons qualified to dispense medicines prior to the passing of the National Insurance Act have been disqualified from dispensing medicines by that Act. The Insurance Commissioners have no power to vary the conditions laid down in Section 15 (5) of the Act as to the supply of medicines to insured persons.

Is it not a fact that there are a large number of chemists in this country who are qualified although they are not members of the Pharmaceutical Society, and have been in the habit of dispensing medicines for doctors for a period of years, and is it not a fact that the Act specifically relates to those men when it speaks of having to get a certificate from a doctor to dispense?

I am not sure, but it only follows the limitation laid down in the Pharmacy Act.

Does that mean that the Act constitutes a monopoly for the members of the Pharmaceutical Society to the exclusion of other skilled men?

The Pharmacy Act lays down certain qualifications for chemists and those are embodied in the Insurance Act.

Can these chemists be placed on the panel of dispensers for things not down in the schedules of poisons?

I am not sure of that.

asked whether in the east municipal ward of East Leeds there are 6,463 persons on the electoral register, and that for the larger population in the locality which this number represents there is only one chemist's shop at which medicines may be dispensed under the National Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the hardship that this imposes on poor people, as well as the danger to life in having to come from the opposite end of the municipal division to obtain medicines, the unregistered but qualified chemists in business in the neighbourhood shall be given the right to dispense under the Act?

I have communicated with the Leeds Insurance Committee, and they are making inquiries as to the adequacy of the number of chemists in the district referred to. I may, however, point out that in any case it would not be possible to authorise the supply of medicines requiring dispensing to be arranged by other persons than those entitled to make these arrangements under the Act.

asked whether the prescriptions made out on paper by the doctor and given to a patient to be dispensed at the store of a chemist who is on the panel as a dispenser under the National Insurance Act many times contain a list of medical appliances; whether he is aware that this means that the sale of these appliances in the majority of cases is bound to go to such chemists to the loss of business of those chemists and drug store proprietors who can only be on the panels for the supply of medical appliances; and whether, having regard to the fact that a monopoly of dispensing has been created for the M.P.S. chemist under the Act and that a monopoly is also developing in respect to the supply of medical appliances, steps will be taken to alter this state of things?

The National Insurance Act gives the insured person a free choice as to the chemists or other persons on the lists from whom he can obtain appliances, and I could not take any action which would have the effect of depriving the insured person of that choice.

asked what action the Treasury has taken to get Miss Margaret Tierney, Ballymahon Street, Longford, paid the sick benefit to which she is entitled under the National Insurance Act?

The Irish Insurance Commissioners have since my hon. Friend's last question communicated with the St. Brigid's branch of the Irish National Foresters, Longford, of which the person mentioned in the question is a member, and from which she would receive the benefits of the Act. They inform me that some doubt had arisen as to whether contributions were payable at the employed or the voluntary contributors rate. It has been decided, however, that the latter rate is payable, and her cards have been stamped accordingly, and the society will pay her benefit under the ordinary conditions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of revenue derived from the Petrol Tax in 1911 and 1912 for each year separately; and, if possible, how much was obtained from the taxation imposed on trade and licensed vehicles at 1½d. per gallon, and how much on the basis of 3d. per gallon for private cars?

The net amount of revenue derived from the duty on motor spirit in the years 1911 and 1912 was £578,843 and £719,910 respectively. In 1911 the amount produced at the 3d. per gallon rate was £448,365 and at the 1½d. rate £130,478; and in 1912, £536,443 at 3d. per gallon and £183,467 at 1½d. per gallon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantity of fresh milk imported into the United Kingdom from France during the month of December, 1912; what is the average cost per gallon of its carriage by sea and by land to London, respectively and whether such milk is subject to any inspection or tests as to its purity either in the United Kingdom or at the place from which it is obtained?

The quantity of fresh milk consigned from France which was imported into the United Kingdom during December, 1912, was 1,868 cwts. The whole of this quantity was imported at Southampton, and I understand that the combined sea and rail freight from the French port of shipment to London is 2s. 6d. per seventeen imperial gallons. The last part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the accident on 17th January last in which two men lost their lives owing to the nearness of the railway lines to the abutments of the bridge over the Midland and South Western Railway at Cheltenham; whether he knows that this is not the first fatal accident at this spot; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent further loss of life from the inadequacy of passage space at the place indicated?

An inquiry has been ordered into this accident. The Board of Trade have no record of any other fatal accident at the same spot during recent years.

asked in what State Departments officials are required to give their business time exclusively to official work; in what Departments extra payments are made to officials in addition to salary; how the extra pay is earned, whether by work within or without normal business hours; in what Departments outside or private practice is allowed in addition to official salary; and in what Departments extra Departmental pay and private practice for reward are allowed concurrently with official salary?

Speaking generally, all permanent pensionable officers in Government Departments are required to give their whole time to their official duties. Particulars of extra remuneration paid to officials in addition to salary are given under the several Votes in the annual Appropriation Accounts. A number of Departments employ part-time officers with the right of private practice, but I am unable to furnish a complete list.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say under what rule the Law Officers of the Crown come in that respect?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will, in view of the demolition of houses in rural districts which are taking place under the provisions of the recent Housing and Town Planning Act, consider the desirability of securing powers for county councils to provide dwelling houses for the roadmen or other employés in their service?

Where a county council are able to show that the provision of dwelling accommodation for roadmen or other employés in their service is necessary in the interests of efficient working, I have not refused to sanction loans for that purpose.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will issue fresh regulations stating whether for rating purposes osier lands should be treated as agricultural land, or whether they should be assessed as buildings and other hereditaments?

The matter is governed by the definition of "agricultural land" in the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, and I am not empowered to issue regulations of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in consequence of the lawlessness which for some months past has prevailed in the Limehouse Cut and its neighbourhood, the employés of members of the Association of Master Lighter men and Barge Owners have refused to work on barges there; whether he is aware that there exists a system of intimidation and threats of violence on the part of a number of roughs who congregate there, and who, notwithstanding the presence of the lightermen in charge of the craft, board the same and cause damage; and whether in view of this, he will take effective steps to put an end to such a state of things?

The Commissioner of Police has no information to show that a condition of lawlessness and terrorism exists in the Lime-house Cut, or that there is any system of intimidation there. The towing path of this canal is patrolled by the police of the Lee Conservancy Board, who doubtless experience difficulty in affording complete security to barges and property left unprotected by the owners.

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to take a run down and make his next big speech upon that spot?

asked whether on the night of 11th December last the barge "William," belonging to Messrs. Deering and Son, whilst lying opposite a factory in Limehouse Cut for the purpose of discharging her cargo, was forcibly taken possession of by a gang of roughs and damage was done to the barge in spite of the efforts of the watchman in charge; whether he is aware that, owing to the refusal of the police to patrol the Cut, the property being conveyed in barges and also that contained in the warehouses and factories adjoining the Cut is frequently being stolen or destroyed and the premises damaged, and that the owners, though large ratepayers in the district, have been wholly without remedy or security against a repetition of these out rages; and will he say why this state of things has been allowed to arise?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he is not aware that the facts are as stated. The Metropolitan police have received no information that the barge "William" was interfered with, and the Limehouse Cut is, as I have just said, patrolled by police constables appointed by the Lee Conservancy Board.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to give facilities to the Shops Act (1912) Amendment Bill so that the measure may become Law this Session?

I hope it will be possible to pass the Bill, subject to certain Amendments, by general consent this Session.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received many complaints as to the special operations of the Shops Act?

I should be glad to have notice.

asked the Postmaster-General if he would state the total number of, and the mileage of, the shorter underground telegraph lines in England apart from the 1,197 of main underground routes, and if these are shown on the map of the system which has been supplied to the Scottish Members; and what is the approximate area in square miles of Scotland north of Falkirk, the northernmost point of this system, including the islands of the Hebrides and the Lewis?

In most of the large towns of the United Kingdom short sections of telegraph lines have been laid in underground pipes in many cases in the pipes provided for the telephone service of such towns. The practice in this respect is the same in similar circumstances throughout the United Kingdom. It would be a matter of considerable difficulty and expense to ascertain the total number of mileage of these sections, and I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by obtaining the figures. The underground lines of this class are not shown in the map of the main underground telegraph system recently supplied, and it would be impracticable to show them except on a map of much larger scale. I regret that there is no special information in the Post Office as to the area in square miles of the parts of Scotland referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.