asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that, owing to the incidence of the National Insurance Act, a number of dispensers to medical men are being thrown out of employment, he will take steps, in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Society, to frame by-laws for the registration as chemists of Army compounders and apothecaries' assistants who are qualified as dispensers?

The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society was empowered by Section 4 of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act of 1908 to make by-laws for the registration as chemists of qualified military dispensers and certified assistants to apothecaries; and the council have been pressed more than once to proceed with steps to give effect to this enactment. The question is not free from difficulties, but I am in communication with the Privy Council Office with a view to the matter being expedited as far as possible.

asked whether any local medical committees, as required by the National Insurance Act, have yet been formed in any county; and, if so, in how many and by what method such committees were appointed?

Yes, Sir; seventy-one local medical committees have been recognised by the Insurance Commissioners in accordance with Section 62 of the National Insurance Act. The Commissioners require to be satisfied that the local medical committee before it is recognised is fully representative of the medical practitioners in the area.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the Insurance Commissioners have received representations of the inconvenience arising from the absence of information as to the mileage grant promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to those areas described as moorland and mountain; whether he is aware that since doctors are refusing to attend insured persons at a distance without extra remuneration those persons are being deprived of medical benefit; and will he say what action is to be taken in the matter?

The Government propose to ask Parliament to vote a sum of £50,000 for mileage in sparsely populated districts in Great Britain in addition to a Special Grant for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of coloured panel doctors appointed in London under the National Insurance Act to date?

Every duly qualified medical practitioner has a statutory right to be included on any panel list. I do not possess the information which the hon. Member desires, nor do I intend to make inquiries on the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the present condition of Stanmore, in Middlesex, where no insured person is able to obtain medical treatment, as neither of the local doctors is on the panel, nor can any member of a friendly society obtain medical treatment because the doctors ceased at the end of last year to be club doctors; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

I am informed by the insurance committee that there has been no case at Stanmore in which an insured person requiring treatment has been unable to obtain such treatment from a doctor on the panel. I am also informed that the insurance committee consulted their committee of panel doctors, and that committee stated that in their opinion the difficulty referred to would be adequately met by the doctors in the neighbourhood undertaking the responsibility for the medical attendance and treatment of insured persons living at Stanmore.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is taking any action on the information given to him concerning certain insurance companies who are refusing to pay sick benefit to insured persons who are eligible for it unless the doctor's certificate shows the nature of the illness in each case, the doctors in the Bradford district being unwilling to conform to this requirement in the interests of the patients concerned?

The nature of the evidence which a society accepts in support of a claim to sickness benefit is primarily a matter for the society. If any question arises between such a claimant and his society as to the sufficiency of any certificate tendered by the claimant for this purpose, that question will have to be determined by the Commission under Section 67 of the Act. The general question of the form of the certificates required in connection with claims for sickness benefit is receiving consideration.

asked what is the total amount of the fund available for payment of benefits under the National Insurance Act to Post Office contributors?

The total amount standing to the credit of insured persons in England for whom accounts have been opened in the Post Office Fund, as at the end of the first quarter, was £68,322. This is after deduction of the fixed charges in respect of sanatorium benefit and expenses of administration for that quarter. These figures do not include the contributions of persons who surrendered their first cards to the Post Office but joined societies within the prescribed time for joining a society, or of those whose intention to become deposit. contributors (owing to change of address or other reason) has not yet been ascertained. Many first quarter's cards are still being applied for by the societies which insured persons have joined.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any benefit has in any instance been allowed to the dependants of insured persons receiving sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act; if so, whether he can state in how many instances the benefits to such dependants has been granted; and what the character and value of that benefit have been?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Dependants of insured persons in residential institutions receive the sickness and maternity benefits that would otherwise have been paid to the insured persons themselves; and in certain areas committees have adopted the provisions of Section 17 (1) of the Act under which dependants suffering from tuberculosis may then be eligible for sanatorium benefit. I could not answer the second and third parts of the question fully without calling for a special Return from over 23,000 societies and branches and from 235 insurance committees, but I may say that the number of dependants who have already been treated in residential institutions amounts to 119 in England.

asked to what extent the fund raised by the sale of stamps under the National Insurance Act has been or will be used to expedite land purchase in Ireland; and, if the fund is used to facilitate the acquisition of freehold land by tenants in Ireland, whether any part of the same fund will be made available to facilitate the acquisition by any class of tenants. in Great Britain of the freehold of land in their occupation?

An account of the investments made by the National Debt Commissioners on behalf of the respective national health insurance funds will be presented to Parliament in due course under Section 54 (6) of the National Insurance Act. The funds may under the Act be invested in any securities which are charged upon, or guaranteed by, the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom. They would, therefore, become automatically available for facilitating land purchase in Great Britain, in the event of Parliament authorising the issue of guaranteed loans for the purpose of such purchase.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the claims of sub-postmasters for reasonable payment for services in connection with the sale of insurance stamps; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the absence of payment for the work now being done; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The question of the remuneration to be given to scale payment sub-postmasters for their services in connection with the sale of insurance stamps is not yet settled; but a payment on account is being made in respect of the first six months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether joiners, painters, and labourers employed in the telephone department of large provincial post offices come under Part II. of the National Insurance Act; and, if they do, whether he will instruct those who have control of these departments to stamp the unemployment cards of such workmen?

Joiners, painters, and labourers in the service of the Post Office employed on work connected with the trades specified in the Sixth Schedule to the National Insurance Act conic under Part. II. of that Act. Instructions were issued for the unemployment cards of such workmen to be stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Act. If the hon. Member is aware of any case where this has not been done, I shall be happy to make inquiry.

asked whether it is within the conditions of unemployment benefit under the National Insurance Act that navvies who may have taken casual ward shelter should on that account be deprived of the payment of out-of-work money, though both they and their employers have paid contributions to the fund?

Section 87 (3) of the National Insurance Act provides that, "A workman shall be disqualified for receiving unemployment benefit whilst he is an inmate of any prison or any workhouse or other institution supported wholly or partly out of public funds. "A workman is, therefore, disqualified for benefit so long as he is an inmate of a casual ward, but any contributions paid in respect of him remain credited to him, and are taken into account in the event of his becoming subsequently qualified to receive benefit.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what has been the estimated annual cost of Irish emigration statistics since 1890; how the number of Irish emigrants starting from British ports is ascertained; what steps are taken to secure the accuracy of the information supplied by the enumerators, except the names of the emigrants which are copied from the counterfoils of their tickets; and whether it is intended either to reform or discontinue this particular service?

The Registrar-General informs me that the annual estimated expenditure for the enumeration of Irish emigrants from Irish ports is £120. The information is obtained, so far as possible, by the enumerator at the port of departure from the emigrant by direct inquiry, and is consequently regarded as being accurate. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary upon what evidence the Local Government Board disallowed and put. an end to the pension of 5s. per week granted by the Skreen sub-committee of the county Sligo pension committee to Mrs. Mary Hart under the Old Age Pensions Act, and which had been paid to her from 13th December, 1909, to 15th November, 1912; whether he is aware of the fact that, both at the time of the original application of Mrs. Hart in 1909 and on the occasion of the raising of the question of the pensioner's age by the pension officer in October, 1912, the local sub-committee unanimously decided, after considering the evidence, that Mrs. Hart was qualified and was over seventy years of age; if he will state whether it is the settled practice of the Local Government Board to disallow all claims for pensions objected to by pension officers where the claimant is unable to produce written evidence of date of birth, although on other grounds the local committees come to the conclusion that the age qualification is sufficiently established; and whether, in the special circumstances of this case, the Board will send an inspector to Skreen to inquire into the circumstances?

Mary Hart's pension was discontinued on her own admission to. the pension officer that she was younger than a sister who was married in June, 1873, at the age of twenty-three. Mrs. Hart would therefore be under sixty-two-years of age. Her pension was originally granted on the strength of an extract from Census records, showing her to have-been five years of age in 1841, but on subsequent investigation it was found that the family referred to in the said extract did not correspond with the family of the pensioner. It is the practice of the Local Government Board to consider all evidence of age submitted by or on behalf of a claimant or pensioner, but the onus lies on the claimant or pensioner to produce-sufficient evidence of age. In these circumstances the Board do not consider it necessary to send an inspector to make. inquiry.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain the delay on the part of the Congested Districts Board in acquiring the Middleton estate at Rosses. Point, county Sligo; whether he is aware that the tenants and others have repeatedly approached the Board with the view of having the estate purchased, and that the landlord's representatives are willing to negotiate for a sale; and whether he can now give an assurance that the Board will take prompt action in this matter, recognising the acutely congested condition of the district?

The Congested Districts. Board inform me that delay in carrying out this sale is due to the fact that an agree- ment has not yet been arrived at as to the extent of land to be sold by the owner. The matter is in the hands of the Board's inspector and no definite answer can be given at present

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Cornelius Riordan, of Millstreet, county Cork, was arrested on Wednesday, 22nd January, charged with stealing a gun, the property of M`Carthy O'Leary, at Coomlogane, and was remanded in custody, bail being refused; whether he is aware that Mr. D. E. Ferguson, the solicitor engaged for the defence of this man, applied to the constabulary on Monday, 27th January, to have Riordan brought back to Mill-street on the expiry of the remand so that he might apply for bail and examine three witnesses to prove an alibi, and was informed by Sergeant Mulcahy, Royal Irish Constaubulary, that he had instructions from his authorities to proceed to Cork and apply for a further remand in custody; whether the police have produced any evidence whatever against Riordan to connect him with the offence beyond stating that they wish to have the impression of his fingers taken; whether he will state why the constabulary authorities have kept a prisoner in gaol on mere suspicion; have the finger-print impressions been taken, and, if se, with what result; why was the application mde by Mr. Ferguson to produce Riordan at the local Petty Sessions Court on the expiration of the first remand refused, seeing that the witnesses for the defence are in poor circumstances and could not afford to pay their fares to Cork; and is this man to be kept indefinitely in gaol without being afforded an opportunity of making his defence?

The police authorities inform me that on 22nd January Cornelius Reardon was arrested on warrant and remanded for eight days. On 27th January Mr. Ferguson, his solicitor, requested that the accused might be brought back to Millstreet on the expiration of the remand so that he might produce witnesses for the defence. In the circumstances of the case witnesses for the defence could not then be examined, and no advantage could therefore be gained by bringing Reardon back to Millstreet. On 31st January Reardon was discharged on bail to appear at Millstreet Petty Sessions on the 10th instant, when the case will be heard, and it will not therefore be necessary for the witnesses for the defence to proceed to Cork.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that close upon £800,000 of the million granted in 1911 for the purposes of the Labourers Acts still remains unallocated; whether this money was voted without any restriction whatever being placed upon its expenditure, and is there accordingly any reason for its being spent only or mainly in districts which during the previous twenty-eight years had failed to do anything to promote schemes under the Labourers Acts; whether he will explain why districts which taxed themselves almost to the limit of a shilling in the pound in the past should have their improvement schemes hung up and inquiries practically refused in order that counties which never taxed themselves to the extent of a penny should get a preference of cheap money; and, seeing that this administrative discretion of the Local Government Board constitutes a penalty upon district councils which dealt generously with the labourers' claims all along, will he use his position as president of the Board to see that the representations of Munster labourers are not unduly delayed?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as to the facts. It is not quite correct to say that nearly £800,000 of the additional million granted for the purposes of the Labourers Acts still remains unallocated. While the amount of loans actually sanctioned is only £209,327, inquiries have been held, or ordered to be held, into further schemes proposing 3,567 cottages at an estimated cost of £679,707. Additional schemes have been received from forty-three rural districts, the estimated cost of which is £903,589, and will be dealt with as rapidly as possible, having regard to their comparative urgency and the extent of the financial resources available. The policy of the Local Government Board is to give priority to schemes formulated in those districts where the needs of the labouring classes in the matter of housing accommodation is greatest., and I see no reason to depart from this principle.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether some of the Royal Marines on active service occupying positions as messengers in the home ports have been relieved by pensioners; whether, if all similar positions were filled by pensioners at the home ports, it would release about 30 Royal Marines from each of the home ports; and whether, as a shortage of men exists in the Royal Marine forces, this proposal would release a number of Royal Marines to take their turn for foreign service or fleet work?

One corporal and three privates, orderlies to the Commander-In-Chief, Portsmouth, were recently replaced by pensioners. The question of relieving others in similar positions is under consideration. Such reliefs would set free an equal number of Marines for other duties, but each case must be dealt with on its merits, the provision of an adequate proportion of harbour service being taken into consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the cost of the adaptations at Keyham to meet the requirements of the new scheme of training for engineers for the Navy?

The adaptation of the buildings at Keyham will cost, it is estimated, £6,250. The estimated cost of machinery, furniture, and miscellaneous items is £21,250.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the officers and men who had served on His Majesty's ship "Aboukir" for eight months, and have been now transferred to the "Hampshire," will be relieved on the completion of two years of service in April, 1913; and, if not, when they will be relieved?

The officers and men referred to will not be relieved in April, 1913; the present intention is to relieve them when the "Hampshire" recommissions about the end of this year or the beginning of 1914.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Statistical Report of the health of the Navy for 1911 shows that 845 cases of cowpox were recorded, of which the Home station contributes the majority, 714, mainly from the training establishments and depôts; whether he is aware that the knowledge that vaccination or revaccination, with its attendant risks, has to be undergone by those who join the Navy is not calculated to popularise the Service; and whether, in view of the proof of the amount of illness amongst sailors which is caused by vaccination, he is now prepared to recommend that a conscientious objection to the operation should be respected?

The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend in the first part of the question. These cases were generally of a very mild type, no subsequent ill-effect to any individual being reported. Medical officers exercise great care to prevent any risks from the operation; and I may say that cases of slight inflammation of the upper arm—which in civil life would, generally speaking, not hinder a man from working—are, in the Royal Navy, placed on the sick list. Before entry into the Service a man is required to express his willingness to be vaccinated, and I cannot undertake to recommend any relaxation of the regulations on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if his attention has been directed to the rate of wages paid to the workpeople of the Govan Roperie Company, Glasgow, where the women have struck work for an increase on wages which at present range from 5s. to 9s. per week, and which averages 7s. 2d. per week; and will he see that no further Admiralty work is given until such time as the firm pay a wage covering the decencies of life?

This firm holds no direct Admiralty contract at the present time, and does not appear to have received any direct orders in recent years. Inquiry is being made as to whether they hold any sub-contract, and, if so, steps will be taken to ascertain whether the Fair-Wages Clause is being duly observed. No previous complaint against this firm in respect of fair wages has been received.

asked whether the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps has experimented with an enclosed hydroplane; and, if so, with what result?

If by an "enclosed hydroplane" is meant a hydroplane of the flying boat type, a machine of the Donnet L'Eveque type is under trial at East-church.

asked the Secretary for War the number of recruits enlisted for the Territorial Army for a period of fours years' service for the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively; and if he will give the number of non-commissioned officers and men who, for various reasons, have ceased to serve in the Territorial Army for the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively?

The figures for increases and decreases during the years in question are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men of the Territorial Army who, for different reasons, have left the Territorial Army since the formation of the force without completing their full term of four years' service; and if he will give the number of those who have left after completing the full four years' period?

There are no statistics available to enable me to give the required information.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the statement recently made by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to the effect that the Territorial Forces were much under their proper strength; and, if so, what action is proposed to be taken to bring the force up to its requisite strength and efficiency?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question the whole subject is now receiving very careful consideration, but I cannot conveniently make a statement on the matter within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of chaplains of various denominations appointed to His Majesty's Prison, Holloway, and their respective salaries?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to, introduce a Bill to amend the Truck Acts; and, if so, whether he will make provision therein rendering it illegal for employers to make it a condition of employment that their workmen must live in houses owned by their employers, or that they must buy petrol, or any other commodity or article used in performing their work, from them?

I hope to introduce a Truck Bill next Session if the state of Parliamentary business permits, but I cannot give any pledge in the matter, nor can I make any statement as to the provisions of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what coinage of Maria Theresa dollars there has been in Vienna during the past ten years?

I am not in possession of the figures, but I will ask His Majesty's. Ambassador at Vienna whether he can obtain them. Reports have been published. I cannot undertake to make an analysis of them, nor can I give further figures from reports not published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he cart give any information as to the rebellion of Salar-ed-Dowleh, in Northern Persia; and whether any and, if any, what steps are being taken to put down the rebellion?

I am unable to give any detailed information regarding the rebellion. Late in January a satisfactory arrangement was, however, concluded and accepted by Salar-ed-Dowleh under which. the Prince is to receive a pension from his confiscated possessions and go to reside at Teheran. I have since been informed that. before the arrangement could be concluded the Prince at the head of two hundred men and Turkoman levies marched against Nardin, but he is now believed to be back in the neighbour of Astrabad.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if any concessions for railways in Persia have recently been made to the Russian or British Governments, and, if any, what are the nature of these concessions; whether any negotiations are at present pending for railway or mining concessions; and whether any pressure, direct or indirect, is being put upon the Persian Government in connection with such negotiations?

As far as I know no railway concessions have yet been made but two are pending, the railways in question being the Julfa-Tabriz project, which is the subject of negotiations between the Persian Government and a Russian syndicate, and the Mohammerah Khorremmabad project, which is the subject of negotiations between the Persian Government and a British syndicate; the details of the respective concessions are, however, not definitely arranged. As to mining concessions, certain negotiations are taking place between the Persian Government and a British syndicate. but I am not in a position to disclose the details at this stage. His Majesty's Government have given their support to the British concessions, but not in a form that can be correctly described by any harsh word such as pressure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is now acting as Governor of Tabriz, and by whose appointment he is acting?

I have not heard that the Governor-General has actually left Tabriz, but it was stated officially at Teheran towards the end of January that His Excellency was about to start from Tabriz on two months' leave of absence, and that Shuja-ed-Dowleh would remain as Acting-Governor. This latter appointment would, of course, be made by the Persian Government. It is not a matter in which His Majesty's Government can take any responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British or Indian Governments have yet decided what steps are to be taken in connection with the recent murder of a British officer and the constant attacks on British Indian troops in Southern Persia?

His Majesty's Government are not able to say what measures may ultimately be necessary in consequence of the murder of Captain Eckford. They would, however, be reluctant to take any action which might hamper the efforts of the new Persian Cabinet in the restoration of order, and they are considering in what manner they can best afford them assistance and encouragement in their task.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the number of His Majesty's Judges who are at the present moment engaged on Royal Commissions or Committees of Inquiry appointed by the Government; and the average number of days per week which each of these judges will be absent from the Courts of Justice on the business of these Commissions or Inquiries?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet in a position to answer this question, and perhaps the hon. Member would kindly repeat it early next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the Government introducing any Bill for the extension of the franchise, male or female, he will undertake that provision will be made for excluding from the exercise of the franchise any person, male or female, who has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment?

I can give no such undertaking as that suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what payments were made by his Department during the financial years 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, 1908–9, 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, and the expired portion of 1912–13, to Members of Parliament being barristers, giving the name and amount in each case?

Apart from payments made from time to time to the Law Officers of the Crown in respect of proceedings in the Courts, I do not find that my Department has during the period in question made any payments to Members of Parliament being barristers with the exception of an item of £2 7s. paid to Lord Robert Cecil in 1908.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the stoppage of 4d. per week from the wages of unemployed relief workmen at Hastings; and if he can direct that the 4d. be paid out of public funds?

My attention has been called to this matter. The Local Government Board are not empowered to direct the payment of the sums referred to out of public funds.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the vaccination officer for North and East St. Pancras in sending out Form Q encloses therewith two cards, on neither of which is any reference made to the facilities provided by the Vaccination Act., 1907, for making a declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination, although the parent still has ample time in which to make such declaration; whether these cards have been issued by the Board or with their sanction; and, if not, will he give instructions for their withdrawal, seeing that they are calculated to mislead their recipients?

I have received a letter on this subject., and am communicating with the guardians upon it. The cards referred to are not issued by the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the remarks of the district Poor Law inspector, when recently attending a meeting of the Edmonton Board of Guardians, regarding the Chase Farm Poor Law schools, of which he said that they caused him a great deal of anxiety; that more often than not there was infectious disease prevalent; that they seemed to go from infection to infection; that when last he visited the school he was amazed to find there was no epidemic, but that now he understood there was scarlet fever; and whether, with a view to prevent such unnecessary suffering to the children concerned, he will take steps to secure the reduction of the numbers accommodated at the school by an increase in the number of their scattered homes and by boarding out more children, and refuse his sanction to any proposal for the increase of accommodation on the school premises?

I understand that the. remarks of the inspector were generally to the effect stated in the question. The guardians are, I believe, fully alive to the desirability of improving the condition of things, and have already had proposals before them for this purpose. I will give careful consideration to the precise form of any scheme which they may submit to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a request from an association of workmen to open a Labour Exchange at Brixton; and, if so, whether, in view of the working class population residing in that district and the inconvenience that many of them are put to in having to go long distances to register, he will comply with the request?

A request was received on the 24th January last from the Brixton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners for the establishment of a Labour Exchange at Brixton. This question had already been carefully considered by the Board of Trade, but has been deferred until further experience has been gained of the administration of employment insurance.

asked whether, in respect of the Railways (No. 2) Bill, it will be necessary for the Railway Commissioners, before allowing an increase in charges due to improved labour conditions, to take into account any rise in passenger fares which has already taken place since August, 1911?

My right hon. Friend is considering carefully the relation of the Bill to passenger traffic both as regards rise of cost and increase of fares, and he hopes during the Committee stage to be able to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that damage was caused to a registered parcel, containing violin bows, sent from Leeds by Mr. L. P. Balmforth on 28th October last; and whether, in view of the fact that the bows were packed in such a way as to afford every reasonable protection against the ordinary risks of transit, he can see his way to grant compensation for the damage sustained?

I have had before me reports dealing with Mr. Balmforth's claim. I cannot accept the view that the violin bows were adequately protected against the ordinary risks of transit, and I am unable therefore to grant compensation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, under Section 7 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, the owners of the steamship "Titanic" were liable and have, in fact, paid compensation in the case of seamen who were lost in that ship; and whether, under the same circumstances, the Post Office do not intend to pay compensation in the case of the late J. R. J. Smith, postal official, who was lost in the "Titanic" while on postal duty?

I am advised that the late Mr. Smith was not a member of the crew of the "Titanic" within the meaning of that expression as it is used in Section 7 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906; and I am also advised—as I informed the hon. Member on the 9th of last month—that compensation under that Act could not be paid in his case.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the whole of the temporary force employed at the South-Eastern District Office were demissed from duty at midnight on 24th December last; whether as a result many thousand items of correspondence which should have been included in Christmas morning's delivery were not delivered until the 26th and 27th of December; and whether officers who were not scheduled for duty were compulsorily summoned to attend for duty on Bank Holiday to clear the work left over?

The casual men referred to were sent off duty at midnight on the 24th December because it was undesirable to prolong further the extended attendance which they had already given on that day and through the preceding night in a state of fatigue which would have rendered it improper to have kept them longer at work. It is the case that, not in the South-Eastern District alone, it proved impossible to include in the Christmas Day delivery some of the correspondence posted on Christmas Eve, but I am unable to find that any was delayed until the 27th December at the South-Eastern District Office. In consequence of the exceptional pressure of work experienced on the 26th December it became necessary to summon for duty a number of officers who were not scheduled to attend on that day. This arrangement, which also was not confined to the South-Eastern District Office, was unavoidable in the circumstances.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the transfer of the men from the factory at Mount Pleasant to Birmingham can be postponed until the Select Committee on Post Office Servants issue their Report, as this question was one upon which evidence was tendered and accepted by that body?

I explained the circumstances in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 22nd January. It is not practicable to keep the men on duty in London when there is no work for them to do.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the district of Ardkill, Ardmore, Londonderry, letters are delivered on three days weekly only; and whether he will arrange for daily delivery in future?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President. of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the rents which are asked for small holdings purchased and let on I an annual tenancy by the county councils of England, he will make inquiries as to the rents paid for similar small holdings in Scotland let with fixity of tenure under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act?

The majority of small holdings in England are very different in character from those in Scotland, and I do not think that any useful information would result from the inquiry suggested by my hon. Friend. I would remind him that county councils in England are always willing to let small holdings on leases if the tenants wish.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he has received a petition from some six or seven hundred inhabitants of South- West Lancashire protesting against the action of the coroner for that district in holding an inquest upon the death of James Mellor on the 18th November last, merely because Mr. Mellor had chosen to be attended in his final illness by an unregistered practitioner, and protesting against the coroner's threat to hold inquests in all future similar cases; and whether he can now say what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter?

I have received the petition referred to. Until the coroner referred to is proved to have been guilty of misbehaviour on an indictment for misdemeanour under Section 8, Sub-section (2), of the Coroners Act, 1887, I do not intend, as at present advised, to take action in this matter.