asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the desirability of insurance committees making provision for a payment, for mileage in those cases where insured persons reside more than five miles from the nearest doctor; and, if no such provision is made and the doctors consequently refuse to accept such persons on their lists, what system does he suggest whereby such persons can secure the treatment to which they are entitled under the Act?

Paragraph 50 of the Medical Benefit Regulations gives insurance committees powers to make arrangements of the kind suggested, by agreement with the practitioners, out of the total capitation sums available. In addition, a sum of £50,000 has been voted in Committee of Supply for mileage grants in sparsely populated districts in Great Britain other than the Highlands and Islands. I am not aware of such cases as the hon. Member suggests in the last part of the question.

asked whether medical Referees, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, are debarred from going on to the panel in accordance with the terms of the memorandum issued to them; if so, will he explain how this is, seeing that any doctor has the right to go on the panel; and will the certificates of doctors not on the panel be accepted for those insured persons who, though already upon a panel doctor's list, prefer to be attended privately by a doctor not on the panel?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise. With regard to the third part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on the 15th January to the hon. Members for Colchester and London University

asked the Chancellor whether there are any regulations or provisions by which medical practitioners under the National Insurance Act can supply surgical dressings and lotions to insured persons in the case of accidents and obtain payment for the same from the insurance committees; and, if not, will he consider the desirability of providing for such cases?

Yes, Sir. Paragraph 30 (2) (b) of the Medical Benefit Regulations provides for the doctor supplying and being paid for such articles in the circumstances stated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Nurses' Insurance Society have submitted a scheme to the Insurance Commission whereby nurses would be given the option of receiving, in lieu of the sickness benefit provided under the National Insurance Act, a largely increased sickness benefit commencing at the end of the first six weeks of illness; whether the Commission have sanctioned this scheme; and, if not, whether, before refusing, they will take steps to ascertain the wishes and needs of nurses in reference to sickness benefit?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners were unable to accept the scheme in the form in which it was submitted by the Nurses' Insurance Society. They forwarded a suggested alternative to the society, and are now in communication with them as to the form of substituted benefits which would best meet the needs of the particular class of insured persons in this society.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any arrangements have been made whereby doctors on the panel who are homœopaths may themselves supply their patients with drugs, and, in particular, with such drugs as are not usually kept in stock by the ordinary chemist?

If an insured person were unable to obtain from a chemist on the panel the drugs prescribed as part of medical benefit by a homœopathic doctor on the panel, the insurance committee of the area have power under Section 30 of the Medical Benefit Regulations to make special arrangements for the doctor himself to supply the drugs to the patient.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many beds were required to provide sanatorium accommodation for insured persons, for the dependants of insured persons, for Poor Law cases, for poor persons who are not insured but who cannot afford to pay for themselves, and for children; and how many permanent beds for each of these categories of persons have so far been provided?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Plymouth on the 28th November, and to the hon. Member for the Leominster Division on the 3rd December. It is not possible to give any precise estimate of the number of sanatorium beds required for each of the several classes of persons named in the question. The total number of beds in the institutions which have already been approved under the National Insurance Act is 6,240.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering that certain questions in connection with the working of the Pension Commutation Acts are now under consideration, he will have a Return compiled showing the loss or profit to the State on each part or further part of the pensions commuted from the commencement of partial commutation in 1882 to 31st December, 1912; and what the result would have been to the State had those pensions been partially commuted on the basis of 3½ per cent. instead of the 5 per cent. basis which it is estimated resulted in a balance in favour of the Exchequer of about £200,000?

The compilation of a complete Return would involve considerable time and labour, and it is not considered that the result would differ materially from that obtained from the partial investigation already made. In these circumstances I do not see my way to grant the Return asked for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that foreign chemical products, essential to certain British industries, are compounded of 40 per cent. alcohol, which cannot be profitably disengaged from the product if imported; that such products are charged duty at the same rate as beverages containing a similar percentage of alcohol; and whether, in view of the disadvantage suffered by certain British industries, notably the electrical industry, in consequence of the duty which was originally fixed with regard to quite different articles, he will consider the propriety of altering in the forthcoming Budget the duties payable on articles of manufacture containing alcohol?

Under Section 7 (1) of the Finance Act, 1901, imported articles containing alcohol are charged with Customs Duty at the rate applicable to the alcohol used in their manufacture or preparation. I do not know what is the particular disadvantage referred to in the question, but if the facts are placed before me I will consider them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, in view of the intolerable and increasing burden of local taxation borne by occupiers and owners of agricultural land in respect of national services, from which owners of more remunerative personal property obtain at least equal benefit, and of the effect of such burden in keeping down the wages of agricultural labourers, he will without delay introduce legislation with the object of apportioning more equitably the cost of such services among all classes of property based upon ability to pay; and (2) whether, in view of his repeated recognition of the urgency of the ratepayers' grievance, especially in respect of the maintenance of national services, and his promise to remedy such grievance without undue delay, he will take steps to do so in his forthcoming Budget; and whether he will request the Departmental Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation to issue a Report, interim if not final, prior to the beginning of the next financial year, so as to enable the matter to be dealt with in such Budget and prevent its being deferred for another twelve months?

I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement for the coming financial year; and with regard to the last part of Question No. 112, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Fulham on the 19th of December last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of public money granted to the Kitchen Committee during the present financial year; whether, seeing that Members are now paid a salary of £400 a year, he will discontinue this Grant; whether he is aware that the Kitchen Committee still continues to supply meals below the actual net cost; and will he therefore inform this Committee that the refreshment department must be self-supporting without any Grant of public money?

There is a Grant under the Vote for the House of Commons Sub-head G of £2,000 "allowance for servants' wages in the refreshment rooms" and of £600 for "maintenance of refreshment plant." In addition, of course, the Kitchen Committee have accommodation free of rent and rates, etc.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that a Departmental Committee in 1895 recommended the abolition of the Hackney Carriage Tax, and that a Select. Committee of the House of Commons appointed in 1906 expressed their agreement with this recommendation, and urged that it should be carried into effect, and in view of the fact that the owners and drivers of horse-drawn hackney carriages are suffering from the competition of mechanically propelled vehicles, he will consider the advisability of abolishing the tax on horse-drawn hackney carriages?

I can add nothing to my reply of Thursday last to my hon. Friend the Member for York.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, owing to the representations and protests made by them, the surveyors of Customs and Excise, late Customs first-class examining officers, who were recently appointed to Excise districts have been removed therefrom and reappointed to Customs districts; whether such re-appointments were unavoidable; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among officers, late of Excise, at the loss by them of prospects of promotion which, under the amalgamation, have benefited ex-Customs officials only; and (2) whether, in view of the circumstances necessitating the re-appointment of Customs officials, he will say whether the amalgamation of the staffs existent before the date of the Amalgamation Act is impracticable; and will he, therefore, abandon that course and take steps to ensure that officials, late of Excise, who are suffering present loss through delay in promotion are at once suitably and adequately compensated therefor, and that the prospects which they previously enjoyed are restored to them, and remain in the future unimpaired?

Two unattached surveyors of Customs origin who were recently appointed to inland districts with Excise work were, at their own request, re-appointed to port districts with Customs. work which happened to be vacant at the time. The hon. Member can hardly intend to imply that this incident shows amalgamation to be impracticable, and I do not think he can be serious in suggesting a reversion to pre-amalgamation conditions of prospects, which of course would involve a reversion to the former rates of pay. As regards the prospects of officers of Excise origin I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question put to me by the hon. Member for Islington (North) on the 16th ultimo on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the land valuation is to be kept secret for all time; and will no amending legislation be passed by His Majesty's Government with a view to making the valuation accessible to the public on completion?

I am afraid that I cannot at present make any statement on these points.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to extend to all trading communities the privilege now enjoyed by the representatives of the Civil Service Supply Association of visiting Government Departments during office hours for the purpose of soliciting trade orders?

This is a matter for the heads of the Departments concerned. There is no such practice in the Treasury as that suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury in view of the fact that the Irish Department of Agriculture recommended a grant of £11,000 for the improvement of Skerries harbour, whether he will give the name or names of the officials of that Department upon whose information the Development Commissioners decided to refuse to endorse the recommendation in question?

This question should be addressed to the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, as the information was given on behalf of that Department.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has seen the further request of the Ardfert old age pension committee for an inquiry into the methods practised by the pension officers in assessing the means of applicants for pensions; and whether, seeing the dissatisfaction that prevails and the belief existing in the public mind that no accurate or reliable estimates are really made, he will grant an inquiry into this matter?

I have already informed the hon. Member, on the 29th of last month, that there does not appear to me to be any necessity for an inquiry of the kind suggested in reference to the action of the pension officers concerned in the cases which led to the resignation of the Ardfert pension sub-committee. I have received no further information as to any further request made by this committee, and I can therefore add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's previous question.

asked the Chief Secretary why Mrs. Catherine Farrell, (No. 825) Dremard, Dromod, county Leitrim, in the Mohill sub-pension committee, has been refused an old age pension although it was granted to her by the pension committee on four different occasions, the last being 11th September, 1912; and, as no record of her age appears in either the Census of 1841 or 1851, although it is believed she is beyond the statutory age, whether she will get the pension which has been granted to her on so many occasions by the pension committee?

Catherine Farrell's claim for a pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal as the Board were not satisfied that she was seventy years of age. Her name did not appear in the record of her parents' family in the 1841 Census, and there was no trace of her family in the 1851 Census, and as she was unable to furnish any evidence of her age, the Board had no option but to disallow her claim.

asked the Chief Secretary why an old age pension has been refused to Thomas Gilblane (No. 2673), senior, Mealwood, Drumsna, county Leitrim, in the Carrick-on-Shannon pension district, and as he assigned his farm of land in April, 1911, to his son Thomas Gilbane, junior, who was married in January, 1910; and whether this man will get the pension which was granted to him by the pension committee, as his son now owns almost the entire farm and live stock?

Thomas Gilbane's claim for a pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He was the occupier of a good and well-stocked farm of thirty-seven acres which he assigned in April, 1911, to his son, who had been married in January, 1910, and accordingly, under the provisions of Section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, he was regarded as being still the owner for the purpose of computing his means. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary on what evidence the Local Government Board proceeded in disallowing the old age pension unanimously granted by the Skreen, county Sligo, sub-committee to Mrs. Margaret O'Gara, of Carrowanabull, Dromard, county Sligo; and whether he and the Board know that the local committee who saw this claimant and heard the evidence were fully convinced that she had reached the qualifying age?

Margaret O'Gara's claim for a pension was disallowed as she was unable to furnish any evidence that she had reached the statutory age. It is presumed that the Skreen pensions subcommittee considered that she was seventy years of age, as they allowed her claim, but the pension officer was not satisfied, and accordingly appealed to the Local Government Board. The onus of furnishing proof rests upon the claimant, and as none was forthcoming the Board had no option but to disallow the claim.

asked the Chief Secretary what evidence the Local Government Board had before them when deciding the appeal of the pension officer against the decision of the Skreen, county Sligo, subcommittee awarding an old age pension at the rate of 5s. per week to Mrs. Mary Hart, of Farnaharpy, Skreen, county Sligo; whether he is aware of the fact that the local committee gave special consideration to this case, and decided unanimously that the applicant was qualified as to age and means; and whether he will instruct an inspector to visit Mrs. Hart and other claimants in this district, who maintain that they have been improperly deprived of their pensions at the instance of the local pension officer?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 6th instant. It is not open to the Local Government Board to reconsider cases already decided by them.

asked the Chief Secretary why Patrick Crossan and his wife, Bridget Crossan, of Tully, Carrigallen, county Leitrim, in the Mohill sub-pension district, have been deprived of their old age pensions, which they got from the commencement of the Act; why those people, along with several others in the district, were disallowed their pensions at the instance of the pension officer, a Mr. Jones, who was only a short time in the locality and knew nothing whatever of the people's circumstances; whether the Local Government Board received a copy of a valuation made by a competent valuer as regards Crossan's income, which amounted to £18 18s.; and if the pensions will be restored to those people?

The pensions of Patrick Crossan and his wife were discontinued on the grounds that their means exceeded the statutory limit. A statement showing the means of the pensioners as derived from their farm to be worth ony £18 6s. 8d. a year was furnished to the Local Government Board by a Mr. Kavanagh, of whose qualifications as a valuer the Board have no knowledge, but his estimate appears to be exceedingly low in view of the fact that the farm comprises thirty acres of land, eight of which are in tillage, and which carries twelve head of cattle, in addition to sheep, pigs, and fowl. In these circumstances, there are no grounds for restoring the pensions to these people even if it were possible for the Board to do so.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how much money he is prepared to spend on the improvement of harbour accommodation on the coast of county Down; and whether he can state the localities selected?

The Department contemplate the expenditure of about £20,000 on the improvement of Kilkeel Harbour. No further expenditure can at present be definitely arranged for, but in view of the congestion at Ardglass Harbour during the fishing season, the Department hope that the state of their funds will admit of a moderate expenditure on works at a site in county Down that may be found most suitable for affording relief to Ardglass.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when will the MacTernan estate, situate in the vicinity of Drumshanbo, county Leitrim, be purchased by the Congested Districts Board, as the landlord and tenants agreed on terms now nearly three years ago, when the application to purchase was lodged with the Board?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Mrs. MacTernan comprising the townland of Barnameenagh in the vicinity of Drumshambo. This estate has not been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board, and they have no knowledge of any agreement for sale which may have been arrived at between the landlord and the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have taken any steps to purchase the estate of Benjamin Parkes, situated in Glencar, county Leitrim, and Newtown Manor, Dromahair, county Leitrim; whether, having regard to the fact that these are all waste lands and much required for the relief of congestion in these districts, and that the Board have purchased that portion of the Parkes estate at Doonally, county Sligo, he will explain the cause of the delay, as there is very little waste land available in county Leitrim for relief of congestion; and whether Mr. Benjamin Parkes is the undisputed owner of this property?

; The Congested Districts Board have not taken any steps to acquire the estate of Benjamin Parkes in the Glencar district of county Leitrim, nor have they any information regarding it, but they understand that the owner is not prepared to sell the property to the Board. The Board have issued a final offer for the purchase of the grass lands of Kilmore near Newtown Manor, owned by the late Colonel Parke, with a view to compulsory purchase. The Board have also purchased the Parke estate lands of Doonally and Shannon-Oughter. They cannot at present say whether there is any dispute as to the ownership of the lands.

asked whether Mr. Moore O'Farrell has offered his estate at Jordanstown for sale to the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether the Commissioners have valued the property?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the lands referred to as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the estate of Mr. Robert W. Gregory, Coole Park, Gort, had been inspected in November, 1911, by the inspector to the Congested Districts Board; and whether any offer has since been made for its purchase and, if so, with what result?

The inspection by the Congested Districts Board of the estate of Lady Gregory was begun in November, 1911, but owing to floods it was postponed until May, 1912, and the final inspection took place in October, 1912. The Board made an offer for the purchase of this property in December last, and they are at present in communication with the owner on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the estate of Viscount Gough, Lough Cutra Castle, Gort, county Galway, is under consideration by the Estates Commissioners; and has any arrangement been arrived at as between the landlord and the town tenants whereby the tenants in the town of Gort can purchase their holdings through the Estates Commissioners?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners, and the question of making an offer for the purchase of the holdings situate in the town of Gort will be considered by them.

asked the Chief Secretary when will the holding of William Gilchriest, Ballycummon, Kilmore, county Roscommon, on the estate of E. M. Jones, No. 4,901, be vested in the tenant, as the purchase agreement was signed in January, 1907; and, as the tenant was forced to pay 4½ per cent. interest on the purchase-money in lieu of rent, pending the completion of the sale, whether the estate will be vested at the earliest possible opportunity, and thus prevent an injustice to this tenant, who has to pay such a high rate of interest on the £1,170 purchase-money?

The lands in this case are the subject of direct sale proceedings by the owner to the tenant under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the tenant signed an agreement to purchase the lands at a price agreed on between the parties, and he also contracted in his agreement, pending the advance of the purchase-money and the vesting of the holding, to pay interest in lieu of rent at the rate mentioned in the question. This estate has not been reached in order of priority by the Estates Commissioners, who have no power to deal with it out of its proper turn, and they are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet proceeded to deal with the estate of S. M. Hussey, at Edenmore, county Kerry; whether a number of tenants on the estate have refused to sign agreements owing to the manner of distribution of the untenanted land by the landlord and other causes; and whether he will see that these matters shall be investigated and rectified by the Commissioners before any vesting orders are issued?

The tenanted portion of this estate was the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners inquired into the cases of five tenants who had refused to sign purchase agreements, and notified the vendor of the sums which they would be prepared to advance for the purchase of these holdings if agreements signed by the tenants were lodged with the Commissioners. Four of the tenants refused to sign agreements to purchase at the prices fixed by the Commissioners, and their holdings were in consequence not included in the lands declared to be an estate by the Commissioners. The advances in this case have been made, and the holdings vested in the purchasing tenants, and the matter cannot be reopened by the Commissioners, but if the parties come to an arrangement and purchase agreements under the Irish Land Act, 1909, are lodged the case will be dealt with in due course by the Commissioners. The untenanted land referred to was acquired by the Commissioners under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and has been distributed by them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board has yet made an offer to the Marquess of Sligo for his estate in county Mayo, and, if so, with what result; and can he state when approximately the Board hope to acquire this congested estate?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to. They are not, therefore, in a position to give the information asked for in the latter part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the farm of Cloonruff is included in the pending sale of the estate of the late Sir N. O'Conor, Ballymoe, county Galway?

The estate of the late Sir N. R. O'Conor proposed to be sold to the Congested Districts Board includes 173 acres of untenanted land in the townland of Cloonruff.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will state what is the present position with regard to the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the Rutledge and Blake estates, county Galway?

The Congested Districts Board are in correspondence with Mr. T. H. B. Ruttledge regarding the purchase of his estate in counties Galway and Mayo. The Board are unable from the particulars given to identify the Blake estate referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary what the intentions of the Congested Districts Board are with regard to the grazing farms of Corrarevagh, Graunmore, and Lenamarla, on the Rodney estate, county Galway, purchased by the Board; and whether they will be available for division amongst the small holders?

The Congested Districts Board have acquired Mr. M. Neary's interest in his farm in the townland of Corrarevagh, and are in negotiation with Mr. John Morgan for the purchase of his interest in another farm on the same townland. They propose to divide these lands amongst tenants on the Rodney estate. The Board have not come to any decision with reference to the other farms referred to.

asked whether the negotiations for the sale to the Congested Districts Board of the Johnston estate in the parish of Donoughmore, county Donegal, are yet completed; and, if not, whether there is any prospect of an early settlement?

The estate referred to has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and it will be inspected as soon as practicable. It cannot be stated at present when a settlement is likely to be effected.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board are in negotiation with the proprietors of the Lewis estate for the purchase of the portion of that estate situated in the parish of Castleconnor, county Sligo, and the townland of Scurmore; and what progress has been made and when the lands in question are likely to be purchased and sub-divided?

The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to be made of the Lewis estate, in the counties of Sligo and Mayo are in course of preparation, but have not so far been lodged with the Congested Districts Board. On receipt of the necessary documents the estate will be inspected as soon as practicable, but it cannot be stated when the estate is likely to be purchased.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether his attention has been called to the conditions of employment of young children in certain parts of Ulster as shown by the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland, what steps he is taking to secure the enforcement of the Employment of Children Act by the local authorities; and (2) whether his attention has been called to evidence given before the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland, stating that in Belfast children, from three years old in some cases, are engaged in home-work at night and in the early hours of the morning; and whether any action is being taken by the local authority to investigate and check this evil?

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the constant infringement of the provisions of the Employment of Children Act, which is disclosed by the evidence given before the Committee of Inquiry into the conditions of employment in the linen and other making-up trades of the North of Ireland; and what steps he intends to take in order to prevent young children being made to work for very long hours and till 10 or 11 at night, as at Lurgan and in other districts round Belfast?

My attention has been called to the Report and evidence given before this Committee. The matter is under consideration, and the Irish Government is in correspondence with the Home Office as to what steps should be taken to secure the better enforcement of the Act referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Local Government Board for Ireland have refused to make loans for housing in certain cases unless a more efficient system of sewerage is adopted than that which exists at present; whether he is aware that in the county of Carlow and elsewhere the system adopted in some towns is that of allowing the sewage to go into the River Barrow, and that any other system would be so costly as to be beyond the financial resources of the localities concerned; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider the desirability of legislation in the immediate future with a view to carrying out the recommendation contained in the Eight Report of the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal to the effect that the law should be altered so that the discharge of sewage matter into a stream shall not be deemed to be an offence under the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, 1876, if the sewage matter is discharged in a form which satisfies the requirements thereafter set out?

Where in the districts of local authorities seeking borrowing facilities for housing purposes the sewage is discharged in such a condition as to lead to a contravention of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Acts it has been the practice of the Local Government Board to require that earth closets should be provided in connection with housing schemes. Legislation to amend the Rivers Pollution Prevention Acts on the lines recommended in the Eighth Report of the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal is much to be desired, but I cannot hold out hopes of separate legislation on the subject for Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed at the decision of the Committee on National Education to hold their sittings in camera and delay publication of their proceedings; and whether he will suggest that the usual course be followed in regard to this Committee?

The method of conducting their inquiry is one entirely for the Committee, to whom any representations on the subject should be addressed.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will represent to the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland the undesirability, pending the Report of the Vice-Regal Commission, of retiring teachers of many years' service prematurely, on the ground of enforced inefficiency?

I have referred the hon. Member's question to the Commissioners of National Education, who inform me that the expression "enforced inefficiency" used by the hon. Member would require to be defined before they could make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary if there is any immediate prospect of providing James Woods and John Gorman, evicted tenants on the Wilson and Gledstane estates, county Donegal, with farms?

The Estates Commissioners hope to be in a position to provide a holding at an early date for James Woods, who was evicted from the Carson estate, county Donegal. Gorman's application has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners, but they are not at present in a position to say when it may be possible to provide him with a holding.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what date may the two river gunboats, provided for in the Estimates of 19127–13, be expected out in China, where their services are urgently needed; where are they being constructed; and what amount of the money voted has been expended upon them up to date?

It is proposed to commence the construction of these vessels during the next financial year, and they should be ready for service in China towards he end of 1914.

asked the date and nature of the document in which it was stated that it was open to the heads of departments to recommend that all service should count towards pension in individual cases which would be considered on their merits?

I am not aware to what document the Noble Lord refers, perhaps he would furnish me with particulars.

asked the date of the Treasury Minute, or other document, conceding one-half of unestablished service to pension?

Under Section 3 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, half service in a temporary capacity, followed by established service, has been reckoned for pension in certain classes of cases in which the special circumstances were considered to warrant such a course. There has been no general Minute or other document on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of men enlisted in the Territorial Force between the 1st January, 1912, and the 1st January, 1913; what was the number of non-commissioned officers and men discharged during the same period; and how many men were enlisted and how many non-commissioned officers and men discharged between the 1st January, 1912, and the 1st January, 1913, in the Territorial Artillery, Yeomanry, and Infantry, respectively?

The figures are as, follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the pattern of the new rifle has yet been finally approved; and, if so, what number have been issued to the troops?

I have nothing at present to add to the reply given to a similar question on 14th January.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received from the Essex education committee representations that, in view of the existing shortage of uncertificated teachers and the possible shortage of certificated teachers, it is desirable to postpone the operation of the proposed regulation to disqualify supplementary teachers in 1914; and what steps has the Board in contemplation to meet the existing and possible shortage of teachers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matter referred to in the second part is now receiving my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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?

Excluding the salaries of the Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the only payments to Members of Parliament being barristers during the years mentioned were as follows:—1906–1907.—A fee of £94 10s. was paid to the right hon. Sir David Brynmor Jones, K.C., M.P., as counsel to the Home Office at the inquest on the persons who lost their lives by the inundation of water at the Caradog Vale Colliery, South Wales1911–1912.—A fee of £367 17s. 6d. to Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams, K.C., M.P., as counsel to the Home Office at the inquiry made under Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, into the draft regulations for the manufacture of patent fuel in South Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to call upon any representative of the officers of the Customs and Excise Department to give evidence before the Royal Commission on the Civil Service now sitting?

This is a matter for the Royal Commission with whom it rests to interpret their reference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received details of the proposal of the Canadian Government to extend the present preferential tariff to countries within the British Empire not hitherto enjoying it; what countries will be affected by this extension; and what will be the volume of trade affected?

By an Order in Council, passed on 25th January, the benefits of the British preferential tariff were extended by Canada to the following: Swaziland, Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland Protectorate, Uganda Protectorate, East Africa Protectorate, Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Cambia, Somaliland Protectorate, Federated Malay States, British North Borneo, Sarawak, Brunei, Mauritius and Dependencies thereof, Seychelles, St. Helena, Ascension, Friendly Islands or Tonga, Fiji, Falkland Islands, and British Honduras. I cannot say what will be the amount of trade affected by this extension.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information with reference to an attack upon and robbery of a planter by a band of armed robbers in the Federated Malay States which resulted in the death of the planter; whether he can throw any light upon the insecurity to life in these States disclosed by this murderous robbery; and what steps, if any, are being taken to put an end to this state of affairs?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the murder of a planter in Johore recently reported in the Press. I have no official information in regard to the incident which did not occur in the Federated Malay States. I am wholly unable to accept the suggestion that life in these States is insecure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information concerning the new coinage for West Africa?

The designs for the new coins have been approved by the King, and I am placing them in the Tea Room for inspection by hon. Members. They have been prepared under my personal supervision, and will, I hope, be found satisfactory. The new coinage should, I understand, be ready for issue about July next.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the medals sanctioned for the Abor Expedition in April, 1912, have yet been issued; and, if not, will he say what is the reason for the delay?

The general announcement that a medal and clasp would be granted for the Abor Expedition was made in April, 1912, and the necessary punches and dies for striking the medal were sent to India in June, 1912. But sonic unavoidable delay has since occurred in settling the precise conditions as to time and place which govern the eligibility of individuals for the medal and clasp. The Secretary of State is not aware how far the issue has been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when the gratuity or batta for the troops employed in the late Abor Expedition will be paid; what is the reason for its delay in its distribution; and if the delay will cause unnecessary expense in its distribution among the natives who may in many cases have returned to their homes?

No recommendation for the grant of any gratuity or batta for the troops employed in the Abor Expedidition has been received from the Indian Government, but inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the India Office propose to place the Indian students at Edinburgh University under the guardianship of its official representative; whether he is aware that the Indian students there have passed a unanimous resolution resenting this action; and what lie proposes to do in the circumstances?

The Secretary of State has received a copy of the resolution referred to, which seems to rest upon a misconception of the functions attaching to local advisers to Indian students in University centres and of the purpose of these appointments. No adviser has yet been appointed at Edinburgh, and the Secretary of State is unable to make any further statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the statistics furnished in the annual statistical abstract regarding the number of persons sentenced to death refer to capital sentences or to the number of persons actually executed; and whether in future abstracts he will be able to show the number of sentences and executions separately?

The statistics refer to capital sentences. The hon. Member's suggestion that the number of executions should also be stated has been noted, and will be acted on in future issues of the statistical abstract.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Board's auditor has decided to surcharge the Lambeth Borough Council with the pay of full wages to their injured workmen; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The district auditor, at the recent audit of the Lambeth Borough Council's accounts, raised the question of the legality of certain payments of full wages by the council to a workman temporarily incapacitated through accident, but he has not made any disallowance or surcharge of any such payment by the council, and the Local Government Board would have no jurisdiction in the matter, except upon an appeal to them against his decision in disallowing or allowing such a payment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that, when a young man with his wife and two children entered the workhouse of the Beckenham union, the vaccination of the children was insisted upon, although the father had previously obtained exemption for his children from vaccination; whether it is the general practice in Poor Law institutions to nullify the provisions of Acts of Parliament; and whether he will take steps to secure the legal rights of poor persons by issuing the necessary instructions to the medical officers of workhouses that they must not vaccinate children whose parents object to the operation?

My attention has been drawn to this case, and I am in communication with the board of guardians in regard to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to a collapsible lifeboat which is different from the ordinary folding lifeboat, inasmuch that the covering is of an elastic material, being composed of an inner layer of India rubber one-eighth of an inch thick, the two outer layers being of canvas, which, being combined, makes the material pliable against any floating wreckage, such as timbers, etc.; and whether he is prepared to give the matter his attention and see the maker of such a lifeboat?

My attention has not been called to the boat to which my hon. Friend refers. If particulars of the boat are submitted they will be considered, but from the description given in the question it appears doubtful whether the boat can be recognised as a lifeboat under the new rules.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the payment of unemployment benefit under the National Insurance Act by a trade union, any fee is charged for the use of a room in a Labour Exchange; and, if so, whether be will advise that the use of a room for such purpose shall be allowed free?

Under the General Regulations made in pursuance of the Labour Exchange Act applications for accommodation on the premises of an Exchange may be granted only for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as the Advisory Trade Committee for the district may approve. In those districts where Advisory Trade Committees have agreed to accommodation being granted to trade unions for the purpose of paying unemployment benefit, a charge of 1s. is made on each occasion to meet the actual cost involved, and I am not prepared as at present advised to suggest a reduction of this charge. In this connection I may remind my hon. Friend that the repayment which an association may claim under Section 106 was intended to cover any additional cost of administration in connection with unemployment insurance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the representative of his Department on the Port of London Authority to endeavour to have inquiry made into an allegation that Messrs. Pearson and Company, contractors at the Royal Albert Dock, are not observing the Fair-Wages Clause in the payment of the carpenters in their employment?

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the hon. Member for West Ham on 28th October last, the question of the observance of the Fair-Wages Clause in contracts made by the Port of London Authority is a matter over which the Board of Trade have no control, and representations on the subject should be addressed direct to the Authority. I may remind my hon. Friend that the members of the Port Authority nominated by the Beard of Trade are in no sense delegates to whom I can give instructions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the principal shipping companies connected with the port of Dublin have agreed to pool pig traffic freights for ten years; that they are competing for cattle traffic and are giving undue preference to the shipping of cattle over pigs, to the loss of those engaged in the Irish pig trade; and will he grant an inquiry in these matters so as to afford Irish pig traders an opportunity of proving that the congestion which occurred during the last six months was due to the system of pooling referred to?

My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any facts that the hon. Member can put before him, but he fears that, as he is not in a position to take any action in this matter, nothing would be gained by an inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many principal nautical officers and nautical surveyors, not including engineer or ship surveyors, are now employed under the Marine Department of the Board of Trade?

There are at present four nautical principal officers and fifteen nautical surveyors employed under the Marine Department at the outports, and there is one vacancy. These numbers will be increased very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the scale of taxi-cab fares at Liverpool, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh; and whether, in view of the price of petrol and the cost of equipping a first-class taxi-cab, he will endeavour to bring about a termination of the present strike on terms fair to both proprietors and men by suggesting the assimilation of London fares to those prevailing in other great cities?

As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary pointed out in the House on Tuesday last, a Departmental Committee, appointed by his predecessor to inquire into the question of a revision of taxi-cab fares in London, reported in 1911 against any alteration in the tariff. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Committee's Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect to colour and form vision, any tests are imposed by the Board of Trade upon locomotive drivers; and, if so, whether the tests applied arc similar to those enforced in the case of candidates for Board of Trade certificates of competency as master or mate?

The testing of the eyesight of locomotive engine-drivers on a railway rests with the railway company concerned, and not with the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the promised Return, giving particulars relating to casualties to vessels carrying deck loads which have occurred within the past ten years, is likely to be laid before the House?

The Return referred to by the hon. Member has now been presented, and copies will be available in a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Labour Exchanges can be used by waiters and domestic servants for the purpose of obtaining situations?

Labour Exchange managers are instructed not to deal with vacancies for domestic servants to reside in private houses. They are not precluded from dealing with vacancies for servants, including waiters, falling outside this category. In certain cases advisory committees for juvenile employment have been authorised at their request to place girls under seventeen years of age in domestic service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any postmen have been burnt at Dundee owing to militant suffragists having placed chemicals in pillar boxes; and, if so, will he say the nature of these injuries?

I am sorry to say that five postmen in the sorting office at Dundee suffered painful injuries from flames caused by chemicals which had been placed in thin glass tubes among the correspondence in the letter-boxes. Fortunately the injuries were not serious and the men were able to resume duty after the burns had been dressed. I regret to say that slight injuries had been caused in a similar manner a few days previously to two postmen at York.

asked the Attorney-General whether any proceedings have been taken against certain women who have during the past few days at suffrage meetings publicly incited their adherents to commit outrages?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the fact that the Australian Government are fully cognisant of the effect of the new telegraph rates on traffic, there is any necessity for delay in replying to their dispatch of July last, asking that a subsidiary conference should be called to consider the question of laying a State-owned Atlantic cable; and whether the Australian Government, which is now supported by the New Zealand Government in this request, have got the same right to demand that this conference should be held as the United Kingdom would have should His Majesty's Government be in favour of this proposal?

The reply was despatched last week. There has never been any suggestion of questioning the right of the Australian Government to ask for the summoning of a subsidiary conference, but the holding of such a conference is a matter to be settled in concert by the several Governments represented upon the imperial Conference. No information has been received from the New Zealand Government to the effect suggested in the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the work of repairing table telephones in the factory at Mount Pleasant, for which the piece-work price has hitherto been 2s. 6d., has been offered to a man to perform for 1s. 2d., out of which he has to pay two boys; and, seeing that the result is that the man will receive about 11½d. for work previously remunerated at 2s. 6d., will he say what action he will take?

Owing to simplification of design and increased output, the cost of table telephones has decreased very considerably in the past five years, and as it no longer pays to repair instruments in bad condition, the average work required on each defective instrument is considerably less. Some of the work, moreover, which was originally associated with the repair of these instruments has now been detached. As the work to be done has thus quite changed the piece-work rate will be reduced from 2s. 5d. to 1s. 4d. This rate has not yet been actually applied, the repairs being at present performed on day-work rate until the workmen become fully acquainted with the work. When more than one person works on a particular instrument the amount fixed for the repair is apportioned by the Controller of Stores to each member of the "team." It is considered that the proposed rate will give the workmen a satisfactory profit over their day-rate when the repairs are given out on piece-work, and I do not think that any action is called for.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what has been the result of the inquiry into the charge made against the assistant schoolmaster in the Inverurie Academy higher grade public school in consequence of a breach of Section 68 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872?

As a result of my inquiry, I am satisfied that the infringement of Section 68 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, has not been of a very serious character. The attention of the School Board has been drawn to the necessity for strict compliance with the terms of that Section, and I hope that no further irregularity will be allowed to occur.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the forty-three cases of small-pox which have recently occurred in Kirkcaldy, did not include one child out of the many hundreds in the parish who have been legally exempted from vaccination under the provisions of the Vaccination (Scotland) Act, 1907; and whether, in view of this circumstance, he will consider whether the time has now arrived for the repeal of the penal clauses of all existing Vaccination Acts?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question I would remind my hon. Friend that the Vaccination (Scotland) Act, 1907, provides for exemption from the penal clauses by statutory declaration of conscientious objection.