asked in how many cases plans have been approved either for new buildings or for the extension of old buildings in connection with the provision of sanatoria for the purposes of the sanatorium benefit under the National Insurance Act?

In some twelve cases plans have been approved for the erection of new buildings or the extension of existing buildings in England, and in about twenty other cases plans are under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements it is proposed to make under the National Insurance Act in respect to the administration of medical benefit in the case of a domestic servant who has selected a doctor on the panel for the district in which she is employed, but who, in the event of serious illness, would have to return to her home in another district; and will he state what steps ought to be taken by the insured person in view of the possibility of such a contingency?

In the circumstances stated notice should be given on the servant's return to her home to the insurance committee of the area in which it is situated, and it would then be the duty of the insurance committee to make arrangements as soon as practicable for her medical attendance and treatment there.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can take any steps to make it quite clear, in accordance with Section 15 (3) of the National Insurance Act, that it is intended that committees should allow the sum for medical services, so that any insured person may freely select his own doctor and use such sum as the committee would have expended in payment of medical services towards the payment of his own doctor in the usual way?

The Commissioners propose to issue to insurance committees a memorandum dealing with the question of application under Section 15 (3) of the National Insurance Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the regulations of the West Riding Insurance Committee, by which a doctor doing his own dispensing in a rural area has to make out in triplicate all prescriptions, and has to work out from the official tariff the exact cost of all items in them without any payment for the labour involved, have his sanction; whether the official tariff gives prices for drugs, dressings, etc., which are considerably below the prices at which doctors can obtain them, though they may be those at which they are supplied to large wholesale chemists; and why no answer to these simple questions, beyond a printed acknowledgment, has yet been received by the doctors in the Wetherby district, though the questions were addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th January?

The letters received from the doctors referred to raised questions of a somewhat complex character, depending not only upon the Regulations, but also upon the policy of the West Riding Insurance Committee. The Commissioners are communicating with the insurance committee, and a full reply will be sent to the doctors as soon as possible.

asked whether insured persons in Ireland have been put to considerable inconvenience in getting sickness benefits owing to the refusal of doctors to sign certificates except at exorbitant prices; and what steps will be taken to meet this difficulty?

I am informed by the Irish Commission that a certain amount of difficulty has arisen in Ireland in connection with sickness certificates. A sum of £50,000 is being taken in the Supplementary Estimate, which will be to a large extent available for defraying the reasonable cost of such certificates. As I stated, however, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness on 30th January, societies can adopt alternative methods of obtaining evidence of illness if excessive fees are charged for medical certificates; and the Irish Commissioners have issued to all societies and branches, transacting business under the National Insurance Act in Ireland, a circular pointing out that societies may, if they think fit, obtain evidence of illness by the adoption of a system of lay visitors, by the inspection of medical relief registers, or by the acceptance of a written statement from a clergyman, magistrate, or other responsible person who can testify to the claimant's incapacity for work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to Circular A. S. 75 of the National Health Insurance Commissioners, in which it is stated that the Act does not make it obligatory for approved societies to avail themselves of the provisions of Section 15 (2) (e) of the National Insurance Act; and if he can indicate the words in the Section referred to on which the Commissioners rely as giving any option to the societies in the matter?

Sub-section 15 (2) (e) obliges the Commissioners to make Regulations which shall require every insurance committee to make arrangements enabling medical attendance and treatment to be obtained for aged and disabled members of friendly societies on the same terms as for insured persons. Provision for this purpose has been made in the Regulations, but there is nothing in the Section or Regulations which requires such persons, or their society on their behalf, to avail themselves of the provision so made. It would clearly be inequitable to oblige such persons or their society to enter into such an arrangement as the Sub-section renders available, seeing that they could often obtain, and in many cases are obtaining, similar benefits in virtue of private arrangements.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Development Commissioners decline to say whether their refusal to recommend a Grant for the improvement of Skerries harbour was a unanimous decision or whether the Irish member of the Commission was a dissenting party; if so, whether they have any right so to decline; and, if they have no such right, whether he will call their attention to the fact?

All decisions of the Development Commission are taken on the collective responsibility of the Commission as a whole, and I am not prepared to ask for the views of individual Commissioners on any particular case.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Development Commissioners will give assistance, by way of free grants or loans or both, to landholders and others in Ireland who may form district drainage boards under Irish Drainage Acts; and whether he can state the terms upon which such free grants or loans will be made?

I am informed that the Development Commissioners will consider any application of the kind to which the hon. Members refers. The terms of any advance for the purpose must obviously depend to a large extent upon the nature of the scheme proposed. The hon. Member will find some further information on the subject at page 30 of the Commissioners' Second Annual Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Departmental Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation has yet considered the sample valuations of full site values in particular areas in town and country with a view to showing the practicability of a change in the basis of rating?

The Committee have been supplied with figures showing the full site value of each hereditament in two sample areas and further information is now being prepared at their request. Beyond this I am unable to say how far they have considered the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the forty-four cases of applications under Section 56 of the Finance Act, 1910, to transfer land in satisfaction of estate and other duties, if he will say how many of such applications have been agreed to; and what is the value and quantity of such land so transferred to the Commissioners, and where situated?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 7th instant to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle.

asked whether Mary Pryce, of Eskeragh, Tubbercurry, county Sligo, Adare sub-pension committee, was, on two occasions, granted a pension which on appeal was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that her name could not be traced in the Census, although another old woman in the neighbourhood, who was baptised on the same date as this applicant, is registered as seventy-two years in the Census; and, if so, whether, seeing that this woman is wholly destitute of means, her case will be reconsidered?

The facts are as stated in the question, except that there is no corroboration of the statement that Mary Pryce was baptised on the same day as another person who, according to the Census record, is now seventy-two years of age. It is not open to the Local Government Board to reconsider this case.

asked on what grounds the pension officer has appealed against the granting of a pension to John Long and his wife Mary Long, of Farranfore, county Kerry; whether John Long is eighty years and his wife eighty-three; that two sons are invalided and the third a cripple; that the farm is a small poor one, which would not yield anything near the income disqualifying for a pension; and whether the Local Government Board will be requested to grant the pension to these people?

John Long and his wife have applied for an increase of their pensions from 1s. to 5s. a week each, and the pension officer has appealed against the increase on the ground that their means exceed £28 17s. 6d. a year each. The circumstances as to their age and their family appear to be as stated in the question. Their cases are at present under consideration by the Local Government Board, and due inquiry will be made into them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been directed to the Minute of the Southwark union, by which it appears that the board of guardians intend to charge old age pensioners temporarily inmates of the workhouse or infirmary for cost of maintenance, and to take such cost from the pension; and will he see that action of the board is suspended until sanction has been given by Parliament for such deduction?

My attention has been called to this matter, and I have directed one of my inspectors to confer with the guardians on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the Keogh estate, Kiltrustan, county Roscommon, signed agreements to purchase their holdings six years ago; and will he state the reason for the delay in completing the purchase?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owners to the tenants in two sections under the Irish Land Act, 1903, some of the agreements having been lodged in April, 1907, and the remainder in October, 1908. The property will be dealt with in order of priority, but the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.

asked whether the estate of Mr. John L. Powell, situate in Rinnatruffane, East, and Coolamooneen, parish of Geevagh, county Sligo, Boyle (No. 2) union, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and, if not, whether the Board will approach the landlord who resides at 57, Frankford Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin, with a view to the purchase of this small congested estate?

Mr. John L. Powell's Estate comprising the townlands mentioned has not been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board, but inquiry will be made regarding it. Terms for purchase have been arranged between Mr. Powell and the Board for the lands of Gorteen in the same neighbourhood.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Congested Districts Board has been called to the fact that there is a number of uneconomic holdings in the parish of Tisara, in the county Roscommon, and that in the same parish there is a large grazing ranch of 400 acres of untenanted land on the estate of Lord Ashtown, which is let on the eleven months' system, and that there are other landlords in the locality having about 1,000 acres also let upon the same system; and whether the Congested Districts Board has taken or intends to take any action for the acquisition of these lands for the relief of congestion?

The attention of the Congested Districts Board has been called to this matter. The Board have taken no action with reference to the purchase from Lord Ashtown of untenanted land in county Roscommon, but inquiries will now be made regarding it. The Board are unable to identify the other lands from the particulars given in the question.

asked whether the Land Commission have received an offer, approved by the landlord, for the mineral rights on part of the Adair estate, county Antrim; and, if so, what is the reason for delay in accepting an offer for the purpose of their development?

There has been no delay in dealing with the offer referred to, which was only received by the Estates Commissioners on the 20th ultimo. The offer has not been approved of in its entirety by the former landlord, as he considers the royalty offered on one class of mineral should be increased. The Commissioners are taking the necesary steps to comply with the provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1907, as to advertising for offers and serving notices on the purchasing tenants.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the estate of Mrs. Clifford, Greenville, near Belturbet; and, if so, in the distribution of the untenanted land will provision be made for George E. Ryan, who was herd on the property and is desirous, though he happens to be a Protestant, to have an allotment?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. If this estate, which is the subject of proceedings for sale under the Land Purchase Acts to the Estates Commissioners, is acquired by them Ryan's case will be considered by the Commissioners when they are distributing the untenanted lands on the estate.

asked whether the tenantry on the Phibbs estate, situate near Ballinafad, county Sligo, rural district of Boyle (No. 2), forwarded a petition to the Congested Districts Board in December, 1910, praying that body to make an offer for the purchase of the property, which is mainly congested; and, if so, what action, if any, has since been taken in regard to the matter by the Board?

The Congested Districts Board received the petition referred to, and are in communication with the owner of the estate.

asked whether the tenants on the Ffolliot estate, situate near Ballinafad, county Sligo, rural district of Boyle (No. 2), signed agreements for the purchase of their holdings so long ago as January, 1908; and, if so, when this estate will be vested either in the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board?

This estate is the subject of proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. It is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and will be dealt with in order of priority, but the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached. The purchase agreements were lodged with the Commissioners in May, 1908.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made offers for the Lord Norbury, Darcy, and Phibbs Irwin estates, in the parish of Turlough, county Mayo; and, if so, with what results?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made offers for the purchase of any of the estates referred to.

asked whether Miss H. Phibbs has accepted the offer of the Congested Districts Board for her estate in the parish of Kildacamogue, Castlebar, county Mayo?

Miss Henrietta Phibbs has accepted the offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of her estate in counties Mayo and Sligo.

asked when the money will be advanced on the sale of the Clement's estate, Manorhamilton, county Leitrim; and whether it is possible to include the town in the sale, having regard to the fact that the tenants are anxious to purchase their houses and the landlord may sell on reasonable terms?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and will probably be reached in order of priority during the financial year commencing 1st April next. If purchase agreements are entered into between the owners and the tenants for the sale of the town holdings referred to under the Land Purchase Acts the Commissioners will, when dealing with the estate, consider what advances they could make on the security of the sites of the houses, the difference between the agreed prices, and the sums the Commissioners may advance to be lodged in cash by the purchasing tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the school garden attached to the national school at Clonfad, Ballyhaunis, in the county Roscommon, is entitled to an Equipment Grant; whether an application for the same has been made by the principal teacher of the school; and, if so, can he state why the application has not been granted?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that no application has been received by them for the recognition of the school garden in connection with this national school under the new scheme of instruction in horticulture for national schools. In the absence of such application, and of necessary particulars, it is not possible to state whether a grant towards the cost of equipment of the garden could be made.

asked whether any arrangement has yet been made by the Commissioners of National Education, Ireland with regard to the recoupment of teachers who suffered financial loss owing to the operation of the recently withdrawn Maternity Rule 92 (j) of the Commissioners' code?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for South Westmeath on the 6th instant.

asked the number of married women teachers and the number of unmarried women teachers under the Board of National Education, and the number of male teachers who have been awarded the Carlisle and Blake premiums by the Commissioners of National Education since 1900?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that according to the last available Return there were on 31st December, 1910, approximately 2,567 married women, 6,829 unmarried women, and 133 widows employed as principal, assistant, or junior assistant mistresses. The number of men teachers who from 1900 to 1911 inclusive were awarded the Carlisle and Blake premium was 142.

asked the Chief Secretary when he proposes to give his promised Grant to secondary education in Ireland; will it be available for distribution in the year 1913; and whether, seeing that for want of funds no secondary education is available in Ireland for the child of the poor man, no matter how brilliant he may be, he will make the Grant available as soon as possible?

The action of the county councils has placed a serious obstacle in the way of the scheme for scholarships from primary to secondary schools. If this obstacle can be removed I have every hope the scheme may be put in operation before the end of the current year.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have defined the exceptional circumstances of Rule 103 (c), or have they laid down definite conditions of service, attainments, and reports to guide them in awarding promotion to assistant teachers under Rule 103 (c); and, if so, what are these conditions and have they been communicated to the teachers whose position is affected?

The Commissioners or National Education inform me that a definition of the "exceptional circumstances," referred to in Rule 103 (c), has been prepared for official use in dealing with exceptional cases, but it has not been considered desirable to publish it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Commission appointed to inquire into and report upon national education have arranged that the sittings shall be held in camera, and that publicity will not be given to their proceedings daily; and, if so, whether he can state why departure from the ordinary rule has been taken in this instance; and whether he is aware that those interested would prefer open examination and daily publication?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to the question of the hon. Member on this subject.

asked when those female teachers who have paid substitutes under Rule 93 (j) will be recouped the amount?

Treasury authority has been received by the Commissioners of National Education sanctioning, subject to certain limitations, recoupment being made to teachers appointed before 1st July, 1911, for payments made by them to substitutes employed during their absence from school under the requirements of Rule 92 (j). Payment as thus authorised will be made without delay in each case as soon as the Commissioners receive from the managers of the schools concerned, particulars and vouchers showing the amounts paid to the substitutes.

asked the Chief Secretary how many tuberculosis dispensaries are now established in Ireland and where these are situated; also the number and names of districts that have adopted compulsory notification under the Tuberculosis Act?

Tuberculosis dispensaries have been established by the Dublin Corporation in Dublin and by the Down County Council at Banbridge and Newtownards, and negotiations for the acquisition of sites are pending in a number of other counties. Part, I. of the Tuberculosis Prevention (Ireland) Act, 1908, which deals with compulsory notification of tuberculosis, has been adopted by twenty-two urban and twenty-eight rural sanitary authorities. The ńames of the districts which adopted this part of the Act up to the 31st March, 1912, are given on page 31 of the Annual Report of the Local Government Board for 1911–12, to which should be added the following rural districts: Dungannon, Clones No. 1, Carrickmacross, Croom, Naas No. 1, Celbridge No. 1, Edenderry No. 2, Rathdown No. 1, and Athy No. 1.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the suffrage prisoners in Tullamore prison have refused to take food; if so, when and on what grounds, as stated by themselves; and, if they are to be fed forcibly through the nose, will he give a reference to the legal authority for this practice?

These prisoners have refused food for several days on the ground that they have not been accorded the full privileges of "political prisoners"—a category unknown alike to the law and to the prison regulations. I have already informed the hon. Member the extent to which the regulations have been relaxed in their favour. No forcible feeding has been resorted to in the case of these prisoners, and as regards the last paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on this subject by the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division on the 5th instant.

asked whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland has yet come to a decision in the case of Mr. Florence O'Sullivan, of Farranfore, county Kerry, whose name was submitted to him for appointment as a Justice of the Peace for the county of Kerry?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that Mr. Florence O'Sullivan has not been appointed to the Commission of the Peace for the county of Kerry.

asked the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture (Ireland), if he can state approximately the value of the horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, implements, and other farming necessaries sold by the Congested Districts Board to their tenants and other cultivators during the past five years; and if he will state the terms of such sales and the methods of repayment?

During the five years ended 31st March, 1912, the Congested Districts Board made loans to tenants on their estates who had been placed in possession of new or enlarged holdings for the purchase of cattle, sheep, and horses amounting in all to £10,397. The major portion of this sum was advanced for the purchase of cattle. The loans are repayable in three or five years by half-yearly instalments including interest at 3½ per cent. The Board do not make loans for the purchase of poultry or farming implements.

asked the Secretary for War the reason why the War Office decided to withdraw their contract from several Midland hosiery hand-frame knitting firms who make Army hand-made pants?

It has been decided that further contracts for pants made on the hand frame shall not be placed, as garments made on the ordinary power machines are quite as satisfactory and much cheaper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any response has been received from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa to the invitation extended to them to take part with Canada in the councils of the Empire?

No, Sir; the matter is still under the consideration of the Dominion Governments.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether, in view of the misconstruction which has been placed upon his statement with reference to captain Carver, late of His Majesty's ship "Torch," that this officer had confined a man in the refrigerating room, when, as a matter of fact, this was the deck house, in which the engine was kept for the magazine cooling machinery, that it was four times the size of the regulation cell, and was one of the best lighted and ventilated places in the ship, and that the man was only placed there in order to alleviate the discomfort of being confined under a canvas screen in a tropical climate, he can make any statement to lessen the injury to this officer's character which has been caused by his statement; (2) whether a circular letter was issued to the Fleet by the Admiralty ordering officers to see that their ship's company were alert and active; whether, in view of this order, the captain of His Majesty's ship "Torch" was perfectly within his rights in ordering one of the ship's company, who had been slow and apathetic in his movements, to go over the lower-mast head, which was not in the nature of a punishment but an exercise; and whether it has been the custom in the Service to use this exercise in masted ships from time immemorial, and that in this case it only meant ascending and descending a height of about 50 feet; (3) whether, in the case of two men who were deprived of good conduct badges for failure to obtain soundings early enough when approaching an anchorage in His Majesty's ship "Torch," he is aware that these men had previously been cautioned by the captain for the same failure, and warned that they would be punished if it occurred again; whether he is aware that His Majesty's ship "Torch" was at the time approaching what was practically an unsurveyed anchorage, and that the safety of the ship depended upon the proper performance of their duties by the leadsmen, especially as she was suspected of being in a very unseaworthy condition at the time, a suspicion which has since proved well grounded; whether, in view of these facts, the commanding officer's action was fully justified; and (4) whether, after having received a report from the Commander-in-Chief on the Australian station alleging disrespect to himself on the part of Captain Carver, and reporting upon the number of punishments on board the ship, the Admiralty received a subsequent report stating that no disrespect was in fact intended, and a further telegram asking that this officer should be retained in command of his ship?

I have already given a sufficient explanation to the House of the reasons which in the opinion of the naval authorities concerned rendered this officer's supersession necessary, and I have at the same time borne witness to his good services on other occasions. I am not prepared to debate the case upon a series of argumentative questions at Question Time. If the hon. Member wishes to impugn the justice or the propriety of the action taken by the Admiralty—for which I accept the fullest responsibility—he should use the opportunities presented by the passage of the Estimates. In the general interests of naval discipline I must ask the House to support me in recommending such procedure to him.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty for what reason the claims of the fishermen whose nets and gear were injured during the Admiralty manœuvres have not been adjudicated and settled; if he will state who is responsible for the delay; or whether, in order to dissipate the feeling of unfair treatment that at present is evident, he will order an immediate inquiry and payment of all just claims?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to his question of the 16th January. Of 121 claims received from British fishermen, 96, involving a payment of over £2,500, have now been settled. Investigation of the remainder, as well as of fifteen received from foreign fishermen, is proceeding without any avoidable delay, and payment of such compensation as is considered equitable will be made in these cases also as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for particulars of the numbers of ships allowed to the Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and other Foreign stations under the present policy of the Admiralty, and the strength of the French, German, American, Austrian, and Russian fleets on the same stations?

As regards the allocation of British ships, I must refer the hon. Member to page 270A of the current Navy List. The following tabulated statement gives the information required as to foreign navies:—

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the guardian of a boy whose father was killed in action in the Boer war has the same right of privilege of nomination of the boy as a boy artificer for the Navy as if he were the boy's father?

Certain flag officers are allowed to recommend a limited number of candidates with Service claims for nomination by the Admiralty as boy artificer after a qualifying examination. If the boy referred to is eligible under the Regulations, it would be open to his guardian to apply for a recommendation. The conditions are shown in the printed Regulations, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give particulars of the increase in the staff of the Board during the year 1906, distinguishing between the patronage-appointed higher staff and the clerical staff; and whether the condition that lower grade clerks should be compelled to lose their Saturday half-holiday when on overtime was in the first place suggested to the Treasury by the Board of Education, either officially or semi-officially?

No increase was made in the higher administrative staff of the Board of Education during the year 1906. The permanent clerical staff was increased during that year from 521 to 601. The condition stated in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 3rd February, which is not accurately reproduced in the question under reply, was not suggested to the Treasury by the Board of Education, either officially or semi-officially.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary school children are taught, in mixed departments and how many in separate boys' and girls' departments, respectively?

I am afraid I am not in a position to give the hon. Member the information he desires.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there is any statistical evidence bearing on the educational value of mixed instruction; and whether any policy is pursued by the Board in the way of stimulating or discouraging the formation of mixed departments?

The subject referred to in the question hardly lends itself to statistical treatment, and the Board have no statistical evidence in connection with it. Some interesting information is, however, to be found in the report on the teaching of arithmetic published by the London County Council in 1911 (No. 1,430, page 26). With regard to elementary schools, the Board do not desire to interfere with the discretion of local education authorities in the matter further than to point out that in mixed departments certain difficulties have to be met in the arrangements for instruction in special subjects. If their advice is sought they have, in each case, to take into consideration the special circumstances. With regard to secondary schools, the Board have advised the establishment of separate schools for boys and girls in preference to mixed schools in places where there is a large population, but in smaller places the establishment of mixed schools has been encouraged in the interests of economy and the better classification of pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to say when the Report of the Departmental Committee on Reformatories and Industrial Schools will be available for Members of this House?

I understand that the draft Report is now under consideration by the Committee. It is impossible at present to say when it will be presented.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how it is proposed to appoint the inspectors to carry out the new regulations with regard to vivisection; the salaries to be attached thereto; and whether the positions will be filled by open competition?

I propose to select from among all candidates who may apply those who appear to me to be best qualified to discharge the duties of the post. If by open competition the hon. Member means a competitive examination, that is obviously inapplicable to posts of this nature. I am issuing to the Press, including the medical journals, a statement of the duties of the post and the conditions of appointment. The appointments will be made for a year in the first instance, and the salary will be £500. If the appointments are continued, the salary will rise by £20 a year to a maximum of £600. The persons appointed will be required to give their whole time to the work.

asked what are the duties levied by the Portuguese tariff on imports into Portugal of motor cars complete, motor chassis, and motor-car tyres (per set of six tyres) from France, Germany, and Great Britain, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired:—

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Secretary of State has appointed Mr. Bamford local education adviser for Indian students at Glasgow University; whether similar appointments have been made at Oxford, Cambridge, and Manchester; whether further appointments are contemplated and, if so, where; what is the total cost to the Indian taxpayer of the whole system of supervision of Indian students, including the above-mentioned appointments and that of Mr. Mallet; and whether its permanent retention is contemplated?

The answer to the first, second, and fifth questions is in the affirmative. On the third question the Secretary of State has no statement to make at present. As regards the cost of the system mentioned in the fourth question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 22nd October last in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Roxburghshire. The appointments recently made at Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, and Glasgow, entail additional net expenditure of £700 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Osman Digna was among the Dervish captives who were recently released and allowedto return to Khartoum; and, if not, whether he is in prison at Damietta or Wadi Halfa?

As far as I am aware, Osman Digna is still at Wadi Halfa.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the Burton-on-Trent guardians advertising for women assistant nurses and not receiving a single application; and if he can state what was the salary offered for the appointment?

My attention has been called to this matter. I am informed that the salary offered was £30 per annum, rising by annual increments of £2 10s. to £35, together with rations, residence, uniform, etc.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the recent Casual Paupers' Order is intended to apply the Surrey way-and-food ticket system to the whole of England; whether these tickets are only issued to those who are provided with tickets from the Labour Exchanges or to all those whom the committee believe to be in search of employment; and whether the tickets issued indicate the casual ward at which they must pass the next night?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that the way-ticket issued by the Surrey Vagrancy Committee indicates the casual ward to which the holder is going, but that these tickets are not limited to persons who are provided with tickets from the Labour Exchanges.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the provisions of the Poor Law Order relating to outdoor relief issued to the Oxford Union on or about the 19th December, 1848; and what steps he proposes to take to remove the difficulties that must arise in the administration of Poor Law relief by the Oxford Union in cases of sudden emergency or urgent necessity, owing to the provisions of the Relief Regulation Order, 1911, conflicting with those contained in the said Order of the 19th December, 1848?

Two Orders relating to outdoor relief were issued to the Oxford guardians on the 19th December, 1848. They were both rescinded by the Relief Regulation Order, 1911.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in Derby, Leicester, and other towns, for many years past less than 10 Per cent. of the children born have been vaccinated; that the inhabitants have not suffered in any special degree from smallpox in consequence of this neglect of vaccination, but that concurrently with decreased vaccination both the general death-rate and the infantile mortality have materially declined; and whether he is now prepared to recommend the Government to bring in a Bill for the repeal of the penal Clauses of the Vaccination Acts?

I am aware that there has been a considerable increase in the number of exemptions from vaccination and that there has not been any corresponding increase in small-pox. I cannot, however, undertake to recommend legislation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend at the present time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to an inquest held at Southwark by Dr. Waldo on the 31st January, on a girl named Amy Violet Wotton, in which it was proved by medical testimony after post mortem examination that she died of gangrenous appendicitis traceable to preservatives in food, and the Coroner drew attention to the fact that the law with regard to such preservatives in Germany and France was much stricter than in this country; whether, in the opinion of his expert advisers, this is a common cause of appendicitis; and whether he proposes further to strengthen the law relating to such preservatives?

My attention has been drawn to this case, but from the report which I have seen it does not appear to have been proved that the illness of the child was caused by preservatives. The use of preservatives in food has been and is being carefully considered by my expert advisers, but in their view it has not been established that such use is a common cause of appendicitis. I have recently issued Regulations prohibiting the use of preservatives in milk, and providing for its control in the case of cream, and further Regulations will be made if and when they are shown to be desirable. The Bill which I have in contemplation will I trust also help in this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the question of the Rochford (Southend-on-Sea) Rural Council only paying their road-men 16s. per week: and if he will advise the council that they should pay at least a minimum of 20s. per week?

My attention has been called to this matter, but it is not one in regard to which I have any jurisdiction.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, if he can state what area of land privately owned within the administrative area of the county of London is unbuilt on?

I understand that it has been estimated that the total area of uncovered land in the Metropolis is 12,600 acres, but I am not in possession of the particulars upon which this estimate was based nor of information as to the ownership of the land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 10th July, 1912, a boiler explosion took place in the works of the Belhaven Engineering and Motors, Limited, at their Allanton foundry, Wishaw, causing the death of several men; whether the occurrence has been reported to the Board of Trade; whether a Board of Trade inquiry is to be held into the circumstances attending the bursting of the boiler and the death of the men; will he say why the inquiry has been so long delayed; and on what date the inquiry is to take place?

The boiler explosion to which my hon. Friend refers was reported to the Board of Trade, and a preliminary inquiry has been held by one of the Board's surveyors. A formal investigation was ordered, but it has not been possible to proceed with the hearing, as criminal proceedings are pending.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to enforce on the underground railways in the Metropolitan area the regulations of the Board of Trade, which require an attendant to be provided on each coach?

The Board of Trade have not made, and have no power to make, any regulations on this subject.

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 Newry; 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?

I have received a resolution from the Newry Trades and Labour Council in favour of the establishment of a Labour Exchange in Newry. The case has been carefully considered, but I do not think that the establishment of an Exchange in the town would be justified. A local agency of the unemployment fund has been established at Newry for dealing with workmen in the insured trades, and workmen in other trades are at liberty to register their names at Dundalk by post from Newry.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Eastbourne Town Council have been taking a poll of the ratepayers in connection with the purchase of Devonshire Park from a private company; that the ballot papers were sent out by post on Saturday, 1st February, to the whole of the ratepayers; if he is aware that the Post Office engaged extra men, who were told to be at the office on Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, and, after waiting one hour, they were told that they would not be required until 12 o'clock; that they attended again at 12 o'clock, and were then told they would only be paid from 11 o'clock, and at the rate of 4½d. per hour; and if he will order the men to be paid from 9 o'clock, when they were engaged, and at the rate of not less than 6d. per hour?

The facts are as stated except that the casual men have since been paid at the rate of 6d. an hour in respect of attendance in excess of eight hours. The course taken was in accordance with the existing regulations, but I think that the rule may work hardly in a case of casual employment, and I propose to consider it further.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is possible for farmers to obtain for a subscription of £3 a rural party line telephone service unless there is an average of at least three subscribers for each mile of line, exclusive of the first half-mile from the telephone exchange; and, if not, whether there is any other method open to such traders of obtaining telephone facilities where the farms are situate on or near high roads along which public telephone wires pass?

The £3 rate applies only to rural party lines, on which there are three subscribers to the mile on the average, but where an average of only two subscribers per mile is obtainable, rural party lines are provided at a rental of £3 10s. for each subscriber. I have also recently obtained the authority of the Treasury to provide rural party lines at slightly increased rates, varying according to the special circumstances of each case, where the conditions above mentioned are not fulfilled. Main trunk and junction lines which may pass along roads near farms are not available for the connection of farms with exchanges, and additional lines have to be erected for that purpose, although the same poles are used whenever possible.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any new regulations relating to the compensation to be paid to the owners in the case of swine slaughtered by reason of an outbreak of swine fever have been issued by the Board; if so, when such regulations were issued, and to whom; and from what date such regulations came into effect?

The Board have no power to vary the conditions prescribed by Section 16 of the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894, subject to which compensation is payable for swine slaughtered on account of an outbreak of swine fever.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the Report on the sea and inland fisheries of Ireland shows that Irish fishermen have been granted loans to the extent of nearly £60,000 to assist them in purchasing boats and fishing gear for the prosecution of their calling; and will he state whether there is any reason why similar assistance should not be given to the fishermen of Scotland?

From the last Report on the fisheries of Ireland, it appears that the total amount of the loans made during the twelve years to 31st March, 1912, was £52,850, a yearly average of £4,400—considerably less than the price of two steam drifters. In reply to the second part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the matter is at present under the consideration of a Departmental Committee.

further asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Report on the sea and inland fisheries of Ireland states that steam or motor power having become increasingly necessary for the successful prosecution of the fishing industry, it was decided during the year ending 31st March last to make loans of £1,650 and £1,250 to enable selected crews to procure two secondhand steam drifters; that during the year twenty-nine loans, amounting to £7,057, have been granted for the building and equipping of new motor drift-net boats and the installation of motor power in existing fishing boats; and will he consider the expediency of granting similar loans to the fishermen of Caithness and the Highland crofting counties for the equipment of steam-motor craft?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, as it is not within his Department. I am aware of the report referred to. In reply to the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the matter is at present under the consideration of a Departmental Committee.

also asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the number of cases of illegal trawling which have occurred off the coasts of Caithness recently; and whether, in order to lessen the number of these offences, he will give instructions that a fishery cruiser be more frequently sent to this region?

During the past three months very few well-founded complaints of illegal trawling on the Caithness coasts have been received by the Fishery Board for Scotland. In accordance with instructions issued by the Board the cruisers have paid special attention to the district, and without neglecting other parts of the coasts, the Caithness waters cannot be more frequently patrolled than they have been recently. Two detections of illegal trawling on the north coast of Caithness were made in December by one of the cruisers, and convictions have followed.