asked the President of the Local Government Board what number of new buildings are being built for the accommodation under the National Insurance Act of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis; where such buildings are situated; what will be the cost of the buildings; and how many beds will the buildings contain?

So far as England is concerned, new buildings to contain about 214 beds are being erected at Birmingham, Bolton, Derby, Ford, Meathop, and Winsley at an estimated cost of about £41,000, and existing buildings at Liverpool, Sutton, and Wakefield, containing about 390 beds are being adapted for use as sanatoria, or extended at an estimated cost of about £4,900. I may add that I have already approved, under the National Insurance Act, for the reception of insured persons, 172 sanatoria and hospitals containing about 6,300 beds.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the Insurance Commissioners have declined to approve the adoption in Gloucestershire of the same scheme of district health insurance committees which they have approved for the adjoining county of Somerset; and whether, in view of the unanimity of the county insurance committee after careful consideration as to its suitability to local conditions and of the formation after con- siderable difficulty of district committees under such scheme, the Commissioners will reconsider their decision?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The scheme for the constitution of district committees submitted by the insurance committee for the county of Somerset has not been formally approved. The Commissioners intimated that they were prepared to approve the scheme in substance, but both that scheme and the similar scheme subsequently prepared by the Gloucester Insurance Committee need amendment in certain matters of detail. In the case of Somerset the insurance committee have already accepted the amendments suggested by the Commissioners, and the scheme will be approved forthwith; and I do not anticipate that any difficulty will occur in the case of the Gloucester scheme.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the inconvenience that exists as a result of the uncertainty of the attitude of the Insurance Commissioners in the matter, he will now definitely state that the Commissioners are prepared to receive evidence in proof of the value of stamps on insurance cards in cases where the cards may be destroyed by the burning of the building in which they may be stored; and, in the event of that evidence fully satisfying the Commissioners as to the destruction and value of such stamps, they will, in that event, not require the new cards to be re-stamped?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a circular explaining the conditions under which credit can be allowed for destroyed stamps.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why persons taking the medical benefit under the National Insurance Act through the medical officer of an approved institution should be placed in a different position from those taking such benefits through an ordinary panel doctor; and why these institutions and their members should have to fill up forms issued by health committees, though such forms are not required from those taking medical benefit through an ordinary panel doctor?

Both doctors on the panel and approved institutions are required to send to the insurance committee notices of acceptance of insured persons. The arrangement by which, at the commencement of medical benefit, insured persons desiring treatment from a doctor on the panel could obtain such treatment by presenting their medical tickets, would not be appropriate to insured persons entitled to receive medical attendance and treatment through an approved institution, in respect of whom definite evidence is necessary that they are, or desire to become, members of the institution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why a patient, being a member of an approved institution, cannot obtain a second supply of medicine without having a further interview with the medical officer and obtaining a second prescription?

The requirement referred to in the hon. Member's question would be imposed by the rules of the institution to which the insured person belongs. It has not been imposed by any Regulation of the Commissioners. The institutions which the hon. Member has in mind may, however, reasonably consider that it is in the best interests of the patient that the decision as to repeating a medicine should rest with the medical attendant of the patient rather than with the patient himself, and that a prescription should not be repeated without a written statement to that effect by the medical attendant.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by the friendly societies in supplying medical benefit out of their own funds to those of their members who are over sixty-five, and who are not insured under the National Insurance Act, he will state what steps the Government are prepared to take in order to enable the friendly societies to provide medical benefits for the members above referred to?

I have nothing to add to the answers I have already given to similar questions. I know no reason why the fact that a doctor is receiving higher remuneration than hitherto in respect of insured persons should prevent him continuing to treat the small and diminishing number of his own aged and infirm patients who are not insured on the same or approximately the same terms as before.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a doctor who is working under the National Insurance Act, in addition to giving a prescription and advice, can also sell medicine to the insured person to be paid for by the insured person?

Except in the special circumstances where a doctor is allowed to dispense under the Act in accordance with paragraph 30 of the Medical Benefit Regulations no payment could be made to him out of the Insurance Funds for any drugs supplied by him to isnured persons, who are entitled to obtain them free from any chemist on the panel. I do not think it would be proper for such an arrangement to be made as is described in the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Form Med. 21 or any other form of application for permission to make their own arrangements with a view to free choice of doctor have yet been forwarded to the nurses of any of the London hospitals; if not, why not; and, if so, when they will be sent, and to which hospitals?

I am informed that a circular letter has been forwarded by the London Insurance Committee to all hospitals which have applied to this committee for leave to make their own arrangements. A special form of notice of application applicable to these cases will be issued for use by such hospitals as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will explain how, having regard to the wording of Form 240/A.G.D. and Form 240a/A.G.D., the nature of the illness of an insured person is alone known to the doctor when the forms mentioned state the nature of the illness and have to be signed by a secretary of an approved society in which the person is insured?

The forms referred to are forms to be used by approved societies for the purpose of keeping a continuous record of the duration of every illness which incapacitates a member from work. Where the societies have knowledge, from whatever source, of the nature of the illness, they can, if they think fit, fill up the space in the form which is left for that purpose. These forms have no connection with the records kept by doctors.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that in six out of the eight largest Government Departments it is not the practice for clerks employed on overtime either to forego the usual Saturday half-holiday or to sacrifice payment for the first three hours of any overtime which they may work, he will take steps immediately to withdraw the statement contained in a circular letter of 22nd November last that the practice is a general one?

I see no sufficient reason for adopting the course proposed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, if he can furnish the hon. Member for West Mayo with a copy of the local pension officer's estimate of the income of Mary Roache, Fisherhill, county Mayo (Foxford pension sub-district), to whom the Local Government Board has awarded an old age pension of only 3s. per week?

I am afraid it would be contrary to practice to provide the hon. Member with a copy of the pension officer's estimate. The decision of the Local Government Board, which is under the Act final, is independent of the recommendation of the pension officer.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what basis or principle the pension officers in Ireland calculate the rent or value of an earthen-floor room in a mud-wall cabin in Ireland, which has never been let to a tenant and which is now occupied by applicants or recipients of old age pensions; whether he is aware that the average cost of building one of these houses, in which a room is only a small part, is under £20; and whether he can state the basis or principle of the estimated value of food by the pension officer where the main articles of diet are potatoes and separated milk?

The pension officer's estimate of means in such cases as the hon. Member seems to have in mind is, the best estimate he can make in the light of the facts of each particular case as elicited in the course of investigation. Where the means have to he calculated by reference to any "benefit or privilege" enjoyed by a claimant or pensioner, e.g., in the shape of board and lodging, the estimate should, in accordance with Section 2 (1) (d) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911, represent the "yearly value" of such benefit or privilege. I may remind the hon. Member that, in reporting to the committee on any claim or question, the pension officer only expresses his own opinion, which is in no way binding on the committee, or on the Local Government Board if the ease goes to appeal.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether he will take immediate steps to abolish the Treasury rule which imposes an undue restriction on the selection of capable and deserving officers for promotion to the post of junior examiner in the Board of Education, and thereby acts prejudicially to the interests of the public service; and (2) what steps lie is taking to secure the abolition of the Treasury rule under which his choice from among the officers of the clerical staff for appointment as junior examiners is at present limited by a Treasury rule under which promotion may involve a loss of salary?

If the hon. Member will state to what rule he refers, I will consider whether it has a prejudicial effect, and, if so, whether it can advantageously be amended.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, if he is not prepared to ask for the views of individual members of the Development Commission on any particular matter with which they have to deal, they are themselves equally unwilling to state whether their decisions are unanimous or not?

I have no doubt that the reasons which render me unwilling to ask for the views of individual members of the Development Commission in any particular case would render the Commission equally unwilling to reply to such inquiries.

asked whether the Development Commissioners keep minutes of the proceedings at their meetings; if so, whether these minutes may be inspected by persons interested in any matter decided by them; and whether, when any question of allocating the funds at their disposal is to be decided, all the members of the Commission are invited to be present?

The answer to the first and last parts of the question is in the affirmative. The minutes of the Development Commissioners' proceedings, like other Departmental papers, are confidential documents.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state how many open competitive examinations for second division clerkships have been held during the past five years; how many men actually passed the competitive test; and what is the total number of those who, not having passed the competitive test, have nevertheless been offered appointments?

Six open competitions for second division clerkships have been held in the last five years. The number of candidates declared successful in the first instance and ultimately appointed from the list resulting from the examination are as follows:—

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the date of the conference of university representatives with reference to the syllabus of the Class I. examination as mentioned in the reply given by the First Civil Service Commissioner to Question 579 at the meeting of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service held on 27th March, 1912; and will he state the names of the representatives, the universities they represented, the academic degrees held by such representatives, and the universities by which such degrees were granted?

The conference on the scheme of the examination for Class I. Clerkships in the Civil Service was held on the 18th November, 1903.Universities represented, and names of representatives were as follows:—Oxford—Professor E. Caird, LL.D. St. Andrews and Glasgow, D.C.L. Oxford, D. Lit. Cambridge and Wales, etc.; J. L. Strachan-Davidson, M.A. Oxford, LL.D. Glasgow and St. Andrews, etc.Cambridge—Dr. J. N. Keynes, M.A., D.Sc. Cambridge; W. L. Mollison, M.A. Cambridge, LL.D. Aberdeen.Durham—Rev. H. P. Gurney, D.C.L.Manchester—E. Fiddes, M.A. Cambridge, Manchester, Aberdeen.Liverpool—Professor John McCunn, LL.D.London—Dr. R. D. Roberts, M.A., B.Sc. Cambridge, D.Sc. London.Edinburgh—Professor W. R. Hardie, M. A. Edinburgh and Oxford.Glasgow—Professor R. Latta, M.A., D.Phil. Edinburgh.St. Andrews—Professor J. Burnet, M.A. Oxford, LL.D. Edinburgh and Ph.D. Prague, etc.Aberdeen—Rev. G. Pirie, LL.D.Trinity College, Dublin—Dr. J. P. Mahaffy, D.D., Mus. Doc. Dublin, D.C.L. Oxford, LL.D. St. Andrews, etc.Royal University of Ireland—Rev. W. Delany, LL.D., R.U.I.I fear that complete information as regards the degrees held by the representatives is not available.

asked the Chief Secretary the amount of land sold under all Acts or agreed to be sold to tenants in county Clare up to date, giving the number of estates, the number of holdings, and the total amount of purchase money involved; also the number of holdings, together with estimated purchase price, which still remain to be dealt with in county Clare?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of a Return which is being prepared and will shortly be presented to Parliament, showing the amount of land sold or pending for sale under the various Land Purchase Acts in each county in Ireland up to the end of the last financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the tenants on the Blennerhassett estate, Ballymullyett, county Kerry, have signed their purchase agreements since October, 1908; and if he will state when they may expect their vesting orders?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of William Blennerhasset, which is being sold direct by the landlord to the tenants, whose agreements to purchase were lodged on 2nd November, 1908. The estate is on the register of direct sales (all stock), and is being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have entered into negotiations with Captain Lyons for the purchase of his untenanted lands at Cappananty, county Limerick; and, if so, whether any agreement as to purchase has been arrived at?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second paragraph in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the amount of money deducted in each of the years from 1900 to 1912, both included, from Grants to the Kerry council in connection with land purchase transactions under the Land Purchase Act, 1903, and also under the Land Purchase Act of 1909?

The net amounts deducted under the Irish Land Act, 1903, from the share of county Kerry in the Estate or Death Duty Grant are as follows:—

asked whether the Congested Districts Board are in communication with the owners to purchase the Lawder and Gumley estate, situate at Kiltoghert, Carrick-on-Shannon, county Leitrim, with a view to their selling the same to the tenants; and if they will purchase the untenanted land on this estate and have it divided amongst the tenant farmers whose holdings adjoin the farm and are uneconomic?

The estate referred to, including 67 acres of untenanted land, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and a decision will be arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.

asked how many estates in county Leitrim have been purchased, and what estates, by the Congested Districts Board since the passing of the Land Act of 1909; whether the estates so purchased have been resold to the tenants; and what untenanted land has been purchased in the same county by the Board with a view to redistribution among the tenants adjoining?

The following estates have been purchased by the Congested Districts Board in the county of Leitrim since the passing of the Land Act of 1909, namely: C. C. B. White, F. R. Johnston, T. McGuckian, John Flood, F. H. Duckworth, and M. D. Dickson. None of these estates have yet been resold, but arrangements are being made for the resale of a number of holdings on the C. C. B. White estate. 3,866 acres of untenanted land have been purchased in the county, with a view to redistribution.

asked the Chief Secretary when will the estate of Mr. H. J. B. Clements, Lough Rynn, county Leitrim, be vested in the tenants, the purchase agreements for which were signed in January, 1909, and lodged with the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners hope to vest the holdings in the purchasing tenants as soon as the question of the turbary on the estate is settled, and they have directed further inquiries to be made as regards this matter.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken any and, if so, what steps to acquire the Oxfield and Finnod ranches, situated in the parish of Drumcliffe, county Sligo; and when the same will be acquired and divided up for the relief of congestion?

The Congested Districts Board cannot identify the farms referred to from the particulars given.

asked if any offer has yet been made by the Congested Districts Board for the estate of Mr. E. C. Walshe, county Mayo; if not, from what cause the delay arises; and when is an offer to be made?

The Congested Districts Board have not made an offer for the purchase of this property pending an agreement as to the inclusion of some untenanted land in the estate proposed to be sold to them.

asked what is the cause of the delay in completing the sale of the estate of Mrs. Johnstone, situated at Church Hill, county Donegal, agreements for which were made between landlord and tenants some three years ago?

The Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of this property which has not yet been accepted by the owner.

asked the cause of delay in issuing a vesting order to Mr. James P. O'Neill, a tenant on the Lisle estate, at Meens, Newmarket, county Cork, this tenant having signed his purchase agreement in March, 1910, and vesting orders issued to the remaining tenants in February, 1912?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the consent of the Lord Chancellor had to be obtained to an amendment in the price in this case, and the holding was vested in O'Neill on the 6th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the tenants on the Crooke estate (4631), county Cork, signed agreements to purchase their holdings in the year 1903, and that their holdings have not yet been vested in them; have the Estates Commissioners caused any inspection of this holding estate to be made prior to vesting; whether this estate has been dealt with in its due order of priority; and, if not, why has it been exceptionally treated; and, seeing that the tenants suffer pecuniary loss by being obliged to pay interest for the past ten years, what steps will be taken to have their holdings immediately vested in them?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants. The purchase agreements, which are dated 29th September, 1906, were lodged on 18th January, 1907, and the estate has not yet been reached in order of priority.

asked if an inspection has taken place on the farm of a non-judicial tenant named Roger O'Halloran Pallas, on the Dennis estate; whether he is aware that O'Halloran's father was only a caretaker of the farm; whether all the improvements made by the tenant have been taken into account by the inspector; and, if so, what is the result of the inspection?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that O'Halloran was reinstated by the owner in the judicial tenancy and signed an agreement to purchase the holding under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and it has been vested in him in accordance with the terms of such agreement. The price agreed upon between the parties was within the zones, and, having regard to the provisions of the Act of 1903, the holding was not subject to inspection for the purposes of security.

asked how many assistants have been promoted to the second grade of national teachers since 1900; and what are the qualifications such teachers must possess in order that the Commissioners of National Education may consider them deserving of promotion?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that sixty-one assistant teachers have been promoted to second grade since 1900, and the Commissioners have other cases under consideration. With regard to the second 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 West Kerry on 13th January.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board, having reinstated three evicted tenants named Higgins, Michael Larkin, and John Larkin, in their holdings at Killawalla, county Mayo (late Blosse estate), built three new dwelling-houses for them; that, although these new houses were completed over a year ago, possession of them has not been given to the reinstated tenants, who continue to live in old hovels unfit for habitation; will he state through whose fault the three families have been subjected to such treatment; and will he suggest to the Board or the Estates Commissioners that these people should get possession of the houses built for them without any further delay?

The dwelling-houses for the three evicted tenants referred to were not ready for occupation a year ago, but arrangements are now being made by the Congested Districts Board to get agreements signed by the tenants and to place them in occupation of the houses on the 1st March next.

asked when the Estates Commissioners hope to be able to reinstate Mrs. Margaret Glazier, of Banemore, an evicted tenant on the Palmer estate?

This matter will be considered when the Estates Commissioners are dealing with the estate, which is at present before them for sale under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked who instituted the legal proceedings and evicted two families at Ballybunion recently, named Walsh and M'Mahon; and whether these people are now compelled to apply for outdoor relief?

The Scottish Provident Institution are the owners of the premises from which the parties were evicted for non-payment of rent. As regards the second paragraph of the question, it is understood the parties were granted outdoor relief for a few weeks, when it was discontinued as they were not apparently considered deserving cases.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the fact that during a dispute between members of the Musicians' Union and the management of a Metropolitan theatre, two members of the Coldstream Guards band took and are still filling the places of men on strike; whether military bandsmen are permitted to accept engagements under such circumstances; and, if not, what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

Inquiries will be made and the result communicated to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it was stated that the hours of attendance for the sixty-three non-commissioned officers of the Army Pay Corps employed at Woolwich and Westminster were from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.; whether these officers are now frequently kept at their office until 8 p.m.; and, if so, if he will say what allowance is made to them for their extra work; and if he will state the total number of hours' extra duty performed by them over their ordinary attendance during the three months ending 31st January last?

The usual office hours are as stated. The non-commissioned officers are sometimes kept after office hours, especially during the training season, but, as under the Regulations their services, like those of all soldiers, are available at all times if required, they are not granted any remuneration for extra work. The extra time, however, is made up to them during the period when work is slack. No record is kept of the number of extra hours worked. There have been no complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Emily Hawker, mother of Rifleman E. Hawker, of A Company, 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, appealed on 15th January to the commanding officer for leave for her son, who was under orders to sail for India on 20th January, to visit his father, who was lying dying in the Taunton and Somerset Hospital, and who had expressed a wish to say good-bye to his son before he left the country; whether the application was refused, despite the fact that the house surgeon of the hospital wired to the officer commanding the Rifle Brigade to the effect that Hawker was very much weaker; whether he is aware that the dying man had himself served in the Somersetshire Light Infantry, had seen service in the Zulu War of 1878 and again in the Royal Reserve during the Boer War, and that he had three sons who had served in the Navy; whether he is also aware that Hawker senior died on the day on which his son left to embark at Southampton for India; and what action he proposes taking to prevent a recurrence of such action in the Army?

There is no information at the War Office concerning this case, but inquiries will be made and the hon. Gentleman will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has bean called to the settlement arrived at in the case of St. Aubyn v. Fenton and others; and, if so, whether the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to take action in the matter?

My attention has not been drawn to this matter previously to notice of this question appearing. The second part of the question should be addressed to the Attorney-General.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual value of the Endowments of Wrexham; how much will be retained by the incumbent under the provisions of the Established Church (Wales) Bill; and whether it was indicated in the Return of the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to the Welsh Church Commission that any part of these Endowments was appropriated to a new church or ecclesiastical district?

The gross annual value of the Endowments of Wrexham, St. Giles' with St. Mark, is given in the Return of the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, as follows:—

asked the Home Secretary (1) what will happen to the church house at Bettws, built as a school in 1852, but now used for Sunday school and other church purposes and approached through the churchyard; and with regard to the church house at Llan- fyllin, built in 1826 as a girls' school, with an entrance into the church for a vestry, and now used for vestry and Church purposes; (2) what will happen under the provisions of the Established Church (Wales) Bill to the Church school at Llandrinio, which was built in 1827 and vested in the rector and churchwardens, and with regard to Llansantffraid, which was built on glebe land and vested in the Archdeacon of Montgomery?

I am informed that the schools at Llandrinio, Llansantffraid, and Bettws are held on trust for educational purposes, and it does not appear that they will be affected by the Established Church (Wales) Bill. I have been unable to ascertain what are the trusts affecting the church house at Llanfyllin, and cannot express an opinion without further particulars.

asked the Home Secretary if he can give any information as to the health of Marie Neill, who for the past two weeks has been undergoing imprisonment in Holloway Gaol; whether she has refused to take food and is now being forcibly fed; whether she has been allowed exercise; and whether her treatment has been different from that of other prisoners convicted at the same time and for the same offence?

Marie Neill has refused to take her food in the ordinary way since 3rd February, but she takes it from a feeding cup. The medical officer reports that there are no ill-effects. Prisoners who refuse, their food forfeit their privileges while their refusal continues, and in this respect Marie Neill's treatment differs from that of prisoners who are taking their food. She has been having, and will continue to have, the daily exercise which the medical officer considers necessary for her health.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Mr. John A. T. Brindley, whose wife, Mrs. Maud Brindley, a militant suffragist, has been sentenced to five months' imprisonment in the second division at Clerkenwell Sessions, was refused permission to see her after she had surrendered to her bail, although informed that he would have an opportunity of doing so; that he was told that permission must be obtained from the governor of Brixton Gaol; that this gentleman was telephoned to, but refused permission; and that Mr. Brindley then applied to the Home Office for a permit to see his wife at Holloway and was once more refused; and will he say why this attitude has been adopted, and whether and when Mr. Brindley will be given an opportunity of seeing his wife?

Prisoners can only be allowed to have visits in accordance with rules applicable to them. Mr. Brindley is under an entire misapprehension in supposing he has a right to an interview with his wife at a time when, as a convicted prisoner, she is not entitled to a visit. The rules only allow this once a month for convicted prisoners in the Second Division; but if there is any matter of urgent importance to the prisoner it can be communicated to her through the Governor.

asked the Home Secretary whether Miss Margaret James, recently convicted of an offence connected with the suffrage agitation, was, on the 3rd inst., two days prior to her conviction, compelled by the application of force to submit to have her finger prints taken; and, if so, will he state under what authority, statutory or other, this treatment of an unconvicted person was followed?

Application was made by the Commissioner of Police for the City of London to the Governor of Holloway that the finger prints of the prisoner referred to might be taken under the regulations made under the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871, and the Penal Servitude Act, 1891. As the prisoner objected, the finger prints were not taken.

asked the Home Secretary the date when the Mines (Rescue and Aid) Order was issued; when the mine owners were first required to make Returns in pursuance of the Order; whether any Returns have yet been received from the mine owners in Scotland; and whether any steps have been taken to accelerate the formation of rescue brigades and the provision of rescue stations in the Lanarkshire coalfield?

The Order was made on 2nd April last and the first Returns by mine owners of the provision made in pursuance of the Order were required to be made by 21st January of this year. All the Returns for Scotland have been re- ceived, and are now being carefully examined. The divisional inspector has been pressing on the owners the question of the formation of rescue brigades and the establishment of rescue stations for the Lanarkshire coalfield, and when the examination of the Returns is completed and full information is available, I will consider what further action should be taken in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary what is the fee required from individual candidates for examination for firemen and shot-firers' certificates under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, by the Herio-Watt College and the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, respectively?

The maximum fees to be charged for these certificates by the approved authorities were fixed by the Home Office as follows:—For firemen's certificates…

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether an appeal is contemplated against the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Rex v. Easton?

I have consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education on the question, and it has been decided not to carry the case further.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many miles of main roads were managed by county and urban councils, respectively, in 1890; what was paid by these bodies for maintenance, and what portion of the cost was contributed from the Imperial Exchequer and from the local rates, relatively; and will he give similar particulars for the year 1912?

I am not in a position to supply the hon. Member with any of the particulars for which he asks, that have not already been published in the Annual Local Taxation Returns for the years since 1889. There is no record of the total mileage of main roads in the year 1890, and there has not been any specific contribution from the Imperial Exchequer towards the cost of main roads since the year ended March, 1889. The following is a statement of the cost in the years 1890–91 and 1910–11, respectively, these being the earliest and latest years for which the desired figures are available:—Sums expended otherwise than out of loans (a) by county councils (including payments to highway authorities in rural districts and rural district councils), (b) by councils of boroughs (other than county boroughs), and (c) by urban sanitary authorities and district councils (for districts other than boroughs), in respect of the maintenance, repair, improvement, and enlargement of main roads:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board the increase in rates since 1901 in each rating area in Wales, and the amount in relief of such rates that the payments for old age pensions are equivalent to?

The number of rating areas comprised in Wales and Monmouthshire is over 1,400. The information desired by my hon. Friend as regards the increase of rates in each of these areas could only be obtained by the expenditure of an amount of time and trouble which I think would hardly be justified. In the whole of the union counties of Wales (including Monmouthshire) the amount of poor rates levied increased from £1,497,000 in the, year 1901–2, to £2,430,000 in the year 191011, which is the latest year for which the information can be given. I am unable to give the information asked for in the latter part of the question, but I understand that the cost of the old age pensions paid in Wales and Monmouthshire in the year 1911–12 is estimated at about half a million pounds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the promotion of Mr. Garnham Roper to be assistant secretary in the Harbour Department, and the death of Sir Walter J. Howell, will occasion any vacancies in the upper division staff of the Board of Trade; and, if so, whether it is proposed to fill these vacancies by the promotion of staff clerks or second division clerks?

I am afraid I cannot say more than that the greatest care will be taken in the filling of any vacancies that may arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any complaints have reached him from small shopkeepers in London, and especially from small shopkeepers who carry on a composite business in the immediate neighbourhood of railway and tube stations, regarding the conditions of trading forced on them by the Shops Act; is he aware that small shopkeepers who carry on a general business, including tobacco, are prohibited from selling books, pens, ink, notepaper, postcards, games, etc., on the day set apart for the weekly half-holiday, while on the same clay book-stalls are open to the public for the sale of all these articles; and will he take steps to see that those small traders are not subjected to this handicap any longer?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As far as can be traced, no complaints of the kind have reached the Home Office. It is possible that complaints have been received from one or two small shopkeepers, but I have no reason for thinking that the exemption of book-stalls on railway platforms from the half-holiday provisions of the Shops Act operates hardly on small shopkeepers in London generally. The question of allowing this exemption was very carefully considered when the Bill was before the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the value of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned to the United States, France, Germany, Holland, and Belgium, respectively, and the percentage of wholly or mainly manufactured goods in each case, and the same information as regards goods exported to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa?

The following statement, which relates to the year 1911, gives the information desired by the hon. Member. Corresponding details for 1912 are not yet available:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Form L.E. 66, which is sent to the previous employer of an applicant at a Labour Exchange for particulars as to the applicant's character, etc., and subsequently submitted to a prospective employer, is used in every case of an applicant for employment; and whether, when the form has been filled up, the applicant has an opportunity of examining it?

It, is not the practice of the Labour Exchanges to take up references except with the express consent of applicants, or, in the case of a few occupations, in which it is the custom of the trade that this should be done. It is also done at the request of the Postal Authorities in. the case of applicants applying for temporary Christmas employment in the Post Office. Information given in answer to a request for a reference is regarded as strictly confidential, and is not communicated to the applicant concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in South Africa endeavours, by the circulation of information and samples, to put the home manufacturer in direct touch with the up-country storekeepers; and, if so, whether steps are taken to prevent injury to the large importing houses, who have hitherto supported these store-keepers?

The statement to which my hon. Friend refers respecting the policy pursued by His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for South Africa is presumably based on certain evidence which appears to have been given before the Dominions Royal Commission. It is, however, based on a misapprehension. I have received a statement from Sir R. Sothern Holland on the subject in the course of which he makes the following observations:—"It has been with the object of maintaining the confidence and support of prominent business men, both in Great Britain and in South Africa, that I have gone out of my way, on every possible occasion, to make clear my determination to respect established interests in so far as this attitude is compatible with the legitimate advancement of British trade, per se. Apart from the definite principle which guides me in this policy, it would be a futile ambition for any individual in my position to attempt to carry out, without injury to British trade, so revolutionary a policy as that attributed to me. The actual position is the reverse of that represented, and I can only assume that the gentleman who gave the evidence has been misinformed on the subject. If any specific case in support of his statement can be brought forward, I shall welcome the opportunity of meeting it, but if he has simply given expression to a belief which has gained currency unsupported by facts, I am sure he will not hesitate to correct the erroneous impression which must naturally result from the evidence before the Royal Commission of a man in his position. I say deliberately that I have never missed an opportunity of emphasising the importance to manufacturers of working through wholesale merchants in this country. True, I emphasise, in and out of season, the importance of manufacturers establishing direct representation in the South African market, not, however, with the object of going past the local merchant (which is the charge), but simply to ensure their having some responsible agent in the market, whose interest and duty it is to create a demand for their goods. Every manufacturer so counselled by me will be aware of my warning that their agents must confine their orders to wholesalers, and not attempt the dual operation of doing business with such firms, and then to set about robbing their best customers by going direct to the 'supported' retail shops. Such a practice has its own punishment, namely, that the wholesale merchant at once cuts the manufacturer so engaged off his books if the exigencies of trade enable him to do so. If it had been stated that certain 'supported' firms are gradually growing sufficiently strong financially to place their orders direct with manufacturers, I would have had nothing to say, because that position is not unknown in the South African market, and it is an evolution to which no one can reasonably object."

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will inquire into the necessity of extending the telephone service from Tralee to Limerick, via Listowel, Newcastle West, and Rathkeale?

I will have inquiry made as to the extension of the telephone service from Tralee to Limerick, via the places mentioned, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any official information to the effect that the wireless station Sayville, Long Island, has exchanged signals with the Telefunken station at Nauen, Germany; that communication was direct, and that the test was witnessed by Commanders Bullard and Todd of the United States Navy, who represented the Navy Department; and, if so, what system was used in these messages?

I have received information through the Foreign Office that statements have appeared in the New York Press to the general effect stated in the question, but. I have no official confirmation of the statements themselves. The system used at Sayville is presumably that of the Telefunken Company.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the evidence taken before the Scientific Committee which is at present investigating the different wireless systems will be published?

The Committee have informed me that, after consideration of the statements of representatives of firms who have been invited to give evidence as to the capabilities of their systems of long-distance wireless telegraphy, they have decided to treat the evidence as confidential.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is within his knowledge that a portion of a farm belonging to the Blaby glebe lands, in the county of Leicester, the Rev. Frederick Hedley Joscelyne being the incumbent, was sold during the last year for £3,055 15s., and that the purchase money was paid to the Board on 9th November last; whether he is aware that rent from Michaelmas last is receivable by the purchaser, and that the purchase money was only invested by the Board on the 5th December in India 3½ per Cents. just after the payment of dividend, thereby causing the loss of a quarter's interest to the incumbent, which, as he is receiving no rent for September, causes him serious loss; and whether he will compensate him, as the loss was largely caused by the failure to effect a prompt investment of the purchase money by the Board of Agriculture?

My attention was first called to the transaction in question by a letter from Mr. Joscelyne, dated 13th December last., and I immediately inquired carefully into the circumstances. The receipt of the purchase money was notified to the Board on 13th November, and the interval between that date and the purchase of the India 3½ per cent. Stock was occupied in settlement of the valuers' and solicitors' charges and in correspondence with the incumbent respecting the stock in which the money should be invested. I am satisfied that there was no avoidable delay on the part of the Board, and I have no power to compensate Mr. Joscelyne for the lass of the dividend. I may perhaps be allowed to point out that Mr. Joscelyne's present loss is the benefice's permanent gain.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what steps have been taken to secure that evidence on the subject of the housing of miners shall be presented to the Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland, and when the Commission will meet to consider the matter?

I am not in a position to give my hon. Friend the particulars which he desires. The Royal Commission controls its own procedure, and I have no doubt will consider any representations made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, having received various representations regarding the Clause in the Ordinance for the affiliation of the technical college to Glasgow University, whereby evening classes in the college are precluded from recognition pro tanto for graduation in science and engineering, he can state whether there will be an opportunity for discussing the matter in the House?

The Ordinance was laid on the Table on the 22nd November, and Section 20 of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1889, provides that if neither House of Parliament within twelve weeks, exclusive of any period of prorogation, presents an Address to the Crown to the contrary, it may be approved by His Majesty in Council. The period expires. on 22nd instant, and so far as the statutory provisions go the answer is therefore in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his Department erected the Badentarbet Pier at Achiltibuie, Ross-shire, upon the condition that the county council of Ross would keep it in repair; whether he has had it recently examined; whether it was found to be in a state of disrepair; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to make the county council fulfil its part of the agreement?

Upon the application of the county council a Grant of £1,110 was made under the powers of the Western Highlands and Islands Act, 1891, towards the erection of this pier, which cost approximately £1,400. It is a statutory condition that the county council shall maintain and repair piers receiving such Grants, and the Act confers power, and imposes a duty, on the county council to levy a rate upon all lands and heritages in the county up to a limit of 1d. per £ to meet any deficiency in the funds available for these purposes. It was reported to the Secretary for Scotland in 1909 that this pier was in a state of disrepair, and the attention of the county council was duly called to the fact. Since that date the Secretary for Scotland has been in correspondence with the county council with a view to induce that body to fulfil their statutory obligations, and, if necesary, to impose a rate for the purpose, but so far without success. The position taken up by the county council is that the remedial works now necessary are beyond what can fairly be classed as works of maintenance and repair, and they have applied for a Grant towards the construction of a new pier. They have been informed that the Secretary for Scotland cannot accept their contention or support their application, and, further, that continued failure to discharge their obligations as regards this pier may preclude the Secretary for Scotland from approving future Grants to the county council for similar purposes. I am awaiting a reply from the county council to my last letter.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been drawn to the accident on Saturday, 8th February, to a little girl riding a pony in Rotten Row caused by a hoop with which a child was playing on a path adjoining the Row rolling under the railing of the Row and fouling the feet of the pony; whether the prevalent and increasing practice of children rolling hoops alongside and across the riding ground in Rotten Row has the approval of the Commissioners as the authority responsible for the management of Hyde Park; and, if not, whether the Commissioners will at once exercise the powers conferred on them by the Parks Regulation Act, 1872, which according to the preamble was passed to secure the public from molestation and annoyance while enjoying the park, and make a rule of the park restricting the rolling of hoops to such parts of the park as can with safety be used for that purpose and of prohibiting the dangerous practice on any of the paths adjoining Rotten Row?

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been drawn to the danger which is occasioned to riders in Rotten Row by children trundling hoops across and in the vicinity of the Row; and whether the Commissioner of Works will issue a rule of the park, under the Parks Regulation Act, 1872, dealing with this danger?

The attention of the First Commissioner has been drawn to the accident in question. While deeply regretting that it should have occurred, he does not consider that drastic action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member is called for. The police will be instructed to keep careful surveillance over the use of hoops where risk of similar accidents is likely to occur.