asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been drawn to the vitiated atmosphere in the three dining rooms, especially during the dinner hours; and whether he will take steps so as to secure even moderately good ventilation in these rooms?

These rooms are supplied with fresh air from the river front basement, and have both input and extract fans connected to ducts. It would be desirable when funds permit to instal more powerful fans, but if Members would more frequently allow the windows to be opened an improvement could be effected.

How could the Commissioner know that a vitiated atmosphere exists?

The first Commissioner has the very best evidence in the world of the vitiated atmosphere, namely, the statement made by the hon. Member himself.

When is the Committee appointed to inquire into the ventilation of the House going to sit?

It has not yet been appointed.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if we have fans they do not operate unless the windows are shut? If so, why does he advise the windows being open? Is it because the fans are inoperative?

No, if you open the windows it merely adds to the number of ducts.

Are we to understand that the First Commissioner admits that the atmosphere is vitiated?

I have given the evidence on which the First Commissioner has formed the opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the present arrangement by which officials are admitted to seats behind the Chair is, in the opinion of many hon. Members, injurious to the conduct of debate in this House and does not conduce to the satisfactory examination of administrative matters by the House, he will afford to the House an early opportunity of reconsidering the arrangement?

When the present arrangement was made it was fully discussed in the House, and received the approval, amongst others, of the then Leader of the Opposition. In my opinion experience has shown that the new arrangement has facilitated discussion of business and has contributed to the convenience of Members of the House as a whole. The hon. Member will, however, have an opportunity of raising the question this afternoon if he desires to do so.

I shall do so.

Was not the arrangement made for the purpose of keeping the permanent officials as much as possible out of sight?

May I ask whether, when these seats were allocated, it was on the understanding that the officials were only to be there when public business required them to be there?

I do not know about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any precedent for throwing out either the Consolidated Fund Bill or the Appropriation Bill as a method of attacking the Government; and if he can see his way to announce his determination to return to the former Parliamentary practice with regard to Divisions in the House that may either affect the position of the Government or involve serious financial embarrassment to the country, so that no Division will be allowed to effect these purposes, which is sprung upon the House suddenly at an unexpected time and without due notice to the Members of all parties?

I am not aware of any such precedent as my right hon. Friend mentions. In reply to the second part of the question, I am not sure that the practice to which he refers was ever part of the established usage of the House, and, in any case, I do not see my way to establish it now.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the public may reason- ably require some protection against the great inconvenience to which the country might be exposed by a Bill of this kind being defeated without notice, seeing that the matter has always been treated as purely formal?

I am quite alive to that inconvenience.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not ignored what was laid down by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London on 25th July, 1895, and by the right hon. Gentleman himself in 13th November last year?

May I ask whether what are called unexpected Divisions are not a recognised method of changing the Government of this country?

It is often resorted to, but not very often with success.

It soon will be.

Does the Prime Minister adhere to the promise given at Ladybank on 5th October last, when he said:—

"I am not going to give up the task to which we are bound by every obligation of conviction and of honour because of two or three snap Divisions in the House of Commons?"

No, Sir, I have not given it up.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the overcrowding of the staff and of the apparatus in the new section of the C Division of the Central Telegraph Office; whether he is aware that the conditions are such that the duties of the girl collectors and distributors have to be performed by them under improper circumstances in respect of limited space and physical effort; whether he will state when this section was visited by the medical officer; and whether his sanction has been given to the arrangements?

I do not think the case is one which can be properly described as "serious over-crowding." Alterations are going on in the building, and I fear there must be some temporary inconvenience, although not of a serious character. But the matter will be put right as early as possible. It has not been deemed necessary to consult the medical officer.

asked whether most Continental countries agree to participate in a system of insurance in connection with the parcels post; whether Canada is alone amongst the self-governing Dominions of the Empire in refusing liability as regards loss or damage to parcels in the parcel post within their respective Dominions; and, if so, whether fresh endeavours can now be made to induce Canada to abandon the attitude taken up by them in this respect, to come into line with the rest of the Empire, and thus remove the present drawback to closer trading relations between the United Kingdom and Canada which at present as far as parcel post is concerned are conducted entirely at the importers' risk?

The system of insurance of parcels is in operation between the United Kingdom and all European countries except Greece and Spain. It is also in operation between the United Kingdom and practically the whole of the British Empire except Canada and South Africa. I am keeping the matter in view, and I am neglecting no opportunity of pressing these Dominions to adopt the arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that auxiliary postman James M'Sweeney, of Carriginimma, county Cork, is the local parish secretary of the secret sectarian and political order known as the Board of Erin, A.O.H.; that this man is frequently guilty of neglect of duty in the delivery of letters by attending funerals of the members of his order during official hours, and that meetings of this secret society have been held in the Carriginimma post office belonging to his sister; and, seeing that M'Sweeney organised a political invasion from Macroom and Ballyvourney and other outside districts to the Carriginimma Catholic church on Sunday, 23rd March, which nearly led to a riot in the precincts of the church, will he say whether it is with his sanction that a Post Office official organises church parades of a political nature which are offensive and provocative to the majority of the people in the district?

I have heard nothing of the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but inquiry is being made.

asked how many telephone exchanges were at 31st December, 1912, closed for any portion of the day (24 hours), and of these how many had more than 20 subscribers' lines.

On the 31st December, 1912, there were about 580 exchanges where less than a twenty-four hours' service was given. At about 100 of these there were more than twenty subscribers.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the number of telephone exchanges as at 31st December, 1912, where additional payments were made by the subscribers for continuous or extended service?

The number was 100.

asked the Postmaster-General what remuneration he proposes giving to sub-postmasters for the extra work entailed by the new duty of receiving and discharging telephone subscribers' monthly accounts, which have to be forwarded to the district telephone manager on the same day as received; and if he can state whether it has been possible to reduce the staff at the Edinburgh central telephone office owing to this work, which under the National Telephone Company was performed in Edinburgh, being transferred to local sub-postmasters?

In answer to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar inquiry by the hon. Member for West Bradford on the 20th March. The staff requirements of the telephone district manager's office at Edinburgh are now under review, and any saving of time arising from the transfer of work to post offices generally will of course be taken into account in this connection. I think, however, that it will be found necessary to increase the district manager's staff to meet the general growth of telephone business.

If the telephone staff is reduced at headquarters will the right hon. Gentleman be able to remunerate the sub-postmasters for the extra work entailed upon them?

I do not think the matter should necessarily depend on whether the staff at headquarters is reduced or not. If the sub-postmasters have any valid claim for remuneration for this particular piece of work remuneration shall be given to them. If not, no.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that the education inquiry in holding its sittings in private is disregarding the wishes of parents, teachers, and the public, and therefore their Report can have no value, he will request them to hold their sittings in public?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the mode of conducting their proceedings is a matter entirely for the Committee.

Is there any precedent for a Committee appointed by this House to inquire into a public matter holding private sittings?

I think there is precedent on the understanding that all questions and answers are fully reported and made public afterwards.

As the teachers and public are very interested in having this inquiry in public, cannot some steps be taken to have it held in public?

"Public" is a very wide term. The Committee have thought, having regard to the very delicate and domestic nature of this inquiry into the teachers, on the whole they would be more likely to conduct their proceedings satisfactorily if the public were excluded. I do not say I share that view, but that is the view of the Committee.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I shall raise this question on the Adjournment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman see any objection to the Press being present to report the proceedings?

I have appointed a very representative and excellent Committee, with very great difficulty, containing a number of persons who, I am sure, will give satisfaction, and after full consideration and discussion they have come to a particular conclusion. To drag me into it and try to overrule them is, I think, unreasonable.

asked what is the value of the butter now produced annually by the co-operative creameries in Ireland?

The value of the butter made in Ireland in the year 1912 was £6,934,000, but it is not possible to state what proportion of it was made in co-operative creameries.

asked what steps are being taken at Wexford, Dublin, or elsewhere in Ireland to establish and develop an extensive dead meat trade between Ireland and Great Britain; and what number of cattle and sheep are now being slaughtered in Irish abattoirs for the export of their carcases to British ports?

Societies for the carrying on of an export meat trade with Great Britain have been formed at Drogheda, Wexford, and Athy. The trade has been in progress for some time at Wexford and Drogheda. The erection of an abattoir at Athy is about to be commenced, and one has already been erected at Mullingar. The intention to promote a co-operative company to conduct an export meat trade on a large scale at Dublin has been announced. The erection of abattoirs for the purpose at Cork and Waterford is at present being considered by local authorities and others interested in the trade. The Department aid the promoters of such undertakings in approved cases by providing them with technical instruction, and in some instances with loans towards part of the cost of erecting an abattoir. The number of cattle and sheep now being slaughtered in Irish abattoirs for export to Great Britain cannot be stated.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much these loans are which have been granted?

No. I will inquire from the Department.

In the case of Wexford is the loan nothing at all?

I think that is quite likely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any report was made or inquiry held into the case of Guy Carrs, a seaman who was lost overboard from the steamship "Nicoya," on her voyage home from the West Indies in October or November, 1912?

An inquiry into the death of Guy Caws, apprentice on board the steamship "Nicoya," of Glasgow, was held under the provisions of Section 690 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, by the deputy-superintendent in charge of the Mercantile Marine Office at Garston, Liverpool, on the arrival of the vessel. It appeared from the evidence taken that Caws accidentally fell overboard at sea and was drowned on 4th November, 1912. All possible efforts seem to have been made to rescue him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from the Labour Exchanges Advisory Board drawing attention to the inadequate accommodation provided for the working people using the Metropolitan Exchanges; whether such communication has yet been considered; and, if so, with what result?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The whole question of Labour Exchange accommodation is receiving the careful consideration of the Board of Trade in the light of the experience obtained of the working of Part II. of the National Insurance Act.

asked if any estimates have been formed by his Department of the number of persons employed in the building trade who were thrown out of work owing to the cessation of building which followed on the Budget of 1909, and the uncertainty which has hung over the building trade since that time?

No such estimate has been made. According to the trade union returns furnished to us, the proportion of building operatives out of work shows a continuous diminution since 1909.

Cannot the Board of Trade take any note or make any inquiry for the purpose of getting accurate statistics as to the number of persons unemployed in that trade?

So far as the general case is concerned we do, but we have no particulars as to unemployment in this particular case.

Is that not because the workmen are emigrating in large part?

No, I think not.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Commissioners under the National Insurance Act have declared that they are unable to give any credit for the value of stamps placed upon cards which have been lost; and whether, as the employer could certify and verify from his books the number and value of the stamps contained on such lost card, he will have this matter reconsidered by the Commissioners so that full credit may be given for all moneys so paid?

The general question of allowing credit for stamps on lost as distinguished from destroyed cards is at present under consideration, and I am unable to make any statement on the subject. As my hon. Friend no doubt appreciates, the difficulty in acting upon such evidence as he indicates, in the absence of the stamped card, arises from the risk that the card may be used improperly by another contributor to support a claim on the National Health Insurance Fund.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, adverting to the circular from the National Health Commission (Ireland) on the initiation of insurance committees in July, 1912, stating that a Treasury Grant of £100 for each committee was available for special initial expenses, whether he is aware that the Kilkenny County Insurance Committee, as requested in the said circular, made arrangements of a temporary character only for the first six months, and a further request of the Commission has further deferred making any permanent arrangements as to staff officers, etc., up to the present; whether he is aware that the said committee, on becoming aware that the said Grant was available during six months only, made representations to the said Commission at various times from October, 1912, pointing out the reasonableness of having it available, whenever permanent initiatory arrangements are being made for expenses of a non-recurring character under such arrangements, and that the operativeness of the Grant has been further limited by a circular from the Commission just previous to the end of the half-year on 12th January, 1913, precluding any expenditure incurred during the said half-year being brought into account unless payment actually made before the close of the half-year, in consequence of which an article of office furniture ordered with the express sanction of the Commission, but undelivered at the said date, cannot be brought into account for the purpose of the said Grant; and, seeing that an apparent further limitation has been effected by an Order making the greater proportion of administration expenses, on the amount of which the amount payable under the Grant depended, attributable to sanatorium benefit, and in view of the repeated expressions of inability on the part of the said Commission to so do, will he take the necessary steps to make the Grant available for office furniture and equipment and other reasonable non-recurring expenses, whenever permanent office, etc., arrangements are being made?

The Grant referred to was voted for the initial expenses of the insurance committees during the first six months of the Act's operation. It was clearly explained to insurance committees that the Grant was a single one towards the special expenses incurred in bringing the Act into operation, and that after the first half year it would be necessary for them to keep their expenditure within the statutory income. I am, however, prepared to consider how difficulties in connection with any outstanding liabilities incurred during the first six months can best be met.

Shall we have notice of this new Estimate which is going to be passed?

Which new Estimate?

The right hon. Gentleman said he would consider any proposal to grant further expenses. Shall we have notice when such intention has developed?

Certainly, but I think that this proposal can be met without a new Estimate or any fresh expenditure of public money.

Out of what money?

Out of the administrative expenses fund.

How are these provided for?

They are provided for already so far as the public part of the contribution is concerned by the Estimate which has been already presented.

Surely when an Estimate on this subject is submitted it ought merely to take into account such sum as is then required. An Estimate for this new demand has not been submitted.

There has been money voted for expenses in connection with the administrative work of the National Insurance Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has become aware of the increased values of medical practices owing to the National Insurance Act; and whether, with a view of securing to the State some part of an increased value which the State has conferred, he will consider the propriety of imposing in his forthcoming Budget an Increment Duty on transferred medical practices?

I am well aware that medical practices have increased in value owing to the National Insurance Act, but I am unable to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

Why not treat all parties alike? Why treat your enemies, or those why say they are enemies, with greater generosity than other people?

asked on what principle the Chancellor of the Exchequer proceeded, in the appointment of the Treasury Committee on Medical Benefit in Ireland, in excluding from the Committee all the seventy Nationalist representatives of the provinces of Munster, Leinster, and Connaught, while admitting the Nationalist representatives from Ulster, who are the presidents of the Board of Erin Order of Hibernians and Irish National Foresters, respectively, and appointing also on the Committee three of the Irish Insurance Commissioners, who have a direct financial interest in the extension of the medical benefit; and whether there is any intention of giving effect by legislation this Session to any report proceeding from such a Committee?

In appointing the Committee the Government proceeded according to precedent by consulting the representatives of the majority of the Irish people. I would also point out that only two of the Irish Insurance Commissioners are members of the Committee. I am unable to make any statement with reference to the last part of the hon. Member's question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us on what Vote we can discuss his not very candid reply?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "not very candid reply." I have given a straightforward answer, with the actual facts, whether it be satisfactory or unsatisfactory. I cannot say offhand precisely on which Vote the discussion can be raised, but I should think the Insurance Vote.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Committee is now engaged in issuing an ad interim report, and has he any knowledge of that report, or why the Committee is proceeding to do that until we have the report of all the evidence?

I have absolutely no control over their report. I received no ad interim report, and have not discussed it with them at all.

Can we have an undertaking that the Government will not proceed to act upon an ad interim report until we have got a full and adequate report and the entire evidence, and have had an opportunity of discussing it?

I think the hon. Member had better give notice of that. I have received no report.

I thought your hands this Session were full already without attempting any more.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a large number of members of friendly societies who are included in the terms of Section 15 (2) (e) of the National Insurance Act are suffering hardship either by being without medical treatment or only obtaining it at an enhanced cost; whether these circumstances have been brought about by reason of the allowance to doctors under the Act having been increased beyond the 6s. assumed by the actuaries; and whether, as he has granted 2s. 6d. a year to such old members as are insured persons for the period between ages sixty-five and seventy, he is prepared to propose any plan which will enable their societies to restore to these members the position they have lost in respect to medical benefit solely owing to the changes produced by the National Insurance Act, from the benefits of which they are shut out by their infirmities?

I am afraid I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I have already given to similar questions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the question of the cutting of hedges at cross roads and dangerous corners has been considered by the Road Board in connection with their schemes for road widenings and improvements of curves and corners; and whether, considering that so long ago as the 15th August, 1911, it was stated by his predecessor in office that hedge cutting at cross roads was one of the greatest reforms that ought to be carried out, the Road Board will now take action in the matter?

The question of the cutting of hedges at cross roads and dangerous corners has been considered by the Road Board, and the Board use the opportunities afforded by frequent conferences with representatives of highway authorities to direct attention to this matter. The Board also, so far as they can do so with due regard to other requirements, consider favourably applications for Grants towards the cost of clearing the view at corners but, except in cases where the special circumstances render it desirable to do so, they do not encourage the rounding of corners as, in their opinion, this frequently encourages increased speed at corners without securing greater safety for the public.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the deficit in the Capitation Grant due to Wexford county for the maintenance of lunatics in the county asylum is £715; can he say if the Treasury has refused to pay the original amount; and, if so, why and what does he propose to do in the matter?

The deficit is as stated in the question. With regard to the latter part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to a somewhat similar question asked by the bon. Member for Limerick.

asked whether the Departmental Committee considering the questions of overtime, Sunday pay, and allowances for the water-guard department, His Majesty's Customs and Excise, arising out of Report (Cd. 6290), issued July, 1912, has yet reported; and, if not, can he state when the Report is likely to be completed and published?

The new regulations as to overtime and Sunday pay for the waterguard staff are now under consideration. The date of their issue cannot yet be stated.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the official list of schools, as on 12th July, 1912, published by his Department shows that in Birmingham there are seventy-four school departments, thirty-seven of which are in council schools, in which the average attendance is in excess of the recognised accommodation, and that over 26 per cent. of the scholars in Birmingham are in overcrowded schools; whether he has asked for or received any explanation from the Birmingham education authority as to why this state of affairs has been allowed to arise; and what steps are being taken to remedy it?

The reassessment of public elementary school accommodation on the ten and nine square feet basis caused special difficulty in Birmingham. The Board have been in constant correspondence with the authority, and have now before them proposals involving the provision of about 6,000 additional school places.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the latest published figures show that in Warrington over 36 per cent. of the scholars are in overcrowded schools, and that the average attendance exceeds the accommodation, especially in all departments of Christ Church, Hamilton Street, Ladies' School of Industry, St. Barnabas Church of England schools, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic school; whether these schools have been warned; and whether any steps have been taken to provide further accommodation in the borough?

The figures relate to school years ending in and before July, 1911. In August, 1912, a new council school for 1,260 scholars was opened, and another for 420 scholars will be opened almost immediately. In addition, the Board have before them proposals which will add 4,000 places to the public elementary school accommodation in Warrington. The five schools referred to in the question will all be either replaced or relieved by these proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the overcrowded state of many public elementary schools and the present prevalence of epidemic diseases among scholars, resulting in the closing of schools and inconvenience and anxiety to parents; whether he has made inquiries to ascertain whether epidemic diseases are more frequent and severe in the overcrowded schools than those suitably occupied; and, if not, whether inquiries will be made into this matter?

I am afraid I cannot accept statements in such general terms as those contained in the first part of the question. The Board make continual inquiries into cases of epidemic disease, and in such inquiries naturally pay special attention to the nature of the accommodation in the schools concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information which will connect the frequency of epidemics and their seriousness with overcrowded schools?

I have no Returns on the subject, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me any information which he has, and I will inquire into it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the official list of schools, as on 12th July, 1912, published by his Department shows that in Manchester there are twenty-five school departments in Church of England schools and thirteen school departments in Roman Catholic schools in which the average attendance is in excess of the recognised accommodation, and that over 20 per cent. of the scholars in Manchester are in overcrowded schools; whether he has drawn the attention of the Manchester local education authority to the need for more school places; and what steps are being taken to provide them?

The figures referred to relate to school years ending not later than July, 1911. In the school years ending during the calendar year 1912 there were in Manchester fourteen departments in which the number of scholars in average attendance exceeded the accommodation by more than five. The Board have been in communication with the authority as to the necessity of preventing overcrowding, and in the majority of the departments referred to the overcrowding has now actually ceased, or proposals have been submitted to the Board with a view to providing sufficient accommodation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the investigation by the sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence on the question of the erection of grain elevators and silos similar to those now in use in Liverpool for the better storage of grain at the various ports in the United Kingdom has been completed; whether the erection of these silos has been approved of; and, if so, what measures he proposes to adopt to secure their erection in peace time before it becomes too late on the outbreak of war?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant the Return relating to Ministers of the Crown (Directorships), notice of which stands on to-day's Paper?

I do not think that my hon. Friend's Return ought to be granted, as the information which he seeks is obtainable without difficulty from other sources.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that although the information with reference to ministerial company directors is easily obtainable, I cannot for the life of me ascertain what contracts for Government Departments are being executed by companies which have ministerial directors? Will he make a compromise with me and give me a Return of the contracts which the Government had with the Royal Mail Company when Lord Selborne was one of the directors?

I should be very sorry to make any such promise. Neither do I think that for the life of me I could grant the Return.

asked the Prime Minister if he can give the names of the two Development Commissioners who are to act on the Committee of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society pending the nomination of the proposed eleven additional members?

The proposal is that Mr. Vaughan Nash, the Vice-Chairman of the Development Commission, Mr. A. D. Hall, a Commissioner, and Lord Basil Blackwood, an Assistant-Secretary to the Development Commission, shall be the three persons to be added to the governing body of the society.

Could the right hon Gentleman not promise to substitute some other Development Commissioner for Mr Vaughan Nash?

I do not know that any other Commissioner is more suitable.

asked the Prime Minister if it is proposed, in pursuance of the Final Report of the Departmental Committee on Tuberculosis, to establish art advisory body to deal with research work in connection with this disease; and whether, seeing that such body will be largely concerned with bovine tuberculosis, he will include in its personnel representatives of stock owners in addition to scientists and Departmental officials?

When the question of constituting such a body as is referred to has to be taken up, the claims of all interests deserving representation will be carefully considered.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he has yet referred the case of Professor Cowl, of the University of Bristol, to the Advisory Committee of the Board of Education; if so, with what result; (2) whether he has received complaints on behalf of or in reference to several professors and lecturers in the University of Bristol to the effect that they are constantly being made the victims of unfair and frivolous charges, which are investigated in secret by the various boards or committees of the university without giving the parties concerned any opportunity of being present or refuting the charges; and (3) whether, in view of the published complaints of general mismanagement in the University of Bristol, and, in particular, of the unfair treatment of certain of the professors and lecturers, he is prepared to appoint a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry or to recommend His Majesty to exercise his powers under the charter of the university of appointing a visitation?

I must refer to the answers I have already given on this subject in reply to questions by the hon. Members for Hoxton and Bury St. Edmunds on the 19th and 20th of last month.

Is it a fact that this gentleman has been removed from his professorship without any complaint whatever being formulated against him, or his getting any opportunity of appealing?

I understand that when the college at Bristol became a university all his appointments as professor ceased, and he was not re-engaged, in the interests of the public.

Was his re-engagement recommended by the senate of the university, and did the council deliberately ignore, without giving any reasons, the recommendation of the senate?

There was, no doubt, a difference of opinion between the senate and the council in regard to his appointment.

I shall renew the question.

Would it not be in the interests of other universities in the Kingdom, whose prestige has been seriously injured by the maladministration of Bristol University, that the case should be inquired into before further public grants are made?

Has the right hon. Gentleman the slightest reason to suppose that the University of Bristol would place any barrier in the way of his getting full information on all these questions which have been so largely submitted to the House by graduates of Trinity College?

I am sure that the University of Bristol would welcome such an inquiry, but it is certainly not one of my functions to hold an inquiry of the kind.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take the suggestion to recommend His Majesty to exercise his powers to appoint a visitation?

It is a matter for Lord Morley rather than for myself to determine.

But he is not here.

asked how much money has been paid by the Board of Education during each of the last fifteen years on account of agricultural education in each county in England and Wales?

The hon. Member will find some information for the year 1907–8 in White Paper, Cd. 4569, of 1909. I can give him figures for the years 1910–11 and 1911–12, but I can hardly think that the labour involved in taking out the information asked for in regard to other years for which figures might be procurable would be justified by their value to the public, and I hope the information I am at present able to give the hon. Member may be regarded as sufficient for his purpose.

asked how much money has been expended on agricultural education during each of the last fifteen years by each county in England and Wales, and how much has been paid by the Board of Agriculture during the same period on account of agricultural education in the respective counties?

I regret that I am unable to comply fully with the hon. Member's request. The expenditure of county councils on agricultural education in each year from 1899 to 1908 is approximately stated in a table on pages xviii.-xix. of the Board's Annual Report for the year 1907–8 on the Distribution of Grants (Cd. 4802), and the detailed figures for the year 1910–11 are given in the Report for the year 1911–12 (Cd. 6601). I shall be pleased to send a copy of these two Reports to the hon. Member. The Grants paid by the Board before 1912 were in aid of the work done at or in connection with agricultural colleges and similar institutions, and no specific Grants were made on account of agricultural education in the respective counties.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the outbreak of small-pox at Kirkcaldy at the latter end of last year and to the position of the small-pox hospital, which is alleged to be a danger to railway servants at their work; and what he proposes to do in the matter?

The Local Government Board for Scotland are of opinion that this small-pox hospital may be a possible source of infection, and are communicating with the local authorities with a view to other arrangements being made for the reception of small-pox patients.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when he intends to introduce the Scottish Mental Deficiency Bill; and whether it will be printed before the Second Reading of the English Bill so that there may be an opportunity of considering whether the two Bills are in any respect interdependent?

I am sorry I cannot fix a date or say more than that I will print and introduce the Bill as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentlemen say whether this Bill will add more to the financial burden of the local authorities than the amount of the Grant to be given by the Treasury to the local authorities?

Of course it deals with a matter which must cast some burden on the local authorities, but undoubtedly they will get a Grant from the Treasury.

Will the Bill be printed before the Second Reading of the English Bill?

I cannot promise that. The two Bills are similar in their main objects, but there are differences owing to the different circumstances of the local authorities of the country.

Are not there some Clauses the same in both Bills?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received representations regarding the case of G. F. Chapman, the journeyman printer, upon whom an assault was committed by three constables, each of whom have since been sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment; whether such representations have been considered; and, if so, will he state the result?

Representations have been received and considered, and the Commissioner of Police reports that suitable compensation has been given to Mr. Chapman.