asked the Secretary to the Treasury, if he can state whether test cases with regard to the liability of certain classes of share fishermen in Scotland to pay contributions under the National Insurance Act will be submitted to the Court of Session from the various fishery districts along the Scottish coast?

The Commissioners are taking steps to obtain the decision of the Court of Session as to whether particular classes of share fishermen are employed within the meaning of the Act, and are communicating with all the persons who have submitted questions on the subject for decision under Section 66 of the Act.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as First Lord of the Treasury, he was consulted with regard to the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the question of the extension of medical benefits to Ireland; will he state what precedent exists for the appointment of a Treasury Committee to examine witnesses in various towns in Ireland; when did any previous Treasury Committees hold public sittings in Ireland; to what official is the report of such Committee addressed; who decided on the personnel of the Committee, its number, and the terms of reference; has any Irish Member of Parliament previously sat on a Treasury Committee which has taken evidence in Ireland; has any Member of Parliament previously held any public inquiry in Ireland into the working of any Statute or as to proposed legislation except with the authority of Parliament, or of a Royal or Vice-Regal Commission, and, if so, when; was this Committee suggested by the Lord Lieutenant or by the Chief Secretary for Ireland; if not, at whose suggestion was it created; do any minutes or correspondence exist as to its appointment; if so, will they be laid before the House; what other British Departments of State enjoy authority to appoint similar Committees to take evidence in Ireland; what is the distinction in practice or procedure between a Royal or Vice-Regal Commission and such Committee; why was not a Commission resorted to; what officer of State was applied to to secure that the necessary expenses of the Committee and of witnesses would be borne by the Government; by what Minister owning Parliamentary responsibility was the application to sanction the proposed outlay made, and was the application in writing; and can he give the reference to any Estimate in former years in which the expenses of Members of Parliament and of witnesses at a similar Treasury inquiry in Ireland have been voted?

The Committee was appointed by the Board of Treasury, of which I am a member. Sanction to the payment of its expenses from public funds was given by that Board, on the recommendation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Committee will report to the Board. In all these points the procedure follows that adopted in the analogous case of the Committee under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness-shire, which inquired recently into the provision of medical attendance in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. As an Irish precedent, I may quote the Treasury Committee on the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Metropolitan School of Art, the expenses of which were defrayed from the Vote for Temporary Commissions in 1905–6 and 1906–7, and on which an Irish Member of Parliament served. There can, to my mind, be no question that Departments of State are competent to make in any part of the United Kingdom any inquiries that may be necessary in order to discharge on behalf of the Government the duties incumbent upon them. The procedure adopted by Committees and Commissions is substantially identical. The answer to the eleventh and eighteenth parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the twelfth in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what will be the total amounts contributed by the State and by the employers, respectively, under the National Insurance Act, 1911, during the whole of 1913?

The employers' share of the contributions under Part I. of the National Insurance Act for the financial year 1913–14 is estimated at £8,300,000. The total amount included in the Estimates for 1913–14 in respect of charges falling on the Exchequer in connection with health insurance is, as I ex- plained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Colchester on the 26th ultimo, £6,739,509. This last figure includes £306,050 in respect of State Grants towards expenditure incurred in the previous financial period and £855,659 in respect of central administration, leaving £5,577,800 as the State proportion of benefits and expenses of administration and State weekly contributions in respect of the year 1913–14.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount estimated for in the Estimates, 1913–14, in respect of contributions payable out of moneys provided by Parliament in respect of low-waged contributors from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; and how have such amounts been arrived at?

The amounts estimated to be required from moneys provided by Parliament in respect of the contributions under the National Insurance Act, 1911, of low-waged contributors are as follows:—

England	…	…	£120,000
Wales	…	…	8,000
Scotland	…	…	20,000
Ireland	…	…	27,000

The total of these amounts (£175,000) is that shown in Table XIV. of Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt's final report on the finances of the Bill (Cd. 5983), and in distributing this amount regard has been had to the probable variations between the proportions of low-waged contributors in the four countries.

asked what is the total amount of the expenditure of approved societies and insurance committees for benefits and administration on which the Grants in aid of benefits and costs of administration for the year 1913–14 are based?

The amounts estimated to be expended by approved societies and insurance committees in benefits and cost of administration respectively during the year 1913–14 are, for benefits £12,010,300, for cost of administration £2,529,600. The latter sum represents the aggregate of the maximum amounts allowed to be carried by societies to their administration account. Any sums saved within these maximum amounts will ultimately be available after valuation for additional benefits. The figures do not include the special Grants of £1,877,000 towards the cost of medical attendance and treatment and towards the expense of administration in connection therewith.

asked how many male and female persons, respectively, are assumed to be insured during the year 1913–14 for the purpose of the estimated Grant in aid of administration expenses for that year, and how much per person has been allowed for the purpose of the estimate?

The estimated numbers of persons insured under Part I. of the National Insurance Act, 1911, in the year 1913–14 are: Men, 9,927,000; and women, 4,082,000. The sums provided by the regulations for expenses of administration are 3s. 8d. per member for ordinary members of approved societies, 2s. 8d. for married women contributing under the special provisions of Section 44 of the Act, and 1s. 9d. for deposit contributors. The amounts included in the Estimates for the State Grants are two-ninths of these amounts in respect of men, and one-fourth in respect of women. In addition to the Grants above mentioned, a Special Grant of 1½d. per insured person is included in the Estimate for National Insurance (Special Grants) in aid of the costs of administration of medical benefit to be incurred by insurance committees. As explained in an answer given to the hon. Member on the 31st March, the Estimate for the financial year 1913–14 also includes a sum of £306,050 in respect of State Grants towards expenses of administration incurred in the previous financial period which could not, owing to non-completion of the audit, be paid out of the Vote for 1912–13.

asked what are the amounts of the estimated Grants in aid of sickness and maternity benefits, respectively, for England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland for the year 1913–14; upon what basis have such estimates been arrived at; how many days' average sickness has been allowed for; and how has the amount required for maternity benefit been calculated?

The estimated Grants in aid of sickness and maternity benefits respectively under Part I. of the National Insurance Act during the year 1913–14 are shown by the following table:—

		Sickness Benefit.		Maternity Benefit.
		£		£
England	…	1,020,400	…	221,000
Wales	…	69,900	…	17,000
Scotland	…	147,100	…	32,300
Ireland	…	76,900	…	15,700

Payments to employed married women in respect of confinements are in general included in sickness benefit, as provided by the Act. The remainder of the question raises matters of detailed actuarial calculation which cannot conveniently be discussed in answer to a Parliamentary question. These will be dealt with in detail in the Annual Report of the National Health Insurance Joint Committee, which I hope to lay on the Table at an early date. I may, however, say that the figures adopted as the basis of the estimate are substantially the same as those arrived at by Messrs. Hardy and Wyatt in the calculations upon which the finance of the insurance scheme was based.

asked what was the number of estates passing on death of the value of £100,000 and upwards during each of the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, together with the aggregate amount of such estates in each year?

The particulars for 1910–11 and 1911–12 are as under:—

Estates of the value of £100,000 and upwards.
Year.	Number.	Aggregate Amount.
1910–11	282	£85,881,014
1911–12	315	£87,759,421

The particulars for 1912–13 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will furnish a statement of the Grants of money made to Scotland by the Road Board similar to the statements made on 6th March to the Irish counties and on 28th March to Wales and Monmouthshire?

The aggregate amount of the advances by way of Grant and loan indicated by the Road Board to highway authorities in Scotland in the counties named below up to 31st March, 1913, was £222,269. Grants amounting to £148,696 have been formally made, and Grants amounting to £51,750 have been indicated, of which the details either have to be supplied or are under consideration and discussion. Loans amounting in the aggregate to £21,823 have been indicated, of which loans amounting to £8,473 have been formally accepted.

Authorities in the undermentioned Counties.			Total Grants made and indicated.	Grants formally made.	Balance as to which particulars are wanting or are under consideration.	Loans indicated.	Loans formally accepted.
			£	£	£	£	£
Aberdeen	…	…	13,414	8,780	4,643	750	—
Argyll	…	…	12,765	9,907	2,858	4,800	1,400
Ayr	…	…	11,250	10,741	509	—	—
Banff	…	…	3,106	3,106	—	300	—
Berwick	…	…	3,300	3,300	—	—	—
Bute	…	…	500	—	500	500	—
Caithness	…	…	3,800	2,120	1,680	2,000	—
Clackmannan	…	…	2,250	—	2,250	—	—
Dumbarton	…	…	5,000	4,658	342	1,100	1,100
Dumfries	…	…	11,211	10,902	309	—	—
Edinburgh	…	…	15,747	10,747	5,000	—	—
Fife	…	…	11,003	5,988	5,015	120	—
Forfar	…	…	3,834	3,834	—	—	—
Haddington	…	…	3,800	2,844	956	1,700	—
Inverness	…	…	16,703	12,263	4,440	6,370	4,690
Kincardine	…	…	2,020	200	1,820	—	—
Kinross	…	…	121	121	—	—	—
Kirkcudbright	…	…	2,927	2,879	48	—	—
Lanark	…	…	16,973	16,973	—	—	—
Linlithgow	…	…	3,600	1,750	1,850	583	583
Nairn	…	…	1,320	22	1,298	—	—
Orkney	…	…	400	—	400	—	—
Peebles	…	…	2,259	2,259	—	600	—
Perth	…	…	17,900	14,655	3,245	—	—
Renfrew	…	…	6,227	4,650	1,577	—	—
Ross and Cromarty	…	…	4,950	3,681	1,269	1,700	—
Roxburgh	…	…	3,000	—	3,000	—	—
Selkirk	…	…	750	400	350	—	—
Stirling	…	…	11,614	7,214	4,400	—	—
Sutherland	…	…	7,400	4,000	3,400	1,300	700
Wigtown	…	…	1,302	702	600	—	—
Totals	…	…	200,446	148,696	51,750	21,823	8,473

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Departmental Committee appointed to formulate a scheme of pensions for English and Welsh secondary and technical teachers has yet reported to the Treasury; and, if so, when will the details of the scheme be available?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to answer this question. The Departmental Committee appointed by me last year in connection with the matters referred to in the question has not yet reported.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Youghal Rural District Council have recently formulated an improvement scheme under the Labourers Acts, and demanded a local inquiry into the representations oflabourers whose claims they have approved; will he say how many cottages it is proposed to build; and whether the Local Government Board intend to comply with the request of the district council and so enable them to provide decent dwellings for the labourers whose present abodes have been condemned as unfit for human habitation?

A new scheme for fifty-four cottages was received by the Local Government Board on the 8th February, 1912, from the council of the Youghal No. 1 Rural District. Only ten of the fifty-four cottages are proposed to replace existing dwellings alleged to be unfit for human habitation. The Board, for the reasons repeatedly given in answer to similar questions, which reasons have already been explained to the council, are unable at present to proceed with the scheme.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total amount of deductions from the annual Grants due to local authorities in the whole of Ireland in each of the last six years, including the present year, and the total for the six years?

The following statement shows the total amount of deductions from Grants payable to local authorities in Ireland from the Local Taxation Account in each of the last six financial years:—

Year.			Amount.
			£	s.	d.
1907–8	…	…	48,006	8	10
1908–9	…	…	102,073	19	10
1909–10	…	…	53,315	18	5
1910–11	…	…	99,976	2	0
1911–12	…	…	83,885	14	2
1912–13	…	…	107,507	8	3
			£494,765	11	6

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the statement that the teachers' representatives will refuse to give evidence in camera before the proposed Commission, and as this is an inquiry into a public matter of importance, he will arrange that the proceedings shall be open to Press and public?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked to-day by the hon. Member for West Kerry.

asked when the estate of Bray and others, of Tankardstown, Kilmallock, county Limerick, will be vested in the tenants; when the agreements were lodged; and what is the cause of delay in not having the sale completed?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The purchase agreements were lodged in October, 1907. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales and will be dealt with in order of priority, but having regard to the claims of other estates, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.

asked what progress is being made by the Congested Districts Board with the settlement of the Taffe estate, Milltown, county Galway, bought by the Board some time ago; and whether the non-residential farms held by Mr. Blake and Mr. Mannion on the estate are to be divided up among the tenants?

The Congested Districts Board are in negotiaion for the acquisition of the non-residential holdings on the estate referred to, and when they have obtained possession of these holdings, and the estate is vested in the Board, the resale of the property will be proceeded with.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the St. Ledger Higgins estate, Maam West, and the Higgins M'Carthy estate; Townalean, Connemara, have been inspected by the Congested Districts Board with a view to purchase; and, if so, will he state when those estates are likely to be purchased, the landlords in both cases being anxious to sell and the tenants to acquire them through the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board have made an offer for the purchase of the St. Ledger Higgins Estate which has not yet been accepted. With regard to the other estates referred to, the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to be made have been lodged with the Board, and the property will be inspected and a decision arrived at regarding purchase as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board are aware that there are nine occupiers of uneconomic holdings adjoining Castlepark grazing ranch upon the Hynes estate, near Ballinasloe, in the county Roscommon, now in the possession of the Congested Districts Board; and whether the Board will consider the advisability of immediately dividing this ranch among these occupiers, or placing the grazing of same at their disposal?

The estate referred to has not yet been vested in the Congested Districts Board, and until it is vested they are not in a position to take any steps to divide the untenanted lands. Instructions have been given to provide grazing for small landholders on untenanted lands on estates acquired by the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the conduct of Mr. Byrne, inspector to the Estates Commissioners, in dealing with untenanted lands in Queen's County and at Borrisokane, county Tipperary, who has caused dissatisfaction by his treatment of applicants for allotments; and whether the Commissioners will have him removed from his present district and another inspector substituted?

The Estates Commissioners are not aware that there is any foundation for the allegation in the first part of the question. The reply to the second paragraph is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary if special promotion is still being given by the Commissioners of National Education to national school teachers; and, if so, on what conditions; and if assistant teachers can now be appointed and receive full salary in national schools having an average daily attendance of over forty and less than fifty pupils?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that teachers are being specially promoted, but not to the first grade in the case of men. Teachers of exceptional merit and length of service are specially promoted when the circumstances seem to the Commissioners to warrant it. Each claim for special promotion is considered on its merits, the size of the school and the length of the teacher's service being taken into account. A high standard of efficiency is required in all such cases. No new appointment of an assistant teacher in a school can be sanctioned by the Commissioners where the average attendance is only forty; but in a school in which there is an assistant already recognised, the Grant is not withdrawn so long as the average attendance reaches forty.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state if arrangements have been made by which in future national school teachers can be paid their salaries monthly instead of quarterly, as is the case in every other branch of the public service?

No, Sir. I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is possible for the Territorial Associations to give any guarantee for the expenditure estimated to be necessary for a battalion of the National Reserve to fire twenty-six rounds of ammunition per man on approved ranges; and, if not, whether any steps will be taken to enable some rifle practice to be carried out if rifles are provided and proper rules approved by the Territorial Associations?

The National Reserve Regulations authorise associations to expend their Grants on ammunition for musketry practices and on travelling expenses to ranges, and a proportion of rifles are loaned to associations for musketry purposes. I am afraid I am not in a position to give any information regarding the first part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the output of coal for the United Kingdom will be made known for 1912; and if he is aware that the output of coal for the United States of America are already published?

The advance tables of output and persons employed are on the point of being issued. So far as I am aware, the official American statistics or output for 1912 have not yet been published.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Committee which is considering the question of State loans to fishermen has completed taking evidence on that question; whether this part of the report is now in print; and, if so, whether it can be issued at once?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for the Wick Burghs on Tuesday. The manner of issuing the report is one for the Commitee to decide.

asked the Prime Minister the number of days during the sittings of the High Courts of Justice on which judges of the High Court have been engaged on Royal Commissions or Government inquiries since the increase in the number of judges was made by the present Government; and if he can state any reason, other than their duties in connection with these inquiries, which prevented them discharging their judicial duties on these days?

I regret that, owing to the law vacation, I have not yet been able to obtain the information which the hon. Member desires, but if he will repeat his question on Tuesday next I hope to be in a position to reply to it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination, amounting to about 276,000 in 1912, led to any exceptional prevalence of small-pox in the population of England and Wales in general and amongst the exempted children in particular; and whether he will consider if the time has now arrived when children may be allowed to remain unvaccinated without their parents going through the formality of declaring their conscientious objection to vaccination?

There has been no exceptional prevalence of small-pox in England and Wales in 1912 and this year. I cannot undertake to introduce legislation to effect what is suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the number of persons returned as dying of starvation in each of the years 1910, 1911, and 1912?

I will send my hon. Friend copies of the Returns for 1910 and 1911 of deaths from starvation or accelerated by privation, in England and Wales, in which he will find the particulars he desires. The Returns for 1912 have not yet been received.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in order to distinguish more precisely the various alterations and additions in the Milk and Dairies Bill of 1913 as compared with the Milk and Dairies Bill of 1912, he will cause copies of the Bill recently introduced to be printed with such alterations and additions underlined or otherwise clearly indicated?

I scarcely think it is necessary to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. The alterations can be noted without very much difficulty by anyone who compares the two Bills.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state, for each year since 1898, the extent to which men were paid off and telephone works were suspended owing to the Post Office not having money available during the year for that purpose?

The cost of telephone construction works is met out of capital sums provided under the Telegraph Money Acts and the progress of such works is not dependent on the amount of Annual Votes. Owing to some uncertainty as to the dates at which the Money Bills of 1903 and 1907 would be passed telephone construction was some-what restricted for a short period in each of those years, but the effect was not serious as regards either the service or the staff. It is impracticable now to distinguish any discharges due to this or to other causes. I do not anticipate any further difficulties of the same kind. The recent temporary suspension of the acceptance of agreements for rural party lines pending an additional Grant by the Treasury has not led to any cessation of work or discharge of staff.