asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information to the effect that Mahomedans who, relying on promises of protection for their persons and property and freedom for the exercise of their religion, have returned to their homes in Macedonia have suffered ill-treatment and death, violation of their women, forcible conversion to Christianity, and other outrages; and whether representations will be made to the Allies on behalf of these ex-Turkish subjects?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the complaints of those Moslem inhabitants of Eastern Macedonia who, relying on Bulgarian assurances, returned to their villages, are being subjected to persecution by Bulgarian Comitadjs, who are alleged to violate young girls and murder those who refused to adopt the Christian religion; and whether he will take steps to induce the Bulgarian Government to enforce guarantees for the protection of minorities throughout the conquered territories?

All that I can do is to bring any reports that reach me before the Bulgarian Government, in order that steps may be taken to prevent abuses and to punish the authors of them. This has been done, and will be done by His Majesty's Government as readily in the case of Moslems as of Christians.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the impression prevails that Great Britain sympathises with the Allies and not with their victims, and that has produced a very unfortunae effect in India?

It is very undesirable there should be an impression that we are less ready to take up cases of abuse of which Moslems are the victims than of Christians. It is a question not of creed but of humanity. I have expressly said we have been as ready in the ease of Moslems as of Christians.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will answer the last part of my question as to guarantees—whether he is going to take the same steps to obtain guarantees in Macedonia as he has already promised to take in Albania?

The question with regard to a limited portion of the frontier of Albania is a question of international steps to be taken. We cannot possibly take steps to establish a Protectorate over Macedonia.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not promise guarantees for Moslem inhabitants on the same basis as in Albania whore his statement referred to guarantees for the minority?

My statement with regard to Albania referred to a certain international agreement. There is no international agreement with regard to Macedonia.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea as to the truth of these statements?

I stated repeatedly it is very difficult when a state of war is going on to be quite sure as to who is responsible for what has occurred and as to what has occurred, but in all cases which have been brought to my notice of reports which seem to have foundation I have brought them to the attention of the Governments concerned for the reasons stated in my original answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the condemnation by the United States Government of the conditions sought to be imposed upon China by the sextuple finance monopolists, the willingness of financiers outside that ring to lend sufficient money on terms satisfactory to China, and the official recognition of the Chinese Republic by the United States Government, whether the British Government is now prepared to follow the example of the American; if not, whether China will be coerced to reject the proffered American loan; and whether official recognition of the Chinese Republic by this country is to be made conditional on her submission to the terms dictated by Russia and Japan and condemned by America?

With regard to the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of the recognition of the Chinese Republic, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 7th instant to the unstarred question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham. I am not aware that any independent American loan has been, or is likely to be, offered to China. The recognition of the Chinese Republic has nothing to do with the reorganisation loan, and is not dependent in any way upon the loan negotiations, nor are the conditions of the loan dictated by Russia and Japan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information as to the alleged imprisonment, without trial, and ill-treatment of political offenders in Portugal?

I have received some information. The question is one which concerns the internal administration of Portugal, and beyond stating that abuses must have a very unfavourable effect upon public opinion and sympathies there is little that any other Government can do unless its own subjects are concerned.

asked whether the Report of United States Consul Eberhardt at Iquitos, made in December, 1907, to his Government at Washington, and referring to the conditions on the property of the Peruvian Amazon Company, formed the basis of communications between the United States Government and the Foreign Office; and, if so, when was the first communication made?

The answer is in the negative. The first communication between the two Governments with regard to the proceedings of the Peruvian Amazon Company took place between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States in October, 1909, and was based on questions asked in this House in September and October of that year. The questions referred to a Report on the subject from the United States Consul at Iquitos, and consequently His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington was instructed on 20th October, 1909, to ascertain whether such a Report had been furnished to the United States Government, and he replied on 28th October that the United States State Department had no Report on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the inspection made by a representative of the Estates Commissioners on the holding of Charles O'Connell, Foildrenagh, Mastergeehy, on the estate of Mr. D. C. O'Connell, he will now state whether the Congested Districts Board have to decided to arrange for the sale of the holding at the price fixed by the Estates Commissioners, or, if not, can he state on what basis the sale is to be completed?

The price placed by the Estates Commissioners upon Mr. Charles O'Connell's holding was £180, at which sum the Congested Districts Board will be prepared to sell the holding to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the extra amount per annum required to give full salaries to paper-promoted teachers in Ireland would be only £1,400; whether there is any rule of the Education Board which authorises the withholding from teachers of the salaries attaching to the grade to which they are promoted; and whether, seeing the treatment accorded to those teachers and the small amount required, he will request the Treasury to make the necessary Grant?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. As I stated in reply to his question of 28th March, it would require an annual sum of £1,400 to pay at the higher rates the 113 teachers who are at present awaiting vacancies in the higher grades. An indefinite increase, however, in the standard numbers of the various grades would entail an extra annual charge of many thousands of pounds. Rule 102 (c) of the Commissioners of National Education states that the number of teachers recognised in each grade or section of a grade is fixed from time to time by the Commissioners and the Treasury. The Irish Government in- formed the Commissioners in 1911 that they were prepared to recommend to the Treasury a limited expansion of the numbers fixed for the first grade on the understanding that no further promotions should be made save on the occurrence of vacancies, but the Commissioners declined that offer.

Is it not the fact that the Commissioners of Education have tried to do away with this rule, but the Treasury have refused their consent?

The Treasury are quite unable to do away with the rule altogether without adding very materially indeed to the annual charge.

Will not the Treasury allow the Commissioners of Education, who are responsible, to decide when teachers should get an increase of salary?

All that the Treasury insist upon is that there shall not be an indefinite increase, and that some modus vivendi should be established. We have made a proposal of that sort to the Commissioners, but they have declined to accept it. I am quite prepared to consider the question again, if there is any disposition on the part of the Commissioners to enter into the matter on a business footing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the Treasury to discharge their liabilities to the 113 teachers?

Certainly I would do so, but the Commissioners will not agree to the terms. I am most anxious to pay them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring some pressure to bear on the Treasury?

The Treasury are quite willing to pay the people who are now outstanding, but they will not agree to the abolition of this rule, and thereby make an indefinite increase possible.

Does not that mean that the Treasury can definitely debar the Commissioners from promoting teachers?

It is not a question of that sort; it is a question of the money.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Moriarty, now of High Field Grove, Cheshire, was declared an evicted tenant and entitled to a holding more than six years ago; and whether steps will be immediately taken to find a holding for her?

Mrs. Moriarty was informed by the Estates Commissioners in January, 1907, that her name would be considered in the allotment of untenanted land. After the passing of the Evicted Tenants Act the Commissioners published a notice in the "Dublin Gazette" that they proposed to acquire the farm on Lord Ventry's estate, county Kerry, from which her mother had been evicted in 1888, but they did not proceed further in the matter on being informed that the farm would be required for the purposes of the Congested Districts Board. The Commissioners have noted her application for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as they may acquire elsewhere, and her case will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. O'Brien, Castlemaine, county Kerry, was evicted from her holding some years ago, and that she and her ancestor held this land for over seventy years; will he say on what grounds she was excluded from the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act; and will steps be taken to find a holding for her elsewhere?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 27th March to which I have nothing to add.

Seeing that this lady and her ancestors were on this land for seventy years, on what ground is she not reinstated?

The estate to which she has ancestral claims is in the hands of a tenant purchaser.

Does not that account for her being an evicted tenant?

No. We cannot give her that particular holding.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give her some untenanted land where available?

That is just what I have said.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can explain the reason why Mrs. Bridget Swaine, who was evicted in 1890 out of a farm of 14 acres at a rent of £28 a year, on the estate of A. Fitzmaurice, Ballinakill, Queen's County, has not been provided with another holding, her late farm being in the possession of a planter; is he aware that her name was returned by Inspector Moyles, who investigated the case, on an approved list for the farm; that her case has the support of all the public bodies in the district; and can he explain the reason of the delay in providing this woman with a holding?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Mrs. Bridget Swaine for reinstatement in a holding on the estate of A. Fitzmaurice and another, Queen's County, formerly occupied by her husband, and now in the occupation of his nephew. The Commissioners decided not to take any action in regard to her application, and they see no reason to alter their decision in the matter.

asked what arrangements, if any, the Estates Commissioners are making, or intend making, for the reinstatement of the evicted tenants in Fermanagh county whose claims have not yet been finally dealt with?

Eighty-two county Fermanagh evicted tenants have been reinstated in their former holdings or provided with new holdings. There are now fourteen persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or representatives of evicted tenants in the county whose applications have been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Estates Commissioners and who have not yet been provided with holdings. Their applications will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked when the Estates Commissioners intend to deal with the claim of James M'Gourty, of Belcoo, county Fermanagh, to be reinstated in the farm on the Jones estate, in that county, from which he was evicted, or to be provided with a farm in lieu of it?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from this man for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the Jones estate, county Fermanagh, and now in the possession of another tenant. The Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action in regard to his application, and they see no reason to alter their decision in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late agent to the Jones estate, Mr. Duffin, empowered me to make a settlement with the evicted tenant on the agent's behalf? Can he say for what reason this man is not recognised as an evicted tenant?

I have said over and over again that I really cannot undertake to revise or even in all cases to make myself acquainted with the reason which lead the Commissioners in the discharge of their duty to come to a decision one way or the other. They have the duty cast upon them, and there is no appeal from their decision.

Is not the only reason for withholding the holding from this man suspicion with regard to an offence for which there is no foundation?

I hear that for the first time.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick Wren, Ballinascar, Minard, Dingle, county Kerry, has been refused an old age pension on the ground of means; and, seeing that he is entitled only to a sixth portion of a farm which feeds ten cows, on what basis does the pension officer estimate that the annual value of his portion would exceed £31 10s.?

Patrick Wren's claim was disallowed on the grounds that his means exceeded the statutory limit. He resides on a large and well-stocked farm of which he is joint tenant with his younger brother. The Local Government Board have had no evidence corroborating the statement in the question that Wren is entitled only to a sixth portion of the farm.

If the Local Government Board are informed that he only holds one-sixth, will they reconsider the matter?

Certainly, if that is so.

Do they consider a farm sufficient only for ten cows a large farm?

It is not a question of whether it is a large farm or not. It is a question of whether the means of a person who is entitled to a share of it exceed the statutory limit.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that both the pension officer and the local committee decided in July, 1912, that Jeremiah Shea, Rossmore Tahilla, near Sneem, was entitled to an old age pension, that after his wife's death it was ascertained that his means did not reach the statutory limit, and that no special local investigation has been made by the Local Government Board, he will state why this applicant has not been granted an old age pension?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his previous questions on this subject, to which have nothing to add.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pension officer in this case recommended the pension? Can he say on whose direction the pension was refused?

It was refused by the Local Government Board.

Had the Local Government Board a special investigation? Why did they not accept the decision of their own pension officer?

He is not their pension officer. The Local Government Board are bound to consider every case quite irrespective of the pension officer, or even of the committee. They are bound to consider it de novo.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who informed the Local Government Board, or what reason they had for acting in this way?

They heard the case on appeal, and they would be very neglectful of their duty if they did not consider the evidence one way and the other.

asked the Chief Secretary how many boys in the central model schools, Dublin, were on the Irish rolls on 31st March, 1912, and 31st March, 1913, respectively; is Irish taught inside school hours; how many members of the teaching staff give instruction in Irish; are the Commissioners of National Education satisfied that sufficient provision is made for the teaching of Irish in these schools; and, if not, will steps be taken to secure proper provision?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the number of boys on the rolls on 31st March, 1912, was ninety-nine, and on 31st March, 1913, was 102. Irish is not taught within school hours. One member of the staff gives instruction in Irish, and on the occurrence of a vacancy in the staff the propriety of appointing a second teacher qualified to give instruction in that language will be considerd by the Commissioners.

asked how many of the witnesses have now indicated their consent to the publication of their evidence before the Committee on Irish Finance?

Replies have been received from twenty-five out of the twenty-eight witnesses. Of these fourteen offer no objection to the publication of their evidence, eight, comprising the majority of the Irish official witnesses, object on principle to the publication of evidence given on the understanding that it would be treated as confidential, and three prefer on various grounds that their evidence should not be published. With regard to the Irish official witnesses, to whom assurance had been given of strict confidence, I feel bound to add that in my opinion they have good ground for complaint at the course which, under Parliamentary pressure, has been taken; for it is obvious that by refusing their consent to publication they expose themselves to party imputations and baseless conjectures as to the nature of their evidence. However, notwithstanding what has passed, I shall withhold from publication the evidence of those witnesses who object, and the rest will be published.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it will be fair to publish any portion whatever of this evidence unless there is a general publication of the whole?

The hon. Gentleman knows that, with an importunity worthy of a better cause, questions have been put not only to me, but to the Prime Minister and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the result that a promise has been given, which promise must be kept, that the evidence of those persons who do not object shall be published. Certain evidence, as I say, will not be published. I was only saying that I rather sympathise with those Civil servants who feel that by withholding their evidence from publication they are exposing themselves to the suggestion of having said something of a most alarming character, whereas if it were published it would be seen to be something quite different.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that that would be very much like a farce—"Hamlet" without the Prince—to publish these unofficial statements when the all-important statements of the officials are suppressed?

I am sorry to say that they are not all-important, and I am only sorry that the whole of the evidence will not be published, as I am perfectly certain I should hear no more about it. As a matter of fact a promise has been given, and I am not in a position to go back upon it. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I should be perfectly willing to allow him, or anybody, to see the evidence of the official persons: there is no mystery at all about it. The evidence that will be published will be submitted to Members of the House, and I hope that some of them will read it.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that if he makes the same statement to the official witnesses that he has just made to the House of his own feeling in this matter, that they will be very easily induced to forego their objections?

I do not know but what there is a good deal in what the hon. Gentleman says. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have put no pressure whatever upon any witness, either to give or to withhold his evidence; and I do not think that these official witnesses really mind a bit whether the evidence is published or not. But they feel—and I do not wonder at it—that they feel on behalf of the Civil Service, having given their evidence on the assurance that it should be treated as confidential, that it is asking rather too much that owing to a Parliamentary exigency it should be given.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say why the assurance was given?

There are eighty questions still awaiting answer.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is signified by the item, £150 for maintenance of plate, in the Civil Service Estimates, Vote 1, of the current year?

The item under Sub-head B, in Vote 7, refers to the maintenance of services of silver plate in the various Embassy houses. These are provided by the Office of Works as part of the official furniture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the schedule illustrating and explaining the assay marks adopted for use on British and imported plate and jewellery a plain equilateral triangle is substituted for the lion, crown, and anchor marks, which are reserved exclusively for British-made goods, and is placed upon all articles of plate and jewellery imported from abroad; whether he is aware that such differential marking differentiates clearly between British-made and foreign goods of this description, while at the same time not in any way indicating the origin or quality of the goods themselves; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation amending the Proof Act applicable to firearms, in order to make a similar and clear distinction between goods manufactured abroad and proof-marked in England and those manufactured in this country and also proof-marked in England?

The marks used by the various Assay Offices for foreign gold and silver plate are, of course, different from those applied to plate manufactured in this country. Each assay office uses a special mark, and the equilateral triangle referred to by the hon. Member is the special mark used in the case of imported plate by the Birmingham Assay Office. In addition to this special mark, imported plate is required to be marked with an indication of its quality as determined by assay. The matter raised in the last part of the question is now receiving my careful consideration, and I hope shortly to be able to announce a decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement as to the progress of the arrangements for coast watching?

Forty-three watch-huts have been erected or are in course of erection, and others will be erected as soon as the necessary sites have been acquired. Eventually there will be 114 of these huts. Many alterations and additions to the coast communication telephone service have been carried out with a view to the better summoning of assistance to vessels in distress. The Board of Trade are also establishing seventeen new rocket life apparatus stations, and improving the equipment of a number of other stations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inquiry held in Liverpool on the 4th instant into the stranding of the "Veronese," in which the chief officer, Mr. E. V. Hugo, was exonerated from all blame and praised for his ccurageous conduct in rescuing emigrant passengers, and where, nevertheless, the representative of the Board of Trade objected to the granting of art order for his costs against the Board of Trade; and whether he will take steps to see that in future, where the result of wreck inquiries is to exonerate any officer or officers from blame, their costs shall be borne by the Board of Trade, and they shall receive reasonable compensation for their loss of time and employment?

I have not yet received the Official Report of this inquiry, but I understand that the facts with regard to the chief officer of the "Veronese" are correctly stated in the question. It has not been the practice of the Board of Trade to agree to bear the costs incurred by parties to inquiries; but, if in any case it could be shown that the Board had without sufficient grounds made an officer a party, an application to the Court for the officer's costs would not be opposed. It is, however, the practice of the Board to pay subsistence allowance to a witness until he is no longer required by the Court of Inquiry, unless he is found in default, in which case such payments terminate at the commencement of the inquiry. In cases of exceptional hardship, the Board will consider the payment, as compensation, of subsistence allowances to a date beyond the termination of the inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of making a general rule that where officers are exonerated from all blame, and have already incurred considerable loss through attending the inquiry, their costs should be defrayed out of public money?

That is a much larger question than one affecting the Board of Trade only; but I will look into it.

asked how many inquiries into improvement schemes under the Labourers Acts have been held by inspectors of the Local Government Board since 31st December, 1912, the number of cottages involved, and the rural districts affected; whether there are over forty schemes of cottages at present waiting inquiry; and what are the intentions of the Local Government Board in respect of them?

Thirteen inquiries have been held since the 31st December, 1912, embracing 1,258 cottages and 109 allotments. In addition, five other inquiries have been ordered but not yet held, involving 363 cottages and fifty-four allotments. Eighteen rural districts in all are affected. There are thirty-nine schemes at present awaiting inquiry proposing to provide 4,994 cottages and 457 plots. The Local Government Board propose to deal with these schemes on the same principle which they have followed since the passing of the Act of 1911, and which has already been fully explained to the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that several of these schemes have been awaiting inquiry for over two years, and cannot steps be taken—really this is a serious matter for four thousand odd labourers!—to provide these people with cottages?

We are pressing the matter forward as fast as ever we can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are at present no funds under the Acts of 1906 and 1911 to provide these cottages?

I cannot produce the money out of my own pocket. I can only spend the money which Parliament has authorised to proceed with these schemes. I cannot promise new schemes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a matter of the most extreme urgency that money should be provided?

Certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any scheme for providing additional half-acre allotments for the tenants of labourers' cottages in the Macroom rural district has been promoted since the Labourers Act of 1906 was passed; when were representations for these additional allotments last received and what action was taken; can he state the number of tenants in the district who possess only half-acre allotments with their cottages; and what steps it is proposed to take to put them on an equal footing with all the other labourers who have got an acre attached?

A scheme was submitted by this district council in December, 1907, involving the erection of 382 cottages and also ninety-three additional half-acres for cottages previously built. None of the latter were authorised by the inspector who held the inquiry, as it was felt that the requirements of the labourers in regard to proper housing should take precedence over the proposed enlargement of labourers' plots. The Local Government Board have no information with regard to the second paragraph of the question. On the 31st March last there were 132 cottages with plots not exceeding half a statute acre in this rural district. The making of a new scheme to provide additional half-acres in these cases rests with the district council in the first instance.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether trawlers continue to operate inside and outside the old three-mile limit off the coast of Ballinskelligs; and what steps have been taken to bring to the notice of the skippers of these trawlers the fact that the Prohibited Areas Trawling Act has been put into force?

No reports of the illegalities referred to in the question have been received by the Department. Since the date of the last reply to a question of the hon. Member on this subject, steps have been taken to obtain the permission of the postal authorities to the posting of notices in local post offices calling attention to the provisions of the Trawling in Prohibited Areas Prevention Act, 1909. During the last three weeks the area in question has been patrolled by the Department's steam cruiser.

How much longer will the "Helga" remain in these waters?

In justice to other parts of Ireland, the "Helga" cannot remain any longer.

What steps will be taken when the "Helga" goes to see that these trawlers do not renew their operations of an illegal character?

My answer to that is this: If fishermen in these ports would assist the Department by going out in their boats and getting the number of the trawler, prosecution could follow.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the "Helga" is away these trawlers cover up their numbers, and the fishermen cannot find out what the numbers are?

I am bound to say I have not heard of it.

It is so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these trawlers ride through the nets of the fishermen and destroy them?

asked what loans have been granted in Ireland for the erection of abattoirs; what percentage is charged, and if there is any sinking fund payment; and, if so, what is it, and out of what fund was the money taken for the loan?

No loans for the erection of abattoirs have as yet been issued, but the Department have informed promoters of such undertakings that they will be prepared in special cases to consider, on their merits, applications for loans of part of the capital required. The exact terms on which a loan would be made have not yet been laid down in any case. The rate of interest charged would be 3 per cent. The money required for the purpose would be taken from the Department's Endowment Fund.

asked if the Great Western Railway Company have recently altered the definition of a part-truck for the purpose of the carriage of live stock to market towns in the West of England, and thereby, to the annoyance of West-country farmers, have increased their charges for the carriage of two cows and two calves by 55 per cent. at one jump; whether the Board have any power to protect the farmers from such treatment at the hands of the railway companies; and, if so, whether he will exercise such power forthwith.

I had not previously heard of the alteration in the definition of a part-truck to which the hon. Member refers, but I have asked for the railway company's observations on the matter and I will communicate with him after I have received their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the official list of schools, as on 12th July, 1912, shows that the London and North-Western Railway Company's Church of England school at High Town, Crewe, is so overcrowded that the scholars in average attendance exceed by 141, or nearly 20 per cent., the recognised accommodation of the school; how many scholars are at present on the registers of this school; whether the managers and the local education authority have been warned; and what steps will be taken to prevent future overcrowding?

A temporary school to relieve the overcrowding at the school referred to in the question was opened in 1911, and plans for a new provided school to provide for 950 children, with an extension, if necessary, to 1,050, are now under discussion. The overcrowding referred to has been the subject of correspondence between the Board and the authority, who have been warned that if the overcrowding continues the Board will not be able to pay Grant in respect of the school in question without deduction unless they are satisfied that reasonable progress is being made with the erection of the new school.

asked at what date since 1902 the attention of the King's Lynn local education authority was called to the deficiency of school accommodation in King's Lynn; at what dates and to what extent elementary school accommodation has since been provided; whether he is aware that the latest published Returns show that there are only 3,049 school places for 3,266 on the roll when all children under five are excluded; and at what date sufficient accommodation for all children requiring school places will be supplied?

The figures contained in the question are not quite accurate. The Return shows 3,411 school places, and there is accommodation now for 3,429 in the schools in the authority's area. The average attendance for the last school year exceeded the accommodation in only two departments, and the excess amounted to one unit only in one ease and to two in the other. There are no children under five in attendance.

Do not other people, including Members of Parliament, suffer from overcrowding, and is it not better that there should be a little overcrowding than that the ratepayers should be bled to death?

That does not arise out of the question.

Is the margin which the right hon. Gentleman indicated sufficient for the exigencies of classing, occasional illness, and the general administration and conduct of the school?

I feel the conditions are normal at the present time.

asked the amount of the Grants, in all, made by the Board of Education last year to the following universities; the salary in each case of the vice-chancellor and the total income of the universities, namely: Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, and Durham?

The hon. Member will find the latest published information as to Grants and total income in the Reports for the year 1910–11 from Unversities and University Colleges in Great Britain in receipt of Grant from the Board of Education [Cd. 6245 of 1912]. The salary of the vice-chancellor at Bristol is £1,750, and at Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds, £2,000. I am informed that the vice-chancellor of Durham receives a salary of £150, not as remuneration, but in respect of the expenses incurred. I am unable to state the salary of the vice-chancellor of Sheffield.

asked what is the salary of the present vice-chancellor of the university of Bristol and at what time it was increased to its present amount; whether his advisory committee has ascertained that at that time there were full-time lecturers, demonstrators, or assistant lecturers or demonstrators at that university at salaries not exceeding £160 a year; whether there were any whose salaries were less than £120 a year, and, if so, how many; and if the advisory committee has inquired whether any requests were received from such teachers, either directly or through their chiefs, for increased remuneration, which were refused on the ground of lack of funds?

The salary of the present vice-chancellor is £1,750 per annum. This salary has been attached to the post since the foundation of the university. I have no information with regard to the third part of the question. The answers to the second and last parts are in the negative.

Is it usual for this House to interfere with the question of the management of a university?

No; it is not.

Is it not usual for this House when voting £9,500 to a university to be satisfied of the way in which the money is spent?

As long as the work is performed properly I have no reason to interfere.

May I ask whether the advisory committee sent a report?

There will be other opportunities of discussing this.

asked whether the teachers at the university of Bristol, other than professors, hold their appointment on a three months' tenure, subject to an annual process of reappointment; how this compares with the conditions affecting the tenure of office of teachers in public elementary schools; and whether his advisory committee have reported that it is in the best interests of university education?

I have no information with regard to the terms upon which teachers at the university of Bristol, other than professors, are appointed. I believe that agreements between teachers, local education authorities, and the managers of non-provided schools usually provide for the termination of the agreement on a month's notice from either side. My advisory committee's report does not deal with the point.

asked whether at the convocation of graduates of the university of Bristol a resolution was adopted protesting against the distribution of honorary degrees by the council; whether any attempt has been made to expunge the records of such a resolution from the council's minutes; whether he is aware that at the last meeting of convocation on the 6th March officials of the university endeavoured to put down a resolution rescinding this protest; and whether his advisory committee has reported that such interference with the liberties of convocation is in accordance with the statutes of the university and in the best interests of education?

I have no knowledge of the matters referred to in the question, and I am unable to regard them as within my province. I have received no report on them from my advisory committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his advisory committee will make inquiries of the vice-chancellor of the university of Bristol whether he has received any letters in defence of Professor Cowl, with reference to his dismissal, from outside professors and scholars; whether he has communicated them to the council of the university; and, if not, will he grant an inquiry into the whole circumstances attaching to the case of Professor Cowl and into the administration of the university of Bristol before sanctioning any further Grant?

As I have already informed the hon. Member for Hoxton, I am not prepared to ask the advisory committee to make any special inquiry into the matters referred to, nor is it my province to inquire into the circumstances connected with appointments and administration so long as I am satisfied with the quality of work in respect of which Grant is paid.

asked whether any provision is made for proper breathing exercises in elementary schools; and whether any co-ordinated attempt has been made to teach either voice production or a sound accent in the London schools?

Article 2 (9) of the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools provides for the teaching of hygiene and physical training, including exercises in proper breathing; and for the purpose of this instruction the Board's official Syllabus of Physical Exercises, 1909, is being followed. I have no information with regard to the second part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has yet considered the advisability of allowing time spent on medical treatment, other than treatment in an oculist's surgery, to count for Grant; and, if so, whether he is yet able to state the special cases in which such allowance will be made?

The matter referred to is receiving my attention, but, whilst I admit there may be some loss of Grant in a few cases, may I point out that we give to local education authorities a substantial Grant for medical treatment, and local education authorities, under any approved schemes of treatment, earn a great deal more money than they lose through absences of children for medical attention.

asked whether grievances of Nonconformists in respect of single school areas will be dealt with in the new Education Bill he proposes to introduce?

I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of the Bill.

asked why the Glamorganshire local authority have not yet paid the arrears of salary due to the teachers in Llansannor Church School.

I understand the salaries have been paid by the managers, and the authority, who have agreed to maintain the school, are now only waiting for the particulars to be furnished of the total sum asked for before they actually pay the sum due to the managers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the managers have waited six months or more?

I was informed as lately as yesterday that they only received the total of the amount asked for and no particulars of items have been yet furnished, and the local authority is waiting to receive these items before paying the full amount.

Does not each day that passes make a larger sum due, and that this argument might postpone payment for months?

I only express the hope that the managers will furnish the necessary particulars, so that they may be examined in the ordinary way.

asked what are the attendance and staffing, respectively, of Llansannor Church school, Llansannor council school, and Maendy council school?

The average attendance at the Llansannor Church school may be taken as forty-seven, and at the council school as forty-two. The figures are based on 90 per cent. of names on register. The staff at the Church school consists of a head teacher and a monitress, but I understand that the local education authority have advertised for a new head teacher who can speak Welsh and for a supplementary teacher for this school. The staff of the council school consists of a head teacher, a supplementary teacher, and a monitress. The average attendance at the St. Donat's Maendy council school for the last completed school year was eighty-six, and the staff consisted of a head teacher and three uncertificated teachers.

Can the right hon Gentleman give any indication why the staff of the council school is so much larger in proportion to attendance than the other?

The authority of course have control as to the strength of the staff in the school, and so long as they are sufficient no exception can be taken on the ground of efficiency by the Board.