asked the Secretary of State for War whether the horses registered for service are examined by a veterinary surgeon before registration; and whether he is aware that many of the registered horses are totally unfit for service from lameness and other causes.

It is not clear whether the question refers to registered horses, for which a registration fee is paid, or to classified horses. The former are inspected by a remount officer, and the owner is liable to pay a fine in respect of each horse which is not delivered up fit and up to the standard required. In the case of classified horses, we rely upon the judgment of the military censusing officer as to fitness, but a margin of 25 per cent. for failures is allowed in allotting horses for our mobilisation requirements.

Are officers with any special knowledge appointed for this duty or have they no special knowledge?

We endeavour to get the best officers we can, and I am satisfied that on the whole the work has been well done.

Are the Infantry Territorial adjutants qualified to do these duties?

Some of the Infantry Territorial adjutants are as qualified as any men can be.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Herefordshire County Council and the Hereford Town Council have passed resolutions in favour of changing the name of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry to the King's Shropshire and Herefordshire Light Infantry; and whether, seeing that this regiment obtains a large number of their recruits from Herefordshire, and that no other regiment bears the name of the county, he can see his way to comply with the request contained in the Resolution?

The matter is under consideration.

asked when the Redford barracks will be opened for use and how soon thereafter the military authorities will vacate Edinburgh Castle; whether the War Office contemplate making any military use of the castle when the Redford barracks are completed; and whether they would favourably consider handing the castle over to the First Commissioner of Works for some national use?

The Redford barracks will probably be ready for use towards the end of 1915. As at present proposed, it is intended to utilise Edinburgh Castle for an Infantry depot and for other military purposes when the barracks are vacated by the Infantry battalion quartered there.

asked whether in view of the fact that Irish soldiers are allowed to wear the shamrock on St. Patrick's day, he can say whether English soldiers are allowed to wear the rose on St. George's day?

Under paragraph 1692 King's Regulations special emblems may be worn on the head-dress on anniversaries provided authority has been obtained. The Northumberland Fusiliers are permitted to wear the rose on St. George's day. No other regiments have asked for permission to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether English soldiers have leave from him to wear the rose on St. George's day?

I have already said that we have received no applications from regiments for permission to wear the rose on St. George's Day, except in the case of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who, for a long time, have made a practice of wearing it with the full consent of the War Office.

Is it not a fact that every Irish soldier knows on what date St. Patrick's Day falls, but not even the hon. Member for the Ludlow Division knows on what date St. George's Day falls?

Will the right, hon. Gentleman say in what form permission is given, whether it is in the Orders, or is it given to individuals?

Of course, if permission was asked for, it would be for the regiment as a whole, but no case has arisen in recent years.

Would Welsh Regiments be given leave to wear the daffodil?

asked whether all and, if not, how many of the 101 aeroplanes in the possession of the military wing of the Royal Flying Corps on 19th March last had been flown outside aerodromes and across country since the previous 1st September?

With the exception of two instructional machines at the Central Flying School, all the biplanes of the Royal Flying Corps have been flown across country since 1st September, 1912. None of the monoplanes have been flown since the accidents which occurred in the early part of September. A certain number of them were flown across country between 1st September and that date, but there are no detailed records.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction among officers on retired pay from the Army who, on appointment to any other Department of the State or declared on public funds, find deductions made from their pay under the Superannuation Act, 1887; if he is aware that retired Indian officers doing the same service have no such deduction made, nor do English officers entering civilian service abroad, although often not available for Reserve service if required; if he will state what is the total saving to the Treasury by this action under the Superannuation Act, 1887; and if he will consider the desirability of at any rate allowing retired officers the option of continuing their liability to Reserve service in return for the full pension which they have earned?

The deductions are prescribed by No. 4 of the statutory rules under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. That rule does not apply to retired Indian officers, whose retired pay is not paid from Imperial funds, nor to retired officers re-employed abroad unless the profits of their employment are derived from a public fund within the meaning of Rule 1 (b). A detailed Return showing the deductions made is presented annually to Parliament (see House of Commons Paper 272, of 1912). With reference to the last paragraph of the question, I understand that these officers are not at present exempt from liability to recall to military service. The deduction (which is made from the profits of the civil employment and not from the pension) is statutory and cannot therefore be waived.

The substantial part of my question was whether attention has been called to the dissatisfaction of Army officers when they find these deductions made?

It is known that there is some dissatisfaction, but, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, no change can be made without legislation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplates amending legislation to the Finance Act to the effect that Increment Value Duty shall be levied only on an increase in the value of the site?

I can at present add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 26th March last to the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a protest from auctioneers on this subject from all over the country?

From some of them.

asked whether Mr. Claud Schuster has been appointed legal member of the Health Insurance Commission; and, if so, what charge is thereby laid upon the taxpayer?

Mr. Schuster will be appointed legal member of the National Health Insurance Commission as from 13th May next without extra remuneration. The separation of the posts of secretary and legal adviser to the Commission will entail the addition of £1,000 a year on the administrative side in respect of the salary of the new secretary, and a saving of about the same amount on the legal side in view of the additional time which Mr. Schuster will be able to devote to that side of the work.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department wrote in the name of the head of that Department on 31st October, 1911, to the Scottish Clerks' Association to the effect that members of an approved society who were desirous of making their own arrangements for paying their doctors could do so, and that the committee would contribute from the funds out of which medical benefit is payable towards the cost of such medical attendance and treatment?

As I stated in answer to my hon. Friend yesterday, it is proposed to issue a full statement with regard to the position of the Scottish Clerks' Association which will deal with the letter referred to in the question in relation to other communications with the association as to their position under the Insurance Act.

Do the Department admit that they have been wrong?

No, my hon. Friend is mistaken. He has read the phrase that "certain arrangements would be possible" to the effect that they would be made, which is quite a different thing.

Is it the case that this recognition depends upon the local insurance committee; and, if so, is it further the case that the Glasgow Insurance Committee have admitted the system, while the Edinburgh Insurance Committee have not?

Obviously I must ask the hon. Member for notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the statement to which he referred will be ready?

In a few days I hope, but I cannot give a date.

May I ask whether the granting of permission to persons to make their own arrangements is not primarily a matter for the discretion of the insurance committees and not of the Commission?

The point arises on the next question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether it is necessary for an approved society under the Insurance Act to themselves employ and pay the medical attendants, and whether it is possible for the individual members to employ and pay, being refunded by the society; and when his Department came clearly to this view?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; medical benefit is administered by insurance committees and not by approved societies. With regard to the second part, persons who are allowed by insurance committees to make their own arrangements for medical attendance and treatment will receive contributions from the committees towards the cost of such attendance and treatment. These are definite provisions of the Act, about which there has never, so far as I am aware, been any such doubt as is suggested in the third part of the question. I am not sure, however, that I fully understand from the terms of the question what form of arrangements my hon. Friend has in mind, and perhaps he would furnish me with further details.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the case of Frank Humphreys, of 55, Richmond Road, an insured person suffering from phthisis, who was recommended for treatment in hospital in October, 1912; is he aware that on 30th October he was offered a bed at Mount Vernon Hospital at twenty-four hours' notice; that he was unable to accept the offer because he found it impossible to make any arrangements for his wife and child; that early in November his employer offered to allow £1 weekly to enable him to go to hospital; that Dr. Latham immediately notified the London Insurance Committee and the local medical adviser, and made an appeal for instant admission to hospital; that on 10th December Dr. Latham was asked by the local medical adviser of the London Insurance Committee to forward suggestions as to treatment, and at once replied, urging, for the good of the patient and the prevention of infection of the wife and child, an immediate removal to hospital; that on 2nd January the local medical adviser replied that Dr. Latham's report was being considered, and that in the meantime the home treatment was to continue; and that, in the second week of January, the patient died at home; and can he give any assurance that there will be no repetition of the delays which have characterised the attitude of the authorities in this and other cases?

The insured person in question applied for sanatorium benefit, as stated, in October last. He was examined by the medical adviser to the committee, who reported that the case was "too advanced for probability of cure or arrest." The committee, however, decided to recommend him for sanatorium benefit, and, although institutions are usually unwilling to accept cases so advanced as this had already been reported to be, made arrangements for his admission to Mount Vernon Sanatorium. He was sent an order of admission accordingly on 29th October. It is not the case that he was required to enter within twenty-four hours. The insurance committee were informed four days later that the patient refused to enter the institution, and they thereupon arranged for him to be treated at home. On a further communication from the doctor the committee consulted with the authorities of both Mount Vernon Sanatorium and the City Road Hospital, but both institutions decided that the case was too advanced to be suitable for admission. The hon. Member will therefore see that so far from there being any foundation for the suggestion in the last part of his question, the insurance committee took every possible step to provide the best form of treatment for a patient who was reported when he first applied for the benefit to be already in so advanced a stage of the disease that there was no probability of cure or arrest.

May I ask whether the attitude of the authorities is due to the fact that sanatorium benefit is practically non-existent in London?

Obviously, the first part of the answer shows that that is not so.

asked what percentage of the funds available for distribution under the National Insurance Act has been paid out in sickness and maternity benefits in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively; and will the percentage for each month up to 1st April in each country be given separately?

The information asked for in the question could not be obtained without calling for a special return from about 23,500 societies and 233 insurance committees, through which the benefits referred to are administered; and in view of the fact that these benefits have only been in operation three months, and of the heavy initial work falling upon societies and committees in their administration, I think it would be premature to require them to furnish such a return.

May I ask whether, with a view to dealing with this problem, they are considering the question of the reinsurance of the maternity benefit?

I should require notice of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the medical men for South Shields limiting the number of patients to 800, and allocating those insured persons who had not selected their medical adviser on 22nd March, 1913, to those doctors who had less than 800 persons on their list; whether such practice is contrary to the provision of the National Insurance Act guaranteeing free choice of doctor on the panel; and what he proposes to do in the matter in face of the local dissatisfaction which has been caused by this resolution?

I understand that the method of allocation referred to in the question has been recommended by the local medical committee, and by a majority of the practitioners on the panel present at a meeting held to consider the question, but, as I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne on Thursday last, the insurance committee have not yet arrived at any decision. With regard to the second part of the question, I may point out that the proposed allocation only applies to those insured persons who have failed to exercise their right of choosing a doctor or have been refused by the doctors whom they had selected. Even if it were adopted, therefore, it could not have the result of preventing more than 800 insured persons choosing a particular doctor.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is intended to issue any rules under Section 98, Sub-section (3), of the Children Act, 1908, with a view to enforcing the attendance at the Police Courts of parents or guardians of children charged with offences in Police Courts on lines similar to those issued in England on 27th May, 1909, providing for parents being summoned along with their children.

In Scotland the making of rules under the Section referred to in my right hon. Friend's question is a matter for the High Court of Justiciary. No Act of Adjournal dealing with the special point mentioned has so far been made by the Court. I am not aware that difficulty has been experienced by Courts in Scotland in enforcing the attendance of parents and guardians.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is now in a position to state the method of filling the posts of second-class clerkships under the Prison Commissioners; and, if not, whether he can say that they will be filled by competition?

I have not as yet anything to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend last Tuesday.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of these posts will be filled by nomination, and, if so, on whose nomination?

No, Sir. I cannot add anything to the answer I gave. It is a matter upon which I have to consult the President.

asked the Home Secretary what are the duties of the clerk and draftsman in the office of the surveyor to the Commission of Prisons, and what are the reasons which induced His Majesty's present Government to remove this position from the list of situations in the Civil Service open to public competitive examination by the Civil Service Commissioners; and why it was considered necessary to place this position amongst those which can be filled by the patronage and nomination of a Minister of the Crown or by the head of a Department, and what is the salary attached to this position?

The duties are to supervise the work of the draftsmen and all details in the drawing office. The qualifications for the post are technical, and when a vacancy occurred in October, 1905, arrangements were made by which it was filled by one of the technical officers already serving in the Prison Department in an unestablished position. This arrangement has worked well, and, as it was proposed to continue it, the post was in 1909 removed from Schedule A. The salary is £5 a week.

asked what was the result of the inquiry held by the Scottish Prison Commissioners with regard to the speech delivered at the New Café, St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, on 29th January, by the Medical Officer of the Duke Street Prison, Glasgow; and what finding, if any, the Scottish Prison Commissioners arrived at?

I have nothing to add to my previous answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on the 17th March.

Is it not in the public interest to know whether the inquiry acquitted this officer of having publicly ridiculed the Borstal system or of having contravened the rules of the Civil Service, especially as he has since been appointed a Prison Commissioner to administer the Crimes Act in Scotland?

In my previous answer I gave the hon. and gallant Member all the information I had about the inquiry, and I have no further information.

No answer was given as to the result of the inquiry.

Yes, there was. The answer was that the Prison Commissioners had held an inquiry, and the doctor in question denied that the short report in the papers adequately or practically represented the views he expressed.

Was that the only report?

I believe so. I do not know of any other.

Is there anything improper in the official in question discussing ordinary social problems?

There is nothing improper in discussing ordinary social problems.

May we take it from that answer that the right hon. Gentleman agrees with these statements?

asked whether, in advertising prison clerkships, the age was confined to between eighteen and thirty; whether this precludes existing store warders from applying on account of the age barrier; whether the existing store warders will have the training of any new appointments; and whether these men will ultimately be promoted over the heads of their instructors?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. I am informed that the clerks will be trained under the prison stewards, and that store warders and clerks will be equally eligible for promotion.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the disparity in remuneration of Scottish store warders who are performing the same work as English clerks and schoolmasters; whether, in addition to the same work, Scottish store warders work twenty-nine hours per fortnight more than English clerks; and whether he is prepared to consider these circumstances with a view to remedying the disparity?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not in a position to institute precise comparisons between the two services. The hours of store warders in Scotland do not exceed nine a day. There was an improvement in their position as recently as 1910, and I am in communication with the Treasury on the subject.

Is it a fact that the Scottish storekeepers actually work twenty-nine hours more in the fortnight?

I do not know. I cannot answer that question myself, because I do not exactly know what the differences in their work are, but I believe they do work nine hours a day, and, if the English storekeepers work seven, then they do work more hours.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, under Section 19 (3) of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, in the event of the sum received by the local authority on the sale of the carcase of a bovine animal after slaughter under the Tuberculosis Order of 1913, exceeding the amount paid for compensation to the owner of the slaughtered animal, the excess will be paid to the owner of such animal; and, if so, whether he will amend the circular referring to the Order and issued to the local authorities on the 25th March, in which they are informed that sums received by them from the sale of the carcases of slaughtered animals should be shown in the account rendered to the Board and deducted from the total expenditure incurred by such authority instead of being, as provided by the Act, added to the compensation paid to the stock-owner?

Any amount received from salvage in excess of the compensation received by the owner is payable to him in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 (3) of the Act, after deducting reasonable expenses. The clerks of local authorities, to whom the circular letter of 25th March is addressed, are well aware of this provision in the Act, and it does not appear to me to be necessary to call their special attention to it.

Is it not the fact that the circular addressed to these authorities is itself misleading in view of the Section of the Act to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?

I have looked into the circular again, and it does not appear to me to be inconsistent with Section 20, Sub-section (3), of the Act itself.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the average weight of the imperial bushel, as deduced from the table on page 121 of the latest agricultural statistics, is for wheat 61.74 pounds, barley 53.6 pounds, and oats 39.33 pounds, as compared with 60 pounds, 50 pounds, and 39 pounds, the figures laid down in Section 8 of the Corn Returns Act, 1882; whether this causes an appreciable error in the calculations of the annual value of tithe, besides rendering the official prices of corn misleading; and, seeing that, though Select Committees inquired into this subject in 1888, 1891, and 1893, none has been appointed since, he will consider the desirability of appointing such a Committee?

The mean estimated natural weights of wheat, barley, and oats in England and Wales during the last seven years are as stated in the first part of the question. As the basis of conversion laid down by the Act is always published as a note to the Corn Averages in the "London Gazette," I do not think that the prices can be regarded as misleading, although they necessarily differ from the quotations at markets where different weights per bushel are used in the sale of corn. The question of instituting an inquiry into the sale of corn by weight or otherwise is under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the calculations of tithe are inaccurate?

Oh no, I do not admit that at all.

Seeing the differences mentioned in my question, they surely must be inaccurate?

No, our figures are given in accordance with the Corn Returns Act, and they have been given in that form for the last thirty years.

Is it not the fact that, owing to the steady improvement in the breeds of wheat, the weight of the bushel is steadily increasing every year?

I admit that there is ground for considering the starting of some uniform system of measuring the corn, and that is one of the points under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the definition of a farm school contained in the printed circular of the Board dated March, 1913, and headed Agricultural Education in connection with Farm Schools and Farm Institutes, is intended to convey the meaning that winter short courses in agriculture will be restricted to those who have attended elementary schools; and, if so, seeing that in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and many other counties the proportion of farmers' sons attending elementary schools is small, he will amend this definition so as to include those who have received their education through other channels?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part therefore does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of the reference under which Mr. James M'Neill, of the Bombay Civil Service, and Mr. Chimman Lal, an honorary magistrate in the United Provinces, are now making a visit of inquiry and inspection to those Colonies in which there are Indian immigrants employed under the indentured labour system; what Colonies these gentlemen are visiting or proposing to visit; and whether they are empowered to take evidence; and, if so, from whom and of what character?

The general object of the inquiry is to report upon the conditions of life of the Indian immigrants in the Colonies, and the officers concerned are instructed to submit recommendations as to any arrangements that may be desirable to promote the welfare of those Indians. They are to visit British Guiana, Trinidad, Jamaica, Fiji, and the Dutch colony of Surinam. Their instructions do not contemplate the formal taking of evidence, but, so far as the British Colonies are concerned, the Colonial Governments would doubtless give further facilities of this kind if needed.

May I ask why it is necessary to have this inquiry so soon after that of Lord Sanderson, who reported that all was well in regard to this matter?

It was considered that it might be possible to get arrangements made in these places which would be more suitable to Indian immigrants, and the attempt is being made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the many inequalities in connection with the administration of the Workmen's Compensation Act, he is now prepared to introduce an amending Bill or institute an inquiry as to what amendments to the law are necessary?

I am afraid I can only repeat what I said in reply to a question of my hon. Friend on this subject on the 12th February, that for the reasons then stated an inquiry would be premature at the present time.

asked the Home Secretary whether any decision has yet been reached concerning the memorandum of the education committee of the Glamorgan County Council asking that certificates issued by that body for competency in first-aid and rescue work, which are already recognised by the Board of Trade and the War Office, should also be recognised by his Department for the requirements of the Mines Act; and, if no decision has been reached, whether he will expedite the consideration of the matter in order to enable working men students who desire to sit for their certificates as mine managers at the forthcoming examination in May next, and who already hold the Glamorgan qualification, to do so without further delay or waste of time?

I am considering the matter, and I am afraid I cannot add anything at present to the answers which I gave the hon. Member last week.

Was not this matter first brought before the Home Office twelve months ago? How much longer is the Glamorgan County Council to wait for a decision?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

But cannot the right hon. Gentleman say if twelve months have elapsed since the matter was brought before the Home Office?

I will inquire as to the date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the latest regulations governing the admission of male and female visitors to the Royal dockyards and arsenals; are foreigners of all or any nationalities excluded; are cameras permitted or the use of them prohibited; and are the latest definite rules invariably complied with?

All British subjects are permitted to view His Majesty's dockyards on making application to the police at the gates. Visitors are usually conducted round the dockyards by a police constable, but in special cases, where not so escorted and subject to his discretion, a pass ticket is given by the inspector of police which has to be produced by the visitor on being challenged by any member of the police force on duty in the yard. This pass does not admit to workshops or to any place where confidential matters are dealt with. Foreigners, of all nationalities, are not allowed to enter the yards without the sanction of the Admiralty, and when such sanction is given they must be accompanied by specially authorised officials. Visitors are only allowed to take cameras into the dockyards with Admiralty permission. There is no reason to suppose that the Admiralty regulations are not fully complied with by the superintendents of the dockyards, with the loyal support of the officers of the Metropolitan police.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will explain why at the present time there are two officers, Royal Marines, who have entered the service through Osborne and are serving as probationers and drawing 7s. 6d. per day, which is the new scale of pay, whilst the remainder of the lientenants, Royal Marines, are only drawing 7s. a day on the old scale of pay; and whether he is aware that these probationers on 7s. 6d. a day are several years junior to those on 7s.?

The rates of pay are as stated. The two probationary lieutenants, Royal Marines, have been trained as naval officers, and are now undergoing their military training as Royal Marine officers. The pay of such officers was fixed at 7s. 6d. per diem in consideration of their naval training in addition to their duties as Royal Marine officers.

Are lieutenants of Marines the only lieutenants who have not got an increase of pay either in the Army or Navy?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked if any, and, if so, what provision is made in the Navy Estimates for 1913–14 to cover the cost of improving the conditions of labour of workers in the Government dockyards?

The usual financial arrangements would be made for giving effect to any decision that may be arrived at on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a meeting of ratepayers and parents of Hound parish on 3rd April, at which they agreed immediately to withdraw the children from Batlock's Heath school and to keep them out until the date is fixed for a public inquiry; and will he say what proportion of children have been present daily between 7th and 11th April, inclusive?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Seventy children were withdrawn from the school, the average attendance at which for the last school year was 259, between the dates mentioned in the question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the trouble has arisen out of the dismissal of the school teacher, and do not the facts mentioned show that in the opinion of the people of the locality there is cause for an inquiry, which the local authority refuses to grant?

I understand that the cause of the trouble is the dismissal of the school teacher. The Board of Education have no power to intervene in that matter, but I have just learned that the local authority are taking steps to settle the matter amicably, and if another question is asked in a few days I hope I may be able to give a satisfactory reply.

Were not 100 children absent yesterday instead of seventy, and are not things getting worse and worse?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether be can see his way to take such steps as may be necessary to enable domestic servants to obtain situations through Labour Exchanges?

Managers of Labour Exchanges have been instructed from the outset not accept notifications of vacancies for resident domestic servants in private houses. Recently the juvenile departments of a limited number of Exchanges have been allowed, on the advice and subject to the supervision of juvenile advisory committees, or in co-operation with education authorities exercising powers under the Choice of Employment Act, to deal with vacancies of this nature in the case of boys and girls under seventeen. Except to this extent and in this direction I do not, as at present advised, think it would be desirable to alter the general instructions. Vacancies for service in hotels and business houses are, of course, dealt with by the Exchanges.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some Exchanges offer facilities for domestic servants to obtain situations at large hotels and at the same time refuse to assist them in getting them in private houses?

That is so, and it is done for general reasons, of which the right hon. Gentleman is aware.

What difference in principle is there between juveniles in private houses and adults?

Juveniles are kept under very careful supervision. With regard to adults, the policy of the Board from the start has been not to compete with the large number of registry offices.

Is not the hon. Member confusing the issue by introducing the question of juveniles? We are dealing with adults who wish to get into private employment, which, in my opinion, is better than hotel service, yet the local Exchanges offer them no facilities, but recommend them to go into large hotels. Is it not the fact that the officials in many districts desire to arrange for private service?

I quite understood the right hon. Gentleman's question. I mentioned the case of the juveniles in order to show that we had all the facts before us and so that it should not be supposed I was suppressing anything. There have been certain difficulties in regard to the matter of domestic service, and as at present advised we do not propose to alter our policy.

Has the attention of the Department been called to the exorbitant charges made by private registry agencies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the interest now taken in railway affairs, he will expedite the preparation and publication of a summary of Railway Returns for 1912 and have the same issued as a White Paper?

In accordance with the usual practice, a Return giving preliminary figures respecting railway working in 1912 will be issued at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Postmaster-General how many rural party line telephones will the additional Treasury Grant of £20,000 provide, estimated on the basis of those already provided with the original Grant?

The additional Grant will probably admit of the provision of about 1,300 additional rural party line telephones, assuming that the cost of their construction does not exceed to any material extent the cost of those provided out of the original Grant. I hope, however, that the experience obtained will enable the arrangements to be put on a settled basis before the additional experimental Grant is exhausted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he realises that Great Britain is the only country which has no parcels post service with China viâ Siberia, and that all trade samples and other goods suitable for transmission by parcels post have now to be sent from China through the German or other foreign post office, and that all like goods dispatched from Great Britain to China have first to be sent to either Germany or Russia and thence reconsigned, at the cost of delay and expense, to China; and whether, in justice to British traders, he will afford them the same parcels post facilities as those enjoyed by the competing traders of other countries?

I hope to be able to make a statement on this subject shortly. Parcels for this country viâ Siberia can be posted at the British Post Office agencies in China as well as at agencies of other nationalities and at Chinese post offices, but the service is little used. Parcels are transmitted viâ Siberia more slowly than letters.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that there is unfair preference in favour of foreign traders?

Not that I am aware of, so far as the service from China to England, to which the hon. Member's question relates, is concerned.

asked when the wireless telegraph installation provided by a London newspaper for St. Kilda will be set up?

I have not been informed of the date on which the proposed wireless telegraph station at St. Kilda will be established. The necessary licence was issued in January.

Do I understand that as soon as possible this installation will be erected?

It does not depend upon me at all. It is erected by private enterprise. My task was to issue a licence, and that was done some months ago.

asked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether they have any funds under their control derived from the lands apportioned to the Church by the Weyhill Commons Enclosure Act of 1812; whether they have a map describing the apportionments under the Act; and, if so, will they supply the hon. Member for Stoke-upon-Trent with a copy of the same?

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have no such funds, nor have they the map to which the hon. Member refers. The map may be in the custody of the Clerk of the Peace at Winchester.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) when the Royal Veterinary College of Ireland was founded; whether it is intended to transfer the control and management of the same from the board of governors to his Department, the reasons for and terms of the proposed transfer, and when the same will take effect; the present staff of the college and how their status will be affected; and whether he is willing to lay Papers upon the Table to enable Members to consider the propriety of the proposed transfer?

The Royal Veterinary College of Ireland was founded by Letters Patent bearing date 27th May, 1895, but no funds were made available until the establishment of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. From the money placed at the disposal of the Department by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899, a, sum of £15,000 was allocated for buildings, fittings, and equipment, in connection with the Veterinary College. The Department subsequently, with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board, made additional capital Grants for these purposes, bringing the total to £27,350, and gave further assistance in the form of annual Grants. The Department have offered to take over the financial and administrative control of the college, and this offer has been accepted by the board of governors. The Department have had recently under review the situation in Ireland as regards the future of veterinary administration and education, and have resolved that it is desirable to make certain important advances in this respect. The corps of veterinary surgeons for the Department's service, and that of the local authorities under the Diseases of Animals Acts, as well as for general practice in Ireland, are now mainly trained in this college. At present the college is in an insecure financial position—depending mainly on the fluctuating item of students' fees—and is inadequately staffed and equipped. The Department are convinced that in these circumstances to take charge of the college and to put it in a state of thorough efficiency and permanent security is a matter of real and urgent necessity. This course has accordingly been decided on, the Department's intention being: (a) To become entirely responsible for the maintenance of the college, the payment of its staff, the necessary upkeep and development of its equipment and buildings, and to do all that might be practicable to bring the college up to the highest degree of efficiency in every respect, and to maintain it at that level; (b) to establish the college research laboratory on a basis of adequate efficiency, both for the educational requirements of the college and for the purposes of independent investigations, and to facilitate its co-ordination, in regard both to work and to opportunities, with all other work in connection with veterinary research done under the auspices of the Department. The present board of governors have consented to be constituted as an advisory council for the purpose of advising the Department on matters connected with the educational policy of the college. The transfer will be effected as soon as the necessary legal formalities can be completed. The present staff of the college consists of the principal, who also acts as professor of pathology and bacteriology, two whole-time professors, one of medicine and anatomy and the other of surgery, and one whole-time demonstrator. The other subjects of the curriculum are dealt with by part-time teachers, i.e., teachers whose time is not solely at the disposal of the college. Steps will be taken, both by the governors and by the Department, to see that the interests of the existing staff are adequately safeguarded.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the question of admitting the Press to its sittings has been considered by the Irish Education Committee, and, if so, what is the result; and, if, in face of the public demand for the Press, they still refuse to admit it, will he immediately take steps to dissolve the Committee as no longer carrying out in a satisfactory manner the task entrusted to it by Parliament?

I am in communication with the Committee on the subject of admitting the Press, and the Press only, to their proceedings.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a resolution passed by the Abbeyleix branch of the United Irish League, drawing their attention to the case of Michael Delany, late of Ballymaddock, on the De Vesci estate, Abbeyleix, Queen's County, whose father was evicted from a farm of thirty acres on the De Vesci estate, in July, 1882, under most cruel and heartless circumstances, and urging the Commissioners to provide him with an allotment on the first available land that comes into their hands; and what action the Commissioners propose taking in this case?

The Estates Commissioners have received the resolution referred to. The holding on the De Vesci estate, Queen's County, formerly occupied by Delany's father is now in the possession of another tenant. The Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have considered the application of Mary Connolly, of Eden, Rossinver, county Leitrim, for reinstatement in the farm from which she and her family were evicted on the estate of James Johnston, Kinlough, on the 13th May, 1899; and whether, having regard to the fact that the occupying tenant is willing to give up possession, she will be reinstated or supplied with a suitable farm elsewhere?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the receipt of any application from Mary Connolly for reinstatement in a holding on the estate referred to.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received a resolution from the Sooey, Ballintogher, county Sligo, branch of the United Irish League, praying that their flag, which was captured by the police in Dromahaire in 1903, be returned to them; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received the resolution referred to. The police authorities inform me that no flag was seized at Dromahaire in 1903, but that in September, 1899, on the occasion of an attempt to hold a meeting which had been proclaimed at that place, a band was dispersed by force and their flag seized. In the struggle to obtain possession of the flag it was torn to pieces and nothing of it remains.

asked whether John Short, of Corracloone, Kiltyclogher, county Leitrim, was deprived of his old age pension on the ground of means; and whether, having regard to the fact that he has no means of support but is living with his son, who is the owner of a small farm, the yearly annuity of which is £1 19s. 10d., the Local Government Board would reconsider his case and grant him the pension?

This claim is at present being investigated by the Local Government Board.

asked whether the local pension committee of Collooney, county Sligo, at its meeting held on the 27th December, 1912, granted a pension of 5s. weekly to Patrick Gilmore, of Tully-beg, parish of Kilross, pension district of Collooney, county Sligo; whether the pension officer, in appealing against the committee's decision, recommended a weekly pension of 3s.; whether the Local Government Board have thrown overboard both the pension committee and the pension officer by refusing the applicant any pension whatever; and, if so, on whose information the Local Government Board acted; and what redress there is for the applicant?

The facts are as stated. The Local Government Board formed their own estimate of the claimant's means from the admitted facts as to the stock and crops on the farm, and as to his circumstances generally. The decision of the Board in respect of this claim is final, but in the event of there being hereafter any change in circumstances, or new facts, it is open to claimant to make a fresh claim.

asked whether Mrs. Mary Harte, of Cooladonnel, Ballaghameehan, county Leitrim, a tenant on the Wynne estate, was compelled to purchase her holding through being threatened by the agent for recovery of all arrears of rent; that, as a result of her signing the purchase agreement, a large number of tenants have a right to turbary on her land, contrary to her knowledge or desire; and that she has not a suitable pass to her farm; and whether the Estates Commissioners would consider these facts previous to vesting the estate?

The Estates Commissioners have no information as to the circumstances in which Mrs. Hart signed an agreement to purchase her holding on this estate. When the estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners in order of priority, the question of the disposal of the turbary on her holding will be considered.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the impression now prevailing that the evidence of the Irish official witnesses before the Primrose Committee is favourable to the financial demands of Ireland, and of his own statement that these officials have no personal objection, he will represent to them the desirability in the public interest of their formally consenting to the publication of their evidence, with a view to suggestions for the amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill being sent up to the House of Lords on the next presentation of the Bill?

As I have already stated, the greater number of the Irish official witnesses have a strong objection on principle to the publication of evidence given on the understanding that it would be treated as confidential. I cannot ask them to waive that objection, which I fully appreciate. I having been in some sense responsible for the giving of that undertaking cannot be the person to ask them to waive that objection.

If not the right hon. Gentleman, could not some other Member of the Government approach them, instead of standing upon punctilio, so as to let us know once and for all the evidence on which this secret Committee came to the recommendation of fiscal autonomy, and the reasons for which the Government rejected that view?

I have already said that although I fully appreciate the reasons why the Civil servants, who were told that their evidence would be confidential, think it is very undesirable in the interests of the service that it should be published, I personally would be very glad if it could be published, were it only to destroy once and for ever the false impressions which I am afraid otherwise will always exist as to what they did say.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the interests of the country are superior to the interests of the Civil Service? Are we never to get to the end of the mystery about this inquiry?

If hon. Members will make a mystery, nothing will destroy it.