asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent Army manœuvres showed considerable want of experience in the moving and handling of the transport, though only reduced transport on a peace basis; and whether such experience can be secured to the officers and staff responsible by actual practice in handling large transport columns?

During the last Army manoœuvres a practical test was made for the first time of a new system of transport in the field. The test was successful, and showed that with very few exceptions the officers and staff responsible possessed the necessary ability and experience in the moving and handling of large transport columns.

asked whether the Army Council have considered the desirability of practising the mobilisation of the whole of the vehicles and horses necessary in war for the six divisions of the Expeditionary Force at one time and over a period of at least several days, in order to give the staff and supervising officers the opportunity not hitherto afforded them of handling the horses and transport of such a force fully mobilised as to its equipment, and in order to prove the existence of the horses and vehicles required?

This proposal would involve the hiring of 42,000 horses, involving an expenditure out of all proportion to the value to be derived from the experiment.

Will the first time this transport can be seen and handled be in time of war? Will there be no previous opportunity for practising the mobilisation of the whole of the vehicles and horses?

I should suppose that in every army in the world complete mobilisation only takes place at the time of war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it would not be possible to do this in the case of one division only?

Certainly, with a small number of men small experiments would be practicable, and that, I understand, is being done, but to do it for the whole Army is a thing that no nation in the world has ever attempted or would think of in the case of transport, especially involving the immense number of horses that must be hired.

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise to consider the possibility of doing it with regard to one complete unit?

Yes, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of buying, training, and maintaining a sufficient number of horses for the purpose so as to make sure of them on mobilisation?

It would be quite impossible in the case of the British Army or any other army to maintain in time of peace all the animals required for transport on mobilisation.

asked whether Cavalry regiments are to be equipped with one-man range-finders; and, if so, of what pattern; and how many have been issued to Cavalry up to the present time?

The Cavalry will receive the one-man range-finder without delay after the Infantry have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what ranges have been set aside for use for Artillery practice of Territorial regiments in the London area; whether there have been cases in which any regiments have not carried out annual practice during the three years ended 31st December, 1912; and, if so, would he give particulars of the same, stating what periods of practice are prescribed under the War Office Regulations for Territorial Artillery units, and what steps are taken to ascertain that the Regulations are complied with?

All the divisional Artillery of the London Division will practice at Regular Artillery practice camps this year, the Field Artillery at Lark Hill and the heavy batteries at Okehampton. The two batteries of the Honourable Artillery Company, which practised at West Down, Salisbury Plain, in 1912, have recently applied to practice for two days at Lark Hill, and arrangements will be made, if possible, for them to do so. There have been no cases in which any units have not carried out annual practice during the last three years. Under the Regulations batteries are given an annual allowance of gun ammunition for practice during annual training, but are allowed, if so desired, to practise biennially instead of annually, thus expending two years allowance of ammunition, and devoting alternate years entirely to the instruction of the men in driving, riding, and tactics. This principle was adopted in 1910 in order that batteries should not practise without adequate preliminary training, and should be able to make use of the Regular Artillery ranges when they do practice and so benefit by the expert instruction provided. As a result, batteries practice on the average two years out of three. The practice programme is drawn up annually by the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason why the vacancies in the commissioned ranks in the battery of Field Artillery at Aberystwyth have not been filled up, suitable names having been sent in three months ago; and can he expedite the matter?

No names have been recommended to the War Office to fill the vacancies, but I will make inquiries at once of the general officer commanding-in-chief concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there has been any prosecution of employers for disregarding Special Order No. 921 relating to outworkers under the National Insurance Act, and, if so, where were those prosecutions; and what penalties, if any, were inflicted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The remaining parts do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that much indignation is felt by a considerable number of railway employés resident in the city of Oxford who are unable to avail themselves, under the provisions of the National Health Insurance Act and subsequent Regulations relating thereto, of the services of a doctor who has for years attended them, and who, though willing to go upon the panel in respect of these patients and having obtained the consent of the insurance committee to do so, is precluded by the intervention of the panel doctors, in spite of his frequent assurances that every insured person has a right to choose his own doctor; and will he take steps to provide for the services of the doctor hitherto employed by these men being made available for them?

I have made inquiries of the Oxford Insurance Committee on this case. As I stated in the House on 14th February, acceptance of a limited number of insured persons by a doctor on the panel is only possible where attendance by doctors on the panel is assured for all insured persons in the area, and therefore can only be granted by an insurance committee with the consent of the doctors on the panel. The responsibility for treatment of the insured persons must be a collective one, and no one doctor can be allowed to select good lives amongst insured persons with the same remuneration per head as those who accept a general average.

Will the hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that the panel doctors have no objection to the doctor referred to in the question attending his old railway patients as long as he does not join the panel, instruct the local insurance committee to allow these insured persons to contract out in the exercise of the right promised to all insured persons that they may choose their own doctor?

I have no authority to do what the Noble Lord suggests. The Act of Parliament very definitely confers the discretion on the local insurance committee.

Is it not possible to give these railway men the doctor they wish to employ?

All insured persons will be allowed their choice from the doctors allowed to serve under the Insurance Act.

May I ask whether the hon Gentleman is aware that there cannot in this case be a question of choosing specially good lives, and whether, that being so, he cannot make some effort to give them the doctor they wish to employ?

The Insurance Committee must have the consent of the doctors on the panel before they can allow such contracting out.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a certain number of insured persons connected with the Pelton Fell and other lodges of the Durham Miners' Association are desirous of changing their doctor; that, when they signed for their present doctors, it was on the understanding that it held good for three months only; and that objection is now taken by the Insurance Commissioners to the transfer on the ground that the present arrangements hold good for twelve months; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to the initial understanding being adhered to and the men being allowed to make the change of doctor desired?

My attention has been drawn to the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am investigating the circumstances referred to. In general, insured persons may change their doctors within the year either by consent of doctor and patient or by consent of the insurance committee on complaint of the medical treatment received.

What can be done in the cases which have occurred where doctors have refused to transfer insured persons to another doctor?

Any complaint can be submitted to the insurance committee.

Is it the fact that doctors ostentatiously said that they would only accept engagements for three months; and, if so, should not the same freedom be allowed to patients as to medical officers?

I know nothing about the circumstances, but I am sending down an inspector to investigate.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, with reference to his statement to the recent deputation on the subject of higher instruction in rural schools that he would be glad to assist any efforts emanating from local school boards, if he would take into consideration the difficulty of teaching science in many rural schools, partly owing to lack of equipment and partly to lack of teaching facilities, and in consequence will he be prepared to sanction any alternative subjects being substituted so that promising pupils may not have their educational future blocked for lack of this one subject, especially as they can readily make good an acquaintance with it at a later stage?

As a matter of fact many pupils from small rural schools whose attainments are otherwise satisfactory have been admitted to the second year course of an intermediate school and some even to the third year without any preliminary instruction in science on condition that special arrangements for their instruction in that subject will be made in the intermediate school. But in the interests of the proper organisation of the intermediate school it is most desirable that wherever circumstances admit of it provision should be made for instruction in science in some form in primary schools which are in the habit of sending on pupils with a year's preparation to an intermediate school.

Is there no change in the right hon. Gentleman's attitude towards the question of higher education in Scotland?

There is no need for any change in my attitude.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say to the deputation which he received on the subject that there was a great change?

No. My reply to the deputation was an explanation of the facts as they were.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) how many school boards in Scotland were consulted as to the Memorandum issued by the President of the Board of Education with reference to the necessity of applicants for the position of school teachers obtaining certificates from registered dental surgeons and the nature of their reply; and (2) if he is aware that, by a circular issuing from the Board of Education, London, prescribing that every person claiming to be recognised as a certificated teacher must have a certificate from a registered dental surgeon stating that such person has undergone the necessary dental treatment, whether such order applies to Scotland, and if the Scottish Education Department was consulted thereon; and whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on many applicants in Scotland, where there happen to be no registered dentists, and the slur inflicted on gentlemen who have long enjoyed the public confidence as dentists although unregistered, he will make further inquiry into the matter?

I would remind my hon. Friend that requirements of the English Board of Education do not apply in Scotland.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever seen this circular to which allusion is made, and has it been actually used in Scotland?

No. No letter of the English Education Board is used in Scotland.

asked whether there was a decrease in the number of scholars on the elementary school registers in Scotland in the year 1912, as against the year 1911; and whether the decrease is due to the drain of the large emigration which is taking place from Scotland?

There was a slight decrease of about one-eighth per cent., the figures for the year ending 31st August, 1911, being 847,984; and for 1912, 846,890. It is difficult at present to express a certain opinion as to the cause. Probably the cause mentioned by my hon. Friend has contributed, but there is also the element of a reduced birth-rate.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the sympathetic attitude taken up by him to the deputation in regard to the teaching of intermediate subjects in rural schools, if he will state what practical steps he proposes to take so as to encourage school boards, by giving them equipment and teaching Grants, whereby the attainment of the intermediate certificate by a pupil may bring the same financial reward to a school board whether the pupil is trained at an intermediate or primary school?

The assimilation of capitation Grants for intermediate education in primary schools to those given to intermediate schools as seems to be suggested by my hon. Friend would, I am satisfied, be of little assistance to rural school boards. The only effective way of aiding rural school boards to make some provision of intermediate education in their primary schools is by granting them a certain proportion of the extra expense they incur for the purpose, irrespective of the number of pupils instructed. That is the principle of the small schools Grant and the Grant for equipment at present administered by the secondary education committees under Section 17 (8) and (9) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908.

I will put a further question on the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that dissatisfaction was expressed at the annual meeting of the Scottish Fisheries Association at the delay of the Departmental Committee on Loans to Fishermen in issuing their Report; and whether he can give any assurance that the Report will be presented before the end of the Whitsuntide Recess?

I am aware that a resolution was carried to the effect that the Report should be issued without delay. I am informed that every effort is being made to secure the issue of the Report as soon as possible, but I am not in a position to give the assurance asked by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any means at his disposal for accelerating the very leisurely movements of the Committee?

The Committee are not immediately under my control, but I believe that they are anxious to get their Report out as soon as possible. I have been in communication with them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee appointed by the English Board of Agriculture and Fisheries only last November as to State loans to fishermen in Devon and Cornwall have already reported?

There is no comparison at all between the scope of the two Committees.

Has not the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster informed the House that the Report would not be ready until next autumn?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to another Report.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a resolution passed by the Scottish Fisheries Association on 4th April expressing their anxiety to have the Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Herring Trawling without delay; whether practical experiments are being carried out to ascertain the damage done by herring traveling; and can he say how long it will be necessary to carry on these experiments before sufficient evidence has been secured?

I have seen the resolution in question. Experiments have been and are being carried on, and, in order to secure useful results, it will be necessary to continue them throughout the summer and autumn herring season.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the action of the Board of Agriculture (Scotland) in refusing to apply the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act for the enlargement of holdings unless the land required for the enlargement of holdings belongs to the same landlord; and, having regard to the provisions of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, whether he will take the opinion of the Law Officers on the matter?

I understand that the Board, acting upon a legal opinion, have declined to transmit to the Land Court applications for enlargement of holdings except from land belonging to the landlord from whom the applicant holds. As, however, the question of the competency of such applications seems arguable, stops will be taken to bring a test case before the Court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his intention to introduce a Bill during the present Session to amend the Truck Act; and, if so, how soon such Bill will be brought forward?

My right hon. Friend would be glad to be able to proceed with this Bill this Session, but, in view of the demands on the time of Parliament he is not in a position to make any promise on the subject.

asked whether, having regard to the proposed repeal of the Idiots Act, 1886, it is the intention of the Government to re-enact Clause 15 of that Act, which empowers boards of guardians to receive a 4s. Grant for patients sent to institutions registered under that Act, and which will now become certified institutions tinder the Mental Deficiency Bill?

Section 15 of the Idiots Act cannot be re-enacted, because that Section merely preserved the condition of affairs existing in 1886, which was subsequently modified by the Local Government Act, 1888. My right hon. Friend is advised that neither the right of boards of guardians to send idiots to institutions—derived from Section 13 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1868—nor their right to receive Grants Under Section 24 (2) (f) of the Local Government Act, 1888, will be affected by the repeal of the Idiots Act.

asked whether any representatives of the landlord or tenant interest have been informally approached by the Government with a view to ascertaining the possibility of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill being introduced as an agreed-on measure?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether the agreements made by the parish priest of Abbeylara, county Longford, on behalf of the tenants and uneconomic holders of land, with the landlady, Mrs. Shirley Ball, or the division of the untenanted lands of Toneymore, has yet been lodged with and, if so, ratified by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, will they cause inquiry to be made as to the cause of the delay in concluding this matter as agreed upon?

The holdings on this estate are the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the vendor has included some 137 acres of untenanted land for sale to the Estates Commissioners for purposes of division when they are dealing with the estate in order of priority. The estate will not, however, be reached in order of priority for some years.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for purchase of the Martin estate, Ross, near Oughterard, county Galway, the maps of which have been lodged with the Board some months ago; whether the Chief Secretary is aware that this estate was one of the first brought under the notice of the Board after the passing of the Land Act of 1909, and that the tenants are consequently greatly discontented with the delay in its purchase?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of the property referred to. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection were only lodged with the Board in January last. The estate has been inspected, and the question of making an offer for it will probably be considered by the Board at their meeting next month.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have considered the application of Mrs. Gallagher, of Listarush, an evicted tenant on the Wynne estate, Ballaghameehan, county Leitrim, for a grant to enable her to repair her house and stock her farm?

This application will be considered by the Estates Commissioners when they are dealing with this estate in order of priority.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board have yet purchased the Tottenham estate, Kiltubrid, county Leitrim; and, if not, whether, having regard to the fact that the tenants are all willing and anxious to purchase, they would be allowed to avail themselves of the benefits of the Purchase Act.

The Congested Districts Board made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, which has not yet been accepted. If the Board purchase the estate it will be resold to the tenants under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked when Mr. Fitz-Gerald-Kenny lodged with the Congested Districts Board maps and documents relating to his congested estate near Ballyglass, county Mayo, with a view to a sale thereof through the Board; have the Board made an offer to Mr. FitzGerald-Kenny for the estate; and, if so, has it been accepted, and what has caused the delay in the negotiations and the completion of purchase?

The maps and documents necessary for an inspection of Mr. Fitz-Gerald-Kenny's estate were lodged with the Congested Districts Board in May, 1912. The Board have not made any offer for the estate pending settlement of the question of the inclusion of some untenanted lands in the proposed sale.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state if he is prepared to give facilities for the passage of the Plumage Bill?

The Government are aware of the importance of this question and are giving it careful consideration, but I cannot undertake to give facilities to the Bill as it stands.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable opposition to the Bill?

I think that the opposition might be removed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement in about a week's time?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put a question again after Whitsuntide.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the General Staff have already given a decided opinion upon the question of invasion, into which the Sub-Committee of the Imperial Defence Committee is now inquiring, he will consider the advisability of appointing to that Committee officers, other than those serving upon the General Staff, who can investigate the problem with an open mind?

There is no ground for the suggestion that any members of the Sub-Committee are not approaching the questions submitted to it with an open mind. There are on the Sub-Committee two officers of great distinction who serve on the General Staff. It has always been my intention to invite Field-Marshal Lord Nicholson, who served on the last inquiry, to take a seat on this Sub-Committee as soon as he returns from India, and I hope he will do so.

asked on how many separate occasions the suffragist prisoner, Mr. Hugh Franklin, now undergoing a sentence of nine months' imprisonment at Wormwood Scrubbs, has been forcibly fed; has he throughout resisted the treatment; is he still continuing his protest; and is his present physical condition satisfactory?

During the first part of his imprisonment this prisoner was fed twice a day; latterly he has been fed three times a day. The answer to the remainder of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the value of the Report on Buildings for Small Holdings (Cd. 6708, of 1913), he can reduce the cost from 11s. 3d., the price at which it is now issued, to some figure more within the roach of parish councillors and others, or, if this be not possible, whether he will permit the issue of this Report with the accompanying drawings and plans in some cheaper and abridged form, so that the valuable suggestions it contains for rural cottages and other buildings may be studied and adopted to the widest possible extent?

The price of the Report on Buildings for Small Holdings (Cd. 6708) was fixed at 11s. 3d., in accordance with the scale of prices for Parliamentary Papers laid down by the Select Committee on Form and Distribution of Parliamentary Papers in 1889. The question as to the issue of this Report in some cheaper form as a Stationery Office publication is now under consideration by the Select Committee on Publications and Debates Reports.

asked whether, in view of the admitted dissatisfaction among Army officers at the deductions under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, from the pensions that they have earned, and the comparatively small saving to the State resulting from it, the Government will introduce a Bill to abolish these deductions?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether, in view of the dissatisfaction caused to pensioners by the deductions made from their pay in any appointment the pay of which is derived from a public fund, he will consider the question of altering the present rules?

If, as I assume to be the case, the hon. and gallant Member refers to retired officers of the Army and Navy employed in civil posts, the deductions are made under Statute and I have no power to alter them.

asked the total amount invested or available for investment by the National Debt Commissioners from Irish sources; the name of the Departments; the amounts, respectively, from which it is derived; and the manner in which it is at present invested?

The funds from Irish sources under the control of the National Debt Commissioners are invested in Parliamentary Securities created or issued under an Act of Parliament and chargeable on the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, or in securities the due payment of the interest on which is guaranteed by authority of Parliament. I will circulate a statement giving the particulars.—[See Written Answers of this date.]

asked the total amount at present lodged in the Irish Post Office Deposit Department; and whether the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will consider the advisability of an advance being made from this account to Irish public bodies for the purpose of erecting labourers' cottages?

The estimated balance due to depositors whose accounts were opened in Ireland was, on the 31st December last (the latest date for which the figures are available), £12,823,900. The proposal that direct advances should be made to Irish public bodies for the purpose of erecting labourers' cottages is contrary to the well-established principle that the investment of Savings Bank moneys should be restricted to securities charged on the Consolidated Fund, or guaranteed by that fund, and is not, therefore, one which I could adopt.

asked whether a fee of 1,000 guineas was paid to Mr. Andrew Young, the valuer to the London County Council, for services rendered during the recent arbitration between the Postmaster-General and the National Telephone Company; what was the nature of the services and the time occupied in rendering them; and if, during the last-named period, any substitute was acting for Mr. Young in connection with his duties to the London County Council?

Under the purchase agreement approved by Parliament, the National Telephone Company's plant, property, and assets were purchased by the Post Office on what were practically "tramway terms," but the extent of the system and the amount involved were beyond all precedents. Mr. Andrew Young, the valuer to the London County Council, had had a unique experience in the valuation of plant under the Tramway Acts; and, at the request of the Postmaster-General, the London County Council granted Mr. Young permission to advise the Post Office with regard to the valuation of the telephone system. Mr. Young's assistance was given over a period of nearly two years, and he devoted much of his leisure time to study of the numerous problems involved. He also gave valuable evidence before the Railway and Canal Commission. The honorarium to Mr. Young was on a moderate scale in comparison with the fees usually paid for expert assistance and advice in complicated technical cases. I understand that Mr. Young attended to his duties to the London County Council throughout the time when he was assisting the Post Office.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the five assistant clerks who have been certified as suffering from phthisis or other tuberculous disease passed two strict medical examinations before their appointment, he will inquire into the conditions under which these men work in the Statistical Office of the Customs and Excise Department where they are employed?

I am informed by the Board of Customs and Excise that, in the opinion of their medical officer, the conditions under which the men in the Statistical Office work are satisfactory, and that the illness from which the five men in question suffered cannot be attributed to their conditions of work.

asked the President to the Board of Education whether he is aware of the proposals now being made for continuation day schools, whereby children on quitting the elementary schools may be made more efficient citizens and workers; whether any estimate has been formed of the cost of the additional buildings required; what number of places will be required if continuation schools become general; what the average cost for each school place in such schools would be; and what the total cost of buildings will be if proposals for continuation education for all are adopted?

I am aware that proposals have been made from time to time with regard to day continuation schools. The cost of the buildings would vary in accordance with the nature of the proposals, and it is not possible for me to give the hon. Member any figures.

In many cases, at any rate in the rural districts, will not the provision of buildings be quite unnecessary?

The answer is the same as that which I have just given to the hon. Member for Somerset. The provision must vary very much in different cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mr. Cuthbert Laws, general manager of the Shipping Federation, stated before the Industrial Council, on Wednesday, 16th April, that he was attending the inquiry only in an individual capacity; and whether he will, in future, ask any selected person who gives evidence before the Industrial Council to represent an organisation that such person may be connected with?

The arrangements with respect to the taking of evidence by the Industrial Council are entirely a matter for the council, and I could not, therefore, properly give any such instruction as is suggested.

asked what was the total value of exports from India to the United Kingdom in 1885 and in 1912, and what was the amount of re-exports to foreign countries in 1912; and what was the total value of exports to foreign countries in the same year?

The total value of the exports of merchandise from Britsh India to the United Kingdom in the year commencing 1st April, 1885, was £22,868,000, and in the year commencing 1st April, 1911, the latest year for which figures are available, was £40,078,000. In the latter year the re-exports of merchandise from India to foreign countries by sea amounted in value to £1,477,000, and the total exports of merchandise from India to foreign countries by sea to £87,881,000.

asked the value of exports of produce and manufactures from the United Kingdom in 1912 per head of population to the following countries: Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Germany, United States, France, and Russia?

The value of the exports of United Kingdom produce and manufacture from this country to the countries named in 1912, per head of the population of those countries, was as follows:—

asked whether the President of the Local Government Board is aware that the Lambeth Board of Guardians on Wednesday selected seventeen of the Poor Law children for emigration to Canada; and if he will state the age of each child selected?

I understand that the guardians contemplate taking steps for the emigration of seventeen children to Canada, and that the children's ages vary from ten to fifteen years.

asked what was the net emigration from the United Kingdom in 1912 to the British Empire and to foreign countries, respectively.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board has asked me to reply to this question. The separate classification of emigrants, according to their intended countries of settlement, is not available for the whole of the year 1912. The excess of passengers of British nationality from ports of the United Kingdom to ports of foreign countries not in Europe over passengers arriving from such ports was 48,506 in 1912, the corresponding figure for the balance of the movement between this country and ports of the British Empire out of Europe being 219,980.

Have the Government taken any steps to endeavour to keep emigration as far as possible under the Flag, as promised by the President of the Local Government Board a year ago?

I can hardly answer that question without notice.

asked whether the West Ham Board of Guardians had seven men locked up on Wednesday, 16th April, for refusing to work; whether every gate and door in the able-bodied men's place and in the labour yard was locked on them and that their belts, pipes, tobacco, and other belongings were taken away from them by the labour master; and whether the President of the Local Government Board will state whether it is the rule in all workhouses for men to be treated in that way; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

The seven men referred to were given into custody on the 16th April and were convicted of refusing to perform their work. I am informed that the only door locked was one leading to a roadway which gives access to the female side of the workhouse. Articles of clothing were taken from the men on their admission in pursuance of the regulations, and the pipes and tobacco in accordance with a resolution of the guardians prohibiting smoking in particular parts of the workhouse. Their property would, of course, have been returned on their discharge. I see no reason for my intervention.

asked the number of old age pensioners residing in workhouses and other Poor Law establishments in England and Wales on the 4th of January, 1913?

The Returns show that there were on the date in question 2,847 old age pensioners in workhouses and other Poor Law establishments in England and Wales who were receiving relief which did not disqualify for an old age pension—i.e., medical or surgical assistance only.

asked whether the refusal of the Local Government Board to sanction the granting of an old age pension to Peter Dowd, of Rover, Bally-farnon (No. 2) sub-committee district, county Sligo, because his name could not be found on the Census Returns of 1841 or 1851, debars the applicant from the benefits of the Act for all future time, and, if not, can the Chief Secretary say what tribunal is competent to decide the question as to when he is to receive his pension; and whether, in view of the fact that two old age pensioners have sworn affidavits to the effect that this man is seventy-two years of age, his case, owing to the evidence supporting it, will be reconsidered?

The Local Government Board cannot reconsider their previous decision, but it is open to Dowd to make a fresh claim whenever he considers that he has satisfactory evidence to show that he has reached the statutory age.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the salaries of Poor Law officers and servants in 1912 were practically double those paid to similar officers in 1888; and, as the Grant-in-Aid in 1912 was based on the expenditure in 1888, an unfair portion of the increased cost falling on the ratepayers, will he remedy this grievance by securing that the Grant be based on present day expenditure rather than on the expenditure of 1888?

What the hon. Member proposes could not be done without legislation. The question bas been remitted to a Committee to report upon, and pending their report the basis of the Grant should not in my opinion be altered.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether his office has attempted to form or can form an estimate, even approximately, of the total loss to Ireland in consequence of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last year and the restrictions on the importation of Irish cattle to this country which followed?

It is regretted that the Department are not in a position to form an estimate in this matter. The effects of the disturbance of trade while the restrictions were in force have appeared too complex for reduction to terms of net monetary loss, especially in view of the unusually high exports subsequently.

Were the exports more than usual?

I have nothing to add to my answer.

asked the Postmaster General if there are any reasons, other than that of the general practice of the Department, to justify the refusal to relieve the Post Office surveyors recently transferred from Cheltenham to Cardiff of the necessary expenses caused by such transfer?

It is the practice of the Department to defray all bonâ-fide removal expenses, and the officers in question have been relieved of all expenses that can be passed as such under the Regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board are prepared to reconsider their decision with reference to the surcharge of £2 10s. made by their auditor, Richard Grubb, Esq., at the last audit of the accounts of the Abbeyleix District Council, in view of the fact that the sum mentioned was expended in repairing the fences on a plot of land attached to an unoccupied cottage, and that the expenditure was made for the purpose of reletting the cottage, which was vacant from the to 15th August, 1911, to the 29th March, 1912?

The decision of the Local Government Board in this matter is final. The Board could find no valid reason for remitting this surcharge.

asked whether he will state how much money has been distributed by the Estates Commissioners on the tenants on the Tottenham estate, county Leitrim; how many tenants have been assisted; how many are on the list for future assistance; and how much money is still available for the assistance of evicted poor tenants?

In connection with the improvement of this estate, which has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners, an expenditure of some £5,500 is proposed which is to be by way of Grant. It is proposed that over 200 tenants will benefit in the expenditure of the money, of which over £3,000 has been expended. The balance of the money will not be expended until a scheme for the allotment of the turbary, on the preparation of which the inspector is at present employed, has been approved.

In making my Budget Statement last year I framed my Estimates upon the anticipation of a prosperous year, and the event has more than justified the forecast. The Estimates were based on a hopeful view of trade and the receipts of the Exchequer have exceeded even the optimistic Estimates which I then made. Without exception last year was the most prosperous year that British trade has probably ever seen. Judged by any test—volume of trade, profits, employment, wages—business was thoroughly sound and healthy. The chairman of the Baltic Conference a fortnight ago, in his Presidential address, stated that last year formed a red-letter year in the history of British shipping. Our overseas trade was at its highest and the home trade had never reached such dimensions. Factories, workshops, counting houses, banks, railways, docks, and, in fact, every domiciliary industry in this country was humming with business, and the tide of affluent trade rose so high that it overwhelmed three serious obstacles in its path. There was a great strike that was going on at the time I made my statement, probably the greatest strike we have ever had in this country, which dislocated almost every industry; there was a bad harvest in this country, from which agriculture has suffered severely, especially in some parts of the Kingdom; and there was a war in the East, and the still more grave complications which that war menaced to Europe.

Has the Chancellor of the Exchequer the figures by which the Whisky Duty has exceeded the estimate of the yield?

I thought I had made that clear. If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the White Paper he will see that we did not estimate the yield of the Whisky Duty except for the first year. It was quite impossible to estimate the ultimate result because it depended so very much on the habits of the people. We could not form any sort of forecast. The White Paper shows that there is nothing set off against the ultimate yield of the Whisky Duty.

We estimated the revenue of last year on the basis of a rosy view. In spite of the holding back at the end of the year; in spite of the strike, the receipts exceeded the Estimate by £1,600,000. But for the strike and the holding back we should have received £2,600,000 more than we actually received.

Or of the Government.

The expenditure on armaments differs from every other expenditure in two respects. One is, it is non-productive. The other is that the increase or diminution in armaments is not dependent upon the will of the individual Government that initiates the expenditure, or even of the House of Commons that sanctions the expenditure; it depends upon the concerted, or rather competitive, will of a number of great nations, of whom we constitute one of the most potent. Now armaments count for the largest, and I think the most sterile, increase since 1861. If the Committee will just follow the other items of expenditure, I think they will agree that they are much more full of encouragement and hope. There are larger sums spent upon objects which give a promise of strength and happiness to the nation. It is no use quoting details without examining the purpose of the expenditure. Whether an increased expenditure is an improvement or not depends, first of all, on the purpose of the expenditure and on the means.

No.

Certainly.

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. The two figures he has just read, £500,000 for the strike and £450,000 held back, make £950,000.

Last year the revenue lost £430,000 by holding back but gained £70,000 held back in the previous year, making the net loss £360,000. The £430,000 will come in this year, so that this year will get about £800,000 more than last.

That is holding back alone.

Yes, holding back alone. I hope that is quite clear. If these two items are added together, that is £1,350,000 which we can comfortably expect to get this year over the receipts of last year. Then there is the development of the taxes of 1909. Last year we received £1,000,000 more than we received the preceding year from these taxes. This year we expect to receive £845,000 more than we received last year from these taxes. That brings up the sum to £2,150,000, and I have still got over £5,000,000 to find.

How much do you expect to get altogether from tobacco?

I will give the figures later on. I am dealing now rather with the increases. Perhaps the Committee would like to know what percentage I put on for normal increases. In the case of spirits we are adding 1½ per cent., and if hon. Members will cast their minds back to the figures I gave, showing the difference between a good year and a bad year, I think they will find that we are not unreasonable in anticipating in a good year 1½ per cent. increase. On beer, too, we anticipate an increase of 1½ per cent.; on tea 1 per cent., and on sugar 2 per cent. Liquor licences this year will be down by £108,000. That is partly due to the fact that houses have been closed, but mainly to the fact that there were substantial arrears from the previous year falling in the revenue of last year. Then we anticipate a substantial drop in medicine labels. This is due to the fact that the retail of patent medicines has largely and quite suddenly fallen. The explanation is quite simple: it is partly owing to the Insurance Act and partly to the revelations in a Committee sitting upstairs, which disclosed the ingredients of some of the more popular medicines. The total from Customs I anticipate will be £35,200,000, an increase of £1,715,000 upon last year. From Excise I anticipate £38,850,000, an increase of £850,000. £1,500,000 of this increase is derivable from abnormal causes, and £1,000,000 from normal growth. Here, perhaps, I may answer the question put to me by the hon. Member opposite as to the total revenue I anticipate from tobacco. It is £18,180,000.

How much is the increase?

I have given that figure already.