asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many insurance committees have appointed medical referees; and whether he will state what the duties of the referees are and from what fund they are paid?

If my hon. Friend refers to the medical referees who will determine questions as to the scope of medical benefit under paragraph 55 of the Medical Regulations, no such referees have yet been appointed, as no such questions have yet arisen for decision in this manner. One or two medical advisers have been appointed in connection with the checking of sickness certificates, etc. I will send my hon. Friend a memorandum setting out in detail the terms of appointment of these officers.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury when the appointment of the members of insurance committees, as set forth in Section 59, Sub-section (2) (a), will be made, and the method of appointment or election that will be adopted in England?

The Commissioners are to-day discussing with the Advisory Committee the method of appointing the representatives of insured persons on insurance committees, and the appointments will be made as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the committee of management of the London Skin Hospital, 40, Fitzroy Square, are considering the question of the dismissal of Dr. W. F. Roach from their staff, of which, in common with other general medical practitioners, he is a member, on account of his having placed his name on the medical list under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, whether he will consider what steps are possible to protect medical men rendering service under the National Insurance Act from treatment of this character?

I have had no previous information as to this case. I find it difficult to imagine that a hospital deriving support from public subscriptions could contemplate such action as is suggested on the ground that a doctor has accepted duties under the provisions of an Act of Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the distribution of the Education Grants of £19,500,000 from the Exchequer and the £16,500,000 raised by local rates in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; and, if possible, similar figures for the year 1901–2?

The figure of £19,200,000 quoted in my Budget speech as the money voted for education by Parliament is the sum included in the Education Votes for the current financial year 1913–14, and represents the total of Class IV. of the Civil Service Estimates with the omission of the Votes not specifically dealing with education. They may be divided between England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as follows:—

England and Wales	…	£14,700,000
Scotland	…	2,500,000
Ireland	…	2,000,000
		£19,200,000

These sums include items other than Education Grants. The £16,600,000 quoted as representing the contribution from rates towards education represents the estimated expenditure falling on local authorities in Great Britain in 1911–12, namely:—

England and Wales	…	£15,000,000
Scotland	…	1,600,000

The above figures are, however, only a rough estimate and are subject to correction when fuller returns are available. The figures of expenditure from Parliamentary Votes for 1901–2 are taken from the Appropriation Accounts for that year of the Votes corresponding to those on which the estimate for 1913–14 is based. They are as follows:—

England and Wales	…	£9,869,000
Scotland	…	1,359,000
Ireland	…	1,374,000
		£12,602,000

The following figures represent the sums raised for education from local rates in 1901–2:—

England and Wales	…	£6,485,000
Scotland	…	1,053,000
		£7,538,000

The amount raised in Ireland for education from local rates is negligible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the unequal burden cast on the agricultural industry by the restriction of the special aid Grant to autonomous areas, he will extend it to rural parishes where the education rate exceeds 1s. 6d. in the £?

The existing system under which Grants are paid in respect of elementary education to local education authorities is under consideration, and I am not prepared, in advance of the Government's proposals, to make such an alteration, as is suggested, in the Regulations under which special Grant is paid.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the directors of the Boyne Navigation Company have notified the Commissioners of Public Works that they have appointed a liquidator and have ceased working the canal between Drogheda and Navan; whether, in the opinion of the Commissioners, the canal is now derelict; and, if so, have they communicated the fact to the Board of Trade?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board of Public Works have not taken any step in the matter. I understand there is some prospect of a new company being formed to take over the navigation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a force of police, accompanied by an acting-sergeant, attempted to force their way into a private football ground in Killeshandra on the 20th instant; if these men entered the grounds; how long they remained; whether they were on duty and observed the full discipline that the same entails; and, if they or any of them were merely spectators; whether they are entitled qua policemen to free entrance to football matches and such pastimes for which a charge is made to the public?

I am informed that an acting-sergeant and five constables attended on duty at a football match at Killeshandra on the date mentioned for the purpose of preserving the peace. These men, who remained on duty for two hours and observed the full discipline of the force, did not force their way into the ground, as on declining to pay the entrance money they were admitted. Two members of the force who were present, but not on duty, paid for admission. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the number of female occupation voters in England and Wales in 1912?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the only Return available showing the number of women entitled to vote at county and borough council elections in England and Wales. Information as to the number of female voters in 1912 is not available.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has issued an Order fixing the salary of the vaccination officer of the Medway Union at £180 per annum; and whether he has considered the question of the probable consequent creation of a sinecure post at the expense of the ratepayers, through the dwindling number of vaccinations with the increase of declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination now being signed?

It is proposed to issue an Order authorising the payment to the present vaccination officer of the salary mentioned. I do not think there is any danger of a sinecure post being created. On the occurrence of a vacancy the question of salary would be reconsidered.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has taken any further action on the notice given him by the Marconi Company that they considered the contract of His Majesty's Government rescinded; if not, has he taken steps to provide for claims for damages which will arise owing to the delay which must intervene between the signing of the contract and the commencement of the work, or will he state what is his view upon the legality of such claims?

I have taken all the steps which I was advised were necessary to maintain the legal rights of the Government under the agreement with the Marconi Company. It would not be in the public interest to make any fuller statement at present.