asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Lieutenant. Bertrand Stewart, a Territorial officer, has been released from imprisonment in Germany; will he say what notice has been taken of his conviction in Germany; and whether the release generously granted to him by the German Emperor will be followed by his reinstatement in the British Army in the position which he held before his conviction?

Lieutenant Stewart has retained and continues to retain his commission.

Has any notice been taken of his enforced absence?

Of course, we knew of his enforced absence.

asked whether any instructions have been issued to officers employed to purchase horses in Ireland on mobilisation; if so, whether these instructions are the same as those issued to officers to be engaged in a similar duty in England and Scotland; and, if not, what is the reason for issuing different instructions and regulations for Ireland?

The instructions issued to purchasers in Ireland differ in some respects from those issued to purchasers in the rest of the United Kingdom, because the surplus horse population in Ireland is so much larger than in the rest of the United Kingdom.

asked whether the Surrey Territorial Force Association complained of the cost of recruiting, £741 to obtain 1,100 men; and whether he can see his way to introduce the bonus system instead of what is now to a great extent free refreshments for recruiters and recruited?

I have no knowledge of these figures. It is not proposed to take away from County Associations the discretion they now exercise in the conduct of expenditure on recruiting.

Is not the right hon Gentleman aware that alcoholic drinks are used, and does he not recognise that the system is a terrible discouragement to teetotalers?

I do not know. I am not aware of the general practice with regard to enlistment in the Army.

asked the amount spent by each Territorial Association in obtaining recruits for the year 1912–13, and the number of recruits obtained by each association?

The information is not available at the War Office.

asked what are the usual hours of duty of the military police; whether the military police receive, with the addition of their Army pay, a larger or smaller wage per hour than the members of the Metropolitan or county constabularies for carrying out similar duties; if larger how much larger, and if smaller how little less; if he can say what the average pay per hour a non-commissioned officer carrying out military police duties receives in each rank; and whether members of the military police are in receipt of any of the extra benefits enjoyed by members of the civil police force, such as extra pay for good conduct and one day's rest in seven?

The usual hours of duty are five hours patrol (and stable duty in addition) for the military mounted police and six hours patrol for the military foot police. As regards their wages it would be impracticable to institute any proper comparison between the emoluments and benefits of the military and civil police.

asked whether printed forms have been issued and handed round to the Army nurses forbidding them to go to any dances in the stations they belong to, and that if they attended these dances they were not to dance; whether, if they did not obey this Order, they were to lose two months towards promotion; and whether these Orders also apply to Indian Army nurses?

Dancing is prohibited for the members of Queen Alexandra's Imperial Nursing Service except when on leave of absence and away from their stations. This Order was issued two years ago, and copies were duly distributed, but no other Order has been issued by the War Office on this subject. This has always been the rule for the Service. These Orders do not apply to the Indian Service.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether that Order was issued on account of the "Turkey Trot" or the "Bunny Hug"?

No, Sir. I do not think so, because the Order was issued two years ago when these dances were, fortunately, not invented.

Why is there a different Order for the Indian and the English nurses?

That does not come within my province. I do not mean to say the Orders are different.

asked what it cost to build the ten houses at Tidworth barracks, known as New Terrace, and what the rent has been fixed at for each house; whether the huts, known as Staff Colony and at present occupied by officers, were the huts originally occupied by the workmen who built the barracks; what price was paid for these huts when taken over by the War Office; and what rents are charged to officers for single and double huts?

The estimated cost of the ten houses amounts to £10,450, and the rent has been fixed at 6 per cent. of the total capital cost of construction. The huts known as Staff Colony were originally occupied by the contractors' workmen, but were adapted by the firm for letting to officers. The War Department purchased these huts at a cost of £600, and are letting them to officers at £30 a year for a single, and £50 a year for a double hut.

asked for the latest returns relative to the numbers of officers and men in the Territorial Force; and if he will state what were the numbers of the force at the corresponding period last year and what is the increase or decline shown?

also asked what were the actual numbers of the strength of the Territorial Force, both for officers and non-commissioned officers and men, on May Day last?

The figures required are as follows:—

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask him, as a matter of fact, whether the General Staff are still satisfied that the Territorial Force are able to fulfil the defence required?

The hon. Member cannot put highly controversial matters at Question Time. He will have an opportunity on the Estimates.

asked the Secretary for War whether he intends to reopen negotiations with the Treasury with a view to obtaining their approval of the scheme recommended some time ago by the Army authorities to permit soldiers of good character, who leave the Army before they have qualified for a pension, to count their years of employment in the more perilous branch of His Majesty's service for pension if they afterwards obtain employment in the Civil Service of the State?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the answers given to questions on this subject on 30th May, 1911.

asked whether, in view of the official refusal to give any information whatever with reference to the number of aircraft in the possession of the War Department, it is now the policy of the Government to withhold all such information from the House of Commons; and, if so, on what grounds this decision has been arrived at?

It is not the custom to publish detailed statistics of the present strength of personnel or materiel of the British Army. I hope to make a general statement on Thursday.

In view of the fact that it is the policy of the Government to withhold information as to the number of aircraft in possession of the War Department, are we to understand the figures the right hon. Gentleman gave the House on 19th March were not, as a matter of fact, correct?

It is the policy of the Government to withhold from the House no information that can properly be given to it, and I may say we have given more complete information to this House than has been given to the Assemblies in any foreign countries. The fullest information upon this and all other matters that can be given in the public interest will be given.

Can the right hon. Gentleman issue a Return before he makes a statement, giving in their different classes the aircraft of the country?

Yes, Sir. I am glad the question is asked, because I propose to issue a Paper giving the fullest information possible, and such information as we have in regard to aeronautics.

asked whether the minimum wage of the unskilled labourer employed at His Majesty's Gunwharf, Devonport, is 22s. a week and that the minimum wage of the labourer in the adjoining dockyard will, on the 1st June, be 23s.; and will he consider the advisability of levelling up so that the minimum wage may be the same in both cases?

Yes, Sir. The necessary action is being taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the second time when a rise in pay has been given to labourers in His Majesty's Dockyards, that it has required a question to be put, to the War Minister from this side of the House before an equivalent rise has been granted to the labourers employed at His Majesty's Gunwharf. Can I have an answer?

If the question is important, the hon. Member can give notice of it. If it is not important, it does not require an answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can say when the last of the replies from the local Governments as to the proposed amendment of the criminal code relating to confessions of guilt, with a view to stopping torture by the police, was received by the Government of India; and when he expects to receive from the Government of India any further information on this subject?

As regards the first part of the question, I am unable to give any precise date, but the replies of the local Governments were being considered by the Government of India on the 12th April last. As regards the last part, the Government of India hope to communicate their views this month.

Will this question be treated as a separate question or will it merely be treated as part of the general Amendment of the criminal code, which I understand he proposes?

I am afraid I do not know. The Government of India's report upon this subjection of confession will be sent home in a dispatch this month.

asked (1) how many Anglican churches and chapels have been constructed since 1905 in India on sites wholly contributed by the Government of India, and how many on sites partially given or sold for an inadequate price by the Government of India; to what the total value of the land given in such cases amounts; whether such sites are in any cases conveyed outright to trustees or ecclesiastical bodies or persons, or whether the ownership remains vested in the Government of India; (2) how many churches and chapels in India of all denominations have received contributions towards their buildings, either by way of monetary grants or sites, since 1905; how many in the preceding eight years; what is the total value of the grants and sites for erecting these places of worship in the period since 1905, and in the previous eight years, respectively; whether it is the settled policy of the Government of India to encourage the erection of Christian places of worship with funds provided in most part by the non-Christian inhabitants of India; and (3) how many Anglican churches and chapels have been helped since 1905 in India as to their construction by grants of money; what is the total amount of such grants of money; and whether such grants have been paid out of the general revenues of India or out of special taxes or levies paid only by members of the Anglican church?

My hon. Friend is, I observe, not satisfied with the information which he derived from the statement furnished to him on the subject and has put a series of thirteen questions for different days on the Order Paper. I would suggest to him that this is not a convenient method of extracting the information he seeks. Most, if not all, of the facts he wants to know must be obtained from India. If, therefore, he will put down an unstarred question of an exhaustive nature the Secretary of State will consider how much information can be got for him from India.

Am I not entitled to consult my own convenience as well as the convenience of the India Office?

Of course! I only made the suggestion. With all respect to the hon. Member, I cannot give information about questions that have not yet been opened up, and it seems to me a very inconvenient method of procedure to keep on sending letters to the Government of India.

Is it not a fact that the Government of India have not spent money collected from the taxpayers of India of all classes on hospitals and schools, which the people of India do not build?

An answer to that question would involve me in controversy.

Will there be an opportunity of raising this question on the Indian Budget?

I think so.

May I ask why my hon. Friend suggested an unstarred question?

In order that I might ask my Noble Friend the Secretary of State. If the hon. Member prefers to put a starred question, and then postpones it for a month, it comes to the same thing.

May I ask whether any buildings put up at the expense of the Indian taxpayers are then handed over to any one particular Christian community to the exclusion of all others?

I must ask my hon. Friend to put that on the Paper.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the opinion of the leading friendly society orders that sick pay should be paid from the first day of certified illness and that full sick pay, i.e., 10s. for males and 7s. 6d. for females, should be paid to all minors, he will include provisions to this effect in the forthcoming National Insurance Act amending Bill?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent. The cost of these two changes would involve an addition of about £1,200,000 a year to the burdens of the taxpayer.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of lengthening the period for paying back?

I doubt whether that can be done in connection with this matter, and the particular suggestions put forward by the hon. Member would involve a very considerable task.

asked whether it has been decided that the responsibility of determining whether insured persons who have reached a convalescent stage shall continue to receive sick benefit shall rest with the society concerned; and, if so, what steps will be taken, in the interests of other contributors and of employers, to secure that a uniform medical standard shall be adopted in such cases?

Under Section 14 (1) of the National Insurance Act the responsibility for administering the sickness benefit of its members and therefore of determining in the first instance whether a particular member is still incapable of work rests with the approved society. As the benefit is paid from the funds of the approved society itself, it has an obvious interest in administering the benefit properly and with sufficient safeguards.

Is it not a rather dangerous practice to throw the onus of deciding as to convalescence on the approved society?

I think the approved societies would be exceedingly angry if we took it away from them.

Are they not in the position of not knowing how to administer the convalescent benefit? Will the right hon. Gentleman make it perfectly plain for their guidance what rule they should follow?

I am quite sure the approved societies are quite conversant with their duty in this matter.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the fact that over 600 insured persons living at Woodbridge have been allocated to doctors living about six miles away; and what steps he proposes to take to provide these people with medical attendance within a reasonable distance?

I have made inquiries about this matter, and I find that a scheme was drawn up by the medical committee for adoption by the insurance committee providing for the allocation among three doctors living at Wickham Market of about 600 insured persons living at Woodbridge. Any insured person at Woodbridge could have chosen a Woodbridge doctor. I have reason to believe that the insurance committee are now considering an arrangement which will make the proposed allocation unnecessary.

asked whether the whole of the special grant of £10,000 for medical benefit and service in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is to be expended for the benefit of insured persons only?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will indicate in what respects it is proposed during the present Session to amend the National Insurance Act; and whether, in view of the admitted hardship suffered by the agricultural community in consequence of the flat-rate system of premium payment, he will in the amending Bill so alter such system as to make the weekly contribution of agricultural labourers and their employers more closely correspond with the high health standard of the former and the relatively few claims made by them for sickness and medical benefit?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent. In reply to the second part of the question, I would point out, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Barkston Ash Division, on 27th November last, that if, as the question assumes, persons in agricultural districts enjoy superior health to those in other parts of the country, agricultural societies should on valuation show a substantial surplus, which will be available either for increasing the benefits or for paying a part of the contributions of their members.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that most agricultural labourers are in societies which are composed partly of rural and partly of town labourers, and under those circumstances is it not impossible to get their due without some amendment of the Act?

As far as I know, any agriculturist could have joined or could now be transferred to purely rural societies.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that of the five principal benefits under the Act the cost of administering three of them is larger in agricultural districts than in the towns?

I think that may be so, but I was very careful not to assume the premises of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that fact?

Is it not precisely in respect of agricultural wages that the benefits are nearer in proportion to weekly earnings, and, therefore, what is required is not additional benefits but reduced contributions?

Certainly a large number of agricultural labourers ought now to be paying reduced contributions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what action he intends to take in the case of county councils in Scotland who are refusing to administer the sanatorium section of the Insurance Act?

I am informed that the Scottish County Councils are in every case taking steps to provide accommodation for tuberculous insured persons under Section 64 of the National Insurance Act; but if the hon. Member will furnish me, with particulars of the cases to which he refers I shall be glad to make inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the expressions of opinion from insured persons in Lincoln that the person appointed as chairman of the Court of Referees under Part II. of the National Insurance Act is not calculated to be an impartial chairman by virtue of his other activities; and' whether, in view of the advisability of the chairman of the Courts of Referees having the confidence of those concerned, he can take any action to meet the representations made?

In making appointments to the chairmanships of Courts of Referees, the Board of Trade carefully investigated the qualifications of candidates, with special reference to the essential need of impartiality. The usual procedure was followed in the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and I am satisfied that there is no good ground for reconsidering the appointment.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of voluntary contributors under the National Insurance Act, the estimated number of persons qualified to become voluntary contributors, and the number estimated by the actuaries as likely to avail themselves of the Act?

The number of voluntary contributors, according to the latest returns, is 20,500. With regard to the second and third parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 1st May.

Am I right in assuming that the number estimated by the actuary was 829,000, and the number qualified over two millions? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that the actual number has fallen so far short of the estimate of the experts?

I have no doubt the chief reason why the number is so much below the estimate of the actuary has been the campaign carried on against the Insurance Act

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that out of the 3s. 8d. per annum per insured member allowed by the Government to approved societies for the expenses of managing the Act the National Amalgamated Approved Society only gives 1s. 4d. per annum per member as remuneration and expenses of superintendents, agents, and assistants; whether he is aware that as a result many of the supertendents are working at a loss; and whether the Insurance Commissioners can bring pressure on the National Amalgamated Approved Society to compel them to pay more adequate remuneration?

As I have several times stated in reply to similar questions, the Commissioners have no power to interfere in the rates of remuneration paid to agents for such work as they do for the National Insurance Act in addition to their normal work, as this is a matter to be settled between the agents themselves and the societies employing them. The funds of the society are held for the benefit of the members, to whose advantage any saving due to economical administration accrues.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is being done to secure the due payment of benefits to those who, though aliens, were on 4th May, 1911, members of societies which have become approved and who had then been resident in the United Kingdom for five years; whether such a person may easily be deprived of his rights through not knowing the special provisions of Clause 45 of the National Insurance Act; and whether he will take steps to see that societies and aliens are informed of their true position in the matter?

The handbook to the Administration of Sickness and Maternity Benefits, which has been supplied to all approved societies, directs their special attention to the fact that the aliens referred to in the first part of the question should be given the same benefits as British subjects. In addition, a special circular to the same effect has been issued to societies, offering to supply forms to facilitate declarations by alien insured persons as to membership and residence.

asked whether the auditor who has audited the National Insurance Act accounts of the Foresters' Courts in the Sheffield district has objected to or declined to pass items in respect to sums paid to secretaries under resolutions adopted at meetings of State-insured members for services rendered under the Act?

I am not aware of any instance in the courts named of the precise kind specified in the question, but I am advised that where the secretary whose increase of remuneration is in question is at the same time a member of the committee proposing the increase, such increase cannot legally be made in the absence of a specific enabling rule.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this specific case?

My officials tell me that they know nothing of it. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman can give me some particulars: then I will inquire further.

asked if cases of abuse have occurred in the use of money paid as maternity benefit under the National Insurance Act; and if there is any provision in the Act that the money shall be used for the case of maternity and not squandered for extraneous purposes while the woman is in want or neglected?

Very few cases of the kind referred to in the first part of the question have been brought to the notice of the Commissioners. Under Section 19 of the Act it is the duty of a husband who receives maternity benefit to make adequate provision, to the best of his power, for the maintenance and care of his wife during her confinement, and for a period of four weeks after her delivery, and if he neglects or refuses to do so he is liable, upon summary conviction, to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any term not exceeding one month.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will explain the delay in making valuations on occasions arising within the meaning of Section 2 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and by what date the 353,473 cases remaining to be dealt with will be disposed of?

In the initial stages when the original valuation of land as at 30th April, 1909, is not complete, some delay is unavoidable. It is in part due to the time which must necessarily elapse before the original site value of the land, on which the Increment Value Duty depends, becomes finally settled. Care is, however, taken to minimise inconvenience which might otherwise exist, by expediting the valuation in all urgent cases as fully as the circumstances permit. It is anticipated that the whole of the outstanding cases will be disposed of by April, 1915.

asked whether, on a claim arising for Reversion Duty, an independent valuation has to be made, and none of the values directed to be ascertained as at 30th April, 1909, under the provisions of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, apply; and whether, apart from arrears of Undeveloped Land Duty, the sum he has estimated to receive from Reversion Duty for the current year amounts to nearly one-half of the total sum estimated to be received from Land Value Duties?

The valuation necessary for purposes of Reversion Duty is an independent valuation made by reference to the circumstances existing at the date of the determination of the lease; it is, however, ascertained in the same manner as the total value as at 30th April, 1909. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the amount of land in Scotland under mortgage and the amount which is held by corporations, banks, or associations of any description?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked whether the vacant clerkships in the Scottish prison service which were recently advertised represent a new rank in the service; whether the institution of this rank will bar the way to promotion for the present store warders; whether a store warder may be appointed a clerk; and whether any age limit has been fixed for candidates for clerkships which will prevent store warders who are over the ago of thirty from being promoted to be clerks?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the clerkships represent the revival of a former post, not the establishment of a new one. The present store warders are not excluded from the possibility of promotion if they can pass the examination, are otherwise suitable, and are not over forty years of age.

asked what is the objection to promoting store warders in the Scottish prisons to be clerks instead of advertising for candidates for the new rank of prison clerks?

Experience has satisfied the Prison Commissioners that it is not in the interests of the public service expedient to confine clerical appointments to a class whose training has not as a rule been such as to qualify them for the conduct of the business side of prison administration; and this is the reason for the change proposed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that in the English prison service these duties are performed by the same person?

There is a considerable difference between the English and Scotch prisons.

Are the store warders giving satisfaction as clerks?

I think my last answer has dealt with that point.

asked whether the maximum wage for store warders in the Scottish prisons is now £110, together with allowances amounting to £15 7s. per annum; whether the maximum wage for the new rank of prison clerks is £140 per annum; whether in the English prisons the duties now apportioned between prison clerks and prison store warders in Scotland are performed by one rank, namely, the clerk and school master rank; and whether he will take steps to obtain for the Scottish prison staff the same advantages in this respect as are enjoyed by the English prison staff?

The answers to the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question are in the affirmative, except that he has apparently overlooked the existence of a class of head store warders with maximum salary of £150 and allowances valued at £23 18s. I regret I cannot enter into comparisons between the relative scales and duties in the English and Scottish prison service in view of the diversity of conditions.

Is not the principle of the right hon. Gentleman to advance the servants already in the employment of the Department instead of embarking upon new assistants?

I have explained in the answer I have given what the complaint was.

asked whether the store warders in Scottish prisons have to work twenty-nine hours more per fortnight than warders employed in clerical duties in English prisons; whether in English prisons promotion from Grade II. to Grade I. in the clerk and schoolmaster rank is automatic on reaching the maximum in Grade I., while in Scottish prisons the promotion of store warders from Class II. to Class I. is by selection; and whether he proposes to take any steps to place the Scottish and English prison staffs on an equal footing in this respect?

I must remind my hon. Friend that the English and the Scottish Prison services are separate and distinct, and that while the Scottish Prison Commissioners, of course, watch developments in the English service, they administer their own Department with a view not to identity of conditions in England and Scotland, but to the efficiency of the service in Scotland. I regret I cannot enter into the detailed comparisons between English and Scottish conditions referred to in the question. It is not proposed to take action as suggested.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is detrimental to the public interest in Scotland that officials performing similar duties should have much better terms in England than in Scotland?

I do not admit that that is so.

I give notice that I shall call attention to this matter on the Scottish Estimates.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that, owing to the congested state of business in the Land Court, an applicant for resumption of his holding in Gamrie parish, Banffshire, was unable to have his case dealt with before the term of Whit Sunday, that he has not yet got entry to his farm, and that he has difficulty in providing for his family, stock, and implements; and whether he proposes to take any steps to, secure the overtaking of arrears of work now accumulated in the Land Court in order that a case of this kind may be promptly dealt with?

I am informed that the delay in the case referred to is due not to any congestion of business, but to the necessity of reasonable notice to the tenant in possession before he can be asked to quit the holding.

asked whether, in view of the congested state of business in the Land Court, he will consider the expediency of delegating some of the judges of the Court of Session to assist in overtaking the work?

The work at the beginning of a new system necessarily leads to extra pressure, and it is too early to allege congestion in the business of the Land Court. The course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is not a competent one.

In view of the state of business in the Scottish Courts, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be well if some of the judges of the Court of Session were employed to overtake the arrears of work in the Land Court?

That is not their business, and you could not put that business upon them without special legislation. As to the state of business in the Scottish Courts, I could not reply without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Land Court the judges say they have constantly to go through the work twice, instead of once?

asked if there are any definite instructions laid down with reference to buildings that might be required for a small holding; and, if so, will he make them public?

No definite instructions have been laid down by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland with reference to such buildings, but all plans for them require to receive the approval of the Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether an iron or wooden building is considered sufficient, or will it be necessary to have stone or brick?

I think it will depend upon circumstances.

asked the number of new small holdings which have been created in the crofting counties and the Lowland counties of Scotland, respectively, as distinct from schemes of land settlement in respect of which the Board of Agriculture have applied to the Land Court, since the coming into force of the Small Landholders Act in April of last year?

In the crofting counties twenty-eight new holdings and six enlargements, and in the rest of Scotland six new holdings, have been formed by agreement with the help of the Board's funds and without the Board going to the Land Court for an Order. I have no information as to holdings formed voluntarily outside the Act.

asked what proportion of the £206,000 which is annually at the disposal of the Scottish Board of Agriculture was spent last year in the setting up of new small holdings in Scotland?

The whole of the money available is practically appropriated for schemes in hand, though, in the circumstances of the case, the amount actually expended is necessarily small.

May I ask whether, if this £206,000 is not utilised in one year, it is carried forward to another year or whether it is lost?

Oh, yes, certainly, and part of the £206,000 has gone to other general purposes of agriculture.

May I ask whether a larger portion of the sum may not in future be appropriated to the Small Holdings Act for providing more sub-inspectors and otherwise?

Yes, the greater part is devoted to that purpose, and I hope that we shall be allowed to appoint more sub-inspectors soon.

asked what sums, in addition to the salaries of the commissioner and sub-commissioners of small holdings, who are paid by the Treasury, were spent last year in investigating the claims and circumstances of applicants for small holdings?

It is not possible to give this figure; the items cannot be precisely differentiated.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether His Majesty's Government agree with the Report of the Scottish Board of Agriculture that the demand for land settlement is far in excess of the present resources of the fund at the disposal of the Board; and whether he has approached the Treasury with a view to securing an additional Grant for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act?

I believe the fact is as stated in the Report, and the question referred to is engaging my attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has actually approached the Treasury?

No, Sir; it is not usual to make a statement in that form.

asked whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture are of opinion that the issue of four explanatory leaflets and the occasional visits of the commissioner and sub-commissioners of small holdings form the most effective means of popularising the Small Landholders Act, especially in the Lowland counties of Scotland; and whether, in view of the admitted success of the methods employed to popularise the National Insurance Act, similar methods will be adopted to make the Act known and understood in those counties?

The best advertisement is the successful establishment of small holdings. I do not think that the case of the Insurance Act is analogous. Applications are still coming in in considerable numbers.

asked for the names of His Majesty's inspectors of schools for Scotland; whether he can say how many of them are honours men in classics, English, or mathematics; and whether he can give the total number of schools which each visited during the last complete school year?

The names of His Majesty's inspectors of schools in Scotland are given on page 76 of the official publication, of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend. Of the twenty-eight members of that grade, including chief inspectors, thirteen are honours men in classics, nine in mathematics and natural science, one in mental and moral science, and one in philosophy. Some have taken honours in more than one subject. The information asked for in the concluding part of the question could not be obtained without the expenditure of considerable time and trouble, and, if published, would be likely to have a misleading effect, owing to the varying circumstances of the several inspection districts.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a letter from the Midlothian County Council requesting that in future the title "county of Midlothian" may be used by all Government Departments in connection with all local government affairs pertaining to the county; and whether, especially as confusion in business has sometimes been caused by different Government Departments using the different names county of Midlothian and county of Edinburgh, he can see his way to grant this request of the local authority chiefly concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I shall be glad to communicate the wish of the county council to other Government Departments and so far as possible to give effect to it in the Scottish Office. I must, however, point out that in some eases the county is described as Edinburgh or Edinburghshire in Acts of Parliament, and in proceedings under those Acts it may be necessary to adhere to the statutory style.

Would it not be possible by any means to arrange that the county should be known entirely as the county of Midlothian?

It would be possible by amending the Act, but it is a question whether it is worth the expenditure and the time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the order recently issued by the Ceylon Government prohibiting Government officials from being members of temperance societies unless sanction has been first obtained from the head of the department concerned, which sanction is to be absolutely withheld from headmen; whether he is aware that the headmen are usually either Buddhists or Mahomedans, and that their religion enjoins abstinence and regards the teaching of temperance as a sacred duty; whether the adherents of both these religious creeds view this prohibition as an unjustifiable interference with liberty of conscience, and have stated that if persisted in it will destroy the village temperance societies throughout the island; and whether, seeing that temperance in Ceylon is a religious and social and not a political question, he will cancel this new rule and restore freedom of action to these Government officials?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a circular has been officially issued to Government servants in Ceylon under which any public servant who wishes to join a total abstinence society or temperance society must first obtain the consent of the head of his department, and public servants in any case are not to be allowed to take part in the management or public meetings of such societies, and administrative officers such as headmen are not to be allowed to join; and, if so, whether he can account for this official discouragement of temperance?

I am awaiting a dispatch on this subject from the officer administering the Government for Which I have asked; after its arrival shall consider the whole question and will acquaint the hon. Members with my decision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has power to cancel this rule?

I rather fancy I have power to cancel any rule.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the propriety of suspending the operation of this circular, which is immediately applicable to temperance societies until he and the House has had an opportunity of considering the matter?

I really do not think it would be right for me to suspend anything until I have information from the officers administering the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain that information by cable, seeing that injury is being done daily so long as the circular is in operation?

I have called for the information, but I think the reply will come by mail.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can say why the Premier of South Australia, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. L. O'Loughlin, were refused admission to Holyrood Palace on Saturday, 17th May, although sent by the right hon. the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and accompanied by an official of his lordship in uniform; whether they were informed that permission could only be obtained by written consent of the First Commissioner of Works; and whether steps can be taken to secure that in the future the Lord Provost of Edinburgh may be protected from similar indignity?

The First Commissioner has ascertained that these gentlemen were refused admission by the resident inspector of the Lord Chamberlain. The inspector is not authorised to admit visitors on his own responsibility. The First Commissioner wishes to point out that this regrettable occurrence would have been avoided had some previous intimation been given either to the Lord Chamberlain or to the Office of Works of the desire of these distinguished visitors to visit Holyrood as was done when the same party desired to visit Windsor.

Has the First Commissioner corresponded with Mr. O'Loughlin apologising for this treatment of him?

No. I think the mistake was made by those who advised Mr. O'Loughlin to visit Holyrood without the necessary permission.

If he was not allowed to see the rooms, why was he not allowed to see the precincts of the house?

The representative of the Office of Works in Edinburgh would himself have accompanied these distinguished visitors to Holyrood had he known they desired to visit it, but Holy-rood is now closed, because in the present circumstances that is considered wise.

Tell this Jack in office to behave himself.

asked whether the recent experiments with the Ozonair system of ventilation in the Ladies' Gallery are considered as satisfactory as the same system has apparently proved to be in the Government House, Ottawa, and elsewhere; and, if so, if there is any likelihood of the oppressive air in this House being treated in a similar way by the Ozonair process in the near future?

The ventilation of the Ladies' Gallery has been improved by the experiments which have been made and by the opening of fresh air inlets. The First Commissioner does not propose to introduce the Ozonair system in the Chamber itself.

Is there any reason why ladies should not be admitted to the ordinary Strangers' Gallery?

That question has been raised before, but I do not think it arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a memorial signed by thirty leading ophthalmologists who are of opinion that the sight tests of the Board of Trade are not satisfactory; and, if so, whether he will now reconsider the whole question of these tests?

My attention has been drawn to a statement published in a medical journal to which the hon. Member presumably refers. Careful consideration will be given to these and any other criticisms, but as at present advised, I do not think that they disclose any sufficient ground for reopening the question of the tests.

asked whether, in respect to officers holding certificates who have been requested by the Board of Trade voluntarily to surrender their certificates through failing to pass the Board of Trade tests in either colour or form vision, the Board of Trade are contemplating taking further action in this matter; and, if so, in what way?

If any of the officers to whom the hon. Member refers are unwilling to surrender their certificates the Board of Trade will have no alternative but to order in due course inquiries, under the provisions of Section 471 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, into their competency to hold the certificates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether any representations have been made to him by the stipendiary magistrate at Hull to the effect that there is only one Board of Trade official for Hull and Goole to see that ships are not overloaded in those ports; and, if so, whether he is taking any steps in regard to same?