asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Cody biplane, from which Mr. Harrison was killed, had been ordered to be overhauled and recovered; whether, owing to a review taking place, the machine was wanted before the repairs had been executed; and whether its condition had been reported as precarious previous to the review?

The biplane had been overhauled by the maker shortly before the accident took place. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The accident had no connection whatever with any review.

Is it not a fact that this machine had been ordered to be again recovered and repaired?

I have no information of that. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his Department is in possession of eighty aeroplanes capable of flying 50 miles per hour at a height of 3,000 feet; and will he say whether any Member of this House has had the opportunity of verifying the above number of aeroplanes, their speed, and height of flying?

The answer to this question is in the affirmative.

Is it not a fact that aeroplanes which are only capable of flying fifty miles an hour would be very little use in time of war?

Has any Member of this House been invited to see these aeroplanes, and, if so, whom?

I invited two hon. Members, and I invite all hon. Members of this House to see them if they can be seen without detriment to the public interest. I have not yet seen the report. With regard to the other question that does not arise out of the question on the Paper, which has reference to the number.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman told us that some of the aeroplanes are too slow to be of use in time of war?

That has nothing to do with the question of the number.

Has the hon. Member for Brentford (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) seen these aeroplanes?

I understand that the hon. Member has seen some of them, but I do not know whether he has yet completed his tour.

asked the Secretary of State for War what regulations are in force with regard to the pulling of horses' tails in the Regular Army and Territorial Force?

The regulations are set forth on pages 63 and 64 of the Manual of Animal Management, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for War why and under what circumstances the War Office have ceased to construct the fortification and other works at Cromarty; whether the original plans approved by the War Office are being carried out by the Admiralty; and what has happened the money voted for the purpose to the War Office?

No plans for the defences of Cromarty were ever approved by the War Office and no money for this purpose was voted in Army Estimates.

Why is the Admiralty doing Army work?

I do not think the Admiralty are doing Army work. They are doing Admiralty work.

Is this not the first time the Admiralty are looking after the land fortifications of this country and were not the Army dealing with the fortifications at Cromarty?

This is a question for Debate, and I cannot reply to a matter of policy at Question Time.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Territorial battalion of the Wiltshire regiment was called out for training on the 23rd June; whether he is aware that this date in a rural district, where saving the hay crop is of importance, is inconvenient to farmers, and tends to make them discourage young farm hands from joining the Territorial Force, and acts as a hardship to those who are patriotic enough to do all they can to assist the Territorial Force; and whether he will take steps to see that training for Territorial battalions, as far as possible, in rural districts is arranged for dates which avoid the usual periods of hay and corn harvest?

The dates of training of units of the Territorial Force are arranged by divisional, mounted brigades or coast defence commanders in consultation with the county association concerned. Every effort is made by those concerned to arrange for dates suitable to local conditions in so far as military exigencies permit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the date named in the question is obviously one which must be extremely inconvenient in agricultural districts?

In these matters consultation always takes place with the county associations, who have the best means of knowing what is and what is not convenient.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to arm the Yeomanry with cast Cavalry swords on mobilisation, and not till then; and whether he will consider the issue of bayonets now to those regiments that prefer this weapon?

It has been decided to issue swords to the Yeomanry on mobilisation, but a percentage of practice swords will be issued during peace. The bayonet will not form part of the equipment of the Yeomanry.

What is the good of issuing weapons on mobilisation which the men will not know how to use? Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether these swords he intends to use are not swords which have been found useless in the Cavalry?

No, Sir. The answer is in the negative.

What swords are they going to use on mobilisation, and what pattern?

They will be very good swords, and I have no doubt they would be used with great effect.

Will they be the old or the new pattern?

In the first place, they will be the old pattern Cavalry sword, which, as the hon. and gallant. Member knows, is a very good sword indeed. As time goes on no doubt they will be supplied with the present weapon.

Will they be made specially for the Yeomanry or will they be the old swords?

They were made specially for the Cavalry.

Does it not need a perfectly different training for the old sword and the new sword?

That is a large question, which I cannot debate at Question Time. I am sure hon. Members do not expect to discuss the relative merits of the sword at Question Time.

I asked for the percentages.

asked in what manner it is proposed to utilise members of the National Reserve who do not give the required undertaking in Class I. or Class II. of the new Regulations?

I shall not be in a position to answer this question until there has been time to ascertain the numbers available in Classes I. and II.

I understand that it has not been determined what their duties are to be?

I have said that I cannot answer this question until the numbers have been obtained, and they have not been obtained.

asked (1) how many of the men enrolled in the National Reserve have undertaken service in Class II. of the new Regulations as being willing to serve at Home with specific Territorial units in the event of imminent national danger, either in the field or fixed positions, or to carry out administrative work, as may be required; (2) how many of the men enrolled in the National Reserve have undertaken service in Class I. of the new Regulations as being willing to serve in the field at Home or abroad in the event of imminent national danger; and (3) how many men are now enrolled in the National Reserve?

There has not yet been sufficient time to complete the classification under the new system, and the bulk of the men shown in the returns recently rendered are unclassified. The total number in the Reserve amounted on 1st June to 207,384.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the classification will be completed?

No, Sir, I cannot give a date, but it, is proceeding.

asked if there are any unskilled labourers or other workers employed under the War Office receiving less than 20s. a week; if so, the number of such persons; and the cost of raising the minimum rate of pay in all such cases to 20s. a week?

At some military stations the minimum wage of unskilled labourers is below 20s. It is fixed from time to time in accordance with the Fair-Wages Resolution of this House, and I cannot undertake to depart from the approved policy in these matters.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that the unskilled labourers in the Eastern Command are in receipt of wages of 18s. 2d. per week, raised by 8d. during the last nine years, and does the hon. Gentleman think that constitutes "a. model employer of labour," to which he recently referred?

If the hon. Member will give me any instances where we are not observing the Fair-Wages Resolution, I. will inquire into them at once.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the official valuers under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, can send out lists of questions to, owners of property on their own responsibility, not having previously got them sanctioned by Somerset House; and whether this has been going on since the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, came into operation with the knowledge of Somerset House?

District valuers on their own initiative frequently invite individual owners to supply information required for the correct valuation of their property, and this practice has the, approval of the authorities at Somerset House. Where a request for similar information has to be made in numerous cases throughout the Kingdom, it is usually reduced to common form at Somerset House.

asked whether an owner of land is obliged to furnish the district valuer with plans showing the boundaries of each holding on his estate as they were on the 30th April, 1909, even though he has no such plans in his possession?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has any power to have inquiry made openly into the case of Jessie Brown, so that the allegations made for and against her may be threshed out in the presence of both sides and evidence taken on oath subject to cross examination?

No, Sir, I know of no power under which I could order such an inquiry as is suggested by my hon. Friend.

Has any representation been made to the Glasgow authorities that they might make special inquiry?

Yes, more than once.

Do they refuse to hold any public inquiry whatever?

There has been a private inquiry, hut there is no power to have a public inquiry as desired.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conviction against this woman was reversed on appeal, and the two policemen who secured the conviction have since been convicted of serious offences, and that Miss Brown is totally unable to get the conviction erased from the record; and is it the right hon. Gentleman's idea of justice to women?

It was not a conviction but an admonition, and there are no allegations now against the lady.

Is not the record there still, and should it not be removed? Is not that what Miss Brown is trying to get done?

No; she desired to have the conviction quashed, and it was quashed.

Will the Lord Advocate see that the further allegations made against this woman which have arisen from the secret inquiry is made known to her and her friends?

I know of no allegations made against the woman.

Was she called at the secret inquiry at all?

No.

May I ask whether some procedure could not be adopted to allay the anxiety—

Hon. Members had better give notice of any further questions.

asked the average cost of inmates at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow, including children, and including all charges for debt, etc., and the same information for Barnhill; the number of eases sent to Lock Hospital, and the cost per head of the same to the parish council; the cost per week of boarded-out children, including clothing, etc.; the average cost per head of out-door poor in Glasgow; the average allowance per week per child at school; the average allowance per week to parents who are keeping children learning a trade; the cost per head of inmates at Duke Street Hospital, including all charges; and the cost per head of inmates at Oak Bank Hospital, including all charges?

I have no information on these subjects beyond what is contained in the last Annual Report of the Local Government Board for Scotland, Command Paper 6720, see particularly pages 262–5. I understand that further particulars are given in the Annual Abstract of Accounts of the Glasgow parish council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information sought for is not given in this form in the Return, and that the local authorities have refused to give it in this form?

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Report of the Departmental Committee on State loans to fishermen, etc., will be presented; and whether he is aware that Members representing constituencies interested in the Scottish fisheries are anxious to have an opportunity of discussing this question in the House during this Session?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the disappointment which prevails in fishing circles in Scotland with regard to the delay of the Commission which is considering the question of State loans to fishermen in issuing their Report; whether he can now make a definite statement with regard to the date of its issue and whether, in particular, he will endeavour to secure that it shall be issued in time to admit of its discussion on the second day to be devoted to the Scottish Estimates?

In answer to this question and the next, I cannot add anything to the answers which I gave to my hon. Friends on this subject last month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the police patrol launch No. 2 at Hong Kong is in a seaworthy condition, or whether she was condemned by the marine Surveyor, but is still in use?

I have no information on the subject, but I will inquire.

asked the Prime Minister when the East India Revenue, Accounts will be taken?

:I cannot yet fix a date.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will fix an early date for the discussion of the Army Estimates so that we can raise the question of the strike on the Rand?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked on what date the Palm Oil Bill for the Gold Coast Colony passed the Committee stage; if it has yet received a Third Reading; if so, on what date and by what majority; and how did the unofficial members of the Legislative Council vote on the Third Reading?

I am not aware on what date the Bill passed through Committee—but it received a Third Reading on the 4th instant. I have not yet received the particulars of the voting.

asked if at the meeting of the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast Colony on 26th March, 1913, on the Motion that the council do resolve itself into Committee to consider the Palm Oil bill Clause by Clause, it was moved by the senior unofficial member that the Bill be not read in Committee but be withdrawn; that all the unofficial members voted in support of the Motion to withdraw the Bill, which was defeated by a majority of one; and, in view of the fact that the Bill introduces and legalises the principle of monopoly, and of its lack of support except from official members of the council, will the Government reconsider their policy of granting the protection from competition provided in the Bill?

The facts as to the proceedings in the Legislative Council are as stated by the hon. Member. The Government do not propose to reconsider the policy of the Ordinance. It is hardly correct to say that it introduces the principle of monopoly—as it does not confer the sole right to buy or sell any product, and the protection from competition afforded is of a strictly limited character.

asked whether it is intended to proceed with a Palm Oil Ordinance for Southern Nigeria similar in character to the Palm Oil Bill which has been under the consideration of the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast Colony?

The necessity for such legislation in Southern Nigeria has not, yet been established.

Has it been decided not to apply for an Ordinance of this sort for Southern Nigeria?

The question has not yet arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has official information to the effect that the local Government at Johannesburg intends to take most rigorous action if the strikers resort to violence; and can he state if Imperial troops are to be utilised for this purpose?

I would refer the hon. Member to the information which I gave the House yesterday, which showed that it was necessary to employ the troops, but that the strike has been settled. Perhaps I may be permitted to read to the House two telegrams which I have received, one last night and the other half an hour ago:

"The Governor-General of the Union of South Africa to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

(Received Colonial Office, 9.23 p.m., 7th July. 1913.)

Large number of men resumed work to-day and some mills restarted: rest of men expected to resume tomorrow. Funeral this afternoon of persons killed passed off without disturbance, and all quiet in Johannesburg now, 9 p.m."

"The Governor-General of the Union of South Africa to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

(Received Colonial Office, 1.30 p.m., 8th July, 1913.)

General resumption of work along reef. It is to be noted that along whole fifty miles of reef no serious collision between troops and strikers. Away from Johannesburg, which was main centre of disorder, no case has been reported to me of troops firing on people. In Johannesburg itself am informed that troops did not fire except where disorder was most serious. There is reason to believe some deaths were due to indiscriminate shooting by rioters themselves, but am making close inquiry into this.—GLADSTONE."

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any official information yet as to the cause of the contact between the troops and the people which is stated in the cablegrams received to have been due to the breaking up of public meetings in Johannesburg?

I have no information on that matter.

Were the men in question buried at the cost of the Colony or of the parents?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many men and women have been killed

I telegraphed yesterday for particulars, but I have not yet received them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the cause of this shooting?

No, Sir. I have asked for all those particulars and shall no doubt receive them in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Petty Officer Frederick Hamper, of His Majesty's ship "Venerable," who was tried by court martial on a charge of being drunk whilst on duty, and sentenced to be disrated from petty officer to leading seaman and deprived of three good conduct badges; whether he is aware that this punishment amounts to a reduction in remuneration of 9s. 11d. per week and a reduction in pension of 2s. 7½d. per week; whether be is also aware that the evidence given at the trial showed that if Hamper was under the influence of drink it could only have been to a slight extent; whether he is also aware that this is the first case where the Admiralty Order of 27th September, 1912, allowing a person to claim to be tried by court martial in a case where he is liable to be disrated, has been put into operation, and that this sentence is calculated to discourage the men from availing themselves of the Order; and whether, in view of all the circumstances of the case he will have the matter reconsidered with a view to dealing with this man more leniently?

My attention has been drawn to this case. I am informed that the reduction in pay is 7s. a week, and that the probable reduction in pension will be about 2s. a week. With regard to the third part of the question I am advised that the evidence was conclusive. The statement contained in the fourth part of the question is incorrect, and I may add that a recent case resulted in the acquittal of the accused. It is not considered by the Board of Admiralty that a more lenient punishment would meet this case, as there was a. serious offence recorded against this petty officer in 1911, and the present offence reflected both on his fitness for the rating of petty officer and on his general conduct.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the first unit of the second Austro-Hungarian "Dreadnought" division was laid down at Trieste during the spring; whether its construction is being rapidly pushed forward; whether, in 1916, Austria intends to have seven "Dreadnoughts" and super "Dreadnoughts "; and whether Italy will at the same date possess ten?

also asked whether a start has been made with any vessels of the new Austrian programme; and, if so, on what date?

As I stated in the House yesterday, I am not yet in a position to make any definite statement to Parliament on this subject.

Can the right lion. Gentleman say when lie will be in a position to make a statement?

No, I cannot.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to discuss Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates; and whether, in view of the developments in Canada since his last statement, he could issue to the Members of this House a Paper foreshadowing international naval strength at various periods between now and the spring of 1917?

It is not part of my duty to answer questions as to the Order of Business, but I understand that this Vote will be put down for Thursday, 17th instant. I do not consider it necessary, as at present advised, to supplement the very full information of the Dickinson Return.

Will the right bon. Gentleman be able to state on the 17th what he knows as to the Austro-Hungarian battleships?

I am afraid I cannot. Of course, these are matters which are watched with great care and attention by the Admiralty, but I cannot say at what period I shall be able to make a definite statement.

May we expect then a full statement on the subject of oil?

I am looking forward to hearing something as to that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that any information should be added to the Dickinson Return?

I cannot quite see in what way it is necessary to supplement the Dickinson Return. I think it gives all the information necessary for a comprehensive view of the European situation as far as the Navy is concerned.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the thirty-two men entered as drillers and riveters at Portsmouth dockyard during the week ending 21st June, are being paid from 7s. to 15s. per week less than the district rate; and whether he will take steps with the object of paying these men at the same rate they would be paid at if working for a private employer?

Drilling and riveting in the dockyards, as my hon. Friend is aware, is performed by skilled labourers. The probationary minimum for these men is 23s. a week, the ordinary minimum 24s., and the ordinary maximum 28s. There are special rates above this up to 31s. a week. The execution of this class of work by skilled labourers gives an opening for advancement to the ordinary labourer and ensures a greater measure of continuity of employment than would otherwise be possible.

If a man reaches his maximum and then is discharged and is taken on again a few months later and put on the same work, is he not put back to the minimum?

If my hon. Friend will give me a case where that has occurred, I will look into it.

Do private firms employ skilled labour at unskilled rates?

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to adopt the practice which prevails in private yards in this respect, and engage these men as drillers and riveters?

No. The present plan is more beneficial both to the men and the Department. It secures more regularity of employment.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the case that apprentice shipwrights at Devonport and Chatham are being given a year in which to make up their minds whether they will accept the new scheme for shipwrights or remain under the old, and whether the apprentices at Portsmouth are required to decide by to-morrow; and if he will grant the same concession to Portsmouth as to Devonport and Chatham?

All the boy shipwrights were required to make their choice between the old and new systems last April, but any boy shipwright then serving who wishes to change the decision which he has notified in the first instance, will be allowed to do so if he applies in writing before he completes one year's service at sea as naval shipwright. Instructions were given for any boy shipwrights under training to be notified accordingly. I can assure the hon. Member that boys at Portsmouth will be treated precisely as boys at Devonport and Chatham.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a strike is going on at the New Explosive Works at Stowmarket; whether the Board of Trade have taken any steps to settle the dispute; and if he is aware that the men in dispute are willing to accept arbitration?

I understand that in the case of the dispute at the New Explosives Company's Works, Stow-market, the men are willing to accept arbitration, but that the company have nothing to add to the statement of their position made on 12th June last, when they announced their intention of not paying less than the standard rate, and stated that when the men care to return to work, the pay in each department would be carefully considered.

If the firm refuse to arbitrate on the question in dispute will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry and report the result to the Board of Admiralty, so that they may take action?

I can hardly do that.

Has the right hon. Gentleman approached the company and have they refused the arbitration of the Board of Trade?

I had the company's letter in reply to the suggestion of arbitration.

:Is it not the fact that in the case of another firm the Board of Trade did inquire because of a refusal to arbitrate?

I do not think that case was on all fours. I will look into it, however.

asked the total amount of Grants that the Road Board has actually made to local authorities up to 1st January, 1913; and how much of this sum was given to each of the following authorities: county councils, metropolitan boroughs, county boroughs, urban district councils, and rural district councils?

The total amount of Grants formally made to local authorities up to the 31st December last was £893,592. Up to the 30th June last it was £1,334,648. I will circulate a statement showing the distribution between the various authorities mentioned. [See Written Answers this date.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a man who is unemployed for a period of several weeks while his employer is stocktaking but is not actually discharged is debarred from receiving benefit under Part II. of the National Insurance Act?

The decision as to whether any applicant. is entitled to benefit under Part II. of the National Insurance Act rests ultimately with the Umpire appointed thereunder. I am unable, therefore, to give an authoritative answer to the point raised in the question, but it would not appear that the circumstances set out by my hon. Friend would in themselves disqualify a man from receiving benefit, provided that he otherwise complied with the provisions of the Act, which govern its receipt, including willingness to accept suitable employment if offered to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the total number of unemployment books issued under Part II. of the National Insurance Act up to the 30th June, 1913, under the following heads: building, works of construction, shipbuilding, engineering and ironfounding, construction of vehicles, saw milling, and other industries; and the total number of claims to unemployment benefit made?

I presume that the hon. Member intends to refer to the 30th June. I am circulating with the Votes a statement showing the number of unemployment books issued to workpeople in each of the insured trades up to and including 28th June, 1913. The total number of claims to unemployment benefit, made up to the 27th June, was 524,153. This latter number does not represent separate individuals, and, as I informed the hon. Member on the 7th May, the number of persons who have' applied for unemployment benefit cannot be given until the annual statistics are ready.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the cases that have recently occurred in the industrial dispute in the Midlands, in which women who were lying in have been ejected from their homes on account of arrears of rent; whether, in view of the danger to life that is thus caused, medical officers have power under Section 68 of the National Insurance Act to prevent such a practice; and, if so, whether he will take steps to call the attention of the local insurance committees of the district to these provisions?

My attention has not been called to the cases referred to in the first part of the question. Under Section 68 of the National Insurance Act where the doctor attending on any insured person in receipt of sickness benefit certifies that the taking of any proceedings to enforce any judgment in ejectment against such person would endanger his or her life, and such certificate has been sent to the insurance committee and duly recorded, it is not lawful during any period named in the certificate to enforce any such judgment. If my hon. Friend has any reason to believe that this law is being violated in any particular areas I shall be glad if he will communicate with me on the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that having a baby does endanger life or not?

Yes, I think it may.

asked the Home Secretary if he has referred a petition for an inquiry into the dismissal pf ex-Police Constable Edwards from the Isle of Wight constabulary to the Standing Joint Committee for the Isle of Wight to deal with; and, if so, will he state whether on such reference it was intended that the Standing Joint Committee should deal with the matter by way of the usual inquiry, at which it would be competent. for Edwards to give evidence on his own behalf, to 'call witnesses, and to be legally represented, as is usual in such cases?

The petition in question was referred to the Standing Joint Committee as the local authority responsible for the: management of the county police in order that they might make inquiry into the facts alleged. It is for the Committee to decide in what manner the inquiry should be conducted. No doubt they will hear Edwards and his witnesses, but it would be unusual to have legal representatives in such an inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware an enormous amount of excitement and interest is felt in the Isle of Wight in this case of alleged injustice?' Cannot he see his way to give some advice to the Joint Committee how to act in this matter?

If they ask for assistance in the matter I shall be quite willing to help them as far as I can.

asked when the volume of Licensing Statistics for the year 1912 will be published?

The volume is nearly ready, and I hope to present it shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General, if work,has been commenced on the underground telephone cable between Manchester and Stockport, and, if not, when it will be commenced; and how long it will take from the commencement of the work to completion?

The actual work of construction has not yet begun; but the preliminary arrangements which must precede that work are in hand. It is hoped to place the contract for the pipework within the next month. Unless unforeseen difficulties arise the work should be completed by the end of the present year.