asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Royal Commission presided over by Lord Fisher on the use of oil fuel for the Navy have yet presented an Interim Report, and, if so, when it will be available for the use of Members?

As I informed the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the 10th February last, the inquiry throughout is strictly confidential.

May I ask if the Commission has reported?

The inquiry is strictly confidential and I must not trench upon that character which it possesses, but I do not think I do so when I state that there have been several interviews.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the House ordered the Royal Commission to report as to the use of oil fuel in the Navy, and whether it is not the constitutional right of the House to receive the Report of its own Royal Commission? Further, has there ever been a Royal Commission ordered by the House which has not reported to the House?

That is a constitutional question which I am not prepared, without notice, to debate. There can be no question as to the Report of the Commission being made public, nor as to the evidence taken before it.

May I refer to you, Mr. Speaker, on the question whether, when the House orders a Royal Commission to report, the House has the right to receive the Report?

I cannot conceive of the House ordering a Royal Commission. A Royal Commission is ordered by His Majesty, and He does not take orders from the House. As to the House receiving the Report, I should have to consider the nature of the particular Commission, as in this case I do not bear in mind at the present moment the particulars.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of first-class battleships and cruisers built or building for the Navy which are designed to use oil fuel only; and what will be their total monthly consumption of oil when in full commission?

asked the number of battleships, cruisers, torpedo craft, and fleet auxiliaries, in their different classes, built or building for the Navy, which are designed to use oil fuel only; and what will be their total monthly consumption of oil when in full commission?

It is my intention to deal as fully as their confidential character permits with the important questions connected with the use of oil fuel for the naval service when I make my statement on Vote 8. I cannot promise to go into precise details of consumption.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the coal consumption of the Navy is public property, and why should not the oil consumption?

These are matters on which the opinion of those responsible for the maintenance of the Navy must be allowed to prevail. There are special reasons connected with oil which differentiate it from questions connected with the coal supply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a statement to the House as to the questions we are able to ask, and to which we are likely to get replies, considering that generally the reply we get from the First Lord of the Admiralty is that the information asked is confidential?

I do my utmost to supply all the information in my power without detriment to the national public interest, and in that respect I can only claim such support as the House will give me. If the House is not satisfied with the amount of information given by a Minister, or thinks that the argument of confidence is being abused, the House has the remedy entirely in its own hands.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will lay upon the Table of the House the contracts for supplying the Navy with oil fuel?

The answer is in the negative. I know of no reason which would justify me in departing from the usual long established practice which the House has repeatedly approved where the supplies of important munitions of war are concerned. Subject to this qualification, I hope to make a general statement on the subject of oil fuel when Vote 8 is under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the contracts in his remarks to-morrow?

No There is no reason which would justify me in departing from the usual long established practice of which the House has repeatedly approved that the details of these contracts should not be made public.

Will the right hon. Gentleman name the firms which have got the contracts?

No. I shall not.

asked whether all the German armoured ships of the 1911–12 programme have now been launched; how many British armoured vessels of the corresponding programme are still on the stocks; and when it is expected that the last of these will be launched?

The reply as regards German ships is Yes. As regards British ships, the two dockyard vessels, "Iron Duke" and "Marlborough," were launched in October last. The three contract ships, "Benbow," "Delhi," and "Tiger," have not yet been launched, but it is anticipated that the first will be launched in September and the two last-named in October of this year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the extraordinary delay in launching these vessels which were placed on the Estimates twenty-eight months ago?

I regret the delay. Every step that the Admiralty can take to accelerate the completion of these vessels has been and will be taken.

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the date of the completion will be very materially delayed, and, if so, to what extent?

No. In regard to the "Delhi" in particular the date of the launch must not be taken as indicating the date of completion. She will be launched very heavy indeed. I cannot give a date as to the "Tiger."

asked how many armoured ships, cruisers, and destroyers have been completed for the British and German navies, respectively, from the 1st January, 1911, to the present time?

The figures asked for are as follows:—

asked how many British ships of 5,000 tons displacement or over are now in full commission on foreign stations?

There are twelve such ships now abroad, of which three are only temporarily abroad. On the other hand there are two not included which have only returned to England temporarily for manœuvres. I might mention that the standard of tonnage selected just excludes three more ships of the Town Class now serving abroad.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1904 we had thirty-five of these ships on foreign stations, and can he explain the difference?

I am very much aware of it. I hope to be able to increase somewhat the number of vessels which we maintain on foreign stations. I shall perhaps next year have a proposal to make in that respect. The reason of the concentration of the Fleet is perfectly well known.

asked whether Italy and Austria will, by the end of the year, possess five completed ships of the "Dreadnought" type, apart from the three ships of the "Radetzky" class, mounting in all sixty-two 12-inch, twenty-four 6-inch, and fifty-six 4.7-inch guns; and, if so, how British interests will be adequately represented in the Mediterranean by four battle-cruisers mounting in all thirty-two 12-inch and sixty-four 4-inch guns?

I have nothing at present to add to the very full statement I made to Parliament on the subject of the Mediterranean during the discussion of Vote 8 last year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas Machin, residing at Eastry, Kent, recently requested permission to purchase the discharge from the Navy of his son, Roland Machin, A.B., a youth of twenty years of age, serving on H.M.S. "Warrior," on the ground that a favourable opening for his son in his trade as a mechanic was at his disposal which it would be greatly to his disadvantage to lose; whether this request was refused by the Admiralty and, if so, on what grounds; and, seeing that it will discourage recruiting for the Navy if it is generally understood that advantage cannot be taken by seamen of favourable opportunities to pass into civil employment when willing to purchase their discharge, whether he will reconsider the case of Roland Machin if his father is still anxious to purchase his discharge from the Navy?

The circumstances in which the discharge was refused are as stated. Discharge by purchase is only restricted in so far as the requirements of the naval service demand. In the recent case the man is a trained seaman, and has completed little over two years' man's service out of a twelve year engagement. It is regretted that his services cannot be spared.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is very bad policy, in the interests of the Navy, to hold out to the population that remunerative employment in civil life should be foregone by young men?

I did not do anything of the sort. These men cost the country money for training, and must give some return for it.

Is the charge or fee for purchasing the discharge not calculated as the equivalent for the service rendered?

No. I cannot say that. Payment of a fee does not entitle him to discharge.

asked why in the coming Naval Manœuvres Great Britain is have twenty-five battleships and the enemy only sixteen, when, on his own showing, next year Germany will have twenty-one ships of the "Dreadnought" type ready for immediate war at her selected moment, whilst Britain will only have eighteen ships of the "Dreadnought" type in Home waters immediately ready for war at her average moment to defend us against invasion and conquest; and what, therefore, are these manœuvres to prove or show?

In accordance with custom, the opposing sides in the coming Naval Manœuvres will be "Blue" and "Red," imaginary countries with imaginary territory and imaginary objects, and I would deprecate the hon. Member's attempt to add a further element of imagination. But, in any case, as I said yesterday, I cannot on behalf of the Admiralty contribute to such a, discussion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman dispute that the statements in the question are shown to be the case according to his own statement in this House, and, if not, can he explain further?

No, I cannot.

Can he say whether the statements are true or not?

I have not given them the detailed examination to enable me to do so, because they were not relevant to the answer that I was giving to the question. If I were giving an answer on that point., I should like to have an opportunity of consulting that record.

asked why there are only twenty-two engineer-lieutenants promoted from the engine-room artificer ranks, although a promise was made in 1903 that there should be thirty on a much smaller establishment; and whether vacancies have recently been filled by cadets after six months' engine-room service?

Twenty-five lieutenants promoted from chief artificer-engineer are at present borne. This is the proper number according to the promise made in March, 1903, that promotions would be made in such a manner that the number of engineer-lieutenants thus advanced should not exceed 4 per cent. of the total number of chief artificer-engineers and artificer-engineers up to a total of thirty. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that his undertaking that the engine-room artificers of the Royal Flying Corps should be paid a wage of from 6s. to 9s. per day has not been carried out; and if he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter with a view to increase of pay from 6s., according to length of service and proficiency?

The majority of engine-room artificers who have been graded in the Royal Flying Corps are now in receipt of pay at the rate of 9s. a day. Some were graded at this rate on qualifying. In some other cases advancement from the 6s. to the 9s. rate, which depends upon service and proficiency, has been allowed. Men under instruction, but not yet graded in the corps, retain their naval rates of pay with an allowance of 1s. a day.

asked if the Secretary for War will state what progress has been made in departmentalising aeronautics at the War Office; and, if a new Department is erected, who will be appointed director, and will he be provided with an adequate staff?

In view of the increasing importance of this branch of the Army, I am now in communication with the Treasury with regard to the establishment of a separate Department of the War Office to administer the Army Air Service. The head of this new Department will be Brigadier-General Henderson, who is a certificated pilot, as Director-General, and he will have direct control over all parts of this service.

Will the amount be kept separate in the Estimates?

That is another question. I will endeavour to see that as far as possible it is made quite clear what, sum s spent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also keep the suns actually expended on aviation quite separate from barrack construction and the purchase of land?

I hope as far as possible to make plain in the Estimates how much has been spent.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the effect of the restrictions imposed upon British airmen in preventing them from flying over their own country on the aircraft industry in this country and seriously injuring our chance of recovering our neglected power in the air; and if he will consider the desirability of giving certificates to practised British and Irish airmen to fly over the United Kingdom?

The Aerial Navigation Orders, to which the hon. Member refers, were made in the interest of national safety. The prohibited areas were carefully chosen by the Admiralty and War Office and cover only an extremely small portion of the United Kingdom, the whole of the remainder being free to all British airmen. Subject to the requirements of the Admiralty and War Office, I am anxious so to administer the Orders as to guard the interests of the aircraft industry; and a proposal made a few days ago by the Royal Aero Club, which resembles the suggestion in the last part of the question, will be carefully considered by the, Departments concerned.

Is it not a fact that these regulations have given great trouble to British airmen? Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the objection to giving well-known airmen leave to fly over their own country?

It has been quite clearly explained that it is desirable in the public interest that airmen should not fly over particular parts of the country. Those parts are a very small portion of the whole of the country, and the refusal to allow airmen to fly over the given areas does not really in the smallest degree affect the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the substance of the agreement which has been entered into between the Portuguese Minister of the Colonies and the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association relating to the recruitment of natives in the province of Mozambique?

It is difficult to state the substance of a document dealing with a number of matters of administrative detail, but the agreement among other matters touches on medical fitness of natives, permits for recruiters, passports, wages, including a system of deferred pay and the period of service, which was fixed at eighteen months. In this latter point the agreement has been held by the Union Government to contravene the Convention of 1909. If the hon. Member desires further information I will place a copy of the agreement in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on the 17th February last King Lewanika, of Barotseland, summoned his people together in order to warn them against trading in slaves with the Portuguese over the border; whether Mr. M'Kinnon, the resident magistrate, held an inquiry and supported King Lewanika in a public speech; and whether the attention of the Foreign Office has been drawn to the revelations made during Mr. M'Kinnon's inquiry I

I have not yet received a report, but I am in communication with the High Commissioner on the subject.

asked when the regulation of the Colonial service which prohibits all salaried public officers, whether or not their whole time is at the disposal of the Government, from speculating in the shares of or being connected with any company, occupation, or undertaking which might bring their private interests into real or apparent conflict with their public duties, or in any way influence them in the discharge of their duties, was made; whether the regulation arose out of any specific case of impropriety; and if any case has arisen in which it was necessary to put the regulation into force?

The original regulations on the subject go back many years. The Colonial regulations are subjected to revision from time to time, but the one, to which the hon. Member refers, has not been materially altered since the year 1903, when it was introduced to render the older regulation more definite and precise. I am not aware of the circumstances in which the regulation was originally promulgated, and I could not say without an exhaustive search in what cases (if any) action has been taken under it. The regulation is well known to all officers in the Colonial service and is generally, I believe, loyally observed by them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this regulation did not apply to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when Lord Selborne held that position?

No. The Under-Secretary is not in the Colonial service.

asked if the Secretary for the Colonies will state what is the expectation of life for machine men engaged in the mines of the Witwatersrand?

I regret that I have not the information necessary to reply to my hon. Friend's question.

asked if the Secretary for the Colonies can state how many Kaffirs have died during the past ten years during or immediately subsequent to their employment in or about the mines of the Witwatersrand; and the number that have been killed by accidents and that have been maimed whilst employed

No, Sir, I have not the information which would enable me to answer this question, but I will see if it is possible to obtain it.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an opportunity for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for East St. Pancras, urging the immediate recall of the troops now in South Africa? ["That, in the opinion of this House, all the Regular soldiers now stationed in South Africa should be at once brought Home, in view of the fact that they have recently been used by the South African Government in connection with the strike,on the Rand, thus indirectly making the Home Government responsible for the Policy of the South African Government with regard to the relations between capital and labour."]

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. Speaker, on the 7th and 8th July, refused to admit a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, proposed to be moved by the Member for Hanley, on the grounds that if the hon. Member wished to Move a Vote of Censure on Lord Gladstone that the proper course for the hon. Member to pursue would be to put down a Vote of Censure under the ordinary forms and rules of the House and can he state how this ruling affects the reply which the Prime Minister gave to the Member for Merthyr Tydvil on 14th July, when he stated that time could not be granted for the Motion of Censure standing in the hon. Member's name, but that the issue involved could be raised on the Estimates?

The Government fully recognises that the House should have an opportunity of discussing the employment of Imperial troops in connection with the recent troubles in South Africa. But such a discussion could riot be carried on under satisfactory conditions in the absence of full and authentic information as to the facts. We understand that a dispatch from Lord Gladstone is now on its way, and as soon as it arrives it will be laid on the Table. I should not like to make any definite statement for the moment as to the best manner or occasion for raising the discussion. I should have thought it might have been done most conveniently either on the War or Colonial Office Vote. I believe the statement in Question 51, as to the Speaker's ruling, is substantially correct, although I understand that he gave other grounds also for refusing the Motion for Adjournment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement in this morning's newspapers that the Government of South Africa are instituting a thorough inquiry into all these incidents is true or not?

No; I only saw what was in the paper.

May I ask if it is to be taken from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that occasion will be given for a discussion in this House after the receipt of the dispatch?

Certainly.

asked whether the attention of the Secretary for the Colonies has been drawn to the discussion in the Trinidad Legislative Council on the subject of granting municipal powers to Port-of-Spain, which took place on 25th June; whether, having directed the council to decide this question, he is now prepared to adopt its decision and direct that steps be taken forthwith to create an elective council in the manner it suggests?

The report of the discussion in the Trinidad Legislative Council has not yet reached me.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the numbers of the establishment of the London Territorials; and what numbers actually paraded before His Majesty the King at the recent review?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to questions on this subject put yesterday by the hon. and gallant Members for Midlothian and East Antrim.

asked if the Secretary for War's attention has been called to the circumstances under which the ceremony of consecrating the new Colours of the 4th battalion (Princess Victoria's) Royal Irish Fusiliers, which had been arranged for the 22nd of June, when the battalion was at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, was postponed sine die; whether he is aware that, according to custom when a regiment consists partly of Protestants and partly of Roman Catholics, the Protestant and Roman Catholic Bishops of Clogher were both invited by the commanding officer to officiate at the ceremony, but that the Roman Catholic bishop refused to countenance the ceremony or to permit any of his clergy to do so, on the ground that the participation of the Protestant Bishop would be a desecration; whether no Roman Catholic prelate less intolerant than the Bishop of Clogher is to be found in Ireland to take part in consecrating the Colours; and, if not, whether this bishop's conduct is to be allowed to deprive the regiment of a ceremony valued alike by officers and men?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member. Where religious susceptibilities are concerned, difficulties must sometimes arise in the case of regiments composed of men of different faiths, but I am hopeful that in this and other cases where such difficulties may occur, means may be found of removing them. Possibly the adoption of procedure on the lines of that followed on the occasion of the recent consecration of the Colours of the Irish Guards may provide a solution.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that the disbandment of the 3rd battalion of the West India Regiment, and the reduction of the other two battalions by half a battalion each, has caused a block of promotion in the regiment; whether the War Office, in order to remedy this state of things, has offered the majors and senior captains in the regiment immediate retirement on £200 per annum; whether he is aware that having regard to the fact that these officers would in the ordinary course have been retired on £300 per annum at the age of forty-eight, or on £420 per annum in the case of those promoted to a battalion command, the War Office by the present offer is attempting to sacrifice the senior regimental officers for the benefit of their juniors; and whether he will undertake that the officers in question shall receive either such pension or such other employment as will place them in as good a position as they would have enjoyed if the reduction in the strength of the regiment and the consequent block of promotion had not taken place?

I am aware of the conditions existing in this regiment and of the offer made. It is made in the interests of the regiment as a whole, at considerable cost to the public; but there is no compulsion and each officer is the judge of his own prospects. It is not possible to give the undertaking suggested in the question.

Is it not the fact that if the offer is not accepted these officers may be compulsorily retired at the age of forty-five, and is not that practical compulsion? If they accept the offer will they not be in a very much worse position than they are now?

The hon. Gentleman is mistaken, it is not at the age of forty-five or 48, but 50; and these officers enjoy every advantage which they enjoyed before, besides an additional advantage which they receive.

asked the Secretary for War whether he can say how many Regular batteries of Horse and Field Artillery will be left in this country if the Expeditionary Force has to be suddenly sent abroad; and how many of these will have their full number of trained personnel and horses ready for immediate use?

It is not considered expedient to publish any information concerning details of mobilisation arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the manner of carrying the rifle now in force for the Imperial Yeomanry is to be changed?

The Army Council decided that whenever a new rifle is issued the question shall be reconsidered.

Is it the intention in the meanwhile to alter the method of carrying the rifle in the Yeomanry?

No, Sir.

How are they, on mobilisation, going to use the sword, when the rifle is slung on the right arm?

All that has been taken into consideration.

Is not the whole of the training in peace time wrong for war?

No, Sir.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if any reduction has recently been proposed in the wages earned by women workers at the Royal Army Clothing Factory, Pimlico; it so, the nature of such proposed reduction; and whether the alteration affects any persons who have been employed for ten years or more?

Certain changes by way of increase and of reduction were proposed. After full consideration, it has been decided to maintain the increases and to withdraw all the deductions proposed.

Was a reduction proposed in the wages of any of them, as asked in the question?

I said that certain changes by way of increase and reduction were proposed.

Is that a proof of the way in which the War Office show themselves ideal employers?

I think it is an extremely good illustration, for after very careful investigation it was decided not to make a reduction.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Insurance Commissioners in Memorandum 168/X, that a free cottage and potato ground are only to be calculated at 1s. a week; whether he is aware that in most parts of the country a free cottage and potato ground is worth 2s. a week, and that there is usually a garden as well; is he aware that the Commissioners in the same Paper calculate the work done by a horseman on a Sunday as a full day's work, whereas Is. is the usual allowance for Sunday work in the country; and will he have the calculations of the Commissioners as to the amount paid per day corrected?

The figure to which the hon. Member refers is given merely by way of illustration and was not intended to represent the average value. The value of a free cottage and potato ground is a question of fact to be determined on the merits of the particular case. As regards the second part of the question the Commissioners have decided that where services are performed on six full days in the week and some service is ordinarily required on Sunday, the worker receiving a weekly wage, the total remuneration must be divided by seven to ascertain the remuneration for a working day for the purposes of Schedule II. The precise money value of the services rendered on the Sunday is immaterial, provided that some service has ordinarily to be rendered on that day.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statements in the question are laid down in the Memorandum as rules by which farmers are to be guided arid that anybody who lives in the country knows that a free cottage and potato ground is worth far more than a shilling a week?

The value of the cottage and potato ground is decided in each case.

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the Memorandum he will see that what I say is correct, and is he aware that farmers in the country are much disturbed about the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a communication from the president of the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, asking that the aid of the Royal Medical and Surgical Corporations should be sought in order to so modify the National Insurance Act (1911) Amendment Bill that efficient medical and surgical treatment may be assured to insured persons; whether he accepts this as evidence of the goodwill of the medical profession in Scotland towards the National Insurance Act; and whether he proposes to accede to the request?

I have received the communication to which my hon. Friend refers. The Amending Bill only deals with medical benefit under the Act to a very limited extent, but the Government will, of course, be happy to receive any representations from the bodies in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the application from Members from all parts of the House for the issue of insurance stamps in book form as in the case of ½d. and 1d. stamps; if so, whether he will state whether he is prepared to grant the request; and, if so, when they will be issued to the public?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland on Monday last.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if in several of the first annual reports of the county tuberculosis officers lately issued, attention is drawn to the evil effects both to tuberculous patients and member of their families of the neglect of such patients after their discharge from a sanatorium; and whether, seeing that there is admittedly in these cases a gap for which the National Insurance Act makes no provision, and which may result in physical recidivism as well as additional expenditure on the part of county insurance committees, the Government propose, either in the National Insurance Act (1911) Amendment Bill, now before the House, or through the Board's administration, to remedy this defect?

The reports which have been at present received by the Local Government Board make no special reference to the point, but the value of aftercare of patients who have received treatment in sanatoria is generally well recognised, and in the view of the Department it should form an important part of the work of the dispensaries which are now being established. I have brought this view to the notice of local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any applications, as in terms of Section 56 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, from persons liable to pay Estate Duty offering to pay the same by transfer of land; if so, how many, and what area and value of land has been thus transferred to the Crown; and if any such application has come, or is likely to come, from the heirs of the late Duke of Sutherland, or if the Treasury has any means of acquiring part of the Sutherland estate in payment of Death Duty and on the basis of the valuation upon which rates and taxes have been levied upon it?

Fifty-seven applications of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend have been received and have been dealt with in the manner stated in reply to questions asked in this House on the 22nd and 30th October last. In pursuance of the arrangements by which the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, as representing the Crown, do not themselves accept land, but act as intermediaries for its transfer to some other public Department or authority who might desire to purchase it, 4 acres 2 roods.2 poles of land, valued at £193 10s., have been transferred to the Somerset County Council. No application under the Section has yet been received from the heirs of the late Duke of Sutherland, and it is not known whether any such application will be made. If, however, any is received, the Commissioners will communicate with the public Departments or authorities for whose purposes the land may seem to be suitable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the increase in the number of houses under and over £20 annual value in the year 1911–12, namely 93,535, is, with the exception of the previous year, 1910–11, the lowest on record for fifteen years?

The answer is in the affirmative. I may, however, add that in 1911–12 the increase in the number of houses under £20 in value was above the average for the last fifteen years, and that the increase on all houses in 1911–12 was approximately double the figure for the previous year. Figures for 1912–13 are not yet available, but judging from the returns furnished to the Board of Trade with regard to the estimated cost of building for which local authorities pass plans, there should be a further increase in that year, and an even greater increase during the current year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Inland Revenue Returns show a deficiency of 29,000 houses for 1911–12 as compared with the average of fifteen preceding years?

The houses under £20 value are above the average of the preceding fifteen years.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the real position as regards increase in number of houses can, owing to transfer from one class to another, only be ascertained by grouping the two classes together?

The hon. Gentleman is emphasising one class, and surely I am entitled to call attention to another!

Has not the money demanded from local rates increased in amount during the last twenty years, and was it not much higher last year than in the preceding year; and in view of the erection of houses for the working classes—

The hon. Member had better put his question in writing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will, having regard to the Referee's decisions in the Chells Farm and Norton Malreward cases as regards agricultural land and the Deptford (site value deductions) case affecting the valuation of urban lands, give instructions to the Valuation Department to issue no further provisional valuations pending the settlement of these points, and in the meanwhile to direct their efforts to reducing the heavy arrears in the Estate Duty Department and the 350,000 outstanding cases awaiting occasional valuations?

It is not proposed to suspend the service of provisional valuations on account of the decisions to which the hon. Membre refers, which do not involve the abandonment in any particular of the basis on which valuations are at present conducted, unless and until they are absolutely confirmed by the Courts to which appeal is to be made. Estate Duty valuations are already being dealt with as speedily as possible, and I may remind the hon. Member that the ultimate decisions in the cases to which he alludes would bear upon occasion valuations as well as on the original valuations concurrently with which they are normally made.

Is it not the fact that the decision in the two agricultural test cases affects the basis of valuation of seven-eighths of the land of the country?

The moment the Court decides, of course we will abide by its decision; but we cannot accept the decision of the Referee on a point of law affecting other valuations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman continuing to make these valuations upon the basis which has been declared illegal by the Referee?

No. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is inaccurate. In that particular case there has been a decision, but the decision applies only to that particular case, whereas the decision of the Court is a declaration of what the law is, and so we shall certainly abide by that.

Why is this treated as a test case if it only governs one particular case?

Of course it is going to be treated as a test case. That is why we are awaiting the decision in the case when it goes to a Court of Law.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this question on the Motion for Adjournment to-night.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will obtain official Reports regarding the rating and taxing of land values from the Canadian municipalities and provincial Governments that have adopted the principle?

I understand that Papers relating to the rating and taxing of land values in British Columbia and Alberta were placed in the Library of the House in 1911 and 1912. The Canadian Government will be asked to supply similar Reports for other provinces if my hon. Friend will specify the provinces in respect of which they are desired.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the amounts of public money paid in respect of compensation and administration in connection with swine fever in the financial years 1907–8 and 1912–13, respectively?

The net cost of compensation after deduction of salvage in cases of swine fever amounted to £15,723 in the year 1907–8, and to £46,975 in the year 1912–13. The cost of administration amounted to £53,834 in the year 1907–8, and to £66,333 in the year 1912–13.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has been in communication with any, and, if any, what cattle-importing countries with a view to their accepting as free from contagious disease cattle which have passed the British Government test to be applied at the Government cattle-testing station at Pirbright, and with what result; and whether such countries, or any of them, have expressed a preference for the testing of cattle intended for export by their own agents in this country?

The cattle-testing station at Pirbrigfht is intended to be used for two purposes only, namely, the testing of animals with tuberculin prior to export, and immunisation against certain tropical and sub-tropical diseases. I have been in communication, both officially and unofficially, with representatives of those countries which at present protect themselves by prescribing quarantine and other conditions against the importation of animals suffering from tuberculosis; they have for the most part shown a ready disposition to consider the withdrawal or modification of the existing restrictions in the case of animals accompanied by a certificate from the Board, but they are naturally not prepared to commit themselves to a definite promise until the arrangements for conducting the test are complete and can be inspected by them. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the sub-tropical diseases to which he refers?

I should like to have notice of that, but certainly red-water fever above all others.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First. Commissioner of Works, whether he can give the House any information regarding the repairs in progress to the roof of Westminster Hall, and whether the roof of the building is in danger?

The First Commissioner regrets that he is not yet in a position to give the House any definite information as to what repairs may be necessary to the roof of Westminster Hall. The examination is proceeding, and a complete survey is being made, but no repairs have yet been undertaken. The roof is not in immediate danger.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Universal Radio Syndicate, Limited, proposed to demonstrate to the Advisory Committee appointed by him the capacity of the Poulsen system for communication over the distances required by the Imperial chain; whether such proposal was abandoned because the Advisory Committee suggested a demonstration between the Eiffel Tower, Paris, and Arlington, Virginia, and undertook to obtain the use of the French and American Government stations for the purpose of such demonstration; and whether the Universal Radio Syndicate accepted the suggestion, but the Advisory Committee failed to obtain the use of such stations and took no steps either to witness the demonstration as proposed by the Universal Radio Syndicate, Limited, or to inspect the working of the Poulsen commercial service between San Francisco and Honolulu, a distance of 2,396 miles?

I understand that the syndicate wrote to the secretary of the Advisory Committee, on the 7th March, saying that they hoped to obtain the use of Eiffel Tower for the purpose of a demonstration of their system to Arlington. On the 15th March they wrote again saying that unexpected difficulties had arisen as to the use of the Eiffel Tower, and suggesting that if any member of the Committee proposed to visit the United States, he might travel in a vessel sailing on the 1st April for New York, on which it was expected that signals from Lyngby would be received up to a, distance of 2,000 miles. It was impracticable to adopt the latter suggestion as no member of the Committee was going to America, but the Committee, in order to assist the syndicate as much as possible, requested the Foreign Office to approach the French Government on the subject of the use of the Eiffel Tower, with the result that the permission of that Government was notified to the Committee on the 29th March. The syndicate were immediately informed of this, but practical difficulties subsequently arose—i.e., want of space in the underground power chamber at the Eiffel Tower, refusal by the municipal council to allow temporary buildings, etc.—which prevented the demonstration being given. Early in April the Committee witnessed a trial of the Poulsen system between Denmark and this country, and, it is understood, tested some of the apparatus which was to have been used at the Eiffel Tower. No one tendered to the Committee any evidence as to the working of the Poulsen system between San Francisco and Honolulu. Indeed, as indicated in Paragraph 19 of the Report of the Committee, the syndicate appeared to have no knowledge of such working, and do not appear to have suggested that the Committee should make any investigation of the American Poulsen stations.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a service between San Francisco and Honolulu, a distance of 2,400 geographical miles, is now working both day and night?

I received the day before yesterday a telegram from the British Consul-General at San Francisco which informs me the company are not yet able to conduct any daylight service at all.

May I ask is it not the fact that the president of the American Poulsen Company stated that the patents which enabled them to work between Honolulu and San Francisco had never been under the control, and would not come under the control, of the Universal Radio Syndicate, Limited?

I understand that the Poulsen Syndicate in this country are not in possession of the patents which are used in the American Poulsen service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is an arrangement for the mutual working of any improvements in either of the companies' systems of patents?

No, Sir, I was not aware of that.

asked the Postmaster-General the grounds on which his expert advisers have come to the conclusion that no firm that would enter into competition with the Marconi Company could be relied on to erect stations of a satisfactory character in connection with the Imperial wireless chain; and whether he will give the longest recorded distances over which wireless messages have been sent between stations erected specially for that purpose, mentioning the name of the system which has carried out such transmission?

With respect to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to questions by the hon. Member for West Hampshire and the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne on Thursday last. As regards the second part of the question, all scientific opinion is definite in the view that no importance can be attached to the occasional transmission of messages over great distances, and that no test is of value other than the regular and intelligible transmission of messages. I would remind the hon. Member that it took six years of continuous work after Mr. Marconi had transmitted wireless signals across the Atlantic before he was successful in establishing a continuous and reliable service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the promoters of the Goldsehmidt system have for many months past been endeavouring to perfect their apparatus? Under these circumstances will he carefully consider the desirability of having a demonstration before he gives the contract to the Marconi Company?

I believe that the Goldschmidt system is a very promising system, but it is purely in the experimental stage at, present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why Tariff Reformers are so anxious to give a contract to a foreign company?

asked the Postmaster-General whether each Marconi station requires the erection of twelve masts at a cost of £33,000 for masts alone per station; and whether the Goldschmidt system involves the erection of one mast only per station, and a saving on masts alone of over £12,000 per station?

The cost of the masts proposed by the Marconi Company for stations of the Imperial chain would be approximately as stated in the question. I am not aware what the cost of a mast on the Goldschmidt system would be. But I understand that the Goldschmidt mast would be much higher—a disadvantage to which the Advisory Committee referred in paragraph 29 of their Report. According to descriptions in the Press in addition to one very high mast there are about thirty-six standards or low masts and three brick towers of considerable height. A further disadvantage is that the Goldschmidt aerial does not appear to be directional.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Marconi system requires a tuning variation of 20 per cent. as compared with a tuning variation of.05 per cent. in the Goldschmidt system; and, seeing that this advantage in the Goldschmidt system permits an increased number of independent coincident messages, a correspondingly increased difficulty in the tuning-up of receivers for the tapping of messages, and the virtual secrecy therefore of the messages sent, whether he will consider the advisability of the adoption of the Goldschmidt system?

My technical advisers do not endorse the statements in the question. I have already informed the English representatives of the Goldschmidt system that I shall be very glad to consider the employment of that system for the later stations of the Imperial chain if proof is forthcoming within the next few months that it is more efficient or more economical than the Marconi system.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Goldschmidt system is in a position to transmit messages very much more rapidly than by the spark system, and therefore a great deal of efficiency would be sacrificed if you had two sorts of stations—one working at high speed, and the other at low speed?

No. My information is not to that effect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the erection of stations under the Goldschmidt system means a considerable saving in cost on the Marconi system in generators, condensers, and transformers; and whether the company working the Goldschmidt system has declared its ability to give a satisfactory demonstration over nearly 4,000 miles, and to make a complete tender for the working of the Imperial chain (including creation of stations)?

I have no information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. With respect to the second part I would refer the hon. Member to my previous answers on this subject.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply and of the impossibility of ratifying any alternative tender, unless steps are taken at once to allow such tenders to be sent in, I beg to give notice that at the end of the Questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Postmaster-General what advantages, if any, other than the possibility of the privilege of first selection of wave-length, will accrue to the nation which first completes the building of its national wireless stations?

The first corner, in addition to having the choice of wave-lengths, will be free to select sites without considering questions of interference with contiguous stations, will be at an advantage in attracting commercial traffic, and, above all, will be equipped against the risk of war when other nations are not.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think these considerations are sufficient to rush into a contract, after what has transpired, without waiting a few weeks further in order to inquire into other systems?

The last reason alone is sufficient in the interests of the Empire for not consenting to any unnecessary postponement. I would point out that it is now two years since the Committee of Imperial Defence urged this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the undamped waves used in certain systems of wireless telegraphy will greatly lessen the risk of interference and confusion in the transmission and reception of messages, he will take steps to ensure that the Imperial service is given every opportunity of securing the right of availing itself in any contract which may be made of such systems?

The point is fully provided for in the proposed contract for the stations of the Imperial chain.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability, in making a contract for the Imperial wireless service, of securing an alternative tender enabling the Government to purchase outright the use of the patents and equipment, thus obviating the payment of royalties and encouraging future development and invention?

The point was considered, but it was evident that a payment outright for the use of patents would be less advantageous than an annual royalty, which may be discontinued at any time if the use of the patents be dispensed with.

Is it not a fact that when the Marconi system was installed in the Navy a definite price was paid for the use of the patents?

The hon. Member is misinformed. The Admiralty are still making payments of some thousands a year to the Marconi Company for the use of their apparatus.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the offer of the Poulsen Syndicate still remains open to supply Members of this House with questions to put to Ministers?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will invite tenders from other companies besides the Marconi Company for the Imperial wireless chain, subject to the condition that the contractors for any system which may be provisionally accepted must before 10th August by practical demonstration satisfy the Post Office of their ability to carry out the requirements of the service as specified by the Post Office when inviting tenders, in order that the most advantageous tender which has duly fulfilled this condition may be approved by the House of Commons during the present Session?

If I were to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member it would be impossible to lay the completed contract on the Table of the House in time to admit of its ratification during the present Session. Such ratification of the completed contract being necessary under the Standing Orders, the course suggested by the hon. Member would involve the delay of the whole matter until next year, and I am not prepared to adopt it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is impossible to accept a tender provisionally immediately, subject to satisfactory tests being carried out when he sends his expert over to report?

I really cannot postpone the matter until the 10th August, when the House is to rise a few days after that date, on the chance of this experiment with the Goldschmidt system being successful. In any case, an experiment of one day would not be sufficient. It is necessary that it should be continued for a reasonable time to see if the wireless communication can be effected through the atmospheric disturbances, which are the chief drawback to any system.

Is there any reason why the House should not meet in the autumn?

Would not the right hon. Gentleman refer all these complicated matters to the Special Commissioner of the "Outlook"?

Will there be an opportunity of discussing the matter before the ratification of the contract?

I hope that Papers will be laid in a few days. The actual date on which the Debate shall take place is a matter upon which the hon. Member should address my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a speech made in Belfast on 12th July by the right hon. Member for Dublin University, in which he said that the Government knew perfectly well that they could not rely to-morrow on the Army to shoot down the loyalists of Ulster; whether the Government intend to prosecute the right hon. Member in question under the Statute of Edward III. as to incitements to crime; and, if not, how the Government distinguish this utterance from the statement pointing out that the Government could not rely on the troops to shoot down striking working men for which an editor and two printers were sent to gaol under the said Statute?

I cannot without fuller information as to the exact language used and its context, express any opinion as to whether the Statute of Edward III. applies to the case. I understand that the persons referred to in the last paragraph were not prosecuted under the Statute of Edward III., but under a Statute of 1797.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been able to fix a date whereon he proposes to proceed with the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill?

asked whether it is proposed to proceed with the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill this Session?

I must refer to the replies which I gave to questions as regards this Bill on Monday last. It is not yet possible to fix a date.

Is it the intention of the Government to proceed with it?

We hope so. It is a matter for negotiation.

May I ask if the Government have succeeded in composing the differences between the various interests, and have the expectation of passing the Bill?

Those negotiations are now going forward.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a special general meeting of the National Vaccination Officers' Association on 2nd July last, with regard to the way in which the Local Government Board have treated the case of the vaccination officer of the Kingston union, also a letter, dated the 7th July last, from the vaccination officer to the Kingston union with regard to the way in which his case had been treated; whether his special attention has been drawn to pages 17 to 27 of the statement of case on behalf of vaccination officers issued by the said association and dated 27th April last, a copy of which was sent to him at the time of publication and duly acknowledged; and, if so, in view of the way in which the cases referred to in the said statement of case, together with the case of the vaccination officer for the Kingston union, have been dealt with by the Local Government Board, he will reconsider his decision that no action on his part is necessary?

I have received both the resolution and the letter referred to. The whole question has been very carefully considered, but I would point out that the matter is entirely within the administrative jurisdiction of the Local Government Board.

asked the Postmaster-General if the reduction in rank of Mr. Taylor, the Post Office official who purchased a small number of Marconi shares, was made by him on the advice of the head of Mr. Taylor's department or the secretary to the Post Office; and if he will state in how many cases since he has held the position of Postmaster-General he has taken action on his own initative in staff disciplinary matters?

The responsibility for disciplinary action in my Department rests with me, and I am not prepared, in this or in any other case, to state the advice tendered to me by officers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an extended motor van service comes into operation in the Manchester postal district on 1st August; and whether he can take steps to ensure that the present horse van drivers shall be made efficient for motor service and be continued in their employment with the various contractors?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part I have obtained from the contractors for the motor service an assurance that they will do all that they can in this direction.

asked the Home Secretary if he can say in what year the tailors employed in the Store Department of the Metropolitan police, who recently received increases of pay, received the previous increase; and what sum per day for each worker the recently received increase amounts to?

The pay of one tailor was increased in 1901 on appointment as foreman; that of the other tailors in 1879. The extra allowance of two shillings a week recently granted to three tailors works out at fourpence a day for the working week of six days.

asked the Home Secretary whether any of the present technical clerks who have served for several years in the receiver's department of the Metropolitan Police are receiving smaller salaries than that at which a son of the late second surveyor was recently appointed an additional technical clerk?

There is one such clerk who, after service in a temporary capacity for two years and nine months, was appointed to the permanent staff last month at the commencing salary (£115) of the authorised scale.

asked the Home Secretary if a technical clerk who had been employed for two years in the receiver's department of the Metropolitan Police has recently resigned under written protest; if so, will he state the reason advanced for the resignation; was he asked by the receiver and surveyor to withdraw his resignation, with an indication that his salary would be increased; has another clerk resigned this month owing to discontent with the methods of appointment and promotion; and will he state the basis on which promotion is given in the surveyor's office?

A temporary technical clerk has resigned as stated; his reason for resigning was not very clearly stated, but appears to have been dissatisfied at being refused a permanent appointment on the staff. He was not asked to withdraw his resignation. The only member of the surveyor's staff who has resigned this month is a temporary shorthand writer and typist at 28s. a week, who has been employed for less than four months and has now obtained a better position elsewhere. The promotion of men on the permanent staff depends on merit and seniority; appointments to that staff 'are made either from the temporary staff or from outside the Department as the needs of the service require.

asked the Home Secretary if he has reconsidered the case of Walter Harold Franklin, who was sentenced to a fine of £10 and costs at Oxford last April for obstructing a tram-driver; and if he has been able to advise a remission of some part of the fine and costs?

I am glad to say that the defendant, having paid a substantial part of the fine by weekly instalments, I have felt able, on the recommendation of the justices, to advise the remission of the remainder of the penalty.