asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increasing tendency of supplying Infantry noncommissioned officers to the permanent staff of the Yeomanry, it can be arranged for such non-commissioned officers to receive Cavalry rates of pay while actually attached to Yeomanry and doing Cavalry duty, more especially as the employment of Infantry non-commissioned officers is a source of profit to the War Office, so far as their successors are concerned in the Infantry?

I am not aware that there is an increasing tendency in this direction, but my right hon. Friend will consider the Noble Lord's suggestion.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he knows that the practice is—quite rightly—to appoint in some cases Infantry non-commissioned officers to Yeomanry Regiments. But in that case the Infantry non-commissioned officer who has the same work is paid at a lower rate than the Cavalry noncommissioned officer on the staff of the same regiment. This occasions grumbling. It is a difficult question, perhaps, but it is rather hard on the men concerned.

My right hon. Friend will consider that suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements are made for supplying food to the troops when out on manœuvres; and whether they extend to the officers?

On manœuvres troops are supplied with food under arrangements corresponding as far as practicable to field service conditions; free rations of bread and meat are provided, supplemented by grocery and vegetable rations for which the troops pay out of their messing allowance. Officers on manœuvres at home make their own arrangements for food supplies.

And pay for them themselves?

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether certain insurance companies are allowed to pay annuities without deducting Income Tax, whilst other insurance companies are compelled to deduct Income Tax; and, if so, what is the reason for this differentiation, and which are the companies that are allowed to pay the annuities without the deduction?

The matter referred to by the hon. Member is being considered with a view to discontinuing the practice by which certain American companies have been allowed to pay annuities in full, tax being subsequently assessed direct on liable recipients.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the names of the com-panics that have this privilege?

If the hon. Gentleman puts that question down I shall see if it can be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received a memorial from the Corporation of Glasgow, the Chamber of Commerce of Glasgow, the county councils of Lanark, Renfrew, and Dumbarton, and other incorporated bodies, praying for the establishment of a fully-equipped branch of the Inland Revenue Department in Glasgow under the direct supervision of the Board at Somerset House; and if he can state what action he intends to take anent this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the by-laws of Crieff were passed mainly in terms of the Burgh Police Act, 1911; whether when submitted to the sheriff substitute it was recommended to exclude bonâ fide temperance hotels, but such exemption was refused by the Secretary for Scotland; whether, in consequence, certain temperance hotel proprietors were recommended by the town council to register as keepers of places of public refreshment and have now been prosecuted for contravention of the Act; whether the intention of the Secretary for Scotland is to prevent the travelling public on Sunday visiting temperance hotels and to force them to patronise liquor bars; whether he will so amend the by-laws as to make it possible for temperance hotels to provide meals on Sunday; and whether, if they cease to register, they will be subject to prosecution?

So many questions are included, and the answer is necessarily so long and technical, that I must ask the Noble Lord to allow me to circulate the answer with the Votes.—[See Written Answers this date.]

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will also include in his answer if there is any method of allowing temperance refreshment places to provide food for the benefit of travellers, so that they may not be driven to public-houses if they require food?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether before making any appointments to the new posts of Assistant Commissioners to the Board of Agriculture he will advertise the same; and whether he will consider the advisability of excluding factors from such applications?

I am satisfied from the number of applications received that these vacancies are already sufficiently well known; and I cannot agree to fetter my discretion or that of the Board in the selection of the best men available for the appointments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not consider this point: that the.only way to make these appointments known is through the newspapers? And will he also bear in mind that Members of Parliament ought to be protected from all kinds of applicants who apply to them and ask them to use their influence with the Secretary for Scotland on their behalf?

I am only too anxious to protect Members of Parliament as far as I can from that sort of trouble, but it is extremely difficult.

Have Members of Parliament any influence with the right hon. Gentleman?

I should not choose a worse man, because he was recommended by a Member of Parliament instead of a better one recommended by somebody else.

Is it not a fact that there is only one factor on the Board, and he is a Radical?

I think there is only one factor, but. I do not know he is a Radical.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a memorial from the inhabitants of Claddach Carinish, Cleit Feora, and Knockguien, which townships are two, three, and one mile, respectively, from the terminus of the main road at Carinish Inn, in North Uist, deploring the conditions under which they suffer for want of a road and urging the necessity of help in this direction; and whether, in consideration of the hardship entailed, especially in winter, he will consider what steps can be taken to remedy the matter?

:I received this memorial a few days ago, and have referred the matter to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for consideration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Fishery Board have now been furnished with the name and number of the trawler which recently destroyed the nets of the fishing boat "Mafeking" off Wick; and whether he can state what steps he proposes to take to secure the punishment of the offending vessel?

The Fishery Board have been furnished with the number of the trawler. I am investigating the question whether it is possible to take such steps as are suggested in my hon. and learned Friend's inquiry.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will say why a professor of pathology holding no veterinary qualification has been appointed veterinary inspector under the Local Government Board for the purpose of meat inspection; whether there was no veterinary surgeon in Scotland qualified for the post and whether, in point of fact, applications for the post were sent in by highly-skilled veterinary surgeons; and if he will say also what technical qualifications the above-mentioned gentleman has got to qualify him for the post?

As regards Dr. Leighton's technical qualifications I would refer the Noble Lord to replies given to the hon. Member for the Wilton Division on 24th June, where these are fully detailed.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many applications for small holdings have been received from persons in the parish of Ancrum, in the county of Roxburgh, and, in particular, whether that sent by Mr. Harvey has yet been disposed of?

The number of applications from the parish of Ancrum is thirteen in all (eleven for new holdings and two for enlargements). It is hoped to provide a holding for Mr. Harvey under a scheme for which negotiations are now in progress.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board repay to county councils their costs incurred in connection with the raising of loans for land purchased for small holdings and decline to pay similar costs incurred for buildings on the lands purchased; if so, will he state why this distinction is drawn; and will he take steps to abolish the distinction?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The term of loans for the purchase of land is eighty years, but the Board were advised that the Public Works Loan Commissioners could not sanction a longer term than fifty years for the repayment of a loan raised to cover the cost of raising a loan for the purchase of land. In view of the inconvenience caused by county councils by this distinction, the Board applied to the Treasury for authority, which was granted, to repay out of the small holdings account the costs incurred in raising such loans. The same difficulty does not occur in the case of loans for the acquisition of buildings, as the term of those loans is fifty years.

Do I understand that in future part of the expenses incurred by the county councils for buildings will be allowed?

It is a little bit intricate, but when the hon. Gentleman reads the answer I think it will be clear.

May I ask whether the Public Works Loan Commissioners have full discretion or whether they are subject to the Treasury?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

May I ask, having regard to that fact, that the small holdings system is to encourage people to live upon the land, how can we do that unless they have houses, and is it right to penalise public bodies for using money to provide houses?

The cost of raising loans for the acquisition of land will be paid out of the small holdings account; the cost of raising loans for the acquisition of buildings will not. The hon. Member's question was to find out why there was that distinction; the difference is caused by the fact that the Public Works Loan Commissioners require a different period for the cost of raising the loan than the other loan does.

That does not answer the question. I want to know whether part of the expenses will also—

Better wait until the President of the Board of Agriculture is in his place, and the hon. Member can then cross-examine him rather than his substitute.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, with a greatly increased catching power of steam and motor craft, there was from the 1st April, 1913, to the 12th July, 1913, a decrease in the herring fishing of 260,379 trans landed in Scotland compared with the same period last year (1912); and whether that decrease is due to trawling for herring?

The figures relating to the catch for the periods mentioned are correct. It may be added, however, that no sound deductions can be drawn from figures relating only to one season, and especially to a part only of the season, and that the total quantity of trawled herrings landed in Scotland last year was only 5,714 cwts. out of 5,200,300 cwts., or 0.1 per cent. of the gross catch, and it is difficult to see how so insignificant a result could have had any injurious effect on the fishing.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as this steam trawling increases it inflicts great hardships upon other fishermen and that there is a great deal of feeling about it in Scotland?

I know there is a great deal of feeling on that subject and a very important question has arisen as to how far steam trawling destroys immature fish. This is being investigated by a Committee of which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is in charge.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can publish the calculations on which it is estimated that it would be possible for the State to recover all the charges involved in the provision of cottages in rural areas by a rent of 3s. a week per cottage?

My right hon. Friend asks me to say that the Government have not at present formulated in detail any scheme for the provision of cottages in rural areas, and that he cannot make any authoritative statement on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what ground the President of the Board of Agriculture based his recent speech?

I will tell my right hon. Friend that the hon. Gentleman wants to know.

asked the hon Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is in a position to make a statement as to the progress of the negotiations in connection with the completion of the approach to the Admiralty Arch?

Several conferences have taken place between the representatives of the London County Council, the Westminster City Council, and the First Commissioner of Works. They have agreed to a scheme which meets with the First Commissioner's approval, and His Majesty's Government has undertaken to contribute one-third of the necessary cost. The scheme and proposed architectural design will shortly be submitted to the two local authorities for their consideration and approval. The First Commissioner hopes to be able to place a model of the proposed design in the Tea Room at an early date.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to proceed further with the Employment of Children Bill; and, if so, upon which day he will ask the House to take the Second Reading?

I fear that the exigencies of Parliamentary business will not allow of further progress being made with this Bill.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now say on what day it is intended to proceed with the Second Reading of the Sir Stuart Montagu Samuel Indemnity Bill?

I am not yet in a position to name a day.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that opposition to such a Bill is unheard of for generations in this House?

Is it the intention to proceed with that Bill?

I am going to make a statement presently.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the erosion of the cliffs in the South of England; whether it is intended to introduce legislation embodying the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Coast Erosion; and, if so, when?

The Royal Commission on Coast Erosion in their final Report deal with the state of things which they found on the South coast of England as on other parts of the coast of the United Kingdom. This Report is receiving careful consideration, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade hopes to introduce a Bill on the subject next Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recent judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council quashing the conviction of Vaithanatha Pillai for murder, from which it appears that the expenses involved in the appeal are to be borne by the man who had been unjustly convicted; and whether, in the circumstances, seeing that the man has passed months of his life under the shadow of the gallows, he will consider the possibility of the costs being borne by the Crown?

It is not the practice of the Courts to make an order for costs against the Crown in such cases, but if the Crown thinks proper to pay the costs ex gratia, or any part of them, it is free to do so. I will request my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for India to consider the point in council. But I cannot pledge the Secretary of State in advance, since he is vested by law with the final control of Indian revenues.

Is the right Lon. Gentleman aware that this unfortunate man paid 5,000 rupees alone for the telegram to be sent to the India Office to have his sentence reviewed while the India Office were considering it, and more-over, that the Government of Madras instructed counsel to prevent his appeal to the Privy Council, and in these circumstances will every consideration be given.

:I have said so.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say on what date the consideration of the Indian accounts will be brought before the House?

I cannot yet fix a date.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of constituting the Insurance Commissioners as an independent department, in order to divest their work as far as possible of political bias, and also to enable the Treasury to criticise the financial transactions of the Commissioners from a more impartial point of view?

If the hon. Member's suggestion is that the Insurance Commissioners or the Treasury are actuated by a political bias in the performance of their duties under the Act, I must altogether repudiate it. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and learned Member for West St. Pancras, on the 14th of April last.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the estimated annual cost of the arrangements recently made for hearing complaints against medical practitioners under the National Insurance Act; 'how the expenditure will be borne; if such complaints will be made direct to the Insurance Commissioners by the insured person or through the insurance committees; if the names of the persons to form the committees of inquiry have yet been decided upon; and, if so, will he submit a list of them?

The cost of the arrangements referred to will be pro-vided for in the Votes of the separate Commissions, under the head of Special Inquiries and Services, for which estimates amounting to £5,250 for the four Commissions have been laid before Parliament. If any representations are made to the Commissioners by an insurance committee or a local medical committee that the continuance of a practitioner on the panel would be prejudicial to the efficiency of the medical service of insured persons, the Commissioners must, and if any similar representations are made by any other body or any persons they may, hold an inquiry. The inquiry committee will not, as a rule, investigate complaints made by insured persons until such complaints have been investigated by the medical service sub-committee of the insurance committee. For the purpose of each inquiry an inquiry committee composed of two practitioners and one barrister or solicitor in actual practice is constituted by the Commissioners. The English Commissioners have appointed Mr. J. Fischer Williams, Dr. H. W. Langley-Browne, and Dr. C. H. Milburn to act as the first inquiry committee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many doctors have been placed upon the panels of medical men under the National Insurance Act in England; and how many of them have been furnished with a register of insured persons for whom they are responsible in order that they may check applicants for medical treatment?

The number of medical practitioners on the different panels is about 18,000. I am unable at present to say how many of these doctors have received final lists of the insured persons for whose treatment they will be responsible. Such final lists cannot be supplied until the process of allocation of insured persons who have not chosen their doctor has been completed. In the meantime the doctors have no difficulty in checking applications for treatment from insured persons who have already been accepted by them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the list is likely to be issued?

No, I cannot say when, but the London Insurance Committee will deal with the matter.

Are we to understand that in the meantime no doctor has more patients than he can attend?

I think I have answered that question. The whole matter is dealt with by the insurance committees who will see that no doctor has more patients than he can manage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it has been recently decided in certain industrial districts that the men engaged in certain sectional trades must come under the provisions of the unemployment part of the National Insurance Act though they were not compelled to do so last year; whether he knows that in their cases the men are called upon to pay arrears from the commencement of the Act, which in some cases amount to 2½d. a week for fifty-two weeks; and whether, in view of the hardships inflicted on the men in this way, it can be arranged that they should only pay from the date on which they actually came under the Act?

The decision whether contributions are payable under Part II. of the National Insurance Act in respect of any workman or class of workmen rests with the Umpire appointed under Section 89 of the Act. These decisions are given upon application being made to him; and where a decision that contributions are payable is given in the case of workmen in respect of whom no previous application has been made, such contributions are payable from the date on which the Act came into operation. In the absence of full knowledge of the particular cases which the hon. Member has in mind, it is not possible for me to give a definite reply to the point raised in the latter part of the question as to the payment of arrears in such cases. I am, however, sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Tower Hamlets on the 19th June last on a similar point. I would add that, as the workman's claim to unemployment benefit is proportional to the number of his contributions, it is, generally speaking, to his interest that arrears should be paid.

If a workman is compelled to come under the Act five years after the passing of the Act, would he have to pay five years' arrears?

No, I think not.

asked (1) what number of beds is being used in the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, for sanatorium treatment under the National Insurance Act; what is the maximum number of beds in that hospital available for that purpose; and what acreage of land not covered by buildings is utilised in connection with that hospital; (2) what institutions belonging to the Metropolitan Asylums Board are being used for the purpose of sanatorium treatment under the National Insurance Act; and (3) what number of beds in the Downs Sanatorium is being used for the purpose of sanatorium treatment under the National Insurance Act; what is the maximum number of beds in that sanatorium available for that purpose; and what acreage of land, not covered by buildings, is utilised in connection with that sanatorium?

The institutions belonging to the Metropolitan Asylums Board which are at present used for the purpose of sanatorium benefit are the Downs Sanatorium at Sutton and a part of the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill; the former has 372 beds, of which 296 were in use yesterday; the latter has 200, of which 171 were then occupied. The area of the site of the Downs Sanatorium, excluding that covered by buildings, is seventeen and a half acres; at Winchmore Hill the airing courts and exercise fields at present available for the patients amount to eight and three-quarter acres, but there are nearly thirty-six acres attached to the whole hospital.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on five days during the present Session, namely, on 10th April, 24th April, 12th June, 26th June, and 16th July, being allotted days in Supply, the discussion of the Estimates was interrupted at a quarter-past eight and resulted in a loss of time devoted to the discussion of Estimates equivalent to two Parliamentary days; and whether, in any arrangements for business during the remainder of the Session, he will restore the time lost, so that the restricted opportunities now prevailing for the discussion of Supply may not be further restricted?

I am sorry that the necessary discussion of Private Bills took so much of the time of the House. The Government, however, were not responsible for this, and we propose to give an extra day for Supply.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount of the investments held by the Road Board first at cost price, and secondly at the market price of the last Stock Exchange settlement?

I understand that in addition to £819,937 short term bills the Road Board holds securities costing.£1,782,589, whose market value on the 11th instant was £1,780,131. These prices include accrued interest, and the difference in value is partly due to the different dates on which the stocks were purchased and valued respectively.

Can the hon. Member say what is the depreciation, exclusive of interest?

No, Sir; I have not got that information.

Will the hon. Member obtain that information for me?

Yes; if the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has issued instructions to divisional officers and managers of Labour Exchanges to the effect that trade unions that hold their meetings at Labour Exchanges must not, if they are on strike or locked out, be allowed to hold any meeting in connection with the strike or lock out on the premises of a Labour Exchange?

No general instructions have been issued in the sense suggested. In accordance with the statutory Regulations made by the Board of Trade under the Labour Exchanges Act, applications for accommodation: within the premises of a Labour Exchange may be granted only for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as the Advisory Trade Committee for the district may approve. A number of Advisory Trade Committees have recommended that accommodation be granted' to trade unions and other bodies, subject to certain conditions; and the Board of Trade have usually accepted their recommendations. The conditions laid down, by some of these committees contain provisions to the effect indicated in my bon. Friend's question. I am causing copies of' the various conditions laid down to be sent to my hon. Friend.

Could the Board of Trade issue regulations so that we shall not have some districts applying conditions that trade unions cannot hold meetings in the Board of Trade Labour Exchanges while some districts can do so?

It seems preferable to leave the matter to the discretion of the Advisory Committee, whose judgment ought to count for something in the matter.

Is the hon. Member aware that the Board of Trade through the Labour Exchange managers and other officials have pressed trade-unions to hold their meetings in the Labour Exchanges instead of in public-houses, and now when disputes take place, they drive them back to public-houses?

That shows that the Board of Trade is perfectly favourable to, the process.

If the Advisory Committee recommend that Labour Bureaus should be used, then the Board of Trade will not object to that recommendation?

I do not say that absolutely. We have accepted the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.

Does the decision rest with the division officer?

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to several cases where infants received for nursing and maintenance, within the meaning of Part I. of the Children Act, 1908, have been handed over to the Poor Law authorities in consequence of failure on the part of the parents of such infants to carry out the financial arrangements made between them and the persons by whom the infants have been received, the parents having disappeared as soon as the infants have been received; and whether, as a means to prevent parents thus avoiding their financial responsibilities, he will introduce a short measure requiring that a person placing out an infant for nursing and maintenance shall give at least forty-eight hours' notice, before the infant is placed out to nurse, to the local authority of the district from which the infant is to be sent, and also to the local authority of the district to which the infant is about to be sent for nursing and maintenance?

I am aware that cases of the nature mentioned have occasionally occurred. Such cases were brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend when the Children Bill was passing, but it was not found possible to frame any provisions to deal with them. I cannot undertake to introduce a Bill, but I will consult with the President of the Local Government Board as to whether anything can be done when there is an opportunity for legislation. It is not clear that the adoption of the course suggested would be an effectual remedy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Mary Wyan, who was sentenced at Marlborough Street Police Court to twenty-one days' imprisonment on a charge of assaulting the police; whether he is aware that she was convicted on the evidence of one constable, though this evidence was denied on oath by the prisoner; and whether, as her friends are anxious to bring a charge of false imprisonment against the constable, the Home Office will state the constable's name and number?

My attention has been called to the case, and I have consulted the magistrate He was satisfied, after hearing the evidence given and the prisoner's own statements, that she was guilty of obstruction and assault, but, as she said she did not intend to injure the officer, he was willing to release her on her own recognisances. As, however, she refused to be bound on her own recognisances, he had no alternative but to commit her to prison. If her friends desire to have the name and number of the officer, they should apply in the usual way to the Commissioner of Police.

Will that be given as a matter of course?

I think so. I see no reason why it should not be given, and I assume it would be given in this case.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the principal patent of the Marconi Company expires in April, 1914; whether, in view of the fact that the Admiralty in a letter to the Post Office have stated that even at the present time it is believed that the use of Marconi patents is not essential to the Admiralty design for a long-distance station, he will say if he regards the provision in the proposed contract with the Marconi Company that that company is to receive 10 per cent. of the gross receipts of any station so long as any Marconi patent is used in that station as a reasonable one; and whether, with such a provision in the contract, the Government reserves complete freedom in its own hands to change the system if necessary?

One of the principal patents of the Marconi Company will expire next year, so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, unless renewed; but other important patents will be used in connection with the Imperial stations. If it is the case, as suggested by the hon. Member, that all Marconi patents of importance will expire in the near future, then the royalties payable to the Marconi Company under the proposed agreement can also be terminated in the near future. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has been advised as to the original cost of the plant which would have to be removed from any of the proposed Marconi stations in order to make that station free of any Marconi patents; and what proportion such cost represents of the total estimated cost of the station?

I am advised that the cost of the plant covered by Marconi patents would probably represent about 16 per cent. of the total estimated cost of each station, excluding buildings. Some additional cost might be involved in altering the aerial.

Is that the advice given to the right hon. Gentleman by his expert advisers or does it come from the Marconi Company?

From my own expert advisers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Marconi Company have refused to agree to a proportionate reduction of royalties on discontinuance of the use of their patents, which was stipulated for as an essential condition by the Imperial Wireless Committee, by the Treasury, and by the Advisory Committee, he will consider whether the possibility of withholding further licences from the Marconi Company might be used as an argument to induce the Marconi Company to agree to this requirement, especially in view of the fact that the Postmaster-General on the 30th January, 1911, arbitrarily revoked the Cullercoats licence, which was the only commercial licence possessed by the Poulsen system?

I cannot agree that the facts are correctly stated in the first part of the question, the Treasury and the other Departments represented on the Imperial Wireless Committee having assented to the royalty proposals embodied in the contract, and the opinion of the Advisory Committee not being accurately quoted by the hon. Member. Nor did I arbitrarily revoke the Cullercoats licence. My prodecessor decided in 1909 that ship-and-shore wireless stations should be worked by the State, and purchased the Marconi and Lloyd's coast stations. The representatives of the Poulsen Company, who held the licence for the only remaining privately owned station of that class, were informed at that time that the licence could only be temporarily renewed. The licence was accordingly terminated in 1911, but the plant of the station was purchased by the Post Office at a price agreed upon and approximating to that asked by the vendor. I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member with respect to the Marconi Company. Apart from other considerations, it would not be likely to have the results desired, while it would involve the possibility that this country would lose the advantage of being the chief European centre of long-range wireless telegraphy, to the profit of other countries.

asked on what date Mr. Llewellyn Davies was appointed one of the solicitors to the Post Office; whether he advised the Postmaster-General in relation to the Marconi Contract; and whether up to the date of his appointment he was a partner in the firm of solicitors who acted for the "Matin" newspaper in the recent libel action?

Mr. Llewellyn Davies was appointed solicitor to the Post Office on the 1st January, 1912. He was not consulted and did not advise me in relation to the negotiations prior to the signature of the Marconi Agreement of July, 1912, but the formal agreement was drawn up by him. It is the fact that the firm which he left in January, 1912, and with which he had no subsequent connection, acted for the "Matin" newspaper in the action in March last, but I fail to see the relevance of that fact.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he intends to carry out the recommendations of the Southport health committee, laid before him in May last, with regard to the fixing a maximum to the amount of boracic acid used in potted shrimps; and if he is willing to take action on the further resolution of that body to the effect that it is desirable that the amount of boracic acid used in potted shrimps should be declared on the label as is done in the case of cream?

The question of preservatives in foods is under consideration by the Local Government Board, and I am not at present in a position, to say what action will be suggested in the matter.

asked what action has been taken in regard to the demand for cottages at Stud-land Bay, in connection with which a public inquiry was held nearly a year ago?

The inquiry into a coin-plaint made under Section 10 of the Act of 1909 as to the alleged failure of the rural district council of Wareham and Purbeck to exercise their powers under Part III. of the Act of 1890 in the parish of Studland was held on 11th November, 1912. As a result of that inquiry the Local Government Board pressed the council to build twelve cottages in that parish, and the council have agreed to do so, and have submitted proposals and applied for sanction to a loan. The inquiry into their application will be held as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Grants to London University are conditional on any developments and changes in the policy of the university being approved by the Board; and, if so, whether he will give an undertaking that no new site for the buildings of the university shall be acquired without Parliamentary sanction?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Are there no means by which the Board of Education can take cognizance of these proposals for a new site for the London University, and are they watching the subject which is now being so much discussed?

They are certainly watching it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether His Majesty's inspector condemned the school at Ewell, Surrey, in his Report for the year ended 30th April, 1904, and instructed the managers on 29th June, 1904, to make improvements without delay; whether these condemnations have been repeated frequently in subsequent years; whether in January, 1908, the local education authority informed the Board of their willingness to provide a new school; whether the Board of Education decided in November, 1909, not to recognise the school in its existing premises after 10th April, 1911, and to pay no further Grant; whether the school still continues in exactly the same condition as was condemned ten years ago; whether it is still recognised and the Grant paid; and what explanation has he to offer for the injury inflicted on the children of the parish?

His Majesty's inspector reported unfavourably upon the premises of the school in 1904, and recommended the managers to submit a scheme for their improvement without delay. Similar reports were made in subsequent, years. The statements contained in the remainder of the hon. Member's question are substantially correct. In 1911 the Board informed the local education authority that they would raise no objection to the school continuing to be conducted in the existing premises for a, limited period after the 30th April, 1911, pending the provision of further school accommodation, and have paid the Grant. Plans have been approved for adapting the premises as a school for boys, and the Board are now pressing the authority to provide the accommodation required for girls and infants.

Are we really to take it that this school was seriously reported on in 1904, and that no improvements have taken place up to the present time?

There is a prospect that by the end of the year the school will be put right.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman face the question fairly. Was not this school in 1904 condemned, and why have nine years been allowed to elapse without anything having been done?

Objections were taken by the Board to the condition of the school, but we cannot cure defects in the school premises all over the country in a year, or even two years. There are a good many cases in which a considerable amount of time is required; in this case the school will be put right in the course of the next three or four months.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at the last quarterly meeting of the Queen's County Council, requesting the Department to recognise for the purposes of the Tuberculosis Order, 1913, the veterinary inspectors appointed by the sanitary authority under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milk Shops Order, 1908, instead of confining the duties to one inspector working under the Diseases of Animals Act; and can he say, in order to avoid overlapping of duties and consequent extra cost to the rates, whether the Department is prepared to comply with the request made in the resolution?

The resolution referred to has been received. No decision on the request therein has, however, been reached yet. Pending further experience of the working of the Order, which has been in operation only for a little time, it appears undesirable to determine whether the sanctioning of additional appointments thereunder would be of advantage.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the statement made by the Estates Commissioners that they have no knowledge of the promises made as to turbary when the Rowland-Blennerhassett tenants purchased their holdings under the Ashbourne Act, and have no power to interfere, he will institute inquiries in the offices of the Land Commission, or of such other department as was in control of land purchase operations at that period, with a view to securing to the tenants the carrying out of the promises then made by the landlord's representative?

The sales to the tenants of the late Sir Rowland Blennerhassett referred to in the question were carried out under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act; 1885, by means of conveyances by the vendor to the tenants, and not by Vesting Order of the Land Commission. There is no reference to turbary in these conveyances, nor in the agreements to purchase signed by the tenants upon which the conveyances were based. The Commissioners have no evidence of the existence of any undertaking of the vendor's representative as to securing a supply of turbary for these tenants, and they have no power to intervene for the purpose of securing for the purchasers the rights of turbary which they now claim.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present moment the Estates Commissioners have in their hands the turbary of this estate, and, in the circumstances, will he make further inquiries to see if as a matter of fact the vendor's representative did make these promises?

Of course, if the Estates Commissioners have the turbary in their hands, I will ask them to look into the question, but obviously it is too late to correct these conveyances.

asked whether in the sale of the Warburton estate, Garryhinch, situated in the King's and Queen's Counties, and carried out between the tenants and the Land Judge, it was agreed that the untenanted land known as the Pullock meadows should be divided up amongst the small holders on the estate; whether the receiver, Mr. Mathew Franks, still retains those lands on his hands and has advertised the meadows for sale on the 15th instant; who receives the money for those meadows; and whether the Estates Commissioners approve of the whole transaction?

The Estates Commissioners understand that when the sale of this estate was being negotiated it was arranged that the Pullough meadows were to be sold to them for the purposes of distribution. The question of the acquisition and distribution of these lands by the Commissioners will be considered by them when they are dealing with this estate. Until the lands have been acquired by the Commissioners it is the duty of the Receiver to continue his arrangements for the user thereof.

asked whether the landlords who have sold their property in the Mastergeehy district have also sold the sporting rights; and whether the Congested Districts Board will negotiate with Sir Morgan O'Connell with a view to having his property, inclusive of the sporting rights, sold to the tenants?

The Congested Districts Board do not keep their records of estates by districts, and cannot therefore give the information asked for in the first part of the question. The Board have decided that they will not make an offer for the estate referred to unless the tenants agree that the sporting rights will be reserved to the Board or to the vendor.

asked if any arrangements have been made, or are in contemplation, to increase the number of troops stationed in Ireland in anticipation of disturbances arising should the Government of Ireland Bill become law; and if the cost of the same will be a charge against Trish revenue?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has made drawn to the statement recently made that the bursting of shrapnel over the heads of the people of Ulster might be the best cure, and does the right hon. Gentleman agree with that suggestion?

:No, Sir, off-hand I do not.

asked if the case of Edward Foley, who was evicted from a holding at Ballyadams, Queen's County, on the Kemmis estate, has been considered by the Estates Commissioners; and whether they have taken any steps to provide him with a holding?

Foley's application has been noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by them.

asked if at the Bandon Petty Sessions, held on the 30th June, 1913, a Unionist named William Williams, and locally known as Carson, was fined for drunkenness 2s. 6d.; why, though he has not as yet paid the fine, he is still at large and under the eyes of the police; whether at the Petty Sessions held at Bandon on the 7th July last a Nationalist labourer named Hartnett was fined 2s. 6d. for a similar offence, and though he there and then asked for time he was curtly refused and taken into custody and conveyed to the Cork male prison by the next train, though there were several other trains during the day that he could be taken by; and, seeing that on the way to the station the police escort met Williams, why Williams, who should have been taken a week previous, was not arrested?

The police authorities inform me that at Bandon Petty Sessions, on the 30th June, William Williams was fined 2s. 6d. for drunkenness, but that the warrant to enforce the penalty was not executed as he promised to pay the fine in a short time. In cases of this kind, to avoid hardship and to save expense in conveying prisoners to prison, it is usual for the police to allow defendants a certain latitude where they are satisfied that the fine will be paid, and that there is no danger of the defendants absconding. On the 7th instant Hartnett, who is described by the police as a man of bad character, having no fixed residence, was convicted of a similar offence, but as he made no application for time to pay the fine the magistrates issued a warrant for his committal in default. He was conveyed to Cork by the first available train so as to enable the escort to return that evening. The escort did not meet Williams on their way to the station, and the politics of the men are not known to the police.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, seeing that several public bodies in Ireland have expressed their approval of his scheme for improving secondary education, he will place the Grant immediately on the Votes, leaving it to be availed of by such schools as comply with the conditions?