asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Bulgarian forces previously to the Treaty of London occupied a position of great strength opposite the Chatalja lines; and whether it was due to the pressure of the Powers that the Allies were obliged to accept the Enos-Midia line and withdraw from a position which could be held against the Turkish Army?

It is true that His Majesty's representative at Sofia was instructed to point out to the Bulgarian Government the advisability of withdrawing behind the Enos-Midia line as soon as his colleagues received similar instructions, but I am not aware that any such withdrawal was effected, nor am I competent to pronounce on the technical values of the positions in question.

Could my hon. Friend state what reply has been received from the Turkish Government concerning the representations made to them?

That does not arise out of this question.

Is it not a fact in regard to the Treaty of London that pressure was put upon the Allies to withdraw to a permanent frontier behind a line opposite Chatalja which they then held?

Yes, Sir, of course, there was a desire that the Treaty should be carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a discussion at the recent congress of the Royal Sanitary Institute held at Exeter at the beginning of this month, in which the opinion was expressed by a leading veterinary expert, and sympathetically received by the congress, to the effect that the consumption of milk containing bovine tubercle bacilli has the effect of immunising young children and others against human tuberculosis, and that measures for exterminating tuberculosis in cattle may actually result in a spread of the human disease; and, if so, whether he is prepared to reconsider the possible effects of the Tuberculosis Order of 1913 in the light of modern scientific knowledge or, alternatively, to defer the enforcement of its provisions pending further scientific research? In putting this question, I should like to draw attention to the fact that the main virtue of it lay in the word "drastic" which appeared before the word "enforcement," and that that word has been cut out.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. His attention has been called to the expression of opinion quoted by the hon. Member, but in view of the far more generally expressed opinion that a great number of young children every year contract tuberculosis with fatal results through the consumption of milk from tuberculous cows, he is not disposed to relax the efforts which he is making to check the disease by the operation of the Tuberculosis Order of 1913.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can state what accommodation will be available in Stafford House for the entertainment of distinguished foreign visitors; and whether a date has (been fixed for the use of the apartments destined for this purpose?

The First Commissioner regrets that he is not able, at present, to state what accommodation will be available, nor is it possible at this stage to name a date when the apartments for entertainment purposes will be ready for use.

asked whether the Embankment garden adjoining the House of Lords will eventually be thrown into one open space along with the new gardens on the Embankment which are being laid out under the London County Council; and, if a single sweep of garden is not at present contemplated, whether such development will be considered?

The plans now under consideration contemplate a single sweep of garden throughout the area available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Committee appointed to inquire into the subject of the load line, which was presided over by Sir Edward Reed, and which reported in 1885, recommended that it would only tend to failure to entrust the task of assigning compulsory load lines which we describe to any purely official administration, but stated that it should be entrusted to some body of a more representative character which should consist not only of officials but also of gentlemen who, as shipowners, naval architects, seamen, and perhaps underwriters, would bring to bear on work great knowledge and experience; and why he has ignored the recommendation, when setting up the Committee which he has recently appointed, in not selecting a representative seaman to a place on the Committee?

The Report and recommendations of the Load Line Committee of 1885, to which my hon. Friend refers, were carefully considered when the Act of 1890 was before Parliament, and, so far as was then thought expedient, were given effect to by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1890. The provisions of that Act, reproduced in the Consolidation Act of 1894, are still in force, and put certain statutory obligations on the Board of Trade. I may point out that the Committee which is now sitting is not an assigning body but an advisory body, and was not intended to be representative of particular interests. But, as I have already stated, every facility is being, and will be, given for representatives of seamen and others interested to place their views before the Committee.

May I ask whether, in view of all the reports and statements which have been made in regard to this question, he would not consider the advisability of appointing a Committee of this House to inquire into those statements?

I do not know to what statements my hon. Friend refers. I can only say, in addition to the answer given, that the matter was very carefully considered by a very strong Committee.

The statements I allude to were in connection with the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, when President of the Board of Trade, and the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor, and the right hon. Gentleman himself and his colleague beside him.

That is a different matter as to whether the load line of 1906, after six years, should not be examined into, in order to see how far it has been effective and how far deficient. The question we are dealing with is quite different from that which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the clerks employed at the Walham Green, Clapham Junction, Canning Town, Leyton, Holloway, Woolwich, Kingston, Shepherd's Bush, Tottenham, Borough High Street, and Brentford Labour Exchanges have worked, on an' average, about 350 hours each overtime from the 1st February last to the 30th June without any extra remuneration; whether it is proposed to give them any extra remuneration; and, if so, why there is so much delay?

I am aware that a considerable amount of overtime has been worked in many of the Labour Exchanges during this period, though the average for the Exchanges specified is much below the figure stated in the question. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave in reply to the hon. Member for Hammersmith on 17th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 18th and 19th instant men were being engaged-within the precincts of the Gravesend Labour Exchange for work at Leith docks,-where a dispute is in progress; that a man who applied at the Exchange was informed that there was nothing for him, but that a man in the porch was engaging men for Leith; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter and give instructions that the porch or any other part of an Exchange must not be used for such a purpose?

I have caused inquiry to be made into the matter, and understand that there is no foundation for the statement that an applicant was informed by an officer of the Gravesend Labour Exchange that a man in the porch of that Exchange was engaging men for Leith, nor was any such person seen or known to be there by the officers of the Exchange on the days in question. No member of the public is permitted to use the precincts of any Exchange in the manner described, and I therefore see no reason to issue special intructions on this point.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will inquire of the trustees of the charities of Ewell, Surrey, how many meetings of the trustees have been held and on what dates during the last three years; whether the representative trustees were consulted before the requests and communications put forward as the wishes and views of all the trustees were presented to the Board; and whether all due formalities will be observed and properly certified before the money of these charities is allowed to be paid over for the building of a Church of England school at Ewell?

I see no ground for making the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member. I have no information to show that all the trustees were not consulted on any proposals made to the Board. I have no reason to suppose that the trustees will not observe all due formalities in dealing with the funds of the charities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that allegations are being made which render this transaction, at any rate, suspicious and liable to be upset later on by decisions of the Courts of Law, and will he therefore make inquiry?

If a primâ facie case is made out, of course I will make further inquiries, but I have no information which would justify me at the present moment in making inquiries.

Would a newspaper report be considered primâ facie?

It depends upon what the newspaper report contains.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, previous to the Act of 1902, any ratepayer had the right to inspect documents in the office of his local school board; that this right was appreciated by ratepayers, especially those desirous of knowing the reports of His Majesty's inspectors; whether he is aware that the ratepayers in different localities are now prevented, under the Education Act of 1902, from knowing whether the reports of the schools to which their children are sent are satisfactory, and that suspicion and friction have thereby arisen; and whether the right of ratepayers to know how their money is spent will be restored by the Education Bill of next Session?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. Section 87 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, which conferred the right which he mentions, was repealed by the Education Act, 1902. Article 23 of the Code directs that any report on a school sent by the Board to the local education authority or to the managers must be entered in the log book. The managing bodies of public elementary schools in county areas now include representatives appointed by minor local authorities, to whom, in practice, the inspectors' reports are communicated. I am not aware of the existence of such suspicion and friction as the hon. Member suggests. I will consider the point raised in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is intended to proceed this Session with the Education (No. 2) Bill; and, if not, how the Supplementary Estimate, Class IV., Sub-head 2r Vote DD, can be distributed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I should add that unless the Bill becomes law we shall not feel authorised to distribute the proposed Grant of £100,000 to local education authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could arrange in future to give notice of all Money Resolutions on Bills by having the same printed on the Order Paper in sufficient time to allow of Amendments being put down to them?

I see no sufficient reason to depart from the usual practice of the House in regard to this matter, but the question will no doubt be considered by the Select Committee on Procedure.

Does the Prime Minister not realise the difficulty which, as a matter of fact, occurred only last week when Members were suggesting Amendments to a Resolution they could not possibly have seen?

We have gone a great deal further than our predecessors by putting these Resolutions on the Paper. I very much deprecate the practice which has grown up of discussing details twice—both on the Resolution and on the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Eleven o'clock Rule is now suspended, and that Members are also being asked to sit on Committees after 2.45 when the House is sitting; and "whether he will consider the possibility of changing an arrangement which leaves so much of the Session without Committee work, and crowds the bulk of it into the last few weeks, when sufficient time cannot be given to a considered discussion of useful measures?

This is also a matter which might, I think, well be considered by the Select Committee on Procedure.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration this suggestion: that next Session he provide an early day in order that the Second Readings of the Scottish Bills may be taken, so that the Bills may be sent up to Committee at the beginning of the Session and not crowded into the last three weeks?

I am afraid if I were to promise that, a similar request would be preferred by England, Ireland, and Wales.

Have the Committee on Procedure any influence on the arrangement of Government business?

It is appointed for that purpose.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed how empty the benches are during Question Time? Is he aware that several large Committees are seated upstairs at the present moment, that Ministers who ought to be there are here, and that Ministers who ought to be here are there?

That is a matter which the Select Committee on Procedure may well consider.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer this particular question of procedure to the Committee?

It comes, I believe, within the scope of their inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to facilitate the early establishment of a domestic legislature in Scotland, he will appoint a Commission to investigate during the Recess the relations at present obtaining between Scotland and Great Britain in the matter of public income and expenditure, with a view to fixing the appropriate contribution to Imperial revenue which Scotland under Home Rule should make and the most convenient form of levying such contribution?

I am not prepared at present to promise to appoint such a Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to facilitate the early establishment of a domestic Legislature in Wales, he will appoint a Commission to investigate, during the Recess, the relations at present existing between the Principality, including Monmouthshire, and Great Britain in the matter of public income and expenditure, so as to fix the appropriate contribution of the Principality to Imperial revenues, the fittest method of levying the same, and the probable amount of the cost of the domestic services assuming that none are reserved to Imperial Parliament?

I am not prepared at present to promise and appoint such a Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction that has been caused amongst traders by the manner in which the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1912, is being carried out; and whether he will appoint a Special Committee to inquire into the working of this Act?

The effect of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1913, is to lay down the conditions under which a rise in the cost of labour shall be deemed by the Railway and Canal Commission to justify an increase of railway rates if challenged under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act of 1894. As no case in which it has been sought to justify an increase of rates under the Act of 1913 has as yet been heard by the Commissioners, any inquiry into the working of the Act would be in any case altogether premature.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had his attention drawn to the dissatisfaction which has arisen in connection with this matter in many commercial centres?

I have received certain resolutions on the point, but I may point out that the Act has not yet really begun to work, and, therefore, it would be of no use at the present moment to inquire into its operation.

asked what equivalent Grants, if any, will be given to Scotland consequent upon the proposals in the Education (No. 2) Bill?

There are cases in which the principle of equivalent Grants is appropriate, but there are other cases in which it is not appropriate. This is one of the latter cases. Education Grants for Scotland are based upon consideration of the needs of Scotland, which in many respects are different from those of England, but care is taken to ensure that the aid given from the Imperial Exchequer to Education in Scotland as a whole is not less than what is given to England. At the present moment Scotland is certainly not suffering any disadvantage.

Is it not the case that the fact that at present Scotland is not suffering is due to this: that in Scotland education is in receipt of Grants which are applied to other purposes in England?

That is so, but it does not entirely account for the difference in the state of affairs.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that a few weeks ago he kindly gave me figures which showed that Scotland is getting a great deal more per head of population for education than England?

Yes, but that answer is subject to certain qualifications.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the equivalent Grant in this case is £13,750? How can he view with equanimity this sum of money going out of Scotland?

I view, not only with equanimity but with pleasure, the fact that we are getting £42,000 for which England is not demanding an equivalent. If the Education Grants are based on the necessities of Scotland they must also be based on the necessities of England. In this case England has a special necessity which Scotland does not suffer from.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the suggestion of Sir Thomas Barlow and other distinguished medical men, and endorsed by a unanimous resolution of the British Medical Association, now meeting at Brighton, that a Royal Commission should be appointed in order to investigate the public health aspect of venereal disease; and whether he intends to act upon this suggestion?

As I stated in reply to a question on Friday last, the suggestion is receiving careful consideration. I can say nothing more at present.

asked if Mr. T. Gibson Bowles, who in the action Bowles v. the Bank of England, recovered the Income Tax unlawfully deducted by the Bank from a dividend due to him, has now been called upon by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to pay to them that same Income Tax; has this been done by the direction of the Treasury and of the Prime Minister as First Lord thereof, or by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue of their own motion without such direction; and, seeing that the action in question, which established an important public principle, cost Mr. Bowles £3,084, including £137 of his law costs which the Treasury refused to pay, though it paid the whole costs of the Bank, and that Mr. Attorney-General undertook that the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act would not have the effect either of robbing Mr. Bowles of the fruits of his action or of laying him open to some sort of counter claim, is it proposed to persist in the claim now made?

The assessment has been made by the District Commissioners of Taxes, the proper authorities for dealing with such a matter, under the provisions of the Income Tax Acts. The observation referred to in the last part of the question was directed to any action which might have been taken by the Bank of England, and could not bind the District Commissioners in the exercise of their statutory functions. The Attorney-General on the same occasion, in reply to the hon. and learned Member himself, made it quite clear that Mr. Gibson Bowles could not escape having to pay his Income Tax by having caused to be set aside the practice of deduction without statutory authority.

Is that an assurance that the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act itself will not be used against Mr. Bowles?

I do not quite know that I can say that. He has simply to pay Income Tax like anybody else.

And he has had a very good run for his money.

asked why the undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on behalf of the Government, of which the Prime Minister has been reminded from time to time, to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act has not been carried out; and whether it will be carried out next Session?

The Government will take steps to set up a Committee forthwith, unless, owing to the late date of the Session, it is agreed through the usual channels to postpone its appointment till next Session.

asked whether and, if so, when it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Select Committee of the two Houses of Parliament to inquire into the whole question of railway rates, with a view to reclassification and general revision?

I do not think a Committee of the kind suggested, with the object mentioned, would lead to useful results. The Government have the question of an inquiry into the railway position under consideration, but I cannot yet make any announcement on the question.

asked whether the Government have abandoned their intention of introducing this Session a one-Clause Bill to meet the grievances of farmers and traders in respect of owners' risk rates charged upon produce and merchandise consigned by rail to balance to some extent the benefits conferred upon the railway companies by the Railways Act of last Session?

I regret that it has not been found possible to arrive at such an agreement in regard to the question of owner's risk rates as to enable me to introduce a Bill on the subject this Session.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government did not practically give a pledge that they would introduced the Bill this Session?

On the contrary; I said particularly that if I could arrive at an agreement such as would make it a more or less non-contentious measure, it would be introduced, but it was quite evident that otherwise it could not be introduced this Session.

asked whether approved societies in Scotland are finding that the average expectation of cost of sickness benefit is being exceeded, and, in particular, if the societies mainly composed of women are finding much excess of expenditure; whether there has been any excess in any particular district or with regard to any society or group of societies; to what the excess has been due; and what steps the Commissioners propose to take with regard to this important question?

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for Salisbury, on the 12th ultimo, it is too early to make any generalisation as to the actual claims for sickness benefit in comparison with the actuaries' estimates. The Commissioners are, however, taking steps to obtain information from approved societies on the points raised by my hon. Friend, and the whole subject, as he is aware, will be the matter of an inquiry by a Departmental Committee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he has received any representations from boards of guardians asking for an Amendment of the Old Age Pensions Act by which pensions may be given to persons admitted to the workhouse for medical care, and such pensions or some part of them be recoverable, by the guardians in payment for the treatment; and if he can hold out any hope of legislation on the subject?

Representations have been received of the nature referred to; but I am afraid that I cannot hold out hope of legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can explain the need for a Supplementary Estimate, Class IV., Sub-head 2, being an additional £1,200 for police at the National Gallery?

This Supplementary Estimate has been presented because since the date at which the original Estimate was framed it has been found necessary to increase the staff of police at the National Gallery and the National Gallery of British Art.

Is the increase necessitated by the recent outrages?

I think that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to ensure that the vivisection inspectors to be appointed are in sympathy with the Act they are called on to enforce?

My right hon. Friend will satisfy himself before making the appointment that the persons to be appointed are qualified for the post in this as in other respects.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether William Allan Macdonald was, on Monday last, arrested by the police, without warrant shown, and sentenced by the justices at Burnham, Bucks, to four weeks' imprisonment for non-payment of poor rate in respect of a house called Conewood, Farnham Royal, Bucks, and forthwith committed to Reading Gaol; whether he is aware that Macdonald is not the owner or tenant of Conewood, or otherwise liable for the rates on the same; and whether he will make inquiry and, if the above facts are established, order his immediate release?

My right hon. Friend is making inquiry with regard to this case, but in any event he has no power to interfere with a term of imprisonment imposed in default of payment of poor rates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to a collision which took place between two motor omnibuses in Whitechapel Road on 6th July, whereby the two vehicles became locked together and were badly damaged; if so, whether he is aware that the vehicles were removed by the breakdown gang of the motor omnibus company without any inspection or interference on the part of the police; and whether he can explain why the practice usually adopted in the case of tramcars in a similar condition was not followed, namely, that of holding up the vehicles pending the arrival of an official from Scotland Yard?

The detention in situ of motor public carriages concerned in a street accident, whatever the type of vehicle, necessarily depends on the circumstances of the individual case, and must, therefore, be a matter for the discretion of the police. The directions to send for an expert official to make an examination on the spot apply only to cases of serious accident. The accident referred to was of an ordinary character.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any information as to the disturbances in St. Stephen's Hall on Thursday evening last and, in particular, whether Miss Margaret Macmillan was thrown down by the police; and, if so, why this was done?

The police have no knowledge of any woman having been thrown down in St. Stephen's Hall. Mrs. Pethick Lawrence with several other ladies had been permitted to accompany Sir Edward Busk to St. Stephen's Hall as a deputation, and while there she began to make a speech. She was requested to refrain and on refusal was removed from the hall. Owing to the resistance offered some measure of force had to be used.

Have the persons who were convicted as a result of this disturbance been let out already by order of the Home Secretary?

That does not arise out of the question.

Has any report been made to the Home Office as to the injuries to Miss Margaret Macmillan and Mrs. Lawrence?

The question was asked with regard to whether anybody had been thrown down in St. Stephen's Hall, but the police say they have no information of that kind.

Is it not a fact that this happened at the top of Westminster Hall, which is below St. Stephen's Hall?

I understand that this occurrence, so far as the police know, did not occur anywhere.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information as to the closing of the port of Lagos, on the West Coast of Africa; if so, whether such closing is likely to be prolonged; how many cases of yellow fever have been reported; and whether the medical officer apprehends any serious condition of affairs consequent on the cases reported?

Two cases of yellow fever have occurred in Lagos within the last ten days, and the port has in consequence been declared infected; but I have no reason to suppose that it has been closed to shipping. The port will probably not be declared free from infection until eighteen days have elapsed from the isolation, death or recovery of the last suspected case. No case has been notified to me since the 21st instant, and judging from the information that I have received there is no reason whatever to anticipate a serious outbreak.

Have either of the cases been those of Europeans?

I am not sure. Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Imperial troops now stationed on the Witwatersrand, and the number on the 15th July?

The number remains, I believe, the same as when the troops were originally sent up. The maximum I now understand to have been 2,910.

When are you going to take them all away?

Will there be any increase in the number of troops on the Rand without the Home Government being informed and their approval being obtained?

Oh, yes, Sir, if necessary.

Are we to take it that the cables saying that there are 8,000 or 9,000 troops on the Band are false, and that there has been no increase in recent days?

I can only inform the hon. Gentleman that my own figures are correct.

Have any special instructions been given to the commanding officers with regard to the interference in labour disputes by these troops?

No, Sir, only that they must obey the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to have the land valuation suspended so far as it applies to the land, and interests in land, and site values affected by the Revenue Bill, 1913?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reason the Paymaster-General had for deducting more Income Tax than he was warranted in doing when paying the quarterly balances of salary due to certain Civil servants on the 30th June last; and what reason he had when he made such deductions for disregarding the declarations made by such Civil servants in the previous month that their pay formed their sole sources of income?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of the cases referred to, I will cause inquiry to be made upon the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Bill to amend the Superannuation Act, introduced last Session, has not been reintroduced as promised by him; and whether it is proposed to reintroduce it next Session?

I am not aware of any such promise. I understand that last Session's Bill met with opposition, and I cannot undertake to introduce any controversial measure on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he made a promise himself to introduce the Bill this year, quite early in the Session?

All I did was to express a hope. I have the actual answer here.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why John Duff, who was evicted from his holding on the estate of Caroline Buxton and others, Coolnacarte, Queen's County, was not reinstated in his holding when the estate was acquired by the Estates Commissioners; why the Estates Commissioners allotted his holding amongst other tenants on the estate instead of reinstating him; and if he will say whether the Estates Commissioners intend providing John Duff with a holding elsewhere or purpose to otherwise compensate him?

Duff's case was fully considered by the Estates Commissioners when dealing with the Buxton estate, on which his former holding is situate, and they decided to take no action in the matter of his reinstatement, nor will they provide him with a holding elsewhere. The lands formerly occupied by Duff have been, allotted by the Commissioners in the exercise of their discretion to three tenant purchasers who have signed undertakings to purchase same, and have been put in possession thereof.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the event of any rural district council obtaining a loan in the open market for the purpose of proceeding with a scheme for the erection of cottages under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts at a rate of interest exceeding land purchase terms, the financial provisions of the new Land Bill will entitle such council, when the Bill becomes law, to apply for and receive on land purchase terms, out of the million pounds provided for the purposes of the Labourers Act, an amount sufficient to redeem the loan necessarily borrowed in the open market for the completion of a scheme?

It would not be possible to make the financial provisions of the Bill retrospective in the case of labourers' cottages, as the hon. Member suggests.

In cases where the district councils in future borrow money for the purpose of completing a scheme, will the Financial Clauses in those cases allow them to repay it out of the money provided under the Bill?

In the future, if they borrow money, they will not borrow at the higher rate if they think they can get it at the lower rate under the financial provisions of the new Bill.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. H. Blake-Knox has yet accepted the offer issued to him by the Congested Districts Board on 19th November, 1912, for the purchase of Iris property in the parishes of Kildacamogue and Straid, county Mayo, or what stage the negotiations for sale have reached?

Negotiations for the purchase of this property by the Congested Districts. Board are still proceeding.

asked whether the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and the owners of the estate of the late Mr. W. E. Kelly, situate in the parishes of Aglish and Ballyheane, county Mayo, have resulted in a sale of the estate, or when the Board hope to acquire the property?

Negotiations are proceeding between the Congested Districts Board and the owners of this estate, and they are not in a position to give any further information at present.

asked whether Mr. Patrick O'Dowd, J.P., Fallduff, county Mayo, has lodged maps and other necessary papers with the Congested Districts Board with a view to a sale of his estate through the Board; and, if so, when the Board will have an inspection made and an offer issued?

Mr. O'Dowd has lodged the maps and certain documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of this estate, but some further information asked for by the Congested Districts Board is awaited.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have approached Mr. John Durcan, Turlough, relative to the sale of his estate in Cloontubrid, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?

The Congested Districts Board have communicated with Mr. Durkin regarding the sale of the property, but it has not so far been offered for sale through them.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued offers for the estates of the following, situate in the parishes of Turlough and Kildacomogue, county Mayo: Mr. D. G. FitzGerald, the Misses Hunter, Mr. B. Gibbons, Phibbs Irwin (in lunacy), James Foy, Mark Foy, and P. Foy; and, if so, whether the offers or any of them have been accepted?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet issued offers for the purchase of the estates of D. J. FitzGerald, E. Gibbons, and J. Phibbs Irwin. Offers for the purchase of the estates of the Misses Hunter, Mark Foy, James Foy, and Patrick Foy have been issued, and the Board's offer has been accepted in the case of Mr. Patrick Foy's estate.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has made any inquiries into the allegations made in connection with the administration of the Bromley and Beckenham Joint Hospital; and whether, in view of the complaints that have been made, and of the fact that patients suffering from infectious diseases have been discharged before being cured, he will have a full and public inquiry into the matter?

I have caused inquiries to be made by my inspectors into the allegations referred to, and their reports do not indicate any marked failure in the administration of the hospital. The Local Government Board are writing to the Joint Hospital Board on the subject generally. At present, I hardly think a public inquiry is necessary.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, since the Oxford Local Poor Act of 1854 came into force, the Local Government Board has in the course of its administration treated the overseers in the eleven parishes comprising the union of Oxford as having the same powers of giving relief in kind, orders for medical relief, and orders for the workhouse in eases of sudden and urgent necessity as the overseers of other unions have been treated since that date by the Local Government Board; and, if the overseers of the said eleven parishes are not treated by the Local Government Board as having the same powers as overseers in other parishes, to whom should the poor in the union of Oxford apply for medical or other relief in cases of sudden or other urgent necessity if the only relieving officer of the union is distributing or supervising out relief or otherwise engaged in his duties away from his home and office?

I do not find that the Local Government Board have had occasion in recent years to consider the legal position arising out of the local Act of 1854, or that any difficulty has arisen in connection with the giving of relief in cases of the kind referred to. If, however, my attention is drawn to any such difficulty I shall be happy to give it my consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the report of the matron of the Lambeth Infirmary to the guardians regarding the impossibility of obtaining nurses; and whether, in view of the fact that this scarcity of nurses is general and increasing, he will consider how far the disinclination of young women to enter the nursing profession is due to the abuse of nurses' uniforms, the exploitation for gain of undertrained nurses, and other evils connected with the nursing profession and its relation to the sick, that could be remedied by State registration of trained nurses?

I understand that in May last the medical officer reported to the Lambeth Infirmary committee that the matron was finding increasing difficulty in obtaining probationers; that temporary nurses who had to be engaged were expensive, and that the arrangement on the whole was unsatisfactory. Since that date I have sanctioned a substantial increase in the permanent nursing staff. With regard to the general questions raised as to the nursing profession, I may refer to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 8th May.

Is it not the case that this difficulty is very general and that it is an increasing difficulty; and is it not time something should be done to protect the sick from the scarcity of nurses in general?

I am not sure that the plan suggested by my hon. Friend would have that result.

Would the right hon. Gentleman like to receive some evidence upon that point?

I shall be happy to receive any evidence.

asked the Postmaster-General if he satisfied himself by definite and conclusive evidence, before discharging Mr. Cardew from the Post Office, of that gentleman's inability to perform the duty proper to a first-grade clerk; if he was a well-conducted public servant of thirty years' service, who had passed all the prescribed tests and had been certified efficient for many years; if any misconduct was alleged; if Mr. Cardew was given any warning or opportunity of defence; and, if not, as Mr. Cardew's discharge means disgrace and ruin to that gentleman, if he will institute an inquiry into all the circumstances of his case?

Before I agreed to proceed with Mr. Cardew's superannuation, I not only considered very fully the documentary evidence bearing on his case, but consulted personally all the heads of branches in the office of the secretary to the Post Office who had had experience of his work, and found an absolute unanimity of opinion to the effect that Mr. Cardew was unequal to the duties of his position. I did not, moreover, come to a final decision on the matter until Mr. Cardew had received ample opportunities, of which he fully availed himself, for appealing against compulsory superannuation. All the circumstances of Mr. Cardew's case have been most carefully investigated, and there is no room for further inquiry. Mr. Cardew, though he had been repeatedly passed over for promotion and was still in the bottom class of higher division clerks with men twenty years and more younger than himself, had been allowed to proceed to and remain at the maximum pay on that grade. His work had, however, as I informed the hon. Member for Dulwich on the 10th instant, attracted unfavourable notice as far back as 1893, and for some period previous to his discharge his services had been of little if any value to my Department. No charge of misconduct has been brought against Mr. Cardew, whose length of service at the date of his retirement was as stated in the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the scale of remuneration to sub-postmasters in Scotland for selling health insurance stamps?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is yet in a position to give a definite decision with regard to the rate of remuneration of sub-postmasters for additional work under the National Insurance Act; and, if not, whether he can promise to do so by some definite date in the near future?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists in regard to the provisional payment to sub-postmasters for their new work in connection with the Insurance Act; what is the reason of the delay in regard to giving a definite decision in this matter; whether the provisional rate is one unit in the scale payment for each £1 of insurance stamps sold, whereas the actual rate in force for postage stamps is eight units for each £1 sold; and whether the rate proposed therefore for selling insurance stamps is only one-eighth of the rate in force for selling postage stamps?

asked when the delay in dealing with the question of extra remuneration to sub-postmasters for increased work caused by the National Insurance Act will end?

asked the Postmaster-General if he can now say whether any remuneration has been fixed by his Department to sub-postmasters for the sale of national insurance stamps; and, if so, what are the conditions?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now, or when he will be, in a position to state what conclusion has been arrived at as to the remuneration of sub-postmasters for work in connection with the National Insurance Act, and particularly with regard to their remuneration in respect of the sale of insurance stamps?

The Treasury arc not prepared to sanction any payment in addition to that already made on account pending the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office servants. That Report, will, I understand, be issued before the end of the Session, and steps will be taken to deal at once with the Committee's recommendation on this particular subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a bailiff who has been employed at the Runcorn County Court for five years is in receipt of a wage of one guinea a week only; whether he is aware that in this particular case the wage now paid is less than it was many years ago; and whether he will take steps to have the whole scale of bailiffs' wages reviewed and made more in keeping with the present cost of living?

I am not aware of any bailiff employed at a wage of one guinea a week by the registrar performing the duties of high bailiff of the County Court of Runcorn. The registrar receives what is believed to be an ample allowance for the service and execution of process within his district, but the number of bailiffs employed and the distribution of the allowance are within his discretion. Some two years ago the allowance was substantially increased. As similar allowances have been revised from time to time on the application of the respective registrars and high bailiffs, I am not aware that there is any case requiring the steps to be taken suggested in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the excessive speed of the War Office motor cars upon public highways; if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by the police at the Atherstone Police Court on Tuesday that in some cases the War Office motor cars travel at 50 to 60 miles per hour; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

I have seen a report in the Press, but I understand that the statements made were not proved. Instructions as to careful and considerate driving have been issued to all drivers of Army motor vehicles.

asked whether, in the event of the establishment of an Imperial wireless chain station at Hong Kong, messages transmitted from the United States, viâ either Honolulu or Manila, by either a private or American Government undertaking, would under our Government monopoly be received and handled; whether His Majesty's postal authorities would arrange to transmit wireless messages to stations under American control; and whether there will be a wireless station at Weihaiwei?

The question of erecting a long-range wireless station at Hong Kong has not yet been decided, and no conclusion has been reached as to the area of communication should such a station be established. So far as I am aware, the establishment of a commercial station at Weihaiwei has not been considered.