asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Pekin Syndicate, although a British company, is controlled abroad; and whether His Majesty's Government has received any allegations with reference to the treatment of the labourers in the mines of this syndicate?

I am aware that the syndicate is largely representative of foreign capital and interests, but as I understand that half the board of directors, including the chairman, are British subjects, I presume, that the syndicate cannot properly be described as controlled abroad. Allegations of the nature referred to in the second part of the question have reached His Majesty's Government arid have formed the subject of correspondence with the representatives of the syndicate. The reply of the latter is now under consideration. At the same time, I must point out that the allegations respecting the treatment of labourers consist of a statement that there is preventable loss of life because the European staff employed is too small to exercise proper supervision and not sufficiently experienced. It is impossible for me in addi- tion to the ordinary work of the Foreign Office to undertake in the case of British companies all over the world outside British Dominions the- detailed work of expert investigation and control that is exercised by the Home Office in the case of mines in Great Britain.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, by the Report of the Putumayo Committee, that there is no particular desire at all on the part of the Foreign Office officials abroad to convey to the Foreign Office information of these atrocities, and no particular desire on behalf of the Foreign Office to investigate them?

I do not admit that at all. That is not the case. I have already endeavoured to point out that this is not at all a case like the Putumayo atrocities. That is an exceptional case which involves something quite different from a case where it is a question of preventable loss of lives, owing to inexperienced people being employed in the mines. That is not on all fours with a case like that of Putumayo.

asked whether, in any proposals that may be made between the Powers for the settlement of the Balkan question, due consideration will be given to the suggestion of extending to other minorities guarantees for racial and religious liberty similar to those which it has already been agreed shall apply to the Albanian areas to be incorporated with Servia?

The object that the hon. Member has in view is, of course, most desirable, but I cannot say how far it will be practicable for the Powers to make further stipulations than they have made already.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear the point in mind?

I will bear the point in mind. I did not mean to imply that it was out of the question that any further stipulations should be made, but only that I could not make any promise.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he will give the House infromation as to the position of the Turkish forces in Thrace, and the effect of their incursions upon the civil population?

I have only received information of the same general tenor as that which has appeared in the Press; there is no news of further Turkish advance into Bulgaria.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, according to the dispatch he received from Lord Kitchener respecting the arrest of Alexander Adamovitch (Cd. 6874), the only charge brought against this man was that he had committed an offence outside Egyptian territory, namely, that he had led the revolutionary movement among the crews of the merchant vessels at Odessa and put himself at the head of their strike; whether he is aware that the various articles of the Capitulations set out in the dispatch refer entirely to offences alleged to have been committed in Ottoman territory, and that it is expressly provided that subjects of the Capitulatory Powers who are neither accused nor convicted of any crime or offence shall not be molested; and whether, in view of the fact that the four cases quoted by Lord Kitchener as precedents for this case are all irrelevant to it, being all cases in which the accused persons were charged with offences alleged to have been committed in Egypt, he will now cause further inquiry to be made into the matter?

also asked the Secretary for Foreign. Affairs whether he will invite Lord Kitchener to state the information upon which he bases the statements contained in his dispatch (Cd. 6874), to the effect that the Russian prisoner Adamovitch was shown to have been in the habit of boarding all Russian ships arriving at Alexandria for the purpose of carrying on a revolutionary propaganda among the crews; whether there was any documentary evidence to support this accusation, or whether it was shown by the books and documents seized that the only object aimed at by Adamovitch in these visits was to invite seamen to join a bonâ fide trade union; and whether this is an offence justifying the Consul-General in permitting the Alexandria police to be used for his arrest?

I do not know what the evidence was nor whether it was ever in the possession of the Egyptian authorities. I can, if desired, inquire as to this, but it is not a material point, for it is not necessary according to the practice under the Capitulations for any offence to be stated in order to secure an arrest. For instance, in October, 1908, the French Consulate requested the arrest of a French citizen. In December, 1910, the same Consulate applied for the arrest of three of its nationals, and in February, 1913, the Greek Consulate applied for the arrest of a Greek subject. In none of these cases was any charge specified. I do not therefore propose to make any further inquiry into the matter.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has any precedent in support of what he says as to the practice that no offence need be stated so far as regards offences committed outside the territory?

If no offence is stated, we do not know whether it is committed inside or outside the territory. I have had cases brought before me in which arrest is asked for by foreign Consuls without stating any offence, wherever committed.

May I take it there is no precedent for an arrest in which it has been stated clearly that it was for an offence committed outside the territory?

I do not say that. It is covered by the fact that it is not necessary to charge any offence at all.

Then it is simply a question of practice, and is not covered by the Capitulations?

It is certainly a question of practice, and practice of many years' standing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the cost of valuation and collection in connection with the land taxes under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, down to 31st March, 1913, amounted to £1,356,000 and the revenue to £223,430, or if he will state the correct figures; if he can give the estimated figures under these heads for the three years to 31st March, 1916; and if he is yet in a position to state by what year the revenue from these taxes will equal or exceed the expenditure?

As regards the cost of the valuation and the yield of the Land Value Duties to 31st March, 1913, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Chelmsford on 28th April last. As regards the remainder of the question, the answer is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if his anticipations at the time he produced the Budget of 1909 have been realised with regard to these Land Taxes?

That does not arise out of this question, but I shall be happy to discuss the point on the Revenue Bill later on.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that there is plenty of suitable land for three times the number of applicants for small holdings in the island of Coll; whether not a single holding has been created there; and whether he hopes to deal with the applications from that island before the November term?

I am aware that there is land in Coll suitable for small holdings. No new holdings have as yet been formed there, but the Board of Agriculture have applied to the Land Court for orders to constitute some new holdings and enlargements on three farms there, and proposals to subdivide certain other farms there are also under consideration. I cannot give an undertaking as regards the matter referred to in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received a request from, Mr. Donald Shaw, as representing several hundreds of applicants for small holdings in the North and West of Scotland, to meet him in deputation concerning various grievances regarding the administration of the Small Landholders' Act; and when he proposes to meet the same?

After hearing from Mr. Shaw, I gave him an opportunity of seeing me in Glasgow, which, however, did not happen to be convenient to him. I cannot say how many applicants he represents. I hope to be in Edinburgh shortly, when I shall be able to see if a mutually convenient time can be arranged.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to meet this request?

Yes, we are doing our best.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture has submitted a scheme for settlement to the Land Court with regard to the farm of Esligarry, in Barra, and another with regard to the farm of Miltown, in South Uist; whether the Court decided that certain of the applicants could not be accepted; whether the Board of Agriculture has so far refused to say which these were; and whether they will now indicate these applicants in order that they may make other arrangements?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board will not be in a position effectively to negotiate with applicants for their settlement on holdings unless and until the Land Court issue orders making the land available, which they have not yet done. Under these circumstances the Board cannot yet announce any selection of qualified applicants.

Is it the case that the Board had decided that certain applicants cannot be accepted, and, if so, would it, not be a convenience to those applicants to be made aware of the fact, so that they may apply for other lands?

I am not in a position to answer that question until I have read the Report.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the farm of Baugh, Tiree, consisting of 230 acres, has been apportioned as follows: Three enlargements amounting in all to 23·6 acres, five new holdings amounting to 41 acres, and the remainder, 166 acres, to a merchant squatter who applied to the proprietor; whether the son of the previous occupier applied for a holding and was refused; and whether, seeing this farm was vacant, and in view of the desirability of creating confidence in the administration of the new Act, he will explain why this action was taken?

The existing farm of Baugh has been subdivided in the manner described, the tenant of the farm who had obtained a lease as from Whit Sunday, 1913, prior to the Board's application for land agreed not to oppose the taking of 64 acres provided he was left in occupation of the rest of the farm. It is the case that the son of a previous tenant of the farm applied for a holding and was refused. His application was received after arrangements had been concluded with the proprietor and the tenant of the farm and a selection of the applicants had been made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in this case why when this farm was available for small holdings 166 acres were given to a squatter merchant?

He was the tenant who obtained the lease.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the competitive designs for houses and buildings suitable for small holdings in Scotland have been adjudicated upon, the Board of Agriculture propose to make such designs available in any convenient form to the public in the near future.

The Board are proposing to prepare for distribution a standard set of plans, for which the submitted designs will be used.

Will they be issued in leaflet form?

I do not know that they will be issued in leaflet form, but it will be in a form convenient to the tenants.

asked the Secretary for Scotland the number of children in Scotland of school age who have been sent to institutions for defectives by the school boards and are maintained by such school boards out of the school rate for the last complete school year and for the last complete period of ten years, respectively; whether he can state the defects from which such children were suffering; whether any of them were suffering from such grave mental defects as would bring them within classes (a), (b), or (d) of Section 1 of the Mental Deficiency and Lunacy (Scotland) Bill; and whether, if there have been any such children already dealt with, he will give particulars of the same?

It is impossible to give the detailed information asked for, especially for the last ten years, but I may say that at the end of the last school year there were 186 such children in all in the following residential schools:—Biggar Memorial Home School (Glasgow School Board); Kirkintilloch Waverley Park School for Defective and Epileptic Children; Humbie Special School (Edinburgh School Board); Strathblane Children's Home Hospital; and Glasgow East Park Home.

Am I to take it that these children do not come under Class C?

No, I think they would come under that class. At any rate a great part of them would, but I cannot go into details here.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the discussion in the Legislative Council of St. Lucia as to the need for immediately providing for the Vigie light at the signal station; and whether, seeing the importance of the harbour of Castries to the island of St. Lucia, and in view of the improvements proceeding in the competing French and Danish islands, he will arrange for the provision of the light to be immediately proceeded with?

My attention has been called to the discussion in question. Provision has been made on the current Estimates for commencing the work, but, after consultation with the Elder Brethren of Trinity House, it has been decided to perfect the Tapion and new leading lights system first.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will abolish the disability under which the women typists in the secretary's office are employed in not having the benefit of the full Treasury scheme, or whether, since this exception virtually places the General Post Office typists in a class by themselves, he can see his way to recognise the Association of Post Office Women Typists?

I regret that do not see my way to alter the arrangement whereby the number of shorthand typists is limited to the number actually required. The women typists in the Post Office are not a Post Office class, but belong to a class common to all Government Departments in London. Under these circumstances, it would be contrary to practice for me to recognise an association formed by those officers in the class who are attached to my own Department. Any representations made by them in regard to matters which concern the Post Office alone will receive, however, the fullest consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Secretary's office alone, where women are employed as typists and shorthand writers, that on a typist reaching the maximum salary she is not permitted to have the benefit of the scheme?

Yes, Sir. The reason for the difference is that in the Post Office the conditions are quite different from other Government Departments. There is much less demand for the work of shorthand writing in proportion to the need of typists than there is in other Departments.

Is that class common to the service?

The class is common to the whole service. They enter by the same process. The only difference is that when they go into a higher grade there is a smaller ratio of shorthand writers appointed in the Post Office than in other departments.

That is to say the conditions and prospects of these women, who enter by competitive examination, are far less in the Post Office than in any other Government office?

They are scomewhat less, owing to the conditions of the work.

asked the Postmaster-General whether three male cleaners at Bradford, one of whom has done sorting work as a season's assistant for years and two others have done work, have been refused permission to apply for appointment as postmen, whilst other cleaners, with shorter records of service, who have not had any experience in his Department except as cleaners, are being appointed as postmen, the reason for this preference being that the cleaners selected have previously been in the Army or the Navy; and will he say if it is. the settled policy of his Department in this matter to close and bolt for ever the door leading to promotion against certain members of the Post Office staff irrespective of their character, ability, and industry, and of their length of service?

The three male cleaners referred to are ineligible, under the policy which has been followed for many years past, for appointment as established postmen, as they have not served in the Army or Navy, or as boy messengers, and they could only be granted such appointments at the expense of candidates who have had previous service in one or other of those capacities. The other male cleaners mentioned had had such service.

asked the Postmaster-General if his expert advisers have informed him as to the distances which should separate high-powered wireless stations if disturbance is to be avoided; and whether he can inform this House as to what would be such distance required in. the case of the Telefunken system, the Marconi system, the Goldschmidt system, and the Poulsen system, respectively?

The distance depends upon so many factors that it is impossible to give a definite answer to either part of the question. In the case of the Marconi station at Clifden and the high-power station on the Poulsen system in the south-west of Ireland, for which an experimental licence was granted some months ago, my technical advisers considered that the intervening distance of about sixty miles should suffice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, as there is nothing in the proposed contract with the Marconi Company which imposes any restriction with regard to the granting of licences to private companies to carry on competing business along the same route as is to be followed by the Imperial wireless service, he will be prepared to consider applications for such licences within the next few weeks?

In view of the considerations I have mentioned in answer to previous questions the answer is in the negative.

asked who is to decide whether the grant of a licence in any specified territory would or would not involve competition with the Imperial stations?

The final decision would rest with the licensing authority of the territory concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state by whom he was informed that the Poulsen Syndicate in this country were not in possession of the patents which were used in the American Poulsen service; and if he has any further information upon this point?

In answer to a supplementary question on 16th July I stated that I understood that the Poulsen Syndicate in this country were not in possession of the patents used in the American Poulsen service, as that was the conclusion which I had drawn from the evidence given on the point before the Select Committee. The president of the American Poulsen Company denied that the British Poulsen Syndicate had any rights over the distinctive patents used by his company, and though in subsequent examination he admitted that the legal position was uncertain, he did not admit the existence of such rights. The solicitor of the British Syndicate, while asserting their existence, agreed that to enforce them might involve litigation in England, Denmark, and the United States. I gather from a statement recently made by the managing director that the British Poulsen Syndicate reasserts its claim, but he has not stated, so far as I am aware, that the view of the American Company expressed to the Select Committee has since been modified.

asked the Postmaster-General, if, under the regulations of the Post Office, the sender of a money order can, on remitting a fee of 4d. to the office where the order is payable, cancel payment; if he is aware that this rule is taken advantage of by persons to obtain goods without payment; and if he will consider the advisability of making such an alteration as will prevent the regulation being used for the purpose of defrauding tradesmen and other persons sending goods to customers on an assurance that a money order has been forwarded for the same?

The answer to the first part, of the question is in the affirmative, but if the order is an ordinary one and has not been paid at the time at which the stop notice is received it is at the option of the Postmaster-General whether or not he refunds the amount of the order to the remitter or pays it to the consignee notwithstanding the remitter's notice. The number of cases in which advantage is taken of stoppage of payment of either ordinary or deferred money orders for fraudulent purposes is small, and in respect of ordinary money orders extremely small. I am, however, considering a modification of the regulations which may have the effect of making the perpetration of any fraud still more difficult.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why the old age pensions to Robina Nicolson and Elizabeth Cruickshank, at Causa, Nethy Bridge, have been withdrawn; and if he will have this matter reconsidered?

I am informed that the old age pensions referred to were withdrawn on the ground that the old age pensioners were in receipt of parochial relief, inasmuch as they were occupying, at a nominal rent, houses owned by the parish council on behalf of the poor. It is not competent to reconsider the decision, but if there is a change in the circumstances the persons referred to may apply again, when the case will be considered in the light of the then existing conditions.

asked how many male and how many female old age pensioners there are in Ross and Cromarty; and what aggregate sum was distributed for old age pensions to them last year?

The number of old age pensioners resident in Ross and Cromarty on the last Friday of March, 1912, was 4,442, 1,694 males and 2,748 females. The aggregate sum distributed to these pensioners is not ascertainable. As regards the year 1912–13, I would ask the hon. Member to await the issue of the Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for that year. The Report will contain a table showing the number of pensioners (male and female) in each county and county borough area on the last Friday of March, 1913, together with an estimate (necessarily only a rough one) of the total amount paid for pensions in the area during the year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Harold George Winchcombe, a grocer's assistant in the employ of Mr. H. Haines, of High Street, Wootton Bassett, who on the 14th instant was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for embezzlement by the Swindon magistrates; and whether, in view of the fact that the prisoner was in receipt of a wage of 10s. a week only, on which he had to maintain a home and wife, he will advise a reduction of the sentence?

I am inquiring in regard to this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as my inquiry is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a pamphlet has been published by ex-Inspector John Syme, of 13J, Chapter Street, Westminster, in which charges of condoning and encouraging perjury and blackmail, and other serious offences, are made against the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the Home Secretary, and his predecessor; is he aware that this pamphlet is being sold at large public meetings at which the charges are repeated; and is it intended to take any action against the publisher of this pamphlet or to institute an inquiry into the charges made?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given by me on the 30th October and 21st November, 1912, to similar questions put by the hon. Member for North Islington. I am still of opinion, in view of the obvious falsehood of the allegations made and of the antecedents of the person by whom they were made, that no action is called for in respect of them.

Has the right hon. Gentleman studied carefully the statements in this question, namely, that at the present time the pamphlet is being sold in large quantities at public meetings; is he aware that the statements contained in the pamphlet are not obviously untruths, and, in view of the effect it is having, is it not important that action should be taken against the people who circulate it, or that the Department should in some way take action to clear the persons charged?

I will consult the Chief Commissioner upon the observations made by my hon. Friend, and will let him know later on.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will reconsider his decision not to proceed further with the Hops (No. 2) Bill during the present Session; and whether, if time cannot be found for the discussion of this measure during this Session, the Government will reintroduce the Bill next Session at an early date and give facilities for its discussion in the House of Commons?

I fear the exigencies of Parliamentary business will not allow of reconsideration of the decision. The claims of the Bill will be taken into consideration in determining the business for next Session, but I can give no pledge on the subject.

Owing to the late introduction of the Bill, is it not clear that it had no possible chance of ever being carried into law?

No; I hoped to carry it.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, if a confer- ence is held of representatives of landlords and tenants in Ireland to discuss the terms of the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill and an agreement come to upon its terms, he will give facilities for passing it as an agreed measure at the earliest possible date after such agreement; and (2) whether, having regard to the importance of the land purchase question in Ireland, he will convene a conference of representatives of the landlords, the tenants, and the Treasury, with a view to having the Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill passed as an agreed measure; and, if so, will he have steps taken as soon as possible to bring these representatives together?

As the proposals of the Government, financial and otherwise, are to be found in the Land Bill, a print of which will be in the hands of Members in a few days, no useful purpose would be served by my convening a conference of the representatives of Irish landlords and tenants. If such representatives, during the recess, can agree among themselves, such agreement would probably further the passage of the measure into law next Session.

Have there already been any negotiations between the Irish Members and the Government?

The hon. Member had better ask the Chief Secretary. As far as I know, none.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the cause of the delay in printing the Bill? Is there any precedent for this?

I do not know. The hon. Member should ask the Chief Secretary.

asked if the county Wexford estate of Boyd, Neale, C. H. Burchell, and others has yet been inspected; and, if not, will the Estates Commissioners fix a date for its inspection?

The lands have been visited by a surveyor to check the boundaries and will, it is anticipated, be inspected at an early date for the purpose of estimating the price which the Estates Commissioners might offer for them. They are not at present in a position to fix a date for such inspection.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the cause of the delay in granting to Timothy Sullivan, of Granardkille, a purchasing tenant on the Hamilton estate, a sum of money promised him by inspectors of the Estates Commissioners for the purpose of building a proper dwelling-house and out offices on his farm; and whether, in view of the fact that the sale is now four or five years completed, will the loan promised be advanced to enable him to make the farm economic?

The Grant which the Estates Commissioners promised to make to assist Sullivan in erecting buildings on the holding will, in accordance with their practice, be paid in instalments as the work progresses. When the lands were last visited by one of the inspectors, Sullivan could not show any work done for which portion of the Grant should be paid to him. If he has since done any such work he should notify the inspector, and if the work is not done within a reasonable time the Grant, will be withdrawn.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the total number of acres sold under the Land Purchase Acts prior to 1903, the 1903 Act, and the 1909 Act; and the average price paid per acre in each case?

With the hon. Member's permission I will publish with to-night's Votes a statement in reply to this question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial signed by a number of representative men recommending Patrick Callanan, Killeenan, Craughwell, county Gal-way, to their best consideration for a holding was received about six weeks ago; and will he say if the matter of the memorial is engaging the attention of the Estates Commissioners?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. The matter will be considered if, and when, the Estates Commissioners acquire the property.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the tenants on the estate of Concannon and St. George, Kilcolgan, county Galway, have been served with receivable orders demanding arrears of rent alleged to be due prior to the Congested Districts Board taking over the estate; and will he explain why a demand is made for the arrears and who is entitled to receive them?

The offer of the Congested Districts Board for this estate was accepted on the 22nd May last, and on the 19th July demands were issued by the Board to the tenants for the half-year's rent payable in May, and a year's rent in a few cases where tenants did not pay on the last November collection. Until the Board become vested owners of the estate they are not in a position to cancel any arrears of rent. The Board are entitled to all arrears under the terms of their offer as accepted, and such arrears will be dealt with in accordance with the usual practice when the estate becomes vested in them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board has yet taken any steps to acquire the Parke's grazing ranch, Drummons, Glencar, county Leitrim; and whether, having regard to the fact that the congested tenants in the district memoralised the Board in reference to this ranch, it being the only waste land in the parish, and that the tenant who is now in possession as an eleven months' tenant expressed in writing his willingness to give over the farm for the relief of congestion, the Board will purchase it for that purpose?

As the Congested Districts Board have not acquired the estate of Colonel Parke they are not prepared to negotiate for the purchase of the tenancy interest referred to.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that cases have occurred where girls have been, forcibly induced to enter motor cars with unknown women, even in the presence of policemen, he will issue an Order that any policeman having such a case brought to his notice should accompany the women to any address that is given, in order to satisfy himself that it is a genuine case?

The Commissioner or Police informs me that no such incident as that described in the question has come to the knowledge of the Metropolitan police, and any constable witnessing it would certainly intervene. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases to which he refers, I will have the closest inquiries made. I should like to take this opportunity of saying that many tales of a similar character have been circulated in London, but in no case have the police been able to find the least evidence of their truth.

Is a policeman permitted to leave his beat in a suspicious case of this kind?

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no truth at all in the particular case to which I imagine he refers.

Can a policeman leave his beat in a suspicious case?

Oh, yes; certainly.

asked if the members of the Metropolitan police force are allowed the same railway privileges as are given to men serving in the Navy and Army?

The Cheap Trains Act, 1883, applies to police in the same way as to soldiers and sailors. Metropolitan police officers travelling on official business are conveyed at three-fourths of the ordinary fare. When not on duty they receive no special privilege.

If these men are recalled for emergency duty while away on holidays, will any expense fall upon them for their journey in getting backwards and forwards?

I will inquire into that point.

asked what practical training in the construction of stage carriages is received by the police officers to whom is entrusted the inspection of Metropolitan stage carriages; and if the training is of a nature to qualify them to express an opinion as to the causes of accidents arising from defects in design or materials?

No police officer is appointed to the branch at Scotland Yard, which deals with public carriages, until he satisfies the Commissioner of Police that he is fully competent to deal with all the practical part of his work, including that arising from accidents, however caused.

What is the practical training which these officers have in view of the holding up, sometimes for two or three hours, of the tramways of the London County Council?

It is a practical training in machinery, motor machinery particularly, and most of them hold a certificate of knowledge in that particular kind of work.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Departmental Committee on Reformatory and Industrial Schools have recommended that the appointment of superintendent of these schools should be subject to the consent of the local education authority; whether he will consider the advisability of providing that consent to the appointment and dismissal of teachers in these institutions should in all cases be within the power of the local education authority in like manner; whether reformatory and industrial schools are maintained out of public money; and whether the teachers in such schools should have the same advantage of appeal to the local education authority in case of dismissal as teachers in non-provided schools under the Education Act, 1902?

The Departmental Committee have not recommended that the appointment of superintendents of reformatory and industrial schools should be subject to the consent of the local education authorities; their recommendation is that these appointments should be subject to the approval of the Home Office. The question of giving local education authorities powers over the appointment and dismissal of teachers in these schools was fully dealt with in the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 21st of this month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the disclaimer of the Board of Admiralty that they had had no dealings or interests in the shares of oil companies was first suggested by him as a proper course to be taken to the Board, and, if not, by which of the Lords of the Admiralty?

Sir, I proposed to the Board of Admiralty that a statement of our disinterestedness should be made to Parliament, and my Naval and Civil colleagues willingly associated themselves with me in making it. We considered that in view of the wide discretionary and confidential powers we are using on the one hand, and the prevalence of rumours and suspicions on the other, it would be a good thing for the House and the public to receive such an assurance. If the hon. Member is shocked at the procedure which we adopted in protection of naval interests, he should remember that the responsibility for the conditions which have led to it rest with those who have given countenance to scurrilous imputations, for which they admit they have no evidence or justification.

Was there any suggestion or rumour that the Naval Lords had had any dealings in oil shares?

Are we to understand that the initiative for this extraordinary statement was the right hon. Gentleman's and did not proceed from the Sea Lords of the Admiralty?

I have said I proposed to the Board of Admiralty that such a statement should be made. I am at a loss to see why the hon. Gentleman should think that such a statement is humiliating or undignified, or why I should be so much more careful of the dignity or honour of naval or military officers or civilian officials than of Ministers of the Crown.

Did the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Members of the Government that they should also concur in the disclaimer?

I preside at the Board of Admiralty. That is the Board charged with dealing with these matters, and it is on their behalf that I make statements to the House.

Has any imputation at all, in the papers or otherwise, ever been brought against British admirals or British gentlemen in the Navy?

The Board of Admiralty as a whole is responsible for these contracts. They are dealt with by the Board collectively and as a whole, and any suggestions or imputations of bad faith in the matter, or of failure of public duty, apply to the Board collectively, and would be resented by the Board collectively.

Have there ever been any imputations at all?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give permission for the wishes of the Coastguard to be ascertained on the question of weekly payments of wages instead of monthly as at present?

I am not quite clear what method of ascertaining the wishes of the Coastguard on this matter my hon. Friend has in mind, but, if they desire to be paid weekly, it is open to them to make representations to that effect through their commanding officers—though I must not be understood as giving any undertaking as to the result of such representations.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs. P. Hall and Sons, engineers, Peterborough, who are making feed pumps for the Admiralty, are employing patternmakers at a rate below that paid by competing firms in Peterborough; and whether he will take action in the matter?

No information has-been received on the subject of this question, but inquiry is now being made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received from the officials of the Great Eastern Railway Company any explanation of their failure to make arrangements for the supply of food to those excursionists who, as a result of the accident at Colchester on the 12th of July, were detained on their return journey throughout the whole of the Saturday night, many of whom did not reach the London terminus until eleven o'clock on the Sunday morning; and, if so, will he state the nature of such explanation?

A letter has been received from the company, which I am having printed with the Votes.—[See Written Answers this date.]

Have the officials of the Board made any inquiries on their own account or have they only received the reply of the directors?

That is naturally the first step to be taken, to communicate with the company. If necessary further inquiry could be made.

asked whether the Board of Trade can exercise any jurisdiction over the deposit of refuse in the sea outside the three-mile limit?

I am not aware that any case in which the question of the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade to regulate or prohibit the deposit of refuse in the sea outside the three mile limit has arisen, but if the hon. and gallant Member has any special case in mind, and will give me particulars, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps, by legislation or otherwise, to secure that young women coming to the city by the workmen's trains may travel by a later train, so that they may not have to wait about the streets for an hour or so before they can commence work?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with any representations on this subject which he may have received I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Prime Minister whether, by the receipt of copies of resolutions passed by labour organisations, or in any other way, he has been made aware of the existence of serious discontent among the wage-earning classes in this country, especially or. the railways; and, if so, whether the Government is taking any steps to ascertain and, if possible, to remove the cause of the discontent, or whether it is the settled policy of the Government in such matters to postpone intervention until a struggle has actually broken out?

I have not received resolutions of the nature stated, but it is a matter of common knowledge that there is much dissatisfaction with existing conditions among the wage-earning classes, and that it finds both individual and organised expression. The matter does not cease, in its various aspects, to engage the attention of the Government.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many appointments as messengers, postmen, warders, and park-keepers there were under Government on 31st March, 1913; and how many of these appointments were held by ex-Navy and ex-Army men?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Return issued yesterday on the Motion of the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division, which gives full particulars for each Department.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why not half of the appointments are filled by ex-Navy and ex-Army men?

That is not the question on the Paper. I would rather have notice of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will grant a short interview to the representatives of the Customs watchers to discuss the question of compensation allowance in consequence of the diminution of overtime pay caused by the issue of the new regulations under General Order, Customs, No. 26, 1913?

Before considering this request my right hon. Friend would be glad to see a statement of the case in writing.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many tuberculosis officers have been appointed; and how many of them do not possess the qualifications recommended by the Departmental Committee on tuberculosis, and approved by the Local Government Board in their memorandum of 14th May, 1912, and repeated in their memorandum of 6th July, 1912?

The appointments of seventy-eight tuberculosis officers have been approved by the Local Government Board; approval has been given in these cases after obtaining the concurrence of the Insurance Commissioners, and the officers appointed possess the necessary qualifications. There may be some cases of appointments which have been made, but which have not yet been reported to the Board.

May I take it that every tuberculosis officer appointed comes up to the standard required by the Local Government Board?

So far as I am aware that is so.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in the borough of Neath applications have been made by the teachers in non-provided schools and by the managers of the schools to the county education authority that they may be paid salaries granted by that authority to teachers of like service and qualifications in council schools; whether he is aware that the salaries allowed by the local education authority are insufficient to maintain the schools within the meaning of the Education Acts, as the teachers are continually leaving for council schools cither in or outside the area; whether he is aware that no steps have been taken by the local authority to give effect to the provisions of the Education Act, 1902, as interpreted by the House; of Lords; and whether the Board are now prepared to ad rise the local education authority that, the question of law having been finally determined, they should now proceed to give effect to the Act of Parliament?

On 10th July the Board received from the managers of Alderman Davies's Charity School, Neath, a complaint that the local education authority had failed to carry out their duties in providing the salaries necessary for the due maintenance of the school. The Board invited the observations of the authority with regard to this complaint and were informed that the matter would be brought before the education committee at their next monthly meeting. I am unable, at this stage, to say what advice, if any, I may ultimately have to give to the authority in the matter.

asked what is the amount that will be due to the borough of Walsall under the Supplemental Grant of £150,000 provided under the Education (No. 2) Bill?

If the hon. Member will consult paragraph 2 of the draft Regulations for the distribution of the £100,000, he will see that the distribution will be proportioned to the sums borrowed by local education authorities during the year ending 31st March, 1913. As I shall have no information of the total borrowings of local education authorities until the Returns under paragraph V of the Regulations have been delivered I am not in a position to state the amount that will be payable to the borough of Walsall or any other authority. In regard to the £50,000 for medical inspection, which, as the hon. Member knows, is to be taken as an addition to the- subvention already on the Estimates for medical treatment, I hope to lay Regulations in the course of a few days.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to an observation which the President of the English Board of Agriculture made in Scotland, recently, to the effect that contagious abortion among live stock is a greater danger than foot-and-mouth disease; whether this disease was introduced into one of the dairy herds of the Irish Agricultural Department by two cows imported from England; whether this disease has existed there for the last two years in spite of all the efforts of the Board's experts to eradicate it; what steps are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease in that district; whether the disease exists in other parts of Ireland; and, if so, where, and for what periods, and what means are being taken to eradicate it?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been drawn to the statement in question, and he concurs with the views of the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries as to the seriousness of contagious abortion among cows, though he is not in a position to compare the losses arising from it with those from foot-and-mouth disease. The disease broke out in one of the Department's dairy herds in the North of Ireland last year, but it cannot be said positively how it was introduced. The usual precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, namely, isolation of the affected animals and thorough disinfection, have been taken with, so far, satisfactory results. Contagious abortion in cattle has existed in Great Britain and Ireland for many years, but judging by the complaints now received it is not so prevalent in Ireland as it was formerly. The means taken to eradicate it are the dissemination of knowledge amongst farmers as to the necessity for isolation and thorough disinfection, and for the improvement of the hygienic condition under which the herd is kept. This information is disseminated by the agricultural instructors who are employed in every county in Ireland, and by means of pioneer lectures and leaflets, as well as at the winter classes of agriculture held throughout the country.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what are the hours of the attendants at the Central Criminal Asylum, Dundrum, Dublin; if these men are on duty for thirteen and a half hours a day, with one day off every ninth day; and, if so, will he at once take steps to mitigate those hours, especially in view of the nature of the men's work?

The inspectors of lunatics inform me that the hours of duty of attendants at Dundrum Asylum vary from day to day and from week to week. The statement that an attendant is on duty thirteen and a half hours a day, with one day off every ninth day, is, as a rough summary of his hours, fairly accurate. With regard to the latter part of the question, the inspectors point out that the duties of an asylum attendant are not, on the whole, very arduous. In most asylums a day's duty runs to from twelve to fourteen hours, and in some cases even longer. The hours in Dundrum are not exceptional, and an appreciable reduction can only be made by a large addition to the staff. The proportion of attendants to patients in Dundrum Asylum is at present amongst the highest in the United Kingdom

Seeing that the fact stated in the question connected with the working days, namely, that practically these men are off one day in nine, is correct, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to justify the working of the men thirteen and a half hours a day for eight consecutive days?

I wish to be sure of that. It all depends what you mean by "work- ing." A great deal of the work of an attendant at a lunatic asylum would not be described by my hon. Friend or myself as work. I have visited many of these asylums, and while I think it is most desirable in the interest of the men themselves-that they should have a longer period of leisure, I do not think that, although they are on duty this length of time, it is extremely hard work.