asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can contradict the statement that the outrages at the town of Kirkush, attributed by the King of Greece to Bulgarians, were as a fact the work of Greeks themselves?

The assertion that these outrages were committed by Bulgarians has, it is stated in the Greek Press, been confirmed by the superior of the French mission at Kirkush who has said that he was an eye witness of what occurred. The Bulgarian Government have since stated that these outrages were committed by Greeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Reports have been received from His Majesty's Consuls of outrages by Turkish troops in Thrace; and whether His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople has made any protest to the Sublime Porte in regard to the outrages at Rodosto and Airobol?

Reports from various sources have been received of outrages by Turkish troops in Thrace: I have also received from various sources reports of outrages by troops of other nationalities in various places. Charges and countercharges of this kind abound against different nationalities so that no nationality can be singled out as the only one to be reprobated, and in cases where the Reports seemed to be well founded they have been brought to the notice of the Turkish Government or of other Governments concerned. The question of the Turkish reoccupation of Thrace is under the consideration of the Powers, and His Majesty's Government do not propose to take separate action, but the Turkish Government have been warned in connection with the incursion of Turkish troops into Bulgaria, that we cannot be expected to protect them from the consequences that may come upon Turkey as the result of violent action on her part.

Will the Foreign Secretary kindly instruct His Majesty's Consuls to give any possible help in the work of relief as they have done during the past winter?

Yes, Sir, it is the fact that they have helped whenever they could during the past winter, and I think I should be quite right in assuming that they will continue to give such assistance as they can in the distribution of relief, even without special instructions.

Is it only in connection with the Turkish invasion of Bulgaria that a warning has been addressed to Turkey, and not in connection with their reoccupation of Thrace?

I should like to have that question put on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to make public Lord Gladstone's dispatch on the recent disturbances in Johannesburg?

A Blue Book was issued yesterday, and another containing two subsidiary dispatches from Lord Gladstone will be available to Members to-day.

Will there be any opportunity of discussing this question?

Yes, Sir, to-morrow, on the Colonial Office Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether any steps are taken to prevent men deserting their wives and families and leaving them destitute at home by emigration to the Colonies and other places within the British Empire and Dependencies, in cases where application is made for assisted passages by Agents of the Governments of the Colonies and other places; and (2) whether any and, if so, what steps are taken to ascertain whether men of full age who are granted assisted passages to Australia by the Government Agents of the Colonies are questioned before the assistance is given in regard to the dependants, if any, they are leaving at home; and whether any steps and, if so, what steps are taken to verify the statements made by such men before assisted passages are granted?

I am not in possession of the information asked for by the hon. Member, but will inquire of the High Commissioners and Agents-General and communicate to him the result.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in the course of a public lecture delivered on the 21st instant in London, a member of the Public Works Department of India stated that he had never had difficulty in securing clever mistris, or master-craftsmen, and that some of a superior order existed who could carry out independent building work; and whether the Government of India and the selected architects will be instructed to use the services of such master-craftsmen in building the new Delhi?

The Secretary of State is informed that a statement of the kind was made in a paper on Indian architecture read by a member of the Indian Public Works Department. He understands that the Government of India wishes to see Indian craftsmen utilised as fully as possible in the building of the new capital.

asked whether the Government of India maintains successful schools of art in India but not a single school of architecture in the whole Indian Empire; and whether, in connection with the building of New Delhi, an attempt will be made to attract, educate, and employ native youths anxious to take up architecture as a profession?

The attention of the Government of India will be drawn to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has already held an open competition for official residences in the New Delhi and that the prize has been awarded to Ram Rup, a master builder, said to be, like all the Jaipur draftsmen, as clever with tool as with pencil; whether he will bring these facts to the notice of the selected architects for the New Delhi; and if the design of Ram Rup will be utilised in any building shortly to be erected?

The Secretary of State has no official information. But, assuming the facts to be correct, they will be well known to the Delhi'Executive Committee, under whose directions the buildings will be constructed. The Secretary of State is unable to say whether the prize design will be utilised.

Will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to put the Government in India and the India Office in constant communication upon these points as to the development of the plans for Delhi and the work in progress there, because it so often happens that there is ignorance of what is going on in the other quarter?

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend will understand that if you give to the Government of India the responsibility of carrying out certain works and ask them to set up a committee to supervise the work, it is impossible to continually interfere with the discretion you have deliberately given them. The questions my hon. Friend asks in this House and the answers given to them are fully reported in all the Anglo-Indian newspapers.

asked whether Ram Singh, who succeeded Mr. L. Kipling as principal of the school of art at Lahore, was employed by Queen Victoria to decorate the ballroom at Osborne House, and to design and carry out the artistic decorations for the recent durbars; and whether Ram Singh will be consulted in connection with the building of the new Delhi?

The Secretary of State understands that the facts are generally as stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second question he has no information as to the intentions of the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether replies have been received from the local governments with reference to the representations upon questions of Excise administration submitted by the deputation which waited upon the Secretary of State for India on the 18th July, 1912; and, if not, whether, in view of the importance of the questions involved, he will request the Government of India to obtain replies from all the local governments as soon as possible?

The Government of India have received replies only from the North-West Frontier Province and Delhi. They reported by telegram on the 7th July that they were sending reminders to the other provinces, and that they would deal with the question without avoidable delay.

asked the number of shops for the sale of opium and its preparations, the number of shops for the sale of drugs other than opium, and the quantity of opium and other drugs consumed in each of the major provinces of India in 1901–2, 1906–7, and 1911–12, respectively; and what was the amount of revenue derived from the sale thereof in each case?

A statement containing the information asked for by my hon. Friend will be circulated with the Votes.—[See Written Answers this date.]

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is still satisfied that the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, so far as it concerns the trade in decrepit horses to foreign ports, is being effectively administered; and whether he has examined the published evidence of Mr. Percy Carew Essex and other careful personal investigators?

After carefully investigating every complaint brought to my notice, including published statements by Mr. Essex and others, I have no reason to think that the Board's inspectors engaged in administering the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, have failed to do their duty I will gladly investigate any evidence to the contrary, accompanied by full particulars, which my hon. Friend may be able to furnish.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, before next Session, he can arrange to place an indicator in the Map Room of the Library?

These machines cost a good deal to install and maintain, and as there are already two indicators in the Library the First Commissioner hopes my hon. Friend will not press for further expenditure.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a number of girl elementary scholars at Chorley are receiving cooking instruction in the secondary school contrary to the Regulations of the Board of Education; whether the Regulations of the Board will be upheld; whether he is aware that a number of girl scholars qualified for, and desirous of receiving, cooking instruction at Chorley are shut out by the inadequate provisions made; and whether he -will make representations to the Chorley local education authority on this matter?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The arrangement is not contrary to the Board's Regulations. I am informed that the existing accommodation is insufficient to provide cookery instruction for all the girls in the public elementary schools at Chorley who are of an age to profit by it. His Majesty's inspector has conferred with the authority on the subject of the supply of special subjects instruction and I understand that they considered the question of making provision for this purpose in connection with their new elementary school, but decided not to make it in that way. The provision of such instruction is within the discretion of the authority.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President the other day advocated the development of teaching of mother-craft in connection with our schools. Is not this an opportunity for carrying out that policy?

Under the existing system of Grants there is no power.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the approval which he has given to the managers of Oakham national school in their giving religious instruction contrary to their trust deed, he will intimate to them that they may appoint, if they desire, any qualified person, regardless of religious persuasion, as headmaster of the school?

As appears from my answers to previous questions with regard to this school, the assumption on which this question is based is incorrect. I do not propose to give any such intimation as is suggested by the hon. Member.

Is it the intention, therefore, to allow a latitude in the consideration of trusts when they are convenient to one party, but to narrow them when they are for the convenience of the other side?

That is not a justifiable interpretation of the answer I have given.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a difference has arisen in connection with the religious education given at the national school at Oakham, and the bishop has not been called on to decide upon the interpretation of the trust; whether other school managers with national society's trusts will be allowed to violate their trusts; and whether a circular will be addressed to all such schools and all local education authorities pointing out that similar arrangements to those made at Oakham will be allowed?

I am not aware that such a difference has arisen, and I do not know whether the bishop has been called on to decide upon the interpretation of the trust deed. I will consider the necessity of taking action with regard to any alleged violation of trusts with which I have power to deal when it is brought to my notice. I have no intention of issuing such a circular as is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the education committee of the London County Council desired to purchase the freehold of the Marylebone Grammar School in view of the proposed enlargement of the school; whether the ground landlord was willing to negotiate; and, if so, can he state the terms offered to the committee; whether there are compulsory powers by which the freehold can be acquired in such cases; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to confer this power upon local authorities?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I understand that the freeholder is unwilling to sell his interest. A local education authority have powers of compulsory purchase of land for the purpose of supplying or aiding the supply of higher education under Section 1 of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a copy of the resolution adopted by the Cahirciveen Rural District Council on the 16th instant; and whether, in view of the statements therein contained to the effect that there is utterly insufficient accommodation for enrailing cattle at the Cahirciveen railway station, and that farmers are compelled to remain at the station every fair day from 8 in the morning to 5.30 in the evening, and are hindered in their business, steps will be taken to compel the railway company to provide proper facilities?

I received the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am sending him a copy of a letter received from the railway company, whom the Board asked for their observations on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement in the recent British Consular Report of trade in the Aleppo villayet that the agent of an Irish firm employs several hundred women and girls at Aintab in the working by hand of linen handkerchiefs and, lacework, some of which is very fine, for sale mostly in America; whether he is aware that a quantity of so-called Irish lace of inferior workmanship is sold in America to the detriment of the reputation of the genuine article; whether he will make inquiries as to whether this Aintab variety is consigned to America as Irish lace or is consigned in the first place to the firm in Ireland, which employs an agent at Aintab, and thence sent to America as the genuine Irish product; and whether representations will be made to the United States authorities with a view to exposing the real origin of this pseudo-Irish lace?

His Majesty's Consul at Aleppo has been asked to furnish such further information on the subject as he may be able to obtain, and perhaps my hon. Friend will communicate to me any information in his possession which may throw light upon the question. On receipt of this information, I will consider whether there is sufficient ground for calling the attention of the United States authorities, to the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the strike of the Darlington Labour Exchange clerks, it is intended to penalise the clerks for their action by stopping their annual increment of pay; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that these men struck because, in their opinion, one of their number was to be punished by being transferred to Perth for an alleged offence for which he had been acquitted, he will reconsider the matter, and not penalise these men for standing by their colleague from a sense of justice?

As I explained in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for White-haven, on 24th July, ample means exist for the representation of any grievances felt by the staff of the Labour Exchanges, and absence from duty without leave for the purpose of securing the remedy of grievances, however well founded, is a mode of procedure incompatible with the interests of the public service. The clerks at the Darlington Exchange left their work without notice, and without representing their case in the proper manner, and they were leniently treated in being allowed to resume duty with no other penalty than that which normally attaches to suspension without pay. I am not prepared, after careful consideration of the whole matter, to vary the decision in regard to the loss of the annual increments, which was clearly explained to the clerks before they returned to duty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the action of the clerks arose out of a mistaken policy?

They had ample means of making any representations they desired in regard to the matter. They left the service without notice, at very great public inconvenience, and I do not think this is at all a severe penalty.

Has not the inquiry shown that the action of the management was mistaken?

That has nothing whatever to do with the question. Whether the manager was right or wrong these men had the ordinary opportunity of presenting their case. They went out without notice, leaving at great public inconvenience.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the English and Irish railway clearing houses have yet come to any decision in regard to their new regulations concerning the Irish eggs and butter trade; whether he is aware that it is now over three months since the injury inflicted upon the Irish traders by these new regulations was brought before the English and Irish clearing houses, respectively, and received assurance of immediate attention; and what explanation is offered for such delay in dealing with a question which so vitally affects the interests of this Irish industry?

I have forwarded to my hon. Friend a copy of the reply which the Board of Trade have received from the Irish Railway Clearing House. The companies say that the new regulations as to the addressing of goods are working well, and have been conducive to a great improvement in the speedy and safe transit of traffic, and they doubt whether any general desire for their cancellation exists among Irish traders. I have not yet heard definitely from the railway clearing house as to the application of the regulations to imported goods, but I will again call their attention to the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish traders consider that these new regulations mean an increased cost of transit of at least 25 per cent. upon Irish goods, and is he further aware that the objection of the Irish traders is to the application to Ireland of these regulations, and by what possible stretch of imagination could the railway companies have conceived that their application elsewhere would remove this objection?

If the hon. Member has any evidence to show that this is increasing the charges, I shall be very glad to consider the matter. The evidence before me at present is that on the whole these new regulations have led to a speedier transit of goods.

Have the Irish railway clearing houses proposed that these new regulations should apply to foreign countries as well as to Ireland?

I must have notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a meeting of traders in county Monaghan, three weeks ago, protested against this increase of 25 per cent. on the carriage of goods from Ireland, and will he make further inquiries?

If the hon. Member will give me information to that effect, I will certainly make inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is aware that an action on the part of certain shareholders in the Marconi Company against Mr. Godfrey Isaacs and the directors of the Marconi Company is now pending; whether he is aware that fraud is being alleged against the management of the Marconi Company by the plaintiffs in this case; whether he will consider the advisability of postponing the confirmation of the new Marconi Contract until this action has been decided in the Law Courts; and (2) whether he is aware that Mr. Percy Heybourn has been summoned before the Stock Exchange Committee for improper conduct as jobber to the Marconi Company, in connection with the recent issue of Marconi shares; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the whole of these transactions and Mr. Godfrey Isaacs' part in them before asking the House to confirm the new Marconi Contract?

I have no direct knowledge of the matter referred to, but I have received from the solicitors of the gentlemen named letters in which they complain that the allegations in the questions are both inaccurate and injurious. In any case, they do not appear to me to have any bearing on the merits of the proposed contract with the company, and its discussion will not be postponed.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Stock Exchange Committee have deferred their decision with regard to Mr. Heybourn until after the trial of the action against Mr. Godfrey. Isaacs and other directors; and that being so, does he not think that it would be equally proper to postpone the ratification of the Marconi Contract?

No, Sir; that has no relevancy of any sort or kind to the contract.

asked the Postmaster-General what will be the inter-working arrangements between the Imperial wireless chain and independent private companies working the same system in other countries?

No arrangements have been made or discussed.

asked the Postmaster-General when his representatives were last present at Clifden to test high-speed transmission by wireless telegraphy from Glace Bay; and whether he will inform the House as to the nature of that demonstration, and give particulars as to how it compares with the normal working of the Marconi Company across the Atlantic during last week?

No representatives of the Post Office have been at Clifden recently. A demonstration of high-speed working was given to the Advisory Committee in March last. That demonstration is fully described in the Committee's Report. I have no information to show how the results then obtained compared with the working of last week.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received a memorial from, the National Land and Home League, signed by Members of Parliament of all parties and by social reformers of all classes in the country, directing his attention to the urgency of the problem of rural housing, and requesting that Parliament provide such moneys as may be found essential to its solution; and whether he is yet in a position to make a statement in response to the representations of the said petition?

I have received the memorial to which the hon. Member refers, and it will be carefully considered together with the other representations relative to the question of rural housing. The Government's policy will be announced in due course, and I cannot anticipate it by any separate statement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a large number of agricultural labourers object to what they call "charity cottages," and will he consider the propriety of endeavouring to give a rural housing scheme by means of land reform?

I do not know that I am expected to go into that matter now.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that this is the third consecutive Session in which there has been no opportunity of discussing the Home Office Vote for prisons; and whether, having regard to the advance in the science of criminology, the rapid movement of opinion in regard to punishments and prison methods, and the desirability of Parliamentary control and criticism, he can even yet arrange some opportunity of Debate before the prorogation?

I am aware that no Debate on the Prisons Vote has taken place since 1910, 'but there have been opportunities in the present Session when discussion could have taken place, had it been generally desired. Another such opportunity will arise on the Appropriation Bill.

May I ask whether "general desire" means the general desire expressed on the other side of the House?

The Home Office Vote has been put down for discussion, and the opportunity for discussing prisons on that Vote has passed.

I went to the Chairman at the beginning of the Debate and inquired whether we could speak about prisons, and I was told that it would not be in order to do so.

It cannot be discussed on the Vote on Account, but it can be discussed on the Appropriation Bill.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that this in itself is a condemnation of the present method of selecting the Votes in Supply which are to be discussed, and will he consider the advisability of revising the whole matter?

When I was first in the House the great bulk of the Estimates were not discussed at all. I think they get much fuller discussion now than they ever did. It is a matter for the Procedure Committee now sitting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on this side of the House prepare speeches, and that when the appropriate occasion for their delivery offers they are requested by the Whips to defer the speeches until a later occasion, and will he use his influence with the humbler Members of the Government to prevent this practice being continued?

I will give my hon. Friend the opportunity of taking my own place if the occasion should arise.

asked the Prime Minister if, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law, it is proposed that an Irish Parliament shall be elected thereunder during the existence of the present Parliament?

This is a hypothetical question, which it would be premature to answer.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what are the number of un-established messengers employed in the Customs; the number receiving 21s. a week; their longest period of service; and whether these men are entitled to a pension?

Excluding boys, the number is 37, of whom 27 are paid 21s. a week; the senior has served nearly 16 years. All these men are in receipt of pensions in respect of previous service in the Army, Navy, or police; they are not entitled to further pensions, but, subject to certain conditions are granted a gratuity on retirement.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will consider the advisability of now issuing an Order for prohibiting the serving of bread and water as a meal to casuals?

Yes, Sir. I propose to give consideration to this matter.

asked if notification is required under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, or Orders made thereunder, in cases of venereal disease?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will be prepared to bring in or to support a Bill making the Infectious Diseases Act applicable to this disease?

The hon. Gentleman) should give notice of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the operator in charge of the Post Office telephone exchange at Whiteabbey, county Antrim, is required to maintain a continuous day and night service on a salary of 5s. per week and a house, and without any allowance for an assistant; and, if so, whether such remuneration is in accordance with usual Post Office rates as being sufficient for the hours entailed?

The facts,are as stated. The allowance of free accommodation and a payment of 5s. a week is the remuneration which was given by the National Telephone Company before the transfer of their undertaking to the State, and I have not thought it necessary to alter the arrangement at the present time. Representations on behalf of operators of this class have been made to the Select Committee on Post Office Servants, whose Report is expected to be issued shortly.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers the salary adequate for a girl who has to be there during the whole twenty-four hours of the day, and who gets no holidays or any allowance for the payment of an assistant?

The matter is now before the Select Committee. The remuneration does not consist wholly of the pay. It consists also partly of the value of the accommodation provided, which is free. The work, probably, is very slight.

It is not a question of the amount of work. It is a question of not being free, and not being able to go away without providing a substitute.

Frequently the members of a family can do this work.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the increasing discontent amongst sub-postmasters throughout the country due to the arrangement still in force respecting their pay for work in connection with the National Insurance Act; and whether, in view of his promises to sub-postmasters, he can take immediate steps to establish better remuneration and make this retrospective?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to questions on this subject on the 28th instant.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the event of any increase in remuneration being conceded, that increase will be retrospective?

If the hon. Member would refer to my previous answers he would find that point dealt with.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Pethick Lawrence and Lady Sybil Smith have been released, he will advise the release of Mrs. Wyan, who was convicted of a less serious offence?

I think the Noble Lord has founded his question upon a misapprehension. The chief magistrate on Friday last sentenced Mrs. Pethick Lawrence and her companions to fourteen days' imprisonment in default of finding sureties to keep the peace. On the same day, while the case was still within his jurisdiction. Mr. Muskett, who appeared on behalf of the police, represented to him that the women were not militants habitually engaged in the use of criminal methods, and he consented to reduce the imprisonment to four days. There is no analogy between these cases and that of Mrs. Mary Wyan, who was sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment in default of finding sureties, and whose offence, having regard to all the circumstances, was, in my judgment, more serious than that of the others.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, although the Urban District Councils of Longford, Granard, and Cavan have appointed inspectors to see that the provisions of the Shops Act are observed, in reality nothing is being done, and in a great many cases the Act is being completely ignored; and whether he will take steps to ascertain definitely whether these inspectors are performing their duty?

I am aware that the Urban District Councils of Longford and Granard have been very dilatory in putting the provisions of the Shops Act into force within their respective districts. The Granard Urban District Council have been informed that unless the Act is put in force by their inspector proceedings will be taken against the council which, it is hoped, will have the effect of enforcing compliance with the Act. As regards Longford a resolution was recently passed by the council directing the inspector to carry out the provisions of the Act. Inquiries are being made with regard to the action of the Cavan Urban Council.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the offer made by the Congested Districts Board more than seven months ago for the Clements estate, Connemara, has yet been accepted or declined by the landlord?

The offer of the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of this estate has been accepted.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what business will be taken on Friday?

On Friday, we shall take the Committee stage of the Revenue Bill.