asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give particulars of the number of cases in 1912 in which proceedings were instituted under the Employment of Children Act in respect of the carrying of excessive weights by children and of the result of such cases; and whether he is proposing to take any further steps with a view to putting a stop to this practice?

I have no separate information as to the number or result of cases taken in respect of this particular offence by the local authorities who, as my hon. Friend will be aware, are charged with the general administration of the Act. As regards the last part of his question, I would refer him to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject on the 10th of July by the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will say what is the total number of women and girls at present employed in factories and workshops; what is the total number of women inspectors; whether there has been recently any increase in the number of such inspectors; whether the increase that has been made during the years 1910, 1911, and 1912 in the female inspectorate has been commensurate with the increase in the male inspectorate; and whether he is proposing to make any further increase in the number of women inspectors?

The latest figures at present available are those for 1907, as the tabulation of the returns for 1912 is not yet completed. In 1907 the total number of women and girls employed in factories and workshops was a little over 1,850,000. The authorised number of women inspectors is now twenty, two having been added during the present year. No additions were made in the years 1909 to 1911, but five were added in 1908 and three in 1906, so that in the last seven years the staff has been exactly doubled. During the same period the ordinary male inspecting staff (as distinct from inspectors for special purposes) has been increased from 135 to 182, an addition of forty-seven.

asked what are the terms of the licences under which suffragist prisoners are now being released?

The terms are the same as those which I read to the House during the Committee stage of the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Bill on the 8th April last, and they are printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT for that date.

asked how many persons have been arrested for offences committed in connection with the suffragist movement since 25th April; how many were arrested between 25th January and 25th April of this year; how many were arrested between 25th April and 30th July of last year; and the number and nature of the offences which have been committed by prisoners released on licence since 25th April?

I am not in possession of the information the Noble Lord desires as to the number of persons arrested for offences in connection with the suffragist movement. Arrests are not in ordinary course reported to the Home Office. The number of persons committed to prison might be ascertained with time and trouble, but these figures would not necessarily be complete, as the connection with the suffragist movement is not always known, and in any case I think that nothing would be gained by comparing the number of offences committed during certain short periods. Offences in connection with the suffragist movement have been committed in large numbers on special occasions. I may mention, for example, that over 200 suffragist prisoners were received in Holloway prison in March, 1912, and only one in April of that year. As regards the number and nature of offences committed by persons released on licence, if the Noble Lord will put down an unstarred question, I will be glad to give him the information.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information showing whether these offences are diminishing or increasing?

I will see if I can give any information which would indicate with some certainty a conclusion on the point.

Will it include those arrests which take place in connection with the rearrest of these prisoners?

I am dealing now not with arrests but with convictions.

When convictions take place for obstruction of the police in connection with rearrests?

I shall include those, of course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that agents in this country have been inducing Durham miners to leave their employment in this country for work in the mines at Vancouver, British Columbia, on the strength of a statement that there was no dispute there and that conditions were normal; that when the men arrived at Vancouver they found that a dispute was in progress, and being unwilling to act as strikebreakers they found themselves stranded; whether he has any power to prevent such misrepresentation; and, if not, whether be proposes to secure such power?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have no information as to the cases to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will be good enough to furnish me with particulars, I will cause inquiries to be made. Inducing a person to emigrate by means of false representations is an offence which is punishable under the Merchant Shipping Acts.

asked whether, in the prosecution of Miss Queenie Gerald at the London Sessions, on the 10th instant, the Crown accepted the plea of guilty on the charge of keeping a disorderly house, and did not proceed with a more serious charge?

had given notice of the following question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state under what Acts, and in respect of what offences, Queenie Gerald was charged at the London Sessions on the 10th July; what is the maximum penalty which can be imposed in respect of each of such offences; upon which charge was she found guilty; what was her punishment; whether any and which charges were withdrawn; and, if so, for what reason?

The indictment included three counts under Section 7 (4) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1912, for exercising control for the purpose of gain over the movements of three prostitutes, and three counts under Section 1 of the Vagrancy Act, 1898, and Section 7 (4) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1912, for living in part on the immoral earnings of the same three prostitutes. The maximum penalty for each of these offences is two years' imprisonment. There was also a count for keeping a disorderly house—an offence under the common law punishable with fine and imprisonment. The Crown proceeded with all the charges, none were withdrawn, and the prisoner pleaded guilty to all counts of the indictment. The Deputy-Chairman informs me that in the absence of any evidence of procuration in the ordinary sense, the girls who were the principal witnesses having admittedly been prostitutes before they came under the prisoner's influence, he felt that he would not be justified in passing a more severe sentence than three months' imprisonment in the second division, coupled with an order to pay the costs of the prosecution. In view of the statements made in the Press, I think it necessary to add that no communication was made to the Deputy-Chairman by or on behalf of the Home Office or the police bearing upon this case. The case was opened and pressed as a bad one, and there was no suppression or withdrawal of evidence by the police throughout the proceedings.

Why were the names of people suppressed?

I can only say that there was no suppression of names. It is quite true that there were certain names in a diary which was found on the premises, but the mention of those names would not and could not have been relevant to the charge. I would like perhaps to add, so far as I am concerned, as a charge has been made against me personally, that I was not aware of any of the names until after the trial was over.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the course of the last twenty years the annual number of fatal accidents in factories and workshops has increased from 422 to 945, an increase of nearly 125 per cent., although the total number of factories and workshops has only increased, during the same period, by 70 per cent., that the total number of fatal accidents during 1912 was greater than it has ever been before; whether there are any special circumstances to account for this increase; and whether he is taking any special steps to deal with the matter?

I am aware of these figures, which I furnished myself to my hon. Friend in reply to a question by him last week. The question of the increase in the number of accidents in factories was thoroughly investigated by the Accidents Committee and is discussed at length in their Report, which was issued in 1911. It is impossible to deal with the subject in reply to a question, and I would accordingly refer my hon. Friend to that Report and the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector. My Department is busily engaged in carrying out the various measures which were recommended by the Committee, so far as it is possible to do so without legislation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the increase in recent years has been quite exceptional, and can he give me any particular reasons, or any particular circumstances, to account for that exceptional increase?

The subject was dealt with in Debate a fortnight ago. I will endeavour to supplement what was said in Debate if my hon. Friend will put a question to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statements in the Consular Report to three of the Embassies of Great Powers at Constantinople and the Report of the assistant bishop to tie Metropolitan of Rodosto, that the destruction of the town of Malgara and the massacre of the Greek population of that place was due to the Turkish Army and especially to the 27th Regiment of the Aleppo Division, and that the signal for pillaging and massacre in each village was given by the commanding officers; and what Report has been received from His Majesty's Consular staff upon this incident?

The Report in question has not yet reached me.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement of Sir Edwin Pears, the leader of the Consular bar at Constantinople, that when the decision was taken, to reoccupy Thrace, Moslem refugees were hastily transferred from Asia Minor and let loose upon the country, that the worst atrocities occurred, that part of the plan was to compel the villagers to sign a report ascribing the atrocities to the Bulgarians and expressing thanks to the Turks for their paternal protection, and that at Haskeni, near Kanopolis, all the women of the village were gathered in a large threshing floor, where the soldiers were let loose upon them; and whether any representations on the subject of recent outrages in Thrace have been made by His Majesty's Ambassador to the Sublime Porte?

I have not seen the statement referred to, but I have heard that excesses have been committed by returning refugees, and that attempts have been made by the authorities to obtain false evidence from the Christians, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has spoken to the Grand Vizier on the subject. I must, as usual, point out that charges of similar excesses have been made against other nationalities, and that we have spoken in. the same way to their Governments.

Was the Report re-received from His Majesty's Consul at Rodosto himself?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government have decided not to give official support to the San Francisco Exhibition in celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal; whether their decision has any connection with the attitude of the United States. Government regarding the Panama toll question; and whether His Majesty's Government will assist British exhibitors desiring to take part in the exhibition?

His Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that they would not in present circumstances be justified in asking the country to incur the heavy expenditure required to participate in this exhibition. This decision was based partly on the estimate of the cost of a representative commercial exhibit at the San Francisco Exhibition. This is estimated at a quarter of a million. at least, and such a sum would be quite out of proportion to any commercial advantages which are likely to result Moreover, inquiries which have been made among commercial centres in the United Kingdom have not shown any active desire to participate in the exhibition. The conditions of foreign participation laid down by the authorities prescribe that the exhibits are to be distributed among a series of international pavilions, thereby rendering it impossible to obtain an effective national display as in previous exhibitions. The question was considered and dealt with on these grounds without any reference to the Panama tolls question. Indeed, I may add that His Majesty's Government have done nothing to discourage the participation of the self-governing Dominions in the exhibition. As regards the last part of the question, I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether Germany and other countries are taking part officially in this exhibition?

I have not heard that Germany is taking part in this exhibition. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice, and I will ascertain what information we have.

I desire to know how the estimate of £250,000 has been arrived at as the probable cost of our exhibiting at San Francisco. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the expense of the British section at the Chicago Exhibition in 1893 was only £60,000; that the expense of the Japanese was £120,00, of Germany only £120,000, and of the French £120,000? How is it possible that the cost of the Commission to carry out the British section at San Francisco could be £250,000?

The hon. Member will see, when he reads my answer, that in one paragraph of it I say that the conditions in regard to this exhibition are not the same altogether as in regard to previous exhibitions. The estimates were arrived at, I understand, by inquiries on the spot.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of placing the whole matter in the hands of some existing council or committee, such as the council of the Society of Arts?

I do not see that in a great commercial matter of this kind the council of the Society of Arts could be referred to. The matter has been very carefully investigated by the Board of Trade.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, as the Government do not seem inclined to take part in this exhibition, will there be any objection to the British section being carried out by private individuals, as was done in the case of the French Exhibition in 1889? There was a refusal then on the part of the Government, and it was undertaken by the City of London, and it very much pleased the French people.

I have already said that we have done nothing to discourage the official participation of the self-governing Dominions, and we should not think of doing so in the case of participation by private individuals.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. H. P. King, formerly in the employment of the Pekin Syndicate, was offered a sum of money conditionally upon his maintaining silence respecting the affairs and the trade of the syndicate in China; that Mr. H. P. King declined these terms and resigned his appointment; and that, on his having sent to a London paper information of vital importance to the investing public, an injunction was granted by the Consular Court at Tientsin and Mr. H. P. King was committed to prison for seven days; and whether he will call for a Report upon the whole matter from the Consul-General?

I have no information with regard to the statements in the first part of the question. In answer to the latter part, as I informed the hon. Member in my reply to his question of the 1st instant, a Report shall be obtained from His Majesty's Consul-General.

With regard to the former answer on this question, does the right hon. Gentleman realise that I want the inquiry somewhat enlarged, in order that it may extend not only over the suffering of this gentleman, but over the commercial conditions which it reveals?

I cannot undertake to inquire into the relations between the person employed and those who employed him. I can only undertake to inquire into the action of, the Consul-General.

An inquiry into the commercial conditions in China is what I wanted.

I cannot investigate the affairs of every British company which operates outside the British Empire.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement that Harvey Pasha, the head of the police in Cairo, called together the mamurs of the districts and gave them directions as to how the elections to the new Egyptian Assembly were to be carried out; and why the head of the police was selected for this duty?

The answer is in the negative, but if the statement is correct I do not see why directions should not be given by Harvey Pasha. Somebody has to give them in all countries where elections take place.

Is it customary in the Constitution of this country for a direction of this character to be conveyed by the head of the police?

I imagine that the official under whom an election is to be carried out in this country happens to be the High Sheriff. It may be that the head of the police is the proper person there. I cannot say without inquiry.

GUINNESS asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the danger to lives of British subjects arising from the continuance of disorder in Mexico, he will take steps to prevent the shipping of war supplies to the rebels from British Possessions, and will try to induce other countries concerned also to prevent such exportations?

I have had no information of war supplies being shipped from the British Possessions to the Mexican rebels. The question of the exportation of such supplies from other countries is not one in which His Majesty's Government can influence other Governments?

Will the right hon. Gentleman also prevent the supply of arms to the Government?

I have no information as to supplies being shipped from British Possessions at all.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether endowments of non-Christian religions recognised by pre-British governments in India have in like manner been recognised and confirmed by the British-Indian Government; and, if so, what is the proportion of such endowments to the amounts paid by the British-Indian Government in the last financial year for buildings, services, and ministers in India in respect of different branches of the Christian religion?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 15th July. I am unable to give the information asked for in the second part of the question, as figures as to the total amount of Indian religious endowments are not available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the charges of ecclesiastical establishments in India, as given in Parliamentary Paper No. 81, of 1908, still continue to be paid to a similar amount as in the year 1906–1907, to which that Return relates; whether the total sum paid out of the revenues of India for clergy and establishments of the Churches of England, Scotland, and Rome approximates still to 3,500,000 rupees annually; and whether it is the policy of the Government of India to increase, diminish, or maintain the charges under this head?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, my hon. Friend has arrived at his figure of three and a half millions of rupees by adding together the totals of two returns of the same expenditure. The total sum expended in 1906–7 was 2,300,000 rupees. The corresponding sum in 1911–12 was 2,280,000 rupees, showing a small decrease.

asked how many Wesleyan places of worship have been erected in India since 1905, and how many previously, towards which the Government of India have made contributions; and whether, before making contributions to Wesleyan places of worship, application for contributions was made to the Wesleyan Centenary Fund?

From the Return communicated to my hon. Friend it appears that three Wesleyan places of worship have been erected in India since 1905 towards which Government contributions have been made. As to the remaining questions the Government of India have promised to furnish information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has information showing the number of Presbyterian places of worship in India towards which the Government have since 1905 made or promised contributions; whether, before granting such contributions, the Government of India was satisfied that no funds were available for these places of worship from the Presbyterians of Scotland and elsewhere; and whether it is part of the settled policy of the Government of India to spread and support Presbyterianism with funds raised by taxes levied on Hindus and Mahomedans?

From the statement furnished to my hon. Friend it appears that there are eight Presbyterian places of worship erected in India since 1905 towards which Government contributions have been made. The Government of India have promised to furnish information in respect of the second question. With regard to the policy of the Government in the matter, I would refer toy hon. Friend to the answer I have just given to the hon. Member for East Nottingham.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that since 1905 no Christian places of worship have been erected in Madras with Government contributions, and that, in the same period, seventeen Christian places of worship have been erected in the Punjaub by the aid of Government contributions; whether a different policy is pursued in this respect in Madras to that pursued in other parts of India; and, if so, what reason can be alleged for the different policies?

The facts which my hon. Friend gleans from the Return recently communicated to him are due to difference, not of policy, but of circumstances. No additional churches are built until or unless they are required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many Christian places of worship have been erected since 1905 in India towards which the Government have contributed; what is the total seating accommodation of these places of worship; whether any census has been taken of the attendances at these places of worship; and, if not, what inquiries were made to show that the places of worship were required or, after erection, were properly attended.

From the statement furnished to my hon. Friend, it appears that there are fifty-two Christian places of worship erected in India since 1905 towards which Government contributions have been made. The Government of India have promised to furnish the information asked for in the last three parts of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether an opinion was sought in 1899 by the Secretary of State for India, either from the Law Officers of the Crown or from other learned counsel, on the point whether buildings maintained wholly or in part by the Government of India, or to which the Government of India had made contributions for building, could be used for the religious services of His Majesty's troops of all denominations; whether the bishops and clergy of the Anglican Church had sole control and use of such churches; whether the opinion obtained was based upon the law of India or of England; whether the bishops and clergy of the Anglican Church have on any occasion since 1899 been requested to allow the use of churches and buildings under their control for the religious worship of Presbyterians, Wesleyans, or other Christians; and, if so, what answer had been received?

The point put to learned counsel, and subsequently to the Law Officers in 1899, was solely as to the effect of the consecration of churches in India by Anglican bishops with the consent of the Government. The opinion given was that churches so consecrated could not be used for religious services other than Anglican without the sanction of the Anglican bishop. The opinion was based upon an express or implied agreement subsisting between the consecrating bishop and the Government, and no question of Indian law was involved, except as to how far the English ecclesiastical law governing consecration applied to India. I shall be happy to send my hon. Friend a copy of the White Paper of 1908. With the sanction of the bishop consecrated churches have frequently been used for Presbyterian and Wesleyan services.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in case the dispatch relating to a proposed alteration of the criminal law with a view to preventing torture by the police does not arrive in time to be laid upon the Table before the Debate on the Indian Budget, he will take steps to communicate to the House the effect of the telegraphic summary he has already received?

Yes, Sir. I hope to make a statement in the Budget Debate.

This will not diminish our chance of having the full Papers laid on the Table whenever they arrive.

No, as soon as they come they will be prepared for publication.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can ascertain the date upon which Mr. Buchanan gave orders to an inspector of police to remove the little girl Ainah from the house of Captain McCormick and restore her to her mother; the date of the warrant issued by Mr. Buchanan for the arrest of Captain McCormick on a charge of rape; the date upon which Mr. Buchanan was transferred from Victoria Point to another district; the date upon which he was passed over for promotion by an officer junior to himself; and whether the Secretary of State has satisfied himself that the conduct of Mr. Buchanan in bringing to light the McCormick case has had no bearing whatever upon his transfer and failure to get promotion?

In June, 1911, the Commissioner of the division recommended that Mr. Buchanan should be replaced at Victoria Point by an officer of higher status. On the 3rd July Mr. Buchanan first reported the existence of the kidnapping allegations against Captain McCormick. On the 12th July he handed the case to the police, who brought the child away on the 14th. On the 19th July Mr. Buchanan issued a warrant for the arrest of Captain McCormick. Mr. Buchanan was transferred from Victoria Point on the 16th October, 1911, and it was on the 29th May, 1913, that his junior was promoted in the circumstances that I have already explained. The Secretary of State has satisfied himself that the transfer and the passing over were decided quite independently of Mr. Buchanan's action in bringing the McCormick case to light.

asked how long Mr. A. W. Buchanan has been a member of the provincial Civil Service; and whether there has been any occasion before this year upon which he has been superseded for promotion by an officer junior to himself?

Mr. Buchanan has been a member of the Burma Provincial Service for twenty years. I am not aware whether he had ever been passed over for promotion before this year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many European experts in cotton growing are now employed by the Government of India; how many bales of cotton India produced last year; and how many acres of land are now under cotton in that land?

For the number of the European staff employed I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 9th December last. The cotton crop of 1912–13 is estimated to have yielded 4,397,000 bales, from an area of nearly 22,000,000 acres.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether thousands of claims are outstanding in respect of Licence Duty in excess of the actual rent paid to the lessor; whether, in some of such cases, the claim is for more than double such rent; whether many such cases have been brought specially under his notice; when he proposes to take such action as will relieve innocent sufferers in this behalf under the licensing provisions of the Budget of 1909–10; and why no provision is made in the Revenue Bill of this Session?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in connection with the matter, on Tuesday last, when the Revenue Bill was under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of recommending that Ministers should circulate their statements before their Department is discussed in Supply, and confine their observations to a reply, and thus give opportunity to the private Member for criticism?

I see no reason to depart from the normal practice of the House, but no doubt the Committee on Procedure will take the hon. Member's suggestion into consideration.

Is not the primary object of Debates in Supply to enable Members to bring up grievances against Departments? Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed how largely the limited time is monopolised by Ministers making optimistic statements about the virtues of their own Departments? Will he therefore be good enough to present this view to the Procedure Committee?

I am quite sure that the Procedure Committee will consider what my hon. Friend says, but I do not think it is my business to bring it before them.

asked the Prime Minister if any answer has yet been given to the medical profession concerning their request for a Royal Commission on venereal disease; and whether, in view of the fact that the Government are opposed to any suggestion for the re-enactment of the Contagious Diseases Acts, can any assurance be given that the subject shall not be reopened by any Commission that may be appointed?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that under the Tuberculosis Order of 1913 two cases have recently occurred in Derby in which cows brought in for sale to the borough market have there been seized on the certificate of the borough veterinary inspector as suffering from tuberculosis of the udder; that in both cases they were ultimately certified by the county medical officer of health to be free from tuberculosis; that their owners have consequently been put to needless expense for the compulsory keep of the cows and for loss of milk during the period of their detention, while the county authorities have already had to find the cost of veterinary inspectors, biological tests, and county police in connection with the cases; and if he will state whether it is proposed that compensation for the loss sustained should be paid?

I am informed that in May last two cows with defective udders were brought to Derby market for sale, and that in accordance with notices served by the veterinary inspector of the local authority under. Article 11 of the Tuberculosis Order, they were sent back to the premises from which they came. Subsequent veterinary examination showed that the defect of the udder was in neither case due to tuberculosis. If the owner had complied with the requirements of Article 2 or Article 10 of the Order, by reporting these two cases of apparent disease of the udder and isolating the affected animals until they had been examined by a veterinary inspector, most of the loss and inconvenience which have been caused would have been avoided. The Board have no power to make compensation in these cases.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the fact that there has been no opportunity of discussing the question of the rebuilding of the Quadrant; and if the final decision will be deferred until next Session, after plans have been exhibited and the matter further discussed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to him and to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 14th July.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the Report of the Committee on the rebuilding of the Quadrant is proposed to be carried out, or the opinion expressed by five out of the six architects called to give evidence before the Committee that the skyline of the Piccadilly Hotel will be followed in the case of the shops to be built on either side, so as to keep as much light in the streets as possible?

It is proposed to adhere to the recommendations of the Committee in essential particulars.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the opinions of the shopkeepers of Regent Street are to be given due weight to before the Report of the Committee, which ignores their wishes completely, is adopted?

If the hon. Member refers to the Report of the Committee on the Regent's Quadrant, I am unable to admit that it ignores the wishes of the shopkeepers of Regent Street, and in settling a design for the completion of the Quadrant it is proposed to adhere to the recommendations of the Committee in essential particulars.

What is the necessity for hurrying this matter?

There will not be any undue hurry over it.

Then we shall see the plans?

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in order to secure accurate information with reference to the building of cottages for rural labourers in different parts of the country, where the cost of labour, materials, and transport vary considerably, and to avoid returns being provided to the Board by those only whose cottage building owing to local conditions is either exceptionally costly or exceptionally cheap, he will send forms to selected landowners and local authorities in every county in England and Wales inviting them to give the necessary particulars applicable to their own localities?

As was explained in a notice which was circulated to the Press last week by my authority, the Board will be glad to receive from landowners and local authorities in all parts of England and Wales accurate information on the points mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. Forms on which the information may be given will be supplied on application to the Board.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the object of my question is that it should not be left to landowners to apply to the Department, but that certain landowners should be chosen to whom forms should be sent with a request that they would fill them in?

I have no power to insist on landowners giving any information; they must supply it willingly. If they are prepared to give it, we shall be glad to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ask the Federal Government for information regarding the alleged intention of American firms to make a monopoly of the meat supply from Australasia to the United Kingdom?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say upon what terms the land secured on lease by the Government of Southern Nigeria from the Sapele chiefs at a rent of £100 a year is sub-let for occupation; and what is the total revenue now derived from it?

As I informed the hon. Member last week, the Governor has been asked for a report and will be requested to include in it the information now asked for.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report is likely to arrive?

As soon as it can be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state if Mrs. Fitzgerald and Mr. A. Crawford, the treasurer and chairman of the Johannesburg Socialist party, who were arrested for alleged participation in the recent rioting in Johan- nesburg, are being tried privately in the fort, which is the common gaol of Johannesburg, and not in the Law Courts; and whether, if so, he can make any representations to the South African Government through Lord Gladstone on the subject of the rights of British citizens to an open trial?

No, Sir, I have no official information on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any official information showing that boys from the Leith Industrial School or Reformatory have been engaged doing work of the dockers on strike at Leith; if not, whether he will make inquiries into the matter; and, if this has been done, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

It is not the case that boys of the Leith Industrial School were engaged in doing the work of the dockers who were on strike. They were engaged in loading the school's firewood on to lorries. This work has always been done by the boys, and never by the dockers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in various districts where fifteen months ago arable ground was available for small holdings, a policy of planting trees has been pursued by certain landlords in order to defeat the hopes of applicants making application for such land; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take special steps to meet such cases?

I have no information, and no reason to believe, that any such policy is being adopted.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be very foolish if a landlord were to part with arable land for such a purpose?

I think it is inherently improbable that any landlord would be so lost to his own interests.

Will the right hon. Gentleman believe that this question is based on actual facts?

If the hon. Member will give me the facts, certainly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if there is a Commission prospecting in Stirling for land for small holdings; and if a Government valuer there is the factor for the Duke of Montrose, who owns most of the land being dealt with?

There is no such Commission in connection with the Board of Agriculture for Scotland or any other Department for which I am responsible, nor has the Board of Agriculture for Scotland employed the gentleman referred to as a valuer.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the proportion of Grants to Scottish education as compared with England is vitiated by the fact that other Scottish objects suffer because money intended for them is used for educational purposes; and whether an equivalent Grant to Scotland is due on the total amount consequent on the provisions of the Education (No. 2) Bill?

It is impossible to institute comparisons which involve complicated financial calculations in answer to a question or to make short replies on such subjects which are not open to misapprehension. The matter was discussed yesterday in the Debate on the Estimates.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, now that a wireless installation has been set up in St. Kilda, he will take the opportunity of securing periodic reports as to the condition of affairs on the island?

As means of telegraphic communication now exist, I think it may be assumed that the Government will be duly apprised of any exceptional state of matters arising in the island.

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself take periodic action, instead of waiting for the island to telegraph in exceptional circumstances?

I really do not see that it is necessary unless there is distress in the island.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the sheriffs of Dundee and Greenock allow Sunday opening under the Burgh Police Act, 1911, while the sheriffs of Leith and Aberdeen disallow it; whether he is aware that the sheriff for Helensburgh refuses entire Sunday closing and the sheriff for Gourock grants it; whether he is aware that there is no appeal against such decisions to the Court of Session, and that many of the decisions are contrary to the expressed wishes of the local councils; and whether he is prepared to bring in amending legislation to alter such anomalies?

The statements in my hon. Friend's question are not quite accurate. By-laws enacting complete Sunday closing in Dundee, Greenock, and Gourock, were confirmed, while confirmation was refused in the case of the Helensburgh by-laws. As regards Leith and Aberdeen by-laws, I have no information as to proceedings before the sheriffs and no by-laws from these towns have been submitted to me for confirmation. I am aware that there is no appeal to the Court of Session against the decision of a sheriff confirming or refusing to confirm by-laws. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to his question on this subject on 16th July.

What does the Secretary for Scotland propose to do to meet the wishes of the local authorities, who so frequently have their wishes vetoed by the sheriffs?

I can do nothing without legislation, and certainly no legislation can be proposed at the present moment. The Act lays down the principle that the sheriffs should consider the circumstances and review the proposed by-laws.

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the matter next year?

I cannot give any promise; I will consider the matter.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will state the time when the popular art lectures will be begun in connection with the National Galleries, Edinburgh, and, if possible, the name or names of the lecturer?

The lectures will probably be given in December and January by Mr. Caw, the director of the National Gallery.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will consider the possibility of postponing for a period the work of the Land Court in considering the rents of those already on the land until more headway has been made with placing new applicants on the land or, alternatively, arrange the work of the Court in such a way that whenever it sits for the former purpose it will at the same time deal with the second in the same place?

The Land Court has arranged its work so far as possible in such a way that it has dealt with applications by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland for new holdings and enlargements at the same time as it arranged sittings in the district for the purpose of dealing with existing rents, and has given a preference to districts concerned in applications by the Board. This course was followed, for example, in Islay, Tiree, and Lismore this summer. Every application presented by the Board of Agriculture up to 1st July last has been heard by the Court with the exception of some applications from Orkney and one case of enlargement of pasture in Ross-shire, but in these cases steps have been taken to have minutes lodged by the respondents in order to prepare them for hearing in the autumn Session.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the edging of the Serpentine and St. James' water with concrete is done with a view to economy or to esthetic effect; and what is the purpose of the rail along the edge of these lakes?

Although certainly not æsthetic, the concrete is placed with a view to economy to prevent the margin being worn away by the action of the water. The rail in St. James' Park, along the edge of the water, is to prevent children falling into the water.

As private owners when they make an ornamental lake can afford a puddled bank which holds the water and is much prettier than a concrete edge, could not a public Department afford some money to add to the effect?

I do not think that concrete is necessarily non-æsthetic if the grass is properly dealt with. If my hon. Friend will point out any places where the grass is defective, I will have them remedied.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the First Commissioner of Works will make it possible for boys of school age to bathe in the Serpentine during the school holidays at any hour of the day, and after the holidays at any hour after 4.30 p.m.?

The First Commissioner is prepared to extend the hours so that until the end of September boys may bathe from 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. as at present permitted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has under consideration the question of providing India with two mails a week?

This question will come under consideration when the present contract for the Indian mail service comes to an end, but I am not at present in a position to say what view will be taken.

asked the Postmaster-General what would be the total monetary loss sustained by the Marconi Company in respect of any one station in the event of there being twelve months' delay on the part of the company in completing such stations?

The loss would be made up of (1) £1,800 by way of monetary penalty; (2) the forfeiture of 2 per cent. interest payable under the contract; (3) whatever additional sum the company might be losing as the interest on capital employed in the undertaking; and (4) the postponement of royalty payments for a year. It is clearly impossible to give an exact estimate of the total.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the criticism passed upon the Marconi continuous high-frequency machine passed in paragraph 26 of the expert Advisory Committee's Report, he will insist on retaining paragraph 3 of clause 3?

No doubt the hon. Member has in mind Clause 2 and not Clause 3, which does not touch this matter. Before the provision referred to becomes effective, the Postmaster-General must be satisfied that the Marconi system of continuous waves is as efficient and economical as any competing system. I may add that the Advisory Committee reported in paragraph 26 that the only continuous high-frequency generator they had seen tried with success over long distances was the Marconi machine, and the criticism mentioned by the hon. Member was that the power used for the experiments was not sufficient for commercial purposes, but that there seemed to be no reason why higher power should not be obtained.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the solicitor to the Board of Trade will make an immediate inquiry into the transactions involved in the issue of American Marconi shares in April, 1912, by Mr. Godfrey Isaacs and Mr. Percy Heybourn, in view of the fact that the Dublin Stock Exchange entered a protest in connection with the matter to the London Stock Exchange, and that the committee of the London Stock Exchange has deferred the consideration of the question for many months?

If, as I presume, the question of the hon. Member relates to the method of the issue of the shares in the America Marconi Company, the Board of Trade have no jurisdiction to hold an inquiry into such a matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received communications relative to the danger to the public caused by mismanagement at the Weston-super-Mare Pier on 12th July, 1913; whether he is aware that what was experienced by the travelling public upon that occasion is typical of what often occurs at Weston-super-Mare when large bodies of people have to travel to South Wales from this holiday resort; and if he will hold an official inquiry into the whole question involved, with a view to having regulations established which will prevent a repetition of this danger and inconvenience to those who have to use the boats sailing from the Weston-super-Mare Pier?

I have received complaints on this subject, and am in communication with the Weston-super-Mare Company thereon. I will consider what action, if any, it is desirable and possible for the Board of Trade to take with a view to diminishing the risk of incidents such as my hon. Friend refers to, and will send him a further communication in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state out of 151 failures in the new Board of Trade eyesight tests as between the 1st April and 8th July, how many of the candidates who failed held certificates and had passed the sight tests previously; and how many of the candidates without certificates who were failed had put in the qualifying time at sea necessary for second mate's certificates?

Of the 151 candidates who failed in colour vision during the period mentioned, eighteen held certificates of competency, and must therefore have passed the sight tests on some previous occasion. Thirty-nine who were candidates for certificates of competency in either the mercantile marine or the fishing service must have performed the qualifying service necessary for those certificates. I have no means of ascertaining how many of the remainder who were candidates for sight tests only may have had the qualifying time at sea necessary for a second mate's certificate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the amount of overtime that the clerks employed at some Labour Exchanges have, since January of the present year, worked; that in some instances they have worked 400 hours and have only been paid for 100 hours; and whether he will take such steps as are necessary to secure the payment within a reasonable time to these men for all the overtime they work?

I am afraid I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave in reply to the hon. Member for Hammersmith on 17th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether Labour Exchange managers have power, without the sanction of the Board of Trade, to insert an unlimited number of advertisements in the newspapers; if not, whether he is aware that on 26th July upwards of 100 advertisements appeared in a newspaper published at Hereford, including advertisements for insurance agents, policemen, teachers, and domestic servants, etc., application to be made to the Hereford Labour Exchange; and whether the Board of Trade sanctioned these advertisements?

By the courtesy of certain newspapers, details of unfilled vacancies notified to the Labour Exchanges are from time to time published in their columns. The advertisements referred to by my hon. Friend were inserted in pursuance of an arrangement of this nature. No expense to the public is involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that new regulations have been issued under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1891, to check fraudulent misdescription of goods, the Board of Trade will defray the cost of a prosecution where the offence committed is injurious to the general interests of the country; if so, whether this applies to prosecutions undertaken in Great Britain by the Irish Industrial Development Association or other bodies charged with the safeguarding of genuine Irish products from fraudulent misdescription; and whether the regulations are also intended to deal with the export to foreign countries of Syrian lace described as Irish lace in cases where an Irish or British firm operates through an agent in Syria?

I am afraid that the Board of Trade cannot undertake to defray the cost of prosecutions undertaken by the Irish Industrial Development Association or other similar body. Where, however, on the representation of such a body the Board of Trade themselves undertake a prosecution, it is their practice to bear the cost of such prosecution, including all costs within reason that are incurred after they have satisfied themselves that the case is one in which they should prosecute. As regards the third part of the question, the Board can, of course, only prosecute where an offence under the Act is committed in the United Kingdom, and the question whether the case referred to by my hon. Friend would involve such an offence is one on which without further information I cannot offer an opinion.