asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make any statement as to the further financial assistance to be placed at the disposal of the National Health Insurance Commissioners (Ireland) for the purpose of enabling medical certificates to be obtained under the National Insurance Act in Ireland?

I have been in communication with my hon. Friend and his colleagues and also with the Irish Insurance Commissioners on this subject, and I am satisfied that the Grant of £50,000 at present available for expenses due to the absence of medical benefit in Ireland is insufficient to provide for adequate arrangements for certification. The Insurance Commissioners are engaged in negotiation with the medical profession and with the approved societies, and, if a scheme can be devised which is satisfactory to the parties concerned, I shall be prepared to ask Parliament to increase the Grant by such amount as may be necessary, subject to the limit of 2s. 6d. per insured person which has been imposed in Great Britain not being exceeded in Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will advise the Treasury to take the two-thirds guarantee towards extending the telegraph to Elphin and Assynt, Sutherland?

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General gave on Tuesday last in answer to a similar question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a claim made on 30th April, 1913, by N. Lloyd and Company, Limited, with regard to contributions paid in respect of persons to whom the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Act are held not to apply, has been received by the Insurance Commissioners; whether, on 2nd June, 1913, they acknowledged the receipt of a further communication from the same firm on the subject, such communication having been received by them on 22nd May, and in the acknowledgment promised a further communication in due course; whether, on 12th August, more than two months after, no further communication had been sent; whether he can give any information as to what period of time "due course" is supposed to cover; and whether, in view of the fact that the firm in question commenced their correspondence on this subject over a year ago, he can see his way to expedite matters?

The employés in this case are lithographic engravers, whose position was finally determined by a decision of the High Court on the 11th April. The letter of the 30th April contained no list of the persons concerned, and was not accompanied by their contribution cards for the current quarter. After further correspondence with the firm the last of the men's addresses were only notified on the 26th June. The men had to be asked to give the name of their society and branch and their number, and the society had then to be asked to state wren the cards were forwarded to the Commission. To trace thirty cards among as many millions is impossible without information from the society. A refund will be made as soon as the cards have been traced.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) what sums have been advanced up to the 15th July last by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners to approved societies in Scotland for the payment of sickness benefit, maternity benefit, and cost of administration, respectively; what are the corresponding figures relating to deposit contributions in Scotland; and (2) what sums have been advanced up to the 15th July last by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners to insurance committees in Scotland for administration expenses, medical benefit, and sanatorium benefit, respectively?

The sums advanced by the Scottish Commissioners up to the 15th ultimo to approved societies and insurance committees, respectively, were £710,604, of which £446,810 was for benefits, and £263,794 for administration, and £322,992. The amount paid in respect of claims by deposit contributors up to the same date was £377 in sickness and £85 in maternity benefit. The remaining particulars for which my hon. Friend asks are not separately available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any, and, if so, what orders have been issued by the Insurance Commissioners to mitigate the hardships to which outworkers in Nottingham are subjected, which were brought to his notice by the Member for East Nottingham?

No orders have been issued by the Commissioners with special reference to outworkers in Not- tingham, nor am I prepared to admit that they are subjected to hardships as a result of the operation of the National Insurance Act. But Clause 7 of the Amending Bill will afford substantial relief to any out-workers who have not sufficient employment to keep them in full benefits.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the recommendation of the Welsh Insurance Commissioners that all official statistics dealing with population, employment, and health should be prepared for Wales as a separate unit; and whether he can see his way to giving instructions that in all statements and Returns issued from or under the authority of the Home Office this recommendaton shall be given effect to so far as is reasonably possible?

I have seen the recommendation referred to. In many of the statistics issued from the Home Office the figures for Wales are now shown separately. I will consider whether anything further can be done in this direction.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of revenue raised in 1912–13 and in the first quarter of the present. financial year by taxes on food; and if, in view of the hardships entailed thereby to the poorer classes, he will consider as to abolishing the new Land Taxes, which involve a net charge of a very large amount on the Exchequer and of remtting the more onerous of the food taxes?

The amount of revenue derived from taxes on food in the year ended 31st March, 1913, was £10,277,715, out of a total revenue of £188,802,999. It is not the practice to make public particulars of the yield of particular heads of revenue in the course of the financial year. As regards the last part of the question—without admitting the suggestion made—the answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of devoting the £100,000 which would have been granted to education authorities under the Education (No. 2) Bill, to the relief of the over-burdened and heavily-rated necessitous areas?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to issue the Report of the Departmental Committee on Imperial and Local Taxation within the next month or, failing that, before the beginning of next Session; and if he will state what is the reason for the continual delay in the issue of this Report, seeing that the Committee was appointed more than two years ago on the explicit understanding that its inquiry would be brief and its Report be forthcoming in the then early future?

I have nothing to add to the answer given on the 25th June last and to previous answers on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has received a statement, dated 10th June last, on the question of allowances for tea inspection to certain Surveyors of Customs; and whether he is in a position now to give a definite answer on the matter?

I have seen the statement referred to, but I fear I can see no reason to alter the existing arrangement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the compulsory age of retirement for officers of all grades in the Customs and Excise service; and what is the total number of members of the controlling grade who will have attained the age of sixty-two years on 1st September of this year, and the probable date of their retirement?

The general age for retirement is sixty-one in the officer and surveyor grades, and sixty-two in the controlling grade. There will be one member of the latter grade at the age of sixty-two on 1st September next.

also asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what is the total amount paid to the Board of Customs and Excise during the twenty- eight weeks ending 14th June, 1913, under the new overtime regulations; and the total amount paid as overtime and allowances, respectively, by the Board of Customs and Excise to officers during the same period?

I am afraid I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question put by him on the 30th of April last.

next asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether an examination for surveyorships of Customs and Excise has been announced to take place about the end of the present year; and whether he will cause immediate notification to be given to all officers who are to be called up for that examination, in view of the inconvenience and uncertainty occasioned by the undue delay in giving such notification?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In answer to the second part, the matter is under consideration by the Board of Customs and Excise.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether officers of Customs and Excise are now required to do 48 hours per week of six days, between 10 p.m. on Sunday and 2 a.m. on the following Sunday; and whether he will give instruction that such exploitation of the officers shall cease, in view of the fact that under the Hobhouse Report all attendances on Sundays were to be paid for at overtime rates?

The regulations allow overtime pay for attendance given in excess of forty-eight hours in the six week-days and for all attendance on Sundays. In addition, night pay at half rate is allowed for any attendance between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., and a compensation day off is given for attendance on a Sunday. It is provided, however, that where an officer's spell of attendance ends before 2 a.m. on Sunday or begins after 10 p.m. on Sunday the short period overlapping into Sunday shall be treated as week-day attendance. The officers are generously treated by these regulations and I cannot admit the suggestion in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the surveyor of taxes at Guildford, in March, 1913, sent to a taxpayer in his district the customary printed form calling for a return of profits subject to payment of Income Tax under Schedule D, forwarding at the same time a manuscript circular, which had first to be returned because it was illegible, and which was described by the surveyor as intended to assist the taxpayer in computing the profits subject to taxation; whether he is aware that this circular contained no explicit statement that any allowance might be made for the proportion of the annual value of the house, chargeable under Schedule A, corresponding to the period for which the house was let furnished, but did contain a footnote to the effect that no allowance could be made for Income or Property Tax; that the surveyor, in a letter sent in March, again asserted that no deduction could be made for Income or Property Tax and, when doing so, did not acid that any allowance might be made on account of a proportional part of the annual value, in pursuance of which precisely the Property Tax, which was the subject of the taxpayer's inquiry, is levied; that the taxpayer thereupon sent a return, in which no claim was made in respect of a proportional part either of the annual value or of the Property Tax, which is the counterpart of the annual value; that the surveyor intimated that the sum, as computed in the return, which had been filled up with his guidance as aforesaid, would be levied, and, in spite of the previous correspondence, omitted still to inform the taxpayer that an allowance was admissible in respect of the annual value or to inform him that, the annual value corresponded to the Property Tax; whether he is aware that the taxpayer subsequently ascertained that the surveyor had not allowed the legal deduction and obtained repayment from the Board of Inland Revenue; will he say to what part of the surveyor's conduct the expression of regret referred; and whether, in order to avoid similar occurrences in future, the Treasury will cause printed comprehensive directions to be circulated, in terms approved by the Board of Inland Revenue and not left to the discretion of individual surveyors, for the adequate guidance of taxpayers called upon to make returns of such profits under Schedule D of the Income Tax Acts?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of the 1st instant to a question by him on the same subject. I had considered all the circum- stances of the case at the time of that answer and I have nothing to add except as regards the last part of the present question, that the existing arrangements are in my opinion adequate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the total amount expended by the Board of Works in the building of national schools in Ireland up to the 31st March, 1913; the amount expended during the past two years; and the amount of applications for new grants?

The total amount expended by the Board of Works in the building, enlarging, and enclosing, etc., of national schools in Ireland up to the 31st March, 1913, was £1,094,696. The amount expended for the same purposes during the past two years to the 31st March, 1913, was £73,851. The amount for building, as distinct from enlarging, enclosing, etc., cannot be definitely stated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken steps to ensure that holders of working men's garden allotments in Nottingham are not served with demands for Undeveloped Land Tax during the Recess, which has happened recently, notwithstanding the assurances given that no much demands shall be made?

Care is being taken in all cases where exemption is primâ facie understood to apply or where a claim for exemption has been received, that no demand for Undeveloped Land Duty is issued unless and until it is established that the exemption is inapplicable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Clare County Council unanimously reappointed Mr. J. F. Killeen, a rate collector; and whether, in view of this fact, he will advise the Local Government Board of Ireland to sanction the appointment, as the council is satisfied that Mr. Killeen will perform his duties satisfactorily for the future?

The Local Government Board have informed the county council that they are unable to comply with their request that Killeen, who was removed from the office of poor rate collector for persistent neglect of duty, should be reinstated. Having regard to all the circumstances of the case this decision cannot be reconsidered.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to the fact that a Unionist farmer near Ballynahinch, county Down, who had refused to sign the Carson covenant and had refused to attend a recent Unionist demonstration in Ballynahinch, has since been subjected to much annoyance, and that the tails of four of his horses were cut off close to the stump; and whether the perpetrators of the outrage have been brought to justice?

I am informed that the farmer referred to, who takes no part in politics, was not asked either to sign the covenant or to attend the meeting referred to. The police inform me that some inches of hair were cut off the tail of a mare and a few tufts cut off the side of the tail of a young horse which belong to the farmer referred to, and were grazing on his farm. He did not report the matter to the police and was very annoyed when it was reported in the Press. He says the injury done was trifling. The flesh of the animals was not injured in any way. He has not been subjected to any further annoyance.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will say, in respect of the old age pension claim of Mrs. Bridget Hickey, Kilkenny, on what grounds it is stated that the husband is still licensee of the small public-house and that the wife carries on the business, in view of the evidence before the committee that everything necessary to transfer the licence has been done (except formal confirmation at the annual Sessions next October); on what grounds the apparent refusal of the Local Government Board to make any allowance for the assistance of a married son and his wife in the business (held by the committee to be necessary and proper even if the father were still to be regarded as owner of the business) is based; and, in view of the feelings of the Kilkenny committee respecting these two cases, whether he will undertake that new claims by the husband and wife will be given fresh consideration?

Patrick Hickey is the licensee of the public-house until the transfer of the licence is carried out in October next. As regards the question of assistance, the Local Government Board were informed that Mrs. Hickey was able to look after the shop herself. If any further claims are referred to the Board on appeal they will be fully considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received any information with regard to boycotting and intimidation of the Misses Davenport, of Ross Hill, Galway; whether these ladies, who are both over seventy years, have had their cattle driven from their land and a 30-acre holding taken violent possession of by residents in the locality, and attempts made to terrorise them by lighting bonfires and similar methods; and whether he can assign any reason for the treatment to which these ladies are being subjected?

I am aware from information received from the police and from private sources that the Misses Davenport have been boycotted. The police believe that the boycotting is now at an end, and I have given them special instructions to see that these aged ladies are not further molested. The holding mentioned in the question, which was the cause of the trouble, was not forcibly taken possession of, nor were the cattle driven from it, so far as the police are aware. The Misses Davenport surrendered it to their landlords, the Governors of the Erasmus Smith's Schools, who relet it to the neighbouring tenants. The police, who were present at the bonfire to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, report that it was lit by children according to the usual custom on St. John's Eve, and was not intended to cause annoyance. No complaints were made to the police with regard to it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a copy or précis of the evidence tendered by Dr. Starkie at the Committee of Inquiry has been circulated in a pamphlet marked private and confidential, printed at the Stationery Office at the expense of the Government; and, if so, by whose authority?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that a state- ment of Dr. Starkie's direct evidence before the Committee of Inquiry was printed for the private information of the Commissioners, but the document, which was marked "Confidential," was not generally circulated.

asked whether Major Browne has offered his estate in Breaghy, Castlebar, county Mayo, for sale through the Congested Districts Board?

The estate of Major Browne, Breaghy, county Mayo, has not been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued offers for the estates of Lord Vaux, Mr Roche-Kelly, and Mr. Stannel, in the district of Newport, county Mayo; and what stages the proceedings for purchase of these estates by the Board have reached?

The documents in reference to the estate of Lord Vaux were only lodged with the Congested Districts Board on the 9th July, 1913, and the question of making an offer has not yet been considered. The Board's offer for Mr. Michael Roche-Kelly's estate was accepted on the 5th January, 1913. The Board have decided to make an offer for Mr. Stannel's estate, and it will be issued as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Mr. Walter Joyce has offered his property in Breaghy, county Mayo, for sale through the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, whether his large tract of grazing land is included in the offer?

The Congested Districts Board communicated with Mr. Joyce's solicitor regarding the sale of his estate at Breaghy, county Mayo, and were informed that Mr. Joyce is unwilling to negotiate except on a cash basis. The Board have taken no further action in the matter.

asked why no inspection has yet been made of the Ashtowne estate, Brackna, King's County, although it has been offered to the Estates Commissioners; and whether, in view of the growing unrest among the people of this district, their poverty, and the burden cast upon them by the rate they will have to pay for the maintenance of fifty extra police in connection with the Ballynowlart grazing lands of this estate, the Estates Commissioners will press forward the purchase proceedings as being urgent?

The necessary maps and documents to enable the Estates Commissioners to make an inspection of the lands referred to have not been lodged, and until this is done the Commissioners cannot take any further action in the matter.

asked why the Congested Districts Board have not yet provided a landing-place at Bunlough, Louisburgh, county Mayo, which is so badly needed in the district and which the Board promised to construct a considerable time ago; and when the Board intend to commence the work?

The Congested Districts Board hope that this work will be carried out during the next twelve months.

asked the First, Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the crew of the armed launch "Karanja," stationed in the Persian Gulf, have received less than forty-eight hours' leave although they have been on the station eighteen months; and, if so, whether he will have inquiry made into the matter?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the reply I gave yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Devonport.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the speeding-up methods being resorted to at the Royal Naval Ordnance Department, Lodge Hill, near Chatham, whereby the men are being compelled to complete 25 per cent. more work in making 13.5 cartridges than is recognised as a day's work; whether he is aware that a man has resigned his employment rather than submit to this hustling; whether he is aware that explosion involving loss of life is being risked; and whether he will cause a strict inquiry to be made into the action of the foreman of the laboratory who is responsible for the change?

I have made inquiry, and I find that it was considered that the output had not been that which could reasonably be expected. It is quite true that one skilled labourer has left of his own accord. But I do not think the charge of hustling can be maintained, and certainly it is not our wish that the men should be unduly pressed. Of course, the officers are fully alive to the necessity for care in all operations connected with explosives.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that doubt exists in the minds of the men in the Navy that the new order as to men re-engaging for a further period after completing time for pension may stop promotion on the lower deck; whether he is aware that there are a number of armourer ratings who have nearly completed their first period of service who will not re-engage to complete time for pension unless some assurance is given that this order will not stop promotion; and whether he is prepared to make a definite statement upon the matter?

I am not aware of any doubt existing on the subject. Reengagement for a further period of five years after completing time for pension is allowed temporarily in the case of seamen, stokers, armourers, carpenters, crew and shipwright ratings, and in each case the men are directed to be borne as additional to port numbers, an advancement being made in respect of every re-engagement in these ratings as though discharge to pension had actually been effected.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, after their annual training, the left section Ross-shire Mountain Battery left Barry for Stornoway at 9.30 p.m. on the 25th July and reached Inverness at 6.30 a.m. on the 26th July; that there the corporal and two privates left the train, there being no order against it, to see relatives, and proceeded by the ordinary train to Kyle of Lochalsh, for Stornoway, an hour or two afterwards; that on arrival at Kyle of Lochalsh the officer commanding the Stornoway contingent, who was awaiting the train, took the corporal to a waiting-room and divested him of his stripes without even asking for an explanation; and whether, in view of the fact that there was no semblance of a trial before this peremptory action was taken and that local feeling on account of it has been aroused, he will have inquiries made and this action corrected?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief has informed the War Office that the original report submitted to him was too vague and had been returned for fuller details, that the noncommissioned officer in question deliberately left the train contrary to orders verbally given by the adjutant, that inquiry is still proceeding, but that the individuals concerned are difficult to communicate with.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the nucleus from each of the batteries that is to change its number will be moved with the records?

The detailed method of carrying out the necessary moves is now under consideration, and I cannot at present state when the moves will take place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Daniel D. Murphy, Beenanallagane, Glenbeigh, county Kerry, has lodged a complaint that the military trespassed on his land on the 30th and 31st ultimo; and whether, in view of the fact that his claim for compensation in respect of trespass in a previous year has not yet been complied with, steps will now be taken to grant him the necessary compensation?

Inquiry is being made into this matter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Special Reserve officers who have obtained their pilot's certificates have to wait an indefinite time, sometimes six months or more, before they are allowed to attend an Army Flying School; will he say if this is because there is no room for them at the Army Flying School; and, if so, what steps does he propose to take to remedy this injurious state of affairs?

All candidates have to wait for vacancies in courses for them. The school was organised so as to be capable of training such numbers of officers and men as were considered necessary for filling the establishment of the corps; but if experience should show that such numbers are insufficient, the matter will be reconsidered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now been able to consider the case of William George Vernon, of 5, Boundary Street, Middlewood Street, Salford, who in March last went through the form of enlistment in the Army Medical Corps; and whether he can see his way to make any recommendations whereby Vernon may be allowed to return to the civil employment which is being kept open for him?

The inquiry is still proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an attempt is being made by the South African Garrison Institute to induce the War Office to give them a monopoly of the supply of the canteens and grocery shop of the Army at Home; and whether, seeing that such a system would be against trade principles as well as against the best interests of the Army, steps will he taken to secure free and open competition from the best contractors in the country?

I must ask the lion. Gentleman to refer to the full statement which I made on this subject during the Debate on Army Estimates on Wednesday, 30th July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether two aeroplanes have been lately ordered by the War Office of a new design ensuring greater safety; was this design offered to the War Office by Lieutenant Dunne, a former officer of the British Army, and refused; and will he say whether the patent has now been secured by a French company?

Two "Dunne" aeroplanes were ordered in March of this year and are now three months overdue in delivery. As regards the last part of the question no official information is available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board sanctioned the provision out of public money of furniture for a school erected in connection with the works of Messrs. Cadbury; and, if so, to what amount?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Radnor-shire County Education Committee has appointed a headmaster to the Llandrindod Wells provided school, contrary to the recommendation of the managers of such school, although the latter had conformed strictly to the regulations issued for their guidance by the county committee, including the regulation directing them to submit three names to the county committee for their final selection; whether the county education committee took this course without reading the applications, credentials, or testimonials of the gentlemen recommended by the managers for appointment., and without suspending the regulations under which the managers acted; and whether an appointment so made will receive the endorsement of the Board of Education?

My attention has been called to the matter, but I would remind the hon. Member that the appointment of teachers in council schools is in the hands of the local education authority, and the Board of Education hate no power to intervene in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of raising the wages of station sergeants in the Metropolitan Police Force, having regard to the fact that their duties and responsibilities are now nearly as great as those of inspectors?

The pay of the station sergeant is from 50s. to 53s. a week, and I cannot see my way to single out this rank for increase. There has been no recent variation made in their duties and responsibilities, and the officers, after holding that rank for a time, may, in the ordinary course, count upon promotion to the rank of inspector.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, in a form similar to that given by him in his answer to Question No. 10 on the 13th December, 1912, how many persons were kill or injured by omnibuses and by tramcars, respectively, in the Metropolitan police area and in the City police area during the year 1912, and in the first half of the year 1913?

The figures asked for are as follows:—

asked what new shafts have been sunk, and what mines newly opened have been working, since 1st July, 1912?

I regret that this information is not available at the Home Office.

asked when the Chief Inspector of Mines' Report for the past year will be issued, and also the Report for the same period of the Chief Inspector of Mines for Scotland?

The annual Report of the Chief Inspector is issued in four parts. The first part containing the district statistics were presented yesterday and will be issued very shortly. The second part dealing with the administration of the Acts, and the third part dealing with output should be ready for issue in October. The fourth part dealing with the Colonial and foreign statistics for the year must wait till the reports of the various Governments are received, and will not be ready for some time. The Report of the Divisional Inspector for Scotland is in the press and will be issued very shortly.

asked what were the exceptional circumstances under which Miss Constance Smith has been appointed to the post of His Majesty's senior lady inspector of factories; whether the appointment is permanent or on probation; whether made on the result of examination, competitive or qualifying; what is the scale of salary and emolument attached to the appointment; whether it carries with it a pension; and what were the special qualifications, academic or other, possessed by Miss Constance Smith as distinct from, or superior to, those possessed by inspectors already on the staff of the Department?

I considered it desirable on this occasion to make a special appointment because the lady inspectors has been weakened last year by the loss of one of the most experienced senior lady inspectors who was appointed a National Insurance Commissioner for Scotland and because the inspectors in the junior grade were all of comparatively short service. The appointment of Miss Constance Smith is a permanent appointment and was made without examination under Clause 7 of the Order in Council. The scale of salary is the same as in the case of the other senior lady inspectors: £300, rising by £15 to £400; but in Miss Smith's case, it will not carry a right to pension. I appointed Miss Smith, who has taken an active part for many years in work amongst women and girls employed in factories and workshops, on the ground of her special experience and special knowledge of industrial conditions. The appointment was not made to fill a vacancy, but is a permanent addition to the previous strength of the branch.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the seizure of the works of Mr. Wilfrid S. Blunt by the Customs authorities at Karachi; and whether the Government of India have authorised a censorship over books and pamphlets exported from Great Britain to India?

I have telegraphed for information on this particular case, but have not yet received it. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on the 7th instant.

asked the Under-Secretary for India how many chests of Malwa and provision opium, respectively, still remain in the possession of the Indian Government; whether it is its intention to authorise any further planting of opium poppy in India on Government account; if so, how many acres; and when would such planting take effect?

The estimated stock of Bengal opium on 31st March last was 16,818 chests. There is no Government holding of Malwa opium for export, and for Excise use it is purchased as required. The area which is being licensed for poppy growing this year in British India is limited to 156,000 acres. Licences are now being given.

also asked whether any Indian opium certificated for sale to China yet remains in India, and how many such chests have been shipped to China since April last?

It was reported to the Government of India in July last that of the 2,760 chests of Malwa opium, the right to export which was bought by traders at the sales in November and December, 1912, 1,775 chests then remained at Bombay. The Secretary of State has no later information. He understands that there is no certificated opium at Calcutta.

asked the Under-Secretary for India if he will state why Mr. Lindsay, the Chief Judicial Commissioner of Oudh, did not take part in the retrial of the Singhs, who, after their acquittal by the Sessions judge, were convicted and sentenced to death by Mr. Pundit Lal and Mr. Stuart; whether both these gentlemen owed their appointments, which were made some months after the acquittal of the Singhs on their first trial on 22nd February, to the personal selection of Sir John Hewett; whether Mr. Pundit Lal was a promoted officer of the subordinate judicial service, who was at the time of the hearing of the appeal practically on probation; whether Mr. Stuart was a junior officer placed by Sir John Hewett to fill a temporary vacancy in the Judicial Commissioner's Court, who went straight to the Court from the office of judicial secretary in Sir John Hewett's Government; whether as judicial secretary Mr. Stuart, between the time of the acquittal on 22nd February, 1912, and his promotion to the bench on 18th April, 1912, the day before Mr. Lindsay, the Chief Judicial Commissioner, called the Public Prosecutor's attention to the case became in his capacity of judicial secretary conversant with this case, or did it come before him for the first time as a judge sitting in an appellate capacity, and has Mr. Stuart, who is now in this country, been asked for a statement on this matter; whether there is any parallel for the hearing at the Court of Appeal by two judges of a case in which there had been an acquittal pronounced by a judge of experience some months before either of them were promoted to the bench; and what was the reason of this new departure in Indian judicial appeals?

The whole of my hon. Friend's question is directed to allege pariality, inexperience, unfitness, and, I think, improper conduct on the part, at least, of the Lieutenant-Governor and Mr. Lindsay. The House will not require to be assured that there is no sort of foundation for these suggestions—which are really most absurd and offensive—and that the judges who heard the appeal are on the bench because the Lieutenant-Governor, the Government of India, and the Secretary of State are satisfied that they would be, as indeed they are, in every way fitted for the responsibilities of these offices. As is well known, such reflections on British judges are not permitted in this House, and I would claim for our Indian judges the same immunity from ill-informed attacks.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that when the decision was taken to dispatch the Abor expedition a composite battalion of military police, some 700 strong, was detailed to go; that it was also decided that simultaneously with the Abor expedition missions should be sent into the Mishmi country, to the west of Aborland, and into the Miri country, east of it, for survey and other purposes, and that to supply the escorts for these missions some 350 officers and men were withdrawn from the composite battalion; whether he is aware that these missions were in the field, the Mishmi mission from the beginning of November, 1911, to the latter end of February, 1912, and the Miri mission from November, 1911, to the end of March, 1912, during which time the latter mission had no less than three brushes with the enemy; whether he is aware that the General Service Medal granted to the officers and men serving with the Abor expeditionary force has not been extended to the officers and man who composed the Mishmi and Miri missions; and whether, in view of the fact that the men of the military police in Assam and Burma are out frequently on small operations involving much risk and hard work, of which no recognition in the shape of a medal or decoration is ever given, the Secretary of State will consider the advisability of taking such steps as will extend the General Service Medal for operations on the North-East Frontier, 1911–12, to the officers and men employed with the Mishmi and Miri missions?

The Missions sent to the Mishmi and Miri countries in 1911 were in charge of civil officers each with an escort of military police and a few technical troops for surveying purposes. They were not military operations nor did they form part of the operations against the Abors. The Secretary of State fully considered the question whether the medal could be granted for service with the Missions, but decided in the negative as such service could not be brought within terms of Article 577 of the Royal "Warrant for the Pay, etc., of the Army, which regulates the grant of war medals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a case on appeal before the Court in Kingston, Jamaica,, in which the appeal was dismissed with costs, notwithstanding the statement of the chief justice that the suppression in the lower Court of certain evidence apparently germane to the issue was improper; and whether he will call for a fuller Report on the matter?

I have no information as to any such case, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars, I will consider the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the rule requiring that resident magistrates be moved from district to district at intervals of about five years obtains in Jamaica; and, if not, whether he would endeavour to have such a rule established in order to protect magistrates from accusations of bias due to local influence?

I am not aware that such a rule exists in Jamaica, and I have no information to lead me to think that it is desirable to introduce it.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that trawled herrings are now being landed at various English ports; and whether, looking to the apprehensions entertained by line fishermen regarding this development, he will consider the propriety of appointing an experienced official or officials to investigate the circumstances of the capture of these fish, to inspect them, and to report to him the effect of this mode of fishing upon the industry?

Arrangements have already been made for the fullest possible investigation of the effects of this method of fishing for herring during the current season, Investigations will be carried out by officers of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Fishery Board for Scotland, and the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that the sergeant-constable and constables employed at the Royal Gardens, Kew, who are called upon to perform special extra duty—that is, overtime —are only remunerated at the rate of 6d. per hour; whether he is aware that twenty years ago, when called upon to do extra duty they were allowed time and a half; and whether he will take steps to secure a more reasonable rate of remuneration for these men and also for the labourers when called upon to perform overtime or special duty?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board have no record of the rates of overtime pay at Kew twenty years ago, when the Royal Gardens were under the administration of the Commissioner of Works. I understand, however, that the rate since 1890 has been 6d. per hour for overtime worked by all classes except boys. So far as I am aware, the Board have not received any recent complaints on this subject, but I will make further inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture the nature and object of the scheme which has recently been outlined for providing in the Forest of Dean a scientific training for candidates for the forestry service in the Dominions or under the Indian Government; where, and when, and for how many students, it is proposed to erect a hostelry for their -accommodation; and what is the earliest date at which such training and accommodation will be available?

I have under consideration a scheme for utilising the Forest of Dean as a demonstration forest on the lines recommended in the Reports of my Advisory Committee on Forestry [Cd. 6713] The primary object of the scheme is to train British foresters in the practice of scientific forestry, but there is no reason why candidates for service in the Dominions or under the Indian Government should not take advantage of the facilities which will be provided. I propose to ask for a Grant from the Development Fund for the purpose of erecting suitable buildings for educational purposes, but it is not proposed to erect a hostelry for students, who will be expected to find accommodation in other ways.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the live-stock officers in each of the ten provinces into which the country has been divided for the purposes of agricultural education have yet been appointed; if so, whether he will state the names of the respective appointees; and in what provinces have such appointments not yet been made.

Live- stock officers have been appointed in the provinces served by Armstrong College, Bristol University, and Leeds University. The names of the persons appointed are as follows: Armstrong College, Mr. T. B. Schofield; Bristol University, Mr. William Nixon; Leeds University, Mr. Walter B. Crawford. A provisional appointment has been made by Reading College and has been submitted for the approval of the Board. Appointments have not yet been made by the Provinces served by Cambridge University, the Harper Adams College, the Midland College, the Seale Hayne College, and the South-Eastern College.

also asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he proposes to appoint two special inspectors of the Board to supervise the scheme for the improvement of live stock as administered by the provincial advisory councils; if so, when these appointments will be made; and whether he is in a position to state the names of the persons proposed to be appointed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The posts have been advertised, and applications will be accepted until Monday next, after which the qualifications of all candidates will have to be carefully considered; this will necessarily take a little time, but I hope to appoint the new inspectors early in September.

next asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the average price per perch at which land in the Forest of Dean has been sold by the Crown for building purposes during the last ten years; whether, in view of the demand for land for cottage building owing to colliery developments in that district and the inability of either the district councils or working miners to pay such prices as have hitherto been demanded by the Crown officials for this purpose, he has decided to reduce the price of building plots within the area of the forest; and, if so, in what localities and at what price will such plots be sold?

I am not able on such short notice to state the average price per perch at which land in the Forest of Dean has been sold by the Crown for building purposes during the last ten years. I am now negotiating with two of the Rural District Councils with a view to selling them sites for cottages at as low a price as is compatible with the provisions of the Crown Lands Acts, and in the event of there being any demand by working miners for such sites I should be willing to treat them in the same way. I am not yet in a position to say what the prices will be.

further asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Government factory for the manufacture of acetate of lime for conversion into acetone has yet been opened in the Forest of Dean; how much cordwood has been collected on the premises for conversion into this and other products by destructive distillation at the factory; how much of such cordwood will annually be required for the continuous working of the factory, and what particular species of wood are preferred for the purpose; and whether the whole of this wood can and will be supplied from the surrounding Crown properties, or whether any and, if any, what proportion will be obtained from outside sources?

The Wood Distillation Works in the Forest of Dean will, it is hoped, be opened this month. About 1,225 cords of wood have been collected at the works from the Crown forests. It is estimated that about 3,360 cords of wood will be required annually, and of this quantity about 2,000 cords will be obtained from the Crown woods, the remainder being obtained from outside sources. Oak and beech are specially suitable for the purpose in view.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of Nora M'Reevie, who was charged with, and found guilty of, in Dunoon Police Court, on 6th November, 1911, stealing articles of clothing alleged to belong to the Glasgow parish council; whether he is aware that the complete outfit of clothing, including the articles said to have been stolen, was sold to this girl by the Glasgow parish council for the sum of 38s., and that part of that sum had been paid by her before the date of the alleged theft; whether the parish council of Glasgow had requested the Burgh Fiscal of Dunoon to prosecute in this case, and that he did so only on account of the pressure thus brought to bear on him; whether, in these circumstances, the conviction against the girl can be allowed to stand; and what action he proposes to take to see justice done?

My attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. Friend. According to the infor- mation I have received, the facts of the case are not as stated in the question. No pressure of any kind was brought to bear on the Burgh Fiscal. The prosecution was undertaken after thorough investigation of all the circumstances. After evidence had been led the magistrate convicted the accused having before him all the facts. I have no power to take any action in this case.

asked the Secretary for Scotland why the figures for the Gaelic-speaking population for different parishes in Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, and Sutherland were given in Volume I. of the Census of 1911 and were not given in Volume II. for all the Scottish counties; and whether he can publish a Return showing the distribution of the 9,038 Gaelic-speaking persons in other counties, such information being required to enable the various churches to arrange for providing services in Gaelic, where required, and also useful for the provision of medical benefit?

I am not in a position to answer the Noble Lord's question, which only appeared on the Paper yesterday, without consulting the Registrar-General for Scotland, which I propose to do.

asked the Prime Minister if, before the House meets again, he will confer with the authorities of the House as to the possibility of placing the Official Reporter at the Table, so as to ensure the utmost possible degree of accuracy in the Official Reports of Debates?

I do not see any necessity for the change suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. It appears to me that the duties of the Official Reporter are adequately performed under the existing system.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the practitioners who carry out statutory vaccinations in Germany are required to issue a certificate of vaccination to the patient or parent, as the case may be; and whether he will consider the advisability of adopting a similar course of procedure in this country, with the view of minimising the number of those whose vaccinal condition is classified as doubtful when small-pox has proved fatal?

I understand that under the German vaccination law the doctor performing a vaccination is required to draw up a certificate stating the result. In England doctors performing successful vaccination are required to make out certificates for transmission to the vaccination officers. Parents can obtain duplicates of these certificates. I do not at present see that it is necessary to amend the law in this particular.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the correspondence with the guardians of the Brentford union in reference to the Reports of the Local Government Board inspectors, Mr. Roundell and Mr. Ekin, and the district auditor, Mr. Wilkinson; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in Brentford with the action of his inspectors; and whether he will supply the guardians with the information that they have asked for in their letter of the 24th June, 1913?

I am aware of the correspondence referred to, and of the attitude taken up by the guardians. There would, in my opinion, be no advantage at the present time in further detailed correspondence in the matter, and I think it would be better that Mr. Roundell should confer personally with the guardians as to future arrangements. The guardians have already been informed to this effect.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will circulate amongst the boards of guardians and principal Poor Law officers the Reoprt of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the Poor Law Orders; and whether he will invite expressions of opinion from the guardians and Poor Law officers in question before making any changes which may affect their status?

As the Report referred to has been published as a Parliamentary Paper, I hardly think it necessary to circulate it as suggested by the hon. Member. I understand that the Departmental Committee invited the assistance of the Association of Poor Law Unions, as well as the National Poor Law Officers' Association and other bodies representative of Poor Law officers, but I shall be happy to consider any expressions of opinion or suggestions from boards of guardians and Poor Law officers with respect to the draft Order prepared by the Committee.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will withhold his sanction from the new Draft Poor Law Institutions Order just issued in the first Report of the Departmental Committee appointed by him until the next Session of Parliament, in view of the importance of the issues involved and the need of affording opportunity for the discussion of the draft Order?

The two draft Orders suggested by the Departmental Committee are receiving my consideration. Some time must necessarily elapse before 1 shall be in a position to determine what action I shall take on the recommendations of the Committee, but I cannot promise definitely that no action will be taken until next Session. I will gladly consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend and others interested in the matter may send me, and shall be happy if I find myself able to adopt them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Brixham Urban District Council have entered into a contract with the Cadeby Main Colliery Company, Limited, for the supply of oil; whether he is aware that, although the ratepayer of a borough council has a legal right to inspect the minute-book of corporation proceedings, a ratepayer of an urban district council is not allowed to secure and disclose the terms of the oil contract made between the Cadeby Main Colliery Company and the Brigham Urban District Council; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I do not find that my attention has been called to the contract referred to, which does not require my approval. Under the provisions of Section 247 (4) of the Public Health Act, 1875, as applied to the accounts of an urban district council by Section 58 of the Local Government Act, 1894, a copy of the accounts, together will all contracts mentioned or referred to therein, is required to be deposited in the office of the council and to be open to the inspection of all persons interested for seven clear days before the audit, and all such persons are at liberty to take copies of or extracts from the same without fee or reward. Any extension of this provision would necessitate legislation.