asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any information to give the House as regards the protection and safety of British lives and property in Torreon and Mexico City?

I have no information on this point as regards Torreon. As regards Mexico City, the British Admiral in Mexican Waters has been authorised to send to the British Legation such arms as are necessary for the defence of British lives in a possible emergency.

Have any marines been landed?

I think not—certainly no force of marines in connection with Mexico City.

Where have they been landed?

I think no force has been landed anywhere.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is taking any steps to check the passing off in this country of imported chilled beef and mutton as British-killed meat; whether he is aware that the New Zealand Government appointed a produce agent, Mr. Henry Cameron, to look after the interests of New Zealand meat producers in this country; and whether he is aware that a number of successful prosecutions for passing off Argentine and other foreign meat resulted?

The answer to each part of the question is in the affirmative. Perhaps I may mention that within the last month convictions have been obtained by the Board under the Merchandise Marks Act in four cases in which Argentine meat was falsely described as British.

Are all those cases reported as being in the London area only, and is the right hon. Gentleman going to take any action as to other parts of the country?

I could not, without notice, give information as to individual cases.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the loss and hardship caused by the slaughter of swine in this country, he will conduct further inquiries as to the result of the serum treatment for swine fever in foreign countries, with a view to its adoption here in place of indiscriminate slaughter?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Second Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on Swine Fever published last week (Cd. 7247), he will see that the experiments made with serum in other countries have already been very carefully investigated on behalf of the Board. Similar experiments are to be made without delay on infected premises in this country, and at the same time the Board will continue to keep themselves regularly informed of any new developments abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) the total amount of money spent during the past twenty years to the end of 1913 in the attempt to stamp out swine fever; whether he can give any estimate of the cost to farmers; what measure of success has been obtained hitherto in stamping out swine fever; and what prospect there is, if any, of success on present lines; and (2) in view of the fact that in 1894 in the county of Wiltshire there was the highest record of outbreaks of swine fever, 256, and in 1908 the number of outbreaks were 227, in 1911 the, number of outbreaks were 210, and in 1912 the number of outbreaks were 219, whether he can state the total number in 1913; and whether, in view of the fact that there is practically no diminution due to the action of his Department during the last twenty years, he proposes to continue the existing restrictions, or adopt some other method of dealing with this epidemic in future?

It is impossible to say what proportion of the expenses incurred in the administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts can be assigned to work in connection with swine fever, or to estimate the amount of loss suffered by farmers. The number of outbreaks in Wiltshire during the year 1913 was 177. Although the total number of outbreaks in Great Britain last year was 2,573 as compared with 2,920 in 1912, the results of the Board's policy in dealing with swine fever have up to the present been disappointing, and the Departmental Committee, over which the hon. Member for the Rye Division presides, has agreed, after careful examination of all the available evidence, that experiments may now be tried with a serum treatment on infested premises. Arrangements have been made for carrying out these experiments without delay, but in view of the very uncertain results of similar experiments in other countries no general change in the Board's policy can be contemplated at present.

Considering the vast number of cases of swine fever and the expense of administration, would it not be possible to keep the expense of dealing with this disease separate from that in connection with other diseases of animals?

The expense incurred with reference to swine fever can be kept separate as far as compensation is concerned, but it is quite impossible to say how much of the expense of the salary of inspectors should be attributed to swine fever and how much should be attributed to other things.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, now that no further outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in Ireland for the past three weeks, if he will remove the restrictions against the removal of fat and store cattle from Ireland to the markets in Great Britain?

On Thursday evening, the 12th, the veterinary inspector in charge found very suspicious lesions in certain swine which were about to be slaughtered in the landing place at Birkenhead. An examination on Friday morning satisfied him as to his diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease. Moreover, that same morning he found undoubted evidence of the disease in seven cattle forming part of a separate cargo. The swine had been landed from Waterford on Sunday, the 8th; the cattle from Newry on Tuesday, the 10th. Later that day disease was discovered in ten cattle forming part of a cargo landed from Dundalk on Tuesday, the 10th. The vessel in which these cattle were carried returned to Ireland, and on Thursday, the 12th, landed swine from Dundalk which showed lesions of the disease when examined alive on Friday evening. On Friday evening and Saturday morning disease was discovered in animals forming parts of four other shipments, namely, three arriving on the 10th from Belfast, Dublin, and Waterford, and one arriving on the 12th from Dublin. This cargo came on the same-vessel as that which arrived on the 10th. The existence of foot-and-mouth disease in these cargoes has been confirmed by the Board's assistant veterinary officer. Whether disease was actually carried from each of those five ports can only be finally determined after full inquiry in Ireland. In these circumstances I have had no alternative but to prohibit the landing in Great Britain of animals from Ireland for the present, and it may be well to state that under the most favourable circumstances there is no possibility of the trade being resumed for, at the very least, a fortnight from to-day. Much will depend on the success of the Irish Department in locating the centre or centres of disease, but even when this has been done an interval of time must be allowed to elapse, as a matter of precaution, before shipments of animals for slaughter at the port can be resumed. The earliest possible information will be given to the House when any modification of the Order can be made and due warning will be given to traders. In the meantime I can only express my profound regret at the unfortunate predicament which has arisen and assure hon. Members that it will be my endeavour to alleviate the position so far as it is in my power to do so consistently with safeguarding the interests of stock owners in this country. I need hardly, perhaps, add that every possible precaution is being taken to prevent the escape of the disease from the Birkenhead landing place.

Is it not a fact that after making careful inquiry throughout Ireland at the different ports where these animals were shipped and on the different farms from which the animals came no trace of the disease has been discovered?

I think that question ought to be addressed to the Vice-President of the Irish Department of the Board of Agriculture.

May I ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will make a statement giving us any other information?

I propose to make any statement I have to make after Questions. I do not think it would toe right to intervene now.

In view of the alarm which his statement will cause to British herd owners, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the inspection of the five ports of embarkation is adequate?

The inspection of the five Irish ports has been better done during the last few months than ever before.

Can the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) give the House any information as to foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland at present?

I think I had better read to the House a telegram I have received from the Department as to the actual facts in Ireland:— 15th February, 1914. Following are results of Department's investigations so far in relation to Birkenhead outbreak. A telegram will be sent to-morrow morning giving additional particulars reported by then. As Board are aware from previous telegram to-day, Department have information regarding six shipments only out of the eight in which Hoard state disease has appeared. Newry Shipment (Collins's).—Eight cattle have been traced to farms and all in-contacts examined and found healthy. The remaining thirteen cattle in same cargo shipped by William Reilly, Carlingford, have also been all located and in-contacts examined and found healthy. The two swine and twelve sheep of same cargo have been located, and the animals in eon-taut, except in the case of two of the sheep, have been examined and found healthy. Report regarding remaining in-contacts expected shortly. Waterford Shipment.—The lot of sixty swine amongst which the six cases of disease appeared have been traced. Fifty-seven of these were purchased from numerous owners at Athenry Fair and three at Roscommon, but it is now known that the disease did not appear among this latter three. The fifty-seven are being traced, but, owing to obvious difficulties of investigation in this case, tracing will take some time. With the fifty-seven from Athenry was another pig, which, being overfatigued at Waterford, was not shipped. This animal is still at Waterford and is healthy. Dundalk First Shipment (shipped on 9th instant).— Casey's twenty cattle have all been located and all in-contacts found healthy. Dundalk Second Shipment (shipped on 11th instant).—Tracing in this case somewhat hampered owing to Department not having at first received from Birkenhead particulars of actual lots of swine amongst which the disease appeared, but it has now been ascertained that the consignors of such lots obtained them at fairs in Loughrea and Cavan. Tracing in these cases will also occupy some time. There were thirty swine intended for shipment to Flood, one of the consignees, which were in contact with others shipped for him among which the disease appeared. These thirty swine are still in the Dundalk inspection yard. They are all healthy. Belfast Shipment.—All Keenan's cattle have been located and the in-contacts are being inspected to-day. Dublin Shipment per steamship 'Carlow.'—Tracing in progress so far as particulars yet available regarding lots in which animals found affected. As regards general position no reports are coming to hand of any supposed cases either in scheduled district, or elsewhere, although all veterinary surgeons, and the police also, as well as officers of the Department throughout the country, including agricultural inspectors and the inspectors of local authorities, were circularised to be on the alert to secure prompt notification of any possible cases of foot-and-mouth disease. The telegram simply means that, although these cases have undoubtedly broken out at the landing-stage at Birkenhead, we cannot find the slightest trace of disease up to the present in Ireland.

Is it not the right hon. Gentleman's opinion that the landing-stage at Birkenhead is infected and not in Ireland?

Whoever is to answer that question, it is evident it is not me.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's statement that he has imposed no restriction on movement whatever of these in-contact stock, which are for the time being apparently healthy?

Yes, Sir, in every case restrictions have been imposed.

asked if the President of the Board of Agriculture will state what is the extent of the land at present used for deer forests in Scotland which has been reported by the Highlands and Islands Commission to be fit for arable purposes; and what is the total number of persons employed on land at present used for deer forests?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. In answer to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the Report, dated 1895, of the Royal Commission (Highlands and Islands, 1892) and the series of statistics shewing the acreage of deer forests in 1883, 1898, 1904, and 1908, which will be found summarised in the Deer Forests Return, No. 220 of 1908, together with the later information contained in the Deer Forests and Sporting Lands (Scotland) Return, No. 538 of 1913. I have no information as to the total number of persons employed on deer forests.

In view of the important statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer lately, may I ask whether it is not advisable that we should have later information than 1905?

The last information is 1913.

In reply to the first part of my question, may I ask whether he has any information later than 1905?

The last information is 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to replace the inspectors under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts, 1877 and 1907, until recently employed by the Kent County Council, by similar officials appointed by the Board; whether the Board advocate and are prepared to adopt this policy throughout England and Wales; and how many such officials are now employed by the Board?

The Board have recently appointed an additional sub-inspector in their Horticulture Branch for the purposes of the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts. Further appointments of the same class will shortly be made with a view to the more effective and uniform administration of those Acts throughout England and Wales.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman proposes to make a Board Inspectorate for this purpose throughout the whole country?

It would be difficult, in reply to a question, to give a full description of our organisation, but I hope to so arrange the administration of the Destructive Insects and Pests Act that it will cover the whole country.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he will state, approximately, what was the amount expended in 1913 upon the administration of the Tuberculosis Order, 1913, in England and Wales; whether it amounts to more than three times the aggregate sum paid by way of compensation under this Order; whether, seeing that less than £2,000 has been expended by the Board upon compensation out of a total Exchequer Grant at the rate of £60,000 per annum, the balance of such Grant will be remitted to the Treasury or will continue to be available for the above purpose; and when he expects to be able to state the result of his negotiations with the Treasury in respect of a revision of the basis of valuation and the scale of compensation prescribed in the Order?

The collection of the material required to enable me to give a precise answer to the first and second parts of the question would involve correspondence with every local authority in the country, and would take a considerable time. But from the information in the possession of the Board it is evident that the administrative expenses have substantially exceeded the amount of compensation paid under the Tuberculosis Order during the year 1913. The Board have made representations to the Treasury on this point, but I cannot say when a decision may be arrived at. Any unexpended balance from the Board's Estimates at the end of the financial year will, in the usual course, be surrendered to the Treasury.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state to what use he proposes to put the site of the present Calton Gaol; and whether he has secured the necessary sanction of the Lord Provost, magistrates, and council of Edinburgh for such use of the site?

The site of the Calton Gaol has not yet been acquired by the Commissioners of Works. If so acquired, the present intention is to use it for the erection of offices for Public Departments. The First Commissioner is advised that the sanction of the Town Council of Edinburgh to any building scheme on the site is not necessary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the City Council of Edinburgh has, at any rate, rights in regard to the nature of the structure1?

Is the site to be acquired from the Corporation of Edinburgh, or who is it to be acquired from?

The site in question is at present in the occupation of the Prison Commission, for whom the Office of Works have no responsibility. After the site has been transferred to the Office of Works, then they will accept responsibility for it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been directed officially to the state of affairs now obtaining in the schools under the control of the county council of Herefordshire; if so, what action has been taken in the matter; and what further steps, if any, the Board propose to take to bring about a settlement of the present dispute between the local education authority and the teachers?

My attention has been directed to the matter in connection with official correspondence, and I need hardly say that I have watched with grave concern the development of the dispute between the local education authority in the county of Herefordshire and a large number of teachers in their service. My intervention has not been invited by the local education authority, and I have no power to intervene except in particular cases where the provisions of the Code are violated, or where it is shown that the local education authority have failed to maintain and keep efficient the public elementary schools in their area, or where a question has arisen between the local education authority and the managers of voluntary schools which is referred to the Board for determination. I have, however, both officially and personally, intimated the willingness of the Board to use their good offices to further a settlement of the dispute. I have reason to hope that the last word has not been said on either side, and I am hopeful that the negotiations which are now pro-feeding will lead to an early settlement.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that of the adult teachers employed in schools under his Department there are 858 paid under £25 as full salary for full-time employment for a whole year, 4,872 less than £35 a year, and 10,434 less than £45 a year; and whether he will approach the Board of Trade to have a wages board set up to deal with these sweated labour conditions, or will endeavour to have these teachers, who are expected to keep up a certain standard of dress and appearance, included in the proposed minimum wages proposals for rural labourers?

The figures quoted by the hon. Member appear to be taken from Table 173 of the Board's Statistical Volume, Part II., for 1909–10, relating to the salaries of women supplementary teachers in England. I regret that more recent figures are not available, but I may mention that the total number of women supplementary teachers has declined since the date of this Table from 15,732 to 13,473. I am not prepared to take the action suggested in the second part of the question, but it is my hope that one of the results of the legislation which I propose will be to improve the remuneration of the teaching profession.

Would that legislation contemplate the abolishing of these and not engaging any more?

I do not think I can add anything in reply to a supplementary question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman furnish a Return showing the places and conditions under which the teachers referred to in the question are now employed?

If the hon. Gentleman will put a form on the Paper showing the character of the Return, I will certainly look into it and see if I can do so.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state what number of students finished their course as pupil teachers and qualified as assistant teachers in each year from 1900 to 1904, inclusive; what annual number of students who intend qualifying as teachers is considered sufficient to provide an adequate supply; and what number entered this year?

The number of candidates who had been pupil teachers and who qualified for recognition as assistant teachers by passing the King's Scholarship Examination was:—1901, 9,010; 1902, 9,584; 1903, 11,050; 1904, 10,397. Figures for 1900 are not available. The figures for each year do not represent a net addition to the stock of assistant teachers, since some of the successful candidates in each year had already passed the examination and taken up service, while others went direct to training colleges. It is difficult to give an exact answer to the second part of the question, but it is probable that, apart from other sources of supply, at least 8,500 bursars and pupil teachers should be recruited annually, merely to keep the staff of qualified teachers at their present numbers. The number of bursars and pupil teachers recognised for the first time since the 31st July, 1913, is 5,132. In addition, a few applications are still under consideration.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to stop this shortage of the teachers, which is causing inconvenience and trouble?

I have been in communication with almost every local education authority, and the local education authorities are now considering schemes. Some schemes have been already approved, and that, to some extent, will reduce the shortage.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will say how many claims have been made upon the National Insurance Commissioners for a refund or credit of stamps placed on lost cards; and what proportion of claims have been allowed, and what is the value of the stamps in the cases where the claims have been refused?

Claims for allowance in respect of lost cards have been admitted in 601 cases, but some of these claims included more than one card. No record has been kept of the number of claims disallowed, nor of the value of the stamps stated to have been lost, and it would be impossible at this date to compile a complete statement. Even an approximate calculation would involve much more clerical labour than would be justified in the interests of the public service.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is going to happen to the money?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give further notice of that question.

asked how many voluntary contributors there now are; and how many have joined owing to the extension of time for joining granted by the National Insurance Act (1911) Amendment Act, 1913?

The number of voluntary contributors in the United Kingdom at the latest date for which figures are available was 21,165. This number does not include persons who have taken advantage of Section 2 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1913, since many approved societies have not yet, forwarded to the Commissioners all their contribution cards for the quarter ending on the 12th October, 1913.

asked why approved societies are not being allowed a greater rate of interest than 3¼ per cent, per annum on moneys remaining in the hands of the Commissioners; whether it is possible safely to invest money at the present time to produce over 4 per cent, interest; and whether he is aware of the waste arising on the large National Insurance funds in the hands of the Commissioners, because they are being invested at a low rate of interest in funds authorised as investments under the Savings Bank Act, 1863?

The rate of interest has been fixed in the first instance at 3¼ per cent., because it was not thought that a higher rate could prudently be allowed until further experience has been gained of the terms upon which investments can be made. The rate will be varied from time to time as the state of the income account of the investment fund permits. The limitation of the powers of investment in respect of these funds (for the custody of which the Government is responsible) to Parliamentary securities is imposed by Section 54 (3) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, and follows the usual practice of Parliament in regard to such funds.

Is the hon. Member aware that in the past the friendly societies found perfectly safe investments for money at 4¼ per cent.?

That may be so, but as I have said, the rate of interest may be varied when further circumstances are known.

asked what the Scottish Commissioners were doing to hasten the decision of the Court relating to share fishermen; whether he is aware that inconvenience will arise when the decision is made in consequence of arrears now accruing in respect of persons whom the Court may decide to be compulsorily insurable, or in consequence of persons now paying contributions who the Court may decide are not compulsorily insurable; and that the invenience is being increased by the delay which has now extended over about twelve months?

My right hon. Friend is informed that no avoidable delay has taken place in this matter. Until, however, a decision has been given, the second and third parts of the hon. Member's question cannot arise.

Will the contributions be refunded in the case of persons decided not to be insured?

I think it would be better to wait until the decision of the Court is given before any further answer is made.

asked when the Report of the Departmental Committee on excessive sickness under the National Insurance Act is expected to be ready?

The Committee are still taking evidence, and my right hon. Friend has no knowelge when they will complete their labours.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the composition and full terms of reference of the Committee which he has appointed to inquire into excessive sickness; whether the evidence taken by that Committee will be laid before Parliament, together with its report; and when is it expected that this information will be available?

The details asked for in the first part of the question will be circulated with the Votes. My right hon. Friend cannot fix the date when the Committee will report. Evidence will, of course, be published in addition to the report.—[ See Written Answers this date. ]

Do I understand that the terms of reference will be circulated?

The terms of reference and names of the members will be circulated.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the actuarial expectation of claims in several women's approved societies is. being exceeded; whether, as a consequence, deficiencies are probable after the first valuation; and whether this will entail a reduction of benefits or levies in such societies, or whether the Government propose to come to the assistance of those societies?

It is impossible to say, in the case of women members of approved societies, whether the actuarial expectation has been exceeded until the age distribution and the condition of the members as to marriage has been ascertained, and also until the accounts of the societies have, been made up so as to show their actual experience for at least the first year of benefits. Information on the first head is now being forwarded by the societies to the offices of the Commissions in connection with the crediting of reserve values. Full information on the second head will not be available until the accounts of the societies have been audited. Meanwhile, the Departmental Committee, as the hon. Member is aware, is inquiring into the allegations that excessive claims are being made in respect of women's as well as men's societies.

When will the accounts be audited?

The accounts for a complete year cannot be audited until a complete year has terminated.

asked whether Section 7 of the National Insurance Act, 1913, is being interpreted by the Insurance Commissioners as having retrospective operation, and thus exonerating all insured persons who were prior to the Act in arrear in payment of the employer's contribution during unemployment from such payment; and, if so, whether, seeing, that such effect was not contemplated during the passage of the Bill through this House, it is proposed to remedy the injustice thereby inflicted upon thrifty persons who prior thereto, and often at great sacrifice, paid up their arrears in full, and to make good the financial loss suffered by societies in writing down the book value of their outstanding arrears by three-sevenths in the case of men and half in the case of women by a special Grant from the Exchequer?

The Commissioners are advised that the clear effect of Section 7 of the Act of 1913 is that an employed contributor can pay off at the reduced rate all arrears which have accrued since July 15th, 1913; and they are not aware that Parliament contemplated any other effect in enacting the Section. No financial loss has been or can be suffered by societies in respect of arrears contracted after July, 1913, and not paid up in full. Whore such arrears are redeemed by payment of the member's own share, the society concerned will have the contingent light to the Grant from the Sinking Fund or the Exchequer conferred by Sub-section (2) of Section 7 of the Act of 1913, and where such arrears are not so redeemed the loss to the society will be made good by the equivalent reduction, postponement or suspension of benefits directed to be made by Section 8 of the same Act.

asked what prosecutions have been instituted in the city of Nottingham, and with what results, for breaches of the provisions of the National Insurance Act?

Proceedings have been instituted in one case in the area referred to, and resulted in a conviction.

Will the hon. Gentleman instruct the insurance committee to abstain from prosecutions which are locally regarded as persecution?

The Insurance Commissioners are the prosecutors in these cases, and the fine amounted to two shillings.

My question is, Whether the Insurance Commissioners may be instructed to abstain from these prosecutions on the ground that they are regarded as cruel persecutions?

Can the hon. Gentleman see whether he could not make Nottingham a kind of city of refuge?

asked whether the examination of accounts of approved societies and branches to ascertain whether they show any deficiency in administration account has been completed; whether any such deficiency has yet been shown; and, if so, in how many cases and how it is proposed to deal with it?

Societies are themselves responsible for ascertaining whether there is a deficiency in their administration account, and, where there is, for removing it either in other ways, or, as a last resort, by a levy upon the members. If any society neglected this duty the fact would in due course be reported by the auditors to the Commissioners. No cases have, however, yet been reported, as in no case can any society have been under an obligation to enforce a levy payable before the end of the current month.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to a recent case in which a deposit contributor under the National Insurance Act has been turned out of a sanatorium in Hampshire because his contributions were exhausted and before his cure was effected; if there have been other similar cases; and if some arrangements can be made to secure the benefit of continuous sanatorium benefit to deposit contributors?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has not previously been called to the case referred to; but if the hon. Member will furnish him with particulars he will be glad to inquire into it.

asked whether a contributor from whom contributions are not payable owing to unemployment may pay up contributions at 4d. a week so as to complete the 104 weeks waiting period and qualify for disablement benefit?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the unemployment is due to sickness, is the answer still in the affirmative?

If the unemployment is due to sickness, the person is not accumulating arrears, being in receipt of sickness benefit.

asked how many approved societies or branches of approved societies have ceased to carry on business under the National Insurance Acts, and for what causes?

My right hon. Friend is obtaining the information desired by the hon. Member, and will communicate with him.

asked how many members of approved societies were, at any recent date, in arrear with their contributions for periods exceeding twelve weeks a year on the average since entering insurance?

The information asked for is not available, and could not be obtained without requiring all societies and branches to undertake the serious work of making a detailed examination of their registers and furnishing special returns, which would be of no value for any administrative purpose, either of their own or of the Commissioners.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many persons were in receipt of old age pensions according to the latest figures available in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland respectively?

The number of pensions payable on the last Friday in December, 1913, the latest date for which figures are available, was as follows:—

asked what were the old ground rents upon the Crown property in Regent Street; and what are the new ground rents now asked for by the Crown for a renewal of lease, together with the building requirements?

The old ground rents of Crown property in Regent Street (a street formed and sewered entirely at the cost of the Crown) are not uniform. The rents obtained on new lettings are based on the present value of the land as certified by the Crown Surveyor in accordance with the provisions of the Land Revenue Acts, and vary according to the position of the site, the relative amount of frontage to back land included in the letting, and other circumstances. A general reply to the question is not therefore practicable. As re-lettings are effected, full information including both old and new rents are given with Commissioners of Woods' reports to Parliament, but if the hon. Member desires further information as to any particular case it can probably be furnished. On re-lettings in Regent Street rebuilding has usually been necessary to meet modern requirements and has been carried out by the lessee as part of the arrangement for re-letting.

May I ask whether the increase of rent is based in any case on the goodwill of the tenant?

No, we try to avoid assessing the goodwill of the tenant as far as possible, and I understand the Crown surveyor does not take that into account.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the average percentage of increases?

If I gave an average like a great many other percentage calculations it would be totally misleading.

In view of the widespread interest in this subject among Members of his own party, will the right hon. Gentleman issue a White Paper giving this information?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, since the Prorogation on the 15th August, 1913, a petition, numerously signed by Members of the House of Lords, has been presented to His Majesty, praying His Majesty forthwith to dissolve this Parliament; and, if so, whether he will give the full text of that petition and a complete list of the signatures attached thereto?

May I ask whether, when considering that petition, due weight was given to the fact that not one of those 180 Gentlemen who signed the petition is affected by a dissolution of Parliament, or by any dissolution except death?

I am afraid I shall not answer the supplementary question, for a reason which will be perfectly clear when I answer the original question. I have not seen or heard of any such petition.

asked the Postmaster - General whether the non-established portion of the engineering staff employed by the Post Office have to stand off during inclement weather; and whether he can take steps to remedy the hardship thus involved to the poorest section of Post Office workmen?

The general rule is that all possible opportunity should be given for the making up of time lost by construction gangs on account of bad weather, and even when this is not possible the men are paid for the lost time if they are working away from their headquarters and are in receipt of lodging allowances. The rule was explained to the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, who recommended that no change should be made.

asked whether any new contract or arrangement has been entered into with the Cunard Company in reference to the American mails; and, if so, what it is; and whether it provides for the inclusion of the call at Queenstown as originally provided?

An arrangement has been concluded with the Cunard Company under which, commencing on the 28th of this month, the Cunard packets will leave Liverpool every Saturday at 2.30 p.m., instead of at 5 p.m. as at present, and will proceed to New York direct, without calling at Queenstown.

Is the right hon. Gen-man aware that this is, in fact, a new contract with the company; and has this contract been entered into with the company without the sanction of the House of Commons?

No; no new contract has been entered into. A variation of the old contract has been made, but inasmuch as it imposes no new charge upon the public it was not actually necessary to lay it before the House. If, however, the House desires to see that variation, the nature of which I have stated in my reply, I shall be happy to lay it before the House.

Was this proceeding the act of the right hon. Gentleman or of the late Postmaster-General? Has the right hon. Gentleman taken the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown on the point of its being a new contract?

As I have been Postmaster-General only three or four days, it was clearly the act of my predecessor, who took the opinion of the Law Officers upon the point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of entrusting the transmission of Irish mails to the White Star Company, in view of the fact that their steamers are engaged in a weekly service between Liverpool and New York via Queenstown?

Some of the Irish mails are entrusted to the White Star Company, which company, in respect of one of their ships—the "Olympic"—find exactly the same difficulty as the Cunard Company—namely, that it is dangerous for that ship, having regard to its size, and particularly its length and depth, to enter the harbour at all.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what respect Queenstown Harbour is more unsafe now than it was when the Cunard Company entered into the contract?

The date at which the contract was made was 1903, and these two big ships—the "Lusitania" and the "Mauretania"—have been built since that time. As their size could hardly have been anticipated then, it is clear that a very considerable change in the circumstances has taken place, and it is that change which necessitates the abandonment of Queenstown.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the White Star "Arabic" entered Queenstown Harbour yesterday and left with perfect safety for Boston, and that the Cunard liner "Carmania" refused to enter?

I was not aware of the actual circumstances of the two ships; but it is the "Olympic," of the White Star Line, which is unable to enter Queenstown, and the "Olympic," under the terms of contract, is one of the vessels that is bound to carry the mails.

Why did not the "Carmania" enter the harbour yesterday when the White Star liner "Arabic" entered and discharged the mails?

There is 5,000 tons between them.

I have not had the opportunity of comparing the two vessels, but if a question is put down I will look into it.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that certain places in London, under the denomination of clubs, are carrying on what is essentially a restaurant business and are in a position to keep open and trade without any restriction as to the hours of closing; and whether he will take into consideration the adoption of measures to ensure that hotels and restaurants, which are called upon to pay substantial licence duties and to conform to regulations as regards closing their premises, shall not be prejudiced and suffer disadvantage through this form of competition?

There has been in recent years a development in London of establishments known as supper clubs, the purpose of which is no doubt partly to supply food and entertainment to their members at an hour when licensed premises are closed. The Commissioner of Police informs me that these clubs have a legitimate membership and comply with the statutory requirements concerning clubs; but I shall, of course, consider the representations which I understand are to be made to me on the whole subject.

asked whether a warrant has been issued for the arrest of C. E. Fenner, an undischarged bankrupt; and whether the Government have taken any steps to ascertain his whereabouts and to secure his arrest or extradition?

A warrant was issued on 24th December last, on the application of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for the arrest of this bankrupt on a criminal charge. When he was traced by the police to an address in Paris, I applied through the Foreign Office for his arrest, which was effected a few days ago; and steps are now being taken to obtain his extradition.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent the landing in the United Kingdom as undesirable immigrants of all or any of the Labour leaders who have been deported from the Union of South Africa in the steamship "Umgeni"?

No, Sir; there are no steps which I have any power to take for the purpose.

Is it not a fact that one or more of these deported alien labour leaders is an alien, and, as such, comes under the powers which the right hon. Gentleman possesses?

I thought that one was an alien, but my right hon. Friend (the Colonial Secretary) now tells me that the presumed alien has stated that he is a naturalised British subject.

How did he inform him?

asked the Home Secretary if he can make any statement to the House as to the date of the landing in this country of the men deported from South Africa, the port of debarkation, and the legal position of Dr. Poutsma, being a Hollander, and Robert Burns Waterson, an Australian?

I am not aware of any restrictions applicable to the landing in the United Kingdom of any of the men in question; and I have no information in regard to the date or port of their arrival.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in certain petty sessional divisions it is a practice for justices of the peace to charge a fee for the signing of a declaration under the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835, even when acting away from the Court, and to hand such fee afterwards to the clerk to the magistrates; whether he is aware that the handling of money by the magistrates under such circumstances is illegal; and whether he will notify clerks-to the justices to that effect?

A justice of the peace has not, so far as I am aware, any authority to charge a fee for taking a statutory declaration; nor is a justice's clerk entitled to the fees allowed in the prescribed table, except in respect of services actually rendered. I am advised, therefore, that, if not actually illegal, it would be most unbecoming for a justice to receive a fee for taking a statutory declaration for the purpose of handing it over to a justice's clerk who was not present and took no part in the matter. I have no reason to suppose that such a practice as my hon. Friend suggests is prevalent; but if he will bring any case to my notice I will make inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether any and, if any, what principle is applied to the differential treatment of suffragist prisoners, several of whom have been released within a few days of being sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, whilst Miss Rachel Peace, alias Short, who was sentenced on 15th November to eighteen months' hard labour for a similar offence, was forcibly fed in November, December, and January, and is still undergoing sentence?

Since the passing of the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act, the general rule has been to release under the Act those prisoners who have refused food to the point of endangering their health, if the offences were of a minor character, or if they were not likely to repeat their offences while at large; but, in accordance with my definite statement in the Debate on the Second Reading of the Bill, I have not released under the Act persons who were guilty of arson, or other serious outrages, and whose fixed determination to repeat such crimes rendered them a danger to the community. It is true that in one case where a prisoner was able to reject all the food given her, and in another case which was complicated by appendicitis, I have found it necessary to use the Act in the case even of determined criminals; but there was no such exceptional necessity in Rachel Peace's case. She had been guilty of arson, and her demeanour before the justices and at her trial showed that she was prepared to repeat her offence; and I have therefore been unable to release her. If she will promise not to commit further crimes, I should be glad to advise the remission of her sentence.

asked why Miss Rachael Peace, alias Short, was forcibly fed on remand before trial, and whilst, therefore, presumed to be innocent in the eye of the law of the offence with which she was charged?

The justices had refused to admit this prisoner to bail, as they had reason to believe that if at liberty she would commit offences similar to that with which she was charged. For the same reason I should not have been justified, unless it were absolutely necessary to save her life, in ordering her release, under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act.

May the House be quite assured that there has been no differential treatment of any of these prisoners arising from social position or anything of that kind?

Yes, most certainly. I have proceeded in every case upon the principles which I have definitely stated in this House.

asked the Home Secretary whether he authorised Mr. Marshall Hall, K.C., to inform Miss Zelie Emmerson, a witness against the police in a recent case, that Scotland Yard was arranging for her deportation; and whether, as such a statement was calculated to prejudice the jury against the witness, he will make a searching inquiry into the facts of the case so as to prevent any recurrence?

I understand that Mr. Marshall Hall was informed by the solicitor instructing him that on the last occasion when Miss Emmerson was charged with an offence, instructions were given that, in the event of her conviction, the magistrate's attention should be drawn to the fact that she is an alien with a view to his recommending her for expulsion if he thought fit to do so. If any objection were to be taken to Mr. Marshall Hall's question, it should have been taken at the time by the counsel who called Miss Emmerson as a witness, and the chairman could then have dealt with the matter. It is entirely outside my province to inquire into such a matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a memorial from the National Canine Defence League, signed by 5,480 persons, protesting against the appointment of Sir John Rose Bradford as a member of the advisory body under the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1876; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action thereon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second, in the negative. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on this matter in the course of a debate in this House on 18th March last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has reinstated Mr. Taylor in the Post Office service; and, if so, for what reason he has now taken that course?

The Noble Lord is mistaken if he thinks that Mr. Taylor was ever dismissed from the Post Office service. He was reduced in rank by my predecessor in order to mark his disapproval of certain actions which Mr. Taylor had taken, and his opinion was that sufficient time has elapsed to justify restoration to his former rank, but not to his former seniority on the occurrence of a vacancy.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have considered the Report of the Select Committee on London Traffic which was presented last Session; and whether they propose to take steps in the present Session for establishing some adequate authority for the regulation of such traffic?

asked the Prime Minister if the Government has considered the recommendations made by the Select Committee on Motor Traffic for further securing public safety in the streets of the Metropolitan area; if, in view of the urgency of the matter, the Government intends to introduce and press forward proposals for dealing with such of the recommendations as require legislative sanction; whether legislation will be necessary to establish a special traffic branch of the Board of Trade on the lines sug- gested; and if it is proposed to take the necessary steps with that object in the present Session?

The matter is receiving the careful consideration of the various Departments concerned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the House will be given an opportunity of discussing the report?

I cannot say-that; perhaps my hon. Friend will give notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of the second question?

The matter is under consideration by the Departments, and I would rather not give an answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a special day for the discussion of affairs in Somaliland?

An opportunity will arise when the Supplementary Estimates are submitted to the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman grant at least half a day for discussion?

We will give adequate time, certainly.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint an early day to discuss the grievances of postal servants and the findings of the Holt Committee and the decision of the Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant some time for a discussion on the Report of the Post Office Committee, or whether there is to be a Supplementary Estimate on which a discussion of this matter could be taken at an early date?

I cannot yet say whether it will be possible to give time for a discussion of this matter. There, will be no Supplementary Estimate for the Post Office.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the extraordinary amount of unrest and dissatisfaction that exists in the fact that no discussion has taken place in this House, and that Members of Parliament are being asked to assist in having such a discussion?

I will take all that into account.

asked the Prime Minister whether there has been overspending to the extent of several millions beyond the Naval Estimates voted last year and, if so, upon which Votes; and whether the Estimates Committee will be reappointed at once and the subject of this overspending referred to them for examination and report before the Supplementary Vote is taken?

A Supplementary Estimate will be required this year, and will be fully explained when presented.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the firm of Messrs. Gwynne, engineers, Hammersmith, has a contract with the Admiralty; if so, whether he is aware that the labourers employed by this firm receive from 17s. to 24s. per week, trimmers from 24s. to 20s., and crane drivers from 24s. to 26s. per week, whereas the respective minima fixed with other firms are 27s., 28s., and 30s.; and whether he will make, inquiries into the matter in order to secure due observation of the Fair Wages Clause?

Messrs. Gwynne have work in hand for the Admiralty, and inquiries will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the investigations into the complaint that the British Portland Cement Manufacturers and the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers were not observing the Fair-Wages Clause have yet been completed; if so, will he state the result; whether he is aware that attention was first drawn to this matter nearly twelve months ago; and whether any decision come to will be retrospective?

The investigations referred to by my hon. Friend are nearly completed, and I hope to state the result very shortly. I should add that the work of giving a decision in this case is one of considerable difficulty, and communications have had to be made with a number of firms and employers, as well as with the Board of Trade. With regard to the last part of the question, I should prefer at this juncture not to prejudge the decision which may be come to.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give a definite answer next week?

Next, week is but a short time away.

In two weeks?

Yes, perhaps.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will grant compensation to those fishermen who have damaged their boats through colliding with the wreck buoy placed to mark the sunken battleship "Empress of India," and who have lost their gear or a portion of it owing to their nets getting foul of the wreck itself?

Compensation will be granted for any ascertained damage to boats or gear sustained prior to the establishment of a lighted buoy, for which arrangements have been made, provided that the damage was not due to contributory negligence on the part of the fishermen themselves.

May I send the right hon. Gentleman evidence of the damage sustained?

I shall be very glad to consider it.

Will contributory negligence be alleged as a matter of course?

No; not as a matter of course. I shall have to examine the circumstances.

Is it not admitted that owing to the darkness the fishermen cannot see the buoy?

I hope I shall not be asked for a definition here and now of contributory negligence; the men will now, as always, be treated fairly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this buoy is a very serious danger to navigation and to vessels plying between Portsmouth and Rye, and that there is great danger of breaking their propellors, though the attention of the Admiralty has been drawn to the matter?

I will look into the matter.