asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many ships of all classes, built and building for the Navy, are fitted or to be fitted for burning oil fuel only; how many ships are fitted or are to be fitted for burning oil and coal; what are the names of the vessels under each specification; and what is the maximum oil capacity for each ship?

Figures relating to the oil capacity of His Majesty's ships of war are confidential, and could not be disclosed without injury to naval interests. I will circulate the lists of ships asked for with the Votes. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he can inform the House as to the price of oil fuel for the Navy in 1910 and at the present time, and the additional payment for freight in each year?

As I informed the Noble Lord on the 10th February last year, it would not be in the interests of the public service or in accordance with Admiralty practice to give details of contracts or charges; but I may say that, taking price and freight charges together, the cost of oil fuel is now approximately double what it was in 1910.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has caused any experiments to be conducted for the extraction of oil fuel from coal or shale, or caused any inquiries to be made as to the comparative cost of oil extraction by any of the processes now being adopted by commercial concerns?

The Admiralty have made some experimental extractions on a small scale of oil from certain shales in the United Kingdom, and the various commercial processes for extracting oil from coal and shale are being watched with the keenest interest. It is not practicable to give any comparative details, as much experimental work is still being done.

asked what sums have been spent by the Admiralty in providing oil depots and other works for the use of oil in the fleet; how many vessels have been fitted for burning oil fuel exclusively, or for burning either oil or coal; and what is the annual consumption and value of oil fuel already reached?

The list of vessels fitted for burning oil fuel exclusively or for burning oil and coal, will be circulated with the Votes in reply to the Question No. 1 asked to-day by the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth. I propose to deal fully with the question of oil fuel when I make my statement on introducing the Navy Estimates; but I am advised that it would not be consistent with the public interest to give the details asked for in my hon. Friend's question.

Did I rightly understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the extraction of oil from shale is still in the experimental stage?

I think that that supplementary question should have been put after a preceding question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there have been any developments abroad in the last six months leading the Board to alter its view that after the beginning of 1916 the Empire will be three battleships short of its absolutely required strength owing to the rejection of the Canadian Naval Aid Bill; and, if not, what ships are proposed to meet the shortage which will exist from that time onward?

asked what was the date by which it was originally anticipated that the ships to be contributed by Canada for the Navy would be available for service; what would have been the total number of battleships and cruisers at that time if the Canadian Parliament had agreed to the proposed arrangements; what will be the probable number of such ships available at the date in question; and if, in view of his statements as to the importance of these vessels for Imperial purposes, he will state what steps will be taken to remedy the shortage or the reasons which now make it unnecessary to replace the Canadian ships?

I do not propose to anticipate the full statement which it will be my duty to make to the House when the Estimates are presented.

Has the right hon. Gentleman altered his view that without the three Canadian ships we shall have three ships short in 1916 with the acceleration in other programmes?

I do not propose to anticipate the full statement which it will be my duty to make to the House when the Estimates are presented.

May I ask whether the House is to attribute the vagueness of the right hon. Gentleman's reply to the statement made recently by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to newspaper reporters?

asked whether the shipbuilding programmes outlined in the House in 1912 and 1913 specifically excluded such ships as it might be necessary to build in consequence of new developments in the Mediterranean; whether both Italy and Austria have decided to begin work this year upon new programmes involving in each case the construction of four additional battleships; and what action it is proposed to take to meet these new developments?

I cannot anticipate the statement which it will be my duty to make to the House when the Estimates are presented.

May I again supplement my question by asking the right hon. Gentleman if he still recognises the necessity of meeting the increased programme of Italy and Austria by increasing our own programme?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Germany will possess twenty-eight completed "Dreadnoughts" in 1917; whether, in that case, forty-two British vessels of that type will be required to give us the minimum superiority of three to two in Home waters which he has stated to be necessary; and what is the total number of British "Dreadnoughts" built, building, and provided for, available for service both in Home waters and the Mediterranean?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part would appear to be a simple arithmetical calculation; and the third part cannot be answered until the number of ships in the British 1914–15 programme has been announced to Parliament.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, after the Spring of 1917, we shall only have three "Dreadnoughts" in the Mediterranean to meet the ten of Austria and Italy?

It really would not be, I think, for the convenience of the House nor for the advantage of this subject generally, which has to be very fully discussed, if we were to deal with these matters by question and answer across the House at Question time, nor do I propose to do so unless the House should intimate so to me in some very decisive manner.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to try and expedite the laying of the Dickinson lleturn in order that when this matter is discussed we may have before us the official and up-to-date information with regard to the strength of the different Fleets, which at the present we have not?

The Dickinson Return was only asked for yesterday and it is in an advanced state of preparation, if not, indeed, completed, and it will be laid as soon as we possibly can.

May I press the matter? In past years we have not had it before the Estimates are produced, and would the right hon. Gentleman endeavour this year to allow us to have it before the Navy Estimates of the year are produced?

I hope it will be laid very soon indeed.

May I ask when he proposes to make his Navy Statement?

The question in regard to business must be addressed to the Leader of the House.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether pensions for relatives of those who are employed in the submarine and air services are on the same scale as those employed in the ordinary work of the Fleet; and, if so, whether, looking to the greater risks involved by officers and men on duty in these arms of the Service, he will consider whether the time has arrived when increased pensions should be granted to the widows and dependants of those who unfortunately lose their lives in carrying out these duties?

In the case of the widows and orphans of men, until 1903, there were two scales of pension and allowance, the lower being applicable to cases of death caused in the discharge of ordinary duty and the higher to cases of death in action. In that year, however, following upon a discussion in this House, it was decided that all pensions and allowances awarded to widows and children of men should be assessed on the higher scale applicable to death in action. As regards officers, the pensions and compassionate allowances awarded to widows and relatives are on the scale applicable to deaths in action only in the case of officers killed on flying duty. As regards the last part of the question, I can only refer the Noble Lord to what I said in reply to the hon. Member for Devonport on 19th March last, namely, that in view of the far-reaching effect of any change, it is not considered possible at present to revise the scale.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the pension to widows is five shillings per week and one shilling and sixpence for each child, and does he consider that adequate?

The pension for widows of able seamen and men of that rating is five shillings and one shilling and sixpence for each child; and for widows of second-class petty officers and of corresponding rating, six shillings and one shilling and sixpence for each child; and for widows of first-class petty officers and corresponding rating, seven shillings and sixpence and two shillings for each child, and for widows of chief petty officers and corresponding rating, nine shillings and two shillings for each child.

asked the rate of pay for navvies stipulated in contracts for dock construction work for the Admiralty and the rate paid to navvies, if any, employed direct; if Messrs. S. Pearson and Sons, who recently had a dispute with their men as to the rate, 6d. an hour, paid to navvies engaged in the construction of the new dock at Silvertown for the Port of London Authority, are at present carrying out any such work for the Admiralty; and what, at the time of the Silvertown dispute, was the rate for this class of labour recognised by the London County Council for the London area?

No definite rate of pay for navvies is stipulated for dock construction work for the Admiralty under contract. In such contracts the usual Fair-Wages Clause, as specified in the Resolution passed by this House on 10th March, 1909, is always inserted. The rate of wages paid to navvies in direct employment by the Admiralty in the home yards and establishments is from 24s. to 26s. per week of forty-eight working hours. We have no navvies directly employed by us in the London district. Messrs. S. Pearson and Son are not at present carrying out any contracts for the Admiralty.

May I ask if it is true that this firm had been in the habit of underpaying their navvies, and if so, will they be placed on the list of firms with which the Admiralty are not prepared to deal?

They are not doing any work for us at present and therefore I cannot deal with their action except in a contract for us.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the question to which I have referred of this firm paying 6d. instead of 7½d. to their navvies?

My attention has been drawn to this question and I have tried to answer it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the statement by the Secretary of State for the Navy in the Budget Committee of the German Reichstag, on the 4th February, to the effect that no positive proposals had yet been made to Germany by Great Britain for a reduction in naval construction, but that if such proposals were made they would assuredly be examined in a spirit of goodwill; and if he will state what was the nature of the suggestions made to Germany in this matter, in what form they were conveyed, and when?

This subject is not suited for discussion by question and answer. It will be dealt with either by me or by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as fully as the public interest allows during the Debates on Naval Estimates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman then be in position to give us an accurate report of what did actually take place in the Reichstag, or could he tell us where an accurate report can be found, as there has been a difference of opinion about it?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper about that. I would rather not give an answer on the spur of the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been in communication with the United States Government with regard to the date of the third Hague Conference; if so, has the year 1917 been suggested; and whether there is any reason for postponing the Conference beyond the year 1915?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. As regards the second part, it will not be possible for the Conference to meet in 1915 because, according to one of the resolutions passed by the last Conference, an International Committee is to be set up two years in advance of the third Conference for the purpose of preparing the programme of work. This Committee has not yet been formed.

Whose business is it to initiate the Committee? Cannot the British Government take the initiative?

It is difficult for the British Government to take the initiative, as they are not yet in a position to ratify what was done at the last Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it was agreed at the last Hague Conference between the Powers that some two years before the International Committee of preparation for the next Conference was appointed each Power should appoint a National Committee to prepare suggestions for the International Committee; and, seeing that, in pursuance of this agreement, a National Committee has been appointed by France, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and other Powers, will he say why Great Britain has not yet taken steps to appoint a Committee?

No such agreement as the hon. Member suggests was come to at the second Peace Conference. What the Conference recommended was the appointment of a preparatory International Committee. It was, however, found impossible at the time to arrive at an agreement as to how and by whom the Committee should be appointed. The difficulty still remains unsolved. When proposals for setting up the Committee reach His Majesty's Government they will receive every consideration. I have no official information as to the appointment of Government Committees in other countries. It is necessarily a matter for each Government to choose whatever method it may consider appropriate for settling and formulating its own views on any subject that could come up at the next Peace Conference.

Has any step been taken by our own Government to appoint this National Committee? Further, does the hon. Gentleman suggest that the information about the other Powers is not obtainable?

I have already told the hon. Gentleman what we know about other Powers, which is nothing. In regard to what we are doing, I think the position is still somewhat the same as was stated in answer to the hon. Gentleman on the 6th August last, namely, that we would be able to give our attention to the matter when affairs in the Near East had settled down.

Has nothing been done since August last, especially having regard to the fact that affairs in the Near East have long since settled down?

I do not think that the Office has been able to take steps yet. As a matter of fact, the consideration of matters for a new Conference requires a great deal of work, and we have not yet been able to give that attention to it.

Are the House and the country informed that the British Government have taken no steps whatever towards initiating an International Conference?

We do find it difficult to initiate proceedings for the next Conference, considering that this country, owing to the failure to pass the Naval Prize Bill, has not been able to ratify what was decided at the last Conference.

Has the Government not taken any steps to appoint our own National Committee, which must be done irrespective of what other people are doing?

No. We promised last year that as soon as the questions concerning the Near East were cleared up we would give our attention to the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the monoplanes which were on the list of efficient machines in July last are now included in the War Office lists as efficient, and when were the others removed from such list?

Twenty-eight have been struck off at various dates since the 1st July. One remains on the list as efficient.

asked when the decision was arrived at to transfer the airships from the Army to the Navy; and whether such transfer met with the approval of the Army Council and the officers of the Flying Corps?

The decision of the Army Council referred to was taken in November last and all the considerations involved were, of course, reviewed before the orders were given.

asked what arrangements have been made regarding the future of those Army officers who were engaged in the airship squadron of the Royal Flying Corps?

All the officers referred to except one have agreed to be transferred to the Naval Wing. The exact conditions of their employment are still under consideration, but the hon. Member may rest assured that they will not lose either in seniority, rank or grading.

Is there any chance of a Supplementary Estimate being put down in order that we may discuss, the policy of this important change?

I think there will be an early opportunity of discussing the whole matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he still adheres to his oft-expressed view that the Royal Aircraft Factory is to be used for experimental purposes only; and how many aeroplanes are now being manufactured there?

The Royal Aircraft Factory is now making 24 aeroplanes of a special type.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the average total amount deducted per annum from the officers of the Army in respect of furniture up-keep; and what is the average annual cost of such up-keep; and (2) what was the amount expended on the purchase of officers' furniture at the inception of the present system; what is the total sum since received from officers; and what has been since expended on renewals?

The average annual amount paid by officers for furniture hire is about £22,000. Statistics are not available to show the other figures asked for in detail; but the hon. Member will find full information as to the basis of these charges in Command Paper No. 1421, Session 1903.

In view of the fact that the capital value of this furniture in almost every barracks in the Kingdom has been paid off, is it not about time that the premium asked from the officers was reduced?

I will consider that. These charges were fixed exactly according to the recommendations of that Committee, and there is no evidence that the position has changed since that time.

May I give the hon. Gentleman figures in regard to one or two barracks?

I should be glad to receive them.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of abolishing these charges altogether?

I will see first the further information which the Noble Lord has promised to send me.

asked whether the new rifle which was under trial last year has now been definitely abandoned; and what is now being done to provide a suitable weapon for the Army?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made in this House on the 30th July last.

Are we to understand that this new weapon with which the right hon. Gentleman was so satisfied last July has not been definitely abandoned, and that still there is some hope of making it into a sound, serviceable weapon?

The matter is one of importance that could not possibly be dealt with by means of question and answer. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to my speech of 30th July, and will then put down any other question, I shall be glad to answer as far as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received applications from officers of His Majesty's Military Forces, or officers retired from service with pension or military rank, for permission to help in drilling or in organising civilians in Ulster; whether such permission is necessary under Army Regulations; and whether the rules and practices in such matter are the same for officers of the British Army in India as in the United Kingdom?

No such application has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any and, if so, how many higher grade writers have been appointed in the Army Pay Department under the provisions of the Army Orders of July, 1910, which provide for the appointment of forty higher grade writers to be filled by selection from the grade of writers?

Eleven hired higher grade writers have been appointed under the Army Order referred to. These include eight civilian clerks of the old establishment, who are now classified as higher grade writers. Further promotions will be considered as the establishment of noncommissioned officers, Army Pay Corps, decreases.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a petition from the Government railway employés at Shoeburyness has been submitted to his Department for some months, and no satisfactory reply given to the same; and will he take steps to investigate the matter, and so meet the legitimate claims of the workers?

The petitions referred to have been received, and are being considered. It is not yet possible to announce any decision in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has any information to the effect that the Somali Mullah is raiding the tribes which were friendly to Great Britain before the retreat to the Coast?

I have no information that the Mullah is raiding the tribes referred to.

asked whether anything has lately been done by the Government of Jamaica to increase the hospital accommodation in that island, especially in districts remote from existing hospitals; and whether anything has been done to utilise the services of ordinary independent medical practitioners, especially in districts reported upon as containing an extraordinary number of cases of syphilis?

In reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, hospital accommodation in Jamaica has been steadily augmented for a number of years past, both by extension of buildings and by provision of additional beds. Comparison of the Blue Book for 1912–13 with that of three years before shows an addition of nearly 250 beds to the provincial hospitals. A new cottage hospital was provided last year at Ulster Spring, a district remote from existing hospitals. During 1911–12 and the ensuing year out-patients' departments have been established at all the hospitals, and in the latter year the number of out-patients attended to in the districts, in addition to those treated at the out-patients' departments of the hospitals, amounted to over 45,000. The medical expenditure since 1907–8 has increased by nearly 90 per cent., and in the current financial year nearly £11,000 has been provided for new works, as against £522 at the beginning of the period. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative; but special provision has been made to utilise the Government medical service for dealing with disease in such districts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a humble memorial from the subordinate officers of the Federated Malay States railways, petitioning for a revision of their salaries scheme and conditions of service, and pointing out that the senior officers who also presented a memorial had had their position improved in 1903, in 1906, and in 1907; that since 1904 prices of food have increased by about 50 per cent., while rents have increased by 75 per cent.; and that the revenue and expenditure accounts of the States show a surplus of nearly $12,000,000 in 1912; and whether he is able to hold out to the memorialists any hope of a favourable consideration for their request for an improvement in their conditions?

A copy of the memorial has been sent to me direct by the petitioners. In accordance with established regulations it has been returned in order that it may be forwarded through the High Commissioner for the Malay States with his Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the highest wages paid to agricultural labourers in any districts in Ireland are lower than the lowest wages paid in any districts in England, he will in any measure for the improvement of English labourers' wages include similar provisions for the increase also of agricultural labourers' wages in Ireland?

I am not prepared to make any statement at present in regard to legislation for the improvement of agricultural labourers' wages in England. In so far as the question relates to wages in Ireland, it should be addressed to the representatives of the Irish Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government, under Home Rule, will apply the principle of the minimum wage to Ireland, and how are—

That is a Chinese puzzle!

Questions on Home Rule must be addressed either to the Prime Minister or to the representative of the Irish Government.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he proposes to make any modifications in the Tuberculosis Order; and, if so, whether he can state in what directions he intends to modify it?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Wilton Division last Thursday.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what areas under the Departmental Order of the 2nd February have been declared, or are about to be declared, by the Board infected with wart disease in potatoes; and whether, in view of the alarm felt on the American continent owing to the supposed extensive prevalence of this disease in Great Britain and the recent restrictions imposed by the United States Government upon potatoes exported from this country, he will take steps to reassure American importers and obtain a modification of such restrictions in favour of districts in England and Wales which are not infected with the disease?

Copies of all the Orders issued by the Board declaring areas to be infected with wart disease will be presented to Parliament. If the hon. Gentleman so desires, I shall be pleased to send him a list of them. The Board have already made formal representations through the usual channels to the United States Government, with the object referred to in the second part of the question.

asked if, in view of the prevailing ignorance as to the nature and external appearances of wart disease in potatoes and of the provision in the Board's Order of the 2nd instant that growers shall forthwith notify the existence of disease to the Board, he will take steps to give to growers, through the provincial Press, a full description of the disease, so that they may recognise it if existing on their premises?

A new edition of the Board's leaflet on wart disease is in preparation, and an illustrated poster will shortly be issued, to be exhibited in all districts in which the disease occurs. I have no doubt that in this, as in all matters of agricultural interest, the Board will be able to rely upon the ready cooperation of the provincial Press.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of publishing some picture of this disease in the agricultural papers?

I shall be quite glad to let the agricultural papers have a copy of the agricultural poster, of which they can make any use they like; we do not claim any copyright.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the case of Captain Spitta is under the consideration of the Secretary of State in view to a reconsideration of his trial and sentence?

The Secretary of State has considered a memorial received from Mr. (late Captain) J. C. Spitta and other representations made on his behalf, but has found no ground for intervention or for a recommendation for the Royal clemency.

Have any new facts come to light since this trial?

I should like notice of that question; but, I believe, none.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware there is a very strong feeling that there has been, to some extent at any rate, a miscarriage of justice?

I will convey that opinion to the Secretary of State.

asked whether the Government of India and the Secretary of State propose to take any and, if so, what action in order to the acceleration, or other improvement, of the mails between India and the United Kingdom?

Drafts of tender forms are being drawn up by the Postmaster-General in communication with the Secretary of State and the Government of India, with the object of inviting tenders for alternative forms of an accelerated or otherwise improved mail service between this country and India. The ultimate decision will of course largely turn on considerations of cost.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the local and Imperial taxation for the upkeep of the United Kingdom comes to £300,000,000 a, year or more, he can say if this comes chiefly, if not entirely, out of the production of goods produced in the United Kingdom; and can he state, approximately, what is the local and Imperial taxation paid on the production of £100 worth of barley and of £100 worth of steel, including all local and Imperial taxes paid by landlords, farmers, labourers, employers, and workmen?

My right hon. Friend has no material upon which to make the calculations which the hon. Member requires.

Does not £300,000,000 a year come out of the pockets and wages of the people of this country, and is not that 15 per cent. on the £2,000,000,000 of our income?

If I may suggest it to the hon. Gentleman, that would be a suitable subject for discussion on a Tariff Itefore debate; but on this particular point the advisers of my right hon. Friend inform him that it would be difficult or impossible to satisfy the hon. Gentleman.

Is the hon. Gentleman not capable of a very simple problem in mental arithmetic?

I shall be glad of the hon. Member's assistance in trying to give an answer.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this £300,000,000 to which reference has been made should, according to some of the supporters of the Government, been raised by the Single Tax?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister stated that the national and local taxation of the country constitutes a serious element in the cost of production?

I was not aware of the statement until the hon. Gentleman told me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase of taxation in the next Budget, he can see his way to providing some of the money by imposing Import Duties on the at present duty-free competing luxuries of the rich?

Should the necessity foreshadowed by the hon. Member arise all relevant suggestions will be taken into consideration.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Government are still prepared by the so-called system of Free Trade, to continue no Import Duties on the luxuries of the rich, while putting heavy taxes on the necessities of the poor?

asked how many Members of Parliament are at present refusing to receive their salaries?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the number is eight.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the largest group of paid Members now sits on the Unionist Benches?

Is the total amount of money paid to the Members of the House entitled to be on the Votes each year; if so, what becomes of the surplus—that of the eight Members that is not down?

I am afraid I cannot answer that without notice.

Is there not a far greater amount paid to supporters of the Government than to supporters of the Unionist party in this House?

Will the Prime Minister give us an early opportunity of discovering how many Members of this House are willing to vote for a discontinuance of their salaries?

asked how many societies, owing to claims for benefits in excess of the contributions received, have been called upon by the Commissioners to make provisional claims for reserve values, or have been advised by the Commissioners to amalgamate with other societies?

I am having a statement prepared from the information in the hands of the Commissioners, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any societies or branches have informed the Insurance Commission of the amounts actually spent by them on sickness benefit, maternity benefit, and cost of administration for the first year since the commencement of the National Insurance Act, or any part of it; and, if so, whether he can state the amounts and the number of insured persons included and how such expenditure compares with the estimates of the actuaries published when the Bill was introduced?

The audit of the expenditure of approved societies upon benefits for the first year is now in progress. The Commissioners are, therefore, not in possession of such information as is described in the question, and the information in their possession is not such as to justify a comparison between actual expenditure and the actuaries' estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to cases in which insured persons, on moving their residence, have been refused medical treatment by panel doctors on the grounds that they had recently had a touch of influenza and were therefore in need of a bottle of medicine; whether doctors, in so acting, complied with the regulations which govern the administration of the sickness benefit under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, what steps insured persons are to take to obtain advice and medicine if all the local doctors on the panel act similarly?

No cases of the kind referred to have come to the notice of my right hon. Friend. Doctors on the panel have, of course, a right under the National Insurance Act, 1911, to refuse in the first instance to accept an individual insured person, but arrangements have been made whereby a doctor may be obtained by any insured person so refused.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry from the Commissioners?

As I have explained to the hon. Gentleman, arrangements have been made for dealing with these cases. If he knows of a case where the arrangement has been broken, I shall be very glad to know about it.

Will not the hon. Gentleman inquire? My difficulty is that the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Masterman), who has been in correspondence with me on the subject, is not here, and therefore I think I have a perfect right to press the matter.

The matter can be arranged by putting a question down.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if the Treasury Estimates of the cost of treating insured persons have been exceeded, and if there are enough funds in the case of the London Insurance Committee to give proper medical treatment to insured patients; if it has been suggested to the London County Council that half of the deficiency should be met out of the rates; if there are any other cases in which insurance committees have to face a similar deficiency; and if, in view of the fact that the question of further relief to local authorities from the Imperial Exchequer in regard to burdens placed upon them by Parliament before the passing of the National Insurance Act is now the subject of inquiry, the Government will defer any proposals for the charge of insurance deficiencies against local authorities until it has been decided what adjustment of existing burdens is called for?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Under the arrangements entered into between insurance committees—including the London Insurance Committee—and the doctors on their respective panels no deficit can occur upon the funds available for defraying their liabilities to those doctors, and the rest of the question does not therefore arise.

Am I to understand that the London County Council has not been asked to make up any deficiency?

Oh, no; the hon. Member put down a question in reference to medical benefits, and the answer I have given refers ta medical benefits.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will guarantee the payment of full benefits under the National Insurance Act to those who fall sick and who have paid up their full contributions?

rose to reply—

On a point of Order. As the Prime Minister is present, am I not entitled to an answer from the Prime Minister to my question?

It is not any want of courtesy to the hon. Gentleman, but I have nothing whatever to do with the administration of the Insurance Act.

The Act of 1911 provides that societies administering benefits shall be subject to periodical valuation, the contributions or benefits being adjusted according as the valuation discloses a surplus or a deficiency. The hon. Member's suggestion, if I rightly understand it, would be inconsistent with the system of administering the Act through independent approved societies.

Does that mean that the full benefit can be stopped before the valuation is taken?

I do not quite apprehend the meaning of my hon. Friend's question.

Will the Government bring in an amending Bill guaranteeing full benefits to those persons who paid up their full contributions if, through no fault of their own, their society is found in deficiency in the first year?

Of course, it is not for me to answer a question about future legislation; but, in reply to the hon. Member, I may say the Act provides for payment of contribution and Parliamentary Grant more than sufficient to provide the benefits mentioned in the Act.

Is it not a fact that all members are guaranteed full benefits until further valuation comes round?

I do not quite understand the sense in which the hon. Member uses the word "guarantee."

Government guarantee.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Insurance Commissioners have taken any steps to safeguard patients whom they are sending to sanatoria in Derbyshire against the infringement of the provisions of Subsection (2) ( e ) of Section 14 of the National Insurance Act by the managers of those institutions; and whether he will prohibit the payment of any money by the insurance committees to any sanatoria in Derbyshire, the managers of which may refuse to respect conscience in the manner provided in the above mentioned Sub-section?

The duty of making arrangements to provide treatment for tuberculous insured persons in institutions or otherwise, and of considering cases with a view to recommendation for such treatment, is by the Act laid upon insurance committees, not upon the Insurance Commissioners. The arrangements made by insurance committees require the Commissioners' approval, and in no case do they impose any obligation upon insured persons to submit to vaccination as a condition of their being recommended for treatment.

asked how many persons have applied for sanatorium benefit in the county of Fife since the 15th October, 1913; and how many of these have received it under the provisions of the National Insurance Act, including any applicants whose applications were standing over at the date mentioned?

The answer to the first part of the Noble Lord's question is forty-eight; five applications were outstanding at the date which he mentions, and forty-nine persons have received treatment since that date.

Is it not a fact that the Insurance Fund was overdrawn at the date I have mentioned, and that all the tuberculous patients since then have been paid for part out of the rates and part out of the Government advance, and have been kept in hospitals for scarlet fever patients?

I am afraid I cannot answer all those questions. Perhaps the Noble Lord will be good enough to put his question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that though the members of the Dorset, constabulary have been granted an exemption from the provisions of the National Insurance Act on 29th March, 1913, yet a refund of the contributions paid by them till that date has been refused by the Insurance Commissioners; and whether, under the circumstances, the Commissioners will direct that such refund should be made?

The certificate of exception granted in respect of the Dorset police operates from 3rd March, 1913, and prior to that date contributions were properly payable, and the Commissioners have no power to refund them. In the event, however, of any of the men concerned again becoming insurable, the fact that contributions had already been paid in respect of him, would be taken into account in determining the benefits to which he would then be entitled.

Does the hon. Member mean to say that under the Act the contributions taken from these men when exemption is granted are annexed by the Insurance Commissioners and no benefit is given to them?

These men pay certain contributions in respect of which they are entitled to benefit, and as long as they pay those contributions they are entitled to benefit.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that insurance committees in thinly-populated districts in Scotland are finding difficulty in doing their work on the funds they have available for administration; and, if so, what the Government propose to do in the matter?

The matter is under consideration. I may point out that as respects the period to 14th January, 1914, a sum of £22,650 has been provided by Parliament for the purpose of making Grants to insurance committees generally whose statutory income for that period was insufficient.

asked how many of the tuberculous persons receiving domiciliary treatment in the area of the West Ham Insurance Committee at the end of 1913 were sleeping in the same rooms as other persons?

No, Sir, my right hon. Friend has no such information.

Has the hon. Member seen the report of the subcommittee of the West Ham Insurance Committee, in which it definitely states that no less than thirty-seven tuberculous persons out of ninety-five were sleeping under those conditions?

I have not seen that report.

I will give the hon. Member the report.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that panel chemists in several districts, particularly in Manchester, Salford, and Scotland, are dissatisfied with their position and prospects of full payment of their accounts under the National Insurance Act; and, if so, what the Government proposes to do to avoid the danger of insufficiency or inferiority of medicines supplied to the public?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such general dissatisfaction in Scotland. The chemists on the panel in Manchester and Salford expressed dissatisfaction at the arrangements in force in those areas during 1913, but it is understood that they have renewed their agreements for the current year under special arrangements for their protection against extravagant prescribing. In reply to the second part of the question, the regulations and the agreements which doctors and chemists have entered into provide ample safeguards both as regards the quality and the sufficiency of the supply of medicines.

Is the hon. Member aware that in Salford the chemists were underpaid last year?

I understand the chemists of Salford have entered into an arrangement with the doctors which is satisfactory to both parties.

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a deficiency of £16,000 in the Manchester grant fund?

No, Sir; I am not aware of that.

Has the hon. Member had any complaints from the chemists in the borough of Roxburgh?

No, Sir; I have got no complaints from there.

asked whether the hon. Member's attention has been called to a report of a Worcestershire insurance sub-committee on the sickness in Cradley, in which statements of Mr. Appleton, secretary to the General Federation of Trade Unions Approved Society, are admitted to the effect that the sickness rate amongst female workers in the district is enormous, and is between 6 per cent. and 7 per cent., or three times the normal; and whether, if this rate is continued until the first valuation, it will entail a very heavy levy on, or a reduction of benefits to, the compulsorily insured members?

My right hon. Friend has seen the report, but it does not appear that the figures have been tested. In any case since approved societies or branches of societies, and not geographical districts, are the units for valuation purposes, the benefits of insured persons resident in the Cradley district will be governed after the first valuation (subject to the provisions of the Act for pooling surpluses and deficiencies) by the general experience of the different approved societies or branches of which they have respectively become members.

Is the hon. Member aware that one of the chief causes of so much sickness in Cradley is in consequence of the beastly low wages paid by the employers?

asked whether the Insurance Commissioners propose to interfere with the discretion now exercised by approved societies as regards the choice of places in which their meetings may be held; whether the Government has sanctioned any such proposal; and, if so, why this has been done, in view of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's pledge that the self-government possessed by friendly societies should not be impaired or destroyed by the passing of the National Insurance Act?

asked why the Insurance Commissioners are interfering with the choice of the members of approved societies as to meetings on licensed premises; and why the question cannot be left to a vote of the members?

I propose to take Questions 60 and 63 together. Under Section 27 (2) Regulations have already been made in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. As regards England, no Regulation has yet been laid before the House. A draft has been submitted to the Advisory Committee. My right hon. Friend has also arranged to receive deputations from two large approved societies on the subject, and he will be happy to consider representations from any other approved societies which are interested.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Office of Works has insisted on the continuance of the ordinary repair and maintenance work on Government buildings, in spite of the present dispute in the building trade; and, if so, why this policy has not been extended to contract construction work?

When the dispute began the Office of Works informed the maintenance contractors that they could not allow it to interfere with the public service. If by contract construction work "lump sum" contracts are intended, the First Commissioner can only reply that he is bound, as are the contractors, by the conditions of the contract.

asked whether a clerk of works of the name of Coward, in the employ of the Office of Works, is in forming workmen who apply for work that he cannot give anyone a job, but if they care to sign the circular recently issued by the master builders they can have a job with Messrs. Leslie and Company; and whether the Office of Works will put a stop to this recruiting by its officials of work- men for contractors who have locked out their own employés?

There is no ground whatever for the statements contained in this question.

asked whether, in addition to the three young men taken on at the new Home Office building from the Borstal Association, a number of others have since been taken on at the same place and were informed that if they did not sign the circular recently issued by the building employers of London they would be sent back to prison; and whether he will have inquiries made into the matter and ensure that the Office of Works is not lending its support in any way to the employers in connection with the present lock-out?

The Borstal Association report that, since October or November last, when the three lads mentioned were first employed on the Government buildings, no youths have been taken from the association by the contractors. There is no truth in the statement that any Borstal lads have been told that they would be sent back to prison if they did not sign the circular of the building employers. With regard to the last part of the question, the First Commissioner is in no way giving any support to the employers, and does not intend to depart from the attitude he has taken up.

Have the boys been asked to sign the paper?