asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give any information with regard to the Russian loans to the Balkan States?

I am not aware that the Balkan States have contracted loans in Russia, or that any of them contemplate doing so.

asked if the French financial boycott of Turkey, inspired by Russia, is preventing the payment of official salaries in that country, is blocking the way to reforms, and is damaging British interests; and, if so, whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

I have no information as to the existence of such a state of things as that referred to by the hon. Member, either as regards the cause or the effects attributed to it, but I am not sure that I understand exactly what the hon. Member's question is intended to convey. If by financial boycott he refers to a reluctance to make loans, I would point out that we can hardly complain of French financiers for not making loans, which British or other financiers are not prepared to undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he is aware that the last Hague Conference, among its last acts, registered a recommendation to the Powers that a third conference should be held within a time corresponding to that between the first and second, that a programme should be prepared beforehand so as to secure the deliberations being conducted with authority and expedition, and that it would be desirable that some two years before the probable date of the meeting a preparatory committee should be charged by the Governments with the task of collecting the various proposals to be submitted to the Conference and of ascertaining what subjects were ripe for International Regulations as well as preparing a programme upon which the Governments should decide in sufficient time to allow careful examination in each country; will he say if, in accordance with the above, it falls within the province of the British Government, without reference to any other Power, to appoint its National Committee to prepare its own proposals for the preparatory committee; has he now received a communication from the United States Government with regard to the date of the third Hague Conference; has the British Government made any suggestions to, or received any from, any other Powers as to how the International Preparatory Committee should be appointed; if not, will they now make suggestions; and will he assure the House that the Government desires an early meeting of the Conference, and that better preparations will be made than in 1899 and 1907 for the initiation of proposals in which this country is interested?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. From this the hon. Member will see that at the last Hague Conference every step was taken to secure that the next Conference should be prepared for in the best possible way, except that no agreement was come to as to the manner in which the preliminary International Committee should be summoned and composed. This was apparent before the Conference separated, and the representatives of His Majesty's Government at the Conference made several informal suggestions towards the settlement of the question, but their efforts were not successful. It being the wish of His Majesty's Government to avoid any possible controversy with other Powers on these preliminary questions, they think it undesirable that the initiative should be taken by a Power which has already put forward suggestions which did not prove generally acceptable, and which has not been able to ratify some of the agreements come to in 1907. I am glad to say that I have to-day received a communication from the Government of the United States of America, making suggestions for an International Committee. This will at once receive most careful consideration. No suggestions have so far as I am aware been made by any other Powers on this subject.

With regard to the method which each Government may follow to formulate its views on subjects which may be discussed, this, as I said last Wednesday, is a matter for each Government itself to determine. In connection with the Second Peace Conference, an Interdepartmental Committee was set up, under the chairmanship of the then Attorney-General, to advise as to the programme to be discussed and the views to be put forward on behalf of His Majesty's Government, and similar machinery may be employed with regard to the next Conference at the proper time. I can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government have no desire to postpone the Conference, but any attempt to hold it at a date earlier than that which would suit the convenience of the Powers participating would tend to defeat the objects for which these Conferences are held. I cannot accept the suggestion that His Majesty's Government did not adequately prepare for the Conferences of 1899 and 1907. On the contrary, the greatest pains were taken to examine fully every question involving the interests of this country.

Are we to take it that the Government has not yet taken any steps of its own to set up our own National Committee?

No; because up till now we have not been certain at all as to when, or how, or with whom the preliminary International Conference will be held. If the proposal which is made by the United States should prove generally acceptable, we will at once take steps to prepare questions to be discussed.

May I ask if the Government is prepared to co-operate heartily with the United States in having this Conference come to?

Oh, certainly!

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, on the grant of a new lease of Nos. 32 and 34, Osnaburgh Street, Regent's Park, in the year 1912, not only increased the rent from £10 to £180 after the second year, but in addition insisted on the expenditure of a considerable sum in the erection of new buildings; and what was the amount to be so expended?

Nos. 32 and 34, Osnaburgh Street, comprise a house and a builder's yard with an area of upwards of 12,000 square feet. The premises were held under leases granted in 1834 at £10 per annum, an apportioned part of a rent agreed in 1815 to be paid for a large area of land on part of which these houses were built. A new lease has been agreed to be granted at £180 a year, which the Commissioner of Woods was advised was the fair value of the site, and the lessee has agreed to expend £5,000 in erecting new buildings of which sum £1,400 was received under insurances on old buildings on part of the site that were destroyed by fire.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the strictures passed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on private landlords, the Government can see their way to cease treating their tenants more harshly than any of the private estate owners in St. Pancras treat theirs?

It is considered they have acted perfectly fairly.

What was the percentage of the rise in the rent?

The leases were granted a considerable time ago, and I may say there were special circumstances which made the rent charged even at that distant date a much more reasonable one.

Is it not a fact that the increase in the rent amounts to 700 per cent?

May I ask whether the rent paid by these leaseholders of the Crown does not compare very favourably with the terms given by private owners?

I think that is so.

asked whether the St. Catherine's Home and Refuge for Friendless and Fallen Girls were lessees from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests of No. 36, Osnaburgh Street, Regent's Park; and whether the Commissioners recently, as a condition for the renewal of the lease expiring in July, 1914, have not only insisted on an increase in the rent of 900 per cent., but an expenditure by this charity on buildings of £3,250, and the payment down of £325 as a cash deposit?

The St. Catherine's Home acquired some years ago a lease of No. 36, Osnaburgh Street, that had been granted under an agreement made in 1815 at £5 a year, an apportioned part of a rent agreed for a large area of land on part of which this house was built. The premises with other adjoining houses require rebuilding, and the sites should be rearranged. The home has been offered a new building lease of the site of the adjoining house, and of about half the site of No. 36, at £50 a year, which the Commissioner of Woods is advised is the fair value of the new site. The arrangement includes an expenditure by the home of £3,250, the amount required for the erection of a new building, and, as is usual, a temporary deposit (£325) has been asked for, but will be repaid on completion of the building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the severity of the terms imposed upon this charity is owing to the fact that it has been compelled to be removed from the district, and cannot the Government see some way of showing some consideration when dealing with a charity?

I shall be glad to convey any representations of that kind to my right hon. Friend. I am informed that the terms are perfectly fair.

Could terms equally favourable not have been granted to this charity as those which were granted to Bedford College, of which the Lord Chancellor is president?

Has any good cause been shown why this charity should be dealt with differently than any other society?

I am not aware of any.

Does the unearned increment go to the Crown?

asked the right hon. Gentleman, as representing the Commissioner of Woods and Forests, whether servants of the Crown employed in the New Forest are entitled to a pension after long service; and, if so, whether he will explain why John Thorn, who was in the service of the Crown for twenty-four years as a labourer and seventeen years as a keeper, has been granted a pension of only 4s. a week?

A servant of the Crown employed in the New Forest, who has discharged his duties satisfactorily, is given a compassionate allowance after long service, provided he has either attained the age of sixty, or it is shown by medical certificate to the satisfaction of the Treasury that he is incapable from infirmity of mind or body of discharging the duties of his situation, and that such infirmity is likely to be permanent. John Thorn, who had been employed first as a labourer in the New Forest, and then as an under-keeper for the periods mentioned in the question, gave up his situation by notice in the year 1903, being then in his fifty-fifth year, and applied to be given a compassionate allowance. In support of his application he furnished a medical certificate, in which his doctor stated that he had attended John Thorn for bronchitis, and was then attending him for indigestion, and that he was weak and quite unable to do his work. It appeared to the Commissioners of Woods, after inquiry, that there was a reasonable likelihood that John Thorn might soon be able to do ordinary work. However, in view of his long service, they recommended the Treasury to grant him a compassionate allowance of 4s. a week, which was 1s. a week less than the maximum allowance according to the regulations then in force, and the Treasury did so. The Commissioners are informed that he has worked for other employers with some regularity since he retired from the Crown service.

Is the pension paid weekly or monthly, and is it paid in advance or in arrears?

I shall be glad to obtain information for the hon. Member on that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what the term "compassionate" means? Does it mean that servants in the New Forest are not regularly entitled to a pension after long service?

They were not so entitled before 1903, the date referred to in my reply.

asked how many small landowners' societies and other co-operative land clubs have made use of, and had the assistance of, the joint stock banks on the list of such banks named to this House some time ago?

Twelve co-operative cerdit societies have obtained advances from joint stock banks, and two other societies have been promised advances, but the negotiations are not yet completed. In addition, five societies have obtained advances from the Central Agricultural Co-operative Bank. The total number of credit societies in England and Wales is forty-six.

asked how many persons have applied for land under the Small Holdings Act; how many of these applicants have received allotments; and how many, if any, have been deemed unsuitable?

Up to the end of 1913 applications for small holdings had been received from 43,245 persons, of whom 25,567 were provisionally approved as suitable. Of these, approximately 17,000 have been provided with holdings.

asked how many acres of land have been applied for under the Small Holdings Act; and how many acres have been granted?

Up to the end of 1913, the total quantity of land applied for was 723,497 acres, and the quantity acquired was 182,020 acres. In addition over 44,000 acres have been let to applicants by private landowners direct.

asked whether it has been clearly ascertained that foot-and-mouth disease, with which many animals from various parts of Ireland were found last week on their arrival at Birkenhead to be affected, originated not in Ireland, but at Birkenhead; if so, whether he has traced the cause of the outbreak; and what steps he has taken at this and other English ports to prevent a repetition of so unusual an occurrence?

I regret that up to the present careful investigation and inquiry have not revealed the origin of the infection which caused the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Birkenhead lairages. A joint conference between the veterinary officers of the Board and of the Irish Department will take place at Birkenhead as early as possible this week, and in the meantime no definite announcement can be made.

Is it not only fair to the Irish Department and the Irish stock owners that this method should be cleared up as soon as possible?

The Board of Agriculture are fully impressed with the necessity of clearing the matter up as soon as possible.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will give full particulars of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle at Low Fell, near Gateshead; in the county of Durham; how many animals have been found to be affected with the disease; what precautions have been taken to prevent its spread and what is deemed by the Board to be the origin of this outbreak?

The existence of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at Greenwell House Farm, Law Fell, Birtley, on the 19th inst. On the infected farm there were twenty-nine animals, namely, one bull, twenty-three bullocks, two heifers, and three calves. At the time of the investigations of the Board's veterinary inspector two animals were found to be affected with the disease, and prior to the completion two more animals were found to be affected. The slaughter of all the animals, with the exception of three was completed by the evening of the 20th, and the remaining animals were slaughtered early on the morning of the 21st inst. The disease amongst all the infected animals was found to be in the very early stage. No cattle had been moved on to Greenwell House Farm since August last. Certain animals had recently been moved from the premises, namely, one calf, on the 29th January, since slaughtered, and two heifers, moved on 16th inst., which have been traced, and when examined on the 20th inst., were found to be free from the disease. The Board have deemed it desirable, however, in the circumstances, to order these two heifers to be slaughtered, and eight cows which had been in contact with them are being traced, and when found will be kept under observation. An Order prohibiting the movement of animals along, over, or across a highway within a radius of approximately fifteen miles from the disease centre was made on the 19th inst., and communicated to the local authorities by telegram. No probable clue to the origin of the outbreak has been discovered.

I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he proposes now or later in the day to make any announcement to the House on the subject of the more recent outbreak announced in this morning's papers?

I beg to ask the Junior Lord of the Treasury if he can give the House any particulars of the reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Worcestershire?

A telegram was received on Saturday afternoon that foot-and-mouth disease was suspected at Brook Farm, Bradley Green, near Redditch, Worcestershire, amongst twelve cattle which had arrived on licence from Birkenhead lairages on 10th February. A veterinary inspector of the Board at once proceeded to investigate this report, and visited the premises, accompanied by the district inspector. A telegram was received from the veterinary inspector on Sunday morning that he was satisfied that foot-and-mouth disease existed on the premises, and at 11.10 a.m. he reported by telephone that two animals out of a consignment of twelve Irish two-year-old cattle were affected. These animals had been moved to the premises from Birkenhead lairages on 10th February, and arrived at Droitwich station by train, whence they were driven a distance of about six miles to the premises on which they now are. On arrival at the premises they were well isolated from the remainder of the stock on the farm. On 20th February one of the animals was noticed by its owner to be ill, and on the 21st a report was made to the police. The lesions in the affected animals are described as acute and typical in the mouth and feet of one animal, and as not so advanced in the other animal. The veterinary inspector at Birkenhead, who was apprised of this report on Saturday afternoon, telegraphed that the twelve store cattle, above referred to, were landed from the s.s. "Carlow," ex Dublin, on 31st January, were isolated at Birkenhead, and licensed out to the above premises on 9th February. Upon arrival at Birkenhead they were mouthed, and thereafter inspected daily. They were also mouthed immediately prior to movement by licence. This information, together with the name of the consignor and consignee of the animals, was also telegraphed by the inspector direct to the Irish Department, who were also notified on Sunday that the existence of disease has been confirmed. An Order was issued on Sunday prohibiting the movement of animals along, over, or across a highway in an area of approximately fifteen miles' radius from the infected premises.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that these cattle were detained for nine days at Birkenhead, and that they had left Birkenhead and had been on the farm for some days before the outbreak was discovered? Is the period of ten days that which is generally considered to be the period of incubation? I wish to know whether the hon. Gentleman's Department was not satisfied that when these cattle left Ireland they were perfectly immune from disease, and must have contracted it either at Birkenhead or elsewhere in England?

In this case undoubtedly the period of incubation of ten days, as stated by the hon. Gentleman, has been exceeded.

Do I understand from the hon. Gentleman that it was clearly ascertained from what places in Ireland these cattle came?

I believe that information has been obtained.

asked whether, in view of the fact that out of a total Grant from the Treasury of £60,000 per annum, payable by way of compensation to stock owners for the slaughter of bovine animals deemed to be tuberculous, and slaughtered in the interests of public health, a sum of less than £5,000 has been expended during the last nine months; and, in view of the increasing charges thrown upon ratepayers in connection with the administration of the Tuberculosis Order, 1913, he will represent to the Treasury the advisability and fairness of applying a small portion of the unexpended balance of the Treasury Grant towards defraying such administrative expenses?

In the absence of trustworthy data as to the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle the estimate of £60,000 per annum was necessarily quite conjectural, and, as events have proved, was excessive; but the expenses incurred by local authorities in the administration of the Tuberculosis Order during the current financial year have correspondingly been much lower than was anticipated. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend does not consider himself justified in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked whether, since the publication in 1900 of the last of the sixteen volumes of the revised edition of the Statutes bringing the revision down to the end of 1886, Statutes and parts of Statutes covering more than 1,700 pages in such edition have been repealed, and many enactments have been applied, restricted or extended, or otherwise dealt with, and more than 1,200 short titles have been given to existing Statutes; and whether it is intended forthwith to publish a new edition omitting the repealed enactments, adding the short titles to the existing Statutes, and otherwise bringing the revision up to the present date?

This subject has for some time engaged the attention of the Statute Law Committees. In view of a new edition of the Statutes revised, a Statute Law Revision Bill is now being prepared under instructions from the Committee. The existing (second) edition was, some years ago, brought down to the end of the year 1900, and consists of twenty volumes.

asked whether the statistics and clinical information regarding the administration of sanatorium benefit from 12th July, 1912, to 14th January, 1914, which insurance committees were requested to supply to the Commissioners by 26th January, will be laid before this House; and, if so, when?

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for South Norfolk on the 12th instant, a return on the subject of the administration of sanatorium benefit is in course of preparation, and will shortly be laid before this House; but the precise manner in which the information recently obtained for the purpose from insurance committees can most conveniently be presented is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in paragraph 11, page 171, of the report of a sub-committee of the West Ham Insurance Committee that, out of ninety-five tuberculous persons receiving domiciliary treatment in their area at the end of 1913, no less than thirty-seven were sleeping in the same rooms as other persons; and what the Government propose to do in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the Report; but on its receipt he will consider any statement of the character referred to.

asked whether a number of insured consumptives, especially patients with advanced disease, are being treated in workhouse infirmaries; and whether it is proposed to make any payment to the guardians for their maintenance in such cases?

It is not open to insurance committees under the Act to make arrangements with, or payments to, Poor Law authorities for the treatment of tuberculous insured persons in Poor Law institutions.

Are we to understand that "workhouse infirmaries" and "first-class hotels" are relative terms in the opinion of His Majesty's Government?

The hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.

Will the Government in these cases of insured persons suffering from tuberculosis who are sent to workhouse infirmaries recoup the guardians the expense?

I have pointed out to the hon. and learned Gentleman that that is forbidden by the Act. It is open to insurance committees to make what provisions they consider necessary for the insured persons in their area.

Will the Government introduce legislation to enable payment to be made?

The hon. and learned Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution passed at the Labour Conference at Glasgow on 30th January last expressing the opinion that the actuarial basis of the National Insurance Act is unsound so far as women are concerned; whether his attention has also been drawn to the statement of Mr. Cross, the secretary of the Amalgamated Weavers' Association Approved Society, a society with over 65,000 women members, who, speaking in support of that resolution, said that his society had over-spent the allowance per the actuaries' estimate of 2s. 2d. per female per quarter by £10,500 for the half-year ending 13th July, 1913, and had not found themselves in a much better position for the half-year ending 13th January, 1913; whether these facts are admitted by the Government; and, if so, what they propose to do in this state of affairs which adversely affects many thousands of compulsorily insured persons?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not been called to the statements mentioned by the hon. Member. I may observe generally that 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.

Would the hon. Member say whether the Government will pay a Grant to those members whose benefits were reduced owing to no fault of their own, but on account of deficiencies in their societies?

I think that no statement on that subject can be made until we have ascertained whether the facts as stated by the hon. Member or any such statements are correct.

asked whether, under the official Table G, issued by the Insurance Commissioners, an alien, with dependants, aged nineteen next birthday, at entry into insurance, is entitled to sickness benefit at the rate of 10s. per week and disablement benefit at the rate of 5s. per week, whereas, under the official Table D, a British subject now entering into insurance at the same age and under the same conditions is entitled to only 9s. per week sickness benefit and 5s. per week disablement benefit?

The answer is in the affirmative. In neither of the cases taken by the hon. Member is any reserve value provided, and in both cases the benefits are equivalent in value to the contributions paid. The maternity benefit payable from the alien's insurance is, however, at a reduced rate, whereas maternity benefits payable from British subjects' insurance are required under the Acts to be at the full rate of 30s. This results, in the particular case selected by the hon. Member, in a corresponding reduction in the latter's sickness benefit.

Cannot the hon. Member do something so that a British subject shall not receive less sick pay for the same contribution than an alien?

No, Sir; both persons pay the same contribution, and both get equal advantages.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the Form 110/I.C., which was recently issued by the Insurance Commissioners for England, and which under their advice or direction was circulated by the various approved societies amongst their members; whether such form contained an intimation or direction to each insured person that if he had not already selected a doctor or institution on the panel list for the district where he lived, he should apply for a medical card to the clerk to the insurance committee on a form which he could get at any post office, and that when he received his medical card he should give it to the doctor on the panel or the institution he wished to select; whether such form conveyed to the insured person the intimation that, if he had not already selected a doctor or institution on the panel, he had a right to select a doctor or institution on the panel and obtain a medical card accordingly; whether there is any ground for the suggestion that such right does not exist in the case of an insured person who did not select a doctor last year and who was provisionally placed by the then local insurance committee on the list of some doctor on the panel; and whether there is anything in the above-mentioned form to give colour to such a suggestion?

Under the Regulations insured persons who had selected or been assigned to a doctor in the course of last year are deemed to have selected that doctor for the current year unless they gave the notice required of their intention to make a fresh selection. The advice in question only refers, therefore, to insured persons who are not already on the list of a doctor or approved institution, and who have not been allowed or required to make their own arrangements.

Is there anything in the circular indicating that the right purported to be given is not extended to persons who have not selected their doctor, and that the right is taken away from persons who have been allocated doctors?

I do not quite understand what the hon. Gentleman means.

Is there anything at all in the circular about allocating doctors to insured persons?

I have the circular in my hands. "If you have already chosen a doctor or an institution you will in due course receive a card."

Is there anything in the circular referring to allocation?

The circular refers to persons who are not on the list of any doctor, and gives them instructions as to what they are to do.

asked whether there is a deficiency in the insurance drug fund in the Manchester district to the extent of about £16,000; and, if so, whether, in consequence, chemists on the panel have only been paid 50 per cent. of their accounts during the three latter months of 1913, and only about 27 per cent. for December, although it was one of their heaviest months; and what the Government propose to do in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the total sums already paid, or in course of being paid, by way of advances, amount to approximately 60 per cent. of the total amount of the accounts presented for the year. It is not, however, possible to estimate what further sums will be payable until those accounts have been scrutinised in accordance with the Regulations and the total sums available to the insurance committee for the purpose have been finally ascertained.

Does the hon. Member mean that if the accounts do not balance the chemist will lose the money due to him?

Whatever happens will be in accordance with the provisions of the Act; but there is no evidence at present that the figures given by the hon. Member are correct.

Does the hon. Gentleman say that these chemists are going to be paid in full?

I am suggesting to the hon. Member that he should wait until the accounts have been scrutinised.

asked whether there are about 2,000 cases every year of insured persons receiving relief from the guardians; and whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is not aware what authority the hon. Member has for the figures referred to, nor does he know of any source from which reliable figures of this kind could be obtained, whether for England or for the United Kingdom as a whole.

Is the hon. Member aware that a statement to this effect was made at the Central Poor Law Conference?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that fact.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the feeling of irritation experienced by officers and members of friendly societies at what they consider needless interference with the voluntary work of the societies, and more especially to the proposed Regulation of the Insurance Commissioners relative to the right of members to hold their meetings at such places as they may deem most advantageous for the conduct of their business; and whether an opportunity will be afforded of discussing the proposed Regulation before it becomes effective?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he intends to withdraw or modify the proposed Regulation of the National Insurance Commissioners, now lying upon the Table of the House, which will deprive members of friendly societies of the right to hold their meetings at such places as the majority of the members may determine to be most convenient to themselves and most advantageous to the business of the societies?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the opposition among friendly societies to the Regulation now lying upon the Table prohibiting friendly societies from holding their meetings in public-houses, and in consideration of the inconvenience and less which will occur to societies in carrying out the Regulation, the Government will withdraw it?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the National Insurance Commission have passed a Resolution which, if carried into effect, would deprive the friendly societies of the right to hold their meetings at such places as the majority of the members consider most convenient; whether he is aware that Parliament refused to embody such a Resolution in the National Insurance Act; that the proposed Regulation relates only to the State section of the societies; whether he is aware that it would be impossible for a society to meet at one place for its State work and at another place for its voluntary work; and, seeing that the friendly societies consider that the Regulation is an interference with the administrative functions of the societies on their voluntary side and a distinct breach of the promise repeatedly made by him that no such interference would be exercised, whether he will assure the House that the proposed Regulation shall not be put into force until he has ascertained the views of the friendly societies upon the question?

I propose to take questions 29, 30, 53, and 106 together. As I have previously stated in answer to similar questions, no Regulation has yet been laid before the House, and I have therefore nothing to add to my former replies.

asked the Postmaster-General the average rate of remuneration per pound sterling worth of national health insurance and unemployed stamps sold at scale-payment sub-post offices, payment to be stated in terms of cash; what are the average hours of scale-payment sub-postmistresses and sub-masters; what are they allowed opposite rent, light, fixtures, coal, and insurance of post office premises; are any of them paid pensions; and, if so, at what age?

With regard to the rate of remuneration for national insurance work, I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member the information he requires. I will communicate with him when the information is available. Scale-payment sub-offices are generally open to the public for about twelve hours, but at small offices often not for more than eight hours. The scale payment covers remuneration for all necessary accomodation, staff, etc., for Post Office work, and no particular portion of the remuneration is set against rent, light, fixtures, coal, or insurance. Scale-payment sub-postmasters are not established officers, and are therefor not eligible for pensions on retirement. There are, however, a few cases of scale-payment sub-postmasters who held Civil Service certificates granted many years ago, and who may be eligible for pensions on their retirement at the age of sixty, or earlier if their superannuation is due to ill-health.

asked under what head in the National accounts the land acquired by the State in substitution for cash payment of Death Duties under Section 56 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, are shown; what is the total acreage and value of the land so acquired; and how the valuation is arrived at?

No lands have been acquired by the State in substitution for cash payment of Death Duties under Section 56 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910. As indicated in reply to questions asked in this House on the 22nd and 30th October, 1912, and on the 16th July, 1913, land is not actually accepted in payment of Death Duties, although the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, as representing the Crown, are willing to act as intermediaries for the transfer of land offered under the Section quoted to any public department or authority who may desire to purchase it. The land referred to by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his reply of the 17th instant to the hon. Member for Blackburn, consists of 4 acres, 2 roods, 2 poles, and was transferred to the Somerset County Council. The valuation was agreed by the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue, the purchase-money was applied in payment of, and entered in the National accounts under the head of Death Duties.

asked on behalf of what Departments and under what heads Supplementary Estimates will be presented?

I would refer the hon. Member to House of Commons Paper 107, which was circulated last Thursday.

asked bow much of the increase of £10,249,000 in the issues from the Exchequer to 14th February last over the same period in the previous year on account of Supply Services is due to Army, Navy, and Civil Services, respectively?

Of the increase in question £200,000 is under the head of Army, £5,850,000, is under the head of Navy, the remainder, namely, £4,199,000, is under the heads of Civil Services and Revenue Departments.

asked by what authority and on what dates the sum of £50,000 in 1911–12 and of £120,000 in 1912–13 was paid out of the Treasury Chest on account of a loan to the Persian Government; and when a Vote for these-payments will be taken?

The sums in question were issued from the Treasury Chest Fund under the authority of the Treasury Chest Fund Act, 1877, as follows:—9th February, 1912, £50,000; 30th April, 1912, £25,000; 27th February, 1913, £95,000. A further sum of £50,000 was issued on 15th April, 1913. Provision for the repayment of these sums to the Treasury Chest Fund has been included in the Civil Service Estimates for 1914–15 about to be presented.

Will a Vote be taken for these amounts?

The Treasury Fund will have to be replenished when these Estimates are considered in 1914.

What was the security for the repayment of these sums?

I do not think that is a question which ought to be addressed to me.

asked whether the initial salaries paid to temporary surveyors employed on revaluation in the Valuation Office, Dublin, has recently been reduced from £12 10s. to £8 a month;. and, if so, will he say if the Chief Commissioner considered the old remuneration excessive, although these surveyors get no subsistence allowance and. are changed from place to place, or on what grounds was the remuneration reduced, and what increase in salary does a, temporary surveyor get at present after six months' service?

The surveyors employed at an initial salary of £12 10s. per month were engaged for a higher class of work, and were to be trained as valuers. The increase a temporary surveyor will receive at the end of six months' service will depend on the class of work on which he has been employed, and the manner in which he has carried it out.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any representations with regard to the lack of adequate postal facilities at Dundonald, county Down; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement in regard to the provision of improved facilities?

I have received such representations, and I hope shortly to be in a position to communicate my decision to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Mr. A. W. Booth, chairman of the Cunard Company, in his letter to the Post Office, dated 19th June, 1913, putting forward two reasons for breaking his contract with the Department, alleged that one of them was that the "Lusitania" touched ground in Queenstown Harbour on the 29th December, 1907, despite the precautions which were exercised by the pilot and captain; whether he is aware that this incident was investigated by the Cork Harbour Board at the time and shown to have been due to a serious error of judgment on the part of the company's pilot on board the vessel; whether this decision was reported to the Cunard Company, who replied to the Board saying that it seemed clear that the pilot had committed an error of judgment and that he would be severely reprimanded; and whether the chairman of the company has since apologised for or explained the gross inaccuracy which misled the Postmaster-General in reference to the contract with the company?

The hon. Member has quoted correctly the part of the letter of the 19th of June, 1913, sent to the Post Office by the chairman of the Cunard Company which is given in his question. I understand that the result of the investigation into the circumstances of the grounding of the "Lusitania," on 29th December, 1907, which was undertaken by the Cork Harbour Board, was substantially as stated in the question, but I am informed that the pilot of the "Lusitania" on that occasion was employed under the local pilotage authority, who had assigned his services to the Cunard Company, and that he was reprimanded, not by the company, but by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative. I should like to take this opportunity of correcting a statement made by me, without having any papers by me on Thursday night, regarding the omission of the call at Queenstown by the outward bound Cunard packets. I find that the times of posting for these packets under the new arrangements will be advanced: in Dublin, from 1.30 a.m. on Sunday to 8 p.m. on Friday; and in Belfast, from 4.55 p.m. on Saturday to 8.30 p.m. on Friday. I hope, however, to be able to arrange for a supplementary mail to be despatched by the Anchor Line steamers, which call at Moville on Saturday evenings. This would, of course, afford a later opportunity of posting, especially in the North of Ireland.

Will this arrangement cost any additional sum, and, if so, how will it be provided?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he knows anything about, or has any statement to make to the House about, the failure of the Hamburg-Amerika line to make Queenstown a port of call on the voyages between Europe and the United States?

I have no information whatever on this matter.

asked how many adult male employés of the Post Office in the London District are in receipt of wages of 25s. a week or less?

The number of full-time male employés of the Post Office, over 21 years of age, employed in the London District and at present in receipt of wages of 25s. a week or less is 1,376, of whom 993 are on scale of pay the maximum of which is above that sum.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. W. Brisley, who for sixteen years was in the employment of the National Telephone Company, and from 1900 till 1912 was the housekeeper at Telephone House; whether he is aware that by the transfer of the telephone service to the State Mr. Brisley's employ- ment ceased on 1st March last; and whether, under the circumstances, he is entitled to a pension or to compensation for loss of employment?

The case of Mr. Brisley received full consideration from my predecessor. Mr. Brisley was over seventy years of age at the time of the transfer, and was unfitted, by reason of his age, to supervise the staff of cleaners employed in Telephone House. There was no other work which could be given to him, and he retired from the service in March last. Mr. Brisley was not on the company's pension fund, and as an un-established officer he was not entitled to pension from the Post Office, but he was granted a gratuity on his retirement, in accordance with Section 7 of the Telephone Transfer Act, 1911. This gratuity was necessarily small, as he had performed little more than one year's service in the Post Office.

asked when, approximately, the Postmaster-General proposes to announce the revised scale of telephone rates?

I am giving close attention to the draft scheme for the revision of telephone rates prepared under the instructions of my predecessor and hope to be able to announce the proposed new rates before Easter.

asked when the Report of the Interdepartmental Commission on Herring Trawling and other fishery matters will be promulgated?

The Government Departments concerned in the question of trawling for herring have been engaged in extensive scientific and practical investigation, and the Inter-departmental Committee on Fisheries is now waiting the result of these investigations, which have necessitated the careful tabulation of the results. I am, therefore, unable to inform the hon. and gallant Member at present as to the date of the promulgation of the Report.

asked if an appointment has yet been made to the vacant sub-postmastership at Chapel- town, Turton, Lancashire; and, if not, the reason why no appointment has been made?

An appointment has not been made. The sub-postmistress of Chapeltown, Turton, recently resigned her appointment, and, as it has not been possible to obtain another applicant for the vacancy, it has been necessary to close the office.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are several persons willing to take the office?

I shall be glad if they will come forward.

Will the right hon. Gentleman increase the remuneration of the office?

asked whether letters passing through the post to well-known persons in Ulster have been opened, and whether there has been any system of espionage?

The answer to both questions is in the negative. So far as I am aware or can ascertain, there is no foundation for the suggestion made by Lord Crawford in another place. I should be much obliged if any person who has any impression to the contrary would furnish me with the covers of any letters which, in his opinion, have been opened in the post.

Is it possible for letters to be tampered with in Ireland without the right hon. Gentleman or anybody on this side knowing anything about it?

Of course, it is conceivable that a letter might be tampered with without the Postmaster-General or his staff knowing, but I am anxious to repudiate the suggestion which has been made that the Post Office has had anything to do with the opening of letters.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will circulate his amended proposals for the government of Ireland in the form of a White Paper?

This may ultimately prove to be a convenient mode of circulating the proposals of the Government, but they will, in the first instance, be stated and explained to the House, in accordance with Parliamentary usage, by a Minister of the Crown.

What interference will result to the financial business necessary to be transacted before the end of March by the issue of a piece of white paper?

I prefer to follow the ordinary Parliamentary usage.

How long shall we have to wait for this information?

I believe we are going to have a discussion on this subject to-morrow night.

Shall we get an answer?

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the postal arrangements at several villages in South Wexford, in the neighbourhood of the Great Southern and Western Railway, is unsatisfactory; will he look into the matter with a view to giving a second delivery; and is he aware that by utilising the railway a second delivery would incur little or no increased cost?

As the hon. Member is aware, a scheme was prepared in 1908 for giving a second delivery at these villages, but it was abandoned on account of the general opposition of the residents, as expressed by the local authorities. The second delivery cannot be given without substantial increase of expenditure, but I will consider the application again if it were supported by the local authorities?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities feel very differently, now?

I hope they will express their different feeling in terms.

asked the Prime Minister whether every Petition to His Majesty ought to be presented through the medium of the Secretary of State for the Home Department; whether, since the prorogation of the 15th August, 1913, a Petition, signed by 188 Members of the House of Lords, praying His Majesty forthwith to dissolve this Parliament, has been presented through some other medium; and, if so, whether he will state when and by whom such Petition was presented; and will he give the full text of that Petition along with a complete list of the names inscribed thereon?

All Petitions to the King must, by constitutional usage, be presented through a Secretary of State; and, if they relate to the affairs of the United Kingdom through the Secretary of State for the Home Department. I have no knowledge of the existence of any such Petition as is described in the question.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the growing practice on the part of moneylenders of incorporating their businesses as limited companies with a view to evading the provisions of the Moneylenders Acts; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to prevent the continuance of such practices?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury to answer this question. If the hon. Member will be so good as to furnish me with information showing in what way the provisions of the Moneylenders Acts are, in his opinion, being evaded by moneylenders incorporating their businesses as limited companies, the matter shall be carefully considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the evil exists in the way of the preliminary fees demanded by these moneylenders? Will he bring in legislation?

I cannot promise legislation; but if my hon. Friend will give me any instances, I shall be pleased to inquire into them.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to proceed with the Imperial Naturalisation Bill?

I cannot yet name a date.

Is there any reasonable hope it will come on early in the Session?

I cannot say.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to give a day for the Motion whereby it may be made clear how many Members of the House are prepared to vote for the discontinuance of their own salaries?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that this Vote by ourselves to ourselves will come on one day under circumstances which will ensure it shall be discussed?

I am prepared to take the feeling of the House as to that.

Is it a fact that Members who do not wish to take salaries can bring it about by not presenting the warrant to the Treasury?

asked the Prime Minister whether the undertaking given last Session by the Minister for Education that, in the event of the lifetime of the Government being prolonged to its normal limit, the final passage of the Plural Voting Bill would be accompanied by a measure of redistribution still holds good; and whether it is intended to deal with the question of three-cornered contests by means of the alternative vote in single-Member constituencies or of the transferable vote in grouped constituencies returning several Members?

I understand my right hon. Friend intimated that if we had the opportunity it was the intention of the Government to introduce a measure to deal with redistribution, and, in reply to the first part of the question, I may say there is no alteration of the intentions of the Government. As regards the second part, I must ask the hon. Member to await the proposals of the Government on the subject.

What does the word "opportunity" mean?

"Opportunity" means opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister if he will submit the petition signed by 15,321 adult Nonconformists resident in the diocese of St. Asaph against the Disendowment of the Church in Wales, and which has been forwarded to him, to the impartial scrutiny of a small Committee of Members of this House or of any other Committee that he thinks well to appoint; and whether, in view of the fact that a similar petition is being organised independently by certain Nonconformists in South Wales, he will request the Committee to investigate this petition also when completed, in order that the honour and integrity of the petitioners may be upheld if the investigation so recommends?

As I stated the other day, the protest is not in a form in which it can be presented to the House of Commons for submission to the Public Petitions Committee. I am not prepared to set up a special Committee for the purpose suggested. Petitions of this nature should be addressed to the House of Commons so that they can be subjected to, proper scrutiny.

asked the Prime Minister if the vacancy on the Development Commission, caused by the resignation last summer of Sir Sainthill Eardley Wilmot, has yet been filled; if so, by whom; and, if not, when is it proposed to fill the vacancy?

Sir Eardley Wilmot vacated his appointment on the completion of the term for which he was appointed. The vacancy has not yet been filled, but I hope it will be shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state if a day will be granted, or an early opportunity offered, to discuss the grievances of the postal servants and the Report of the Holt Committee?

I am not yet in a position to say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as too whether he will be able to say so at an early date?

It depends upon the exigencies of Parliamentary business.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been made aware of an attempt to revive the project of a Channel Tunnel; whether the present proposal differs in any material respect from that which was condemned by military opinion many years ago and was consequently vetoed by the Government; whether he has any information showing that military opinion regarding the project has changed; and if he will undertake that the Government will give no sanction to the construction of a Channel Tunnel until the subject has been again considered by a committee of naval and military experts, and until this House has had an opportunity of discussing it?

The investigation which was promised on 5th August, 1913, in reply to a deputation representing the Committee of Members of the House of Commons in favour of the construction of a Channel Tunnel is not yet completed. It is not considered desirable to give a detailed reply to the questions formulated until the conclusion of the inquiry.

Is the question being considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the loss of the Boy Scouts' ketch "Mirror," when a scoutmaster and three scouts were drown off Gravesend last October; and whether any steps have been taken by the Board for the better protection of life and property at sea by insisting that in all future engagements ships' officers should be certificated?

The attention of the Board of Trade was called to this casualty, and a formal investigation was held in London on 26th and 27th January and on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th February. The official report of the Court of Inquiry has now been received, and it will receive my careful consideration. The provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts as regards certificated officers do not at present require ships employed in the home trade, other than passenger steamships, to carry certificated officers, and I doubt if it would be practicable to require small home-trade sailing vessels, such as the "Mirror," to have them. I may add that the master of the steamship "Hogarth," which was in collision with the "Mirror," holds a certificate of competency, and the master of "Mirror," who was uncertificated, was not considered by the Court to have been to blame for the collision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether unemployed men in the building trade registering themselves at London Labour Exchanges are being asked whether they are prepared to sign the circular recently issued by the master builders; and whether these officials have been authorised to put this question and thus associate the Exchanges to some extent with the document?

Applicants to Labour Exchanges for vacancies notified by London master builders have been carefully informed both of the existence of a dispute and of the conditions of employment offered, including, of course, that to which my hon. Friend refers. The information has been given by way of warning of the condition to be expected, and in no way as an invitation to workmen to comply with it. But for this proper information workmen might have had fruitless journeys to apply for jobs in ignorance of a condition which would cause them to refuse the work on arrival.

If any of these men who accept employment at a distance from London are not allowed to start work because they were locked out, will they be entitled to unemployment benefit under the Insurance Act?

I do not think that arises out of the question. It is the duty and object of the superintendents of Labour Exchanges to give truthful information as to the issue and causes of a dispute, but to observe absolute neutrality from the point of view of the dispute itself.