asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the case of Thomas E. Taylor, of 12, Moorgate Street, Great Crosby, who applied for sanatorium benefit on 14th March, 1913, and who was recommended for a shelter in lieu of sanatorium benefit; whether at the date of his death on 10th July, 1913, the shelter had not been supplied to him; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for the delay?

My right hon. Friend is informed that the recommendation for the provision of a shelter to the person referred to was made on the 30th June, 1913. A supply of shelters had been previously ordered, but owing to non-delivery by the makers they were not available until after the 10th July, 1913.

asked the exact period of time covered by the guarantee of the full minimum benefits which was given to persons entering insurance under the National Insurance Act?

I do not know to what guarantee the hon. Member refers. Under the National Insurance Act a society is liable to pay its members the ordinary benefits until the valuation, after which the benefits may be either increased or reduced, according as the valuation has disclosed a surplus or a deficiency.

asked how many insured persons were members of the State section of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Board of Erin) Friendly Society at any recent date?

The latest available figure is 169,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inquire into the case of W. A. Bunkell, of 4, St. Isaac's Walk, Colchester, who is an insured person, a member of the Liverpool Victoria Approved Society, who claimed sick benefit on 16th February, whose claim has not been paid owing to delay in transferring him from the Post Office contributors' account at Norwich to his society, so that there may be no further delay?

I have communicated with the society, as requested by the hon. Member, and I understand that they have now dealt with the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the First Annual Report of the National Insurance Audit Department will be published?

The first Report of the chief auditor will cover the eighteen months from the commencement of the Act to the end of the first benefit year, namely, January, 1914. It will be presented as soon as possible after the completion of the audit for that period, but I am unable at present to say when that will be.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £1,500,000 voted for the building of sanatoria was actually expended on 31st December, 1913, in building sanatoria; how the remainder was invested; and to whom the income from such investments is payable?

There has been no Vote for the building of sanatoria. Under Section 16 (1) (b) of the Finance Act, 1911, £1,500,000 out of the Old Sinking Fund of 1910–11 was retained in the Exchequer, to be issued for the purpose of the provision of, or making Grants-in-Aid to, sanatoria at such times as the Treasury might direct. Pending such issue, the money forms part of the ordinary Exchequer balance, and no question of investment arises. The total issues up to 31st December, 1913, amounted to £88,500, of which £71,872 had been expended the difference between these sums representing the working balances in the hands of the Departments charged with the distribution of the grants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state when it was decided that workers in the cycle-chain trade were liable for the payment of contributions for unemployment under the National Insurance Act; when the decision was first enforced; whether it was then enforced in every case; whether arrears are being claimed from the outset from workers who were informed that they would not be liable for any contributions; and if employers are entitled to deduct for such arrears of contributions?

A specific decision, Number A, 388, to the effect that contributions under Part II. of the National Insurance Act are payable in respect of the workpeople in question, was given by the Umpire before the Act came into operation, and has been enforced from the out-set in all cases which have come to the knowledge of the Board. If any of these workpeople were informed that they would not be liable to contributions, I think this must have been because they gave an incorrect or incomplete description of their occupation. In any case where contributions have fallen into arrear and the employer fulfils his obligations by paying all the contributions outstanding, I am advised that he would not be precluded by the Act or the Regulations thereunder from recovering half the amount so paid by deducting reasonable instalments from the workpeople's wages.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that William A. Hawkins, of 73, Ridge Road, Watford, who had been suffering from rheumatism for about sixteen weeks, was required to attend before the Medical Referee, Dr. Reid, of Watford, on 12th February, 1914; that he attended accordingly with his brother; that he was entirely unfit to leave his house; and that, in consequence of the exposure and exertion, he died on the way home from the Referee; and whether the Insurance Commissioners propose to take any steps to prevent any similar occurrences in the future?

I have no information as to the case referred to, but if the hon. Member will inform me of the name of the society to which the insured person belonged I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the gross annual and the estimated capital value of Crown property in Ireland in the year 1800; the gross incomes from such property each year since then, with the total; the aggregate amount of capital received each year since then from sale, alienation, or lease of such property, with the total; the sum of income and capital received in the period from this property; whether that money has been applied to Irish purposes or passed into the Imperial Treasury; the present annual income from what remains of the Crown property in Ireland in 1800; and whether this income is to be received in future by the British Treasury or by the Irish Treasury?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11th June, 1912, from which he will see that the preparation of such a statement as is suggested would be very difficult if not impossible. The capital receipts from the property referred to have been carried to the general capital account of the Land Revenues, and the net annual income has been paid into the Exchequer as part of the Land Revenue of the Crown. Particulars as to the present annual income are given on page 96 of the Report of the Commissioners of Woods for the year ended on 31st March, 1913 (H. of C. 177 of 1913). No arrangements have been made for crediting this income to the Irish Treasury.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Board of Trade has submitted a scheme to the Treasury for the reorganisation of the staff of the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen; how long such a scheme has been under the consideration of the Treasury and when a decision may be expected; whether he can state the number of clerks in that office who have served forty years and upwards, and the number who have attained the age of sixty; and whether provision will be made in any scheme sanctioned by the Treasury for the retirement of clerks at the age of sixty, or as soon afterwards as they have served forty years, in order that a proper flow of promotion may be created for the younger clerks?

Proposals on this subject were submitted to the Treasury in October last, and the Treasury decision was communicated to the Board of Trade in November; some outstanding questions of detail are, however, still the subject of correspondence between the Departments. As regards the latter part of the question, any information desired as to the age and length of service of these officers should be sought from the President of the Board of Trade. The matter of age retirement did not form part of the proposals referred to above.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, with regard to luncheon clubs existing in various Government Departments to the funds of which Treasury assistance is given, whether their Lordships have made provision, by insisting on their being controlled by popularly elected committees or in any other way, to ensure that these clubs are actually managed in the best interests of members of the various staffs for whose use they have been instituted?

The details of the constitution of the luncheon committees of the several Government Departments are a matter for the decision of the Departments concerned, and would not form a convenient subject for Treasury regulation.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why Civil Service assistant clerks, rejected on probation, cannot be reassigned for service in another Department in the same way as are second division clerks who have been rejected on probation?

The Civil Service Commissioners are empowered by Clause 43 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, to reassign for service in another Department a second division clerk who has been rejected on probation by the Department to which he has been assigned, but they have no such power in the case of any other class of established Civil servants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether graveyards are to be valued under the Land Act; and, if so, whether the assessable site value finally affixed to the ground will be made the basis both of rating and taxation?

The general scheme of valuation set up by Part I. of the Finance Act (1909–10) Act, 1910, embraces all land in the United Kingdom. The bases on which any future duties may be imposed will be dealt with when the question of the imposition of such duties come to be considered. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that in certain cases cemeteries are already assessed for purposes of local rating.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay upon the Table the full correspondence between the Harbour Trustees, the right hon. Member for Wick Burghs, the Lord Advocate, and the hon. Member for Dumfries Burghs, if any, on the one part, and the Development Commissioners or Treasury, on the other part, so far as such passed in the years 1913 or 1914?

The publication of the correspondence at the present time would, I fear, tend to prejudice the negotiations which are still proceeding in regard to this matter. I shall hope to lay the whole of the correspondence on the subject as soon as the negotiations have been completed.

asked whether he will state the sum that the Development Commissioners have undertaken to pay the harbour trustees for the improvement of Wick harbour; whether it is conditional upon a Treasury Grant in addition; and, if so, what was the amount of the Treasury Grant proposed?

"From the reports before them [the Commissioners], it would seem that the amount which will be required during the next five years for maintaining and repairing the existing works, for the dredging, etc., which the Trustees contemplate, and for the construction of the outer breakwater cannot safely be placed at less than £150,000. They apprehend that the present resources of the Harbour and Town of Wick are quite inadequate to supplying this sum, and the Commissioners, though they are very desirous to assist, are forbidden by the amount of the Development Fund and the other claims upon it to recommend help on the scale that would apparently be necessary. In these circumstances, they can only suggest that a special appeal should be made by the Harbour Trust to the Treasury, in order that such arrangements may be made in regard to the existing debt as will justify the Public Works Loan Board in advancing, say, half the total sum required on the security of the surplus harbour revenues and any guarantee which may be obtainable. If this appeal is successful and the Town and Harbour of Wick can in addition provide another quarter of the sum necessary (by raising the harbour dues, by a Burgh guarantee, voluntary contributions, or other means), the Commissioners will be prepared to recommend that the loan already sanctioned from the Development Fund should be converted into a Grant, and a further Grant made from the Development Fund of a sum not exceeding £22,500, so as to bring the total contribution from the Development Fund up to a quarter of the whole sum required, not exceeding £37,500. If the Harbour Trust decide to make a special appeal to the Treasury, the Commissioners will afford it such support as they can properly give."

asked whether any interest has been paid by Persia on the loan of £220,000 made out of the Treasury Chest Fund; and, if so, in what account is such interest credited?

The interest has been paid regularly, and has been paid into the Exchequer under the head of "Receipts from Suez Canal Shares and Sundry Loans."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the justice of giving to officers of the Army, and Navy the same 25 per cent, abatement of Income Tax upon their pay that is given upon the salaries of Members of Parliament, in view of the expenses that have to be defrayed from it?

The considerations leading to a uniform allowance in the ease of a Member of Parliament do not apply to a naval or military officer who, in practically every case, if he incurs expenditure wholly, exclusively or necessarily in the performance of the duties of his office, gets it repaid to him apart from his salary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate of interest money is borrowed from the National Debt Commissioners for the commutation of civil pensions under the Pensions Commutation Act; what rate of interest is charged against the person commuting; if he will give a reference to the latest audited accounts in which the amount and application of this profit may be seen; the aggregate salaries of all the public servants now in Ireland who will in the normal course, become entitled by law or custom, to civil pensions or after-service allowances of public money under whatever name; the aggregate amount for which those payments on the scale now in force would be commutable; the amount of the difference between the interest paid to the National Debt Commissioners on that sum and the interest charged against those commuting; and whether this profit is to go into the Irish or into the Imperial Treasury under the Government of Ireland Act?

As regards the first and last parts of the question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to his questions on the 30th and 31st July last. It would not be possible to ascertain the aggregate salaries of all pensionable public servants in Ireland without an elaborate investigation, which I am not prepared to undertake. The amounts for which any compensation allowances awarded under the Government of Ireland Bill might be commuted cannot be stated, as they would depend not only upon the amount of the allowance awarded in each case, but also upon the age and state of health of each officer desiring to commute.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he authorises any collector of taxes to send a notice respecting payment of Income Tax and Inhabited House Duty, before 31st March, stating that, previous applications for payment of the taxes due for the above-mentioned year on 1st January last having been made without effect, personal demand is made for payment, and final notice is given that if the amount be not paid or remitted within seven days from the date of the notice, steps will be taken for recovery with costs; and will he give orders to collectors to abstain from issuing such threats until after 31st March in each year.

The answer to the hon. Member's question is that collectors of taxes do, in the ordinary course of their duties, and under Statutory authority issue final demand notices before the 31st March for taxes which became due on or before the 1st January preceding, and I have no authority to direct collectors to defer the collection until after the expiry of the year in which the taxes are due and payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in accordance with Rules 105 ( a ) and 108 ( b ) of the Comissioners of National Education in Ireland, approved by the Treasury in 1901, all teachers promoted received increases of salary as from the date of promotion until 1909; that now, by a fresh observance of those rules, the same practice is in operation; that from 1909 to 1912, both inclusive, teachers who had entered the service under those rules did not receive increases concurrently with promotion, their satisfactory service during that period is not counted in awarding future increments, and their pensions under the new scheme will also be adversely affected on account of that period; whether, in fulfilment of those rules and as a matter of equality among the teachers, amends will be made in those three respects to the teachers so affected; and, if not, will he say on what grounds the rules are not observed in these particular cases?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to a question addressed to him by the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh on this subject on the 19th February. I have nothing to add to that answer.

asked the Chief Secretary how many colleges for the teaching of Irish are recognised by the Commissioners of National Education; and what are the names of the recognised colleges?

There are at present sixteen, colleges for the teaching of Irish which are recognised as qualified to earn Grants under the Regulations of the Commissioners of National Education. These colleges are as follows:—Four Masters, Letterkenny; Ulster, at Cloghaneely, county Donegal; Munster, at Ballingeary, county Cork; Ring, county Waterford; Belfast (with a branch at Armagh); Connacht, at Partry, county Mayo; Leinster, at 25, Rutland Square, Dublin (with branches at Mullingar, and Milltown Convent, county Dublin—for nuns); Dingle, county Kerry; Spiddal, county Galway; Sligo; Ballinasloe; Castlebar; Caherdaniel, county Kerry; Glandore, county Cork; Omeath, county Louth; and Dublin (20, Kildare Street). The Commissioners were also prepared to recognise one other college (Ocurry College, Carrigaholt), on condition that the Board's inspector be associated with the professors in the examination for the award of certificates. The college authorities, however, declined to accept this condition.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a memorial on behalf of the pensioners of the Royal Irish Constabulary praying that the Constabulary Force Fund be at once wound up and be equitably distributed amongst the subscribers; and, if so, will he say what action he intends to take in the matter, and will he do so immediately?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the similar question of the hon. Member for South Sligo on the 24th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether District Inspector Shier, Royal Irish Constabulary, Ballina, county Mayo, has completed forty-two years' service, and as he is now over sixty years old and entitled to the maximum pension of his rank, why he is not retired in accordance with the provisions of the Police (Ireland) Act, 1882; what other district inspectors now serving have had over forty-two years' service and should be retired; and what are the ages and services of District Inspectors Hussey, of Carrick-on-Shannon, and Dowling, of Balbriggan?

District Inspector Shier has nearly forty-two years' service, but he will not be sixty years of age till the 29th June, 1914, when the question of his retirement will be dealt with in the ordinary course. The only other district inspectors now serving who have forty-two years' service are District Inspector Culhane and District Inspector McHugh; the services of these officers have for the present been retained in the public interest. District Inspector Hussey, of Carrick-on-Shannon, has forty years' service, and is fifty-seven years of age. District Inspector T. Dowling, of Balbriggan, has practically forty years' service, and is fifty-nine years of age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland continues to refuse to allow the Ballymoney Rural District Council to pay a greater fee than 10s. 6d. to the solicitors employed by occupiers of land on whose farms plots are compulsorily acquired for the purposes of the Labourers (Ireland) Acts in making title to the rural district council; whether he is aware that the district council is now regularly sued in the County Court by such solicitors, who as regularly obtain judgment against the council for such sums, usually two guineas in each case, as the County Court Judge thinks reasonable; and whether, since the only alternative course open to the council is to pay the purchase moneys into Court, which is ultimately even more expensive, he will move the Local Government Board for Ireland to so modify their Orders relating to the costs of occupiers as to admit of the voluntary payment by the Bally-money Rural District Council of reasonable fees to solicitors engaged in making title for occupiers, and thus relieve the ratepayers of the additional costs at present thrown upon them?

The Order fixing a fee of 10s. 6d. for short abstract of title in the case of a mere occupier has now been amended by the Local Government Board. The new Order provides for the costs of all parties (including occupiers) being taxed by the taxing officer appointed by the Board in cases where the inclusive fee also prescribed by the Order is not accepted by the solicitors acting for the parties. This will do away with the necessity for legal proceedings in future, such as have arisen in the cases referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the number of small holdings to be found in the neighbourhood of Quansborough, Mullagh, county Galway; whether any attempt was made by the Congested Districts Board to acquire the untenanted farm of Quansborough, at present in the possession of Mrs. Ryan, Ashbrooke, New Inn, Loughrea, in the interest of the small holders; whether he is aware that a large grazier named Mr. R. Howard, living at Eyr Court, ten miles away from the farm, threatens to disturb the peace of the locality by purchasing the said lands; and whether the Congested Districts Board will communicate with the landlord in the matter?

The Congested Districts Board have no information as to the number of small holdings in the district referred to, and they cannot identify the Quansborough farm from the particulars given in the question. The Board understand that some years ago Mrs. Ryan, of Ashbrook, sold her interest in the farm of Mullagh, on Lord Clonbrock's estate, to a Mr. Howard.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in reference to the Vandeleur estate, West Clare, he is aware that as far back as November, 1912, Mr. Linehan, an inspector under the Estates Commissioners, inspected the farm of James Keane, Monmore, and that of other tenants on the estate, but that these tenants have not yet been informed what valuation has been put on their farms, and that the tenants are still liable for the old rent; and whether the valuations will be made known to the tenants as soon as possible, so that they may have the opportunity of signing their purchase agreements?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. In accordance with the terms of their purchase agreements these purchasing tenants are paying interest in lieu of rent pending the vesting of the lands in them. The Commissioners have no power to fix a price in regard to the holding of James Keane referred to in the question. He is a judicial tenant, and as he has not signed an agreement he is liable to pay his judicial rent.

asked the Chief Secretary if an application has been made to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland by or on behalf of Mr. Florence O'Sullivan, of Farranfore, county Kerry, to be appointed a justice of the peace for the county of Kerry; if so, with what result; and whether the present Lord Chancellor is aware that when Mr. Florence O'Sullivan was an ex-officio justice of the peace for the county of Kerry, by virtue of his position as chairman of the Killarney Rural District Council, he refused (in the case of the King v. Walsh and others) at the Castle Island Petty Sessions to return for trial fifteen men charged with unlawful assembly, riot, and assaults on the police by flinging boiling tar and lime into their eyes?

No application has been made to the Lord Chancellor by, or on behalf of, Mr. Florence O'Sullivan to be appointed to the Commission of the Peace.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the major from the General Staff at the War Office, who is now attached to the Admiralty War Staff, is drawing over £100 per annum more pay than officers of similar relative rank serving in the Admiralty War Staff; whether the officer from the Admiralty War Staff, who is now attached to the General Staff at the War Office, is drawing £100 per annum less pay than officers of similar relative rank serving in the General Staff at the War Office; and if he will take steps to improve the present scale of pay of officers serving in the Admiralty War Staff, so that these officers may be equally paid with the officers of the General Staff of the War Office?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to a similar question on 4th December, 1912, when I stated that the pay of officers serving on the War Staff at the Admiralty is fixed with relation to the pay of Naval and Marine officers serving in other appointments, and not necessarily to that of Army officers. The major temporarily attached to the Admiralty War Staff is paid by the War Office, and the naval officer temporarily attached to the General Staff at the War Office is paid by the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the recruiting form of the year 1899 and the Recruiting Book, 1900, state that carpenters' crews may advance to the rating of shipwright and the higher ratings up to warrant officers, while Recruiting Book, 1913, states that a limited number will be allowed to transfer to shipwright at the discretion of the Admiralty, but only in exceptional cases; and if, in view of the fact that there are in the Service many carpenters' crews who joined under the older conditions and having passed the necessary examination are practically stopped at the rating of joiner, he can hold out any hope that the promises in the recruiting forms under which these men joined will be observed and carried through?

The recruiting pamphlets of 1899 and 1900 stated that carpenters' crew ratings were eligible for advancement to shipwright and superior ratings, but, as I explained yesterday in my reply to the hon. Member for Devon-port—to which I would refer the hon. Member—such advancement is at the discretion of the Admiralty. It is intended to transfer a number of carpenters' crew ratings to shipwright early next financial year.

asked how many rooms are contained in the sixty-four habitations erected by the contractor at Rosyth; how many of these rooms are contained in the model lodging-house; and how many persons live in the model lodging-house?

329, 15, and 164 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the ranges of the French, German, and English field guns, respectively; and whether there is any intention of rearming the English Horse and Field Artillery with a view to putting them on an equality with European nations?

The ranges are: French, 6,010 yards; German, 5,500 yards; English, 6,200 yards. It is not considered that the equipment of the English Horse and Field Artillery is inferior to that of other European nations, and there is no immediate intention to rearm.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office contemplates acquiring Runnemede ranges; whether the directors at present refuse to carry them on; whether the Inspector-General of Territorials is anxious to retain these ranges; and whether they are of great use to the Household troops at Windsor?

My right hon. Friend does not consider it desirable at present to make any public statement as to the intentions of the War Office in reference to this range.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether under Allowance Regulations for the Army an officer may take a nurse with children to India; whether the Indian Government are bound by the same Regulations, or whether under Indian Regulations the officer has to pay the nurse's passage home; and, in that case, whether the paragraph in Army Regulations will be deleted, owing to its frequently producing a wrong impression?

The Allowance Regulations and the Indian Army Regulations, by the latter of which alone the Indian Government are bound, differ somewhat on this point, but the question of bringing them into line, in their application to officers of the British Service, will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War the grounds on which the application of the Longford Urban Council to lease at a nominal rent the ball alley of the Longford military barracks, at present unoccupied and disused, was after first being accepted then refused; whether it is the intention of the military authorities in Ireland to again send troops to occupy these barracks; and, if not, will he direct that the application of the urban council be reconsidered with a view to its acceptance?

I understand that the arrangements for a lease were discontinued, as stated in the question, by the military authorities in Ireland. The matter was within their discretion, and it is not proposed to issue any instructions. As regards the reoccupation of the barracks by the troops, the position remains as stated in a reply given to the hon. Member on 30th December, 1912.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of batteries of Royal Horse and Field Artillery, of regiments of Cavalry, and of battalions of Infantry of the Regular Forces quartered in Ireland according to the Army List for February, 1914?

This information will be found on pages 28–31 of the current Monthly Army List.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of men of the Regular Infantry with over five years' service who have been sent abroad during the present trooping season; and whether it is the intention to retain these men abroad for a further period of one year's service on completion of seven years' service with the Colours?

The number who proceeded to India with units and with drafts is three. No exact figure for those proceeding to the Colonies is available, but the number would not be much in excess of 200. The point referred to in the last part of the question does not arise at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the establishment and strength of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Territorial Force by arms on the 1st February, 1914, exclusive of the permanent staff?

The figures are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of ex-soldiers of the Regular Army who have joined the Special Reserve during the years 30th September, 1911, to 1st October, 1912, and 30th September, 1912, to 1st October, 1913?

If the hon. Member is referring to ex-soldiers enlisted under Army Order 60/1911 (paragraph 5), the numbers for the period 1st October, 1911 to 30th September, 1913, are 1,132. Beyond this there are no statistics of the numbers of ex-soldiers who enlist into the Special Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of divisions taking part in the Army manœuvres in Great Britain and Ireland in 1913; and the strength of each division?

Four Infantry and two Cavalry divisions took part in the Army manœuvres in Great Britain, and two Infantry divisions in Ireland. It is not desirable to give the exact numbers present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, at the date of the circular issued by the officer commanding the 3rd North Midland Field Ambulance, any riot was apprehended in Wolverhampton; how many members of the corps expressed their willingness to be enrolled as special constables for the purpose stated in the circular; and whether similar circulars have been issued by the commanding officers of other corps?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the letter was sent out under a misapprehension. With regard to the second and third parts of the question I have no information, but inquiry shall be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can say who are the present contractors for the supply of meat to the Army; with whom was the contract made on behalf of the Secretary of State for War; whether he can state the terms of the contract; and whether the usual notices in connection with these contracts were given to the former contractors?

The current contract for the supply ex store of frozen meat in bulk was secured by the Compania Sansinena after competitive tendering among a number of importers. The conditions are shewn in the printed tender form, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member. In addition there are a number of contracts; made locally, for supply and delivery of fresh meat, and also of frozen meat at certain stations. These contracts were placed in the usual way with various contractors too numerous to detail on the present occasion. Acceptances were signed by the authorised officers, in the latter case in the different military commands, in the former at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War the terms of contract which have existed or are now in existence between the Army Council and Messrs. Borthwick for the supply of meat in Great Britain and Ireland; and whether the usual notice for those contracts was given to former contractors?

May I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Ludlow on the 13th February, and the hon. Member for South Kildare to-day?

asked by whose authority companies of soldiers, accompanied by bands, are parading the streets of Glasgow daily, and finishing up at the picture house at which the advertising films of the Army are being shown; whether these films are supplied free by the War Office; and whether the expense of preparing or exhibiting them will be shown in the Estimates?

The only information that I have is to the effect that the Territorial Association have been making special efforts during the last fortnight to stimulate recruiting for the Territorial Force. As has already been explained to the House the Army film is a private enterprise entailing no expense to Army funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has formed an estimate of the number of bayonets required to be provided for the service of the Army during the coming financial year; and what proportion will be ordered from private firms?

The number of bayonets required during the coming financial year will in all probability only suffice to maintain a small nucleus of men at Enfield, and there will, therefore, be no orders which can be placed with private firms.

asked whether it is proposed to bring back the two Cavalry regiments from South Africa to this country; and, if so, when such a step will be taken or, if not, whether either of them will shortly be relieved from India?

The programme of intended reliefs for the year 1914–15 was published in Army Order 31 of this year. It is not possible at present to add anything to what is there stated.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Departmental Committee, which is now drafting legislating on the subject of the future government, scope and functions of London University, will be compelled to accept in full the recommendations of the Royal Commission with respect to external students, or whether it will be able to advise the retention unimpaired of the rights and privileges these students at present enjoy?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, the Committee are, of course, bound in making their recommendaitons to have regard to their terms of reference, which do not, however, require them to adhere in detail to the recommendation of the Royal Commission, and I have every reason to believe that the Committee appreciate the importance of devising arrangements which will make adequate provision for the continuance of external degrees.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Bill to be introduced this Session for the development of a national system of education will contain proposals for dealing with the religious difficulty in what are known as single-school areas?

On the introduction of the Bill to which the hon. Member refers, my right hon. Friend hopes to explain its provisions, but not before.

asked the President of the Board of Education, in view of the fact that irregularities have been discovered in the accounts of the Central Welsh Board, whether any steps have been taken to summon a meeting of the Board or to inform its members of the position of affairs; whether the executive committee of the Board and its finance committee, under whose administration the irregularities have presumably taken place, are the same bodies as are now directing the Board's business; and whether there is any power to compel the holding of a special meeting of the Board?

I understand that the ordinary half-yearly meeting of the Central Welsh Board will be held on 15th May next. I am not aware of any other meeting having been summoned. I have no knowledge of any steps having been taken to inform the members of the Central Welsh Board as to the position of affairs referred to in the hon. Member's question, and, so far as I am aware, no changes have occurred in the membership of the executive committee and its finance committee since the irregularities were discovered. It is provided by the scheme regulating the Central Welsh Board that the chairman of the Board "may, at his discretion, and shall on the requisition to him of ten or more members of the Board, summon a special meeting thereof."

asked the Home Secretary on what basis the annual Grant of £6,000 in aid of discharged convicts is distributed?

The principle of the distribution of this sum is that each discharged convict shall be helped according to his needs, after careful preliminary inquiry into all the circumstances of the case. The amount granted is based on an estimate of the requirements for maintenance, clothes, tools, etc., for an annual discharge of a thousand convicts, together with the cost of superintendence, agency, and clerical staff.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that two men, Alfred Matthews, aged eighteen, and Charles Roberts, aged twenty-two, were sentenced to four months' hard labour, at Horsham Police Court, on the 1st November last, for indecent exposure of obscene postcards; that Roberts, who pleaded not guilty, appealed to Quarter Sessions and the sentence was reduced to one month; that, as a result, Matthews, who had pleaded guilty, was immediately released by his order; and that the cost of Roberts' appeal was borne by several prominent tradesmen in Horsham, who were absolute strangers to the prisoner, but believed the sentence to be excessive; and whether he will order the remission of the police costs, amounting to £36 6s. 9d., which have been charged against the persons who supported the appeal?

I have no power to order the remission of the costs. The matter was in the discretion of the Court.

asked the Home Secretary what English and Welsh county councils have submitted to him by-laws under the Employment of Children Act, 1903?

By-laws have been submitted by the following county councils:—

England.—Cheshire, Devon, Gloucester, Hertford, Isle of Wight, London, Middlesex, Monmouth, Norfolk, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk (East), Sussex, (West), Warwick, Wilts, York (West Biding).

Wales.—Denbigh, Glamorgan.

All these by-laws have been confirmed, except those submitted by Warwick and Denbigh, which are now under consideration, and those from the Isle of Wight, submitted in 1904, which were withdrawn.

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of convictions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, in England and Wales during the period from 1st January, 1911, to 31st December, 1913, giving the occupation of the offender, nature of the offence, the Court where the case was tried, date of trial, penalty, and order as to costs, if any, in the same form as that given on 17th May. 1911, giving details of convictions from 1st January, 1907, to 31st December, 1910?

I shall be glad to furnish the hon. Baronet with the particulars he asks for, but they will take some time to collect.

asked the Attorney-General the number of applications made for his fiat, or that of the Solicitor-General, to prosecute under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, during the period from 1st January, 1907, to 31st December, 1913, stating the number of applications which have been granted and the number of applications which were refused?

There have been 103 applications up to the end of 1913. The fiat has been refused in fourteen cases.

asked the Under-Secretary for India, whether, taking into consideration that a medal cannot, according to the terms of the Royal Warrant, be granted for the operations of the last few years in suppression of gun-running in the Persian Gulf, he will consider the question of granting some other reward for officers and men of the Indian Army and Royal Indian Marine engaged in those operations?

The merits of questions of this kind are always difficult to estimate, but in deference to the wish expressed by the hon. Member the Secretary of State will ascertain the views of the Government of India on the case advanced by him.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the growing demand of Scottish farm servants for a weekly half-holiday; and whether, in view of the impossibility of their securing this concession throughout Scotland by voluntary agreement with their employers, he will introduce a Bill to secure for them, under conditions adapted to the requirements of their industry, a privilege which is already enjoyed by every other considerable body of workers in Great Britain?

I understand that efforts to arrive at a solution of this question by mutual agreement are being made and have met with some success. I am not prepared to promise legislation at present.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many of the 4,744 applicants for new small holdings have received them, or with regard to whose applications matters are in a sufficiently forward state to guarantee their getting them; and how many of these applicants were formerly or are now smallholders?

In answer to the first part of the question, the only statistics which I can give to the Noble Lord are that the number of applicants now in occupation of new holdings is 170. There are a large number of applications now before the Land Court, most of which I have no doubt will result in settlements. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave him on Tuesday.

asked the the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the present condition of Great Britain in the matter of foot-and-mouth disease; and what was the result of the recent joint inquiry of officials of the Board and of the Irish Department as to the country of origin of the recent outbreaks of the disease at Birkenhead?

A new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed yesterday in Carnarvonshire, one pig being found affected. There is no evidence at present to show how the disease originated. All the usual precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of infection, and, generally speaking, the outlook in all parts of the country appears to be satisfactory. The veterinary officers of the Board and of the Irish Department, who took part in the conference at Birkenhead, have since been very busily occupied with their normal and urgent duties in the field. This has inevitably delayed the preparation of their report, but if the hon. Gentleman will repeat the latter part of his question next week I hope to be able to make a statement.

also asked the President of the Board of Agriculture why it has been decided by the Board not to reintroduce the Bee Disease Bill this Session?

Contrary to expectation, the Bee Disease Bill introduced last Session was found to be controversial. I endeavoured in vain to convince opponents of the measure—not only hon. Members of this House, but some of the largest bee-keepers in the country, upon whose cordial co-operation success in preventing and controlling disease would largely depend—that their opposition was based on a misapprehension. In the circumstances I regret that I see no advantage in reintroducing the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board or the Development Commission have yet been able to take any steps for the provision of additional cottages in rural districts where land has been offered either free or at a very low figure; and, if not, whether he can hold out any hope of being able to avail himself of such offers of sites during the present year?

So far as the Board are concerned, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for Dulwich on Monday last. With regard to the Development Commission, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the consideration of the Estimates for next year is to be curtailed in order that he may introduce the Government of Ireland Bill at the earliest possible moment, he will give an opportunity to the House to discuss the recent Report on housing in Dublin?

There will be no curtailment of the consideration of the Estimates. I will consider the hon. Member's request.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the scheme of reforms for Armenia presented by the Powers has been agreed to by the Porte; whether administrative authority will be placed in the hands of European officers responsible to the Powers; and, if not, what will be the authority possessed by the officers nominated by the Powers?

I am informed that the Turkish Government will shortly submit to the Powers a scheme of reforms. I cannot, of course, state in advance what these proposals will be, though as soon as they are received I hope to be able to make a statement about them. I may, however, say that I understand the scheme will contemplate the appointment by the Porte of European Inspectors-General with wide powers of administration and control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in possession of any further information concerning the Rev. J. S. Bowskill; and if he can inform the House what further representations he is making to the Government of Portugal?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. Member for Chelsea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ask the Consul-General of Antwerp for his opinion on the worn-out horse traffic as compared with his last Report published in October, 1911, and as to any statement he can now make on the facilities for the importation of horse meat from England?

The numbers and value of horses imported into Belgium from the United Kingdom in 1911 and 1912 are given in the two subsequent Reports from His Majesty's Consul-General at Antwerp, Annual Series, Nos. 5012 and 5242, pages 17 and 16 respectively. I do not propose to call for a special Report from His Majesty's Consul-General at the present time. I will bring the matters mentioned in the hon. Member's question to the notice of His Majesty's Consul-General with the suggestion that he should deal with the subject in the next Report on the trade and commerce of Belgium.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the railway rates on milk traffic have been largely increased, in some cases to the extent of 1d. per can, where the previous charge was 1d. per gallon; and whether he will take steps to inquire into the above-mentioned increase, and, if possible, obtain a remission of the same?

The increase in the rates on milk is part of a general increase of about 4 per cent, in the rates on most classes of merchandise which came into force last July. It is open to any trader or responsible body of traders to call upon the railway companies to justify the increases before the Railway and Canal Commission, and I do not think the Board of Trade could usefully intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee to inquire into accidents to railway employés has yet been appointed; what are the terms of the reference; and who are the members of the Committee?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject, but I hope to announce the composition of the Committee shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the cost of living in the neighbourhood of London, he will consider the desirability of adopting a special scale of pay for postal servants engaged outside the London postal district, but within twelve miles from Charing Cross; and whether he will receive representations on the subject?

The recommendations of the recent Select Committee on Post Office servants do not contemplate the payment of a special scale in the cases referred to. The claim for an extension of the London wages area was made before the Select Committee by witnesses on behalf of the staff, but was rejected by the Committee in paragraph 146 of their Report. To adopt the course suggested by the hon. Gentleman would be to ignore the recommendations of the Committee.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Commissioners of His Majesty's Office of Works will provide a site for a statue or a group of statuary, proposed to be erected by the committee for erecting a national memorial to Sir Francis Drake on the stone flags between the pumping station and the head (east end) of the Serpentine?

From an answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardineshire on 16th April, 1912, the hon. Member will see that the First Commissioner is pledged to oppose any scheme for the erection of statuary in the Royal Parks. He would not be able, therefore, to agree to this suggestion, unless it was the unanimous wish of the House.

asked the hon. Baronet the Member for Doncaster, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, whether the order for the separation of the parish of Barleston from the parish of Market Bosworth has now been completed?

The separation of the Chapelry of Barleston from the parish of Market Bosworth is being carried out under Acts which are not administered by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and they have no information as to the position of the matter.