asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Governor-General of Fars is organising a force, independent of the Swedish gendarmerie, to be commanded by American officers; and if it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage in Persia the multiplication of separate military organisations, under officers of particular but differing nationalities, in view of the possibility of professional military jealousies being thereby engendered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, we should not encourage such action in cases where there was reason to apprehend the danger anticipated by the hon. Member, but in this instance so far as our opinion is required the step has the full concurrence of His Majesty's Minister.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything as to the present situation?

I do not think we have heard anything since the date of the last statement to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to the United States Government in favour of Messrs. Snyman and Roy, whose property is reported to have been confiscated by the forces of Generals Villa and Carranza?

The British Vice-Consul at Chihuahua who was instructed to make representations in the matter, reported by telegraph on the 10th instant that the Snyman case had been satisfactorily settled. I have received no information as to the case of Mr. Roy beyond what has appeared in the Press, and no request for assistance has been made to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations on behalf Mr. Roy?

I think he would have been able to make representations through our representative on the spot, and our representative has not apparently been complained to by him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to give any information as to the progress of investigations into the murder of Mr. Benton in Mexico?

Owing to the refusal of facilities for the Commission of Inquiry to cross the Mexican frontier it has been found necessary, on the advice of His Majesty's Consul at El Paso, to drop the question of an examination of the body of the late Mr. Benton, which would more- over now serve no useful purpose. Mr. Consul Perceval is still at El Paso, where he has been conducting such inquiries as he can on United States territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the cruelties that are apparently practised on political prisoners at Urga, Mongolia, by shutting them up in iron boxes for life; and whether he has considered the possibility of making any protest in conjunction with the other great Powers?

I have no information and no means of obtaining any through official sources and the matter is not one in which His Majesty's Government could properly take an initiative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the estimated proportion now grown in the United Kingdom of wheat and of the entire food supply, respectively, consumed in the United Kingdom; and whether the proportion of either is tending to increase?

The proportion of wheat grown and consumed in the United Kingdom to the total consumption of wheat is estimated at 16 per cent. in 1913. The proportion varies in different years; in 1910, for example, it was 16.5, and in 1911, 19.4 per cent., but there is no apparent tendency to increase at the present time. The Board have made no official calculations of the entire food supply of the United Kingdom, but for the production on farms in Great Britain I may refer the hon. Gentleman to the "Report on the Agricultural Output of Great Britain" (Cd. 6277). An unofficial estimate of the food supply of the United Kingdom was made by Mr. R. H. Rew, one of the assistant secretaries to the Board, in a Paper read before the British Association in 1912.

If I move for a Return relating to the entire food supply, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give it?

I would not like to say off-hand. I do not know if we have the material necessary, but if the hon. Gentleman will have some conversation with me I will endeavour to give him such information as I can.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to increase the food supply of England?

asked what proportion of the total population of the United Kingdom is now fed with Homegrown wheat; and how this proportion compares with that so fed in 1894 and 1904, respectively?

On the assumption that the whole of the imported wheat is for human consumption and that about 15 per cent. of the Home crop is used on the farms for seed, etc., the proportion of Home to total wheat consumption was 22 per cent. in 1894, 12 per cent. in 1904 and 16 per cent. in 1913. Nineteen hundred and four was a year of exceptionally low production in the United Kingdom.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to suggest that the proportion is increasing or decreasing?

In reply to a previous question I said it would be inaccurate to infer that there had been any increase in the proportion of production.

Is it not equally important to encourage the Home production of wheat as to encourage cotton growing in the Soudan, and will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of encouraging it by means of a bounty?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state from what countries are the largest quantities of wheat now being imported into the United Kingdom; whether the aggregate quantity received from foreign countries still exceeds that received from British Possessions; and, if so, by how much?

The principal sources of supply in 1913 were the United States of America, Canada, India, Argentina, Australia, and Russia in the order named. In 1911 and 1912 the aggregate quantity from British Possessions exceeded that from foreign countries, but in 1913 the relative positions were reversed, and the imports from foreign countries were in excess of those from British Possessions.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in view of the disadvantage under which the milk and cream producers and traders, are labouring owing to the undecided amount of boracic acid which is permissible under the Food and Drugs Act to be placed as a preservative in cream, he wall come to some understanding with the Local Government Board whereby some definite regulations may be made, fixing the amount of preservative, boracic acid, to be employed at a maximum limit of 0.5 per cent.?

I have nothing to add at present to the answer which I gave to a similar question on Thursday last.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what proportion of his principal administrative officers have practical experience of sea fisheries; whether he is aware that demands are being made by fishermen for the appointment of a greater number of practical men; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

If by "practical experience" my hon. Friend means experience as a paid hand on a fishing vessel, or as a dealer in or curer of fish, the answer is None. On the other hand, the staff of the Fisheries Division as a whole are thoroughly acquainted with the methods employed in sea fisheries, with the circumstances under which they are carried on, and with the conditions affecting the markets. A considerable number of the staff have first-hand knowledge of the various methods of fishing. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what action was taken during the autumn fishings under the provisions of the Herring Branding Act; and whether all necessary steps are being taken for effective action this year?

No application for an Order bringing the Act into operation in any place was received last year. One application only has been made this year, which was received on Monday last. The Board have made all such arrangements as they can make, without knowledge of the extent of the demand for the brand, for bringing the Act into operation where it is wanted. The branding regulations will be issued very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture why he has refused to receive a deputation of fishermen engaged in the herring industry who were asked to wait upon him by the International conference held at the Fish-mangers' Hall on 21st January, 1914; and if he is aware that representatives of foreign countries were also pledged to wait upon their respective Governments in the same way?

An unofficial conference convened by the National Herring Fisheries Protection Association was held in London in January last, and in accordance with a resolution adopted by the conference, I was asked to receive a deputation with a view to steps being taken immediately to prohibit trawling for herrings. The question whether the practice of trawling is or is not injurious to the herring fisheries is one of great difficulty, and is included in the reference to the Interdepartmental Committee over which my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General presides. At the request of that Committee and of both parties in the controversy the Board last year undertook a special investigation of the question. Pending the result of that investigation, which is now proceeding, it is clearly impossible for me to introduce legislation of the kind suggested. Any new evidence -which the National Herring Fisheries Protection Association wish to submit will be welcomed, and any representations made by those who took part in the conference will be carefully considered by the Board.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this conference will be wasted if he cannot receive this deputation? Is he aware they do not ask for the total cessation of herring trawling, but desire to place their views before him as to the size of the meshes of the nets?

There are many ways of laying the views of the conference before the Board beside by deputation. I think it would be improper to expect me to express an opinion until the Departmental Committee have reported.

Does the right hon. Gentleman absolutely refuse to receive a deputation?

No, Sir; but I invite the conference to let me have the information in a much more detailed and practical form than by word of mouth.

asked whether; it is the invariable custom of the Office of Woods, as in the case of the tipping land proposed to be sold to Richard Thomas and Company, Limited, at Llanelly, to, consult the Crown surveyor only as to the value of such land, and for the latter official to appraise its value at the highest possible figure, sometimes at 100 years' purchase of the rent, that the prospective purchaser can be induced to give rather than suffer loss in his business by its non-acquisition, or whether and, if so, in what cases, where a serious difference of opinion exists between the parties as to the value-of such property, the opinion of an independent valuer or an umpire can be taken, as in the case of similar transactions between private individuals?

The usual practice on sales is to consult the Crown surveyor, and whether in any case further advice should be taken would depend on the circumstances of the particular case. In the present instance the Commissioner is advised that the price asked is reasonable, and as he only agreed to recommend a sale, at the request of Messrs. Thomas and Company, and has no desire to press it, he sees no sufficient reason for incurring additional expense in obtaining further advice or going to arbitration.

How, under these circumstances, and in the absence of any appeal, is the subject going to protect himself against extortionate demands on the part of the Government?

This is not a demand on the part of the Government. The Crown has no desire to sell.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is; the present condition of Great Britain in respect of foot-and-mouth disease?

No outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed since the 4th March.

asked when the Derry port will be opened for the shipment of fat cattle to Glasgow for slaughter at Merklands Wharf; and when will Belfast and Sligo ports be opened for shipment of fat cattle to be slaughtered on landing?

The Board have received a telegram from the Irish Department saying that, in view of the measures necessary for eradicating foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland, it would be inadvisable that the movement of animals for shipment should be resumed, until further progress has been made in the tracing of animals which, owing to their contact, direct or indirect, with the original source of the outbreaks at Cork, may create new centres of infection. I regret that in the circumstances I can make no announcement at present as to the resumption of the trade.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if the Canadian Government have recently issued an Order in Council prohibiting the importation into Canada of swine, except such as have been rendered immune from swine fever by the simultaneous injection of serum and virus; and whether, in the opinion of his veterinary advisers, such action indicates an admission on the part of the highest veterinary experts in Canada of the efficacy of such treatment as a method of immunisation against the disease?

No, Sir. I am informed that the effect of the Canadian Order in Council is directly opposite to the construction which the hon. Gentleman places upon it. The words are, "The importer will also be required to produce an affidavit to the effect that the swine he proposes to import have not been immunised to hog cholera by the simultaneous injection of hog cholera virus and serum." The Order in Council applies only to the importation, of swine from the United States of America, where I am informed this treatment has been longer in use than in any other country, and the total losses due to swine fever in 1912 are said to have amounted to £20,000,000.

If that is so, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that an entirely erroneous paragraph has appeared in many agricultural papers on this subject?

I cannot answer for the paragraphs. I have quoted from the Order in Council, which has been sent to me officially.

asked the hon. Member for St George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to Mr. Edward Speyer's proposal for the adequate housing of the Raphael, Mantegna, and Leonardo cartoons in an annex to the National Gallery; and whether he will take steps to secure that works of such high artistic value should be exhibited in a manner appropriate to their importance?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would remind him that these cartoons are not public property.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, on the transfer of the Seafield estate of 10 acres at West Kirby, on 13th December, 1912, given by Mr. John Elliott to the public as a convalescent home, the donor was charged £95 10s., or 1 per cent. on the transfer for Stamp Duty, and has been forced to pay also four years' Undeveloped Land Duty; and whether he has further been informed that, if he dies within three years of the date of transfer, the value of the above property, £9,550, will be included in his estate for probate, and that the remainder of his estate will be debited with the full Death Duties on the above gift?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative as regards both Stamp Duty and Undeveloped Land Duty. So far as the latter duty is concerned, if it can be shown that the case fell within the exemption conferred by Section 37 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in favour of land, held by a governing body constituted for charitable purposes, and occupied and used for the purposes of that body, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue will be prepared to entertain an application for repayment. I am not aware that any official intimation in the sense of the last part of the question has been sent to Mr. Elliott. On the information before me, no Death Duty will be payable on Mr. Elliott's death in respect of the property in question.

Is the hon. Member aware that all these additional burdens were placed on the subject for the first time by the "People's Budget"

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if Messrs. Chapman, Lowry, and Puttick, Limited, builders, of Haslemere, Surrey, in defiance of the London master builders have increased their carpenters, joiners, plumbers, bricklayers, painters, and labourers by 1d. per hour; and, in consequence of a number of Government buildings being at a standstill, he will advise the First Commissioner of Works to give one of the contracts to the firm mentioned?

The First Commissioner was not aware of the fact stated, but, accepting it as accurate, it appears to have no bearing on contracts for the public buildings referred to in the question, which contracts are as binding on him as on the contractors.

How long are these public buildings to remain idle in consequence of the strike and lock-out in the London building trade? Has the hon. Gentleman noticed that the master builders of London have absolutely refused to-day to take part in a conciliation conference; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

I have no doubt that what the hon. Gentleman says is quite correct, but it does not affect a contract as between the First Commissioner and the builder himself.

How long are these builders to keep these works at a standstill before the First Commissioner will interfere?

I should not like to answer that without notice and without reference to the terms of the particular contract.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, (1) if he has any information as to the salaries and wages paid by the approved societies; and would he be prepared to call for a Return of these; (2) on what basis the calculation was made which resulted in the fixing of the maximum allowance for the administration of approved societies at 3s. 8d., less 3d., perhead; (3) whether complaints by approved societies that the administration allowance is inadequate have been numerous; and (4) whether the calculation of the maximum allowance for the administration of approved societies provided for wages of the employés of approved societies on the basis of wages paid by the large friendly or insurance societies, or on what basis was it taken?

The amount allowed for administration expenses was based upon a careful consideration of the previous experience of societies administering sickness benefit and of the work under the Act, and the adequacy of the amount has since been confirmed by the experience-of the great bulk of approved societies in their actual administration of National Insurance. Approved societies are not required to report the salaries and wages paid to their servants, and I am unable to call for such a Return as the hon. Member desires.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a great many allegations, and are the Government attempting to deal with them in any way whatever?

That is a matter which concerns the societies themselves and their members, and not the Commissioners.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what the approved societies, who make money out of the difference between what they pay and the administration money they are allowed, are permitted to do with that sum of money?

I would like notice of a question dealing with the residue of the administration fund.

asked whether the Insurance Commissioners have informed the Lancashire Weavers' Amalgamated Protection Societies (Health Insurance Society) that, unless the society is in a position to-anticipate such a falling off in expenditure as will reduce the total payments of benefits to a sum approximating to the actuarial average it may be necessary for the Commissioners to direct a special valuation of the State business of the society in order to ascertain whether the society is solvent, and that, if it is not, benefits would have to be reduced or contributions increased; whether similar notices have been issued in the case of any other and, if so, what number of societies or branches and on what principle has the society named, above or any other society been selected; and whether it is the intention of the Government to hold societies responsible for the miscalculations upon which the National Insurance Act appears to have been based or for the fact that the societies have been called upon to pay upon medical certificates which they are not entitled to refuse to pay?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Insurance Commissioners have sent a letter suggesting the possibility of such a valuation as the hon. Member refers to to 100 societies where the amounts issued from the National Health Insurance Fund indicated a probability either that the societies were abnormal in respect of the age distribution of their members and in the proportion of married women or that the actuaries' estimate of the proper amount of expenditure was being exceeded. In these cases the Commissioners at the same time requested the societies to furnish statements as to the ages of their members in order to ascertain the reserve values due to them, and obtain a more exact knowledge of their position. With regard to the last part of the question, which seems to contain assumptions that I am not prepared to accept, I have nothing to add to the full statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Debate on the 5th instant.

Are there not, in addition to the 100 societies to which the hon. Member referred, a large number of other societies in which the actuarial expectation of sickness has been exceeded, and have they been similarly informed?

The hon. Member asked me to how many societies letters have been sent, and I have answered that question.

asked whether the Government is aware that in the inquest upon the body of James Melton Southard on Tuesday last, the jury censured the panel doctor concerned for not examining the deceased, as was his duty, the coroner found, under the National Insurance Act; and what action the Government propose to take in order to prevent further loss of life due to the working or failure to work the said enactment?

The case is under investigation by the London Insurance Committee, and I cannot, therefore, pending the result of their inquiry, make any statement on the matter.

asked (1) whether any insurance committees have been able to provide all the necessary accommodation for residential institutional treatment for tuberculous insured persons within their own area; and, if so, how many committees have been able to do this, and give their names; and (2) whether any insurance committees have been obliged to send any tuberculous insured persons, recommended for residential institutional treatment, to an institution outside the area of the county or county borough in which those persons resided; and, if so, how many committees have had to do this?

The great majority of insurance committees have necessarily under their provisional arrangements availed themselves of the existing institutional treatment outside their own areas. Apart, however, from this necessity, the accommodation provided for insurance committees under comprehensive county or county borough schemes must often, naturally and advantageously, be situated outside their areas.

Have any committees been able to provide the necessary accommodation within their own areas?

I am afraid I cannot give a precise reply, but I think the hon. Member may take it that one committee only, the Isle of Wight, has been able to provide all the necessary accommodation within its own area.

asked the Postmaster-General what extra payment is given to a sub-postmaster and his assistants, who is responsible for the sale of £1,300 worth of insurance stamps in a year over and above his postal duties?

I presume that the hon. Member alludes to scale-payment sub-postmasters, and I beg to refer him to the answer given to a question on the subject on the 12th of February. The assistants at offices of this class are not directly employed at the Post Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether workmen recently employed at Rosyth appealed to the Metropolitan Court of Referees in November, December or January last, against disallowance of unemployed benefit on the ground of having left their employment without just cause; and whether the referees allowed the appeal because the conditions of work at Rosyth, particularly in the matter of housing and messing, were so bad that the workmen were justified in leaving?

I understand that two claims to benefit made in London by men recently working at Rosyth were disallowed under Section 87 (2) of the National Insurance Act, on the ground of their having voluntarily left their employment without just cause. Appeals were subsequently lodged with the Metropolitan Court of Referees and were allowed. I understand that the Court, on one of the cases before them, arrived at their decision having regard mainly to the domestic circumstances of the man, who was married and had a large family living in London, and who was consequently obliged to maintain a home in London, whilst keeping himself at Rosyth. As regards the second case, I have not the facts before me, but am making further inquiries, and will communicate them to the Noble Lord in due course.

In regard to the first part of the reply, does that mean that the man had no building at Rosyth in which he was able to lodge his wife and children?

Not necessarily. I think the facts are indicated in my answer; but if the Noble Lord wishes me to make further inquiries I will do so. There is nothing to hide.

Oh, no.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the plans and drawings for the new buildings of the British Museum were thrown open to public competition; and, if not, will he ascertain who it was who chose the particular architect employed?

The plans and drawings for the British Museum extension were not thrown open to public competition. The architect was selected by His Majesty's Government in 1904 from a panel of six architects nominated by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

asked if the actual wall spaces in the upper main gallery of the new buildings of the British Museum were found to be useless for exhibition purposes owing to a series of iron radiators having been fixed along the walls; whether the new exhibition cases were thereby prevented from being placed close to the walls as they are in the old building; and if the unsightly stains, which have already appeared upon the walls above the cases on both sides of the gallery, are due to the streams of hot dust-laden air constantly rising from behind these cases?

It was considered desirable to place the heating units in the walls, but this does not detract in any way from the usefulness of the gallery. Slight stains have appeared, but it is hoped that when the ventilating system is in action, the cause will disappear.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will ascertain if the new oak cases in the gallery on the top floor of the new building of the British Museum are intended for the exhibition of valuable paintings, drawings, and prints; if he will ascertain and say why, as the depth of the exhibition space from front to back in these cases is only a few inches, it has been found necessary to give them their present clumsy appearance, with a total depth of nearly three feet along their whole length; if he will say whether this is due to the fact that a number of iron radiators had been fixed along the length of the main walls on both sides of the gallery before the cases -were planned or fitted; if he can say what the approximate temperature behind these exhibition cases will have to be kept at in order to maintain the central portions of the gallery at the mean temperature of the museum; whether the false backing or the backs of the actual exhibition cases are liable to suffer from the heat concentrated immediately behind them, and what steps, if any, have been taken to prevent injury both to the cases and to their contents; and if he will say what means of easy access have been provided for inspectors and workmen to get at the iron radiators behind these exhibition cases in case of leakages of steam or water?

The First Commissioner understands that prints and drawings, including a new collection of Oriental drawings, will be shown in these cases. Radiators have been fixed along one side of the gallery, and access to them is provided; it is impossible to say what the temperature will be until the ventilating arrangements have been finished.

Is the heating apparatus satisfactory?

I have explained that the ventilation of the gallery is not yet complete. We had better wait and see.

asked whether the Office of Works or the authorities of the British Museum and, if so, which, consulted the British Museum officers in charge of the different collections as to the special requirements for such collections before approving the plans for the new galleries of the museum; if not, who was consulted; whether any committee was appointed to look into the plans and approve the drawings; and, if not, who it was who gave instructions to the architect?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Canterbury on the 17th ultimo.

asked how many fresh appointments have been made to the Civil Service since 1906; and of these, excluding appointments to the Board of Education, how many have been made on the result of a competitive examination?

As regards the number of fresh appointments, full information will be available as soon as the Return ordered on the 10th instant has been prepared in continuation of Parliamentary Paper No. 210, of Session 1911. Returns of non-competitive appointments were laid before the House of Commons in 1913 (Parliamentary Papers 455, of 1913, and 0.255, of 1913).

asked whether it is proposed to introduce a Supplementary Estimate for the additional Grants for education promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I must ask the hon. and learned Member to await the announcement of the Government's proposals on this matter.

Is any provision made for an increased Grant in the Estimates?

No.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the housing difficulty in many districts has been aggravated by the fact that the Post Office makes no provision for housing its employés; whether, in some cases, it is impossible at the present time to find houses for postmen, and in many others, where houses have been found for them, this has resulted in other persons in the district being left without houses; and if he is prepared to reconsider his decision and, in conjunction with other Government Departments, which employ labour, to appoint a Committee to consider the question?

The housing of Post Office servants cannot easily be undertaken by the Post Office itself. But their case will not be overlooked by my right hon. Friends who are considering the problem of rural housing with a view to legislation.

By whom can this be easily undertaken if not by the Post Office?

As I have said, the question is about to be undertaken by the Government at large.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say when the Government at large is going to undertake this?

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the treatment of Mr. James, a subscriber to the telephone system, at Eastbourne (No. 765), during last year, when he was cut off from trunk service on 23rd June because he owed 15s. 3d. in respect of trunk calls for the month of May; whether he is aware that at that very date the Post Office was owing Mr. James the sum of £5 in respect of rent for a telephone pole which had become due on 1st April; and will he state why the Post Office expect three months' credit from people to whom they will not give one month's credit?

The facts are substantially as stated by the hon. Member. All charges for telephone services are by Statute payable in advance, and owing to the enormous number of accounts which have to be rendered each month it would not be possible to ascertain in every case whether there are any contra payments due to a subscriber. I regret to find that owing to abnormal pressure which prevailed in the superintending engineer's office the payment to Mr. James for way-leave facilities was so much in arrear, and I hope the steps which have been taken will prevent a recurrence of the difficulty.

asked what is the minimum rate of wages paid to girls in charge of small country telephone exchanges where a day and night service has to be continuously maintained, over and above the use of the telephone exchange building rent free?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to small country exchanges, which are placed in the hands of caretaker operators, who provide for the operating work by members of their families. The general practice in such cases is to allow, in addition to free accommodation, a weekly payment varying according to local circumstances. The remuneration of caretaker operators was the subject of a recommendation of the recent Select Committee on Post Office servants, and my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be in a position to make an announcement to the staff.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman answer the part of the question which asks what is the minimum rate paid in these cases?

I have stated that it varies according to local circumstances, consequently there is no minimum rate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in certain large City telephone exchanges there are no arrangements whereby a subscriber who asks for a number which is out of order can be so informed without a special inquiry addressed to the clerk-in-charge, with the result that the subscriber is informed that no reply can be obtained, and may continue to repeat his request without being informed of the breakdown; and whether he will take steps to improve the service in such places?

Arrangements exist at all the large London telephone exchanges under which, if a subscriber asks for a number on the circuit of which a fault has been discovered he is informed of the fact without having to address a special inquiry to the supervisor. Similar arrangements are in force at the more modern exchanges in the provinces, and are being provided at all new exchanges of any considerable size.

Will that be provided for in the city of Belfast?

That will doubtless be so. I have said all important modern exchanges in the provinces.

asked whether the "Mauretania," which left Liverpool at 2.30 on Saturday the 7th instant, did not arrive in New York until 3 a.m. on Friday the 13th instant; and whether this continued loss of time thus indicated in the carriage of the American mails, along with the inconveniences of earlier posting, is still to be tolerated by the postal authorities?

The "Mauretania" is reported to have arrived at the Quarantine Station, New York, after a stormy passage, at 6 a.m., on Friday last, and the mails conveyed by her to have reached the New York Post Office at 8.16 a.m. on that day. The delay of the "Mauretania" on this occasion, and of the "Lusitania" in the previous week, was due to the bad weather encountered on the voyage—a factor which would have operated whatever the port of dispatch from this country.

asked the Prime Minister at what points new Customs houses will be required if the proposals adumbrated in Return No. 143 with regard to the future government of Ireland should become law, on the supposition that the city of Belfast and the counties of Armagh, Antrim, Londonderry, and Down elect to be excluded from the purview of the Dublin Parliament?

The following questions also appeared on the Paper addressed to the Prime Minister:—

to ask whether, under the amended proposals for the government of Ireland, the Lord Lieutenant will continue to discharge in respect of any excluded area the duties now assigned to him under the existing law?

to ask whether it is intended, under the financial adjustments mentioned in the White Paper showing the Government proposals in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill, that none of the independent taxes which the Irish Parliament would have power to impose on Ireland, and no taxes similar in character, shall be imposed on the excluded counties?

asked whether, for the better understanding of the effect of the Government proposals in connection with the Government of Ireland Bill, he will say if the contemplated financial adjustments, which are to be made on a fixed basis and not on a separate calculation of the revenue or expenditure of any excluded county, involve any increase in the sum of £500,000, diminishing to £200,000, to be paid annually out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom to the Irish Exchequer; and can he give any indication of the difference involved?

asked whether, in the event of a poll for against exclusion or inclusion in the Government of Ireland Act resulting in a tie in any county, on whom will devolve the duty of giving a casting vote?

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to make any suggestion to Parliament relative to Customs, Excise, and the Post Office that would alter the proposals contained in the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked whether, in the event of any alteration of the representation of Ireland in the Irish House of Commons being made necessary by the exclusion of any county from the Government of Ireland Bill, a suggestion to provide for the adequate representation of the Protestant minority in the Irish House of Commons will have the support of the Government?

asked whether, in the event of any alteration in the representation of Ireland in the Irish Senate being made necessary by the exclusion of any county from the Government of Ireland Bill, the scheme of election to the Senate, as set out in Part III. of the First Schedule, will be altered so as to provide for election by the method of proportional representation on a less cumbrous and more workable basis?

asked whether, in view of the scanty information with regard to the Government proposals in con- nection with the Government of Ireland Bill contained in the Return issued on the. 10th instant, and to the short interval which may elapse before the resumption, and conclusion of the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, he will cause a Return giving such proposals in ampler details to be immediately issued?

asked whether, in view of the fact that under his scheme of settlement of the Home Rule question the Unionist counties will all be excluded, there will be likely to remain a single Unionist representative in the Dublin Parliament to voice the sentiments of the minority of the voters; and whether, under these circumstances, he proposes to introduce, so far as the Lower House is concerned, any additional safeguards for their benefit?

asked how, in preparing the requisition to the Lord Lieutenant which has to be signed by at substantial body of the electors, he proposes to ensure secrecy as regards the identity of the signatories in order to avoid the persecution which will follow publicity and to ensure the secrecy of the Ballot Act which, so far as the signatories are concerned, would be destroyed by their names and wishes becoming known?

asked whether any administrative difficulties are likely to arise under his amended scheme for the government of Ireland by having a county and a borough which it contains' under different Governments; and whether he will state the reason for preferring this form of separate treatment of county and borough for voting purposes?

asked whether he will issue a White Paper showing the Amendments that would be required in the Government of Ireland Bill if the proposals adumbrated in Parliamentary Paper, No. 143, were adopted by Parliament?

asked whether his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill include the abandonment of the provisions for setting up a separate Irish Customs; or whether it is suggested that the jurisdiction of the Irish Customs is to be limited to such counties as may not become excluded?

asked whether his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill include the abandonment of the provisions for setting up a separate postal service for Ireland; or whether it is suggested that each of The excluded counties is to have its own postal service or remain under the Irish or British postal service?

asked when the text of the proposed alterations in the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill will be laid upon the Table of the House?

asked whether, in the event of the proposals adumbrated in Return No. 143 being adopted by Parliament, the Transferred Sum would be reduced, and, if so, by how much annually, on the supposition that the counties of Armagh, Antrim, Down, and Londonderry and the city of Belfast elected for exclusion from the operation of the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to put on the Paper the wording of the new Amendments to the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the basis on which the adjustments of revenue and expenditure of any excluded county will be fixed under the Government proposals of the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked whether it is essential to his scheme for the amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill that the counties and county boroughs of Ulster which vote for exclusion should be adjoining geographically; and will he say how he would propose to deal with a county borough as regards government generally, and the questions of the control of Customs and the Post Office in particular, which voted for retention under the Government of Ireland Bill while the surrounding county areas voted for exclusion?

asked whether, in the event of the proposals adumbrated in Return No. 143, with regard to the future government of Ireland becoming law, the control of elementary education in any excluded area will be vested in a board chosen on a denominational basis; and what security he proposes to afford for the protection of the religious educational rights of any Catholic minority in such an area?

asked whether any Poor Law unions or other areas for local Government purposes are situated in two counties; and how it is in tended, under his suggestions for amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill, to deal with such areas if one of such counties becomes excluded and the other remains included within the jurisdiction of the Irish Parliament?

asked whether, under his suggestions for the amendment of the Government of Ireland Bill, the £500,000 Subsidy to be given to the Irish Parliament will be reduced in proportion to the area excluded; and, if not, what is the fixed basis referred to on page 4 of the White paper, No. 143, as that to be adopted for the necessary financial adjustments?

asked whether, in the event of Ireland being divided for the purposes of the Home Rule Bill, the Agricultural Department will be divided also, or will the Department be worked for the whole of Ireland under the jurisdiction of the Dublin Parliament?

asked if the Irish Customs House, as constituted under Clause 15 of the Government of Ireland Bill, will be able to levy differential duties against any part of Ireland which may be excluded from the Government of Ireland Bill; and, in the event of its being able to do so, will railway trains be liable to be stopped on passing the respective frontiers and passengers subjected to examination as when passing frontiers on the Continent?

asked if public companies registered at present in Dublin will be permitted to transfer such registration to the excluded part of Ireland if they wish to do so?

As I stated in the House on Monday last, adjustments, both financial and administrative, in the application of the Bill to the rest of Ireland will become necessary. Some amount of administrative and financial adjustment is incident to any scheme of exclusion, be it total or partial, be it permanent or provisional, and if the broad principle is agreed upon, I think that it is much better, instead of committing ourselves to any cut-and-dried scheme at this moment, to work out the details with something like general cooperation. For the same reason I do not say anything to-day, not because I ignore or underrate its importance, as to the precise mode of Parliamentary procedure which the Government would propose if the general principle of their plan were adopted or treated as a basis of settlement. To what I then said I adhere now. The proposals which I outlined are put forward by us, not because we think they offer the best way of dealing with the government of Ireland, but with the intention, and in the hope, that they may form the basis of settlement. If they are accepted as such, the provisions of the Bill as it stands would obviously have to be supplemented by a number of financial and administrative adjustments which, in our view, would not in themselves be improvements, but which are necessarily incidental to or consequential upon any scheme which involves the exclusion of any part of Ireland. Those supplementary provisions are, I need not say, being most carefully worked out, and on some points no final determination has yet been reached; but, as I said last week, we are not prepared in these matters, and at this stage, to formulate and put on the Paper the details of a cut-and-dried scheme. It is not from any desire to withhold or postpone necessary information—for our object has been and is ultimate agreement—but we believe it would tend to complicate and divert discussion from the main issue to points which, though not unimportant, are subsidiary and incidental. With this preface, and upon the assumption that these points of machinery and detail can be of no practical importance unless the general principle of our proposal is accepted, I answer the questions as follows:—

No. 45. This is a hypothetical question; indeed, it involves no fewer than three hypotheses.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman admits that there would have to be Customs Houses along the line of frontiers if his proposals were adopted?

I say that the question involves three hypotheses, and I am not bound to answer hypothetical questions.

Nos. 57, 64, and 72 are also in the same category.

The answer to No. 46 and to the first part of 70 is in the negative.

May I ask by what functionary these duties are to be discharged?

The answer to-No. 48 is in the affirmative, and to No. 49 in. the negative.

No. 52. This is a small matter which can easily be provided for.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask whether it is according to the practice of the House for a Minister to respond to a large number of questions without resuming his place when an hon. Member desires to ask a supplementary question?

These questions all deal with more or less the same subject. [HON. MEMBERS: "NO!"] They all deal with Amendments which may become necessary, assuming that the proposals of the Government take substantial form. The questions all raise points of detail. A great many of them are interdependent. I think it would be best to hear the reply of the Prime Minister, and then if any hon. Member wishes further information of a supplementary character, I shall be very glad to call upon him.

Is it competent for a Minister to answer a question before it is put? The questions which the right hon. Gentleman is now answering have not been put. May I point out that, in the early stage of these proceedings, an hon. Member who does not rise to put his question is ruled out for the moment, and, therefore, I suggest with deference, that the right hon. Gentleman should not answer questions until they are put?

It is not unusual to answer two or more questions together. It is done every day on questions which relate to the same topic.

I shall be very glad to answer the questions seriatim.

Nos. 53, 61, and 62. These matters are all receiving consideration.

Nos. 54 and 55. The answer is in the negative.

No. 58. We doubt the necessity of any special provision for this purpose

No. 59. We think not. Counties and county boroughs are already under different government for numerous and important local Government purposes.

No. 66 and the second part of 70. This matter is under consideration.

No. 67. The answer to the first part is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer to the replies to previous questions.

No. 68. Rights of religious minorities and equal treatment of their children in regard to education will be carefully safeguarded.

No. 69. There are such cases. Any necessary division will be made in the same way as it is now when a similar division is required for rating or local government purposes.

No. 71. A division of the Agriculture Department will probably be necessary in Any scheme of administrative exclusion.

No. 73. This, again, is a small matter, but no doubt this would be the case.

In regard to the right hon. Gentleman's general statement, may I ask whether it is not the case that in ordinary course in a Debate on the Second Reading of a Bill the House would have before it in some detail—in complete detail—the proposals of the Government? On this occasion, if there is a Debate at all on the Second Reading, it would naturally deal with the new proposals of the Government. Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that we are to be forced to engage in such a discussion without seeing the form in which those proposals will be made?

I have already stated what is the view of the Government. If our general proposal is rejected, it will obviously be a waste of time to formulate for discussion all ancillary and consequential points of machinery and detail. I do not undervalue their importance in the least. I have endeavoured in the answers I have given to show what is the view of the Government in regard to a number of the most important points; but there are still some which are the subject of careful consideration, and in regard to which we have not yet reached any final determination. I do think—and I am speaking now in the interest of settlement and peace—it is desirable that the general discussion on the main principles of our proposals should be unencumbered by more or less contentious Debate at this stage on matters of detail which, however important, may become irrelevant.

How is it possible to judge of the proposals until we see them? That is my first question. The second question I wish to put to the right hon. Gentleman is this:—What does he mean by agreement? Does he mean that the Opposition must make themselves responsible for the Bill before he will go on with the consideration of the matter?

I have never said that. I put forward last Monday, on behalf of the Government, a proposal with regard to the special treatment of Ulster which we hoped might form the basis of agreement in this sense—that it would meet the special demands of Ulster, or, at any rate, the special apprehensions of Ulster, and might enable us to proceed with the discussion of the Bill on that basis. I have not been much encouraged by the reception that has been given to the proposal, but I am still anxious that it may be considered on its merits.

You had better let us see it.

If we put down on the Paper an enormous number of minute detailed provisions in regard to subordinate matters it might divert the discussion from its main channel into a side stream and a back water.

Does not the Prime Minister now recognise, from the course which he is taking, that the proposals put forward last Monday were a hypocritical sham?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he proposes that we should discuss the Second Reading without knowing whether the provisions as to separate customs and a separate post office are to remain in the Bill, or are to be modified, and also as to the amount of the subsidy which the United Kingdom is to pay?

On the second point I have already said that there is to be no change. The matters mentioned in the first part of the question are still under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when the House will be given the results of this consideration?

Arising from the question of the right hon. Gentleman opposite, is it not now clear that it is absolutely unnecessary to go into detail?

Arising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman when I asked him what he meant by agreement, he said that it was intended to satisfy the demands of Ulster. As I understand he has put forward these proposals with that intention. He has the power to carry them through this House and to show that he meant them seriously. Does he really mean to say that, having put them forward in this way, he is not going to make this House responsible for them, and throw upon some other body the responsibility of rejecting them?

I have first to know whether the principle of my proposal is accepted.

Is there any precedent for a Government declining to put forward the details of proposals made by them for the better government of this country until they knew whether the Opposition would accept them?

There is no precedent so far as I know for a Government going as far as we have gone.

What is the principle of these proposals? Does it mean that the part of Ulster dealt with is to be excluded as long as there is evidence that that part of Ireland wishes to be excluded, or that it is to be brought in compulsorily whether it likes it or not?

That was explained in my statement last Monday.

In view of the attitude which the right hon. Gentleman has taken up, I desire to ask him what is the earliest day which he can give us for a discussion of the attitude which he has assumed?

As soon as the right hon. Gentleman formulates a proposition, I will give him the earliest possible date for discussing it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman endorse the tone and substance of the speech of the First Lord of the Admiralty at Bradford on Saturday?

indicated assent.