asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government proposes to take in order to mitigate the hardships of the married women outworkers in the Nottingham lace trade?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member on the 16th February.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, what are the names of the insurance committees which have adopted the per-attendance system of paying the panel doctors under the National Insurance Act?

The only insurance committees in whose areas the doctors are now working on a per-attendance system are Manchester and Salford. In the following areas, however, that system was originally adopted, either in whole or in part, and discarded at the end of the first quarter of medical benefit, namely, Blackpool, Canterbury, Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Eastbourne, Kent, Stoke-on-Trent, Suffolk West, Wallasey, and Zetland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that out of the 83 doctors on the panel list in Salford 55 are also on the Manchester panel list; whether there are many other cases of such overlapping; and whether many of these same doctors are also on the panel lists of neighbouring country places?

My right hon. Friend is informed that of the doctors on the Salford panel (who number approximately 113) approximately the number mentioned in the hon. Member's question are also on the Manchester panel. Many other similar cases are doubtless in existence in which doctors' practices happen to fall within more than one insurance committee area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether those victims of a recent tramcar accident in Manchester who were insured persons under the National Insurance Act, and who are now incapacitated as a result of that accident, are entitled to sick benefits in addition to any compensation which they may receive from the corporation, who run the trams?

Section 11 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, provides that if an insured person is entitled to damages in respect of an injury, he is not entitled to sickness benefit under the Act, except so far as the weekly value of the damages is less than his ordinary sickness benefit.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, within a few days of writing to the Insurance Commissioners for their overdue medical fees, several doctors have received a circular from a firm of moneylenders offering loans to be met as payments are received from the National Insurance Commissioners; and whether he will take the most stringent steps to prevent the names of doctors who so write from getting into the hands of money-lenders?

Payments to doctors on the panel are made by insurance committees and not by the Commissioners, but I am satisfied that in the instance brought to my notice by the hon. Member the moneylenders' circular cannot in any way be connected with any correspondence between the committee and the doctors in question. I would remind the hon. Member, however, that publicity is necessarily accorded to the names of panel doctors in connection with the medical benefit arrangements, and that it is not unknown for moneylenders to issue circulars wholesale to any sections of the community whose names are readily accessible to them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have recently informed an English railway company who had served notices to treat that they could not advise their district valuers to supply the railway company with particulars of the provisional valuations made; whether the answer given by him in this House on the 24th July last must be taken as applying only in cases where the notices to treat have been served under the Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act, 1845; and, if so, whether he will explain in what way the position of railway companies, municipalities, or other public authorities acquiring land under its provisions differs from the position of similar bodies acquiring land compulsorily under the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are advised that under the Scottish Act referred to service of a notice to treat operates as a statutory purchase and sale changing the ownership of the property, while under the English Act it does not so operate.

asked (1) how many original provisional valuations have been issued in Ireland up to 31st December, 1013; how many years may be expected to elapse before the whole 1,400,000 are issued; and why the rate of issue in Ireland has been so much slower than in England, where far less information was already available; (2) whether it is intended to ascertain and place on record the gross, total, full site, assessable site, and agricultural values of all the land in Ireland; and how far such valuations have been proceeded with and the probable date of their completion; and (3) whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware that inconvenience has been caused to solicitors and agents in Ireland by the fact that, when a valuation for Estate Duty is made by the Valuation Office in Ireland, the provisional valuations and the valuations on occasion of the hereditaments covered by the Estate Duty valuation are not also issued at the same time, which may result in trustees and executors for property receiving demands for Increment Value Duty arising out of the occasion of the death long after the affairs of the estate should have been wound up; and, in view of the number of such provisional and occasion valuations now unissued, will he say what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

The number of provisional valuations issued in Ireland up to 31st December, 1913, was 150,000. I cannot at present state when the issue of the provisional valuations will be completed. As I have already pointed out in this House the circumstance that more information was available in Ireland than in England rendered it less necessary to press forward with the valuation in the former country. With regard to valuations for Estate Duty purposes, I can find no evidence of the existence of any but the most trifling inconvenience of the kind referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to reduce the number of valuers under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in view of the fact that instructions have been sent to them to discontinue provisional valuations of agricultural land; and, if not, how are they to be employed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Although the service of provisional valuations of agricultural land affected by the recent judgments of the High Court has been suspended, valuers are still engaged upon the preliminary work which is essential to the making of such valuations on any basis, and upon the valuation of property other than agricultural land.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Secretary of Inland Revenue has received communications from the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association asking for stamping facilities in Liverpool; and if he will say what would be the amount of the additional expense involved by the provision of the facilities for which the Liverpool steamship owners have asked?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The expense which would be involved in providing the facilities asked for is estimated at approximately £ 1,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the clerks to old age pens-ion sub-committees have not been paid their fees for the quarter ended 30th September, 1913; what is the estimated fee for clerks under paragraph 1 ( a ), Financial Instructions, where the population exceeds 5,000 according to the Census Return, 1911; and what steps are to be taken to recover such fees under the same as have not yet been paid?

The quarterly fee payable under paragraph 1 (1) ( a ) of the Financial Instructions is calculated by reference to the population of the whole area served by the county committee, not by reference to the population of the several sub-committee areas. This fee is payable at a rate not exceeding 2s. 6d. per 1,000, or part of 1,000, of population at the last Census. Its distribution among the clerks to the sub-committees is determined by the county committee. If the hon. Member will let me know which are the particular sub-committees to which his question refers I will make inquiries and communicate with him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a letter, dated 7th March, 1914, from the Association of County Councils in Scotland and Convention of Royal Burghs, drawing his attention to the danger of Scottish interests being prejudiced if the Report of the Departmental Committee for England and Wales is to be accepted as a basis of reform of local taxation in Scotland; and whether it is his intention to collect evidence from the local authorities in Scotland before any change is made affecting that country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government will be glad to consider all relevant suggestions in regard to the reform of local taxation in Scotland.

asked whether the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation have yet commenced to take evidence on conditions in Scotland; and whether their Scottish Report will be received in time for him to consider the different system of rating and taxation in Scotland when providing the promised relief to local taxation in the United Kingdom this year?

The Committee have, I understand, taken no oral evidence from local authorities in Scotland, and it is unlikely that they will be able to present a Report dealing with Scotland in time for it to be considered in connection with the forthcoming legislative proposals.

asked if any unattached surveyors of Customs and Excise, formerly Customs port clerks, are at present employed in Excise districts where they have control of Excise traders and the supervision of old age pension work, and, if so, how many, and what is their average age-and length of service and previous experience; and what is the number of officers of Customs and Excise, of Excise origin, who have had upwards of seventeen years' experience of purely Excise duties, who' have not yet been offered a chance of promotion to the position of surveyor?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part is that there are approximately 400 officers, of Excise origin, with upwards of seventeen years' experience, whose turn for attending the examination for promotion has not yet arrived. Of these 400, about 340 belonged to the outdoor branch, which performed the duties specified in the question.

asked the Chancellor whether he has been asked to receive a deputation from the motor organisations on the subject of the abatement of taxation in respect of old motor cars which have ceased to develop their original horse-power and substantially depreciated in value; whether he has definitely refused to receive the deputation; and whether, having regard to the inequitable manner in which the present basis of taxation by horse-power operates in the case of old cars, he will take steps-to remove the hardship thereby imposed on the owners of such vehicles?

I have received a request of this kind, and have been obliged to decline it, as, after very careful consideration, I cannot see my way to propose legislation on the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state if a decision has yet been come to as to what extent the judgments of Mr. Justice Scrutton in the cases of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue v. Smyth and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue v Hunter should be accepted or appealed against; and, if there are to be appeals, what steps will be taken to expedite the hearing?

I hope to be in a position to announce the Government's decision on this matter on Thursday next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will favourably consider the application of an Apportionment Act to the Old Age Pensions Act; or if he will consider the payment of the weekly pension in advance instead of in arrear?

Under Section 5 (1) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, pensions are already payable weekly in advance.

asked the Vice-president of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether applications have been made by a number of shorthorn breeders in county Tyrone and elsewhere in Ulster to the Department for permission to bring through Belfast a number of valuable bulls, purchased on the 25th and 26th February, at Perth and Aberdeen, and that permission has been refused; whether Scotland has been for a long time free from foot-and-mouth disease; whether the Department brought over Aberdeen Angus bulls from Perth and Aberdeen to Ireland, purchased about the same time; and will he say why any distinction is made between animals belonging to the Department and those belonging to other owners?

The Department received several applications for permission to import bulls purchased at Scotch sales on 25th and 26th February, but, in view of the appearance of foot-and-mouth disease in the northern portion of England, it was not deemed advisable to sanction such importations. The Department are aware that Scotland has been free from foot-and-mouth disease for a long period. The embargo imposed last month on importation of animals provided, as in previous similar circumstances, for the exemption of animals already shipped at the time, and in consequence of this exemption certain bulls belonging to the Department and other owners in different parts of Ireland were able to be landed.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is the present position as regards foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland?

In the city and county of Cork thirty-one outbreaks have occurred up to date. In county Tipperary five outbreaks have occurred, namely, at Thurles, Templemore, and Ballingarry. In each case the disease has been conveyed by young calves from Cork. All the outbreaks are traceable to the same source in Cork.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the reason why an Order made by his Department on Tuesday prohibiting the holding of a fair at Kilkenny on the following day was not transmitted to the local authority till the fair was almost over and the cattle trucked; whether it was by Order of the Department that the cattle were unloaded and returned to the farms of origin; and whether any trace of disease has been detected in the county Kilkenny?

Late on the 10th instant the Department became aware that some calves from Cork had been moved to Kilkenny. An Order scheduling a new district, and consequently prohibiting the holding of Kilkenny fair, was forthwith made. The telegram conveying instructions to the police was issued before 8 p.m. that night, but, as the Kilkenny post office was closed, it was not delivered until the following morning. Some animals from the fair seem to have been placed in the railway trucks at the local station. Subsequently, in response to an inquiry received from the railway company, they were informed that animals from the fair could not legally be conveyed by rail, as Kilkenny was included in the scheduled district. Up to the present no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in county Kilkenny, but an outbreak has recently been confirmed at Ballingarry, within a few miles of that county.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a resolution from the Liverpool wholesale pork traders asking that Birkenhead may be open to receive importations from Ireland; whether he is in a position to state when that resolution may be complied with; and whether the Report on the Birkenhead outbreak and its subsequent disinfection is ready or when it may be expected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I regret that at present I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for North Leitrim this afternoon. I had hoped that it would be possible to send the Report of the Birkenhead inquiry to be printed to-day, but the chief veterinary officer of the Board received a telegram this morning asking him to await the arrival of a further letter from the chief veterinary adviser of the Irish Department.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the cause of the delay in vesting in the purchasing tenants their holdings on the estate of the Rev. F. G. Deedes and others, lands of Cooline, barony of Orrery and Kilmore, county of Cork, having regard to the facts that the agreements were signed as far back as November, 1906, and that the tenants are since paying interest in lieu of rent?

This estate is the subject of direct sale proceedings before the Estate Commissioners by the owner, to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and is being dealt with in order of priority. The Commissioners hope to be in a position to vest the holdings in the purchasing tenants during the coming financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary why the Congested Districts Board has not purchased the estate of Sir Morgan O'Connell, at Mastergeehy, near Waterville, county Kerry; and whether, in view of the number of other estates which have been purchased in that district, immediate steps wall be taken to give effect to the wish of the tenants to purchase?

The Congested Districts Board did not make an offer for the purchase of this property owing to the attitude of the tenants as regards the sporting rights, the revenue from which represents a much greater proportion of the total revenue of the estate than is usual with other properties in the district. The Board do not propose to take any further action in the matter at present, but they have informed the owner that they would be prepared to give their consent to a direct sale through the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary what further steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to purchase the Ballinskelligs portion of the estate of Mr. Daniel O'Connell, of Darry-nane, of which particulars were furnished some months ago; and whether, in view of the fact that this estate has been on the valuer's list for inspection, he will say why no inspection has yet taken place?

The Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with Mr. Daniel O'Connell regarding the purchase of the Ballinskelligs section of his property, and he has informed them that he is not prepared to negotiate for a sale until the purchase of the lands which he has already agreed to sell to the Board is completed. The maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the Ballinskelligs estate have not been furnished to the Board, and the estate has not therefore been inspected.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. Fitzgerald-Kenny has yet consented to sell his estate in Mayo county to the Congested Districts Board; if so, whether the offer includes untenanted or grazing lands necessary for the relief of congestion on the estate; and what steps, if any, the Board are taking, or propose to take, to acquire the estate?

The Congested Districts Board are in communication with Mr. Fitzgerald Kenney in reference to the sale of his estate, but they are not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the cases of Patrick Fleming and Patrick P. Fleming, of Inch, on the Kenmare estate, county Kerry, has been inquired into by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether a decision has been come to respecting those tenants' applications for Grants for restocking their lands?

The Estates Commissioners have not completed their inquiries in reference to this estate, and the reply to the concluding part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make inquiry into the claim of John Sullivan, Inchees, near Waterville, for an old age pension?

John Sullivan's claim for an old age pension was disallowed by the Local Government Board on appeal in July, 1912, on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. In the absence of a further appeal being received, the Board have no power to make any further inquiries into his case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will again cause inquiry to be made into the claim of Mrs. Mary Healy, Beenbane, near Waterville, for an old age pension, seeing that she has already attained the statutory age?

Mary Healy's claim for an old age pension was disallowed in May, 1913, for want of sufficient proof that she was then seventy years old. Before deciding her claim at the time, the Local Government Board had a special investigation made locally into her case. As no further appeal has come before them the Board have no authority to cause any inquiry to be made. They are not aware what foundation there is for the statement that Mrs. Healy has already attained the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick Sullivan, Caherbarna, near Waterville, has been deprived of an old age pension since the death of his wife, on the ground of excessive means; whether he is aware that the cattle on his land are not his own but the property of graziers; and whether he will have full inquiry made into the matter?

Patrick Sullivan was originally granted a pension under Section 2 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1911. Following the death of his wife that Section no longer applied, and he was in August, 1913, deprived of his pension on the grounds of excessive means. A subsequent claim made by him this year was disallowed on the 4th instant for the same reason, lie has a farm of forty acres, of which four are under cultivation, and which carried seven head of cattle in addition to a horse, sheep, pigs, and fowl. There is no evidence that the cattle on the land are the property of graziers, and the claimant himself has at different times made conflicting statements as to the ownership of the stock. The Local Government Board have no power to reopen consideration of his claim.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the action of the County Dublin County Council in co-opting Mr. M'Cabe, a Nationalist, to the vacancy on the council, caused by the retirement of Mr. S. P. Boyd, an Unionist, and refusing to co-opt Mr. J. C. Anderson, who was nominated by the Rathmines Urban Council, in pursuance of an agreement between that body and the county council; and, if so, whether he will take steps to secure the just representation to the Unionist majority in the Rathmines district?

According to the Minutes of Proceedings of the Dublin County Coun- cil of the 26th ultimo, as furnished to the Local Government Board, it would appear that the names of two gentlemen, namely, Mr. J. C. Anderson and Mr. W. M'Cabe, were proposed at that meeting for co-option in the room of Mr. S. P. Boyd, who had ceased to be a member of the council. On a poll being taken, Mr. M'Cabe was duly co-opted. The Board have no information as to the political views of the two gentlemen in question, or as to the alleged agreement between the Rathmines Urban District Council and the Dublin County Council. The selection of members by co-option is a matter in the discretion, of the county council.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the salary of Mr. Considine, as auditor of the Local Government Board; what amount was charged to the Clonmel District Lunatic Asylum for his work as auditor of the accounts in the year 1913; and how was that sum ascertained under Section 6 of the Local Government Board (Ireland) Act, 1872?

The salary of the officer referred to is £600 a year; £40 was assessed for the audit of the accounts in question for the year ended 31st March, 1913. The amounts charged for the audits of local authorities are assessed by the Local Government Board on a consideration of all the circumstances attending each audit, including the nature of the work to be done, the character of the investigations necessary, and the demands entailed on the time of the audit staff.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the total amount made available for Ireland by the Finance Act, 1911, for providing institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis; how much of this has been spent in providing new dispensaries, sanatoria, and hospitals for the treatment of tuberculous patients; and if he will give the names of those authorities, who have already spent this money, and also of those who have not yet spent any of the money which had been provisionally allocated to them?

The amount allocated to Ireland out of the sum made available by the Finance Act, 1911, for the provision of institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis was £145,623. Out of this Grant £30,077 has been issued by the Local Government Board in respect of the counties of Carlow, Cavan, Louth, Kerry, Mayo, Leitrim, Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary (South Riding), Westmeath, Galway, and Dublin County Borough, but in all the other counties and county boroughs, with one or two exceptions, schemes involving expenditure from the Grant are in a more or less advanced stage of preparation.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the amount of the deficiency in payments out of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account for the current year ending 31st instant, and for the year to 31st March, 1913, respectively; which of the services provided for out of the account have suffered; and what was the amount of the loss to each of the said services for the year ending March, 1913?

Statement showing for the years 1913 and 1914 in respect of the undermentioned services, the abatements made in consequence of the insufficincy of the amounts paid into the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account to meet the sums payable there out under Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, as amended by the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1902:—

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if the Development Commissioners, on the 23rd of January last, reported to the Treasury on the scheme submitted to them by his Department for tobacco growing in South Wexford; if the Treasury have yet given their approval to the scheme; and, if not, as the time for putting in the seeds has arrived and the Wexford growers uncertain as to what they should do, will he endeavour to expedite matters by getting an answer from the Treasury?

The Treasury have approved of the scheme of experiments proposed to be carried out by the Wexford Co-operative Tobacco Growers' Society. The Department have written to the society accordingly, and have sent them the necessary documents for completion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is stated in the Report of the Departmental Committee on Housing in Ireland that three members of the corporation received rebates in local taxes in respect of property which is described in the Report as unfit for human habitation, and that the medical officer of the city had dispensed in these cases with the conditions laid down by the

corporation in respect of rebates; and whether the Government of Ireland propose to take any steps to compel these members of the corporation to pay over to the city the amount of these rebates?

The Report of the Departmental Committee referred to states that two, not three, members of the corporation received rebates of taxes on property described as unfit for habitation. The medical superintendent officer of health of the city, in the course of the inquiry, stated that he accepted full responsibility for all rebates. The Government of Ireland have no power to compel these members of the corporation to pay over to the city the amount of these rebates.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of recruits enrolled in the Royal Irish Constabulary in each of the past live years, with the number of ex-soldiers and the number of Protestants and Roman Catholics in each case?

submitted the following Return of recruits enrolled in the Royal Irish Constabulary (including ex-soldiers) for the five years from 1909 to 1913 inclusive:—

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the quantity of herrings landed at Downings, county Donegal, during the winter season just ended amounted to 2,814 crans, valued at £3,008, as compared with 10,529 crans, valued at £13,846, during the corresponding period of 1913; whether this decrease is attributable to prolonged bad weather and to the exposed situation of the pier; whether the Congested Districts Board has recently received a memorial asking that steps should be taken to provide a safer harbour for fishing vessels in this district; and whether, in view of the acknowledged importance of the Downings fishery, they will take immediate steps to prevent the further decline of the industry?

The figures quoted are substantially correct. The weather during both seasons was unsettled and stormy. It is not possible to assign a definite cause for the difference in capture. The memorial referred to has been received and will be considered by the Congested Districts Board at their meeting on the 24th instant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to state the terms upon which naval men are allowed to commute a portion of their pensions?

As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Fins-bury on 25th February last, the question of the commutation of naval pensions has been fully considered, but the introduction of any such system was found to be inadvisable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any intention

of placing the draughtsmen, account clerks, and foremen of works on the staff of the Works Department upon the established list, and thus rendering them eligible for pension?

As I stated on the 16th February, an inquiry into the organisation of the Works Department staff at the outports is in hand, and the question of the extension of the establishment to a proportion of the subordinate officers referred to will, I hope, be settled in the near future. I cannot announce any definite intention on the subject at present pending this inquiry, but I may say that approval has already been given for a proportion of the temporary staff (including draughtsmen and accountant clerks) in the headquarters' staff of the Works Department to be established.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs. Lawrence and Scott, engineers, contractors to the Admiralty, are paying to one section of their engineers 28s. instead of 34s. per week; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the cause of this departure from the recognised wage?

No complaint has been received. Inquiries will be made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the housing accommodation for the navvies employed at Rosyth; and whether steps have been taken to expedite the town-planning scheme drawn up by the town council of Dunfermline?

Probably opportunity will arise during the Debate later in the day to make a statement upon the points raised in the question of my hon. Friend.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many British merchant ships are at present armed and equipped for defensive purposes in the event of war; what contribution or subsidy is paid by the Government in respect thereof; and what is the number of merchant ships similarly armed or equipped by Foreign Powers?

The reply to the first part of the question is forty, and to the second part that no subsidy is paid by the Government. It would not be advisable for me to make detailed statements in this matter about the practice of Foreign Powers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to a device which would enable the crew of a disabled submarine to communicate with the surface by means of a detachable buoy connected by telephone with the vessel; and whether experiments have been made in that direction?

Scores of persons have called my attention to this subject, and have made interesting suggestions. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the full reply which I gave to the hon. Member a copy of the full reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Devonport on the 12th of last month, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why in the recent Return of British and foreign fleets no particulars of any kind are given regarding the "Queen Elizabeth" type, although he himself made allusion on 17th July, 1913, to the adoption of the 15-inch gun?

So far as official Returns are concerned the usual practice is to withhold this information from the public until the first ship of the class is completed. Exceptional information may from time to time be given to Parliament, but the rule should be adhered to in other cases.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the control of the land defences at Cromarty has been placed in the hands of the Royal Marines, who have had little or no training or experience in the use of range-finding instruments and searchlights in connection with land defences; and, if so, why these guns are not manned by the Royal Artillery in the usual way?

It was decided, upon the recommendation of the Committee of Imperial Defence, that the Admiralty should be responsible for the seaward defences of Cromarty Firth; and they are accordingly responsible that the officers and men detailed for working them are efficient in their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether any proceedings are now pending before any and, if so, what judicial tribunal, civil or military, against Quartermaster and Honorary Captain J. Fowles or Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant F. Walker, in connection with charges, of having corruptly accepted inducements and rewards from Lipton, Limited, for showing favour to that company in relation to the affairs and business of the Crown; and (2) whether a court- martial was constituted to inquire into the allegations that certain officers in the Army conspired with certain civilians that gifts and considerations should be corruptly offered to and accepted by certain officers as inducements and rewards for showing favour to Lipton, Limited, in relation to the affairs and business of the Crown; if so, whether the said court-martial was disbanded in order that proceedings might be instituted in the ordinary courts of criminal jurisdiction having power to adjudicate and pronounce sentence against civilians as well as Army officers; whether, amongst the officers included in the list of those under court-martial in connection with the charges of the corrupt offer and acceptance of inducements and rewards by Lipton, Limited, and certain officers, respectively, were included the names of Quartermaster and Honorary Captain J. Fowles and Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant F. Walker; whether in the prosecution upon the same charges in the ordinary courts, these officers are not included as defendants; upon what advice and under what circumstances and for what reasons the officers named are not afforded an opportunity of meeting the charges laid against them under the court-martial but abondoned for decision by the ordinary courts; whether on the 12th February, 1914, Quartermaster and Honorary Captain J. Fowles was placed upon retired pay; whether ho was so placed on his own application or under any and what other circumstances; whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 14th February, 1014, letters were read in evidence and evidence was given at Bow Street police station indicating that the officer last named was concerned in the offers made by Lipton, Limited, alleged to be corrupt, and that such officer was in such evidence alleged to have made a higher counter-demand of a corrupt nature; and why, in these circumstances, the officer named was not included in the prosecution and so afforded an opportunity of defending his good name but was placed upon retired pay?

Until the present proceedings have been completed and I am in a position to be advised on the whole matter, it is impossible for me to say who are the persons who are or may be implicated.

asked the Secretary of State for War the terms upon which soldiers are allowed to commute a portion of their pensions?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer I gave him to a question on this subject on 3rd May, 1911. The terms on which commutation is permitted have not since been changed; they are stated in Article 1215 of the Pay Warrant, a copy of which I am sending to the Noble Lord.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet in a position to state anything as to the question of labourers' wages in Government factories; and, if not, will he give the reasons for delay in coming to a decision?

I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any pension or allowance will be made to Peter Walsh, who was discharged from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 14th August, 1912 (No. 2017), in view of the fact that whilst on active service in the South African war he was struck by lightning and thereby sustained permanent injuries, involving at times total disablement?

There is no record in Peter Walsh's documents of his having been struck by lightning on active service in South Africa, and he made no allusion to this when applying for a pension in September, 1912. If, however, full particulars are furnished respecting the incident, his case will be further investigated by the Chelsea Commissioners.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any legal proceedings have been instituted against three officials of the Central Welsh Board for Intermediate Education in Wales, and at whose instigation; whether they are charged in connection with any irregularities in the accounts; and, if so, why these alleged irregularities have not been discovered sooner; and whether proper financial control has been maintained by the Treasury and Board of Education at Whitehall?

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the officials referred to in the hon. Member's question, the prosecutions being undertaken by the Director of Public Prosecutions, at the instance of the Executive Committee of the Central Welsh Board. I have no information, beyond what has appeared in the public Press, as to the precise nature of the charges which are in course of being formulated against these officials beyond that they are the outcome of the recently discovered irregularities in the accounts of the Central Welsh Board. I am unable to say why these irregularities were not discovered earlier. The accounts are not audited by the Board of Education, but have been audited by a firm of accountants and, since the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1911, by the Local Government Board there has been nothing in the accounts rendered to the Board of Education to suggest any necessity for a special investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has seen the resolution moved on behalf of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce and adopted at the meeting of the Association of the Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, to the effect that the work of many elementary schools has undoubtedly deteriorated; that the curriculum in such schools has been extended and burdened with so many new subjects of late years as to make it impossible to give pupils efficient and thorough tuition; and what action the Government proposes to take in view of this condemnation of the elementary education provided at great cost to the tax and ratepayer?

The resolution has not yet been communicated to the Board. The Board are by no means prepared to admit that there has been any general deterioration in the work of elementary schools, on the contrary, their information is that there has been, on the whole, a steady improvement, and that the variations in the curriculum which are now possible are rendering the children more responsive and intelligent.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, before he appointed the Committee consisting of Professors Blomfield, Image, and Moira, the advisory council of art of the Victoria and Albert Museum were consulted as to the use of the old ceramic gallery for the exhibition of the Jones collection?

The answer is in the negative. The advisory council were not in existence when the Blomfield Committee was appointed.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the large majority of the exhibits of contemporaneous ceramics bought for the South Kensington Museum between the years 1844 and 1869 wer edistributed amongst various institutions in the country and also in the building construction section of the museum; and if only a small percentage of them were placed in the old ceramic gallery?

Before any answer to the first part of the question could be given, it would be necessary to examine the records of loans to every provincial institution between the dates named and to compare them with the records relating to the acquisition of objects for the museum. The question does not seem to me to be of sufficient public interest to warrant this expenditure of time and labour, but I shall be glad to give the hon. Member an opportunity of examining the records himself, should he desire to do so. The museum records do not enable me to state what articles of contemporaneous ceramics were exhibited in the building construction section of the museum. In answer to the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 12th February last.

asked the Home Secretary how many cases of arson and other offences have occurred during the past year for which no arrests have been made and which, from the attendant circumstances, appear to have been committed by militant suffragists; and whether he has taken or will take any special measures to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice?

I cannot say how many undetected crimes have been attributed to militant suffragists. The police in the various districts where crimes have been committed have, I believe, made special efforts to trace the offenders, and, so far as possible, the Metropolitan Police have given assistance. The difficulties have been very great, but in a considerable proportion of the cases the criminals have been traced and brought to justice.

asked the Home Secretary whether the arrangements for the arrest of Mrs. Pankhurst in St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow, on Monday last had his assent or approval in advance; if not, can he explain by whose authority a large body of police forced their way into the crowded hall and raided the platform to make the arrest; whether any police officer had approached Mrs. Pankhurst inviting her to surrender herself before the police made their raid; and whether there is any precedent for such procedure?

No directions were given by me. It was by law the duty of the police to arrest Mrs. Pankhurst, who was a prisoner convicted of felony and illegally at large. Any question as to the police arrangements should be addressed to the Secretary for Scotland.

asked the Home Secretary whether directions were given by him for the arrest of Mrs. Pankhurst on the platform of the St. Andrew's Hall, in Glasgow; and, if so, whether he will endeavour to find means in future to avoid the making of arrests under such circumstances?

No directions were given by me in this matter. The police in arresting Mrs. Pankhurst simply carried out the duty imposed on them by law.

asked how many women are at present undergoing terms of imprisonment for offences connected with the agitation for the enfranchisement of women; and whether any and, if so, how many are being forcibly fed, and the length of time this process has been in force in each case?

The number of women now in prison under my jurisdiction for crimes committed in connection with the suffragette agitation is eleven. Of these, three are being fed artificially. One has been so fed since 8th January, but in her case no force is required: she insists on being fed by tube, but offers no resistance. The other two have been fed artificially since 26th February and 12th March, respectively.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the instructions on the notice board at the corner of Arlington Street and Piccadilly, to the effect that drivers should not enter Arlington Street from the Piccadilly end unless calling in the street, are constantly disregarded; and whether he will take steps to enforce obedience to the instructions, or to remove the notice board?

I understand that these notice boards were erected by the Westminster City Council. I have no authority to remove them. The instructions on them are not enforceable by penalty, but so far as they go they seem to be devised in the interests of traffic generally and for the safety of the public, and may be useful even if some drivers fail to conform to them.

asked the Home Secretary what additional measures he proposes to take to protect valuable works of art on view in our public galleries from the wanton attacks of feeble-minded and other mentally deranged persons?

I understand that the authorities responsible for the museums are considering, in consultation with the police, the steps which they should take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of a young woman, dressed in the uniform of a nurse, having been charged with theft, at the Rochester City Police Court, on the 3rd March; and whether he is prepared to introduce any legislation to protect the sick from imposture and the nursing profession from degradation?

My attention has been called to the case referred to. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on this subject last month. I notice that my hon. Friend has introduced a Bill dealing: with the registration of nurses, and I would suggest that he should raise this matter for discussion by inserting a Clause in his Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, since if sufficient occasion arises for a visit to an inmate of a criminal lunatic asylum by a legal adviser a visit would be allowed, he will say who decides that the occasion is or is not sufficient; and why an application made in 1907 by Mr. R. D. Yelverton, barrister-at-law, to visit Richard D. Pritchard, confined since 1901 for sending a threatening letter, was refused, although application was made at the request of Pritchard's parents, who had always contended that their son was improperly confined?

Mr. Yelverton's application in 1907 was refused by the Home Secretary because no sufficient reason was advanced by him for allowing the patient to be visited by a legal adviser.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the only parts of letters from inmates of Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum erased are those unfit to send out of the asylum, or do the erasures extend to complaints of treatment and information that might provoke criticism of the methods in vogue?

The only parts of letters erased are those which are unlit to be sent out of the asylum.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Foreign Office in making representations to the Portuguese Government on behalf of securing a fair trial for Mr. Bowskill; and whether he will instruct the Governor-General of South Africa to make a similar claim on the Union Government there on behalf of the nine men who have been deported without trial?

I am aware of the action taken by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the case of Mr. Bowskill which does not, however, appear to me to have much resemblance to the South African case. Legislation is now being passed by the Union Parliament to legalise the deportations—and I have fully explained to the House the position of His Majesty's Government with regard to that legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will ascertain whether the architect appointed by the Government to advise with a committee as to the planning of the New Delhi has sent in a further report; whether his suggestions will be made public and his drawings exhibited in this House; and whether the designs for the principal Government buildings will be thrown open to competition to all architects who are British subjects, or whether the architect consulted with regard to the planning of the New Delhi is to be given the chief part of this work without competition?

The Secretary of State is not aware that any important alteration in the planning of the New Delhi is proposed, but he will make inquiries on the matter. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for North Somerset on the 13th August last. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Gentleman that, as he was informed in this House on the 6th August last, the two selected architects have been commissioned to prepare conjointly designs for Government House and two secretariat blocks. There will be no competition with respect to these buildings.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what was the total cost to the Government of India in the last year for which he has figures incurred on account of women and children borne on the strength of British regiments; and whether he can give the items of transport to and from India, housing, and rations separately?

I regret that figures are not available either as regards the total cost or the items specified by my hon. Friend, nor is it probable that they could be accurately compiled in India.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Governor-General of India in Council has yet been consulted as regards the intention of the Secretary of State for War to increase the number of married women and children borne on the strength of British regiments; and what reply, if any, has been received?

No communication has been addressed by the Secretary of State to the Governor-General in Council on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculure if he will state what were the numbers of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs in Great Britain in the years 1900, 1912, and 1913, respectively?

The numbers returned were as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what is the area of land owned by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in the borough of St. Pancras, exclusive of any land used for the purpose of a public park; what is the rental received by the Commissioners from their estate in St. Pancras; and what is the rateable value of the estate, gross and assessable?

The area of land under the charge of the Commissioners of Woods in the borough of St. Pancras, exclusive of land used as a public park, is about 58½ acres, of which about 3 acres are ornamental gardens used in common by the occupiers of certain terraces, etc. The present rental is £11,545 6s. 6d. per annum. The total rateable value of the estate is about £106,000 gross and £88,000 assessable.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture how many agricultural credit societies are now registered in England; and how many have received advances from joint stock banks under the arrangement made with the joint stock banks to make advances to duly registered credit banks?

In reply to this question I will refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a similar question addressed to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley on the 23rd February.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the circumstances of the recent outbreak of swine fever at Burnrigg, Prestonpans, East Lothian, have been brought to his notice; if he will explain why, when two veterinary surgeons certified on 11th January that the herd was suffering from swine fever, the inspectors of the Board of Agriculture were unable to diagnose the disease until 5th February; and whether, under the circumstances, he will consider the granting of compensation to the owner for sixty-one pigs which died between 11th January and 5th February?

I have examined the history of the ease to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, and can find no record of any veterinary certificates having been given as mentioned by him. On the 28th January, however, the Board received a letter from the owner to the effect that his veterinary advisers agreed with his own opinion that swine fever existed, contrary to the view which had been taken by the Board's local veterinary inspector. On the same day another veterinary inspector, by the Board's instructions, visited the premises and reported that he suspected swine fever; he forwarded specimens to the Board's laboratory, and his diagnosis was confirmed on the 5th February. The Board have no power to give compensation for the pigs which died from the disease.

also asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will explain why thirty-five pigs suffering from swine fever were on the 9th February taken in open floats 12 miles, from Burnrigg, Prestonpans, to Edinburgh, for slaughter, thereby causing danger of spreading the disease through Midlothian and East Lothian?

The pigs to which the hon. and gallant Member refers were not suffering from swine fever. They were perfectly healthy, but as they had been in contact with affected pigs it was deemed necessary to slaughter them. There were no facilities for slaughtering and dressing the carcases on the premises, so the pigs were removed to Edinburgh in floats, according to the usual practice, and thorough precautions were taken to prevent any possibility of spreading infection.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the interest which is now being taken in the development of the inland waterways, he will direct that copies of the Reports of the Royal Commission, and the several volumes in connection therewith issued by the Royal Commission, may be placed in the Vote Office so as to be available to Members desiring copies thereof?

This will be done. I may add, however, that copies of the various Reports (but not of the evidence and appendices) of the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways were delivered to every Member at the time of publication.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many full-time and how many part-time medical officers of health are employed by local authorities in England and Wales; how many of the former receive a salary of £500 or over; and how many receive less than £500?

The figures, so far as they can be ascertained from the Local Government Board's records, are as follows:—

In each case the total remuneration received from public appointments has been taken.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the quantity of land in the possession of each of the county boroughs of Great Britain?

I regret that the information desired is not available at the Local Government Board.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the number of beds in Poor Law institutions which were estimated in 1908 to be available for adults; and whether he can give any estimate as to the approximate number of beds for adults that have been provided since 1908?

The number of beds in Poor Law institutions available-for adults in 1908 cannot be exactly stated, but it was approximately 242,000. Since 1908 plans have been approved by the Local Government Board for providing some 14,000 additional beds for adults.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the occurrence of serious accidents, including death, caused the Local Government Board in 1886 to issue a Minute of instructions to guardians as to bathing inmates; whether since this Minute bathing has been carried out safely; whether the new Poor Law Institutions Order supersedes this Minute and substitutes regulations by the 650 boards of guardians, subject to disapproval by the Local Government Board, and, in the case of inmates of sick and lunatic wards and infants, 650 Poor Law medical officers' codes; whether he will make an amending Order providing that

the express approval of the Local Government Board be required both for the guardians' regulations and for the codes; and will he draw up model regulations retaining the provision of the Minute of 1886, that every inmate should have the right to demand water that has not been previously used, and allow no deviations from the model which would permit disregard of the safety, health, or cleanliness of the inmates?

I think the hon. Member is under some misapprehen- sion in regard to this matter. The Orders previously in force did not contain any regulations as to the bathing of inmates. The Minute referred to contained a number of recommendations as to bathing, but these recommendations were not legally binding on the guardians or their officers. Under the new Order, the bathing of sick persons, lunatics, and infants will be subject to the directions of the medical officer who is responsible for their treatment. The bathing of the healthy inmates will be subject to regulations made by the guardians, but the Local Government Board have express power to disallow or modify any of these regulations (which must be sent to the Board, and which cannot come into operation before the expiration of one month after their transmission to the Board), and in examining these regulations the Board will certainly have regard to the matters referred to in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if any areas in England are now without whole-time tuberculosis officers; and, if so, if he will give the names of those areas?

Appended are lists of areas in England in respect of which notifications of the appointment of tuberculosis officers have or have not been received by the Local Government Board:

List A.

List of areas in respect of which the appointment of tuberculosis officers has been notified to the Board:—

1. Counties: Bedford, Berkshire, Buckingham, ^* Cambridge, Isle of Ely, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumberland, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire (joint with Gloucester City), Hereford, Hertford, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, ^* Lindsey, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, ^* Suffolk East, ^* Suffolk West, Surrey, Sussex East, Sussex West, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Yorks (East Riding), and Yorks (West Riding).

2. County Boroughs: Barrow-in-Furness (joint with county Lancashire), Bath (joint with county Somerset), Birkenhead, Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, ^* Bolton, Bootle (joint with county Lanca- shire), Bradford, Brighton, Bristol, Burnley, ^* Burton-on-Trent, Bury (joint with county Lancashire), Croydon, Derby, Dewsbury, Dudley, ^* Eastbourne, Gloucester (joint with county Gloucester), ^* Halifax, Hastings, ^* Huddersfield, ^* Ipswich, Kingston - upon - Hull, Leeds, Leicester, ^* Lincoln, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Rochdale, Rotherham, St. Helens, Salford, Sheffield, Smethwick, Southampton, Southend, ^* Southport, South Shields, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tynemouth, Wakefield, Wallasey, West Ham, Wigan (joint with county Lancashire), Wolverhampton, ^* Worcester and York.

3. Metropolitan Boroughs: Battersea, Bermondsey, Camberwell, Chelsea, Deptford, Fulham, Greenwich, Hampstead. Kensington, Paddington, Poplar, St. Marylebone, St. Pancras, Shoreditch, Stepney, Wandsworth, Westminster, and Woolwich.

^* Officers part of whose time is devoted to other official work.

List B.

List of areas in respect of which no appointment of tuberculosis officers has yet been notified to the Board:—

1. Counties: Huntingdon, Holland, Kesteven, Norfolk, Soke of Peterborough, Rutland, Hampshire, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight, Warwickshire, and Yorks (North Riding).

2. County Boroughs: Barnsley, Bournemouth, Canterbury, Chester, Coventry, Devonport, Exeter, Gateshead, Great Yarmouth, Grimsby, Oldham, Oxford, Stockport, Walsall, Warrington, West Bromwich, and West Hartlepool.

3. Metropolitan Boroughs: Bethnal Green, Finsbury, Hackney, Hammersmith, Holborn, Islington, Lewisham, Southwark, and Stoke Newington.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what experiments can be of any use with regard to the use of dangerous headlights by motor vehicles at night; and, seeing that the police have already full power and authority to deal with anything which is a manifest common danger to both pedestrians and to vehicles if they are so instructed, will he say what action he proposes to take?

The experiments which have been made were undertaken with a view to ascertaining the practicability of making a general regulation on this subject. I should be happy to learn that the police are already in a position to deal with the matter, but any question as to whether they could take action would be for the Home Secretary.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state the number of certificates of declaration of conscientious objection to vaccination that were lodged with vaccination officers during the first six months of 1913; and whether he can state, accurately or approximately, the number of such certificates lodged during the year 1913?

The number of statutory declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination received by vaccination officers during the first six months of 1913 is 147,980. The returns are not yet sufficiently complete to enable me to give an estimate of the total for the whole of 1913.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state what was the total amount made available for England and Wales, respectively, by the Finance Act, 1911, for providing institutions for the treatment of tuberculosis; how much of this has been spent in each of these countries on providing new dispensaries, sanatoria, and hospitals for the treatment of tuberculous patients; and if he will give the names of those authorities who have already spent this money and also of those who have not yet spent any of the money which had been provisionally allocated to them?

The share of England in the capital Grant is £1,116,156, and of Wales £80,302. In England £40,101 has been actually paid to local authorities in aid of expenditure already incurred on providing new dispensaries, sanatoria, and hospitals, or on extending existing institutions. In addition, capital Grants amounting to £120,574 have been definitely promised in aid of expenditure now being incurred or about to be incurred for these purposes. I will send the hon. Member a list of the authorities to whom Grants have already been paid or promised, and of those to whom no Grant has yet been definitely promised I have no information as to the distribution of the Grant in Wales.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the results of a recent bacteriological examination of London milk; and whether the Government have yet decided how they mean to deal with the milk question?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am in frequent communication with the interests concerned, and hope to be in a position to make a statement at an early date.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many cottages built under the Housing Acts by the rural district councils are now in existence; and how many are under consideration?

I cannot state how many of the cottages referred to are now in existence, but I may say that the Local Government Board have sanctioned loans to rural district councils under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, for the erection of 1,570 houses, and that applications for sanction to borrow for the erection of 363 more are now before me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of the French Republic, while placing the fullest confidence in the Cabinet of Washington, has dispatched the French cruiser "Condé" to Vera Cruz in order to ensure the effectual protection of French nationals in Mexico; and whether His Majesty's Government, in the same circumstances, proposes to take similar steps for the protection of the lives and property of British subjects?

The French cruiser "Condé" was sent to Mexican waters last October. The British Fourth Cruiser Squadron has had its headquarters in Mexican waters for some time past, and Mexican ports are constantly being visited. For instance, a few days ago the "Hermione" was at Tampico and the "Essex" on the way to Vera Cruz from Galveston.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain and state which of the cantons of Switzerland have enacted a compulsory vaccination law; and which of the cantons respect conscientious objection in regard to the operation of vaccination?

I will make the necessary inquiries and inform the hon. Member in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish a return showing the number of Asiatics serving on British ships under both European and Lascar agreements in each of the years from 1909 to 1913, inclusive?

The only annual statistics available on this subject are those which relate to the Asiatics serving under Asiatic Agreements. These will be found in the "Tables showing the Progress of Merchant Shipping," page 88, and are as follows:—

A large proportion of the vessels on which these men were employed were trading exclusively in Asiatic waters.

Asiatic seamen under European agreements have not been separately enumerated since the issue of the Report on the Quinquennial Census of Seamen, taken in 1911 (Cd. 6442). Information as to the nationalities of the seamen under European agreements on the Census date will be found in Table 4, pages 6 and 7, of that Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of steamers and the number of sailing vessels of the mercantile marine belonging respectively to owners in Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the United States for 1913–14?

The following statement shows the number and tonnage of steamers of 100 tons gross and upwards and of sailing vessels of 100 tons net and upwards, belonging to each of the undermentioned countries, as recorded in Lloyd's Register for 1913–14:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the Report of the Royal Commission of 1857 on the Civil Service, in which it is stated that it should be clearly understood that at the age of sixty a man may be required to retire by the head of the department upon such pension as by the length of his service he is qualified to receive; whether he is aware of the Order in Council issued in 1890 and the Treasury Minute of December, 1890, giving effect to the recommendation of the Royal Commission; and, if so, whether he can explain why the Order in Council has not been enforced in the several Departments of the Board of Trade?

I am aware of the Reports and Orders in Council bearing on this subject. The Orders have been applied throughout the Board of Trade.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that extra charges are now being made for telephone calls between Appleby and Kirkby Stephen on the basis of trunk calls; whether he will take steps to arrange that these two places, being both in the Eden Valley and not far distant, should be included in the same system; and whether the calls between the two towns can be covered by the rents paid for the telephones?

I am aware that calls between Appleby and Kirkby Stephen are trunk calls. I am unable at present to include the two places in the same local exchange system, but the matter will come under review in connection with the proposed revision of rates.