asked whether, in the case of a deficiency in the drug fund in any district, chemists who have not had their accounts paid for 1913 can surcharge the doctors for the amount, if it is proved that the prescriptions have not been unreasonable?

The provisions of the Regulations as to surcharging apply only to prescriptions which are in excess of what is reasonable, either in character or amount.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to introduce legislation during this Session to deal with the deposit contributors under the National Insurance Act?

I have nothing to add to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the 9th instant and to-day.

asked the names, addresses, and professions of the members of the Medical Research Committee and the Advisory Council of Research appointed under the National Insurance Act?

The names of the gentlemen referred to will be found in the Medical Research Fund Regulations, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. I am afraid that I cannot undertake to furnish the other particulars for which he asks.

asked how many panel doctors had more and how many had less than 2,000 insured patients on their list in 1913; and, if the figures are available, will he also give them for 1914?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what date Members of Parliament began to be paid; and at what date the allowance for expenses was first deducted in payment of Income Tax?

Payment began as from 1st April, 1911; the allowance began as from 1st April, 1912.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any appeal, or means of obtaining rectification, in cases of incorrect assessments of Income Tax, if the objection to such assessment has not, as required by Law, through unintentional causes been made before the 30th of September in the year of the charge.

The statutory conditions as to appeal against assessments include no reference to the 30th September. If, however, the hon. Member intends to refer to cases where the taxpayer has neglected to claim before the 30th September the lower rate in respect of earned income, I may remind him that in these circumstances the income is correctly assessable according to Statute at the full normal rate in force, and the question of rectification does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Mount Vernon Hospital is intended to be used chiefly for treatment of tuberculous disease; and, if so, whether he can assure the committee that no vivisection of dogs and horses will be sanctioned in this hospital; and (2) if he will state the names of the committee of the Research Society, and also the names of the gentlemen composing the advisory committee and the chairman of both bodies; and what control the advisory committee will have on the operation of the research committee?

As regards the first question, I am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Haggerston on Wednesday last and by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 9th July last. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Medical Research Fund Regulations, which contain the information asked for in his second question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a petition was received by the Board of Customs and Ex- cise in September, 1913, from the preventive officers and men employed on baggage duty at Charing Cross and Victoria Stations requesting payment for remaining on duty all night on Saturdays and Sundays; if so, why no reply has as yet been made to this request; and what is the cause of the delay?

The petition referred to was duly received by the Board. It involved a number of other questions which were under the review of a committee, whose report has recently been received, and is now under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number and the size of the rooms vacant in the Custom House, Dublin, during the whole or any portion of the past three years?

I am informed by the Board of Works that all the rooms in the Custom House are allocated to the different departments using the building, and so far as the Board are aware none is vacant. The case appears to have been the same during the past three years.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) why the fair of Ballinakill, Queen's County, was prohibited, as Ballinakill is not in a scheduled area?

Ballinakill is within the district which it was found necessary to schedule in connection with the distribution of Cork calves from Kilkenny. Diligent efforts for the tracing of these calves have been in progress, but are not yet completely successful. Restrictions are therefore still in operation in the district mentioned, and accordingly the holding of this fair is prohibited. The importance of fully tracing the movement of these calves is shown by the fact that within the past few days, in another locality, a fresh outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed. This outbreak has been found to be due to one of the calves referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the Erasmus Smith Schools estate at Renmure, Galway city, agreed in 1908 to purchase their holdings on the undertaking that Mr. T. W. Lynch should surrender part of his holding on the same estate for division in order to enlarge the uneconomic holdings of these tenants; whether Mr. Lynch is still willing to stand by this agreement; and whether any steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to carry through this sale and to effect enlargement of the holdings?

The Estates Commissioners are informed by the solicitors having carriage of the sale of this estate that no promise whatever was made to the tenants in consideration of their signing their purchase agreements that portion of Mr. Lynch's farm would be taken up for distribution amongst the tenants, but they understand that Mr. Lynch is prepared to consider the surrender of a portion of his land on equitable conditions for this purpose if the Commissioners require him to do so. This estate has not been reached by the Commissioners in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) to be dealt with, but when so reached the matter will be considered by them.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued final offers to Mr. Richard Gibbons for his estates in Westport and Castlebar unions, county Mayo, or when they propose to do so?

The Congested Districts Board have not issued final offers to Mr. Richard Gibbons for his estates in the Westport and Castlebar unions. The Board are not at present in a position to state when they may do so.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire the estate of R. W. Livingstone, at Fairhill, Islandeady, county Mayo; has the landlord expressed his willingness to sell the estate through the Board; and whether, having regard to the number of uneconomic holdings on the estate, the average value of which is under £3 10s., while it contains sufficient grazing lands to relieve the congestion, he will ask the Board to acquire the estate as soon as possible?

The owner of this estate has expressed his willingness to lodge the necessary maps and documents with a view to an inspection and valuation of his estate. The Congested Districts Board consider the property a suitable one to be acquired, and negotiations are proceeding.

asked the Chief Secretary precisely the terms of purchase of the estate of General Kelly Kenny, West Clare; whether the tenants are now asked by the Congested Districts Board to pay arrears as well as current rents; and whether, in view of the difficult conditions forced upon the tenants, the Congested Districts Board will give relief in this matter and proceed to settle the whole business without unnecessary delay?

The holdings on the estate referred to were purchased by the Congested Districts Board at different prices. Holdings requiring no alteration or improvement prior to resale were purchased at the following prices:—Holdings held at judicial rents fixed or agreed to before 14th August, 1896, at an average of 19 years' purchase; those held at judicial rents fixed or agreed to on or since that date at an average of 20 years' purchase; yearly tenancies at an average of 15 years' purchase; and leaseholds at 20 years' purchase. Pending the resale of their holdings, the tenants are required to pay rent to the Board in respect of the period from which the Board pay the vendor interest on the purchase money; but, until the estate is vested, receipts for payments made are only given up to the gale day to which such payments legally discharge the rents. On the sale of the holdings all arrears due, after allowing for payments made as above, are liquidated by making additions to the sale prices of the holdings, such additions in no case exceeding one year's rent.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any and, if so, what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to purchase the Dobb estate at or near Donadea, county Kildare; is he aware that ninety out of 130 of the holdings on the said estate are uneconomic; and that there is an abundance of untenanted land available in the district which may be acquired by the Commissioners for the relief of the congestion on the Dobb estate?

The owner has not instituted formal proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of this estate under the Land Purchase Acts, but at their request he has supplied them with a map and other particulars, and they have had a preliminary inspection made. From the particulars before them there would appear to be 107 out of 160 holdings with a Poor Law valuation or rent of £7 or under. The Commissioners are at present in negotiation for the purchase of untenanted land in the neighbourhood which, if acquired, will be utilised for the relief of congestion on this estate.

asked the Chief Secretary the present position of the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and the following landowners in Erris, county Mayo: Messrs. H. H. Shaen Bingham, Arthur Bingham, and J. M. Coyne; have the Congested Districts Board made offers for these estates; and to what cause the delay in completing the sales is due?

The Congested Districts Board have not yet made offers for the purchase of the estates of Mr. H. H. S. Bingham and Mr. A. S. Bingham, but they have decided to do so, and the offers will be issued as soon as practicable. An offer for purchase of Mr. J. M. Coyne's estate has been issued, and the Board are in correspondence with the agent regarding it. There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with these properties.

asked what is the present position in regard to the sale of the Kirkwood estate, Erris, county Mayo, to the Congested Districts Board; when was the Board's last offer made; if refused, on what grounds; and if negotiations have since been reopened?

An offer for the purchase of the estate of Mr. H. M. Kirkwood was issued by the Congested Districts Board on the 6th March, 1913, and was not accepted as the price was considered inadequate. Negotiations have not since been reopened.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in reference to the case of James Keane, Monmore, on the Vandeleur estate, West Clare, what report Mr. Linehan, inspector under the Estates Commissioners, sent in with regard to the valuation of the holding; whether he is aware that instances can be cited where inspectors have fixed prices in the case of judicial tenants; and whether it is proposed to give James Keane some relief from the rents for which he is liable?

The reports of inspectors are confidential documents for the in- formation of the Estates Commissioners, and it would be contrary to their practice to comply with the request contained in the first part of the question. As the hon. Member has already been informed, this estate is the subject of proceedings for sale by the owner direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the question of the price of Keane's holding is a matter of arrangement between the parties and not for the Commissioners. Section 1 of that Act provides that if the price of a judicial holding falls within the zonal limits mentioned in that section it is security for such price. In some cases of judicial holdings where the parties failed to agree as to price, the Commissioners at the request of the owner suggested a price, but they cannot compel the owner to sell at such a price or the tenants to purchase at it. As regards the concluding portion of the question, the Commissioners have no power to interfere with the owner's legal power to collect rent due to him.

asked the Chief Secretary the cause of the delay in having the Arran estate, county Mayo, vested in the tenants; if he is aware that this delay involves the tenants in considerably larger annual payments in interest than if the estate was vested; and when the conveyance to the tenants is expected to be carried through?

This property is being dealt with as rapidly as practicable by the Estates Commissioners, and they hope their arrangements for resale will be completed at an early date, when the holdings will be vested in the purchasing tenants. Meanwhile, under the terms of their purchase undertakings, these tenants are liable for interest in lieu of rent, which gives them a considerable reduction in the rent which would otherwise be payable by them.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps have been taken or are under consideration by the Congested Districts Board, since acquiring the Captain Clive estate, Ballycroy, to effect urgently necessary improvements thereon; if he is aware that the housing accommodation is of the most primitive and wretched character, and that frequent applications have been made by the tenants to have these works of improvement started; and when the Board hope to make such start?

The carrying out of improvement works on the estate of Captain Clive has not yet been undertaken. The housing accommodation for the entire district needs much improvement, but the Board are not aware that the houses on this estate are exceptionally bad. A few applications have been received by tenants with respect to improvements, and the Congested Districts Board hope to be in a position to deal with the estate during the coming financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary upon what terms the Congested Districts Board have acquired the estate of Mr. Roche-Kelly, near Newport, county Mayo?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the price given for the estate referred to was an average of seventeen years' purchase of the unabated rents of first-term tenancies, and an average of twelve years' purchase of the unabated rents of yearly tenancies, or an average of twenty years' purchase of the unabated rents.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in regard to the estate of W. F. Crowe, at Salus, West Clare, any irregularity has occurred with respect to the distribution of the holdings; whether the estate is being dealt with under the provisions of the Land Act of 1909; and, if so, what is the present state of the proceedings?

The Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board are unable, from the particulars furnished, to identify the estate referred to as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Irish Land Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary when he expects to bring in his promised Secondary Education Bill for Ireland?

I hope to be in a position to introduce this Bill next week.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds it is considered necessary to maintain a police hut at Glenhest, county Mayo, and if he is aware that the district in question is absolutely crimeless, and that there have not been more than ten Petty Sessions cases in the last five years?

Glenhest is a permanent police station, and its retention is necessary, as it would be practically impossible to efficiently patrol the district from the adjoining stations, which are about seven miles distant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if officers in the Navy having a grievance have access to him in seeking redress; if he has, in any instance, since he assumed his present office, intervened in a matter of personal discipline; and, if so, whether such action is in accordance with precedent?

Many important matters of discipline, both general and personal, come before the First Lord, and are dealt with by him in accordance with established procedure.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ships of the "Dreadnought" type Great Britain will have in Home waters on 1st April, 1914, and the number of similar ships Germany possesses, ready or in commission, on the same date?

On the assumption that no changes take place in the present disposition of and arrangements for ships, the numbers are as follows:—Great Britain, twenty-five "Dreadnoughts" and "Lord Nelsons"; Germany, fourteen "Dreadnoughts."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the proposals with regard to the disposition of the Fleet recently announced by him were made after consultation with representatives of any of the Colonies; and if his attention has been called to the statement by the Australian Minister of Defence to the effect that those proposals involve a reversal of the policy previously settled?

My statement on this subject in introducing the Estimates is self-explanatory, and I have nothing to add to it. I have seen the newspaper reports referred to.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when a relief crew will be sent out to His Majesty's ship "Psyche," now stationed off New Zealand?

Particulars of the ratings required for the draft have just been received, and orders have at once been given for the draft to be prepared. It is expected that they will leave for New Zealand about the end of April.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the firm of Messrs. C. and E. Morton, Millwall, are contractors to the Admiralty; if so, whether he is aware that a trade dispute is in progress there against the employment of juvenile labour on work usually done by adults; and whether he will have inquiries made and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the Fair-Wages Clause is complied with, and that the present cessation of work at the factory in the tinning of food does not result in the supply to the Department of food unfit for consumption?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There have been reports in the Press as to the existence of a strike at Messrs. Morton's works at Millwall, but no allegation has been made to the Admiralty as to any breach of the Fair-Wages Clause having been committed. Inquiries will be made. With regard to the last part of the question, the usual steps will be taken to ensure that supplies are fully in accordance with contract requirements.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the date when the pay of carpenter-lieutenants and chief carpenters in the Royal Navy was last raised and the amount of the rise; whether these ratings are included in the concessions made last year to men in the Royal Navy; and, if not, seeing the character of their service and their responsibility, will he consider the advisability of raising their pay during the next financial year?

The rank of carpenter-lieutenant was established on the 1st April, 1903, and no change has been made in the scale of pay since then. The pay of chief carpenter was last raised on 1st April, 1896, the increase being from a flat rate of 9s. a day to a scale of from 10s. to 12s. a day by biennial increments of 6d. a day. The store allowance was increased from 6d. to 1s. a day from the same date. These ranks were not included in the concessions as regards pay made to officers and men of the Royal Navy in December, 1912, but a substantial benefit was conferred on chief carpenters as a whole by promotion to that rank after fifteen years' service as warrant officer, introduced from 1st April, 1912. It is not proposed to alter the present rates of pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the facts recently brought to his notice with regard to the results of the Commission held in October, 1904, for first-class writers, now third-grade clerks, in the Expense Account Department of His Majesty's dockyards, and seeing that the men not selected are now excluded from promotion by the new scheme and are nearing the age limit, he can hold out any hope that their cases will be reconsidered?

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Civil Lord, on the 9th instant, no undertaking can be given that the candidates who qualified but were unsuccessful at the competitive examination in 1904 will be specially promoted. I understand that seven of the writers concerned sat at the recent examination for third-grade clerkships, the result of which has not yet been announced.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the amount of the German Navy Estimates for 1914–15; what would be the amount of the German Navy Estimates if in their estimates were included the same charges as are borne on our Estimates; and what are those charges?

The total of the German Naval Estimates for 1914–15 is £23,432,659. The comparative figures asked for are of necessity largely conjectural and cannot accurately be determined. I must therefore ask my hon. Friend to refer to the reply I gave him on 28th March last and to the information supplied in the Return standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for East Northants. Some reference to this subject was also made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on the 16th March. 1911.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what is the extent of the damage to His Majesty's ship "Iron Duke"?

I am informed that the damage done to the "Iron Duke" is very slight indeed. The side plating is indented in two places, and some minor fittings slightly damaged. The total cost of making good the defects will be about £10.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether further consideration can be given to those teachers who retired shortly before the recent Government increase of pensions and who had served for periods of over 20 years under the exacting code of 1870?

I have at present nothing to add to the replies given on the 12th and 26th February and the 3rd March to questions on this subject. I expect to receive the Report in the course of the next week or so.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that Mr. Cyril Fitzgerald, of Oxford House School, Highgate, having complied with the conditions of the Order in Council of the 6th March, 1902, and amending Orders, is registered in column B of the Teachers' Register and holds Certificate Register No. F. 1/202; that, in accordance with the intimation of the Board that the sum of one guinea, payable by teachers on admission to the register, would be refunded on application, he applied for repayment of the sum; that repayment has been refused on the ground that Mr. Fitzgerald did not apply within the time stated in the Board's notice of the 29th February, 1912, namely, before the 31st August, 1912, subsequently extended to the 28th February, 1913; and that Mr. Fitzgerald states that he made application direct to the Board twice, namely, in February, 1912, and January, 1913, but such applications cannot be traced by the Board; and will he cause Mr. Fitzgerald's application to be reconsidered and the time extended in the special circumstances, so that he may not be subjected to loss because of the possible miscarriage of a letter, and deprived, on technical grounds, of a repayment to which he would otherwise be entitled?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The Board received no application from Mr. Fitzgerald during the period when it was open to him to make applications for the refund of the fee, but in February, 1914—namely, twelve months after the expiration of that period—Mr. Fitzgerald wrote to the Board stating that he had made application. As, however, it appeared from a further communication that the letter which he described as an application was actually written in 1911, and did not, in fact, contain any application for a refund, the Board informed him that they were unable to entertain his request for payment of a guinea. I regret to be obliged to adhere to this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War if all regimental quartermaster-sergeants get the same pension and allowances, but regimental quartermaster-sergeants in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery are not allowed to be promoted to a commission as quartermaster, although regimental quartermaster-sergeants of the Infantry and Cavalry do get such promotion; and, if so, if he will explain why this distinction is made?

There are only nine posts for quartermasters in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, and selections to fill them are made from amongst the whole of the warrant officers of those branches. A suitable candidate is found to be always forthcoming. In the Cavalry and Infantry the area of selection for each appointment is more restricted and a quartermaster-sergeant is often the most suitable candidate. As I explained to the Noble Lord on the 1st instant, regimental quartermaster-sergeants in the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery, on promotion to that position, receive a higher classification for allowances and for pension.

asked the Secretary for War if the forts and defences at Dover are under the control of his Department; and if the same have been now completed and the definite strength of the Dover garrison fixed?

The answer is, yes.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will circulate with the Votes, not later than Tuesday morning, a statement showing where the aeroplanes which have been the causes of fatal accidents were made?

submitted the following:

STATEMENT showing the Fatal Accidents which have occurred in the Royal Aircraft Factory and Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing), with Pattern and Manufacturer of Aeroplane on which Accident occurred.
Date of Accident.	Names of Killed.	Pattern and Number of Aeroplane on which Accident occurred.	Names of Manufacturers of Aeroplane on which Accident occurred.	Remarks.
18 Aug., 1911	Mr. T. J. Ridge (Asst.-Supt. R.A.F)	S.E. 1 Biplane (experimental machine, no number allotted)	Royal Aircraft Factory	—
17 Sept.,1911	Lieut. R. A. Cammell	Valkyrie Monoplane (no number allotted)	The Aeronautical Syndicate	—
5 July, 1912..	Capt. E. B. Loraine and Staff-Sergeant Wilson	Nieuport 70 Gnome Monoplane (no number allotted)	The Nieuport Aeroplane Company	—
6 Sept., 1912	Capt.P.Hamilton and Lieut. A. Wyness-Stuart	Deperdussin Monoplane 100 Gnome, No.258	The Deperdussin Company	—
10 Sept., 1912	Lieut. C. A. Bettington and 2nd-Lieut. E. Hotchkiss	Bristol Monoplane 80 Gnome, No.263	British and Colonial Aeroplane Company	—
28 April,1913	Lieut. L. C. Rogers-Harrison	Cody Biplane No. 301	Mr. S. F. Cody	—
27 May, 1913.	Lieut. D. L. Arthur.,	B.E. Biplane No. 205	Royal Aircraft Factory	This was originally a Howard-Wright Biplane and was reconstructed at R.A.F. to B.E. type.
3 Oct., 1913..	Major G. C. Merrick (Pupil at Central Flying School)	Short 50 Gnome Biplane No. 446	Messrs. Short Brothers	—
23 Feb., 1914.	Mr. E. T. Haynes (Draughtsman R.A.F.)	F.E. 2 (experimental machine, no number allotted)	Royal Aircraft Factory	—
10 Mar., 1914	Capt. C. P. Downer (Pupil at C.F.S.)	B.E. Biplane No. 453	Messrs. Vickers, Limited	—
11 Mar., 1914	Capt. C. R. W. Allen and Lieut. J.E.G. Burroughs	B.E. Biplane No. 204	Royal Aircraft Factory	This was originally a Bristol Biplane and was reconstructed at R.A.F. to B.E. type.
19 Mar., 1914	Lieut. H. F. Treeby (Pupil at C.F.S.)	Maurice Farman Biplane No.451	The Aircraft Manufacturing Company	—

asked the Secretary for War whether the firm of Messrs. C. and E. Morton, Millwall, are contractors to the War Office; if so, whether he is aware that a trade dispute is in progress there against the employment of juvenile labour on work usually done by adults; and Whether he will have inquiries made and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the Fair-Wages Clause is complied with, and that the present cessation of work at the factory in the tinning of food does Dot result in the supply to the Department of food unfit for consumption?

This firm does not hold any War Office contract.

asked what number of rifle ranges in England are now avail- able for use and being used by the Territorial Forces; and how many rifle ranges have been acquired and how many closed since the 1st March, 1913?

The information asked for will take some time to prepare, but it will be furnished to the hon. Gentleman in due course.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state what number of men in Government employment were engaged in the manufacture of bayonets in each of the last fourteen months?

The following were the numbers of men (wholly or partly) employed in the manufacture of sword-bayonets during the fourteen months ending February last:—

1913.
January	…	…	…	95
February	…	…	…	92
March	…	…	…	94
April	…	…	…	91
May	…	…	…	92
*June	…	…	…	75
*July	…	…	…	79
August	…	…	…	86
September	…	…	…	86
October	…	…	…	93
November	…	…	…	88
December	…	…	…	90
1914.
January	…	…	…	92
February	…	…	…	83
*Men transferred to other work.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of bales of cotton sent from India in the year 1913 to Germany, Japan, and England respectively?

The figures for which the hon. Member asks are as follows (in bales of 400 lbs.):—To Germany, 372,835 bales; to Japan, 1,236,206 bales; to the United Kingdom, 92,985 bales.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total number of bales of cotton grown in India during the year 1913?

The yield of the Indian cotton crop of 1913–14 is estimated at 5,201,000 bales (of 400 lbs.).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the charge brought against Gangha Singh, who is now undergoing transportation for life, and the evidence in support of it, was practically the same as the charge and the evidence brought against Bachan Singh, who has now been acquitted; and whether, in view of the fact that this evidence has been discredited both by the Court of the Sitapur Sessions Judge, who acquitted Gangha Singh, and by the Judicial Commissioner of Oudh, who acquitted Bachan Singh, and that the sentence which Gangha Singh is now serving was passed upon him by a Court which did not hear the evidence, the Secretary of State will now advise the liberation of this man?

As I have already informed my hon. and learned Friend, the evidence was not the same in both cases. The discrepancies in the statements of witnesses in the case of Bachan applied to Bachan only, and not to the other three men. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answers given on the 17th February.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he will secure and publish a Return showing the proportion of the cost of introducing Indian coolies into the Crown Colonies which now falls respectively upon the planter, the coolie, and general taxation?

The information desired by the hon. Member was given as regards Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana in my reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield, on 5th May, 1913. In Fiji the planters bear the whole cost of introducing Indian coolies into the Colony, but the Colonial Government bears the other expenditure referred to in the last paragraph of my answer of 5th May, 1913. The coolies bear no part of the cost of their introduction.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he received in October last a letter from Mr. G. W. Macnair, of Trinidad, complaining of certain inaccuracies in the trigonometrical survey of the Caroni, Savannah, and Laventille swamp; whether he has returned any answer; and, if so, to what effect?

In December last I received a copy of a letter dated 10th October, addressed by Mr. G. W. Macnair to the Colonial Secretary of Trinidad, in which he alleged certain inaccuracies in the survey of the swamp referred to. The matter was inquired into by the Governor, but he did not consider it necessary to take any action. Mr. Macnair asked that the correspondence might be forwarded to me, and I requested the Governor to inform him that I had received it.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he has any information to show further discoveries of errors in the survey maps of Trinidad; and whether his attention has been called to a case in which the main road is shown to cross the river five times in a quarter of a mile, whilst in reality the river is crossed only once; and, if not, will he inquire?.

I am not aware to what errors my hon. Friend is alluding, but if he will give me any information he has to identify the particular map referred to I will make inquiry of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statements as to future policy in Somaliland made in the House of Commons, in March and April, 1910, by the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War; and whether a full opportunity of discussing the policy of the British Government in Somaliland will be given before Burao is reoccupied or any action taken inconsistent with the declarations of policy contained in the statements referred to?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I must refer him to the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will supply a list of instances in which permission has been given to sanitary or other local authorities to allow their small-pox hospitals to be used as sanatoria for the treatment of consumptives?

I am informed that the Local Government Board for Scotland have approved in terms of Section 16 (1) (a) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, the following small-pox hospitals for the treatment of cases of tuberculosis when not required for small-pox:—Kilmarnock Burgh Small-pox Hospital, Helensburgh Burgh Small-pox Hospital, Dumfries Burgh Small-pox Hospital, Inverness Burgh Small-pox Hospital, Galashiels Burgh Small-pox Hospital, Elgin County Joint Small-pox Hospital, Dunfermline Combination Small-pox Hospital, Kirkcaldy District Combination Small-pox Hospital, Haddington County Combination Small-pox Hospital, Bothwell Small-pox Hospital, Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Tippethill Small-pox Hospital, near Armadale, Paisley Burgh Small-pox Hospital, West Renfrewshire Combination Small-pox Hospital.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can supply a statement showing for the county of Kincardineshire the population (1911 Census); the number of old age pensioners on the last Fridays in March, 1911, 1912, and 1913; the number of old age pensioners per 1,000 (1911 figures) of the total population and of the population of seventy years of age and over, respectively; the approximate amount produced by a 1d. rate; the approximate annual cost of pensions; the approximate rate which would be required if pensions were a local charge; and the number of persons over seventy years of age, excluding lunatics in asylums, etc., in receipt of indoor and outdoor relief, respectively, on the 15th January, 1909, and the 15th January, 1913?

The population of the county of Kincardine according to the 1911 Census was 29,580. I am informed that the numbers of old age pensioners in the county on the last Fridays in March, 1911, 1912, and 1913 were 924, 935, and 974, respectively. The number for 1911 represents 31.24 per thousand of the total population, and 570.37 per thousand of the population of seventy years of age and over. The approximate cost of pensions in 1913 was £12,378. The amount produced by a 1d. rate in the county if levied on gross rental would be £1,036. The rate required to raise £12,378 (the approximate amount of the pensions) would be approximately 1s. per £ on the gross rental. The numbers of persons over seventy years of age in receipt of indoor and outdoor relief, respectively, at the dates mentioned were:—

			15th Jan. 1909.			15th Jan 1913.
Indoor	…	…	19	…	…	16
Outdoor	…	…	91	…	…	9*
* Includes five old age pensioners in receipt of medical relief.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether precedent exists for His Majesty's Government offering the services of a British consul to British subjects arrested by Foreign Governments in regions where legal advice is unobtainable; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government would consider favourably an application for such assistance on the part of the friends of the Rev. J. S. Bowskill?

I am not aware of such a precedent. A British consul is, of course, bound to render such assistance as he can to British subjects, but it is not part of his duties to offer legal advice, or to interpret the laws of foreign countries; in this case he will give all the assistance he can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire what is the civil and military composition of the tribunal before which the Portuguese Government proposes to try the case of the Rev. J. S. Bowskill; and whether any of the military representatives have been at all concerned with the recent administration of the Angola or San Thomé Colonies?

I have already impressed upon the Portuguese Government that, if possible, the trial of Mr. Bowskill should take place before a properly constituted tribunal, but I have not yet received information as to the composition of the Court. The Portuguese Government have, however, promised to guarantee full justice, and have said that as the sittings of the tribunal will be public, a British consular officer can attend them. I will, however, ask the Portuguese Government to let me know how the Court will be composed as soon as they have decided this point.

asked if the Government contemplate the introduction of a Bill during this Session dealing with the questions of enclosure and regulation of commons, and founded upon the Report of the Committee which considered the matter last year?

A draft of a Bill is now under consideration. I cannot say at present whether it will be introduced this Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will state whether any local authorities, in order to facilitate the diagnosis of tuberculosis, have provided for the free examination of sputum; and, if so, what authorities have done so?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question asked by him on the 9th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether calf vaccine lymph prepared in the Government laboratories is exported to any of the British possessions; and, if so, which of the British possessions receive such supplies of lymph from the Board's establishment?

Lymph prepared in the Government lymph establishment is not exported to any of the British possessions for general use, but it is sent from time to time for use by the Army and Navy. Among the places to which it has been sent are Bermuda, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Malta, Cape Town, and Sierra Leone.

asked whether the Local Government Board has sanctioned for any and, if so, what workhouses a task of work for the inmates exceeding ten hours in the summer or nine hours in the winter; and whether, before 1st April, when the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913, comes into operation, he will make an amending Order to prevent any board of guardians making any regulation under Article 47 of that Order requiring more hours worked than ten in the summer and nine in the winter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, the Local Government Board will not allow any regulation proposing hour of work for inmates of workhouses in excess of ten in the summer and nine in the winter. No amending Order is needed, as Article 47 of the Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913, expressly provides that the Local Government Board may disallow, modify, or suspend the operation of any regulation made by a board of guardians under that Article.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has been informed that, by a finding of the United States Board of Appraisers, all goods imported into the United States which are carried by vessels flying the United States flag are entitled to a rebate of 5 per cent. on the schedule of duty charges; whether this applies to Section 1, paragraph (7), of the Foreign Trade Agreement of the Underwood Simmons Bill, the tariff law of 1913; and whether he has considered the effect of this upon English shippers from Nottingham and elsewhere, and upon English shipping companies that dispatch English goods to United States ports?

The decision of the United States Board of General Appraisers had reference to the interpretation to be placed on Section IV., paragraph (j), Subsection (7) of the Tariff Act of 1913, which reads as follows:—

"That a discount of 5 per centum on all duties imposed by this Act shall be allowed on such goods, wares, and merchandise as shall be imported in vessels admitted to registration under the laws of the United States; provided, that nothing in this Sub-section shall be so construed as to abrogate or in any manner impair or affect the provisions of any treaty concluded between the United States and any foreign nation."

The Board of Appraisers held that under this Sub-section goods imported in vessels admitted to United States registry are entitled to the discount of 5 per cent., and that the proviso does not have the effect of extending similar treatment to goods imported in the vessels of any other country. Prior to the decision the collectors of Customs were acting under instructions issued by the United States Treasury Department based upon an opinion by the Attorney-General to the effect that the discount could not be given to American vessels only without impairing the stipulations of existing treaties, and that consequently the Sub-section as a whole was inoperative. The decision of the Appraisers has been appealed against, and I am informed that, pending the result of the appeal, the rebate is not being granted. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that instructions have already been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington to make representations against this decision which, in the opinion of His Majesty' Government, is in conflict with the Treaty obligations of the United States towards this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give figures showing domestic exports from this country in 1908 and 1913 of articles wholly or mainly manufactured to each of the undermentioned countries: Canada, Union of South Africa, Australian Commonwealth, New Zealand, Germany, France, Belgium, and United States?

The following statement shows the value of articles wholly or mainly manufactured (of United Kingdom production) exported from the United Kingdom to each of the undermentioned countries in the years 1908 and 1912 respectively:—

Country.	1908.	1912.
	£	£
Dominion of Canada	10,519,000	19,884,000
Union of South Africa	10,694,000	18,922,000
Commonwealth of Australia	20,614,000	31,405,000
Dominion of New Zealand	7,811,000	9,148,000
Germany	22,653,000	28,031,000
France	13,668,000	16,470,000
Belgium	6,630,000	8,237,000
United States	16,426,000,	21,768,000

Similar particulars for the year 1913 will not be available until early in May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many men have failed in the colour vision test since the adoption of the lantern, and how do the results compare with those formerly obtained; and what is the percentage of men who have failed with the lantern test and passed the wool test?

A Return will be presented to Parliament shortly which will give full statistics as to the sight tests during the period from 1st April, 1913, when the new colour vision tests came into force, until the 31st December, 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of workmen's trains running under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, out of and into the following railway stations, namely, Liverpool Street, Euston, Paddington, St. Pancras, King's Cross, Great Northern, London Bridge, Victoria, Charing Cross, Broad Street, Waterloo, and Poplar?

I have asked the railway companies concerned for the information desired by my hon. Friend, and I will communicate with him when I have received all their replies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the general principle that all through traffic between Ireland and England be dealt with in the Irish railway clearing house, he can state under what conditions the ports of Dublin, Belfast, and Londonderry are cleared in the London clearing house; whether he can explain why such exceptional treatment is allowed to those ports; and whether he will arrange that those ports shall be brought into agreement with the usual arrangements which prevail at Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Dundalk, Drogheda, Greenore, etc.; (2) whether, in view of the fact that the powers conferred by Parliament precludes steam packet companies from having goods, passenger, and parcels through traffic between Ireland and England being dealt with in the London clearing house, he can explain under what circumstances the goods and parcel traffic between the Great Western of England and the Great Southern and Western of Ireland via Fishguard is treated exceptionally and cleared in the railway clearing house, London; whether he is aware that the passenger receipts from Ireland are dealt with in the Irish clearing house; and whether he will take measures to have the law complied with?

The arrangements made among railway companies for clearing their traffic are not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade, but I have asked for the observations of the railway companies concerned upon my hon. Friend's question, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their replies.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telephone exchange at Coupar Angus is to be removed to premises which have been unoccupied for two years, contain no windows at the back thereof, and are stated to be insanitary and lacking in means of ventilation; whether he is aware that the remuneration of the operator, who is to provide a continuous service throughout the day and night, is the free occupation of the premises and a wage of 4s. a week; and whether he will have inquiry made into the suitability of the premises and into the remuneration for the services to be provided?

I will have inquiries made into these questions and will inform the hon. Member of the result.