asked the total number of assured persons in Scotland; how many of these are directly under the control of the Scottish Commission; how many will be valued for purposes of the triennial valuation outwith Scotland; and how many assured persons in other parts of the United Kingdom will be valued for such purposes in Scotland?

The total number of insured persons in Scotland is approximately 1,494,000; with the exception of 40,197 deposit contributors, all of these obtain their benefits through approved societies, and, in the event of a dispute, have an appeal to the Scottish Commission. The other information asked for cannot be given until the necessary investigations under Section 16 of the National Insurance Act, 1913, have been completed.

asked what are the lowest, the highest, and the average rates of wages paid to employés of the Government in the Forest of Dean district, distinguishing between wages paid to workers under and over eighteen years of age?

Woodmen in the Forest of Dean are paid 18s. per week, and have cottages free of rent, and other emoluments. Able-bodied adult labourers are paid at the rate of 18s. a week when working by time, and no deduction is made for time lost by bad weather. When engaged on wood-cutting or on piece-work they earn more. Many of these men have cottages at less than their value. Boys from fourteen to seventeen years of age start at a wage of 7s. per week, with an annual increase. Young men from seventeen to twenty-one years of age acting as labourers receive wages ranging from 15s to 17s. per week. There are, of course, various employés holding positions superior' to those of woodmen, who receive a good deal higher pay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the sums of £745,900 and £843,614, the estimated costs of the land valuation for the years ending 31st March, 1914 and 1915, respectively, if he will give details showing how these sums are made up and borne by the several Departments concerned?

The approximate amounts borne on the Votes of the several Departments concerned are as follows:—

—	1913–14.	1911–15.
	£	£
Inland Revenue	669,500	761,718
Valuation Office, Ireland	16,400	17,396
Office of Works	20,000	20,000
Rates of Government Buildings	4,500	4,500
Stationery Office	15,000	15,500
Post Office	20,500	24,500
	£745,900	£843,614.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a rector or vicar in whom the freehold of a church or graveyard may be vested during his incumbency is deemed to be an owner of land within the meaning of Section 26 (2) of the Finance Act, 1910, either in the case where pew-rents are paid or in the case where pew-rents are not paid?

A rector or vicar in whom the freehold of a church or graveyard may be vested during his incumbency is, in certain circumstances, dependent on the Acts under which in some cases the churches and churchyards have been provided and on other matters, deemed to be an owner of land within the meaning of Section 26 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910. It is not possible to give a more specific answer in reply to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the figures showing the sums advanced by the Public Works Loan Commissioners for the year ending 31st March, 1914, for the erection of dwelling-houses and the number of houses erected by means such advances?

I cannot state the number of dwellings actually erected during the year 1913–14, but the amount of the loans approved by the Public Works Loan Commissioners in the year was £1,032,746, and the number of dwellings to be erected by means of those loans was 5,130.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the net amount deducted, and not subsequently made good, from the share of each county and county borough council in Ireland in the Estate Duty and agricultural Grants in respect of land purchase liabilities from 1st. November, 1903, to 31st March, 1914; and the net amount deducted, and not subsequently made good, from the Grants payable to, or on behalf of, each local body in Ireland, rural and urban, subject to such deductions in respect of land purchase liabilities, for the same period, with the total net less for the whole of Ireland, which has had to be met out of the rates?

The required information in respect of each Vocal body in Ireland for the years 1906 to 1913 will be found in the Annual Reports of the Local Government Board for that period. The figures for the period from 1st November, 1903, to 31st March, 1905, are not readily available, and their preparation would involve an amount of labour out of proportion to their utility.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give the names of the estates in Westmeath now before the Estates Commissioners in their different registers, respectively, for sale, with, in each case, the number of tenants, the estimated area of untenanted land comprised, the date on which the official proceedings were initiated, and the probable date of vesting and commencement of purchase annuities, assuming the average rate of progress in the last five years to be maintained?

The different registers showing the priority of estates the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Lind Acts, 1903–9 are prepared in accord- ance with the regulations issued under Section 23 of the Act of 1903 and Section 4 of the Act of 1909. The Estates on these registers, which are open to inspection at the offices of the Commissioners, are not classified according to counties. A number of these estates have not yet been dealt with, and some of the details asked for have not, therefore, been abstracted. In any event it would not be possible, at this stage of the proceedings, to make any reliable estimate of the dates asked for in the concluding part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Patrick Campbell was evicted from the lands of Knockaven on the Ely estate, county Fermanagh, and was one of the evicted tenants who it was agreed on the sale of the estate should be reinstated; why was he not so reinstated in the whole of his holding, but a part, for which a mart named Magee paid him £2 a year conacre rent, taken from the holding; and will the Estates Commissioners see that this part is restored or an equivalent portion of land given to Campbell?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. This estate was sold by the owner direct to the tenants at prices agreed upon between the parties, and the Estates Commissioners were not parties to the terms of the sale. Campbell has been reinstated as a purchaser in his former holding, with the exception of a small plot, of 1 rood or thereabouts, which has been in the occupation of another tenant for over twenty years, and with whom the Commissioners have no power to interfere, even if they wished to do so. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the police authorities in Ireland has been drawn to a complaint brought. by Mr. Charles M'Fadden, Errigal Hotel, Falcarragh, respecting certain actions of Sergeant Farrell, R.I.C.; and whether they will give Mr. M'Fadden an opportunity of substantiating his charges by means of a public inquiry?

The Inspector-General informs me that his attention has been drawn to this matter. He has had Mr. M'Fadden's complaints thoroughly investigated and sees no reason to believe that Sergeant Farrell has in any way exceeded his duty. He sees no grounds for the inquiry suggested.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received resolutions from numerous old age pension committees in county Kerry asking that the Quarter Sessions Court should be substituted for the Court of Appeal in all cases relating to old age pensions appeals, and that the pension officers for the information of pension committees and the Court should submit a detailed statement showing how they arrive at or calculate the applicant's means; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have received resolutions in connection with the matter referred to, but I cannot see my way to suggest legislation with a view to transferring from the Local Government Board to the Quarter Sessions Court the determination of appeals in old age pension cases. I have no jurisdiction over pension officers, and cannot give them any such directions as is suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his Department has any record of the serious destruction of bird life in Ireland; if he can say what is the extent of the trade done in exporting song birds; is he aware of the cruel practices of bird-catchers in killing all hen birds when in quest of the song bird species goldfinch; and will his Department take any steps in the matter?

The Department arc not charged with the administration of the Wild Birds Protection Acts, and they have no information on the matters referred to in this question. I understand that these Acts are at present the subject of inquiry by a Departmental Committee appointed by the Home Secretary.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he intends to produce a separate Labourers (Ireland) Bill this year to provide sufficient moneys for completing the labourers' settlement and for securing fixity of tenure to labourers in their cottages?

The Irish Land Bill makes provision for these additional advances, but does not alter the tenure on which the cottages may be held under district councils. I cannot at present make any statement as to the necessity for a separate Labourers Bill this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what way the Government proposes the Government of Ireland Bill should be placed upon the Statute Book which he believes would be perfectly fair between both parties, whichever won the election?

This is a subject which cannot be dealt with in answer to a question. In certain circumstances it would clearly form a matter for further discussion, as indicated by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as the result of inquiries which have been made, it appears that the resignation by Brigadier-General Gough and other officers in the Irish Command of their commissions was due to their apprehension that the troops in Ireland were to be used for the purpose of enforcing the Government of Ireland Bill on Ulster, and not only for preserving order; if the recent Army Order is intended to lay down the principles that officers and men are not called upon to obey orders issued in furtherance of political objects except so far as such orders are necessary for the maintenance of order; and if any grounds exist for assuming that the action of the officers in this matter was dictated by anything else than regard for the principle which has now been formally set forth in this Order?

As to the first and last parts of the question I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for Hitchin last Wednesday. The reply to the second part is that the Prime Minister fully explained what was intended by the Army Order.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the date of construction, the tonnage, the cost, and gun power of the ships "Resolution," "Renown," "Scylla," "Forte," and other warships which have recently been sold; and if he will state what price was realised by the sale of each ship, respectively?

The particulars asked for are as follows:—

—	Date of Completion.	Tonnage.	Gun Power.	Cost.	Price. Realised.
				£	£
"Resolution"	November, 1893	14,150	4–13.5 in., 10–6 in.	875,522	35,650
"Renown"	January, 1897	12,350	4–10 in., 10–6 in.	709,706	39,000
"Forte"	January, 1895	4,360	2–6 in., 8–4.7 in.	240,571	18,500
"Scylla"	April, 1893	3,400	2–6 in., 6–4.7 in.	176,655	11,800
In addition to the above the following ships have recently been sold:—
"Royal Oak"	June, 1894	14,150	4–13.5 in., 10–6 in.	899,272	36,500
"Medea"	May, 1889	2,800	6–4.7 in.	164,542	10,375
"Barham"	July, 1891	1,830	6–4.7 in.	113,702	7,305

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the anxiety about the Naval Museum at Greenwich, he can now say what decision has been arrived at with regard to its future home?

It is not proposed to remove the museum from Greenwich.

asked the tinder-Secretary of State for India whether the directions given on the 30th April, 1872, by the Governor-General of India in Council after the Kuka rebellion, and promulgated by him as the statutable head of all the civil and military services in India, still hold good and are to be taken by them as lawful commands, namely, that for the apprehension and safe custody of offenders the law authorises and indeed requires the use of any degree a military force which may be necessary for the purpose, and that rebels with arms in their hands, gangs of dacoits banded together for the purpose of robbery and murder, persons in the act of waging war against the Queen, and all who aid and abet them may and ought to be attacked by force of arms precisely as armed invaders may be attacked, and that, as regards refusing quarter and all other severity in the usage of war, these bands of criminals, whether rebels or not, be treated like enemies' troops for the purpose of defeating and breaking them up, or whether, as regards officers of the Civil Service or of the Army, any other orders modifying or superseding the above have been made and promulgated in the Official Gazette of India?

The Secretary of State has seen the passage to which my hon. Friend refers. It occurs in a letter addressed by the Government ofIndia to the Punjab Government after the Kuka outbreak, and is a descriptive statement rather than a direction or command to executive officers. It sets out the extraordinary powers which Government has in reserve for the suppression, if need be, of violent crime. But so far from countenancing their indiscriminate exercise by civil and military officers, it insists on the principle that it is for the Government and not for individuals to decide whether the ordinary processes of law are strong enough to protect society.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give a list of the education authorities which still require teachers to be vaccinated before employing them?

The Board of Education have no information in their possession which will enable me to answer the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what opportunity will be given for the discussion of the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants; and when?

I regret that I am unable at present to add anything to answers recently given to similar questions on this subjest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in view of the fact that the Secretary for Scotland has no authority to instruct his fishery officer to report to him on the conditions under which the girls employed in the herring-curing stations are said to carry on their work, exposed to wind and weather without shelter, and also their feet continually wet, he will have inquiry made at some of the principal curing stations from Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth northwards?

The conditions of work in this industry have received a great deal of attention from the Factory Department and the stations at which it is carried on are frequently visited by the inspectors. The powers of regulating the industry, as the Factory Act stands at present, are unfortunately limited, but the Department has done what it can to secure improvement in the conditions, and a series of conferences was arranged last year with the employers and workers for the purpose of considering the matter, at which a number of improvements were agreed to by the employers. These have been generally carried out during the past season to the great advantage of the workers. As regards the two points specially Mentioned in the question, I am afraid the nature of the industry makes it impracticable to avoid sonic degree of exposure to the weather, but the wet and muddy condition of the ground where the work is done has been a serious grievance at certain places, including Great Yarmouth. This is one of the matters for which provision has been made in the agreement with the employers. At Great Yarmouth, where the corporation is the owner of the ground, the Home Office has for a long time urged the corporation to remedy the grievance, and I am glad to be able to say that, according to the last Report which I have received, the corporation are now moving in the matter. The whole question will continue to receive my careful attention.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what was the average price of hops at the London Borough Market during January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and August, in the years 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1911; and what the price was during January, February, March, and August, 1912, and August, 1913?

I regret that the Board have no record of the average price of hops at the London Borough Market during the months named in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give the number of small holdings in England and Wales above 1 acre and not exceeding 50 acres, as returned in June, 1913?

292,446.

asked how many agricultural labourers are in the employment of the Government; and what is the minimum rate of wages paid to such labourers in the case of persons over eighteen years of age?

There are thirty-three agricultural labourers in the employment of the Commissioners of Woods, all of whom receive cash wages of £1 a week or more, except one man, aged 73, who receives 17s. a week. The Board employ in connection with the cattle-testing station at Pirbright, two labourers at a cash wage of 23s. a week with harvest allowances.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the practice of the Board, in estimating the safe economic rent for a cottage which has cost £218 to build, to cover interest on cost of erection and sinking fund, also repairs, management and insurance?

The general practice of the Commissioners of Woods has been to charge a rent equal to from 4½ to 5 per cent. per annum on the cost of cottages erected by them, the tenants taking a repairing lease, but being allowed certain materials for repairs. The tenants also bear the cost of insurance. A minimum rate of 4½ per cent. per annum has, however, been sanctioned by the Treasury for suitable cases, of which 3½f per cent. represents interest and ¾ per cent. sinking fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to the date when the Panama Canal will be open to traffic?

According to the latest information received, no date is officially fixed on which the canal will be open to traffic, but the authorities hope it will open in July.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. J. Pursell, of Deptford, S.E., who at the Greenwich Police Court made a declaration of conscientious objection to the vaccination of his child, but the posting of the form to the vaccination officer within the limit of seven days was accidentally overlooked; and whether, under such circumstances, it is proposed to arrest proceedings?

The Local Government Board have informed the vaccination officer that they do not think that this is a case in which he should take proceedings.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many samples of imported cream and milk were examined during each of the last two years; whether any examination was made with a view to detecting the presence of tubercle bacilli; and, if so, what proportion of the samples were tubercle bacilli found to be present?

The figures are as follows:—

Year.			Number of Samples examined.
			Milk.		Cream.
1912	…	…	17	…	0
1913	…	…	25	…	51

Examination was made in each case with a view to detecting tubercle bacilli, but none were found.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of cream, milk, and butter imported during 1913?

The following figures give the information desired:—

	Quantities imported in 1913.
	Cwts.
Cream	9,778
Milk, fresh	4,237
Milk, condensed or preserved (including milk powder)	1,314,685
Butter	4,139,028

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many local exchanges were originally set up in Ireland and how many local agents appointed; whether these numbers have in either case been increased and, if so, to what extent; whether any of the local Labour Exchanges have been or are proposed to be abolished and, if so, in what places; whether it is intended to appoint local agents in these places; and whether his Department considers that the local agent system has been a success?

Six Labour Exchanges were originally established in Ireland, and the number has since been increased to twenty-two. Local agents were appointed in 128 additional places when unemployment insurance first came into force, since when ten new agencies have been opened and two existing agencies closed. It is proposed, in the near future, to substitute local agencies for Labour Exchanges at Ballymena, Portadown, and Lurgan. The system of administering unemployment insurance through local agencies in places where the establishment of an Exchange is not justified has been found to work satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, during the year ended 31st March, 1913, £981 10s. 1d. less than the amount granted in the Estimates was expended on account of incidental expenses connected with the Government lymph establishment; whether, in consequence of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, calves for vaccination could not be obtained during part of the year; if so, whether any inconvenience was experienced through this shortage of calves and saving of public money; and whether, in view of the decreasing number of vaccinations and the comparative freedom from small-pox, he is prepared to modify the Estimate under this heading in future?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In consequence of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, calves could not be obtained during a part of the year, but owing to the reserve of lymph which is kept for emergencies no inconvenience resulted. As regards the last part of the question, I may say that the Estimate under the subhead referred to for the financial year 1913–14 was somewhat reduced, and a further reduction has been made in the Estimate for the current year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers of Chinese signed on British ships during 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, respectively, trading from ports in the United Kingdom?

The number of Chinese seamen engaged on board British foreignoing ships at ports in the -United Kingdom for the years 1911 to 1913 are as follows:—

1911	…	…	…	…	5,366
1912	…	…	…	…	7,450
1913	…	…	…	…	9,286

Complete statistics are not available for previous years. It should be borne in mind that these figures may include repeated engagements of the same men.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in appointing established postmen for Irish rural district walks, any other than regular boy messengers or men who have served in the Army or Navy have ever been appointed; will he give the number of these semi-irregular appointment s each year for the last 10 years; and will he state generally how long such vacancies are left unfilled?

Vacancies for established postmen in Ireland, as elsewhere, are reserved for boy messengers, ex-soldiers and ex-sailors. Occasionally auxiliary postmen are appointed when their duties are absorbed into established posts, or in the absence of a candidate who has served as a boy messenger, soldier, or sailor. During the year 1913 sixty auxiliary postmen who had not served as messengers, soldiers, or sailors, were appointed as established postmen in Ireland. The figures for each of the last ten years are not available and could not be compiled without considerable trouble. The length of time taken to fill vacancies varies according to the local circumstances, the average period being from two to three months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to reduce the post office of Newburgh, Fife, to the position of a commission sub-office; whether this will entil any displacement of the staff at present serving in that office; and, if so, whether he proposes to transfer such displaced officers to another office?

The sub-postmistress of Newburgh is resigning in May next, and thus a favourable opportunity offers for placing this small office upon the scale payment basis, which is considered to be more suitable. There will be no curtailment of public services. The two sorting clerks and telegraphists now employed at Newburgh will be transferred to other offices as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reconsider the decision of his predecessor with regard to the establishment of a public telephonic call office at Beckermet, in view of the strong local demand for such a facility?

I am having further inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Ballinagh is to be connected with the trunk telephone exchange at Cavan; and is it intended to connect Belturbet, Ballyconnell, and Bawnboy with the trunk line in Cavan?

I will ascertain whether the extension of the telephone system to any of the places named is practicable.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that Enniskillen Post Office was, prior to the year 1908, a Class V. office when there were seven classes; why was it reduced to the lowest class since 1908; is he aware that Enniskillen is a dear town as regards coal, food and rent; and will he consider the reclassification of Enniskillen Post Office, considering especially that, though the salary of the postmaster has been increased, the scales for the indoor staff are now lower than they were twenty years ago, and the salary of the overseer has been reduced and is now £10 less than the maximum salary of the officer having supervising allowance, who in ordinary course might expect to be made overseer.

I am aware that Enniskillen was in Class V. prior to 1908, and is still in that class under the system of classification for scales of pay of the indoor staff which is at present in force. This classification is in accordance with the standards which were laid down after the inquiry of the Select Committee of 1906–7, and the volume of work is not yet sufficient to justify a higher classification. The cost of living in Enniskillen, as ascertained by the Board of Trade in connection with the revision of 1908, was slightly below the average. The scales of pay of the rank and file of the indoor force are higher than they were twenty years ago, and, although the minimum of the overseer's scale is less than the maximum pay of the sorting clerk and telegraphist in receipt of a supervising allowance, that officer would be entitled to receive starting pay in excess of the minimum if promoted to the overseership. I may add that the whole question of classification is at present under consideration in connection with the recommendations of the recent Select Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General whether anyone has been appointed to take charge of the vacancy at Arva Post Office; and, if so, will he state the name?

Miss Maggie Harten has been appointed to the vacancy at the Arva Sub-Post Office, and arrangements are now in hand for installing her in office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any changes in connection with the present disposition of post offices and sub-offices in county Cavan are contemplated or have recently been decided upon; and will he state the nature and anticipated effect of the same?

No general proposals of the nature referred to have been brought under my notice; but if the hon. Member has any particular office in view, and will communicate with me, I will have inquiry made.