asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that all the medical students at the medical college of Agra and Lahore went on strike; whether these strikes are now ended; how long the strikes continued; what were the alleged grounds of these strikes; and will he state what steps are being taken to prevent a repetition of such disturbances?

The Secretary of State has not yet received an official report, but understands that a Committee, with Surgeon-General Sir Pardey Lukis as president, is inquiring into the alleged grievances of the Lahore medical students.

asked whether the Report of the Committee appointed to investigate the question of prices in India has been received or is nearing completion; and when it is likely to be issued?

The Report is now in the hands of the Government of India. The full statistics on which it is based have only become available to them within the last few days, but it is now hoped that the question of publication may be decided at an early date.

asked whether Mr. Abanindro Nath Tagore, C.I.E., was passed over by the Government of Bengal some years ago when a vacancy occurred in the principalship of the Calcutta School of Art; whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to his work, and that of a number of Indian artists trained by him, now being exhibited in the Indian Section of the Victoria and Albert Museum; and whether the capacity of these artists for giving instruction in Indian art will be considered when such vacancies occur in future?

Mr. Tagore's merits as an artist and teacher of painting are fully recognised by the Government of Bengal, and for this reason he has been placed in charge of the Fine Art section of the Calcutta School of Art in the capacity of vice-principal and on a special salary. He was not appointed principal as he was not held to be qualified and he himself agreeing that the supervision and development of the school on its industrial side would be better left m other hands. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the affirmative.

asked whether the vacancy caused by the retirement of Sir Swinton Jacob as adviser to the new Delhi architects in matters relating to Indian craftsmanship has been, or will be, filled up.

A successor to Sir Swinton Jacob has not been appointed, but when work at Delhi is further advanced the establishment of a school of Indian craftsmen under Indian guidance to work in connection with the architects is the probable form that the action of the Government of India will take.

Will the hon. Gentleman go further, and, instead of saying that it is probable, will he say that it is certain and so allay any suspicions I may have?

I am afraid it is not possible for me to allay the hon. Member's suspicions, but I will convey his request for further action to the Secretary of State.

asked whether the Secretary of State adheres to the principle laid down by his predecessors that Government schools of art in India exist for the promotion of Indian art; and whether the qualifications of Indian teachers have been fully considered in appointments to the staffs of those schools which come under his patronage?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative on the understanding that Indian art includes applied design and industrial art. The Secretary of State appoints to Indian art schools only in cases where the Indian Government is not able to find in India persons with the required qualifications. He has no reason to suppose that the qualifications of Indian teachers are in such cases overlooked.

asked whether he will state the total number of non-official members of the Imperial Legislative Council; how many of them were present at the meeting on 22nd March, 1912; and how many of them supported the resolution of the Council recommending to the Governor-General in Council that a substantial portion of the Gold Standard Reserve be held in gold in India?

Out of a total number of thirty-two non-official members then serving on the Council, twenty-five appear to have been present, of whom twenty-four supported the resolution.

asked at what date and under what circumstances the India Office changed the Gold Standard of India into the Gold Exchange Standard; and was the Government of India or the Indian mercantile community consulted regarding this change in the currency policy of India?

So far as a change has taken place in the direction mentioned it has been the outcome of a gradual development since 1893, of which the history is summarised in paragraphs 13 to 51 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Indian Finance and Currency. Correspondence at various stages with the Government of India and Indian mercantile bodies will be found among the Papers laid before the Commission.

Are we to assume that the correspondence shows that the Indian Government and the mercantile community concur in the present system?

I think I might direct the hon. Member to the Papers. They are published.

asked what is the ultimate aim of the India Office in regard to the Indian currency system; and what effective measures are being taken to reach the same?

The chief aim is the maintenance of the exchange value of the rupee at 1s. 4d.; the chief measures are the provision of a gold standard reserve and other sterling reserves and the regulation of the coinage of rupees and of the sales of drafts between England and India.

asked whether, having regard to the fact that the Fowler Currency Committee recommended in its Report of the 7th July, 1899, that the Indian currency system should be a gold standard based on gold currency, he will say if this recommendation was accepted by the Indian Council and the Government of India?

It would be more correct to describe the system favoured by the Committee of 1899 as a gold standard accompanied by, than as one based on, a gold currency. Their recommendations were generally accepted by the Government of the time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to appoint a Committee or Commission to report on the working of the National Insurance Acts, and to make suggestions for Amendment?

The answer is in the negative. My hon. Friend will be aware that a Departmental Committee on Sickness Benefit Claims is now sitting.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether an insured person who is in prison is entitled to sickness benefit while he is an inmate of the prison if he becomes ill; and whether the sickness benefit would be administered under Section 12 of the original Act?

The Act does not deal expressly with the ease referred to by my hon. Friend, and the Commissioners are advised that Section 12 of the 1911 Act does not apply. The conditions of the Act, and of the rules of societies, for the payment of sickness benefit could not, however, ordinarily be satisfied in such a case.

Do I gather, if a man is ill in prison and certified to be unfit for work, that a claim from him for benefit would be a valid claim?

I do not think that I can add anything to the answer I have given already. The case is a very difficult one to decide.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether deposit contributors in Glasgow, who have never received a deposit contributor's book and who wish to transfer to an approved society, have often to wait for months after applying before their cards are returned, and thus, in many cases, lose benefit to which they would be entitled if the transfer were effected more expeditiously: and whether he will take steps to remove the cause of these complaints?

A deposit contributor who is accepted as a member by an approved society is at once entitled to claim benefit from the society under the usual conditions. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any ease of delayed payment I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked whether the Government has interfered with the discretion and control of the approved societies by limiting the amount which they may spend on administration expenses to 3s. 8d. per member; whether the Government took any steps to satisfy itself that this sum is sufficient to pay adequate remuneration to insurance agents who are employed to do the work of approved societies; and whether the Government has given any consideration to the repeated complaints of insurance agents that their remuneration for such work is inadequate?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 35 (2) of the National Insurance Act, 1911; and, as regards the second part, to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Islington on the 16th March. As I have previously stated, my right hon. Friend is of opinion that he cannot properly interfere in this matter.

Is it a matter of absolutely no concern to the Government whether the 50,000 agents, who are employed in the administration of the Act and whose work has made the Act successful, are adequately paid or not?

No, Sir. What I said was that the Commissioners cannot properly interfere in this matter.

asked, in the case of a woman who joined an approved society and became an insured person on 15th July, 1912, who paid contributions until 25th March, 1913, when she married and was suspended from receiving ordinary benefit, and who did not become a married woman voluntary contributor, whether she is entitled to have two-thirds of her transfer value set aside for the purpose of making payments to her of 5s. a week during confinement during a period not exceeding four weeks on each occasion; and what is the amount of the total sum which would be set aside in such a case?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with full particulars of the case which he has in mind I shall be pleased to send him the information desired.

Is it not a fact that no reserve values have yet been credited to any women's society; and, until they have, is it possible to give them any such benefit?

I could not without notice say whether any reserve values have been credited.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, in the case of a woman who entered insurance at twenty-five, as stated here, two-thirds of her transfer value would be set aside fox the purpose indicated; and, if so what would be the amount?

No, I cannot add to the information given in the Act itself. There are several circumstances, as well as age, which would determine the amount.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give information with regard to the case of a youth named Youatt, a contributor under the National Insurance Act, who has been turned over to the South Stoneham guardians by the Southampton insurance committee; when Youatt commenced to contribute to the Act; how long his contributions continued and the total amount paid by and on his behalf; when he first applied for sanatorium benefit; the date when his application was dealt with, and the nature of the benefit accorded him and the period for which it lasted; the reasons for his being compelled to leave the sanatorium; the total cost to the insurance committee of dealing with his case; the date when he entered the union infirmary; and whether any contribution has been or could legally be made towards his upkeep by the insurance committee?

The person referred to applied for sanatorium benefit on the 17th September, 1913, and this application was considered on the same day. He received domiciliary treatment from the 17th September to the 17th October, on which day he was sent to a residential institution. Treatment at this institution was discontinued in his case on the 17th January, 1914, for the reasons already stated in my previous reply to the hon. Member, and he applied to the relieving officer on the 2nd February. The rest of the information asked for is not available. The insurance committee are not empowered to make any contribution to the cost of maintenance or treatment in Poor Law institutions.

Had this poor man been restored to health and strength on the 17th January?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Transvaal Small Holdings Commission and their recommendation to introduce a tax on land values in order to make land available for farming purposes at reasonable prices; and if he will propose similar steps with a similar object in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, I can add nothing to my statement of yesterday.

asked whether, in cases falling within Section 11 of the Revenue-Act, 1911, it is necessary, in order to prove that Super-tax is payable by the wife, and what is the proper proportion payable by her, that her husband's income, or figures from which her husband's income can be ascertained, should be disclosed?

The Section to which reference is made provides that in cases where it is not found possible to obtain a satisfactory return of the wife's income from the husband, the Special Commissioners may call for a separate return from the wife, and make a separate assessment upon her. From the figures of this assessment it would, no doubt, be possible for her to infer those of the assessment on her husband.

Is the husband's income in these cases disclosed to the wife?

I could not tell: the hon. Member exactly without notice.

asked whether there is any intention of dissolving the Departmental Committee on Local and Imperial Taxation without inquiry by them into the circumstances and requirements of Scotland?

I fear I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 16th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Midlothian.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the application of a number of residents at South Cunningsburgh, Shetland, for the enlargement of their present holdings; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, he will at the earliest possible moment send a representative of the Board of Agriculture to make full inquiry into the position?

My attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. Friend. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland is at present in communication with the landlord.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the town clerk of Edinburgh, under date 9th May, 1912, gave expression to the opinion that tradesmen in Edinburgh were at liberty to sell fresh butter and fresh eggs on weekly half-holidays, and that the sanitary inspector in Leith, which place for such purposes is practically indistinguishable from Edinburgh, has prohibited such sales in Leith; and whether he will consider the advisability of putting an end to this difference of practice, which is regarded as operating hardship in Leith?

I am aware that an opinion to the effect mentioned has been expressed by the town clerk of Edinburgh. I understand that subsequent to the date of that opinion a prosecution against a Leith trader was taken as a test case in the Sheriff Court of Midlothian, when it was decided that eggs were not perishable articles within the meaning of the Second Schedule of the Shops Act. This decision has been taken by the local authority of Leith as ruling the case of fresh butter also. The question is one of interpretation of Statute, which it is for the Courts to decide, and I have no authority to give a binding opinion on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to preserve to the natives of Uganda the land that was already reserved to them by the treaty made with Sir Harry Johnston in 1900; and whether, in view of the consequences to natives which have invariably followed the alienation of their reserves, he will refuse to sanction further alienations of land?

Under the agreement which was entered into by Sir Harry Johnston with the Baganda in 1900, large tracts of land were granted as freehold estates to the natives, and it is not an infrequent occurrence for a native to hold eight square miles or more, of which only a small area is under cultivation. As a rule the native possesses neither the means nor the desire to develop his large holding. The procedure for the alienation of such land to a non-native purchaser is as follows: The consent of the native council has first to be obtained, and then the application is referred to the Governor, who, before giving his approval, carefully considers the purchase price, the amount of land in the possession of the native, and the amount he will retain if the sale is sanctioned. I understand from the Governor that the native council are fully alive to the desirability of land being retained by the Baganda, and scrutinise carefully all sales before giving their sanction. The general rule is that a native is not allowed to sell more than half the area allotted to him under the agreement. Information regarding the amount of land disposed of in this manner is given to Parliament in the Annual Report of the Protectorate.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether the Governor will take steps to reserve sufficient land for the future increase of the native population?

Yes, I have no doubt that forms one of the elements in his consideration of the matter.

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to instruct the Governor in that direction? This question of the alienation of the land is rather important at the present time.

If my hon. Friend will communicate with me on the subject, I will consider what communication I will make to the Governor.

Is any part of this undeveloped square mileage subject to Un developed Land Duty?

I believe not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the allegations of Mr. Drought before the Labour Commission of the East African Protectorate that the District Commissioner, the Hon. K. Dundas, tortured a native by burning his tongue with a hot knife; and what action was taken when this incident was reported to the administrative authorities?

The matter was reported to me by the Acting-Governor at the time, and it is clear to me that the original charge was maliciously brought and was without foundation in fact. What happened was this: A native chief was investigating a case of cattle theft in the presence of the District Commissioner, Mr. Dundas. The chief called on the accused of his people to go through the native form of ordeal by fire by licking a hot knife. Mr. Dundas did not prohibit this procedure, but took care that the knife was not sufficiently heated to burn the tongue of the accused. The Acting-Governor was of opinion that Mr. Dundas had committed an error of judgment in admitting this method of trial, and severely censured him. In my opinion the action taken was sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding the defeat of the followers of the Mullah in Somaliland?

I have received no information on the subject, and therefore discredit the report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the special or political branch of the Criminal Investigation Department of Scotland Yard forms a part of the Metropolitan Police, and is under the authority of the Commissioner?

There is no "political" branch of the Criminal Investigation Department. As regards the special branch, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to the case of John Smith, of Tunstall, who escaped from the workhouse in workhouse clothes, was imprisoned for technically stealing those clothes, and so lost his old age pension, whether, seeing that the workhouse master, on whose report it was that his-conviction was not quashed and his pension restored, has since been sent to prison, he is now prepared to reopen the case?

After full consideration of the circumstances, I am sorry that I must adhere to the decision that the case is not one for a free pardon. The suspension of right to pension will end in August next.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, as the officer upon whose report he refused to allow this man a free pardon, has himself been sent to prison for gross illegalities, he might reopen the case and allow the man to have that part of the pension of which he has been unjustly deprived?

No, Sir. I went fully into the circumstances of the case, and I was bound to come to the conclusion that John Smith was not a man to whom a free pardon should be given.

I know the man very well. He is a very decent man.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury to whom an old age pensioner should apply for payment of the weekly orders which have been inadvertently mislaid by such pensioner and not found until more than three months had elapsed from the due date of the last order, and as to which the local pension officer has declined to receive or transmit to his superiors any representation?

On the facts stated payment of the orders in question-would prima facie be precluded by the pro visions of Section 5 ( b ) of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911, but if the hon. Member will communicate the full facts to the Board of Customs and Excise, inquiry will be made.

asked the Home Secretary the minimum and maximum rates of pay for sergeants and constables in the case of the following police-authorities: Metropolitan Police, City of London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol,. Edinburgh, and Glasgow; and in each case whether these rates apply to all the men in the force or only to those possessing a certain number of years' service?

If the hon. Member will allow me, I will circulate the figures with the Votes.—[ See Written Answers this date .]

May I ask whether the pay of the Metropolitan Police is smaller than in many of the other provincial towns?

Of course, the hon. Member is right so far as the substance of the pay goes, but when he considers the terms of the pension, the prospects of the police, and also the housing, I am not sure that the conclusion which he wishes to draw is the correct one.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the regulations in regard to uncertified deaths recently issued by the Registrar-General, with the approval of the Board, have not been issued in the manner provided for in Sections 44 and 48 of the Registration Act, 1874; and whether he proposes to withdraw the regulations?

I am aware of the provisions contained in the enactments referred to. The requirements of Section 44 of the Act of 1874 refers to Orders made in pursuance of that Section. These were not such Orders. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the wages of ship painters of His Majesty's dockyard, Sheerness; and when the last rise in wages was given to ship painters?

The rates range from 32s. to 34s. in the case of established, and 30s. to 33s. in that of hired men. The last improvement in wages was granted on 1st October last.

asked how many ship painters at Sheerness dockyard are on he establishment; and when the last ship painter at Sheerness dockyard was established?

The answer to the first part of the question is six; to the second 1st June, 1912.

Is it not a fact that whereas there have been rises, generally speaking, throughout the dockyard, the ship painters have not had a general rise in wages for a good many years?

I do not think that is quite accurate, but, if the hon. Member will kindly put down a question I will refresh my memory on the point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if one of the dirigible balloon sheds at Farnborough, after being taken over by the Admiralty from the War Office, was found to be of insufficient height; if the shed is being raised by the Admiralty; and if he can state the probable cost of the necessary alterations?

The airship sheds at Farnborough are only intended to house small ships for training purposes. It is under consideration to remove these sheds to another site, and if this is done, it may be found convenient to slightly alter and improve them at the same time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that workmen employed by the War Office are engaged in finishing one end of the sheds while workmen employed by the Admiralty are engaged at the other end razing them, and, if not, will he make inquiries?

I will, indeed, inquire if anything of that nature is taking place.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the total number of battleships, battle cruisers, second-class cruisers, and destroyers, respectively, now in commission which are equipped for the use of oil fuel; if a record has been kept to show how the running costs of such vessels compare with those equipped for coal consumption; and, if so, whether it has been found that oil fuel has proved more economical than coal?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the Noble. Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the 18th February, and to the statement I made to the House when introducing the Navy Estimates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in that reply there is no answer given to the last part of the question, and will he kindly give the reply?

No, Sir, I have nothing to add to the statement which I then made.

Is the House to understand that it is not entitled to ask which is the best means, either coal or oil fuel, for the use of the ships of His Majesty's Navy?

Yes, Sir, that would be a very proper question, but I cannot deal with it at Question Time. I have frequently addressed myself to it at other times.

asked the Prime Minister whether an Order in Council can be issued by which the conditions of service in the India Office may be made those which are obligatory in other departments of the Civil Service?

To make the Order in Council of January 10th, 1910, applicable in its entirety to the establishment of the India Office, the Secretary of State for India would have to initiate an Order in Council, as his establishment is not under Treasury control. I understand from him that he is not disposed to consider the matter until His Majesty's Government has decided the action to be taken on the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.

Is not the India Office admittedly well managed? If the answer to that is in the affirmative what can be the object in altering it in search of uniformity?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great amount of suspicion owing to the fact that other Departments in the Civil Service have been the subject of inquiry, while the India Office has not?

I can only repeat that the Secretary of State is not disposed to consider the matter until the Government has decided on their action on the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.

Would it not be much more advantageous for officials of the India Office to be interchangeable with the Indian Civil Service?

I should not like to answer that off-hand.

asked if records of the Reports considered, the subjects submitted, and minutes of the decisions arrived at are kept by the Committee of Imperial Defence?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take any steps to give effect to his approval of the suggestions put forward by the First Lord of the Admiralty last Tuesday?

I am taking the steps which seem to me most likely to conduce to a possible settlement.

Is the House of Commons to be allowed to have no voice in this matter at all?

This House has ultimate control.

asked whether the Government propose to continue Sir Nevil Macready's appointment as resident magistrate; if so, whether he will be able in that capacity, in case of civil disturbance, to call upon himself as a miltiary officer to give assistance to the civil power; and whether it is proposed, in any case of apprehended disturbance elsewhere, to make the commander of the troops a magistrate?

As I have already stated, it is not intended that Sir N. Macready should supersede the local authorities. The object of his appointment was, and is, that, in case of necessity, he should be in a position to co-ordinate the actions of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the troops. It would still be open to and the duty of the local authorities to call upon the military to assist the the civil power. Although the last part of the question is based on a hypothesis, and I cannot therefore give a definite reply, I think that the answer is in the negative.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the precedent set by the appointment in 1887 of Sir Redvers Buller by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London (Mr. Balfour), with full control over the police authorities throughout Ireland?

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the second part of my question: Will Sir Nevil Macready be able in that capacity, in the event of civil disturbance, to call upon himself as a military officer to give assistance to the civil power?

I thought I had answered that. It is not the intention at all. The intention is that the civil magistrates shall still be the persons to call upon the military and to accompany the troops.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question and say whether, in the case of Sir Redvers Buller and other divisional magistrates appointed by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London, they had full authority, apart from the civil magistrates, to control both the police and the military?

I believe that is so. But that is not an exact analogy, because Sir Redvers Buller was appointed Under-Secretary.

Will the Chief Commissioner of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Belfast be directly under the command of General Macready and report to him?

Not under his command, but under the command of the head of the Royal Irish Constabulary, but he will be in close contact with him.

What was the opinion of his Majesty's then Opposition on the appointment and powers of Sir Redvers Buller?

I should have to look that up.

What steps have-been taken to carry out the intention just expressed by the right hon. Gentleman if it should be necessary to call upon a civil magistrate to act?

We rely on the civil magistrates to do their duty. I hope the occasion may never arise.

But has it been made clear to General Macready that he is not to usurp the position of the civil magistrate?

No question of that kind has arisen. In cases of great urgency he will act as a civil magistrate.

Further questions must be put down. I think we have exhausted this.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the application of the Admiralty of 19th March to Messrs. Norman, Hallett, and Company, for the profile and general arrangement plans of the steamship "Bright Wings" was connected with the precautionary operations which were then being taken against Ulster; if similar applications were made to any other steamship owners; and if at the time any other and, if so, how many vessels for transport purposes were at the disposal of the Admiralty and free for immediate use?

No, Sir.

Is it not very significant that these owners should have been asked for the profile of this ship, and that it must have been well known that it was the only one unchartered at the time, and therefore the only one that could be utilised by the Admiralty?

I have answered the question in the negative.

And I have asked a supplementary question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the repeated complaints made by the trade societies of Limerick against the man who has the contract of the painting, plumbing, and other work of that kind at the military barracks at Limerick; whether he is aware that this contractor is contravening the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons by the manner in which he is employing what are called handy men, at less than the standard trade union wages of the district, to do the painting and plumbing work at the Limerick barracks, and whether the War Department will put a stop to this practice of evading the Resolution passed by this House by men of this kind who do not want to pay a fair wage?

About two months ago on investigation it was found that the work under this contract was satisfactorily done, and that the recognised rates of the district were being paid in accordance with the Fair-Wages Clause.

Has the hon. Gentleman made any inquiry into the complaints made by the trade societies in Limerick that they see this thing going on every day under their own eyes?

Yes, Sir, full inquiry was made, and this is the result.

asked whether it can be arranged for Special Reserve and Territorial officers to have the same privileges of obtaining officers' tickets from Hythe to London as Regular officers when attending a musketry course?

An endeavour was made to obtain this privilege for Special Reserve and Territorial Force officers in 1909, but without success. It is not a matter which the Army Council can press upon the railway companies.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue giving the figures showing the increase in the number of dwelling-houses under £20 yearly value for the year 1912–13 has yet been published; and, if not, whether he will state the source of the figures given upon this subject on page 72 of the recently issued Report of the Land Inquiry Committee?

The figures referred to were given by my right hon. Friend in this House as early as the 16th February last in reply to a question from the hon. Member for the Sleaford Division of Lincolnshire.

Have the figures been published and circulated?

All answers to questions are published and circulated.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the average weekly earnings of watchers in the Port of London during the three months preceding the coming into force of the new Order of June, 1913, as to the rates of pay of this class; and the average weekly earnings of the men affected by such Order for the three months subsequently?

The figures asked for are not available, and their preparation would involve a good deal of labour. In any case they would not be strictly comparable, as the amount of overtime work, which affects the average overtime earnings, is not a constant but a varying factor.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman state what are the ordinary wages of watchers? That is all I ask. There are only about 1,500 of them, and surely it would not require an enormous amount of work to get out the information.

The hon. Member asks for the average weekly earnings, and that would necessitate the calculation of overtime. I am not prepared to ask the Inland Revenue authorities to do it.

Is it because they are so small a number that their voting power does not command much attention from the Government?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to statistics recently laid before the Birkenhead education authority which show that from free schools in Birkenhead one child in every 180 was summoned for non-attendance, whereas from the fee-charging schools one in every eighty was summoned for non-attendance during the last six months; that from free schools one child in every eighty has to be provided with free meals while in fee-charging schools one in every forty was so provided; and whether, in view of these figures, which show the greater poverty and worse attendance of the fee-paying schools, he will urge on the Birkenhead local authority to abolish all fees in their elementary schools?

I have not seen any statistics of the character described by the hon. Member. With regard to the last part of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question put to me on 14th April, a copy of which I am sending him.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try and find out from the local authorities, if he cannot accept the figures from me?

I shall be glad to communicate with the local authorities if the hon. Member desires.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Trent Stoughton estate, near Waterville, has not yet been vested in the tenants who purchased their holdings several years ago; and the reason of the delay and give approximately the date when the transfer will be completed?

This estate is the subject of a direct sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the holdings were vested in the purchasing tenants on the 15th April, with the exception of seventeen in the Town-lands of Kilmackerrin East and West. Having regard to the congested condition of these lands, the Commissioners are not prepared to vest them in the tenants, and they are in communication with the Congested Districts Board with a view to ascertaining whether the Board will purchase them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the Press were excluded from the suffragette trial in the Belfast Police Court on Tuesday, 21st April; and by whose orders this was done?

I am informed that on the occasion referred to the public and the Press were excluded from the Court by order of the resident magistrate under the powers vested in him by Statute.

Are we to understand that in Ireland the resident magistrate has power to try a case in camera ?

No person, with the exception of the attorney or counsel has the right to enter the Court except with his permission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that serious charges have been made regarding the arrest, without warrant, and searching of this woman?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office at North End, Hendon, has ceased to exist; and whether, in view of the fact that the nearest post offices are now two miles apart, entailing each week considerable hardship on old age pensioners in-being forced to climb a hill to obtain their pensions, and considering the new and additional duties imposed on all householders by the National Insurance Act, he will see the necessity for restoring immediately North End, Hendon, to the dignity of possessing its own Post Office?

It was necessary to take the office out of the hands of the late sub-postmistress, and it has not hitherto been practicable to find a successor. I shall be pleased to reopen a post office in the locality as soon as a successor is forthcoming.

When is the Postmaster-General going to make the conditions of service of sub-postmasters sufficiently attractive to enable him to find a successor.

That has nothing to do with the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, under the new scheme of the National Board of Education, the first grade teachers are allowed variation in attendance of thirty-five, and second grade of thirty, without loss, but the first-class teacher suffers if there is a fall in his average attendance of even one unit; and whether, seeing that such conditions create dissatisfaction and lower the general quality of the service, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the salary of a teacher is not reduced until the average attendance falls, in the case of a first-of-first grade teacher from seventy to below thirty-five, in the second of first grade from fifty to below thirty-five, and in the third grade from thirty to below twenty. The reference to the case of a first-class teacher is not understood, as classification was abolished in 1900. When the average attendance in the case of a teacher of any grade falls to the minimum, it is evident that a further drop of even one unit will result in a loss of salary.

asked when it is proposed to give effect to the recommendations of the recent Vice-regal Committee of Inquiry into Irish primary education?

The Commissioners of National Education have the recommendations of the Vice-regal Commission at present under consideration. It cannot be stated when a decision in regard to them will be arrived at.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, under the former system, national school teachers in Ireland were classed third, second, second-of-first, and first-of-first, the successive steps being attained by examination and good school-keeping, second-class requiring an average attendance of thirty pupils, first-class and first-of-first requiring an average of thirty-five pupils; whether to first division of first-class was attached the highest salary attainable by a teacher, and it usually took a teacher ten to fifteen years to reach the first division of first-class, whether under recent changes the average attendance of first grade was raised to seventy from thirty-five; whether the effect of this change is to abolish 4,000 positions carrying the highest salary, and has reduced hundreds of teachers formerly classed first-of-first to second and even third grade under the new scheme; whether after the new scheme was brought into operation an assurance was given by the National Board that no teacher would suffer under it; and what steps he intends to take to have justice done to the teachers who have been penalised?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the facts are generally as stated in the first paragraph of the question. Under the former system the first-of-first class salary was the highest obtainable, but there was no fixed time for a teacher to attain that rank—many teachers never reached it. The average attendance for the present first-of-first grade is seventy, and for the second of first-grade fifty, but in neither ease is the salary reduced unless the average falls below thirty-five. No equitable comparison can be drawn between the salaries of the old first-class and the present first grade. The latter represent much more than the former, as they include the equivalents of results fees, gratuities, etc. The effect of the change of system is not as stated in the fourth paragraph. There are many more highly-paid teachers in the service now than before the change. The Commissioners claim that they have fulfilled the promise given in the circular issued in 1900, that every teacher in the service on the 1st April of that year would be awarded an income equal to the average amount drawn from State sources during the previous three years. The matter is not one in which I can intervene.

asked the Secretary whether, under the new scheme of the National Board, teachers of the highest qualifications suffer severely both in salary and in pension by a fractional fall in the average attendance of their pupils; whether this presses with harshness on a large number of teachers with first-class records who are stationed in the country districts where there has been a general decline in population; whether there is any precedent in public service for reducing gradings, salaries, and pensions as is at present being done; whether he has addressed representations on the subject to the Commissioners, and with what result?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the average attendance necessary to warrant the grant of a salary of the first division of first grade is seventy or over. The salary, however, is not reduced unless and until the average falls below thirty-five. The pension rights of teachers are not necessarily affected by a reduction in their incomes. The Commissioners are not aware that this rule presses with undue harshness on any considerable body of teachers, and they do not admit that the gradings, salaries, and pensions of teachers are being reduced under the present Regulations. The answer to the final paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Report has not been applied to the model school teachers?

I believe that is so.

Why should this discrimination be made?