asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can estimate how many persons will pay Super-tax at the various rates now fixed, and what amount of tax will be received at each rate?

The numbers of persons who will pay Super-tax for the year 1914–15 at certain virtual rates per pound of their total income, and the figures of the corresponding yield and ranges of incomes are estimated as follows:— Virtual Rate. Number of Taxpayers. Yield in Full Year. Range of Income. £ £ £ Less than 3d. … … … 13,255 472,000 3,001 to 4,394 3d. and less than 6d. … … … 7,820 792,700 4,395 to 6,928 6d. and less than 9d. … … … 3,390 898,000 6,929 to 10,071 9d. and less than 12d. … … … 2,760 1636,900 10,072 to 17,624 12d. and less than 16d. … … … 1,590 3,970,400 Exceeding 17,624 Total … … … 28,815 7,770,000

NOTE.—The effect of the allowance in respect of life insurance premiums has been taken into account in arriving at the figures shown in the second and third columns.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the increase of Income Tax and Super-tax, respectively, under the Budget proposals in the case of incomes of £5,000, £10,000, £15,000, and £50,000; and will he state the actual amounts now paid and to be paid hereafter under each tax in the case of such incomes?

The amounts of tax payable and the increases are as follows:— INCOME TAX PAYABLE. Income. At the Rates in force in 1913–14. At the Rates proposed for 1914–15. Increase. £ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 5,000 291 13 4 333 6 8 41 13 4 10,000 583 6 8 666 13 4 83 6 8 15,000 875 0 0 1,000 0 0 125 0 0 50,000 2,916 13 4 3,333 6 8 416 13 4 SUPER-TAX PAYABLE. 5,000 — 77 1 8 77 1 8 10,000 175 0 0 372 18 4 197 18 4 15,000 300 0 0 706 5 0 406 5 0 50,000 1,175 0 0 3,639 11 8 1,864 11 8

The above figures would be liable to reduction if allowance were claimed for life insurance premiums paid out of the income.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis the sum of £515,000, which was to be granted this year to necessitous school areas, will be distributed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Regulations under which special Grants will be made to necessitous areas in 1914–15 will be published shortly. I may add that the sum of £515,000 mentioned by the hon. Member represents the estimated additional cost of these Grants and of the proposed new Grant in aid of expenditure under the Education (Provision of Meals) Act.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken towards acquiring for distribution the untenanted and non-residential lands on the Greville-Nugent estate, in the parish of Delvin, Westmeath, in pursuance of the memorial submitted to them in 1905, with the approval of the owner, on behalf of congested and landless people in the vicinity; and whether the Commissioners will take any action in this matter?

On the 21st November, 1905, the Estates Commissioners issued a request under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, to the Land Judge to cause them to be furnished with particulars and documents respecting the estate referred to in the question, but the Land Judge informed them that an application was pending before him to dismiss the petition for sale in his Court, and he, in the circumstances, did not consider it desirable to comply with the request, and the petition for sale was dismissed on 8th December following. The Commissioners subsequently approached the trustees of the owner, but up to the present proceedings for sale of the land under the Land Purchase Acts have not been instituted by the owners, and no further action has been taken by the Commissioners in the matter.

asked in how many cases the Local Government Board have taken proceedings against officials to enforce compliance with Article 25 of the Public Bodies Order, 1904; and if the Board will explain why they have failed to insist on compliance with the provisions of this Article in the case of the secretary of the Westmeath County Council?

The Local Government Board have found it necessary on several occasions to take proceedings against officials who have been guilty of wilful default in their non-compliance with Article 25 of the Public Bodies Order, 1904, in spite of repeated communications applying for the required abstracts. As already stated, the secretary of the Westmeath County Council has not, in the opinion of the Board, been guilty on any occasion of such wilful default.

asked the Chief Secretary, having regard to the canvassing, treating, interference with voters, and tampering with ballot papers and ballot boxes practised by some local government officials in Ireland at the last triennial elections, when the councils which employ them were not in a condition to restrain them, with the result that in many cases those officials secured the election of councillors favourable to themselves as against the ratepayers, if he will say what steps the Local Government Board for Ireland have taken, or will take, to prevent this abuse in the elections now pending?

So far as the Local Government Board are aware, the officers responsible for the conduct of local government elections generally carry out their duties satisfactorily, although occasionally complaints are received from defeated candidates attributing their defeat to misconduct on the part of election officers. Under the election rules all election officers render themselves liable to heavy penalties in the event of their being found guilty of any misconduct in connection with the elections, and in the opinion of the Board this provision is sufficient, and no further steps are necessary in connection with the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as he has now published the record of the verbal instructions given to Sir A. Paget on the 18th March, he will also publish the record of the verbal instructions given to Sir A. Paget on the 19th March, in fulfilment of the promise given by him on the 24th March?

The memorrandum is as follows.—

"I discussed the question of officers' resignations with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the Adjutant-General, and Sir Arthur Paget yesterday. Sir A. Paget, strongly urged that in the few exceptional cases where officers have direct family connection with the disturbed area in Ulster, so that in the event of serious trouble arising their future private relations might be irretrievably compromised if they were engaged with our troops, they should be permitted to remain behind either on leave or with details. Sir John French and Sir Spencer Ewart having expressed their concurrence with this view, it was decided that this course should be followed.

In all other cases Sir A. Paget wished to be able to say that any officer hesitating to comply with orders or threatening to resign should be removed. Sir John French was of opinion that such officers should be court-martialled, a view which he had urged upon me a year ago. Upon Sir Spencer Ewart pointing out the technical difficulties and delay that might be involved, Sir John French agreed for the present that removal should be the course followed. Sir John French and Sir Spencer Ewart agree to this memorandum.—J.S. 20.3.14."

asked when the present Superintendent of Statistics will reach the age at which he must retire under Civil Service Regulations; and whether the Registrar-General has received any intimation from this official that it is his intention to retire at an earlier time?

The Registrar-General informs me that the present Superintendent of Statistics is subject to the General Civil Service Regulations, enabling him to retain office till he reaches the age of sixty-five years. The Registrar-General has not received any intimation from this official that it is his intention to retire at an earlier time.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the amount certified by the auditor as payable to the county council of Leitrim in respect of the Capitation Grant for lunatics for the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, respectively, and the amount paid in each of those years; and the amount disallowed for each year, and cause of disallowing?

The following statement shows the amounts certified as payable to the county council of Leitrim and the amounts actually paid for the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, in respect of the maintenance of pauper lunatics—

Year. Amount Certified as Payable by the Auditor. Amount paid. Deficit £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. For the year ended 31st March, 1911, but paid in financial year, 1911–2 3,087 6 0 2,664 8 2 422 17 10 For the year ended 31st March, 1912, but paid in financial year, 1912–3 3,162 13 4 2,838 10 6 324 2 10 For the year ended 31st March, 1913, but paid in financial year, 1913–4 3,203 1 11 2,845 15 9 357 6 2

The deficit in the payments for these years was due to the insufficiency of income of the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account under Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and the consequent abatement of payments therefrom pursuant to Sub-section (5) of the Section quoted.

asked the amount levied by the Leitrim County Council in respect of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway rate for the years 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, respectively, and the amount per £ as levied each year on the counties Cavan and Leitrim, respectively, of the same rate; and the amount of Capitation Grant contributed each year towards the reduction of the said railway rate?

According to the abstracts of the council's accounts the amount of rates levied by the council of of county Leitrim in respect of the guarantee for the Cavan and Leitrim Railway and the amount of Grants received by them in respect of the guarantee are as under:— Year ended 31St March. Amount of Rates Levied. Amount of Grand Received. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1910 … … 3,202 6 7 4,495 14 9 1911 … … 3,203 15 6 4,407 9 6 1912 … … 3,747 12 7 4,163 14 2 1913 … … 4,810 5 10 4,284 13 9

According to the notices of the rates made, the rates in the £ levied on the portions of the counties Cavan and Leitrim taxable for this railway guarantee for these years were as under:— Year Ended 31st March. County. 1910. 1911. 1912. 1913. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Cavan … 0 4 0 6 0 6 0 6 Leitrim … 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 6

asked the President of the Board of Education when the exhibition of the National Competition Works is to be held this year?

I cannot now state the exact date, but it will be held about the usual time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the practice of drivers of motor omnibuses running such vehicles across to the gutter on their offside in order to pass other traffic; whether he is aware that this is particularly noticeable in narrow thoroughfares and upon bridges over the Thames; and what steps have been or are being taken to ensure that the drivers of motor omnibuses obey the rules of the road in the same manner as other people using the public highways?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that there is no such practice peculiar to motor omnibus drivers. The Highways Act makes it obligatory upon an overtaking vehicle to pass on the offside. Should the road be narrow it will necessarily be fully occupied by two vehicles, thus passing each other. In the event of a motor omnibus driver failing to obey the rules of the road or driving to the common danger proceedings would be instituted by the police.

asked the Secregrant by the Ecclesiastical Commiswhether the Church in Wales already receives annually any, and, if so, how much, of the two sums of £28,000, grant by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and £3,000, grant by Queen Anne's Bounty, shown on page 9 of the Return, No. 209, of Session 1913 (Memorandum of Property of the Church of England in Wales and Monmouthshire); and, if so, what proportion of such grants is received in the form of capital augmentation or endowments of benefices?

The sum of £28,000, grant by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, shown on page 9 of the Return, No. 209, Session 1913 (Memorandum of Property of the Church of England in Wales and Monmouthshire) represents the average amount of the capital grants made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from the surplus income of their common fund during the seven years ended 31st October, 1911, for the endowment of old benefices and the augmentation of new ones in Wales. Similarly, in the case of Queen Anne's Bounty, the £3,000 represents the average for seven years of the capital grants made to Wales out of the Bounty Fund in excess of their receipts from first-fruits and tenths from Wales. The benefices to these grants are appropriated by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, respectively, receive, I understand, the income from them calculated at 3 per cent. annually.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with regard to the subject of the waiting of young children for food at bakers' shops and restaurants in the early morning whether his attention has been directed to the fact that this subject was investigated at Wimbledon; that it was proved that young children began to collect outside the bakers' shops there at as early as four o'clock a.m.; and that the "Wimbledon bakers, in order to prevent further cruelty to the children, agreed not to give or sell any cheap food before the proper opening time, namely, eight o'clock; and whether, in conjunction with the Local Government Board, he can direct the attention of the police and local authorities to the matter in order to prevent young children from waiting for long hours in the manner described?

I will consult the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he will state the appointments, if any, which have been made by him under the Mental Deficiency and Lunacy (Scotland) Act, and what are the salaries to be paid to those so appointed; and who will constitute the General Board of Control for Scotland when it starts its work on 15th May?

An additional Commissioner (Dr. John Carswell) has been appointed by the Crown at a Salary of £1,000, rising to a maximum of £1,200, and two additional Deputy-Commissioners (Dr. J. P. Sturrock and Dr. Kate Fraser) have been appointed by the Secretary for Scotland at salaries of £500 rising to maxima of £800 and £600, respectively. The General Board of Control will consist of the following members:— Sir Thomas Mason (Chairman), Mr. John Cowan, W.S., Mr. John Wilson, K.C., Sheriff of Renfrew and Bute, Dr. John Macpherson, Dr. H. C. Marr, Dr. John Carswell, of whom the first three will be unpaid Commissioners.

asked the Postmaster-General whether applications for licences made by post have to be accompanied by a stamped envelope; and whether this additional burden on and vexation to rate and tax payers will be abolished?

An application for a licence made to a postmaster by post has to be accompanied by a stamped envelope if the applicant desires the licence to be despatched to him by post. If a person desires to save himself the trouble of personal attendance, it is but reasonable that he should pay postage for the convenience.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can see his way to grant an extension of the ten days' special leave limit, when necessary, to the members of the executive committee of the United Association of Ex-Naval and Military Civil Servants who are engaged in the Post Office service for the purpose of attending their meetings and conferences, in the same manner that it is granted to officials of other service organisations?

Extension of the ordinary limit of special leave is granted only to officials of recognised associations of Post Office servants, and as the membership of the United Association of Ex-Naval and Military Civil servants is not restricted to Post Office servants I regret that I cannot see my way to extend the privilege in question to those officials of the association who may be in the Post Office service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any rule or regulation in the Post Office preventing a sub-postmaster in a rural district from voting at county or district council elections in Ireland?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position of the case of Crown rights to the foreshore at Seaview, Isle of Wight; and whether there is any possibility of a decision being come to at an early date?

As my hon. Friend was informed on the 16th February last, the case is set down for hearing by the Court, but I am unable to say whether it will come on before the long vacation. There is, however, a probability of the case being heard before the end of the year.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether all foreign meat imported into this country is accompanied by a certificate testifying to its having been inspected at the time of slaughter and being found free from disease; whether any such certificate is required; and whether such certificate exempts the meat from inspection on importation?

Most of the foreign meat imported into England and Wales is accompanied by a certificate of the nature described, but an official certificate is only necessary under the Foreign Meat Regulations of the Local Government Board in the case of cut pork and edible parts of the pig. I may add that the Regulations forbid the admission of scrap meat, and that no meat, whether accompanied or not by an official certificate which the Board have recognised, is exempt from inspection at the port of entry.