asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to make any statement with regard to the reported crucifixion of Albanians captured by the Greek Epirotes?

I have no information on the subject.

asked whether there is any reason to believe that the recent native rising in San Salvador was due to the carrying out of the provincial order contained in dispatch No. 65, in White Paper No. 7279; and whether His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon will be instructed to call the attention of the Portuguese Government to this order signed by the Governor-General of Angola, whereby it would seem that an attempt was made by the Portuguese Governor himself to secure forced labour for private profit?

The British Vice-Consul at Boma, who is now at San Salvador, has been instructed to report in connection with the case of Mr. Bowskill on all the circumstances leading up to the rising, including the question of recruitment of native labour, and I would prefer to await his report before giving any reply to this question. As regards the second part of the question the order referred to provides for the voluntary recruitment of contract labour and not for forced labour. To what extent the decree was abused, and, if so, who was responsible for its abuse, is a question on which I must wait for the full report expected.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to have the British. Vice-Consul's report?

I am afraid that is rather uncertain, as the means of communication appear to be very difficult.

Is it a question of weeks or months?

As I do not know how difficult the means of communication are I could not give any useful estimate.

asked whether, when His Majesty's Vice-Consul Bell arrived at. San Salvador to inquire into the arrest of Mr. Bowskill, the Portugese administration surrounded His Majesty's representative and his carriers with a body of soldiers under white officers; and whether, in spite of assurances that there were no rebels in the company, the Governor retained this military demonstration around the Vice-Consul for some hours, and until the Governor's action had become notorious amongst the natives of the district?

The only dispatch as yet received from Mr. Vice-Consul Bell makes no mention of such an incident, and I cannot, pending a report from him, make a statement as regards information from other sources.

Is there no telegraphic communication between the place at which he is and this country?

I think not.

asked if an ultimatum was recently presented to the Government of Haiti demanding payment of a large indemnity to a British subject as compensation for the destruction of his property during a recent revolution in the island; if the Haitian Government has agreed to pay compensation; if the American Government was advised before the ultimatum was presented; if the Monro doctrine has in practice been applied to this and other islands in the West Indies; and on what grounds the Government delays taking similar decisive action to exact retribution for the murder of Mr. Benton in Mexico and to secure compensation for his relatives, the circumstances being almost identical?

The report of an ultimatum must be founded upon the fact that His Majesty's Minister at Port-au-Prince was instructed to leave the country in the event of the Haitian Government refusing to carry out the decision of an arbitral tribunal as regards the claim in question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. There was no reason to advise the United States Government in advance of the action contemplated by His Majesty's Government and this was not done. The hon. Member will see that there is no analogy between this case and that of Mr. Benton, as is apparent from the answer returned to his question of April 22nd last and to the answer given to a question asked by the Leader of the Opposition on March 3rd.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if a married woman suspended from benefit under Section 44 of the National Insurance Act, 1911, is entitled to vote at any ordinary meeting of the approved society on whose books she is?

The right to vote in such a case as that to which the hon. Member refers would depend upon the rules of the society.

Will the hon. Member ask the Commissioners to issue some new Regulations giving these women the right to vote?

No, I think the Insurance Commissioners have sufficient power to approve or not approve of rules which are laid before them.

Will these women be entitled to receive the additional benefits under the Act?

I do not think that is the question on the Paper now arising out of it. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down.

asked why subsistence and loss of time allowances granted to insurance committeemen by Section 31 of the Act of 1913 have not yet been made; whether the consequence is that working men who cannot afford to miss wages are frequently absent from the meetings of such committees; and whether the National Association of Insurance Committees, representing about three-quarters of the insured population, have pressed the Insurance Commissioners to make a statement on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to my previous answers on the subject. Unavoidable delay has been occasioned by the necessity for considering the schemes submitted by all insurance committees in connection with the basis of the Grants to be made towards the expense of such schemes, but this delay will not result in any loss to the persons concerned. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if his attention has been called to the number of cases in which contributors under the National Insurance Act have been unable, even in urgent cases, to get prescriptions made up on Sundays and on early closing days; and if it would be practicable to make some arrangements to provide for doctors on the panel furnishing medicine in urgent cases when a chemist is not readily available?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the latter part of the question the regulations already provide for the doctors themselves dispensing in circumstances such as those referred to, and arrangements have been made by insurance committees accordingly. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish particulars of any case which he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why some better arrangement is not made for the payment of the panel doctors under the National Insur- ance Act; and why money due is paid by driblets and is nearly always in arrear for periods of weeks, which treatment of the doctors does not conduce to efficient and satisfactory work by them?

As payment to doctors during the year are advances on account of remuneration which cannot be determined till the end of the year, a margin must necessarily be reserved for the final settlement. It will, however, be possible for insurance committees in many cases to reduce the margin reserved when the accounts for last year are completed, and more precise information is accordingly forthcoming as to the actual sums available.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that it is the intention of the Government to shortly introduce a National Insurance Act Amendment Bill, whether, in the event of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster being unable to obtain a seat in the immediate future, he will consider the desirability of meeting the exigencies of the case by himself representing the Insurance Commissioners in this House?

Although this question is based on an hypothesis, I have no objection to saying that the reply is in the negative.

Is the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce a Bill to amend the National Insurance Act a definite proposal?

Yes; I think it is.

Then why say my suggestion is hypothetical?

Assuming the Bill has been introduced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who is to have charge of the Bill?

No; I cannot. I have answered the hon. Gentleman's question, although based on hypothesis, in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the correspondence which has passed between the Special Commissioners of Income Tax and the Lava Rink, Limited, as to the assessment of the company for Income Tax purposes; if, although the company has in point of fact incurred a trading loss in each of the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, they have been called upon to pay Income Tax on an assessment obtained by taking an average of the results over a period including years in which a profit was earned; if the company has applied for a return of the taxes overpaid; and what action is proposed to be taken in the matter?

Yes, Sir, the company has been assessed on the Statutory basis, and has profited in the past by the average rule, but that rule is now redressing the balance in favour of the Exchequer. For the year 1913–14 it appears to be open to the company to claim some relief under the provisions of Section 23 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, and they have already been informed of the steps they should take if they desire to obtain such relief.

Is it not a fact that these people have given full information to the Treasury with regard to their position during the last three years, and is the Treasury satisfied that they have lost money on each year's trading, and, if so how can they be asked to pay Income Tax?

I have given the hon. Member an indication of the relief to which the company may be entitled. If he will inform himself as to the average rule he will see that they have been legally charged Income Tax.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Pyper's charity of the boys' national school, Lancaster, was originally left to increase salaries paid to teachers of the school; and that, under Section 13 of the Education Act of 1902, such charities were to be paid to the local education authority in relief of rates; and whether, in such a case, which is completely covered by a statutory provision, it is competent for the Board of Education to formulate and approve a scheme whereby part of the charity funds will be devoted to the upkeep of school buildings and part to scholarships for scholars at another school?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that in the case referred to by the hon. Member a scheme can be made under the Endowed Schools Acts and Section 75 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870. I am not prepared to say, in anticipation of the publication of a draft scheme, what provisions could or could not properly be included in it.

In view of the fact that for many years they have directly refused to comply with the orders of the Board, will the President of the Board of Education look into the matter himself?

I will undertake to look into it.

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman answered the last part of the question, whether he would obtain a special report for the school. Will he assent to that?

I think the first duty is really to try to secure a proper scheme. However, I will look again into the question whether an inspector can do any good in the matter, but I think it is rather outside the work of an inspector.

asked whether the new Grant to local education authorities in necessitous school areas will be shared equally and upon the same terms by all local authorities whose education rate exceeds 1s. 6d.; and upon what system these Grants will be distributed?

In addition to the sum of £350,000 for necessitous areas, which is at present on the Estimates of the Board, I shall have at my disposal a further sum of about £423,000, making a total of £773,000. All the authorities which have already participated in the Special Grant will receive at least the same amounts as they received last year, and those which are the most heavily rated will receive additional amounts. The authorities which have not previously participated, and whose expenditure in 1912–13 exceeded the produce of a rate of 1s. 6d., will receive a Grant of one-half of that excess.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us if London will receive any share of the Grant mentioned this afternoon?

London will be a participant to the extent of about £200,000.

Will legislation be necessary?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Grants which were cut down last year owing to there not being enough money to go round will be put on the full basis or the cut down basis?

May I ask whether when a Grant was last given London did not get a share as it was not recognised as a necessitous school area?

In reply to the hon. Member for Poplar I have to state that London in the year 1912–13 became a necessitous area so far as it could be gauged by having an education rate exceeding 1s. 6d. in the £. The figures are based on the year 1912–13, and the London County Council with thirty-three other authorities with rates exceeding 1s. 6d. will come under the provision for this year for the added money. The London County Council will participate with the other thirty-three authorities. I think that also answers the question of the hon. Member for Colchester.

May I ask whether it means that in addition to the £300,000 already granted London will get £200,000?

The London County Council will get £200,000 out of the total of £773,000 given for the whole of England and Wales.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, under the financial proposals of the Government, the clergy will continue to pay one-half only of the rate in the pound payable in respect of tithe rent-charge under the Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Act, 1899?

The intention is that the clergy should not pay a larger proportion of rates on tithe rent-charge than at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what relief he proposes to give to the counties in place of the abolition of the agricultural rates Grant, seeing that this repeal only affects boroughs very slightly and the counties very seriously?

asked (1) when the new scale of Exchequer contributions will be available towards the cost of semi-national services administered by the local authorities; and (2) how the additional revenue to be raised by fresh taxation for the purposes of local authorities will be expended in the event of the proposed Rating Bill, Valuation Bill, and other necessary enabling legislation not being passed into law?

I am proposing to make a statement on these matters in the course of the Debate this afternoon.

asked for what year has the expenditure of local authorities on police, main roads, education, and poor relief been taken in estimating the amount required to meet the new increased Grants referred to in the Budget?

The Grants have been calculated on an estimate of the probable expenditure of local authorities in the current year.

As to that expenditure of local authorities, will the House be informed as to what that is?

Perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman would put down the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state, for purposes of comparison, the total estimated amount of the proposed Grants, for the first complete year, which will be received by each of the following local authorities, namely, county councils, councils of urban districts (including boroughs), councils of rural districts, boards of guardians, in the administrative county of England and Wales containing the largest proportion (according to rateable value) of agricultural land, namely, Parts of Holland, in Lincolnshire; and the total amount of the existing Grants received by each of the local authorities of the same county for the latest year for which figures are available?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the White Paper explaining his proposals in his Financial Statement on the 4th instant, if he will state, approximately, the portions of the estimated proposed Grants in the year 1915–16 which will go to urban and rural districts, respectively?

Until the new classification of first-class and second-class roads has been made it will not be possible to give even approximate figures for the Grants to the various authorities within the counties, and the figures for each county, as a whole, can be no more than an estimate. On the data that are available calculations have been made with respect to several agricultural counties, and these indicate that the new Grants would permit a reduction of rates in most counties of about 5d. in the £. But the circumstances differ considerably. Provision will be made that in no event shall the total Grants in any county, union, or district area be less than now.

May I ask whether that answer is based upon the existing expenditure of the local authorities or upon the prospective expenditure of local authorities?

It is based on the estimate of the present expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say what percentage the true revenue of Scotland bears to the total revenue of Great Britain for the last three financial years; and can he give the actual figures in each case?

My hon. Friend will find figures for the years. 1911–12 and 1912–13 in the Returns of revenue and expenditure, England, Scotland, and Ireland, House of Commons Papers Nos. 190 of 1912 and 200 of 1913. Final figures for 1913–14 are not yet available; but I will circulate provisional figures with the Votes.—[ See Written Answers this date .]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a White Paper showing the proposed allocation of the proposed Grants in the first complete year of the £1,265,000 allocated to Scotland; and whether he will also state what proportion of the, £1,250,000 for national health insurance will be allocated to Scotland?

I understand that the question of the allocation of Scotland's share of the proposed new Grants is now being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland. As regards the new Grant for national health insurance, Scotland will receive the same treatment as the other parts of the United Kingdom, but I fear I am not yet in a position to state the amount of her share.

Does that mean that the Scottish Members shall have the allocation of the money?

I understand my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland is engaged in determining what the allocation should be.

Am I to understand that the Scottish Secretary is to have the sole power to allocate these Grants?

I mean he is considering the proposals which we have submitted. It will be for the House of Commons, of course, to sanction the Grants and allocation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the amount in the aggregate of existing subventions to local bodies in Ireland that will be stopped if and when the Budget as introduced comes into operation; and (2) whether he will give a list of the Irish Departments to which it is proposed under the new Budget to give Grants, and the amount of the Grant in each case; and whether he will state the amount of the Exchequer subventions that they are at present in receipt of, and to what extent, if any, existing contributions will be reduced?

As I stated on Monday last, the sum which I then indicated as Ireland's share of the proposed new Grants will be in addition to the amount of the present subventions, and will be paid over to the Irish Parliament for the services at their disposal.

asked how much it is estimated that the new taxes proposed by his financial statement will produce in Ireland?

The information asked for is not at present available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that that information is available before the Financial Resolution on the Home Rule Bill comes on?

I am sure that it is proposed that there should be a dis- cussion on the Financial Resolution. At any rate, I will let the hon. and learned Gentleman have the information as soon as I get it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman let us have it before we vote on the Financial Resolution?

I am afraid I do not know when the Resolution will be before the House, and therefore I cannot give a definite pledge.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Prime Minister to postpone a vote on the Financial Resolution until we have the information to show by how much the deficit of Ireland will be increased in consequence of the Budget?

That is a question that ought to be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state why there has not yet been issued for this year the statutory Return, National Debt, published last year as Paper Cd. 6798; and, seeing that that Paper, on pages 2, 8, and 9 thereof, gave the National Debt existing at 31st March, 1913, as funded debt £593,453,857, estimated liability in respect of terminable annuities £31,519,908, unfunded debt £36,500,000, other capital liabilities £54,814,656, showing a total of £716,288,421, can he now state the corresponding figures of each of the four items and of the total for 31st March, 1914; and, seeing that the net decrease of the gross liabilities of the State in respect of debt effected in the year ending 31st March, 1913, was, as stated on page 3 of that Paper, £8,518,007, can he now state what was the corresponding decrease of debt in the year ending 31st March, 1914?

The Return in question, which is not statutory and which supplements the Return, House of Commons, No. 208, of 1914, issued last week, has not been issued because certain figures are not yet available. I will circulate a statement with the Votes giving the particulars asked for.—[ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Leeds Corporation spent £22,000 for extra police assistance during the strike of corporation workers in the financial year 1913–14; and whether the statement made in the Budget speech means that half the cost of extra police engaged by municipalities during labour disputes will be paid from the, national Exchequer?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The conditions on which any Exchequer Grant in aid of the police will be made have not yet been settled, but I would point out that if the hon. Member refers to police borrowed by Leeds from other forces, Leeds paid the police authorities from whom they were borrowed for their services, and such a transaction would not involve an increase in the amount which would be paid from the Exchequer towards the pay of the police.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the revenues from the invested funds of insurance companies are exempt from Income Tax, either on property under Schedule A or on interest and dividends under Schedules C and D; and, if so, whether he will consider favourably, as a means of reducing the heavy burdens on other taxpayers, the bringing under contribution of the incomes of insurance companies?

No distinction as regards Income Tax is made between the investments of insurance companies and those of other companies or persons; the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked whether a person having an income of £200 a year and four children or more will receive, under the new Budget propositions, a rebate of £1 10s.; and whether a person with £300 a year and four children will receive a reduction of £3?

In the circumstances mentioned in the first part of the hon. Member's question, no tax at all would be payable, seeing that the abatements exceed the total income; while in the second case, apart from the ordinary abatement of £160, the taxpayer would be entitled to relief from tax in respect of his four children to an amount equal to the tax on £80.

As the Government have admitted that a man with £300 salary should get a rebate of £3, will they consider the question of taking steps to see that the man with £200 salary shall get the same amount of relief?

I do not think that I can recognise minus values.

Can any steps be taken in order that the man may get that relief?

asked to what extent the following classes will benefit by the proposals of the Budget: tenant farmers, smallholders, agricultural labourers, and shop-keepers in agricultural districts?

The circumstances differ so greatly in individual cases that it is not practicable to furnish such an estimate.

asked what was the gross assessment to incomes for the financial year 1903–4 and for the financial year 1913–14?

The gross income brought under review for Income Tax purposes was £902,758,585 for 1903–4 and approximately £1,150,000,000 for 1913–14.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the number of hereditaments in Great Brtiain and Ireland the subject of valuation under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in urban and rural districts, respectively; and state how many valuations of such hereditaments, respectively, have been finally settled?

The information asked for is not available and could only be obtained by the expenditure of very much time and labour to the detriment of the regular work of the Valuation Department.

asked whether the proposal to abolish the exemption from Estate Duty in the case of settled estates is intended to apply only in cases where both Estate Duty and Settlement Estate Duty have been paid or would have been payable, or to all settled estates, including those now exempt under Sections 5 and 21 of the Finance Act, 1894?

The proposal extends to all settled estates mentioned by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to absolutely repudiate the pledges of his predecessors in this matter?

I do not repudiate any pledges.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible under these circumstances for insurance to be carried out?

The matter cannot be discussed by means of question and answer. All these questions can be answered in the Debate later on.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what date he proposes that the alteration of the scale of Estate Duties and abolition of the exemption from duty in the case of settled estates shall take effect?

It is proposed that the alterations to which the hon. Member refers shall take effect for all duties occurring after the 15th August, 1914.

asked whether the new Education Grant for necessitous areas will be paid to all necessitous areas or only to those which were necessitous at the time when the original Grant was made; whether legislation will be necessary to enable the Grant to be paid; and at what date it is proposed that the first instalment will be paid?

In answer to the first part, I may refer the hon. Member to the answer I have already given to the hon. Member for Denbigh Boroughs. No legislation will be necessary. I cannot say at what date the money will be paid, but I should hope to be able to pay some instalment in advance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the £515,000 is allocated to the provision of meals and what proportion to necessitous areas?

Probably about £92,000 to the provision of meals and £423,000 to necessitous areas.

What proportion does £92,000 bear to the cost of feeding borne by the local authorities?

According to the last estimate available, it is approximately one-half, and it is anticipated that it will be approximately one-half for the current year.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he proposes to reintroduce this Session the Food and Drugs Bill which was introduced on behalf of his Department in 1913?

I am afraid it will not be possible to ask Parliament to legislate on the subject this year.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that His Majesty's inspector's report of Butlock's Heath School, Hampshire, last year complained of continued faults in management and condemned the unpunctuality and backward condition of the scholars; that the managers have urged that the present head-master should be removed owing to his unpopularity with the parents and recent trouble in the school; and that the local education authority has concurred with the managers' view of the state of the school and need for the master's retirement; and whether he will obtain a special report on this school from His Majesty's inspector and communicate such report to the local education authority and the parish council of Otterbourne?

The report made by His Majesty's inspector in February, 1913, contained passages to the effect mentioned by the hon. Member. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I may refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 6th August last, a copy of which I am sending him. The inspector visited the school in April last. He informs me that he found it in excellent order, and that the attendance is now very regular. The school will be inspected in the ordinary course during the current educational year, and a copy of the inspector's report will be forwarded to the local education authority. It is not the practice of the Board to forward a copy of the report to the parish council.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there are some especial difficulties in the case of this school, and will he allow matters to go on in the ordinary course without taking: any steps to remedy those conditions?

The school will be reported upon shortly, and I will consider the most recent report as to the condition of the school.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the Report?

I will do so.

asked if the promised large measure of educational reform will be introduced, as a Government Bill, this Session?

I am not yet able to add anything to the statement made in the speech from the Throne.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the inhabitants of Lerwick, by a plebiscite, expressed themselves in favour of the complete Sunday closing of places of public refreshment throughout the year; that at two successive elections town councillors in favour of the above closing were elected to vacancies; that the town council, by a large majority, has prepared by-laws to secure such Sunday closing; and that the sheriff has refused to confirm these; and, if so, will he consider the desirability of introducing legislation to remedy the evils referred to?

I understand that the facts are substantially as stated in the first three portions of my hon. Friend's question and that the sheriff, after an inquiry, refused to confirm the by-law in question on the ground that to require the "total closing on Sunday of registered places for public refreshment in Lerwick during the herring fishing season would not be reasonable. I am not prepared, in present circumstances, to give any undertaking with regard to legislation.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has yet received the opinion of the returning officer for Orkney and Shetland as to whether it would be practicable and desirable to hold the election in those counties on one day, as proposed by the Bill now before the House, instead of two days, which have hitherto been found necessary?

The reply to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.

asked if the Board of Agriculture have made satisfactory arrangements with the proprietors relative to the application of Cunningsburgh residents?

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the circulars sent out by the Turf Fool Syndicate represented their lottery to be what it was not; that they have not paid the prize money which was guaranteed; and whether there is any method by which the Post Office can interfere with the circulation of fraudulent circulars?

I am aware that the good faith of the Turf Pool Syndicate has been questioned in the Press, but I have no official information on the subject. In practice, the Post Office has no means of stopping circulars alleged to be fraudulent.

In view of the fact that nearly all the lotteries in Switzerland are frauds, is not the Postmaster-General entitled to make some inquiry about them before he carries their circulars?

I indicated in a statement I made in this House some time ago that I wished I had greater powers than I have, but failing the acquisition of these powers, I cannot go beyond the position I have taken up.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask for legislative powers?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General what objection he offers to the Post Office refusing to post outwards to addresses abroad communications which would be illegal if posted in this country?

I understand my hon. Friend to inquire whether the Post Office objects to the stoppage in the post in this country of communications addressed to a business carried on abroad, which, if carried on at home, would be illegal. If so, the answer is that the Post Office is not at present empowered to stop such communications, but, as I stated in my speech on the Post Office Estimate, the question of obtaining such power is under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the £75,000 which Has been granted for over-riding wage of full-time postal servants of twenty-three years of age and over who are receiving less than 22s. a week is additional to the £643,000 which has been published as the immediate cost of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Postal Servants, or whether it is included in that sum?

The cost of the overriding minimum wage of 22s. a week for men of twenty-three years or over employed in the service of the Post Office is additional to the immediate cost of the Holt Revision as already published. The concession applies, pro rata, to men performing a part-time duty and most of the expenditure will be incurred in raising the pay of such men.

asked at what rate auxiliary postmen are now paid in Denbighshire; and whether any increase of pay is contemplated for auxiliary postmen in rural districts?

The authorised rates of pay for provincial auxiliary postmen range between 5½d. and 4¾d. an hour, according to the class of office, as shown on page 10 of the White Paper No. 7355, which was issued recently. The offices in Denbighshire fall into Classes III., IV., and V., and the rates authorised for these classes are 5¼d., 5d., and 4¾d. an hour respectively. Within the limits, however, of the concession, which I announced when introducing the Post Office Esti- mates, these rates will be raised to 5½d. an hour.

Are all classes to be on the same basis?

Subject to the limits I have already referred to.

asked how many Departmental Committees have been; appointed in the Post Office since the date of the presentation of the Hobhouse Committee's Report; whether any such Committees are now sitting and, if so, upon what terms of reference; and whether any Committee is now considering the general organisation of the Post Office administration?

The number of Departmental Committees which have been set up in the Post Office since the date of the presentation of the Hobhouse Committee's Report is considerable, and it would not be possible, without muck labour, to furnish the particulars for which the hon. Member has asked. No Committee is at present engaged in considering the general organisation of the Post Office administration.

May I ask if the Postmaster-General is disposed to appoint any such Committee?

I had not any such idea in my mind.

May I ask if the Holt Committee had power under its—terms of reference to deal with reorganisation in so far as the classification of districts is concerned?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put the question on the Paper. I did not set up the Committee, and I do not carry the terms of reference in my mind.

asked the Postmaster General if his attention has been called to the fact that telephone subscribers are in some cases required to make a deposit of £7 instead of 10s., which has been demanded up to this time; and will he say what is the total sum which the Government expects to have in hand from this change in the practice?

There has been no change of practice so far as the Post Office subscribers are concerned, and, pending the introduction of the revised telephone rates, no general instructions have been issued as regards subscribers who entered into agreements with the National Telephone Company. I found on further inquiry, after my answer to the hon. Member's question of the 7th instant, that, owing to a misapprehension, certain unauthorised steps have been taken at Norwich. I have given instructions that for the present no further action in the matter is to be taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state when it is intended to give a day for the further discussion of the Holt Report?

I am afraid I am not in a position to make a statement at present.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman will give facilities for a day to debate the Holt Report?

I hope so, certainly; I cannot yet say.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to make a statement to the House as to the discrepancies, or alleged discrepancies, which he alluded to, but did not explain, in the Debate of 29th April?

I dealt in the time allotted to me with what seemed to me the most serious and important points raised in the Debate, and I cannot now reopen the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he sat down when there were still some eleven minutes of the time of the House to deal with this matter?

I thought I had exceeded the time. I am sorry.

asked the Prime Minister what were the special reasons which made it inadvisable to incur the technical difficulties and delays involved in a court martial of officers who might be reluctant to take part in operations against Ulster referred to in the late Secretary of State for War's Memorandum of 20th March?

I am not aware what the special reasons were.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try and ascertain?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether the records now published by him of the notes of the interviews with General Paget on 18th and 19th March are complete, or if there are any other notes or portions of notes referring to the interviews of the 18th and 19th not yet published?

All the records of instructions given to Sir Arthur Paget have been published in full, in accordance with the pledge given by me on 24th March.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say when he will lay upon the Table his proposals for modifying certain provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to make any proposal and, if so, in what form for the modification of the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill; and when he proposes to communicate his intentions to this House?

I will make a statement on the subject when I move the Resolution of which I have given notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state what action the Government are taking with regard to the recent gun-running in Ulster?

asked the Prime Minister when he intends to take the appropriate steps to vindicate the authority of the law, promised by him on 27th April, with reference to the recent landing of arms in Ulster?

The Government have decided not to take criminal proceedings against the persons concerned in the recent incidents referred to. Other steps are being taken which I do not think it desirable for the present to make public.

Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the Home Secretary to take a similar course with regard to women in this country?

In consequence of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the subject of the irresolution of the Prime Minister in dealing with Ulster.

asked the Prime Minister (1) if he can now give the House the names of the persons responsible for the recent landing of arms in Ulster; whether they included any Members of Parliament, magistrates, or clergymen; and (2) whether he is now in a position to inform the House what quantity of arms and ammunition was landed in Ulster on the night of 24th–25th April; and whether any more arms have been landed since that date?

The Government have received certain confidential reports on these matters, but I am not prepared to disclose them at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether conversations on the future of the Government of Ireland Bill have been renewed between certain individuals; whether any of the parties of the conversations have taken any means to ascertain the views of the parties whom they represent; and whether the informal decisions, if any, which may be arrived at will be submitted in any formal way to the Members of the various parties returned to secure the passing of a Home Rule Bill for Ireland before any suggestion or decision is intimated to the House of Commons?

Whatever consultations may have taken place are of a confidential character. The House will not be committed to any course without adequate opportunity for discussion being given.

Will adequate opportunities be given only to the House, or will the Members of the parties be consulted? Will the Prime Minister take care to avoid any statement being made by any Minister on that bench which involves the party behind him to which they do not agree?

I will do my best.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the case of seven persons connected with the Irish Transport Workers' Union, who were charged at the Dublin Police Court, on Tuesday, 5th May, convicted, and fined 5s. and costs each, respectively; whether he is aware that their offence consisted in attending and addressing a demonstration to protest against the exclusion of Ulster from the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill; and if he will take action to quash the conviction?

My attention has been called to this case in which seven persons were fined for obstructing one of the principal thoroughfares in Dublin and holding up the traffic for about two hours, to the great inconvenience of the public. I understand that the magistrates who convicted the defendants has, at their request, stated a case for the opinion of the King's Bench Division, and until this is heard and determined I cannot make any further statement on the subject.

asked why the eight tenants in Cappabane, on the estate of Mr. Donat Sampson, who signed agreements for the purchase of their holding's twelve months ago, have not been accepted by the Commissioners the same as adjoining tenants on the same property whose farms have now all been vested and the sale completed, the tenants being still compelled to pay the old rents?

The estate referred to, with the exception of the holdings situate on the townlands of Cappaghbaun Mountains, and the Cappaghbaun Park, has been sold by the Land Judge to the Estates Commissioners under the provisions of Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and undertakings have been signed by the tenants for the purchase of their holdings from the Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts. The tenants on the two townlands referred to did not sign undertakings for the purchase of their holdings, and the lands could not be included in the lands sold to the Commissioners. If these tenants now enter into undertakings for the purchase of their holdings a supplemental offer for the purchase of these lands by the Commissioners will be issued to the Land Judge.

asked if Section 30 of the Land Act of 1909 makes provision for the granting of loans to tenant purchasers at 3½ per cent. for the erection of suitable dwelling-houses; and how much money the Estates Commissioners have advanced to tenant purchasers under this Section?

Under Sections 12 and 43 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, the Estates Commissioners were enabled, when dealing with estates, the subject of proceedings before them under the Land Purchase Acts, to expend money for the benefit or improvement of such estates. It was, however, judicially decided that in the case of sale by owners direct to tenants the Commissioners had not the power which they have in the case of estates purchased by them to recover payment of such expenditure as part of the advance to the purchasing tenants, and Section 30 of the Act of 1909 was passed to recover such expenditure in direct sales. The amount so repayable under Section 30 to date is £9,543.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Irish Board of Works will not advance to a purchasing tenant for the purpose of improving his holding, erecting buildings, etc., more than five times the valuation of that holding; and, seeing that the tenants on the Ely estate who require new dwelling-houses are all under £20 valuation, will he say how they are to procure sufficient money from the Board to enable them to build new dwelling-houses?

Tenant purchasers whose holdings have been vested in them can borrow from the Board of Works up to five times their valuation, provided the Board is satisfied with the security. I have no information as to the valuation of the holdings on the Ely estate or as to the existing dwellings, but I may point out that loans are often made for part of the cost of an improvement.

asked when the O'Donel estate, Newport, county Mayo, was acquired by the Congested Districts Board; and what steps, if any, the Board have since taken to relieve congestion amongst the small landholders in the district?