asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any understanding exists with Germany to the effect that Germany is bound under moral, though not treaty, obligations to England which prevents her from being officially represented at the Panama-Pacific Exposition to be held at San Francisco next year?

The answer is in the negative; there is no such obligation, moral or otherwise.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that Herr Basserman, the National Labour Leader in the Reichstag, made a distinct statement in the Reichstag that the Committee was informed that Germany was bound under moral, if not treaty obligations, with England which prevented her from being officially represented at the exhibition, and the Government informed the Committee that the initiative for this— [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech, Speech!"]

The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs is not responsible for what is said in foreign Chambers, nor can he be expected to be aware of it, except through the same sources as the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his Department have for some months referred inquiries regarding the Panama-Pacific Exposition, to be held at San Francisco next year, to the British Committee?

Since December last eleven firms have asked the Board of Trade for particulars of the San Francisco Exhibition. In replying to these inquiries the Board have in each case given the name and address of the British Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the British Committee of the Panama-Pacific Exposition has offered to place at his dis- posal full particulars regarding the many British firms who are desirous of exhibiting at the Exposition to be held at San Francisco next year?

The Secretary of the British Committee of the Panama-Pacific Exhibition informed me on the 5th May that he had had considerable correspondence in regard to the exhibition, and that he would be pleased to give, the Department any information or assistance at his disposal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman avail himself of the information?

We are glad to consider all suggestions and information at the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say if His Majesty's Government have come to an arrangement with the French Government for holding a Conference on the matters in dispute with regard to the New Hebrides?

Yes, Sir, a Conference has been agreed to, and it will meet shortly in London.

Has the hon. Gentleman any objection to stating the terms of reference?

I do not think there will be any precise terms of reference, but the Government have agreed to discuss matters which have arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has appealed to the Governor of Sierra Leone requesting that Europeans entering the nursing home may continue to enjoy the services of their own medical attendant, whether native or European; and can he say what reply has been sent to this request?

I do not know what reply has finally been returned by the Governor of Sierra Leone to the letter from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce to which my hon. Friend refers; but I have decided that the native medical practitioner to whose case the Chamber of Commerce specially referred shall continue to be allowed the same facilities for attending his patients in the nursing home that he has hitherto enjoyed, subject to the privilege being liable to be withdrawn at any time for good cause shown.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that there is no statutory provision for deposit contributors after the 31st December next, and that an undertaking was given that the House would have an opportunity of making more satisfactory arrangements for this class, comprising, with their dependants, a million people, the Government will introduce the necessary Bill before the Adjournment for Whitsuntide?

I fear I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 12th instant to the hon. Member for Salisbury.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state if there are any industries or avocations in which there is particular danger of particular kinds of accidents happening, or diseases being contracted, for which the national health insurance committees are allowed to supply any particular kinds of medical instruments or necessities?

The medical and surgical appliances which insurance committees are empowered to supply as part of medical benefit are those specified in the Second Schedule to the Regulations. These are available in suitable cases for the treatment of diseases or accidents, whether arising as a result of the insured person's employment or otherwise.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why these necessities are not applied to the miners of South Wales?

If the Noble Lord will refer to the Schedule he will find the answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the urgent nature of the question, he is now able to make any announcement as to the provision of a further sum towards meeting the administration expenses of the smaller county and burgh insurance committees?

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether he is aware that the necessary expenditure of the majority of Scottish insurance committees has during the past year largely exceeded the sum allowed to meet their administration expenses; and if he will state what action he proposes to take in order to enable these committees to continue to carry out the duties imposed upon them under the National Insurance Act?

I am afraid that I am not at present in a position to add anything to my hon. Friend's replies on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the total sum payable as Estate Duty on a sum of, say, £50,000 left by a testator to his widow for life and then to his children; and on what occasion will the duty be payable and at what rate per cent?

The total sum payable as Estate Duty on a sum of £50,000 left by a testator to his widow for life and then to his children absolutely will be £3,500. The duty will be payable on the testator's death, and the rate will be 7 per cent. In addition Legacy Duty at 1 per cent. will be payable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the deduction allowed under the Budget from Estate Duty for Settlement Estate Duty already paid is to include compound interest; and, if so, at what rate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and accordingly the second part does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount contributed in Ireland in respect of Super-tax in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the number of persons who paid Super-tax in Ireland for the same year?

Very roughly, the Super-tax contributed by Ireland in the year 1912–13 is estimated at £120,000. Over 300 Super-tax payers are believed to have derived some of their income from Ireland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how the sum of £1,325,000, hitherto applied under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, in relief of rates upon agricultural land, will be applied in future; and whether, seeing that this amount is based upon a total rate burden upon such land of £2,700,000, of which it represents one-half, and that such burden has now increased to £4,400,000, the amount available under the Budget proposals for the relief of the rate burden upon agricultural land will in future be equivalent to at last one-half of the present total rate burden; (2) if he is aware that the Reports of the Royal Commissions on Agricultural Depression in 1896 and on Local Taxation in 1901, and the evidence upon which they were founded, showed a consensus of opinion in favour of increasing the rate relief in respect of agricultural land from one-half to three-quarters of the lull rate burden; whether, in view of the handicap which the increasing rate burden has occasioned to agricultural industry and enterprise by contrast with the far more profitable town industries, he will take the opportunity presented by the proposed alteration of the present system and basis of Government subsidies to increase the proportion of relief hitherto afforded to such land; (3) if he will state what proportion of the amount required out of rates for the cost of services administered by local authorities will, under the Budget proposals, be levied upon the basis of site value and what proportion upon the basis of assessable value; and (4) whether it is proposed, under the new scheme of local taxation foreshadowed in the Budget, to base local taxation in agricultural administrative areas partly upon the so-called site value of agricultural land; and, if so, seeing that in England and Wales the whole of such value is the result of human labour and expenditure, what species of agricultural improvements will be deemed to form part of the site for the above purpose?

These are matters which cannot be adequately dealt with in a reply to Parliamentary questions. I would suggest to the hon. Member that they are more suited for discussion in the Debates on the Finance and Revenue Bills and on the Rating Bill of next Session.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that until some more definite details are given with regard to the position of agriculturists under the Government's financial proposals, the agricultural community remain in a state of considerable doubt as to how they should regard the proposals of the Government?

I think the hon. Member and those whom he represents will find very largely increased information in the Finance Bill when circulated, as it will be shortly.

May I ask the light hon. Gentleman whether the Government has settled the basis upon which the necessary classifications are to be made.

Oh, yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue at an early date a White Paper embodying his proposals, foreshadawed in his Budget speech, dealing with the case of deposit contributors, the appointment of medical referees, and the provision of health lectures under the National Health Insurance Act?

So far as legislation may be necessary to give effect to the proposals referred to, I must ask my hon. Friend to await the terms of the Bill, but so far as legislation may not be necessary, I will consider his suggestion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether information in the form of a. Command Paper or a statement in Parliament will be given concerning the results of the naval manœuvres of 1912 and 1913; and whether the results of the manœuvres or trial mobilisations will in the future be published?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the latter part, each case will be considered on its merits; but my right hon. Friend does not anticipate that the publication of results would usually be in the public interest.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Report of the Royal Commission on Oil Fuel may be expected; if the Commission is still sitting; and whether he will state to the House the cost to the State of this Commission?

The Commission is no longer sitting, and the final Report has been received. The Admiralty have no record of the cost, and it is suggested that the question be addressed to the Secretary to the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Federated Malay States have been forced to raise a large loan in London to pay for the "Dreadnought" given to this country on the suggestion of the chief secretary of the Malay States; and, if so, whether the Government intend to take any action in the matter?

As I informed the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow on the 13th instant, the loan which the Federated Malay States propose to raise is to be applied to the construction of railways and other public works and for the purchase of lands and materials in connection therewith.

Is it a fact that the Government have got a "Dreadnought" from the Malay States, and that they are obliged to borrow the money?

No, Sir, I do not agree to any of the assumptions of the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can inform the House as to the approximate cost of sending the British Fleet to the opening of the Panama Canal?

The ships have not yet been selected, and consequently no data are available. In any case it would be somewhat unusual to state the cost involved in a visit of courtesy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a little while ago permission was granted to the chief petty officers attached to His Majesty's ship "Cormorant," at Gibraltar, to wear plain clothes while on night leave ashore with their families; that this permission has since been withdrawn and the men required to wear uniform on the occasions named; and whether, in view of the unpopularity of the change, he will consider the advisability of reverting to the former arrangement, under which plain clothes were allowed?

My right hon. Friend will inquire what are the reasons for the change.

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason why Messrs. Cockerell, building contractors, of Portsmouth, and other builders and contractors who are performing work under his Department in the Aldershot district, do not post the Fair-Wage Clause of their contracts upon their works?

No complaint has been received, and I have no information on the point, but inquiry is being made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can state the age at which children are allowed to commence work in the textile mills in India and the period of daily employment; whether they have to obtain certificates of fitness from a certifying surgeon before commencing work; what check there is upon them to prevent the Factory Act being evaded; whether such children have to attend public elemenary schools for the portion of the day when not at work; and whether any definite standard of education has to be reached before full-time employment is allowed?

No child may be employed in a textile factory in British India for more than six hours in one day. He must not be under nine years of age, and must have obtained a certificate of age and fitness from a certifying surgeon. When at work he must have in his possession either this certificate or a token giving reference to it. The factories are regularly visited by an inspector, who is responsible for the proper administration of the Act in this and other respects. The reply to the hon. Member's last two questions is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture under what Acts of Parliament (specifying the respective sections) the Board of Agriculture and various local authorities in England and Scotland, respectively, have issued orders restricting or prohibiting the movement of Irish cattle into England or Scotland, or into the respective local areas?

The Orders of the Board are issued in pursuance of the powers conferred upon them by Section 22 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, and the Regulations of the local authorities are made under Clause 12 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order of 1895.

Can the Government give us an assurance that there will be no interference with the rights of local authorities in this matter?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state when it is proposed to publish the Report of the Holmes Committee which inquired into the organisation of the Office of Works?

The Report will be presented to the House to-day.

asked what is the total amount estimated to be paid by the Treasury for primary, secondary, technical, and university education to each of the three countries, England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, during the year 1914–15?

So far as the figures which the hon. Member requires are not to be found in Class IV. of the Civil Service Estimates, I would refer him to my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Education, the Secretary for Scotland, and the Chief Secretary for Ireland.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the War Office sent to the Stationery Office a copy of the King's Regulations, 1912, with subsequent amendments pasted into correct pages, how long it would take the Stationery Office to produce a new edition of the King's Regulations?

The Stationery Office could produce a new edition of the King's Regulations in about three and a half months, exclusive of the time required by the War Office to correct proofs, etc.

Would it be possible to produce it before the examinations for promotion?

I believe the hon. Member got a reply to that question from the War Office yesterday.

Was not the reply that it could not be produced before next year?

I was prepared to answer that question yesterday, but the hon. Member withdrew it. The answer is that we could produce it before next year. We can produce it in the autumn or winter of this year.

Is it not a fact that every officer can obtain copies of the alterations?

Yes, he can.

Yes, if he has the time to do it, and if non-commissioned officers have the opportunity of doing it.

This is the answer I was prepared to give to the hon. Member: The first steps in getting a new edition through the Press have been taken, and that over 60,000 copies would be required, but in spite of this I hope to be able to secure the issue earlier than the date I gave in answer to a previous question. I hope that may be in the autumn or early winter of this year.

Was my question the first means of calling attention to these hardships inflicted upon officers?

I cannot admit that for a moment.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many of the successful candidates at the competitions for intermediate clerkships held since the institution of the scheme in 1908 have had previous service as second division clerks, the total number of intermediate clerks now serving, and how many of the total number have had previous service as second division clerks?

The answer to the first part of the question is 119, including three officers who had served in posts outside the second division, but filled from the same competition. I regret that there are no figures available to enable me to answer the other two parts of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give an undertaking that the office of the Public Trustee will not be transferred to the Civil Service without due notice to Parliament?

I cannot give the undertaking, but the House can take an opportunity for discussing this matter in Committee of Supply.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can promise that, in the event of the office of the Public Trustee being transferred to the Civil Service, those now employed by the Public Trustee will be recognised as having served in the public service since the foundation of the office by the Public Trustee Act, 1906; and whether, in computing the Civil Service pensions, regard will be had to the fact that the present remuneration of such persons is far below the Civil Service standard, and is not commensurate with the magnitude of their work or with its responsibilities?

I cannot see my way to giving any undertaking on this subject, nor can I accept the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question. In the event of persons now in the employment of the Public Trustee being admitted to the permanent Civil Service, their claim to pension will be governed by the provisions of the Superannuation Acts and the established practice of the Treasury under those Acts.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can now state what decision the Board of Inland Revenue has arrived at in reference to the petition of the baggage men and preventive officers at Victoria and Charing Cross stations?

The Board of Customs and Excise have replied to the petition and have assigned daily allowances of 1s. 3d. a day to officers and 1s. a day to men to cover all the special conditions attaching to their employment at the places in question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the Milroy lectures, delivered by Dr. Shufflebotham before the Royal College of Physicians, dealing with miners' diseases; and whether the Home Office contemplate adding miners' itch to those industrial diseases which are covered by the Workmen's Compensation Act?

I have seen a report of these lectures, but have otherwise no information in regard to this ailment. It is not mentioned in the Report of the Committee on Compensation for Industrial Diseases, and no representations have been made to me on the subject. If, as I gather from the report of the lectures, the ailment cannot be regarded as specific to the employment in the sense indicated by the Committee in their Report, I could not add it to the Schedule in the Workmen's Compensation Act; but any cases of disablement caused by this ailment will be covered by the National Insurance Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this disease often lasts for three weeks?

That is not relevant to, the remedy which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether the temperature in cotton-weaving sheds in Lancashire is limited by law to 75 degrees Fahrenheit when measured by the wet-bulb thermometer; whether in the coal mines of France there is a limitation in temperature when measured both by the wet and dry-bulb thermometers at which miners shall work; whether the temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, measured by the wet-bulb thermometer, is regarded as too high for continuous work in the mine; whether similar legislation exists in most foreign countries where mining is carred on; and whether he contemplates legislation which shall limit the temperature similarly in British mines?

No absolute limit of temperature is fixed for cotton-weaving sheds; my hon. Friend is perhaps thinking of the Regulation which prohibits artificial humidification of the air when the wet-bulb reading exceeds 75 degrees. It is the case that the French Mining Regulations prohibit work, except in cases of absolute necessity, when the temperature reaches certain limits, but those limits are 95 degrees on the dry or 86 degrees on the wet bulb. There are similar regulations, I understand, in Austria and Belgium. As to fixing a limit for coal mines in this country, I can only say, as I said in reply to a question on 19th March, that the Royal Commission on Coal Mines considered this subject, and came to the conclusion that no limit should be fixed. The limits fixed by the French law are reached in very few mines in this country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the seventy-seven degrees under the French law requires the deputies to inform the management of the temperature. It does not stop the working of the mine, but notification is involved, and is that not desirable for keeping down temperature in this country?

Under the new Orders I have issued under the Coal Mines Regulations Act, the thermometers must be placed underground near the shaft.

I am speaking of the coal face.

I will consider that point.

asked the Home Secretary whether the erection of the museum for the exhibition of safety appliances has yet been commenced, and, if so, where it is situate; and whether he has decided to establish another in the industrial districts of the North?

Yes, the building for the museum is now in course of erection. The site is in Horseferry Road, Westminster. I have under consideration the question of arranging for local exhibitions of a similar character. It is proposed that use should be made of the more important local technical schools which are already provided with examples of the machinery used in the chief industries in their respective localities. If, as I hope, with the co-operation of the education authorities, arrangements can be made to exhibit in these schools approved types of safety and health appliances, the purposes of a local museum would be served and valuable results would also follow from the instruction of the students in regard to the provision and use of such appliances. A scheme is being worked out for Lancashire in the first instance.

asked the Home Secretary if he can state the number of trades in which conferences have been held between employers, operatives, and inspectors, as recommended by the Departmental Committee on Accidents; the number of conferences in each trade, separately; and the number of agreements arrived at?

The trades in which conferences have taken place, and the number of meetings held in each, are as follows: Cotton-spinning, eleven; cotton-weaving, four; woollen and worsted spinning and weaving, six; iron foundries, two; tin-plates manufacture, two; bleaching and dyeing, five or six; herring-curing, three. Agreements have been arrived at in each trade, and official reports setting out the agreements in the case of the four trades first named have already been published.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the increase in the number of non-fatal accidents in factories in 1913, amounting to over 21,000; whether he can give any reason for such increase; and what steps be proposes to take to make such industrial occupations safer?

I am aware of the figures referred to which are taken from the Preliminary Tables of Accident issued by my Department. As explained in the introduction, the figures for 1912 and 1913 are not altogether comparable, as those for 1912 were affected by the long coal strike in that year, but in so far as the increase is a real one, it is to be accounted for chiefly by the effects of expanding trade. The matter will be fully dealt with in the Chief Inspector's Report for 1913, which will be issued shortly. The hon. Member will not expect me on this occasion to give in detail all the measures by which it is hoped to reduce the number of preventable accidents, but action is being taken in numerous directions, on the lines approved in the Report of the Accidents Committee, by arranging, for example, for increased and closer inspection; by holding conferences with employers and operatives; by the issue of further Regulations, such as the important code which has just come into force for shipbuilding; by the publication of Reports as to fencing and other precautions; and by the establishment of an industrial museum and the exhibition of types of safety appliances at various centres.

asked the Prime Minister if there is any precedent for a Secretary of State for War who has resigned office and is no longer a Member of the Government retaining his membership of the Committee of Imperial Defence?

The composition of the Committee is not governed by any fixed rules or precedents. It consists of those persons who are from time to time summoned by the Prime Minister to its meetings.

In view of the importance of this question, and the unsatisfactory answers I have received, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question either on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-night or to-morrow night.

In the statement made in reference to the composition of this Committee when it was first proposed, did not the right hon. Gentleman distinctly say that it was not necessary that it should be composed of members of the Cabint at all?

Oh, no!

asked the Prime Minister upon what date he will place upon the Order Paper his Resolutions relating to the constitution of another place?

I cannot yet say.

asked the Prime Minister if he will indicate his proposals for further schemes of devolution when he introduces his Resolutions relating to the constitution of another place?

I will bear in mind my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister if any immediate steps are going to be taken to withdraw the Proclamation prohibiting the importation of arms into Ireland?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the situation created by his promise to introduce an amending Bill in order to facilitate the passage of the Government of Ireland Bill through the House of Commons, with the object of securing the collaboration of all parties to an agreed settlement, he will consider the desirability of coming to an arrangement whereby party Whips should be taken off in any Divisions that may arise during the Debates on the amending Bill?

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion when the contingency to which he refers arises.

Would it not be desirable in any such contingency as this for once to turn this House into a thinking machine instead of a voting machine?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any official information showing that, on every occasion that the Ulster army drills, such drills are authorised by two resident magistrates in writing; if so, can he give the names of the magistrates who have given such written authority for illegal drilling; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am not aware of any occasion on which a meeting for the purpose of drilling has been authorised by two resident magistrates. I may, however, point out that the authority under the Act 60, George III., cap. 1, to which the hon. Member refers, can be given by any two justices of the peace who need not be resident magistrates. I must here add what I have already stated that, if the motive for the drilling is illegal, no value can be attached to the authority given by the magistrate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the magistrates who have signed these permissions?

Yes, Sir; if the hon. Member wishes it.

Will that inquiry apply to all the four provinces of Ireland or only to the one province of Ulster?

It depends upon whether the inquiry is limited to one of the provinces or extended to the four.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not limit it?

I have no desire to limit it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to fix any date for the Second Reading of the Milk and Dairies Bill?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Primo Minister if, in view of the passing through all its stages, by the House of Lords, of a Bill for the training and registration of midwives in Scotland, and in view of the need of such a Bill becoming law, he will favourably consider the question of giving facilities either for the Bill in question or for that standing in the name of the Member for the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow?

The Government are favourably disposed to the principles of the Bill, and will consider whether facilities can be given for its progress.

asked the Prime Minister, with reference to the pledge given at Edinburgh on the 8th November, 1913, and confirmed in this House on 24th February last by the Secretary for Scotland, that the Government would introduce a Bill embodying their views for the granting of self-government for Scotland, and to the support of and statement by the same Secretary in the Debate on the Government of Scotland Bill that there was nothing in that plan inconsistent with all the traditions of British statesmanship, whether, therefore, that Bill may now be taken as the Government view on this matter and as carrying out the pledge given by the Government; or, if not, when it is intended to fulfil that pledge?—May I say that I allude to the Bill as originally printed, and not the one containing the suffrage Clause subsequently added?

My right hon. Friend informs me that he gave no pledge at Edinburgh as regards time. What he said in the Debate on Friday last was that the adaptation of the principle of Home Rule to the different circumstances of the different countries concerned was in no way inconsistent with all the conditions of British citizenship. He is not committed to approval of the details of the Bill. As regards the last part of the question, I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Did the Secretary for Scotland at any rate say that the Government were prepared to lend their aid in drafting a Scottish Home Rule Bill, and was the Government referred to the present Government or some other subsequent Government?

I presume the present Government, but I do not know what my right hon. Friend said.

If my right hon. Friend assumes that it is the present Government, has the present Government any intention of doing so?

made a reply which was inaudible.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in quoting the Secretary for Scotland, he has taken the report from the "Times" or from the OFFICIAL REPORT, or is the Secretary for Scotland going to alter in the OFFICIAL REPORT the speech already delivered?

I do not know why my hon. Friend puts that question.

I will tell you.

It is a summarised statement of what appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I took my quotation from the speech as reported in the "Times," and I do not know whether one report is not just as good as the other.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the pledge of the Government to introduce a Scottish Home Rule Bill, he can see his way to provide another day to conclude the Debate on the Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty?

I am afraid the time at the disposal of the Government will not admit of a second day being given for the discussion of the Bill named.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that under the Churches (Scotland) Act, 1905, the Free Church of Scotland claimed to have 160 full sanctioned charges and had churches and manses allocated to them for that number and funds for the equipment of the same; whether, in 1914, the Free Church had sixty-eight fewer congregations than in 1907, two years after the Union; that in 1914 the Free Church had thirty-two fewer congregations than in 1913; that the number of stations are increasing; that this is due to the fact that stations contribute nothing to the widows and orphan fund, while congregations must pay £7 annually; that there are one professor and three ministers fewer in 1914 than in 1913, and still eighty-one vacancies to be filled; and that the decrease in con- gregations has averaged nearly ten each year; whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is now a proposal to abandon the assembly and hold a synod instead; and whether, in view of all these circumstances, he will cause some investigation to be made into the administration of the money allocated to the Free Church by Parliament?

My hon. Friend asked a question on this subject on 12th August last year. Since then communications have passed with the authorities of the Free Church, and I understand that they dispute the statement contained in that question. The present question differs from the previous question, except as regards the first paragraph, to which the authorities of the Free Church say the answer is in the negative. I cannot reply as regards an inquiry until I have made-further investigation with regard to the-fresh statements made by my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the statistics given in this question, as those given in the question last August, are taken from the official figures supplied by the officials of the Free Church of Scotland?

I dare say that they are. I do not know. I do not follow these things very closely.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Free Church was in enormous difficulty at the time of the Separation Act, and is he also aware that it is eminently fitted for its work in the Highlands of Scotland and has as great a proportion of students attending its colleges as there are students attending the colleges of other Churches?

That is ground which I hesitate to tread.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed by the Convention of Royal Burghs of Scotland, and endorsed by the corporation of Glasgow, expressing the opinion that the question of Imperial and local taxation in Scotland should be the subject of separate investigation and report, and protesting against the disbandment of the Departmental Committee on Local and Imperial Taxation without having heard the Scottish case; and whether it is the intention of the Government to secure a full investigation of the relations of local and Imperial taxation so far as they affect Scotland?

I have received a copy of the letter which the standing joint committee of the Association of County Councils in Scotland and the Convention of Royal Burghs of Scotland sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of Imperial and local taxation. As regards the rest of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to the replies given on this subject by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 16th March and 21st April, and by the Secretary for Scotland on 14th May.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a very strong desire among the local bodies in Scotland that there should be an inquiry of this nature in Scotland as well as in England?

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend desires that the claims of Scotland should be deferred until after the inquiry is completed.

Oh, no; certainly not.

had the following question on the Notice Paper: To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed unanimously by the Convention of Royal Burghs to the effect that the question of Imperial and local taxation in Scotland should be the subject of separate investigation and report; that the Report by the Departmental Committee [Cd. 7315] in regard to England and Wales should not be regarded as entirely applicable to Scotland; and, if so, will he say whether it is the intention of the Government to disband the Departmental Committee without considering Scotland separately?

May I ask this question on behalf of my hon. Friend? The Secretary for Scotland is not here. He is absent, as usual; playing golf, I suppose?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to place Territorial battalions who go into camp at Whitsuntide on the same basis as regards obtaining recruits as those who go into camp in August, he will alter the Regulations so as to enable, in the case of the Whitsuntide campers, the twenty drills which must be performed before the annual training to be performed before the end of July, and by this means enable these battalions to recruit right up to camp, as the inducement to recruit is very-much stronger before camp than afterwards?

This point was very carefully considered before the new-Regulations contained in Army Order 146 of this year and the Special Army Order were issued, and it was held that unless the recruit has performed his full number of drills before going to camp, the benefit he will derive from camp will be small. The Army Council do not see their way to make a further alteration in the Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give particulars of the recent advertising campaign in favour of recruiting; the dates when it commenced and when it ceased; the total amount spent; and the number of men recruited directly and indirectly attributed to the advertisements?

The first advertisement appeared on 15th January and the last was on 16th February. The amount spent was between £4,000 and £5,000. It is quite impossible to say how many of the recruits taken since the first advertisement appeared can be attributed directly or indirectly to the scheme. Up to date 2,400 recruits for the Regular Army and Special Reserve have been taken in excess of the numbers for the corresponding period of last year, and an increased intake continues.

asked the Home Secretary the amount contributed to the compensation fund in the county of London by the licensees of on-licensed houses in each petty sessional division, and the amount paid in compensation to the licensees in each petty sessional division for each year since the Act of 1904 came into force?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. The compensation charges are collected and paid over to the compensation authority for the county of London as a whole. The number of licences extinguished with compensation and the total amount paid in each petty sessional division are shown yearly in Table II. (A) and (B) of the Licensing Statistics.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having a circular to be sent to the bench of each petty sessional division in order that they may have the simple facts before them instead of having to wade through large volumes?

Yes, I will consider that point.

They are sent.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Board of Control for the administration of the Mental Deficiency Act recently advertised for male and female inspectors who must be registered medical persons, and that the salaries offered were £400 for men and £350 for women; and, if so, will he explain why this difference of payment was made, seeing that the Board stated that there was no difference in the importance of the work of the men and women inspectors; if the first woman candidate offered the post refused it on account of this difference in salary; if the second candidate accepted it and then withdrew for the same reason; if the post is still unfilled; and if it has hitherto been the practice of Government Departments to pay medical officers the same salaries, whether men or women; and, if so, why this practice has been departed from in this case?

The salaries offered were £400 rising to £600, and £350 rising to £550. They were fixed by the Treasury at the rates at which it was believed suitable candidates could be obtained. At that time the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service had not been published, but the proposed salaries appear to comply with the recommendation of the Commission that, where the conditions of employment are approximately the same, the rates of pay should approximate to equality. The first two candidates to whom the post of female inspector was offered declined it on the ground of difference of salary, not because they thought it too small. The post has not yet been filled, but the matter is not at present urgent. There is no rule or practice requiring the salaries of men and women medical officers in the Government service to be the same.

Is it not a fact that in practice the remuneration of women medical officers is the same as men medical officers?

I am informed not, but I will inquire further into the point.

Are we to infer from the reply just given that the Treasury consider the services of women will not be equal in value to the services of the men, and is that the reason there is this difference in salary? The Report of the Royal Commission to which the right hon. Gentleman refers recommended equal pay for equal work.

The Treasury rule was stated by me. Rates were fixed by the Treasury at which it was believed suitable candidates could be obtained. That, I believe, is the practice of the Treasury. With regard to the second point, the work is approximately the same and the rates are approximately the same, but it cannot be said that the work is identical.

Seeing it is impossible to get women doctors at these rates of pay, will they now offer the women the same salary as the men?

I am not sure what appointments have been made.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many distinguished women economists are opposed to the doctrine of equal pay for equal work, and think that it would result disastrously to the interests of women?

I agree with what my hon. Friend says. For my own part, I should be ready to give equal pay for equal work, but I am not convinced the work is equal.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet completed his inquiries into the circumstances connected with the inquest on the boy Starch-field and the subsequent prosecution?

I am consulting the Lord Chancellor in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary when he proposes to introduce his Bill on Truck?

The law on the subject of Truck is, as my hon. Friend well knows, very complicated, and the drafting of the Bill has presented many difficulties. I hope, however, to be able to introduce it shortly.

asked the Home Secretary which of the Welsh Church Commissioners will be the paid Commissioners, and the amounts of salary to be paid to them, respectively?

Sir Henry Primrose will be paid a salary not exceeding £1,500 a year. Sir William Plender, to whom the second paid post of Commissioner was offered, has expressed his desire to act without remuneration. My hon. Friend the Member for West Denbighshire will also be an unpaid Commissioner.

From what date will the salaries be payable?

The Commissioners will not be appointed until the Act has passed.

But from what date will the salaries be payable?

The salaries cannot begin until the Commissioners are appointed.

Did Sir William Plender refuse the salary on the ground that he did not wish his hands to be dripping with the fat of sacrilege?

No, Sir.

And is there no necessity for the hon. Baronet the Member for West Denbigshire (Sir J. H. Roberts) to seek reelection as a result of his appointment?

There will be no necessity.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a petition or memorial from the Aberdare Chamber of Trade praying for a modifica- tion of the Early Closing (Shops) Order; whether he is aware that a similar petition has been unanimously rejected by the Aberdare Urban District Council, and denounced by the local branch of the Shop Assistants' Union and by the Trades and Labour Council; and whether, when considering the petition, he will bear these facts in mind?

I have received a letter on the subject from the chamber of trade. I propose to refer it to the district council, but I may point out that I have no power under the Act to amend an Order which has once been confirmed, and that the modification desired by the Chamber could only be effected by the council making a new Order. No representations, have reached me from the Assistants' Union or Trades Council.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will agree to the Motion for a Return of Elementary School Fees standing in the name-of the hon. Member for North Somerset? [Return showing, for the last year for which figures are available, the local education authorities in England and Wales maintaining Elementary Schools in which School Fees are charged, and stating for each authority the numbers of free and fee-charging schools, the number of children paying school pence, the amount of fees, and the amount handed over to school managers in each case; showing further the totals for England and Wales, respectively, of the number of schools charging fees, of children in respect of whom fees are paid, of amounts received as fees, and of amounts handed over to managers.]

Yes, Sir.

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Will he see that this Return is-as accurate as possible, even if it is necessary it should appear very speedily?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the action recently brought against the directors of the Essequibo Rubber and Estates Company in connection with misstatements contained in the company's prospectus; if he is aware that, although the Companies Act attaches a liability to every person who has authorised the issue of a prospectus, it was held that the brokers had not authorised the issue in this case; and if it is proposed to take any steps with a view to defining more clearly the liability under the Companies Act of all persons responsible for issuing prospectuses and whose names appear thereon as guarantees of security?

I have seen a report in the Press of the proceedings in the case referred to by the hon. Member, from which it appears that the jury found that the brokers had not authorised the issue of the prospectus, and judgment was given in their favour. The, question whether the issue of a prospectus has been authorised by any person is one of fact, and, as at present advised, I do not propose to introduce legislation to alter the provisions of Section 84 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many, if any, Labour Exchanges outside Wales have been closed and agencies been established in their place, and where they are situated?

Local agencies have been substituted for Labour Exchanges at Eckington, Harwich, Hinckley, Rushden, Skipton, Truro, Winsford, and Yeadon. Labour Exchanges have been closed and no local agency substituted at Leith Docks, Sheepscar, Buckton Vale, Burnley (Elm Street), Beeston, Lees, Netherfield, Milnsbridge, and Waterfoot. Other changes, including the substitution of local agencies for Labour Exchanges in some districts and the substitution of Labour Exchanges for local agencies in others are under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now convinced that a mistake was made in introducing these Labour Exchanges?