asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of life pensioners from other services who have been placed on the establishment of His Majesty's Customs as preventive men and established messengers during the ten years from 1st April, 1904, to 1st April, 1914, and the yearly value of the pensions each of these men receives; whether he is aware that there are a number of unestablished men with long service in the Customs Department who are suitable for these appointments; that these men are not in receipt of any pensions; and, seeing that they have on many occasions approached the Treasury with the object of being placed on a pensionable basis, whether he will consider their claims in connection with the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service dealing with unestablished employment?

The particulars requested in the first part of the question are:—As preventive men, twenty-four, with pensions averaging £26 14s. 9d.; as established messengers, fourteen, with pensions averaging £33 19s. 4d. The case of unestablished officers in the Customs and Excise Department will be considered in connection with the general recommendations of the Royal Commission relating to unestablished employment.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he has received communications from local pension committees or other bodies drawing attention to the fact that under the existing law some old age pensioners who enter Poor Law institutions for medical or surgical assistance continue to receive their pensions throughout their sojourn in the institutions, even when their sojourn is indefinitely prolonged, whilst the pensions of other old age pensioners who enter the institutions for the same reason have to be revoked as from and including the dates of their admission to the institutions, and urging the amendment of the law so as to provide for equality of treatment for all such persons by giving them a statutory right to draw their pensions for, say, the first four Fridays immediately following their admission, after which the pensions would become payable to the guardians so long as the pensioners remained inmates of a Poor Law institution; and whether it is the intention of the Government to bring in an amending Bill in the present Session to deal with the subject in the manner above indicated?

I am aware of the suggestion to which the hon. Member refers. The matter is under consideration in conjunction with certain other questions which were raised about the same time as to the treatment of old age pensioners who receive medical or surgical relief more or less permanently in Poor Law institutions. I am afraid I can hold out no prospect of early legislation on the subject. The hon. Member may rest assured that the Treasury are not losing sight of the desirability of securing as much uniformity as is possible under the existing law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state approximately the additional sums that will be allocated under the Budget proposals to the borough of Stoke-on-Trent for the year 1915-16 in respect of education, police, poor relief, and main roads: the amount of the additional provisional Grants for the current year; and the amount due from the Education Grant to meet the needs of the necessitous areas?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 6th instant to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Nottingham.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what portion of the Government subventions of £7,783,400 in 1913-14 is assumed by the Treasury to be a subvention to county and county boroughs for the upkeep of roads; and, if so, what are the amounts for each county and county borough?

The unallocated balances of the moneys transferred out of the Exchequer Contribution Accounts of counties and county boroughs which are available for the upkeep of roads vary from year to year. In the latest year for which complete figures are available, the amounts of these transferred balances were as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money will be appropriated to the county of Wiltshire under his Budget arrangement for a full year's Grant?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 6th instant to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Nottingham.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, if the Bills required to sanction the new Grants proposed by his Budget are not passed this Session, he will return the produce of the extra taxes, the levy of which is justified on the assumption that such Bills will be passed, with the result that the Budget doubles the actual deficit?

This is a purely hypothetical question which I cannot undertake to deal with now.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he can state, approximately, what sum will Be available in aid of education in Scotland during the current financial year from the proposed new Budget Grant in aid of local taxation: and whether this sum will be eleven-eightieths of £515,000, the amount allocated in aid of education in England and Wales?

The hon. and gallant Member has correctly stated the principle on which the sum will be deter- mined, namely, eleven-eightieths of the corresponding sum for England, but I am not at present in a position to commit myself as to the precise figure of the Grant.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has taken, or proposes to take, any action to classify the roads in Scotland for the purposes of the Budget Grant in aid of local taxation?

The answer to the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what action he has taken to ascertain the views of Scottish local authorities on a scheme for allocating the Budget Grant in aid of local taxation?

It was not possible to consult the local authorities before the publication of the Finance Bill, but the scheme is now before them, and, doubtless they will make such representations as they think fit.

asked: the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the Great Yarmouth insurance committee is refusing to recommend domiciliary treatment for an insured person requiring it unless the insured person agrees to give up the doctor who has attended her or her family for some twenty-five years and select in his place a panel doctor; and whether he will, take steps to prevent this refusal in the future; and (2) whether he is aware that the Middlesex insurance committee is refusing to continue the giving of extras in lieu of sanatorium benefit to an insured person who has been under treatment by the tuberculosis officer in conjunction with a non-panel doctor unless the insured person changes his doctor and selects a panel doctor; and whether he will take action to prevent such refusal in the future?

Extras are provided, not, as the hon. Member suggests, in lieu of sanatorium benefit, but as part of the domiciliary form of sanatorium benefit. Under Section 16 (1) (b) domiciliary treatment can be provided, with such extras as are suitable to the particular case, whether the insured person is attended by a doctor on the panel or has been allowed by the insurance committee to make his own arrangements.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the Advisory Committee had before them, when considering the draft Regulations relating to the reduction of benefits for those in arrear, any actuarial estimates or other means of judging the fairness of the proposals to the insured persons; and, if so, whether he will publish the data upon which the Advisory Committee acted; (2) whether he will say how many members it is expected will incur penalty arrears of sixteen weeks or less, of sixteen to twenty weeks, of twenty to twenty-six weeks, and of more than twenty-six weeks, respectively, under the proposed Regulations relating to reduction of benefits for those in arrear; and (3) whether he will publish the actual estimates upon which the draft Regulations for reduction of benefits for those in arrear are based; and whether these estimates have been communicated to the representatives of the approved societies?

Estimates of the nature indicated in the hon. Member's question were not required for the preparation of the arrears scheme and are not available, but a full explanation of the Regulations was laid before the Advisory Committee, who expressed their approval of the scheme. I will see whether a Paper can be laid dealing with the scheme, including an explanation of its actuarial basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on the death of an Englishman resident here owning property in the Transvaal Estate Duty has to be paid twice over, once here and once in the Transvaal, and, if so, whether the Government can, by Order in Council, apply Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1894, to that country?

In the event of the death of a person domiciled in this country and owning personal property in the Transvaal, duty would be payable, as indicated by the hon. Member in the first part of his question. The answer to the second part is in the negative, inasmuch as the existing law of the Transvaal does not fulfil the conditions set out in Sub-section (3) of Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1894, which are essential to the application of the provisions of that Section to a particular British Possession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what percentage of the valuations for Estate Duty made in Ireland since the passing of the Finance (1909-10) Act, 1910, have all the provisional valuations embraced by them been issued; whether he is aware that the refusal or inability of the Valuation Office in Ireland to issue such provisional valuations for Estate Duty cases is about to be brought under the notice of the Incorporated Law Society in Ireland owing to the delay caused thereby in winding up deceased's estates; and will he say why the Valuation Office is unable to issue valuations for Estate Duty and the corresponding original provisional valuations within a reasonable time after their receipt of Form No. 77, since so much information for making them is stated to be already available?

I understand that the percentage—in urban cases, which alone are in point—is about 80 per cent. As regards the remainder of the question I am not aware, as I have already stated, that any real inconvenience has arisen. But if any case is brought to the notice of the Valuation Office, steps will be taken to expedite it.

asked when the proposed new Valuation Bill will be introduced?

The necessary Clauses relating to valuation will be included in the Revenue Bill, which, I hope, will be circulated very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that deduction from gross profits in calculating the Income Tax are now allowed in respect of expenses wholly, exclusively, and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of an office or employment, he will consider the question of allowing deductions in respect of payments for railway season tickets or other expenses regularly incurred in travelling to and from the place of such office or employment?

The Courts have decided that the expenses referred to are not admissible deductions under Section 51 of the Income Tax Act of 1853.

asked the Chancellor whether the failure to issue before 31st March, 1913, provisional valuations of all the undeveloped land in and surrounding the majority of the urban districts and towns in Ireland has resulted in a loss of Undeveloped Land Duty; and, if so, can he give the approximate loss of revenue and the reason for failing to issue the provisional valuations, in view of the fact that a great deal of the information necessary is stated to be in the possession of the Valuation Office?

I am informed that any loss which may have arisen is infinitesimal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increased burden of Income Tax and Super-tax, he will arrange that the payments for these taxes should be made in two equal instalments during the financial year, at equal dates apart, thereby making the payment less onerous than in one payment, as proposed?

The suggestion of the hon. Member would add considerably to the cost of collection, and there is no evidence that it would be regarded as a great convenience to taxpayers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of levying a tax on all pedigree animals sold for over £50 to be exported from Great Britain and Ireland, the money thereby realised to be ear-marked for agricultural purposes?

I fear I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that several recent by-elections have resulted in the return of minority representatives to this House, he will consider the advisability of introducing at an early date legislation providing for second ballots in three-cornered contests?

I fear I cannot say more than that this matter is engaging the serious attention of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, seeing that Wexford has secured a steamer for the shipment of live stock, and that there has been no foot-and-mouth disease, nor semblance of it, in the entire county, and also that county Wexford is so easily isolated, he can say when he proposes to allow the shipment of store cattle from the port of Wexford?

The regulations in force at present will allow of store cattle being shipped from Wexford to certain British ports subject to prescribed conditions whenever a steamer fitted in the manner requisite for the Cross Channel live stock traffic becomes available.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Destructive Insects Act, 1877, was mainly directed against the insect designated as Doryphora decemlineata , which infected potatoes; whether the Act provided compensation for the crop when it was ordered to be destroyed; whether the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1907, extended the operation of the Act to other insects infecting other crops; whether the expression "crop" was defined so as to embrace all crops, trees, and bushes which it might be necessary to destroy; if so, whether in estimating compensation, if awarded, the value of the crop will not be considered as the value of the year's produce, but the value of the trees, bushes, etc., as producing factors; and whether he will state if the Act of 1877 specifically states that in Ireland the local authorities shall be the boards of guardians of the several Poor Law unions?

The hon.Member is substantially correct as to the provisions of the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts, 1877 and 1907. The Department are advised that for the purposes of calculating compensation the " value of the crop " may be interpreted as meaning the value which the bushes if unaffected with the disease would have had at the time of their removal or destruction. Section 6 (b) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 transferred to the council of each county inter alia "the business of the guardians as local authorities under the Destructive Insects Act, 1877."

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if a Committee has been recently appointed to inquire into the claims of the Royal Irish Constabulary for an increase of pay; if so. on what date was the last witness examined by such Committee; if Sir D. Harrell, the chairman of the Committee, visited the Irish Office in London, and was he there instructed to delay the Report of the Committee's findings until after the rising of the present Session of Parliament; and, if not so instructed, will he say what is the cause of the delay in issuing the Report of the Committee; is he aware that there is a belief amongst the officers and men of the constabulary that the Committee was appointed for the purpose of allaying discontent in the constabulary force and thus tiding the Government over a time when disturbances would be likely to take place in certain parts of Ireland; and will he forthwith take the necessary steps to have a full Report of the findings issued to the several Royal Irish Constabulary stations in Ireland and have the recommendations made by the Committee carried into effect without any further delay?

A Committee was appointed for the purpose mentioned, and the last witness was examined on the 2nd April. There is no foundation whatever for the allegations contained in the question. It is hoped that the Report of he Committee will be presented this week, and having regard to the volume of the evidence and the importance of the subject it cannot be said that there has been any delay in issuing the Report.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet issued final offers to Mr. Richard Gibbons, J.P., for his congested estates in the Westport and Castlebar districts, county Mayo; and, if no, what has been the cause of the delay?

The Congested Districts Board have issued final offers for the purchase of these estates.

also asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether the Congested Districts Board have recently issued an amended final offer to the Marquess of Sligo for the purchase of his estate in county Mayo; if so, whether such offer has been accepted by the owner; has the Land Commission: objected to the offer and, if so, upon what grounds; and will the Congested Districts Board take prompt steps to have a final offer issued in legal form so as to have this long deferred sale completed as soon as possible?

The Congested Districts Board recently issued a final offer, which has been practically accepted by the owner, but the preliminary agreement for purchase has not yet been entered into for transmission to the Land Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of his statement that the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Public Records as to the Records staff did not apply to the Public Record Office of Ireland, and to the fact that it was stated in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service that, as a Records Commission was inquiring into the Records Offices, no recommendations as to the staff of the Irish. Record Office would be made by the MacDonnell Commission, he will undertake that the recommendations in favour of the London staff be made applicable to the staff of the Dublin Office, inasmuch as the Departmental arrangements of the latter office are based on the constitution of the English Record Office, or, failing this, will he give a definite assurance that the Irish officials will be afforded an opportunity of giving evidence when the Royal Commission on the Civil Service inquires into the judicial departments of the public service?

If the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Public Records are acted upon as regards the English Record Office any representations which may be put forward on behalf of the staff of the Irish Record Office for similar treatment will be fully considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that repeated applications have been made by the tenants to Colonel Warden, Sneem, to sell the remaining portion of his estate; whether he is aware that the poorest portion of the estate was sold under the Land Act of 1903, lout that the landlord has steadily refused to sell the remaining portion and has stated that he will not sell it unless compelled; and whether the Congested Districts Board will now use its compulsory powers?

I have no information as regards the first paragraph, but the question of the acquisition of the remaining portion of this estate will be brought before the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the grass lands upon the Dernamana portion of Sir William Mahon's estate, county Galway, has yet been divided among the uneconomic tenants by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, will he direct that it be done without further delay?

The Estates Commissioners have acquired this property under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and they hope to be in a position during the present year to complete their scheme for the allotment of the untenanted land and turbary and to place the allottees in possession. Pending such allotment, the untenanted lands have been let for grazing to committees of the tenants on the estate.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take with reference to the reinstatement of James Murphy, son of Philip Murphy, evicted tenant on the Col-Ireland estate at Davidstown, Enniscorthy, county Wexford; if the Commissioners are aware that some time ago an arrangement was come to between the present occupier of the lands, Michael Hosey, and the honorary secretary of the North Wexford executive of the United Irish League whereby the former agreed to give up possession of the holding on condition that he received a farm of equal value in either of the counties of Wexford, Wicklow, Carlow, or Kilkenny, and with that object in view a valuation of the holding was made by Mr. Patrick O'Neill, auctioneer, and forwarded to the Estates Commissioners; and what steps the Commissioners have since taken to give effect to the desire for an amicable settlement between the present occupier of the lands and the son of the evicted tenant?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the facts are as stated in the question. The Commissioners are not at present in a position to provide the occupier of the evicted farm with an alternative farm in any of the counties named.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that national school teachers in Ireland responsible for a school with an average of thirty-five pupils suffer a reduction of status, salary, and eventually superannuation allowances if the attendance falls fractionally below thirty-five but still exceeds thirty-four; if he will state in how many instances in county Meath teachers have suffered in consequence of this rule and the extent of their annual monetary loss since it came into force; whether he will state if in any branch of the Civil Service or any Department under Government control a servant of the Crown is subjected to loss of dignity, salary, and part pension, because of circumstances over which he or she has no control; and whether he will take steps to secure to those in whose hands are largely placed the moulding of young Ireland the position and emoluments which they have won by their own efforts?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that it is only in the case of teachers of the first grade that salary is reduced when the average attendance has fallen below thirty-five for one year. As the lowest average attendance necessary to warrant the appointment of a first grade teacher is fifty, it follows that the attendance must have fallen by at least fifteen units before the teacher suffers any loss of salary. No teacher of any grade suffers loss of status or superannuation allowance by reason of a reduction in the average attendance. This rule has been in force for fourteen years, and in all eight teachers in county Meath have had their salaries reduced under its operation. Only one case of the kind occurred within the last eight years. In five cases the reduction was only temporary, and in the other three the annual loss ranged from £14 to £20. No equitable comparison can be drawn between the Regulations governing national school teachers and persons in other public employments. The matter is not one in which I can interfere.

also asked the Chief Secretary the number of persons engaged in teaching in national schools in county Meath; the total amount of their salaries for each of the past ten years, respectively; whether any and, if so, how many teachers are now in receipt of remuneration less than they formerly received; and the gross amount of the reductions and for what reasons inflicted?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that to obtain the figures asked for extending over a period of ten years would involve an expenditure of time and labour out of all proportion to any public advantage which the figures could serve.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any steps have been or are being taken to prosecute a man named Armstrong, who is training the Ulster Volunteers in the town of Milford, county Donegal, for presenting a revolver, without provocation, at three young girls on the night of the 26th March and threatening to shoot them; and if this state of affairs is to be condoned in a peaceful country?

The police, who were not present, on the occasion, state that they were informed that this man produced a revolver in the presence of three young girls, but did not present it at them, and there is no reason to believe that the revolver was loaded or that he had any intention of carrying out any such threat as that referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a revolver and cartridges, the property of Captain Meakin, an English gentleman, were confiscated at Rosslare Harbour Station on the 5th of May, in spite of the assurance by the owner that they were for his personal sporting use and not for any other purpose; and by what authority this property was seized?

The revolver and cartridges are not adapted solely for sport- ing purposes so as to bring them within the exception to the prohibition contained in the Royal Proclamation made on the 4th December last under Section 8 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1879, and, according to Captain Meakin's own statement, they were intended not for sporting purposes, but for self-defence. The Board of Customs and Excise ordered them to be seized as forfeited under the provisions of the Section quoted, but subsequently ordered their release, in view of Captain Meakin's assurance that he brought them to Ireland in the bond-fide belief that they would be regarded as within the exception, on his undertaking that they would be removed from Ireland, and that no attempt would be made to re-introduce them into Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that petitions have been presented to Parliament ' from municipal bodies all over Ireland asking for legislation to provide financial aid to assist municipal authorities in carrying out housing schemes for the working -classes in cities and towns in Ireland; and 1 whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce such legislation at an early date?

I am aware that petitions of the nature indicated in the question have been presented to Parliament by various municipal bodies in Ireland, but I can make no statement as to intended legislation on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the impossibility of obtaining loans from the Board of Works or carrying out permanent improvements on holdings for which purchase agreements have been signed, but which are not yet vested, and that in some cases this condition has continued, and interest in lieu of rent has been paid now for ten years; and, such a state of things never having been contemplated by Parliament, whether he can now say definitely when it will be brought to an end, and the holdings vested on the Murphy estate,. Glanidan, Collinstown, Westmeath?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension as regards the first part of the question. I am informed by the Board of Works that loans have been made and still continue to be made to purchasing tenants whose farms have not been vested on the security of the tenants' interest in the land subsisting at the date of the signing of the agreement to purchase, and on the same conditions on which loans are made to tenants who are not purchasers. The estate referred to is the subject of direct sale proceedings by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in 1906. The estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners in order of priority on the principal register of pending direct sales (all cash). The property has been inspected, and the Commissioners have issued their rulings to the owner's solicitors. Provided the Commissioners requirements are complied with it is anticipated that the holdings will be vested in the purchasing tenants during the current financial year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the officers entered for service in the Royal Flying Corps under the Royal Naval Reserve are required to pass any examination; and who selects these officers?

The information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member will be included in the Regulations for the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps, which will be published at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the claim made by Mr. Thomas Venner, of Limerick, for the discharge of his son, John Venner, private, 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers, regimental number 10877, stationed at Barossa Barracks, Aldershot, from the Army, on the grounds that this young man is only seventeen years and seven months of age and therefore is only a boy in years, that the father is not in good bodily health, and that he is assured of constant employment for this son, if discharged, to help him to rear a large family of young children; and whether the claim of this man "will be favourably considered and his son discharged?

A letter was received, at the War Office relating to this soldier, and was sent to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Ireland, who is the proper authority for dealing with such a matter, and who has presumably been unable to sanction a discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the voluntary aid detachments of the British Red Cross Society and the St. John's Ambulance Association raised under the War Office scheme are part of the technical reserve of the Territorial Force; whether they would be immediately mobilised in case of an attack on our islands; whether, under Article 20 of the Geneva Convention, it will foe possible to protect them without the use of the Red Cross brassards and identity certificates; whether such brassards and identity certificates are ready for issue; if so, by whom will they be supplied; if he has yet decided what body shall be the distributing authority; and whether he will consider the desirability of making the County Territorial Association, as being the administrative authority for the county, the high military authority responsible for their distribution?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second that such voluntary aid detachments as would be required to supplement the Regular and Territorial Medical Service in the circumstances stated would be requested to place their services at the disposal of the War Office. Red Cross brassards and identity certificates would be necessary, and the arrangements for the supply of them by the War Office are well advanced. It has not yet been decided who shall be the distributing authority, but the desirability of placing this duty on the associations will certainly be considered.

asked the Secretary for War whether military pickets are stationed near the dwelling-houses of prominent Ulster leaders?

I am informed that the answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform himself, by independent evidence, as to whether the evacuation of Epirus is proceeding in accordance with; statement of the Hellenic Government?

I have no reason to doubt the statement of the Greek Government that the evacuation was completed some time since. The International Commission has lately occupied itself with the question of Epirus, and I understand that; a settlement has been arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether dental treatment is provided for soldiers serving in the Regular Forces; if so, whether such treatment is undertaken by the Royal Army Medical Corps; whether artificial substitutes in place of teeth extracted are provided; and whether he can state what the cost of such dental treatment and provision of such artificial substitutes amounts to annually?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The treatment is carried out by qualified civilian dental surgeons. As regards the provision of artificial teeth, the general rule is that soldiers may be provided with them at the public expense in the case of injury received on duty otherwise than through their own fault, or in cases of wounds, injury or disease directly attributable to active service. They are also provided in certain cases where a soldier otherwise efficient would, if not provided with artificial teeth, be discharged as an invalid. For the cost of treatment a sum of £5,000 a year is provided, but the expenditure on dentures is not recorded separately from that on other medical appliances and stores.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether dental treatment is provided for sailors serving in the Royal Navy and by whom such treatment is given; whether artificial substitutes in place of teeth extracted are provided; and whether he can state what the cost of such dental treatment and provision of such artificial substitutes amounts to annually?

Dental treatment is provided for sailors serving in the Royal Navy. Dental treatment is given by twenty-three qualified dental surgeons who give their whole time to the work. Artificial substitutes in place of teeth are provided at the public expense to men injured on duty, and on certain tropical stations when it is certified by a medical board that it is necessary to provide the substitutes to prevent invaliding home. The cost of dental treatment in the Royal Navy, including such artificial substitutes as are supplied, is approximately £10,000 per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give figures showing the total cost and cost per child of dental treatment provided by local education authorities?

The returns of their expenditure made to the Board by local education authorities do not enable the Board to state separately the cost of dental treatment provided by the authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education have laid down any and what qualifications for dentists providing dental treatment for school children?

It is the practice of the Board to require that a dentist appointed to carry out the dental treatment of school children under a scheme of treatment sanctioned by the Board under Section 1.3 (1) (b) of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, shall be a registered dentist.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether a dentist appointed by a local education authority to provide dental treatment for school children is under the control and supervision of the school medical officer?

The Board require that all arrangements for the treatment of children forming part of the school medical service, including arrangements for dental treatment, shall be under the supervision of the school medical officer of the education authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any local education 'authorities, and, if so, how many, have appointed whole-time dentists to provide dental treatment for school children; and on what basis is the remuneration of part-time dentists fixed?

So far as the Board are aware, whole-time dentists have been appointed by the local education authorities for twenty-four areas. The basis of the remuneration of part-time dentists varies in different areas. The arrangement, however, usually adopted is the payment of a fixed sum for attendance at the clinic on one or more half-days per week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that one of the principal duties fulfilled by the present Board of Trade sanitary officers at London, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Cork is described by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as medical inspection of emigrant ships, he will consider the suitability of changing the title of these officers to medical inspectors?

I doubt if any useful purpose would be served by making the change of title proposed, but I will give the matter my consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that workmen in insured trades in the Windsor district have no representative on the Oxford and Reading Court of Referees, although they are entitled to one; and whether he will take steps to have one elected or appointed as early as possible?

It is a fact that there is no workmen's representative for the Windsor Ward on the workman's panel of the Oxford and Reading Court of Referees, though there is a representative for the adjacent district of Maidenhead. Under the Unemployment Insurance Regulations, the workmen's representatives are elected by workmen in the insured trades, but as no nominations were received in respect of the Windsor Ward no election took place there. The Board's power of nominating to the workmen's panel is restricted under the Regulation to filling casual vacancies, and no such vacancies have yet occurred on the workmen's panel for the Court in question. If and when an opportunity occurs I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what provision is made for the inspection of ships' medicine chests at those ports in the United Kingdom where the Board of Trade have no sanitary surveyors; (2) whether, at seaports such as Bristol, Cardiff, Grimsby, Hull, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Newport (Mon.), North and South Shields, Southampton, Sunderland, Aberdeen, Dundee, Leith, Belfast, and Dublin, the Board of Trade have no sanitary surveyors; and, if so, what provision is made by the Board of Trade at these ports for the efficient inspection and supervision of matters concerning sanitation on board British merchant ships and proper accommodation for ships' officers and crews; (3) whether, as regards the subjects of seamen's mortality and the proper supervision of sanitation on shipboard, and accommodation provided for ships' officers and crews, he will consider the necessity of the appointment of permanent officials at the different large seaports in the United Kingdom in order that there may be regular and systematic supervision of this kind; and (4) if he will furnish information as to the exact duties carried on by the Board of Trade's sanitary surveyors, and to ask whether the medical inspection of emigrant ships, which sail almost daily out of the ports at which these officials are serving, takes priority over duties in connection with other ships in the way of supervision of sanitation on ship board and the proper accommodation of ships' officers and crews?

Sanitary surveyors are stationed at Liverpool, London, Glasgow, and Queenstown, and their main duty is to inspect emigrant ships and the crew and steerage passengers on emigrant ships. In addition to this, they inspect medicine chests on other vessels, hold inquiries from time to time into outbreaks of disease on board ship, and generally advise the Board on medical questions affecting ships. In addition to these officers, doctors paid by fees are employed at Southampton, Belfast, Falmouth, Londonderry, Bristol, and Plymouth to inspect the crew and steerage passengers on emigrant ships. At ports where sanitary surveyors are not stationed the inspection of ships' medicine chests is undertaken by nautical surveyors. The inspection of crew spaces is undertaken by all classes of the Board's surveyors, whose duty it is to see that the detailed printed instructions issued by the Board of Trade are carried out. The question whether and, if so, in what respects the Board's medical staff needs to be strengthened will be considered in connection with the investigation into the mortality of seamen which is now being held.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the firm of A. G. Mumford, Limited, of Colchester, are at present engaged on any work for his Department of State; and, if so, can he state what such work comprises and the value of such work?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Undersecretary for India with what firms the orders were placed for permanent-way fasteners, fish-bolts and nuts, fang-bolts, dog-spikes, and rail-screws to complete the contracts for steel rails given as under by his Department during the years 1911, 1912, and 1913: Fleet Iron Company, Limited, five orders; Workington Iron Company, Limited, eight orders; Dorman, Long, and Company, three orders?

The reply is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give for each year from 1901 to 1913, both inclusive, the figures of the estimated total wheat production of the world; the estimated total population of those countries where wheat is a common article of food; and the average price for the year of the wheat imported into the United Kingdom?

The particulars asked for in the first and third parts of the question are given in the following table:—

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that breeding cattle purchased for export, unless they pass the tuberculin test, will not be admitted into certain foreign countries; whether he is aware that those rejected animals are permitted to serve as sires in the United Kingdom; if so, as a result, whether this practice has increased bovine tuberculosis in our native herds; and whether he will consider what remedy should be endeavoured?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remaining parts of the question I regret that I am not in a position to say whether or not bovine tuberculosis has increased in the United Kingdom from the cause suggested or at all, but I am advised that in the case of tuberculosis congenital infection is quite exceptional. It has been proved that it is possible to raise healthy stock from a badly infected herd, provided that proper care is taken, and if the danger suggested by my hon. Friend really exists I am inclined to think that the remedy lies in the encouragement of veterinary science and in bringing to the notice of stock-breeders the latest results of experience and research.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the necessity of encouraging and increasing home fresh meat supplies for consumers, and likewise providing Irish store stock for farmers in Great Britain, he will consider those problems when, and if, representations for the continuation of the embargo are made by owners of British pedigree and store animals with a view of maintaining abnormal prices, although ample safeguarding regulations can be adopted and enforced to prevent the spread of exceptional and sporadic cases of foot-and-mouth disease?

The question rests upon hypotheses, which I am not prepared to accept, but I fully recognise that in the general as well as the agricultural interests of Great Britain, no less than of Ireland, the restrictions upon the trade in live stock ought not to be maintained a moment longer than is reasonably necessary as a safeguard against the introduction and spread of disease, which is, and must be, the first consideration of the Board.

asked the number of cases of swine fever reported for each year since 1905; and the cost in each year incurred in administering the Act?

presented the following statement showing the cost incurred in the execution of the Diseases of Animals Acts in respect of swine fever in Great Britain during the financial years 1905-6 to 1913-14, inclusive:—

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has yet decided whether the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation shall take evidence in Scotland?

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Member that the Departmental Committee was not appointed by me, but by the Treasury, and would refer him to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 20th May to the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division, and to the previous answers therein mentioned.

asked the Lord Advocate if he has received any information from the sheriff of Caithness, Orkney, and Shetland with reference to the application of the Parliamentary Elections (Polling Day) Bill, 1914; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

I received some time ago from the sheriff of Caithness, Orkney, and Shetland, who is the returning officer for these counties, a memorandum containing certain information on the subject referred to by my hon. Friend. I have since been in communication with the sheriff regarding the matter, which is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition from the paymaster of the British Guiana police; and,, if so, whether he will give it his favourable consideration?

I received such a petition in July last, but, after careful consideration, I found myself unable to accede to it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendation. contained in paragraph 90 of the Report of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants, that the whole period of service in K Company, where it is followed by established service in the Post Office, be treated as Post Office service and not military service for the purpose of computing civil pension; and whether such legislation will be retrospective?

I beg to refer to the reply of my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on the 20th ultimo.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that an agreement has been entered into between London cartage contractors and their carmen, fixing a minimum weekly rate of pay of 27s. for single horse and 31s. for pair-horse drivers; and whether, having regard to this arrangement, he will now consider the advisability of conferring with the mail contractors as to raising the wages of horse drivers to this standard?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the question asked by the hon. Member for Deptford on the 12th May.

asked the Postmaster-General if the Post Office servants who draw £2 a week or more wages are obliged to give a receipt with a penny stamp, and in this way are charged 4s. 4d. a year for the advantage of their employers; and, if so, will he consider the question of a change in this system?

Under the provisions of the Stamp Act, 1891, a 1d. stamp has to be affixed to a "receipt given for, or upon the payment of, money amounting to £2 or upwards," and I have no power to waive this regulation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions obtaining at the Post Office at 47, Cannon Street, and that illnesses among the women staff at that office are attributed largely to that cause, a view that has been endorsed by certain private medical men; and whether, in view of the fact that relatives of the staff also have complained to his Department regarding these conditions, he will consider what steps should be taken to provide suitable accommodation for the staff at that office?

I am aware that complaint has been made of the conditions at the office named, and have had it carefully examined by the Post Office medical officers and the officers of the Office of Works. I am assured positively that illness among the staff at the office cannot be reasonably attributed to its structural conditions; they do not appear to be ideal, but I do not see that any improvement is practicable at present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the result of the application to postmen of the units-of-work system of classification under the Report of the Hobhouse Committee was to reduce the maximum wage of postmen at Bury by a Is. a week, while the maximum of the sorting clerks and telegraphists at the same office was increased by 2s.; whether the effect of the Report of the Holt Committee would be merely to restore to postmen the 1s. taken off in 1908, while increasing the maximum wage of sorting clerks and telegraphists by a further sum of 2s.; whether the maximum wage of postmen in Bury would thus remain the same as it was in 1897, although wages in the staple trade of the town have advanced during this period 12½ per cent., and in other trades by amounts varying from 12½ per cent, to 20 per cent.; whether he is aware that units-of-work system of classification causes discontent on the ground that the units of work do not represent fairly the actual work performed by postmen; and whether he will consider the adoption of a different system of calculating the wages of postmen or, in the alternative, arrange that a higher scale of wage should be attached to each class?

I hope my hon. Friend will allow me to refer him to the reply which I gave to a question in identical terms asked by the hon. Member for Burnley on the 20th April. That reply holds good—mutatis mutandis—for the case of Bury.

asked the Postmaster-General what marriage allowance or compensation has been made to sorters and telegraphists promoted from the ranks of postmen or porters since January, 1908, in lieu of the Stanley weekly allowance of 3s. which was then withdrawn; and what was the ground for withdrawing the allowance?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question on the 2nd April last. The Parliamentary Committee which reported in 1907 were cognisant of the age pay of 3s. a week enjoyed by sorters and telegraphists in London, and a comparison of the scales of pay recommended by that Committee with those previously in force indicates that allowance was made for this age pay in fixing the new scales. As I stated in my previous reply, the scales of pay of these classes have lately been revised by the Holt Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of the employers' contribution to the national insurance funds paid by the Post Office on behalf of persons employed, directly or indirectly, under the Postmaster-General; and on what ground is this amount included in the Return of Salaries and Wages of the Force in Appendix A 4 of the Post Office Estimates?

The estimated amount for 1914–15 for the whole of the United Kingdom is £33,952. These contributions are included under the Subheads of the Vote relating to salaries, wages and allowances for purposes of convenience. They are shown separately in the relevant sections of the main Estimates.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the delivery of letters and parcels at North Berwick has sometimes to be suspended in the middle of the work so that postmen may return to the post office or the station to do other work; and whether he will take steps to prevent this delay to public correspondence?

I find that prior to a reorganisation of the duties of the outdoor force at North Berwick, which took place in January last, it was occasionally necessary to suspend the delivery of parcels in order to provide for the performance of a station service. I understand that the letter deliveries were not affected. These occasions were, however, rare, and are not likely to recur with the present arrangement of the duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to allay the growing apprehension of agriculturists, he can state with certainty that the Budget proposals relating to local taxation are bound in the case of every farmer and purely agricultural landowner to result in a reduction of the local rates now charged upon agricultural land in their occupation?

The question of the reduction of rates must necessarily depend upon the use made by the local authorities of the money placed at their disposal.