asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say how many people lost their lives owing to the piracy of the "Tai-On"; how many of these were British subjects; and whether, in view of the inadequate protection afforded by the British Admiralty, he can see his way to influence the Chinese Government to augment their service of revenue cruisers officered by Europeans?

I have no precise information as to the number of persons who lost their lives as a result of the "Tai-On" piracy. The Chinese and the British naval and Colonial authorities are in communication with a view concerting measures for the protection of shipping Southern Chinese waters.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the only river gunboats now are the "Sandpiper" and the "Robin," that they are both obsolete, and that should the "Triumph" be commissioned the crews of both gunboats will be absorbed by her and there will be no river gunboat available at all?

I will take note of what the hon. Member says on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a communication from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and manufacturers suggesting that £250,000 might be allocated from the amount of the Boxer Indemnity to establish a British university at Hankow; and whether he proposes to entertain the same?

The memorial from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce referred to has been received, and is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he will state what were the recommendations, made by the British delegates at the International Conference held in Paris for the establishment of wireless time-signals, at certain stations in the Dominions and Colonies, and which were communicated to the Dominions and Colonies with a view to adoption?

The recommendations were that time-signals should be transmitted from wireless stations at Capetown, Colombo, and Hong Kong, at which places there are observatories, and that the Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand should also be asked to co-operate in the scheme.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Government contemplate the formal annexation or protectorate of the neutral oil-bearing zone in Persia; whether he has I been advised that, in the event of troubles arising in that country involving danger to the oil-fields in which it is proposed to invest over two millions of public funds, adequate military protection can be given; and, if not, what measures the Government have considered which would afford protection to this source of Admiralty supply?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder, I am not prepared to make any statement pending the discussion of the subject on Wednesday, when a full statement can be made.

May I ask if, on Wednesday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has arranged to be in his place to explain the effect of the international arrangement between Russia and Persia?

Surely the Secretary of State will be here in respect of matters on which he ought to be here.

Does the hon. Gentleman understand that there are very important matters affecting the Foreign Secretary in regard to the arrangement between Russia and Persia?

I will do my best to bear that in mind.

asked the Prime Minister if he can say exactly how the money which the Government proposes to invest in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company will be allocated and spent; and how much, and to whom, will be paid in cash?

The whole of the Government subscription for two million ordinary shares will be allocated to fresh cash expenditure necessary to the obtaining of oil for naval purposes, and for refining, storing, transporting, etc.; for example, pipe lines, refinery plant, improved means of transit, storage tanks, barges, boring and opening up of wells, etc. The whole expenditure will be in cash for these purposes on estimates which have been submitted and examined, and will further be subject to the scrutiny of the Government ex officio directors. The money advanced, on debenture security will be utilised for the ordinary purposes of the company and in repayment of outstanding loans to the company secured on their properties. The Government debentures rank parri passu. with those already issued, and the permanent assets will be greatly enhanced in value by the additions referred to. The increase of debentures is within the company's existing rights of charge.

Is any of this money being used by the Anglo-Persian Company to repay money advanced to them for the payment of preference dividends by the Burma Oil Company?

I must have notice of that.

Will this money be expended solely and wholly on the improvement and development of the concession of the company in Persia: will it or will it not be available to be diverted for any other purpose?

I have said that the £2,000,000 subscribed for the purpose of ordinary stock, is to be exclusively devoted to new developments, and that the £200,000 which has been paid to obtain control in regard to debentures is for the ordinary purpose of the company.

Is it to be in Persia?

Yes.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large sum of money due to the Burma Oil Company from the Persian Oil Company?

I am aware of the relations between the two companies.

Will the shares allotted be-new shares?

Yes, Sir, entirely new shares.

asked whether any valuation has been made as to the actual value of the producing properties of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the actual amount which it may be assumed has been spent in the development of that property to the present time; and, if so, whether such valuation can be made public, so that it could be seen how the amount expended, together with the other assets of the company, compares in its total with the total face value of the share capital?

Expert examination has been made of the property and plant as well as of all books and accounts of expenditure for the original concession and for its development to date. This examination has satisfied His Majesty's Government that the present capitalisation of the company is reasonable; also that the area of proved territory and its potentialities fully justify the further expenditure contemplated by His Majesty's Government for the necessary developments for naval purposes. Beyond the information in the Report of Admiral Slade's Commission already presented to Parliament, it is not considered advisable to publish further details.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the amount of cash which was paid by the Burma Oil Company for the £1,000,000 ordinary shares which they hold in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, in which the Government propose to take a further £2,000,000 of similar ordinary shares; and whether the Government will acquire these £2,000,000 shares by a similar proportionate cash payment?

The holding of ordinary shares by the Burma Oil Company in the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is 970,000 shares of £l each. The balance of the one million ordinary shares was held by Lord Strathcona. The Burma Company received half of its present holding in payment for its share of the original concession, and the balance it obtained from the original concessionaire in return for Burma Oil Company shares of a current cash value of more than one million pounds. In regard to the second part of the question, the answer is in the negative. His Majesty's Government is obtaining its shares on much more favourable terms than the Burma Oil Company, mainly in consideration of the large supply contract which it is in a position to place with the company.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Burma Oil Company has paid the dividends for the last five years on the preference shares of the Persian Oil Company?

I do not see the relevance of that question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the quotation of the ordinary shares?

The hon. Gentleman has as good an opportunity of ascertaining that as I have.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any commission is being paid for the introduction of this £2,000,000 of new capital?

I do not understand what the hon. Member means.

May I repeat the question? Has any commission been paid by anyone for the Government taking up this £2,000,000 of capital in the Persian Oil Company?

I really do not understand what the hon. Gentleman means Will he be a little more precise?

Do I understand that the Government is investing £2,000,000 in shares in this company?

The Government is investing £2,200,000 in this company.

Arising then out of that answer I ask the right hon. Gentleman a plain question, namely, whether any commission has been paid or will be paid to anyone in consequence of the Government investing £2,200,000 in this company?

I have no knowledge of any such thing.

The right hon. Gentleman might have said so at once.

Is the Government making this purchase directly or through any firm?

No; the negotiations have been conducted on the part of the Government by Sir Francis Hopwood and Sir Frederick W. Black on behalf of the Admiralty and two representatives of the Treasury, and the names of all parties concerned are set out in the Papers published to Parliament.

They have robbed the brokers of their commission.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many gallons of oil have been supplied for British naval purposes by the Burma Oil Company, which has been a producing company for a long time, and which is the parent company of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, with which the Government proposes to establish a partnership; what are the prices charged for oil so supplied; and how do prices and quantities compare with the prices charged and the quantities supplied by other British companies?

As frequently stated to Parliament, there are sound reasons in the public interest, strategic and otherwise, for not making public either the quantities, prices, or definite geographical distribution of contracts for important naval supplies. It is regretted that no exception can be made in the present instance, but it may be stated that the Burma Oil Company have supplied the Admiralty with many thousands of tons of oil fuel of very high grade at prices which compare most favourably with those from any other source, British or foreign, and the arrangement which is in force with the Burma Company is one of the most valuable of our standing contracts for large supplies in special circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can state whether the South American ports will be opened to our cattle before the date of the Boyal Show?

The practice of the Argentine Government is to prohibit the importation of live stock for a period of six months from the date of the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Scotland, as the result of representations made by me in 1912, is now treated as a separate unit for this purpose, and the export trade from that country, which has remained free from the disease, has not been interrupted, but shipments of animals from England and Wales will not be permitetd presumably until after the 20th September next. The question of reducing the period is being discussed between the two Governments, but I regret that no final decision has yet been reached. The other South American States have not prohibited the importation of British stock.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any special request to the Argentine Government as regards the Royal Show?

I have made no representation to the Argentine Republic with regard to the Royal Show, seeing that they have stated their opinion quite definitely as to the export of English live stock. Communications are passing every week with the Argentine Government.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the chief veterinary officer of the Board has recently made some valuable discovery in connection with the serum treatment of pigs suffering from swine fever; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of such discovery?

The chief veterinary officer of the Board has for a long time past been conducting experiments in the use of the serum with a view to finding a preventive or cure for swine fever. It is impossible at present to estimate the value of the results recently obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state how many separate field expperiments are now being made on herds of swine to test the efficiency of serum treatment; whether such experiments are being conducted by the officials of the Board or by the Departmental Committee; and what compensation is being paid to the owners of the herds upon which such experiments are being conducted?

Twelve separate experiments are now under observation. Veterinary officers of the Board are in charge of the experiments, and in some cases where there is a large number of animals to be kept under observation they have the assistance of veterinary practitioners. The Board have no power to pay compensation except for animals slaughtered by their direction under the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Acts.

I trust the right hon. Gentleman will bear in mind that it is in the interests of public health this work is being conducted, and can the right hon. Gentleman make any statement as to payments to those whose herds are being experimented on?

I will bear that in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it has been proved to the satisfaction of his Department that the formic-mercury process of disinfecting hides and skins is inefficacious as a means of destroying the germs of anthrax and foot-and-mouth diseases in such articles?

I am informed that the result of extensive inquiry and research is to show that the process in question cannot be regarded as practicable and effective. I would refer the hon. Gentleman particularly to the report of the Royal Medical Research Department of Coblenz, published last year.

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 expected that the extension of the Victoria Tower Gardens will be thrown open to the public; whether their completion was promised for the summer of 1913; how long the public, including the many poor people living in the narrow courts and streets in the rear of the new Millbank boulevard, have been excluded from the old part of these gardens; whether the delay is due to the fact that the railings for the new part of the garden are not ready; when the new railings were ordered; will the new railings be of the same pattern as the old; and whether, in certain foreign and Colonial cities, it has been found possible to-maintain public gardens of great amenity and beauty without any railings at all?

1. I informed the House on the 23rd April, 1912, that the garden could not be completed before the summer of 1913. Delay, however, occurred in obtaining possession of the ground. The garden was closed to the public in November last. 2. The new railings were ordered on the 22nd of January. They are not of the same pattern as the old; an entirely new design has been made. 3. The First Commissioner would welcome any information from the right hon. Gentleman as to the maintenance of similar gardens abroad, but he does not think it would be advisable to abolish the railings enclosing the Victoria Tower Garden. He will consider the question of opening the garden before the railings are fixed.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the- East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the present prolonged dispute in the London building trade, he is prepared to consider the advisability of proceeding with necessary work by the employment of direct labour, and thus adopt, the policy followed by most public authorities of doing their work for themselves and saving contractors' profits?

This question has been considered, but the First Commissioner fears he does not see sufficient reason for altering the present policy of the Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this dispute has now been on for twenty-one weeks, and does he not think it is about time the First Commissioner stepped in to do the work instead of allowing it to be idle?

I do not think that arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's- in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the recent meeting of the Salford Insurance Committee, at which it was stated that insured persons were not getting the best treatment, as was seen by special reports which had been issued; that the Drug Fund was not sufficient; that those doctors who had been charged with excessive prescribing had since dropped their prescriptions to an enormous extent; and that there was thus a danger of insured patients not getting the best treatment; and whether the Commissioners have decided to conduct an investigation on the spot, as requested by the committee?

My right hon. Friend is not aware that any statement was made in the course of the meeting in question to the effect that insured persons were not getting the best treatment. Attention was drawn, according to the newspaper report of the discussion to the necessity for safeguarding the rights of insured persons in the matter of proper and sufficient medicines, but my right hon. Friend has no reason for apprehending that action taken by the insurance committee to check extravagant prescribing will hinder them in the performance of their duty to protect these rights.

May I hand the hon. Gentleman a newspaper report which definitely states that they are not getting proper treatment, and would the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to whether the Commissioners have decided to conduct an investigation on the spot?

No. An investigation is being held in the whole of Lancashire into the question of druggists' accounts.

asked whether the Commissioners have advised the Birmingham committee that the final balance for last year is only £400 with which to meet a balance of £5,000 owing to the panel chemists of that area for 1913?

As I have previously explained there is available to meet the cost of chemists' bills in any area not only the amount credited to the Drug Funds of the committee, but also the amount of any surcharges which may be made by the committee in respect of extravagant prescribing. In the case referred to an investigation is already in progress, and it cannot therefore at present be stated what sums will ultimately be available towards the balance of accounts in question.

asked whether the panel chemists of Aberdeen City have only received 52½per cent. of the amounts due for the quarter ending April, 1914; and whether the panel chemists of Aberdeen County have only received 16s. in the £?

The figures mentioned by the hon. Member are approximately correct, but as he will be aware from my replies to many similar questions, such payments are only advances in anticipation of the annual settlement provided for in the agreement into which the chemists have entered.

When will the hon. Member be able to tell us whether the chemists' accounts for last year will be discharged in full?

A complete settlement has been made already with chemists in certain areas, and in others investigation is proceeding.

When will the investigation be completed for all?

It is quite impossible to tell. It does not rest with the Commissioners, it rests between the committees and the chemists in the particular areas.

Will it be finished in 1918?

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if he will say what is the outlay on national insurance at the present time and what is the number of persons insured; whether he can give the corresponding figures for Germany; and whether it is still the contention of the Government that the National Insurance Act was conceived on a more generous scale than similar legislation in Germany?

Approximately, fourteen million persons are now insured under the Acts. As regards the other points raised in the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Estimates for the current year, and to the White Paper on Sickness and Invalidity Insurance in Germany, of which I am sending him copies.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the question I asked was: What is the annual outlay on national insurance, and can he give us the figure?

I am sending the hon. Gentleman the precise account of the outlay in the Estimates.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to statements made at a recent meeting of the county of Lanark insurance committee by the chairman of the sanatorium benefit sub-committee to the effect that a stringency had arisen with regard to funds which would make it necessary that the committee should exercise some discrimination in the future with regard to applications, and that the committee could not view with satisfaction the possibility that they might have to refuse in future applications by workers who, having paid contributions, were morally, if not legally, entitled to the benefit; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The Statute lays upon insurance committees the duty of discriminating between applications for sanatorium benefit, in the sense that they are bound to take into account the circumstances of each individual case in considering what form of treatment to recommend. Their duty in this respect has not in any way altered since the commencement of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case at the Central Criminal Court in which it was shown that pistols are now made a certain length for the purpose of evading the restrictions on their sale imposed by the Pistols Act; whether he has information to the effect that these weapons, which can be sold to minors, are capable of taking human life; whether the police have any record of fatalities caused by them; and whether he can hold out any hope of being able to introduce amending legislation in the near future?

My attention has been called to the case in question. There is no doubt that pistols are manufactured and sold with long barrels for the purpose of escaping the requirements of the Pistols Act, and that they are dangerous weapons in the hands of children. Fatalities occur from time to time, but no recent figures are available. I hope the Act may be amended when time can be found for that purpose.

asked when an answer will be given to the petition presented last November by the officers of His Majesty's prison, Princetown, respecting hours on duty and other matters?

A decision has not yet been arrived at, but an answer will be given to the petition as soon as possible. I may add that the matter has been delayed pending the consideration of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to state if any recommendations of the Select Committee on the traffic question, which sat last year, have been dealt with; if so, whether he will state which of them have been carried out; and when the House will have an opportunity of fully discussing the Report?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 18th of May to the hon. Member for Bedford. I will send him a copy. The latter part of the question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department are considering the possibility of the general use of wireless telegraphy for certain of the local purposes of the United Kingdom; and whether he purposes carrying out the extension of underground lines which certain provincial towns are demanding?

The matters referred to are constantly receiving the attention of my advisers; but it would be premature at present to attempt to determine how far wireless telegraphy might be brought into general use for such local purposes of the United Kingdom as my hon. Friend has in mind. The experience to be gained from the wireless communication which it is proposed to establish between stations near Newcastle-on-Tyne and Stonehaven will be valuable in this connection. With the completion of the underground cables from London to the landing places of the foreign cables there will, so far as can at present be seen, be no need to extend further the main underground telegraph system, but where the telegraph overhead routes between large centres are locally congested the wires will be put underground.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the wireless system between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, which his predecessor suggested instead of underground wires, is in actual operation and is being successfully carried on?

A site has been obtained at Stonehaven for the erection of masts and buildings, but some time must elapse before it can come into working order.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that that dispenses with the necessity for underground wires between Dundee and Aberdeen?

I think it will take the place of them, although it is only required when the overhead wires are out of order through storms, and then wireless telegraphy will take their place.

May I ask whether Stonehaven was got during the recent pleasant tour?

I took it into consideration a good deal before that. I will take an opportunity of looking at it.

Officers' quarters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the result of the recent high-speed wireless telegraphy demonstration in the United Kingdom was of such a nature as to convince the experts of his Department that it might be preferable in the near future to use wireless telegraphy for telephonic communication between distant towns in the United Kingdom, and so obviate the expense of the maintenance of land lines?

I should be sorry to-commit myself to a definite opinion on this-question at present. The demonstration referred to had no bearing on the question of the use of wireless telegraphy for telephonic purposes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in the southeastern district, Glasgow, the early duty postmen whose duty normally terminates at 12.45 p.m. on Saturdays are kept two hours later every fourth Saturday without any extra payment for this extra duty; whether the south-eastern district office is the only one of the six district offices in. Glasgow in which such an arrangement exists; and whether he will arrange that extra remuneration, shall be provided for early duty postmen who may be called on to perform extra duty?

I am informed that the attendances of the postmen who perform the collection in question amount on an average to 7½ hours each Saturday and to forty-six hours per week. The duty is divided among thirty-two postmen of whom four attend each Saturday, each man being thus on this duty once in eight weeks. In these circumstances the-question of payment for extra duty does not arise.

Do I understand the extra duty is performed?

No. What happens is that each man is on forty-six hours per week, but is liable to perform forty-eight.

Is that the same as in the other divisions in Glasgow?

I am afraid I do not carry all that information in my mind, but if my hon. Friend puts down a question I will get the information for him.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the parcel post service between Great Britain and China via Siberia?

A parcel post service between Great Britain and China by way of Siberia was instituted on the 1st of October last, and is working satisfactorily.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give instructions for the hours of the Tipton Post Office to be extended in view of the importance of this industrial centre, which has, a population of 31,756, the greater part of whom are engaged in the various manufacturing industries; and, if he is not in favour of such extension, will he consent to receive a deputation thereon?

The hours of business at the Tipton head post office are those which are in force at the majority of similar offices throughout the United Kingdom, and are considered adequate to meet the general requirements of the district. I am not prepared to extend them, and, in the circumstances, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation on the matter.

asked whether any steps have been taken with regard to effecting a substantial reduction in the rates for ordinary and Press telegrams between this country and China and Japan as a result of the postal and telegraphic conference held at Tokio in February, 1913?

Substantial reductions were made on the 1st September last, the ordinary rates to China and Japan being reduced from 4s. 5d. to 3s. 6d., and from 4s. 10d. to 3s. 11d., respectively, and the Press rates from Is. 5½d. to 1s. 2d., and from 1s. 7d. to 1s. 3d., respectively.

asked to what extent the cheap rate for telephone service in rural districts has been availed of: and if many applicants are still waiting for the service to be installed?

About 1,710 rural party line subscribers' telephones are at present working in over 300 districts, and about 700 additional installations are in course of completion. A number of proposals for new party lines are also being dealt with.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the girl operator in sole charge of the Doagh telephone exchange has been in charge of that exchange for some years, and receives remuneration at 3s. per week and the free use of an empty house, that the exchange includes five business houses and two call offices, and requires a continuous day and night service; whether any allowance is made for a fire in the call office in cold weather and a light at night; and whether, in view if the inadequacy of such payment, he will favourably consider the grant of some increase?

The Doagh telephone exchange is in charge of a male caretaker-operator, who is solely responsible for the service and provides any necessary assistance. The remuneration, which includes expenditure for heating and lighting, is correctly stated, and is in accordance with the general scheme of remuneration at small exchanges where the traffic is insufficient to justify the employment of regular post office staff. It will, however, be shortly increased as from the 2nd February last, in accordance with the recommendations of the recent Parliamentary Committee.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there is a male and not a female operator in charge?

Yes, that is my information.

Is it correct that the male operator receives 3s. a week?

I am informed that he did so until the 2nd February; at any rate, his increase dates back to the 2nd February.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, because the operator informed me that she was a female?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Committee it is proposed to set up will have power to deal with the wages of scale-pay sub-postmasters' assistants?

The answer is in the negative. As I stated in the House on the 10th instant the Committee we are setting up is for the purpose of examining into the Report of the Holt Committee, and the issues raised upon it in the course of the Debate. The Holt Committee did not deal with the conditions and wages of sub-postmasters' assistants.

Will the right lion. Gentleman apply the Fair-Wages Clause in connection with these officials?

That raises a different question altogether. The question was whether they came under the survey of the Holt Committee; they did not, and therefore they could not be reviewed by the new Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Enfield Urban District Council, in appointing its education committee, has failed to comply with the provisions of the scheme adopted under Section 17 of the Education Act, 1902, in that it has appointed no representatives of higher education, secondary education, provided and non-provided schools, as directed by the scheme; and what steps will be taken to secure that the provisions of the scheme are duly observed?

I have no information to show that the Enfield Urban District Council has failed to comply with the provisions of the scheme establishing its education committee. In these circumstances, the point raised in the second part of the question does not arise. The Board have no power to interpret the provisions of schemes for the constitution of education committees.

asked whether the Government intend to give facilities for the Bishoprics Bill which has passed the House of Lords this Session?

J fear the Government cannot give facilities for this Bill unless they are assured that it will be substantially unopposed.

Will the Prime Minister promise that the Bill shall not be suddenly starred in the last days of the Session, as Bills of a similar character were last Session?

It will not be, unless the conditions to which I referred are fulfilled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can inform the House what has been the effect of the increases in rates sanctioned by the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1913; and whether any railway has found it possible to recoup under this enactment the increased labour charges it was intended to countervail?

I have read statements by the chairman or general managers of certain railways with regard to this matter, but I have no official information, and I would remind the hon. Member that the question is at present before the Railway and Canal Commission.

asked if the Labour Exchanges supply hotels, institutions, or private houses with domestic servants?

Vacancies for domestic servants in hotels and institutions, are dealt with by Labour Exchanges. Managers of Labour Exchanges have instructions not to deal with vacancies for resident domestic servants in private houses, but the juvenile department of a limited number of Exchanges have been allowed, on the advice and subject to the supervision of Juvenile Advisory Committees, or in co-operation with education authorities exercising powers under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, to deal with vacancies of this nature in the case of juveniles.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that that is rather taking business out of the hands of agencies formed for that special purpose? And does the Department make itself responsible for the personal character which is considered indispensable in such cases?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has read into my answer what really is not there. For instance, I specifically stated that Labour Exchanges do not deal with domestic servants; they are left to private agencies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures showing the rise in food prices since 1907?

The Board of Trade index number of the retail prices of twenty-three articles of food in London showed an increase of 9.3 per cent. between 1907 and 1913. According to returns from seventy-seven provincial towns, relating to eleven articles only the percentage increase during the same period was 8.4.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what reduction in indoor and outdoor pauperism has taken place in England and Wales since the Old Age Pensions Act came into operation?

The number of indoor paupers on the 1st January, 1909 (the date when old age pensions began) was 266,366; on the 1st January last the number was 243,913, a reduction of 22,453. The number of outdoor paupers on the 1st January, 1909, was 563,790; on the 1st January last the number was 384,409, a reduction of 179,381. These figures do not include insane and casual paupers. With respect to aged paupers, the most recent count before the Old Age Pensions Act came into operation was made in 1906. The total number of paupers over 70 years of age has fallen from 229,474 in 1906 to 57,048 on the 1st January last, a reduction of 75 per cent.; of these, the number of indoor cases has fallen from 61,378 to 48,103, a reduction of 22 per cent., while outdoor cases have decreased from 168,096 to 8,945, a reduction of no less than 95 per cent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the cost of pauperism has gone down?

I must have notice of that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman ascribe the diminution in the number of paupers entirely to the effect of the Insurance Act?

No; it is mainly due to old age pensions, as far as the aged and outdoor paupers are concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government intends to rescind the Resolution of the House of 1689 regarding the nomination of Members of Parliament as sheriffs of counties?

The answer is in the negative.

Was this Resolution passed in order to protect Members of Parliament from an onerous office, or to circumscribe the area of selection?

The Resolution dates back to 1689. I cannot conjecture-what its purpose was.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the matter still of sufficient importance to be worth his attention?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many livings are in the gift of the Duchy in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and what is the amount of income of each benefice and the nature of the security in each case?

There are-seven Duchy livings in the West Riding of the county of York, particulars concerning which will be circulated with the Votes.[ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the Prime Minister, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will state what is the date of the lease to John Rhodes of the minerals under the estate in the borough of Pontefract, and including the field now in use by the Pontefract Cricket Club; whether he is aware that damage has been caused to the playing pitch through subsidence, caused by underground workings; and whether, in view of the revenues obtained from coal royalties, any compensation can be granted for the loss sustained by a voluntary athletic club?

The field now in use by the Pontefract Cricket Club is included in a lease to the late Mr. John Rhodes, of 20th June, 1911; the minerals thereunder are demised by a lease of 25th September, 1909. The sub-lease of the cricket ground was granted by a former Duchy lessee. Last autumn the president of the cricket club was informed that claims for compensation should be made against the immediate lessor, if the terms of the sub-lease justified such claim, but not against the Duchy revenues.

asked the Prime Minister whether any representations have been made to the Government to the effect that the three-shift system in coal-mining in Northumberland affects the miners or their dependants adversely, and that in consequence dissatisfaction with the system exists in that district; whether he can say if any attempts have been made by employers to minimise the inconvenience; and whether he will give a day for the discussion of the matter?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Government have not received any representations in this matter, but they are aware that dissatisfaction is felt by the workmen with the three-shift system, and that this due, in part at any rate, to the inconvenience and discomfort caused when members of the same household work in different shifts and come home at different hours. I am given to understand that' arrangements are made as far as possible to have the workers of the same family in only one or two of the shifts, so as to mitigate the inconvenience. The matter is not one in which I have any power to intervene, and I am afraid it will not be possible to give a day for its discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, the Irish Parliament will be entitled to organise, control, or maintain an armed Volunteer force; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in order to disband the Irish National Volunteers or take them under direct Imperial control before the Bill is put in operation?

The reply to the first paragraph is in the negative. As already stated by my right, hon. Friend, the action of this force and of the Ulster Volunteer Force does not cease to engage the attention of the Government.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, under the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill, it will not be competent for the Irish Government, after six years, to organise, equip, and arm a constabulary force in any way they please?

A constabulary force—yes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state in whose hands the government of Ireland is at the present moment?

In the hands of His Majesty's Government.

Why does not the Government enforce the law in Ireland as they did in the recent South Wales labour troubles?

I do not quite understand my hon. Friend's question.

Is it not competent for any citizens to band themselves together to uphold the law?

It depends on the law of the land, which the hon. Member knows as well as I do.

asked the Prime Minister whether any instructions have been given to Sir A. Paget or Sir N. Macready with regard to the relations between the Regular forces and the Irish National Volunteers in the event of the Government deciding to coerce Ulster into acceptance of the Government of Ireland Bill?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the propriety of advising His Majesty to issue an Order in Council under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907, for the constitution in North and South Ireland, respectively, of two divisions of Territorials, and so retaining for the service of the Crown and for completing the Territorial establishment the bodies of disciplined men now in existence in that island?

My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will receive careful consideration, but the particular procedure suggested is not applicable to the case.

asked the Prime Minister if General Macready has now returned to the War Office; and, if so, whether he has been relieved of his special duties in Ulster?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

Is there any intention of sending General Macready back to Ulster?

I cannot say that—when he is needed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the assurance given to the Irish Nationalist party on 10th June by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Government of Ireland Amendment Bill would contain not more than the Government's offer of temporary exclusion by county option in Ulster was made on behalf of the Government?

I know of no such assurance.

Is the report that has appeared in many of the papers during the last few days incorrect?

I do not know to what report the hon. Gentleman refers.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is authorised to state what the Government of Ireland Amendment Bill will contain before that Bill is introduced into the House of Lords or the House of Commons?

I am not aware to what the hon. Member refers. If it is to the statements on 12th May, the speech in the House of my right hon. Friend on that date was made on behalf of the Government.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman see the reported speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 10th June, making this statement as from the Government?

Yes; I have not got it in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, taking into account the poor quality and tedium of work transacted during the dog days, and out of consideration for those Members whose children will otherwise be deprived of the companionship of their fathers during their school holidays, he will consider the advisability of arranging that this House shall not sit during the months of August and September?

While I sympathise with the hon. Member's desire, I fear, in the present circumstances, his suggestion is hardly practicable.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's policy in this matter been entirely actuated by the bachelors of this House?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Edinburgh City Council calling upon the Government to proceed with a measure of Home Rule for Scotland; and whether he can now say when he proposes to introduce such a measure?

As regards the first part of this question, I have seen what has appeared on this subject in the public Press. As regards the latter part I can add nothing to what I have already stated on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Edinburgh City Council passed this resolution it has also been passed by every important burgh in Scotland; is he also aware that the Government promised to introduce such a Bill? Why, then, cannot he tell us the date on which we may expect it?

Because the programme of the present Session is completely full.

Does the Government propose to introduce the measure next Session?

I cannot make any statement at present as to what will happen next Session.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government's offer is still open to confer with the Opposition as to the basis and passage of a Redistribution Bill?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Will the offer be repeated to-day during the course of the Debate? Will not the Prime Minister give permission to those of his colleagues who speak in the course of the Debate to renew this offer, with, if possible, greater emphasis?

My colleagues have the freest hand in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent bomb explosion in Westminster Abbey and the damage done thereby to the Coronation chair and stone, he will consider the desirability of taking the necessary steps for the removal of the Coronation stone for safer custody to Scotland; and whether this restoration can be effected on the approaching 600th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn?

I fear I do not see my way to accede to my hon. Friend's suggestion.