asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, how many of the officials employed in the administration of the National insurance Acts were, previous to their appointment, officials or agents of friendly societies, industrial insurance societies, collecting societies, and trade unions?

I would refer the hon. Member to the particulars contained in Cd. 6095, 6540, 6582, and 6599.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Clause 10, Sub-section (1), of the National Insurance Act, 1911 (Part II. Amendment) Bill will bring any employés of local or public authorities into compulsory insurance who are not already compulsorily insured under the National Insurance Act, 1911?

The object of the Clause is to remove a doubt as to the position of certain employés of Poor Law Unions in Ireland. It was held by the Irish Master of the Rolls in a case relating to Part I. of the Act, that such men were not technically under a contract of service, and it was, consequently, a question whether they could be regarded as "workmen," and, therefore, insurable under Part II. of the Act. This Clause is introduced to clear up this doubt, but, as far as the Board of Trade are aware, contributions have been hitherto paid in respect of these men, and consequently no new employés will be brought under Part II. of the National Insurance Act by the Clause.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether among the nuns residing in Glenties Union Workhouse there are three who are in charge of schools outside the workhouse grounds; and if this arrangement has the sanction of the Local Government Board"?

The matron and two of the nurses of the workhouse are nuns, and are paid salaries out of the rates. The Local Government Board understand from the clerk of the union that the guardians have for the last thirteen years permitted three other nuns who are connected with Glenties Convent School to reside with the nuns who are officials in a detached portion of the workhouse. As this arrangement involves no expense on the rates, it was not referred to the Board 'for sanction.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any complaints reached the National Education Office during the past two years with regard to managers, or clergymen who are not managers, entering convent or other national schools for the purpose of flogging or administering corporal or other punishment upon pupils who were absent from public worship; what action was taken by the Board; whether an entry of such punishment is made in the ordinary punishment book or in any other book specially kept for the purpose; and whether any such procedure has the approval of the National Board?

The Commissioners of National Education cannot trace in the records of their Department any case of the kind referred to.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are granted a medal for long service; and, if so, whether such a decoration can be granted to men belonging to the Royal Fleet Reserve?

Long service medals are granted to the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, but it is not considered necessary to establish such a decoration for the Royal Fleet Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to allow Territorial units during their annual training to camp at least one year in every four at a pleasure resort; and, if so, when such permission was given?

Territorial Force units may train at a seaside or otherwise congenial camp not more than once in three years. The decision to this effect was promulgated in February, 1912.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of J. Dickson, late sergeant-major of the Leinster Regiment, who was promoted sergeant-major (warrant officer) of the Line whilst serving in the 2nd battalion of the Leinster Regiment on the 11th May, 1904, and was transferred in that rank to the 5th (Special Reserve) battalion of the Leinster Regiment on the 1st August, 1905, and discharged to pension on the 10th May, 1909, having completed his five years in that rank, and awarded a pension of 3s. 3d. per diem for life, whereas he should have been awarded a pension of 3s. 6d. per diem for life according to the Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, 1909; whether the Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, 1909, states distinctly that, on the completion of twenty-one years' service with five years in the rank of warrant officer a man is to be entitled to 3s. 6d.; and whether a mistake has been made in this case of assuming that in 1904 he was promoted Special Reserve warrant officer, which would have only entitled him to 3s. 3d., whereas, in fact, he was promoted warrant officer of the Line?

This case was fully and carefully considered. Serjeant-Major Dickson was pensioned as a warrant officer of the Special Reserve, which was the position he held at the time of his discharge. There is not, I think, any reason for considering he was not correctly pensioned according to the Royal Warrant.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state in general terms the causes other than disease for which 1,516 horses were cast by the Army in 1913?

Unfitness for active service in the field would be the general cause of these horses being sold. I am informed that particular causes would be vice, stumbling, old age, crib-biting and wind sucking, brushing and speedy cutting, etc.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, as it appears, with reference to the suicide of Catherine Rigby in Lambeth workhouse, that the medical officer of the workhouse had broken one Regulation of the Local Government Board requiring him to report to the Local Government Board within twenty-four hours every sudden or accidental death (Article 59 (6)), and as the relatives of the deceased stated on oath that she had made complaints to them, he will state whether the complaints, if true, would indicate that there had been any ill-treatment, neglect, or breach of any Regulation of the Local Government Board or of the guardians on the part of any of the workhouse officers or servants; whether the breach of Regulation now discovered was detected by the coroner; whether, where a coroner finds that a death is not accompanied by such negligence as may amount to manslaughter, he does not usually concern himself with inquiries as to whether the Regulations have been observed; and whether he will ask an inspector to visit the Lambeth workhouse to see the inmates who were in contact with Catherine Rigby, to investigate into the truth of the complaints made to the relatives and to advise what steps could be taken to prevent a recurrence of suicide?

I have communicated with the guardians as to the breach of the Regulations referred to, and an inspector has visited the workhouse and seen the officers and inmates who occupied the same ward as the deceased woman. I see no reason to question the conclusion arrived at by the coroner's jury that the deceased had been properly treated in the workhouse sick ward, and I do not consider that any formal inquiry on the part of my Department is called for.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to take any steps to improve, the condition of the water supply at Garsington, Oxon; and, if so, when?

One of the inspectors of the Local Government Board held an inquiry on the 9th instant into a formal complaint that the Rural District Council of Headington had made default in providing the parish of Garsington with a sufficient supply of water. I am now awaiting the inspector's report.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will furnish the hon. Member for the Gorton Division with a copy of the letter containing references to the water supply of Worcester which was sent by his Department to the Town Clerk of Worcester?

My right hon. Friend will be happy to cause a copy of this letter to be furnished.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Local Government Board has approved of the scheme for the provision of treatment for tuberculous persons in London which has been passed by the London County Council; and whether it is the intention of the Board to make Grants in aid of the scheme?

The matter is under consideration, and a decision has not yet been given.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average number of letters and postal packages, other than parcels, dealt with weekly at the head offices of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, respectively, and what is the average number of parcels dealt with at the chief parcel offices of these towns; and what are the staff engaged upon postal work at each of such offices, not including branch or sub-offices, and exclusive of those employed upon telegraph or counter work and on the surveying duties?

If I find that the information is available, or can be obtained without undue cost, I will send it to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a large number of the inhabitants of Hanwell live more than a mile from the post office, and that they can only send telegrams from two sub-offices by paying an additional fee of 2d.; and whether he will take steps to stop this hardship upon the inhabitants?

There are three sub-offices in Hanwell, one of which is an ordinary telegraph office and meets all the telegraph requirements of the neighbourhood. The other two sub-offices in Hanwell are less than half a mile away, and the number of telegrams likely to be handed in does not warrant an extension of the telegraph system thereto. Any urgent telegram can be sent from the telephone call offices on payment of the call office fee of twopence in addition to the cost of the telegram.

also asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Central London district schools and the West London district schools, together with a resident population, including staff and pupils, of over 1,100, and also the asylum, with a population of over 2,000, are all a mile from the post office, with most inadequate accommodation at the sub-offices; and whether he can see his way to remedy this condition of affairs?

The schools and asylum referred to by the hon. Member are situated in a comparatively rural district, and there is no case for establishing a new post office to serve these institutions. The amount of business to be transacted would be practically limited to these institutions themselves and would be insufficient to justify a separate office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will look into the case of Mrs. Ashworth, postmistress of Fallowfield, Manchester, for nineteen years; and whether he will give her a grant or compensation, in view of her long-service of thirty-nine years in the employ of the Post Office and of the other facts which have been brought to his notice?

I am making inquiry into the matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in order to remove a redundancy of staff existing in the Chester telegraph department, the senior telegraphist was transferred to the postal department and placed on more or less preferential duties, subsequently being promoted to the rank of overseer on the postal side; whether he will direct that in similar cases in future the junior officer shall be transferred; and whether he will consider the granting of a compensatory promotion to the Chester postal staff?

In consequence of a redundancy of staff on the telegraph side at Chester, certain officers on that side, who were best qualified to perform postal duties, were in 1908 temporarily detached from telegraph duties for employment on postal work proper to their seniority. These officers remained nominally on the telegraph side, but when a vacancy for a postal overseer occurred their claims and qualifications had necessarily to be considered with those of other officers. I am satisfied that the course followed in this case was proper, and I am not prepared to make any special concession to the Chester postal staff by way of compensation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that an official circular was issued to the staff of the Post Office on 27th January last stating that it would not as a rule be practical to make the revised payments at present, but arrears would be paid back to the 2nd of February, he will state why these revised payments have not yet been made?

The revised payments have already been made in many cases, and in the outstanding cases they will be made as soon as circumstances permit. The delay which has occurred has been unavoidable, and is due in a large measure to the amount of labour involved in making the adjustments; but in some cases it is due to the existence of special difficulties, which are still awaiting settlement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of exports from the United Kingdom to British Dominions, Colonies, and possessions in 1912 and 1913; and what was the total value of the exports of manufactures during those years?

The total value of the exports of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom to all British possessions was £177,093,000 in 1912, and £195,307,000 in 1913. The value of goods wholly or mainly manufactured included in these totals was £156,558,000 in 1912, and £173,828,000 in 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of total imports from the United States into the Dominion of Canada during 1912 and 1913; and the value of imports of manufactured goods during the same years?

The information required is not readily available, but it is now being compiled from the Official Canadian Returns, and the results will be printed in the Votes in the course of a day or two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports from foreign countries into the British Empire, exclusive of the United Kingdom, during the years 1912 and 1913, respectively; and what was the value of imports of manufactures in those years?

The total value of the imports (including bullion and specie) from foreign countries into the British Empire, exclusive of the United Kingdom, was about £245,000,000 in 1912. Information as to the value of manufactured articles included in the total imports can only be given readily in respect of Dominions, Colonies, etc., whose imports from foreign countries amounted to about £230,414,000. The imports of manufactured articles into these parts of the Empire amounted in 1912 to £118,061,000. Corresponding figures for 1913 are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any rule in his Department affecting the status or salary of any official who may be adjudicated bankrupt, or made a composition with his creditors, or against whom a committal order for debt has been made; and, if so, what is the provision of any such rule and when was it promulgated; and will he furnish or lay upon the Table a copy of any memorandum on the subject?

The rules in force in the Board of Trade relating to officials who may become bankrupt, insolvent, or pecuniarily embarrassed are those laid down by His Majesty's Treasury in 1868 for the guidance of the Civil Service. I will cause a copy to be furnished to the hon. Member. The rules were last promulguted in 1913.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the works in connection with the construction of the extension of the Central London Railway from Shepherd's Bush to Ealing; whether there has been any delay in carrying out the work as authorised by Parliament in 1912; whether it has been due to any action of the Board of Trade or failure to comply with its requirements; and when is it likely that the extension will be opened for the public use?

The periods fixed by the Central London Railway Act, 1911, and the Great Western Railway Act, 1913, for the completion of the various lines forming this extension railway will not expire until July, 1915, and August, 1916, but I understand that considerable progress has been made. No action has been taken by the Board of Trade, as the works will not be submitted to them until the railway is about to be opened. I will ask the railway companies if they can say when the opening is likely to take place, and will inform the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will appoint a Committee to inquire into the administration of the existing Sale of Food and Drugs Act?

I have no present intention of setting up a Committee for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the claim of the Crown to foreshore rights at Seaview, Isle of Wight, he will state what progress has been made with the case during the last twelve months; whether he can state the cause of the delay in the trial; whether he is aware that the case has been set down for trial since last summer; and whether he can give any assurance that the matter will be prosecuted without further delay?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question on the 16th February last, and to one given on the 7th May last. Considerable progress has been made in this suit during the last twelve months, and my hon. Friend may rest assured that, so far as the Board of Trade are concerned, there will be no avoidable delay in prosecuting the action.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will give a list of the endowed schools of which the schemes have been revised since 1908, and a list of endowed schools in the schemes of which a declaration is required to be signed by head masters or head mistresses that if removed they will acquiesce and relinquish all claim to the mastership and its future emoluments?

The Charity Commissioners, and the Board of Education as their successors, have always required, in schemes made for endowed schools, that the heads of endowed secondary schools shall, if removed, relinquish all claims to the headship and its future emoluments. Up to the year 1908 there was a further requirement that the head master or mistress should make a formal declaration to that effect. Since that date the latter requirement has been omitted, but, as all schemes contain a substantive provision, I do not think any useful purpose would be served by incurring the expense in overtime and the laborious research involved in getting out the lists for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Departmental Committee appointed in 1912 to consider the question of increasing the pensions of teachers retiring after 1st April, 1912, has issued its Report; and, if so, where that Report can be obtained?

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider certain questions relating to the superannuation of teachers in elementary schools was presented to Parliament on the 17th April last, and copies can be obtained by Members on making application in the usual manner.