asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has considered the recommendations of the Putumayo Select Committee, which reported last Session; whether a Bill has been drafted embodying any of the Committee's recommendations; and, if so, when the Bill will be introduced?

No Bill has been drafted by the Government, and I cannot promise the introduction of a Bill by the Government.

Is the matter under consideration at all? The first part of the question has not been answered. Has the matter been discussed?

Yes, the matter is under consideration certainly. It is a matter of considerable importance, and as a matter of fact the Law Officers of the Crown are being consulted on the question. The specific question addressed to me by my hon. Friend is whether a Bill has been drafted? A Bill has not been drafted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the United States Govern- ment has denounced the Treaty with Russia of 1832 regulating the right of the citizens of each country to enter the territory of the other on the ground that Russia's refusal to admit Jewish citizens into Russian territory is contrary to this Treaty; and whether he has considered the right claimed by Russia under the Treaty of 12th January, 1859, to refuse admittance to Jewish citizens of Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the interpretation of the Anglo-Russian Treaty of Commerce of 1859, I can only refer the hon. Member to the numerous answers which I have already given to questions in Parliament on this subject, as for instance on the 17th October, 1912, and the 7th January, 1913. The matter has been most fully considered on more than one occasion by the Law Officers of the Crown and it has been decided that unless it can be shown that British subjects of the Jewish faith are treated less favourably than those of other countries there is no right under Treaty to intervene.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered whether this difference of interpretation of the Treaty might not be laid before The Hague Tribunal so that with the consent of Russia it might be settled there?

I do not think it is a question of the interpretation of the Treaty. Our view is that the Treaty cannot be interpreted in this particular sense, and I would point out to my hon. Friend we might denounce the Treaty of 1859. The United States have already done that, and have made no progress whatever.

Is it not another course I suggest, namely, that the interpretation of this Treaty, which we consider has not been interpreted rightly by Russia, should be referred to The Hague Tribunal?

My hon. Friend does not understand that our interpretation of the Treaty differs from the one which he wishes to place on it. You cannot go to The Hague Tribunal and ask it to place an interpretation on our Treaty which our own legal advisers say the Treaty will not bear.

Is it not quite possible that the Foreign Office may be wrong?

The hon. Member cannot argue the question by way of question and answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information as to the safety of Mr. Anthony Dell since his capture by the Albanian insurgents?

The editor of the paper for which Mr. Dell is correspondent informed me yesterday that he had heard from Mr. Dell that he had been released and had arrived at Durazzo.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Portuguese Government have yet formulated the charges upon which the Rev. J. S. Bowskill was arrested; and whether Mr. Bowskill's two native assistants are still imprisoned upon the same charge, without having undergone any kind of trial?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to the hon. Member for Chelsea on Tuesday. As I have already stated, we have heard that Mr. Bowskill's native assistants were arrested, but we have no further information on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman arrange to make public in some way the information as he receives it in view of the considerable anxiety there is amongst this gentleman's many friends in the Midlands regarding his fate?

I think almost every, week I have made public the information we have had. The information I gave so recently as last Tuesday was that Mr. Bowskill is not now under any restraint, and it is not certain whether any charge will be brought against him.

Could not some influence be used on behalf of the native assistants, because the charge is the same, and they are suffering for it, although it has not been formulated?

The native assistants are Portuguese and not British subjects, and therefore we cannot intervene officially on their behalf. The utmost I can say is that if Mr. Bowskill's native assistants were subjected to harsh and unfair treatment, when we get the whole facts of the case with regard to Mr. Bowskill's treatment before us it would, of course, influence our minds as to Mr. Bowskill's treatment.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to get the whole of the facts in this long drawn out case?

I explained on Tuesday the communication with this district is very uncertain. I am anxious to get full reports as soon as I can.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of first-class teachers in county Meath who were placed in first or first-of-first grade in 1900 in the case of schools whose averages were under fifty; were any of those teachers reduced to second grade salary through the average falling below thirty-five; and was any swing allowed?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that seventeen first-class teachers in county Meath serving in schools with an average attendance of less than fifty were placed in the first grade in 1900. Two of these were placed in the first section and fifteen in the second section of the grade. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar question on 25th May last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the total number of first-class teachers in Meath whose salaries have at any time been reduced owing to a fall of average below thirty-five; when was this average of thirty-five originally fixed; what was the population of Meath then and what is it now; whether he will place on the Estimates the amount necessary to restore their salaries to these teachers and allow a swing of ten or fifteen to operate in future cases; if there is any precedent in the public service for reducing salaries by 20 per cent. owing to a reduction of work of 1 or 2 per cent.; are the teachers so reduced long in the service and are they deemed efficient teachers; and will he say if a first-class teacher in a school of thirty-five has his full salary and the help of an assistant, while a first-class teacher in a school of thirty-four has his salary reduced and has to do all the work besides?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that it is not feasible to give the information asked for in the first paragraph of the question. The rule fixing thirty-five as the minimum average attendance necessary to retain the services of a first-class teacher first appears in the Regulations in 1860. The population of county Meath in 1861 was 110,373, and 65,091 in 1911. It is not possible to estimate the amount of salary lost by the teachers owing to the operation of this rule. The reduction of salary on account of a continued fall in average attendance is independent of length of service and efficiency. The answer to the final paragraph is in the negative. If there is a junior assistant in a school with an average attendance of thirty-five the salary of such assistant is not withdrawn until the average has fallen by more than five units. The salary of a first-class teacher is not granted unless the average is at least fifty, and is not reduced until the average falls below thirty-five.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that teachers of the very highest rank will have some consideration given to their service when the attendance falls below the prescribed number?

I can assure the hon. Member that that part of the case is not being lost sight of either by myself or by the National Commissioners, but I cannot give any promise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have issued any rules as to the use of books other than Rules 124 (a) and (b); if so, can he state them; whether Nelson's publications, notably the New Royal Readers, are condemned by the Board although they contain nothing contrary to Rule 124; and, if so, will he state for what reasons they are condemned?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have not issued any rule on the subject other than Rule 124 of the Code. Sanction for the use of the books in question has been withdrawn, as they do not comply with the Commissioners' present requirements, which are to be found stated in a Memorandum issued by the Commissioners, a copy of which I shall be happy to send to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked whether fees are paid by or for scholars in any of the elementary schools in Ireland; and, if so, in how many schools; in respect of how many children in the aggregate; and to what aggregate amount are fees paid?

In the year 1913 school fees were paid for instruction during school hours in 145 ordinary national schools and in 68 model schools. These fees were paid in respect of 11,005 children in ordinary schools and of 7,075 in model schools. The aggregate amount of fees was £1,892 in ordinary schools and £1,501 in model schools.

Is it necessary that there should be an authorisation from the Chief Secretary to charge these fees in these schools?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) whether the Committee appointed to inquire into the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary have presented to the Government their Report; if so, when do the Government purpose introducing legislation on the subject; whether the Committee have recommended that the annual pay of the head constable major, at the Royal Irish Constabulary depot, be £130, and that the maximum grade of pay of the other head constables be £120 annually; whether the Government would consider the advisability of making three grades of pay in the rank of head constable, so that men of long service in that rank might attain £130 annual pay; and whether this suggested assimilation of the maximum grade of pay of head constables to the pay of head constable major would be in conformity with the precedent of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1883; and (2) whether he is now prepared to make any statement to the House as to a proposed increase of pay to the rank and file of members of the Royal Irish Constabulary; whether he is aware that considerable discontent exists owing to the long number of years since the last scale of pay for the rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary was established and owing to the increased cost of living, which places the men at a disadvantage compared with those who work in a civil capacity; whether he is aware that many men are resigning on account of the small prospects; and, if it his intention to deal with the matter, whether he will make a statement on the subject at an early date?

asked whether effect has yet been given to the findings of the Departmental Committee that recently reported with regard to pay, pension, promotion, and other grievances of the constables and non-commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

I have now carefully considered the Report of the Committee referred to, and am taking steps with a view of having the recommendations generally of the Committee carried into effect with the least possible delay.

asked whether any alteration has recently been made in the regulations as to the standard of physique for enrolment of recruits in the ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether the regulation that only time-expired men of the Irish Guards were eligible for admission to the force has been altered and time-expired men from any Line regiment are now eligible for admission?

No change has been made in either of the regulations referred to. Men from any Line regiment have been for years past eligible for the Royal Irish Constabulary when transferred to the Army Reserve.

Do I understand that the strength has been altered?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give the total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary as on the 30th ultimo as compared with the total strength of the force on 30th June, 1913; and whether the Inspector-General has reported that there is any difficulty in obtaining a supply of suitable recruits?

The total strength of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 31st May last—the latest date for which returns are available—was 10,462, as compared with 10,603 on the 30th June, 1913. I am aware that at present there is a difficulty in obtaining a sufficient supply of suitable recruits.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can allay the apprehensions of the Irish Constabulary by an assurance that in any legislation based upon paragraph 57 of the Report of the Irish Police Committee, 1914, no gratuity shall be paid out of any branch of the Constabulary Force Fund to any non-subscriber to that fund; whether he can now accede to the memorial from the subscribers praying for the distribution of that fund among the subscribers; having regard to his own recognition of the hardship imposed on such men as Constable Ronaghan by the restriction on marriage, enforced by a permanent monetary mulct, whether in any legislation on paragraph 75 of the Report he will see that relief is retrospective for the benefit of his widow or children, as the case may be; and when he hopes to be able to formulate his proposals on the whole subject?

The matters referred to by the hon. Member will have my careful consideration, but it is impossible for me to make any statement in anticipation of the legislation which I hope shortly to introduce on the subject. As regards the proposed winding up of the Constabulary Force Fund, I have nothing to add to my previous replies to questions on that subject.

Would that be included in the Bill?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Julia Peppard, thrice held by the Coole subcommittee to be entitled by age and circumstances to an old age pension, is still denied one owing to the accidental absence of her name from registers and Census Returns for which she is in no way responsible; and, seeing that age is an absolute title under the Statute, and that an inspector will not reverse his own decision, whether he will have this case investigated and the evidence heard upon oath by another inspector or by the County Court judge, without expense to the applicant?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his previous questions on this subject. A recent claim made by Mrs. Peppard is at present under consideration by the Local Government Board. The Board have no power under the Old Age Pension Act to comply with the suggestion that the case should be referred to the County Court judge.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is still hopeful of getting his Irish Land Bill passed this Session; whether any of the obstacles to his doing so have been raised by tenants or by their representatives in this House; and, seeing that the policy of land purchase is due to the needs and agitation of the tenants, whether he will proceed at once with his Bill to complete the operation?

It would be impossible to make any real progress with so complicated a measure unless some general agreement was arrived at previously, and I am not prepared to proceed with the Bill until there has been such agreement.

Are we to take it that the Bill has been abandoned?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to resolutions passed at battalion and company meetings of the Irish National Volunteer force demanding the non-enforcement of the Proclamation to prohibit the importation of arms enacted by the Government; and whether, in view of the importance of the subject to masses of the Irish population which are at present unarmed, he will explain the attitude the Government intend to adopt on the question?

Resolutions of the nature referred to have been published in the Press. The validity of the Proclamation prohibiting the importation of military arms and ammunition into Ireland has been recently called into question in the Courts, and the matter is still sub judice.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Customs officers searched the Government steamer "Granuaile" for arms; if so, what were the grounds on which this step was taken; and whether any of the officers or crew of this vessel belong to the Irish National Volunteers?

The story is untrue. The steamer was not searched for arms, nor are any of the crew members of the Irish National Volunteers.

For what purpose was the steamer searched?

The steamer was not searched.

In his reply the right hon. Gentleman said that the steamer was not searched for arms; therefore I ask him, was she searched at all, and, if so, for what purpose?

I am sorry to say that the steamer was not searched for any purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the military heads of the Irish National Volunteer Force have stated that the policy that the force has in view is the policy of separation from Great Britain advocated by Wolfe Tone and the leaders of the Fenian movements in 1848 and 1867, while other civilian members of the committee charged with directing the Volunteer movement have stated that the object in view is the prevention of further change in the Government of Ireland Bill, while he himself contemplates the future existence of the force on constitutional lines, he will take an early opportunity of stating the view held by the Government as to the future status and sphere of activity to be allowed to the Volunteer movement?

I am not aware of any authoritative statements of the kind mentioned in the question, nor do I know who would be authorised to make them. In any event, the subject is not one which can be adequately dealt with by question and answer.

Is not the Prime Minister still hopeful that the position of this Volunteer force may be made constitutional?

Well, Sir, I hope so.

asked the Prime Minister if it will be within the power of an Irish Parliament, if established, to maintain a Volunteer force out of public moneys; and if such expendi- ture was contemplated in adjusting the financial relations of the United Kingdom and Ireland under the Government of Ireland Bill?

If the hon. Member will refer to Clause 2 (3) and Clause 21 of the Government of Ireland Bill, he will find his question answered.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether it is a fact that Lieut.-General Sir George Richardson has issued an order to the Ulster Volunteer Force granting permission to carry arms openly and to resist attempts at interference; whether such an order is not contrary to law; and what steps, if any, the Government propose to take in the matter?

I have made careful inquiry from the Commissioner of Police in Belfast, and he tells me that he does not think any policeman interfered in the manner alleged in the newspapers. In the present state of this controversy, I do not think any action on the part of the Government would be wise.

Arising out of that answer, is the House to understand that the Executive in Ireland propose to take no action in regard to this matter?

Yes, I think that the hon. Member will understand that it must always be a matter of discretion whether the Government should take a number of proceedings, even though there should be admitted breaches of the law. Such cases will occur to the mind of everybody who thinks of them.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to a statement made in another place by Lord Mayo that it was not until he came to London that he heard that civil war was going to take place?

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication how the Irish Government have shown any signs of existence at all?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the Government of Ireland Bill becoming law, it will be competent for the Irish Parliament or the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council in Ireland to issue a proclamation or Order in Council prohibiting the importation into Ireland of arms, ammunition, gunpowder, or any other goods?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether, in Ireland, clerks of the Crown and Peace, Crown solicitors, and Sessional Crown solicitors, whose public duties to the Crown are limited to counties, are at liberty to address public political meetings or take any public part in politics outside the county for which each is appointed?

Clerks of the Crown and Peace being members of the permanent Civil Service of the State, are subject to the well-known, though unwritten, rule that Civil servants must refrain from taking an active part in politics. As regards Crown and Sessional Crown solicitors who are not Civil servants, there is no express rule prohibiting them from taking part in political matters, but it is generally understood that they should not do so within their own counties.

Does that rule apply to Crown prosecutors also?

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mrs. Browne, of Rosleague, Letterfrack, Connemara, has offered her estate for purchase to the Congested Districts Board; if so, will he state whether she has lodged the maps necessary for inspection; and whether, in view of the fact that the tenants on this estate have refused to pay rent pending the purchase of the estate, he will urge upon the Congested Districts Board the desirability of an early purchase?

Mrs. Browne has not offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board any of her estate at Rosleague, but an offer has been issued to her by the Board in respect of some untenanted land at Cleggan. As I have already stated the effect of illegal combinations against the payment of rent to the landlord pending the valuation of an estate will have the effect of delaying indefinitely instead of hastening the purchase of any estate on which these illegal practices prevail.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the assistants employed in the laboratory of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, are classified as labourers, and, if so, why is this classification made; whether their wages are 22s. a week; whether, in view of their work, they are called upon to maintain an appearance which demands more expenditure than a labourer doing ordinary work; whether park rangers have 25s. a week with uniform; and whether, in these circumstances, he can see his way to increase the wages of these men?

These men are labourers. They are employed on the same duties and receive the same wages as other labourers.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the labourers referred to in the question differ from the ordinary labourers engaged on outside work?

They do labourers' work.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty, which is not at all a sympathetic Department, pays its labourers close by a standard or minimum wage of 23s. a week?

We have a Committee inquiring into the matter whether the wages are adequate.

Why not increase the wages to 23s. pending the further consideration?

The Committee is investigating the case; we hope to have their Report before long.

When is this Report likely to be received?

The Committee will not report to this House; it is a Committee of the Department.

When can we raise this question?

On the Vote for the Office of Works.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the common use by motorists of horns and hooters producing unnecessary noise; if he is aware that in many places these instruments deprive people of sleep until the small hours of the morning; and if he will take steps to compel the use of a standard horn and to compel those who motor in towns after midnight to travel slowly and thus to render the use of horns almost unnecessary after that hour?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The suggestion would require legislation. A Bill to enable unnecessary noise from motor horns and hooters to be stopped at night, introduced by the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardineshire, has passed Second Reading and is now awaiting consideration by a Standing Committee.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that nearly every day someone is killed in this country in a motor accident; and if, in view of the number of lives which are at stake in the matter, he will at once propose to the House legislation for the protection of the public?

I shall be happy to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend or others may make to me for legislation on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the fact that at Kingston on 24th June George Vyvyan Deakin was convicted of failing to stop his motor car at Esher after knocking down and injuring another motorist, and that the maximum penalty imposed amounted to only £10; if he has noticed that on 15th May an unknown motorist knocked down, killed, and abandoned a pedestrian at Paisley, and that on 29th June a taxi-cab driver knocked down, seriously injured, and abandoned a woman at Lewisham; if he is aware of the growing public feeling as to motorists who abuse the public roads; and if he will propose to Parliament legislation raising considerably the penalties for such abuses, imposing sentences of hard labour for grave offences, and permanently depriving serious offenders of licences?

My attention has been called to the three cases mentioned. As regards the second, I am informed that a motorist was charged with culpable homicide in connection with it, the jury returning a verdict of not proven. The third will be the subject of judicial investigation, but I may say that of the two drivers said to be concerned, the taxi-driver stopped, while the other drove away. I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of increasing the penalty on motorists who fail to stop after an accident will be sympathetically considered when legislation to amend the Motor Car Act is undertaken.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a postman at Lower Hardres is unable to obtain a house, and that his predecessor was similarly unable to obtain accommodation in that village; and whether he will place the Lower Hardres postman on the Canterbury scale of wages, seeing that he is compelled to live in that city?

It is the case, as stated by the hon. Member, that neither the present postman nor his predecessor has been able to obtain a house in Lower Hardres. I have now instructed the surveyor to consider whether the post can be worked from Canterbury as its starting point, and, if it be found that this is the best method of meeting the situation with due regard to the interests of the service, the postman will receive the scale of pay proper to that city. The necessary inquiries will be pursued with all expedition.

asked the Postmaster-General when he will be able to make a pronouncement on the intention of his Department with regard to continuing the St. Kilda wireless station?

I have recently communicated with my hon. Friend on the subject. Perhaps he has now got the letter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the postal department at Birnam, Perthshire, is to be still further lowered in status; whether he is aware that telegrams handed in at Birnam are telephoned to Dunkeld from a box which enables anyone to hear the contents of the same; and whether he can give any assurance that the postal facilities at Birnam will be increased rather than diminished?

I am not aware of any proposals affecting the status of Birnam or its postal facilities, but I will inquire. The arrangements for the transmission of telegrams from Birnam Post Office were investigated last year at the instance of the Noble Lord the Member for West Perthshire, and it was not found that there was any risk of telegrams being overheard by the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since then the contents of telegrams are heard regularly?

No, Sir, I am not aware of it. No such complaints have reached me from anybody.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that hundreds of complaints on this question were looked into by the Post Office and satisfactorily settled some six months ago, and the correspondence thereto is in the new post office of the hon. Gentleman's own constituency?

That is practically the substance of what I said.

asked the Postmaster - General whether prompt attention can be given to the complaint of Mr. J. D. Mackintosh, of Barassie, near Troon, Ayrshire, that the telephone promised for his house, the contract for which was signed on the 20th March, and which, after repeated complaints, was promised to be in operation by the 13th June, and then alleged to be delayed for the rearrangement of local wires, has not been completed, although all other local telephones are in full operation?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has noted the number of Amendments set down for the Report stage of the Criminal Justice Administration Bill; and whether, with a view of expediting progress with the Bill, he can make a statement as to the way in which these Amendments will be regarded?

The Amendments to this Bill consist almost entirely of new Clauses, embodying Amendments in the bastardy law or general criminal law, which would obviously not be accepted by the House without such prolonged discussion as would make the passing of the Bill impossible. I sympathise generally with the proposed Amendments of the bastardy law, and I hope that I may have an opportunity next year to introduce a comprehensive measure dealing with this subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman approach those hon. Members who have given notice of these new Clauses, so that he may be in a position to make a further offer, with a view to their withdrawing the new Clauses?

I am not in a position to give any further offer than the one contained in the answer to my hon. Friend's question, but I sincerely hope that they will not press their Clauses, because the only effect will be that my present Bill may be withdrawn.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it only a hope that he expresses?

That is all I can do.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there has been a colliery at Blaina, Monmouthshire, employing several hundred workmen, at a standstill for weeks in consequence of the workmen having lost confidence in some of the colliery officials, against whom it is alleged that they did not carry out in a proper and efficient manner their official duties as promised by the Coal Mines Regulation Act; if His Majesty's inspectors of mines have reported this case to him; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in connection with the business?

Yes, Sir. I have had before me a Report in this case from the divisional inspector, who advised me that several breaches of the Act had been committed. I have instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions to take proceedings accordingly against the several persons responsible.

When are the proceedings likely to take place?

Instructions were given a fortnight ago. I have asked for information as to when the proceedings are likely to begin, and I have not yet had an answer.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, as there are several hundreds of men standing idle, whether the right hon. Gentleman will take means to expedite the matter so as to get these men to work?

I can assure the hon. Member that I have done so.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Arrail Griffin Colliery, Six Bells, Monmouthshire, is at a standstill because of alleged defective lamps, the workmen declining to go into the mine with them; and that recently in the Rhymney Valley hundreds of workmen were idle for the same reason; have these cases been reported to him by His Majesty's inspectors of mines; and what action, if any, he proposes to take to prevent workmen's lives and limbs being endangered through the use of defective lamps in the mines?

The Divisional Inspector informs me that the Arrail Griffin Colliery case has not been brought to his notice, but he will make inquiry. As regards the other case, in the Rhymney Valley, I presume my hon. Friend refers to the stoppage of work last month at the Bargoed Colliery. The Inspector reports that he inquired into this case, and found that the safety lamps in use at the mine were of approved types which had passed the Home Office tests. The sole question was as to the maintenance of the lamps in good condition, and as to the locking apparatus, fitting of glasses, etc. When the Inspector visited the mine, representatives of the men were examining all the lamps, and had set aside twelve lamps because they had too much "play" when locked; this did not show they were actually unsafe, but that they required repair, or to be discarded as worn out. The Inspector believes the necessary steps are being taken by the management to see that the lamps are kept in good order, and are carefully examined as required by the Act.

Has there been any undertaking given by the managers that the lamps would be attended to?

An undertaking is not necessary or would be asked of them: it is their duty under the Act to take care.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, how many contributors to the National Insurance Act, as insured persons, there were in Ireland at the end of the last quarter for which returns are available; and can he state how many of these contributors are members of approved societies and the numbers of such contributors in the four provinces, respectively?

The latest available figures show that there are 729,598 insured persons in Ireland, of whom 717,798 are members of approved societies. The information asked for in the concluding part of the question is not required for any administrative purpose of the Insurance Commissioners.

What is the date of the Return that the hon. Gentleman has just quoted?

It is not a Return, but information specially secured for the answer to the question.

What is the date of the figures?

I think they have been brought right up to date.

asked whether any lectures have been provided by an insurance committee under Section 60 (1) ( b ) of the National Insurance Act?

The answer is in the affirmative.

How many insurance committees have given lectures?

It is not a matter that comes directly within the knowledge of the Commissioners, but I believe one committee in England and four in Scotland have given lectures.

Which is the committee in England?

Leicestershire.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of making known at an early date the proposals of the Government regarding Amendments to the National Insurance Act and the future position of deposit contributors in particular, so that hon. Members may have an opportunity of discussing these proposals with members of approved societies and others interested before the matter is discussed in this House?

The Insurance Commissioners are conferring to-day with the Advisory Committee, on which all types of approved societies are fully represented, and any proposals of the character referred to will be introduced without avoidable delay.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect we shall have this information next week, and does he realise how important it is that Members of this House should have an opportunity of discussing this matter and the Government's proposals with their constituents, so as to avoid another ghastly failure and muddle?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many vessels registered in the United Kingdom were reported to the Board of Trade as having met with casualties while carrying deck loads of timber as between the last day of October of last year and the 16th day of April of the present year; and, if so, whether he can give information as to the nature of the casualties, to any loss of life incurred, and to the voyages which the vessels were at the time making?

A statement giving the information desired, as far as it is available, will be prepared and forwarded to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked whether any official record is kept of the nature and weight of deck cargoes of all descriptions which are carried on British merchant ships from ports in the United Kingdom; whether these deck loads are invariably inspected by nautical surveyors in order that they may be passed as sea worthy and efficiently secured; and whether an official report is in each case furnished by the local surveyor to the Board of Trade?

No complete record is kept by the Board of Trade of the nature and weight of all deck cargoes of all descriptions carried by British ships from the United Kingdom, and deck cargoes are not invariably inspected by nautical surveyors. An official report is not made to the Board of Trade on each case in which a deck cargo is carried.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state from the latest returns of the National Standard Life Assurance Corporation and of the Law Integrity Insurance Company, respectively, the nominal capital, paid-up capital, total receipts, and total expenditure since formation; present liabilities and net assets, exclusive of establishment and organising expenses and of statutory deposit; the total spent on establishment and organising; the total received from each company by F. C. Norman; whether, since the attention of the Board was directed to this person's conduct it has taken note of judicial comments on that conduct; what amount of assets these two companies profess on their canvassing literature to possess; how the percentage of income spent by them on establishment and organising compares with the percentage of income spent for a like purpose by any typical solvent insurance company; whether it is the practice of solvent companies to represent such expenditure as an asset and use it as such for canvassing purposes; whether the Board makes any representations to companies thus using bogus assets, or to auditors who certify that practice correct; and, if the Board's powers are inadequate for protecting the public against such practices, whether he will apply to Parliament for further powers?

The only information which the Board of Trade have relating to the accounts of the National Standard Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, and the Law Integrity Insurance Company, Limited, is contained in the returns filed under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, to which I would refer the hon. Member for any details of the accounts which he may require, and for any comparison of the figures with those of other companies. The Board are aware of certain judicial comments which were made on the hearing of an application to the Court for sanction to a proposed transfer of the business of the National Standard Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, to another company. The Board have no information as to the amount of assets stated in the canvassing literature of these companies, and they have no power to prevent a company treating money spent on establishing a business as an asset in its balance sheet; but representations are made by the Board of Trade if the certificate required by the Act as to the value of the assets is to the effect that assets of that character are actually of the full value at which they appear in the balance sheet. I do not at present propose to introduce legislation with the view of giving the Board of Trade further powers over insurance companies.

The right hon. Gentleman has not said whether the Board makes representations to auditors who certify these bogus assets?

If the hon. Member will put the question down, I will do my best to answer it.

I have asked the question; it is on the Paper.

Well then, the answer is as I have read.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the practice of certain solicitors and persons trading as professional official receivers, getting the affairs of failing companies, nominally under the control of a Court, but really under their own control, and retaining them there until they have absorbed the assets in fees to themselves; whether he will ascertain and state the amount so appropriated to date by the solicitor and receiver, respectively, from the assets of the Irish Provident Assurance Company; whether he can have the affairs of that company released from their control; and, if unable, whether he will seek statutory powers for dealing with the abuse mentioned?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question which he asked on the 10th March last. I do not at present propose to introduce legislation to amend the Companies Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the United Kingdom branch of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia is worked as a separate company; whether he will state the date to which its latest return has been made up and its financial condition and terms of settlement with insured persons then as compared with 1889; what are the causes to which is attributed its present failure to keep its engagements of that year; why the Board allows this company's agents to use still the circulars of that year as a means of inducing persons to insure; if he will state the law, British or Australian, under which the directors are self-appointed, permanent, self-paid, hold no meetings except of themselves, and render no account except to the Board of Trade; and whether the Board has any power to test the accuracy of statements supplied to it by this company?

The United Kingdom branch of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited, is not a separate company. The latest return made by the society under the Assurance Companies Act, 1909, is made up to the 31st December, 1913, and I would refer the hon. Member to the returns filed by the society, which are open to public inspection, for information as to its financial condition. So far as the Board of Trade are aware, there is no foundation for the suggestion of the hon. Member that this society has failed to meet its engagements, or for the other suggestions which are made in the question. The Board of Trade have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the statements made to them by the society.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Viceroy and Governor-General of India is appointed without any specified term to his office, and, until the appointment of his successor, whether he is at liberty to receive and forward to the Secretary of State for India petitions relating to the length of such term of office; and whether the Secretary of State for India is competent to deal with any such petition, whether addressed directly to himself or forwarded by the Government of India?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, the Secretary of State is competent to bring any such petition, if he thinks fit, to the notice of the Prime Minister, with a view to His Majesty's pleasure being obtained.

Does the Secretary of State mean the Secretary of State in Council, and will the position be the same as it is now after the suppression of the Indian Council contemplated in the Bill before another place.

I was referring to the Secretary of State as an individual.

As there is some doubt in this matter does not the Viceroy of India cease to be Viceroy the moment he leaves India, and is it usual for Viceroys to ask for reappointment, and did not Lord Curzon of Kedleston do so?

I have answered the question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to say when a day will be given for the discussion of the Report of the Royal Commission on Indian Finance and Currency; and if he will see that this discussion takes place before the Debate on the Indian Budget?

I can add nothing to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on 16th March last. The discussion between the Government of India and the Secretary of State has not yet been completed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it necessary to urge on this matter before we come to the discussion of the Indian Budget?

I should be very glad to do so, but the communications are not yet complete; they are very complicated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate we shall get that information—at any rate this month?

I should be very sorry to give any pledge. We have not yet fixed the date for the Indian Budget.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the need for Indian labour in Assam and the determination of the authorities not to accept such labour in Canada, the Secretary of State will inquire whether the Government of India is prepared to advise the Government of Madras to withdraw existing restrictions upon migration from that Presidency to Assam?

The Madras Government have promised to consider the possibility of extending the area in which recruitment for Assam is allowed. But their decision could not affect or be effected by the refusal of Canada to admit Indian emigrants.

But is not the Canadian question relevant, when labour is wanted in Assam, is available in India, but is not obtainable by the planter?

Because the Madrasi population of the Agency Tracts do not want to go to Canada, and the Punjabi Sikhs do not want to go to Assam.

But are not the hill-men ready to go to Assam if not prevented—that is the point?

The question, so far as Madras is concerned, is being considered on its merits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the amount of the Cash Balances of the Government of India at present held in London; how these balances are employed; how much is loaned to approved borrowers and how much to banks; and the names of such banks and borrowers, and the amounts of such loans, respectively?

The amount on 1st July was £3,257,321. So far as not held at the Bank of England the money was employed for loans on security to approved borrowers. There were no deposits with banks other than the Bank of England. The amount at the Bank of England was £1,107,321 and the loans to approved borrowers were £2,150,000. With regard to the last part of the question, it has been explained more than once in the House that the relation between the Secretary of State and the approved borrowers is similar to that between a bank and its customers, and is therefore regarded as confidential. The information cannot therefore be given.

Can the hon. Gentleman say on what ground he now refuses a Return which his predecessor willingly gave last year, and on which information an inquiry was held?

The information given last year related to a past period. The hon. Member is now asking for the present state of the loans, and that is regarded as confidential.

My question last time did ask for information up to date, and the information was given me. Could the hon. Gentleman now say on what ground he refuses when the information was given me last year?

I read the question before giving my answer, and I think, if the hon. Gentleman will look at it, he will see that it refers to the past year.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is now prepared to sanction a Treasury Grant to complete the publication of the results of the Bruce expedition, in view of the fact that Sir E. Shackleton's expedition has been made possible by a gift from Scotland of three times the amount required for the completion of the Bruce publications?

I fear I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave the hon. Member on this subject on 23rd March last. The matters to which reference is made in the question do not appear to me to alter the situation as then explained.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that it is discouraging outside contributions for scientific expeditions if the Government does not do the same for a Scottish expedition as for an English expedition? And is it not true that for this Shackleton expedition, for which £24,000 in one sum has come from Scotland, the Government has given £10,000, and refuses £5,000 to complete the Bruce publications?

I went into this matter on the 21st March. I do not see that the fact that a Scottish benefactor gave a large contribution to the Shackleton expedition in any way alters the situation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that if the Education Act, 1891, is repealed, as proposed by the Finance Bill, there will be nothing to prevent provided schools charging any fee not exceeding 9d. a week to scholars; and whether he will undertake that the Education Bill promised for this Session will give a statutory right to free education in all public elementary schools?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. In view of the provisions of Schedule III. (5) of the Act of 1902 and the Board's powers under the Code and Section 17 of the Act of 1870, I cannot agree with my hon. Friend as to the effect of the proposed repeal of the Elementary Education Act, 1891, but as I have already informed him I am considering whether any amendment can be made to render the law relating to fees more satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount that would have been applied in relief of rates this year in the Metropolitan boroughs of Shoreditch, Hackney, Islington, and Stepney, respectively, if the Finance Bill had passed in its original form?

I can only refer to the answer which I gave on the 6th May last to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Nottingham.

Why cannot these separate Grants be equally well made under the new conditions?

That does not arise out of this question.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation has recommended that Government contributions in lieu of rates be made in respect of Government property upon a valuation made and revised by the Land Valuation Office, at the same time as other property is valued by that office for rating purposes and on similar principles, it is intended that the adoption by the Government of this proposal is to imply that contributions will in future be made to the local rates in respect of the occupation of all Government property so valued?

I do not consider that the suggested change in the basis of valuation would afford ground for any extension of the classes of property in respect of which contributions are now payable.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that in future contributions will be paid for Government property at no regular rate?

We do not propose any alteration at all in that respect.

Is it quite fair that private owners of property should be dealt with under the new valuation—

That is a matter for argument.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of the sum of £250,000 to be applied this year to tuberculosis, nursing, and pathological laboratories, is to be expended on pathological laboratories?