asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship of retaining Settlement Estate Duty after the discontinuance of the benefits conferred by former Finance Acts, he can see his way to making 1st January, 1914, or some earlier date, the date from and after which Settlement Estate Duty will cease to be demanded, and order a refund where it has already been paid; and whether, if such Settlement Estate Duty is retained, compound interest will be allowed when the next death takes place?

I am unable to add anything to my previous statements on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the men in Government employ in the Forest of Dean are to have their wages advanced; can he state the amount of such advance; and on what date it is to come into operation?

I am not yet in a position to make any definite announcement on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total amount of spirits manufactured in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, for the year ending the 30th September, 1913, namely: distilleries manufacturing yeast using patent stills with or without pot stills; using pot stills only; distilleries not using yeast using patent stills with or without pot stills; and using pot stills only; giving in each case the number of distilleries working as given for the preceding year?

The following statement shows the quantities of spirits manufactured in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, in the year ended 30th September, 1913, and the number of distilleries working:—

— England. Scotland. Ireland. No. of Distilleries. Proof Gallons. No. of Distilleries. Proof Gallons. No. of Distilleries. Proof Gallons. Distilleries manufacturing Yeast: Using Patent Stills with or without Pot Stills 3 3,521,495 7 10,283,230 5 6,805,702 Using Pot Stills only — — — — — — Distilleries not manufacturing Yeast: Using Patent Stills with or without Pot Stills 5 9,791,850 6 7,314,458 2 3,475,686 Using Pot Stills only — — 114 8,447,322 17 Total 8 13,313,345 127 26,045,010 24 10,281,388

asked when the publication of the Ormond manuscripts will be completed by the National Manuscripts Commission?

A volume is in the press, which will probably conclude the report on the correspondence preserved at Kilkenny Castle. It covers a longer period than previous volumes, and deals with correspondence of a different character; the editor has, consequently, had to give more time to examination and selection. A second inspector has begun a report on the early Irish Deeds at Kilkenny Castle; the time this will take to produce cannot be estimated.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether approved societies wishing to form an association for the purpose of valuation, unable to make up 5,000 members and having difficulty in forming such societies, can be supplied with rules or regulations for their guidance; and is it intended in the amending Bill to make relaxaton of the rule as to 5,000 members being necessary?

The association of societies with less than 5,000 members which is contemplated by Section 39 of the Act of 1911 is for valuation only and does not imply anything in the nature of the formation of a society. Regulations will be issued in ample time before the first general valuations. Certain societies have, however, joined associations which serve other purposes than those actually required under the above Section, such as assisting the societies in their current accounting and administrative work. If the hon. Member has in mind any societies which desire to form or join associations of this kind the Commissioners will, upon application, be glad to give any information or advice in their power. With regard to the latter part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 29th ultimo to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether bakery and assistant cookery instructors receive instructional pay like the instructors of other branches of the Service; and, if not, whether it is proposed to give them such pay?

The answer to both, parts of the question is in the negative. But the question of giving the men in charge of bakeries at the general depots some additional remuneration is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what were the areas, or approximate areas, of the lands near the entrance to the Cromarty Firth purchased recently by the Admiralty; for what purpose or purposes these lands were purchased; from whom they were purchased; what were the prices asked by the vendors; what were the prices actually paid; by what process these purchase prices were settled; and on what date or dates these purchases were completed?

Under the powers of the Defence Acts the Admiralty have taken eighty-seven acres of land (approximately) near the entrance to Cromarty Firth, for the purpose of fortifying the entrance to the harbour. The owner is Colonel Walter C. Ross; the tenant Mr. Peter D. Robertson. The compensation claimed by the vendor was £20,000, which included easements, water supply, injurious affection to lands, houses and shootings not taken by the Admiralty. The compensation claimed by the tenant was £6,000. The case was referred to arbitration, and the arbiter proposes to award the owner £12,283 18s. 7d., and the tenant £2,407 18s. 10d., with interest in each case at 5 per cent. per annum from the 15th May, 1913, till payment. The Arbiter also proposes to find the Admiralty liable for the whole expenses of and incident to the Arbitration. The question of appeal against these findings is now being considered.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has received any complaints regarding the wages paid by the contractor for the work at the Rotunda, Woolwich, to the plumbers' labourers employed there; whether he is aware that the wages paid are 12s. per week less than the rate current in the district; and whether he will take steps to compel this firm to observe the Fair-Wages Clause?

A representation has just been received, and the matter will be inquired into.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether the Pacific Islands Company, now called the Pacific Phosphate Company, was formed and has been and still is controlled by ex-Colonial officials, who transferred their services direct from the public to the company and used knowledge acquired in the public service for their own advantage; whether he is aware of the complaints that the officials subsequently sent to the Ocean Island, having been previously subordinate to directors of the company, have administered the affairs of the island in the interest of the company and to the detriment of the natives; and if he can state from any independent source the relative value of guano-phosphate as a source of wealth in that island; the annual value of the exports from the island, specifying them; the amount of public revenue derived from guano-phosphate and from foodstuffs, respectively; and the annual expenditure on the island for the benefit of the natives?

The Pacific Phosphate Company is not controlled by ex-Colonial officials. The late Lord Stanmore had ceased to be High Commissioner of the Western Pacific for over twenty years when he joined the board of the company. I am not aware that any of the Government officials on Ocean Island were formerly servants of the company. I have already informed the hon. Member that I do not know the value of the phosphates. For information on the other points raised in the question I have to refer to the latest annual report in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Cd. 6667–34) and (Cd. 6667–1).

also asked whether it is with the authority of the Home Government, and, if not, by what authority, that the resident commissioner on Ocean Island imposes taxes upon food, while phosphate, which is the chief wealth of the island, goes tax free; by what authority the amount of the tax is doubled when delivery is not made on a fixed date; by what authority food is seized for tax while some are dying of starvation and natives imprisoned and their land confiscated when unable to find the food tax demanded; and, if any accounts of those food taxes are rendered, whether he will make them available?

The system of native taxation in the Gilberts and Ellice Islands Protectorate, which includes Ocean Island, is explained in (Cd. 4356) and (Cd. 4992). The phosphates are not tax free, as a payment of 1s. a ton on the exports is now made. There is no foundation for the allegations conveyed in the question as to the manner in which the native taxes are collected or as to the results of the taxation.

also asked when, at whose instance, and on what grounds the terms of the concession to the Pacific Phosphate Company on Ocean Island have been revised; on what basis of quantity and value; on what independent information the basis was arrived at; whether the revision was the result of inquiries in this House; whether the area conceded to the company was enlarged; whether the concession indemnifies the company for illegal compulsory acquisition of land and enables them to take land compulsorily in future; in what way, if at all, the consent of the native owners of the phosphate was obtained; and whether the Secretary of State will place in the Library a copy of the revised concession?

The revision of the Company's Ocean Island concession was made in consequence of a Report in 1909 from the assistant to the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, to the effect that the natives were not satisfied with the arrangements then existing. The new arrangements have been made with the full consent of the natives. A copy of the Agreement shewing the revised arrangements will be placed in the Library.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the repeated reports of the local medical officer of health as to the insanitary conditions of the water supply to the towns of Fishguard and Goodwick; and whether he intends to take any steps to compel the North Pembrokeshire Water and Gas Company to supply good water to the town?

My attention has been drawn to this matter, and I am sending a medical inspector and an engineering inspector to investigate the local circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that a demand has been made to supply a weighbridge for cattle at Birkenhead; and whether he will give this request his favourable consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I shall be glad to consider any representations which may be made to me on the subject.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is now in a position to state what arrangements have been made for the free movment of cattle out of the county of Kerry, in view of the absolutely healthy record it has held for the past thirty years?

The cessation of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland—it is now practically five weeks since the last outbreak—has allowed of the Drogheda-Shannon cordon being abolished recently, and the cordon in the south-western area being considerably contracted. These changes took effect on 3rd instant, and since then there has been nothing to prevent the free movement of cattle out of county Kerry.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can supply any information as to the number of young male persons committeed to prison for non-payment of fines in the Metropolitan area and in other parts of Great Britain during the years 1912 and 1913?

The figures for which my hon. Friend asks are being collected and will be sent to him.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give particulars showing the offences committed by the 112 juvenile offenders between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years who were sent to prison during 1912, the length of each offender's sentence, and the prisons to which they were respectively committed?

The number of young persons under sixteen received in prison in the year 1912 was thirty-seven. The figure 112, quoted from Table XVI. of the Criminal Statistics, includes, as will be seen from the note on page 69, a considerable number of adult persons whose cases were dealt with at Juvenile Courts because they were charged jointly with juvenile offenders. In twelve other cases included in the 112 the sentence was for one day only, and the offender would, in accordance with the usual practice, be released at the end of the day's proceedings without being sent to prison. No child under fourteen can be sentenced to imprisonment, and no young person between fourteen and sixteen can be sentenced to imprisonment unless the Court certifies that he is of so unruly a character that he cannot be detained in a place of detention under the Children Act, or that he is of so depraved a character that he is not a fit person to be so detained. The following table gives particulars of the young persons received in prison on conviction in 1912:—

CONVICTED AT JUVENILE COURTS (including a few cases tried at ordinary Petty Sessions, because charged jointly with adults). Age of Offender. Offence. Sentence. Prison to which Committed. Years. Months. 1. 15 - Carnal knowledge of imbecile women 3 months' hard labour Reading. 2. 15 5 Indecent assault on girl under 13 21 days (second division) Shrewsbury. 3. 15 3 Larceny 3 months (Borstal treatment) Derby. 4. 15 6 Larceny 3 months (Borstal treatment) Derby. 5. 15 - Drunk and disorderly 1 month's hard labour Derby. 6. 15 - Common assault 14 days St. Albans. 7. 15 - Larceny 1 month Manchester. 8. 15 - Larceny 3 months' hard labour Lincoln. 9. 15 - Larceny 7 days Norwich. 10. 15 6 Wandering abroad without visible means of subsistence 1 month's hard labour Warwick. 11. 15 9 Wilful damage Fine, 11s. 9d. or 7 days Birmingham. 12. 14 - Railway trespass Fine, 10s. 6d. or 7 days Cardiff. 13. 15 - Gaming Fine, 18s. or 7 days Cardiff. 14. 15 1 Larceny 2 months (second division) Durham. 15. 14 - Larceny Reformatory detention Exeter. 16. 15 11 Obscene language Fine, 14s. or 14 days Hull. 17. 15 8 Wilful damage Fine, £1 1s. 1d. or 7 days Ipswich. 18. 15 6 Wilful damage Fine, 14s. or 7 days Ipswich. 19. 15 9 Wilful damage Fine, 14s. or 7 days Ipswich. Obscene language Fine, 12s. 7d. or 3 days 20. 15 6 Travelling on railway without paying fare 1 month Lewes. 21. 15 9 Larceny Reformatory detention Lewes. 22. 15 5 Travelling on railway without paying fare Fine, 15s. or 14 days Lincoln. 23. 15 - Soliciting for immoral purposes 3 months' hard labour Pentonville. 24. 15 - Soliciting for immoral purposes Committed to Quarter Sessions as an incorrigible rogue. At Quarter Sessions he was sentenced to 9 months and to receive 25 strokes, birch Pentonville. 25. 15 5 Larceny Reformatory detention Shrewsbury. 26. 15 6 Larceny and assault 6 weeks hard labour and Fine, 36s. 6d. or 1 month's hard labour, concurrent Swansea. 27. 15 - Travelling on railway without paying fare Fine, 32s. or 14 days Swansea. 28. 15 9 Larceny 1 month's hard labour Winchester CONVICTED AT QUARTER SESSIONS. 29. 15 - Attempted unnatural offence Reformatory detention Exeter. 30. 14 6 Attempted unnatural offence Reformatory detention Exeter. 31. 15 8 Shopbreaking Reformatory detention Lancaster. 32. 15 6 Assault with intent to commit rape 2 years' hard labour Lincoln. 33. 15 6 Attempted unnatural offence 1 month (second division) Lincoln. 34. 15 - Housebreaking Reformatory detention Northampton. 35. 15 - Housebreaking Reformatory detention Northampton. 36. 15 - Counting-house breaking 12 months (Borstal system) Stafford. CONVICTED AT ASSIZES. 37. 14 9 Indecency with male 1 month's hard labour Cardiff.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the number of children examined by His Majesty's inspectors for labour certificates at the Castle council school, Bristol, on Saturday, 20th June; what number of children failed in reading aloud; and whether these failures are attributable to the new method of silent reading recommended by His Majesty's inspector (Mr. E. F. Davidson) in his notes of a conference between His Majesty's inspector and the chairman and vice-chairman of the Bristol education committee, and the chairman of the furnishing and requisitions sub-committee, at the Guildhall, Bristol, on 22nd January, 1914?

Thirty-three girls and sixty-three boys were examined on the occasion referred to. All these children reached the required standard in reading with the exception of one girl and three boys. In each of these four cases the child also failed in writing and arithmetic, so that even had it passed in reading it would still have failed to obtain a certificate. There appears to be no ground for the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of the question.

also asked the President whether his attention has been called to a circular recently issued to teachers in Bristol on the subject of reading in elementary schools by Mr. E. F. Davidson, His Majesty's inspector, embodying the notes of a conference between His Majesty's inspector and the chairman and vice-chairman of the Bristol education committee, and the chairman of the furnishing and requisitions sub-committee, held at the Guildhall, Bristol, on 22nd January, 1914; whether the issue of the circular in question was with his sanction; whether the circular possesses the force of an instruction from the Board of Education; and whether he is aware that some of the advice given in the circular is at variance with the instructions issued by the Board of Education on the subject of the teaching of English?

I have seen a copy of the circular referred to, which was issued not by His Majesty's inspector but by the local education authority. The notes by His Majesty's inspector embodied in it were, I understand, drawn up and issued to the teachers at the request of the local education authority. They were not sub- mitted for my sanction before issue, but I see no reason for taking any exception to the action of the inspector in this matter. I cannot find any serious discrepancy between the advice given in these notes and that given in Circular 808 issued by the Board on the teaching of English. But I may point out that Circular 808, as its title indicates, does not contain instructions from the Board, but suggestions for the consideration of teachers and others, and its issue is not intended to preclude either teachers or His Majesty's inspectors from exercising reasonable liberty in adapting its recommendations, in points of detail to suit the circumstances of particular areas or schools.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Fishery Board for Scotland have lately appointed a Departmental Committee to consider the position of inshore fishermen on the northwestern and northern coasts of Scotland; if so, what are the terms of reference of this Committee; to what counties does it apply; and which members of the Board compose the Committee?

I am informed that the Fishery Board for Scotland has appointed a Committee of members of the Board, consisting of the deputy-chairman, the Marquess of Breadalbane, Provost Malcolm Smith, and the secretary. The Committee is to investigate the condition of the inshore fisheries on the west and north coasts and in the Outer Islands, and to report to the Board.

also asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the criticism passed on the Scottish Departmental Committee on North Sea Fisheries at the annual meeting of the Scottish Fishery Association, he can see his way to appoint a Committee, similar to that appointed by the Postmaster-General to inquire into the Holt Committee Report, to examine the Report in so far as it relates to loans to fishermen, the method adopted of obtaining evidence, and the financial interests, if any, in loans to drifters of any members of the Committee?

I see no sufficient reason for taking the course proposed by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say how many Labour Exchanges have been opened in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively; how many and which Labour Exchanges have been closed; and for what reasons?

Name of Labour Exchange. Reason for Closing. England:— Eckington … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Great Harwood … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Harwich … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Hinckley … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Mossley … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Padiham … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Prescot … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Rushden … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Skipton … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Winsford … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Yeadon … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Bromsgrove … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Holmfirth … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Ironbridge … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Leyland … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Leominster … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Romford … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Tamworth … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Uttoxeter … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Westhoughton … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Beeston … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Bootle (Derby Road) … Expenditure not justified by work done. Buckton Vale … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Felling … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Haydock … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Lees … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Milnsbridge … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Netherfield … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Waterfoot … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Burnley (Elm Street) … Amalgamated with other Burnley Exchanges. Sheepscar … … Amalgamated Leeds. Stirchley … … Transferred to Selly Oak. Truro … … Transferred Redruth. Runcorn … … Amalgamated with Widnes Exchange. Scotland:— Leith Docks … … Expenditure not justified by work done. Ireland:— Ballymena … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Portadown … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Lurgan … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Wales:— Aberkenfig … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Blaenau Festiniog … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Ferndale … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Pontardulais … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Pontlottyn … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Porth … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted. Treorchy … … Expenditure not justified by work done: Local Agency of the Unemployment Fund substituted.

The following is a table showing the Labour Exchanges closed, or about to be closed, in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively, with the reason for closing in each case:—

asked the Postmaster-General how many years' service the present postmistress of Bryansford Post Office, county Down, has had; and if he will also state how many years' service she had as principal assistant at the Bryansford Post Office before she was appointed postmistress?

The present sub-postmistress of Bryansford has been employed as assistant at various sub-offices since August, 1903. She became assistant at Bryansford sub-office on the 14th of January, 1909, and she was appointed sub-postmistress on 12th January, 1914.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that, whilst certain members of the Manchester Wholesale Meat Salesmen's Association have their letters delivered about 6.15 a.m., other members who have joined the association since the arrangements for early delivery were made are refused their letters until the delivery about eight o'clock; and whether, in view of the importance to the consumers of meat in the neighbourhood of Manchester of early supplies being available in the shops, he will reconsider his refusal to allow the advantage of the early delivery to members of this association without any further attempt to charge extra fees, as it is a matter of public convenience and not only that of the meat salesmen?

The arrangement whereby a special delivery of correspondence in advance of the ordinary delivery is made to certain members of the Manchester Wholesale Meat Salesmen's Association at a reduced fee is altogether exceptional, and although I have decided, in view of the fact that the concession has been in force for many years, to continue it exceptionally to those firms now in enjoyment of the privilege, I regret that I am unable either to dispense with or to reduce the prescribed fees in the case of new applicants for the special service.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Bransty, Whitehaven, for additional postal facilities; and, if so, if he can see his way to accede to their request?

An acknowledgment of the receipt of the petition was sent to the hon. Member on the 12th ultimo. A town sub-office at which postal orders will be sold and cashed will be opened in the neighbourhood in question as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the advisability of allowing postmen and postal messengers to wear holland overalls, instead of their heavy uniforms, in this hot weather?

I do not consider it desirable to make any change in the direction suggested by the hon. Member. The officers in question are supplied with lighter uniform for the summer months and are permitted to wear white straw hats during the hot weather.