asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the damage done by the heather beetle on hundreds of thousands of acres of moorland in the north of England and south of Scotland; and will he consider, as the best means of ridding the country of these pests, the advisability of passing legislation to authorise heather being burnt between the months of May and August?

So far as England is concerned the Board have no reason to believe that the damage caused by the heather beetle is serious. With regard to Scotland, the hon. and gallant Gentleman should address his question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland. I am advised that in England the burning of heather during the summer months is not illegal.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in the opinion of his expert advisers, the disinfectant commercially known as lysol or beta-lysol has been proved to be effective as an agent for the destruction of the germs of anthrax and foot-and-mouth disease in animal skins and hides; and, if so, whether the Board will press for the treatment with it of such articles prior to their shipment from abroad to this country?

I am advised that the disinfectant referred to, like many others of the same class, is capable of destroying the virus of foot-and-mouth disease, but that disinfectants of that class cannot be relied upon to destroy the spores of anthrax. I am not prepared at present to follow the suggestion made in the latter part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether any disinfectant has ever been discovered which will destroy the spores of anthrax?

I would ask for notice of that quesiton.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if it is proposed under the Government's Housing Bill to provide houses for agricultural labourers in purely rural districts only on in semi-industrial areas also, where they are apt to be crowded out of the available cottages by the higher paid employés of more profitable industries; whether it is proposed to let all Government cottages at a full economic rent representing 5 per cent. upon the capital outlay; whether a garden will be provided in every case; and, if so, what will be its minimum area?

The hon. Gentleman will find the answer to the first part of the question in Clause 1 of the Bill. It is the intention of the Government that all the cottages provided shall be let at an economic rent, but I am not prepared to accept absolutely the hon. Gentleman's definition of that phrase. Gardens will be provided wherever necessary; the size will naturally depend upon various circumstances, and I am not prepared to pledge myself to a minimum.

Are not gardens necessary in every case?

They cannot be necessary for people who cannot work in them.

asked why it is proposed under the Government Housing Bill to apply so large a sum as £2,000,000 for housing accommodation at Rosyth; how many workmen's houses will this sum provide; and what will happen to them when the constructional work there is completed?

The hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. A sum not exceeding £2,000,000 is proposed to be made available for the purposes set out in Clause 2 of the Bill, and when introducing the Bill I mentioned Rosyth only as one specially urgent case to be dealt with under that Clause. With regard to the latter parts of the question, I must refer the hon. Gentleman for details to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland, but I may explain that the houses proposed to be erected at Rosyth will be occupied by Admiralty employés when the constructional work now in progress is completed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the sum of £2,000,000 it is estimated will be spent at Rosyth?

I could not say without notice.

Will the expenditure also apply to the Greenock torpedo factory and the employés there who live at Gourock and the surrounding districts?

I could not answer that without notice.

asked whether it is intended under the terms of the Housing Bill to borrow £2,000,000 for the purpose of providing housing accommodation at Rosyth and £3,000,000 for the same purpose in the whole of the rest of Great Britain; and how many houses it is proposed to build at Rosyth and in the rest of the country, respectively?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Bill he will see that a sum not exceeding £3,000,000 is to be made available for the purposes set out in Clause 1—that is to say, the provision of dwellings and gardens in agricultural districts. It is impossible to estimate precisely the number of dwellings which are required in agricultural districts, but I have no reason to think that the sum named in the Bill will be insufficient to meet the immediate demand. For particulars of the Government's proposals in regard to Rosyth I must refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.

Do I understand that a sum not exceeding £2,000,000 is necessary for Rosyth and other Government factories, and that a sum not exceeding £3,000,000 only is all that is required for the rest of the country?

No, Sir. The hon. Member is not right in drawing that inference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say what the size of the gardens will be?

Do the Government propose to start building immediately, or can the right hon. Gentleman say at what time they expect to do so?

When we have the powers we shall certainly waste no time in making a start. We have not yet got the powers.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he proposes to pay a personal visit to Kew to discuss with the Government employés at the Royal Gardens the terms and conditions of their employment; and, if so, when such visit will take place?

I spent last Friday morning at Kew Gardens discussing with the employés the conditions of their employment, and the representations which were made to me are receiving careful consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, so far, the Keighley Corporation have not made any provision for hospital accommodation upon their waterworks now in course of construction, and that the nearest hospital for the treatment of accident cases is over five miles from the works over rough roads; and whether he proposes to insist upon the corporation making immediate accommodation for such cases on the works in accordance with the Act authorising their construction?

I have been in communication with the Corporation of Keighley on the subject of this question, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of their reply.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state how many men and women, respectively, have been placed on bread and water punishment diet in the various workhouses, and the periods and reasons of the punishments; and if he will state separately the number of cases where the punishment was ordered by the committee or by order of the workhouse master; whether he will consider the question of issuing new Regulations stating that before inmates of Poor Law institutions are ordered bread and water punishment diet their cases shall be dealt with by a committee formed from boards of guardians throughout the country, the various clerks of the unions concerned to be present to hear the evidence and statements of the inmates, and records of punishments to be kept in a book by the clerk to each board; and whether he will take steps to issue an Order that every inmate of a workhouse who is taken before a bench of justices or to Quarter Sessions for any offence be defended by a solicitor in order that the hardship may be removed of poor people, unskilled in legal matters, having to contend with highly-trained officials?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The establishment of a National Committee to review all cases of punishment does not appear to be practicable. An offences and punishments book is already kept by the master of each workhouse, and his power to punish an inmate is subject to regulations made by the guardians. The last part of the question should be addressed to the Home Secretary.

asked whether Regulations or Orders determining the nature of domiciliary treatment and the extent to which it may be given by local authorities to tuberculous non-insured persons are necessary for the guidance of such authorities; and, if so, on what date such Regulations were issued?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question on the 18th of June.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of discharges of civil labourers in the Admiralty Departments during the last two years; whether the vacancies so caused have been filled in by naval and Marine ratings; whether it is claimed that these ratings were used in case of emergency; and, if so, why civil labour was not employed to do the necessary work?

The number of civilian workpeople discharged from Admiralty establishments during the period referred to from all causes, including their own request, exceeded 8,000. Of this number rather less than half were labourers, skilled and otherwise. The total discharges were more than balanced by total entries, so that the net result is an increase on total numbers during the period in question. So far as can be ascertained, no vacancies were filled by naval or marine ratings.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to infer that no vacancies have ever been filled by naval and marine ratings?

They have not been filled, as suggested in the question, by the discharge of civilian workmen.

Has it not been the result of those discharges?

No, I should not think so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction in the Royal Dockyards at the number of petitions that remain unanswered, some of these petitions having been sent in some time ago; and whether it is possible to hurry the answer to these petitions?

The existence of any general dissatisfaction of the kind referred to has not been brought to notice. The petitions for 1912–13 were replied to in detail on 29th September last. New petitions were received in the latter part of April this year, and since that date I have received six large deputations of the petitioners in London, and have visited Haul-bowline, Pembroke Dock, Devonport, and Portsmouth to hear deputations of workmen in support of their petitions, Altogether, about 200 deputations have been received since the end of April, and I have still to visit Chatham, Sheerness, Dover, Portland, and Greenock. I would remind the Noble Lord that there are some 55,000 dockyard employés distributed over more than 100 classes in many separate departments and establishments. A survey of the kind followed cannot be disposed of in a few weeks; and I am confident that the employés generally fully realise the great amount of time and care bestowed on the hearing and consideration of their petitions, and that they are satisfied that all possible expedition will be used in replying to the petitions which they have presented this year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the corporations of Chatham, Portsmouth, and Devonport are paying their labourers 28s. 3d., 26s., and 26s., respectively; and if he will consider the advisability of raising the rates of pay for established and hired ordinary labourers so as to make these rates correspond more nearly with the current wages paid to men doing similar work for the corporations mentioned?

The rates of wages paid by the corporations of the dockyard towns have been put before me in the representations which have been made by the dockyard employés in their petitions for increases in wages. In dealing with the applications from the dockyard employés for advances in wages, every available relevant fact is most carefully considered.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman understand that on former occasions he has told me that the rate of wages payable to dockyard labourers is based upon the rate paid in the district?

That is no doubt the fact. The hon. Member takes certain cases which do not represent the whole field of operations outside the yard, but these have been placed before me, and I most carefully consider every case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to answer the petitions which were presented from His Majesty's dockyards?

As soon as my visits to the yards, and the consequent consideration by the Board of Admiralty of the questions raised, are complete. The hon. Member will see from the reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth that a very great deal of time and labour are involved.

asked how many skilled and ordinary labourers in His Majesty's dockyards have been promoted to chargemen, recorders, and inspectors during the twelve months ending 30th June, 1914?

Fifteen skilled labourers have been made chargemen during the period in question. No skilled or ordinary labourers have been promoted to recorders or inspectors during the same period.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has arrived when that should be the case?

They are eligible for recorders, but they are not often selected because more suitable, men are available.

May I direct your attention, Sir, to the fact that there are 127 questions on the Paper?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to do something to meet the requirements of married seamen in the Royal Navy; whether any married allowance is given in the Aus- tralian Navy; and, if so, what is that allowance and what are the conditions, if any, surrounding it?

I would refer the hon. Member to the First Lord's answer to the hon. Member for East Leeds on the 12th February, 1913. I understand that in the Royal Australian Navy, under certain conditions, married allowance of 2s. a day is given to warrant officers and commissioned warrant officers, and to chief petty officers, petty officers and other ratings over five years' man's service at rates varying from 1s. 3d. to 1s. 9d. a day.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate giving married men in the Navy any additional allowance?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any and, if so, what special consideration has been shown to the dependants of those who suffered through the disaster to submarine A 7; and whether he is prepared to receive further applications from that source?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on 12th February last, in which I gave details of the pensions and allowances which had at that date been awarded. Since then the following additional awards have been made: A pension of 5s. a week to a widow, with allowances amounting to 3s. a week for her children; a gratuity of £30 8s. 4d. to a mother; a gratuity of £57 15s. 10d. to a mother. The awards detailed represent the utmost that can be given from Greenwich Hospital or Naval funds; but it is understood that in most if not all of the cases the awards have been liberally supplemented from non-official sources.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the mothers is afflicted owing to the loss of her son, and is he prepared to pay the necessary money to maintain her?

I was not aware of it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that notice has been given to His Majesty's ship "Amphion," now lying at Harwich, to the effect that after the review that ship is to return to Harwich and give seven days' leave to each watch; that this means an outlay of £1 5s. to each man living at Devonport; and whether, in view of the fact that the crew abroad His Majesty's ship "Amphion" are mostly West Country men, he can see his way to make such changes in the order as will allow of the men not being out of pocket by having to pay expensive railway fares before they can join their wives and children?

I am aware that the existing orders are as stated by the hon. Member, but as orders are being issued for His Majesty's ship "Amphion" to be recommissioned at Devonport at an early date leave will now be given to her crew at that port on paying off.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to put in force the statement made by the First Lord of the Admiralty some little time ago that he would himself see into this matter?

The "Amphion" will pay off at Devonport, and therefore the men will not have to pay these railway fares.

asked whether the Government are considering the present mode of appeal on the part of lower-deck ratings; and, if so, on what lines it is proposed the modification shall proceed?

It is not proposed to modify the system, which is working satisfactorily.

asked whether Captain Kemp has been placed on half-pay, and has been officially informed that he will not be employed again afloat; whether any recommendation on this subject was received from the admiral under whom he was serving; and, if so, did the admiral recommend this course?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the remainder of the question, I must decline in the public interest to give any information upon the confidental reports of flag officers to the Admiralty.

asked whether it is the function of the First Sea Lord to deal, in the first instance, with supercessions of post-captains in His Majesty's Fleet; and, if so, what proposals did the First Sea Lord make in the case of Captain Kemp?

The duties of the First Sea Lord of the Admiralty are as set forth in the Memorandum of distribution of business which has been laid before the House, and in accordance with that Memorandum important matters of discipline are referred to him. It would be contrary to precedent, and not in accordance with the public interests, that any advice given by the First Sea Lord on such a matter should be published.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that he is not overriding naval opinion on this occasion?

I should require some definition of what naval opinion is. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman presumes to include himself.

asked whether there is a maximum price which the Admiralty can be called upon to pay the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for their supplies of oil under the sliding scale; if so, what is that maximum price, or does the price paid for the liquid fuel depend upon whether a profit is made on the numerous products manufactured and sold by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in various markets?

I have already stated that it is not the practice or in the public interest that the price should be disclosed.

Is there a maximum price or not? If there is a loss on the by-products does it naturally increase the price of the oil, and if it does not, how is the loss made up?

The hon. Member must give notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent progress in the science of aviation and the growing size and importance of the submarine, he will state what modification, if any, in the policy of building battleships and the consequent reduction in naval expenditure may be hoped for?

It is not possible to deal with issues of this magnitude within the restricted limits of question and answer.

Has my right hon. Friend seen the report of the proceedings of the congress of Naval Architects held last week, and can he not say whether what was said there will assist in enabling the Admiralty to form an opinion on this important public question?

The Admiralty give the fullest attention to all discussions in regard to naval construction which are likely to afford them useful guidance. It is possible that when the Navy Estimates are Tinder discussion I may feel myself in a position to deal with the matter.

When will that be?

That is a question of business which must be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked whether any of the engine-room artificers now serving on submarines at Hong Kong have been on that station since 1912; and, if so, why have such men not been relieved, and if they can be relieved this year; and, if not, if their continuance at their present work for a further period, that is till the next relief, will mean money compensation for them or if the extra period served on this station will count specially towards promotion?

Two engine-room artificers in these submarines have been on the station since June, 1912. I regret that in my answer to the hon. Gentleman of 1st July I overlooked that fact. When the crews were last relieved in April, 1913, these men were absent from home less than a year, and would be retained until the crews are again relieved in March, 1915, in accordance with the drafting regulations. In the case of this particular service, however, arrangements will be made to relieve men at the earliest suitable opportunity after completing two years' service. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bring the matter before the Board of Admiralty, so that the men should not be asked to spend more than two years on an apparently unhealthy station?

In the case of these particular men they will have very little more than two years on that station.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether the Government can now make any announcement in regard to the insurance committees which have deficiencies on the drug fund in respect of the year ending January, 1914; what the approximate amount of the deficiency is in each case; and whether the Government propose to make a Grant so that the panel chemists may get paid for the drugs they have supplied on the doctors' orders?

For the reasons already given in my previous replies I am unable to make any general announcement as to the position with regard to any deficiencies for the year 1913. The rest of the question docs not, accordingly, arise.

When will the Government be able to make an announcement?

There are many committees, and in those cases where there is any doubt scrutiny is proceeding, and when the scrutiny is complete a full answer can be given.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the consideration raised by the recently published Annual Report of the National Health Insurance Commissioners as regards the financial position of the approved societies, the position of deposit contributors, the excessive claims of women, and the bearing of the question of unemployment upon the operation of health insurance generally, he will consider as to the appointment of a special committee to inquire into the working of the Act as a whole, with a view to formulating comprehensive proposals for its amendment in the light of the experience now available; and if, in the meantime, he will postpone any proposal for amendment or limit such proposals to matters of detail which will not admit of delay?

A special committee appointed last autumn has been examining the whole question of sickness claims under the Insurance Act, and will, I am informed, report shortly. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced that the Government propose to deal with these questions by such means as experience has proved desirable.

Will the Report be published and issued to the House before the House rises?

I cannot say without notice.

asked whether Cd. 7496 is the only Report of the National Insurance Act to be issued for 1913–14, or whether there is to be a separately bound copy for Scotland?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Enfield Division on the 9th instant.

asked what will be the cost of administering the scheme drawn up by the National Health Commissioners for applying the provisions of Part I. of the National Insurance Act to casual labour; and if similar schemes have been framed for Scotland or Ireland?

The proposed scheme for the insurance of casual waterside labour in the Port of London will, if a formal demand is received, be the subject of a judicial inquiry under Section 19 of the Act of 1913, and pending such inquiry my right hon. Friend is not prepared to make any statement in regard to the details of the scheme.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the question as applying not only to waterside casual labour, but to casual labour generally? The question said nothing about waterside casual labour.

This question applies to the Special Order which has been promulgated with which an inquiry will be held.

asked how many appeals have been made to the Insurance Commissioners against decisions given in pursuance of the disputes rules of approved societies, and in what proportion of such cases the Commissioners have decided in favour of the insured person?

The several bodies of Insurance Commissioners have in all decided forty appeals under Section 67 of the National Insurance Act; twenty-three decisions have been given in favour of insured persons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether any and, if so, how many approved societies are in the habit of requiring a deposit of 10s. or more to be made before a member can take proceedings to recover benefit which he believes to be wrongfully refused or stopped; and (2) whether, in view of the importance of procuring eventually some uniform, cheap, and simple procedure for the settlement of disputes between insured persons and their approved societies, he will publish a statement showing the different forms of procedure in operation for the settlement of such disputes, and the number of societies which require deposits to be made before such procedure can be brought into operation; the amount of such deposits, and the number of women members of the societies in question?

The complete information asked for would involve a special and elaborate examination of the rules of over 2,000 societies. A statement as to the rules adopted by societies covering the vast majority of the insured population shall, however, be compiled and sent to the Noble Lord as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what were the numbers of claims made and the amount of the repayments for each of the last four years in respect of Income Tax on interest paid to banks?

The number of claims made in respect of Income Tax on interest paid to banks in the years 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913, were 8,200, 9,300, 10,485, and 11,650, respectively. The figures for the first two years are approximate only. No information is available as to the amounts of the repayments.

asked under what Act and Section of the Income Tax Acts employés of limited companies are assessed under Schedule E?

The assessment is under the third rule of Schedule E contained in Section 146 of the Income Tax Act, 1842.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Regulation has been or will be made to repay the excess Income Tax in cases where 1s. 4d. in the £ has been deducted by companies paying dividends to persons resident abroad; and whether it will be necessary for such persons to incur the expense and inconvenience of swearing affidavits, as in the case of claims in respect of foreign and Colonial dividends?

The dividends referred to being paid out of profits charged to Income Tax by direct assessment on the companies, the question of adjustment in respect of any excessive deduction of tax is one for settlement between the companies and their shareholders. No affidavits would therefore appear to be necessary.

asked what is the number of employés of limited liability companies assessed to Income Tax, Schedule E, on average under the Board of Inland Revenue's concession?

Precise figures are not available, but at a rough estimate the number would be 200,000.

May I ask whether there is any authority for allowing averages under Schedule E, and why it is allowed in some cases and not in others?

I should like notice of that question.

asked what is the number of married women in respect of whose incomes returns are made by their husbands; and what is the total amount of income thus returned in the latest year for which figures are available?

To obtain the information asked for by the hon. and learned Member would involve the re-examination of all Income Tax returns, and I am not prepared to give directions to this effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount which it is estimated that the revenue would lose if the incomes of husband and wife were treated as separate for the purpose of Income Tax and Super-tax; and how is this estimate arrived at?

No definite figures are available, but from the calculations which have been made it is estimated that the immediate loss to the revenue would amount to at least £2,000,000. This figure does not take into account the loss which would inevitably arise from the transfer of income from husbands to wives for the purpose of avoiding taxation.

How is it possible to arrive at that estimate without knowing the amounts?

This estimate was made some years ago for the purpose of discussion on the question of the separation of husband's and wife's incomes, and that is the conclusion they came to. Of course, it must very largely be a matter of estimate.

How is it possible to arrive at that estimate without knowing the amount returned as the wife's income, and without knowing what proportion is deducted at the source?

I have no doubt inquiries were made in that year. That is an estimate, and can only be an approximate one at best.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to put on the Paper the Clause for giving some relief to life insurance offices from the admitted grievances to which they are subject in relation to Income Tax which were recently called to his attention by a deputation representing those offices, and which will be greatly accentuated by the Finance Bill?

I have placed one Amendment on the Paper as a result of the representations made to me at the deputation referred to. I hope to find an opportunity of making a statement on this question in the course of to-day's proceedings in Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not see his way to putting down an Amendment with regard to the expenses of the insurance offices?

I did make a statement in Committee the other day about that.

asked whether it is intended that in the case of income arising from rent in any place out of the United Kingdom and not received in the United Kingdom the same deductions and relief should be allowed under Section 5 of the Finance Bill as under Schedule A of the Income Tax Acts, or whether it is in tended that any and, if so, what deductions should be allowed from gross rent?

It is provided by Clause 5 of the Finance Bill that in estimating for Income Tax purposes the amount of any unremitted income arising from rents abroad, it shall be subject to the same deductions and allowances as if it had been received in the United Kingdom and to a deduction on account of any annual payment payable out of the income to a person not resident in the United Kingdom. For the deductions and allowances applicable to income from rent which is remitted, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the first and fifth cases of Schedule D, in Section 100 of the Income Tax Act, 1842.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provisions of the Finance Bill giving effect to the Resolution authorising an Income Tax at the rate of 1s. 4d. have been rejected; and, if so, what authority there is now for the collection of any Income Tax having regard to Section 1 ( b ) of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1913?

The Resolution authorising Income Tax at the rate of 1s. 4d. has not ceased to have statutory effect, and the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

As the provision contained in the Finance Bill for the purpose of confirming the Resolution has been, in fact, rejected on the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman, when he moved that 1s. 4d. should not stand part, and that 1s. 3d. should take its place, is it not the fact that under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, if, after the introduction of the Finance Bill, the confirming Resolution is rejected, the Resolution ceases to have effect?

The point has been considered, and if the Noble Lord will look at the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act he will find that the variation has been made, not in Committee, but by the House, and therefore the alteration would not take place until the 1s. 3d. had been adopted on the Report stage by the House. That is the opinion obtained.

Will the Resolution then cease to have effect altogether?

Yes, the 1s. 4d. Resolution will have ceased to have effect except to the extent of 1s. 3d. Power is given to vary only by the House and not in Committee.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can arrange for the Office of Works Vote to be put down at an early date to enable a discussion to be taken on the proposed reduction in status of the Scottish Office of Works; and, if so, will he give the date?

Unless a general desire is expressed, I am afraid no further opportunity for the discussion of Office of Works Votes will occur this Session.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a singularly important change of policy has been adumbrated by the Board of Works and that it may be carried unless an opportunity is given for the discussion of the Office of Works Vote?

The hon. Member must endeavour to arrange with the Secretary for Scotland.

I am not the Leader of the Scottish Liberal party.

Will any opportunity be given on a Scottish Vote for the discussion of the subject?

It could be discussed on the Appropriation Bill, but not on a Scottish Vote.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is a Scottish Member perhaps he may assist me.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) if he will ascertain from the keeper of the prints and the keeper of British and mediæval antiquities if they are satisfied with the arrangements made for the exhibition of the works of art in their departments as regards space and position of cases and as regards light; if such arrangements have been found to be defective, whether steps are being taken to remedy them; and (2) if he is now in a position to say which of the keepers of the collections to be housed in the new building of the British Museum were consulted before the plans were passed and the building begun; if he will ascertain whether any of the keepers were shown any of the proposed plans before the building was built; whether any of them were asked to send in reports as to their special requirements as to space, arrangement of cases, and lighting; and if the keepers of the different collections have, since they have seen the accommodation provided for the collections, expressed their satisfaction or their disapproval?

I cannot undertake to obtain the opinions of individual officers in the employment of the Trustees of the British Museum, and can add nothing to my answer of the 17th February last.

asked what structural use the wooden columns in the new buildings of the British Museum allocated to the librarian's department are serving; what is the diameter of these wooden space-occupying features of decoration; and whether they are fireproof?

It is assumed that the columns referred to are those in the north library. They carry the weight of the galleries above. Their diameter is 2 ft. 9 in. They are not made of wood, and are of fireproof construction.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will ascertain whether the bookshelves fitted in the new buildings of the British Museum are fireproof; whether these new shelves are of metal like the bookshelves in the older portions of the library and like all modern bookcases in all famous American and Continental public libraries; and, if the new cases and shelves are not of metal, why metal has been discarded in the British Museum for an inflammable material?

The bookshelves in the parts of the new buildings allotted to book storage are of metal, so far as they have yet been provided, and will be wholly so. In the room which connects the old buildings with the new they are of wood as in the older portions of the library.

asked the Prime Minister whether the nature and scope of the Commission or Committee to be appointed to investigate the whole relationship of the State towards its employés in regard to the settlement and adjustment of wages and conditions of employment have been decided, and what they are?

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to fulfil the promise of the Government that they will set up some body which shall inquire what shall be the future relations of the State with its employés, both as to remuneration and general conditions of labour?

The matter is still under consideration, but I hope to be able to make a further announcement on the subject shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that on Friday, the 3rd instant, on the eve of the breaking up of the Finner camp, Ballyshannon, county Donegal, Colonel Madden, the officer in command of the 3rd battalion Irish Fusiliers, ordered the guns and bayonets of the men of that battalion to be taken from them, packed up, and dispatched by rail to headquarters, and that the men of the battalion marched out of camp unarmed, whereas the men of two other battalions left the camp with guns and bayonets; whether Colonel Madden has been called on for an explanation of this course of procedure; if so, what explanation, if any, has been tendered by him; and what action have the authorities of the War Office taken or what action do they intend to take in respect to this proceeding on the part of Colonel Madden?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Colonel Madden, the colonel in command of the 3rd battalion Irish Fusiliers, the Queen's Militia, ordered the men of that regiment on Friday, the 3rd instant, to give up their guns and bayonets, which were conveyed by rail to the headquarters, and that on Saturday, the 4th instant, on the breaking up of the camp at Finner, county Donegal, where the regiment was training, the men of that regiment marched out of the camp disarmed, while the men of other regiments who were also training at Finner camp were allowed to retain their arms; were the rank and file alone deprived of their arms, or were the officers of the regiment also disarmed, or if any distinction in this respect was made between the officers and the men; what was the reason of that distinction; and whether the War Offiffice authorities intend to take any, and, if so, what action in the matter?

I am informed that the procedure has been, entirely normal and dictated in each case solely by consideration of what was the most economical method of getting the arms back from the camping place to the usual place of storage. In one case, as the troops were themselves proceeding to the place where their arms are stored, they took them in their hands; in the other, as they were proceeding elsewhere, the arms were collected and sent by train.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was able to tell his audience at Huntingdon on the 8th instant that the hope entertained by some persons that the Government of Ireland Bill would be refused the Royal Assent would be proved false in the immediate future; and whether the Under-Secretary had obtained the authority of the Government before making the statement referred to?

My hon. Friend expressed his views as to what would happen in the future. There was no need for him to obtain the authority of the Government before doing so.

I desire to ask the Prime Minister when he proposes to take the Second Reading of the Government of Ireland Amending Bill?

I cannot make, obviously, any definite statement with regard to a Bill the final stages of which have not yet been completed, but I should hope we may be able to proceed with the Bill in the course of next week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not make it a little more definite? It is understood that the Bill will leave the other place to-morrow night, and, if that should be so, can the right hon. Gentleman not give a definite date for taking it here?

No. The matter will require a good deal of consideration. I do not know when the Bill will reach here, but certainly time ought to be given to consider its provisions very carefully, and, as I have said, we hope to take it in the course of next week.

May I put another question to the right hon. Gentleman as soon as we know exactly when the Bill has left the other place?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state when the inquiry into the use of troops in times of civil disturbance is to be instituted; and the nature and composition of the body to be appointed?

It is intended to appoint a Select Committee of the House of Commons to inquire into this matter. The terms of reference have been drawn up and arrangements, which will, I hope, be shortly concluded, are being made through the usual channels for its establishment.

May we have the terms of reference, or are they not yet fixed?

Yes, I will give them.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to give effect this year to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on legal delay in the High Courts; that arrangements should be made for the trial, during the Long Vacation, of Order XIV. cases, of cases in the speedy trial list, and of such others as the judge may hold to be really pressing; and that the Long Vacation should be reduced to two months, lasting from 1st August to the 1st October?

I understand that the Judges of the King's Bench Division have made the arrangements suggested for business during the Long Vacation, but that the question of its reduction is regarded as part of the recommendations depending on the number of judges, to be fixed by Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister whether Lord Saye and Sele is still a Member of the Government?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask the Prime Minister a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether Lord Saye and Sele did not in his personal statement admit that he—

The hon. Member is not entitled to put a question of that character unless it is urgent, and he ought to bring the question to the Table and let me see if it is in order and urgent.

asked the Prime Minister if there are any representatives of the Colonies on the Committee of Imperial Defence; if not, what opportunity is afforded to the Committee of ascertaining the views of the Colonies on the matters coming before them; and if it is proposed to take steps with a view to establishing a permanent committee or other body containing representatives of the self-governing Colonies to deal with all matters affecting Imperial defence, so as to avoid friction arising through the adoption of measures which do not have regard to the special knowledge of local conditions which can only be possessed by the Colonial Governments themselves?

The only Member of the Committee of Imperial Defence is the Prime Minister, who summons to attend its meetings such persons as he thinks fit. As regards the second part of the question, Dominion Ministers, when visiting this country, are in accordance with arrangements made at the last Imperial Conference invited to attend meetings of the Committee. Since May, 1911, twenty-one Ministers of the Dominions have attended meetings. The views and intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to the third part of the question were recently published in Cd. Paper 7347.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the reasons why his Department refuses to publish the Report of Sir Edward Ward's Committee on the Industrial Training of the Army?

The publication of the Report of Sir E. Ward's Committee on Industrial Training of Soldiers has been held over pending consideration of its bearing on the reference to the Committee dealing with the Civil Employment of the Ex-soldier.

Am I to take it for granted that a second Committee has been appointed for the purpose of delaying the publication of this Committee's Report?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is proposed to publish the Report of the Committee?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether any officers or any branch of the Army have indicated their unwillingness to obey orders under certain stated circumstances; and, if so, will he give the names of such officers or the names of the regiments that have given this indication to the Army Council?

As far as I am aware, the answer to the first part of the question in the negative. The second part does not therefore arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the speech made by Lord Roberts in the other House, in which he stated that this had been done?

The hon. Member is not entitled to refer to speeches made in the other House.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent Order inviting Sections A and B, Army Reservists, to return to the Colours is confined to Reservists of particular regiments, and, if so, of which regiments; and whether it is proposed to offer any bounty in order to induce these Reservists to rejoin in sufficient numbers to make good the present shortage of 11,084 men in the Regular Army?

The invitation is confined to certain Cavalry and Infantry units at home, some seventy-four in number. I can send the hon. and gallant Member a list if he desires. No bounty is being offered.

Is it not the case that 250 rupees is offered to induce time-expired men in India to extend their service with the Colours, and is it not almost equally important to maintain the Regular Army at home up to strength?

That is a different kind of case.

Has the hon. Gentleman no effective scheme or proposal to make good the present shortage at home?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the case that under the new organisation of the Royal Garrison Artillery no officer in future can become more than a major or command a greater force than a single company, whereas in other branches an officer may look forward to commanding eventually a regiment, a battalion, or a brigade with corresponding rank; and if under the new organisation officers who have commanded regiments are now reduced to the command of single companies?

As I stated on the 6th instant, no existing officers will be reduced in rank, and the position and status of existing lieutenant-colonels will also remain unchanged as long as they continue to serve. As regards the first part of the question, it is recognised that the new organisation, which has been adopted in the interests of national defence generally, may involve some change of prospects, but it is not the case that officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery will be in a different position from the officers of all other branches of the Territorial Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the memorial dated 14th Febru- ary, 1912, from the Federation of Writers (War Department) and Ex-Soldier (War Office) Clerks has been received and considered by him; and whether he can state if the request of the so-called temporary writers to be put upon the establishment will be complied with?

This memorial was received and considered. It is regretted that the request cannot be granted

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that none of these men will be put on the establishment?

Yes.