asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what principle some assessors and collectors of taxes are appointed direct by the Board of Customs and Excise and others by the local Commissioners; whether only those assessors and collectors who are appointed direct are on the established staff and pensionable; whether promotion by the Board is given only to those appointed direct by them; and whether he will take steps to place this service on juster lines in regard to permanence of employment, promotion, and pensions?

Assessors and collectors of taxes are in no case appointed by the Board of Customs and Excise, but collectors of Customs and Excise, who, as such, are established officers, are in some cases appointed by the Board of Inland Revenue to act also as collectors of Income Tax under Schedules D and E. All assessors and all collectors other than these are unestablished officers, whose apppointment, under the provisions of the Taxes Management Act, 1890, is vested either in the local Commissioners or in the Board of Inland Revenue. The nature of the service is not such as to allow of promotion in the ordinary sense, but men who have been efficient collectors are given more important collectorships when the circumstances of the case and of the collector admit of this. With regard to the last part of the question, I have promised to receive a deputation.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he has yet considered the Report of the Civil Service Commission as bearing on rates of wages and methods of adjustment of wages of those in the lower grades of the service; and when the wages of commissionaires in Government offices will be increased?

The Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service is receiving careful consideration, but I am afraid that I cannot anticipate the results of such consideration by making any statement at the present time on the particular point raised in the question.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any increases in wages have recently been granted to workmen employed in and about the Houses of Parliament; and, if so, will he state the amount of increase and the classes of workmen who have participated?

Increases have been recently granted of ½d. per hour to builders' labourers, 1d. per hour to electrical wiremen, and 1d. per hour to upholsterers. These correspond to outside increases in the trades mentioned.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference to the Post Office Committee will include an inquiry into the grievances of the retrenched public servants from South Africa and of the Post Office engineering staff?

The terms of reference to the Committee, which I announced on Wednesday last, include all issues arising out of the Holt Report. The grievances of members of the Post Office engineering staff will accordingly fall within the scope of the Committee's inquiry, but the case of the retrenched officials will not.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what are the names and addresses of the persons reported by His Majesty's judges in the East Kerry Petition, and whose names appear in the list published by the clerk of the peace for the county of Kerry, under the provisions of the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act, 1883?

I would refer the hon. Member to the copy of the Report made in this case which will be found in the House of Lords Return No. 65 of 1912. The names of the persons published by the clerk of the peace at the last Revision Sessions (1913) as having been guilty of illegal practices are as follows, and the residences of such of them as are known:—Patrick Dale, Dromreag; John U. Sullivan, Ballymalis; Cornelius Kelliher, Shronederagh; Thomas Russell; Patrick Cronm, Barleymount; James Connor; Martin Cronin.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of accidents that occurred at the railway crossing at Kilfenora, and the number of those that resulted fatally to individuals, etc.?

I am informed by the police that two accidents have occurred at this crossing, and one man and two animals were killed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in connection with the recent police inquiry in Dublin, the threat was made that if the promise to appoint a labour representative on the commission was carried out the police would strike; and, if so, will he state what action was taken in the matter?

There is no foundation for the statement made in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether privileged assistants who are first class retain their full salaries, even though the average falls below 35, while the principal teacher of the same school if first class loses his when the average falls below 35; and, if so, whether there is any precedent for this rule?

When two schools are amalgamated in the interests of education, and the principal teacher of one becomes recognised as privileged assistant in the amalgamated school, he receives, under an arrangement specially sanctioned by the Treasury, a salary not less than that paid to him and warranted by the average attendance in his school at the time of the amalgamation. A first grade salary could not be allowed to the privileged assistant unless the average attendance in the school of which he was formerly principal teacher reached or exceeded thirty-five units for the calendar year preceding the date of the amalgamation, and it would not be equitable to reduce his salary to a figure lower than that to which he was entitled at the date of the amalgamation consequent upon any fluctuation in the attendance, as it could not be established that the necessary average attendance would not have been maintained had the school of which he was previously principal remained under his charge.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the moiety of results fees paid by the unions of Meath and the corresponding moiety paid by the Treasury was included in the consolidated salaries of first-class teachers in Meath in 1900; are these moieties withdrawn when the average falls below thirty-five; and, if so, on what grounds; when the salary of first-class teachers who reside in union districts that were contributory are reduced; are they paid the same amount as teachers who reside in union districts that have not been contributory; and will he call for a special Report from the Commissioners as regards the payment of salary to first-class teachers in Meath?

In fixing the consolidated salaries of teachers in 1900, the average of their incomes from all State sources and from contributory unions was, as a rule, the basis of the calculation in each case, and these moieties no longer exist as separate items. The fact that national schools were formerly in contributory or non-contributory unions is not now adverted to in the application of the existing regulations. No special report on the subject is necessary. The teachers in County Meath have been dealt with under the same rules and regulations as teachers in the other counties of Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Return (Malicious Injuries (Ireland), granted to the hon. Member for Eastbourne, will show the number of malicious injury claims abandoned, and also the number of claims in which it was apparent that the claimant personally committed the injury for which compensation was sought?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in regard to the Vandeleur estate, West Clare, the delay in the vesting of the holdings in the tenants is due to the fact that negotiations with the landlord in respect to roads leading into the turbary are not complete; and whether he will consider the possibility of coming to an equitable agreement with the landlord at once, so that the remaining formalities may be disposed of and the tenants enabled to settle down?

The Estates Commissioners have had this estate inspected, and they have issued their rulings to the owner which include the construction of certain roads and drainage works in connection with the allotment of the turbary of which there is a considerable area on the estate. The suggestion in the concluding portion of the question will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the latest Returns relative to the numbers of officers and men in the Territorial Force; if he will state what were the numbers at the corresponding period last year; what is the increase or decline shown; and if he will say by how many the present numbers fall below the establishment?

On 1st July last there were 9,557 officers and 255,854 non-commissioned officers and men. The corresponding totals for 1st July, 1913, were 9,364 and 240,778. There have thus been increases of 193 officers and 15,076 non-commissioned officers and men during the period stated. The officers were 1,673 and the non-commissioned officers and men 45,313 below establishment on 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will order a further inquiry into the case of Mr. Leyer, who was recently dismissed from his position as Native Commissioner and assistant magistrate at Chilanga, Northern Rhodesia, in view of the fact that the Committee of Inquiry acted both as prosecutors and judges, and that he was not informed that the inquiry was really his trial, at which he was not legally represented, and having regard to his record of long service in Rhodesia?

No, Sir. Mr. Leyer was not dismissed on the report of the Committee of Inquiry (which sat in the summer of 1913), but on his failure to reply in a satisfactory manner to a statement of charges drawn up by the High Commissioner's legal adviser, and formulated in a letter from the Imperial Secretary of 28th October. The High Commissioner then suspended Mr. Leyer in terms of Section 34 of the Northern Rhodesia Order in Council, 1911. After very careful consideration of the case, I decided that Mr. Leyer was not a fit person to exercise judicial authority, and I therefore confirmed his suspension from office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state what are the respective percentages of exemption from vaccination for the years 1906 to 1913, inclusive?

The figures are as follows:—

The Local Government Board receive, in February of each year, returns from all vaccination officers relating to the children born within the previous year but one. These returns show the numbers of such children who have been vaccinated, or found insusceptible of vaccination, or have had small-pox, or have died. The percentages in the last column are based on the numbers of children remaining after the deduction of these classes.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the remuneration of vaccination officers is only upon successful certificates of vaccination and not in cases where exemption is obtained; whether the number of exemptions has increased since the Vaccination Act, 1907, made exemptions more easy; whether vaccination officers have a similar amount of work to do in regard to entering particulars and sending forms where there is exemption from vaccination as where vaccination takes place;

whether the remuneration of vaccination officers generally has declined since the Act named came into force; and whether he will take steps to make the remuneration of vaccination officers accord with work done?

Vaccination officers who are paid by fees receive a fee for each birth appearing in the lists sent to them by the registrar and a further fee for each certificate of successful vaccination of a child under fourteen. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The amount of clerical work in connection with each birth varies considerably, but is apt to be greater where vaccination results than where exemption is obtained. The remuneration of vaccination officers from fees has generally declined since the Act of 1907 came into force, but a large number of them have received compensation in the form

of gratuities, increased fees, and fixed salaries. As I have previously stated, however, I will willingly consider any individual cases that may be brought to my notice.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in a Paper read recently by Dr. Friedberger, before the Berlin Medical Society, he showed that vaccine, as as present manufactured, is full of extraneous microbes which are killed by exposure to ultra violet rays; and whether his Department will suspend the production of vaccine until a pure virus can be cultivated with which an adequate guarantee can be given that it will be protective against small-pox and that its use cannot produce serious illness or death?

My attention had not previously been called to the Paper referred to. In reply to the latter part of the question, I am advised that the glycerinated calf lymph supplied by the Local Government Board is satisfactory, and, in the circumstances, I see no reason for suspending its production.

asked the President of the Local Government Board the total rates and the Exchequer Grants per head of the population for each of the years 1900, 1905, and 1911?

The average amounts per head of estimated population of the sums received by local authorities in England and Wales from (i.) public rates, and (ii.) Exchequer Grants (including local taxation licence duties) in each of the under-mentioned years were as follows:— Year. Average amounts per head of estimated population of public rates raised. Average amounts per head of estimated population, of the above-mentioned Exchequer Grants. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1900–1 1 6 8 0 7 10 1905–6 1 14 3 0 11 8 1911–12 1 16 8 0 12 4

asked the President of the Board of Education what increase there has been in England and Wales in the Education Rates and Education Grants under the Education Acts of 1902 and 1903; and what percentage of increase there has been in the number of children at school in the period named?

The following figures relate to elementary education only as it is not possible to furnish comparable figures for higher education in the years specified in consequence of the great changes in higher education brought about by the Act of 1902.

Elementary Schools. Expenditure by School Boards out of Rates. Grants by Board of Education. 1902–3 £6,620,912 £8,938,014 Expenditure by Local Education Authorities out of Rates. Grants by Board of Education. 1911–12 £12,596,715 £11,775,017

Increase in Rates £5,975,803 Increase in Grants £2,837,003

Between the same years the actual average attendance of children of five years of age and over in elementary schools increased by 11.52 per cent., while that of children under five years of age decreased by 41.61 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the extension of meal reliefs to all the indoor staff means that the hours are reduced from forty-eight per week to forty-five per week; whether he is aware that the surveying staffs are holding back proposals for giving this concession, and that in many offices, owing to this fact, nothing has yet been done; whether he is aware that surveyors are insisting that smaller offices shall be worked without increased staff, although the hours of labour are reduced; and whether he is satisfied that delays to counter business, telegrams, and telephones will not be increased as a result?

The effect of the concession is to reduce the net working hours in the manner indicated. It was recognised that it would necessarily be some considerable time before the adjustment of duties involved by the new arrangement could be made in every case, but I have no reason to suppose that there has been any avoidable delay. There will probably be many cases in which the benefits of the concession can be given without increase of staff, but there need be no apprehension that the efficiency of the service will be allowed to suffer in this connection.

asked the Postmaster-General the date on which the system of having Post Office surveyors was introduced, and when the last investigation took place into the working of surveyors' offices; whether he is aware that telegraph and telephone officials are convinced that the Surveyors' Department is a constant source of delay to important public business; and whether he will investigate the administration of surveyors' offices with a view to bringing their business methods more into line with modern business requirements?

The system of Post Office surveyors was authorised on the 13th June, 1715. A Committee, of which Sir H. Babington Smith, then secretary to the Post Office, was chairman, investigated the whole subject of delegated authority in the Post Office service, and reported in 1909. The Surveyors' Department was the principal subject of their inquiry. The relation of surveyors to the telephone service was examined by a Committee, of which the present secretary to the Post Office was chairman, in 1912. I am not aware of the conviction attributed by the hon. Member to telephone and telegraph officials; if it exists, it is ill-founded. I am contemplating an inquiry into the clerical work of surveyors' offices, but I see no need for inquiry into the general surveying work, which is, as far as I am aware, very well done. It is constantly under review at headquarters, where periodical meetings of surveyors are held.

asked the Postmaster-General whether a general revision of duties has taken place at the post office of Wells, Somerset; whether town and rural postmen have now to perform indoor duties, such as inward letter and paper sorting, which were previously performed by sorting clerks; whether rural postmen are now being called upon to work additional time to perform these extra duties, for which no payment is made; and whether this is to be regarded as a permanent or only a temporary arrangement of duties in this post office?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the senior Post Office telephonist at Plymouth wrote on 22nd April, 1913, and again on 6th March, 1913, asking that her service and record should be considered when promotions were being made; that her letters were overlooked, with the result that no reply was sent until August, 1913; that she again made application for her position to be considered in January of this year; and that up to the present no reply whatever has been sent; and whether, when the present Post Office trunk system is transferred to the telephone exchange at Plymouth, she will remain in receipt of the 3s. a week supervising allowance which she has received for the last seven years?

I am making inquiry and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the first delivery of letters in Nottingham is not completed till 8.45 a.m., whereas a year ago delivery was completed, at any rate, at certain addresses in Sherwood Rise before 7.30 a.m., by which hour, in the case of certain addresses, letters are still delivered; and, if, so, will he restore the earlier delivery in the Sherwood Rise district of the city?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate further with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the men employed in the Accountant-General's Department have not yet received the arrears of pay (due under the Holt revision) for extra duty performed between the 2nd February and 12th April; and what steps he proposes to take?

The arrears will be paid shortly. The delay is due to the fact that certain points in connection with the new extra duty regulations have only recently been settled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the scale of pay of clerks in the Labour Exchanges gives only £60 per year as a starting rate for men who are required to be competent, and that there is a bar at £105 except to those who are specially recommended as qualified for charge; and, having regard to the obligation resting upon the Government to pay their own employés at a rate at least as high as that observed by good employers, will he take the whole matter into consideration with a view to making representations to the Treasury in favour of a rise?

The present scale of pay of the clerks in the Labour Exchanges the Unemployment Insurance service is one which was adopted as recently as June, 1912, and the bar at £105 per annum, to which my hon. Friend refers, is an efficiency bar, beyond which all male clerks, certified as being efficient to discharge certain superior duties, are allowed to pass to the maximum of the scale at £150 per annum. The Board of Trade have the power, for the present, to appoint clerks at commencing salaries in excess of the minimum of £60 by £5 in respect of each two years of age above twenty, up to a commencing salary of £75 per annum (£80 in London). This power has been generally exercised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers Association has paid in unemployment benefit from its own funds over £4,000 since January, 1912; that this association has an arrangement with the Board of Trade, under Section 106 of the National Insurance Act, and that the sum of £33 15s. is all that has been received from the Board of Trade as a State Grant; and if he can state the reason for delay in getting the accounts of the association audited?

I have no information as to the total amount paid by the association referred to, for unemployment benefit. The only claims under Section 106 of the National Insurance Act received from that association relate to the four quarters of the year 1913, and amount to a total of £285, the last of these claims, for the December quarter, being received on 22nd May last. £33 15s., being 75 per cent. of the amount appearing to be due, has been paid on account of the claim for the March quarter. Payments for subsequent quarters were suspended owing to a resolution of a federation to which the association in question is affiliated, against the production of the branch books of associations for audit. I understand that this resolution has now been rescinded, and I assume that the association in question is prepared to produce such books, as are deemed necessary for audit purposes, in due course. On this assumption, arrangements are being made to make the usual payments of 75 per cent. on account of sums appearing to be due in respect of the last three quarters of 1913, and of later quarters as claims are received. Arrangements will be made also to expedite the final audit of the claims of associations as far as practicable. In view, however, of the delay that has taken place as a result of the resolution referred to, and the con- sequent accumulation of claims for audit, it may not be possible to proceed at, once with all claims.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that some counties in Scotland have unduly prolonged the prohibition against the importation of cattle, and that this has resulted in increased expense to the butchers and the public; and whether he can now see his way to take any action, in the matter?

The local authorities I in twelve counties and eight burghs in Scotland still have Regulations in force affecting the movement of Irish animals into their respective districts. I have no doubt that the effect of these Regulations is as stated by my hon. Friend, but, for reasons which I have already explained fully to the House, I am not prepared to override the action taken by the local authorities in the exercise of their discretion.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Board of Agriculture are now spending any of their funds in providing technical instruction in dairying and other branches of agricultural work through the means of farm schools and institutes; and, if not, whether, in view of the success which has attended such work in Ireland as carried on by the Irish Department of Agriculture, and also in considering that £300,000 has been assigned by the Development Commissioners for similar work in England, he will now take steps to carry on in Scotland similar beneficial work?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second, the Board are convinced of the necessity for the provision of agricultural instruction through the medium of farm schools and institutes, and made application last year for a Grant from the Development Fund in aid of the institution of two such schools in Scotland. The Development Commissioners have not, however, been able to see their way to recommend the application, but the Board have still the matter under consideration.