asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on whose instructions or with whose permission, Constable Murray, stationed at Rathowen, Westmeath, shouts offensively at Irish Volunteers, and took off his belt to strike one of them at Multyfarnham on the 8th inst., and again at Rathowen later on the same day; whether any account he has given of this conduct has been compared with an independent statement of the facts; and what steps are being taken to prevent the provocative conduct complained of?

I am informed that there is no foundation for the allegations contained in the question.

May I ask by whom the right hon. Gentleman is informed?

I made careful inquiries into the matter and I have been informed.

asked if a circular has been issued giving instructions to county police inspectors to collect information regarding the Irish Volunteers and the Ulster Volunteers; and, if so, what action is proposed to be taken when the particulars asked for are obtained?

It is the duty of the responsible police authorities to keep themselves informed of all movements in the country which may possibly affect the public peace. With this object, information has been sought by the Inspector-General as regards both the Irish and Ulster Volunteers. Any orders issued with this object are necessarily of a confidential nature.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of my question?

No, Sir. Any action that may be taken will be taken without communication with the hon. Member.

Is the House going to be informed afterwards of what is going to be done in the matter?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the names of the military stations in Ireland outside Ulster; the number of troops, respectively, in charge of each; and whether they are efficiently protected against a raid by Nationalist Volunteers?

As regards the first two branches of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Army List. As regards the last branch, I am informed that efficient protection is available for all likely contingencies.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the present position of the negotiations for the purchase of the estate of Major Sweetman, Lamberton, Queen's County; and what steps have been taken up to the present relative to the same?

The Estates Commissioners furnished the owner with their esti- mate of price for certain lands in his occupation. The owner could not see his way to accept the Commissioners' estimate, and they do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many evicted tenants, or representatives of evicted tenants, received holdings on the Thompson estate, Queen's County; and if the Estates Commissioners will reconsider the question of giving a grant to Elizabeth M'Grath for the purchase of live stock and put her in a position to work the holding to the best advantage?

The Estates Commissioners have provided sixteen evicted tenants, or the representatives of evicted tenants, with holdings on the estate referred to. The reply to the concluding part of the question is in the negative.

Why have the Estates Commissioners or the inspectors of the Commissioners, differentiated between the case of Mrs. McGrath and others?

They have to consider each case upon its own merits, and there must always be some differentiation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. Anne Fitzpatrick, Ballintaggart, Roscrea, who was evicted from the Owen's estate, Garryduff, Clough, Queen's County, was promised a farm by the Estates Commissioners; and seeing that a farm was pointed out to her on the Thompson estate, Kilcoke, by the late Inspector Byrne, on the 16th February last, which she accepted, and as this farm has since been handed over to another tenant from the county Wicklow, can he say what steps the Commissioners propose taking to provide Mrs. Fitzpatrick with a farm instead?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The Estates Commissioners inform me that Mrs. Anne Fitzpatrick had an interview in March last with their inspector, the late Mr. P. J. Byrne, and stated to him that her father, James Clear, had been evicted about thirty-five years ago from a holding of about sixteen acres on the Owen's estate, Queen's County. As no application for reinstatement was received from her before the date specified in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, she does not come within the class of evicted tenants for whom the Commissioners have power to provide holdings, and they do not therefore propose to take any action with reference to her case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Local Government Board will now proceed to hold the local inquiries into the thirty schemes at present lodged, so that the councils may be in a position to proceed with the immediate erection of cottages when the extra million is available?

Inquiries are being ordered, having regard to the needs of the different districts in the matter of house accommodation for agricultural labourers, into as many of these schemes as can be financed out of the unissued balance of the fund already provided by Parliament. This will occupy the time of the inspectors for some period to come, apart altogether from the question of the additional funds promised by Government.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in a case tried in Dublin recently against a man named Thomas Madden, for criminal assault on a child of seven years of age, the prisoner was remanded to the quarter sessions, but subsequently was released, the Crown having entered a nolle prosequi on the ground that the child was too young to testify; whether he is aware that at the same sessions a man was convicted for a criminal assault on a child aged six years; whether he can state the reason for this differential treatment; and whether the fact that the child in the first case was the daughter of a workman, whereas in the second case the father was an employer, had any influence in the matter?

In the first case to which the hon. Member refers the statement of the child, who was not quite seven years of age, was uncorroborated, and on the medical evidence counsel for the Crown did not consider it safe to proceed with the case further. In the second case the evidence against the accused person was clear and conclusive, the sworn testimony of the child, who was eight years of age, being corroborated by an eye witness of the occurrence. There is no foundation for the statement in the last part of the question.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have any power to advance loans for building dwelling houses outside the statutory congested areas to small farmers and cottiers whose valuation is under £7 annually; and whether the Irish Board of Works possesses any records of loans advanced for this purpose to persons of a similar valuation?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked how many cottages still remain unbuilt out of the last scheme of cottages promoted by the Macroom rural district council; whether any response was made to the requests addressed by the Local Government Board to this district council on two different occasions that an effort should be made to procure contractors to complete the building of cottages sanctioned in the scheme; how many cottages were erected as a result of these representations; and, if a considerable number still remain unbuilt, will the Local Government Board exercise the powers vested in them under the Labourers Acts for dealing with recalcitrant councils?

On the 31st March last, the latest date to which information is available, 110 cottages were built, 7 were in course of erection, and 120 had not yet been commenced. The council represent that they have done all they could to obtain contractors and in spite of the continued advertisements issued by them the total number of cottages completed during the past 12 months has been only 13. This council have already provided 628 cottages in their district, and it would appear that, instead of being recalcitrant as suggested by the hon. Member, they seem to be disposed to put the Labourers Acts very liberally into operation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the labourers have been waiting for these cottages for a period of seven years, and will some pressure be put upon the council concerned in this matter?

I will communicate with the council again.

asked what was the number of indoor and outdoor paupers in Ireland on the 1st January, 1909; can the Local Government Board (Ireland) state if these numbers have been reduced by the Old Age Pensions Act; and what are the numbers at present?

The numbers of paupers in workhouses and on outdoor relief on the 2nd January, 1909, were 44,035 and 56,501, respectively. The numbers in workhouses and on outdoor relief on the 4th instant, the latest date for which the information is available, were 32,554 and 37,792, respectively. The reduction in the numbers is doubtless largely due to the Old Age Pensions Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at the present, time, there are any camel corps or Indian Regulars stationed at Burao; what is the strength of the friendlies supporting the Sheik of Burao; and whether the fort is at present menaced?

There are no Government troops at Burao, and I am not in possession of details regarding the strength of the friendlies in the neighbourhood. So far as I am aware the place is not at present menaced.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether a party of American girls, now performing at the Anglo-American Exhibition, who were riding viâ Rotten Row to pay a visit by invitation at the Royal Mews on Tuesday last, were turned out of Hyde Park; and, if so, why was this indignity put upon them?

The First Commissioner has read a report from the police, and considers that the constable who spoke to these riders acted in a perfectly proper manner. The riders were not, as a matter of fact, turned out of the park.

Did they continue in the park? Are we to understand that the police did not turn them out of the park?

I understand they told the police constable that they were about to leave, and they did so.

Is the hon. Member aware that a Member of this House has a photograph of these ladies, and will the hon. Member ask to see it?

Yes.

Why did the police constable speak to the ladies at all?

I understand that the reason is he imagined these riders were infringing one of the by-laws, which is to the effect that nobody must ride in the park for the purpose of advertisement.

Is it true that they were riding in the park for the purpose of advertisement?

That must be the true reason, because they rode both ways, and not in the direction of the Royal Mews.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether his attention has been drawn to the long series of drowning fatalities amongst children bathing in the Regent's Canal; and whether he will take the most efficient step to put a stop to this by securing for the children of that district facilities for bathing in Regent's Park?

The First Commissioner is aware of the regrettable fatalities referred to, and such steps as are practicable are being taken to deal with the matter. The suggestion of my hon. Friend is, however, one which cannot be adopted, as the lake is not suitable for bathing.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East if he is aware that approved societies, especially centralised societies without branches, have been put to considerable trouble by delay on the part of the Insurance Commissioners in issuing insurance cards and insurance books; that such societies, after making strenuous efforts to surmount their difficulties in this respect, have been informed by, or on behalf of, the Commissioners that the arrears cards which they are compelled by Statute to send to members in arrears, and which should have reached them by the 1st July, have not only not yet been printed but are not going to be printed until the Commissioners have come to a definite decision with regard to the proposed benevolent fund which they are constituting; and what steps is it proposed that approved societies shall take under such circumstances to carry out their statutory duties?

No, Sir. The postponement of the issuing of the arrears cards has been entirely due to the necessity of awaiting the decision of this House in regard to the proposed benevolent fund. This will affect the amount payable by individual insured persons, who would be put to serious inconvenience if they were to receive arrears cards and commence to pay their arrears before they could be informed as to the effect upon their arrears of any such fund. Immediately the decision of Parliament is known the Commissioners will proceed with the issue.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the decision of Parliament is going to be asked for in regard to the benevolent fund?

Yes, Sir. The Estimate will be laid before this House next week.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East the reason why Circular No. 573 of the National Health Insurance Commission (Scotland) did not reach the societies to which it relates until the 7th July, seeing that it requires all branches of approved societies which are to be separately valued to notify the Commissioners not later than the 30th June that an application will be forthwith made to the registrar of friendly societies for the registration of such branches as separate units, and seeing that the Circular expressly states that contribution cards, returns of contributions, branch cash summaries, further supplies of registers, and all other documents will cease after 30th June to be issued to an unregistered branch in respect of which the requisite notification has not been previously furnished; and whether, under the circumstances, such cesser of issue is being insisted upon?

My right hon. Friend is informed by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners that the period named in the question was extended to the 18th July, and that no complaint has been received from the approved societies concerned.

Have all the approved societies concerned received information as to the postponing of this date?

Yes. I understand that the altered date has been notified to them all.

asked whether the Commissioners have received resolutions passed by the insurance committees of London, Birmingham, Halifax, and other boroughs in support of the proposal to place the insured person who is being treated in a sanatorium in the same position as one who is being treated in an ordinary hospital as regards the application of his benefits; and, if so, what action do the Commissioners propose to take in this matter?

Resolutions of the kind described in the first part of the question have been received from certain insurance committees. With regard to the second part, the Commissioners have no power to take any action.

Do the Government propose to take any action in this matter by legislation or otherwise?

The hon. Member must put questions about legislation to the Leader of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a member of the Nottingham branch of the National Union of Gas-workers' and General Labourers' Association named G. Crinage, No. 48/D30420, applied to receive unemployment benefit in February, 1913, and that the association received authority from the Board of Trade to pay sixty-five days' benefit; that on 26th June, 1914, the Board of Trade notified the association that the claim had been disallowed for the reason that the workman had not been habitually employed in an insured trade before the commencement of the Act; if he can state the reason for the delay in the notification to the association; and whether the association will suffer the loss of the amount of State benefit paid to the member in consequence of a mistake on the part of the Board of Trade in giving authority to pay?

I find on inquiry that at the date when Mr. Crinage claimed benefit it was thought that his occupation of needle straightening was an insured occupation and benefit was allowed in that belief. Subsequently a specific question as to the position of needle straighteners came before the Umpire, who at the end of May last decided that needle straightening was not an insured occupation. In accordance with this decision, the previous allowance of benefit to Mr. Crinage was revised in June. The general question of the position of associations in cases where a previous favourable decision given by the Board is revised by them on fresh facts coming to their notice has for some time been under consideration and arrangements will, I hope, shortly be brought into force for reimbursing to the associations, subject to certain conditions, any payments they may have made in such cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to the Government of the abortive inquiry as to whether members of the saw-milling industry should be included in the unemployment section of the National Insurance Act; and if he is able to give an assurance that those engaged in this industry will not be included.

The inquiry in question stands adjourned at present in consequence of an expression of opinion by the Commissioner that the proposed Order would be ultra vires on a purely technical point. Proceedings at the instance of the Board of Trade are now pending in the High Court with a view to testing the legal question raised. In these circumstances it is obviously incorrect to describe the inquiry as abortive, and I can certainly give no assurance that the Order will not be made. The cost of the inquiry is not at present ascertainable.

When considering this matter, will the hon. Gentleman remember that all this increased cost on the home manufacture and working of timber is in favour of the foreign manufacturer and grower?

That consideration was before us before drafting the Order.

Does the hon. Gentleman know when the decision of the Court will be given?

I really cannot say, but I think it will be within a week.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the impasse at Kirkintilloch in regard to the treatment of tuberculosis cases; is he aware that the local health authority have declined to become responsible for insured persons whose money has been received by the Insurance Act authorities, but who cannot get treatment by those authorities; is he further aware that the cases of Nellie and Robert Woods and Donald M'Phee constitute a public danger; and what steps he proposes to take to get the insurance committee to do its duty or the local health authority to relieve them of it?

It is the fact that the insurance committee of the county of Dumbarton have declined to recommend for sanatorium benefit certain insured persons suffering from tuberculosis, and that the local authority of the burgh of Kirkintilloch have not yet agreed to treat these cases. From the information before them the Local Government Board for Scotland are not satisfied that the cases of Nellie Woods and Donald McPhee are being properly treated, and they are in communication with the local authority on the whole subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the chemists in Northumberland have been told by the Northumberland insurance committee that, should there be a deficit at the end of the year caused by excessive prescriptions, the chemists are the people who suffer, as their bills will not be paid; and if he will say what redress a chemist has if the doctors upon the panel prescribe beyond the limits of the regulations, and why is the chemist to be held responsible for the error?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such statement, the reports to which his attention has been drawn being to the effect that if excessive prescribing were permitted to continue, the chemists would suffer a loss. The Regulations contain provisions (to which the insurance committee also alluded) enabling the cost of excessive prescribing to be surcharged against the doctors responsible.

May I send the hon. Gentleman the official document which contains the very words embodied in my question?

I shall be glad to have any document the noble Lord may wish to send me.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East whether he has considered the effect which No. 5 of the medical regulations, which was made on the 10th January, 1914, has upon Regulation No. 26, made on the 9th January, 1914, and whether the regulation bearing the earlier numeral in substance repeals the latter; and what steps he proposes to take to render these regulations intelligible?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article 86 of the Medical Benefit Regulations dated the 10th January, 1914.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East what is the total ascertained cost of the printing and issuing of regulations, circulars, instructions, and other printed matter by the Commissioners or the Joint Committee, and by insurance committees, or otherwise, purporting to have been so printed and issued pursuant to or in relation to the National Insurance Act; and whether charged against the Stationery Office or what other Department?

The cost of printing done on behalf of the Joint Committee and the several commissions to the 31st March last and borne upon the Stationery Office Vote was, approximately, £194,000. No information is available as to the expenditure of insurance committees on printing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, at the recent trial of Messrs. Pooley and others in Japan, serious charges were made against the agents of the Vickers firm, who were found guilty of bribery; and whether inquiry will be made in Japan through the British representatives there as to the facts of the case?

So far as I am aware no agents of Messrs. Vickers have been prosecuted or tried and I have no means of investigating charges made against persons, in Japan.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask for a full report of this trial so that he can form his own opinion upon good evidence?

A full report of the trial could only be of interest as regards the people actually tried. I understand that no agent of Messrs. Vickers has been tried or prosecuted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty on how many vessels in the Royal Reserve of merchant cruisers has work been done by owners at the expense of the Admiralty; and what value of fittings, armaments, clothing, utensils, and other stores has been provided by the Admiralty for the same vessels?

If the question is intended to refer to merchant vessels armed for defensive purposes, the number is that given in my right hon. Friend's reply of the 15th of this month. I do not wish to make any statement at the present time in reply to the second part of the question.

Will a statement be made later about this question?

I would rather not say.

How can we judge the policy unless we have some facts and figures?

asked whether preferential consideration for promotion to the rank of a commander on the active list of the Royal Naval Reserve is given to officers of the merchant service who have commanded a British ocean-going passenger steamer of not less than 4,000 tons gross for three years; how many of the present commanders on the active list of the Royal Naval Reserve have been promoted after service in command of cargo vessels only; and whether he will consider the desirability of abolishing this preferential treatment, if it exists, in order that service in command of cargo vessels will be no obstacle in the promotion of an officer who has shown zeal and ability whilst holding a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve?

One of the ordinary qualifications for promotion to the active rank of commander in the Royal Naval Reserve is to have held command of a British ocean-going passenger steamer of not less than 4,000 tons for three years. Twelve officers now on the active list of commanders have not held command of passenger ships, but they have special service to their credit. The Admiralty has power to promote officers to the rank of Commander for specially good service. No reason is seen for departing from the present system.

Are there, as a matter of fact, any cases in which an officer who has been in command of a cargo vessel has been made a commander on the active list of the Royal Naval Reserve?

I should not like to say for certain, but I think not.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give any details of the drowning of the three sailors of His Majesty's ship "Blenheim"; if these men died on duty; and if their widows and children will receive the usual pension, and at what date?

The accident occurred when a boat belonging to His Majesty's ship "Savage" was manned preparatory to being lowered. The men were on duty at the time. One of the men only has left a widow. The usual pension will be granted on the receipt of replies to inquiries which have been addressed to her.

asked whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any con tract with his Department; if so, whether he is aware that this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

The firm named are contractors to the Admiralty. No representations have been made that the firm are not paying their labourers the rate current in the district, but if my hon. Friend will give me detailed information the matter shall be inquired into.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that at Nobel's Ardeer factory all the tradesmen employed are paid the district rate of wages with the exception of the painters, who are paid 7½d. an hour instead of 9d.; and whether he will make representations on the matter, even although the painters may not be employed on Government work, their duties being necessary in the conduct of the business?

If my hon. Friend will give me details of the information on which his question is based, inquiry shall be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the work of painting oil-fuel tanks at Invergordon, of the first ten tanks about two were painted by a Dingwall contractor, who paid his men the district rate of 7d. an hour, plus lodging money, and the remainder were done by an Aberdeen firm paying 9d. an hour, plus 5s. a week lodging money; whether he is aware that a number of other tanks are now being painted by a Tain contractor, who is employing wholly unskilled labourers at a rate of 6d. an hour; whether, in view of the rates paid on the previous contracts he will have inquiries made with a view to enforcing the Fair-Wages Clause; and whether the work is being inspected to ensure its being properly done?

No complaint has reached the Admiralty, but inquiries are being made into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any contract with his Department; if so, whether he is aware that this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

This firm does not hold any contract with the War Office, so far as I can ascertain.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Messrs. Braime, of Leeds, hold any contract with his Department; if so, whether this firm have, with the Engineering Employers' Federation, granted an advance of 1s. weekly in wages to their skilled workmen and refused a similar advance to their labourers; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to see whether this firm is complying with the Fair-Wages Clause of such contract?

Messrs. T. F. Braime and Company, of Leeds, hold no contracts with the India Office at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as regards the instructions to their principal officers, superintendents, and surveyors as to procedure in respect to manning wherein it is specified that foreign-going steamships of over 200 feet in length and not less than 700 tons gross when proceeding to sea shall carry at least a master and two mates, it is the intention of the Board of Trade that both of these mates shall be duly certificated.

The intention of the instructions to which the hon. Member refers is to determine the number of efficient deck hands which must be carried independently of the master and deck officers. The number of certificated officers to be carried is governed by Section 92 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as amended by Section 56 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Attorney-General has advised that it is almost impossible that a light railway constructed and run by a group of private individuals can be constructed and run otherwise than as a commercial, that is a profit-making, concern, with the result that no association of persons or company formed to construct and work a light railway would in practice be found to satisfy the condition of not trading for profit within the meaning of Section 1 (1) of the Development and Roads Improvement Funds Act, 1909; and, if so, whether seeing such opinion renders the Act entirely inoperative as regards the construction of light railways by voluntary effort with State aid, he will say what course under these circumstances the Government propose to adopt?

The Development Commission have experienced difficulties owing to the legal interpretation which we are advised must be placed on the Statute referred to, and the whole question is receiving the careful attention of the Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any light railway has been constructed under the provisions of the Development and Roads Improvement Funds Act; and, if so, what is the mileage of such railway?

No advance has been made under the Development and Roads Improvement Funds Act, 1909, towards the cost of construction of a light railway.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the termination of the appeal in the Lumsden case, the House of Lords being equally divided; whether he has considered the judgment delivered and in particular the observations of Lord Justice Moulton; whether he is aware that legislation was promised on this subject by the Government on 1st August of last year; and whether, as the Revenue Bill is dropped, the Government will introduce and press through the House a one-Clause Bill, giving the promised relief to those who are affected by this decision?

I understand that this case—which had already been decided in favour of the Crown by the Revenue judge, and in the Court of appeal—has now been decided in favour of the Crown by the House of Lords. As regards the last part of the question, the Government are prepared to introduce and pass this Session a one-Clause Bill as suggested, provided the measure is treated as unopposed.

I understand that either the Chancellor of the Exchequer will introduce the Bill at once or that the Prime Minister will make the inquiries through the usual channels?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the Lumsden appeal in the House of Lords, where, owing to the constitution of the Court, the judges were equally divided on the merits of the appeal, and consequently Increment Value Duty is still demandable in cases where the value of the bare site has not increased; and whether, having regard to the pledges which he has already given, and in view of the withdrawal of the Revenue Bill, he will now give an undertaking that no Increment Value Duty is to be collected except in cases where there has been an actual rise in the value of the bare site?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave this afternoon in answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the equal division of opinion of the House of Lords in the Lumsden appeal and of the provisions of the Revenue Bill, which, if passed into law, would exempt builders' profits from claims for Increment Value Duty, he will agree that the Commissioners shall pay the costs incurred by Mr. Lumsden in prosecuting his appeal?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to accede to the hon. Member's suggestion.

Did not the Chancellor of the Exchequer give something like a promise that in all fair test cases of this kind the Treasury would pay the expenses of both parties? Does the hon. Gentleman not think, in a case of this kind, where the Government propose to repeal a decision by amending the law immediately it has been given, it is a most fair case for paying the expenses?

My right hon. Friend is of opinion that the matter is on all fours with the case of the minus site values which arose in Scotland. There the same decision was arrived at.

Is it not the case in regard to the minus site values that no Bill was introduced to repeal it?

It was a matter for discussion on the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Criminal Law Amendment Bill has passed the House of Lords and would be practically unopposed in this House, he will give facilities for the passage of this measure into law this Session?

Owing to the exigencies of business I fear I can only consider this suggestion if assurances reach me through the usual channels that there is no opposition to the Bill referred to.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to advise His Majesty to call a Conference at Buckingham Palace, similar to the one which he has already advised His Majesty to call with reference to opposition to the Government of Ireland Bill, to deal with similar opposition to the Established Church (Wales) Bill?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in view of the Plumage Bill violent opposition is threatened by many sober-minded milliners?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to increase and develop the activities and usefulness of public utility societies in providing new cottages in rural areas, the Government will consider the desirability of increasing the term of loans to such bodies from the Public Works Loan Commissioners to sixty years, reducing the rate of interest thereon and authorising local authorities to contribute one-third of the capital required for erecting cottages within their administrative areas?

The Government will certainly give consideration to the hon. Member's suggestions, all of which, however, would require legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of incorporating this Amendment as one of the new provisions in the Government Housing Bill?

If provisions of this kind were proposed by the Government they would be in the larger Housing Bill the Government contemplate introducing later. I am afraid it is desirable to keep the scope of the present Housing Bill as small as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he would be disposed to consider the advisability of appointing to the War Office Canteen Committee some representative of the private traders, in view of the representation on the Committee of more than one member of the co-operative trade movement?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the advisability of adding to the Canteens Committee two private traders, representative of that class of smaller private traders who are largely interested in the supply of canteens?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will take steps necessary to have the private retail traders represented on the War Office Committee on Army Canteens, seeing that only co-operative societies and large trading companies are at present represented, whose interests are opposed to the small private trader?

I am giving the matter further consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that this is felt as a very serious grievance by the small retail traders throughout the country?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Army Reservists are being asked to forward birth certificates of any children they may have; and, if so, whether the Department is prepared to defray the cost of these certificates, which is about 1s. each?

Army Reservists are not required to forward birth certificates. If in any cases they have been asked for in error, steps have been taken to correct the mistake.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer of the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery can never attain a higher rank and command than major commanding a single company of from 112 to 165 men; and whether under existing regulations an officer of the West Kent Regiment of Infantry may look forward to commanding eventually a battalion of 1,000 men, with the rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel?

The hon. Member's assumptions are in substance correct.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is the intention to reorganise all branches of the Territorial Forces, placing battalions of Infantry, regiments of Cavalry, and Engineers directly under regular commanding officers, as has been done in the case of the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery?

I know of no such intention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Council has decided to afford facilities for officers of any rank in the Regular Army or Special Reserve to bring before the Military Secretary matters affecting their personal interests; and if it is pro posed to afford corresponding facilities for the non-commissioned officers and men to raise grievances affecting their position?

A Special Army Order was published on the 11th inst. dealing with the point raised in the first part of the question. As regards the second part it is not proposed to alter present Regulations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the terms of service of the crews of the War Office vessels are such as to compel the men when they have finished their service duties to take out the vessels for a pleasure trip; and, if not, whether he will see that the crew of the "Sir Robert Hay" are paid for the 10¾ hours they were engaged when taking the warrant officers' club on a pleasure trip?

The crews of the War Department vessels are bound under their agreements to perform their duties at all times by day and night and to obey the lawful commands of their superior officers. The employment of the vessel on this occasion was sanctioned by the General Officer Commanding. The second part of the question was answered by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on the 14th instant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how often and upon what occasions it was attempted to float the Central Railway Company of Canada upon the British market; whether in a prospectus issued in April, 1914, Sir Thomas H. C. Troubridge, Baronet, Mr. Thomas Carmichael, and Mr. A. L. Cohen were stated to be the London committee, and that the London office was at 363, Winchester House, London, E.C.; whether the promoters of this company complied with the requirements of Section 274 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, relating to companies which have a place of business in this country; whether the £2,600,000 capital was subscribed; if not, how much o£ it; and what is the present position of this company in relation to its British shareholders?

The only prospectuses offering securities of the Central Railway Company of Canada for subscription in this country of which the Board of Trade are aware were issued in July, 1913, and in April, 1914. The prospectus issued in April, 1914, contained the statements set out in the hon. Member's question. No documents relating to the company have been filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies under the provisions of Section 274 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, but I am considering whether the company is one to which the provisions of the Section apply. The Board of Trade have no information as to the amount of the securities of the company which has been subscribed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee inquiring into the subject of the mortality of seamen is composed wholly of Government officials; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of enlarging the Committee and including representatives of port medical officers, of officers and men of merchant ships, of ships' surgeons, and others who by reason of personal experience are familiar with the present living conditions on board merchant ships?

The Committee was purposely made small in number, and limited to officers of the three Government Departments primarily concerned—the Board of Trade, the Local Government Board, and the General Register Office. I do not think it would serve the purpose in view to enlarge the Committee, so as to include; representatives of the large number of bodies which may be interested in, or have personal experience of, the matter before the Committee.

Is it a fact that only one of the seven members of the Committee have had any practical experience of conditions on board ship?

A number of the members have had experience quite adequate for the purposes of the Committee.

asked the Home Secretary if it is now possible for him to state the proposed new scale of pay for the Metropolitan Police; and will he say when it will come into operation?

I hope to be able to make a statement on Monday, if my hon. Friend will repeat his question then.

asked the Home Secretary whether Harry Humphries was sent to the Bucks County Lunatic Asylum because he hunger-struck in prison; and who were the doctors who certified him insane, and how long he intends to keep him in this asylum?

This man was transferred from prison to an asylum in pursuance of a certificate of insanity submitted by two magistrates and two registered medical practitioners under the Criminal Lunatics Act, 1884. He will remain under the provisions of that Act till the expiration of his sentence in February next, unless he should be remitted to prison or discharged before then. The reports before me do not justify the adoption of either of these courses at present, but the case will be further considered in due course.

Does the Home Secretary believe that the man is insane?

I am unable to form any opinion on the subject, except as advised by responsible advisers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that a man who goes on hunger strike and is not a suffragette has got to be condemned for life to a lunatic asylum instead?

No, Sir. It would depend entirely upon whether the medical practitioners advise that he is insane or not.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has seen the result of the proceedings against the Senghenydd colliery manager in connection with the recent disaster there; and whether, as a result of the evidence given and the findings of the court, it is proposed to withdraw the manager's certificate?

I have had the report of the proceedings before me with a view to considering whether there should be an appeal against the decision of the magistrates in dismissing some of the charges; but I have not yet had time to consider the question of whether the evidence shows such gross misconduct on the manager's part as to constitute a primâ facie case for the cancellation of his certificate. I have myself no power to withdraw the certificate. All I can do is to set up a special tribunal under Section 11 of the Act to inquire into the question, and I cannot do this unless I am satisfied that there is a strong primâ facie case This matter is now under consideration.

May I ask if the Home Secretary has taken into account the fact that eleven years ago an explosion occurred in this particular colliery, and whether the fact of two explosions having occurred with disastrous results is not sufficient to warrant the setting up of a special tribunal to inquire into the matter?

That would certainly be a matter that would have to be taken; into account.

asked the Home Secretary whether he consented to receive a deputation from the Forcible Feeding Protest Committee of Medical Men on the 15th July, at 4 p.m.; and whether that deputation withdrew, and for what reason?

I had consented to receive a deputation as described in the question. The deputation brought with them a reporter, and stated that they desired to publish the proceedings. I had understood that they wished to represent certain views to me personally, and I should have been glad to listen to them, but, inasmuch as the subject involved the discussion of the cases of individual prisoners then undergoing sentence in Holloway, I could not agree to be a party to a public discussion with them of such cases. The deputation then withdrew.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the total accumulated value at present of the property left by the late Mrs. Blake, née Ellen Sheridan, and the amount of the last annual increase?

The residue of the personal estate of the late Mrs. Blake was £96,778 4s. 11d., and the value of the real estate approximately £48,000. The real estate was transferred to the Commissioners of Woods, and the personal estate was paid into the Exchequer through the Crown's Share Account. The estate therefore has not accumulated.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, having regard to the facts that the next-of-kin of the late Mrs. Blake, née Ellen Sheridan, whose property the Treasury holds, are poor Irish peasants who have never seen the news papers in which advertisements for next-of-kin have appeared, and that their difficulty in proving their kinship increases with lapse of time, whether he will have advertisements, giving all the helpful in formation available, inserted in some provincial newspapers of wide circulation in Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on the 27th June, 1912.

What is the reason for not publishing this advertisement in newspapers read by the next-of-kin?

All the reasons were set forth in the answer. I shall be happy to refresh the hon. Member's memory by-sending him a copy of it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any application for annual leave from postmen at Bloomfield, county Down, have been refused; and, if so, for what reason?

One of the two postmen employed at Bloomfield, county Down, applied to take his annual leave from the 13th instant and the other from the 27th instant, but it was not possible to provide substitutes until the 27th instant. Arrangements have accordingly been made for the leave of these officers to begin on that date.

asked whether the postmen in the sub-offices in the Belfast district receive over time pay for work above forty-eight hours per week; whether any application has been made for remuneration, owing to the prolonged deliveries; and, if so, what reply has been returned?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. and gallant Member on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to grant the increases due to telephone call-office attendants, as recommended by the Holt Committee?

Instructions as to the adjustment of the pay of call-office attendants have now been issued, and payment of the increases due will be made as quickly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the ex-National Telephone Company's staff employed as call-office attendants have made representations that they are suffering considerable loss through their transfer to the Post Office; whether 75 per cent. of them are losing 2s. 6d. per week or more in wages, while all are obliged to work extra hours without extra remuneration; whether the late Postmaster-General's statement that no one would suffer by the transfer was intended to apply to telephone call-office attendants; and, if so, whether he proposes to make any adjustment?

I am making inquiry in the matter, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked whether the question of the demarcation of the respective duties of sorting clerks and postmen will be brought before the new Post Office Committee for settlement; and whether this Committee is likely to commence its sittings at an early date?

It will be for the Committee to decide which questions, within the scope of their reference, they will consider. I hope the Committee will commence its sittings at an early date.

May we hope that the Committee will sit continuously and conclude their discussions as soon as possible?

I should think so.

To ask the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the complaint of delay upon the part of the Government in completing the arrangements under the contract with Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company contained in the company's annual report; and if, in view of the urgency of the matter which was the ground on which the Government expedited the matter, he will explain the reasons for the delay which has taken place, and whether the Government is responsible therefor?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Finsbury on the 16th instant. I have nothing to add to that answer.

May I ask whether the discussion that was necessary in the House of Commons owing to the action of some of His Majesty's Ministers is the cause of the delay?

It has nothing on earth to do with it.