asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Treaty of 1839, which deals with the neutrality of Belgium, has been presented to Parliament, and if so, when?

The Treaty and the Annex thereto were laid before Parliament on the 4th August, 1870, paper number, 278. The following is a translation of the Articles which deal with the neutrality of Belgium:—Translation of extracts from a Treaty relative to the Netherlands and Belgium, signed at London on 19th April, 1839: Treaty between Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, on the one part, and Belgium on the other: Article I. Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, His Majesty the King of the French, His Majesty the King of Prussia, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russians, declare, that the Articles hereunto annexed, and forming the tenour of the Treaty concluded this day between His Majesty the King of the Belgians and His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, are considered as having the same force and validity as if they were textually inserted in the present Act, and that they are thus placed under the guarantee of their said Majesties. Extract from Annex: Article VII. Belgium, within the limits specified in Articles I., II., and IV. shall form an independent and perpetually neutral State. It shall be bound to observe such neutrality towards all other States. (Note: Articles I. II., and IV. which are referred to in Article VII. define the provinces and territorial limits of Belgium.)

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East as representing the Insurance Commissioners, what is the total amount of contributions paid by and on behalf of seamen in the merchant service during the year 1913, and the total value of benefits received?

The information asked for cannot be given, as societies do not keep separate records in respect of seamen.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, when it is proposed, in accordance with a statement recently issued by the Insurance Commissioners, to ask Parliament to vote a sum of money in the current financial year to assist insured persons in the payment of their penalty arrears which are due to genuine unemployment; if it is proposed to entrust to approved societies the distribution of any such Grants, the selection of the cases to be assisted resting with the societies themselves; and if any guidance will be given to the societies as to the grounds on which such cases should be chosen?

I would refer the hon. Member to the note appended to the Supplementary Estimate, in which provision is made for a Grant for this purpose. A full statement will be issued for the guidance of approved societies immediately.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether, in view of the expense thrown on the administration allowance of approved societies by the necessity of hiring rooms and paying travelling and out-of-pocket expenses of lodge secretaries in connection with the audit of approved societies, the Government will advise either a special Grant or an increase of the administration allowance?

The auditors usually require the lodge books to be sent for audit to local offices of the National Insurance Audit Department, the cost of carriage being defrayed entirely by the Department. If the accounts are in order, the lodge secretary's attendance at audit is not required. Where the accounts are found to be confused or the records incomplete, the auditor attends at a centre convenient for the lodges of the district for the purpose of interviewing lodge secretaries and clearing up points of difficulty which cannot conveniently be settled by correspondence. Lodges are not required to hire rooms for this purpose. It will be observed that the lodge is put to no expense in connection with the audit of the State accounts where the lodge secretary's work is efficiently performed.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state what changes have been made in the administration of the Ancient Monuments Branch since the First Commissioner announced that it was the intention of the Office of Works to organise a separate Department?

On considering the position after the passing of the Ancient Monuments Act, 1913, the First Commissioner decided that the case would be met by strengthening the Ancient Monuments Branch, which had existed as a separate Department of the Office since 1912. An additional architect, three additional inspectors of ancient monuments, and some subordinate staff were accordingly appointed.

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any negotiations are proceeding with regard to a site for the new Government offices in Edinburgh; and, if not, whether he will say in what position the matter is now left?

The First Commissioner is now in communication with the Secretary for Scotland in this matter, but no definite arrangements have yet been made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will grant a Return, by counties, of which notice appears on the Order Paper, of all lands acquired for the purposes of the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, 1907, under the powers conferred by that Act and extended by Section 67 of the Irish Land Act, 1909; and if he will explain why all bonâ fide evicted tenants and representatives of such have not yet been provided for under those statutory powers?

The Estates Commissioners' Annual Report to 31st March last, which, it is expected, will be presented to Parliament at an early date, will give particulars as to the restoration of evicted tenants, including the total area of land acquired under the Evicted Tenants Act. Under the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, the Commissioners had acquired up to 31st March last 26,248 acres, which has all been allotted with the exception of 294 acres. These compulsory powers having expired the Commissioners cannot acquire any further land under the Act. On the 31st July last 1,808 evicted tenants (or their representatives) had been reinstated in their former holdings or provided with other holdings by landlords with the assistance, where necessary, of grants by the Commissioners and 1,579 were reinstated or provided with other holdings by the Commissioners on lands purchased by them, making a total of 3,387 evicted tenants reinstated or provided with other holdings on that date. In the case of 538 of the 1,808 reinstated by landlords the restoration was the direct result of the intervention of the Commissioners and at prices suggested and sanctioned by them. In connection with reinstatement of evicted tenants, the Commissioners have authorised, for the improvement of holdings, erection of buildings, purchase of livestock, etc., an expenditure of over £350,000. The number of evicted tenants provisionally noted by the Commissioners for consideration in the distribution of untenanted land is now only 256, and they will be dealt with as opportunity arises.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many officers and men of the King's Own Scottish Borderers were injured in the disturbances in Dublin before any shots were fired on the crowd; and what is the present condition of the wounded men?

Twenty men were injured, but no officers. Four of these cases are still receiving treatment. The remainder of the men have returned to duty.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the entire cost incurred in connection with the eviction of Mr. Richard J. Walsh from his farm on the Gun Mahony estate, near Cordal, county Kerry, and since in protecting the farm and the evictor until his death; and whether Mr. Walsh will now be allowed to resume possession of his farm as a purchaser at the value ascertained by the Estates Commissioners?

The Inspector-General informs me that the expenses incurred in connection with the eviction of Mr. Richard J. Walsh and the subsequent protection of the late Mr. Mahony and his property amount to about £1,115. The Estates Commissioners are in communication with the owner regarding the holding referred to, but they are not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject of Mr. Walsh's application for reinstatement.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware of the unrest and discontent existing in the barony of Erris, county Mayo, owing to the failure of the Congested Districts Board to make progress with land purchase in that barony; is he aware that almost all the estates in the barony have been, for periods varying from months to years, on offer to the Board, and that purchase negotiations are now practically at a standstill; will he say what representations, if any, the Congested Districts Board have made to him as to the cause and remedy for this deadlock; if they have made no representations, will he ask them for an explanation on the subject; is he aware that when the Congested Districts Board was about to be established the conditions in Erris were used as an argument for its creation, but that up to the present Erris has derived little or no advantage from the Board's operations; is he aware that the recent observations of the Lord Chief Baron at Castlebar Assizes on the relationship between land purchase and peace and order were made when considering a case arising out of agrarian unrest in this barony; and will he now state what steps he proposes to take to have effect given to the desire of the farmers of Erris to participate in the advantages following ownership of their holdings?

Any unrest and discontent in the barony of Erris cannot reasonably be attributed to failure on the part of the Congested Districts Board to expedite land purchase. Most of the estates in this barony have been offered for sale to the Board, and negotiations for those still unsold are not at a standstill, nor is there a deadlock. I am aware that the conditions of the barony were used as an argument for the creation of the Congested Districts Board, and that district has already received very considerable advantages from the operations of the Board. With regard to the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the questions asked on this subject on the 21st July.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Board of National Education ever gave effect to the 72nd recommendation of the Powis Commission, and when?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that in 1884 the Rules prohibiting the members of one religious community from having more than one school was repealed in accordance with the 72nd recommendation of the Powis Commission.

also asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the National Education Board repealed the Rule which forbade the granting of public money to convent and monastery schools for building purposes?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that since 1884 building Grants have been made to convent and monastery national schools.

further asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the Resident Commissioner of National Education, in reply to Question 33,261, informed the Macdonnell Commission that his Board would not recognise as trained a number of English certificated teachers who have only passed an examination; and will he say if the nuns who have superseded the efficient teachers who were dismissed in Ballycastle, with the exception of one, possess any other certificate than the English certificate which the Board does not recognise as evidence of training?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the school in question is recognised as a capitation convent school, and the teachers in such schools are not required to be trained teachers. As a matter of fact, however, one of the nuns is a trained certificated teacher under the English Education Board.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further' statement to make to the House with regard to the War Office Committee on Army Canteens and the appointment of representatives of private traders upon that Committee.

I would refer the Noble Lord to my recent answers to questions on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for War what steps the Government proposes to take with a view to assisting ex-service men on leaving the Army and Navy, having regard to the hardships they experience owing to the difficulty of finding civil employment after a long period of military or naval training and to the important bearing of the subject upon recruiting?

I cannot make a statement on this matter at the present moment. It has already been explained that a Committee is dealing with it, and its importance is fully recognised.

asked the Secretary for War if he will take into consideration the question of war premiums on the life insurances of sailors and soldiers?

I cannot make any statement on this point at present. So far as the question relates to sailors, it should be addressed to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been directed to the publication by the "Times" newspaper of a map of probable police traps on main roads out of London, accompanied by an article entitled "Police Traps for Motorists: A Guide for August," the avowed object of which is to assist motorists to break the law; and if he will direct a prosecution of the "Times" in respect of the matter?

I have seen the map referred to, which seems likely to induce motorists to keep the law, at any rate, over considerable stretches of road. It does not afford any ground for action on my part.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a body named the Automobile Association and Motor Union have prepared a map of motor roads and police controls, and organised a body of paid scouts who assist motorists to break the law; and whether he will direct a prosecution of the association in respect of this matter?

No action of the nature indicated is in contemplation, but the police will no doubt deal with breaches of the law should they occur.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give particulars showing the ages of the sixty-three adult persons who were sentenced during 1912 in the Children's Courts to more than one day's imprisonment; the offences committed; the length of each offender's sentence; and the prisons to which they were respectively sent?

The particulars are given in the following table:—

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether he will endeavour to make arrangements with the Registrar-General for special Returns of deaths from phthisis or other forms of lung disease from ganister mines, tin mines, cutlery works, granite quarries, and other occupations where the death-rate appears excessive; (2) in view of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines and Quarries, what further steps, if any, he proposes to take to prevent inhalation of dust during drilling and blasting in metalliferous mines (and whether he will lay any draft regulations to that effect upon the Table of the House); in quarries in breaking stones by machinery, or dressing and preparing stone the dust of which is dangerous; and in other factories or workshops in which processes are carried on or in which dangerous dust from stone is generated; (3) if he will state what steps he proposes to take with reference to tin mines and ganister mines with a view to carrying out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines and Quarries, to the effect that the State Advisory Council on Tuberculosis should be asked to make further investigations into the effect of the occupations on the health of the miners?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Metalliferous Mines and Quarries on the subject of phthisis are under consideration with a view to steps being taken to give effect to them, so far as can be adequately done under existing powers, but I regret I cannot at present make any detailed statement. I may say, however, that I have already been in communication with the chairman of the advisory council in regard to the question of further investigations, and I have also arranged for Dr. Haldane to undertake an inquiry supplementary to the investigations made by the Royal Commission in regard to the physiological effect of various stone dusts on the lungs.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Order of 21st April last, authorising the licensing of assistant tramway conductors, has aroused much indignation among the men at present employed on metropolitan stage carriages; and, in view of the expressed opinion of the men concerned (which has already been brought to his notice) that the Order in question is likely to prove detrimental to the travelling public and to the men at present employed on metropolitan stage carriages, as well as to the bays themselves, whether he is prepared to withdraw the Order in question?

Two deputations from different unions representing the workers have been received at the Home Office, of which one opposed and the other supported the Order. The appointment of assistant conductors is in the interests of the travelling public, and the Commissioner of Police informs me that where introduced it has proved of much advantage and has been much appreciated by the men themselves. As at present advised, I am not prepared to withdraw the Order.

asked the Home Secretary whether, as Miss Grace Roe and Miss Hall have now been forcibly fed for ten weeks with serious consequence to their health, he will now grant these two prisoners immediate release?

The general health of these prisoners is reported to be satisfactory. I regret that I should not feel justified in advising the remission of their sentences unless they will undertake to refrain from criminal acts and incitements to crime in future, in which case I should be very glad to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state in what unions is stone-pounding at present permitted as a task; and at what dates was the Board's permission given, in these cases, to the guardians to impose it?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the unions in which stone-pounding as a task for vagrants has been approved by the Local Government Board as an alternative to the tasks prescribed by the General Order of 18th December, 1882, with the date on which the permission in each case was given.

asked the Postmaster-General why an alteration has been made in the mode of transit of letters to Alfreton, which delays letters a day and causes inconvenience and trouble to trading concerns; and whether he will give instructions for the old mode to be again adopted?

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

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the leaving certificate examinations previously held towards the end of the school session, were altered to April to enable the results to be issued before the end of the session, and also to enable the inspectors to confer with teachers about doubtful cases and test by oral examination; if so, why this has not been done in the present instance; and whether he is aware that the majority of teachers in Scotland prefer the previous arrangement?

The date of the leaving certificate examination was altered in order to make it possible to deal with doubtful cases in the manner indicated by my hon. Friend, and I am informed that this procedure has been extensively adopted this year. While the utmost endeavour is made to issue the results before the end of the Session, it has not been found possible to do this in all cases. I am not aware that the majority of teachers in Scotland prefer the previous arrangement, under which none of the results were issued before the end of the Session.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of hours worked by the four charwomen employed by the Scottish Land Court at 8s. a week?

This question only appeared on the Paper yesterday, and I am making inquiry. In the meantime, I would remind my hon. Friend of what I said on Wednesday as to the charwomen only working part-time.

asked the Secretary for Scotland, whether the appeal against the award for prospective school buildings in South Uist has been dismissed; and what action he intends to take in the circumstances?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question the matter is under consideration.