Sitting of 6 July 1914

Preamble
The House met at a Quarter before Three of the clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

ASSASSINATION OF ARCHDUKE FRANCIS FERDINAND AND HIS CONSORT.
The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Captain F. E. Guest) reported His Majesty's Answer to the Address of the 30th day of this instant June as followeth:—
thank you for your loyal and dutiful Address.
I unite with you in the expression of indignation and deep concern at the tidings of the assassination of His Imperial and Royal Highness the Archduke Francis Ferdinand and of his Consort, and I will not fail to convey to His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary your sentiment of abhorrence at the perpetration of such a crime and your profound sympathy with the Imperial and Royal Family and with the Governments and peoples of the Dual Monarchy.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Private Bills [Lords] (Standing Orders not previously inquired into complied with),—Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, originating in the Lords, and referred on the First Reading thereof, the Standing Orders not previously inquired into, which are applicable thereto, have been complied with, namely:—
Porthcawl Urban District Council Bill [Lords].
Glasgow Corporation (Tramways, Etc.) Bill [Lords].
Swindon Corporation (Wilts and Berks Canal Abandonment) Bill [Lords].
Wimbledon Corporation Bill [Lords].
Bristol Corporation (Tramways) Bill [Lords].
South Western and Isle of Wight Junction Railway Bill [Lords].
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Bill [Lords].
Ordered, That the Bills be read a second time.
Private Bills [Lords] (No Standing Orders applicable),—Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, originating in the Lords, and referred on the First Reading thereof, no Standing Orders not previously inquired into are applicable, namely:—
Falkland and Pluscarden Estates Bill [Lords],
De Trafford Estate Bill [Lords],
Ordered, that the Bills be read a second time.
Provisional Order Bills [Lords] (Standing Orders applicable thereto complied with),—Mr. SPEAKER laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills brought from the Lords, and referred on the First Reading thereof, the Standing Orders which are applicable thereto have been complied with, namely:—
Education Board Provisional Orders Confirmation (Cambs., etc.) [Lords].
Ordered, That the Bill be read a second time To-morrow.
Barnsley Corporation Bill,
Severn Navigation Bill,
Lords Amendments considered, and agreed to.
Belfast Corporation Bill [Lords],
Read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.
Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund Corporation Bill [Lords],
To be read the third time To-morrow.
Brentford Gas Bill [Lords],
Chelmsford Gas Bill [Lords],
City of London (Various Powers) Bill,
Hayward's Heath Gas Bill,
Hull and Barnsley Railway Bill [Lords],
As amended, considered; to be read the third time.
London County Council (Money) Bill,
As amended, to be considered upon Thursday.
Mansfield Railway Bill [Lords]
As amended, considered:—
Ordered, That Standing Orders 223 and 243 be suspended, and that the Bill be now read the third time.—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]
Bill accordingly read the third time, and passed, with Amendments.
North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Bill [Lords],
As amended; considered; to be read the third time.
Poole Harbour Bill [Lords],
To be read a second time To-morrow.
West Gloucestershire Water Bill [Lords],
Read a second time, and committed.
Wesleyan and General Assurance Society Bill [Lords]
(by Order),
Consideration, at amended, deferred till Thursday.
Great Northern Railway Bill [Lords] (by Order),
Adjourned Debate on Amendment to Second Reading [30th June] further adjourned till Wednesday, at a quarter-past Eight of the clock.
Colinton Tramways Extension Order Confirmation Bill [Lords],
Read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.
Pier and Harbour Provisional Orders (No. 2) Bill (by Order),
Third Reading deferred till To-morrow.
Alliance and Dublin Consumers Gas (Electric Supply) Bill,
Order [6th May] that the Report do lie upon the Table read, and discharged, Fill withdrawn.

TRADE REPORTS (ANNUAL SERIES).
Copies presented of Diplomatic and Consular Reports, Annual Series, Nos. 5325, 5326, and 5328 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.

MERCHANT SHIPPING ACTS, 1894 TO 1906 (DISPENSING POWERS).
Copy presented of Report by the Board of Trade of the Cases in which they have exercised their powers under Section 78
800
of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, during the year ended 31st May, 1914 [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 329.]

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS (IRELAND).
Copy presented of Prices of Crops, Live Stock, and other Agricultural Products for the year 1913 [by Command]; to lie upon the Table.
LOCAL BANKRUPTCY (IRELAND) ACT, 1888.
Copy presented of Order in Council, dated 2nd July, 1914, providing for the appointment of an additional clerk for the Belfast Local Bankruptcy Court [by Act]; to lie upon the Table.

NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.
Copy presented of an Order, dated 30th June, 1914, made by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee and by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners, acting jointly, entitled the National Health Insurance (Special Employers' Custom) (Scotland) Order, 1913 (No. 1) [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 330.]
Copy presented of an Order, dated 30th June, 1914, made by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee and the Scottish Insurance Commissioners, acting jointly, entitled the National Health Insurance (Subsidiary Employments) Order (Scotland), 1913 (No. 1) [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 331.]
Copy presented of an Order, dated 30th June, 1914, made by the National Health Insurance Joint Committee and by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners, acting jointly, entitled the National Health Insurance (Special Employers' Custom) (Scotland) Order, 1913 (No. 2) [by Act]; to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 332.]

MONEY LENDERS BILL.
Sir ALBERT SPICERpresented a petition on behalf of the London County Council in favour of the Money Lenders Bill, and asking that it be passed into law.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

  Smallholdings (Clitheroe).
  Mr. ALBERT SMITHasked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that only six holdings out of nineteen on Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are supplied with water; whether the, fencing put up is now broken down and has always been unsatisfactory and a cause of considerable expense to the smallholders; whether anything can be done to give these smallholders a fair chance to recoup themselves for the money they have laid out; (2) whether he is aware that the smallholders on Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are being asked to pay from £6 3s. 4d. to £11 per acre for their holdings and house, exclusive of rates, water rents, etc., and, in addition, 4s. 9d. per acre for fencing and management charges; whether he will consider the desirability of reducing these charges; whether these holders can claim compensation if they find they are unable to meet the charges levied upon them; (3) whether the five cottages which were commenced in September, 1912, for the smallholders at Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are now complete and, if so, what is their cost; whether they were let by tender or built by private contract; whether water has been installed; whether the whole cost of conveying water to the houses will be borne by the tenants; what are the rents proposed to be charged, exclusive of rates and water rent; and (4) whether the cost of preparing plans to convert an old disused mill into cottages for the smallholders of Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, which were rejected by the Clitheroe Town Council, will be added to the five new houses recently erected; who drew up the plans; and if the same person drew up the plans for the five new houses?
  The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman): There has been serious delay in completing the equipment of the smallholdings in question. So far as the water supply is concerned, I am informed by the county council that there was some difficulty in obtaining a necessary easement on adjoining property. In consequence of this, work upon the cottages and outbuildings also appears to have been suspended. The county council have not yet submitted to the Board their scheme for letting the holdings, and I cannot say at
  802
  present what rents will be charged. Meanwhile the Board will write again to the council urging them to complete all outstanding work of equipment without further delay, and I have instructed the Smallholdings Commissioner for the district to interview the tenants personally and inquire thoroughly into their complaints with regard to fencing and other matters. When I receive his report I will communicate with my hon. Friend.
  Mr. A. SMITH: Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amounts stated in the question have been proposed to the men on the holdings as the rate they would be required to pay; if that is so, does he not think the amounts excessive?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: I am afraid I cannot express any opinion upon that: the scheme has not yet been submitted to the Board. Such information as I have did not come direct from the county council; as soon as I get their information I will deal with it.
  Mr. A. SMITH: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not send down one of his advisers to these men who have made great sacrifices in order to give them such advice as will enable them to get the best out of their holdings?
  Mr. RUNCIMAN: I am afraid my hon. Friend did not hear the last part of my answer. I said I have instructed the Small Holdings Commissioner for the district to go down and to interview each of the tenants personally, and to report to me at once.

  Bathing in the Serpentine (Children).
  Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will arrange for school children to be allowed to bathe in the Serpentine from mid-day onwards during the months of July, August, and September?
  Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury): Children are allowed to bathe in the Serpentine from 1 o'clock during the school holidays. On the whole it does not seem desirable to extend the facilities.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE: On what date will they be permitted to bathe this year?
  Mr. BENN: The arrangements will date from the date on which the elementary schools break up for the holidays.

  Ancient Monuments Board (Scotland).
  Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East the expert qualifications of the members of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland; whether the First Commissioner consulted any Scottish Members of Parliament before selecting the members of the Board; whether he consulted the Secretary for Scotland; and why he persists in refusing the expressed desire of Scottish Members for direct representation on a Board concerned with the care of Scotland's historic monuments?
  Mr. W. BENN: The First Commissioner will send my hon. Friend the names of the members of the Scottish Board, which is national in character, and includes some of the most eminent of Scottish antiquarians.
  Mr. HOGGE: Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question, which asks whether the Board of Works consulted the Secretary for Scotland, or whether they consulted any Scottish Member, before deciding this matter?
  Mr. BENN: As the First Commissioner is responsible for the appointment, if my hon. Friend has any suggestion to make he will be glad to receive it.
  Mr. HOGGE: Do we understand there was no such consultation?
  Mr. BENN: No, Sir. What I said was the First Commissioner was responsible for the appointment.

  Office of Works (Principal Architect in Edinburgh).
  Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state in detail wherein the general responsibilities of the new post proposed at the Scottish Office of Works differ from those now obtaining, and the name and rank of the official in the English Office of Works who will supervise the work of the proposed new principal architect in Edinburgh?
  Mr. BENN: There has been a rearrangement of work, but the salary has been reduced, because it was considered to be disproportionate to the duties. The Scottish Office of Works is responsible to no English official.

  ROYAL NAVY.

    COAL AND OIL SUPPLIES.
    Mr. FELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the sale to foreign syndicates and firms of the coal under (nearly 20,000 acres of land in Kent; and if the Admiralty proposes, by lease or otherwise, to retain control of such portion of this field as may be desirable for the supply in the future of coal and oil for the Fleet?
    The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill): The Admiralty understand that leases have been obtained by foreign syndicates, and the general extent of such leases has been indicated in a recent reply to the hon. Member given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. In reply to the second part of the question, no necessity is seen in present circumstances for any such steps as those suggested. The Admiralty has no reason to anticipate any difficulty whatever in obtaining supplies of coal for all naval purposes. The question of extraction of oil from coal has been dealt with in replies to other recent questions.
    Mr. FELL: Has the First Lord given personal attention to this matter, and does he propose to go and inspect these fields?
    Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the original specification with regard to the amount of sulphur in Mexican oil has been altered, and, if so, to what extent?
    Mr. CHURCHILL: When Mexican oil was first purchased by the Admiralty, a latitude of ¾ per cent. was allowed on the normal specification limit of 3 per cent. The average of actual supplies, however, showed a percentage slightly below 3½, and that rate, namely, 3½ per cent., has been adopted as a maximum in the current contract coupled with a condition that the price shall be reduced if the actual percentage is above 3 per cent.

    ACCOUNTANT BRANCH.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the committee appointed to consider, matters connected with the accountant branch of the Royal Navy have yet reported; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of submitting their Report to Parliament?
    Mr. WHELERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Report of the Committee on the Naval Accountants Branch will be published; if so, when this will be done; and whether it is proposed to adopt the recommendations of the Committee?
    Mr. CHURCHILL: I must refer the hon. Member to the replies, given to the hon. Member for Plymouth on the 3rd April, and to the hon. Member for Dulwich on the 23rd June.
    Mr. F. HALL: Can the hon. Member say why this Report was not in the hands of Members of this House?

    DISCHARGES.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to say what rearrangements of work have been made as will reduce the number of discharges substantially below the number which originally seemed necessary?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara): As I have already stated steps have been taken during the last few weeks which have enabled us, by readjustment of work between the yards, substantially to reduce the number of discharges originally contemplated. I am now glad to be able to say that a further resurvey of the situation places us in the position to avoid any discharges as far as can be seen at present.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be advisable to state what these rearrangements are so that the men in the yards may understand?
    Dr. MACNAMARA: The men in the yards understand all right. The First Lord no doubt will make a statement on Vote 8 as to the matter.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Will the right hon. Gentleman say when Vote G will be taken?
    Dr. MACNAMARA: That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

    Bermondsey Vaccination Officer (Salary and Conditions).
    Mr. PETOasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he received on the 24th June a letter from the National Vaccination Officers' Association, with reference to the salary that the
    806
    Bermondsey guardians propose to pay their vaccination officer and to the conditions imposed by them, being contrary to the Local Government Board Orders, 1908, and asking that he would grant this officer and one or two others, together with the honorary secretary, an interview with regard to the case and to the whole question generally; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take with regard to the Bermondsey case; and whether he will grant the interview asked for?
    The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis): My right hon. Friend has received the letter referred to. The guardians propose to pay an inclusive salary of £230 per annum, which is, in his opinion, ordinarily a sufficient remuneration for the work which a vaccination officer is called upon to perform. The guardians were, however, informed that the Local Government Board would be willing to sanction a somewhat larger salary in this case, but they adhered to the amount they had proposed. They have been informed that a condition that the officer should himself defray the cost of any legal assistance which it may be necessary for him to obtain is contrary to the General Order of 1898, and cannot be sanctioned. The case is not one in which my right hon. Friend can properly intervene further, and it does not appear that there would be any advantage in the interview proposed.
    Mr. PETO: Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be advisable, as he has lately assumed his new office, to hear both sides of the case before he comes to a decision?
    Mr. HERBERT LEWIS: My right hon. Friend has fully considered the matter.

    Medical Officers of Health (Disabilities).
    Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked the President of the Local Government Board what steps, if any, he has been able to take to remove the pressing disabilities of medical officers of health as regards insecurity of tenure, absence of any scheme of superannuation, and inability to obtain payment of travelling expenses in discharge of their duties, which were brought under his notice by the deputation which he and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Education recently received; and whether the

    807
    position of sanitary inspectors, as regards some of their disabilities, is likely to be improved?
    Mr. HERBERT LEWIS: I can say no more at the present moment than that the matter is engaging the close attention of my right hon. Friend.

  NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.

    ACCIDENT TO LOOM WORKER (ESSEX).
    Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if he will inquire into the case of Mr. Digby, of Booking, Essex, who, whilst following his employment at Ashley Adkins Mill in that town fell, by reason of faintness due to natural causes, from his loom whilst at work and was unable to work afterwards for several weeks; and whether the Insurance Commissioners have communicated with the Order of Druids Society, in which Mr. Digby was insured, with a view to their paying benefit for the time the assured was unable to work?
    Mr. W. BENN: The Commissioners have communicated with the approved society who state that the case appears to them to be one for compensation and not for the payment of sickness benefit. The Commissioners have no power to pronounce upon a case of this kind unless it is brought before them for judicial decision on formal appeal by the insured person.
    Sir F. FLANNERY: Am I to understand that if an insured person applies direct to the Insurance Commissioners they will inquire as between himself and the friendly society?
    Mr. BENN: No, Sir; the insured person should first have the question decided according to the rules of the society, and then, if dissatisfied, should make an appeal to the Commissioners?

    MAIDA VALE OFFICES.
    Mr. F. HALLasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, if complaints have been made as to the unhealthy conditions obtaining at the Maida Vale offices of the National Health Insurance Commission; if part of the building, known as the bandstand, was at one time used for the accommodation of male clerks; if, in consequence of their refusing to work there owing to the excessive heat and other reasons, they
    808
    were removed elsewhere, a number of girl clerks taking their place in this part of the building; if the use of the bandstand has now had to be permanently discontinued; if a recent inspection of the building was made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to ascertain the conditions obtaining; and how long it is proposed to continue the use of these premises for the present purpose?
    Mr. BENN: Representations have been received in regard to such matters as additional windows and ventilating fans; and improvements have been made in this respect from time to time. The insinuation contained in the second part of the question is entirely baseless, and the health record of the staff as a whole compares not unfavourably with that of other departments. There is no present question of discontinuing the use of the premises.
    Mr. F. HALL: May I ask the hon. Gentleman if the inspection was not made previous to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster going down, and if temporary improvements were not made, and whether he will take steps to see that the temporary improvements are made permanent?
    Mr. BENN: I cannot answer the first part, but every care will be taken to make this building as safe as possible.

    BUILDING TRADE DISPUTE.
    Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the provisions of Section 87 of the National Insurance Act are being evaded, and that workmen belonging to the building trade in London are in receipt of unemployment benefit although they have lost their employment by reason of a trade dispute at the premises where they were employed; whether he can state the amount of unemployment benefit paid to workmen in the London building trade for the week before the commencement of the dispute and for the last recorded complete week; and what steps he proposes to take to stop the funds accumulated under Part II. of the National Insurance Act being paid away contrary to its provisions?
    The PRESIDENT of the BOARD Of TRADE (Mr. Burns): I am not aware that the provisions of Section 87 of the National Insurance Act are being evaded, or that funds accumulated under that Act are being paid away improperly, in connection

    809
    with the London building trade dispute. If the hon. Member will bring any specific cases to my notice I will inquire into them. The precise information asked for by the hen. Member could not be given without very laborious research, but I will see what information can be furnished and will communicate with him in due course.
    Mr. PETO: Will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to see that persons before they receive unemployment benefit have been bonâ-fide employed elsewhere in insured trades?
    Mr. BURNS: Yes, the officers responsible for the distribution of unemployment benefit locally see to that.

    MEDICAL NECESSITIES.
    Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he proposes to make any additions to the list of medical necessities in the Second Schedule to Part I. of the National Insurance Act, in view of specific diseases or accidents obtaining in certain industries?
    Mr. W. BENN: The question of any addition to the schedule of prescribed medical and surgical appliances, to which the Noble Lord presumably refers, will be considered in connection with the revision of the Regulations.
    Lord N. CRICHTON-STUART: Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the revision of the Regulations will be undertaken?
    Mr. BENN: I cannot say precisely. Perhaps the Noble Lord will put a question down.

    Shipping Strike in British Ports.
    Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps have been taken with regard to the shipping strike in British ports; and, if so, what they are?
    Mr. BURNS: I understand that during the last few days discussions have been taking place between a committee of the Shipping Federation and the joint committee of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, the Steam Engine-Makers' Society, and the Marine Engineers' Association. In the circumstances of the case, it does not appear practicable for the Department to take action at present.

    Passenger Steamers, Firth of Clyde.
    Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make inquiry as to the daily hours of labour of the crews of railway passenger steamers on the Firth of Clyde?
    Mr. BURNS: I have asked the railway companies concerned for their observations in this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their replies.
    Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether the Regulations with regard to the display of lights by vessels at anchor are at present being enforced in the Firth of Clyde and adjacent lochs; whether repeated complaints from owners and masters of passenger steamers have been made to the Board of Trade; and, in view of the approaching Glasgow holidays, when many thousands of passengers will be conveyed on passenger steamers in the Firth, will he say what action the Board of Trade has taken to ensure the safety of passenger vessels by enforcing the Regulations?
    Mr. BURNSI presume my hon. Friend's question refers to the display of lights by small pleasure yachts which lie in secluded parts of the Firth of Clyde and adjacent lochs out of the routes ordinarily taken by passenger steamers. The application to all these yachts of the requirement to display anchor lights would, I understand, be a serious matter to their owners and might involve the pleasure boats being driven out of existence, which I am sure my hon. Friend would not desire. Any action which might be taken could not, of course, be confined to the Clyde, and I am ascertaining whether the same question arises in other parts of the United Kingdom with the view of deciding whether anything should be done in the matter generally.
    Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two years ago one of the Clyde Steam Packet vessels ran down a small yacht which was anchored not in a secure part and which displayed no lights in contravention of these Orders?
    Mr. BURNS: I believe that occasionally accidents have occurred, but it is a very difficult matter to apply to every yacht and every pleasure boat, wherever situated, the rigid technical rule which my

    811
    hon. Friend wants me to apply to the yachts in this particular area. I am investigating the whole matter, and if it is possible I may have different rules for different areas.

    Merchant Shipping Convention (Wireless Installations).
    Sir HENRY NORMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any agreement has been made between the Board of Trade and Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company respecting the supply of wireless telegraph installations to British ships under the Merchant Shipping Convention; and, if so, will he lay it upon the Table?
    Mr. BURNS: The Board of Trade, in consultation with the representatives of the shipowners, have for some time been negotiating with the Marconi Company with a view to an agreement which, in the event of the Merchant Shipping Convention Bill becoming law, will ensure that the shipowners who, under that measure, will be required to have their ships fitted with wireless installations will be able to obtain this service on reasonable terms. The agreement, which is nearing completion, will not, of course, impose on shipowners any obligation whatever to obtain their installations from this particular company. When the agreement is completed I propose to lay it before Parliament.
    Sir H. NORMAN: Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the agreement will be completed before the Shipping Convention Bill is passed through the Committee upstairs?
    Mr. BURNS: I should think not.
    Sir H. NORMAN: Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether some inquiries or negotiations have taken place with regard to other firms which manufacture wireless apparatus?
    Mr. BURNS: I assume that has been done, but I shall be pleased to inform the hon. Member.

    Agricultural Labourers (Wages).
    Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department have recently made any inquiries as to the rates of wages paid to agricultural labourers in England, Scotland, Ireland,
    812
    or Wales; whether his Department have any figures relating to agricultural wages more recent than 1907; and, if so, whether he will have these figures printed and circulated as a White Paper?
    Mr. BURNS: Since the issue of the Report referred to by the hon. Member, information with regard to agricultural wages has been given in each of the Annual Reports dealing with changes in rates of wages and in the Annual Abstracts of the Labour Statistics of the United Kingdom. As this information only refers to cash rates, it is desirable that the figures given in the 1907 Report, covering all extra payments and allowances, should be brought up to date, and I am proposing to take steps for this purpose during the coming autumn.
    Mr. PETO: Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will not be possible in view of the great importance of this question to hurry up the steps he is taking so that the information may be available during the present Session?
    Mr. BURNS: I may inform the hon. Member that we have accelerated what steps are necessary. We have the consent of the Treasury and the matter is proceeding.
    Mr. PETO: If the right hon. Gentleman finds that he has at the Board of Trade statistics sufficiently accurate for the information of hon. Members to make it worth while, will he put it in the form of a White Paper?
    Mr. BURNS: I think that by the time those figures were collected we should have much more reliable figures, owing to a more complete investigation which is being made.
    Mr. CHARLES BATHURST: Can the right hon. Gentleman say at what date will this official information be forthcoming?
    Mr. BURNS: I think it is undesirable between now and the end of the harvest that farmers and others should be supplied with schedules at their busiest time of the year, but as soon as the harvest is over we hope to collect all this information and get it as reliable as possible.
    Lord ROBERT CECIL: Would it not be possible to collect in one paper the information referred to for what it is worth

    813
    so that we should have that information before us in some available form instead of having to search through all the documents?
    Mr. BURNS: For what it is worth I will consider the suggestion of the Noble Lord.
    Mr. PETO: Is it not clear to the right hon. Gentleman that if these schedules are not sent out to the farmers until after the harvest operations he will not get any figures during the present year?
    Mr. BURNS: The hon. Member is mistaken. I did not say I would not send out the schedules, but I would not expect the farmers to fill up the schedules while the harvest is going on.

    Dowlais Roman Catholic School.
    Lord NINIAN CRICHTON-STUARTasked (1) the President of the Board of Education what is happening in the Dowlais Roman Catholic school case; what position the Roman Catholic children and their parents are in in consequence of the inquiry; (2) whether the teachers in the Roman Catholic school case at Dowlais have been refused part of their salaries; and (3) whether, at the inquiry held into the Dowlais Roman Catholic school case, it was decided by the Board that the teachers had been illegally dismissed?
    The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. J. A. Pease):: The Board have given their determination on the questions in dispute between the local education authority and the managers. They have decided that they cannot overrule the local education authority in their action in refusing consent to the dismissal of the head mistress, but that no sufficient direction was given by the authority to the managers to dismiss the assistant teachers. They have further undertaken, if the managers or any other persons desire to bring charges against the head mistress which, in their opinion, are such as to render it necessary or desirable that the Board should recall or suspend her certificate, to cause the matter to be investigated. The managers have now asked for such investigation. I understand that the authority are taking counsel's opinion with reference to the payment of salaries of the assistant teachers. As far as I am aware most of the children are attending the school.

    Voluntary Schools (Survey Reports in London).
    Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that in the Survey Reports of the Board twelve cases of voluntary schools in London occur in which the general defects do not admit of any remedy; what steps are being taken to replace hopelessly bad school premises; (2) whether he is aware that the premises of the St. Andrew's (Holborn) parochial school are very defective; that there is no playground; that the small yard is not enough for physical exercises or recreation, and that, in consequence, the 300 children in this school are deprived of proper education; what action he intends to take; and (3) whether he is aware that the parochial school of St. George the Martyr, Holborn, is without any play ground for boys, and that recreation and physical exercises are taken in the public road; whether this arrangement is according to the regulations of the Board; whether it will be allowed to be continued; and whether any steps are being taken to provide proper accommodation for the children?
    Mr. PEASE: I am fully aware of the facts of the cases referred to as they appear to be taken by the hon. Member from the official correspondence of the Board. I have drawn the attention of the London County Council and the managers to the defects, and it is my intention to secure improvement as soon as possible.
    Mr. KING: Will the right hon. Gentleman use the new large Grants that are being voted shortly as a lever to compel instant action on the part of the local authorities?
    Mr. PEASE: I cannot compel instant action until I have got the authority of Parliament to use the Grants.
    Mr. KING: Will the right hon. Gentleman ask Parliament for that authority?
    Mr. PEASE: I propose to do so as soon as possible.

    Tonic Sol-fa Certificates.
    Mr. REMNANTasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will say if Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, one of the Board of Education inspectors of music, had official authority for stating to the students of the Saltley Training College, Birmingham, at his visit of inspection in

    815
    May last, that tonic sol-fa will disappear from the schools in a year or so and that the certificates of the Tonic Sol-fa College are of no value whatever with education committees now?
    Mr. PEASE: The inspector informs me that the statement attributed to him is an inaccurate representation of what he actually said in conversation with an individual student. The views of the Board on the subject are expressed in a letter to the Tonic Sol-fa College of 8th March, 1909, and I have no reason to suppose that they are not loyally followed by His Majesty's inspectors.
    Mr. REMNANT: Is it a fact that these certificates are of no value whatever, and will he say what the inspector is doing?
    Mr. PEASE: This was a conversation with the students and apparently there is a difference of opinion as to exactly what the course of conversation was. I understand from the inspector that he is loyally carrying out the wishes of the Board.
    Mr. REMNANT: Are these certificates of any value?
    Mr. PEASE: I would like notice of that question.
    Mr. REMNANT: I gave notice of it in the last part of my question.

    Voluntary Schools (Fees).
    Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that £14,065 are contributed by the school pence of children in ordinary public elementary schools to the managers of voluntary schools, who use this money for their own purposes and not for directly educational purposes; and whether these school managers are expected to maintain their premises in superior conditions as to buildings or equipment?
    Sir J. D. REES: Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask him does he accept or condone the aspersion it contains on the character of the managers of voluntary schools?
    Mr. PEASE: It does not make any aspersion at all. I do not admit it. I am fully aware of the circumstances in which fees are paid to the managers of voluntary schools under Section 14 of the Act of 1902, which does not impose any special obligation on the managers for the
    816
    improvement or equipment of the school premises.
    Mr. KING: Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that these managers who have fees from the scholars keep their premises absolutely up to the mark?
    Mr. PEASE: I have done so, and I shall continue to do so.
    Sir J. D. REES: Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it is an aspersion on the conduct of the managers to say that they use the money for their own purposes and not directly for educational purposes?
    Mr. PEASE: It all depends what you mean by "their own purposes." If their own purposes are the improvement of the schools, it would be open to argument whether it was for the improvement of education or for the improvement of premises; but I do not accept it as making any aspersion on the managers.
    Sir J. D. REES: Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that an aspersion on the managers is intended in the form of the question?
    Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that 138,693 children are paying school pence in 400 of the ordinary public elementary schools of England; whether the education in these schools is of a higher grade than in those ordinary schools in which school pence are not paid; and, if so, in what respect?
    Mr. PEASE: I am naturally aware of the figures, which are taken from a Return supplied at the request of the hon. Member. These fees are charged under a law which does not necessarily require the instruction to be of a higher character than in ordinary schools, and in a great majority of cases the fees are of old standing.
    Mr. KING: Will the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity now afforded by these large new Grants that are being voted to sweep away these old fees under an old law?
    Mr. PEASE: I cannot deal with a matter like that in the form of question and answer.
    Mr. KING: Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to take up the whole matter later on in Debate?

    Public Trustee.
    Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the following particulars as to the staff in the Department of the Public Trustee: the name, age, date of appointment, previous employment and qualifications, terms of service, and salary, of each person, respectively?
    The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu): I am not in possession of the particulars asked for, and I think that their compilation would involve an expenditure of time out of all proportion to the value of the result.
    Mr. ROWLANDS: Cannot the hon. Gentleman give any information of this character? Has he not authority for obtaining it?
    Mr. MONTAGU: The Public Trustee is given a lump sum for obtaining all the assistance he requires. I think it would be a very difficult matter to get the information for which the hon. Member asks, and I do not know that it would serve any useful purpose.
    Mr. ROWLANDS: Cannot the hon. Gentleman supply some information other than contained in the meagre statement in connection with the Vote in the Estimates? Cannot we get any information of a reliable character to enable us to discuss the Vote if we get the opportunity?
    Mr. MONTAGU: Perhaps the hon. Member will take an opportunity of conferring with me, and I will see what can be done.

    Income Tax.
    Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can estimate the cost to the Exchequer if the limit of two-thirds imposed by Section 101 of the Income Tax Act, 1842, in respect of rent or annual value to be allowed in calculating the liability to Income Tax (Schedule D) were extended so that the only amount disallowed was the value of the residential portion valued as a residence?
    Mr. MONTAGU: The residential portions of premises used partly for the purpose of a business or profession not being separately assessed, I regret I have no data on which to furnish the estimate desired by the hon. Member.
    Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury
    818
    whether the Treasury have received any representations from charities with respect to their present position under the Income Tax law, whereby they have to pay Income Tax on their property merely because they happen to occupy it instead of letting it to other persons; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
    Mr. MONTAGU: Representations have been received on behalf of one or two institutions, but I fear that I cannot see my way to take any action in the matter.
    Sir J. D. REESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the income derived by British subjects from investments in India and the Colonies, which is not remitted to the United Kingdom but left in India and the Colonies, is liable to taxation under Clause 5 of the Finance Bill?
    The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George): The answer is in the affirmative in the case of a British subject ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
    Sir J. D. REES: Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the effect of the payment of the large sums in this way is to deprive the Colonies or India—as the case may be—of the money?
    Sir J. D. REESasked whether under Clause 5 of the Finance Bill a merchant resident in the United Kingdom and receiving income from investments in British Colonies and possessions is liable to Income Tax if he is, and exempt from Income Tax if he is not, a British subject?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: Under Clause 5 of the Finance Bill a merchant resident in the United Kingdom who is not a British subject will not be liable to taxation of income arising from foreign investments, not remitted to this country, but he remains liable under the Act of 1842 to taxation on remittances received here.
    Sir J. D. REES: Are these answers in accordance with the replies made on the same subject to my hon. Friend behind me a day or two ago?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: That was a totally different subject.
    Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked how many charities there are at the present time which have to pay Income Tax on their property merely because they happen to occupy it instead of letting it to other persons?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: I have, I regret, no means of obtaining the information asked for.
    Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements will be made for repayment of the excess Income Tax in cases where stocks and shares have been bought cum dividend and where the purchaser has received the dividend through his broker, less 1s. 4d. in the £, and the Income Tax voucher is not available?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: A circular letter has now been issued by the Board of Inland Revenue dealing with the question of adjustments in the case of tax already deducted at the rate of 1s. 4d. in the £, and, if difficulty is experienced in applying the instructions to any individual case, the Board will be glad to advise on being placed in possession of the necessary facts.
    Mr. FELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury is only interested in the Income Tax on the profits of companies and not in the dividends paid to the shareholders; and if such companies may deduct Income Tax at the new rate of 1s. 3d. in the £ on dividends paid to the shareholders without any reference to the Treasury or to the Income Tax authorities?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: In the case of British companies the dividends are paid out of profits and gains charged to Income Tax by direct assessment on the companies, and the question of the rate at which tax is deducted on payment of the dividends is therefore one for settlement between the companies and their shareholders.
    Mr. FELL: In the present circumstances could not companies in paying their dividends deduct the tax at 1s. 3d., and so save all the trouble that might arise?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: I should like to have that question put down.
    Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there will be any opportunity of discussing the present anomalous position of charities under the Income Tax law before the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is passed?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: The question whether it will be possible to discuss any particular Amendment or new Clause on the Committee stage of the Finance Bill must necessarily depend upon the amount
    820
    of time which hon. Members think necessary to devote to other subjects.
    Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON: If there is no opportunity of discussing the matter on the Committee stage, will the right hon. Gentleman give us the chance of discussing it on Report?
    Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: As new Clauses come first, I should say that there would very probably be a very good chance of discussion.

    Customs and Excise Officers.
    Mr. F. HALLasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether officers of His Majesty's Customs and Excise who were required to give attendance on Monday the 22nd June, the day appointed to be observed as a public holiday for the official celebration of the King's birthday, were granted a day's compensation leave in addition to their hourly overtime rate for this attendance, and that the Customs watchers giving exactly the same attendance as these officers on that day were not granted the day as compensation leave; whether they only received 7d. per hour for the actual attendance given between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.; whether this overtime attendance is in both cases paid for by merchants or bonded warehouse proprietors; and, if so, will instructions be forthwith given that watchers shall receive the day's compensation leave for attendance on Sundays and public holidays in the same manner as is granted to the officers?
    Mr. MONTAGU: The conditions of employment of watchers are not comparable with those of Customs and Excise Officers. Speaking generally, for the former attendance at night and on Sundays or public holidays is normal; for the latter, exceptional. This is the reason why they are treated on a different basis, and I cannot accept the suggestion that they ought to be treated alike.
    Mr. HALL: May I ask the hon. Gentleman if under the circumstances pay will be granted to these poorly paid watchers for the day of 22nd June, seeing that the officers of His Majesty's Customs and Excise have received their pay?
    Mr. MONTAGU: If the hon. Member will look at my answer he will see that point is dealt with. The necessity of working on public holidays and Sundays is taken into account in fixing the pay of these watchers.
    Mr. HALL: Is it not a fact that these officers now have to work forty-eight hours a week irrespective of when they commence and when they finish, and that, therefore, they are debarred from earning that overtime which they were formerly in a position to obtain?
    Mr. MONTAGU: The fact that the watchers work irregular hours has been taken into consideration in fixing their pay.

    Mines Bill.
    Lord N. CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Home Secretary whether the Government propose to go on with the Mines Bill this Session?
    The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna): Yes, Sir. As stated by the Prime Minister in reply to a question on Monday last, it is proposed to move the Second Heading as soon as possible.

    House of Lords.
    Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when the Government proposals for the reform of the Second Chamber will be laid before this House?
    The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith): As I have repeatedly stated, the proposals of His Majesty's Government on this subject will be laid before the House before the end of the Session, but I cannot give a fixed date.
    Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL: Will they be in the form of Resolutions?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I have already said that I think they will.
    Lord ROBERT CECIL: Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he will be able to say when they will be taken?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I cannot name a fixed day.
    Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE: Does the right hon. Gentleman still consider that it is a subject which does not brook delay?

    Education Act, 1891.
    Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the repeal of Section 8 of the Education Act, 1891, restores to full force Section 17 of the Education Act, 1870; whether it is the policy of the Government that every child attending a provided school should pay a fee unless the fee is remitted on the
    822
    ground of poverty, as provided by Section 17 of the Act of 1870; and whether he will secure in any legislation dealing with this matter that henceforth free education shall be universal in all public elementary schools receiving State aid?
    Mr. PEASE: The repeal of Section 8 of the Elementary Education Act, 1891, has not the effect suggested, because Section 17 of the Act of 1870 must still be read in conjunction with Schedule III. (5) of the Act of 1902. The reply to the second part of the question is emphatically in the negative. In reply to the third part of the question, I am prepared to take such steps as may be necessary to secure that every child whose parent desires it shall receive free elementary education.
    Sir H. CRAIK: Is it not the case that many parents prefer to pay a fee, and that in every case where a fee-paid school is recognised there is ample provision for free education, accessible to all children?
    Mr. KING: Have parents the right to send their children without fees to any school they like?
    Mr. PEASE: I am aware that many parents apparently prefer to pay fees in connection with the education of their children, but at the same time I am not satisfied that everywhere that fees are paid there is a substantial number of free places for children of other parents, but in many cases these other parents have not asked for more free places than are being supplied at the present moment.
    Sir H. CRAIK: If there are not free places available in that school, is it not always a condition of recognising a fee paid school that there is free education provided in a school that is accessible?
    Mr. PEASE: It may be so, but then; there is great difference of opinion as to what is accessible. Sometimes the free places are at the other end of the town, and parents are not very eager to send their children from one end of the town to the other.

    Scottish Office of Works.
    Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the decision of the First Commissioner of Works and the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to reduce the status of the Scottish Office of Works; whether, in view of the change thus contemplated, he will take such steps

    823
    to postpone its actual execution until the matter has been debated in the House; and whether he can give an early day for that purpose?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I cannot agree that the status of the Office has been reduced. The matter could be suitably discussed in Committee of Supply.
    Mr. HOGGE: Is the Prime Minister aware that we have already passed the Estimates for the Office of Works, that this change will be accomplished before next year, and that therefore we shall have no opportunity of discussing it? In view of the circumstances, can he arrange, for example, for an item in the Scottish Estimates to bring the matter up?
    The PRIME MINISTER: My hon. Friend is mistaken. We have not yet got the Vote.

    Small Landholders (Scotland) Act (1911) Amendment Bill.
    Mr. MORTONasked the Prime Minister whether he will find time to pass the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act (1911) Amendment Bill?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire on Thursday last on this subject, to which I can add nothing at present.

    Scottish School Boards' Association.
    Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of the resolution from the annual general meeting of the Scottish School Boards' Association, declaring that no lasting or satisfactory solution of Scottish educational problems would be found until Scotland was enabled, within her own borders, to legislate on educational affairs for her own people; and what reply he proposes to make?
    The PRIME MINISTER: As far as I can trace, no such resolution has reached me.
    Mr. PIRIE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a memorial signed by a large majority of Scottish Members to the same effect was ignored and treated with contempt by the Secretary for Scotland, and will he take that fact into consideration?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I did not know that was the case.

  POST OFFICE.

    TELEPHONE SERVICE.
    Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Prime Minister, with reference to the appointment, by means of Schedule B of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910, and without Civil Service certificate, of certain officers late of the National Telephone Company to the second division of the Civil Service, whether there is any precedent for appointment to the second division without Civil Service certificate; whether, as the second division is specially constituted, by Order in Council, of persons certified by the Civil Service Commission, it is competent for the head of a Department to make appointments thereto by means of Schedule B; whether these appointments contravene Clause 22 of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910; and whether he will consider the desirability of not appointing persons by means of Schedule B to a grade of the Civil Service which is included in Schedule A of the Order of 10th January, 1910?
    Mr. MONTAGU: The position of the officers in question was somewhat exceptional, their claim to pension after transfer having been regulated by the Telephone Transfer Act, 1911. The most convenient way of regularising their appointment to the Civil Service was to gazette their situations into Schedule B of the Order in Council of 10th January, 1910. A notice was issued accordingly in general terms, not limited to the second division, but applying to all the officers so transferred so long as they held the posts in question. I do not think this procedure was inconsistent with the provisions of Clause 22 of the Order.

    TELESRAPHIST'S RETIRING ALLOWANCE (MR. W. RIGNEY).
    Mr. WINGasked the First Lord of the Treasury if he is aware that Mr. W. Rigney, recently in charge of linesmen in the Letterkenny, Enniskillen, and Dundalk section (Ireland) telegraph service, is retired with a pension of £34 13s. 5d. per annum, and a retiring gratuity of £101 14s. 1d., while entitled to a pension of £50 per annum and a retiring gratuity of £140, based upon the fact that the secretary to the Postmaster-General wrote Mr. Rigney on the 10th June, 1892, to the effect that the date on which he joined the 2nd telegraph battalion of the Royal Engineers, namely, 3rd August, 1878, would

    825
    count towards pension; and whether he will take steps to secure to Mr. Rigney the carrying out of the promise officially made on behalf of the Government department?
    Mr. MONTAGU: Mr. Rigney has been granted the maximum pension and additional allowance for which he is qualified under the Superannuation Acts, 1834 to 1909, and I have no power to increase the amounts. I am informed that no record can be traced in the Post Office of any letter of the kind referred to in the question.
    Mr. WING: Is it not a fact that such a letter was issued, and, if it could be presented to the hon. Gentleman, would he take it into consideration in fulfilment of the promise? If the hon. Gentleman says "Yes," I will let him have it this afternoon?
    Mr. MONTAGU: If my hon. Friend will give me a copy of the letter I will certainly make inquiries.

    Scottish Home Rule.
    Mr. PIRIEasked the Prime Minister whether he has received resolutions from Vancouver, Winnipeg, New York, St. Louis, Albany, Saskatoon, and other places, congratulating the Government on their promise to draft a measure of Scottish Home Rule; and whether he is aware of the disappointment created by the failure of the Government to implement their pledge?
    The PRIME MINISTER: No, Sir; as far as can be traced no resolutions, in the sense implied in the question, have reached me from any of the places named, though I have received a resolution from the International Scots Home Rule League of Albany in favour of Scottish local and domestic business being transacted by a legislative body established in Scotland. Any pledges which His Majesty's Government have given on this subject will be duly fulfilled.
    Mr. PIRIE: Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the Government will mention the matter in the King's Speech next year, so that we may be sure that pledge is carried out?
    Mr. HOGGE: Will the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government propose to draft the Bill and thus carry out the pledge which he says they are going to fulfil?
    The PRIME MINISTER: I cannot add anything to what I have already said.
    Mr. PIRIE: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he has already stated is an evasion and a prevarication?

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

  AUTUMN SESSION.
  Mr. WILLIAM YOUNGasked the Prime Minister whether the Government still adhere to their decision not to have an Autumn Session?
  Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the exceptionally high temperature of the present summer and its enervating and exacerbating effect upon the constitution and temper of Members of this House, the slow progress of public business, and the mass of important legislation still awaiting careful consideration this Session, he will reconsider his decision with regard to an Autumn Session and permit the House to adjourn at the beginning of August and reassemble for a month at the beginning of November, when more temperate atmospheric conditions will prevail?
  Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that two requests are being extensively signed by private Members, one that the sittings of the House should be suspended as from the, end of the present month to be resumed at a date in the early autumn, and the second that the Session should be brought to a close at the earliest moment compatible with the transaction of necessary Government business; whether he is aware of the pronounced feeling in the country with reference to Members of Parliament adjourning for a period of vacation extending to six months while continuing to draw their salaries at full rate; and whether he will make an early statement of the Government's intentions in the matter?
  The PRIME MINISTER: The whole matter is receiving careful consideration. The Government will certainly bear in mind the wishes expressed by hon. Members, and a definite statement on the subject will be made as soon as possible.
  Mr. PRETYMAN: Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the very great inconvenience which will be caused to every one in this House, on both sides, not in regard to the holding of an Autumn Session—in

  827
  regard to that we are perfectly ready to do our duty—but in respect of the great inconvenience caused by not being able to make arrangements? Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that the time is very short for making arrangements, and will he make a definite statement as soon as possible?
  The PRIME MINISTER: A definite statement will be made as soon as possible.
  MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on his side, including the one who put a question, have taken shootings in Scotland, and are anxious to go there?
  Mr. MORRELL: May I ask if in the event of the Government deciding to go straight on there is any prospect of finishing the business before the middle of September?
  The PRIME MINISTER: That is one of the subjects which will receive consideration.
  Mr. CHARLES BATHURST: Is it a fact as reported that the Cabinet have already decided that there shall be an Autumn Session?
  The PRIME MINISTER: No, Sir.

BRITISH ARMY.

  INSPECTOR-GENERALSHIP OF FORCES.
  Sir SAMUEL SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to appoint another Inspector-General of the Forces; if so, what is the reason of the delay; and what officer is at the present moment carrying out these duties?
  The PRIME MINISTER: As regards the first part of the question, I am not in a position to make any statement as the whole matter is under consideration. The duties of the Inspector-General of the Home Forces are being carried on by the inspectors of the various arms, under the direction of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

  TERRITORIAL FORCES (STRENGTH).
  MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the difference between establishment and strength in the Territorial Forces; why, if the strength is satisfactory, he maintains
  828
  the existing establishment; and how, if the strength is not satisfactory, he proposes to bring it up to establishment?
  The PRIME MINISTER: I am glad to say that the most recent returns show satisfactory results, but I think that the whole matter can be more suitably discussed in Supply.
  Colonel GREIG: Arising out of that answer, is the Secretary of State for War aware that the Secretary for War in 1907, when introducing the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, said that it was framed to give a force which, in time of peace, need not exceed a quarter of a million, and in time of war would reach the strength of 300,000, which is the authorised establishment for the Territorial Force?
  The PRIME MINISTER: I have no doubt the hon. Member is right.

  ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY.
  Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether the Territorial commanding officers of any Royal Garrison Artillery corps, other than in the Eastern Com-Command, have been reduced in rank; and whether the officer commanding the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery was reduced in rank because there was no officer now serving in the corps fitted for command?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant): No, Sir; there have been no reductions in rank of Territorial commanding officers, Royal Garrison Artillery. As the command and training of the Territorial Royal Garrison Artillery in peace now devolves on the local lieutenant-colonel of the Regular Royal Garrison Artillery, and as there would be no place for such officers in war, it has been decided to abolish these appointments gradually as the existing holders retire.

  REGULAR ARMY (DEFICIENCY).
  Sir SAMUEL SCOTTasked what was the deficit in the Regular Army on 1st January; and what is the deficit according to the latest available figures?
  Mr. TENNANT: The latest available figures are those for the 1st June. I stated the deficiency on that date on the 23rd ultimo, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for the Bodmin Division. The deficiency on 1st January was 9,179.

  ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
  Mr. F. HALLasked if it is contrary to Regulations for officers of the Army Flying Corps to alight at military camps; if, during the recent training of the Oxfordshire Hussars, Major Winston Churchill flew to the camping ground of that regiment in a Government aeroplane; if two other officers subsequently adopted a similar course; if steps were taken against them on the ground of their having infringed the Regulations; and if the matter was not further proceeded with owing to the fact that the officers in question acted as they did in consequence of the example already set them by the First Lord of the Admiralty?
  The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. H. Baker): The answer to the first point is "No"; to the second and third "Yes"; and to the fourth that no Regulation was infringed by the two officers and that they went by the permission of the commandant, Central Flying School. The suggestion made in the fifth part of the question is consequently erroneous and unnecessary.
  Mr. F. HALL: Is there a special code of the privilege Regulation for the First Lord of the Admiralty not applicable to other officers?
  Mr. BAKER: I am informed that no irregularity was committed at all.

  WOOLWICH ARSENAL (LABOUR DISPUTE).
  Mr. CROOKS: I desire to ask the Secretary of State for War a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he can make any statement to the House with regard to the progress of the dispute at Woolwich Arsenal?
  The PRIME MINISTER: The Government are fully alive to the importance of what is occurring, and are taking such steps as are necessary to deal with the situation. In my opinion it would not be in the public interest to make any further statement at present on the question, but I hope to do so to-morrow.
  Mr. CROOKS: Will the right hon. Gentleman see me personally presently and talk it over?
  The PRIME MINISTER: Yes, Sir, certainly.
  Mr. PRIMROSE: Will the Government allow these workmen to push their demands by armed force as they have allowed Ulster?

INDIA.

  VICEROYALTY AND GOVERNOR-GENERALSHIP.
  Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has any intention of abolishing the rule in regard to the continuous service in India of the Viceroy and Governor-General; and, if so, will he consider the results in loss of life and health and in other respects in past cases of the extension of the normal, though not statutory, period of service in so exacting and exhausting an office of men frequently past the prime of life at the time of their appointment?
  The PRIME MINISTER: The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not therefore arise.

  TIME-EXPIRED SOLDIERS (BOUNTIES).
  Sir CHARLES HUNTERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he has now been able to find out from his own Department what is the amount of the bounty being offered to time-expired men in India to induce them to re-engage?
  Mr. TENNANT: The sum is 250 rupees. It is not being offered to time-expired men in order to induce them to re-engage, but to men due for transfer to the Reserve to induce them to extend their service with the Colours.
  Sir C. HUNTER: Is not this a larger sum than was ever offered before?
  Mr. TENNANT: I am not aware.

  VICEROY (ABSENCE FROM INDIA).
  Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State for India has considered the inconvenience which arises from time to time owing to the rule which prevents the Viceroy leaving India during his term of office; and whether he proposes to take any action?
  The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Charles Roberts): My hon. Friend will find that his question is covered by the answer just given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Nottingham.
  Mr. MORRELL: Is this a statutory rule, and, if so, from what year does it date?
  Mr. C. ROBERTS: There is a statutory enactment preventing the Viceroy from leaving India if he intends to return to Europe.
  Mr. MORRELL: What is the date of that?

GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND BILL.

  ULSTER.
  Mr. F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the suggestion made by the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on 27th June that the people of Ulster should come forward and make their own proposal for dealing with that province, say what further safeguards or additional representation they require, and what further demands they can make in the interests of their religious minority; and if, apart from general invitations of this character, it is proposed to take definite steps to ascertain the views of the inhabitants of Ulster on the lines suggested by the Chief Secretary?
  The PRIME MINISTER: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, I must refer the hon. Member to what has been already stated in both Houses on this subject, which is not one with which I am prepared to deal by question and answer.
  Mr. F. HALL: What advantage can there be to the community at large by making these vague speeches if they do not mean business by them?

  Employment of Children Abroad.
  Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has had, or would get, a Report as to the working and results of the Children's (Employment Abroad) Act; and, if so, will he give full particulars to this House?
  Mr. McKENNA: Since the Children's (Employment Abroad) Act came into force in September last only three licences have been granted by the magistrates for young persons under sixteen to go abroad to perform, and in those cases the young persons were to proceed to South Africa. From the information before me it would appear that evasions of the law seem to have been few. The Act has stopped, or almost stopped, the practice of sending persons under sixteen to perform in European cities.
  Dr. CHAPPLE: Have the police reported any difficulty with regard to carrying out the law?
  Mr. McKENNA: No, Sir.

  Street Noises.
  Sir HENRY NORMANasked what are the instructions given to Metropolitan
  832
  police constables respecting their duties in regard to street noises, whether individual or industrial, between the hours of midnight and 8 o'clock a.m.?
  Mr. McKENNA: The Metropolitan police have instructions to deal with noises in the streets where they have power to do so by Statute or by-law. Where no such power exists they are instructed to use their discretion in speaking to persons responsible for unnecessary or unreasonable noise, and they are often successful in putting a stop to such noise.

  North Galway (Writ).
  Mr. SHEEHANasked the Member for East Wicklow what is the cause of the delay in moving the writ to fill the vacancy in North Galway created in May last; and does he propose to move the same at once?
  Captain DONELAN: I beg to say I propose shortly to move the writ for North Galway.
  Mr. SHEEHAN: Will the hon. Gentleman say when?
  Captain DONELAN: I regret that I can add nothing to my reply.
  Mr. SHEEHAN: Having regard to the hon. Gentleman's reply, and seeing that he had already had two months in which to move the writ, I beg to give notice I will move it to-morrow.

  Sick Nursing Grants.
  Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a communication from the Scottish National Conference of Friendly Societies urging that the administration of the Grants for sick nursing, tuberculosis, and pathological laboratories be not separated from the present administrators of medical benefit; and, if so, will he say what his attitude will be towards their representations?
  Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I received a deputation on this subject on Friday last. The matter is engaging the careful attention of the Government.

  Cripples' College, Alton.
  Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if be is aware that at the Cripples' Hospital and College at Alton 95 per cent. of the

  833
  cripples who go there are cured, who otherwise would succumb or be cripples for life; and, looking to the amount of good that this hospital does, whether he can see his way to give a State Grant to the hospital and also to create hospitals of a similar character throughout the country?
  Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: I am well aware of the brilliant work carried on at the hospital referred to by the Noble Lord. The general question of hospital accommodation is now receiving the attention of His Majesty's Government, and meantime I fear I can make no statement.

  Workmen's Institutes (Corporation Duty).
  Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue authorities are claiming Corporation Duty from the workmen's institutes at Blaina and Abertillery; and whether, as these are in all respects similar to the Aberaman case, he will instruct the officials to treat them in the same manner as he has conceded to the Aberaman institute?
  Mr. LLOYD GEORGE: Four workmen's institutes in Blaina and Abertillery have been called on to furnish returns for Corporation Duty purposes, as the information at the disposal of the Inland Revenue authorities suggested primâ facie liability. In two cases examination of the accounts reveals no liability. In the other two, however, the returns have not yet been received, and in the absence of further information I cannot say whether the circumstances are parallel with those of the Aberaman Institute.

  Elementary Schools (Attendance).
  Mr. LOUGHasked the President of the Board of Education how many elementary schools in England and Wales which receive assistance either from rates or taxes have an average attendance of less than twenty scholars; and how many are there between 20 and 30, 30 and 40, 40 and 50, 50 and 60, 60 and 80, 80 and 100, respectively?
  Mr. PEASE: For information as to the average attendance in small public elementary schools, I may refer the right hon. Member to Command Paper 7214, for the year 1911–12, presented in January last, which very nearly covers the ground to which the question relates. This statement does not give separate figures for
  834
  schools of under twenty scholars and does not include departments of higher elementary schools. Of the latter there was one with an average attendance between forty and fifty, three with an average attendance between sixty and eighty, and two with an average attendance between eighty and one hundred.
  Mr. LOUGH: Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many schools there are with under twenty?
  Mr. PEASE: That would take a good deal of research, and I think my right hon. Friend will find all the information he requires in the Return.

  Land Purchase (Ireland).
  Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if a resolution was forwarded by the South Wexford executive of the United Irish League, on the 15th of May last, to the Estates Commissioners, urging them to hasten negotiations for the purchase of the estate of the representatives of Thomas Boyd (Record 9545), county Wexford; and if any offer has yet been made, and on what date?
  The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell): The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. An offer has not yet been made in this case. The Estates Commissioners have had the land inspected, and the question of making an offer will be considered by them as soon as practicable.
  Mr. NEWMAN: Are the Estates Commissioners going to buy this estate and hand it over to the United Irish League?
  Mr. BIRRELL: No, Sir. They have had the land inspected, and are considering whether they should make any offer.
  Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether several tenants on the Rae estate, Keil, county Kerry, have suffered loss in their crops and in their cattle during the past five years owing to neglect in repairing the sea-bank; whether these tenants are guaranteed in their judicial leases and have had their rents fixed on the understanding that the landlord will maintain the banks; and, if so, whether the Estates Commissioners will take some steps to see that the landlord carries out his legal obligation and that he be compelled to give compensation to the men who have suffered through his neglect?
  Mr. BIRRELL: The Congested Districts Board have recently made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to which has been accepted. During last spring breaches were caused in the embankment owing to abnormal tides, and steps were taken by the vendor to have the damage repaired. The Board are not yet aware of what loss, if any, in cattle and crops has been suffered by the tenants during the past five years, and they cannot compel the vendor to compensate tenants for any loss that occurred. The Board cannot at present say whether guarantees were given in the tenants' judicial leases, or whether their rents were fixed on the understanding that the owner should maintain the embankment, as copies of the judicial agreements have not yet been lodged with them by the vendor. When making the offer the obligation of the owner to maintain the embankment was taken into consideration.

  National School Teachers (Ireland).
  Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many assistant teachers are at present employed in Irish national schools; how many have been promoted to the second grade during the past thirteen years; whether the Commissioners of National Education have recommended to the Treasury that they should be promoted to the second grade on the same conditions as principals; how many would be immediately eligible for promotion on these conditions; and what would be the estimated annual cost of this change?
  Mr. BIRRELL: The Commissioners of National Education inform me that there were 5,533 assistant teachers in the service on 31st December last, and that 149 assistant teachers have been promoted during the past thirteen years. The Commissioners have not made such a recommendation as that referred to by the hon. Member, but they have still under consideration the question of increasing if possible the facilities for the more rapid promotion of assistant teachers.

  Evicted Tenants (De Vesci Estate, Queen's County).
  Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why Patrick Jacob, Mary Anne Kennedy, and the representatives of John Hogan, all evicted tenants on the De Vesci estate, Abbeyleix, Queen's County, have not been provided with holdings; and what steps the Estates
  836
  Commissioners propose taking with respect to their applications?
  Mr. BIRRELL: The Estates Commissioners inquired into the applications of Patrick Jacob and Mary Anne Kennedy for reinstatement in holdings on this estate, and decided in the exercise of the discretion vested in them not to take any action in these cases. The Commissioners have not received an application for reinstatement in the name of "The representatives of John Hogan," but they decided not to take any action in the case of a Thomas Hogan who applied for reinstatement in a holding in the townland of Knockmoe, on this estate, formerly occupied by him, and now in the possession of another tenant.

DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN.

  PERSONAL TRIBUTES.
  The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith): I beg to move, "That this House do now adjourn."
  We have, Sir, to-day to mourn yet another gap in our ranks, which is not the less marked or the less felt because he who filled it has for some time past been withdrawn, through no fault of his own, from the fighting line. Mr. Chamberlain was for thirty years in the forefront of our Parliamentary life. That he never held the title of Leader of this House or of the head of the Government is felt, by friends and by foes alike, to be an accident in his career. During the whole of that time his name is, and will be, imperishably associated with all our great public controversies. He would never, in any circumstances, have incurred the penalty which the ancient law-giver imposed upon the citizen who refused to take sides on the occasion of civil strife. Neutrality was impossible to a man of his temperament and of his convictions. To the arena of our political conflicts here Mr. Chamberlain brought, not only a combination of most unusual gifts, but, what is rarer still, a new type of personality. When he entered this House in the year 1876 almost all the places of authority, both in the Legislature and in successive Administrations, were still held by men who had received their Parliamentary training in the era of a restricted suffrage. Mr. Chamberlain was the pioneer of a new generation. He brought with him from the world of business and of municipal life a freshness of outlook, a directness of purpose, and a certain impatience of conventional and circuitous methods. He may be said with truth to have introduced and perfected a new style of speaking, equally removed from that of either of the great masters of speech who then had the ear of the House and the nation—Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bright, If he kept, as a rule, closer to the ground, he rarely digressed, and he never lost his way. He had, indeed, at his disposal all the resources, natural and acquired, of an accomplished artist, not excluding raillery, sarcasm, invective,
  848
  But more perhaps—so at least it seems tome—than any orator of our time, he gave the impression of complete and serene command both of his material and of himself. As has been the case with not a few great men, speech, the fashion and mode of his speech, was with him the expression and the revelation of character. In that striking personality—vivid, masterful, resolute, tenacious—there were no blurred or nebulous outlines, there were no relaxed fibres, there were no moods of doubt and hesitation, there were no pauses of lethargy.
  This is not the occasion, even if the time had yet come, to review or to attempt to pass a judgment on his political career. Nor can I personally speak of him with the advantage of that special and intimate knowledge which only comes to men who have shared one another's counsels, and who have fought side by side year after year. But there are certain characteristics stamped on his work which are independent of the vicissitudes of political judgment, and some of which, I think, are the more worthy of remark because he was a man of severely practical aims. First I note genuine sympathy, which never failed him, with the precarious lot of those who in one way or another fell victims to the stress and strain of our social and industrial life. Another is the imaginative quality which suffused and coloured, not only his language, but his ideas when he confronted the larger issues of national policy. Lastly, may I not say, no statesman of our own, or, perhaps, of any time, surpassed him in the two great qualities of confidence and courage—confidence, buoyant and unperturbed, in the justice of his cause, courage, persistent and undismayed, in its steadfast pursuit. Such a personality naturally and necessarily attracts both enthusiastic support and determined hostility. He and I have exchanged many blows, particularly in the latest enterprise of his active career. Though he was an unsparing, he was always a generous antagonist, and I rejoice to remember that we never ceased to be friends. It was the will of Providence that the closing years of his

  849
  life should be darkened by a great affliction. The hero of countless fights in the open field was called upon to show that he had also the passive courage which can face with undimmed eyes the most tragic fate that can befall a man of action. The hours of weakness and weariness borne with manly patience and fortitude, have passed, and he has been granted his release. It is fitting that within these walls—where the echoes of his voice seem to many of us still to linger—we should suspend for a few hours the clash of controversy, while we all join in acknowledging our common debt to the life and the example of a great Englishman. I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
  4.0 P.M.
  Mr. BONAR LAW: Death, the great reconciler has come, and it is fitting, as the right hon. Gentleman has said, that for the moment the strife of parties should be hushed round the grave. We, on these benches, are grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the tribute which he has just paid to the leader whom we admired and loved. It is not easy for any man to speak, not only with fairness and candour, but with generosity and sympathy, of an opponent, and the most formidable of opponents in conflicts which are not yet closed. But that difficult task has been accomplished by the Prime Minister. That is not my difficulty. At the time when I first entered this House I was still young enough, and, indeed, I hope I still am, to be a hero worshipper, and for me at that time, the essence of my political faith was belief in Mr. Chamberlain. In the interval I have formed a higher and I think a juster estimate of some others, but everything I have seen of him, in public or in private, in strength or in the weakness, to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, and which he bore with such heroic patience—everything which I have seen has added to the admiration I then felt. The public work, even of the most active men, is only a part, and to them, perhaps, not the chief part of their lives. Mr. Chamberlain was intensely human in his affections, and anyone who was privileged, as I was, to catch a glimpse of the
  850
  inner tabernacle of his home, carried away with him a picture of what family life can be at its best. The hearts of all of us, not only here, but throughout the Empire, go out to-day in deepest sympathy in a loss which is ours as well as theirs to the sons and daughters who loved and worshipped him, and to the wife who during, the long years of his illness found, if not, happiness, something higher than happiness—found blessedness in the noblest work of woman in being the gracious companion, the wise confidant, and the tender friend of a man who was worthy of so much love.
  Of Mr. Chamberlain's public life I shall say little. My right hon. Friend will speak of it, and to him, if it had been possible, I should gladly have left the duty and privilege of expressing for our party what every Member of that party feels. Mr. Chamberlain, as the Prime Minister has reminded us, was a great fighter, but, as Lord Morley, who knew him well, said, he had the "genius of friendship," and he was a great friend. In turn he was the object of the bitterest attacks, and he was the idol of both political parties, and he accepted with equal magnanimity the censure and the praise. Throughout his career, as it seems to me, there were two principles which were at the basis of his political action, to one of which the Prime Minister has referred—a desire to improve the condition of the people, and an intense, and perhaps almost aggressive, national pride.
  It was in connection with the latter principle that he came, as he thought, in conflict with his party, and he left it, although no one foresaw more clearly than he the consequences to himself of the step which he then took. He was one of those of whom Burke said:—
  "He will preserve his consistency by varying the means to secure the unity of the end."
  That, as I see it, was his history. He changed his tool, but he never changed his aim, and that aim was ever the good of his countrymen and the greatness of his country. The Prime Minister has reminded us that, from the point of view

  851
  of personal ambition, his career was in part a failure. He never filled the post for which his great qualities seem specially to have destined him. He never was Prime Minister. But what is success and what is failure? "It is not what man does that exalts him, but what man would do." He almost alone has changed the whole spirit of the relationship of the different parts of the Empire towards each other, and has thus laid strongly the foundation on which other men may build. I think there is no instance in our history of any statesman who has not filled the highest post whose name has become like his, a household word, and the tributes to his memory which are flowing in from every quarter of the King's Dominions are themselves evidence of the value and the enduring character of his work. Mr. Chamberlain is dead. In the words of Carlyle—
  "All dies except the spirit of man, of what man does."
  He is dead, but the spirit of what he did, and of what he tried to do, is living still.
  "And then, the last song
  When the dead man is praised on his journey—
  Bear, bear him along,
  The land has none left such as he on the bier.
  Oh, would we might keep thee, my brother!"
  Mr. BALFOUR: I do not rise because I think anything can be added to the two exquisite tributes which have just been paid to the great man who is departed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, and if before the House adjourns I still detain them for one or two moments, it is because I have the melancholy honour of being one of the very few left on this bench who served with Mr. Chamberlain in Cabinets, and who, in the words of the Prime Minister, fought side by side with him and shared his counsels. I think it would perhaps be thought that there had been an omission if one so long and closely associated with the great man we have lost were silent on an occasion of this kind. The Prime Minister has dwelt, as was right and natural, upon the characteristics of Mr. Chamberlain as a great Parliamentary figure—one of the greatest Parliamentary figures of his time,
  852
  a figure that would have been great in any time. I do not wish to dwell further upon that aspect of his public character after what the Prime Minister has said, but I remember, as the Prime Minister cannot remember as a Member of this House, the time when Mr. Chamberlain first came amongst us. He came with a great reputation deservedly earned by work at Birmingham. He came, therefore, to this House, not in early youth, but with fame and reputation already acquired in another sphere of activity, and I need not tell the House that when any man comes amongst us with these credentials, they are critically scrutinised by the Assembly which he is joining, and many ask themselves whether the reputation earned elsewhere will survive the new atmosphere into which he has come. Mr. Chamberlain came, I think, into the House in 1876, and when there was a change of Government in 1880 the universal opinion had designated him already, although he had only been four years amongst us, as undoubtedly a man who must be a Member of any Liberal Government, and in whose hands probably the destiny would lie of any party to which he might belong. I cannot imagine any greater tribute to Mr. Chamberlain's Parliamentary capacity than the fact that a career, begun from a Parliamentary point of view relatively late, should have been crowned with the triumphant success which came to him.
  It is not so much of Mr. Chamberlain as a great Parliamentary speaker, a great debater, a great orator, and a man who showed that most important of all characteristics as a Member of this House, that the greater the difficulties to the greater heights did he rise—it is not on that aspect of his public career that I would dwell, for I almost feel—I do feel—that when posterity weighs what he has done for his country, and when the time has come when a perfectly impartial estimate can be formed of all that he did and of all that he endeavoured to do, it is not upon Mr. Chamberlain as a Parliamentarian that the historian of the future will chiefly fix his gaze. I think it will be felt that it was as an Imperial statesman, as Colonial Secretary, that he has done the

  853
  greatest and the most, unique work which perhaps has ever fallen to a single statesman in this country. Nobody is better aware than I am how many and bitter are the controversies that may be supposed to range round the thesis I have just laid down. I hope it is not necessary for me to add that I am not going on an occasion like this to say anything from which any Member of the House I am addressing would dissent. The way I should describe, apart from controversial details, the great work which Mr. Chamberlain did for the Empire is this: Statesmen before his time had realised that in the self-governing communities we had established overseas it was impossible, and, if possible, undesirable, that after the period had passed when our power was required to watch and guard over their early progress, any species of control should be maintained. Many statesmen had realised—all statesmen had realised in this country—that absolute equality as between these great self-governing communities and ourselves was and must remain an essential element of this Empire. What I think was not always realised was that if this policy remained unqualified, its natural end would be—I will not say separation, but a kindly indifference, or more than a kindly indifference, a friendly feeling between the units composing the Empire, which could not and would not stand any real shock of Imperial danger. He felt—and I think that the feeling is now shared on all sides of the House—that if that current of policy which I have just described was to be pursued, as pursued it must be, a counter current must also be set up; and if we were to recognise, as we all do recognise, absolute equality between the Mother Country and her Dominions; if we recognise, as we all do recognise, that these great self-governing communities, born of ourselves, have every right that we possess, and must be treated for ever on terms of perfect equality, it was necessary at the same time that there should be aroused, both here and elsewhere, the feeling that we belong to a common Empire, and require to make common sacrifices for that Empire; and that it was not merely in a kind of neutral
  854
  friendliness that the Empire was to sink into insignificance, but that there must, in all parts of the King's Dominions, be that bracing feeling of common patriotism which, whether it ever finds a constitutional organ, or any constitutional arrangement in which all shall bear a part, may, even before that time comes, and even if that time never comes, yet make this country not merely a collection of separate and relatively indifferent communities, but one whole, organised, if not constitutionally organised, on the firm basis of mutual service, mutual interest and mutual devotion to a great ideal.
  I think that it will be admitted by all, whatever our opinions may be, that that is not an ignoble ideal, but that it is the ideal that should be shared by every British citizen; and no man has done more to bring that ideal home to the hearts and bosoms of every citizen of the Empire than the great man whom we have just lost. He was, indeed, like all great men, a great idealist. I have heard his critics say, not, indeed, very recently, but in earlier life, that he learned his politics in the relatively narrow sphere of municipal work. It is a profound mistake to suppose that he brought a different spirit into his Imperial work from that which animated him in his municipal work. In both cases he was filled with this high idealism, and whether it found an outlet in the Midlands of this country, or whether it found an outlet in those great national and Imperial objects of which he was so eloquent and so powerful an exponent, the same principles, the same high idealism, the same practical business spirit ran through it all, and never was there any career in which there was a more fundamental and essential unity from beginning to end than the career of Mr. Chamberlain. If high courage, if an unconquerable soul, if qualities that made him capable of grasping not merely the official details of administrative work, but gave him a glance that could embrace the largest questions, if a courage that feared no odds, if industry which defied fatigue, and a courage that quailed not even under disease—if all these qualities constitute, as surely they do constitute, a great man,

  855
  nobody ever had them in a greater measure than Mr. Chamberlain. We who worked with him could tell by personal experience what the public outside could only conjecture. We knew how rapid was his decision, how quick was his grasp of the most complicated problem, how clearly he saw the line which should in his opinion be pursued in any great emergency, how, when that line was once determined upon, with what courage, what loyalty, what resource and what eloquence, he was always prepared to pursue it to the end. He was a great statesman; he was a great friend; he was a great orator; he was a great man; and the House does well to mark in a signal and exceptional manner its sense of the loss that this country has suffered, and its sense of the greatness of him who has now become one of the heroes of the past, one of those great characters who illustrate our Parliamentary and public history, and on whom after all more than on anything else, the greatness of our Empire must depend.
  Lord EDMUND TALBOT: Will the right hon. Gentleman state the business I for the remainder of the week?
  The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Illingworth): Tomorrow, the Motion for the allocation of time for the discussion of the Finance Bill.
  On Wednesday, the Committee stage of the Finance Bill.
  On Thursday, the Board of Trade Vote, as already announced.
  Question put, and agreed to.
  Resolved, That this House do now adjourn.

PRIVATE BILLS.
Electric Lighting Provisional Orders (No. 5) Bill,
Reported, with Amendments [Provisional Orders confirmed]; Report to lie upon the Table.
Bill, as amended, to be considered To-morrow.
Electric Lighting Provisional Order (No. 9) Bill,
Reported, with Amendments [Provisional Order confirmed]; Report to lie upon the Table.
Bill, as amended, to be considered To-morrow.
Oxford and District Tramways Bill,
Reported, with Amendments [Title amended]; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.
Yorkshire Electric Power Bill [Lords],
Reported, with Amendments; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.
Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire Electric Power Bill [Lords],
Reported, with an Amendment; Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed.

CONSOLIDATION BILLS.
Report from the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills in respect of the Bankruptcy Bill [Lords] (pending in the Lords) and the Deeds of Arrangement Bill [Lords] (pending in the Lords), brought up, and read, with Minutes of Evidence.
Report to lie upon the Table, and to be printed. [No. 333.]
Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-two minutes after Four o'clock.

  Budget (1909).
  Budget (1909).
  Chippendale Coronation Pattern Chair and Stool.
  Chippendale Coronation Pattern Chair and Stool.
  Hampton Court Palace (Admission of School Children).
  Hampton Court Palace (Admission of School Children).
  Extension of Franchise to Women.
  Extension of Franchise to Women.
  Junior Lords of the Treasury.
  Junior Lords of the Treasury.
  Land Purchase (Ireland).
  Land Purchase (Ireland).
  Ballymena Improvement Scheme.
  Ballymena Improvement Scheme.
  Malicious Injury to Animals (Ireland).
  Malicious Injury to Animals (Ireland).
BRITISH ARMY.
  YEOMANRY SADDLE.
  YEOMANRY SADDLE.
  WAR OFFICE CONTRACT (FAIR-WAGES CLAUSE).
  WAR OFFICE CONTRACT (FAIR-WAGES CLAUSE).
  MAJOR ADAM.
  MAJOR ADAM.
  ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
  ROYAL FLYING CORPS.
  Earl Shilton Provided School, Leicestershire.
  Earl Shilton Provided School, Leicestershire.
  Finance Bill (Grants).
  Finance Bill (Grants).
  Rhodesian Minerals (Royalties).
  Rhodesian Minerals (Royalties).
  Ocean Island.
  Ocean Island.
  Exchange Compensation (India).
  Exchange Compensation (India).
  Charges Against Children (Metropolis).
  Charges Against Children (Metropolis).
  Prison Warders.
  Prison Warders.
  Sanitary Inspectors.
  Sanitary Inspectors.
  Blackwater Pier, County Wexford.
  Blackwater Pier, County Wexford.