§ Mr. CHAMBERSasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that envelopes bearing the Royal Arms and franked by the Government have been dispatched to the members of the National Health Association and others from Dublin Castle, these envelopes, containing amongst other matters a pamphlet known as the "Little Red Book," explaining in a popular way and from a Liberal standpoint the main benefits of the National Insurance Act; and will he explain why there has been this expenditure of public money on stationery and postage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo envelopes containing the "Little Red Book," or, indeed, any matter relating to the Insurance Act or to proceedings thereunder, have been dispatched from the office for which I am responsible, but His Excellency informs me that when the Act became law a circular was sent out from the Vice-regal Lodge to the branches of the Women's National Health Association, of which Lady Aberdeen is president, with enclosures explanatory of the provisions of the Act affecting the work of the association. The stationery160W used did not bear the Royal Arms, and was not supplied at the public expense; but, in accordance with a custom of long standing in connection with matters of public interest and social or charitable objects, His Excellency's frank was used.