To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the West Riding County Council have made a demand for payment by the guardians of the Hunslet Union of the cost of the education at public elementary schools of children maintained by the guardians, and that, although the Hunslet Union is situate in two administrative counties, the institutions in which such children are maintained are entirely within the West Riding area, and the rates paid by the guardians for education purposes in respect of such buildings is equivalent to £1 18s. 6d. per annum for each child attending school; and whether, seeing that the net cost to the council of the education of such children during the last three years has only been £1 4s. 3d. per head per annum, he is prepared, in view of his reply to the hon. Member for Hackney on 14th May, 1907, † to take any steps in the matter. (Answered by MR. McKenna.) I have received no official intimation of the incidents in question. In the event of the children referred to being excluded, or threatened with exclusion, from school owing to the refusal of the guardians to pay the contributions demanded of them, the Board may be called upon to determine whether such exclusion is reasonable. Such decision could only be given after full consideration of the circumstances of the case, and after hearing the statements of both parties.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when a purchaser owing a balance of annuities under one of the Purchase Acts prior to 1903 desires to sell his interest in a non-residential grass farm in a district in which it is much needed for distribution, are the Irish Land Commission willing, by a particular exercise of their present statutory powers, to sell the farm to the Estates Commissioners with the consent of the partial purchaser, who would then receive a bonus under the Land Act of 1903. (Answered by MR. Birrell.) In the circumstances stated in the Question

ߤ See(4) Debates, clxxiv, 795-6.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will give the average Poor Law valuation per head of population in the province of Connaught; and will he state the highest valuation and the lowest per head, giving, if

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Swiss Department of Justice and Police has made any advances with a view to arriving at an international understanding about the treatment of travelling bands of gipsies. (Answered by MR. Secretary Gladstone.) I have no information to the effect suggested, and I am informed by my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that he has not received from the Swiss Government any proposals to that end.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis construe the Order of this House to keep the passages through the streets leading to this House free and open as applying only to the approach to this House from Parliament Street; and if he will give instructions that the approach to the House from the Embankment be kept open, and the passage of Members approaching from that direction be no longer hindered by the traffic. possible, the unions and parishes which contain the lowest, and what their valuation per head is (Answered by MR. Runciman.) There is no information available of tie kind required by the hon. Member in respect of parishes, but the other figures asked for by him are given below. The union with the highest valuation per head of population in Connaught is Roscommon, and with the lowest Belmullet

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he can state the total number of trained teachers at present employed in Church of England, Catholic, Wesleyan, and Council schools respectively; what number of persons were entitled to enter training colleges as the result of the last King's Scholarship examination; and what was the number of places available for them in Church, Catholic, Wesleyan, and undenominational colleges respectively.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he can state how many candidates became qualified for admission to training colleges during the years 1905 and 1906 respectively; how many students actually obtained admission to a training college in each of those years; how many of those students were admitted to denominational colleges and how many to undenominational; and what aid is now afforded from the Exchequer towards the building and maintenance of training colleges.

To ask the Prime Minister, seeing that only three out of twelve Scottish Votes have been discussed, will arrangements be made to give an additional day for the discussion of outstanding Scottish Votes.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, while the substitution of proficiency pay for service pay may not cause hardship or monetary loss to service men serving in any corps (whether departmental or otherwise), the change will seriously affect non-combatants, e.g., Army schoolmasters, and to the extent of nearly £11 per annum; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of so amending his proposals as to obviate this loss. (Answered by MR. Secretary Haldane.) The Army schoolmasters are in the same position as other corps ineligible for proficiency pay. Their ordinary rates of pay include remuneration for technical qualifications, and men appointed to the corps or contracting for a new term of service after 1st October, 1906, will not draw either service or proficiency pay. All vested rights have, however, been scrupulously respected.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state the number of military superintendents in the Ordnance Survey, Ireland, that have been deprived of the charge of sections during the past twelve months; and if he can state the number of confidential reports made by each of such superintendents for the previous six months respecting the civilian employees under their charge. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Two military superintendents of field parties in Ireland were deprived of their charge for inefficiency during the last twelve months. One of them had no civil employees under his charge during the previous six months, and the other made only one confidential report during that period.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state whether it was contemplated that after a period of five years from the 1st January, 1908, the Irish Ordnance Survey should be placed under local control; and whether the Irish branch of this service is directed by the Valuation Commissioners to meet their requirements from time to time. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) No such change as my hon. friend suggests is in contemplation. The Commissioner of Valuation is constantly in communication with the Survey officers, and suitable arrangements are made to meet his requirements.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what, having regard to Sheep Dipping Order of 1907, a person or owner of sheep must do when driving sheep through unfenced fields or commons in which there is a public road or thorough-fare (and other sheep are grazing in such fields or commons) in the event of sheep belonging to different owners becoming mixed with each other; whether both lots of sheep must be left together on the land in which they got mixed for ten days and be dipped previous to removal; and whether both parties will be deemed guilty of an offence under the Order if either party should remove such sheep previous to the time stated in the order.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, how, having regard to the Sheep Dipping Order of 1907, farmers or dealers are to manage when sending sheep a long distance to a fair, market, sale, or otherwise, by the highway, if they cannot rest them and have them fed on some person's land or premises; whether they are compelled to keep them for several days on the highway without proper food and comfort, or, if the sheep are give rest on any premises or fields, must they be detained ten days and dipped previous to removal; whether the owner of the laud or premises must give notice to the local authority previous to such removal, and in the event of non-compliance are both parties liable under the Act of 1894, especially having regard to the fact that the exemptions given in the Order only apply to sheep moved by railway without being untrucked within the area and those for exhibition.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what is to happen if sheep belonging to neighbours trespass and accidentally get together; whether both lots of sheep must be dipped previous to those trespassing being restored to the rightful owner; and, if not, whether both parties are liable under the Dipping Order of 1907.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, under the Sheep Dipping Order of 1907, no one can take sheep from a farm to a washpool which may be on another farm without being liable to proceedings under the Order.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, having regard to the hardships inflicted on dealers, farmers, and butchers, through there not being sufficient and proper exemptions provided by the Sheep Dipping Order of 1907, and through the difficulty of interpreting it, he will have the Order amended, or cause to be prepared and supplied gratis to those interested, an explanatory treatise on the Order. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) It will be convenient for me to reply at the same time to this and the four succeeding Questions standing in the name of my hon. friend. It was necessary, in order to secure the general dipping of sheep in the area to which the Sheep Dipping (England) Order applies, that provision should be made for preventing so far as is practicable the contact of dipped with undipped sheep; but whether in any particular instance such contact will necessitate any further dipping, or expose an owner to legal proceedings, must depend upon the circumstances of the particular case. This, in the first instance, is a matter for the consideration of the local authority concerned. The Board do not consider that the temporary detention for rest and feeding of sheep which are being moved by road is in itself to be regarded as involving the requirements of dipping. The Order expressly provides for the movement of sheep from a place of detention for the purpose of dipping, and it empowers local authorities to grant exemptions from the dipping requirements where the circumstances render it impracticable or inexpedient to enforce them. It rests with the local authorities to enforce the Order and to make its requirements known to those concerned, and full information has been supplied to those authorities for the purpose of enabling them to discharge their duties in this respect

To ask the Postmaster-General, in reference to the complaints concerning irregular delivery of mails at Rockchapel, county Cork, whether the postal authorities are aware that on 31st ultimo the mails were one hour and ten minutes late, and on the 1st instant one hour and thirty-five minutes late; and whether steps will be taken to ensure punctual delivery in future. (Answered by MR. Sydney Buxton.) On the 31st ultimo the mails were forty minutes late in reaching Rockchapel, the delay being caused partly by the late arrival of the train at Abbeyfeals, and partly by an accident to the post-man's bicycle. On the 1st instant the delay was one hour and twenty minutes, and was due to the work on that occasion being exceptionally heavy. The hon. Member may be assured that I will take steps to secure as far as possible the punctuality of the service to Rockchapel.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state. how many women have passed during, the last ten years the examination required to qualify for a sanitary inspector; and how many sanitary authorities have appointed a female sanitary inspector on their staff. (Answered by MR. John Burns.) It is only in London that a sanitary inspector is required by law to be the holder of a certificate granted by a body approved by the Local Government Board to the effect that he has by examination shown himself competent for such office. I understand that the number of women who have passed the qualifying examination during the ten years ended 31st December last, is about 216, and that the number of metropolitan borough councils who have appointed one or more female sanitary inspectors is twenty-two.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state why the maps for the Congested Districts Board Commission are not being printed in Ireland; and whether there has been any delay in having this Irish work carried out at Southampton. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The maps referred to involved colour printing, for which no-arrangements exist in Ireland, and they were therefore printed at Southampton. There was a slight delay in the case of one of the maps, as the only machines avail- able for the purpose were being occupied with a more urgent order from another Department, but this was in no way due to the maps being printed at Southampton rather than in Dublin.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that for the past two years three policemen have been stationed in an outhouse on the farm of MR. Patrick O'Brien, Melchera, Kanturk, county Cork; if he can say on what district does the charge for these extra police fall; is the Inspector General of Constabulary aware that this farmer, who is not unpopular, attends to his ordinary business at fairs and markets unattended by any policemen; and, if so, whether, in view of the peaceable condition of the Kanturk district, where the Recorder was quite recently presented with white gloves as a mark of the crimelessness of the locality, these extra policemen will be withdrawn from this unnecessary duty. (Answered by MR. Birrell.) It is the fact that for the past two years three policemen have been stationed on MR. O'Brien's farm in order to provide for his protection. No charge is made upon local authorities in respect of these men. The condition of the district of Kanturk generally has of late much improved, but, in the opinion of the police authorities, it is still necessary to afford police protection to MR. O'Brien.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from an evicted tenant named O'Rourke, residing at Kilbaylet, county Wicklow; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken to reinstate him or to provide him with a farm. (Answered by MR. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners cannot trace the receipt of an application from the person named. If further particulars of the application should be given a further search will be made.

To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that owing to the international gambling operations in options and futures of American wheat its price has already advanced in about three weeks some 20 to 30 cents; that this has caused a rise in all cereals and food stuffs, and that in consequence the price of flour in most parts of the United Kingdom has already been advanced from 3s. to 5s. per sack, and that the 41b. loaf has also been advanced from ½d. to 1d.; and, if so, what steps does His Majesty's Government intend to take in order to safeguard the masses of this country in the future, especially in case of war, from advances in the prime necessities of life caused by these international gambling operations in fictitious food stuffs through option and future contracts. (Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man.) His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take action in this matter.

I beg to ask the. Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the date on which H.M.S. "Andromeda" last went to sea since the naval manoeuvres of last year, viz., 1906

The 28th May.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of coastguard stations that have been closed since the commencement of this year, and the number of men who have been reduced or dismissed in consequence of the closing of these coastguard stations.

Three stations and seven detachments have been closed since the commencement of the year. Those changes affected thirty-two men, who have all been transferred to fill vacancies at other stations caused by normal wastage. No men have been dismissed in consequence of the closing of any coastguard stations.

Which are the three stations that have been closed, in view of the promise given by the Secretary to the Admiralty that no station should be closed until the question had been fully discussed in this House?

I must ask for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what provision he proposes to make to insure the maintenance of the old standard and the old numbers of life-saving apparatus along the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland which have been depleted by reason of the reduction of coastguard stations and coastguardsmen.

The number of life-saving stations will not be affected by any reduction in the number of coastguard stations and coastguardsmen.

Has any provision been made for maintaining the standard at the places where coastguard stations have been closed?

Notice has been given to the Board of Trade, which is the Department concerned.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what steps, if any, have been taken to provide old-age pensions for the aged employees of his Department at Deptford, Chatham, Greenwich, and Portsmouth, in accordance with the Resolution adopted by the House of Commons on 6th March, 1893.

The Resolution referred to did not require the Admiralty to provide old-age pensions for aged employees, nor was it limited to the four establishments mentioned. I may odd that since the date of the Resolution the hours of labour have been reduced, wages have been generally increased, notably during the last year, and insurance against accident has been provided by the Government scheme, which is more favourable to the workmen than the Workmen's Compensation Act.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what percentage of destroyers would be available to put to sea within twenty-four hours of the declaration of war.

It is not in the public interest to answer a question of this character.

Is it not the fact that only seventy out of 120 destroyers would be fit for sea?

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state why there were no three-sixteenth inch plates available at Portsmouth with which to repair the torpedo destroyer "Wear," on the occasion of her collision with the "Etna'' merchant ship.

It had not hitherto been thought necessary to keep a reserve of these plates. Steps are now being taken to secure an adequate reserve.

asked how long the ship was kept in port in consequence.

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what was the valuation for rating before the sale took place of the 52 acres at Kilcreggan, Dumbartonshire, sold to the War Office, or, if they were not separately valued, what were the valuation and area of the farm of which they formed part; and what are now the valuations for rating of that area of 52 acres and of the rest of that farm respectively.

The valuation of 52 acres at Kilcreggan sold to the War Department was, prior to sale, £60; the present ex gratia contribution to rates remains on £60 basis. The original valuation of the entire farm—470 acres, including eight cottages—was £162. The present valuation of the remaining portion is £102, including eight cottages.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the regulation which prevents a warrant officer from commuting any part of his pension before the age of fifty-five puts him at a disadvantage as compared with commissioned and non-commissioned officers; and whether, having regard to the increasing difficulty of elderly men in finding employment and the fact that a little capital might afford a warrant officer a means to a livelihood, he can see his way to give to them an opportunity for commutation similar to that now enjoyed either by non-commissioned or by commissioned officers.

This matter, which is by no means free from difficulty, is now receiving careful consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether ho has yet received answers to his questions addressed to the Government of India relating to the numbers of medical men engaged in combating the plague.

I have not yet received the return. The figures may take some little time to collect.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the weekly Returns of death from plague during May for each province in India.

The deaths returned for the weeks ending 4th, 11th and 18th May respectively are for all India 77,772, 82,400 and 67,512. Later figures have not yet been received. I shall be very willing to communicate the provincial Returns for those weeks to the hon. Member, or to place them in the Library.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Government advocate, MR. Alweyne Turner, in opposing the application for bail of the five barristers arrested as a result of the Rawal Pindi riots, that the extracts from the speeches of the accused were not taken down verbatim, by a shorthand writer on the spot, but were written afterwards from memory; and, if so, what steps will be taken to assure the public in this country and in India that, in this and other cases of like character, prosecution will be based upon evidence of a more definite and accurate nature.

I am aware that the speeches made at meetings of this kind in India have not hitherto been taken down by shorthand writers. It is one of the objects of the Regulation of Meetings Ordinance, issued by the Governor-General on the 11th May, to obtain a more authentic report of the proceedings at such meetings in future.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the agitation in which Lala Rajpat Rai was engaged was totally different in character from that to which Ajit Singh devoted his services; whether his attention has been drawn to the article written by Rajpat Rai two hours before his arrest, stating the grounds upon which the agitation was based; whether in any meetings a shorthand writer was present to report speeches made by Rajpat Rai; and upon what evidence, definite or otherwise, his arrest and deportation was ordered.

The Answer to the first and third Questions is in the negative: that to the second in the affirmative: as to the fourth, I must refer my hon. friend to the statement I made in this House on Thursday last.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information in his hands to confirm the statement he made last Thursday to the effect that the speeches of Rajpat Rai were very greatly dominated by sedition, and that they were published broadcast, even on the floor of this House.

I must really ask my hon. friend to accept it from me that I am very unlikely to make statements on the floor of this House without having provided myself with fair and reasonable confirmation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay the facts of the case on the Table of the House?

I think anything more injudicious from the point of view of Government and of law and order than that which the hon. Gentleman suggests cannot be imagined.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the first detailed Report on the Comilla riots, and the subsequent Report and explanations called for by the local Government, are yet in hand; and, if so, will the Reports and Correspondence be laid upon the Table of the House, and when.

I have received the first detailed Report of the local Government on the disturbance at Comilla, but not the further Report. As I stated last Thursday, the disturbances resulted in several cases which were tried in open Court, and the proceedings were published in the newspapers. I do not, therefore, consider it necessary to lay any Papers on the Table.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Indian Government at any time to formulate a definite legal charge against Lala Rajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, and to give them an opportunity of meeting the charge in a Court of justice; and, if not, for what length of time it is proposed to keep them in banishment and confinement.

I am unable at present to make any statement as to the intentions of the Government of India in respect of the matters referred to in the Question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make any statement?

No, I am afraid I cannot.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, under Section 527 of the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure, the Governor-General in Council has power to direct the transfer of any particular criminal case from one High Court to another; and, if so, whether it is possible for the Government of India, by making use of this provision, to have Lala Rajpat Rai and Ajit Singh tried for their alleged offences without any danger to public law and order.

The section referred to confers the power to transfer cases mentioned in the Question. I have already explained why it is not thought advisable to have Lala Rajpat Rai and Ajit Singh brought to trial, and I do not consider that these reasons would be less valid if the trial were held in any other part of India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can state how much of the 150 per cent. increase in the total land revenue of the Punjab from £636,229 in 1855 to £1,604,609 in 1905 has been obtained from lands brought under canal irrigation since 1855.

The hon. Member has not noticed the fact that the increase in land revenue in the Punjab, between 1855 and 1905, is partly due to a transfer of territory from the North-Western Provinces to the Punjab. Allowing for this, the increase is not 150 per cent., but about 40 per cent. But it is impossible to say with any approach to accuracy how much of this increase is obtained from lands brought under irrigation since 1855. During the last thirty years alone the area irrigated from permanent State canals has increased six fold, or from 750,000 to 4,500,000 acres.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if the produce grown by the poor Indian peasant is taxed 50 per cent., while manufactured goods and luxuries for the rich get off free?

That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the net profit on the £1,836,075 capital of the Chenab Canal, near which the new Colonies affected by the Colonisation Bill are chiefly situated, was, exclusive of land revenue, £399,214, or 21·76 per centum in last financial year; and whether he will direct a reduction of the water rates.

The water rates on the Chenab Canal are not higher than the rates levied on other large canals in the Punjab, and, judging from the demand for land in the colony and its high selling value, the rates appear to be considered moderate by the cultivators. The reason why the Chenab Canal is an exceptionally profitable undertaking is that the area irrigated by it is very large and the supply of water abundant; but the fact that the profits are large is not in itself a sufficient reason for a reduction of rates.

Is it not a fact that the total amount charged on the land in the Punjab is now four times what it was fifty years ago?

I am afraid I have not the figures here.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the number, rank, and colour of the warders who are to form the guard of the penal settlement at St. Helena.

I understand that the Government of Natal is sending two European warders with the prisoners. The Governor of St. Helena will engage locally any extra warders required.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now announce the result of his inquiries into the alleged importation of intoxicating liquors into the New Hebrides.

The Secretary of State communicated with MR. Deakin, who stated that the Proclamation mentioned in the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 23rd April prohibits the exportation of intoxi- cating liquors from any port in Australia to the New Hebrides, except under such conditions as will ensure their being for the legitimate use of white settlers only, and in moderate quantities; and that the Customs officials in Australia have been fully instructed to that effect. It was possible, however, that liquor might be taken to New Caledonia from Europe via Australian ports, ultimately for the New Hebrides, and in that case it could not be reached by the Proclamation of the Commonwealth Government. MR. Deakin has promised to cause inquiries to be made into the matter on his return to Australia.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has now been come to as to future measures in the direction of assisted emigration for the inhabitants of St. Helena.

No decision has been taken as to future measures, but 100 men have been engaged for mining work in the Cape Colony and left the island on the 21st of May.

I beg to ask the Primo Minister whether he can state at what rate of interest the loan lately promised to General Botha for the Transvaal will be issued; and whether it is proposed that the issue of this loan shall be before or after the repatriation of the Chinese coolies.

The terms of issue of the proposed loan will be made known in due course. The repatriation of Chinese coolies will begin shortly, and will probably be in progress before any part of the loan is issued.

:Is this loan guaranteed by the British Government?

An announcement has already been made that when, and if, a loan of this character has passed the Transvaal Legislature, His Majesty's Government are not opposed in principle to giving the necessary guarantee which has been asked for.

Why should this loan be issued more cheaply than the Cape Colony loan?

I have not discussed at all the question of the price.

It must be if it is guaranteed.

asked whether, considering the collapse in Consols, the disorganised state of the stock markets, and the impossibility of further issuing the Irish loan except at a disastrous figure, and considering further—

That Question seems to me to be in the nature of a series of arguments.

I was leading up to a conclusion; I would ask whether the Prime Minister will consider the advisability of deferring the issue of this loan till a more favourable time?

:The usual preface to a Question of that sort is "arising out of that," but I do not see that the Question arises out of the Answer, or any other Answer.

It arises very much out of it.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether the Transvaal Government has promised to send back any of the Chinese at the end of their three years contracts?

That is another conundrum that does not appear to arise out of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the terms of reference to the Anglo-French Commission which has been recently considering questions arising out of the New Hebrides Convention.

The Anglo-French Committee met recently to consider the arrangements for the salaries, leave, etc., of the members of the Joint Court, as provided for in Article 10, Section 4, of the Convention of October last.

Have the French Government expressed any wish that the terms of the reference shall be kept secret?

There were no terms of reference. The Committee met simply to deal with Article 10, Section 4, and if the hon. Member will look at that he will see no terms of reference were required.

Is nothing else to be dealt with by the Committee?

As far as the Committee is concerned that is the only point they have to deal with. Other matters will be dealt with between the two Governments.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have obtained any official assurance from the United States Government that any modifications of the Dingley tariff in favour of Germany will, under the most favoured-nation clause, be extended to Great Britain. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether representations have been made to the United. States Government with the view of securing to British Chambers of Commerce the same powers for the valuation of exports to the United States as have-been granted to German Chambers of Commerce; and what is the result o such representations.

I have received an official assurance from the United States Government in the following terms: —"The administrative provisions set forth in the commercial agreement between Germany and the United States are intended to be applicable to all countries. The provisions which relate to the accrediting of special agents, their co-operation with Chambers of Commerce and the acceptance of certificates of Chambers of Commerce as to value as competent evidence in terms relate specifically to Germany. The Government of the United States does not, however, wish to make them a basis of discrimination against any other country, and is quite ready to make them applicable to Great Britain, so far as the conditions in that country permit, if the Government of Great Britain so desires." As the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh was informed yesterday, I am in communication with the Board of Trade as to making arrangements to fulfil the conditions required.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the announcement by the State Department at Washington that, before admitting Great Britain to any benefits under Section 3 of the Dingley Tariff Law, the President must be satisfied that Great Britain has some advantage to offer constituting true reciprocity, he can state what reciprocal advantage Great Britain has to offer under the present fiscal conditions.

I cannot make any statement at present on this particular point, and must refer the hon. Member to my Answer of to day to the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if an Anglo-American agreement, under Section 3 of the Dingley Act, was discussed by the Government of the United States six months ago, and has not been taken up since; if so, will he say if the discussion was dropped because the express terms of the Dingley Act require that the President must be satisfied that Great Britain has something to offer to the United States constituting true reciprocity; and if he still entertains any hope of being able, by virtue of the most favoured-nation clause, or otherwise, to secure for Great Britain, in respect of Treasury and Consular rulings, the advantages which Germany has secured.

The Answer to the first Question is approximately correct. The Answer to the second is in the negative. The Answer to the third is in the affirmative; it is being given to-day to the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that the administrative changes which have been, or are about to be, made have nothing to do with Section 3 of the United States Tariff Act.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state whether any negotiations are pending with France with reference to the-cession of Sierra Leone and its hinterland in return for the cession of French interests in the New Hebrides.

As I stated yesterday I had not heard this Question suggested before the statement appeared in the Press the other day, and the Answer is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the Domicile Act of 1861 has not been applied to China, any means exist for protecting the interests of relatives of British subjects dying in China and preventing trouble with the estates of such persons.

The existing means for protecting the estates of British subjects dying in China, and for protecting the interests of the relatives, are as complete as in a British Possession, as, owing to the fact that His Majesty exercises extra-territorial jurisdiction in that country, the estates are administered in the British Courts.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what part of the frontiers of the British Empire are now under review or consideration by His Majesty's Government and the Government of Russia.

I am unable to make any statement on this subject at present, but the Questions under discussion are connected with the frontier of India.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have expressed their willingness to negotiate with Great Britain with reference to granting special rates on articles imported under the third section of the Dingley Law; and whether, seeing that under our existing fiscal system Great Britain has nothing to offer the United States in exchange for the concessions desired, His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of placing this country in a position to bargain with the United States for the concession of reciprocal advantages which are enjoyed by other competing countries.

Negotiations are already in progress. The last part of the Question contains a statement which I cannot admit, and a suggestion that a complete change of the fiscal policy of this country should be made in order to secure reductions of duties on such articles as statuary, pictures, etc., which comprise the limited list affected by the Dingley Law referred to: I cannot think this would be a wise course.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the number of individuals in the service of the Egyptian Government who hold more than one Government appointment; if so, how many; on what grounds the plurality of offices is held; and what are the emoluments attaching to each of the posts of such persons.

The only justification for making such an inquiry would be the presumption that some abuse exists I am not aware of any justification for it.

May I ask how we can ever discover whether abuse exists without making an inquiry?

Unless there were a presumption that abuse exists, I should have thought inquiry unnecessary.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that Lord Cromer complains, in his Reports for 1904, pages 72, 73, and 1905, page 86, that private primary schools in Egypt copy the Europeanised curriculum of the Government schools, to the prejudice of vernacular education, and whereas it is only by such imitation that private schools can secure for their pupils certificates enabling them to compete for Government or other employment, he will advise the Egyptian Government to substitute for its present school curriculum a system of teaching and certificates which shall meet the needs at once of the Government service and the Egyptian people.

The Egyptian Government are fully alive to the educational needs of the country, and are making every effort to meet them. I consider that no useful purpose would be served by the interference of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the registration fee for letters despatched from Egypt to the United Kingdom is 2 ½d. (one p. t.), whereas that for letters despatched from the United Kingdom to Egypt is only 2d.; what was the number of letters registered in Egypt for transmission to the United Kingdom during the year 1906; is the extra charge retained by the Egyptian Postal Administration, or is it divided, and in what proportions, between the countries through which registered letters from Egypt to the United Kingdom are transmitted; and whether, seeing that the net revenue of the Postal Department for the year 1906 is approximately £E2-40,000, an increase of £E34,000 over the previous year, and is estimated at £E260,000 for 1907, he will advise the Egyptian Government to equalise the rate of postage between the countries above named.

I will inquire as to the facts. Reductions of postage are always welcome, but I cannot promise to ask the Egyptian Government to make a sacrifice of revenue without knowing what other considerations may be involved.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British teachers in Egyptian Government schools and other British officials attached to the Ministry of Public Instruction are required to show any proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing current Egyptian Arabic prior to their appointment; and, if such be the case, how many candidates have so qualified during each of the five years last past; if they be not required so to qualify until after their appointment, what is the period of probation allowed by the regulations, if any; when were such regulations introduced; have they a retroactive effect; how many have passed the tests annually during the last five years; are those who fail allowed to present themselves again and what number of times, and at what intervals; and how many such failures have taken place.

The Question of the hon. Member contains seven different questions, some of them of minute detail. I will make a general inquiry as to what knowledge of Arabic is required of the British officials referred to as a condition of their employment, and how this is fulfilled.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Darlington, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information to give the House in regard to the New Hebrides Convention; have any fundamental alterations been made in the recent arrangements; and can he state what was the result of the negotiations in regard to Sierra Leone.

The Answer to the first and second parts of the Question is in the negative. As I have already stated, the rumours as to negotiations about Sierra Leone are without foundation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British inspectors of the Slave Trade Repression Department in Egypt have been appointed during the years 1905 and 1906, and at what salaries. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the salaries and what is the rate of pension payable to Native and British Judges respectively, officiating in the Egyptian mixed Courts and in the Native civil and criminal Courts and to the Judges of Mahomedan ecclesiastical Courts; when were the salaries of the Judges of the Native civil and criminal and Mahomedan ecclesiastical Courts fixed; within what period, if at all, and by how much have they been augmented; and upon what system are their pensions calculated.

I will inquire. I have no information at present.

I beg to ask MR. Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present taxation in respect of beer, wine, and spirit duties and licences for the sale of liquors, per head of population, and per gallon of proof alcohol, in the United Kingdom, the States of Massachusetts, New York, and Michigan, respectively.

In the United Kingdom, on an estimated population of 43,643,000, the average taxation in respect of alcoholic drinks, including licences, is approximately 17s. 7d. per head, The alcoholic strength of beer and wine varies considerably, and there are no statistics of the quantities at each degree of strength which would enable the number of gallons of proof alcohol to be given with any accuracy. I have no official statistics which would enable me to give the information asked for with respect to the American States mentioned by the hon. and learned Member.

I beg to ask MR. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet had time to consider the question of the limit of deposits of trade unions in the Post Office Savings Bank; and, if so, will ho make a statement on the matter.

I am advised that there is no legal obstacle to allowing trade unions the benefit of the Savings Banks (Charitable Societies) Act, 1809, which enables provident institutions and societies to invest their funds in the savings banks without restriction as to amount, with the approval of the National Debt Commissioners and subject to such regulations as they may prescribe. In view of the financial considerations involved, the National Debt Commissioners would hesitate to sanction the deposit of the whole of the large funds in the possession of trade unions. I understand, however, that it is not urged by the unions themselves that this should be permitted; their views would be met by the acceptance of deposits within the extended limits of £250 in any one year and £1,000 in the aggregate. I have under consideration the issue of regulalations by the Commissioners to permit of the acceptance of deposits under such conditions. It would of course be understood that the right to exact ten days' notice of withdrawals, which exists as regards all deposits in the Post Office Savings Banks under Section 3 of the Post Office Savings Banks Act, 1861, might have to be specially enforced in regard to withdrawals by trade unions.

Do these regulations and limits refer to each branch of a trade union, or to the union as a whole?

To each branch separately.

I beg to ask MR. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that when the books of the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank are returned after the annual inspection a notice or leaflet is generally put in them recommending the purchase of Consols by the depositor, that this advice is frequently acted upon, and that dissatisfaction is now being expressed by those who now have to realise at a loss; and whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the practice until Consols are a less fluctuating security.

The assumption that, when deposit books are returned after the annual examination, a notice or leaflet is enclosed recommending the purchase of Consols by the depositor is incorrect. Occasionally, a depositor, in forwarding his book for examination, makes some inquiry as to the facilities afforded for investment in Government Stock, and a printed notice explaining the arrangements is then sent to him with his book. This notice, so far from making any recommendation, expressly states that the Postmaster-General cannot undertake to advise depositors as to their transactions and that he cannot, of course, be held responsible for any losses which may be sustained by them if there should be a fall in the price of stock between the dates of purchase and sale.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been any recent adjustments in the wine duties according to the alcoholic strength of those wines; and, if so, will he give particulars.

There have been no alterations in the duties on imported wines since the Finance Act, 1899.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state what is the average alcoholic strength of the wines respectively imported from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Australia.

The only materials available for supplying the information asked for by the hon. Member are those contained in the annual Parliamentary Return of Wines Imported (House of Commons 81 of 1907). The estimated average alcoholic strength of wines imported in cask from the countries mentioned is: —

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many rate defaulters were summoned; how many of them suffered distraint; and how many of them suffered imprisonment, during 1901,1902, 1903,1904, and 1905.

The figures are not in existence, the prison records not distinguishing rate defaulters from other civil debtors. Even if the figures could be given correctly by the magistrates' clerks throughout the country —which I doubt —I do not think the information to be obtained is sufficiently valuable to justify the great labour that would be involved in collecting it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that some, if not all, of the motor omnibuses in London do their journeys as often as possible in the day and not a specified number of times; that conductors and drivers are paid on their drawings; that the system leads to loss of life and limb; and if he will take steps to alter it.

I am given to understand that motor omnibuses in London have to run according to time tables. I am not aware that the wages of drivers or conductors are based on the earnings of the vehicles.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been called to the Report presented to the Standing Joint Police Committee of Warwickshire by the Chief Constable on 29th April last, in which it was stated that the period of detention required by the Dogs Act of 1906 was far too long, and that he had, on his own responsibility, ordered dogs to be destroyed after three or four days detention; and whether, in view of this breach of Section 3 (2) of the Dogs Act of 1906, he will, with a view to the better administration of the Act in Warwickshire, consider the advisa- bility of issuing a circular pointing out the provisions contained in the Act.

I have seen the report referred to by my hon. friend. The Chief Constable states that dogs of any value and dogs wearing collars with an address are invariably kept the seven days prescribed by Section 3 (4) of the Act, but worthless dogs with no collar are destroyed at the end of three or four days. This has been the practice in Warwickshire for many years, and there have been no complaints. Persons living near police stations are often much annoyed by the barking of dogs which are kept by the police, and it was to mitigate this nuisance that the instructions were given. I have called the Chief Constable's attention to the fact that he is not authorised by the Act to destroy any dog before the expiration of seven days, and that he renders himself liable to pay damages to the owner of any dog so killed.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any opportunity will be afforded on the Home Office Vote for the consideration of the pay, hours of work, and holidays of the Metropolitan Police.

The proper place for discussing this subject would be on the Police Vote. I am not in a position to say what time will be allotted for the discussion of the several Votes for which I am responsible, but that will no doubt be arranged in the usual manner.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has yet received a communication from the Board of Education concerning the appeal of the West Riding County Council to substitute a 3d. for the 2d. limit upon the rate for higher education, imposed by the Education Act, 1902; whether he can yet state his decision; and whether that decision is favourable to the substitution.

I have not at present received a reply from the Board of Education.

Arising out of that Answer, will the right hon. Gentleman give the President of the Board of Education a nudge in regard to this matter?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what decision he has come to with regard to the construction of underground telegraph cables in Scotland.

As I have already informed the House in the discussion on the Post Office estimates, the underground wire between Glasgow and Edinburgh is being proceeded with. I cannot at present say how far the line can be carried in the present financial year.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Cunard fast steamers which are subsidised by the British Government will be ready to compete for the Atlantic passenger traffic, the bulk of which is now divided between the White Star and other American lines and the German lines.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Darlington I beg

The Board of Trade are informed by the Cunard Company that the "Lusitania" is expected to be ready for her trials some time next month, and the "Mauretania" some months later. The vessels will be placed on the Atlantic service as early as possible after the trials are over. The suggestion in the last part of the Question that the White Star is an American line has already been repudiated by my right hon. friend in his reply to the hon. Member's Question on the 27th May. †

On behalf of the hon. Member for Darlington I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average exportation in the three years ending 1903 and 1906 of refined sugar, sugar goods (confectionery, jams, etc.), and mineral waters respectively.

I will have the information asked for printed in the, Votes.

The Board of Trade will take steps to procure the information desired by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education on what dates the plans for a new Church of England school at Salterhebble were finally sanctioned by the Board of Education and the local education authority; and on what date the Board of Education decided to discontinue the grant.

The plans were approved by the Board on the 26th March, 1906. I am not able to say on what date they were sanctioned by the local authority. The Board informed the local authority on the 1st May, 1907, that they would not interfere with their decision to discontinue maintenance.

Did not the date sanctioned by the local authority form part of the subject which the right hon. Gentleman said he had carefully considered in deciding the case?

I must ask for notice of that. I have no recollection of having said it.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he has been informed that a competent firm of architects, on 4th June, stated, with reference to the Salterhebble Church school, that they had had the building under observation for some considerable time, and had no hesitation in stating that there was no foundation for the suggestion that it is in either an insanitary or an unsafe condition, and that it would have been waste of time to spend money on the repairs, in view of the intended rebuilding scheme; and if it is customary for the Board of Education to take extreme measures as to repairs when money is ready and plans approved for complete rebuilding.

The Answer to the first paragraph is in the negative; to the second that the Board's action must depend on the circumstances of each particular case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do me the favour to consider this Report if I send him a copy of it?

No, Sir. I have already considered a Report from my own architect, whom I regard as fully competent to decide this question. My views are therefore not open in the matter.

Why in this case did the right hon. Gentleman decide not to interfere with the decision of the local authority?

Because the school was declared by the architect to be dangerous and unhealthy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House the Report on which he based his decision?

No, Sir.

Is it not the case that the building, having been condemned, was to be replaced by a modern structure, the plans of which were passed by the local education authority, and the money for which was paid into the bank?

The plans were approved by the Board on the 26th March, 1906.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the stone for the late Queen Victoria Memorial is being prepared by foreign workmen.

The work for the Queen Victoria Memorial is not under the charge of any Government Department, but is carried out by the Committee appointed to dispose of the fund which was raised by national subscription. I understand that marble which is being quarried for the purpose at Carrara is being prepared by the workmen on the spot before it is shipped to England.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the fact that an examination for seventy vacancies in the Second Division has been announced by the Civil Service Commissioners for 30th September next, whether he is aware that there are at present in the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy thirty-one Second Division clerks borne temporarily in excess of the number on the authorised establishment; whether it is anticipated that such clerks will, in the ordinary course, be absorbed into the ranks of the permanent staff before the date of the examination; and, if not, whether he will state what reasons there are for holding the examination whilst there are in existence such temporarily borne Second Division clerks as those referred to.

I am informed that the examination for Second Division clerkships which is announced to take place in September next is not for the purpose of filling existing vacancies, but is for the purpose of providing for the anticipated requirements of the public service for some months after the result of that examination has been ascertained. The circumstance that such an examination has been announced would not hinder the assignment to other Departments of such of the Second Division clerks now serving temporarily in the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy as the Admiralty may from time to time be able to spare.

I beg to ask MR. Attorney-General when the County Courts Bill Lords] is likely to be presented to this House.

I am afraid my hon. friend must address this Question to those in charge of the business in another House. It is impossible for me to say until the Bill reaches this House, which it has not yet done.

On behalf of the hon. Member for the City of London who is engaged on a Grand Committee upstairs, I bog to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the allocation of the church property at Ullapool to the United Free Church, notwithstanding the representation submitted to the Commissioners that the Sub-Commissioner had made an error in his Report, and that the Free Church had eighty more than the third required by the Act; and whether he will order a new inquiry.

On behalf of my right hon. friend who is similarly engaged and is, I presume, keeping an eye on the hon. Baronet, I have to say that this matter lies with a Royal Commission appointed by Parliament and my right hon. friend has no such power as is suggested.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the actuarial report upon the working of the Teachers' Superannuation Act has been received; and whether, and, if so, when, it will be laid before Parliament.

The Report has not yet been received.

Will the cases of England and Scotland in this matter be dealt with separately?

I cannot say. I will convey the Question to my right hon. friend.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state why the Local Government Board have no record that the Roscommon District Council have passed a resolution stating that they will give preference to Irish-made goods, seeing that this resolution was published in the local newspaper on 1st June.

The minutes of the proceedings of the Roscommon Rural District Council which were furnished to the Local Government Board contain no entry of any such resolution as is referred to in the Question.