asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that, in reply to a deputation of London Liberal Members, he has stated that he was prepared to undertake that the Licence Duties should be revalued on the basis of the actual trade done in the houses and not on the present rateable value, he will say if the same principle will be applied to the Scotch hotels?

The question of the valuation is dealt with in Clause 30 of the Finance Bill. It is not possible to complete a revaluation of licensed premises during the current licence year, but it is intended as soon as possible to revalue all fully licensed premises (including hotels and on-beerhouses) throughout the United Kingdom, when the actual trade of each house will be taken into consideration for the purpose of arriving at the proper annual value upon which the duties on the licences are to be charged.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the term "trade," as used, only applies to beer and spirits sold, or to the general trade of the hotel?

I think only to the beer and spirits.

Will any estimate of the cost of this valuation be presented to the House?

I should like notice of that question.

May I ask whether the present valuation is to be departed from?

That will depend upon the circumstances in each case.

May I ask whether the valuation is to be made each year, or periodically, because the trade done on any particular licensed premises varies from time to time?

Yes, I think that fact will be taken into consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a firm of French cider merchants are advertising cider for sale by retail in this country; if he can state the quantity and value of cider of all kinds imported into this country in each of the last five years; and what Import Duty he proposes to put on to countervail the proposed Cider Manufacturers' and Dealers' Licences?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any advertisement such as is referred to in the question. The quantity of cider and perry imported in each of the last five years is as follows:—

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French cider merchants send circulars to consumers of cider, and that if they obtain sales in that way they thereby evade the dealers' licence?

:I have no doubt they do send out circulars, out they do not appear to get much sale.

asked what was the amount of revenue derived from homemade spirits during the year ended 31st March, 1909, and the amount derived from foreign spirits?

The amount of revenue derived from home-made spirits during the year ended 31st March, 1909, was £17,456,000, and from imported spirits during the same period £3,961,000.

asked how much of the estimated additional revenue of £1,600,000 from the increased Spirit Duty will be derived from home-made spirits and how much from foreign spirits?

Of the estimated additional revenue of £1,600,000 the amount to be derived from home-made spirits is £1,200,000, and from foreign spirits £400,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would state the reason why some half-yearly dividends on inscribed stocks payable at this period of the year are debited with Income Tax at 1s. 2d. in the £, and other stocks, on which dividends are payable at the same time and for the same period, are debited at 1s. Id. only in the £ in respect of Income Tax; and would he state in what way the amounts which have been received in excess of the legal rate are dealt with?

The difference in the rate may be due to the different nature of the stock. I will forward to the hon. Member a copy of the printed Memorandum on the subject issued by the Board of Inland Revenue, which will, I think, make the matter clear to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would say whether the refusal of the Estates Commissioners to reinstate Mrs. Biggs in the farm from which she was evicted, which is vacant on Colonel Smythe's hands, is in the exercise of their discretion or in pursuance of counsel's opinion; and, in the latter case, if he would produce a copy of the case submitted and of counsel's opinion on it?

:I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to the question asked by him on 16th June, that the Estates Commissioners, in the exercise of their discretion, decided not to acquire this farm. That decision was based on a full consideration of the case, and not on counsel's opinion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Colonel Smythe, of Barbavilla, has repeatedly tried to get a new tenant to take the Riggs evicted farm on his estate and is now under an agreement to let it to a new tenant, who will take it as soon as the evicted family has been provided for; and if, in these circumstances, the Estates Commissioners will continue to regard the farm as a home farm to which the Evicted Tenants Act does not apply?

The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of the matters mentioned in the first part of the question. They are not prepared to reconsider their decision that the farm in question cannot be acquired compulsorily under the Evicted Tenants Act.

Is it in the power of a landlord to defeat the Evicted Tenants Act by calling an evicted farm a home farm?

No, Sir.

It is so in this case.

It is not in the power of a landlord to determine whether a portion of a farm is a home farm or not. That is a matter for the Estates Commissioners to consider, having regard to all the circumstances of the case.

Did the Estates Commissioners before arriving at this decision give Mrs. Riggs an opportunity of being heard?

I do not know; I will inquire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that with regard to this question of the evasion of the Act, the Commissioners seem to take the word of the landlord and not of the tenant at all?

No, I feel quite sure that is not so.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is now in a position to say when the Report of the Estates Commissioners for the year ending on the 31st March last will be available?

The Estates Commissioners hope that the Report will be available to the public before the end of next month.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether the refusal of the Local Government Board for Ireland to supply particulars of costs imposed upon ratepayers by wrong decisions of their auditors reversed on appeal is due to the number of such cases or to the absence of records; how any difficulty in the matter arises; whether the costs in such cases, or in any of them, occurring within the present year will be made available; and, if so, when?

The information which the hon. Member requires could only be obtained by the courtesy of the local authorities, their solicitors, and the various persons affected by the surcharges. It would put them to trouble and expense in searching the records; and the cost would be out of all proportion to any possible value the return might have.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to cases in which a sub-sheriff carrying out an eviction has refused when asked to read or produce the authority under which he acted; and, in view of the inability of persons so treated, owing to their poverty, to bring actions, does he propose to correct in any way the practice in question?

My attention has not been called to any case of the kind, nor have I any controlling power in such matters.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that six working women of the wage-earning class waited for several hours on Wednesday last on the pavement outside the House with the object of presenting a Petition to him in his capacity as First Minister of the Crown in favour of women being allowed to vote at Parliamentary elections; and whether he will consent now to receive such a deputation and allow them to present their Petition and state their case to him in an orderly fashion?

I am afraid I can do no more than refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave in reply to a similar question on Monday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are large numbers of women in favour of the enfranchisement of women who during the recent agitation have refrained from all methods of forcible disturbance, but who desire to represent to him their wishes before the Government commences to formulate proposals for amending the law relating to the franchise, and whether he cannot hold out some hope to these ladies that he will see some of them in the course of the present year?

I quite recognise that the ladies to whom the hon. Member refers stand in a very different position to those who seek to attain their end by annoyance and other ways, and I have communicated with them to the effect that if they have any new facts for consideration I am quite ready to consider whether the matter would be advanced by receiving them.

asked the. Prime Minister whether he is aware that, in consequence of the recent lengthy sittings of the House, the hours of duty of the permanent officials and attendants have been prolonged almost to the limits of human endurance, and that in one or more cases only two hours' rest was possible between Monday morning and Wednesday evening last; and if he will make arrangements to prevent the possibility of such long periods of duty in future?

I am informed that when the sittings of the House are prolonged beyond the ordinary limits, a system of reliefs come into operation in order to lessen, as far as possible, the strain put upon the messengers and attendants by the long hours on which they have to be on duty. As regards the police, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has already stated that when extra duties, as in the case of long sittings, have, to be performed, the extra hours spent on duty are recognised by the grant of equivalent time in the shape of "time off" duty on other occasions, and also of "special leave." There is no special system of relief. The grant of equivalent "time off" frequently enables the police to obtain good week-end holidays, which they could not otherwise enjoy.

Cannot arrangements be made so that during all night sittings the police may be supplied with refreshments at the public expense?

That question should be addressed to the Home Secretary.

Will precautions be taken to prevent a recurrence of the condition of things stated in the question?

I am not in a position to give a guarantee that these things will not recur, but every precaution will be taken.

asked the Prime Minister if the Secretary to the Board of Agriculture Bill is not reached before the House adjourns on Wednesday, the 28th Instant, whether he will give it a first place on Friday, the 30th?

I hope the Bill to which my hon. Friend refers may be reached to-day, but the arrangements already made will preclude its being taken on Friday.

Will it have first place on Friday if not taken to-day?

I hope it will be taken to-day.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the failure of the county council of the Soke of Peterborough to carry out its duties with regard to the Small Holdings Act; if so, whether the Board of Agriculture will undertake to supply small holdings where it has not been done by councils like that of the Soke of Peterborough; and if, in view of these facts, he will take steps at the earliest possible moment to pass through this House the Bill to create the new office of Secretary to the Board of Agriculture?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. As I have already informed my hon. Friend in reply to question 29, the county council expect to be able to satisfy the approved demand for small holdings at an early date, and in these circumstances it is not necessary for the Board to intervene. The latter part of the question has been answered by the Prime Minister.

Will the Board enforce the county council's recommendations?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the Board will, if necessary, exercise all the powers they have.

asked the Prime Minister whether any statements setting forth the nature of the evidence which has been laid before the Cabinet Committee of Naval Inquiry now sitting, and the conclusion at which that Committee will arrive have been communicated to the Press or otherwise made public by the direct or indirect action of any Member of the Committee, or of any of the witnesses who have appeared before it; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the leakage of information which is regarded as confidential?

So far as I am aware no such communications have been made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman inquired of any of his colleagues as to the matter to which allusion in made?

I think it would be extremely disrespectful to make such an inquiry of any one.

asked the Chief Secretary the average number of years' purchase of rent paid by purchasing tenants under each of the Irish Land Purchase Acts without bonus, the average number under the Act of 1903 with bonus, and the total amount of principal and of interest, respectively, paid in a normal term by a purchaser of a £25 yearly rent at the average price under each of the Acts?

This question is in substance the same as one which the hon. Member addressed to my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury on the 22nd instant. As he was then informed, the figures which he requires could not be given without imposing an enormous amount of labour on the staff of the Land Commission, who are fully occupied with more important business.

asked the Chief Secretary when the Estates Commissioners propose to deal with the Wakely estate, Mount Shannon; is he aware that this estate has been in the hands of the Commissioners for a number of years, and that the district is largely congested; and, having regard to the need of providing these small occupiers with some additional land, will he communicate with the Estates Commissioners and represent to them the advisability of handling this estate as soon as possible?

This estate is being sold direct to the tenants. As the purchase agreements were not lodged until April, 1908, some considerable time must elapse before it can be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners, having regard to the prior claims of other estates.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the claim of Thomas Delany, of Mount Shannon, county Clare, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mrs. Hibbert, of Woodpark, Mount Shannon, has been listed amongst those to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, wall he explain the reasons which influenced the Commissioners in their decision to exclude this man from the benefits of the Evicted Tenants Act?

The Estates Commissioners, in the exercise of their discretion, have decided to take no action on this man's application. It would be contrary to the established practice to state the grounds of their decision.

asked when the rules under the Polling Districts (Ireland) Act, 1908, will be issued?

The rules have been drafted and submitted to counsel. They require very careful consideration, but the Local Government Board hope to be in a position to issue them shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what "shortly" means?

It is an ordinary Parliamentary phrase; it means as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, owing to inadequate staff in the Registry of Deeds Office, the searches are delayed sometimes for months, to the inconvenience of councils acquiring lands under the Labourers' Acts; whether the free searches under the Labourers Acts are deferred whilst paid searches are being dealt with; and whether steps will at once be taken to augment the staff in order that it may be enabled to cope with the work?

The Registrar of Deeds informs me that there has been some unavoidable delay owing to the unprecedented pressure on the searching branch of his Department. So far as is practicable requisitions for searches are dealt with in order of priority, but if this practice were rigidly adhered to the ordinary transactions for the transfer and mortgaging of land would be completely blocked by the 2,000 requisitions for searches under the Labourers Acts lodged since the beginning of the year. As I have already stated in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for West Wicklow on?3th instant, every effort is being made to meet the unprecedented pressure of business, and the stall are working overtime with that object.

Has consideration been given to the suggestion that the staff should be increased to enable it to cope with this work?

Yes, Sir; but it is undesirable to augment the staff merely during temporary work.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the house of John Williams, of Doolin, county Clare, was fired into on the night of Sunday, 11th July; that John Williams is rent-warner and steward to Mr. H. V. Macnamara, on whose estate at Doolin there have been extensive cattle-drives; and that an United Irish League organiser held a meeting at Doolin and another at Lisdoon-varna on Sunday, 4th July; and what steps are being taken to protect Mr. H. V. Macnamara's employés from intimidation and outrage?

The statements in the first part of the question are correct. All the men in Mr. Macnamara's employment are afforded protection, a number of police being employed exclusively on this duty.

asked the Chief Secretary whether three cases of firing into dwellings have occurred recently in county Galway, and that a heifer belonging to Mr. Conroy has been maliciously destroyed on the Tyrone estate, near Headford; and whether, as the result of police investigations into these cases, any arrests have taken place?

There have recently been two cases of firing into dwellings in county Galway, and a third case where shots were fired outside a house. A heifer was also killed, as stated in the question. So far the police have not succeeded in tracing the persons who committed these offences.

asked the Chief Secretary why the local district inspector of police on 27th June last ordered a body of excursionists belonging to the Catholic Total Abstinence Society of Portadown to leave the train at the goods station at Portadown on their return from Armagh; whether due notice of this excursion was given to Dublin Castle and promises received from there of ample protection for the excursionists both in going and in coming, and that, although the excursionists had neither band nor banner, a crowd was permitted to collect and groan at them on their departure for Armagh, and the assistance of civilians was called in by the police to restrain this crowd, the number of police present being quite insufficient to maintain order; whether on the arrival of the excursionists from Armagh the district inspector had under his control nearly 200 police; why this force was not requisitioned to protect the excursionists and enable them to detrain in the usual way and at the usual place; whether there was any explanation of the fact that the district inspector with 200 armed men at his command felt it his duty to ask the excursionists to submit to a condition of this nature in order to save themselves from attack; and whether, in view of the indignation which has been aroused amongst the Catholics of Portadown by this incident, he will order a full and impartial inquiry into the whole of the circumstances connected with it?

It is, I understand, scarcely correct to say that the police ordered the excursionists to leave the train at the goods station; but the police persuaded them to detrain at that place, with the object of avoiding a possible conflict, as large hostile crowds had assembled near the passenger station awaiting the excursionists' return. This course of action was the result of an antecedent arrangement with the Rev. Father McDonald, the leader of the excursionists, and was carried out with his consent. The Rev. Canon Grimes, parish, priest, also attended at the goods platform, and very kindly assisted in getting, the excursionists to leave the train there,, as some of them were reluctant to do so. It is the fact that a promise of protection had been given, and the police had made all necessary arrangements for the preservation of the peace. The crowds-which had assembled when the excursionists were starting in the morning showed their hostility by groaning, but the police prevented any collision. The force under the control of the district inspector on the return of the excursion party was sufficient for its protection, but it was thought better to avoid any chance, of a collision between the two parties. There was no intention of slighting the excursionists, and I understand that the Catholic magistrates in the town have complimented the police on their arrangements. It is, I think, to be regretted that the opposite party at Portadown has thought fit to make the circumstance of the detraining at the goods station the occasion of a triumph, with the result of accentuating the ill-feeling which unhappily exists between the parties there. I am fully aware of the facts, and see no reason for any inquiry.

Is it not the duty of the Executive and of the police to take all possible measures for the protection of excursionists; is there any precedent for asking excursionists to detrain at a goods station, and would that have been done in the case of an Orange excursion?

I quite agree that it is the duty of the police to afford protection in these cases, and I am satisfied there was on this occasion a sufficient force of police to secure that protection and to prevent any serious interference with the excursionists. But I think the hon. Member will agree with me it is desirable, where possible, to avoid even a chance of a scrimmage, and if the parties concerned agreed, as in this case, to adopt the course suggested so as to avoid a political crowd, I do not think there was any harm in taking such a precautionary measure. We understand that in this case it was done with the consent of the leaders, and I am bound to say that, in my opinion, it was a very desirable arrangement in the interests of peace.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of this weakness on the part of the Executive and the action of the police a perfect reign of terror has been established in Portadown against the Catholics: and may I also ask him on whose information the right hon. Gentleman bases his statement that the Catholic clergyman consented to this arrangement, because I am informed that the Catholic clergyman never consented to any such arrangement; and I ask him again is it the duty of the police to protect the excursionists?

The first two questions are permissible. As to the third, it has already been answered.

May I respectfully point out that I did put the question, and asked was it the duty of the police to protect these inoffensive citizens, and the right hon. Gentleman says it is, but they have not done so, and I want an explanation.

I really think that all the police authorities did their best to avoid, what I call, the beginning of trouble. We had there a sufficient force to protect life and limb and to secure these excursionists the free right to go about. We could not guarantee that no stones would be thrown, but we hoped that the police adopting these precautionary measures, with the consent of the parties concerned, the difficulties would have been avoided.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that so far from these precautionary measures being successful, the subsequent proceedings on the 12th of July proved that the weakness of the police had only encouraged the mob to fresh acts of violence against Catholic citizens?

This is the beginning of a debate, and not a case of question and answer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in a letter addressed to the Very Reverend Canon Grimes, parish priest of Portadown, the Under-Secretary at Dublin Castle promised, on behalf of the Lords Justices, that ample police arrangements would be made for the preservation of the public peace in Portadown; whether he is aware that on the 11th July a procession of Orangemen, wearing regalia, marched under police protection through an almost exclusively Catholic portion of Portadown to and from a church in the neighbourhood, although the ordinary and direct road to and from the church is much shorter; whether he is aware that on the 13th July Orange drumming parties were allowed to parade through the Catholic district in a provoking manner, cursing the Pope and playing party tunes, under the protection of the police, and that a series of scuffles took place, and several persons were injured, and afterwards a number of shots were fired by Orangemen going home through the district, and whether any prosecutions have taken place in connection with these outrages; whether he is aware that in William-street, where the Catholic Church is, and where half the population is Catholic, the Orangemen were permitted to erect an arch across the street a few yards from the church, and to keep it there until the?4th, to the annoyance of the people attending the church; whether drumming parties, contrary to all precedent, were permitted under the eyes of the police to march up and down the street, and to act in an offensive manner opposite the church; whether he is aware of the indignation which has been aroused by these occurrences, taken in conjunction with the treatment of the Catholic procession on 27th June, which was subjected to insult and compelled to detrain at the goods station, although they were assured of full protection by Dublin Castle; and whether he will order a searching inquiry into the conduct of the police in this matter, and give some guarantee that in future the Catholics of Portadown will enjoy the full measure of protection to which they are entitled by law?

The question covers a good deal of ground, and I have not sufficient information to give it the detailed reply which it deserves, and I hope the hon. Member will postpone it.

Is it not the fact that Portadown is one of the most peaceful portions of the country, and may I ask whether this class of question is not quite uncalled for, considering the peaceable and good terms upon which all classes in the town live?

I am sorry to say that there are certain days of the year when Portadown does not deserve the character which the hon. and gallant Gentleman gives it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the canteens in connection with the Territorial camps in Scotland are open for the sale of intoxicating liquors on Sundays, to the great detriment of many of the young men in camp; and whether he will issue an order that in future such liquors shall not be purveyed on the Sabbath day, but that the canteens shall conform to the Forbes Mackenzie Act, as is usual in Scotland?

The Territorial Forces, when out for training in camp, are subject to military law, and as regards canteens come under the same regulations as are applicable to the Regular Forces. The sale of intoxicating liquors on Sundays in regimental canteens is prohibited during Divine service, and at other times canteens are open at such hours as the officer commanding the station may direct. I would point out to my hon. Friend that it would be difficult to defend differential treatment of troops in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what percentage of officers, men, and horses have been obtained for the field ambulance whose mobilisation was announced to take place for two days at Aldershot at the beginning of August?

No field ambulance is going to be mobilised at Aldershot at the beginning of August.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether any horses of the first cavalry brigade at Aldershot have been lent or are going to be lent to the field artillery for mobilisation on Salisbury Plain?

Nothing is known of any such mobilisation on Salisbury Plain.

asked whether arrangements have been made to enable the Territorials to acquire practical experience in making entrenchments during their forthcoming annual training, in view of the fact that entrenching operations will constitute almost the first work, and not the least important work, of the Territorial Army in the event of a hostile raid on these shores?

The necessary arrangements rest with the general officer commanding concerned. Where ground is available entrenching operations usually form part of the instruction of the Territorial Force. The necessary tools are kept in store for units of the force to use.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in some cases, where such exercises as mentioned in the question have been ordered, it has not been possible to carry them out, because the troops have not been provided with the necessary tools?

I am told, at all events, that the necessary tools are kept in store.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that the Return of the Army Commissions (Promotion from the Ranks), dated 31st May of this year, shows that fewer men have been promoted from the ranks during the last three years than in any similar period since 1885; and will he, in view of this fact, take steps to bring up the average to the level which obtained prior to 1906?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, the number of commissions from the ranks is not subject to any fixed limit. The candidate only requires the qualifications laid down in the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc., and the recommendation of his Commanding Officer and the General Officer Commanding.

Under a Liberal Government, are we not entitled to expect more promotions from the ranks?

The question is founded upon a complete misapprehension. Whether it is a Liberal or any other Government, we are determined to have competent officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Legislature of British Guiana, on 25th February last, declared unanimously in favour of the creation of a Board of Education; that such declaration was in accordance with the expressed wish of the people; and, if so, can he state what steps are being taken to give effect to the same?