asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the British Government continues to support what remains of the six-Power finance group in imposing upon China the conditions encroaching upon the administrative independence of China, on account of which the Government of the United States has withdrawn its support from the American section of that group; whether China will be left free to borrow on any terms satisfactory to lenders; and whether before the completion of any agreement for a loan involving the consequences indicated, this House will be informed of its full terms and conditions?

His Majesty's Government have no intention of departing from the policy which they have pursued hitherto in the matter of the Chinese Reorganisation Loan. I must again refer the hon. Member to replies which I have constantly given in the House to explain the true nature of that policy. I cannot make the promise asked in the last part of the question, and I deprecate the assumption that any loan will have the invidious consequences attributed to it by the hon. Member, though every loan to an individual or to a State entails certain obligations upon the borrower.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French Government, for example, do not restrain their people from lending privately outside?

No, I am not aware of that.

Would the right hon. Gentleman defer all action until the meeting of the Chinese Parliament, in the middle of next month?

There is no reason for us to defer action; it is a question for the Chinese Government as to whether they intend to accept the loan.

Has the Government of China been recognised by His Majesty's Government, and if not—

We are getting a good deal away from the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether in view of the fact that British financiers and contractors are willing to make advances to and enter into agreements with the Chinese Government, but hesitate to do so because they find, on inquiry, that such action would be disapproved by the Government, he will take steps to give such financial freedom to British interests as the financiers and contractors concerned feel to be desirable and which, undoubtedly, would be of value to British trade and industry?

I realise that there is an apparent hardship involved in the refusal of His Majesty's Government pending the negotiation and issue of the Chinese Reorganisation Loan, to give their approval to enterprises which British contractors desire to undertake in China, in so far as they mean an advance of money, direct or indirect, to the Chinese Government, but I am as fully convinced now as I was when His Majesty's Government embarked on the policy of co-operating with other Powers that that policy is ultimately to the advantage of British trade and industry, since it is, in my opinion, the only means by which Chinese credit can be securely established and conditions in China rendered favourable for industrial enterprise in the future. I am not prepared, therefore, to reconsider at present my decision to give exclusive support to the authorised British group. If this policy fails, and there is unrestricted competition to lend money to China, I must, of course, reconsider the whole situation, but I fear that it will result in competition between different countries to get political advantages in return for easy loans on improvident terms.

May I ask whether the effect of the Government's approval of the group arrangement does not restrict the opportunity and power of China to borrow, and whether, seeing that the American group has withdrawn, it may not prejudice British trading interests owing to the difference now in the circumstances?

I do not think that will be the result, because I think unrestricted competition will tend to very undesirable competition between the different nations to get political advantages in China in return for easy loans on improvident terms. If that is so, Chinese credit will be impaired, the effect on Chinese credit will be bad, and therefore not good for us.

Are not the people who were prepared to lend the best judges as to whether or not the terms are improvident?

I am afraid that is too much of a general rule to lay down. It is often the case that people are very anxious to make loans which are of immediate financial profit to themselves but not necessarily an advantage to the trade of this country or an advantage to the trade of the country that borrows.

Does the right hon. Gentleman—

I do not think we can carry this question further; it is really more suitable for Supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are British banking houses and contracting firms which are willing to lend money to, and undertake work in, China, but are prevented because they find, on inquiry, that such action on their part would be regarded unfavourably at the Foreign Office, though they consider the security offered to them quite good and sound, and that the business would in every way be desirable and beneficial, particularly to the industrial classes in this country; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for the Attercliffe Division of Sheffield.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the terms on which the consortium of cosmopolitan bankers, formerly known as the Sextuple Group, offered to advance money to China were such that, if completed as designed, having regard to the suggested price of issue and rate of interest, the value of previously issued Chinese loans would, considered comparatively, have declined about 14 per cent.; and, in view of the fact that many British investors are interested in these previous Chinese issues, in the event of his supporting what remains of the group, what steps does he propose to take to prevent this artificial depreciation of the property of British investors for the advantage of persons of no nationality except such as may have been acquired for financial purposes?

His Majesty's Government have no concern with the purely financial aspect of the loan, which is a matter for the financiers to settle with the Chinese Government, and I am not aware that the latter are dissatisfied with the conditions proposed. His Majesty's Government cannot control the effect of the loan upon previous issues, but I may say that I believe the hon. Member's calculation to be without foundation in fact.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, now that the financial consortium to take advantage of China's temporary difficulties in order to subject her to conditions adverse to her future progress has been broken by the refusal of the American Government to concur, whether, before supporting the remnant of the consortium in that attempt, he will take the opinion of this House on the conditions to be imposed upon China?

The hon. Member is at liberty to take one of the regular opportunities for raising this question, but His Majesty's Government have no intention of dissociating themselves from the action of the other Powers who still approve the policy which has been the basis of the reorganisation loan negotiations.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question as to whether this House will have an opportunity of expressing its view?

I have answered the hon. Member; he is at liberty to take one of the regular opportunities for raising this question. There are several opportunities in the course of the Session.

asked what is the attitude of the French Government to-wards the Franco-Belgian syndicate which has just been formed, in conjunction with the Chinese Government, to establish an industrial bank in China which, among other attributes, will have the power, if the agreement, already provisionally signed, be ratified, of floating loans and obtaining and exploiting concessions?

As I informed the hon. Member for Melton on the 26th instant, I am not aware of a scheme to establish an industrial bank in China, but I am making inquiries of His Majesty's Minister at Pekin.

asked whether, in view of the official announcement that the American financiers have withdrawn from the sextuple group, the five groups which remain will be supported by their various Governments against any independent loan to China which may be floated in America and supported by the United States Government?

As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, the answer is in the affirmative, and I have no reason to suppose that the other Powers interested will adopt a different course.

asked the Secretary of State whether he has any information to the effect that a new American group has been formed to negotiate an independent loan with China; and whether, in view of the withdrawal of the United States Government, the quintuple Powers could object to this isolated action on the part of those who have hitherto co-operated with them?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; to the second, in the affirmative. The hon. Member is, however, here assuming that a new American group would be composed of the group that has formed part of the Six-Power Consortium in the Reorganisation Loan negotiations. But I understand that this would not be possible until a specific period has elapsed, since each group is bound by agreement to give notice of its withdrawal from the Consortium, and it would be some time before it was free to take separate action on its own account.

asked the Secretary of State whether he has received any expressions of opinion from British interests in the Far East, either for or against the methods of financing China as embodied in the proposals of the sextuple, now the quintuple, group loan; and will he, in view of the change in the situation produced by the withdrawal of the United States Government, lay any such representations before the House?

I have not officially received many expressions of opinion from the quarters referred to for or against the policy of His Majesty's Government in the matter of Chinese finance. Among the principal critics of the policy of His Majesty's Government were the Eastern Bank, and the correspondence that passed between them and the Foreign Office has already been published in Parliamentary Paper No. 2, 1912. Correspondence of a similar nature has likewise passed between the Foreign Office and the Chartered Bank but, in view of its similarity, I do not think its publication would be of interest.

asked whether the United States was one of the four Powers originally co-operating in the proposal to finance China; whether this co-operation was, at least in part, based on previous joint collaboration in the work of railway finance in China; whether the subsequent participation of Russia and Japan in what became known as the sextuple group was either suggested or solicited by the four; and whether the withdrawal of one of the original founders of the international group substantially affects the possibility of attaining the objects for which the group was formed?

The answers to the first three parts of the question are in the affirmative. With regard to part four, the withdrawal of one group from the Consortium need not necessarily affect the prospects of a favourable settlement.

asked the particulars of the formation of a China industrial bank in which, by agreement, the Chinese Government participates to the extent of one-third of the capital of 45,000,000 francs, the balance being provided by a Franco-Belgian syndicate; and whether this undertaking enjoys the support of the French Government, which is one of the signatories to the six-Power agreement?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 26th instant to the hon. Member for Melton and to-day to the hon. Member for East Nottingham. I have not got the information. I will inquire of the British Minister at Pekin.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whether the French Government is supporting the group?

I will inquire as to what is known of this scheme. When I know about the scheme I will inquire if there is any truth in the statement as to the attitude of the French Government.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the President of the United States has told Mr. George B. Rea, a member of the Chinese Railway Commission, that his Government is now formulating a new policy with regard to China which will leave nothing undone legitimately to promote American interests, he will take steps to reconsider the Foreign Office financial policy towards China with a view to giving similar freedom to British interests?

As I have already stated, I have received no official intimation from the United States Government of a change of policy on their part with regard to Chinese finance, but His Majesty's Government have no intention of departing from the policy which they have hitherto pursued in the matter. It is not to the advantage of British or Chinese interests to encourage a policy of loans without guarantees either for their security or good use.

May I ask whether the political conditions do not involve the continuation of certain unpopular taxes which otherwise the Chinese Parliament might be free to abolish, and whether they necessarily will not be greatly hampered by other conditions if these taxes are to be continued under European control and management?

Of course all taxes are unpopular, but if you wish to borrow money there must be some security, and the usual security in cases of this kind is that some particular tax or source of revenue should be assigned for the services of the loan. Of course that is a condition which may not be popular, but it is a condition inseparable from borrowing at all if their is to be security for the loan.

asked whether the same views of policy which actuated the British Government in its support of the Sextuple Group will similarly actuate it in its relations towards the same loan now that the United States has withdrawn; whether certain political conditions unconnected with this loan, to which China has objected, have not been put forward by various Powers; and whether British finance will remain identified with the old proposals while American finance, free from Government control, is placed in a more advantageous position to negotiate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No political conditions unconnected with the reorganisation loan have been put forward by the Powers. There are, of course, certain political considerations inherent in the loan question, but they are political only in the sense that they aim at assisting China to re-establish her political administration both in her own interests and in order to maintain her credit so as to create a favourable field for foreign trade and industry in the future. It was to secure these ends that the Powers attached certain conditions to their approval of the loan, and it was with their unanimous consent that these conditions were proposed to the Chinese Government. I can express no opinion in regard to the last point raised by the hon. Member. I do not think ill-secured or ill-employed loans will be advantageous to British interests, even if made by British financiers.

asked whether, in view of the entirely new situation in regard to the financing of China created by the withdrawal of the United States from the so-called sextuple group, he will give the House of Commons an opportunity of discussing the future policy of the British Government towards China?

There are several opportunities during the Session for discussing foreign affairs, and it is for the House to decide what use is to be made of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information which he can communicate to the House regarding the prolonged presence of the German gunboat "Panther," at Monrovia and on the Liberian coast?

I hear from the British Consul-General at Monrovia that there are claims pending for damage to German factories and goods, but I have no special information on the subject of the "Panther's" visit.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these claims have been pending for an extremely long time, and that the "Panther" is becoming a fixture on the Liberian coast?

Many claims against Liberia are of some standing.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) what inquiries were made by the Congested Districts Board into the reasons for not placing the name of Mr. Peirce Gun Mahony, of Kilmurry, Castleisland, on the list of members of the Castleisland parish committee, and why it took the Board from the 27th June, 1912, to the 27th January, 1913, a period of seven months, to investigate and decide that Mr. Mahony's name should be placed on the list of members; (2) what reply the Congested Districts Board received to their letter of the 27th January, 1913, to the chairman of the Castleisland parish committee; (3) what date the Congested Districts Board placed Mr. Mahony's name on the list of members; (4) what were the reasons given by the Castleisland parish committee for questioning the qualification of Mr. Peirce Gun Mahony, to be an ex-officio member of the Castleisland parish committee as a resident landlord within the meaning of the rules, whether the parish committee consulted the Congested Districts Board with regard to the matter, what opportunity was given to Mr. Mahony of stating his views; and (5) what date the Congested Districts Board first communicated with the Castleisland parish committee in respect of their omission to place on the list of ex-officio members the name of Mr. Peirce Gun Mahony, and to send him notices of the meetings; on what date the Castleisland parish committee replied, and if he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the correspondence between the Congested Districts Board for Ireland and the Castleisland parish committee in reference to this matter?

The Congested Districts Board do not make out lists of parish committees. Under their rules all resident landlords in a parish are ex-officio members of these committees, which are called into existence each spring for a few months to administer certain Grants. The Board having learnt that Mr. Mahony had not been summoned to committee meetings last year inquired on the 27th June as to the reason and received a reply on the 30th stating that there had been some doubt as to whether he was a resident landlord. The work of the committee for 1912 was then over, and on the 20th December last before the committee for 1913 had met, the Board were furnished with a list on which Mr. Mahony's name appeared. The matter having been thus settled there was nothing to consult him about. The Board on the 27th of January called the attention of the chairman of the committee to the hon. Member's question for the following day and received a reply promising that the matter would receive attention. I see no necessity whatever for laying any of the correspondence on the Table of the House.

asked what are the qualifications of Mr. Brian O'Connor, J.P., of Castleisland, entitling him to be placed on the list of members of the Castleisland parish committee?

Mr. Brian O'Connor being a magistrate residing within the parish of Castleisland is qualified to act as an ex-officio member of the parish committee.

asked what were the qualifications of Mr. H. O'Connor, of the Fountain Bar, Castleisland, entitling him to be placed on the list of members of the Castleisland parish committee for the years 1911–12 and 1912–13?

The name of Mr. H. O'Connor, of Fountain Bar, Castleisland, does not appear on the list of members of the Castleisland parish committee.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings at the Raheny (county Dubin) Petty Sessions on Monday, the 17th instant, in the course of which the magistrate present, Captain Napier MacFarlane, in a speech from the bench, insulted the people of the locality and attacked the Home Rule Bill and its principal supporters; and whether he proposes to take any notice of this incident?

I have seen a newspaper report of the observations alleged to have been made by the magistrate on the occasion referred to, and whilst deprecating the action of any magistrate in referring from the bench to matters of an extraneous nature, wholly unconnected with the business before the Court, it would, I think, be attaching too much importance to the incident to take further notice of it.

asked what date the purchase agreements of the Colomb estate, near Kenmare, were lodged; whether this was effected with the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners; and when it is expected that the sale will be completed?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Rupert P. Colomb, situate in the townlands of Reen and Dunkerron, county Kerry, which is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1909. The purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in November last, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when the sale will be completed.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to an eviction last week on the estate of Mr. Simon White, of Glengarriffe Castle; whether he is aware that the father of Timothy Leary, the evicted tenant, built at his own expense the house on the holding from which Timothy Leary was evicted, and that prior to the famine of 1847 he paid his rent in cash and, seeing he could not continue to do so, paid it by labour, which was plentiful at that time; whether he is aware that Timothy Leary continued to pay in labour until recently, his wage being 1s. per day without board, when he obtained twice these wages on works opened in the district, but offered to pay in cash; and, seeing that this offer was refused and a decree to possession obtained against him, was the eviction then proceeded with, notwithstanding the illness of the children, ranging from fifteen years to a few months; and whether he will introduce in the coming Land Bill a provision that will prevent evictions of such a nature in future?

I am informed by the police that Timothy Leary was evicted in pursuance of a decree obtained at Skibbereen Quarter Sessions in October last, and was at once readmitted as a care-taken. So far as they are aware he had not offered to pay his rent in cash recently. One of his children had a cold at the time of the event, but the others were well. There does not appear to have been hardship in the case or anything calling for legislation.

If the right hon. Gentleman will peruse, after questions, some correspondence I have received, I think he will be convinced that this was one of the most cruel evictions ever perpetrated in Ireland.

I shall be glad to do so.

asked whether the ownership of the historical pictures in Irish tapestry in the Irish House of Lords was expressly conveyed to the Bank of Ireland with the tenancy of the building; if so, for what price or consideration; whose property they are now deemed to be; and what their estimated value is?

The Deed of Conveyance of the Parliament House at College Green to the Governors of the Bank of Ireland contains no reference to any tapestry. I have no information as to the remainder of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whose property the tapestry is deemed to be at the present time?

That is a question I should not like to answer.

asked when the next sittings will be held in Caherciveen for the hearing of applications to have rents revised; and can he state the cause of the delay?

A sitting for the hearing of applications to fix judicial rents from the district of Caherciveen has been fixed for 15th April, and the list of the cases for hearing has been already issued to the parties interested.

asked whether, seeing that the committee of inquiry into Irish education has decided to sit in private, excluding the Press from its sittings, and that on this account the teachers have refused to give evidence before it, he will give directions that further expenses will not be paid if the inquiry is continued in private?

The mode of conducting their proceedings is a matter for the Committee, and the course suggested by the hon. Member is not one that could be adopted.

May I ask whether in his recollection of Commissions of Inquiry the right hon. Gentleman has known of any conducted as this is—privately?

I should not like to answer that question at a moment's notice, but it is perfectly certain the Commission had the power of saying whether it would sit in public or private.

asked whether the application of Mrs. O'Brien, Castlemaine, county Kerry, for reinstatement, has been inquired into; and, if so, what do the Commissioners propose to do in her case; and, seeing that she and her ancestors held the lands from which she was evicted for over seventy years, will the Commissioners give some explanation for the delay in dealing with her case?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Johanna O'Brien for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by her as subtenant on the estate of Lord Monteagle, county Kerry, and now in the possession of a tenant purchaser, and decided not to take any action in the matter of her application.

Is it not a fact that this lady and her ancestors have been in possession of this land for over seventy years?

That may be so, but under the circumstances, if any arrangement is to be made it must be by agreement.

May I ask what has become of the compact entered into under the so-called blessed Act of 1903 that was to restore all the evicted tenants?

Many of the evicted tenants have been reinstated.

asked whether the promised Grant of £40,000 towards secondary education in Ireland will be available for the school year ended June, 1913; whether secondary education in Ireland at present receives no Grant from the Treasury, while England and Scotland have been receiving large Grants for this service for years, with the result that secondary education in Ireland is in a hopeless condition; whether he is aware that the public bodies, the teachers, and all prominent educationalists have demanded for years a Grant for secondary education in Ireland proportionate to that given in England and Scotland; and whether, seeing that there is practically no opposition to his scheme, he will take steps to have this Grant made available for the year ending June, 1913?

The Grant referred to was promised conditionally to improve the condition of teachers in secondary schools and for no other purpose. The question of the comparative amounts granted for secondary education generally in England, Scotland, and Ireland does not arise in connection with it. Until the objections raised to the draft scheme for the distribution of the Grant have been disposed of it is impossible to say when it can come into operation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that education is suffering severely in consequence of not giving this Grant?

This is a special Grant for a special purpose and cannot be compared with the Grants to England and Scotland.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who in Ireland is objecting to the giving of this Grant?

I cannot answer that.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a resolution passed by the county Wexford committee of agriculture and technical instruction requesting the Government to provide funds for the purpose of erecting technical schools in Ireland; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The resolution mentioned has been received. I can only refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question of the hon. Member for North Wexford on the 14th instant.

asked what moneys are at present available for the building of technical schools in Ireland; whether he is aware that classes otherwise successful are handicapped by the want of suitable buildings in which to carry on their work, and that representations have been repeatedly made by the public bodies in Ireland for better facilities for erecting suitable buildings; and whether, seeing the importance of the work and the interest taken in it throughout the whole of Ireland, he will take steps to obtain a Treasury Grant for the required buildings?

Local authorities are empowered to raise moneys by loan for the purpose of erecting technical school buildings. It is the case that classes otherwise successful are handicapped by the want of suitable buildings. With regard to a special Grant for the purpose of such buildings, I can only refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question of the hon. Member for North Wexford on the 14th instant on the subject.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that it is the usual practice in Ireland for the father on the marriage of his eldest son to assign the farm, stock, and general effects thereon to the latter, reserving specifically for his wife and himself certain rights and privileges, and that if there be any dispute about the extent of these or in regard to the non-compliance of the son with the reservations in the deed they are strictly construed by the county court judge and a value put upon what is actually reserved by the father; and, seeing that in such a case the county court judge cannot take into account the carrying power or area of the farm, will he say by what right or process therefore the Local Government Board takes these matters into its consideration when fixing the income of old people who have assigned their farms under circumstances which do not come within Section 4 (3) of the Pensions Act of 1908; and can he explain by what method of calculation the Local Government Board came to the conclusion that the maintenance of Cornelius Dinneen and his wife, of Rathduane, Millstreet, both of whose claims were passed by the pensions committee, was value for over £63 a year on a farm of sixty-three acres?

The practice of marriage assignments is well known, but, while a Court of Law is only concerned with the actual reservations in the deed of assignment, the Local Government Board have to take into account all the benefits and privileges enjoyed by the claimant in virtue of his residence on the farm. As regards Dinneen's case, I have nothing to add to my previous answer.

asked (1) whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Patrick Galvin, the late principal teacher of Coolavokig National School, Macroom, was dismissed, after over thirty-eight years' service, because, as the manager alleges, he sent school children to a public-house for porter; was the school being whitewashed at the time, and was the statement of the teacher that he sent for necessary refreshment for the whitewasher; whether the manager agreed to reinstate the teacher on certain conditions; were these conditions fulfilled, and, if so, why did the manager withdraw from them and force out this teacher when he was within a year and a half of the time when he would be retired on full pension; will the Commissioners of National Education order an independent inquiry into all the circumstances of the case and endeavour to find a means by which the school-going children of the district may be no longer deprived of the educational facilities so necessary for them; and (2) if the Commissioners of National Education have made any inquiries as to the circumstances under which the assistant teacher of Coolavokig school, Macroom, Mrs. Mary Galvin, was refused the right to continue teaching in the school; whether he is aware that she went to attend the school on the morning of 9th October, 1912, as usual, but could not enter, as the new teacher had taken the school key the previous evening; whether, on the following morning, she went again, accompanied by some school children, but was refused admission by the district inspector of constabulary, who was within; whether it was by the order of the manager that this district inspector so acted; whether Mrs. Galvin is a first-class teacher, holding the Board's certificate in Irish, science, and all other subjects required by the Commissioners of National Education; had she previously conducted the school business with efficiency in the absence of the principal; whether any local hostility would have been exhibited had the school been left in her charge; whether the manager acted within his powers, as set forth in the rules and regulations of the Commissioners, in closing the school against her; has any decision yet been come to as to the payment of her salary; and whether the Commissioners have in any way given their sanction to the action of the manager in this matter or their approval to the appointment of the new principal teacher made by him?

This matter will be considered by the Commissioners of National Education at their next meeting, and in the meantime it is not desirable to prejudice the case by discussing its details. I am, therefore, not in a position at present to add anything to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to a question on the subject on the 17th instant. This answer also applies to Question No. 41.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the deficit in the Capitation Grant towards the cost of maintenance of pauper lunatics in asylums in Ireland; and whether, in view of the fact that, in the county of Down alone, the deficit for the year ending 31st March, 1911, amounted to £1,019 11s. 11d., he is prepared to take any and, if so, what steps to see that the original amount of the Capitation Grant is duly available for the local authorities?

The attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to this matter. As already stated, the whole question of local taxation is under the consideration of the local taxation committee, and it is not possible to make any statement on the subject at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that the Treasury will keep faith with the local authorities in this matter, and will he bring this question to the notice of the Treasury?

Yes, my right hon. Friend is already in communication with the Treasury on this matter.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will during this Session introduce a Mental Deficiency Bill applicable to Ireland, in view of the fact that a separate Bill has been promised for Scotland?

I am not in a position to give any undertaking on the subject.

How can the right hon. Gentleman justify that course in the case of a part of the United Kingdom which most needs a Bill to deal with the mentally deficient when England and Scotland are going to be dealt with?

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the principal teacher of Ennybegs national school, Roll No. 14,472, was informed by the Commissioners of National Education (Ireland), that he had been promoted to first-of-first grade from 1st April. 1909, for highly efficient service; that this teacher had to wait one year and three months before he received the salary attached to the higher grade, which according to Rule 105 (a) should have been paid on promotion; that the violation of this rule caused the teacher to lose £15; that the satisfactory service given from 1st April, 1909, to 30th June, 1910, is not counted in awarding his next triennial increment, thereby causing a further loss to this teacher during the four years ending 31st March, 1913, of £12; if this holding up of his service violates Rule 108 (b); and whether this teacher was informed in January, 1911, that his first promotion notice was to be regarded as cancelled and to date from 1st July, 1910, and, if this cancelling of the first notice is contrary to Rule 104 (a), was the rule sanctioned by the Lord Lieutenant; and, if so, will he recommend that the vested rights of this teacher be respected?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. Michael McEvoy, the principal teacher of this school, qualified for promotion to the first section of the first grade from 1st April, 1909, but he cannot receive payment of salary at the rate attached to that grade nor can his service begin to count towards his next triennial increment until a vacancy occurs. Awards of increment are made under Rule 108 (b), but these increments of good service salary can only be granted to teachers already in receipt of their grade salaries for at least three years. He was not told that he was to regard the first notice of promotion as cancelled. Rule 104 (a), which was approved by the Irish Government and the Treasury, lays down the conditions of promotion, but such promotion cannot take place unless there are vacancies.

When do the Treasury propose to give sufficient money to do away with this practice?

That question had better be put to the Chief Secretary on Tuesday when he returns.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Government has granted the financial assistance to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society that was recommended by the Development Commissioners; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I shall feel obliged to the Noble Lord if he will postpone his question until Monday. The Prime Minister has promised to make a statement on the subject on that day, in reply to a question of the hon. Baronet the Member for Mid-Armagh. If, after the Prime Minister makes his statement, the Noble Lord desires to ask me any question, I shall be ready to make such answer as may be necessary.

asked when the Return, moved for and granted on the 16th January, on the subject of administrative expenditure under his Department will be issued?

It is expected that the Return referred to will be ready in a few days.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the question of silver purchases for the Government of India is about to be investigated by a Royal Commission, he will consider the advisability of suspending the currency proposals of the Committee which has just reported on the British African Colonies and Protectorates, so that some joint plan for these silver purchases for India and Africa may be arrived at, thus obviating an expensive competition in the silver market on the part of two different Government agencies?

This matter has already engaged the attention of the Currency Board, which has been formed in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee referred to. The Board do not anticipate that their demands will have any appreciable effect upon the price of silver, mainly because the new coinage will only to a limited extent create a new demand, as it replaces the British coinage now current, and will consequently reduce the requirements of the Royal Mint. Further, the actual amount of silver required on any particular occasion of purchase will be too small to disturb the market.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state approximately when the East India Revenue Accounts will be taken; and whether he will endeavour to arrange for a comparatively early day?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will give facilities to the Payment of Rates Bill during the present Session?

The answer is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it fair that the ratepayers should learn the real incidence of socialistic legislation and see how it is at present masked?

The question is whether I should give facilities for this Bill, and my reply is that the Government time is fully occupied.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in framing the Closure Resolutions for the discussion of the Established Church (Wales) Bill this Session, he will provide that those Clauses which were passed without any debate last Session shall be fully discussed this time?

I must ask the Noble Lord to wait for the proposals of the Government on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, under the Established Church (Wales) Bill, the Church in Wales, when Disestablished, will enjoy the same rights and privileges as regards tenure of property as have been conferred upon the dissenting bodies in Wales by the Dissenters Chapels Act, 1844?

The answer is in the negative. An express application of the Act of 1844 to the Church in Wales would have no effect, inasmuch as the rights and privileges conferred by that Act are conferred only so far as there is no instrument under which any particular religious doctrines or opinions or mode of regulaitng worship are required to be taught or observed, or are forbidden to be taught or observed, and this will not be the case as respects the Church in Wales when Disestablished.

asked whether the Established Church (Wales) Bill entitles him to advise His Majesty to refuse to incorporate by charter the representative body of the Church in the event of the constitution of the body not meeting with his approval; and whether it is his intention so to advise His Majesty in that contingency?

The rights and duties of His Majesty's Ministers to tender advice to His Majesty depend on the unwritten constitution and not on any Act of Parliament. The latter part of the Noble Lord's question is a hypothetical quesion, which does not seem to require consideration at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he intends to withhold the charter from the representative body of the Church in Wales if the constitution of the body does not meet with his approval?

That is the precise question which the Noble Lord has put upon the Paper. It is a hypothetical question, and I will answer it if and when the circumstance arises.

asked whether the recent further postponement of the promulgation of the Government's land policy is again due to the Balkan crisis?

I am not aware of any promised announcement having been postponed. The policy of the Government will be announced in due time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "in due time"?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the complaints of Irish stock-owners as to the treatment of their animals at English ports since the recent Order enforcing twelve hours' detention came into operation; whether complaints have been made as to the whole system now in force; and whether, having regard to the conflict of testimony between the Board's officials on this side and the Irish owners as to what actually takes place, he will, in order to elucidate the truth, appoint a Committee to take evidence and report generally upon a matter so vital to Ireland as the preservation of the cattle trade between the two countries?

My right hon. Friend, in answer to recent questions on this subject, has repeatedly expressed his readiness to investigate any specific complaints which may be made to him, but he informs me that up to the present time no substantial evidence in support of the general allegations referred to has been submitted to him. In the circumstances I can see no necessity for the appointment of a Committee, as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the promises made by Ministers when introducing and during its passage through both Houses of Parliament of the Contagious Diseases Animals Act, 1878, that Ireland would be treated as part of the United Kingdom or, as was then stated by a Minister, the same as one county in England would be treated as compared with another; and whether, having regard to what took place last year when Ireland was treated in a way intended for a foreign country, he will appoint a Committee to take evidence and report whether the Act has been administered in accordance with the pledges given by Ministers of the Crown or in direct opposition to them?

I understand that the action of the Board of Agriculture last year, to which the hon. Member refers, was taken under Section 22 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894. The restrictions imposed upon the admission of Irish animals into Great Britain were such as might be imposed at any time, if necessity should arise, in respect of any other part of the United Kingdom to prevent the spread of infection. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by adopting the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has had his attention directed to the promises made by Ministers when the Act was passing through the House?

Not otherwise than by the question of the hon. Member.

If I send them to the right hon. Gentleman will he consider them?

With pleasure.