To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the amplification of the monthly and annual Board of Trade Returns of Imports and Exports which are prepared in the Customs Statistical Department, he will give the number and cost of the staff of that office in the years 1880, 1890, 1900, and 1905. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The tabular statement hereunder furnishes the particulars requested:—

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will give the number of county and district inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Ireland, the total salary, allowances, cost of clerks, etc., of the county inspectors; the total salary, allowances, cost of clerks, etc., of the districts; the work which each county inspector has to perform, the number of stations in each county and district inspector's district; whether any steps have been or will be taken for the reduction of the number of those officers, the rearrangement of districts, the reduction of salaries and expenses. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) According to the estimates for the current year, the amount of salary and allowances of county inspectors is £23,261, and of their clerks £6,212, making a total of £29,473. The similar provision for district inspectors is £70,772, and for their clerks £1,461, making a total of £72,233. The duties of county inspectors are too numerous to be stated in detail in reply to a question, but it may be said in general terms that each county inspector is responsible for the prevention of crime, the detection of criminals, and the general preservation of the peace, and for the discipline of the force in his county. The average number of stations in each county is thirty-eight, and the average number in each district inspector's district is seven. The existing statutory law requires that there should be a county inspector for each county. Some reduction has already been made in recent years in the number of district inspectors, and the necessity of further reductions is and will be considered upon each occasion on which opportunity arises.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, how many evicted tenants in county Clare have applied for reinstatement in their holdings, and how many have been reinstated; and whether an inspector will be sent by the Estates Commissioners to inquire into their position. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received applications for reinstatement from 215 persons claiming as evicted tenants in the county Clare. The Commissioners have information that ten of these have been reinstated. They intend to make inquiries into the cases of the other evicted tenants in the county as soon as possible, and I should hope that proceedings will be more rapid than heretofore now that inspectors have been appointed for the purpose.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are taking any steps to procure a holding for an evicted tenant, named Pat Rodgers, of Kilkittane, Whitegate, county Clare, whose rent was £80, and valuation only £33 10s.; is he aware that his farm was, with the adjoining lands of Tintrim, sold for £2,900 in the year 1901 to a Welshman named Davies, whose only stock at the time of inspection consisted of two cows and a donkey, and that he made an attempt at selling the evicted farm last month; and will the Land Commission be instructed to advance no more money to men of this kind. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the estate of Mr. Bernard Martin was sold in the Land Judge's Court to the occupying tenants in July, 1901. The lands of Tintrim and Kilkittane, part of this estate, were sold to Mr. Davies as tenant purchaser, and an advance of £2,960 was made to him under the Land Purchase Acts. I have no information as to his nationality, nor as to the amount of his stock. The half-yearly instalments of the annuity have since been punctually paid. The Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Patrick Rodgers, and they will consider the application in connection with the sale of any untenanted land in the neighbourhood which they may acquire. I have no power to give the instructions suggested in the concluding part of the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when were the programmes and rules, issued by the intermediate, Board, for the year 1907 laid upon the Table of the House; and whether, in view of the way in which the Board have treated the Irish language in their programme, he will give an opportunity of discussing it as soon as possible. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The rules and programme of the Intermediate Education Board for the year 1907 were laid upon; the Table on the 2nd instant. I am informed that the position of the Irish language in the programme does not differ in any way from that which it occupied in the previous year. I understand that the next meeting of the Board will take place on the 24th instant, and if the hon. Member has any representations to make as to the treatment of Irish I will communicate them to the Board for their consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the amount of money standing to the credit of the Fines and Penalties Office, Dublin; does he propose any application of this money; will he favourably consider an application to allocate it to the county councils of Ireland in aid of the general rates, or to be applied in the maintenance of county and other court houses for which county councils are responsible. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The amount of stock standing to the credit of the Registrar of Petty Sessions Clerks' Department is £170,258. I am not at present prepared to make any statement as to the possible allocation of any part of this fund to other than its original purposes, but the matter is under consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary are engaged on a branch of the service known as the Special Crimes Branch; what is the nature of the work done by this branch, and what is the amount of special pay attached to it; is there any necessity for its continuance; and, if not, will it be discontinued. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Special Crimes Branch of the Royal Irish Constabulary consists of a county inspector, a district inspector, a sergeant, and a constable at headquarters, and thirty-seven men outside headquarters. The work of the branch consists of criminal investigation. The county inspector and the district inspector receive an extra allowance of £250 and £150 per annum respectively. The men receive a daily allowance of 1s. 6d. each. It is deemed necessary to continue the branch.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant whether he is aware that a strong feeling exists among the mercantile and legal community in favour of a reform of the system of debt recovery in Ireland; and whether he will appoint a Commission to inquire into the subject and suggest measures for remedying defects of which the public complain. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have not been made aware that a strong feeling exists among the mercantile and legal community in favour of a reform of the system of debt recovery in Ireland, and, in the absence of any evidence to that effect, the Government are not prepared to consider the question of appointing a Commission to inquire into the subject.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if ho will have the Monthly Return of Emigration from Ireland issued and circulated as a Parliamentary Paper. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Annual Returns of Emigration from Ireland are already presented to Parliament, and the Monthly Returns are on sale through His Majesty's Stationery Office at the price of one penny. There would be no objection to present quarterly, or even monthly, Returns to Parliament, and if it should be found that there is any general desire to that effect, I will give the necessary directions in the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the tenants on the Brown Estate, New Inn, county Galway, were informed at the time of purchase by the representative of the Estates Commissioners that the game and timber upon their farms would be theirs; whether the residence and a considerable portion of the lands are in the hands of the Commissioners; and, if so, whether it is their intention to accede to the request of those tenants who occupy uneconomic holdings to distribute the lands amongst them. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the tenants to whom holdings on this estate wore allotted were informed that the game was reserved to the vendor, and signed undertakings accordingly. They were, however, told that the timber on their holdings would belong to them. None of the lands are now in the Commissioners' hands.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if and when does he intend to give effect to Sir Alexander Binnie's Report on the Bann and Lough Neagh Drainage Scheme. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Government have addressed a number of authorities and persons locally interested in the question of the Bann drainage, and invited their views on Sir Alexander Binnies' Report. Upon the receipt of the replies the Report will be further considered by the Government.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state whether any negotiations for sale to the occupying; tenants of the Hennessy Minors estate, Ballymacmoy, county Cork, are in progress; and, if so, whether he will invite the Estates Commissioners to take into consideration the desirability and necessity of including the village of Killavullen in the sale of the estate, having regard to the fact that it is situated in the centre of the property and that the holdings are occupied by yearly tenants paying ground rents only. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they are unable to trace any proceedings as having been instituted before them in respect of the sale of the estate in question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a speech delivered by the hon. Member for North Mayo at a meeting of the United Irish League, held at Ardagh, county Mayo, on Sunday the 6th instant; whether the hon. Member had any authority for suggesting that the Government approved of boycotting; and what steps are being taken to protect bidders at the sale in question and prevent a breach of the peace. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative both as respects the alleged contents of the speech and as regards the view attributed to the Government. Adequate police arrangements were made for the protection of bidders at the auction, but six of the lots were disposed of before it took place, and it was announced that the seventh was to be disposed of by private contract.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state when the improvements of the Clifden Harbour, contemplated and provided for under the Marine Works Act are likely to commence. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I beg to refer to the reply which I gave on February 26th† to the hon. Member's previous Question on this subject. I can only repeat that I will take, as soon as I can, an opportunity of looking into the matter, if possible on the spot. I do not anticipate that a decision can be arrived at for some time to come. As the amount available under the Marine Works Act is limited, regard must always be had to the competing claims of various districts.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say whether the Congested Districts Board have, during the past twelve months, assisted emigration to Canada or any other Colony from the county of Mayo; and, if so, will he state the number of persons whose passages were paid. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the Congested Districts Board have never assisted emigration from any part of the congested districts.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the attempts that are being made by landlords in the west of Ireland to auction their untenanted land, and refusing to sell to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that this land is urgently required for the purpose of remedying congestion, ho proposes to take any steps in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed that the Congested Districts Board have knowledge of only one such case as is referred to, namely, a case in which a landowner contemplated the sale in lots by auction of the occupation interest in a farm at Crannagh, county Mayo. Ultimately six out of the seven lots for sale were disposed of without an auction, and it was, when I last heard, intended to sell the seventh lot also. The Congested Districts Board were not approached by the landlord in this matter. The steps which I am taking are the suggesting to the Board that they should inquire if land coming into the market is suitable for their purposes; and, if so, whether the landlord would sell it to them.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will take steps to ensure that the Report of the General Prisons Board (Ireland) shall be presented to Parliament and published sooner than nine months after the period covered by the Report. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Annual Reports of the General Prisons Board are for the year ending March 31st. Certain of the statistics contained in the Reports are for the preceding calendar year, but the financial tables relate to the year ending March 31st. The Report for 1904–5 was presented four months after that date The Board inform me that the Report cannot sooner be prepared having regard to the complicated statistics to be compiled.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say why six prisoners, described in the Report of the General Prisons Board (Ireland) as sane, were transferred from Irish local prisons to Irish lunatic asylums. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The hon. Member appears to refer to a paragraph on page 11 of the Report of the General Prisons Board (Ireland) for the year ending March 31st, 1905. The six persons referred to are not described as having been sane simply, but as having been sane on committal. They became insane while in prison, and were thereupon transferred to lunatic asylums.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he proposes to take any measures to bring about the State purchase of the Irish railways. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have not yet had time to consider fully the interesting subject touched on in the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the death of Sapper Michael O'Connell in the Military Hospital, Fermoy, from injuries caused by a fall from a window of the barrack room at Moor Park, Kilworth; is he aware that at the coroner's inquest a verdict of accidental death was returned, but no opportunity was afforded to the injury to view the scene of the accident or examine the construction and fastenings of the window through which Michael O'Connell was supposed to have forced himself while in a somnambulistic condition; if any inquiry into the circumstances has been held by the military authorities, and with what result; and whether, seeing that the relatives of Michael O'Connell were not professionally represented and no opportunity was given to sift and examine the evidence adduced, he will consider the necessity of directing a further inquiry to be held. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have received from the police authorities a report in this matter, from which it appears that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. Full evidence in the case was given by the deceased's comrades and others. The jury ex- -pressed no desire to examine the scene of the accident, but without hesitation found a verdict of accidental death. No evidence was given that the deceased was subject to somnambulism, and his father denied the suggestion. I am informed that a regimental court of inquiry was held, and that the finding of the court agreed with that of the coroner's jury. No further inquiry into the ease appears to be necessary.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the north of Ireland there is a desire for the teaching of mathematics, French, and Latin as extra subjects in elementary schools; whether he has decided to restore the payment of fees for such extra subjects; and whether he will adopt the equitable method of paying the same fee for each extra. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am not aware that, outside teachers' associations, any such desire has hitherto found expression. The subjects in question can hardly be considered to be within the scope of Irish primary education, and, as I have already pointed out, when extra fees in these subjects were given, comparatively few schools took advantage of the privilege. It is not intended to restore the payment of extra fees for these subjects.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the number of recruits who joined the Army in the year ending March 31st, 1906, from each of the four nations of the British Empire, viz., England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland; the number from each of the four nations that were unable to serve in the Army on account of illness, for the three years ending March 31st, 1906; the number from each of the four nations that were discharged from the Army for misconduct in the year ending March 31st, 1906; and the number of officers from each of the four nations that were charged with tyrannical rowdyism for the year ending May 1st, 1906. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The Returns showing the recruits raised in the four countries respectively are only made up annually to September 30th. No Returns show discharges as invalids or for misconduct by these countries. I am afraid, therefore, that I cannot supply the statistics which the hon. Member requires.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that during the years 1902, 1903, 1904, and 1905, there were 1,705 desertions from the various barracks in Scotland, will he state how many men were quartered each year at the respective barracks at the time the desertions from such barracks took place. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) My hon. friend is doubtless aware that the numbers quartered at the barracks concerned varied from time to time during the years in question. Accordingly the compilation of the figures necessary to give a satisfactory answer to the Question would involve considerable labour which there would not appear to be sufficiently strong grounds to justify.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if the average annual strength of the British Armies in Egypt and India during the twenty ycars1881 to 1900 was approximately 69,751, and if the total number of cases of smallpox amongst those men was 1,149, and the total number of deaths from smallpox 113; and if, seeing that during the same period the town of Leicester had an average annual population of 165,415, and that the total number of cases of smallpox in Leicester during that period was 447, and the total number of deaths from smallpox was thirty-one, that the soldiers were all vaccinated and the population of Leicester largely un-vaccinated, and that the death-rate from smallpox in the Army per 100,000 was eight times the death-rate in Leicester, he will consider the advisability of relaxing the regulation for compulsory vaccination in the Army. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It is not clear what value can lie obtained from a comparison between the statistics of Leicester and those of the British Army in India and Egypt, but if my hon. friend will consider the statistics for the years 1901 to 1904 ho will find that while the troops in India and Egypt had 163 admissions to hospital for smallpox, and twenty-one deaths, Leicester had 740 admissions to hospital for smallpox, and thirty deaths. There would not appear to be any sound grounds for relaxing the regulations for vaccination in the Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state how many Army pensioners are at present in the workhouses of the United Kingdom; how many have applied for an increase of pension to enable them to live outside these institutions; and what would be the probable cost to the State if such increases were granted. (Answered by Mr. Secretary. Haldane.) The number of pensioners who became chargeable to the guardians during the year ending March 3lst, 1906, was about 1,500, The number at present in workhouses is not known at the War Office. No record is kept of the number of applications for increase of pension from pensioners in workhouses, nor is it possible to make any estimate, of the cost of awarding to such pensioners sufficient increase of pension to enable them to live outside.

To ask the Secretary of State for War when the remainder of the garrison of the Island of St. Helena, consisting principally of Royal Artillery, will return home, and so complete the economy foreshadowed by his statement on Army Estimates. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The garrison at St. Helena will be withdrawn in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the bayonet department, Enfield, has come to an almost total standstill; if so, will he state the reasons, and when it may be anticipated that orders will be placed in this department; and what orders have been placed for bayonets to the trade and Government factories during the last seven years and the comparative cost. (answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Work in the bayonet shops at Enfield is I necessarily suspended during consideration of the pattern of bayonet to be adopted for the short rifle. No discharges are being made in the bayonet s shop, as the men are being absorbed on rifle work. As regards the orders and the comparative cost my hon. friend will find the information for the years 1899 to 1904 in the Return presented in 1905 [Cd. 2431]. The figures for the period 1904 to 1906 are as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether the views placed before the last Colonial Conference by the War Office are the only official intimation our Colonies have received of late years as to British military policy. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) No, Sir. The Colonies receive the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee, through the Colonial Office, which are previously approved by the Army Council. The Army Council is represented on the Colonial Defence Committee by three directors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it is proposed to give the British Representative at the forthcoming marriage of the King of Spain instructions similar to those given to Lord Napier of Magdala at the marriage of King Alphonso XII. in 1879, not to attend any bull fights which may form part of the festivities. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) It does not appear from our records that any instructions on this point were given to Lord Napier; and this occasion is not one on which instructions can be given by His Majesty's Government.

To ask the the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at what date the annual Report of His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops will be issued. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am informed by the Chief Inspector that he hopes he may be able to have the whole Report, including the statistical tables, ready for issue in June, but, in view of the large amount of work to be done in connection with it, he is unable to fix any precise date at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when will the Report granted to the hon. Member for West Kerry on educational finances in England, Ireland, and Wales be ready; and whether he will see that it is completed as soon as possible. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The collection and tabulation of the required information is proceeding as rapidly as possible, and I hope that the Return will pe ready soon after the Whitsuntide Recess.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state how many boys and girls respectively resident in the island of Lewis the local authorities have recommended to the Scottish Education Department for participation in the industrial training provided for under Section 1 (d) of the minute of March 19th last. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) Communications have taken place, but no definite statement is possible at present.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that notice of discharge on reduction of establishment has been given to Mr. George Murray, temporary civil assistant of the Ordnance Survey Department in the Derby division, who is fourty-eight years of age and has nearly thirty-one years' service in the Department; and whether, taking into consideration that in 1891, when on outdoor employment on examination duty, ho met with an accident which, though it interferes with his outdoor work, does not interfere with his employment in office work, that in 1899 Colonel Washington, then director of the Map and Survey Department, Land Registry Office, London, was-willing to find Mr. Murray employment as draughtsman in that department,. and that Mr. Murray was anxious to be transferred from the Ordnance Survey, but that the then Director General of the Ordnance Survey was unable to spare him from the Ordnance Survey, that Mr. Murray's character is excellent and his work very good, being described by his superior officer as a very good surveyor and examiner, and a good draughtsman and tracer, and as being absolutely sober, trustworthy, and honest, and that he has given the best part of his life to the Government service, and that his age now debars him from obtaining similar or other employment elsewhere, he will consider whether some suitable employment cannot still be found for him in the Ordnance Survey Department. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) My noble friend much regrets that it has been necessary to give notice of discharge to such an old public servant as Mr. Murray, but after full inquiry he is satisfied that there is no suitable employment for him, unless some better man is discharged from some other office to make room for him. Mr. Murray's application for transfer to the Land Registry in 1899 was refused, in accordance with a general rule forbidding such transfers, and not on the ground that he could not be spared from the Ordnance Survey.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if the contractor for the construction of Poulduff Pier, county Wexford, will be allowed to take the small quantity of sand he requires for the work from the beach there, in view of the fact that no objection has ever been taken to the removal of either sand or shingle from the beach by the public, who have been in the habit of so doing from time immemorial, and in view of the fact that the removal of the small quantity of sand required by the cantractor can do no harm to anyone. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The Board of Trade have intimated to the contractor that they are disposed to grant him permission to take a limited quantity of gravel from the beach on certain conditions, but it is necessary before corning to a decision for the Board to be furnished with an approximate estimate of the amount which he requires.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether ho will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to get the gas companies to supply to the consumers using the penny-in-the-slot meters, a card to show the record of the index of the meter, as is supplied to consumers using the ordinary meters. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) There is no obligation upon gas companies, so far as I am aware, to supply such cards to consumers using the ordinary meters. The Board of Trade have no power to require gas companies to supply such cards without further legistion. I am not prepared at present to express an opinion on the subject, but the point will be noted for consideration in the event of any Bill being introduced to amend the Gas Acts.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the requests made by the Newtownards Urban District Council with reference to the postal facilities in the letter written by the town clerk on April 12th. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I am glad to say I have been able to meet the wishes of the Newtownards Urban District Council, and I have given instructions (1) for the first delivery at that place to be accelerated by thirty minutes, (2) for an additional postman to be employed upon this delivery, with the view of reducing the loads of the men employed on the duty, and (3) for the mail arriving at Newtownards at 6.10 p.m. from the Ards district to be delivered the same evening.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will give the number of male sorters employed on April 1st, 1906; the number of sorters in receipt of pensions on the same date; and the total amount paid to these officers on superannuation. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The number of male sorters employed on April 1st, 1906, was 5,555. The number of sorters in receipt of pensions on the same date was 318, and the total amount paid to these officers on superannuation was £20,822 per annum, exclusive of pensions payable to officers of the supervising classes who had been promoted from the sorters' ranks.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether, in the event of a voluntary school being closed, the Board of Education require from the trustees the repayment of the whole or part of any building grant made by the State in respect of such school or teachers' residence; and, if so, by what authority or instruction this demand is made. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The question of the repayment of building grant by the trustees of any elementary school is dealt with in The School Grants Act, 1855, which provides that where a building grant has been made, no sale, exchange, or mortgage of the premises shall be valid unless either the Secretary of State for the Home Department consents or the amount of the grant is repaid to the Treasury. Each case is dealt with on its merits, and in the light of the particular trusts affecting the premises.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Board of Customs, in their Report to the Treasury in November, 1904, on the second class examining officers' memorial, stated that the figures and quotations in such memorial were inaccurate, and whether he can state what steps were taken by the Treasury officials to verify this statement by the Board of Customs; and whether he will cause the Report to be officially published. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I do not think it would be in the public interest either to discuss or to publish the confidential correspondence between departments on matters of this kind.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will submit a table showing the date of entrance to the Customs service, the initial salaries, and the salaries on March 31st each year from 1901 to 1906, inclusive, of the members of the service who have served in the Customs secretary's office within the above-mentioned period, and showing, in the ease of those now serving in other branches of the service, the date of their transfer from the secretary's office, the position to which they were appointed, and the post they hold at the present time. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I do not think that any useful object would be served by the publication of such a table. I shall be happy to communicate with the hon. Member if he wishes for information on any particular cases.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the precise terms of the appointment of Mr. F. H. Mowatt, assistant auditor of the Metropolitan (Poor Law) Audit District, which comprises the district of the Poplar and Stepney Sick Asylum District. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) Mr. Mowatt is appointed to assist the district auditors for the time being for the London county audit district, the Metropolitan Boroughs Audit District, and the Metropolitan (Poor Law) Audit District, respectively, in the performance of their duties as such auditors, and ho is at present required to assist the auditor of the last-mentioned district. Under The District Auditors Act, 1879, an assistant auditor has, subject to any exceptions made by the terms of his appointment, the same powers and duties and is subject to the same obligations as the auditor whom he is appointed to assist. By the terms of his appointment, Mr. Mowatt has no power of making any disallowance or surcharge, and in the exercise of his powers and the performance of his duties is made subject to the directions of the district auditor whom ho is required for the time being to assist.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will undertake that the discretion vested in the Treasury by the Act of 1866 shall not be used to prevent the Controller and Auditor-General from seeing any items of public expenditure which he may think it his duty, in the public interest, to examine. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I am not aware of any case in which the Treasury has prevented the Comptroller and Auditor-General from seeing items of expenditure which ho thinks it his duty to examine. If such a case were to arise, I presume that the Comptroller and Auditor-General would report it to the Public Accounts Committee, who would deal with it on behalf of this House.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the application of Edward Rogers, tenant, against H. de F. Montgomery, landlord, to fix a fair rent was served so long ago as October, 1898, (County Fermanagh, No. 6,410), and is still, after over seven and a half years, undisposed of; and whether, in view of the loss to Rogers, he can arrange for an early sitting of the Land Commission to dispose of that and other long-delayed cases from the county of Fermanagh. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that the originating notice was lodged by the tenant in this case on October 29th, 1898, but was dismissed by order of the Sub-commission, dated February 21st, 1900, on the grounds that the applicant was not the tenant of a present tenancy in the holding. The tenant having appealed against this order, the Appeal Court, on March 20th, 1903, discharged the order of the Sub-commission and remitted the case back to a Sub-commission to fix a fair rent. On April 21st, 1904, the Sub-commission fixed the fair rent at £38 5s., and against this decision both the tenant and landlord have appealed by notices lodged respectively on June 28th and 30th, 1904. The case will appear cm the next appeal list for the district, the elate for the hearing of which has not yet been fixed.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have vet sanctioned the sale of the Marshall Estate, near Kanturk, county Cork; and, if so, has the transaction been yet completed; are the Commissioners aware that the tenants were led to believe that four per cent, interest on the purchase money was to be charged for the first half-year after signing the agreements, and 3½ per cent. subsequently until the completion of the transaction; and whether, in view of the delay caused by no default of the tenants, the latter can be held liable to pay more than the ordinary 33½ per cent. interest. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the advances in this ease have been sanctioned but not yet made. The completion of the matter has been stayed pending a question which has arisen as to the redemption of a Board of Works loan. The rate of interest on the purchase money is set out in the agreements for sale signed by the tenants at four per cent, per annum from the date of the agreement up to the date of the advance. The Commissioners have no knowledge of any arrangement as to subsequent reducduction, and must collect interest in lieu of rent at the rate agreed upon between the tenants and their landlord, as set out in the purchase agreements.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state the number of evicted tenants in Queen's County who have been restored to their own or other holdings under the operation of the Act of 1903, and also how many remain unprovided for; and what steps are being taken by the Estate Commissioners to reinstate the latter or provide them with equivalent farms. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received applications from 187 persons claiming to have been evicted from holdings in the Queen's County. Of these thirty-nine have been reinstated by the Commissioners, and they have information of four reinstated by landlords, leaving 144 such cases still outstanding. The Commissioners hope shortly to make inquiries as to these latter cases, and no pains will be spared to deal with the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that subtenants who purchase under the Act of 1903 have to pay 9s. 6d. for registration of title, in addition to the charge of 10s. 6d. for copy of registration usually paid by ordinary tenant purchasers; and whether he can say if this penalty on sub-tenants is prescribed by the Act. (Answered by Mr. Bryes.) The Registrar of Titles informs me that no tenant purchaser under the Act of 1903 is charged any fee whatsoever for the registration of his title. If such tenant purchasers should demand a certificate of title they are charged a fee of 10s., but it is entirely optional with them to procure such certificate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state when the last sitting of the head Land Commission Court was held in Longford; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the tenants having appeals listed there as to the delay; and whether he will communicate with the Commission and ask them to arrange for a sitting at an early date in Longford. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I am informed by the Land Commission that sittings were held at Longford, by both Judicial Commissioners sitting independently, on May 9th, 1905, and following days. The list contained all cases then pending in which the notices of appeal were lodged prior to April 1st, 1905. There are now pending only forty-four cases from county Longford in which appeals have been lodged on various dates since that date, and in twenty of those cases the notices of appeal were received since the commencement of the present year. A sitting will be arranged for the disposal of county Longford appeals for as early a date as possible, having regard to the claims of other districts.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is competent for the Commission now sitting to investigate the manner in which the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction have exercised the patronage at their disposal, as well as the manner in which they have interfered with county committees with regard to appointments. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) If by the first part of the Question the hon. Member intends to refer to the relations between the Department and their staff, I may refer to the statement I have already made, namely, that it was never intended that the Committee should inquire into any alleged grievances of the staff. The question of the relations between the Department and county committees in regard to appointments is, I think, one with which the Committee might deal, but in saying so I must be understood to be expressing my own opinion, and not to be interfering with the discretion of the Committee in the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Waterford County Council has recently passed a resolution testifying to the manner in which Mr. M. J. Bryne carried on his work during the time that he acted as horticultural instructor for the county of Waterford; whether he is aware that other public bodies in the county of Waterford had previously passed similar resolutious; and whether, in view of these recommendations, the Department will, having regard to the previous experience and to the qualifications of Mr. Bryne, sanction his appointment as horticultural instructor at the request of any county committee which decides to appoint him. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction are not aware that the Waterford County Council has recently passed such a resolution. At their meeting held on November 27th, 1905, the Waterford County Committee of Agriculture passed a resolution to the effect that Mr. Bryne was energetic and attentive to his duties while employed by them as demonstrator in horticulture, but the committee refrained from expressing any opinion as to his fitness for such a position. The Department are not prepared to approve of Mr. Bryne's appointment by any county committee, as they do not regard him as well qualified for employment under the scheme of instruction in horticulture.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many years' purchase were paid by the Congested Districts Board for the Jones estate, situate at Burrishoole, Newport, county Mayo; what price was paid by the Board for the Glendahurk Mountain, and what is its area; what price was paid for the 80 acres of land at Knocklegan; what was the total amount paid to Mr. Jones for his estate and farms; did this total include the price of the game and fishing rights; how many farms in the Westport Union are at present used by the Congested Districts Board for grazing purposes; what are the names of those farms; and what is the total area of such farms. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Congested Districts Board have arranged to purchase the Jones estate at prices representing nineteen years purchase of first term rents, twenty-two years purchase of second term rents, and thirty years purchase of the yearly value of

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieu tenant of Ireland whether the district inspector and head constable stationed at Templemore belong to the Protestant persuasion; are the clerks of untenanted lands. The price paid for Glendahurk Mountain was £700. The price to be paid for the 83 acres at Knocklegan is £1,140. The total amount to be paid to Mr. Jones for his estate and farms is £10,300. The game and fishing rights are included in the sale, so far as the vondor is in a position to convey them. The following statement contains particulars of the farms in Westport Union at present used by the Board for grazing purposes. Of the total of 16,090 acres, 1,709 only have so far been vested in the Board. petty sessions and the resident magistrate of the same religion; and will he state how many members of the constabulary at Templemore belong to the Catholic religion. (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Answer to the second part is also in the affirmative as regards the resident magistrate. No records are kept of the religious persuasion of petty sessions clerks. Ten out of fifteen members of the Royal Irish Constabulary stationed at Templemore are registered as Roman Catholics.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. Elizabeth Rourke has applied to the Estates Commissioners to be restored to the farm from which her uncle John Redmond, since deceased, and herself were evicted some sixteen years ago; whether the farm, which is part of the Hardy estate and situate in the town-land of Kilmacart, Hacketstown, is in the possession of any other tenant; and, if so, on what terms; and can he say what decision, if any, the Commissioners have come to in reference to Mrs. Rourke's case. (answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that an application for reinstatement as an evicted tenant was, on April 25th, 1906, lodged with them by Mrs. Elizabeth Rourke, who states that the holding in which she seeks to be reinstated is now in the occupation of Mrs. Neil. The Commissioners have not yet inquired into the case, but will do so in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to take any steps to ameliorate the conditions under which Army quartermasters at present serve, more particularly with regard to the difference of treatment existing between the appointment, pay, promotion, and retiring allowances of quartermasters as compared with those of district officers of Royal Artillery. (answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As regards the comparison drawn between district officers of the Royal Artillery and quartermasters, it would not appear that the differences in appointment, pay, and promotion are in excess of the difference of the duties or to be in all respects to the disadvantage of the quartermasters. It is not, therefore, proposed to make any alterations in these respects. The question of retiring allowances is, however, at present receiving careful consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that since January, 1906, fifty-six men have been discharged from the Royal Gunpowder Factory, at Waltham Abbey, making a total of 400 since April, 1905, he can see his way to stopping any further discharges and withdrawing the notice posted in the notice box since March 24th, 1905, entitled warning of expected discharges, which causes a feeling of unrest among the employees. (answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The orders for cordite for this financial year are not sufficient to keep the full number of men now at Waltham Abbey employed and some further discharges may be necessary. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that they will be as few as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why any change was allowed to be made in the tender forms for meat supply to the Army, by substituting the word home-killed instead of home-bred; whether he is aware that such change would enable the supply to be derived from imported cattle; and whether he will revert to the arrangement entered into some years since for the supply of a certain amount of native produce. (answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The troops in the United Kingdom get fresh beef five days a week, and the main reason for the alteration in the tender form was to widen the source of supply, and to obtain the best quality at the most reasonable price. The words in the tender form are general, and include beef from imported cattle killed at the port of entry. There is no intention of again substituting home-bred for home-killed in the tender forms.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can now give any further, information with reference to the circumstances under which Second Class Master-Gunner Metherell was requested to claim his discharge. (answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) On inquiry it appears that this man was granted an exemplary character on discharge in error. I regret, therefore, that, under the circumstances, he cannot be permitted to rejoin the Army.