laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, That, in the case of the following Bills, referred on the First Reading thereof, Standing Order No. 62 has been complied with, viz.:—North Staffordshire Railway Bill; North-East London Railway Bill; Neath, Pontardawe, and Brynamman Railway Bill.

laid upon the Table Report from one of the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills, pursuant to the Order of the House of the 15th day of February, That, in the case of the following Bill, the Standing Orders which are applicable thereto have been complied with, viz.:—Post Office Sites Bill.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can state what period of time is usually involved in the process of confirming or rejecting closing orders made by Town Councils under the Shop Hours Act, 1904. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) No general estimate can be given. The time required depends on the special circumstances of each case, the simplicity of the order, the amount of opposition, and the care with which the statutory regulations have been followed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any, and, if so, what, recent action has been taken by His Majesty's Government with a view to the suppression of the atrocities in the Congo State. (Answered by Sir Edward Grey.) His Majesty's Government have held that a remedy for the existing state of things in the Congo would be found if Belgium exercised her rights with regard to the Congo State, and if it was transferred to Belgium on proper conditions. In view, therefore, of the negotiations now taking place in Belgium, we have abstained from taking any action which was likely to prejudice a favourable result.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what is the total acreage of agricultural land in England and Wales, classified as holdings above 1 acre and not exceeding 5 acres, holdings above 5 acres and not exceeding 50 acres,

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what are the Returns of the imports into the United Kingdom of beef and mutton in hundredweights and their respective values for the years 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906, with

To ask the Secretary of State for War, whether, in the case of senior officers who, in consequence of the reduction of the battalions to which they belonged, and their present age, are in such a position that, whereas before the reduction they were practically certain of promotion, further service, and eventual retirement on higher grades of pension, they will now be retired much earlier, possibly at the age of forty-four, special arrangements can be made to enable them to have personal prospects somewhat equal to what they have lost by the reduction, or some special consideration shown them in the form of compensation or increased pension on compulsory retirement. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As regards the majors of the disbanded battalions, it has been decided that they are to be considered for promotion to half-pay lieutenant-colonelcies at the precise date at which they would have been promoted had their battalions not been disbanded. In the case of captains,

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether any steps have yet been taken with a view to the repair and enlargement of the burial ground at Balinakill, in the parish of Uig, Island of Lewis.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will give Returns showing the amount of tinned meat bought for the Army from Foreign Countries and from our own Colonies, respectively, for the last seven years. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures are as follows:—Preserved meat bought from 31st March, 1899, to date.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that on the 25th June last the Secretary for Scotland stated that the water supply for eighteen schools in the Island of Lewis was defective, will he state whether it is to be understood that at that time water was not laid on to any of these schools; and will he name any of these schools to which water has now been laid on and the names of those schools which still have a defective supply. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) Improvements have been made at Bragar and Valtos. I am not aware whether those contemplated at Crowlista and Leumerava have been carried out. With this qualification the medical authorities are satisfied that there is no danger to health from the arrangements for supplying water to the schools, which are as good as circumstances permit.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state, with reference to the Treasury letter of May 24th, 1883, authorising the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to raise the salary of eighteen civil assistants employed on the Ordnance Survey to a maximum rate of 21s., and three of these to a maximum of 25s. per diem, in view of the fact that nearly one-half of the total staff of the Ordnance Survey is at present employed in Ireland, why not one of the Board's assistants and others in charge of duties at the headquarters division at Dublin is in receipt of these maximum rates; whether he will consider the claims of these officials to any existing or future vacancies in the list of the eighteen assistants referred to in the Treasury letter; and whether he will cause such regulations to be issued as will ensure the maximum rate being attained within a reasonable period. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Treasury letter referred to authorises the payment of from 12s. to 21s. a day to not more than eighteen assistants, of whom three may receive from 21s. to 25s a day, but it does not provide that all these assistants should be paid the maximum rates, and various rates of pay between the authorised limits are accordingly allowed in the case of the assistants in question. Two of them are stationed at Dublin, and full consideration will be given to the claims of the staff there when any vacancies in list occur.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state what proportion of the item of £50,100 entered in Class I. of the Civil Service Estimates, under the service Publication of maps prepared and revised, is chargeable to the preparation of Irish maps, and how much of the amount is actually expended in Ireland; whether he can say how much of the amount of £82,200, entered against Completion of the re-survey of Ireland on the 25-inch scale, is expended in Ireland; and whether, with reference to the item of £10,350, under F. Stores, etc., he can state what is the amount under this service expended in Ireland. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Of the £50,100 provided in the Survey Estimate for 1906–7 for the publication of maps, £8,000 approximately is for the preparation of Irish maps, and about half that amount is actually spent in Ireland. Of the £82,200 provided for the completion of the re-survey of Ireland on the 25-inch scale, about £68,000 is expended in Ireland. Of the sum of £10,350 provided under Sub-head F for Stores, etc., about £400 is spent in Ireland, the greater part of the expenditure being special stores, which are only obtainable from a limited number of contractors. I may add that the gross expenditure of the survey as a whole for the year 1905–6 is divisible as follows—

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he will take into consideration the claim of local postmasters to a complete holiday on Christmas Day. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I regret that the exigencies of the public service will not admit of a complete holiday being given to postmasters on Christmas Day, but for work performed on that day a compensating holiday is allowed to them under certain conditions.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to converting the present sorting office at the corner of Brooke Road and High Street, Stoke Newington, into the general Stoke Newington post office; and whether his attention has been drawn to the inconvenient situation and inadequate accommodation at the present post office at 97, High Street, Stoke Newington. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) This matter is under consideration in connection with proposals for a rearrangement of the post office accommodation at Stoke Newington.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance of the British steamers "Moravia" and "Stag," which vessels sailed from the port of Leith in the month of January, 1907; whether he can state if any alteration was made in the load lines of the "Moravia" and "Stag" during the last twelve months, and to what extent; and whether he will direct an inquiry to be held with regard to the loss of those two vessels with all hands. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) My attention has been called to the disappearance of the steamers "Moravia" and "Stag," and I have ordered a formal investigation to be held in each case. Pending the results of those inquiries I am not prepared to make any detailed statement in the matter.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether the shipbuilding disputes on the Clyde and Tees affected the percentage of the unemployed in the last quarter of 1906; whether he can say to what degree; whether the number registered as unemployed in those districts included employees directly concerned in the disputes; and, if not, in what way the percentage was affected. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The percentage of unemployed members of trade unions published in the Board of Trade Labour Gazette in the last quarter of 1906 was of course affected by the disputes in the shipbuilding trades on the Clyde and Tees owing to the inclusion of a number of men whose employment, though not themselves on strike, was indirectly affected by the stoppage. Such men are properly included among the unemployed; but persons who are on strike or who have been locked out are not so included. It is not possible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent to which the percentage of unemployed was affected by the disputes referred to.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the action brought against certain tenants in Ballinakill, county Galway, by Sergeant Elliott, of Letterfrack, in the said county, for taking oysters from Ballinakill Bay, which right they have enjoyed for seventeen years; whether he is aware that the case was dismissed but the Letterfrack bench of magistrates on the 18th instant; and whether, in view of this decision, the tenants will be allowed in future to exercise their rights to these oyster beds. (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) My attention has been called to the matter referred to. The question of granting a licence for an oyster bed at Ballinakill Bay is the subject of a pending appeal before the Privy Council. I have no information as to what rights, if any, the tenants may have, but pending the decision of the appeal the police have been instructed not to take further action in the matter except to preserve the peace, should it be in any way endangered.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any arrangements have yet been made by which the Crown, as owner of the bed and soil of Lough Erne, would contribute towards the cost of the preservation of the fisheries in the Lough. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) My predecessor informed the hon. Member, on 27th November last,†that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests had asked the local Board of Conservators to put forward a definite proposal as to the Commissioners' co-operation in the protection of the fisheries in Lough Erne. No such proposal has as yet been received by the Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any agreement for the sale of the Ely estate, county Fermanagh, has yet been lodged with the Estates Commissioners; have the Estates Commissioners approached the owner of this large estate with a view to inducing him to sell the estate; and will he direct the attention of the Commissioners to the importance of so large a property being sold to the tenants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that no agreements for purchase in respect of this estate have yet been lodged with the Estates Commissioners, and the Commissioners are not aware that there have been such negotiations and differences as to terms of purchase as would bring the case within the terms of the Lord-Lieutenant's regulation regarding their action as conciliators. The Commissioners, however, are prepared to consider any application which may be made to them in the matter.

†See (4) Debates, clxv.,1407.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is intended to introduce this Session a measure to reconstitute and and reform the Irish Lights Board; and whether there is Governmental supervision respecting the acceptance of tenders for their supplies. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The constitution and administration of the Irish Lights Board, and of the other general lighthouse authorities, are at present under the consideration of a Royal Commission, pending whose Report I cannot say whether His Majesty's Government are likely to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the total number of evicted tenants in Queen's County; how many have applied for reinstatement; how many cases have been considered and decided on; how many cases have been rejected; what is the total number reinstated; how many have been reinstated on their former holdings; what is the total cost of purchase of land, buildings, and free grants respectively; if any sales are being arranged with a view of restoring the remaining evicted tenants; how many farms from which tenants were evicted have been sold to the persons who got possession after the owners were evicted; and what is the acreage and amount of purchase money of these farms. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge as to the total number of evicted tenants in Queen's County. Two hundred and thirty-eight evicted tenants have applied to them for reinstatement in that county. The Commissioners have ruled on sixty-four applications; forty-two have been rejected, forty have been reinstated, and of these latter thirty-six have been placed in their former holdings. In twenty-one cases the holdings have been vested in the purchaser, the purchase money being £22,243. Advances amounting to £2,230 have been made for improvements for buildings, and the Commissioners have given free grants amounting to £5,576 for buildings and £1,623 for live stock. The Commissioners have made offers of advances in six cases which up to the present have not been replied to. They have no information as to the number of evicted holdings which may be in the hands of other purchasers.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of James Farrell, tenant on the estate of Mrs. Sarah Flannery at Strokestown, county Roscommon; whether he is aware that Farrell, owing to temporary difficulties, was unable to pay interest on the purchase money of his farm pending the completion of the sale of the estate, that he subsequently offered to pay up arrears and had his offer refused, and that the Estates Commissioners now decline to allow him to complete the purchase; and whether he will ask the Commissioners to reconsider their decision in the case of this man who through loss of stock, was unable to keep to the lette of his contract. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) In this case the tenant's agreement to purchase was dated 30th April, 1904. The tenant paid the first half-year's interest up to 1st November, 1904, but nothing further. The Commissioners took proceedings to recover the interest, but a return of "no goods" was made. Eventually the tenant asked for further time, promising to make payment in June, 1906. When that time arrived, however, he informed the Commissioners that he was unable to pay, and the Commissioners, therefore, after giving him due notice, excluded his holding from the sale. The matter is entirely one for the decision of the Estates Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what progress has been made in the proposed sale of the estate of Captain Caldbeck Ballacolla, Queen's County, to the Estates Commissioners; whether the Commissioners have made an offer to Captain Caldbeck; and, if so, has the offer been accepted, and has the division of the untenanted land amongst a few large farmers and business men met with the Commissioners' approval. (Answered by Mr. Birrell) The Estates Commissioners have communicated to the vendor the estimated price which they are prepared to give, and have also intimated that they would be prepared to make advances for the purchase of certain village holdings provided that the tenants should bring in certain additional sums in cash. The tenants have declined to bring in the amounts named by the Commissioners, but have offered lesser sums, and their offers are at present under consideration. Until the owner has agreed to sell, the Commissioners will not consider the question of the distribution of the untenanted land.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any definite orders have yet been passed prohibiting officers from spending their own money on the painting and decoration of His Majesty's ships of war; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of passing orders to this effect.

No definite orders have been issued on the subject, but as stated in the previous Answer given to the hon. Member on 12th November,†the Admiralty discourage the practice referred to as much as possible.

said he thought the sum granted by the Admiralty was quite adequate for the purpose.

†See (4) Debates, clxiv., 1031.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received any communication from the London County Council with reference to the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the working of the London County Council generating station at Greenwich; whether the Council are willing to agree to the recommendations of the Committee, and especially to give the undertaking called for by paragraph C of those recommendations.

It is understood that the Report is now under consideration by the London County Council. No official communication, however, as to the views of the Council on the Report has yet been received.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the friction between the Admiralty officials and the municipality of Devonport on the occasion of the recent visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the want of tact alleged to have been shown by the Admiralty officials.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the Admiralty greatly regret that any such friction should have arisen; but they do not see any reason for an inquiry to be made into the subject, or that any good would arise from one.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Germany will have, in a few months, sixteen or eighteen battleships ready for instant action, and as our Home Fleet must necessarily be a fleet in reserve, and therefore quite unable to be ready to meet a sudden attack, he will say what other battleships, besides the fourteen of the Channel fleet, will be instantly available to defend our shores.

While deprecating most strongly the selection of one particular Power as the hypothetical enemy, I cannot admit the hon. Member's suggestion that the Home Fleet will be unable to meet a sudden attack.

How can a fleet be said to be fully manned and instantly ready for sea when the crews are nucleus crews, some of whom are insufficiently trained and unused to their ships?

That is a question for debate on the Navy Estimates.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what are the conditions governing the granting of a bar for the battle of Paardeburg; and whether F. J. Brockett, late private G Company, 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, who was present at that battle in the Highland Brigade Small Arms Ammunition Reserve Column, is entitled to receive the bar.

The clasp Paardeburg was granted to all troops within 7,000 yards of General Cronje's final laager between midnight of the 17th and midnight of 26th February, 1900, and to all troops within 7,000 yards of Koodoe's Rand Drift between these dates. This man's name does not appear upon any of the rolls for this clasp, but an inquiry has been addressed to the officer under whom he states he served during that action, and the result will be notified direct to Private Brockett.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the deliberations with regard to the new pattern cavalry sword, which was under consideration on 23rd November, 1906, have been concluded; and, if so, with what result.

The Committee have recommended a pattern, and a number of swords are now being manufactured with a view to experimental trial by the troops.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed in reference to the disposal of the site of the Duke of York's school have come to any, and, if so, what, decision.

No final decision has as yet been reached.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate how long it will be before a final decision is taken?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the pattern of the new bayonet has been settled; and whether he can hold out any hope of bringing this matter to a a speedy settlement.

No decision has yet been arrived at. Patterns of new bayonets have been issued for trial by the troops and reports will be furnished on completion of the trials.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when it is expected that some of the sites and buildings connected with the defences of London will be sold; and to what purposes will the proceeds of such sales be devoted.

It is expected that some of the sites and buildings will be sold at an early date. The proceeds of such sales will be taken in relief of Army expenditure.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the system of combined magisterial and executive functions in the same official is one which was created by the British in India, or one inherited by them from their predecessors; whether, if the latter be the fact and this system has obtained from time immemorial, the Government will see fit not to press the Government of India to hasten to separate such functions, to the prejudice of the general taxpayer, who has made no complaint and knows of no other system; and whether the Government will allow the Government of India to take its own time before embarking upon the creation of large numbers of stipendiary magistrates at the expense of the masses for the benefit of certain classes.

The practice of combining magisterial with executive functions existed in India before the establishment of British rule. It is certain that no alteration will be made in the existing system except after full consideration of the question by the Government of India.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether there exists at present a serious deficiency in the amount of rolling stock on the Indian railways, whereby heavy losses are being entailed on native producers and traders, and the development of the resources of the country is being retarded; whether the amount of funds to be allocated to railway expenditure in the next ensuing financial year is to be reduced from fifteen crores to twelve crores; whether, if such reduction is made, it will apply both to equipment and construction; whether a reduction on equipment will increase the loss already being suffered by producers and traders; and whether a reduction on construction will involve waste of the force of the construction staff, loss of interest on the money already spent, and loss of profit from the delay in bringing the new lines to the productive stage.

There is undoubtedly a deficiency of rolling stock on some of the Indian railways. The sum to be allocated for railways in 1907–8 is £8,000,000 (twelve crores) of which £2,787,000 is to be expended on the supply of rolling stock on open lines, as against £2,546,606 in 1906–7. There has therefore been an increase, and not a reduction, in the expenditure proposed under this head. I am, however, aware of the importance of this subject, and it is receiving consideration from which I anticipate effective results. The reduction in the estimate for construction cannot operate in the way suggested in the Question, except in the case of works already begun; and the Government of India will undoubtedly take stops to avoid such consequences as far as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state the number of officers and men of the 10th Hussars admitted to hospital each month since they relieved the 9th Lancers in September 1906, at Rawul Pindi; whether the epidemic of fever was in any way occasioned through insanitary accommodation, and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of the epidemic; and whether the Indian Government or the War Office are responsible for sanitation of troops stationed in India.

The reply has not yet been received. Perhaps my hon. friend will repeat the Question in two or three days.

Was it not promised that the information should be cabled for?

I have cabled for it, but it necessarily takes some time to get a reply, even by cable.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that for some years after the formation of the Supply and Transport Corps in India difficulty was experienced in finding officers for it; whether the cadre was eventually filled by raising the scale of pay so as to attract regimental officers; whether it is now intended to reduce the scale of pay of officers in the corps; and whether, if this reduction is made, it is intended to apply the saving so effected towards an increase in the pay of either the heads of the corps at headquarters or regimental officers.

Some years ago the pay of the junior officers of the Supply and Transport Corps was increased with a view to making the corps more attractive. No proposal for any reduction in pay has reached me.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Justices of the Peace newly appointed to borough benches have to pay a fee of £2 per head; whether such Justices of the Peace can qualify by paying a reduced fee of £1 in London; and whether, if the facts be as stated, there is any reason for such differenceand for any payment whatsoever in this connection.

I have no information as to what are the fees generally charged to Justices of the Peace newly appointed to borough benches. The fee authorised in London is £2. As to the reasons for charges in this connection, I may say that there is a fee of £1 payable to the Crown Office on the insertion of new names in a Commission of the Peace, and that there are other fees varying in amount according to the table of fees in force in the different jurisdictions and payable to the Clerk of the Peace for services rendered, e.g., administering the oaths, correspondence, etc. I have no initiative in the matter. My powers are limited to giving my approval, with or without amendment, of such new tables of fees as may be submitted to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the matter, since many of the new magistrates have more merit than money?

said he thought it would be useful to obtain a Return of the scales of fees charged.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the losses in connection with slate clubs; and whether he can introduce legislation to protect the funds of those who adopt this mode of insurance.

Slate clubs are usually small affairs, dividing at Christmas sums of from 20s. to 30s. They are not registered under any Act of Parliament; but could, if the members wished, be registered under the Friendly Societies Act. There are a few failures each year owing to defalcations; but this might be avoided without recourse to legislation if every person in charge of the funds were required by the members to give security in a good guarantee society. The premium might, if it were thought desirable, be paid by the club.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens are at present employed in the mining and fire clay industries in Scotland; and how many were in the same employment in the year 1903.

Exact figures are not available, but the inspectors estimate roughly that the number of foreigners employed at the mines is from 1,000 to 1,500 in the West Scotland district, and in the East Scotland district about 500. At the beginning of 1904 the total number of foreigners employed in mines in Scotland was estimated at 1,600.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of the number of British workers employed through the enterprise of alien employers?

I must have notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to a recent official Report by Mr. Rufus Fleming, Consul of the United States at Edinburgh, in which, dealing with the question of importing American wall paper into this country, he states that for some years the wall paper industry of the United Kingdom has been in the hands of a trust which regulates production and controls prices, and which only permits wholesale dealers to import foreign wall paper on condition that it does not undersell the trust productions; whether he can confirm or deny the accuracy of this Report; and whether, if the Report is accurate, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to protect consumers.

I have seen the Report to which my hon. friend refers. The Wall Paper Manufacturers, Limited, inform me that they are not aware of any restrictions as to the prices at which imported wall papers may be sold.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if his attention has been drawn to a fire that occurred on the Baker Street and Waterloo Tube Railway; and, having regard to the results that might attend a fire on an underground railway, where there is no possibility for any passengers who might be in the train to escape, whether he has directed an inquiry to be made; if not, will he do so; and whether he will also direct that immediate notification be sent to the London Fire Brigade by the company on whose line a fire may occur, so that its expert knowledge might be utilised in inquiries that might be made on any future fires on underground railways in London.

The accident referred to by my hon. friend occurred on the 13th instant and on the following day. The circumstances were carefully investigated by the Board's electrical adviser, whose observations are now before the Department. I shall be glad to show a copy to my hon. friend if he will call at the Board of Trade. I understand from the Report that the cars, being of steel, sustained no material damage, and that no personal injuries were caused. It is satisfactory to find that the Board's requirements, designed to provide against risks from fire on "tube" railways, appear to have been adequate in this case. As far as regards the provision at stations of hydrants, etc., the Board's requirements (of which I will furnish a copy to my hon. friend) were framed in concert with the London County Council, and the Board required the company to obtain, before the opening of the line was authorised, a certificate that the chief officer of the fire brigade was satisfied that the prescribed precautions had been duly given effect to. The concluding suggestion made by my hon. friend shall receive my consideration.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if there has been any increase in the monthly export of coal from this country since the export duty was taken off.

The export duty on coal ceased to be levied on the 31st October last. In the three months which have elapsed since that date there has been an average monthly increase of about 600,000 tons in the export of coal as compared with the corresponding period a year ago. The period of three months, however, is too short to enable any useful comparison to be made.

Is the present increase in the price of coal attributable in any way to this state of affairs?

I am not competent to express an opinion on that point.

Has not the increase in the exports been gradual and continuous for a long number of years?

I believe so.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Great Southern and Western Railway Company now exact a toll of one penny per head from people visiting their platforms in the Waterford terminus, either for the purpose of seeing off or meeting friends travelling by the trains, and from tradespeople's messengers who are sent to deliver parcels to passengers: whether he is aware that, as Waterford trades people have to pay a bridge toll of two pence to send messengers to the trains with parcels, this additional charge becomes a heavy tax on their business; and whether he proposes to take any action to stop it.

I have communicated with the railway company in this matter, and am informed that it is the case that they make a charge of one penny for persons other than passengers going on to the platforms at Waterford, but that arrangements have been made for tradespeople's messengers to deliver their parcels outside the barrier at which the penny is charged. The charge made by the Bridge Commissioners for crossing the river, which is referred to in the latter part of the Question, is a matter over which the company do not appear to have any control. The Board of Trade have no statutory powers in the matter.

was understood to ask if supposing an automatic machine were used for collecting the charge the right hon. Gentleman would insist on the tickets being issued by a clerk in order if an accident happened that the company might be held responsible.

We have no control over that.

We shall have control over the next Bill the Company promote.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet in a position to state the result of the communications which have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States with reference to the import duty levied in the United States upon British works of art, which is at the rate of 20 per cent. ad valorem, as compared with 15 per cent. charged upon works of art imported from other European countries.

Not yet; but if the hon. Member will speak to me on the subject behind the Speaker's Chair, I shall be glad to give him any further information in my power.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Returns of unemployment issued by the Board of Trade are compiled upon information representing not only real and enforced unemployment, but also every temporary and voluntary displacement of labour due to local strikes, lock-outs, seasonal unemployment, changes of employer, sickness, and similar causes; whether the method of compilation or accuracy of this information is in any way checked by the Board of Trade; and whether, in view of the fact that the figures in these Returns are sometimes quoted as representing enforced and involuntary unemployment alone, he will cause them, in future, to be accompanied by a note explaining their true character.

As already explained in a reply given to the hon. Member for the Bury division of Lancashire,†the percentage of unemployed members of trade unions published in the Board of Trade Labour Gazette does not include persons on strike or locked out, sick or superannuated. The Returns, however, include quite properly persons who are out of work as a consequence of others being on strike or locked out, or owing to unfavourable weather or change of employment. The main basis of the Returns is the trade union record of the members receiving unemployed benefit, and their accuracy is readily checked by the financial statements of the trade unions as to the amount of benefit so paid. I shall be glad to consider the question of giving an explanatory note as to the figures in the Board of Trade Labour Gazette.

Would it be possible to get the number of unemployed who do not belong to any union by a census such as they have in the United States?

That is the only way that suggests itself to my mind at the moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having a special column in the next census paper as is done in the United States?

That is a matter for the President of the Local Government Board.

†See Col. 1236.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the report of Dr. Kelsch to the Academie de Medicine, Paris, two years ago, in which he records the fact that he saw an experiment being made at the vaccination station, Lamb's Conduit Street, to inoculate calves with the variolous matter of human smallpox, with a view to manufacturing so-called cow-pox virus out of the contents of the resulting sores; and whether he will give orders for the prosecution of any persons who may make such experiments.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the report of Dr. Kelsch to the Paris Academie de Medicine two years ago, in which that scientist shows that Belgium was the only country in which cow-pox is now being used for the manufacture of vaccine lymph; whether Dr. Kelsch accurately reports that he had seen an experiment in progress in Lamb's Conduit Street to manufacture so-called vaccine lymph out of the variolous matter of human smallpox; and, if so, whether, in view of Section 32 of The Vaccination Act, 1867, he will order the prosecution of such of his subordinate officials as have thus infringed the law.

Perhaps my hon. friend will allow me to answer this Question, and at the same time to reply to his second Question on the Paper. My attention has been called to the report of Dr. Kelsch, but I do not find that he stated that he had seen an experiment in progress at Lamb's Conduit Street to manufacture vaccine lymph out of the variolous matter of human smallpox. I understand him to say that he saw a calf at the stables covered with an eruption produced by inoculation of variolous virus after two passages through the monkey and two others through the calf. This description I am informed is correct. The result of the vaccination was not used, and never was intended to be used, for human vaccination. The operation was a test of the value of an experiment performed elsewhere in its bearing on the possible manufacture of lymph, and does not appear to have involved an infringement of the Cruelty to Animals Act. Section 32 of the Vaccination Act, 1867, to which my hon. friend refers, prohibits the inoculation of persons with smallpox. There was no contravention of the section in this case.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if, having regard to the recent importation of that dangerous alien disease known as spotted fever, and the rapidity with which it spreads, he will issue strict instructions for the inspection of all alien immigrant ships, and, following the precedent of 1892, at the time of the outbreak of cholera at Hamburg, direct that no suspected case be allowed to land under any pretext.

Cerebro-spinal fever is not necessarily a disease imported from abroad, and at the present time I am not aware that there is any exceptional prevalence of it on the Continent. The circumstances in relation to this disease are different from those affecting an outbreak of cholera such as that referred to in the Question. As regards alien immigrants on immigrant ships which come within the Aliens Act, 1905 the hon. Member is aware that they are inspected under the Act, and that the Act requires that leave to land shall be withheld in the case of any such alien, if, owing to any disease, he appears likely to become a detriment to the public.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 150,000 aliens came from continental ports last year, and might have brought the epidemic?

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the interim report of Mr. A. Carson Roberts, district auditor of the metropolitan boroughs, upon certain contracts made by; the Council of the City of Westminster, containing grave charges against their inefficient administration during the last financial year; and whether he will cause an immediate searching inquiry to be made by his Department into a matter that so seriously concerns the ratepayers in the City of Westminster.

I have seen the auditor's report. The jurisdiction of the Local Government Board in relation to the matters referred to in it would arise out of any appeal to them against the auditor's decision in respect of any allowance, disallowance, or surcharge in connection with them. I understand that the auditor has given notice to the members of the Council concerned to show cause why a surcharge should not be made in this case, but that the audit is not yet completed. I am, therefore, not at present in a position to interfere, but in the event of an appeal of the kind I have mentioned being made, I will give consideration to the suggestion in the Question.

said he believed the hearing of the Council's case before the auditor would be taken on the following Wednesday.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in connection with the Public Health Bill, he will cause to be printed and circulated to hon. Members of this House so much of The Public Health Act, 1896, and the enactments mentioned in that Act, as will show what power of making regulations has been conferred by such Act and enactments.

Yes, sir, I will take steps for this purpose.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he intends to introduce any legislation this session dealing with the abnormally high death rate of children under five years of age; and what steps are being taken to direct the attention of local authorities to this matter.

I am giving attention to this subject, and hope that it will be practicable during the present session to introduce legislation bearing upon it. I am impressing on local authorities and their officers, by circulars and otherwise, the importance of collecting data, and studying the problems connected with it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the revelations made by Mr. G. R. Sims, consider the desirability of prohibiting the taking of young children into public houses?

I am aware of revelations being made by Mr. Sims, but I am not in the habit of attaching too much importance to some of them.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, what action he proposes to take in carrying out the conclusions of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, seeing that not only the Commissioners but a large number of experts outside the Commission are agreed that far more stringent measures are required than those at present enforced to prevent the sale of such milk as contains tubercle bacilli.

I am giving attention to the Report of the Royal Commission, but am not at present in a position to take action upon it. The Report has only recently been presented, and as yet the Appendices referred to in it have not been issued. The conclusions of the Commissioners relate to matters of much importance, and must be carefully considered by both the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board on what date he is likely to introduce the Bill dealing with motor cars.

I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the introduction of a Bill dealing with this subject.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether municipal authorities who borrow money for the extension of their sewage farms will be permitted, out of such moneys, to pay their permanent staff for draining, excavating, and carting, for official and clerical assistance.

The view taken by the Local Government Board is that payments of the kind referred to in both of these Questions cannot properly be made out of borrowed money.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a letter from the borough surveyor of West Bridgford, dated 11th February, anent the conditions on which loans are granted to local authorities; and, if so, what has been the nature of his reply.

I have received the letter referred to, and am sending a reply to the effect that the Local Government Board gather from the letter that the Urban District Council are not in a position to give permanent employment to the men referred to in it upon work the cost of which is payable out of current rates. If so, and the services of the men are not in fact required for their usual work, the Board are not aware of anything to prevent the Urban District Council from engaging these men to carry out works in respect of which loans have been sanctioned, and paying their wages out of the loans.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board it the micrococcus of vaccinia has yet been discovered or isolated, and, if not, in what way can the unknown micrococcus be distinguished from that of spotted fever; and will he cause to be printed precise details of the method of examining vaccine matter by which the authorities make sure that the germs of spotted fever are absent.

I am advised that the micrococcus of vaccinia has not been discovered or isolated, and that competent authorities are of opinion that the specific cause of vaccinia is not a micrococcus at all; but I trust that my hon. friend will excuse me if I point out that the pathology of different diseases is not conveniently discussed by means of Questions and Answers in this House. As regards the last part of the Question, the precise details of the method of examining vaccine matter will be found printed in the Reports of the Medical Officer of the Local Government Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an opportunity of discussing this matter?

I would suggest the hon. Member should pay a visit—a surprise visit if he likes—to the Lambs' Conduit Station.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Frank Gorst, son of Mr. Charles Gorst, licensee of the King's Head Hotel, Tiviot Dale, who was recently engaged as a messenger at the Stockport post office and who was subsequently dismissed on the sole ground that he resided upon licensed premises; whether there is any fixed regulation in the Post Office Department under which this dismissal was ordered; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of revising such regulation.

I am making inquiry on the subject and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the promise which he gave in the Budget Statement last session, to give enlarged postal and telegraphic facilities to rural districts, securing that each place in the United Kingdom shall have, save in very exceptional cases, at least three deliveries a week, and in case of a guarantee being required where postal, telegraph, or telephone facilities are given, the Post-master General shall in ordinary conditions take two-thirds of the risk, is yet in force; and, if so, does it apply to Scotland.

My right hon. friend has asked me to answer this Question. The Answer is in the affirmative.

I should have liked to have had an Answer from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as it was his statement.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to complete the staff of the newly formed Welsh Department by transfers from the Board of Education, or whether the appointment of any other persons, not at present in the Civil Service, is contemplated; and, if so, for what reason a different course is to be pursued from that which was followed upon the formation of the Scottish Education Department.

The newly formed Welsh Department will be completed partly by transfers from the Board of Education and partly by the appointment of other persons not at present in the Civil Service. The Scottish Education Department offers no analogy to the Department now under consideration, since the former was removed by statute and placed under other political heads than those presiding over the Department from which it was detached.

What difference does the creation of a Scottish Education Department make in this question?

I have given the reasons.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if the Government propose to make any change of policy in connection with the teachers' register.

I hope shortly to introduce an Education (Administrative Provisions) Bill comprising the non-controversial clauses of last year's measure, and including the amended clause regarding the teachers' register which in its final shape was agreed to by all parties concerned.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the so-called Foreign trawlers that frequent the Moray Firth are really owned by British companies or firms; is he also aware that they are making use of the Norwegian nationality to break the laws of this country; and will he state what action he proposes to take.

:My right hon. friend believes that, speaking generally, there is some truth in the statements made in the Question. But he is not aware that there is anything illegal in the fact of British-owned vessels being registered under a foreign flag. And he cannot take any action which is inconsistent with principles of international law, which have been recognised by this country as well as by others.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in connection with the Butter and Margarine Bill, he will cause to be printed and circulated Section 9 of The Margarine Act, 1887, as amended by Section 7 of The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, showing how it is proposed to be adapted to the above-mentioned Bill; Section 7 of The Food and Drugs Act, 1899, showing how it is proposed to be adapted by the Bill; Section 1 of The Food and Drugs Act, 1899, showing the Amendments proposed by the Bill; Sections 4 and 17 of The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, and Sections 5, 11, and 12 of The Margarine Act, 1887; and a statement of the premises required to be registered under The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899.

A memorandum giving the information suggested by the noble Lord is in course of preparation and will be printed and circulated as suggested.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, of whom the Board consists; whether it has ever met; and, if so, the date of the last meeting.

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries consists of a President, who must be a Member of the Privy Council, the President of the Council, the Principal Secretaries of State, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Secretary for Scotland, and such other persons as His Majesty may from time to time think fit to appoint. There is no record of the Board as such having ever met.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General if his attention has been directed to the growing practice of infringing the Corrupt Practices Act by the expenditure of large sums of money on election expenses, otherwise than through the candidates or their election agents; and if he can take immediate steps to check this practice.

was understood to say that under the provisions of the law in its present form money might be expended—except in respect of specified illegal objects—during an election, provided such expenditure was not made in the conduct or management of the election by a candidate or agent or agency acting on his behalf. In his opinion, it was open to grave question whether such a practice was not a breach of the spirit of the Corrupt Practices Act, and whether, in many cases, it did not constitute a palpable evasion of the restrictions upon expenditure during an election. The matter was well worthy the attention of Parliament, but he could not make any promise to propose an Amendment of the law during the present session.

I beg to ask the Attorney-General if he is aware that at the present time a large sum of money is being spent by certain persons in publishing throughout London large and expensive coloured posters urging voters to support candidates who term themselves Municipal Reformers; that such expenditure is being made in defiance of the legal limitations as to the cost of elections; and whether he can take stops to amend the law in such manner as to make this evasion of its intentions impossible.

Before the hon. and learned Gentleman answers the Question, may I ask whether he will also consider the question of certain expenses of very highly coloured posters conveying an entirely mendacious impression of Chinamen's labour, and reflecting on the conduct of hon. Members of this House?

I think if the expenditure has been made by a candidate or by any agent on his behalf, it can be dealt with under the provisions of the law as they now exist, but if made by some voluntary agency or other persons acting outside, the practice falls within the terms of my Answer to the previous Question.

asked whether the hon. and learned Attorney-General's attention had been directed to the extreme urgency of the Question which had arisen through incidents which had happened since he had put the Question on the Paper—namely, the buying up of men at 5s. a day for a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, and the issue of large red bills which had been placed in all parts of London with regard to the tramways.

I may say that I think that in this respect, and in other respects, the law in regard to elections needs Amendment, and I hope, sooner or later, to introduce a measure on that subject.

May I ask whether a proper proportion of the cost of those posters ought not to be returned by the respective candidates in their respective divisions?

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if, in view of the dissatisfaction as to the unequal manner in which the officials of local authorities in Scotland carry out their inspection of meat, he will appoint a veterinary surgeon, with practical experience of the work, to report on the standard and system of inspection in operation in the different districts.

An inquiry into the methods of meat inspection by the officers of local authorities in Scotland is now going on, and the suggestion of my hon. friend will be considered when the results of the inquiry are forthcoming.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the facts that about 100 tons of boned-out pork are imported every week into Scotland from Ireland; that this pork is not inspected in Ireland, and it is not possible to inspect it in Scotland on account of the absence of the internal organs, the bones, and trunk lymphatic glands; and if he will see that in future all carcases and organs of swine slaughtered in Ireland for export to Scotland will be inspected in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission, 1898, or prevented from being sold for human food.

The matter referred to by my hon. friend seems rather to fall within the province of the Irish Local Government Board, whose attention is being called to the question.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that the interests of line fishermen suffer through illegal trawlers sweeping the fishing beds, will he state whether the funds at the disposal of the Scottish Fishery Board are yet sufficient to admit of the sea police service being strengthened by the purchase of another fishery cruiser.

I learn from inquiry that the funds at the disposal of the Fishery Board are not yet sufficient to admit of another cruiser being acquired.

When are there likely to be sufficient funds? This is an urgent matter for the fishermen.

I am sorry I cannot say.

May I ask my right hon. friend how, being short of cruisers for sea police service, he was able to allow the Permanent Secretary to have a cruiser last autumn for a holiday tour with ladies.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state when he intends to present to Parliament a Return showing the number of persons in the Highland crofting counties who are deprived of the school board franchise by reason of their rentals not exceeding £4; and, seeing that these persons are entitled to vote at Parliamentary and county council elections, will he arrange for them to secure the school board franchise under the Scottish Education Bill which he proposes to introduce this session.

The Return of Occupiers of Farms (Scotland), ordered by the House of Commons on 18th December last, is in course of preparation, but the information given by it on the point referred to by the hon. Member will not be exhaustive, as it is confined to occupiers of farms. This, however, I do not so much regret, as the amendment of the law which the hon. Member desires depends rather on a question of principle than on figures. The hon. Member's suggestion that the matter might be dealt with in the Education Bill will be taken into consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the Local Government Board for Scotland have yet arranged to issue to parochial medical officers, sanitary inspectors, and inspectors of the poor, leaflets containing the opinions of the Committee on Physical Deterioration relative to ventilation and the bringing up of young children, with a view to the dissemination of information on these subjects.

In fulfilment of the promise made in April last, the Board issued in June a circular and leaflet oft the management of young children. These were circulated to public health local authorities and their medical officers and were widely appreciated. The leaflet may now be purchased through any bookseller, price one halfpenny per copy.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, with a view to avoiding the inconvenience and expense entailed by the present system of legal procedure, he will consider the advisability of setting up a branch of the court of session in the West of Scotland to deal with commercial cases arising in that part of Scotland.

Such inconvenience and expense as may be caused to litigants in the West of Scotland through the fact that the court of session holds its sittings in Edinburgh are not, in my opinion, sufficient to justify judicial changes of the importance and magnitude involved in the proposal of my hon. friend, and the answer is consequently in the negative. I may say that before replying in these terms I have taken counsel with my right hon. friend the Lord Advocate.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether a public inquiry under the Fatal Accidents (Scotland) Act has been held into the cause of the accident to the ill-fated train at Elliot Junction on 28th December last; what was the verdict of the jury; if the jury found that the driver, G. Gourlay, was guilty of culpable negligence, under what circumstances or statute is the Crown taking criminal proceedings against him; why was he arrested before the sheriff's inquiry was held; and whether, in view of the anxiety and suffering caused to Gourlay, both mentally and physically, by having to undergo a third inquiry, he can see his way to advise the Crown to withdraw the prosecution.

A public inquiry was instructed by me in regard to this lamentable railway accident in which twenty-two persons lost their lives, and the inquiry was duly held. The jury returned a detailed verdict which was published in full at the time and of which I should be glad to furnish my hon. friend with a copy. Gourlay was found to have been at fault. He is being proceeded against under the common law of Scotland. Immediately upon the occurrence of the accident in formation was laid in ordinary course of law before the sheriff at Dundee, and that Judge granted warrant for the arrest of Gourlay. He applied to be liberated on bail, and upon the matter being brought to my notice his application was acceded to by the Crown and granted. With regard to the last portion of the question I may explain that the facts appear to Crown Counsel to be such as to make it proper that the case should proceed to trial. My hon. friend may rely upon the trial being conducted with absolute fairness, and he will, I trust, appreciate that it would not be in the public interest or in the interest of the accused that I should make a further statement.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland to when the Bill will be introduced to be enable the Clare County Council to avail of the money allocated to be spent on the fishing pier at Ballaghaline, county of Clare.

My right hon. friend the Chief Secretary hopes to be able, at an early date, to introduce legislation extending the power of local authorities to contribute to works of the nature referred to in the Question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware to that the failure to erect this pier for some years has been solely due to technical difficulties, which have now to been removed, and will he see that the necessary Bill is introduced to enable the work to be carried out this spring?

When our attention was called to the matter my colleague it and I were obliged to report that under the existing law the local authority could not spend money on the work without legislation. Whether it is possible to get a Bill passed to enable the work to be commenced this spring I cannot say.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the inspector of the Local Government Board reported the claims of John Clarke, John Corregan, and Patrick Caffery at the recent Labourers Act inquiry held in Dunshaughlin; and, if so, what were the grounds of such action.

The Local Government Board's inspector disallowed the applications of the persons named, because the conditions laid down by the Labourers Act were not fulfiled in some respects. I have communicated to the hon. Member a full statement of the facts.

Did not the Chief Secretary last session promise to bring in a Bill which it was generally recognised would be uncontentious? Cannot a like Bill now be brought in?

said he was not aware of any such promise having been made, but so far as he was concerned he would do his best to facilitate the passage of the Bill in every possible way.

Let the Bill be brought in at once. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman no Party or body of men will oppose it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of coupling this work with several other important piers in the North of Ireland?

I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible opportunity I will call attention to this matter, which is little short of a scandal.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has observed the action of the International Exhibition Committee, who made it practically impossible that Irish firms should tender for the restaurant furniture; is a Government grant to be made towards this exhibition; if so, how much, and will he see that Irish labour is employed on what work still remains to be done; and further, in view of the fact that the catering contract has been secured by an English firm, will he see that Irish goods are supplied in this connection.

I am informed that the Committee of the Irish International Exhibition have expressly stipulated that all supplies which can be provided at fair prices in Ireland shall be purchased at home, and that Irish labour shall be employed as far as possible. No Government grant is to be given to the Exhibition, but the Department of Agriculture and the Congested Districts Board have made grants of £2,000 and £250, respectively, for the purpose of aiding small industries to exhibit their products in the Home Industries' section, In these circumstances, and as the undertaking is of private origin, the Government would in any case have no right to interfere.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a resolution from certain Members of the House protesting against the appointment of partisans to the position of Sub-Commissioners fixing rents under the Land Acts; and if, under these circumstances, he will consider that membership of the United Irish League is a bar to any applicant seeking such appointments.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, and to the last in the negative.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received a resolution from the Bawnboy Board of Guardians dealing with the question of seed potatoes in that district; is he aware that, owing to the failure of the potato crop in this union and in the district around Blacklion, and bearing in mind the poverty of many small holders who have suffered, Government aid in supplying seed potatoes is essential if a further famine is to be guarded against next year; and will he say what action he proposes to take.

The Local Government Board have received the resolution referred to in the Question. The Board have made special inquiries into the circumstances of the union referred to, and are satisfied that the union is not one in which the failure of the potato crop was such as to render it necessary for the Government to adopt special measures for the supply of seed potatoes.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a difficulty has arisen in connection with the construction of the Kinvara Pier and other works in the harbour; whether the money required to commence and carry out the improvements is available; and will he explain what steps the Government intend to take to fulfil the promise made in the last session to enable the county council, in conjunction with the Congested Districts Board and the Agricultural Board, to commence the work at once.

The question of undertaking legislation which would have the effect of removing the difficulty in question is under consideration, and I hope to be able to introduce the necessary Bill at an early date.

In considering this, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the claims of other districts?

The Bill to which my hon. friend refers will be introduced at the earliest possible date, and I hope it will receive the friendly consideration he anticipates.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when the vacancy in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice in Ireland to which Mr. Sergeant Dodd has been appointed was created; and if the judgeship was the one referred to by his predecessor on 28th May, 1906,†in this House as extinct or suspended.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his predecessor stated to the House, on 28th May, 1906,†that the salary saved by the extinction of this judgeship, amounting to £3,500 per annum, was to be applied for the purpose of financing the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906; and if the Act so contemplated.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that his predecessor introduced a Bill in the last session of Parliament finally to abolish this judgeship and one other; and if eight additional examiners of title, at salaries of £600 per annum and upwards, were appointed in 1905 in the Land Purchase Department, expressly by arrangement with the Treasury, in lieu of filling up this judgeship, then vacant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Land Judge of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice expressed his willingness to assist his colleagues in Land Commission work; and if this offer was refused.

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers

†See (4) Debates, clviii., 109.

may I ask whether he will say whether, when the Government appointed Mr. Sergeant Dodd to the Bench, they were aware that the services of the hon. Member for North Armagh were available for the same job?

Legal talent in Ireland is so great that the Government is never at a loss. The vacancy referred to was created in January, 1904, by the transfer of Mr. Justice Barton to the Chancery Division; and the judgeship in question is the one which was referred to by my predecessor on 28th May last as suspended (not extinct). The Labourers Act of last session provides that the savings to be effected by the abolition of any Irish judgeships by any Act of that session shall be applied to the purposes of the Labourers Acts. It is the fact that during last session my predecessor introduced a Bill which provided for the abolition of two judgeships, but the Bill failed to become law. The proposed legislation has, however, not been abandoned. It is intended to introduce a Bill to provide that two out of the next three vacancies which may occur in the King's Bench Division shall not be filled. It is not the fact that additional examiners were appointed in lieu of filling up the vacant judgeship, and no such arrangement has ever been suggested or considered. The Land Judge of the Chancery Division has for some time past assisted in the work of the Purchase Department of the Land Commission, and he has recently expressed his willingness to undertake increased work in that connection. The proposal, which involves important financial considerations, has not been refused, but is at present under consideration. The Land Judge has not proposed to assist the Land Commission in hearing fair rent appeals, and indeed such an arrangement would not be possible without dislocating the business of his own Court. There are at present no less than 7,367 fair rent appeals pending in the Land Commission; and in the Land Purchase Department there is over £1,500,000 awaiting distribution by the Judicial Commissioner. The work of both departments in the Land Commission is, therefore, greatly in arrear, with the result that not only is the policy of land purchase impeded, but much inconvenience and hardship are inflicted upon both vendors and purchasers. Mr. Justice Dodd's services will be availed of, under a special provision of the Land Act of 1903, for the hearing of appeals, in order to enable Mr. Justice Wylie, with whatever assistance can be rendered to him by the Land Judge, to devote his whole time, if necessary, to dealing with the difficult legal questions involved in the distribution of purchase moneys of estates sold under the Land Purchase Acts.

Is it a fact that this time last year there were 11,000 appeals, and the Government introduced a Bill to abolish two judgeships?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is only a temporary post office at Dernacrieve, Belturbet, county Cavan; is it his intention to establish a permanent post office in this district; where is the present post office situate; is it furnished with the usual letter-box, etc.; and will the convenience and comfort of the people residing in this locality be considered in any contemplated changes.

I am aware that at present the post office at Dernacrieve is in charge of a temporary sub-postmistress; but a permanent appointment will be made very shortly; and the convenience of the inhabitants of the district will, of course, be considered. The temporary premises, which are situated about 500 yards from the old office, are reported to be convenient for the people generally. Pending a permanent appointment no letter-box has been fixed as it was undesirable to put the temporary sub-postmistress to any expense.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in the Kinvara district, Galway, regarding the postal delivery; and whether he will take steps to bring the delivery up to the reasonable requirements of the people.

There has been no material change in the circum- stances since I considered this Question at the hon. Member's request last March,†and I am sorry, therefore, that I am unable to meet his wishes in the matter.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the fact that the number of academicians of the Royal Academy of Arts is at the present time forty, or the same as when the Academy was founded in 1768, although the number of British artists has multiplied probably tenfold in the 139 years which have elapsed; whether he is aware that the consequent small chance of election as academicians is a real hardship to many men of recognised talent; and whether he can see his way, in view of the responsibilities of the Royal Academy, and in the interests of British Art, to make representations to the institution on the subject.