I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make close inquiries into the capacity for berthing and repairing warships of all dimensions in the various seaports and rivers on the east and west coasts, where ship-yards and steel-works at present exist, before any large sums of money are spent in uselessly duplicating such facilities at Rosyth.

The hon. Member may rest assured that every consideration will be given to his suggestion.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, under his Army reform scheme, Civil Servants will be allowed to enter the territorial force; and, if so, whether the Treasury will allow them extra leave for the purpose of going through the prescribed periods of training.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the strength of the Horse and Field Artillery by batteries, officers, men, and horses on 1st April, 1895, and 1st April, 1905.

On military grounds the case of a Civil Servant entering the territorial force will require to be carefully considered on its individual merits, as public funds should not be expended in peace in training any persons whom the necessities of national business may make it impossible to spare from their duties in order to render military service in time of war. On the other hand, the Government, who are making an appeal to the nation to come forward, are not likely to be backward in doing what is right. I have not yet reached the stage of detailed negotiation on this important question, and I am, therefore, unable to answer further.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the actuarial calculations, showing the total of the Army Reserve under normal conditions as 115,000 men, were based upon the same data as the calculations furnished to the House in July, 1906, in which it appeared that the total calculated Reserve for the infantry of the line was 62,900; and what reason is there to suppose that, after the abolition of another battalion of the Guards, the reduction of the Royal Artillery, and the substitution for that arm of a six years term of service, the Reserve of the Army other than that of the infantry of the line will reach 52,100 men.

The statement which I propose to lay upon the Table will fully explain the mode of calculating the normal figures for the Army Reserve. I think the hon. and gallant Member will find all the information he desires in this statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what was the date of formation of each of the eight line battalions recently destroyed; for what period were those battalions recruited on the basis of a three years colour service; and what number of men have passed from the battalions in question into the Army Reserve since their formation.

The dates of formation were as follows: —3rd Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, February, 1900; 4th Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Manchester Regiment, February, 1900; 4th Batt. Manchester Regiment, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, April, 1898; 4th Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers, April, 1898; 4th Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers, March, 1900. Enlistment for three years colour service commenced in April, 1898, and three years men were enlisted for these regiments as well as the others until this period of enlistment was stopped in November, 1904. As regards the Reserve, as all transfers to the Reserve are from the regiment as a whole, it would not be practicable to obtain the information required without very considerable labour.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that injury is being caused to British credit in Southern India by the disclosures in connection with the insolvency of Messrs. Arbuthnot and Company, of Madras; that certain native creditors are opposing the insolvent firm's petition for protection under the Insolvency Act on the ground that the firm have been in a state of virtual insolvency for some years; that these creditors have begged for a searching inquiry by the Crown in the interests, to use their own words, of truth and justice, of public morality, and British honour; and whether, under the exceptional circumstances, he will consider the advisability of instructing the Government of India to undertake a public inquiry independently of the proceedings of the local court.

The inquiry held by the Madras Insolvency Court is a public inquiry. The Secretary of State sees no reason at present for instituting an inquiry independent of this.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the nature of the offence for which the proprietor and editor of the Panjabee, published in Lahore, have been sentenced, the former to two years imprisonment and a fine of £60, the latter to six months imprisonment and a fine of £6.

The offence is reported to have been one under the section of the Indian Penal Code which deals with promoting, or attempting to promote, feelings of enmity or hatred between different classes of His Majesty's subjects. The case is under appeal.

May I ask if there was any circumstance of extenuation in this false charge of murder, except that it was brought against an innocent Englishman?

I think it would be very improper for me to attempt to pronounce an opinion on any case which has yet to be decided by the Judges.

Has the hon. Gentleman heard the result of the appeal?

No, Sir; as soon as I do I will communicate it to my hon. friend.

Is the Indian law as to freedom of the Press the same as that in England?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a case recently before Mr. Graham Cross in the E Court at Johannesburg, in which Emma Grovernor (a coloured woman), Martha Muller and John Jacobs (whites), William John Matthews (coloured), and two Chinamen named Wee Chang Juen and Lu Te Sing were charged with a contravention of the Immorality Law, in keeping a brothel at No. 8, Fox Street; whether he is aware that evidence was given to the effect that between two and three hundred Chinamen had been seen waiting in the back-yard of the house, being admitted two at a time to a room in which the two women were; that Wee Chang Juen was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment and ten lashes, and the two whites and the coloured woman were committed for trial; and whether he will state if the trial of the committed prisoners has yet taken place; and, if so, with what result.

No, Sir. I have not seen the report in question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies a Question, of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether any reply has been received to the invitation sent to General Botha by His Majesty's Government to attend the Colonial Conference.

A telegram has been received from Lord Selbourne as follows: —"Prime Minister informs me that the Cabinet have unanimously decided that General Botha ought to accept the invitation to attend the Colonial Conference. He will accordingly attend, and will be accompanied by Mr. F. W. Beyers, member of the Legislative Assembly for Turffontein, who will act as interpreter and secretary, and two other gentlemen who have not yet been decided on."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the details of the sum of £7,000, to be voted during the next financial year, for the Anglo-French Convention connected with the New Hebrides.

It is impossible to give details at present, as it is not yet known when the Convention will come into operation and, moreover, a considerable part of the sum to be voted is to cover expenditure the precise amount of which has still to be settled in consultation with the French Government. The main purposes for which expenditure may be necessary during the next financial year are the salaries of the members of the Joint Court, and other officers, such as labour inspectors, and the provision of Government buildings as required by Article III. of the Convention.

Has the money yet been paid?

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russo-Japanese draft Convention contains a clause binding the two contracting Powers to refer to arbitration all future disputes without reservation; and whether The Hague tribunal has been accepted as the arbitrating authority.

This is a question on which it would be impossible for any Government other than the two concerned to say anything.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the draft Anglo-Russian Convention has been acquiesced in by the Persian Government; to what extent it safeguards British interests in the Persian Gulf on the gulf littoral and in the gulf hinterland; and whether there is any clause binding the two contracting Powers to refer all or any future disputes in the Middle East to arbitration.

My right hon. friend can say nothing about negotiations with Russia or any other Power which are not concluded.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Portuguese Government has decided to impose a prohibitive duty on fish landed at Portuguese ports by British fishing vessels; and, if so, whether he will make representations to the Portuguese Government on the subject with a view to having these duties withdrawn or reduced.

A Bill is now before the Portuguese Cortes relative to an increase in the duty on the imports of fresh fish landed by foreign vessels. His Majesty's Government have already made representations to the Portuguese Government as to the effect of the proposed measure on British interests.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the representatives of Great Britain at The Hague Conference will have any power to bind the country by any engagements regarding the strength of its armaments.

Nothing can yet be said about the instructions which will be given to the British delegates at the Conference.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in spite of the judicial decision in the case of Cooper v. Blakiston, the Board of Inland Revenue are still demanding through their officers in various parts of the country the payment of income tax by the clergy upon Easter offerings; and, if so, what is the justification for this course.

The case of Cooper v. Blakiston is being carried to the Court of Appeal, and meanwhile it is not desirable to give to it any wider application than may be absolutely necessary. Whether or no it should be applied to any particular case must depend upon the precise circumstances of the case, and upon the view taken of them by the District Commissioners of Income Tax. But, wherever the Commissioners consider it right to do so, the Board of Inland Revenue have instructed their surveyors to allow matters to remain in suspense, pending a decision by the Court of Appeal.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the statements of the chairman at the Clerkenwell Sessions that every year about 500 men and women were dealt with at these sessions who were guilty of no definite offence, but were people who loafed about the streets, could not or would not work, and were people on whom existing prison treatment had no good effect; and whether in view of the cost to the country generally from this treatment, his Department can recommend more beneficial and reformative methods of treatment which would include assured and useful forms of work for the class referred to.

This matter was fully considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Vagrancy, to whose Report I must refer the hon. Member. It involves large and important questions which require, and are receiving, the careful consideration of the Departments concerned. I quite agree that it is desirable if possible to find a better way of dealing with this class of cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the position of assistant inspector of factories is subject to competitive examination; how many assistant inspectors are there; how many assistant inspectors of factories have been appointed during the three years last past; and when will candidates for this position be called up again, and for how many vacancies.

The post of factory inspector's assistant is usually filled up by a competitive examination among a certain number of candidates nominated by the Home Secretary. There are now forty assistants. One was appointed in 1904 to fill a vacancy caused by retirement, and four additional appointments were made in 1906. The date of the next examination depends on the occurrence of a vacancy, and I cannot say for certain when that will be.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the charges made for summonses for non-payment of borough rates vary in the Metropolitan boroughs, the practice in some boroughs being to charge 6d. or 1s., whilst in others as much as 2s. 6d. or 3s. 6d. is charged; will he consider the expediency of taking steps to secure a uniform system; in what way are these charges accounted for; and whether he will consider the practicability of discontinuing them.

All I can say is that in the Table of Fees for Justices' Clerks in force in the county of London, the authorised fee for complaint, summons, and hearing in a rate case is 1s. where the sum involved is under 40s., and 2s. where it is above 40s. I have no information as to the charges mentioned in the Question, but if the hon. Member brings any specific cases to my notice I will make further inquiry.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the steamship "Berlin" was carrying bags of vegetable or animal oil and a vessel of an approved pattern for distributing it in the water in rough weather, as required by the provisions of The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; if so, whether it was used for the purpose of saving lives after the wreck of the steamer; and what is the depth of water in the Hook of Holland harbour.

I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade in view of the recent wreck of the steamship "Berlin" at the Hook of Holland and the loss of many lives, will he consider the expediency of taking such action as may be necessary to require all steamers to be equipped with an apparatus or wave subduer for the distribution of oil on broken seas during stormy weather.

I will reply to the hon. Member's Question and to that of my hon. friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty at the same time. As the House is aware, a formal investigation into the circumstance of the lamentable wreck of the "Berlin" has been ordered, and pending the result of that inquiry, I do not think it would be expedient for me to refer to any matters bearing on the case. The matters referred to in the Question are of a nature which might be considered at the inquiry.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the depth of the water?

I am afraid I cannot.

Does the right hon. Gentleman possess any power to secure that approaches to harbours used in this cross-channel traffic shall be adapted to the steamers using them.

I have no power at all in foreign waters.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the objections raised by Welsh slate quarry proprietors to the German tariff of 1906; what representations were made to the German Government in view of these objections; what concessions were ultimately accorded; and how does the new duty on slates obtained as the result of these negotiations compare with the rates before the present German tariff came into operation. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the value of the exports of Welsh slates to Germany in each of the last five years.

Welsh slate quarry proprietors objected to the provision in the new Conventional German tariff that blue or grey slates of less than five millimetres in thickness must be punched with a hole at a certain distance from the edge in order to claim admittance at the reduced rate of sixty-five pfennigs applicable to roofing slate, and to avoid the higher rate of one mark applicable to table slates. If this provi-

Is it not the fact that whereas the tariff was 5s. per ton, it is now 6s. 7d.?

I have said it has been raised from fifty to sixty-five pfennigs.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the twelve months ending 30th June, 1905, the combined exports of wheat from Canada and the United States to the United Kingdom amounted to 15,187,000 bushels, whereas the combined imports into the United Kingdom in

The figures stated by the hon. Member for the export of wheat to the United Kingdom from the United States and Canada combined are not correct. They should have been 500,000 bushels greater. The hon. Member has ignored the exports of United States wheat, via Canada, and of Canadian wheat via United States, and also the difference between the American and the British bushel. The remaining discrepancy between the correct figures and those of the recorded imports into the United Kingdom from Canada and the United States combined is probably due mainly to the diversion of floating cargoes.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether for the advantage of the traders of this country and of the unemployed, he will now state what markets there are yet remaining to be exploited for our commerce.

All available information as to new openings for British goods is published from time to time in the Board of Trade Journal, or when confidential, is communicated direct to Chambers of Commerce and others interested.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman can give a more definite Answer than that. He stated the other day, in his speech at Nottingham, that there were vast markets not yet exploited for our commerce.

Order, order! The hon. Member is now arguing the matter.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the proposal in the Canadian House of Commons to limit the preference in British goods to those landed in Canadian ports; and if he can form any estimate of the relative amount of goods passing through Canada in bond for places in the United States, with the amount of goods passing through the United States in bond to places in Canada.

I am aware that a proposal of this nature has been made. I cannot give any estimate with regard to the value of goods passing in bond through Canada for the United States, or vice versa, but the value of re-exports of imported merchandise from Canada to the United States in the year 1905–6 is stated in the Canadian returns to have been £1,347,000, including the goods transhipped at Montreal for the United States. The total value of merchandise imported into Canada from other countries, via the United States, is stated in the same returns to have been £5,331,000.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will say what is the usual rate of insurance charged by railway companies, say the London and North Western Railway, the Great Western Railway, and the Great Northern Railway, upon furniture; do these companies require furniture imported from Ireland to be differently packed from the same article offered for carriage in England. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will say whether a clearance house rate of £5 10s. per ton, 5s. 6d. per cwt., is charged by railway companies on the carriage of furniture and such commodities booked over their lines in Great Britain and Ireland; is he aware that any fraction over a ton is charged at the rate for one and a-half tons, and that any fraction over the one and a half tons is charged for at the rate of two tons; and will he say whether, seeing that this system has the effect of raising this particular freightage charge, he will make representations to the railway companies with a view to securing more equitable treatment in this connection.

I am having inquiry made as to the points raised in the Questions of the hon. Member with reference to the carriage of furniture, and will inform him of the result.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if the whole of the £200,000 voted for the unemployed has been expended; and, if not, to what object the balance will be devoted.

The whole of the Grant has not been spent. Any sum remaining unexpended on the 31st instant will be surrendered to the Exchequer. In the meantime, I am continuing to deal with applications made to me by the local bodies under the Unemployed Workmen Act.

How much of the grant has been applied to the relief of the unemployed in Ireland?

£10,000.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that nearly 700 names are at present on the Manchester unemployed register; that less than 100 of these are attached to the building trade, and that, with the limitations of the Unemployed Act, the distress committee can find work for only a small number each month; and whether having now declined to propose any Amendment of the Act, notwithstanding that such Amendment was previously promised, he can state that he has other methods to recommend whereby local authorities may better deal with unemploment.

I have seen a statement to the effect that at the end of January last there were 687 persons on the labour register at Manchester. It rests with the distress committee to propose schemes for the provision of work for the unemployed, and in October last I expressed my willingness to consider an application from them for a payment out of the Grant; but it is only recently that I have received any such application.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the register of unemployed represents but a very small proportion of the total number unemployed, and that the distress committee, with the present limitation under the law, find it absolutely impossible to provide work for them?

I can only deal with the names on the register. On October 12th I sent a circular to the Manchester Committee offering a grant. On February 25th I received a reply containing a representation as to a certain farm colony, but I asked for details which I believe are being obtained for me.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the appeal for funds issued by the Central (Unemployed) Body for London, as well as those sent out by other distress committees, have been in-effectual in consequence of there being a balance of the £200,000 Grant still remaining in the hands of his Department, he will consider the advisability of disbursing that balance in grants to the various committees in order that they may do the work they were appointed to do but which they are now prevented from doing by want of means.

If the distress committee of any district in which there is exceptional distress apply to me at once for a payment out of the Grant, and submit a definite scheme of useful work, I shall be prepared to consider it; but I could not undertake to distribute the balance of the Grant amongst the committees generally.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed by the Norwich Distress Committee to the case of William George Jex, who was discharged from the 3rd Rifle Brigade at Devonport on 28th July, 1906, after serving six and a-half years with a character marked very good, and who is regarded as not possessing the necessary residential qualification for assistance under the Unemployed Workmen Act, though, with the exception of his term of Army service, he has resided all his life in the city; and whether, having regard to the hardship thus placed upon men who have served their country, he will take early steps to remove the restriction, thereby enabling such men to participate under the Act.

My attention has been called to the case mentioned, but I am not empowered to remove the restriction referred to in the Question, as this is imposed by the Act.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he will make such alterations as are necessary to enable royal and other societies to send their weekly, monthly, or quarterly journals through the post at the uniform charge of ½d.

I regret that I do not see my way to introducing the fresh legislation which would be necessary in order to bring them within the registered newspaper post.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what book of rules was referred to by the Secretary of the Post Office on the 20th July, 1906, when he stated before the Post Office Servants' Committee that the general book of rules is accessible to everyone in the service; and whether all Post Office officials have free acess to such book of rules without making written application.

The reference quoted by the hon. Member was to the book of "Rules for Head Postmasters and other officers of the Post Office." This book should be accessible to all members of the Post Office Service without written application.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what increase has taken place in the number of the Post Office staff at Battle, Sussex, during the last ten years; and what is the greatest number on duty at that office at any one time.

Since 1898, when payment of a fixed salary and allowances for assistance were introduced at Battle, Sussex, in lieu of payment by commission, there has been an increase of one—making four altogether—in the number of assistants employed indoors. There has been no change in the last ten years in the number of postmen employed. The greatest number of officers on duty at any one time is thirteen—ten postmen and three indoor officers.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the Code of the Board of Education will be applicable to the newly-constituted Welsh Department of the Board; and, if so, whether questions which now arise as to the construction of the Code will be determined by the Permanent Secretary at Whitehall or the Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Department.

The Code will continue to apply to Wales unless and until it is thought advisable to establish a separate Code of Regulations for Elementary Schools in Wales. Questions as to the construction of the Code, like all other questions arising out of the Board's administration, whether in England or Wales, will be determined by me or on my responsibility.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if the Secretary of the new Welsh Department will be subordinate to the Permanent Secretary of the Board.

The Answer is in the negative.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if the existing officers and clerks of the Board of Education, who are to work in the new Welsh Department under the new secretary, will continue to have access to, and be subject to supervision by, the Permanent Secretary and Chief Clerk of the Board; and whether the officers of the Welsh Department will be entitled to promotion in other branches of the office, and vice versa.

I am not yet in a position to say how far it will be possible or expedient to assign a clerical staff exclusively to the work of the Welsh Department, but in any case the transfer of any officer to or from the Welsh Department will not be allowed to affect his prospects of promotion.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of this House having declared itself in favour of the immediate abolition of ecclesiastical assessments in Scotland by a large majority, in which Scottish opinion was represented by thirty-five votes to six, the Government can now state what steps they propose taking to give effect to such an expression of Scottish views and to relieve Scotland of this long-standing grievance.

As my hon. friend is aware, the terms of the Resolution moved by the Member for East Edinburgh upon this subject were assented to by the Lord Advocate on behalf of the Government, but I am unable to give any undertaking now in regard to legislation.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if any action has been taken on the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tweed Fishery Acts that persons claiming exclusive rights to fishing in parts of the rivers and streams should be called on to prove their title by production of charters or other muniments.

In the years 1896 and 1897 some investigation was made by the Commissioners of Woods into some of the titles to salmon fishings in the River Tweed as to which there seemed to be a doubt. The investigation, as far as it was carried, did not warrant claims being made by the Crown, and having regard to the probable value of the fishings as to which further information was desired and the expense which further investigation would have involved it was considered undesirable to press the inquiry further at the time.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if the masters of all vessels found trawling in the Moray Firth will be prosecuted.

Yes, if they are British subjects.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, having regard to the fact that, under the Act of last year, the Board of Trustees to manage the National Galleries of Scotland must be established by the 1st April, is he yet in a position to announce the names of the chairman and members of the Board.

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what steps he proposes to take to prevent crofter leaseholders from being evicted pending the consideration of the promised Bill to amend the Crofters' Act of 1886.

I strongly deprecate any action of the kind referred to by my hon. friend. Pending the introduction of the Bill, however, I am not in a position to give any undertaking.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that large areas of the crofters common grazings in the island of Lewis are absolutely valueless for grazing purposes, being merely skinned land from which the peat has been removed; and will he consider the expediency of introducing a clause into the promised Crofters Act (1886) Amendment Bill to render such land available for the erection of fishermen's dwellings.

The point shall be considered.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the sentence of five months imprisonment passed on Driver Gourlay at Edinburgh yesterday in connection with the Arbroath disaster; and whether, in view of the absence of unanimity among the jury, of their recommendation of leniency, the extenuating circumstances under which the accident took place, and the advanced age of Gourlay, he will consider the advisability of revising or remitting the sentence.

said he had received last evening a telegram on the subject of this trial. Substantially the hon. Member's Question accurately narrated the conviction and the recommendation of the jury. It was not within his province to deal with the revision or remittance of the sentence, but he had mentioned the matter to his right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland, to whom, perhaps, the hon. Member would put a specific Question on the point.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangement had been made with Norway with regard to their withdrawal of trawling rights in the Moray Firth; and whether it was the intention of the Government to maintain the three-mile limit as now defined.

said the first part of the Question should be addressed to the Foreign Office, which was in communication with the Norwegian Government in reference to the situation which had arisen in regard to the Moray Firth. The three-mile limit was not in question.

Is the Scottish Office acting in sympathy with the Foreign Office in this question?

No doubt the Government is acting as a whole.

asked if the Government had considered the probability of foreign countries retaliating by closing considerable tracts of fishing ground if this policy of protection was continued.

That and all other considerations will no doubt be attended to.

asked if the Government with regard to this question would give due attention to the protests from numerous big fishing centres in the world against the action of the Government.

asked that attention should also be given to the protests from the line fishing industry, also a large one.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 1,000 steam trawlers go out of the Humber—

Order, order! Notice should be given of that Question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that nearly all the untenanted land in Westmeath, outside of desmesnes, is evicted land; that many of the young men reared upon uneconomic holdings are descendants of tenants evicted from the better lands, and have hoped to be enabled to remain in Ireland as purchasers of new holdings on those lands at prices to be fixed by the Estates Commissioners; and, seeing that the Act of 1903 in more than three years working has done nothing to this end, and the emigration season is again approaching, can he hold out any hope of dealing with the problem this session.

I informed the hon. Member yesterday of the steps which the Estates Commissioners are taking for the acquisition of untenanted land in Westmeath. The Commissioners are not aware how far the statements contained in the Question may be correct, but, as the hon. Member knows, their powers as to the classes whom they may provide with land are strictly limited by the statute. The Commissioners, when distributing land, fully consider the claims of all qualified persons. I hope to be able to deal with the problem during this session.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, having regard to the fact that Land Commissioners, Sub-Commissioners, assessors, valuers, and inspectors of land, whose findings affect the property and livelihood of two important sections of the community engaged in litigation with each other, have hitherto been almost exclusively nominees of one of those sections, to the detriment of the other section, and competent men of character have been excluded from even nomination, will he take advantage of the present opportunity to inaugurate, in appointing to all these positions, a system of public advertisement and competitive examination, subject to impartial rules analogous to those in force in other branches of the public service. I beg also to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in view of the prevalent dissatisfaction with the system of official land valuing which has been twenty-six years in operation in Ireland, and the approaching revision of the staff engaged in this work, will he throw this branch of the public service open to all competent men of character and practical experience, irrespective of creed and politics, by establishing a system of appointment as a result of impartial public examination; and, if he cannot do this, will he state what the objection is.

The Answer to both of these Questions is in the negative. I should be glad if some system could be devised whereby the Government would be relieved of the doubtful boon of patronage in these cases, but I am afraid that a system of competitive examination would not be appropriate.

Have the Government abandoned the principle of qualifying examinations for these Land Commission appointments?

Is knowledge of the value of land deemed to be one of the main qualifications?

Certainly. I can conceive no other more important. If a qualifying examination is found to be useful we shall not abandon it.

But it was abandoned last year for the first time.

The question is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of persons purporting to be evicted tenants who have made claims for reinstatement under the Land Act of 1903 to date.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received applications from 7,156 persons who seek reinstatement as evicted tenants.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the four sons of an evicted tenant, who has died since his eviction, are to be regarded by the Estates Commissioners as four evicted tenants; and if four farms will be provided for them.

The Estates Commissioners hold that under Section 2 (1) (d) of the Act of 1903 they have no power to make advances to four sons of an evicted tenant. They may nominate one son or other person as the representative of a deceased evicted tenant.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many estates were vested in the purchasers by the Estates Commissioners in the months of December, 1906, January and February, 1907, respectively; and what was the total amount of the purchase money.

The total number of estates vested in purchasers during the three months mentioned was 152, and the amount of the advances made, £1,170,032. I will furnish with to-night's Votes a tabular statement, showing for each month the figures in respect of each class of sale.†

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state, of the total number of evicted tenants in Ireland who have made claims for reinstatement, how many were dispossessed of their holdings under judgments obtained by merchants and creditors other than landlords, and for causes of action other than rent.

The total number of applicants is 7,156. The Estates Commissioners have no knowledge as to how many of these applicants were dispossessed of their holdings at the instance of persons other than landlords.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether

†See col. 14.

he is aware that Sir Horace Plunkett, the Vice-President of the Agricultural Department in Ireland, was absent from his duties for upwards of two months in America; did he ask permission for thus absenting himself, and, if so, from whom and on what grounds; by whom were Sir Horace Plunkett's duties discharged in his absence; and why is the privilege of being absent from duties, which he is paid to discharge, granted to Sir Horace Plunkett while not extended to other members of the Civil Service.

Sir Horace Plunkett's visit to the United States extended from 6th December to 26th January. It was made during his annual holiday and did not exceed the amount of leave to which he is officially entitled. Nearly half of his stay in the United States was devoted to inquiries made on behalf of his Department at the Department of Agriculture and other public offices in Washington, at Agricultural colleges in four States, and at several technical institutions. His duties are discharged in his absence by the secretary of the Department. These arrangements are approved by the Chief Secretary for the time being.

When does the right hon. Gentleman intend to grant Sir Horace permanent leave of absence?