To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give, for purposes of discussion on the Navy Estimates, the total sums set down in the Navy Estimates, 1907–8, of Great Britain, France, Germany, and the United States for shipbuilding, repairs, and armaments, on the same basis as the Answer given on 13th November, 1906.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state the basis of the increase in the Estimate for building grants for local authorities' training colleges from the £15,000 voted for this year to £150,000 to be voted in 1907–8.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what were the inclusive expenses incurred by the public in transferring Colonel Bray, as Chief Accountant, from Aldershot to York in January, 1906, and Mr. McArthur from Salisbury to York, in February, 1907, on succeeding Colonel Bray in the appointment respectively; and what were the total emoluments of each official prior to assuming this appointment.

To ask the Secretary of State for War under what Vote the expenses of transferring civilian members of the Army Accounts Department are included.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any limit to the cost of conveying civilian members of the Army Accounts Department from one appointment to another; and whether, in view of the Director of Army Finance Circular, dated 28th February, 1905, wherein provision is made for the conveyance of civilians and their families only, he will state the authority for placing the entire cost of removing the belongings and effects of such civilians, together with compensation, upon public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what provision is made for the conveyance of military members of the Army Accounts Department and their belongings when transferred from one station to another.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, whereas officers and subordinate members of the Army Pay Corps are liable for duty abroad, civilian members of the Army Accounts Department can only be invited to volunteer for service abroad, and are granted substantial additional pay for such service.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what are the total emoluments in Malta of the present civilian first-class assistant accountant, and military first-class assistant accountant respectively; and how much does each receive as Colonial allowance; and what are the rates granted in other Colonial stations to civil and military members respectively.

To ask the Postmaster General, if he will state the names of the firms holding contracts for making Post Office uniforms and the prices paid them previous to 1st January, 1907; and will he state the names of the present contractors and the prices paid.

To ask the President of the Board of Education what will be the probable cost of medical inspection under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Bill; and whether the grant will be in any way influenced by such inspection as is carried out by local education committees.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will state what expert staff it is proposed to provide at the Board of Education to advise as to sanctioning arrangements under Clause 10 (b) of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Bill; and will there be any machinery, by inspection or otherwise, for standardising or ensuring efficiency in the medical measures carried out by the local authorities and for reporting to the Minister for Education on the valuable scientific materials of educational value likely to become available.

To ask the President of the Board of Education if he will lay upon the Table a Statement showing the details of the expenditure during the present financial year of the £200,000 voted under Item C as special grants to certain local education authorities.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the fact that the Scottish bay known by the name of the Moray Firth is specifically referred to in an Act of Parliament (1889) as the waters between the headlands known as Duncan by Head and Rattray Point, a distance of seventy-five and three-quarter miles, he will say whether any trawlers of foreign nations, other than the Grimsby-Norwegians, have ever fished there since June, 1903.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, under Sub-section 3 (c)of Clause 28, Territorial and Reserve Forces Bill, the balances standing to the credit of all regimental funds will, on the transfer of a regiment to the territorial force, be credited to the funds of the county association.

To ask the Secretary of State for War how many 15-pounders for the use of the Artillery Volunteers will be converted during the next financial year under the grant of £10,000 to be voted for that purpose; and what proportion of this stock of guns will remain for conversion at the end of 1907–8.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether there will be in Ireland eight nucleus Regular battalions intended to co-exist with the Irish Militia, enlisted under Part III. of his scheme; and whether, in consequence, an increased number of recruits, taking Militia and Regulars together, will be required in Ireland in the future, or whether a decrease in the number of Irish Militia battalions and the decrease in artillery will meet any increase causer by the formation of Irish nucleus Regular battalions.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if expert knowledge of any foreign language is a sine qua non when qualifications of candidates for the post of military attaché to foreign courts are considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the estimate that under a seven and five years system of enlistment the number of men in the Reserve could be calculated in the proportion of five to seven of those with the colours was made on the authority of the Actuarial Department of the War Office; whether the numbers of men serving with the colours and with the Reserve respectively have ever stood in such proportion under a seven and five years system; whether they stand in those proportions now; and whether he has any official estimates showing that they will do so.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is now in a position to state what price has been fixed by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the J. W. Leahy estate at Aghatubrid, seeing that the estate was thoroughly inspected last year, and that the decision us to price was left to the Estates Commissioners on 6th January.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Beirne who lately surrendered his farm at Tonlagee; whether he is aware that this surrender was caused by intimidation, and that Mr. Beirne has stated in public that he is the victim of an act of robbery, but that he will forego his interest in the farm if the Estates Commissioners will find money to endorse the plunder; and whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps to purchase this farm.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of teachers of national schools in Ireland with over twenty-five years service from whom salary was withdrawn during the year 1906; how many of these received no remuneration for loss of means of earning a livelihood; and will he recommend the Commissioners of National Education to take their cases into consideration, and grant them some recompense for loss of employment.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the amount available, including the sum to be voted in this year's Estimates, for the building, enlarging, and improving of Irish primary schools; and whether he has estimated what further sum will be required to place these schools in a satisfactory condition.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what has caused the delay on the part of the Estates Commissioners in completing the sale to the tenants on the estate of Sir Edmund Hayes, near Letterkenny, country Donegal, the evicted tenants having been reinstated, the agreements to purchase signed, and the estate lodged in 1904; is he aware that the Commissioners' inspector has been over the estate, and that the landlord and tenants are equally anxious to have the matter ended; and whether he can say when the sale will be completed; and, if so, when the vesting orders will be issued to the tenants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of Mr. J. W. French, a Justice of the Peace for county Galway, in a case heard at Athenry, in which two men were convicted by the majority of magistrates for poaching and fined respectively 30s. and 20s.; whether Mr. French, being one of the presiding Justices, in open Court advised one of the accused not to pay the fine which had been inflicted by a majority of the Justices; and whether, seeing that such conduct is calculated to bring the law into contempt, the attention of the Lord Chancellor has been drawn to the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say what is the population of Dowra, county Cavan; what is the present strength of the police force stationed there; how many of these are extra police; what will the extra tax be per month; will he say why the extra police are stationed in Dowra, and whether their services are required in county Cavan; have any offences against the person been recently reported; and will he give the details of reports which, it is alleged, warrant the detention of extra police in Dowra.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the arrest of a respectable young man named Nicholas Moran, of Coldwood, Athenry, in the early hours of Sunday night, 10th ultimo, who was carried off to Athenry during the night, and locked up in the police cell for thirty-six hours before being remanded to Galway Gaol; whether he is aware that this man was refused the option of bail by most respectable people; what was the crime with which he was charged; and, seeing that he is an only son to an aged mother, will he instruct the police authorities to allow him out on bail.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many students are attending the Agricultural College, under the Agricultural Board at Athenry; how many teacher-instructors are employed giving instruction; what is the extent of the land worked in conjunction with this Agricultural College; and what is the cost, including rent of land, fees to professors and teachers, etc., of maintaining the college for the past twelve months.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether Brevet-Colonel A. J. Arnold, whose name appears on page 68 of the monthly Army List asone of the officers in special extra-regimental employment, is in the employment in any, and what, capacity of the Portuguese Chartered Company at Beira, in Mozambique; if so, what, if any, salary is he paid by the Portuguese Chartered Company; is he in receipt of his full pay as an officer in the British Army; and, seeing that Beira is not a British possession, on what grounds is his extra-regimental employment justified.

To ask the Secretary of State, for War if he will give instructions to the officer in command at the Glen of Imaal (county Wicklow) artillery camp during the coming summer practice to obtain, if possible, the supply of hay from the farmers or contractors residing in the neighbourhood of the camp.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the loan made to the Colony of Mauritius to facilitate the re-building of houses destroyed by the great hurricane was issued by an Imperial guarantee; whether the repayment of the loan was satisfactory; and, if so, whether he will favourably consider the advisability of giving similar aid to the Colony of Jamaica to further the rebuilding of the town of Kingston.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reference to his Answer on 31st October last that the Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth has been instructed to reserve his assent to the Australian Preference Bill, although the Law Officers of the Crown had not up to that time been consulted, whether the views of the Law Officers have now been obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the London and China Syndicate have now received a telegram from their agents in China stating that the Chinese have definitely declined the proposal under which the Chinese might have secured 40 per cent. participation in the development of the Anhui Mining Concession, he will now, in accordance with his statement, made on 5th July, 1906, in the House of Commons, take such steps as will cause the Chinese Government to recognise, without further delay, the Anhui Mining Final Contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Parsee merchant murdered at Yezd in February last was a Persian or a British subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he can make any statement as to the disposal of the site or buildings of the old War Office.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he will give the grievances of clerks to surveyors of taxes his consideration; is he aware that 373 of such clerks have served in tax offices for periods ranging from five to thirty years; will he say why the Treasury allege they are private clerks of the surveyors when the surveyor has no voice in fixing such clerks' salary or leave, and cannot engage or dismiss a clerk without the sanction of the Board of Inland Revenue; is he aware that the salaries are paid direct by the Board of Inland Revenue; and will he explain why these alleged private clerks are subject to the rules of a Board who state they are not their servants; and whether he will state why the surveyors are not allowed to deal with their alleged private clerks without the interference of the Board of Inland Revenue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will say what are the dietary, labour, and other conditions of imprisonment for male and female prisoners in English and Welsh gaols who are sentenced to eighteen months, twenty-one months, or two years imprisonment with hard labour; whether there is any difference in such dietary, labour, and conditions of imprisonment for prisoners confined at Borstal or treated under the Borstal system; and, if so, what those differences are.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland, what were the amounts provided in Scotland in each of the years 1905and 1906, or expended out of them, for education, Poor Law administration, registration of voters, and main roads, and what was the gross estimated rental and rateable value upon which such rates were levied.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works, if he is now in a position to state his proposal for dealing with the site of the Duke of York's School at Chelsea.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that Mr. Henry Taylor, a registered commoner of the New Forest, has, during three seasons, been prevented by the deputy surveyor from exercising his right of cutting turves on the New Forest for consumption as fuel in his messuage, as entered upon the statutory register of New Forest Commoners; and whether, seeing that the existence of Mr. Taylor's right has been admitted by His Majesty's Commissioner in charge of the New Forest, it is proposed to pay Mr. Taylor any, and what, compensation for this interference with his statutory rights.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the sum of £137,840 constitutes the total estimated State expenditure for the financial year 1907–8 in respect of the industries of agriculture and fisheries.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if the Board are aware that the American gooseberry mildew has been found in fourteen counties in Ireland, and that diseased bushes are at present on sale in many nursery gardens in Ireland; and if the Board will take immediate steps to prevent the spread of the disease through the sale of such bushes.

To ask the President of the Board of Education why the grants in aid of the cost of the provision of training colleges by local education authorities are not also payable in aid of the cost of the provision of hostels.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to statements made by Local Government Board medical inspectors in Reports by them, quoted in the Report from the Select Committee on the Housing of the Working Classes Acts Amendment Bill, to the effect that certain medical officers of health and inspectors of nuisances in rural districts were, in fact, receiving inadequate salaries; whether the Local Government Board have recommended the repayment of a moiety of the salaries by the county councils in these cases; and, if so, whether it has received the consideration of the Board that they are thereby placed in the position of giving their approval to salaries which have been stated by their inspectors to be inadequate for a proper discharge of the duties required of such officers.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Court of King's Bench having recently held, on the appeal of the Pontypool Union v. Buck, that a married woman with ample separate estate is not liable to contribute towards the maintenance of her parents or parent; and whether, seeing that this decision creates a distinction between the sexes, and in view of the desirability of the removal of this distinction, he will introduce legislation with this object.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners claim to be entitled to accept conveyances of glebe land, and allow the same to be used as burial ground, without the consent of the Local Government Board or any sanitary authority, and that this proceeding is now contemplated with respect to glebe lands in the parish of Great Stanmore, notwithstanding that attention has been called to the unsuitableness of the site from a sanitary point of view; and whether he will take steps to assert a right of interference for the protection of sanitary interests, and will introduce legislation to prevent such a method of opening burial grounds without the consent of the Local Government Board.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the declarations made by members of His Majesty's Government against the continuance of the duty on sugar, he is now prepared to consider the advisability of abolishing or reducing the same; and whether His Majesty's Government has yet come to a decision as to the attitude to be taken with regard to the removal of the Sugar Bounties.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the date of the last examination for solicitors to obtain appointments in the Estate Duty Offices, and whether he is aware that these appointments are still open to solicitors; and whether any notification has been given of their being withdrawn from solicitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that natives of India who belong to the Indian Civil Service are not allowed to contribute to the family pension fund; and whether he is aware that, while the Indian Civil Service family funds were separate, they were so allowed, and that this disability only began when all the funds were consolidate and placed under Government; and whether he is aware that Natives of India who belong to the Indian Medical Department are allowed to contribute to the family fund of that service; and whether he can give any reason for this differentiation of treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether any information is available regarding the cost of manufacturing of synthetic indigo which can be placed at the disposal of indigo growers in India.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state when a sitting of the Land Sub-Commission was held for the Athlone and Ballinasloe rural districts of the County Roscommon; and whether, in view of the fact that numerous cases listed for more than two years are awaiting a hearing, he will see that a sitting for these districts be held without delay.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the receiver on the Abraham Evans Estate, situate at Killooman, barony of Dromahair, County of Leitrim, has demanded rent from the tenants, notwithstanding his undertaking that they would not be called on to pay rent pending the negotiations for the sale of the estate; whether he is aware that Judge Ross has promised to sell the estate to the Land Commission; and will he take steps to have the interests of the tenants safeguarded pending the sale.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many prosecutions have taken place in Belfast during the year 1906 for non-attendance of children at school; and how many, if any, of such prosecutions have been against members of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what sum is included in the Estimates of 1907–8 for travelling expenses of the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; and under what item this sum will be voted.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the delay in the reinstatement of Mr. Edmond Flavin upon his former holdings on the Ponsonby Estate, county Cork, is causing him loss and inconvenience, inasmuch as when Mr. Flavin was informed by the Estates Commissioners, some considerable time since, that they were arranging for his reinstatement, he ploughed up his present holding, and is consequently in a state of uncertainty as to cropping, etc.; and whether he will represent this fact to the Estates Commissioners, with a view to a speedy settlement of Mr. Flavin's case and to the payment of the promised grant of £200.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that, in accordance with the terms of Section 3, Sub-section 5, of the Irish Education Act, 1892, the whole amount of fines imposed under this statute has hitherto been applied in relief of the local rates in Ireland; that quite recently the justices of Carlow Petty Sessions received a circular letter from the Registrar of Petty Sessions, Clerks Office, Dublin Castle, to the effect that only one-third of such fines may be paid to the local authority, the balance to go to the Crown; and, as the annual expenditure in connection with the working of the Act has always exceeded the revenue annually derived from the fines, will he direct, in the interest of primary education in Ireland, that the full amount of the fines imposed under this Act, will, as hitherto, be applied in relief of the local rates.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will say if the estate of H. Adkins or Mrs. Sinclair and another, trustees, county Cavan, is at present before the Estates Commissioners; will he see that inspection takes place on this estate; and when may the tenants expect to have their holdings vested in them.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners had received applications for reinstatement from Patrick Carolan, William King, and Mrs. Catherine Carolan, the evicted tenants on Sir Robert Hudson's estate, in county Cavan; and will he further state whether this estate is yet before the Commissioners for sale.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the estate referred to is at present before them. The applications of the evicted tenants named have been received and will be considered in connection with the sale of the estate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether with regard to the contemplated construction under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act, 1902, of a harbour at Innishlyre, county Mayo, he is aware that his predecessor in office consulted his brother, the hon. Member for Inverness Burghs, as to the relative merits of such a harbour as against the construction of a railway from Mallaranny, county Mayo, to Belmullet; that the latter advised his brother, the ex-Chief Secretary, to abandon the proposed Innishlyre harbour and construct the railway from Mallaranny to Belmullet; and that the hon. Member for Inverness Burghs informed the late hon. Member for West Mayo of such an arrangement and assured him that the line would be made; could he say whether any minute or record to that effect has been left by the late Chief Secretary at the Irish Office; and would he give a statement of the negotiations carried on by the late Chief Secretary with regard to such harbour and railway line.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on 10th March, 1903, the Under-Secretary for Ireland informed the Mayo County Council that out of the £100,000 voted under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act, 1902, it was proposed to construct a harbour at Innishlyre, near Westport, country Mayo, at a total cost of £40,000, but that it would be necessary for the county council to levy a special county-at-large rate for the maintenance of harbour constable and other expenses; that a resolution agreeing to levy this special rate amounting to £3,840, was passed by the county council on 12th December, 1904; that the Under-Secretary informed the county council that a railway deviation, involving an expenditure of £38,000, would be constructed, that it was intended to connect Belmullet with the Midland Great Western Railway and to expend the sum of £24,000 on piers and jetties for that purpose out of unexpended balances under the Railways (Ireland) Act, 1896, and that, in addition to those inducements to the county council to levy the county-at-large special rate, the Under-Secretary attended a meeting of the council on 15th October, 1904, and induced them to strike the necessary rate; is he aware that no attempt has since been made to construct those works; and will he say why the works have not been constructed and what has become of the promised grants.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any action to purchase from the landlord, Mr. James Lloyd, his grazing land, containing about 1,000 acres, which are situate at Longford, in the parish of Bourney, near Roscrea, in the county of Tipperary, so that they may parcel them up into small holdings in accordance with the provisions of The Land Act, 1903.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have yet entered into negotiations with the landlords, Mr. James Bennett and Mr. George Mitchell, with the view to purchase from them their grazing lands

†See (4) Debates, clxiii., 683.

containing 400 acres and 260 acres respectively, situate in the parish of Bourney, near Roscrea, in the county of Tipperary.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any action with regard to the purchase by them of the grazing lands, containing about 2,500 acres, situate in the parishes of Bourney and Killavinogue, near Roscrea, in the county of Tipperary, the property of Surgeon-General Roe.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will see that the place on the Board of National Education, left vacant by the death of the late Judge Carton, will be filled by the appointment of someone who is qualified to represent the interests of that section of the people whose children have to acquire their education in the schools under the National Board.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can now state the result of the negotiations between the Irish Government, the Congested Districts Board, and County Council of Donegal with reference to the proposed dredging and improvement of the harbour of Burtonport.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how many Protestants and Roman Catholics of all ranks are there in the Dublin metropolitan police force; and the number allotted to each of the several divisions.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any supplementary officers have been appointed to ships in which they were senior to the first lieutenant; and, if so, what duties would be assigned to such officers; and whether supplementary officers can be, and, if so, whether they will be, appointed to positions in the coastguard, habour ships, or dockyards.

Yes, Sir. Supplementary lieutenants are employed on such duties as are assigned to them by the captain. They are eligible for appointments in the coastguard, harbour ships and dockyards, and their claims to such appointments are considered with those of other officers.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has yet 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; and 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.

No official answer has yet been given by the London County Council, but a formal reply has now been requested.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that while, under an existing agreement of 1892, certain persons have contracted to remove furnace and forge ashes from Portsmouth Dockyard and to pay 1s. per ton for them, and under a contract of February, 1906, contractors agreed to pay 2s. a cartload for these ashes, persons have in fact for some time past been paid 1s. 1d. per ton to remove them; and whether he can state who is the officer responsible for enforcing the contracts referred to. I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the grounds upon which the contract for the erection of additional buildings, estimated to cost £40,000, at the Boys' Training Establishment at Shottes, instead of being offered to public tender, was given to the contractor for the original building, and carried out as an extra at an increase of 5 per cent. on the original contract rates; and whether this procedure is in accordance with the usual practice of the Department.

As both these Questions are now under review by the Public Accounts Committee, it would be contrary to the usual practice for me to make any statement.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if the new construction in the American Navy for the year 1905–6 was £11,374,876; if the new construction for the French Navy in the year 1905 cost £5,739,230; if he proposes to increase the British new construction to the sum of £17,000,000; and, if not, will the Admiralty abandon the two-Power theory.

The Answer to the first two Queries is in the affirmative, and to the latter two in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the calamity which has deprived a neighbouring State of one of its first-class battleships, he proposes to reconsider the new construction programme for the British Navy for the year 1907–8.

No, Sir.

Have the Admiralty taken into consideration the fact that the upholders in this House of the pure doctrine of the two-Power standard have repeatedly urged that in estimating the value of that standard no regard must be paid to the circumstance that the relations of this country with one of the Powers concerned may be of the most cordial character?

Every consideration was taken into account by the Admiralty in deciding on the shipbuilding programme.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Statement of Admiralty Policy, 30th November, 1905, showed that we had twelve battleships with nucleus crews of two-fifths complement, which complements it was the intention of the Admiralty to increase; and whether he can state, for purposes of comparison, the number of battleships which will have nucleus crews of three-fifth complement and the number with maintenance parties of 10 per cent. of complement provided under the new scheme of distribution.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, the number of battleships of the Home Fleet with 60 per cent. or more of their full complement on board at Portsmouth and Devonport will be seven, and by the end of the year nine; and of Special Service battleships at the same ports thirteen. The suggestion that it was at one time the intention of the Admiralty to increase the nucleus crews of all ships, irrespective of the use to which they would be put in war, is incorrect.

Is the Hon. Gentleman aware that the intention of increasing the nucleus crews was announced in the Cawdor Memorandum?

I think I said so in my Answer.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Statement of Admiralty Policy, 30th November, 1905, showed on page 37 that there were thirty-three battleships in full commission concentrated in three fleets; whether he is aware that, under the new scheme, there will be thirty-two battleships in full commission in four instead of three fleets, and that six of these battleships will perform less sea work and change two-fifths of their crews under training every eight months; and whether, under these circumstances, the Admiralty adhere to the view that the constitution of the Home Fleet will increase the immediate striking strength of the Navy.

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that three cavalry regiments form a brigade, he will consider the advisability of assigning a cavalry brigade of three regiments to Scotland instead of the two cavalry regiments he hopes to quarter in that country.

As a matter of policy endeavours will be made in future to keep the cavalry regiments which form a brigade as closely concentrated in peace as possible, but I am unable to say at present whether it will be possible to quarter a brigade in Scotland. The adoption of a general system of allotting a brigade of cavalry to each command would involve a considerable addition to the cavalry as a whole.

Has the right hon. Gentleman abandoned the idea of quartering two cavalry regiments in Scotland?

I have said that the matter is still under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, for the use of furniture for the officers' mess, costing about £275, about £36 annually is charged; whether, at the end of eight years, although more than its full value has been paid for by the officers, together with any sums necessary for repairs, the furniture remains the property of the Government; and, if this is so, will the Government make such alterations in the charge imposed for the hire of mess furniture that no profit shall be made by the Government out of its use by officers.

The figures stated are correct for the most usual size of moss, as regards its initial cost and the rent chargeable. In view of the fact that articles damaged through fair wear and tear are replaced or repaired at the expense of the State, that unserviceable china, glass and crockery are similarly replaced up to 15 per cent. per annum of the total value of such articles allowed to the mess, and that worn out kitchen utensils are also so replaced, it cannot be admitted that in eight years more than the full value furniture and equipment supplied will have been paid for by the officers. The furniture and equipment remain the property of the State. In view of the above considerations and of the fact that the rent is held to operate by way of a sinking fund against the capital charge, interest on outlay, cost of storage, carriage, etc., it is apparent that no profit will be made by the State.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether officers in the Army are charged 30s. per annum for the hire of barrack furniture that costs the Government £14 7s. 3d., the officers having to pay for any repairs necessary; whether at the end of nine and a half years, when the full value of the furniture has been paid by officers, it remains the property of the Government; and, if so, will the Government consider the desirability of readjusting the terms of hire of furniture so as not to make any money profit thereby.

In the case of company officers the rent-charge of 30s. is correct, and the average cost of the furniture supplied is about £15. Damages due to fair wear and tear are made good by the State. The furniture remains the property of the State. As the rent-charge includes repairs and replacements, and operates by way of a sinking fund, it is held that no profit is made by the State. Further it would not appear excessive for an officer to pay 5s. a month for the furnishing of his mess and quarters.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the rations of soldiers in billets are to be reduced as follows: bread 8 ozs. instead of 1 lb., potatoes 8 ozs. instead of 1 lb., meat 1 lb. instead of 1¼ lb., beer 1 pint instead of 2 pints; if so, what compensation will the soldier receive: and whether it is calculated that the Government will make any saving by these reductions, and, if so, what, and how is it to be applied.

If the hon. and gallant Member will kindly examine Schedules 1 and 2 of the Army Annual Bill he will find that the soldiers' rations in billets have not been reduced, but, on the contrary, have been spread over three meals instead of two at an increased total cost of two shillings a day, in lieu of 1s. 9d.

Has the beer ration been reduced by one-half?

That is a matter of detail.

It is a very important one to the soldier.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the regimental orders of the Royal Garrison Artillery, 1st Scottish Sub-District, on 1st March, which required officers commanding companies to report not later than 5th March that all trouser pockets of non-commissioned officers andmen under their command had been sewn up or removed, and that neglect of this order would entail a regimental entry in the conduct sheet of any non-commissioned officer or man concerned, and, if so, whether he can see his way to cancel it at once, in view of the feeling it has engendered amongst the men concerned, and the effect it will have on the recruiting for this corps.

The facts as stated in the Question are substantially correct. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command, has issued instructions to cancel the order in question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of some hundred cadets who left Sandhurst in December and are still waiting to be gazetted, and are thus wasting months in enforced idleness without pay; and whether he can hold out any hope of their being gazetted in the near future.

I am aware of the delay that has necessarily occurred in gazetting these cadets and I hope that arrangements can soon be made for appointing them to regiments.

On behalf of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Dublin, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will consent to prepare a Return showing the enactments adapted or applied by the Territorial Forces Bill, analogous to the Returns granted by the Board of Agriculture in respect of the Butter Bill and by the Local Government Board in respect of the Public Health Bill.

Yes, Sir. A Return will be prepared and circulated.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Ceylon Government have now consented to the establishment of a port trust for Colombo; and, if not, will he explain why this has not been done.

The Secretary of State has received no communication from the Ceylon Government on this subject, but he shares the view which that Government is understood to hold, that it is premature to consider the question until the harbour works have been completed. There is an advisory Harbour Board on which representatives of the mercantile community have seats.

was understood to ask why this port, the fifth largest in the world, was so badly managed.

replied that he would convey the views of the hon. Member to the Secretary of State.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been directed to the outrages by the police at Abok, on the Niger, in the Ubaikwam district, and to the proceedings before the Court; and if he will take steps to prevent any repetition of such scenes and to give the natives confidence in British justice, and insist that no such similar expeditions shall be permitted without a British officer or Commissioner being in charge of the native police.

No Report from the Governor on this subject has been received, but the attention of the Secretary of State has been called to the statements in the local newspapers, from which it appears that the native police concerned in the outrages were condemned to sentences from one year's hard labour to three years penal servitude. It also appears that the offences were not committed at Abok (which is the headquarters of a district) but at a village called Ubaikwam in the Abok district. The Governor will be consulted as to the method to be employed in future to prevent a repetition of similar occurrences.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recent cases of administration of the Natal Dealers' Licences Act in the Klip River division, the Lower Umzimkulu division, and the city of Maritzburg, and especially to the cases of Ismail Moosajee, A. M. Kharva, Goorahoo and Lala, Ameer and Hoosen, Mahomed and Amod, Sunthsing, Valli Rasool, Fyzerally and Mawlabuccus, Moosajee Ismail and Company, in the Klip River division, P. N. Chetty, Maritzburg, Mahomed Saduck Vahed, Marburg, Natal, British-Indian shopkeepers of standing, who wererefused renewals of their shop licences by the Board on appeal from the decision of the licensing officer; whether he has perused the Report of the evidence in the various cases referred to, and the remarks of counsel, the licensing officer, and the Board; if not, whether he will do so; and whether he will take steps to impress upon the Government of Natal that this law must not be used as an instrument for exterminating the British-Indian trader in that colony.

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to these cases. The Secretary of State is communicating with the Government of Natal with regard to them.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how wide a strip of land on either side of the Uganda Railway was made State property when the railway was built; what area of this land has since been alienated by lease or sale; and whether any special or increased expropriations were made at the termini of the line.

The width of the strip in question was two miles, i.e., one mile on each side of the railway from the limit of the territory leased from the Sultan of Zanzibar to Lake Victoria. No additional land was acquired at the termini except what was required for stations, water-supply, and subsidiary works. The revenue derived from land sold or leased within the zone is now credited to the general revenue of the Protectorate, and no separate figures are available as to the area of land alienated within the zone. The latest return of grants of land in the East Africa Protectorate, which includes, but does not distinguish, those within the zone, will be found in the Command Paper, No. 2,902 of April last.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to what other purposes £500,000 out of the £3,000,000 allotted to land settlement in South Africa has been temporarily diverted; when that £500,000 will be restored to its original purpose; and by whom will it be administered when so restored.

From the Transvaal Guaranteed Loan statement printed on pages 93–94 of Cd. 3,028, the hon. Member will observe that it was estimated that the loan account would be temporarily overspent on 30th June, 1907, chiefly owing to an excess on Head III. Repatriation and Compensation. As the advances made by way of loan under that head are recovered, the loan account will be adjusted, and it is not anticipated that there will be any even- tual excess of expenditure. In the meanwhile the Intercolonial Council thought it proper to delay certain expenditure originally approved, including the £500,000 referred to by the hon. Member. (See page 58 of Cd. 2,563.) It is of course within the power of the Inter-colonial Council, with the approval of the Secretary of State, to restore that sum, when available, to its original purpose; but there is no obligation upon them to do so, and were the sum restored it would be administered by the Land Settlement Board in accordance with the terms of Section 52 (2) (c) of the Letters Patent, subject to any action which might be taken under Section 49 (2) of the Transvaal Letters Patent. (See pages 9 and 11 of Cd. 3250.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether the lands purchased under Lord Milner's land-settlement scheme for South Africa, but not occupied, when the new Land Board comes into existence will be administered by the new Land Board; and, if not, by whom, and how will they be administered.

Lands not occupied by settlers will not be transferred to or administered by the Land Board, but will be dealt with by the Colonial Government along with other Crown lands.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that forced labour is being employed for the construction of a Government road between Suva and Navua, Fiji, payment to each man amounting to about 4s. per annum; and that the Governor, in view of the fact that the pay was inadequate to provide the natives with clothing, decreed that they should have freedom of choice of work during November and December, so that they might obtain wages to buy clothing; whether the natives in one district were prosecuted for claiming this privilege and were fined, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment; and will he say what action he proposes to take.

I informed the hon. Member on 26th February that the Governor of Fiji would be asked for a Report upon the subject.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information with reference to the unrest among the native population of British East Africa; and if he can state what steps, if any, are being taken to protect settlers living at a distance from the railway.

A telegram has been received from the Acting Commissioner of the British East Africa Protectorate stating that there is not the slightest foundation for the report of a native rising.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary of State has informed or intends to inform the Government of the Transvaal that His Majesty's Government will advise the Crown to veto any legislation which allows the renewal of contracts with the Chinese already in South Africa.

No, Sir, the Secretary of State has no intention of adopting such a course. The Government cannot anticipate the advice they would tender to the Crown upon legislation which has no existence.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there is anything in the New Hebridean Convention concluded by His Majesty's Government to ensure even the minimum wages of 4d. a day, or 10s. a month, to the black labourers bartered under it, if agreement be entered into to take 1d. a month or other lower wage; and further, what precaution has been taken to safeguard the Kanaka females, if sufficiently tall, from becoming the victims of a black slave traffic for the convict population of New Caledonia.

If a labourer proposes to engage himself at a rate lower than the current rate of wages in the group, the officers who will be appointed to ensure that he fully understands the terms of his engagement will of course point out the fact to him; but if this provision proves insufficient to prevent such agreements as the hon. and gallant Member suggests, it is competent for the High Commissioner to make it a condition of issuing the recruiting licence required under Article XXXI. of the Convention that no labourers shall be engaged below a fixed rate. The responsibility for the welfare of all natives recruited in the New Hebrides for service in New Caledonia will rest in the future, as it has done in the past, with the French Government, and His Majesty's Government desire to repudiate the suggestion of scandalous maladministration on the part of that Government which is contained in the concluding words of this Question.

Have the Government taken any steps to carry out the unanimous wishes of Australasia with regard to the penal settlement at New Caledonia?

Obviously notice should be given of that Question.

Is it the intention of the Government to instruct the High Commissioner to fix a minimum rate of wage?

I must ask for the notice of that also.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether there is any method otherwise than by a fresh Convention of modifying that part of Article 46 of the New Hebrides Convention, which provides that in default of agreement a labourer's wages shall betaken to be 10s. a month, and that part of Article 56 which provides that it is only in the event of conviction on a serious charge, or for a second offence, that the recruiting licence may be withdrawn.

Like all international agreements, the New Hebrides Convention can only be modified by the consent of both parties. With regard to the provisions of Article XLVI. (4), I may refer the noble Lord to the Answer given by the Under-Secretary for the Colonies to the hon. and gallant Member for St. Andrews Burghs on the 21st February†; and with regard to Article LVI. (4), I may point out that recruiting licences are valid for one year only, and it is within the discretion of the High Commissioners and their delegates to refuse licences if they are not satisfied as to the character of the applicants.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to say that those Articles can or cannot be modified?

Under the Convention certain regulations can be framed; but those regulations can only be framed for the purpose of carrying out the effect of the Convention.

Has any provision been made so far for a minimum rate?

That does not arise out of the Question.

Are any negotiations going on with the French Government in order to modify these Articles?

No, Sir. It is not proposed to carry on any negotiations with the French Government until after the Colonial Premiers have reached London.

Although the Convention can only be altered with the consent of both parties, cannot either party make regulations independently of the other for labour outside the New Hebrides?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any new regulations have been issued regarding the linguistic attainments required of diplomatic and consular officers; and, if the Answer be in the affirmative, whether he will cause a copy of such regulations to be placed in the Library.

Candidates for the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Service can at present take up any two of the following languages:—Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Modern Greek, Arabic. Under the new regulations which will come into force on 1st July, 1907, they can take up Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Italian or Spanish, all optional subjects. French and Gorman are obligatory, and will continue to be so. There will be no change in the linguistic requirements for the Consular Service. Copies of the regulations will be placed in the Library.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whom and in what way is it proposed to raise the question of a reduction of armaments at The Hague Conference.

My right hon. friend can say nothing as to how this or any other subject is going to be raised at the Conference till the final invitation is issued, and even these questions of procedure must be settled by agreement with the Powers concerned.

Has there been an exchange of views with the United States Government on the subject?

That Question had better be put on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the Report of His Majesty's Consul at Boma with regard to the conditions of labour in San Thoméand Principé.

The Report has been received, and my right hon. friend would refer the hon. Member for Hereford to the Answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Norfolk, N. on the 29th October last.‡

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his

‡See (4) Debates, clxiii., 675.

attention has been drawn to the statement of the chairman of a large London brewery that the value of public-house licences is now between £200,000,000 and £250,000,000, or an annual value of about £10,000,000; and whether he can see his way to recovering for the community by taxation some part of this monopoly value recently presented to the licence holders.

I have not seen the particular statement to which my hon. friend refers, but the whole question of the terms upon which licences are granted and renewed is under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to introduce this session a scheme which will relieve old age and infirmity from the necessity of appealing to the present forms of relief for distress.

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether final notices demanding immediate payment of the income-tax, under threats, were recently issued in Scotland just about the same time that the first reminders of the income-tax were sent out in England; and whether he will give instructions that proceedings shall not be pushed to extremities in Scotland against those whose payments of the tax have been delayed, until the date when the same steps to enforce payment shall be taken against English taxpayers in arrears.

The first day on which the second and third (or final) notices can be issued is the same in both England and Scotland. But it is of course impossible that they should in all cases be issued on the same day. Steps to enforce payment in cases where the tax still remains unpaid are now being taken in both countries. As I have said before, I am anxious to establish equality of treatment between the two countries,; but I think any change ought to be in the direction rather of increased stringency in England than of increased laxity in Scotland.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the methods of collection of income-tax followed in England are regulated by any Statute or Act of Parliament, or whether they can be recalled or altered by himself; and whether, having regard to the more tardy collection of the tax in England than in Scotland, he will say if this delay in collection arises from the system of collection in England.

The law makes the tax payable both in England and Scotland on or before 1st January in each year. The regulations relating to collection of tax after that date must of necessity be regarded as administrative. The working of the regulations in England and Scotland respectively is at present receiving my careful attention.

When will the House have an opportunity of discussing this matter?

I cannot say at the moment.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the heavy discount at which British Government stocks now stand in the markets of the world; and, having regard to the fact that the national credit has never been brought so low within the memory of the present generation, if he proposes to take any steps to restore it.

I fully recognise the serious character of the decline which has taken place in the capital value of our securities of recent years, but I cannot accept the statement that our credit is at the present moment lower than it has ever been within the memory of the present generation. The old Three per cent. Consols, which were for many years generally regarded as the premier security of the world, could so recently as 1885 be purchased as low as 94⅜ and for no single year of their long history did they consistently stand above 100. A price of 100 for a 3 per cent. stock when translated into terms of a 2½ per cent. stock becomes 83⅓. The lowest price recently touched by our present 2½ per cent. Consols was just below 84½. Many of the causes which have contributed to the decline not only of British Government stocks, but also of most other high class securities, which has taken place during the last ten years, are international in their operation and independent of Government control. During the last twelve months I may instance the increased demand for money and consequent rise in the ruling rates of interest, duo to exceptional industrial and commercial activity at home and abroad and to the necessity for replacing the capital destroyed by the San Francisco earthquake and other disasters. On the other hand, the enormous increase of our national expenditure within recent years, the neglect to make adequate provision for the redemption of existing debt and the freedom with which new obligations have been created has, in my opinion, undoubtedly affected the national credit. The steps we propose to take—and are taking—for its restoration are to reduce expenditure, to strengthen the sinking fund and to avoid borrowing for current expenditure on services such as Naval and Military works which ought to be paid for out of current Revenue It is my belief that only by persevering in this course can a permanent improvement be secured.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been drawn to the misappropriation of nearly half a million of money from the sinking fund within the last few days by the Secretary of State for War?

There has been no misappropriation. The money was applied to the reduction of capital expenditure; and it has been approved by a vote of the House.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the fact that that morning British 2½ per cent. Consols could be bought for the April account at 85½, which yielded about £2 18s.; and that Imperial German 3 per cent. could be bought at 84½, which yielded £3 10s.?

asked whether, on the other hand, the attention of the right hon. Gentleman had been called to the high price of French Rentes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lowest point Consols touched was in 1885, the year in which Home Rule was threatened; and is it a mere coincidence that when Home Rule is once more threatened Consols should fall to a low point?

The hon. Gentleman is quite inaccurate. The Home Rule Bill was introduced in 1886.

The word I used was "threatened."

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether His Majesty's Judges, when on circuit, receive £7 10s. a day table money in addition to salary, travelling expenses, and free lodgings provided by the authorities of the various counties visited; and whether at Bristol and Newcastle the corporations defray the whole cost of entertaining the Judges.

Yes, Sir, a Judge receives, when on circuit, an allowance of £7 10s. 0d. a day for the subsistence of himself and his suite. He is also repaid his travelling expenses, and receives, of course, his salary. The duty of providing lodgings for the Judges rests with the Sheriffs of the counties visited, and the Sheriffs receive allowances from the Treasury, according to a fixed scale, in respect of the expenses thus incurred by them. I have no knowledge of the practice referred to at Bristol and Newcastle.

Are not the travelling expenses of the Judges' staff included in the £7 10s.?

The travelling expenses of the Judges' staff are also paid.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, on the 13th February last, Charles Weatherley, age 22, was sentenced at Newington Sessions to three months' imprisonment for breaking into a house and stealing a tobacco-pouch, pipe, cigarette-case, and snuff-box; whether he is aware that this man served for two years in His Majesty Navy and was sent by the Admiralty to Gloucester Lunatic Asylum, suffering from the effects of brain fever and a sunstroke at the end of that service; whether he is aware that this man has since been in another asylum and is in fact a lunatic; and whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made into the case with a view to his treatment as such.

I have made inquiries, and I find that upon this prisoner's reception in prison after conviction the Medical Officer was notified that he had been in Gloucester Asylum and Maidstone Asylum continuously from August, 1904, to October, 1905, when he was discharged cured. Special attention was in consequence given to the prisoner's mental condition; but since his conviction he has shown no sign whatever of any mental unsoundness. On reception he stated to the Medical Officer that he feigned insanity for the purpose of getting discharged from the Royal Navy, and he persists in this statement. The prisoner's mental condition will continue to receive careful attention, but at present no further action on my part appears to be necessary or possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of separation orders made by the magistrates of England during the years 1905 and 1906; and what was the total number of decrees of judicial separation made during the same years by the Judges of the Probate Division of the High Court.

The figures for 1906 will not be available for the next three months. The total number of separation orders made by justices in 1904 was 6,752, and in 1905 the figure was 6,733. The number of decrees for judicial separation was twenty-two in 1904 and twenty-five in 1905.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the policemen on duty in the House of Commons have received no extra pay for extra duties last session; and whether he can see his way clear to rectify this, and at the same time to make provision for payment for extra time on duty at levees, etc.

Police on duty at the Houses of Parliament receive, while so employed, a special allowance of a shilling a day in addition to the ordinary pay of their rank. In addition to this, they receive compensation for all extra duty in the shape of "time off" and also of special leave. This is, I think, sufficient to meet the requirements of the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that two of the warders employed at His Majesty's prison at Pentonville are about to be removed to Devizes and Liverpool; whether he is aware that these men and their co-workers believe the reason for such removal is because they took part in asking for a consideration of their terms of employment; and whether he can recommend to the proper authorities the retention of these men and thus remove the above impression.

Such transfers are usual in the prison service, and officers have often to submit to them in the public interest, even at some inconvenience to themselves and their families. Both these officers have appealed, however, to the Commissioners against such transfer on this ground, and the Commissioners on full consideration do not propose to insist upon the transfers. There is no ground whatever for the impression alleged to be entertained by these officers that their removal was ordered because they took part in asking for a consideration of their terms of employment. Meetings for such a purpose are expressly allowed by Standing Order, subject to the authority of the Governor, and all officers in the prison service are aware that no obstacle is placed in the way of the legitimate expression of their wants in an orderly and approved manner.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to extend the benefits of The Workmen's Compensation Act to all classes of employees.

The Act of last session extended the benefits of the previous Acts to some 6,000,000 persons, and very few classes of employees now remain outside it. I see no ground at present for further legislation.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that a number of employers were afraid to employ casual employees, such as charwomen and gardeners, so that a large number of those classes were now unable to find employment.

I do not know how that can be, as the Act has not come into force.

said there was a feeling among a number of people that the impending Act was responsible for that state of things.

Is it not the fact that that class of labourer can be insured for twelve months against all risk for 2s. 6d.?

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the total amount of the loans contracted by the London County Council between March 1889and March 1907; what sums remained unpaid on 1st March last; and what is the annual charge thereon for interest and sinking fund.

I have communicated with the County Council on this subject, and am informed that the total amount of the loans contracted by them between March 1889 and 31st December 1906, the latest date for which the figures available was, £46,625,500. This sum included a total of £10,248,945 which was advanced to various local bodies in London. The net debt (i.e. outstanding debt, less moneys appropriated or provided for its redemption) was in respect of the above loans on the 31st December last £27,742,585. The charge for interest and sinking fund in respect of this debt will be for the year 1906–7 approximately £1,347,725.

asked whether there was any fund available at the Local Government Board for the public audit of the London County Council accounts.

In my judgment such funds are unnecessary and such an audit is undesirable. The same auditors have recently been examining West Ham, Poplar, Hammersmith, and Westminster, and they can be relied upon to do their duty fearlessly and impartially against every local body in this country.

Have there not been some difficulty and many prosecutions in West Ham?

And there would be in Sheffield and in Spring-gardens if the facts warranted them.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could arrange that the accounts of the City Corporation should be subject to the same audit as the London County Council accounts.

As an ideal, and theoretically, that is an object to be aimed at. I trust the City Corporation will on its own account have the wisdom some day to come within the purview of the Local Government Board's audit.

How much of this million will fall on the rates and how much will come from profit-making under takings.

I should like notice of that; I should prefer not to speculate as to the proportion.

asked whether the Local Government Board's audit showed profit on undertakings.