To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can explain the fact that the figures of on-licences issued for the years 1903–1904 and 1904–1905. as given in the Annual Reports of the Inland Revenue Department, show a total diminution of 1,727 on-licences, from 102,757 to 101,030, while 361 new on-licences were in fact granted in those two years, whereas the Home Office Blue-book, Licensing Statistics, 1906, page 1, shows only a net diminution of 1,288 on-licences in those two years; whether the Parliamentary Returns of licences refused, 194 of 1903 and 230 of 1904, and this Home Office Blue-book, have ignored some hundreds of licences given up in those two years in Birmingham and elsewhere under surrender schemes, which were not technically licences refused by the justices; and whether, therefore, the total gross diminution of all on-licences got rid of on all grounds, allowing for the grant of new on-licences, was 2,088 in the two years preceding the passing of the Licensing Act, 1904. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The figure 102,757 appears to refer to the year 1902–1903, not 1903–1904. Subject to that correction the explanation of the difference between the various figures quoted is as follows. The figures given in the volumes of licensing statistics represent premises in existence on a given date and in possession of justices' licences authorising them to take out Excise licences. The figures in the Reports of the Inland Revenue Commissioners represent the Excise licences issued during a period of twelve months. More than one Excise licence may be taken out in respect of the same premises; so that the abolition of one licensed house may involve the disappearance of more than one Excise licence, or the expiration of an Excise licence may leave the premises to which it related still in existence as licensed premises. On the other hand a holder of a justices' licence does not always proceed within a fixed time to take out an Excise licence. Facts such as these necessarily cause differences between the two sets of figures. Differences wall be found both before and after the Act of 1904 came into operation. Again, as regards the statement in the Question that "361 new on-licences were in fact granted" in the two years 1903 and 1904, it is to be observed that, in the volumes of licensing statistics from which these figures appear to be taken, it is stated that they are "only approximate." Moreover, the figures represent justices' licences, and cannot be used for the purpose of subtraction or addition in connection with the figures of Excise licences, e.g., so as to convert the figures 1,727 into 2,088. As regards the old Parliamentary Returns of Licences Refused, which are indicated in the Question, it would be wrong to say that they ignored licences given up under surrender schemes, seeing that they did not profess to deal with such cases or with more than was required by the terms of the Orders of the House of Commons to which they were returned, viz., the licences actually refused by justices for certain reasons. The licensing statistics have not ignored such surrenders, for without them, and without lapses of licences from other causes also, the difference between the figures shown for 1903 and for 1905 could not be obtained. The figures in the licensing statistics have been obtained by inquiry into the actual facts separately for every date and for every area for which they are given. If, therefore, any licensed premises have, in fact, ceased to exist as such by reason of refusal, surrender, or lapse, the result appears in the figures shown for successive years. Every care has been taken to make these figures represent accurately the premises in existence on a given date which afford facilities (actual or potential) for obtaining liquor for consumption on the premises. No similarly practical end appears to be served by a calculation of the "gross diminution" of licences, if that phrase means the mere number of licences which may have ceased to exist, irrespective of the new licences which may have been granted by justices and actually come into working existence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state when the new draft special rules for the china and earthenware trade, to replace those depending on Lord James's voluntary scheme, and rendered necessary by the inclusion of lead poisoning among industrial diseases for purposes of workmen's compensation, will be issued. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I propose to appoint a Departmental Committee of Inquiry with regard to the use of lead in a number of industries, including the one mentioned in the Question, and pending the Report of that Committee I do not think it would be worth while to undertake the revision of the existing special rules. No serious difficulty has arisen from the temporary co-existence of Schedule B. of those rules with Section 8 of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906, and none is anticipated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Mary Pearson, of Croydon, who was recently sentenced at the police court to six weeks imprisonment in the second class; whether he is aware that the other persons committed for the same offence were sentenced to imprisonment in the first class; whether he will state why a distinction has been made in the case of Miss Pearson; and whether he will give instructions that she may be placed in the first class for the remainder of her term of imprisonment. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have made inquiry about this case, but I am informed by the magistrates that the other persons committed for the same offence as this lady were similarly treated. None of them were placed in the first division. A year ago a number of persons committed to prison in respect of similar disturbances were placed in the first division, but the matter is one in the discretion of the magistrates, and I understand their view is that the persistence of such offences renders it undesirable to adopt that course any longer.

To ask the Postmaster-General, in view of the fact that over 20,000 sub-postmasters in shops receive as remuneration only £20 to £40 a year for a working day of twelve hours, without a meal hour, and that many of them are compelled out of this sum to pay for assistance if they desire to absent themselves for a single evening, whether he will take steps, without at present reopening the general question of postal employees' grievances, to make some improvement in the cases cited. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The case of the sub-postmasters was

To ask the Secretary of State for War, how many men of the Army Reserve are known to be residing abroad, and to

To ask the President of the Local Government Board, what was the reduction in the death rate in Germany and the United Kingdom between the years 1870 and 1906. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Registrar-General's figures for England and Wales only give the death rates for the German Empire from 1872 onwards. I have thought it better, therefore, to compare the quinquennia 1872–1876 and 1901–1905, and the single years 1872 and 1905.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if instructions have been given to Government Departments that official advertisements are to be withheld from Conservative and Unionist newspapers with large circulations and given to Radical newspapers with small circulations; and, in such case, if full particulars will be laid upon the Table of all such subventions. (Answered by Mr. Whiteley.) The Answer is in the negative.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the average prices of

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, prior to Christmas, the ships of all fleets in Home waters dispersed to their respective ports to give Christmas leave; and whether any organised fleet of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers is kept fully manned ready to proceed to sea at the shortest possible notice. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, except that the Channel Fleet remained at Portland and gave Christmas leave from there. In regard to the second part of the Question, it is obvious that whenever leave is given from a fleet it must be temporarily under-manned,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the prosecution for blasphemy, recently instituted, was decided on because of apprehensions of breach of the peace; and, if so, on what those apprehensions were founded; whether he has considered the expediency of guarding against alleged breach of the peace by other legal procedure; and whether it is proposed henceforth to institute prosecutions in cases in which, at political and other meetings, language is used which might conceivably promote breach of the peace. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Proceedings were taken because it was necessary to protect the public against grossly indecent and ribald language used in a public street, language of such a character as to shock and outrage the feelings of those passing in the street, and, if persisted in, to render a breach of the peace inevitable. Many similar offences can be dealt with under the Police Acts, but in this case the police were advised that only procedure under the Blasphemy Act was available; and when the case came for trial the jury convicted without leaving the box. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot answer a hypothetical question, but I may say that under identical or analogous circumstances the same action would again be taken. The case has no connection with, or bearing on, speeches at political meetings.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) whether he can give the number of pre-1869 beer-house licences that were in existence at the passing of the 1904 Licensing Act; (2) how much has been contributed by the owners of these houses to the compensation fund in the financial years of 1905, 1906, and 1907; (3) how many of them have been suppressed during these years; (4) how much money has been collected from the trade under Goschen's Act; (5) will he state the purposes to which Mr. Goschen originally intended to apply that money; (6) and how much has the war tax of 1s. per barrel on beer and 6d. on spirits yielded since the termination of the war. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) (1) The numbers of ante-1869 beer-houses have never been ascertained with certainty; but it is believed that, out of the total number of 31,942 beer-houses in existence on 1st January, 1905, i.e., when the Licensing Act, 1904, came into operation, the ante-1869 beer-houses numbered 28,000 and upwards. (2) Owing to the absence of exact records it is not possible to say how much has been contributed by the owners of ante-1869 beer-houses to the compensation fund. (3) The number of ante-1869 beer-houses extinguished with compensation in the years 1905, 1906, and 1907, is believed to be 1,673. This number is exclusive of the ante-1869 beer-houses (believed to number 277) which have come to an end without compensation for various causes in the same three years. (4) The total sum derived from the additional duties on beer and spirits imposed by the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890 (to which presumably my hon. friend refers), up to 31st March, 1907, amounted to £21,087,970. (5) It appears from the Budget Statement of 17th April, 1890, that the original intention of the Government was to devote about one-quarter of the proceeds of these additional duties to the "purchase of licences," and the remainder to various local purposes (see Hansard, Vol. 343, Col. 734). (6) The estimated yield of the additional 1s. per barrel on beer and 6d. per gallon on spirits from the termination of the war up to 31st March last, amounted to £8,557,000 and £4,152,000 respectively.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, when a Treasury Minute will be issued giving an undertaking that, in the event of the Small Holdings Commissioners carrying out a scheme where the county council have declined to do so for fear of incurring a loss, and such scheme does result in a loss, the whole of such loss shall be borne by the Treasury. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) A Treasury Minute, dated 31st December, 1907, stating the conditions under which one-half of any loss incurred by a local authority in carrying out a scheme under the Act would be paid from public funds, was communicated to county councils and county boroughs by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the 25th ultimo, and was also sent to the Press. No undertaking was ever given that, where a loss is entailed by action of the Commissioners in default of a council, the whole of that loss should be borne by the Treasury. The Act empowers the Treasury in such cases to pay the whole or any part of such loss, but each ease must be considered on its merits and in relation to the surrounding circumstances.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the expediency of imposing a tax upon theatre and other entertainment tickets, as is at present done in various Continental countries. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Yes, Sir. This, like all other suggestions which I receive on the subject of taxation, shall have my most careful consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state how many raids by Afridis into British territory have taken place during the past four months; and whether it is intended to despatch a punitive expedition from Peshawur against this tribe. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The number of raids by Zakka Khel specially reported since 1st October, by the Government of India is eleven. None of these raids can be classed with mere border disturbances such as are frequent on the tribal frontier. They were all serious raids organised for purposes of plunder, and executed by armed bands of Zakka Khel beyond the limits of tribal territory, and in the area under the direct administration of the Government of India. In these raids nine of our people were killed and thirteen wounded. Among the killed were six police and two native soldiers, and among the wounded eight police and one native soldier. Also large quantities of property, including rifles, were carried off. All the usual methods of bringing about a settlement between the elders of the tribe and the political officer have failed. Of the raids mentioned above three occurred in January. On 3rd January at Jalozai, 15 miles south-east of Peshawur, two Government employees were mortally wounded: and forty-one mules were carried off. On 24th January the railway station at Kacha Garhi, between Peshawur and Jamrud, was raided, one of the station staff being severely wounded. On 29th January, a gang raided in Peshawur city, escaping with property estimated at a lakh after killing one police constable and wounding two others. In addition to the above, two further raids attributed to Zakka Khel have been reported on the 7th and 8th February. In the one, at Abazai village, the raiders looted the house of a Hindu who was shot. In the other, at Tirchi Bala, in the Peshawur district, they looted the house of a Hindu and removed cash and jewels to the value of Rs. 800. In these circumstances His Majesty's Government have sanctioned punitive measures against the tribe.

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Bill for the Amendment of the Whipping Act, now under consideration in India, contains a provision that no whipping shall be inflicted by order of a court unless and until the person convicted has had a reasonable opportunity of carrying his case before a Court of Appeal. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Money.) As I informed the hon. Member on the 5th instant, the amendments of the law are under the consideration of the Government of India, and I am not yet in a position to state the nature of the amendments proposed.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how much land has been purchased, either actually or by agreement, under the Land Act of 1903, in Comity Clare up to the end of 1907; what has been the amount of purchase money; how many tenants have bought; and how much untenanted land is available for purchase in the county. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that agreements have been entered into for the purchase of 111,232 acres of land in County Clare for £854,410, and of this 24,845 acres, of which the price was £197,036, had been invested in 720 tenant purchasers on 31st December, 1907. The Commissioners have entered into negotiations for the purchase of 10,598 acres of untenanted land in the county, of which 1,668 acres have already been purchased.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he could state the circumstances under which the Antrim County Council rescinded, in February, 1907, a resolution passed by that body in December, 1902, with reference to a new road from Glenarm to Feystown; and whether, seeing that this action of the council has resulted in loss to the promoters of the road and a continuance of inconvenience to a large section of the ratepayers, he will consider the advisability of ordering a Local Government Board inquiry into the matter. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The reason assigned by the Antrim County Council for abandoning the proposal to make the new road referred to is that the cost of obtaining the necessary land and making the road would be quite out of proportion to the usefulness of the road. The land could only be obtained by the exercise of compulsory powers, and it is stated that the line of the road passes through a quarry. The Local Government Board would have no power to interfere in the matter unless upon appeal by the rural district council, and no such appeal has been made to them.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Aghalee, county Antrim, District Council approved of a scheme for the erection of forty-three labourers cottages in February, 1907, but that, up to the present, no inspection for these cottages has been made by the Local Government Board; whether about the same time a number of labourers, whose claims were rejected by the council, petitioned the Local Government Board to hold an inquiry, and that the Board consented, but that no inquiry has yet been held; and, if so, whether he will direct the Local Government Board to take action in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The scheme in question was not submitted by the rural district council to the Board for confirmation until 14th October last, and on examination of the documents it was found that the provisions of the Acts as to-advertisement of schemes had not been complied with. As the Board had no power to dispense with this requirement, the scheme was sent back for due publication, and it was again presented to the Board on 23rd December. The application was then dealt with as quickly a possible, and arrangements have already been made for the holding of a local inquiry, which will be opened on the 12th instant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of persons reported as having taken part in cattle-drives after being bound to keep the peace and to be of good behaviour; and in how many cases have applications been made by the Crown to estreat the recognisances of such persons, and with what result. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that two cases only have been reported in which persons who have been bound to the peace have again taken part in cattle-driving. In one of the cases the recognisances of the person concerned were ordered to be estreated. In the other case some of the owners whose cattle were driven took part themselves in the drive; and it was decided that proceedings could not be successfully taken in the case. One of the persons identified had been bound to the peace in connection with a previous case of cattle-driving; but in the circumstances no action to estreat his recognisances was taken.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the fact that considerable hardship has been caused to a class of particularly deserving evicted tenants owing to the regulations of 13th February, 1906, under which 2,995 applications have been rejected, one of the reasons for rejection being that applicants are unsuitable to work land by reason of their age and infirmity, or without purpose to work it and not to sell or assign it; will he inquire whether the effect of this regulation has been to deprive of redress, under Section 2 of the Purchase Act of 1903, applicants in broken health or reduced to extreme poverty owing to the length of time during which they have been excluded from their old homes and means of livelihood; whether consequently the rejection of such applications is a contravention of the object of the Act in respect of a class of evicted tenants with special claims to consideration; and whether under the circumstances, he will so modify the regulations as to give the Estates Commissioners a larger discretion in dealing with such cases. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The regulation to which the hon. Member refers is No. VI. of the regulations dated 13th February, 1906, the last paragraph of which provides that the Estates Commissioners shall not sell a parcel of land to any person of whose farming experience, habits of industry, and competence to work the land as a holding the Commissioners are not reasonably satisfied. The Commissioners inform me that they have not rejected applications because of the poverty of the applicants. On the contrary, they have given farms to evicted tenants who had for many years been employed as labourers, and have provided them with houses and stock when they were physically able to work the land and were otherwise suitable. But when the applicant was wholly unfit to work the land, and there were no members of his or her family able or willing to assist in the working of it, the Commissioners have refused the application. In the Commissioners' opinion it would not be in accordance with the intention of the Act to give land to persons manifestly unable to work it in a husband-like manner, with the result that they would merely transfer it to other persons. The procedure of the Estates Commissioners appears to have been adequately imbued with the spirit of consideration which inspires the hon. Member's Question, and I think he will agree that a modification of the regulations is neither necessary nor desirable.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the (Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he can state the number of policemen who have received injuries since 30th June, 1907, in connection with cases of cattle-driving. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that six policemen have been injured in connection with cases of cattle-driving. The number of such cases was three, the police in each case consisting of a patrol of two men. In two of the cases the injury to the police was not serious; in the third case, the two policemen were severely beaten.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has had his attention directed to a memorial presented to the Attorney-General for Ireland by Mr. John Owens, J.P., on behalf of the debenture holders of a number of loan funds in Tyrone, Donegal, and Fermanagh; and whether, having regard to the fact that these loan funds were rendered insolvent by the effect of a decision of the Queen's Bench Division in 1896, upsetting the practice of over half a century, carried on under the management of a Government Department, and that the money lost represents the savings of persons in a humble rank of life who trusted their money to the loan funds on the security of their being under Government control and audit through the Loan Fund Board, any steps will be taken by the Irish Government to assist the people whose money has been lost through no fault of their own. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The hon. and learned Member is mistaken in supposing that the Government are in any way responsible for loss which may have been sustained by debenture holders in loan fund societies. In the first place the Loan Fund Board is not a Government Department, and the Government are not responsible for the administration of the Board. The fact is that a large amount of money was irregularly lent by certain loan fund societies which are under local management, and that these loans were irrecoverable. In 1906, the Government procured legislation which provided, so far as they thought possible and just, for the recovery by such societies of debts which had legally lapsed. As regards the responsibility of the Loan Fund Board, I am informed by the Board that they called the attention of the local managers from time to time to the irregularities which were discovered by the Loan Fund Inspector. The Government cannot further assist, by legislation or otherwise, the people whose money may have been lost.

To ask the Secretary of State for War, what, so far as he is aware, is the number of the veterans of the Indian Mutiny who, at the recent banquet in commemoration of the jubilee of that episode in English history, left various workhouses to attend that banquet and subsequently returned to those work-houses. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Inquiries have been made to enable me to give the hon. Member some information on the subject. I have been informed by the honorary secretary of the Veteran's Relief Fund that, as a large number of the applications to attend the dinner were made by relations and friends of the veterans on their behalf, it is not possible to give any accurate information. The men who came from workhouses were particularly unwilling to admit that they were so accommodated.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what are the areas of the land and foreshore, respectively, of the property bordering on Loch Long recently purchased by the Admiralty in connection with the Loch Long torpedo range; when and from whom that property was purchased; what was the price paid; and whether the purchase was effected under compulsory powers. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The area of land is 4·17 acres. All foreshore rights that the owner possessed in the foreshore fronting the land are being acquired; but the area is not defined. The land has not been purchased, but is being taken on a feu from Sir Alan Colquhoun. The feu charter is not yet completed, and the annual feu duty is £12 per acre. Compulsory powers were not exercised.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, what are the areas of land and foreshore, respectively, of the property near Greenock, recently purchased by the Admiralty for purposes in connection with the Loch Long torpedo range; when and from whom that property was purchased: what was the price paid; and whether the purchase was effected under compulsory powers. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson). The area acquired is 10 acres of land, 4¾ acres of foreshore. This property is being purchased from Sir M. H. Shaw Stewart, Baronet. The purchase has not yet been formally completed, but the Admiralty are in possession of the property. The price to be paid is £27,225: the Admiralty will also pay costs. A "notice to treat," under the Defence Act, was served with a view to compulsory purchase, but the price was subsequently settled by agreement.

To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what steps, if any, are being taken to deal with the American gooseberry mildew under the Destructive Insects Act; if the Board will publish returns showing the injury being done by this pest in various counties; and whether the Board are taking steps to prevent the introduction into Ireland, by the import of diseased seed potatoes, of the new potato disease known as black scab (chrysophlyctis endobiotica). (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The Department have drafted an Order dealing with American gooseberry mildew under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts, which will be issued at an early date. The Department have ascertained that this pest existed in parts of the following counties during the past years: Antrim, Cavan, Clare, Down, Kerry, King's, Kilkenny, Londonderry, Meath, Queen's, Roscommon, Tipperary, N.B., Tipperary, S.R., Tyrone, Water-ford, and Wexford. The Department are not aware of the existence in Ireland of the disease known as black scab in potatoes; but they have taken steps to warn the recently appointed seed inspectors to watch for and report any case which may come under their notice.

To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether, in view of the fact that many of the convent and village lace industries of Ireland are not in a position to incur any serious financial outlay on their own behalf, and of the desirability that exists for encouraging this class of work amongst cottagers, His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of taking steps to insure that these industries may be adequately represented at, and placed in a position to reap the advantages of participation in the Exhibition of British and Irish Lace which is to be held in London next month; and whether there are any public funds available that could be used for this purpose. (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The Department have considered the matter, and do not propose to take part in the exhibition referred to. They do not think it necessary to afford any aid additional to that now rendered to lace industries in order to enable them to exhibit at the exhibition.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any instructions have been given to exclude the advertisements of foreign firms from the Board of Trade Journal. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The Answer is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether Civil Servants of the State why have previously served in the naval or military services are allowed to count the time of their service in the latter for pension in the Civil Service; whether a person who commences to serve the State at the age of twenty in a military capacity for seven years and then joins the Civil Service is unable to obtain full Civil Service pension as he cannot give forty years' service in the Civil Service but must retire at fifty-eight and count nine years less for pension than a person who entered the Civil Service at the age of twenty and who could retire on a full pension at sixty; and whether any action has, or will be, taken on the Report of Sir Edward Ward's Committee on the Unemployment of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors to remove, by legislation or otherwise, this disadvantage of ex-soldier and sailor civil servants. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) As regards the general question raised by the hon. Baronet I must refer him to my Answer to the hon. Member for Mile End on the 3rd instant. Civil servants of the State who have previously served in the naval or military services are not allowed to reckon their services in the latter for pension in the Civil Service They are not required to retire at fifty eight, but at sixty or sixty-five as the case may be.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have decided to subscribe £200 towards a German institute for seismological inquiries; whether any similar assistance has been given to any similar British institution; and, if not, what is the reason for this preference for foreign enterprise. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) A subcription of £160 a year is paid, not to a German institute for seismological inquiries, but to the International Seismic Association which His Majesty's Government have joined for a period of four years, as the share of this country in the expense of the central bureau. No subscription is paid to any other seismological institution.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that on 1st January Mr. J. H. Moore, of 7, Silver Street, Gainsborough, posted to the local vaccination authority of that place a declaration of conscientious objection, but omitted to stamp it, in the belief that it would go free, being marked O.H.M.S.; that this was surcharged and that the vaccination officer refused to accept it; that Mr. Moore did not receive it again from the Post Office authorities, and is consequently threatened with prosecution under the Vaccination Acts; and will he give instructions to all post offices in England and Wales that declarations of conscientious objection found in the Returned Letter Office shall be returned to the senders, whether the letter bears a ½d. stamp or not. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The packet to which the hon. Member refers should have been prepaid ½d. As it was refused by the addressee it was, no doubt, disposed of at the office of destination in accordance with the regulations respecting undelivered ½d. packets. The sender of any ½d. packet may secure its return to him in case of non-delivery by printing or writing his name and address, with a request for return, on the outside of the packet. In view of the practical difficulty in affording exceptional treatment to any particular class of packet bearing no such request, I am sorry that I do not see my way to giving instructions for the special selection for return of deck rations of conscientious objection to vaccination.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will state what, on 31st December, 1907, was the total amount due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank; whit amount of Consols was sold during the year 1907, and at what average price, what was the amount of Consols held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, 1907, and what is the cost price on balance of the Consols held at that date; what is the deficiency in the capital account on 31st December, 1907, estimating the assets at the market price of the day; what is the deficiency, if any, in the income account for the year ended 31st December, 1907; and what amount of gold is held as a reserve against the liability to depositors. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The total amount due to depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank at the end of 1907 was estimated at £157,518,000. The amount of Consols sold from the Post Office Savings Bank Fund during the year 1907 was £2,193,401, at an average price of £84 3s. 5d. per cent. The amount of Consols held on account of the Fund at 31st December, 1907, was £59,072,319. The cost price on balance of this stock works out at £103 6s. 5d. per cent. The deficiency in the income account of the Fund for the year ended 31st December, 1907, is estimated to amount to £88,190.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware that cattle in the last stages of tuberculosis are occasionally exposed for sale and food in the open market, with consequent risk of spread of the disease and danger to human life; and if he proposes to take any steps, by legislation or otherwise, in order that persons submitting dying diseased cattle for sale may be prosecuted. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) My hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. My attention has been called to the subject referred to in it, and in September last I caused a circular to be issued to local authorities bringing the matter under their notice, in order that they might, as far as possible, exercise supervision over the cattle in their districts with a view to anticipating and so averting possible or intended infringement of the law. I also suggested that suitable officers of the local authority should be instructed to watch closely the cattle markets, slaughter houses, and knackers' yards in the district, with the view of satisfying themelves that no animal, the condition of which appears to render it unfit for human consumption, is disposed of in such a manner that it is likely to be used for this purpose.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, who is responsible for the quality of the paper on which the Ordnance maps in Ireland are now printed or engraved; were the Ordnance maps until recently printed or engraved in Ireland, and where are they now done; and, having regard to the number of these maps now required in connection with land purchase, will he represent to the proper authority that they should be printed or engraved on paper on which ink and colours will not run, the paper at present in use being little more than blotting paper. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Director-General of the Ordnance Survey is responsible for the quality of the paper on which the Ordnance maps in Ireland are printed. So far as it is possible all maps of Ireland are prepared and printed in Ireland, but no facilities exist at the Ordnance Survey Office in Dublin for printing in colours, and printing of that class is therefore carried out at Southampton. If the hon. Member will let me know the particular maps of which he complains, we should be glad to make inquiry into the matter.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will state what, on 20th November, 1907, was the total amount due to depositors in the Trustee Savings Banks: what amount of Consols was sold during the year ended 20th November, 1907, and at what average price; what was the amount of Consols held on account of the trustee Savings Banks on 20th November, 1907, and what is the cost price on balance of the Consols so held; what is the deficiency in the capital account of the Trustee Savings Banks on 20th November, 1907, estimating the assets at the market price of the day; what is the deficiency, if any, in the income account for the year ended 20th November, 1907; and what amount of gold is held as a reserve against the liability to depositors. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The figures showing the total amount due to depositors in the Trustee Savings Banks are not yet available; but it is estimated that the amount is something over £52,000,000. The amount of Consols sold from the Trustee Savings Banks Fund in the year ended 20th November, 1907, was £327,573, at an average price of £85 0s. 3d. per cent. The amount of Consols held on account of the fund at 20th November, 1907, was £17,347,487. The cost price on balance of this stock works out at £94 3s. 6d. per cent. Since the Act of 1904, as has been explained on previous occasions, no valuation of the capital account is published, and the information is not available. The deficiency in the income account of the fund for the year ended 20th November, 1907, amounts to £7,327 19s. 5d. No gold is held as a reserve.

To ask the Secretary of State for India, who are now members of the Council of the Secretary of State; what was the previous official career, if any, of each member; what was the date of his appointment; and what is the date of its expiration. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) The following are the particulars asked for including the principal official services, if any, of each Member of Council:—

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether in the reorganisation of the Public Works Department, Indians educated at Indian engineering colleges will be placed on the same footing in every respect as Europeans sent out from Home. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) It is a general rule of the public service in India that officers recruited in India, whether Indians or Europeans, are on a different footing as regards pay, leave, and pension from those who are recruited in England. It is not proposed to make an exception to this general rule in the case of the Public Works Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that there is considerable unrest on the North-West Frontier of India; whether he can state the cause; and will he say what is the strength of the British forces surrounding Afghanistan. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Morley.) If the hon. Member means political unrest in British territory, I would refer him to what I said in debate on 31st January. If he means the difficulties due to raids of Zakka Khel, who reside in tribal territory beyond the area under the direct administration of the Government of India, I would refer him to my Answer to-day to the hon. Member for Mid Armagh. The distribution of troops along the North-West Frontier of British India can be found in the Indian Army list. In no sense do they surround Afghanistan.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and if so, what compensation by way of increased pension or otherwise has been awarded to Constable O'Halloran, Royal Irish Constabulary, who was shot at and severely wounded near Athenry, when on patrol duty. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Constable O'Halloran has been awarded a special pension of £52 per annum. The ordinary pension to which he would have been entitled if incapacitated through ill health would be £25 13s. 9d.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if steps have been taken to increase the number of points at which life-saving apparatus is kept on the West Coast of Ireland; if he will state the present number of these points; and if he will call the attention of the Irish Lights Commissioners to the want of a lighted buoy on the western point of the Margaretta Shoal in Galway Bay. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. Steps have been taken to establish four new life-saving apparatus stations on the West Coast of Ireland viz., at Kilrush, Costello Bay, and at North and South Arran. Life-saving apparatus was previously kept at six stations on the coast between Valentia and Tory Island, not reckoning a number of places at which the belts and lines equipment was provided. As regards the latter portion of the Question, the Board of Trade have lately given their statutory sanction to a proposal made by the Commissioners of Irish Lights to establish a lighting and whistling buoy on the Margaretta Shoal.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, how long does the Judicial Commissioner anticipate it would take the Land Commission to deal with and complete the sales to the value of some 34 millions of money in respect of agreements already lodged, even if the money to pay were provided as rapidly as the Land Commission could deal with the agreements. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) This Question appears to have been framed under a misapprehension as to the functions of the Judicial Commissioner of the Land Commission. The Judicial Commissioner deals only with the distribution of the advance after the purchase has been completed, and cannot answer for the previous stages which concern the Estates Commissioners.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, what progress has been made with the re-valuation of Dublin; how many tenements are there to be valued, and how many have up to the present been valued; when, approximately, does the Commissioner of Valuation anticipate the re-valuation can be completed; and has the Commissioner been given a sufficient staff to enable the work to be done with reasonable speed. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) The Commissioner of Valuation informs me that there are 47,000 rateable hereditaments in the city of Dublin, of which 11,500 have been surveyed, but that he is not yet in a position to fix a date for the completion of the work. He has a sufficient staff to enable it to be done with reasonable speed.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will state in how many cases were evicted tenants restored to their original holdings, or equivalent holdings found for them, in county Longford. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Up to 31st January, 1908, forty-five former tenants or their representatives had been restored to their original holdings, or had been provided with other holdings in lieu thereof, in county Longford.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will state the cause of the delay in completing the sale of the Maconchy estate in North Longford; whether he is aware that the tenants have now paid three years' interest in lieu of rent, in addition to the price agreed on between the landlord and tenants; and if, with a view to putting a stop to further loss to them, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to now issue the vesting orders and complete the sale. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the delay in completing the sale of the estate mentioned in the Question arose through difficulties in dealing with the turbary on the property. This matter has now been disposed of, and a scheme under Sections 4 and 20 of The Irish Land Act, 1903, and regulations under Section 21 of the Act are in course of completion, and when these have been settled the sales to the tenants on the estate will be completed. It is therefore expected that the holdings will be vested in the tenants at an early date.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. James W. Bond, D.L., of Fanagh, county Longford, has expressed his willingness to sell the untenanted grazing lands of Asnagh Tully, Ardagullian, and Strokes-town, all in the barony of Cranard, North Longford, comprising some 4,000 acres of land, if asked to do so; and will he direct the attention of the Estates Commissioners to this matter, and that negotiations may be entered into for the acquirement of this land for the relief of congestion in North Longford. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will now approach Mr. Bond in regard to the sale of the untenanted lands referred to in the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, what is the present position as regards the sale of the O'Brien estate at Cornakelly and Corglass, in North Longford; and will he urge the Estates Commissioners to afford much required relief to these tenants by now purchasing the estate which is for sale in Judge Ross's Court. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 13th January last, the Land Judge signified his approval of the offer of the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of this estate with the object of re-selling it to the tenants, subject to the fulfilment of the condition mentioned in the offer, namely, that the tenants should pay to the receiver such sum, not exceeding in the case of any tenant a half-year's rent, as the Land Judge should direct. It has not yet been notified to the Court that this condition has been fulfilled, but as soon as this is the case the Judge will make a final order accepting the Commissioners' offer for purchase.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say whether the Estates Commissioner have investigated the claim of one James Green, son of Bernard Green, deceased, who was evicted from his holding at Killywilly, county Cavan, held under Mrs. Roe; is this holding in the possession of John T. Montgomery; if so, when did he get possession, and did he pay a fine; and will he say whether there is any prospect of James Green being restored to his father's holding. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the receipt of any application for reinstatement on behalf of either James or Bernard Green.

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that there are several Private Bills containing milk clauses now before Parliament; and whether, considering the importance of the question from a public as well as from an agricultural point of view and the expense now being incurred by local authorities in connection with these Bills, he will be prepared, on an early

	1st Feb. 1903.	1st Oct. 1905.	1st Feb. 1908.
Officers	480	480	458
Warrant Officers	40	41	47
Non-commissioned Officers	2,309	2,331	2,328
Men	17,086	15,788	14,570
	19,915	18,640	17,403

day, to state definitely if the Government intend to deal with the whole question by general legislation during the present session. (Answered, by Mr. John Burns.) Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this Question. As I stated on Tuesday last, in reply to a Question from the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Derbyshire, the Government are desirous of legislating on the subject of milk supply during the present session.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many Royal Marines, officers, noncommissioned officers and men, respectively, were on the strength on 1st February, 1903, and how many on 1st February, 1908; and whether the Admiralty propose to still further reduce this arm of the service.

I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry on the 1st October 1905, and the 1st February 1908, respectively; and whether it is proposed to make any further reduction in the strength of the Royal Marines; and, if so, what is the amount of the contemplated reduction.

Excluding 1,163 band ratings transferred to the Marines since 1903, the numbers were as follow:— As regards the last part of the Question, any alteration in the numbers will appear in the Estimates which will be published shortly.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state how many second-class Royal Naval Reserve men have been allowed to re-enrol for service up to the age of 45 during each of the five years prior to the 1st April, 1906; will he state how many second-class Royal Naval Reserve men, who were 35 or over on 1st April, 1906, have been allowed to complete their current period of enrolment; and on what ground they have not been allowed to re-enrol for a longer period.

The actual re-enrolments in each year were:—1901–2, 806; 1902–3, 615; 1903–4, 556; 1904–5, 688; 1905–6, 462. The actual age of the men at the time of the re-enrolment averaged about 36. The Answer to the second part of the Question is that all have been allowed to complete their current period of enrolment. The Answer to the third part is that these men had reached the age of 35 without qualifying themselves for advancement.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give the number of men who have worked overtime in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, during the month of January this year; and the average number of hours overtime to each man.

I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many men employed in the Devon-port dockyard are working overtime, and the extent to which overtime is being worked.

The number of men working overtime at Devenport during the month of January was 2,604, the average number of hours worked being approximately one and three-quarters per day per man. On the 6th February the numbers were 1,007, working an average of four hours per day. These figures include men who are permanently employed on overtime for raising steam and similar purposes. The greater portion of this overtime will cease within the next ten days.

Has any attempt been made to regulate the conditions of dockyard employment so as to prevent excess at one time and shortness of employment at another?

This case arose from exceptional circumstances, and apart from permanent overtime, will cease, I hope, in the course of ten days.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether his attention has been called to cases of naval pensioners who, when they enlisted in the Royal Navy, were under the impression that at the ago of fifty-five they would receive a supplemental Greenwich pension of 5d. a day, but are still without that pension, though in some cases they have passed the age of sixty-five and are incapable of supporting themselves; and, if so, whether he can hold out any hope that such men will receive the pension at an early date.

Among the large number of men eligible for Greenwich Hospital age pensions there are some known to be over sixty-five years of age. As the available funds do not permit of pensions being awarded to all candidates, it is necessary to fill the vacancies as they occur by selection from among the oldest and most necessitous. Very few men over sixty-five are not receiving Greenwich pensions unless they are in receipt of substantial naval pensions.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to continue the policy of building large armoured ships in a period of two years from the date of laying down.

No change is contemplated at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the regulations as to the conditions of efficiency in the Territorial Army will be issued; and if he can state whether these conditions will differ to any great extent from those now prevailing.

The regulations are not for the present ready for issue, but in order that all concerned may be informed as to the system of training and the conditions of efficiency of the Territorial Force, a pamphlet is being prepared indicating the lines on which the regulations will be drawn up. This pamphlet will very shortly be issued. The conditions of efficiency under the new system do not differ to any great extent from those which applied to the Volunteers, and are not more onerous but are more elastic in their nature.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men of the Army Reserve are known to be residing Abroad, and to what branches of the service do they belong; whether such men continue to be reckoned as forming a part of the Reserve immediately available on the outbreak of war; and whether, in the event of Reservists residing in any of the self-governing Colonies failing to rejoin the colours when called upon, the Army Council can enforce their return, or can take any legal steps to that end outside the jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom.

6,685 men of the Army Reserve are residing abroad. The detailed figures are too long to read out to the House but I will have them printed and circulated with the Votes and Proceedings. These Reservists are considered as available to make good wastage if, owing to the locality of the theatre of war, we may be unable to utilise them immediately on mobilisation. The question of the best method, etc., of recalling to the colours Reservists residing in the Colonies is now being considered in Concert with the Colonial Office, and the Colonial Governments concerned. But it is understood that the Reserve Forces Acts of 1882 and 1906 taken together give the same powers of arrest and punishment of offenders as are possessed in this country.

Will extra time be allowed for these men to return when called upon to do so?

They must of course come at once. We are watching this matter very closely.

Will the men permitted to go abroad lie allowed travelling expenses when called back to the colours?

We have never undertaken to do that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether officers of the Imperial Yeomanry are eligible for appointment as secretaries to the Territorial Army Association.

Officers of the Imperial Yeomanry are eligible for these appointments, subject to the conditions that they are seconded from their regiments and further, in the case of any ox-regular officer serving in that force for five or ten years under the provisions of Appendix III or Article 510 of the Pay Warrant, that they are willing to forego the annual retaining fee which would otherwise be paid to them.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the appointment to the inspectorship of boots, leather, and grindery recently made has been cancelled; whether it is proposed to renew advertisements for the appointment: and whether applicants will in future be selected solely on trade qualifications.

The appointment of the candidate originally selected never took effect. It was cancelled because it was found that he was over the age of 40, which was the limit of age fixed. There was no necessity for renewing the advertisements and a candidate was accordingly selected from the numerous applicants. Mr. F. T. Lovell, late under manager to Messrs. Hewlett and White, Limited, of Norwich, has been appointed on a six months probation and took up his duties on the 3rd instant.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether modifications in the composition of Section A of the Army Reserve refer to the number, or to the pay, or to the terms of service of that Reserve, and to what extent they affect the surplus.

The Question apparently refers to the explanatory note in the Supplementary Army Estimate. The modifications refer to the maximum number and terms of service of Section A introduced by the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of which the hon. and gallant Member doubtless is aware. £40,000 is saved on the amount taken in Estimate for the Section.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India a Question of which I have given private notice, viz., whether he is aware that the Madras Government intends to pass the Madras Landed Estates Bill within a few days; that if this course is pursued, the advisers of the landholders in England will have no opportunity of seeing the Bill as amended, and of considering what further representations should be made to the Secretary of State regarding its provisions, and the Secretary of State himself will have no opportunity of seeing what effect has been given to the terms of his despatch; that the Bill is not one of an urgent character, so as to make it necessary to pass it immediately through the Council, to the dissatisfaction of the great landowners of Madras who, rightly or wrongly, are under the impression that their interests are unfairly and prejudicially affected by it.

I do not quite understand why my hon. friend did not put his notice on the Paper. I have been in communication with the Government of Madras on this subject, and I have satisfied myself that this legislation has not been unduly hurried, and that the zemindars have had full opportunity of representing their views in the Madras Legislative Council. Their interests have at all its stages received the most careful consideration of the Secretary of State in Council. It would be altogether undesirable and contrary to practice to suspend legislation in India in order that private persons in this country may criticise its contents. The zemindars, if they still conceive their interests to be unfavourably affected by the Bill, will doubtless memorialise the Secretary of State in Council. I shall at all times be glad to consider in Council any memorial that they may submit to me through the ordinary channels. My hon. friend need have no doubt that I shall satisfy myself that the Act gives effect to my orders, before it is left to its operation.

I beg to ask the Under. Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information to the effect that, as stated by Mr. Schumacher during the Recess, the mines of the Transvaal would in future have partially to rely on natives from Central Africa; and whether further recruitment from Nyassaland is contemplated.

Correspondence on this subject is proceeding. I may, however, say that the Secretary of State will have great difficulty in authorising the resumption of recruiting unless there are strong grounds for believing that the death rate can be very substantially and permanently reduced.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Gold Coast Concession Ordinance of 1900, whereby Native chiefs can sell tribal lands to whites; whether he will ask for a special report on the working of this Ordinance, and the amount of land so alienated, and at what price; and whether he will prevent the passing of similar Ordinances in the northern territories of the Gold Coast or in Northern Nigeria.

The Ordinance referred to gives no power to natives to sell tribal land, nor does it give the natives any rights which they did not already possess. It was intended to safeguard and regulate the exercise of their rights, by bringing it under the control of the Government and the Supreme Court of the Colony. The Ordinance was introduced with the approval of a native Member of Council who represented several of the kings and chiefs. It has worked well, and there seems no sufficient reason for calling for such a report as is suggested by the hon. Member. There is no intention of introducing similar legislation in the northern territories of the Gold Coast or in Northern Nigeria.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government is doing anything to assist the poverty-stricken people of St. Helena to provide a market for the 1,200 head of cattle on the island; and is he aware that farmers found it necessary to kill calves at birth in order to avoid unprofitable outlay on their rearing.

The Secretary of State has seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers. He understands that supplies of fresh meat for His Majesty's ships on the South African Station are already partly made under contract at St. Helena, and that the Admiralty are considering whether it would be possible or economical to ship cattle from the island to South Africa. The War Department has also been approached in the matter, but it appears that the purchase of these cattle for the use of the troops in South Africa would be an infringement of the conditions of existing contracts. It may be added that His Majesty's Government have made grants for industries which it is hoped will benefit the whole community, including the farmers.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the most recent death rate in the Transvaal mines amongst natives recruited in Portuguese East Africa; and whether any Natives are still recruited for those mines in the Nyassaland Protectorate.

The death rate for all natives employed in the mines of the Transvaal for the quarter ended September 30 last was thirty-two per thousand per annum, of which twenty-eight were due to disease, but I cannot give separate figures for the natives from Portuguese East Africa. No recruiting is at present going on in the Nyassaland Protectorate.

What is the death rate among the natives recruited in Nyassaland?

The figures have been quoted to the House. I cannot recall them for the moment, but if the right hon. Gentleman will put down a Question I will get them.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the preliminary examination of the chief Dinizulu was conducted in open court, with right of access to the public; whether the examination was based upon any formal charge supported by any sworn information; whether he has been committed for trial; and, if so, upon what charge and before what court.

The preliminary examination of Dinizulu has not been held in public. The circumstances are reported by the Governor in his despatch of 28th December printed at page 217 of Cd. 3,888. The same Blue-book contains some of the sworn information on which I understand the Colonial Government relies. With regard to the charges the Governor has telegraphed as follows: Following are charges in warrants—(1) High treason; (2) Contravening the provisions of Section 44 of Act No. 1 of 1906 known as the Firearms and Ammunition Act of 1905; (3) Sedition and rebellion; (4) (a) Murder, (b) being an accessory to the crime of murder, (c) conspiracy to murder, (d) inciting to murder. The Secretary of State has not yet been informed that Dinizulu has been committed for trial. The trial will be before the Supreme Court.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the statement that the barrister employed to defend Dinizulu has decided to give up his brief and return home in consequence of the obstacles which he alleges were placed in his way in obtaining evidence for the defence, and will the right hon. Gentleman make close inquiry into the matter, so that Dinizulu may at least get a fair trial?

My attention has been directed to the statement which appears in the newspapers, but at present I have only newspaper authority for it. In view of the special conditions which were attached to Dinizulu's return to South Africa, the Secretary of State representing His Majesty's Government is bound to give earnest and persistent attention to the whole course of this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct his earnest and immediate attention to the statements made by Mr. Jellicoe publicly that in Zululand unresisting natives had been shot, and in several cases Hogged? Those statements are made on the authority of an English professional gentleman.

I think I should prefer to deal with the question of Dinizulu apart from other matters.

I beg to give the right hon. Gentleman notice that I will call his attention to these statements.

Are we to understand that the charges of murder and incitement to murder are not charges of murdering a particular person or inciting to murder on a particular occasion, but are vague charges.

I read to the House the words of the telegram we received, which constitute the capital charges so far as they have been imparted to us.

Will the Government inquire whether it is a fact that Miss Colenso was not permitted to have interviews with Dinizulu?

There has been a lot of telegraphic correspondence on that subject.

What is the upshot of it?

Under the law of Natal, is it possible to bring any one to trial for murder without alleging who was murdered?

I cannot answer that Question without notice, but the point certainly occurred to me.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the recent changes which the Canadian Government have made in the regulations affecting British and foreign shipping in Canadian coasting waters; what foreign nations who now engage in Canadian coasting trade are affected by these changes; whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted as to the bearing of foreign treaties upon freedom of action by Canada as regards coasting trade generally; and, if so, what action, if any, has been take upon their opinion.

The Canadian Government has issued an Order in Council to take effect from 1st January next, repealing certain Orders in Council under which the vessels of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austro-Hungary, Denmark, Belgium and the Argentine Republic have been allowed to participate in the coasting trade of the Dominion. That coasting trade will, therefore, after the date in question be confined to British ships. The hon. Member will see from the statement at pages 492–493 of the Papers laid before the Colonial Conference (Cd. 3524) that there are no treaties which entitle any foreign country to participate in the coating trade of the Dominion. It has not, therefore, been thought necessary to consult the Law Officers in the matter.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can say what will be the housing accommodation provided for Natives under the Convention; and what will he the scale of food.

The Secretary of State has just received a report from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific on his recent visit to the New Hebrides to proclaim the Convention. In that report it is stated that the British and French High Commissioners have instructed the Resident Commissioners to prepare regulations on recruiting and the conditions of labour. These regulations will of course contain all necessary provisions on the subject of the housing accommodation and the scale of food of natives employed by Europeans in the New Hebrides.

Will the Report be issued to the House?

I have not read it yet. That point will be considered.

Will the regulations drawn up by the Resident Commissioner be laid before the House?

No, Sir; but the instructions given to the Commissioner have already been published and I understand have met with a considerable amount of approval.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether under new instructions issued to the High Commissioner of the Pacific under the New Hebrides Convention, any penalty or punishment may be inflicted for ill-treatment of Natives other than the termination of contract.

It is unnecessary to make any provision in instructions from His Majesty's Government for the punishment of British subjects ill-treating natives, as such punishment is already prescribed, both by the Convention of the 20th October, 1906, and by the Pacific Order in Council, 1893, as the hon. Gentleman will not fail to perceive if he reads Articles LIV. (1) and LV (1). of the Convention, and Articles 23 and 49 of the Pacific Order in Council, 1893.

Do these articles exactly cover cases of ill-treatment of the natives, or only cases of injury?

I am informed that they cover such cases completely. If the hon. Gentleman will read them he will be able to judge if that is so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Delagoa agreement gives Germany the reversion of the Portuguese Colonies in East and West Africa, or whether any agreement to a similar effect is in existence; and, if so, whether it has received the adhesion of Great Britain.

My right hon. friend is unable to give any further information on the subject beyond what has already been given by his predecessors in reply to similar Questions.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the result of the representations which are understood to have been made by the Foreign Office to the Portuguese Government on the subject of slave labour on the cocoa plantations of San Thomé and Principe.

We learn from the Portuguese Government that fresh regulations are being drawn up, placing the recruitment of labourers for the plantations entirely and permanently under the control of Portuguese officials. Due provision is also to be made for repatriation. An official in whom complete confidence is placed by the Portuguese Government is to proceed to Angola shortly in order to superintend the inauguration of the new system.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the number of pre-1869 beer-house licences that were in existence at the passing of the 1904 Licensing Act; how much has been contributed by the owners of these houses to the compensation fund in the financial years of 1905, 1906, and 1907; how many of them have been suppressed during these years; how much money has been collected from the trade under Goschen's Act; will he state the purposes to which Mr. Goschen originally intended to apply that money; and how much has the war tax of 1s. per barrel on beer and 6d. on spirits yielded since the termination of the war.

1. The numbers of ante-1869 beer-houses have never been ascertained with certainty; but it is believed that out of the total number of 31,942 beer-houses in existence on 1st January, 1905, i.e., when the Licensing Act, 1904, came into operation, the ante-1869 beer-houses numbered 28,000 and upwards. 2. Owing to the absence of exact records, it is not possible to say how much has been contributed by the owners of ante-1869 beer-houses to the compensation fund. 3. The number of ante-1869 beer-houses extinguished with compensation in the years 1905, 1906, and 1907 is believed to be 1,673. This number is exclusive of the ante-1869 beer houses (believed to number 277) which have come to an end without compensation for various causes in the same three years. 4. The total sum derived from the additional duties on beer and spirits imposed by the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, (to which, presumably, my hon. friend refers) up to 31st March, 1907, amounted to £21,087,970. 5. It appears from the Budget Statement of 17th April, 1890, that the original intention of the Government was to devote about one-quarter of the proceeds of these additional duties to the "purchase of licences," and the remainder to various local purposes. (See Hansard Vol. 343, Column 734). 6. The estimated yield of the additional 1s. per barrel on beer and 6d. per gallon on spirits from the termination of the war up to 31st March last amounted to £8,557,000 and £4,152,000 respectively.

Is it not the fact that about 900 houses were given up in the three years before the Act of 1904 came into existence, and has not the yield of taxation from the trade been practically stationary as compared with what it was before the war, while the burden of other taxation has increased by 30,000,000 sterling?

I must ask for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is demanding payment of Income Tax in England at the present time with the same rigour as it is being enforced in Scotland.

At the present time, the procedure is identical on both sides of the Tweed—equivalent notices demanding payment within ten days having gone out about the last week in January alike in Scotland and in England and Wales.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that distraint notices were issued in Scotland last week?

asked for notice of the Question.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if a large number of income taxpayers will be deprived of the benefit of the reduction of the tax to 9d. to which they are entitled, owing to the fact that they delayed or neglected to send in their claims within the period limited; if complaints have been made on this account; and if, having regard to the increase of income tax from other sources which has been already received, he can see his way still to allow the abatement to those who pay the tax during the present month.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for East Tipperary which is printed with last Thursday's Votes. For the reasons therein explained, I fear it is not possible to extend the very considerable concessions which have already been made.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer when a Treasury Minute will be issued giving an undertaking that, in the event of the Small Holdings Commissioners carrying out a scheme where the county council have declined to do so for fear of incurring a loss, and such scheme does result in a loss, the whole of such loss shall be borne by the Treasury.