To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what were the numbers of emigrants in each of the years 1905, 1906, and 1907; and what was the last previous year in which the statistics of Irish emigration most nearly approximated to those for 1905. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The number of emigrants (natives of Ireland) in each of the years mentioned was as follows: 1905, 30,676; 1906, 35,344; and 1907, 39,082. The nearest approximation to the figures in 1905 was in the year 1898, in which 32,241 persons emigrated.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain how the calculation which guided the grant in 1882 of £250,000 as compensation for disturnpiked and main roads was arrived at; will he state the assessable value of the land which the Agricultural Rate Grant, 1896, dealt with at the passing of the Act, and the average rates in the pound which the benefited land was paying in 1896; will he also state the assessable value of agricultural land which in the year 1907 received the benefit of the remission and the average rates which such land was paying; and will he state how much money the Exchequer contributed to local authorities under the Agricultural Rate Grant Act in the last financial year and how much the local authorities had to allow in the same period, and how much has been returned to the owner of the tithe rent-charges under the 1899 Act and from what source it was secured. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. It would appear that the calculation which guided the grant made in 1882 in respect of disturnpiked and main roads was that of the amount required for distribution according to the Minute laid before Parliament in the Paper 365 of 1882, a copy of which I will send to my hon. friend. The amount seems to have been based on the actual cost of the maintenance of the roads in the latest year for which there were available Returns, but was to some extent conjectural. The rateable value of agricultural land in England and Wales, as defined in the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, was, at the date of the passing of the Act, £24,565,058, and at the commencement of the year 1906–7, £23,701,843 (page 2 of Paper 368 of Session 1897, and page 19 of Paper 321 of Session 1907). The average rates in the pound of the public rates payable in the years 1895–6 and 1906–7 in respect of agricultural land have not been separately ascertained. The total amount paid to local authorities during the year 1906–7 out of the annual grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, was £1,326,484. (page 181 of Paper Cd. 3665 of Session 1907). The spending authorities under the Act, when issuing precepts for contributions out of rates and when making rates, had to allow for the sum set out in the preceding paragraph. The sum appropriated during the year 1906–7 for the purposes of the Tithe Rent-Charge (Rates) Act, 1899, was £136,827 (page 19 of last-mentioned Paper). This sum was appropriated by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue out of the sums payable by them to the local taxation account. (Section 1 of Act of 1899).

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the reductions in His Majesty's Arsenal at Woolwich have reached the normal point aimed at, or whether further reductions are now in contemplation. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The numbers in the Arsenal have not reached the normal minimum proposed, but the gradual reduction to that minimum will be effected by wastage, and not by further discharges.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reason which led the Army Council to omit the ages of cavalry and horse and field artillery horses from the General Annual Report on the British Army, published in March last; and, whether, inasmuch as the number of horses of military age continues to be known to the Army Council, the policy can be reconsidered in publishing tables in the coming spring, and the number of horses fit for service given. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) These tables were omitted from the General Annual Report after careful consideration because they were not held to be of sufficient public or official interest to justify their retention. Owing to the recent reductions in the Unit Returns it would have been necessary to institute a special Return in order to obtain this information from India, as the Return in which it was formerly included has been abolished. At a time when every effort is being made to reduce the labour involved in the preparation of Returns I deprecate any reintroduction of such work. My right hon. friend will also doubtless recollect that a Committee of this House only recently urged strongly the necessity of reducing the size of Parliamentary publications, and the Return affords a case in point.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether noncommissioned officers and men now serving in the Imperial Yeomanry are to be allowed to complete their engagements upon the terms under which they enlisted, or whether they are required to re-enlist in the Territorial Force before 1st April, 1908, failing which they are to be compelled to take a free discharge from the Imperial Yeomanry. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) With the exception of the Irish Yeomanry all desirous of continuing to serve will be required to enlist in the Territorial Force. If enrolled before 18th August, 1901, those who have not since come under the Militia and Yeomanry Act of 1901 may either serve for one year from 31st March, 1908, or sign for the full period under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act at their option. Those serving under the Act of 1901 may elect to serve for the term required to complete their present period of engagement, re-engagement, or re-enlistment, or they may sign for the full period under the Act of 1907. Non-commissioned officers and men who do not elect to sign a new attestation by 1st July next will be given free discharges, subject to the usual conditions as to delivery of arms, clothing, etc.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether attendance at a garrison course for one month by men of the Yeomanry exempts them from attending the annual training in that year; and, if not, whether he will issue a regulation to this effect in order to encourage men to attend such courses. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This particular point in the future training of the Yeomanry is now under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Colonel Walsh, head of the recruiting staff at St. George's Barracks, has appointed a lady recruiting sergeant, and that the authorities have sent her a recruiting sergeant's cockade; whether he has given his sanction to this; and, if so, will the lady recruiting receive the same salary as the male recruiting sergeants. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It is quite true that a lady has been instrumental in sending candidates for enlistment to St. George's Barracks. The chief recruiting staff officer has, consistently with the recruiting regulations, considered her as entitled to be regarded as an agent. She does not receive the regimental pay and allowances of recruiting sergeants, but is paid the regular recruiting rewards given to all recruiting agents for successes. Colonel Walsh gave the lady, as a compliment, a recruiting rosette, a gift which has not involved any public expenditure. I think we may congratulate ourselves, especially at the present moment, when we find ladies selecting such useful ends for their great activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether an official representative of the War Office is watching the operations of the French and Spanish troops at Casablanca, with a view to acquiring that information which the special situation would naturally afford. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The reply is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on 9th January, postcards, signed T. Ll. Fennell, Captain 3rd V.B. Cheshire Regiment, were issued to all the men of the battalion, urging them to be present at a meeting convened by the Knutsford Working Men's Conservative Association for 13th January, to hear an address by Lord Newton in favour of compulsory military training; and whether such conduct on the part of a Volunteer officer is in compliance with the King's Regulations. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The facts are as stated, and notice has been taken of what was a contravention of the King's Regulations.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that adult night-messengers in provincial towns are not affected by the classification scheme, he can see his way to put into immediate operation the recommendations contained in the Hobhouse Committee Report as affecting these messengers. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The recommendations affecting adult night-messengers are being put into operation as from 1st January last.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what battleships and armoured cruisers have been laid down by Germany since the beginning of 1907; on what dates were they laid down; what additional battleships and armoured cruisers are to be laid down this year; and whether the Admiralty is yet in a position to give the main armaments of the ships now being built, having regard to the fact that the last official Return describes the battleship armament as fourteen or sixteen 11-inch guns and the cruiser armament as ten or twelve 11-inch guns. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) It has been reported in the Press that four battleships and two armoured cruisers were laid down in Germany during 1907, but information as to the dates of laying down and types of armament has not yet been published by the German Government, and is therefore not available. The latest German Navy Bill provides that three battleships and one armoured cruiser should be commenced during the coming financial year.

To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if his attention has been called to the case of Cornelius O'Grady, who was discharged from the Royal Artillery, London Division, in 1885 with a pension of 10d. a day, which pension was afterwards awarded for life; whether he is aware that subsequently the pension was reduced to 6d. a day and deduction made in respect of the 10d. which had been previously paid; and will he say what was the reason for the deduction, and whether the full 10d. can be granted to O'Grady, or a compassionate allowance, in view of his advanced age, and the permanence of an injury to his elbow received while in the service. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) Cornelius O'Grady was discharged on 21st July, 1885, after serving for five years and eight months, in consequence of an accidental injury to the right elbow joint. The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital at the time of O'Grady's discharge appear to have regarded the case as one of "injury on duty," and awarded him 10d. a day for fifteen months conditional. At the end of that period (i.e., in October, 1886) the pension was made permanent. In November, 1886, the Comptroller and Auditor-General challenged the rate, as the man had not been performing military duty when the accident took place, and the pension had to be reduced to 6d. from the date of the commencement of the permanent pension, involving the recovery of the excess for a period of about seventy days. It is regretted that the pension of 10d. a day cannot, under the regulations, be granted to O'Grady; but all the circumstances of the case are being thoroughly investigated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the London County Council for the discontinuance of their contributions to the national institutions under the Inebriates Act of 1898; whether this will deprive some 400 or 500 of the worst classes of inebriates of treatment at these institutions; and whether he has it in his power to take any steps to prevent the Act being rendered of no effect by this decision. *(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have received with much regret a letter from the London County Council stating that the Council does not see its way to renew its contracts as regards females with the National Institutions for the Care and Reformation of Inebriate Persons. I would explain that, when the Inebriates Act of 1898 first came into force, absence of experience made it impossible to calculate the exact amount required by the managers of reformatories for the maintenance of inebriates. A sum of 10s. 6d. per head per week was decided upon as an experimental amount to be given to managers of reformatories by the Treasury, towards the maintenance of all cases committed under the Act, provided local authorities also contributed from local funds. This Government contribution was guaranteed for three years, but was in fact continued without change for seven years. It was then decided that the experience which had been gained warranted a reduction in the Government grant. The accounts of seven out of the eight institutions in full working order during 1906 showed a maintenance cost varying from 10s. 4d. to 14s. per inmate per week, but the eighth, "Farmfield" (managed by the London County Council) was not conducted at less than a weekly rate of 18s. 6d. per head. It was felt that 14s. per week should be considered the total amount required for maintenance, and that the managers of reformatories should be induced to bring down their expenses to that sum per head, and in furtherance of the view that the segregation of inebriates relieved Imperial and local funds about equally, it was decided that the Government contribution should be reduced from 10s. 6d. to 7s. to correspond with the 7s. provided by local authorities. This reduction has been accepted as reasonable by the managers of reformatories, except in the case of the London County Council. At an early date after the passing of the Inebriates Act of 1898, the London County Council established a reformatory at Farmfield, near Horley, for the reception of 100 female inebriates. It soon became evident that more accommodation would be necessary, and the Council accordingly contracted with the National Institution for Inebriates for the reception of all female cases they were unable to receive at Farmfield, agreeing to pay 7s. per head per week for each case. The number of London women now under detention as the result of this contract considerably exceeds 500. In May last the London County Council decided to withdraw their contract with the National Institutions and restrict their work under the Inebriates Act to that carried on at Farmfield for 100 cases. The serious effect of this decision was pointed out to the Council, and eventually the Council offered to renew their contract for females, provided the Government grant of 10s. 6d. per head be reverted to for all cases com- mitted under Section 2 of the Act and continued during the period of renewal of the contract. As such action by the Government would have supplied an unnecessary amount of money to the managers of institutions who did not need nor ask for any increase for the proper conduct of their work, and would have entailed a large increase of unjustifiable expenditure, the offer of the council was declined, and the contract with the national institutions has accordingly ceased. A few vacancies at Farmfield will probably be available from time to time, but these will be so few as practically to render the Act useless so far as London is concerned, and the step taken by the council will involve reversion to the discredited system of short and repeated terms of imprisonment as the only means of dealing with female inebriates, but no power exists by which the Council can be compelled to reverse its decision or make other adequate provision for the needs of females committed from within its administrative area.

To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, what is the annual cost of maintaining an infantry battalion of the line on a war footing, allowing for interest and depreciation upon the cost of barracks, for the wages of officers and men, and a proportionate charge for training and pensions, for stores, repairs and renewals, and every other necessary item. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) My hon. friend is doubtless aware that no infantry battalion in this country or in the Colonies is maintained at war strength. The cost of a battalion at the war establishment of 1,007 (all ranks) at Home would be about £77,000 a year.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the chief administrative officer in Ireland of the Army Ordnance Department has ordered confidential registers to be kept of correspondence relating to certain matters of expenditure and personnel; and, if so, can he state the number of files of such correspondence so registered, and with what object this is being done. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Confidential registers are kept by this officer as by other officers in charge of departments. I do not think it would serve any useful purpose if I were to accede to the hon. Member's request.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he proposes during the present session so to amend the law relating to the maintenance of relatives as to provide that persons who have been served with an order to contribute to the support of a relative shall be liable on a second appearances for failure to comply with such order to imprisonment with hard labour. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I may refer to the Answer which I gave on 24th June last to a Question put to me on this subject by my hon. friend. As I then stated, I do not think that legislation should be proposed with regard to the matter pending the Report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Law, who have before them the question of the contributions which should be made by persons for the support of their relatives.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the registrar of births and deaths for Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, lives at Allendale, a distance of seven miles from Haydon Bridge, which he only visits once a week; and whether arrangements more convenient for the inhabitants of Haydon Bridge cannot be made. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have communicated with the Registrar-General on this subject, and am informed by him that the births in the whole parish of Haydon average about one per week and the deaths about one per fortnight. The Allendale registrar of births and deaths, who is also relieving officer, attends at Haydon Bridge once in each week, and, in the circumstances, the Registrar-General considers that his hours of attendance there are sufficient for the requirements of the place. I may add that registration of death does not necessarily precede burial, so that registration of all deaths can take place at the weekly visits of the registrar.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the average number of paupers in each of the workhouses of the unions within the administrative county of London in 1907, with the ratio of paupers per 1,000 of the population in each area. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The following table is compiled from the Returns made as to the number of paupers relieved on 1st January and 1st July, 1907. It shows the numbers of these persons in the workhouses, infirmaries, and other institutions provided by Poor Law authorities in London (except the establishments of the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District and the separate establishments for pauper children provided by boards of guardians), and the ratio per 1,000 of the population in 1901 of paupers of all classes.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state how many persons have taken advantage of the provisions of the Small Dwellings (Acquisition) Act, 1899, since it came into operation; and how many loans under the Act have been granted, respectively, in London and in the country. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) As regards London the County Council have granted thirteen applications for advances under the Act, the amount advanced being £2,450. They have also sanctioned loans by the Metropolitan Borough Councils of sums amounting to £5,195 for twenty-seven advances. As regards the rest of England and Wales the Local Government Board have sanctioned loans amounting to £108,716 for advances under the Act. This sum is made up of £98,470, sanctioned in respect of 453 advances, and £10,246 in respect of applications for advances anticipated but not actually received when the loan was sanctioned. Twenty-three advances are known to have since been made out of this amount. I am not able to state the precise number of persons who have taken advantage of the Act.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state what means are adopted for the verification of the numbers employed of civilian employees in the Ordnance Survey (Ireland); who is immediately responsible for guarding the public interest in this respect; for what period are the records of payments to civilians and tradesmen, in connection with field parties or sections, retained, and where are they retained. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Complete lists are kept of every person employed on the survey and the signature of every person to whom pay is issued is obtained. It is the duty of the officers under whom the men are employed to satisfy themselves that the persons to whom pay is issued have been duly employed for the periods covered by the pay lists and at the authorised rates of pay. The vouchers for payments are forwarded to the Comptroller and Auditor-General, by whom they are retained for seven years.

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the evidence given before the Royal Commission on the Militia and Volunteers by the Director General of Mobilisation and Military Intelligence, to the effect that it was the view of the Admiralty that the Navy can guarantee the complete protection of the United Kingdom against the danger of invasion by any larger force than 5,000 to 10,000 men; whether this opinion attributed to the Admiralty by the Director-General of Mobilisation and Intelligence correctly expressed the views then held by the Admiralty; and whether the same views are still held. (Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The Answer to the first two Questions is in the affirmative; and, as regards the third Question, the matter is now being considered in the light of the most recent information, and it is not thought desirable to make any statement as to the numbers which may enter into the problem of defence.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the proposal to transfer certain persons of the staff of the Patent Office, London, to the proposed new branch in Manchester, he will see that provision is made for compensating such transferred persons for the losses they will necessarily incur by removal, etc. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Yes, Sir. These officers will receive suitable compensation for losses necessarily incurred through removal to Manchester.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give the number of on-licensed premises in each of the metropolitan boroughs at the end of the year 1907, and the number of inhabitants per licensed house in each area. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The latest statistics of the nature desired by my hon. friend as to licensed premises in London relate to 31st March, 1907, and are to be found on page 198 of Volume XVII. of the series of "London Statistics" issued by the London County Council.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the advisability of allowing telegraph offices to be opened and telegrams sent after the official hour of closing at increased rates, and with due allowance to the staff for overtime work; and whether he will make this alteration, in view of the fact that often in cases of urgency, for example, illness or accident, persons living in country districts are greatly inconvenienced by the present arrangements. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) An arrangement such as that which the hon. Member suggests is in force, and is described at page 101 of the Post Office Guide.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could give the amount of 2½ per cent. Consols outstanding on 1st February this year and on 1st February, 1907. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The amount of 2½ per cent. Consolidated Stock outstanding on 1st February, 1907, was £584,095,405 2s. 6d. To give the corresponding figure on the 1st instant would involve giving information respecting debt reduction within the current financial year, for which I must ask my hon. friend to wait for the Budget Statement.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when the application in the case of the sale of the Law estate at Ardocheasty, near Ardmore, County Waterford, was lodged with the Estates Commissioners; whether an evicted tenant on the estate named Michael Gee has applied for reinstatement; and, if so, what steps have been taken for his restoration. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Proceedings for the sale of the property in question were instituted before the Estates Commissioners in December, 1906. An application for reinstatement has been received from Michael Gee, whose case has been referred to an inspector for inquiry.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when the Estates Commissioners propose to subdivide Camolin Park among county Wexford evicted tenants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners expect to be able, at an early date, to make a formal offer for the purchase of the property in question. If their offer should be accepted, they will at once make arrangements for the disposal of the untenanted land.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland how soon do the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland propose to allow the building of the proposed new school at Ferns, county Wexford, which work has now been six years delayed. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education are awaiting a Report from the Board of Public Works as to the suitability of special plans for the building which were submitted in this case by the applicant, and estimates of the cost of building, enclosing, etc. The Board of Works have intimated to the Commissioners that they are in communication with the applicant's architect regarding some amendments which were required in the plans, and that they are taking steps to expedite the case.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will insert provisions in his coming Land Purchase Amendment Bill to enable labourers to purchase their holdings from the Irish District Councils. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The question of legislation to the effect suggested by the hon. Baronet was very fully considered by the Government when the Labourers Bill was being framed, and was delcided in the negative. The object of the Labourers Acts is to provide accommodation for persons working as agricultural labourers, and it would be undesirable, in the interests of the farmers and agriculturists generally, that labourers should be assisted to become the owners of their cottages and holdings. If they were enabled to purchase, there would be nothing to prevent them from selling or letting the cottages and plots to persons for whom they could not have been provided under the Acts. At present the labourer pays but a small rent, and his cottage is kept in repair for him; under the arrangement suggested in the Question he would have to pay a much higher annual charge in the shape of an instalment of the loan for sixty-eight and a half years in return for which he would have the prospect of being possessed of a cottage which might possibly be in ruins by the end of that time.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Government propose to introduce legislation this session to facilitate the construction of marine works on the south-east coast of Ireland. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The possibility of introducing legislation on the lines of the Navigation Works Bill of last session is under consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have yet come to an agreement with the Gorey District Council as to the rebuilding of the labourers cottages in the village of Camolin, County Wexford; and, if not, how soon do they propose to send down their inspector to make final arrangements there. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have, through their inspector, been in negotiation with the Gorey Rural District Council in reference to the matter named in the Question, and the matter is pending.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what progress has been made with the publication of the Calendar of the Judiciary Rolls of Ireland, as well as of the Statutes and Ordinances of the early Parliaments and Great Councils of Ireland; and what collections of Irish historical manuscripts are now in course of publication by the Record and Historical Manuscripts Commissions. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The first volume of the Calendar of Justiciary Rolls of Ireland was published in June, 1906. The entire text of a second volume is in the printers' hands, more than half of it being in type. The first volume of the Statutes was published in July, 1907, and the second volume is in progress. Facsimiles of the set of Barony maps of the Down Survey in the French National Gallery were prepared in 1907, and are nearly ready for issue. For information as to the work of the Historical Manuscripts Commission I must refer the hon. Baronet to my hon. friend the Secretary to the Treasury.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what was the price paid by the Congested Districts Board for the Kilmaine Estate, near Castlebar, County Mayo; and if the annuities now about to be demanded will be 3½ per cent. on the purchase price. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The purchase price was £9,124. The estate has not yet been resold to the tenants. The annuity payable under the Irish Land Act, 1903, is 3¼ per cent. on the amount advanced.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if it is his intention to reduce the average for the second assistant in national schools to 85 this year. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) No proposal to the effect mentioned is at present under the consideration of the Government.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of prosecutions brought against spirit grocers in Belfast for offences against the Licensing Acts during the year ending 31st January, 1908, the number of these in which convictions were obtained, and the number of appeals lodged by the police against dismissals. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) During the twelve months ending 31st January, 1908, there were eighty-six prosecutions against spirit grocers in Belfast for breaches of the Licensing Acts. The number of convictions was thirty-six, and three cases stand adjourned. The police have no right of appeal against dismissals in such cases.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether the negotiations between the Congested Districts Board and Sir Henry Lynch Blosse, Baronet, Athavilla, Balla, County Mayo, for the purchase of the Blosse property have been concluded; and, if not, will he state what stage the negotiations have reached. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Congested Districts Board opened negotiations for the purchase of the property in question, but were obliged to suspend them because there was no immediate prospect of the Board being placed in funds to provide the purchase money or to carry out the necessary improvement works on the property.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that licensing prosecutions are heard at petty sessions in Belfast on Wednesdays and Thursdays; that, although almost 90 per cent. of the spirit grocers in the city habitually sell for consumption on the premises, contrary to the terms of their licence, and by partitions and utensils adapt their premises for this business, convictions are rarely obtained on the clearest police evidence; and that the police have in consequence almost ceased bringing forward such prosecutions; and whether he will consider the advisability of directing the police authorities to exercise the right of appeal against decisions of the local magistrates. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that licensing prosecutions are heard in Belfast on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is no evidence that any number approaching 90 per cent. of the spirit grocers in Belfast habitually sell for consumption on the premises. There were eighty-six prosecutions last year, and the total number of dealers is 442. Even assuming that each prosecution was against a different person, the number prosecuted was less than 20 per cent. It is the fact that in many cases temporary partitions have been erected in spirit grocers' shops, in such a way as to conceal persons who might be drinking on the premises. The police habitually make such matters a ground of objection to the renewal of the licence at the annual licensing sessions, and in every such case the justices have ordered the obstruction to be removed. The police authorities inform me that they have in no degree relaxed their vigilance in supervising these traders and in prosecuting for breaches of the law. The police have no right of appeal under the licensing laws in cases of dismissal.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of, Ireland if he will say when the untenanted lands on the de Montalt estate, County Tipperary will be distributed among the applicants, especially among some local evicted tenants, such as the Dowling (Cappawhite) tenants, who were evicted in 1883. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The lands referred to in the Question have, at the request of the Estates Commissioners, been temporarily let up to the 1st April next, by which date the Commissioners hope to be in a position to take them over. It is proposed to provide for the Dowling evicted tenants upon the disposal of the lands.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether Francis Moore, evicted tenant on the Cambie estate near Templemore, Comity Tipperary, who was evicted in 1884, has applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement in his old holding, which is still on the landlord's hands; and, if so what action, if any, has been taken by the Commissioners in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have duly considered an application which they received from Francis Moore, who seeks reinstatement as an evicted tenant from the estate mentioned in the Question. The Commissioners have placed the applicant's name on the list of persons suitable to work a holding, and the case is now in the hands of an inspector with a view to providing him with a holding.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the number of seamen, marines, and boys on the active list of the Navy on 1st October, 1905, and 1st January, 1908, respectively.

One hundred and thirteen thousand nine hundred and forty-nine and 114,725 respectively.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Committee appointed to consider the question of naval cookery has concluded its labours; and, if so, when its Report will be made available to Members of this House.

The Committee has concluded its labours and its recommendations have been generally adopted after trial in selected ships. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the Report, but I doubt whether it is of sufficient interest to justify its presentation to the House.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant separation allowances to married privates of the New Territorial Army, as he proposes to do in the case of the non-commissioned officers; and whether he has taken into consideration the fact that his failing to do so may have a deterrent effect upon the number of Volunteers who are expected to transfer after 31st March next.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether non-commissioned officers only are entitled to separation allowance for their wives and families; and whether the like allowance is withheld from privates in the Territorial Army.

Married non-commissioned officers only will be granted separation allowances. The question of extending the grant to privates was very carefully considered but the large expenditure involved was held to be prohibitive. It has also been hoped that the privilege of the grant of this allowance will prove an extra inducement to non-commissioned officers to do more than they have hitherto been able to do in the way of improving their military efficiency, and should help to remove any possible obstacle in the way of attendance at camp. I must point out that in the Regular Forces the married establishment is very restricted, and that the grant is quite a novel concession, as neither the Militia nor the Yeomanry were given it during training.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what the percentage of married men in the present Volunteer force is, and why we should draw a line of distinction between the married men in the Regular Forces and the married men enlisted under the New Territorial Army scheme?

As I have said, the married establishment of the Regular Forces is very restricted. Moreover, those men are on duty all the year round, excepting their furlough, and separation from their wives is therefore a much more serious matter in their case than a separation for fifteen or eighteen days, as in the case of the men of the Territorial Force going into camp.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the new pattern sword and bayonet are satisfactory; and how many, so far, have been issued to the troops at home and abroad, respectively.

The new pattern swords issued to regiments for trial last July have been reported on as satisfactory except in certain minor details, which are being altered. It is hoped shortly to get the pattern approved and commence manufacture. The new pattern bayonet is satisfactory and has been approved. Manufacture has commenced, but no bayonets are yet available for issue to the troops.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, whose headquarters are in Glasgow, are to be disbanded; whether he is aware that the members of that corps belong entirely to the artisan class; that last year that battalion had a larger increase in strength than any other of the Highland Light Infantry battalions; and, seeing that they have the most recently built headquarters in Glasgow, at the cost of £13,000, and that they have only recently incurred expense in changing their uniform to the kilt, whether he will provide for the retention of this battalion.

As I explained to the House last Tuesday, I cannot at present state how far existing units will be affected by the new scheme, and I am therefore unable to answer the Questions concerning the future of this particular unit. The facts concerning the regiment are as stated in the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will say why a combatant major should get a retiring allowance of £300 per annum on retiring at the age of forty-eight years, while a man who has risen from the ranks by sheer merit gets only £200 per annum on retirement as a major at the age of fifty-five years.

The quartermaster when he retires at the age of fifty-five has on the average about fifteen years' commissioned service. His rank of Major is only an honorary one, and he rises to it automatically, an honorary majority being given after fifteen years' of commissioned service. Moreover, his duties remain practically the same throughout, no increase of responsibility following the rise in rank. A combatant major who retires at the age of forty-eight has averaged twenty-seven years' commissioned service. Unlike the quartermaster, each step of promotion he receives is followed by a considerable increase in his duties and responsibilities, and to

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will say whether anything can be done to better the retiring allowance of quartermasters who have attained the rank of honorary major.

The question has been recently considered, but it has not been found practicable to take any step towards increasing the pay of these officers.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what were the numbers of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, respectively, of the Army Service Corps serving with the colours on 1st October, 1905, and 1st January, 1908.

The figures are as follow—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what were the numbers of officers, noncommissioned officers, and men, respec-

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the public service rendered by a Commission of the Royal Society, at the request of the War Office and the Admiralty, in discovering the cause of Malta fever, from which many hundreds annually of our soldiers and sailors on that island till recently suffered; and whether, in view of the importance of this discovery in the annals of preventive medicine, inasmuch as at the present moment the disease has been entirely stamped out, he will consider the desirability

The figures are as follow—

I am aware of the great service rendered by the Commission in question. The Commission's investigations and the adoption of preventive measures as the outcome of its recommendations have been followed by the practical disappearance of Malta fever from the garrison of the Island. I think that the Royal Society is well aware how genuine is the appreciation of the Government. We owe much to the Royal Society's Commission for the successful issue of this remarkable investigation, and for the excellent results which have followed. These results illustrate the enormous importance of bringing science into our business of government.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether County Associations will be required to provide ranges for the Artillery under their command.

The whole question of the provision of Artillery ranges is under consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the new attestation which has been prepared for the Territorial Force, and to the character of the provisions which are embodied in the form, and, in particular, to the requirement as to medical inspection; and whether, in view of the direction previously given that no Volunteer or Yeoman at present serving need undergo fresh medical inspection on joining the Territorial Forces, he proposes to amend the attestation in question.

The form of attestation has been carefully considered with a view to ensuring that the maximum possible liability of the Territorial soldier tinder the new terms of service should be set out in a perfectly unmistakable manner. Under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act the Territorial soldier becomes liable to the provisions of the Army Act dealing with enlistment and false answer on attestation, as has been the case with regard to the Yeomanry since 1901, and it is right that this should be clearly stated. I may state, however, that I am about to constitute an influential and representative Advisory Council to deal with questions affecting the Territorial Forces, and it will have an opportunity of considering the attestation form before it becomes necessary to use it. With regard to medical inspection, it was made quite clear in the leaflet issued some time ago that no Yeoman or Volunteer transferring into a Force of the same Arm will be required to undergo fresh medical inspection, and there is no intention of departing from this. Medical inspection is, however, required in the case of a man transferring from foot to mounted service, but in that case only. As there has been some misunderstanding as to the alteration in the form of oath from that previously taken by Volunteers, I may add that the form has been changed merely in order to avoid the inconvenience of taking from the Territorial soldier a fresh engagement if he volunteers for foreign service. It has been made quite clear in the leaflets issued that the Territorial soldier will, as heretofore, be under no liability for service beyond the United Kingdom unless he voluntarily undertakes it, but should he do so, this form of oath will save him from being re-attested.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if, seeing the dissatisfaction caused by the new form of attestation, he would order its withdrawal and substitute one better calculated to secure recruits.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he would amend also the provision which imposed a penalty of £5 for noncompliance with certain regulations as to efficiency which had not yet been issued.

said the attestation form would not, and could not, be used for some six weeks yet, when the transfer took place, so that there was plenty of time to consider it. The attestation form was in compliance with the statute and set out the maximum liability, though whether it was drawn up in the most perfect fashion was one of the matters which would be referred to the Advisory Council. He perceived that there was some difference of opinion about the form of attestation in the North, and especially in Scotland, some Volunteer forces glorying in the new attestation, because it showed the reality of what was being asked of them, and they contrasted very favourably with the softer and more timorous attitude further South.

Will the form be withdrawn until the Advisory Council has reported?

No, Sir, but it cannot be used until the new force comes into existence, which will be at the end of the financial year.

invited the right hon. Gentleman to make it quite clear on the face of the attestation that the omission of the words "in Great Britain" would not imply any liability on the Territorial Force to serve outside the United Kingdom.

I have no difficulty in making that quite clear. The statute makes it abundantly plain that a man cannot be called upon to serve outside the United Kingdom.

Are we to understand it will not be used until it has been considered?

I have said I am referring the whole question to the Advisory Council, and it will not be used until that body has reported.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is now finally decided to disband the twenty-three Militia battalions detailed in the Army Order of 23rd December, 1907, thereby removing these historic battalions from the establishment and, in some cases, allowing others of less efficiency to become reserve battalions, or whether he could see his way in these cases to amalgamate the two battalions of a county under a neutral name, giving equal rights to the officers and non-commissioned officers of the two battalions according to seniority, and thereby avoiding the soreness and dissatisfaction that now prevails in the battalions that are to be disbanded.

The disbandment of these Militia battalions is quite finally decided. Steps have already been taken to dispose of the men belonging to them. All the officers, with the exception of the Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding, may, with their own consent, be attached to a remaining Militia battalion of the same regiment, or in certain circumstances to a battalion of another regiment. With regard to a neutral or a combined county title name being given to Militia battalions converted into Reserve battalions, the Army Council are prepared to consider any proposals which may be put forward.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he intends to allow Mrs. Paterson, the lady recruiting agent, to wear the recruiting rosette given to her by Colonel Walsh for recruiting purposes; and whether the lady agent has been properly drilled and instructed by the chief recruiting officer, consistent with the Recruiting Regulations, to make her a fit person to act on behalf of the War Office as a recruiting agent.

I see no reason why this lady should not wear the rosette which Colonel Walsh gave her. Recruiting agents are not drilled or instructed. Any individual soldier or civilian who brings a recruit to a recruiter or to a military barrack is considered a recruiting agent.

I beg to to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is intended to circulate the evidence taken by the Native Affairs Commission of the Natal Government; or, if that be not possible, can a copy of the document be placed in the Library for the use of Members.

The Volume of Evidence contains over 1,000 pages, and the cost of circulating it as a Parliamentary Paper would be excessive. I therefore propose to place two copies in the Library for the use of hon. Members and trust they will be found sufficient.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Reports of the British Consuls in the Congo State of later date than the last Blue-book will be placed in the hands of Members in the course of the present week; and whether he will accelerate the issue of these Papers before the discussion on the affairs of the Congo is reached on the 26th instant.

My right hon. friend will expedite the issue of the Papers as much as possible and hopes they will be ready before the 26th.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can hold out any prospect of a grant towards the upkeep of the observatory on Ben Nevis.

I explained, in answer to a Question by my hon. friend the Member for Inverness, on 1st August last, that the only scheme which has up to the present been placed before me is one under which the whole cost of the re-equipment and maintenance of the observatories would be thrown upon public funds, and to this I should not feel justified in assenting. I am, however, quite prepared to consider the question of renewing the Government grant which was for many years given to these institutions through the Meteorological Council, provided that an adequate contribution towards their re-establishment and maintenance is forthcoming from other sources. So far as I am aware, there has been no change in the position since that date.

What does the right hon. Gentleman consider "adequate provision"?

I have laid that down quite clearly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve the policy of the late Government in discontinuing the grant?

I express no opinion on that.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total quantity of offal tobacco on which drawback was paid from April to December, 1907, both months inclusive.

The total quantity of offal tobacco upon which drawback was paid from April to December, 1907, both months inclusive, was 6,656,666 lbs.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many infants of the 1,060 who met their death last year from overlaying were born of parents who live in one and two-room tenements in England and Scotland.

I presume the hon. Member refers to a statement made by myself on the introduction of the Children Bill. The number of deaths then mentioned in this connection was 1,600. These figures were obtained from the Registrar General's Reports, but the Secretary of State has no source of information from which to give the further particulars asked for in this Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the investigations of the Commissioners of Police, to whom the subject of "Limerick" competitions was referred by the late Attorney-General, have led to any results; and whether it is now found that the prizes are chosen haphazard, and that the so-called competition is a lottery within the statute and a fraud upon the competitors, to whom it is represented that the discrimination will be exercised upon a basis of comparative merit.

The Commissioner of Police has for some time been giving his attention to the question of these competitions, but he is advised that proceedings cannot be taken against the promoters with any hope of success under the Lottery Acts; and, where fraud has been suspected, the police, who have not access to the offices where the competitions are conducted, have been unable to obtain the evidence which would be necessary for a prosecution. The whole question of these and similar newspaper competitions is, however, receiving the careful consideration of the Government.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, does the expenditure of the current financial year, estimated at £11,400, cover the entire cost of administering the Aliens Act, including the services of the police; and if not, can he inform the House how much altogether the administration of this Act is costing the country.

The figures which the Secretary of State has already given to the House represent the most accurate statement which can be made of the cost of administering the Aliens Act. No payment on account of the Act is made to the police for their services, which are rendered as part of their ordinary duty, but out-of-pocket expenses necessarily incurred by them in arranging at the Secretary of State's request for the expulsion of aliens are reimbursed. These expenses are included in the sum of £11,400 already mentioned.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the name of Captain G. R. B. Drummond, of Horsham, appears on the published list of one of the brewery debenture holders' committees, formed to protect the interests of the holders of debentures secured upon breweries; and whether, seeing that this gentleman is chief constable of West Sussex, and an official responsible for the administration of the licensing laws, he will say what action he proposes to take in view of his membership of a political organisation for the protection of the liquor trade.

The Secretary of State is informed by the chief constable in question that he has had for many years a small amount of capital invested in the debentures of a brewery not connected with the county of Sussex, and that a few months ago he accepted an invitation from the Chairman of the Law Debenture Corporation—an association engaged in the protection of the interests of brewery debenture holders—to allow his name to appear on a local committee. The chief constable states that in view of his position he takes no personal part in any political organisation or meetings. The Secretary of State certainly thinks Major Drummond would have been better advised if he had refused the invitation, but he has no authority to give him any instructions in the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman cause a copy of the Answer to be sent to this gentleman?

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of men and women who were imprisoned for debt in Great Britain and Ireland during 1907.

The number of men and women committed by County Courts as debtors, and imprisoned as such in England and Wales during 1907 were 8,658 and 104 respectively. The Secretary of State has no-figures as regards Scotland and Ireland.

Can the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that the Government will take any steps to bring in a Bill dealing with this question?

I think my right hon. friend has already answered that Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the prison numbers and initials of men and boys who were flogged in local and convict prisons in Great Britain and Ireland during 1907, and in each case to specify the nature of the offence; the number of lashes inflicted; and also in each case to specify whether he had refused to confirm the sentence of flogging or had reduced the number of lashes awarded.

The hon. Member will find the particulars he mentions for the year ended 31st March last in the last Report of the Prison Commissioners, and a similar Return for the year ending 31st March next will be published in their next Report. Scottish and Irish Prisons do not come within the Secretary of State's jurisdiction.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that over 5,000 employees, mainly engaged in coupling and uncoupling vehicles and other shunting operations, in private sidings connected with factories, workshops, and docks have been killed or injured since 1897; if he is aware that no separate Returns of these accidents are made to Parliament; and whether he will cause a tabulated Return of such accidents to be made in future, as is done by the Board of Trade for public railways, showing each year how many employees are killed and injured in coupling and uncoupling, and other like headings, when engaged in shunting operations.

The figures of accidents caused by locomotives or other moving railway plant on premises under the Factory Act are not available for the period named in the Question, but the total of such accidents in the records of the Factory Department for the five years 1902 to 1906, is 2,802. The Secretary of State would explain, however, that this figure does not represent the full number of these accidents on premises under the Factory Act. Accidents caused by the movement of vehicles on public lines in docks, railway locomotive sheds and railway warehouses are also reportable to the Board of Trade, and by arrangement with that Department any notices of such accidents received by the Factory Inspectors are referred to and dealt with by that Department, and do not appear on the records of the Factory Department. The Secretary of State will be glad to bear in mind the suggestion of my hon. friend as to a more detailed classification of accidents on private lines and sidings being given in the annual Report, but in the limited time available for the preparation of that Report it is not possible with the staff at the disposal of the Chief Inspector for the purpose to carry the analysis of particular classes of accidents into great detail and all that can be done is from time to time to select a particular class for special treatment. A detailed list of locomotive accidents in 1900 will be found in the Report for that year.

suggested that the right hon. Gentleman should follow the tables given in the Board of Trade returns of railway accidents.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the London County Council for the discontinuance of their contributions to the national institutions under the Inebriates Act of 1898; whether this will deprive some 400 or 500 of the worst classes of inebriates of treatment at these institutions; and whether he has it in his power to take any steps to prevent the Act being rendered of no effect by this decision.

My right hon. friend is anxious to give a full reply to this Question, and as it is too lengthy for an oral reply, it will be circulated with the Votes to-morrow.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of the inquiry into the condition of the Great Western Railway station at Newbury which he promised to make in July last; and what steps have been taken by the railway company in consequence of it.

Colonel Yorke visited this station in August last and reported that the accommodation was quite inadequate for the present traffic. The Board of Trade were informed that the Company had already approved plans for the reconstruction of the station on the most modern lines at an estimated cost of £60,000, but there have been difficulties in the way of the acquisition of the necessary land. These difficulties have now I understand been removed and the work is being put in hand at once.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that signalmen on the London and South Western Railway, employed at various stations out of London, are permitted to proceed

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will this (session introduce legislation extending the grant of 4s. weekly, now made under the Local Government Act of 1888, in respect of each lunatic maintained in a lunatic asylum to imbeciles and lunatics certified for treatment in workhouses.

I am informed by the Railway Company that the practice to which my hon. friend refers is a voluntary one on the part of the men. If, however, my hon. friend can supply me with any information supporting the suggestion in the last part of his Question I shall be glad to consider it.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of British-born and the number of foreigners engaged on British ships in 1897, 1903, and 1907 respectively.

The figures for the year 1907 are not vet available, but those for 1897, 1903, and 1906 are as follows:—

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the results of the single tax on land values as applied to local taxation in Queensland as stated in Cd. 3890, and in particular to the statement of the Under Secretary to the Treasury that the exemption of improvement from taxation has a tendency to encourage building operations; and whether he intends to consider this side of the question in the Housing Bill he proposes to introduce.

I have seen the paper and statement referred to. I am afraid I must defer giving any information respecting the Bill to amend the Housing of the Working Classes Acts until the Bill is introduced.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the numbers of motor cars registered and licences issued in the United Kingdom at the end of 1906 and 1907, and, if possible, the number of horse-drawn vehicles as well; the number of applications for speed limits made by local authorities, and the number of regulations granted up to date; and the number of accidents caused in London, and, if possible, in the United Kingdom, by motor vehicles and horse-drawn vehicles respectively in 1907.

The latest figures as to the number of motor cars registered and drivers' licences issued in the United Kingdom are those given in the Appendix to the Report of the Royal Commission on Motor Cars. They show that on the 30th September, 1905, there were 74,038 registered motor cars and motor cycles and that there were 95,836 drivers' licences in force. I understand, however, that the number of private motor cars and motor cycles upon which licence duties were paid was 67,115 in 1906 and 76,567 in 1907. I have no information as to the total number of horse-drawn vehicles, but for the financial year 1906–7 the number of these vehicles, excluding hackney and stage carriages, upon which licence duty was paid was 413,000. The total number of applications made to the Local Government Board by local authorities in England and Wales for the imposition of speed limits since the Motor Car Act, 1903, came into operation is 103. Of these applications forty-nine have been withdrawn or abandoned, and nineteen have been refused; in twenty-two cases orders prescribing speed limits have been granted or promised, and thirteen are now under consideration. The number of accidents from vehicles in the United Kingdom cannot be given, but figures which have been supplied to me by the Home Office in relation to the Metropolitan Police District show that in 1907 the number of accidents reported to the Metropolitan Police were as respects motor vehicles 16,010, and with respect to horse-drawn vehicles 21,415. Of the former 5,328 were due to mechanically propelled tramcars, and 4,723 to motor omnibuses.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state, for the United Kingdom, the numbers of unskilled working men at the censuses of 1881 and 1901, and their proportions per 1,000,000 adult males at the censuses.

I have communicated with the Registrar General on this subject so far as England and Wales are concerned. He points out that the occupations are not given in the Census Reports of 1881 and 1901 in such a way as to enable a distinction to be drawn between skilled and unskilled working men.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has arrived at any conclusion respecting the powers of rural district councils to contribute to the cost of spraying with tar the main roads within their districts as a means of mitigating the dust nuisance.

I have given attention to this matter. I am advised that the experience hitherto obtained of the effect of spraying roads with tar does not show that the operation would necessarily be of such a character as to constitute an improvement of the roads within the meaning of Section 3 of the Highways and Bridges Act, 1891. It is only where this is the case that a rural district council could contribute towards the cost.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to the intentions of the Government in the matter of mariners' votes; and whether, in view of the fact that sailors are at present practically disfranchised, he can give any promise to introduce legislation to remove their disabilities, or at least to appoint a Committee to consider and report on the subject.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. It would be difficult to deal with the case of mariners apart from that of other classes of persons who are absent from home on duty on the polling day. It would not be practicable for the Government to introduce legislation on the subject during the present session, and I could not promise that they would propose the appointment of a Committee with regard to it, but the suggestion that they should do so will receive consideration.

asked if a Committee had not already inquired into the subject and what were its recommendations.

I cannot charge my memory.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of including in any legislation such classes as commercial travellers and railway drivers?

That is the type of persons to whom my Answer refers.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether larch for telegraph poles is now purchased abroad; whether he is aware that suitable poles are available in Wales in the necessary quantities; and whether he will consider the advisability of purchasing such poles in Wales.

Telegraph poles are, at present purchased abroad, and are of red fir. Attempts have been made from time to time to obtain supplies of suitable home-grown timber, but hitherto with out success. I am anxious to utilise home-grown timber if suitable poles can be obtained, and at a reasonable price. With this object I recently communicated with the authorities and persons interested in the matter, and invited tenders from all parts of the country. The result was disappointing, and the only order I have been able to place at present is with a Welsh firm for a small number of larch poles. If the hon. Member can give me the names of any persons prepared to supply suitable poles, I shall be glad to invite tenders from them.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has considered the advisability of purchasing suitable fir poles grown in large quantities in the New Forest Crown inclosures?

If the poles are to be had at a reasonable price I will gladly consider any tender.

Are we to understand that no higher price will be paid for poles in order to favour a particular constituency?

It is merely a question of tender.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of his difficulty in obtaining home-grown telegraph poles he will consider the desirability of using ferro-concrete poles made of English cement and English iron.

The Post Office engineers have this matter under consideration.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether it is his intention to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants in all particulars.

I have announced in a notice to the Post Office staff, dated 14th instant the changes, following the recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants, which it is proposed to make in the pay and conditions of service of those classes in the Post Office which were represented before the Committee, excepting sub-postmasters. I am now dealing with the question of the sub-postmasters and the smaller classes which were not represented.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he can state the number of postmen who are employed in the country districts in Scotland on the Sabbath; the number of country post offices open on the Sabbath; if he can state approximately the cost to the country of such Sabbath work; and whether, in view of the cost to the country of this service and the small public advantage gained by it, he will take into consideration the expediency of relieving the country of the charge, and of granting to a number of public servants their Sabbath Day rest.

To obtain a return of the number of rural postmen who are employed in the country districts of Scotland on Sunday, and of the number of country post offices open on that day, would involve considerable expense. But I may repeat the statement which I made in answer to my hon. friend's question of the 28th of June, 1906, that there are comparatively few Sunday posts in rural districts in Scotland, and that they are laid out with a view of minimising Sunday labour. My desire is to discourage and not to encourage Sunday labour in the Post Office, and the wishes of those postmen who desire exemption from Sunday work are complied with as far as practicable. If any district which at present has a Sunday delivery desires it to be discontinued, and if the local authorities are prepared to move the matter, I shall be glad to give instructions accordingly I may add that only the other day the Glasgow Corporation as a result of representations made to them agreed that in the future there need be no Sunday delivery and that the calling for letters on that day should cease.

When a postal delivery extends into the area of a number of authorities which is the "local authority" to be approached?

was understood to say that as a rule all local authorities were under the control of one body which could consider the matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer apply to Ireland?

Certainly.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can now say whether hay from Rotterdam has been the cause of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease amongst cattle in the district of Edinburgh; and, if so, whether he has taken any steps to prevent the importation of hay into the United Kingdom from foreign countries with the view to prevent the outbreak of such disease in the future.

There is evidence that hay imported from Rotterdam was the medium by which foot-and-mouth disease was recently introduced into Scotland, but our inquiries on the subject are not yet complete. The general question is receiving very careful consideration but no decision has yet been arrived at.

Is there any foot-and-mouth disease among cattle at Rotterdam at present?

So far as I am aware, all over the Netherlands there is foot-and-mouth disease at the present time.

Having regard to this fact, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prevent hay or any other forage coming in from that country?

As I have already informed the House, the whole matter is receiving careful consideration.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can say under what name is milk-blended butter sold with the approval of the Board of Agriculture, in accordance with the Butter and Margarine Act, 1907, when it contains more than 16 per cent., and under 24 per cent. of water; and whether, under the Act, there is any change in the description of margarine when offered for sale to the public.

Nineteen names have up to the present time been approved by the Board for milk-blended butter. The law as to the manner in which margarine is to be described was amended by Section 8 of the Act to which the hon. Member refers.

Is it a fact that one of the names used for this butter is "Pearks's Own?"

Yes.

Having regard to the fact that a firm of the name of Pearks & Co. (Ltd.) sell this article as "Pearks's Own," are not the Board of Agriculture giving preference to this firm; furthermore, is the Board of Agriculture an advertising agency for this firm?

The hon. Member must give notice of that Question.

Is it a fact that when people inquire for butter —[A NATIONALIST MEMBER: They sometimes get margarine "]—they receive the answer from retail shopkeepers that they can sell them "Pearks's Own," which implies that it is butter; and whether it is not an evasion of the new Act?

In view of the similarity between "Pearks & Co." and "Pearks's Own" will the hon. Gentleman take steps to change the name of milk-blended butter?

I will represent the opinion of the hon. Member to the President of the Board of Agriculture.

I beg-to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, how many acres were planted with wheat in the United Kingdom in the past year; and what was the total quantity of wheat produced.

The acreage under wheat in the United Kingdom in 1907 was 1,663,579 acres and the total production 7,066,399 quarters.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can say whether the sale of live stock has been stopped in the markets at Edinburgh owing to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the district; and, if so, whether having regard to the fact that this will be a serious loss to the cattle trade, he will take immediate steps to see that the sales be allowed to continue.

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. We are aware that the closing of the markets entails loss upon all concerned, but it was imperative that every possible means should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and at the moment it would not be safe further to modify our orders on the subject. The outlook is however promising, and the restrictions will gradually be withdrawn so soon as we can prudently do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation this session relating to county courts.

Last year the Lord Chancellor introduced a Bill on this subject in the other House, and should a favourable opportunity offer this session he is likely to introduce another.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether some years ago the Treasury issued to public Departments a list of newspapers from which all Conservative and Unionist journals were excluded, with instructions that official advertisements were to be sent only to the papers mentioned in the list; and whether any modification of this list was made when the late Government came into power.

I am not answerable for the actions of my predecessors, nor have I the necessary documents to enable me to ascertain the historical facts. If the hon. Member will exert his influence to obtain for me a copy of the list of newspapers issued by the late Government, of which there is no trace on the official files, I shall be very pleased to scrutinise it and give him my opinion upon it.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that statistics show that the great majority of boy clerkships fall to boys who have their homes in London or Dublin, on account of the necessity of their living in these cities; and whether he will consider the advisability of not granting these boys the privilege of service marks in all open competitions for the Excise and Customs Departments throughout the United Kingdom, to the detriment and loss of boys from Glasgow and other large towns.

The Secretary to the Treasury sees no sufficient reason for the course suggested by my hon. friend. I understand that of the boy clerks who were successful at the competitions held in May and September, 1907, 61 per cent. had their homes in London and the neighbourhood, or in Dublin. Of the successful candidates in the four competitions held in 1907 for assistantships of Excise and assistant-ships of Customs, sixty-one received service marks, and of these twenty-four only had their homes in London and the suburbs or in Dublin at the time they became boy clerks. Service marks are regarded not as an advantage bestowed on boy clerks over other candidates for public appointment, but as a compensation to those boys for the difficulties under which their studies are carried on owing to the public duties discharged by them.