To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he can now state the result of the inquiries by the legal authorities in Scotland into the outrage committed in the Moray Firth on the fishing boat "Paramount" on 19th February. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) After careful inquiry, and a full consideration of all the facts, the authorities have come to the conclusion that the circumstances do not warrant criminal proceedings.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether a register of teachers in secondary schools, apart from the register of certificated elementary teachers, is to be maintained; and, if not, whether the registration fees paid by the teachers whose names were on column B of the suspended register will be repaid, or what is to be done with the surplus left by the late Registration Council. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Parliamentary Paper which was recently circulated on the subject [Cd. 4185]. The hon. Member's suggestion for a register for secondary school teachers only, separate from the register for any other teachers, would appear to be inconsistent with the terms of Section 16 (2) of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907. Pending the establishment of the council it would be premature to decide as to the disposal of the balance in hand.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the names of the first six shipping ports of the world, judged by the tonnage of their shipping entered and cleared; and the amount of tonnage of ships entered and cleared in the case of each port for the latest year for which statistics are available. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) I regret that it is not possible to give the information desired, on account of the absence of records of coasting trade in

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the volume of work, as computed in units for the purpose of classifying post offices to fix the salary of the staff, comprises in each case the whole of the postal work performed in the district by the established staff at head and branch the case of some of the largest ports, including New York and Rotterdam. The following figures may, however, be of some interest to the noble Lord, but they must be read in connection with the qualifications given in the Notes. The ports, which are selected on account of their large oversea shipping trade, are given in alphabetical order— offices, that performed at unestablished post offices, and all telephone work; and whether he will publish the Regulations issued to surveyors for their guidance in obtaining the returns of work for classifying the wages of the staff. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The volume of work comprises the work of the established staff at head and branch offices and in the rural area, the work done at the head office in connection with all sub-offices, and telephone work in connection with trunk calls. It is not proposed to publish the instructions issued to surveyors in connection with this matter.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what were the amounts paid out of public funds, other than out of rate, to the several Universities, as such in the United Kingdom during the last, financial year.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether the maximum salary at Enniskillen for telegraphists is to be reduced from 44s. per week to 40s.; whether the record of work, on which the units for classification purposes were computed, did not include 7,000 service messages, delivered registered letters, and forwarded registered letters; and whether he will order a fresh inquiry to be made as to the classification of this office. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The Returns of work upon which the present classification is based refer to the year ended 31st December, 1907, and the Return showed that the volume of work at Enniskillen only amounted to 81 units. Such a figure of volume of work only warrants Class V. scales for the indoor force, the range of which class is 120 units of work or less. Enniskillen is not regarded as an exceptionally expensive place to live in, and therefore remains in Class V. The Returns of work for Enniskillen were prepared upon the same lines as those for all other towns. Service messages are not taken into account. Delivered and forwarded registered letters are included as letters.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the postmaster at Forest Gate, Essex, carries on business as a wine and spirit merchant; that the residents calling at the post office for the purpose of using the telephone are sent to the postmaster's premises where liquor is sold; and whether, in view of the fact that a number of the inhabitants have conscientious objections to enter these premises, he will make arrangements for the transference of the telephone to the post office. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Presumably the office referred to by the hon. Member is that at Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate. The Post Office business is carried on in a stationer's shop. The sub-postmaster also sells wine and spirits on an off-licence in premises on the opposite side of the road and he has had the National Telephone Company's instrument installed there. I understand he is about to remove his post office and stationery business to other premises still unconnected with his wine and spirit business and that he is willing to transfer the National Telephone Company's instrument to these premises, but I cannot compel him to do so.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether he has yet appointed the promised Departmental Committee on half-timers; and, if so, will he state the names of the committee and the terms of reference. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Yes, Sir, the Committee will consist of: Mr. T. McKinnon Wood, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Education;. Lord Clifford of Chudleigh; Lord Stanley of Alderley; Mr. Walter R. Rea, M.P.;. Mr. H. M. Lindsell, C.B., a Principal Assistant Secretary of the Board of Education; Mr. G. Bellhouse, one of His Majesty's Superintending Inspectors of Factories; Mr. Joseph Cross, of Accrington, Secretary of the Northern Counties Weavers Amalgamation; Mr. Tom Garnett, of Manchester; Mr. Allen Gee, of Huddersfield, General Secretary of the General Union of Weavers and Textile Workers; Mr. Mark Oldroyd, of Dewsbury; with Mr. C. E. Sykes, an Examiner of the Board of Education, as Secretary. The terms of reference are as follows: (1) To inquire into and report upon the extent to which existing enactments, relating to partial exemption form compulsory school attendance are taken advantage of in urban and rural areas in England and Wales; the occupations in which children so exempted are employed; and the effect of such occupations upon the general education and industrial training of the children; (2) to consider the practical effects of legislation providing for the abolition or restriction of half-time employment upon industries and wage-earning, and upon educational organisation and expenditure; (3) to report whether and to what extent in view of these considerations, it is desirable to amend the law by raising the age at which partial exemption from attendance at public elementary schools is to be permitted, or by raising the minimum age for total exemption concurrently with affording facilities for partial exemption.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland what was the total annual expenditure by local bodies in Scotland in the year ending 1906–7, and also the total of the municipal debt for that year. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) For the information required I would refer the hon. Member to the table at page vii. of the Local Taxation (Scotland) Returns for 1905–6 (H.C. 305 (1907). The corresponding volume for 1906–7 is in course of preparation, and is not likely to be ready for some months. So far as regards the expenditure on education for 1906–7, the information will be found on page xii. of Command Paper 4112.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether in view of the fact that the discussion on the Post Office Vote has resolved itself to a large extent into a discussion of grievances which it is quite impossible to answer in detail, and that real anomalies and hardships may run the risk of going unredressed, he will consider the advisability of appointing a Standing Committee or Commission, as in New Zealand, to which all such grievances and difficulties can be automatically referred. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Any complaints put forward by my staff will be carefully considered by me. I do not think the Postmaster-General should be relieved of this duty.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether the temporary agreement that has recently been arrived at with reference to the conditions of entrance to denominational training colleges has been accepted by the authorities of denominational training colleges other than Church of England training colleges. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) I have no reason to believe that any college on the grant list fails to comply with the Training College Regulations, 1908.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how far the negotiations for the purchase of Lord Gough's estate, near Gort, in the County Galway, have proceeded; whether the question of reserving the sporting rights by the landlord has been an impediment; and whether, in the interests of peace in the locality, he would have the Estates Commissioners to intervene in the hope of bringing about an amicable arrangement. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are not aware of any recent negotiations for the purchase of Lord Gough's estate. As regards the remainder of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his similar Question on 9th May, 1907. For the reasons therein stated the Commissioners do not think that any useful purpose would be served by renewing their intervention in the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what steps, if any, are being taken to put into force the recommendations of the Belfast Health Commission; and whether, in view of the time occupied by the Commission and the expense attending it, he will endeavour to see that its work shall not be without any practical result. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Since the appointment of the Commission referred to the Local Government Board have had evidence of increased activity in the public health administration of Belfast, and the corporation have already taken steps to remedy some of the sanitary defects which were brought under the notice of the Commission. Many important recommendations were made by the Commission and, as I have already informed the hon. Member, the corporation must be allowed a reasonable time for action before the Local Government Board can take steps in the matter. The hon. Member may rest assured that the matter will not be lost sight of.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have several times communicated with Count Moore in connection with the reinstatement of Mrs. Moroney in her evicted farm at Kilross, and with what result; and what further steps the Commissioners contemplate taking. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that, having received no reply from the owner to their offer to make an advance for the purchase of the holding in question, they have decided to take steps to acquire it compulsorily under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that since the passing of the Loral Government Act, 1898, under which half the landlord's portion of rates was paid, the members of the Local Government Board are forcing boards of guardians to increase their staffs, to expend large sums in alterations in workhouses and hospitals, to increase salaries by imposing new duties, and generally to increase the burden on the ratepayer; whether under the Land Purchase Acts the occupier has to bear the entire burden of increased rates; and whether, as the entire amount of the said increase has to be borne by local contribution, he will see his way to having half the amount contributed, as was the practice prior to the passing of the Local Government Act. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The general policy of the Local Government Board is quite the opposite of that suggested in the Question. In exceptional cases, in which the existing staff was found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of the sick poor, the action of the Local Government Board may have involved increased expenditure by local authorities, but the great majority of the complaints made against the Board are that they refuse to sanction increased expenditure upon salaries and other matters. The Land Purchase Acts have not affected the incidence of the rates. The hon. Member should bear in mind that a reversion to the system which existed prior to 1898 would involve the withdrawal from Ireland of the Agricultural Grant of over £700,000 a year.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that, on Saturday night, the 11th instant, Orange arches were put across William Street or Chapel Street, Portadown, where the Catholic Church and the priests' house are situated, a few yards from the church, to the annoyance of Catholics coming to church on Sunday, although nothing of the kind has been seen in the street for years; that there was yelling and horseplay on the night of the 11th and up till two o'clock the following morning opposite the church and presbytery; and that on Sunday night the mob increased in numbers and violence, cursing the Pope and thumping the doors of the Catholic houses, and breaking in the door of a Catholic widow's house to the terror of the woman and her daughter; whether any police were present on the occasion; will he say whether any arrests were made or any report furnished to the authorities, and whether but for the forbearance of the Catholics a serious riot might have taken place; whether he is also aware that in another Catholic quarter, namely, Marlay Street, on Sunday night, the 12th instant similar misconduct, accompanied with breaking of windows and stone throwing, took place without any provocation or retaliation on the part of the Catholics; whether he will explain why no policemen were to be found in the vicinity of these occurrences; and whether he will direct that the police shall take action to prevent the repetition of such occurrences in future, and especially of the erection of Orange arches beside the Catholic Church or in Catholic quarters. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police authorities inform me that on the night of the 11th instant an Orange arch was erected in William Street, Portadown, in which street the Catholic Church and the priests' house are situated. The majority of the residents in that street are Protestants, and the part of the street where the arch was put up is exclusively occupied by Protestants; and it has been the usual custom to put an arch there. Police patrols were specially placed in the street on the 11th, 12th, and 13th instant. No such conduct as is referred to in the Question came under their notice, nor has any complaint of such conduct been received. It is the fact that on the night of the 12th a few panes of glass of the value of 1s. 6d. were broken in Marley Street, a Catholic quarter, but the police were unable to determine whether this incident was of a party character. No Orange arches were erected in Catholic quarters, and no complaint has been received heretofore respecting the arch usually erected in William Street. The police take all possible measures for preserving the peace on the occasion of these party celebrations, and in this case they appear to have done so with considerable success.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board was authorised last April to purchase £420,000 worth of tenanted land, and that the Board is unable to carry out the purchase of these estates on account of the lack of funds to make improvements on them; and, seeing that a serious situation has arisen on these estates on account of the sales not being carried through, whether he will advise that the Board should be provided with the necessary increase to its funds to enable it to complete the purchase of, and carry out the improvements on, these estates which have been already authorised by the Treasury (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It is the fact that in April last the Congested Districts Board decided to negotiate for the purchase of eight estates at an estimated cost of about £420,000. The Board did not at once enter upon negotiations for the purchase of these estates, but at their meeting on the 10th instant it was decided to go on with the matter, and the negotiations for purchase will now proceed. Such negotiations in the case of large estates necessarily take time, and it cannot be said that a serious situation has arisen on these estates because the sales have not been carried through. There is no difficulty about the provision of funds for the purchase of estates by means of advances from the Land Commission, and as regards the improvement of the eight estates particularly referred to no immediate difficulty can arise seeing that, even under the most expeditious proceedings a considerable time must elapse before the lands are vested in the Board.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of extra police stationed in the district of Ballinaglera, County Letrim, to the fact that all causes of disturbance have been removed, the land question in that locality practically settled, and the district perfectly peaceable, he would give instructions to have all extra police withdrawn. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Five extra policemen are stationed in the district referred to. The police authorities inform me that there has been an improvement in the state of the district, but that it would be premature to reduce the strength of the police at present. The force will be reduced as soon as the circumstances warrant the adoption of that course.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether towards the end of last year a pay-sergeant in the D Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Police absconded with a considerable sum of public money; if a staff-sergeant in the same division also absconded, owing large sums to various traders for goods supplied to the mess; whether any inquiry was held, and with what result, as to the responsibility of Superintendent Dunne for the conduct of the sergeants, both of whom were under his control; if the superintendent was called upon to make good a portion of the money, and how much; and whether, in the event of the Government forcing on the people of Dublin the proposed Commission of Inquiry, he will enlarge its scope so as to make it possible to have the administration of the D Division, by Superintendent Dunne thoroughly investigated. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) A pay sergeant of the D Division of the Dublin police absconded last year with about £100 of public money. A staff-sergeant of the same division also absconded, but the Chief Commissioner is not aware of any outstanding liabilities for goods supplied to the mess. Superintendent Dunne, who is in charge of the finances of the division, provisionally made good the deficit. The matter was subsequently investigated by the Chief Commissioner, upon whose recommendation the Treasury relieved the superintendent from liability for the loss due to the fraud of his subordinate. I am not aware of any necessity for further investigating the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland having regard to the Resolution passed by this House that the granting to the Irish people of legislative and executive control of all purely Irish affairs is vital to the interests of Ireland, and to the declaration of the Prime Minister that the question of Home Rule for Ireland would be an issue at the next general election, he will consider the advisability of not proceeding with the appointment of the proposed Dublin Metropolitan Police Commission but leave all questions affecting that force to be dealt with by an Irish legislative assembly. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) When undertaking to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the cost of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, I was under the impression that there was a general wish for the appointment of such a Commission. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there has been considerable discussion upon the terms of reference, which have not yet been settled. I am not at present aware of any reason why the proposal to appoint a Commission should be abandoned.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when he will be i in a position to state the altered method on which the Supplementary Grant for primary education will be distributed. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I hope to be able to make a statement on this subject in the course of a week, but cannot at present name a precise date.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether over 200 police were imported into Cashel on 15th July in connection with a small seizure for rent; whether County Inspector Rogers refused to allow the inhabitants to pass through the streets, though requested to do so by the priest and representative men of the district, including the chairman of the urban council; whether the attitude of the county inspector was likely to lead to a breach of the peace on the occasion; and whether the urban district of Cashel will have to pay for the importation of those police. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) On 15th July a force of 100 police under County Inspector Rogers was assembled in Cashel to preserve the peace in connection with a sheriff's sale at which disturbance was anticipated. The county inspector refused to allow a crowd of 500 persons, accompanied by three bands, to march past the place of sale, but when the bandsmen put up their instruments he offered no opposition to their free passage. A Catholic clergyman and the chairman of the town commissioners, who accompanied the crowd, protested against the action of the county inspector. It appears to have been the object of the crowd and bands to interfere with the sale, and the inspector general is satisfied that the county inspector acted properly. Fifty of the extra police were brought from an adjoining county, and the county at large will have to bear the charge in respect of that number.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of men employed at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, on 31st December, 1905, how many on 31st October, 1906, how many on 30th September, 1907, and at the present time. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures are as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Volunteer decoration will in future be conferred upon officers who have served sixteen years instead of twenty years, as in the case of the long-service medal. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The reply is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. Wade, of Richmond, Yorkshire, who is executing work for his Department at Tynemouth Barracks, at Clifford's Port, North Shields, at Frenchman's Battery, South Shields, and at Whitley Bay rifle range, is paying the joiners employed on this work 7d. and 7½d. per hour, the standard wage of joiners in the district being 9½d. per hour; and whether he will take steps to compel this contractor to pay his employees the standard wage. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The case is being inquired into, but the facts have not yet been fully ascertained.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of Government employees cannot obtain leave to attend camp except by giving up their only annual holiday, by surrendering to a substitute who does their civil work their civil pay during the period of camp, a twenty-fifth of their income, receiving in its stead their military pay of 1s. a day, or by remaining in their offices to work overtime clay after day until they have made up the hours which they have made fitting themselves for the defence of their country; and whether in view of his appeal to private employers of labour to grant fifteen days special leave to their employees, he proposes to take any action to secure similar facilities for Civil servants. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) I am disposed to think that the difficulties experienced by Civil servants in attending the camp trainings are not so great as are suggested in the hon. Member's Question; but if will submit to me any actual cases of hardship within his knowledge I will inquire into them.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the amount of revenue Inagua Island, Bahamas, West Indies, contributes to Nassau, and what is Nassau's outlay in Inagua; if he is aware that a private individual has recently repaired the Government wharf at Matthewtown, Nassau, having refused to disburse the amount spent in repairs; and, if so, is there any means of preventing Nassau from using revenue for pleasure resorts and auto roads for the use of visitors. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The Secretary of State is unable to supply information on the points referred to, and before making inquiry of the Governor would be glad of a clearer statement of the particulars desired. I presume that my hon. friend in speaking of Nassau, refers to the central government of the Bahamas, of which Nassau is the capital.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state what sum in gross or per head the Dominion of Canada pays directly towards the defence of the Empire (not including any local payments for land or lake police). (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The expenditure of Canada on defence, according to the latest completed Returns for the year ending 31st March, 1907, was at the rate of £1,333,000 a year, or about 4s. 6d. per head of the population, while the estimated expenditure for 1907–8 was £1,475,800, or about 5s. per head of the population.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Canadian Government had made representation to the British Government with reference to free importation of live cattle; and, if so, if he will lay such representation upon the Table of the House. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) No representation on this subject has been received from the Canadian Government since the matter was discussed at the Colonial Conference of last year. After the Conference a despatch was sent to the Governor-General conveying the regret of His Majesty's Government that, after the fullest consideration, they were unable to propose to Parliament any amendment of the existing law.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that trade in spirits with the natives is carried on at railway stations on the Government railways in Southern Nigeria; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this practice. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) I am not aware that trade in spirits is carried on at the railway stations, but inquiry will be made of the Governor on the subject.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the rates for the carriage of spirits to Abeokuta and Ibadan by rail from Lagos; and how these compare with the rates for kerosene, methylated spirits, and other such commodities. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The rate for the carriage of trade spirits is 16s. a ton to Abeokuta, up to which place the railway is in competition with canoe transport on the river, and 52s. a ton to Ibadan; the rates for kerosene and methylated spirits are 51s. 2d. a ton. to Abeokuta and 102s. 4d. a ton to Ibadan. There is also a terminal charge of 2s. 6d. a ton, which corresponds to a wharfage due at Iddo, the terminus of the line, in the case of all three commodities. The Governor has, however, under consideration a proposal to reduce the rates in Class 3, in which kerosene and methylated spirits are at present included.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the quantity and value of spirits imported into Southern Nigeria during each of the last ten years; the value of other commodities imported; and the proportion of spirits to the total imports (excluding goods for Government services) in each such year. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The complete figures for 1907 are not yet available. The figures for earlier years will be found in the "Statistical Abstract for the several British Colonies, Possessions, and Protectorates," published by the Board of Trade.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in which of the British Possessions in Africa the sale of spirits to natives is prohibited; and what are the import duties in those Colonies where the sale is not prohibited. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The sale of spirits to natives is prohibited in the northern territories of the Gold Coast and Northern Nigeria. It is also prohibited in British Somaliland, the British East Africa Protectorate, Uganda, Nyasaland, and Rhodesia. The import duties in the West African Colonies where the sale is not prohibited are as follows:—

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the value of imports into each of the British Colonies of Central Africa last year, showing in each case how much of this value was made up by spirits and how much by other commodities. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) I regret to say that the figures for last year are not yet available.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that trade gin and rum are freely used as a medium of exchange in the Delta districts of Southern Nigeria; and what steps the Government are prepared to take to put an end to this mischievous practice. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) I am aware that in certain districts of Southern Nigeria liquor, as well as many other articles, is used as a medium of exchange where coin does not circulate freely. Every effort is being made by the Government to encourage the use of currency, but to induce the native to abandon his old methods of exchange can only be achieved by degrees. It must be remembered that the native population is very large and that many are in a backward stage of civilisation, while the European residents are few in number and scattered over a large territory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Foreign European powers in regard to the sale of spirits to natives in their African possessions. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The policy of Foreign European Powers in regard to the sale of spirits to natives in their African possessions is indicated in Articles XC. to XCV. of the General Act of Brussels of 2nd July, 1890, the Convention respecting the Liquor Traffic in Africa of 8th June, 1899, and the Convention respecting Liquors in Africa of 3rd November, 1906. I can add nothing to the information contained in those Papers, which have all been presented to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will say how many children were tried under Paragraph (b) of the proviso to Section 15 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act, 1904, and how many were convicted thereunder, in 1905, 1906, and 1907 respectively. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) There was no such case in the year 1907. I cannot speak with certainty of the years 1905 and 1906, but I think it is extremely unlikely that any such case occurred.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state in what Departments of the Civil Service appointments are made on the nomination of the head of the Department or that of some other person instead of by open competitive examination; what appointments have been so made in each of the years 1900 to 1907; what were the posts to which such appointments were made and the salaries attaching thereto, and the rank and salaries at the present time of the persons so appointed; and will he also state what methods of selection are employed. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The details as regards appointments filled by nomination followed by qualifying examination are too long to be giver, in an Answer to a Question, but they will all be found set out in the rules and regulations respecting examinations for the Home Civil Service, etc., published by the Civil Service Commissioners. The preparation of a Return of all such appointments made from to 1900 to 1907, and of the rank and salaries at the present time of the persons so appointed, would necessitate the collection of information from a number of Departments, and its value would not, in my opinion, be commensurate with the labour involved. I have no information as to the methods of selection employed.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can see his way to extend the age limit for retirement for workers not on the pensionable establishment of the Ordnance Survey in order that on retirement they would come within the scope of the Old-Ago Pension Act. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The reply is in the negative. The arrangement suggested could not be adopted without considerable loss of efficiency and an increase of cost.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will consider the expediency of introducing legislation such as will enable the Crofter's Commission to check the further extension of the deer forest area. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I am not able to add anything now to the answers I have given as to the attitude of the Government in regard to legislation, affecting the occupation of land in Scotland.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Montgomery County Council urging upon His Majesty's Government that services of a national character should be paid for very largely out of national funds and less out of local rates, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Local Taxation in 1901; and whether he proposes to afford local bodies any relief in this respect. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The whole questions of the relations between Imperial and local taxation is under the consideration of the Government, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State's attention has been directed to the Memorial addressed to him by Mr. C. W. Allan, an extra Deputy-Conservator of forests in the Burma provincial service; whether Mr. Allan, after passing through the college at Dehra Dun, joined the Indian Forest Service on 1st February, 1887, at a time when it was provided by Section 21 of the then Forest Department Code that, after five years approved service as Sub-Assistant Conservator of Forests, he would be drafted into the upper controlling staff; whether he is aware that in 1891 the Government issued a new Forest Department reorganisation scheme debarring all officers thenceforward appointed in India from promotion to the upper controlling staff, and that, having done four years of admittedly approved service, the new scheme was by ex post facto ruling applied to Mr. Allan's case; whether he is aware that recently the Secretary of State for India has sanctioned the transfer of Mr. Shrish Chandra Chakrabatti from the provincial to the Imperial engineering service on the gromid that, as he had actually entered the Sibpur Engineering College before the issue of the orders closing the Imperial service to students of Indian engineering colleges, he had an equitable right to an appointment in the Imperial service; and will he state on what ground, in an analogous case, Mr. Allan has been refused similar treatment; and whether the Government of India will be directed to remedy the grievance from which Mr. Allan is suffering. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) Mr. Allan's Memorial has been received from India, and is now under the consideration of the Secretary of State in Council. The Secretary of State is not in a position at present to make a statement regarding it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board is attempting to force the Tipperary Board of Guardians to appoint several trained nurses in the rural districts of the union; and if he can state from what source the salaries of those nurses, if appointed, is to come. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The medical officers of certain dispensary districts in the Tipperary Union have represented to the Local Government Board's medical inspector that mid wives are required in those districts. The Local Government Board have called the attention of the guardians to the necessity for making adequate provision for the skilled treatment of maternity cases among the poor, but no definite decision in the matter has yet been arrived at. The salaries of such midwives are borne by the union.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Tipperary Board of Guardians are unable to secure a contractor to erect a medical officer's residence and dispensary house at Emly for the amount sanctioned by the Local Government Board; that the guardians' engineer undertakes to complete the work by direct labour for the amount sanctioned, but the Local Government Board will not consent; and whether he will get the latter to allow the guardians to have the building proceeded with in the manner they consider cheapest and best. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board have already intimated to the guardians that they will raise no objection to the execution by direct labour of the works in question, seeing that the guardians have made four unsuccessful attempts to obtain a contractor.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state what educational advantages the Commissioners of National Education anticipate from the appointment of a female assistant to a school, Roll 1,950, Circuit 9, Section A.; whether he can state 'how many girls' schools in the same circuit are being more efficiently conducted than the school referred to; whether, if the boys' school be made into a girls' school and to the present girls' school a class room were built and the boys transferred school, Roll No. 2,997, would there be space in school, Roll 1,950 for the present, attendance of girls plus the infant boys; whether the withdrawal of the infant boys would mean the probable dismissal of the assistant; whether such contingency constitutes an exemption from Rule 127 (b); whether in enforcing this rule the Commissioners take into account the qualifications and ability of the teaching staff; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, the Commissioners will re-consider their decision. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The manager of the Carrick National Schools for boys and girls respectively has applied to the Commissioners of National Education for a grant towards the cost of the enlargement of the present schools, which are contained in the same building. The Commissioners pointed out to him that before they could sanction a grant it was necessary that provision should be made for the transfer to the girls' school of the infant boys at present in the boys' school. The Commissioners further stated that if the manager objected to this condition they might make a grant if he should undertake, on the occurrence of a vacancy, to appoint an assistant mistress to the boys' school to look after the infant boys. The Commissioners are satisfied that infant boys are better instructed and cared for by mistresses than by masters. They could not say without prolonged inquiry how many girls' schools in the same circuit are more efficiently conducted. The existing boys' school would afford sufficient accommodation for all the girls and infant boys. The withdrawal of the infant boys from the present boys' school would make precarious the position of the assistant in that school, and in such circumstances Rule 127 (b) is not enforced. Before enforcing that rule in any case the Commissioners consider all the circumstances of the school and its staff. The Commissioners see no grounds for varying the modified conditions in which they will consider an application for a grant-in-aid, as already notified to the manager.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, by the operation of the rules of the National Board which came into force in 1900, most first-class teachers in charge of schools with an average of seventy or over have benefited to the extent of £24 a year, inasmuch as they had reached their maximum salary under the old rules and are eligible for increments under the new; whether he is aware that a teacher appointed for the first time since 1900 to a similar school is in receipt of a salary at least £50 per year less than that to which he would have been entitled under the old rules; and, if so, whether he will differentiate between those two classes of teachers in allocating the Supplementary Estimate for Irish primary education. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that first-class teachers and most other teachers who were in the service prior to 1900 have benefited by the new scale of incomes introduced in that year, but the amount of the benefit has varied with the circumstances of each teacher. The income of a teacher appointed under the old rules depended on a variety of incidental circumstances, but under the existing rules most of these circumstances are absent and incomes are less liable to fluctuation. It would, in the Commissioners' opinion, be impossible to make any comparison, which would be of general application, between the incomes of any class of teachers under the new and old regulations. It is not intended to differentiate between the two classes of teachers mentioned in allocating the supplementary grant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say whether the Congested Districts Board were quite willing to purchase the Tulrahan grazing farm, situate in the County of Mayo, when the owner decided on selling it; whether terms of sale and purchase were discussed by the owner and the chief land inspector of the Board, Mr. Doran; if he will state why the Board was unable to acquire the property; and whether any arrangement was entered into between the chief land inspector of the Board and the person who has now been declared the purchaser, whereby the latter will sell to the Board at any time the Board expresses its willingness to buy. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Congested Districts Board were willing to purchase the farm of Tulrahan, and terms were discussed with the Board's inspector, but the owner preferred to deal with the present purchaser, who has since arranged to sell to the Board at the price which he himself paid.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have yet been taken to prepare a scheme of Poor Law reform on the lines laid down in the Vice-Regal Commission Report; if not, whether he will see that in the preparation of that scheme the opinion of persons who have practical experience of the working of the Irish Poor Laws and of Poor Law administration will be invited; and whether he will urge the immediate preparation of such a scheme. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Local Government Board are at present engaged in shaping the general outlines of a scheme; but until the Report of the Royal Commission is before them, and the question of the future areas of rating is definitely determined, it will not be possible to fill in the details of any scheme with sufficient completeness to enable them to submit it to the local authorities.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the statements made at the Local Government Board inquiry held at the Belfast Workhouse on the 15th instant, to consider the scheme for the erection of labourers' cottages in the Castlereagh rural district; whether there are any representatives of the labourers on the district council; whether Captain Maude, the agent for the Marquess of Downshire, was included in the sites committee by resolution of the council; whether it was proposed that only half an acre of land be given to each applicant, although the Act of Parliament provides that every applicant is entitled to an acre; whether representations were made by the labourers of the need for cottages in 1904, and the council passed a resolution that no cottages were needed; whether Colonel M'Cance, J.P., the chairman of the council, admitted that the men were of decent character, but said that half an acre each was sufficient for them; and whether he will advise the Local Government Board to take special care that these labourers are not deprived of their legal rights. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The scheme of the rural district council proposed to provide twenty-two labourers' cottages with garden allotments of a quarter of an acre in each case. The Local Government Board are not aware whether there are any representatives of the labourers on the district council, but they are aware that Captain Maude was a member of the Sites Committee. The Labourers Acts do not make it mandatory on the local authority to provide the maximum allotment of a statute acre. It is the fact that representations for cottages were made by the labourers in 1904, and that the council passed a resolution to the effect stated. The Local Government Board's inspector would not be warranted in refusing to confirm a scheme because the allotment attached to each cottage is less than an acre. The Local Government Board understand that the sites are more valuable than ordinary agricultural holdings, and that some of them are close to the city boundary on land which is of a comparatively high price.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in the distribution of the grant to National teachers in Ireland, he will make provision for increases to the workhouse teachers in Irish unions, as such teachers are under the National Board rules and their salaries are paid by Government grants, and it is well known that in many cases there never has been any improvement in their positions in the way of salaries. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I would refer to the Answer which I gave to a similar Question put by the hon. Member for North Wexford on 9th July.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in a number of Irish unions the boards of guardians have voted some of their officers many grants for performing extra duties in the way of preparing Returns for the Royal Commission on Poor Laws; whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have withheld sanction to the payment of the sums voted, notwithstanding the fact that in a number of cases the Returns so prepared are completed; and whether he will see his way to have the Local Government Board's sanction given in the cases in which the Returns have been found to be complete. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Returns in question are in course of examination by the Local Government Board, and as soon as this work has been completed the Board will consider the proposals of the guardians. The examination has been somewhat retarded by reason of the imperfect manner in which many of the Returns were prepared. The various proposals of the guardians are being formulated in order that the Board may arrange a scale of payments, under which the different classes of officers concerned will be equitably remunerated.

To ask the Prime Minister if, in view of the statement that the imprisoned Suffragettes are more or less associated with criminals, and that their methods have been encouraged by references to former riots and breaking park railings by a Cabinet Minister, he will see that the ladies shall not associate with or be treated as ordinary criminals. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) This is a Question that should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

To ask the Prime Minister having regard to the fact that Mr. Hugh Robertson occupied the farm of Milton of Pitcastle, in the parish of Logierait, Perthshire, for a period of twenty-four years, and was evicted because he asked for £1 reduction in his rent as compensation for some acres taken off the farm for feuing purposes, will he state whether the Government propose to introduce legislation to meet cases of this kind. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The case referred to by my hon. friend has been brought unofficially to my notice, but I am not able to add to the Answers I have given as to the attitude of the Government in regard to legislation affecting the occupation of land in Scotland.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty will the Admiralty furnish a Return showing the state of the defences of seaport towns, not including naval bases.

It would be contrary to the interests of the public service to publish such a Return.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in inviting tenders for work in connection with the establishment of a naval base at Rosyth, he will take into consideration the advisability of stipulating that British granite only shall be used.

I have arranged that the firms invited to tender shall be asked to submit alternative prices for British and foreign stone.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the Report of the Treasury Committee upon the subject of national insurance of merchant shipping, and to its conclusion that the latter must depend for protection exclusively on the Navy, and in view of the fact that we have only sixty-seven unarmoured cruisers, most, if not all, of which would be required for service with our battle Fleets, will he say how do the Government propose to maintain the security of our trade routes in time of war, and how many cruisers do they expect to have at liberty for that purpose.

The hon. Member will, I am sure, understand that it is not in the public interests that information should be given which would disclose the probable strategical disposition of our ships in war time.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the class which provides officers for the Navy is less than one-twentieth part of the total population, and that those families which formerly supplied the engineer officers are now totally debarred from doing so because of their inability to pay the cost of the training and maintenance of their sons at Osborne and Dartmouth; and will he consider the advisability of reducing the charges made to the parents and guardians of naval cadets in order to put a stop to this state of affairs.

I am not aware of the exact proportion; and an examination of the parentage of the cadets now at Keyham, and also at the Osborne and Dartmouth colleges, shows that the second of my hon. friend's statements is far from correct. With regard to the cost to the parents of education at Osborne and Dartmouth, as I explained in a recent debate, when the early age of entry is taken into account, there is not a very great disparity between the charges which the parents in general, have to bear under the present and under former systems.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of reducing the charges?

I think it has been stated in the House that the amount of the charges made on the parents is not an Admiralty matter.

Then who is responsible?

It is a matter for the whole Government, I take it.

Will the First Lord, as representing what is supposed to be a democratic Government, initiate a system similar to that in the United States of America, so that once a boy gets in his parents should be freed from all charges?

My hon. friend appears to have overlooked the fact that in the United States secondary education of all kinds is free. In this country it is not.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Admiral Lord Charles Beresford is chairman of John Henry Andrew and Company, Limited, Toledo Steel Works, Sheffield; whether it is permitted by the Admiralty that naval officers on full pay can engage in any form of business whatever; and will he state whether the firm above mentioned have during the last five years received any contracts from the Admiralty, and, if so, the value of such contracts in each of the five years respectively.

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative according to the latest published information. Naval officers are not forbidden by the King's Regulations to engage in business, but are forbidden to have any pecuniary interest or personal advantage in contracts for the supply of goods to the naval service There is no record of any contract having been placed by the Admiralty with this firm during the last five years.

Arising out of that astonishing reply, Sir——

Order, order! The hon. Member is not entitled to take the opportunity of Questions to make remarks on the replies given. If the hon. Member has another Question to put, let him put it courteously.

In deference to your remarks, Sir, I may say that the reason why I said the reply was astonishing was that I understood that no officer or man on full pay in the British Navy——

The hon. Member is now arguing. He had better put down his Question.

I bog to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, what number of potty officers and men

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the Infantry of the Special Reserve in non-commissioned officer's and men; and how many of the men are under twenty years of age.

On the 1st July the strength of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Infantry Special Reserve (excluding the Permanent Establishment) was 25,528. No statistics as regards the ages are at present available in the War Office,

Statement showing the number of commissioned officers in receipt of retired pay, warrant and subordinate officers, petty officers, non-commissioned officers and men in receipt of pensions, together with the total amounts relative to each class, for the years 1888, 1898, and 1908:—

Then are we to understand that of the 25,528 men the right hon. Gentleman does not know how many are fit for service abroad?

We shall have the information in due course.

What steps are you taking to ascertain it?

We shall have the ages presently.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that military reconnaissances of the United Kingdom were stopped two years ago, as it was alleged that they were not suitable for the purposes for which they were intended, he will state what steps are being taken to make a careful survey of the ground by those charged with the defence of particular parts of the country.

Reconnaissances are being carried out locally under the direction of General Officers Commanding-in-Chief and commanders of coast defences who are charged with the defence of their commands in time of war. Strategic reconnaissances required in connection with the concentration and deployment of larger forces have been and will continue to be undertaken by the General Staff.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of allowing officers of the Territorial Force to assist in these reconnaissances?

They may take part in the staff rides.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to state what reduction in rent, if any, he can grant to officers who are paying rent for bungalows in South Africa far in excess of their present value, rents calculated on the inflated prices charged when they were built, and which do not take into account their depreciation since that date.

It is hoped that the War Department will be able to render some assistance to officers renting bungalows. As soon as a decision has been reached notification will be sent to South Africa.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War it he will state how many of the County Associations have agreed to carry out an inquiry as to the number of horses suitable for Army purposes within their boundaries; whether it is to be left to the County Associations to discriminate between those horses which are suitable for Army pur- poses and those which are not; and whether the War Office proposes to appoint officers to assist them in their task.

If the hon. Baronet will kindly refer to Section 2 of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act he will find that the matter referred to in the first part of the Question are part of the duties of the Association; no question of agreement can therefore arise. The Deputy Assistant Directors of Remounts have been placed at the service of the Associations to assist them in discriminating between those horses which are suitable for Army purposes and those which are not. It is not proposed to appoint any other officers to assist the Associations.

How many Associations have acted on the instructions?

I have no knowledge.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain before this period of the session closes?

Perhaps the noble Lord will put down a Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state by what method, other than by a complete census of all horses, County Associations will be able to supply satisfactory information respecting the number of horses suitable for Army purposes within their boundaries; whether the cost of making such a census will be defrayed out of Army funds, whether it will be a charge upon the limited funds already at the disposal of County Associations, or whether the Government expect expanses of travelling and inspection of horses to be paid out of the private purse of the person who agrees to carry out these duties.

It is expected that the arrangements alluded to in the reply to the previous Questions will secure the required information. The question of making a special grant to the Associations in respect of the cost of obtaining this information is under consideration.

Why cannot the Board of Agriculture do its own work and obtain a census of horses in the same way as it does of beasts, sheep and pigs, and other agricultural produce?

The right hon. Gentleman might address that Question to the Board of Agriculture. I can only say that if we can assist in collating this information, which is very important to us, we shall only be too glad to do so.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what title the owners of the 1,760 acres of foreshore purchased by the Crown for artillery practice at Shoeburyness set up against the Crown: whether those owners denied the right of the Crown to fire over or use that part of the foreshore; and whether, and what, legal proceedings were taken to assert the rights of the Crown.

The title rests on a grant to John de Burgh, confirmed by Edward II. In 1900 the owners applied for an injunction restraining the War Department from firing over or using this foreshore. No legal proceedings were taken to assert the rights of the Crown. The Law Officers of the Crown advised the Crown that the action should not be allowed to come to trial, but should be settled on the best terms.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has agreed to pay £5,500 for an estate of 890 acres of foreshore at Shoeburyness, and to whom is the payment to be made; whether the War Department had rented that estate for above forty years from the Office of Woods, as representing the Crown, and used it in whole or part for artillery practice and other military objects; whether, during that period, any private persons alleged ownership in denial of the rights of the Crown to fire over these lands; and whether the price of £5,500 was offered to such persons before they had proved their title in a Court of law.

As regards the first part of the Question the War Office has paid this sum of £5,500 to the Misses Knapping—the owners of the manor. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the affirmative. The reply to the third part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the Question the payment was made after evidence of title had been given which satisfied the legal advisers of the War Department.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many batteries of the Territorial field artillery have been equipped with harness and guns; and whether he can give a date by which all batteries will be fully equipped.

Ninety-seven converted guns, nine mountain guns and forty-four howitzers have been issued to 125 batteries. The batteries will be fully equiped with guns by the end of the financial year. All the fourteen heavy batteries have been completely equipped with guns. Harness is available and is being issued with the guns.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that open-air political meetings at Brecon have been subjected to disorder and rowdyism by men wearing the uniform of the Territorial Army, and that, upon the police authorities being appealed to to safeguard the peaceful character of the meetings, they refused to interfere; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter with a view to seeming to the people of Brecon the right of holding a peaceful public meeting free from interference by persons wearing His Majesty's uniform.

It appears that at the meeting in question a woman who was speaking made disparaging remarks concerning the Kings uniform. A few men of the Territorial Force and large numbers of civilians who were present protested, but no active interference was made with the meeting. No notice was given of the meeting, or stops would have been taken to prevent the presence of soldiers in uniform.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what cavalry regiments and what infantry battalions it is proposed to remove from South Africa, and when; and at what stations these units are at present quartered.

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the names of the cavalry regiment and of the four infantry battalions which will be withdrawn from the South African garrison between the 7th September, 1908, and the 6th February, 1909?

The names and stations of the regiments are as follows:—4th Dragoon Guards, Middleburg, Cape Colony; 2nd East Kent, Harrismith, Orange River Colony; 2nd Norfolk, Pietermaritzburg; 2nd Yorkshire, Middleburg, Cape Colony; 3rd Worcestershire, Wynberg, Cape Colony.

Is this step being taken with a view to the ultimate disbandment of any of these battalions?

That does not in the least arise out of the Question on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what will be the number of cavalry regiments and infantry battalions at Home and Abroad, respectively, when the reduction of the South African garrison by one cavalry regiment and four battalions of infantry has been carried out.

There will be fourteen cavalry regiments at home and fourteen abroad, and seventy-four infantry battalions at home and seventy-four abroad.

I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether, if Yeomanry commanding officers are able to purchase forage locally, at no additional cost to the public, from farmers who lend fields for drill or who otherwise assist the Territorial Army, they may be permitted to do so.

All cases where forage can be purchased locally from farmers at a price not exceeding that ordinarily obtainable under contract in the district, if submitted to this Office by the General Officer Commanding, would be specially considered.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many commissions, if any, have been offered to Militia officers who desire to come in as part of the 220 additional Regular officers required in the new third battalions.

No such commissions have been offered to Militia officers in place of the proportion of Regular officers allocated to the new third battalions, nor was this at any time contemplated. As the outcome of a conference with the representatives of Militia commanding officers the Army Council have arranged to employ Special Reserve officers both with Regular units and at the depots, in the latter case where the number of recruits at the depots exceeds a certain number. Special Reserve officers will be employed with Regular units when, as often happens, there is a temporary shortage of Regular officers, or when Regular officers are seconded. I may add that to enable Special Reserve units to obtain junior officers pending the machinery of the new training corps becoming fully operative the Army Council have decided, as an interim arrangement, to allow candidates for commissions in the Special Reserve to qualify by serving with a Regular unit for four months provided that they apply for commissions before the 18th of next December, instead of the full probationary period of twelve months.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the custom for officers of the Territorial Force to discharge, without any reason being given, members of the Territorials who have very good characters and who have passed the medical examination satisfactorily; whether such discharges ought to be coupled with the reason for such when the discharged person demands that reason; and whether he will make inquiries from Captain Denton, Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force, Wolverhampton, if anything of this kind has been done in his command.

As the bearing of the Question depends on the specific case referred to in the last sentence, I have directed that inquiry shall be made into the matter.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government have received a reply to their communication to the Governor of the Transvaal on the subject of the draft Gold Law of that Colony, especially in respect of Sections 127 and 128 thereof, under which special disabilities are to be imposed upon coloured persons, including British Indians.

No, Sir, not yet. We telegraphed recently to inquire when the reply might be expected, but it has not yet been received.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman has received a resolution from the Johannesburg Association of Trade Unions objecting to the interference of the British Government in matters affecting the labour of the Colony?

:I am not aware of it.

But was not a telegram on the subject published long ago, and has not the hon. Gentleman had time to got the information?

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the feeling expressed by the non-official community of British East Africa at the suggestion of the possibility that forced black labour was desired by them; and has he any official information substantiating the statement made in the presence of the governor of the Colony at the Nairobi labour meeting by a Mr. Swift, of Foot Hall, to the effect that Mr. Swift's need of labour had been communicated to the chiefs by the Provincial Commissioner, and that Mr. Swift was subsequently able to secure labour but that it was practically forced, and at first distasteful to the labourers concerned.

The Secretary of State has received through the Governor of the East Africa Protectorate a telegram from the Colonists' Association stating that they contradict the view said to be held in England that Lord Delamere and Mr. Baillie advocate forced labour and record their emphatic denial of such a suggestion. Mr. Swift's statement is too long to quote in full, but will be found printed at page 11 of the volume of correspondence relating to affairs in the East Africa Protectorate which has just been presented to Parliament.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say whether natives who came looking for voluntary work were commandeered by the Government Labour Board of British East Africa to work on the roads; whether Government officials sent armed policemen at night into villages in order to seize and force natives to carry loads, because those natives had declined to give their labour voluntarily; and whether the Government of the Colony intends to force a large number of the Kisii, the majority of whom are declared to be innocent of any crime, to labour in building roads in return for the handing back to them of part of their recently captured cattle.

The Secretary of State has no information regarding the matters referred to in the first two portions of my hon. friend's Question, but is calling for a report from the Governor. With regard to the last part of my hon. friend's Question, he is aware from the answer which was given to him in the House on 20th February last of the expedition which, in consequence of several acts of murder and outrage, it was necessary to take against the Kisii tribe. During the operations a considerable number of cattle were captured, of which about one-fourth were sold and the proceeds employed partly to meet the cost of the expedition and partly to meet claims on account of cattle stolen by the Kisii from the Kavirondo. It was decided to restore the remainder of the cattle gradually as the pacification of the country proceeded. To require labour for road-making was considered by the Government of the Protectorate to be the most humane form of punishment which could be inflicted on the tribe, while the development of the country was also thereby promoted.

May I ask if the Government have yet come to any conclusion on this important matter?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question down before the Colonial Vote is taken.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Basutoland and the other South African Protectorates were represented at the late Customs Conference of the South African Colonies; and whether he will lay upon the Table of the House any correspondence which has passed upon the subject.

The South African Protectorates wore not represented at the recent Customs Conference. The Conference, however, has not led to any material change in the tariff. As I stated in the House on the 7th of May, it is not intended to lay any correspondence.

In view of the importance of this matter to the South African Protectorates will the Government not reconsider the question of laying correspondence?

The Government are fully alive to the importance of this matter as affecting the Protectorates, but do not consider it either desirable or necessary to publish the correspondence for reasons I shall be happy to give the hon. Gentleman if he puts down a further Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies with respect to the official to whom, in pursuance of the promise given by Lord Elgin at the last Imperial Conference, the duty has been assigned of carrying on the work of that conference and communicating with the other Governments of the Empire, whether any staff has been provided to assist him in carrying out his duties; whether he is able to give his time exclusively to such duties, or if not, what other duties he is expected to perform; have any communications passed between the Governments of the Empire since the Imperial Conference and on what subjects; and will the same be laid.

In Lord Elgin's despatch of 21st September, 1907, which has been laid before the House, it was stated that the Secretariat of the Imperial Conference would be linked to the Dominions department of the Colonial Office, without being entirely merged in it, and that the Secretary would be a member of the Department, but would also have his own special and separate duties. This has been carried into effect. The Secretary is provided with such assistance as he requires from the staff of the Dominions department and, in I addition to his special duties as Secretary, which may be expected to grow, he is associated with the general work of the Dominions department, especially on the South African side. Since the Imperial Conference, correspondence has passed: between the Governments of the Empire on various subjects raised at the Conference, but it would be premature to lay papers at present.

Does the hon. Gentleman use the words "at present" advisedly? Is there any chance in the near future of this correspondence being laid?

I think we shall be glad to lay some correspondence later on.

Are we to assume that a permanent Secretary has been appointed to carry on the work?

Yes, I have stated so.

May I ask the name of the Secretary?

Oh yes; it is Mr. Just, the head of the South African Department.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the exact terms of the declaration which has been made by His Majesty's Government in respect of Section 27 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1907, and which the German Imperial Secretary of State for the Interior states has placed the situation for German patentees in a somewhat better light.

The terms were as follows:—"Section 27 does not require that every patent should be worked in this country. It merely provides that if it can be shown that after the liberal interval allowed by the Act, a British patent is worked mainly or exclusively abroad, any person can call on the patentee to show why his patent is not worked to an adequate extent in this country. If the patentee can give an explanation satisfactory to the Comptroller and the Court, his patent will not be revoked. If he can show that further time is required to enable him to work his patent to an adequate extent, the necessary time may be allowed by the Comptroller, or, if the Comptroller refuses it, by the Court."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there is any record of any foreign Power haying remonstrated with the British Government on questions of a purely domestic nature, such as restriction of importation of live cattle.

Yes, Sir. Foreign Powers have frequently objected to restrictions imposed here on the the importation of live cattle, and on matters of a similar nature.

Was the objection raised on the ground of quarantine, or on what ground?

asked for notice of any Question as to the particular grounds.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to arrange that county councils may use the post offices in their various counties in connection with the collection of the duties referred to in Clause 6 of the Finance Bill, 1908.

Yes, it is the intention that post offices should be available for the sale of the licences in question on behalf of county councils in England and and Wales.

Will the notices go out through the Post Office or will the county councils have to send them?

The county councils will send the notices out and the Post Office will receive the money.

But previously the notices were sent out by the Post Office?

Oh, no!

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether James Walker, aged fifty-five, who was recently charged with bigamy at the Huddersfield Police Court, and who is alleged to have gone through the form of marriage with eleven women, will be entitled on attaining the age of seventy to an old-age pension; and, if not, under what provisions of the Bill will he be excluded from the reward intended for veterans of industry.

I do not know whether my hon. friend means to imply that the circumstances of the case to which he alludes amount to an irrefutable proof of industry. If, as I understand, the case is still under the consideration of the Court, I do not think it would be proper for me to say anything on the subject in this place.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any record of a man after marrying eleven wives attaining the age of seventy?

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Clause 4, Section 3, of the Old-Age Pensions Bill, will render nugatory arrangements entered into before the passing of the Bill for a reduction of income in order to obtain a larger pension, such as the reduction of a compensation award recently made in a case before Judge Ruegg.

The object of subsection (3) of Clause 4 of the Bill is to render nugatory such collusive arrangements for the reduction of a pensioners' income as those to which my hon. friend refers. With reference to the latter portion of the Question, my hon, friend appears to have been misinformed as to the action of Judge Ruegg. Since answering the Question put by my hon. friend on the 15th inst., I have received the following telegram from Judge Ruegg:—"With reference to Question asked by Mr. Harold Cox in House yesterday as to my action at Tunstall County Court, facts incorrectly stated. Man was not receiving compensation at all, but £100 was paid into Court in respect of death of his son. I had under the Act to apportion this. I was asked to give him £20 down to clear his debts and 12s. 6d. a week out of balance. I thought this too much and said so, and then 9s. 6d. was suggested and some remark made that this would not prejudice his rights if Old-Age Pensions Bill passed. I allowed 9s. 6d. solely because I thought it was maximum sum I could allow, having regard to the sum remaining in Court. Will you correct."

Does the Judge deny that the man asked for a lower sum so that he might get the old-age pension?

I think not.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home. Department whether he will consider the desirableness of inserting in the Bail Bill a clause forbidding the execution of warrants for arrests on Saturday afternoons, except in such cases as, in the opinion of the officer entrusted with the warrant, delay would defeat the ends of justice.

The Secretary of State does not think such a clause would be desirable, nor would it be within the scope of the Bill; but he considers that the Bill, by giving magistrates the opportunity of providing for release on bail in such eases, will go as far as is practicable or desirable to effect the purpose the hon. Member has in view.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the ladies sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in connection with the agitation for woman suffrage are not merely compelled to wear clothes in prison which have been worn previously by ordinary women convicts, but am likewise deprived of their boots and shoes and compelled to wear boots worn many times by ordinary women convicts, which, of course, cannot be boiled or washed, like the clothes, and the inside of which is at times in a filthy condition; whether he is aware that these boots and shoes are frequently too largo or too small for the wearers, and in both cases entail extreme discomfort, resulting in corns and blisters on the feet, followed by abrasion of the skin, bleeding, and sores, and that at times the feet of the prisoners have been pierced by nails sticking up in these boots and shoes; and whether, having regard to the fact that the enforced wearing of the prison dress secures the infliction of indignity, these ladies may be allowed, having regard to the pain and discomfort caused by the wearing of prison boots and shoes, to wear their own boots and shoes during their imprisonment.

All the clothing issued to the ladies who are undergoing imprisonment was either new or clean, and new shoes were issued in every case. If one of them complains that her shoes do not fit, or that they cause blisters, the shoes will be immediately changed, but no such complaint has been made.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these ladies make no complaint?

I fail to see how grievances can be remedied unless they are brought to the notice of the authorities.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether having regard to the fact that the latest available statistics with regard to unemployment showed a percentage of 7·9 of unemployed workmen in London, and that on the 22nd ultimo at a conference of metropolitan guardians, held in the parish of St. Mary, Islington, a resolution was unanimously passed that His Majesty's Government should at the earliest possible date initiate legislation to provide productive labour to moot the wants of those who become workless through no fault of their own, and in view of the approaching winter, the Government will initiate a scheme based upon sound economic principles dealing with the question before the end of the year.

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to, and I have stated in reply that I shall be happy to consider any practical suggestions which the conference may wish to make on the subject of the relief of the unemployed. I cannot, however, undertake to comply with the suggestion contained in the last part of the Question.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that unemployment has now increased to 8·2 per cent., as compared with 3·6 per cent. at the corresponding period last year? Seeing that when the harvest and hop-picking is over there will be a great influx of population into the Metropolis, does not the right hon. Gentleman intend to take any action with regard to unemployment?

said he did not anticipate any inrush into London to the extent suggested by the hon. Gentleman. He was dealing with the other aspect of the question in reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Tottenham.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board, if he will consider the advisability of addressing a warning to manufacturers of motor vehicles that after a certain day no car will be registered capable of exceeding a speed limit of twenty miles under ordinary circumstances.

At the same time may I ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that motor cars, when driven at a high speed, cause annoyance and damage by stirring up dust and by destroying the surface of roads; and whether he will consider the advisability of prohibiting the use upon the public highway of any motor vehicle which is capable of being driven by its own engines at a greater speed than fifteen miles an hour on the level.

I am aware that high speed is one of the factors in the production of dust and the wear of the surface of the highway. The Royal Commission on Motor Cars considered the proposal that there should be a compulsory mechanical limitation of the speed capacity of motor cars. They inquired in detail into the practicability of such a scheme, and came to a conclusion adverse to it. Hence I am afraid I could not adopt the suggestions made in the Questions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of the more dangerous and, until the last moment, invisible bicycle, which cuts down passengers who have escaped the more obvious motor car?

Does the right hon. Gentleman feel bound by every suggestion made by the Royal Commission on Motor Cars?

On the contrary, since I have been in office I have had sixty-nine applications from local authorities to mitigate the speed of motor cars, and in many cases in congested or narrow thoroughfares to reduce it from the maximum of twenty miles to ten, five, and in one case even two miles. In the majority of cases I have taken the side of reason and moderation, and have complied with the request.

Dealing with the question of dust, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, seeing that it is impossible to do away with motor cars entirely, if he will issue a circular to the local authorities advising them to tar all the roads?

Every reasonable facility which the Local Government Board can grant to local authorities for mitigating the dust nuisance will be given. The department invariably gives sympathetic consideration to each application.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a mechanical governor, worked automatically, which reduces the speed of motor cars to any desired limit, and will he make its adoption compulsory?

That Question was asked and answered the other day.

As an engineer I may say that I know how governors can be tampered with.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Local Government Board whether, in view of the increasing number of motor vehicles and the speed at which they are driven, he will issue a circular to local authorities pointing out the action open to them under the Motor Act, 1903.

The matter to which my hon. friend refers has engaged my attention for some time past. I have caused statements to be prepared in relation to the applications which have been made to me for regulations reducing the speed limit, and as a preliminary to the issue of a circular I am obtaining a Report from the inspector who has held most of the local inquiries on the subject.