To ask the President of the Board of Education if he can see his way to issue the Code earlier in the year so as to give local education authorities more time to make their arrangements before the summer recess. (Answered by Mr. Runciman). I should be glad if an earlier issue of the Code were possible, but in view of the fad that questions are continually arising during the earlier months of the year, which require careful consideration and occasionally consultation with other departments, it is impossible for me to make any promise.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland on what grounds the rents of three tenants in the district of Box, Carrickmacross, named Bernard O'Reilly, Thomas Walsh, and Peter Callan, were raised, respectively, from £3 8s., £4, 15s., to £4 2s., 4 18s 6d., and £5 14s. 6d., at a sitting of the Land Commission Court held in Carrickmacross on 5th November; 1907, Mr. Justice Dodd being the presiding Judge and Mr. Williams his assessor; and what are the qualifications of Mr. Williams for the position mentioned. (Answered by Mr. Birrell). The rents in question were judicially fixed by the Land Commission Court of Appeal udder the provisions of Section 88 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Land Law Acts. It would be entirely irregular for me to ask the Commissioners to state the grounds of their decision. Mr. Williams is one of the assessors appointed pursuant to the eighty-ninth section of the Act of 1903. He was previously an assistant Land Commissioner, and his qualifications when appointed to the latter office in 1906 are stated in House of Commons Return No. 151, of 1902.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal received a communication signed by the Nawab of Murshedabad, the Maharajas of Kasimbazar, Burdwan, and Gidhour, and Maharaja Prodyot Kumar, Tajore, deploring the anarchism brought to light in their province of Bengal, and urging that seditious writing poisons the mind of the young and led to the conspiracy recently discovered at Calcutta, and that the Government of India should bring in Press legislation which will deal efficaciously with the present unbridled licence to slander by irresponsible press men and root anarchism out of India; and whether the Governments of India and Bengal propose to take any action upon this representation. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan). The letter referred to in the Question has been published in the Indian newspapers, and has, no doubt, been considered by the Government of India. The Secretary of State has nothing to add to his recent utterances on the subject of seditious writing in India.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government has been called to the recommendation of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, to the effect that every European and Eurasian in India should be trained to arms in the interests of the State and for the greater security of the European community; whether the Government of India has under consideration the question of increasing the capitation grants so as to enable all classes to serve without being put to personal expense, and giving such aid in the way of practical military training to firms and companies as may enable them to provide for the proper training of their employees; and whether the Government of India contemplates giving further active assistance in general to the volunteer movement in India. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) The recommendation of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce referred to by the hon. Member has not come before the Secretary of State, nor has he yet received any proposals from the Government of India on the subject of volunteering in India.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the question of ambulances for street accidents in London have presented their Report, and when it will be issued. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am informed that the Committee are considering their Report, and hope to present it in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that during the sitting of the Departmental Committee on London ambulances litter ambulances amounting to more than 100 were placed in the streets of London; whether he will state by whose authority these ambulances were placed in the streets; how much was the total cost; and whether this cost will be a charge upon the rates. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) A large number of litter ambulances have been placed in the streets by my authority; some were authorised before the appointment of the Committee, others since its sittings commenced. The cost of a wheeled litter with the appliances and shelter is £35 14s. 6d. This is defrayed out of the Metropolitan Police Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that public attention has recently been directed towards the Regulations in prisons as to the supply of books and other matters, he will make investigations by Departmental Committee, or otherwise, with a view to improving these Regulations. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone). The Regulations are receiving my attention.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the Herefordshire Quarter Sessions on 29th June no official shorthand writer was in attendance, and that the local reporters declined to act, on the ground that the remuneration was inadequate, with the result that the chairman was compelled to remand the remaining prisoners to the Assizes, and that at the Surrey Assizes at Guild-ford on Thursday last no official shorthand writer was present in the second Court and the local reporters similarly declined to act for the same reason, with the result that the progress of business was stopped for two hours until some one was sent down from London; and also that at the Assizes at Birmingham on Saturday last, after the trials of prisoners had proceeded some time, it was found that no shorthand writer was present and the business had to be suspended; and whether he will take such steps as will result in the provisions of the Court of Criminal Appeal Act being carried out without justice being delayed. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) My attention has been called to these cases, but the appointment of official shorthand writers for the purposes of the Criminal Appeal Act rests with the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, and I am in communication with them on the subject.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in connection with the Customs there are what are called preventive officers, whose appointment is in the gift of the Treasury; and he will furnish a Return showing the number of persons of Irish birth who hive obtained such appointments within the past five years. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) Preventive men are nominated by the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury, but no inquiry is made or record kept of the birthplace of persons so nominated, and the labour involved in procuring the information would not be justified.

To ask the Secretary of State for War upon what grounds the Ordnance Department have refused to issue to transport and supply columns of the Territorial Army the wagons and harness allotted to them by regulation, and which are indispensable to the carrying out of their necessary duties during the training which is commencing next week. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It has been decided to issue to units for instructional purposes one wagon and harness per transport company. The hon. Member must recollect that this equipment, together with that of other services, takes time to provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there are many athletic clubs in Leicestershire the members of which have signified their intention to the commanding officers of the Territorial Forces of their desire to learn to shoot; whether he is aware that the commanding officer, Colonel Sarson, has informed this body through a representative deputation that he can give them no assistance unless they join the Territorial Force, which these clubs decline to do, and claim that subsection of Clause 2 of the Territorial Reserve Forces Act gives power for such a request as theirs being carried out; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I have no knowledge of the particular matters referred to in the Question, but the statement of Colonel Sarson was correct, as it is not in his power to grant facilities for shooting to others than members of the Territorial Forces. As I have already informed the House, there are no funds at my disposal to enable me to assist rifle clubs, but it is just possible that we may be able to do something for them by supplying a certain amount of ammunition at reduced prices. I regret that members of the Leicester athletic clubs do not at present appear to be willing to undergo the training which would make their keenness to shoot of service to their country. It is possible that in future some aid may be given to rifle clubs which can be shown to contribute to our defensive strength if funds become available, but I am unable to make a statement on this point at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the new Patent Law (Amendment) Act, 1907, he would instruct British consuls and agents abroad to bring under the notice of patent holders in the various countries the special advantages which Ireland offers for the working of such patents. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) It would not be practicable for His Majesty's Government to take such action as that proposed by the hon. Member. A brief notice of the terms of the new Patents Act as affecting patent-holders abroad has already been sent to every holder of a British patent, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, and has also been published in the Board of Trade Journal.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Daniel Barry, evicted tenant, of Knockduff, Meelin, County Cork, on the Hastings Twiss Estate, if so, whether they have taken any action in the matter; whether the holding is derelict and in charge of a caretaker under police protection; and whether, in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Commissioners will take steps to acquire it with the object of reinstating the evicted tenant. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners received an application from Daniel Barry for reinstatement in his former holding. The landlord intimated his willingness to accept for the holding the price estimated by the Commissioners, but Barry refused to sign an agreement to purchase at that price because of a right of way over the holding enjoyed by a neighbouring tenant. As the Commissioners failed to effect a settlement between the parties they do not intend to take any further action in the matter Moverover, the farm is now in the occupation of a new tenant, though at the time of the negotiations referred to it was in charge of a caretaker under police protection.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the cause of the delay in restoring George Crowley, an evicted tenant on the Beresford estate, Kilmacthomas Union, County Waterford, to his former holding, seeing that the landlord is selling his estate and seeing that Crowley's farm is on the hands of the landlord. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The holding formerly occupied by Crowley is now worked by the landlord as a home farm in connection with his demesne, and the Estates Commissioners are of opinion that the holding cannot be acquired for the evicted tenant. The Commissioners have offered Crowley another holding on the estate, and have intimated that they would be prepared to make him a grant of £200 to assist him in working it, but Crowley has, through his solicitor, refused the offer.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what is the cause of the delay in restoring the lands of Shanaclune, Barron estate, Dunhill, County Waterford, to the representatives of the Murphy family, seeing that there is no objection raised to the transaction by the landlord, who is selling his property under the provisions of the Land Act, 1903. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have now received their inspector's scheme for the distribution of the lands in question, and will consider the case of the Murphy family as soon as they are in a position to deal with the scheme.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that since the transfer of certain members of the Royal Irish Constabulary from Belfast it has transpired that many were wrongly punished; and whether, having regard to all the facts, he will cause all unfavourable records to be withdrawn from those officers who deny the charges until a sworn inquiry is held and they are given an opportunity to prove their innocence, or otherwise. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) A year has now passed since the occurrence in Belfast in connection with which certain, policemen were transferred to other districts, and the matter cannot now be reopened. The Inspector-General has no reason whatever to believe that any of the men whose transfers were finally decided on have been wrongly punished.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state the number of police officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were transferred from Belfast to counties after the attempted police strike on 27th July, 1907; the number who were reported for attending the meeting at Musgrave Street Barracks on the same date; the number of such officers who denied the charge; and by what authority were such officers punished by receiving unfavourable records for offences denied by them, seeing that no Court of inquiry was held, and in view of the denial of facilities for proving their innocence. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) Two head constables, four sergeants, and 228 constables were transferred from Belfast in connection with the occurrences of July, 1907. 224 constables were reported for disobedience of orders by attending the meeting at Musgrave Street Barracks, and of these 97 denied the charge. The Inspector-General found the charge to be proved as regards 208 constables, and allowed the charges to drop in the remaining 16 cases. Courts of inquiry are not held as a matter of course in such cases, but only if the Inspector-General requires the assistance of such Courts to enable him to arrive at a decision. In these cases the evidence was clear, and the Inspector-General required no such assistance. Each case was dealt with separately, and the written statement of the accused was fully considered. It should be stated that, of the transfers referred to in the first part of this Answer, the two head constables, the four sergeants, and nine of the constables were not reported for disobedience of orders, but were subsequently transferred in the interests of the service.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state why £2 17s. 6d., salary due to teacher of Oatquarter National School, Roll No. 14,532, for the quarter ending 31st March, 1907, has been withheld, seeing that a medical certificate of illness was forwarded by the teacher to the National Board, and that a teacher is entitled to a month's salary if ill, while the teacher in question was only absent seven days. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The amount in question was deducted from the salary of the teacher because he closed his school on certain days during the quarter ending 31st March, 1907, without notification to, or permission from, the manager of the school, who declined to certify the justice of the teacher's claim for payment in respect of these days.

To ask the Chief Secretary of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in making a grant of £114,000 for the increase of teachers' salaries in National Schools, the Treasury have attached the condition that grants to all small schools having an attendance of less than fifteen shall be withdrawn, thus involving the closing of 225 schools, as vacancies occur in the teaching staff whether the Commissioners of National Education have pointed out to the Treasury that a large number of small schools are an absolute necessity owing to the population being scattered over wide areas, and have twice refused to agree to this condition, and have only accepted it under compulsion; whether this action of the Treasury is an invasion of the rights of the Commissioners to decide what schools should be supported by the State, and will involve the closing of all small Protestant schools in the South and West of Ireland, with the result that Protestant children will receive no State education except at schools under Roman Catholic management and carried on by nuns and members of the Roman Catholic orders, and against the will of Protestant parents; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take steps to withdraw this condition attached to the grants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I see no necessity for entering into the subject of the Question, seeing that the original Supplementary Estimate has been withdrawn and that a revised Estimate is to be presented. I would ask the hon. Member to await the appearance of the revised Estimate.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Constable Hugh Martin, who was transferred from Lisburn Road Barracks, Belfast, on 5th August, 1907, on the ground that he attended an unauthorised meeting in Musgrave Street on 27th July, 1907, was on that date on the sick-list and unable to leave his home; and, in view of this fact and that Constable Martin has witnesses to prove his innocence, he will cause a sworn inquiry to be held in this case. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, informs me that he was completely satisfied, upon the testimony of senior members of the force, that Constable Martin, was present at the unauthorised meeting referred to. It is not intended to reopen, by sworn inquiry or otherwise, a case which was disposed of nearly a year ago.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any portion of the grant-in-aid for relief works in distressed unions in Ireland will be available for works for the relief of those suffering from the present distress in Belfast; and whether any steps have been taken there for the formation of a relief committee. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The grant was intended for the purpose only of aiding the relief operations under Section 13 of the Local Government Act in districts in which, owing to low valuation, high rates, and the poverty of the ratepayers generally, the resources of the union were insufficient to provide for the prevailing distress. The section quoted has not been in operation in Belfast, and happily no question has arisen in that union as to the financial position of the ratepayers.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a policeman took part in the doings of a mob which paraded the streets of Portadown on the morning of the 13th instant, smashing windows and doors in the houses of Catholics; and whether any notice will be taken of such conduct by the policeman's superiors. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police authorities inform me that full and searching inquiry has been made into this subject, and that not the slightest foundation can be found for the allegation contained in the Question. Moreover, no complaint whatever has been made to the police authorities that any such conduct occurred on the part either of a constable or of a mob.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state why it is that Orange processions and mobs are allowed by the police to march through, the Catholic portions of Portadown, when there are other ways by which they could proceed to their destination; and whether, in the interests of the peace of the town, he will direct that they shall not be allowed to proceed through such quarters in future. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The direct route for Orange processions entering Portadown from the northern portion of County Armagh runs through Obin Street, part of which is a Catholic quarter. There are two other routes by which such processions could enter Portadown, but these routes are circuitous and inconvenient. I am informed by the police that the Orange processions have for generations used the direct route, and it is not considered desirable to interfere with the practice. The police take full precautions for the preservation of the peace on such occasions.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the morning of the 13th instant a band of persons paraded the streets of Portadown, cursing the Pope and smashing the windows in a number of Catholic houses; whether the police made any attempt to interfere with these rowdies; whether an attack was also made on a Catholic house in Marley Street, and the door burst in; whether any arrests have been made in connection with these occurrences; and whether any steps will be taken to prevent them in future. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police authorities inform me that the streets of Portadown were continually patrolled by the police from 9 p.m. on 12th to 4 a.m. on 13th July, and that no such conduct as is described in the Question came under the notice of the police or could have occurred without their knowledge, and no complaints were made to them. Special police precautions were taken for the preservation of the peace in Portadown during the July anniversaries, with, I am informed, entirely satisfactory results.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord- Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the National School at Cuiltybo, Claremorris, County Mayo, has been repeatedly condemned by school inspectors in their reports to the Commissioners of National Education as a dilapidated structure, inconveniently situated, in very bad repair, not worth repairing, in danger at any time of falling in over the children's heads, and undeserving of the Board's grants; whether any action has been taken by the Commissioners of National Education on these reports, and, if so, what; and whether, in view of the repeatedly expressed wishes of the parents of the district for a new school, he will draw the attention of the Commissioners to the matter without delay. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education have sanctioned a grant towards the erection of a new schoolhouse in place of the existing building, and the manager will be furnished with the necessary plans and specifications.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, having regard to the political and commercial developments of the greater Colonies, which have outgrown limitations regarded as commensurate when constituted, as well as to the importance of extending appropriate recognition to men who are performing valuable and important services at the outposts of the Empire, whether in commerce or in the services, subjects may be permitted to make their appeals for the recognition through the Premiers of provincial Parliaments, to avoid the present circumlocution and the delay not infrequently occasioned, which now not infrequently amounts to injustice. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The hon. Member will probably agree with me in thinking that recognition of services rendered to His Majesty the King in any part of His Majesty's dominions should rather be spontaneously recommended by others than solicited by those who have rendered the services. In the self-governing dominions the Premiers make their views on such subjects known to the Governors, who are the King's representatives, and who forward them with an expression of their own opinions, and with their own recommendations, to the Secretary of State. It would, in the opinion of the present Secretary of State, be most undesirable to make a change in this practice, and it is not admitted that it has been the cause of unreasonable delay.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of men employed in connection with the traffic department of tramway undertakings in the United Kingdom. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) I regret that I have no Returns which enable me to give this information.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he can give the value of the foreign trade of China for the year 1907. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The following particulars give the information desired by the noble Lord:—

To ask the Postmaster-General, whether he is able to state the cost of living index number for the following towns:—Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Crieff, Dunblane and Pitlochry. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The towns quoted have not yet formed the subject of investigations by the Board of Trade; they are provisionally classed by analogy of other towns.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to give Irish rural letter-carriers any increase in pay; whether he is aware that some of these carriers work for wages as low as 4s. 6d. a week, 9s. 6d. being the maximum for a man; and whether he will consider the advisability of revising these rates of pay. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I presume the hon. Member is referring to rural auxiliaries employed for a few hours a day. These auxiliaries are paid at varying hourly rates, and there is no fixed maximum of 9s. 6d. a week. The pay of auxiliaries is being revised.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether twenty-four private students were entered into Keyham in 1904 on the same terms as engineering cadets and under the same Regulations as to discipline, uniform, pay, and leave; and whether, having regard to the good results obtained by some of these students, the Board of Admiralty will offer the most proficient the boon they desire of commissions in the engineer branch of the Royal Navy. (Answered by Mr McKenna.) Twenty-five private students entered Keyham in 1904. They came in on the understanding that they would be eligible for any unexpected vacancies that might occur for commissions as engineer officers in the Royal Navy. There has only been one vacancy, and this has been offered to the student who came out first on the list.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the quantity of line-caught fish and trawl-caught fish, respectively, landed in Scotland for each year during the the last ten years, distinguishing line-caught fish secured by steam liners from line-caught fish secured by sailing boats.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state whether the landward committee of the Stornoway Parish Council have yet furnished information in regard to Lewis cottars who are willing to migrate; and, seeing that it is six months since a list of upwards of 120 cottars Was sent to the Scottish Office, will he state the cause of the delay in obtaining information respecting their qualifications. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The Answer is in the negative. No action can be taken by the Congested Districts Board until the landward committee have furnished the information which they are endeavouring to obtain.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the Congested. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) The following table shows the quantities of line-caught fish and trawl-caught fish landed in Scotland during the last ten years.

To ask the Vice-President, of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the success of the experiments made in this country in increasing the yield of wheat by means of the Lemstrom electrification system; and whether he has considered the advisability of having the experiment tried in Ireland. (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The attention of the Department has been called to these experiments, and the matter is being inquired into.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board in how many cases Parliamentary powers have been given to local authorities in England and Wales enabling them to require the notification of tuberculosis by medical men under penalty; whether such powers have been given in respect of tuberculosis of the lung only, or in respect of any form of tuberculosis; whether such powers have been given in any cases for more than a limited period of time; in how many case have voluntary systems of notification of tuberculosis been adopted; and whether the results obtained under a voluntary system have compared favourably with those obtained under a compulsory system. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) Parliamentary powers have been given in two such cases, viz., Sheffield and Bolton. In both cases the powers have been given in respect of tuberculosis of the lung only, and for a limited period. I am aware of about 150 cases in which voluntary systems of notification of tuberculosis have been adopted or tried in England and Wales, and there may possibly be others. It cannot, I think, be expected that under ordinary circumstances a voluntary system of notification will secure as early or complete notification of cases as will a compulsory system, and the preponderant experience in England and Wales appears to confirm this expectation.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether any provision has been made for providing additional accommodation at the Customs House in London; and, if so, what amount is to be expended and what progress has been made with the work. (Answered by Mr. Harcourt.) No provision has been made in this year's Estimates for additional accommodation. No Estimate can be given of the cost of work at the Custom House, as the requirements are not yet known.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state how many British-born subjects have emigrated from these islands to Canada and the United States, respectively, during each of the last ten years and during the first six months of this year; whether he has any information to show in what proportion of cases the enterprise of these emigrants has been rewarded by successful settlement in the land of their adoption, or in what proportion they have returned home within twelve months of the date of their departure; and can he further say to what extent their places in the congested areas of this country have been filled up by immigrants of foreign nationality. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The following statement gives particulars of the movement of British and Irish passengers from the United Kingdom to Canada and the United States of America, and from Canada and the United States of America to the United Kingdom, during éach of the years 1898–1907, and during the first five months of the present year. Particulars of the passenger movement for June are not yet compiled. The figures include a number of ordinary passengers as well as prospective settlers. There is no information as to the length of time during which passengers returning to this country remained in Canada and the United States of America, nor as to the number of alien immigrants who had settled in congested areas of this country.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of six-day hotel licences at present existing in Scotland; and, if not, whether he will procure information as to this. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The number of hotel licences issued in Scotland by the Excise for the year ending 31st March, 1908, under the provisions of Section 43 (4) of the Act 43 and 44 Viet., was 375. But the number of such Excise licences which have been granted upon a justice's or magistrate's certificate for six days is not distinguished in the statistics now available.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Estimate of 194,000 persons in the rural districts of the United Kingdom who will receive old-age pensions on the Pensions Bill becoming operative, what is the estimated total number of such rural pensioners in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, respectively; what is the estimated percentage of such rural pensioners in each country to the total rural and urban population of it; and what is the estimated total number of persons in each country who, when the Pensions Bill becomes operative, will be seventy years of age but not entitled to the benefits of the measure. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I am afraid that the Estimate of 194,000, which, as I informed the hon. Member on the 17th instant, is approximate only, does not admit of analysis in the manner desired with any degree of accuracy.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what portion of the £200,000 required under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, will be allocated to Ireland, and how much of it will be available for Belfast. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) It is impossible to answer the hon. Member's inquiry until applications have been received from the Local Government Boards of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the circumstances of each case fully considered.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, if it can be shown that an individual owns all the ordinary shares in a limited company and gives the whole of his time to the management and business of that company, and is dependent for the whole of his income upon the dividends paid by the business, he can claim a reduction upon earned income under the Act of 1907. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Only so much of the profits of a limited company as the articles of association provide as remuneration for services to the company, and as are actually so paid according to the accounts, can be regarded as earned income within Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1907.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the number of returns and accounts required annually at different periods from collectors of Inland Revenue; is he aware that sixty-eight collectors made from 150,000 to 200,000 such annual contributions, and that of these upwards of 35,000 go to the Accountant and Comptroller-General's Department in Somerset House; and will he cause inquiry to be made as to the usefulness of such returns, with a view to prevent unnecessary expenditure of official time and stationery. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I will cause inquiry to be made.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the statement that the new Customs and Excise Department would deal with goods only, whether it is intended to restrict certain offices to old-age pension work exclusively; will he state the agency to be employed in collecting intoxicating liquors and other licences; and will he say by what means it is intended to distinguish the pension officer, who is to be a Treasury official, from the licensing officer, who is to hold his commission from the Board of Inland Revenue or Customs.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in restricting Customs officers under the amalgamation to dealing with goods only without regard to licences, there will be a number of breweries, certain warehouses, and some distilleries in remote places where it has been found impossible to profitably employ the officers' time without the inclusion of considerable licensing work; and, as the amalgamation will considerably disturb an arrangement that has worked satisfactorily and economically, will he state how it is proposed to deal with this matter so as to avoid employing officers for part time only, and unnecessarily duplicating such officers in certain districts. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Until the amalgamation has actually taken place it would be premature to forecast the details of the necessary arrangements. The old-age pension officer will, as a rule, have revenue duties also.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, through the unauthorised action of local officials at Gravesend, the contractors for the new torpedo slipway have been awarded by arbitration £3,076, instead of the £1,135 for which they contracted to do the work; who was the local official responsible; and how has his case been dealt with. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I must refer my hon. friend to the evidence taken before the Public Accounts Committee, which will shortly be in the hands of hon. Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the cost per head of, taking all rank together, but taking each arm of the service separately, maintaining the British garrisons in the Transvaal Orange River Colony, Natal, and Cape Colony respectively; what number of military stations are there at present in each of these Colonies; and what is the number of troops of each arm at each of them. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The average effective cost per head (all ranks) of the principal arms in each Colony is as follows:—

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can explain why Captain Clutterbuck and Captain Pepys were transferred to the Essex Regiment, now serving in Burmah, Captain Pepys having less service than four captains and nine subalterns now serving in the regiment. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) In consequence of the reduction of the battalion of the West India Regiment and Royal Warwickshire Regiment, to which these officers respectively belonged, they became supernumerary, and their transfer was imperative. There were about 200 officers similarly situated, and the Army Council decided that when transferred the officers of all the reduced regiments should get the benefit of their seniority, and that these supernumeraries should be distributed as equally as possible throughout the infantry of the Army. Every consideration was given to the comparative age and service of officers transferred with that of the officers over whose heads they went in their new regiment, but it was manifestly impossible in many instances to prevent the supersession of officers older and of longer service.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in direct opposition to the owners of the Straffan Station Stud Farms, important Army manœuvres are to be held on this estate; and, if so whether the Government are prepared to meet claims for any losses which may arise from these manœuvres to the blood stock on these farms. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. The Military Manœuvres Act is not in force for any manœuvres held in Ireland this year, and consequently it is impossible to manœuvre over any land in that country without the consent of the owner or occupier.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a fire occurred at the Gun Wharf, Portsmouth, on the 2nd January, 1907, causing damage to the extent of a quarter of a million sterling, the camp equipment of an Army Corps being destroyed; and whether the building was owned by the Admiralty.

In regard to the first part of the Question, I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War. The Answer to the latter part of the Question is in the negative.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state what reasons exist for not using the two steel cylinders or camels which were made to raise the "Montagu" for the purpose of raising the "Gladiator"; and what the price was of these camels, and where they are now.

There were no cylindrical camels used. Seven of the rectangular camels constructed for the "Montagu" salvage operations are still in existence, having been turned over to the Works Department at Devonport for use at Oreston Quarries. These camels are quite unsuitable for the first operations in the salvage of H.M.S. "Gladiator" and will probably not be suitable for use in the subsequent operations, as the conditions are different from those which existed in the case of H.M.S. "Montagu."

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will sanction pay and separation allowances, according to their former rank in the Volunteers, to those non-commissioned officers in the London Engineers who have transferred their services from the Volunteers to the Territorial Army and have been reduced in rank.

It is not clear to what unit the hon. Baronet is referring. Under paragraph 79, Part I., Army Order, 18th March, 1908, every non-commissioned officer in a transferred unit is entitled to retain his rank in his own unit, and while he retains his rank he receives the pay of that rank. If the hon. Baronet will give specific instances I will have inquiry made.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the Colonies of Australia and New Zealand with the charges levied by the Suez Canal Company on shipping passing between those Colonies and the Mother Country; whether representations have been made by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth to the effect that steamships trading between Australia and Great Britain are deterred from taking the shorter route by reason of the heavy charges levied by the Suez Canal authorities and are compelled to take the longer route round South Africa, involving several days extra steaming; whether the Governor-General has suggested, in view of the dividend of 28 per cent. paid on the Suez Canal shares, a substantial reduction in existing rates and asked, on behalf of Australia, as well as of all other British Possessions lying to the East of Egypt, that the influence of the British Government should be used to secure concessions which would have a material effect on inter-Empire trade and upon the volume of traffic which will pass through the canal; whether these representations were strongly reinforced by the Premiers of Australia and New Zealand at the recent Colonial Conference; and whether they are being taken into consideration by His Majesty's Government, together with those to the same effect from British shipowners.

The facts are generally as stated in the Question. The matter is being considered by His Majesty's Government and will not be overlooked.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the loss of £41,420 7s. 11d. entailed on the Exchequer through the failure of the Colonial Office to reply to the High Commissioner of South Africa as to the allocation of the charge for the administration of the compensation fund between Great Britain and the Transvaal; whether the responsibility for this loss has been brought home to any particular official; and what action has been taken in the matter.

The reference is, I presume, to Section 10 of the Second Report of the Public Accounts Committee just laid. It is quite a mistake to suppose that any loss of public money occurred or that any additional charge was thrown upon the Exchequer through the action of the Colonial Office, for whatever may have been the merits of the question whether administrative expenses could properly be charged to the fund, the Colonial Government had unquestionably full power to spend the money in increasing the compensation paid to protected burghers. I would refer my hon. friend as regards this compensation fund to the Report of the Central Judicial Committee printed in Cd. 3028. I must deny that there was improper delay in the matter on the part of the Colonial Office. The money has since been revoted by Parliament.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the minimum salary per adult for each utilised working day in respect of native labourers for the Transvaal recruited in Portuguese East Africa.

The average monthly wage earned by natives and Cape boys according to the last Annual Report of the Government Mining Engineer was 52s. 3d., but I have no further information.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table the pass regulations in force in the Transvaal mines in connection with the employment of native labourers recruited from Portuguese East Africa and elsewhere.

No, Sir. I do not think that the expense of reprinting would be justified. The regulations in Question were issued in 1903, with various later modifications, and are made under the authority of the Proclamation No. 37 of 1901, printed in Cd. 904, and an Ordinance of 1903.

Will the hon. Gentleman put a copy in the Library?

That would involve reprinting, and I think it hardly reasonable to insist on that. But if the hon. Gentleman and any of his friends will call at the Colonial Office they can get what information they require.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary for the Colonies what is the opportunity which the curator has of influencing natives from Portuguese East Africa to return to Portuguese territory when their period of contract for the Transvaal mines has ended; and whether the Transvaal Government have any intention of introducing legislation to secure the effectiveness of this contractual obligation.

The curator's action is only advisory. I am not aware of any intended legislation by the Transvaal.

But are not the mineowners bound by contract to see that the natives return at the end of their contract, and are not the Government in honour bound to see that the contract is carried out?

I do not think that that is an accurate description of the state of affairs. In point of fact I am told that a great many of the natives do not return.

But is it not provided for in the contract, and are the Government and the mineowners to be allowed to evade their responsibility?

If there is such a clause it is not enforced.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, although the British Government possesses a number of shares approaching one-half of the existing shares of the Suez Canal Company, its voting power is only equal to that possessed by holders of 250 shares; and whether, in view of this fact and of the fact that the dues on British shipping amount to nearly three quarters of all the dues received by the Suez Canal Company, he can see his way to secure a representation for the British Government more in accord with its actual holding of shares, and also more in accord with the proportion of dues paid by British shipping.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Any alteration in the existing system of voting would involve an amendment of the Statutes of the company, which cannot be effected without the consent of two-thirds of the shareholders, and I cannot say that an alteration would be feasible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction Which exists among British shipowners in regard to the dues charged by the Suez Canal Company; whether he is aware that an agreement was made in 1883 between M. Charles de Lesseps and the representatives of English shipowners, which provided that the dividend might rise from 17 per cent. until it reached 25 per cent., after which the surplus profits were to be used in reduction of the dues until they reached five francs per ton; whether this agreement was duly signed by the parties and subsequently ratified at a shareholders' meeting of the Suez Canal Company in Paris; whether the canal company have refused to carry out the agreement, though the dividend rose to 26 per cent. in 1904, and has been 28 per cent. since 1906; and whether he can see his way to using the influence of the British Government to assist in securing the observance of that agreement.

I am aware of some dissatisfaction among owners of cargo vessels and of the agreement between Monsieur Charles de Lesseps and the members of the association of steamship owners trading to the East as well as of its submission to the shareholders. The agreement was, however, subsequently modified by the successors of the original parties to it, and it is not in the power of the British Government to have it altered.

Is it not the fact that these dues are an advantage to this country, which holds a large number of shares?

Of course we get the benefit.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has come to his knowledge that the Russian Government contemplate issuing a loan in Great Britain.

I have no information to the effect suggested by the hon. Member.

asked whether this was a matter in which the Government could interfere, if people were willing to lend their money?

Of course, borrowing in the open market is no affair of ours. I presume the Question was put to ascertain facts.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of the negotiations for the delimitation of the Turco-Persian frontier; and whether the Turkish troops have been withdrawn from Passovah.

The frontier negotiations appear to be very much in statu, quo ante; I have no definite information as to the situation at Passovah at the present time, but on June 23rd the Grand Vizier promised the British and Russian representatives at Constantinople that orders should at once be sent for the withdrawal of any troops that might have advanced beyond the "neutral" zone, and this would include Passovah if occupied by Ottoman troops. In reply to a further Question by Mr. LYNCH—

said we had a eonsul in the neighbourhood from whom information was obtained.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many pupils now attend the Khedivial School of Agriculture at Cairo, and what are their nationalities; whether any and what amount of instruction is now given in the Arabic language; and what is the annual cost of the upkeep of the school.

The information asked for, down to as late as last December, is given in pages 40 and 41 of Sir Eldon Gorst's Annual Report. I will make inquiry as to the rest of the Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Government has knowledge of a proposal by Sir Ernest Cassel to establish a new mortgage bank in Egypt, and whether he will state for the information of the House the conditions under which such banks can be established.

The Answer is in the negative. I will inquire whether any conditions have been laid down, and if so what they are.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to receive the replies of the other Powers signatory of the Berlin Treaty to the proposals agreed upon between His Majesty's Government and that of Russia for reform in Macedonia; and can he state whether the whole of these proposals, or only a portion of them, have yet been submitted to the Powers.

A portion only of the proposals has been submitted to the Powers, and it is hoped that the reply to these may be received at no distant date.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have invited, or propose to invite, the Sultan of Turkey to organise mobile columns to suppress the Macedonian bands.

Proposals of the nature indicated are under the consideration of the Powers, but it would be premature to make any statement at present till their opinion is known.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will communicate to the House the substance of any information which he may have received on the subject of the disorders in the city and province of Tabriz from His Majesty's Consul-General at Tabriz; and are any, and, if so, what, steps being taken by His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with that of Russia, to bring about a speedy settlement of the differences between the Shah and the Constitutional Party.

I have received various reports to the effect that fighting has been in progress at Tabriz between the supporters of the Shah and the popular party. According to the latest information in my possession, the Shah's party, which was defended by Government horsemen, was attacked again on 20th July by the popular party. The Government horsemen were defeated, and withdrew to their second line of defence. The reactionary Enjumen, or political club, was occupied by the popular party, which pulled down the white flag hoisted there by the clergy. The clergy and Acting-Governor-General are said to have hidden. It is reported in the Press that there has been further fighting, which is exceedingly probable, though I have not yet heard the result of it. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, the Russian and British Governments are of one opinion as to the necessity of strict abstention from any forcible interference on their part in the internal affairs of the country.

In view of the serious news just received to the effect that the telegraph wires have been cut, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House any assurance as to the measures that have been taken to secure the safety of the British Consul-General?

So far, in this Persian trouble, there has been no danger to foreigners. As for the rest, Persia must look after herself.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any Russian officers now serving with the Shah's troops?

So far as I am aware, there are no Russian officers at Tabriz or at Teheran.

Is there any record that at any time Europeans have been molested during popular disturbances in Persia?

The Answer to that Question would require a great deal of historical research.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amounts assessed as death duties for the last financial year in England, Ireland, and Scotland, respectively.

The net receipt of death duties in the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1908, is as follows—England, £16,571,384; Scotland. £1,847,018; Ireland, £689,854; United Kingdom, £19,108,256.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Supplementary Civil Service Estimates issued on the 22nd of June and the 15th July include sums, aggregating £378,000, for which no provision was made in the Budget; whether he is aware that the balance provided in the Budget for contingencies was £241,000; and whether he anticipates that the yield of the revenue will exceed the Budget Estimates, and, if not, from what source he proposes to meet the additional charge of £137,000.

It has frequently happened in the past that the Estimates voted by Parliament for the service of a particular year have exceeded the Revenue available for meeting them, as estimated in the Budget. In such cases the Ways and Means required for the Supplementary Votes may be provided either by surplus Revenue, or by savings under other heads of expenditure which were included in the Budget.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the proportion which the income-tax assessment, on which taxes were

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the full total of the moneys that will have to be provided by Parliament during the whole of 1909 to meet the payment of all the old-age pensions contained in the Old-age Pensions Bill after it had been read a third time in this House.

The concessions made in Committee are estimated to increase the cost of the scheme in 1909 by approximately £500,000. This was originally estimated at about £6,000,000. So the total cost of the scheme as amended, for the first complete year of its operation, may be expected to amount to about £6,500,000. Any estimate must, however, at the present stage and until practical experience of its working has been obtained, be highly conjectural.

What will the expenditure for 1910 be approximately?

Are we to understand, then, that Lord Rosebery's forecast of ten millions was altogether overdrawn?

It is very undesirable to refer to debates in another place

The respective amounts of income-tax contributed by England and Wales and by Scotland must necessarily be a matter of speculation; but, calculated on the basis of the estimate shown in Return No. 245 [Revenue and Expenditure (England, Scotland and Ireland) 1906–7], they would be as follows:—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the nature of the representations, if any, which he has made, and to whom such representations were made, in respect of the observance or contravention of the factory and health laws by firms enjoying the Royal Warrant and of firms applying for the Royal Warrant.

In accordance with the promise made by the Under-Secretary on the 30th April last, I communicated the hon. Member's suggestions to the heads of the various departments of the Royal Household through which warrants are granted, namely, the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Steward, the Master of the Horse, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse.

Have any answers been received?

I believe, no.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the inquiry into the fish-curing industry, promised in the debate on the Home Office Vote last year, was held; and, if so, when the Report may be expected; and whether any statement with regard to it can be made before the debate on the Home Office Vote.

The promised inquiry has been made by the Chief Inspector, who has investigated on the spot the conditions existing in the different branches of this widely spread industry, and his Report has been embodied by him in his General Report for 1907 just issued. The subject is a very difficult one, and will require careful consideration, and I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to it at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the statements with regard to truck in the Potteries on pages 197, 198 of the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops; and if he will inquire of the Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Truck if the practices there referred to, involving customary payments and stoppages, are being dealt with by the Departmental Committee.

Yes, Sir; I am aware of the statements to which my right hon. friend refers; and I understand that the points raised have been under the consideration of the Departmental Committee on Truck.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that Frederick M'Ghee and his wife were sentenced each to one month's hard labour at the West London Police Court on Monday last on the charge of begging, and that nothing previous had been known against the couple, and that the husband had served in the late South African War, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to reducing their sentences.

I understand that the object the magistrate had in view when passing sentence was to deter persons from using their children in the streets for the purpose of obtaining alms, and that he had found lighter punishments ineffective for this purpose. I am making some further inquiry, but on the information at present before me I see no ground for advising any interference with the sentences.

Would it not be better to take the children away from their parents in these cases?

I am considering that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to state to the House that he is prepared to recognise in a substantial form the brave action of those who risked and in cases lost their lives in the attempt at rescue in the Hamstead Colliery disaster.

Five of the men engaged in the rescue operations have been awarded Edward medals of the first class, and one the medal of the second class. The medals were presented to the recipients by His Majesty at the investure on Tuesday last. The medal of the first class has also been awarded to the widow of John Welsby, a member of the Altofts rescue party, who lost his life in the attempt to rescue the men in the mine.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the ladies now in prison for making demonstrations against the Government are, in default of finding sureties, suffering a heavier penalty than could have been inflicted if they had actually been found guilty of sedition, in view of the fact that by the Prisons Act of 1898 a person imprisoned for sedition or seditious libel must be treated as a first-class misdemeanant; and whether, in view of this circumstance, he will recommend the transference from the second division to the first of the ladies now in prison on account of their having made political demonstrations.

Persons found guilty of sedition are liable to imprisonment for two years, and must by Statute be placed in the first division. As regards the prison treatment of these ladies, I must refer my hon. friend to my numerous previous Answers upon this subject.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he did not think that the punishment was quite unsuited to the offence. Had he not power to "make the punishment fit the crime?"

I can add nothing to the Answer I have already given to the Question.

asked the reason for the different treatment of Dr. Jameson and his fellow offenders. They were treated as first-class misdemeanants, while these ladies, who had committed no crime whatever in comparison with these impure fellows, had to associate with ordinary criminals.

said he had already explained.

asked had not a sufficient time elapsed, had not the prisoners suffered enough, could not the right hon. Gentleman let them out?

said those who did not know the right hon. Gentleman would think him vindictive.

I am very sorry for it, but I cannot help it.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a deputation of thirteen women proposing to visit the Prime Minister last March were arrested outside the Caxton Hall and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, whereas on a more recent occasion a similar deputation with the same object were given a police escort to the Houses of Parliament, and what is the reason of the different treatment of the two deputations; whether the women agitating for votes for women arrested on 30th June were prosecuted before Mr. Francis under Section 2 of The Prevention of Crimes Amendment Act, 1885, the maximum penalty on conviction under which Act is a fine of £5, or imprisonment for two months in default; and will he say under what Act proceedings were taken against those persons who were imprisoned for three months in default of finding sureties.

The deputation of last February headed a procession from Caxton Hall to the Houses of Parliament, which was illegal and could not be permitted, and as they would not desist, the procession was broken up and arrests were made. On the second occasion there was no procession. All those present in Caxton Hall were asked to remain quietly, and the deputation proceeded alone, and were assisted in their progress by the police. The ladies who were arrested on the 30th June were charged under the statute mentioned by the hon. Member, but the learned magistrate, in his discretion, dealt with the defendants under the general powers vested in him by law in virtue of his commission, and required them to find sureties to be of good behaviour. I see no reason to doubt that the action taken was warranted by law, and was justified by the circumstances with which the magistrate had to deal.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an accident occurred to a point cleaner at Fenchurch Street Station, Great Eastern Railway, on 9th March, 1908; that a Board bf Trade inquiry was held into the matter on 15th April, 1908, when it was elicited that the point cleaner was working at this busy spot without a look-out man; whether he is aware that a look-out man was appointed after the inquiry; that the victim of the accident was removed from Fenchurch Street a week after the inquiry and a new point cleaner substituted without a look-out man; and will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

The Board of Trade are informed by the railway company that it is not the case that a look-out man was appointed after the inquiry to which my hon. friend refers. The company also state that the new point cleaner (like his predecessor) prefers to work without a look-out man, and the company consider that to appoint such a man would probably increase the danger. The Board as at present advised are not convinced that this opinion is sound and propose to communicate again with the company.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of representations and petitions received by the Government objecting to or making suggestions in respect of the clauses of the Port of London Bill which relate to the Thames above Teddington; what are the names of the persons or bodies making such representations; and what alterations in the Port of London Bill are asked for by the persons and authorities making such representations and suggestions.

A great number of such representations and petitions have been received. The particulars are too lengthy to be conveniently given in reply to a Question, but I will send them to my hon. friend. I may add that many of the suggestions contained in the communications have been met by Amendments in the Bill.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the proceedings taken by Mr. James Perry Howe, at Ballinspittal Petty Sessions, County Cork, on the 26th May, 1908, against John Mahony, jun., for trespass on the foreshore of Glaunvarane Strand; if Mr. Howe has a patent or grant from the Crown of this strand; and, if not, what steps will be taken to protect the Crown rights to the foreshore.

I am aware of the proceedings taken by Mr. Howe against John Mahony for trespass on foreshore at Glaunvarane Strand, by attempting to take seaweed therefrom. Mr. Howe bases his claim to the foreshore in question on prescriptive rights, not on any patent or grant from the Crown, and the matter is under the consideration of the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what Amendment to the Port of London Bill has been proposed by the Government to give effect to the promise of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that labour should be represented on the new authority.

A clause has been inserted in the Bill by the Joint Committee at the instance of the Board of Trade in the following terms:—"(6a) With a view to providing for the representation of labour on the Port Authority one of the members of the Port Authority appointed by the Board, of Trade shall be appointed by the Board after consultation with such organisations representative of labour as the Board think best qualified to advise them upon the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman provide that one of the County Council nominees shall be a representative of labour?

said the matter had been very carefully considered already, and he did not think the Board of Trade could interfere.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Port Authority would have very strong powers for dealing with labour through the labour exchanges, the right hon. Gentleman would reconsider the point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer when introducing, the Bill spoke of two or three labour representatives, and will he be able to do something with regard to influencing the London County Council to nominate as one of their representatives a representative of labour?

I do not think it is in the power of the Board of Trade to influence a body having the right to nominate representatives as to the decision to which they should come.

asked what methods the Board of Trade proposed to put into operation for consulting the organised workers in the Port of London.

said the Board of Trade had a good many means of making inquiries as to who were really representatives of the opinion of labour, and they proposed to use all the means at their disposal.

Does the right hon. o Gentleman remember the promise of the Chancellor of the Exchequer that labour should have two or three representatives?

was understood to say that his attention had not been called to that promise, but he would certainly search for it. He would, however, point out that the Port Authority must be kept within reasonable limits.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to inquire into the operations of trusts for the supply, price, and distribution of meat in the United Kingdom.

I am appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire how far and in what manner the general supply, distribution, and price of meat in the United Kingdom are controlled or affected by any combination of firms or companies. The noble Lord the Member for Marylebone has consented to act as Chairman of the Committee. I have further invited my hon. friends the Member for the Elland Division and the Members for Southampton and Deptford to be members, and I also propose to appoint representatives of the Board of Trade and Board of Agriculture, together with a gentleman possessing expert knowledge of the meat trade. The Board of Agriculture will be represented by Sir Thomas Elliot, K.C.B., the Secretary to the Board.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state what boroughs showing an estimated population of over 50,000 have, since the passing of the Local Government Act, 1888, been refused by the Local Government Board their applications to be created county boroughs.

As respects three boroughs the Board have either refused the application or for special reasons deferred the consideration of it, viz., Hornsey, East Ham and Eastbourne.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what is the number of exemption certificates received by vaccination officers during the year 1907.

The number is 57,675.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Metropolitan Water Board have now 100 clerks more than were formerly employed by all the water companies whose concerns were absorbed by that Board; and whether the Metropolitan Water Board proposes shortly to make a call upon the rates for a contribution, whereas the water companies under the same conditions were able to pay their proprietors good dividends.

The facts are as stated in the first part of the Question. The increase in the number of officers of the Water Board is said to be due partly to extra clerical work, partly to the setting up of a department for the examination of water as required by the Metropolis Water Act, 1902, and partly to the fact that the staff of the Water Board now perform the legal and surveying work for which the companies employed outside firms. I understand, however, that the total annual amount of the salaries at present paid by the Water Board is about £5,000 less than that paid by the companies. I am not informed as to whether the Water Board propose to make a call upon the rates for a contribution.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to provide any official hospitality for the delegates who have been appointed by Foreign Governments, on the invitation conveyed to them by our Foreign Office from the British Committee, to attend the Third International Congress for the Development of Drawing arid Art Teaching and their Application to Industries, to be held in London during the present month.

The Prime Minister has asked me to deal with this Question, and I hope my hon. friend will not think me wanting in courtesy if I decline to give him any detailed Answer to it. My colleagues in making me responsible for Government hospitality have imposed on me a task which is very onerous and very delicate—a task for which I confess I feel myself wholly unfitted—but one which I can only perform at all if I am happy enough to command the confidence of both sides of this House. National hospitality would lose half its utility and all its grace if the reasons for which it was proffered or withheld were to become a matter of Question and Answer in Parliament. I would not for a moment suggest that this House should be debarred from criticising my administration of the fund when the necessary Vote comes up for discussion. They will then be entitled to condemn my conduct of it or to suspend or cancel the policy itself. But even on such a debate I should not be prepared to defend myself by stating the grounds on which I had abstained from offering hospitality to any individuals or delegations, for I am convinced that such a course would absolutely destroy the aim of international comity which is the basis and object of this new departure. I can therefore only ask for the generous indulgence and confidence of the House during the commencement of this experiment and until in their opinion I have ceased to deserve it.

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the last cases of foot-and-mouth disease and anthrax occurred among cattle in Canada; and whether he has received advices that there is no disease now existing among Canadian cattle.

The Board are unable to reply to the first part of the Question without reference to the Canadian Government. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say the other day that disease did exist in Canada?

Yes; but there is a question as to the date I when the last case was reported.

Why not cable for the information?

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to a case tried before Mr. Judge Parry in Manchester, in which a woman named Pointon recovered £37 10s. from a company called the Provincial Homes Investment Company; whether he is aware that the learned Judge described the representations which had been made by the said company as fraudulent, and whether he is aware that a large number of comparatively poor people have been induced to place their savings with this company; and whether the Public Prosecutor proposes to take any steps to enable these people to get their money back, and to prevent the Provincial Homes Investment Company from obtaining money from others under false pretences.