To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the attempted escape from the British steamer "Strathyre" at the port of New York of twenty-five Chinese sailors and firemen; whether he is aware that two of these Chinamen were drowned as a consequence of their attempt to escape; whether he will cause a public inquiry to be held to ascertain if the Chinamen in question had been subjected to ill-usage; whether he has any official reports snowing that twenty-three of these Chinamen are being deported to Liverpool on the steamship "Lusitania"; and, if so, whether he will insist on the owners of the steamer "Strathyre" paying the expenses of deporting these twenty-three Chinamen to their homes in China. (Answered by Mr. Churchill). My attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. friend, and I am aware that two of the Chinese seamen were drowned in consequence of an attempt to escape from the steamship. I understand that an inquiry into the case has been instituted by the New York authorities, and as soon as I am acquainted with its result I will consider whether any further action is called for. Three of the Chinamen have been detained in connection with the New York inquiry, but the remaining twenty have been sent to Liverpool on the steamship "Lusitania." Without further information as to the conditions under which the seamen have been sent to this country, I am unable to say whether the owners can be required to repatriate the men to China. They will, however, be called upon to pay any expenses to which they may be liable.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give directions to have a separate account kept of the work done and expenses incurred by the Commissioner of Valuation in connection with the annual revision of valuation of the county Westmeath, and that particulars of the same may be furnished to the county council. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) I am informed that the course proposed by the lion. Baronet is impracticable.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he can say what is the cause of the delay in appointing a sub-postmaster to the vacancy which exists at Dunleer, County Louth, Ireland; whether it is intended to appoint a constable who is at present a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and who is a candidate for the position; whether there are any other candidates for the vacancy; and, if so, will he fill the position without further delay. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The sub-postmaster of Dunleer, Drogheda, has given notice of his intended resignation, but he is not due to relinquish his appointment until 23rd September next, three months notice being necessary. A new sub-postmaster will be selected as soon as the necessary inquiries regarding the qualifications of the various candidates have been completed.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will state on whose authority have sorting clerks and telegraphists in the Cork sorting office been recently examined for the position of overseer, what are the subjects of examination, and who are the examiners; and will he on this occasion consider the claims to this position of sorting clerks and telegraphists who have been performing overseer's duty for a number of years to the entire satisfaction of the department. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The hon. Member has been misinformed. There has been no examination for the position of overseer at Cork. Some of the senior sorting clerks and telegraphists however, have been afforded an opportunity of showing their ability for certain writing work which forms an important part of the duties of overseer at Cork. In accordance with the rule of the service, the claims and qualifications of all the senior eligible officers will be duly considered before any promotion is made to the position of overseer, and the officer will be selected who is, in my opinion, best qualified for the efficient performance of the duties.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will issue a Return showing the delay on the telegraphic work dealt with in the Cork post office during the period 29th June to 11th July, and if he will say if such delay was abnormal, and what were the causes; can he also give the number of hours overtime performed daily in the telegraph office during this period; is he aware that members of the Cork telegraph staff are compelled to work three and four hours overtime per diem; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of increasing the staff of the Cork telegraph office. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) During the period in question some unusual delay occurred, resulting mainly from wire failures and from the handing in of press matter of which notice had not been given. The average daily amount of overtime performed in the instrument room during the period stated was seventy-three hours. No officer was compelled to work overtime. A revision of the Cork indoor force is now being prepared, which I hope will do much to diminish the overtime.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has had under consideration the hardship inflicted on men who have entrusted their savings for the payment of mess debts to a mess caterer who subsequently deserts with the money; and whether, in conjunction with the pay department of the ships, or in the case of destroyers with the pay department of the parent ship, some more responsible system can be adopted. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) This point has been met, for all practical purposes, by the new victualling system which came into force on 1st October last. Under this system the canteen tenant must submit a statement to the commanding officer, within forty-eight hours of the payment of the messing allowances, showing what debts are still due to him from messes, thus greatly reducing the possibility of misappropriation. Further, in all ships bearing an accountant officer, the paymaster himself settles the mess debt with the canteen out of the money due to the mess. It is not considered practicable or desirable for the Admiralty to go further than this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the case of factory chimneys in the vicinity of danger buildings where explosives are manufactured, regulations are made ordering the chimneys to be fitted with spark catchers within certain limits of distance; and, if so, what is the date of the regulation and what is the authorised limit. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) There is no general regulation to this effect, but the fitting of a spark catcher is an ordinary precaution which is very often adopted in explosives factories; and in factories licensed under the Explosives Act the fitting of an efficient spark catcher is, where deemed necessary, specifically required. A spark catcher is practically never required for the-chimney shaft of another factory in the vicinity of an explosives factory, because each danger building of an explosives factory (if licensed under the Act) has to observe a specified distance from, every factory outside the licensed area.

To ask the President of the Board of Education whether grants are still being made to local education authorities to-assist in the provision of public elementary schools in cases where the existing school accommodation is wholly of a denominational character. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Yes, Sir, but only in settlement of cases already provisionally approved by the Board.

To ask the Prime Minister whether the Government will grant a Return giving a list of all inquiries which have been held into naval and. military affairs since the year 1800, the Reports of which have been published as Parliamentary Papers. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I see no-objection to granting this Return.

To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, seeing the importance of the-breed of Kerry cattle and the necessity of keeping the breed pure, he will take any steps to establish a breeding centre in some part in the County Kerry. (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The Department of Agriculture have recognised the importance of the breed of Kerry cattle by establishing a dairy herd book, in which the owners of animals that conform to type and are of good milking quality can have them entered, so that their progeny may be eligible for service premiums. All the breeders of Kerry cattle may participate in this scheme, and the benefits likely to accrue therefrom are, in the opinion of the Department, much greater than would follow from the establishment of a breeding centre as suggested in the Question.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in October, 1901, two extra battalions of the King's Liverpool Regiment were disbanded; that the officers who then became supernumerary have only just been absorbed, owing to which cause promotion has been exceedingly slow, especially in the junior ranks; and whether in view of these facts, he will take measures to prevent officers being brought into the King's Liverpool Regiment from other regiments. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The circumstances of the case were fully considered, and there did not appear to be any reason why this regiment should not take its quota of the supernumeraries like the other regiments. The hon. Member may not be aware that the regiment got the entire benefit of the promotion entailed by the augmentation of 1900, which had only been partially carried out when it was abandoned in the following year. No officers were brought in from other regiments as in the case of other augmented regiments. So far, therefore, from the officers suffering by the partial augmentation and subsequent reduction the reverse has been the case.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the desire which exists in practically every part of the country for gaining experience in rifle shooting through miniature rifle clubs; and whether he would be prepared, through the Territorial Associations, or otherwise, to co-ordinate and organise this movement, so that this desire may be utilised in some practical way towards helping in the national defence. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I am aware of the general interest that is taken in miniature rifle clubs, but it is impossible at present to ask the associa- tions to take the matter up while they have so much other work on hand. A War Office committee will, however, consider the question later on in the autumn in conjunction with the associations.

To ask the Secretary of State for War in what rank officers of the Special Reserve will be attached to Regular battalions; for what time such appointments will last; who will be responsible for the selection of the officer to be appointed; and whether the officer commanding the Regular battalion will be consulted. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) When officers of the Special Reserve are attached to Regular battalions they will be employed in the rank they hold in the Special Reserve. The probable duration would be stated at the time when such employment was being offered; it is impossible to state it now. Officers of the Special Reserve who desire employment with Regular units register their names with the officer commanding the district, on the recommendation of the officer commanding the Special Reserve unit. The selection of the Special Reserve officer would rest with the War Office. The officer commanding the Regular battalion will not necessarily be consulted.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government can yet see their way toward promoting or establishing a direct British steamship line to East Africa. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The question is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government. While endeavouring to find a satisfactory solution of it they are not at present in a position to make any public statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what provision is made for religious instruction in the elementary schools in Prussia, Bavaria, and Belgium. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) I cannot at such short notice furnish the desired information, but the correspondence will be examined and, if necessary, reports on the subject will be obtained.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is only one delivery of letters in the week to residents in the districts of Derreenavurrig and Bullough near Sneem, County Kerry; and whether, in view of the inconvenience thereby caused, he can arrange for improved postal facilities. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I have called for a Report on this subject, and on its receipt I will send the hon. Member a reply.

To ask the Postmaster-General when the indoor staff at the Hastings and St. Leonards offices will be revised so as to initiate the rotation of duties promised in February, 1907; and on what date the new system will commence. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The revision of the indoor force at Hastings and St. Leonards will shortly be carried out. The revision will provide for the employment of each officer in rotation on the various duties in which he would be required to become efficient.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if it has been decided whether the compound generally known as nut butter, when prepared entirely from nuts, of a brown colour, and free from any trace of animal fat, comes within the definition of margarine in Section 13 of the Butter and Margarine Act, 1907; and whether the Board will consider the advisability of introducing an amending Bill to remove doubts and to enable this vegetable compound to be sold as nuttine or under some similar name which does not convey the misleading suggestion that it is made up of animal fat. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) Any decision as to the interpretation of the section to which my hon. friend refers rests with the Courts and not with the Board. We do not consider that any Amendment of the Act in the direction suggested is called for.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that acting examiners in. the Exchequer and Audit Department receive £122 10s. per annum during their eighth year of service, and that on-completing their eighth year they are promoted and given a superior certificate, but with a reduced salary of £115 per annum, he will quote any general rule or authority under which promoted officials suffer loss on promotion and for a considerable number of years thereafter. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The-officers referred to are Second Division clerks, who on completing eight years service are eligible for promotion to the class of examiners in the Exchequer and Audit Department. As Second Division clerks they have the right, under Clauses. 5 and 6 of the Order in Council of 21st December, 1907, to elect to be placed, upon the new scale of salaries prescribed, by that Order. But it has been decided, in this case, as well as in similar cases in other offices, that there is no reason for varying in their favour the conditions of promotion to the class of examiners-which were contemplated on the recent reorganisation of the Department. Any such clerk, therefore, who, having elected, under the above-mentioned Order in Council to be placed upon the new scale becomes qualified and is recommended for promotion, is required to enter the scale of the examiner class at the point it which he would have arrived had he continued to serve as a Second Division clerk on the old scale up to the date of promotion.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether be will state how many local auditors and assistant auditors abroad have now signified their intention of returning to the headquarters of the

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, seeing that return-in Colonial auditors and assistant auditors will have their names interspersed with those of the former members of the main establishment of the Exchequer and Audit Department, but with considerably higher salaries, and that service abroad is held out as a special qualification for promotion, he will explain how the interests of the former members of the main establishment of the Exchequer and Audit Department are safeguarded m this procedure. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) This is a matter which, under Section 9 of the

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether in view of the powers contained in Section 39 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act on the subject of cooperative and credit bank societies, and of the determination of the Government not to give its sanction-to any scheme of agricultural credit banks involving unlimited liability, the Board will direct full inquiries to be made and a Report issued upon the systems of agricultural credit practised in Germany, Austria, France, and Italy, so as to ascertain whether and to what extent agricultural credit societies in those countries are under limited liability; or, if not, whether unlimited liability has entailed those detrimental consequences which the Government appear to attribute to it, and generally to obtain particulars as to the working of such societies. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Board have published in their Journal from time to time articles dealing with agricultural credit banks in foreign countries. Information as to Germany was given in March, 1906, and as to France in June, 1905. The conditions which obtain in Austria and Italy will be described when opportunity offers.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether any, and, if so, how many, applications have been made for small holdings to the County Council of the North Riding of Yorkshire; what is the acreage, if any, already granted for small holdings; and whether the Board is aware that this county council has suggested to any possible applicants that they should apply to local landlords for small holdings and not rely on the county council. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) We are informed that 288 applications have been received for 5,494 acres, but no small holdings have as yet been actually provided. The Board are not aware that the council have suggested that applicants should be made to landlords, but we will at once make inquiry on the point.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received further represenations from Kenmare protesting against the alteration in the railway time-table, whereby the interests of the people of the district are subordinated to those of a few tourists; and whether, seeing that the Headford and Kenmare Railway is largely main- tained by rates levied on ratepayers in the neighbouring baronies, he will see that the railway company is not permitted to ignore the reasonable wishes of the people of the district. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The representations to which the hon. Member refers were duly received by the Board of Trade and communicated to the railway company with a request that they might receive careful consideration. The company's reply is as follows—

Great Southern and Western

Railway Company (Ireland),

Kingsbridge, Dublin.

25th July, 1908.

Sir.—In reply to your letters of the 21st and 23rd instant, I beg to inform you that my Board have again gone into the question of the train service on the Kenmare Branch, and they find that they must adhere to the decision conveyed to you in my letter of the 8th instant. The question was very carefully gone into by this company before the change in time-table was carried out, and every effort was made to supply such a service as would meet the reasonable requirements of both the through and local traffic. I have only to add that the present service is really a better one than the traffic warrants, and that this branch line is worked at a considerable loss to the company.—(Signed) I am, etc.,

FRANCIS B. ORMSBY.

Secretary.

To ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is now in a position to state what steps the Department proposes to take in order to carry out the establishment of a model farm at Castlequin, Cahirciveen, in accordance with the suggestions submitted for his consideration; and, if not, whether he is prepared to consider any alternative scheme for the promotion of scientific agricultural knowledge and the improvement of the breed of Kerry cattle by utilising the land now available at Castlequin. (Answered by Mr. T. W. Russell.) The Department do not propose to establish a model farm at Castlequin. Alternative schemes for the dissemination of scientific and practical agricultural knowledge and the improvement of the breed of Kerry cattle are being adopted. For the dissemination of such knowledge the Department have placed the services of eight trained men at the disposal of the farmers in the backward districts of Kerry, while, for encouraging the breeders of Kerry cattle, the Department have put into operation a scheme which will confer on the owners of these animals the benefits which breeders of other cattle now enjoy.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the rules governing the appointment of Lords-Lieutenant of counties in Scotland; whether there is any property qualification; with whom the appointment rests; for what term is the appointment made; what are the duties of the position; and what are the powers of those holding such posts with regard to the appointment of Justices of the Peace. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) I am not aware of the existence of any body of rules governing the appointment of Lords-Lieutenant. These officers are appointed by the King on the recommendation of the First Lord of the Treasury, and the appointment is for life. My hop. friend will find an account of the duties exercised by them and their powers in respect of the appointment of Justices of the Peace in Sir W. Anson's "Law and Custom of the Constitution."

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether in view of the practice that Lords-Lieutenant of counties are appointed on the understanding that they are politically in sympathy with the Government of the day, he can state how many of the Lords-Lieutenant of counties in Scotland have been appointed by the present Government and how many of them are in political sympathy with the present Government. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) Four Lords-Lieutenant have been appointed for Scottish counties since December, 1905. I cannot say how many of them are in political sympathy with the Government of the day.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland having regard to the fact that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill has now been definitely abandoned, will he state whether in view of the pressing need of land legislation, he intends to introduce, at an early date, a fresh Bill to amend the Crofters Acts. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I can only refer my hon. friend to the Answer given by me yesterday on behalf of the Prime Minister to the similar Question addressed to him by my hon. friend. I must remind my hon. friend of the fact that the arrest of the progress of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill this session was due not to its abandonment by the Government, but to its rejection upon Second Reading by the House of Lords.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland in view of the fact that on the 31st March last the arrears of rates in the Island of Lewis amounted to upwards of £9,000, and that there is no prospect of this sum being liquidated in the near future, will he state how it is proposed to continue the administration of the affairs of the island. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) As I have already informed my hon. friend the parish councils have been advised that it is their duty to take the ordinary steps to recover arrears of rates overdue. I appreciate the difficulties of the existing situation, which are engaging my close attention.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland in view of the need for the rebuilding of houses on sanitary sites in the Island of Lewis, will he state how he proposes to arrange for this to be done, seeing that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, which made provision for the improvement and rebuilding of dwellings in congested districts, has now been definitely abandoned. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) This matter, as my hon. friend knows, is under close observation and consideration, but at present I have no announcement to make.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that by an Act dated 31st July, 1902, the Corporation of London obtained powers to acquire the leasehold of Spitalfields Market, and, upon such purchase being completed (which was to be 18 months after notice was given, which notice was served on 27th January, 1903), the Corporation of London undertook to clean and scavenge the streets in and abutting on the market, such cleaning being still undertaken by the Stepney Borough Council at a cost of over £1,000 a year, owing to the purchase of the leaseholder's interest not having been affected, he will take steps to expedite the proceedings now being undertaken in his name by the Corporation of London, so that the Stepney Borough Council may be spared the expense consequent upon the Corporation of London's failure to fulfil the obligations imposed upon it by the Act of 1902. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) This action was commenced in the name of the Attorney-General at the relation of the Corporation of London against the leaseholder of Spitalfields to have determined certain questions which affect the price to be paid for the market. The Corporation of London has the carriage of the proceedings, and I understand it is doing all in its power to expedite them. It cannot be said that it has failed to fulfil its obligations under the Act of 1902, as such obligators (in respect of cleaning streets) have not yet arisen.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether in case of the sale of the site of the Duke of York's School, Chelsea, means will be taken to reserve at least some portion thereof as an open space and to retain as many of the large trees as may be possible in the thoroughfares that will be laid out; and whether any plan or scheme has yet been prepared. (Answered by Mr. Harcourt.) No plan or scheme has yet been prepared, and I am not able to make any further statement.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in view of the recent manœuvres, the question of establishing a naval base at Invergordon, on the shores of Cromarty Firth, Ross-shire, will again be considered. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The reply to the hon. Member's Question is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for he Home Department whether summons have been issued against the occupants of tents in the bazaar lines at Bisley Camp on the ground that they had not taken out hawkers licences; and, if so, whether he will stop further proceedings against such persons. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The matter referred to is still under inquiry by the Inland Revenue authorities, who are bound by the provisions of 51 and 52 Viet., c. 33, s. 2.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, what were the duties paid on spirits (not wine or beer) per head of the population of England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, for the year 1907–8. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The net duties on spirits collected for the year 1907–8 in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, were as follows—

	£
England	9,959,743
Scotland	7,486,642
Ireland	4,392,432

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the Bill he desires to introduce this session to prohibit the use of hop substitutes in the brewing of beer in the United Kingdom, he will also prohibit, the use of malt substitutes in the brewing of beer; and, failing such prohibition, will he make it obligatory upon the sellers of beer in this country to declare the substances, if any, other than malt and hop extract in the brewing of such beer to each buyer. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I do not think that the use of malt substitutes is on the same footing as that of hop substitutes, and, unless an equally good case were made out for prohibiting the use of malt substitutes, I should not feel disposed to support my hon. friend's proposal. But the point can be further considered when the proposed Bill is being prepared.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whther he is aware that application for a grant to build a new school at Curraheen, Glenbeigh, County Kerry was made by the manager in November, 1902, accompanied by the statement that the floor between the boys' and the girls' school was in a dangerous condition, and that even though propped it might collapse at any time; and whether, in view of the fact that the whole School buildings have been condemned by the surveyor of the Board of Works, and that, owing to the poverty of the locality, it is impossible for the manager to raise £400 from the district as required by the Board of Education, being a contribution of one-third, he will arrange for an equitable distribution of the expense of constructing a new school in the place of one which is a constant source of danger to children and teachers. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education have sanctioned a grant of £872, being two-thirds of the estimated cost of a new school house for boys and girls at Curraheen, in place of the existing schools which have been condemned. The manager has recently represented that he is unable to raise the required local contribution of £436, and has applied for a grant of the entire cost. The Commissioners are not in a position to consider appplications of this kind, pending a decision upon the general question of special grants towards school buildings in necessitous districts which is at present under consideration.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board now propose to carry out the necessary works of improvement at Roads and Glen boat-slips, seeing that under the present conditions it is not possible for the fishermen to carry on the fishing industry. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Congested Districts Board intend to carry out the work at Roads during the present summer. The Board have already expended £451 at Glen Boat Cove, but after the work was finished the fishermen asked to have a boat yard constructed. They have been informed that the Board have no funds for expenditure on fresh projects of the kind this year.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the eviction of six tenants on the McGillicuddy Eager estate, near Glenear, County Kerry; and whether, seeing that negotiations for purchase were on foot, the Commissioners will now intervene with a view to a settlement. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners cannot trace the receipts of any applications from evicted tenants on this estate, but if the hon. Member will furnish them with the names of the persons to whom he refers they will make inquiries.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he has any information as to the cause of the delay in carrying out the sale of the King-Harman estate (No. 3), County Roscommon, which has been hanging fire for the past five years; and whether he can hold out any hope that the sale will be completed at an early date. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The question of purchasing this estate is at present engaging the attention of the Estates Commissioners, who hope to make an offer for the estate at an early date.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any, and, if so, what, steps to bring about a settlement as to terms of purchase on the estate of Mr. D. C. O'Connell at Coomahover, near Mastergeehy, County Kerry, in accordance with the memorial submitted to them by the tenants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that on the 17th instant they received a memorial from seven tenants on the estate in question, stating their desire to purchase their holdings through the Commissioners. The Commissioners have no power to compel the landlord to sell the property, but they are writing to him in order to ascertain his intentions in the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the County Louth police has been called to the complaints of the inhabitants of Blackrock, near Dundalk, of the tramp nuisance, which causes much annoyance to seaside visitors; and whether any steps have been taken to check it in the present season. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I am informed that no complaint has been made to the police by the inhabitants of Blackrock, near Dundalk, in regard to annoyance by tramps. The local police, however, have been instructed to pay attention to the matter.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieuteannt of Ireland if he will state whether any steps have yet been taken to put the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, into operation in County Cavan, and what are they; and has every evicted or alleged evicted tenant been inspected in County Cavan, and, if so, how often. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners propose to acquire in County Cavan, under the Evicted Tenants Act, 129 acres on the estate of Mrs. C. E. Hynds, and 379 acres on the estate of Mr. John Fay, and in the former case the prescribed notice has been gazetted. All applications received from evicted tenants prior to 1st May, 1907, have been inquired into.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the estate of Mary B. Falkner, situated at Springhill, Queens' County, and placed in the Land Judges Court in October, 1903, has been sold to the Estates Commissioners, and, if so, upon what date; has the purchase money been paid the several owners; can he say what was the amount coming to each owner; and whether he can state the name of the several mortgagees and annuitants and the amount paid to each. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Registrar of the Land Judges Court informs me that the estate in question was sold to the Estates Commissioners on 24th January, 1907, since when substantially the entire purchase money, amounting to £10,238, has been distributed by the Land Judge among the parties entitled thereto, so far as they were known. There was a large number of owners entitled to complicated fractional shares, and in order to supply the detailed information asked for it would be necessary to withdraw the officers of the Court from their proper business at a time of great pressure. The final schedule of incumbrances is however open to inspection, and will afford the information which the hon. Member desires.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are now in a position to state approximately when they expect to effect the reinstatement of Mr. William Aherne in his former holding on the Annesley estate, Ballinamona, Glanworth, County Cork, seeing that agreements for the purchase of this estate as a whole have been signed eighteen months ago, and that the holding in question is untenanted. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners propose to provide William Aherne with a holding if possible, and have referred the case to an inspector with that object. They are unable to make any further statement in the matter at present.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of male and female national school teachers with thirty years service or more who resigned on pension during the past five years, specifying the number in first, second, and third class, and what was the amount of pension payable to the teachers in each class. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The return asked for would take a considerable time to prepare, as the service of all the teachers (about 700) who have been pensioned during the last five years would have to be examined, a course which would entail much labour. Perhaps it would serve the hon. Member's purpose if the total number of teachers retiring in each class, with the total amount of pension in each class, were given, without entering into the question of service, as almost all teachers retiring on pension have given upwards of thirty years service. I shall be glad to give him this information if he will address a Question to me on the subject after the recess.

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 as in many cases there never has been any improvement in their positions in the way of salaries. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The reply is in the negative. No charge in respect of the salaries of teachers of Poor Law union schools has ever been borne on the Vote for public education. Such teachers are in the service of the boards of guardians, and are paid out of the local rates.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will explain why the Estates Commissioners have informed the solicitor for Patrick M'Clushy, who claimed to be reinstated in a farm in Mulladermott, County Monaghan, on the estate of Colonel Leslie, that they have decided not to take any action in the matter, and that they do not intend to provide Patrick M'Clushy with a farm; and if they will reopen the case and reconsider it. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that their decision was based on a full consideration of the circumstances of the case, and they regret that they are unable to depart from it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have considered the claim of John D. M'Auliffe, evicted tenant on the estate of Mr. Devyanes Smith at Blarney, for reinstatement; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take in the matter. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have fully considered the application of John D. M'Auliffe, and have decided to take no action upon it.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether an application has been received by the Estates Commissioners from Mrs. Mary Callaghan, of Derryvaling, Ballingeary, whose father, Denis Cronin, was evicted from a farm on the White estate at Gortloughra, Kealkil, Bantry, and has she been placed on the approved list as a person entitled to reinstatement. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Mrs. Mary Callaghan, and they have noted her name as being suitable to be provided with a holding in the event of any untenanted land being acquired in the neighbourhood.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say when the decisions in the appeals to be heard before the Chief Land Commission at their last sitting in Killarney will be given. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Land Commission inform; me that the last sitting of the Appeal Court in Killarney was held on 30th June, and the cases are still in the hands of the assessors, whose Reports have not yet come in. It is not at present possible to say when the decisions will be given.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state when the holdings in the Blacker Douglas estate, in North Kerry, will be vested in the tenants. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to answer this Question. They are awaiting their inspector's Report in the matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet any information as to the date of the completion of the new buildings at Dover, and as to the date on which the boys will be transferred there from the Duke of York's School, Chelsea. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The new buildings at Dover are expected to be completed by the end of this year, and it is intended that the transfer of the boys from Chelsea will take place about the following Easter.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the rifle team of the Hythe School of Musketry, who represented Great Britain in the 300-metre international match at the Olympic Games, received instructions not to use pointed bullets; if so, on what grounds; and whether this team was successful in the competition. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) No instructions were given by the War Office as to the bullet to be used. The Department was not prepared to manufacture pointed bullets specially for this competition. No official information as to the result of the competition has been received, but it is understood from the daily papers that this team was not successful.

To ask the Prime Minister, with reference to Consolidation Bills as presented in this House, whether originating here or in another place, and with a view to facilitating the examination of them, what steps, if any, will be taken to establish as a general practice that each such Bill shall have a table of corresponding sections showing where the sections of the earlier Acts are reproduced; that each section of such Bill shall have a marginal reference to the earlier section to which it corresponds; and that new matter and substantial alterations shall be distinguished by italics or underlining. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The practice suggested in the Question as to the preparation of a table showing the mode in which, in a Consolidation Bill, the Acts consolidated are dealt with, and as to marginal references to the corresponding sections in the earlier Statutes, has been for some time followed in all Consolidation Bills prepared by the Government draftsman. The table is sometimes not circulated to the House with the Bill, but can always be circulated if required. The suggestion as to distinguishing, by italics or underlining, new matter and substantial alterations, even if new matter and substantial alterations were introduced in Consolidation Bills, would, from a practical point of view, be difficult to carry out satisfactorily. These and other points affecting the drafting of Bills will form the subject of inquiry by a Joint Committee which the Government have promised to set up.

To ask the Prime Minister, having regard to the fact that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill is not to be proceeded with, will he state whether the Government propose to make any further effort during the present Parliament to amend the Crofters Act, and so give effect to the repeated pledges of the late Prime Minister and members of the present Government. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) I am not at present able to add anything to what I have already said on behalf of the Government luring this session upon this subject.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that German destroyers of the current year's programme have already been laid down, he will consider the advisability of spending more than £4,000 a-piece before 31st March next on the 16 destroyers to be laid down by this country.

The question of naval expenditure on shipbuilding for the current financial year was fully considered by the Board of Admiralty when the Vote for ship construction was brought before Parliament in the present month: the Vote was approved by this House so recently as the 13th instant.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the German destroyers have been laid down?

The expression, current years programme, has no real applicability to the German method of building. I must not be understood as admitting the accuracy of statements in Questions put to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the fact was taken into consideration that the contracts for the German destroyers which were laid down in April provide for their completion in twenty months, and whether our destroyers take from twenty-three to thirty months in building?

Yes, this was taken into consideration.

I beg to ask the First Lord whether he will consider the necessity of increasing the number of destroyers especially designed for work in the North Sea, having regard to the fact that Germany has 60 of 26 knots so designed.

The number of destroyers is being increased annually, in accordance with requirements.

had notice of the following Question: "To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the amounts of tonnage provided for by the British and German Governments respectively by their programmes for the years 1906–7, 1907–8, and 1908–9 respectively."

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he does not think that in the interests of peace and friendly relations with other Powers it would be well not to answer Questions of this kind, which draw invidious comparisons?

The Question has not been asked.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the total tonnage of armoured vessels provided by the three programmes of the present Liberal Administration is approximately 150,000, and that during that time the battleship "Montagu" of 14,000 was lost, and in view of the fact that during the same period the armoured tonnage provided by Germany was aproximately 183,000, making a total deficiency in the British programmes of 47,000 tons below bare equality, it is the intention of the Government to take immediate steps to redress the inequality.

In reply to my hon. friend the Member for Orkney, I join with him in deprecating most strongly Questions in which these invidious comparisons are drawn. The figures for the British programmes and for the tonnage of the "Montagu" are correct. As far as is known there are no statistics available to confirm the alleged Gorman armoured tonnage. The proposed comparison, however, does not lead to the conclusion stated by the hon. Member, as although the German tonnage may have been included in the programme, the whole of the tonnage will not be provided at the expiration of the period when the whole of the British tonnage will have been completed.

As the right hon. Gentleman does not know what the German shipbuilding programme is, how can he confidently assert that it will not be finished as soon as our own?

If the hon. Member will refer to the German Naval Bill, he will see what the programme is and in what time it is expected to be finished.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that he will add any British ships to the Navy before the German ships are completed? Does not the statements in the Question lead to the conclusion that the comparison does hold good?

No, I do not agree that it does.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect to add any vessels to the British total?

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty on what date the orders were given for the three German battleships of the 1908–9 programme; and whether he can state if the fourth armoured vessel of this year's programme has yet been ordered by Germany.

We have no official information that the orders have yet been given, though it is understood from the Press that the three battleships were allotted to various builders in June. No information has yet been published with regard to the fourth armoured vessel.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty when he anticipates that the design of the armoured cruiser of this year's programme will have been settled, and when the Board propose to lay down this vessel and the other armoured ship of the 1908–9 programme.

The type of vessel has already been settled as an improved "Invincible." The complete design will be settled not later than October. According to present arrangements, it is proposed to lay down this ship at Devon-port in February, 1909, and complete her in two years, and to lay down the other armoured ship at Portsmouth in January, 1909, and complete her in two years.

As the German battleships order was given eight months in advance of the order for the British ships, how does the right hon. Gentleman expect that the latter will be completed before the German ships?

We have no official information that these orders have been given, and my hon. friend has no right to conclude they have been given.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that all hired workmen emloyed at the Deptford victualling yard and other naval establishments are discharged upon reaching the age of sixty years, although previous to three years ago the age for compulsory discharge was sixty-five years; whether he is also aware that recently the Board of Customs has reverted to the sixty-five year age limit; and whether, looking at the difficulty experienced by such men in obtaining other employment upon leaving the service, and to the fact that they will not become entitled to claim an old-age pension until they reach the age of seventy, he will consider the desirability of reverting to the sixty-five-year limit.

The present regulations permit of men being retained until sixty-five years of age when their services are required, and they are fit to perform the duties. It is not proposed to modify this practice.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what have been the amounts of public money allotted to aeronautical work during each of the last five years and this year; and, in view of the paramount importance of the command of the air, what steps are being taken for the further development of this branch of the service.

The expenditure upon aeronautical work has been—1903–4, £14,600; 1904–5, £19,150; 1905–6, £23,600; 1906–7 £20,750; 1907–8, £16,500. The estimated expenditure for 1908–9 is £13,750. Such steps as are considered necessary are being taken in connection with the further development of this work.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay in paying for the loan of the horses which accompanied the Army Medical Corps to Ramsay, Isle of Man; and whether he can state if owners in Manchester of the horses which returned on 19th June have yet been paid.

I am not aware of this case. The hon. Member is presumably alluding to the Lancashire Territorial Force Medical Units. The horses are hired by the County Associations and the payment is made by them. They can obtain advances of money from the Chief Accountant of the Command.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by the chairman at the recent meeting of the North Riding Territorial Association, that working men going into camp must necessarily make a great sacrifice; and whether he can make any statement on the declaration of Colonel Williams and others at the meeting that it was the duty of the Government to supply the means.

My attention has not been drawn to the particular speeches in question. I am, however, well aware of the splendid self-denial shown by the various classes of men serving in the Territorial Force. I think that the Government have done what is right in making the provision they have made.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the reason for the proposed transfer of the headquarters of the 4th Notts and Derby Regiment from Newark, in Nottinghamshire, to Grantham, in Lincolnshire.

It is a question of sufficiency of accommodation, but no decision has been arrived at to transfer the headquarters of the 4th Notts and Derby Regiment from Newark to Grantham.

Is there any intention of closing the barracks at Newark?

No decision has yet been come to.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India if Mr. Tilak, at his recent trial in Bombay, was convicted by seven Englsh jurymen and acquitted by two native jurymen; and, if so, in view of the fact that the jury were disagreed and of the feeling caused by the sentence of six years imprisonment in the Bombay Presidency, whether the Secretary of State will cause the sentence to be remitted.

With regard to my hon. friend's Question, I have nothing to add to the full statement that I made yesterday in reply to the hon. Member for Brentford.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement to the House regarding the frequent and serious riots in Bombay, with special reference to the causes thereof and to the method adopted to restore quiet.

I made a statement on this subject in reply to the hon. Member for Bolton yesterday. Since then the Secretary of State has received a report from the Governor of Bombay to the effect that the situation had improved and some mills were at work; he has issued a proclamation promising that any grievance properly presented will receive consideration and calling upon all citizens to help in restoring order.

Will the right hon. Gentleman get information as to the causes of those riots and the methods adopted to restore quiet? Were the causes political or purely economic?

I answered a similar Question to that yesterday.

On how many occasions did the military fire on the mob, and how many people were killed?

The hon. Member must give notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether new rules have recently boon issued altering the pay and allowances of officers of the India Public Works Department; whether those have been approved by the Homo Government; and, if so, whether he will publish the old and now schemes for the information of the House.

Revised rules of pay for the engineers in the Public Works Department have been issued in India with the sanction of the Secretary of State. The new rules have been published by the Government of India in the Gazette of India on 25th April, 1908, a copy of which is in the Library. If the hon. Member wishes it I can have a copy of the old rules also placed in the Library.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the secretariat to the Imperial Conference with a view to keeping the Governments concerned informed between now and the next meeting of the Conference in regard to matters which have been or may be subjects for discussion, and with a view to fulfilling the desire on the part of the self-governing Colonies to be brought into closer contact with each other and with this country; and whether the secretariat is so organised and equipped as to be able to discharge these functions satisfactorily.

I cannot at present add anything to the Answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for St. George's, Hanover Square, on this subject on the 20th inst.

Is it intended to be a permanent and real body?

replied in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Natal Indemnity Act, 1906, passed both Houses of the Colonial Legislature in July, 1906; that the Governor was authorised to give the Royal Assent to that Act, which was not specially reserved for the Royal con sideration, on 13th August, 1906, and that the Governor postponed giving that assent till 1st October, 1906; and, seeing that in the meantime the Colonial Parliament had been dissolved, and that in these circumstances doubts have arisen concerning the validity of Act, whether any steps have been taken, or are in contemplation, in order to set such doubts at rest.

The point raised by the hon. Member's Question was argued before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on 5th July of last year, and the doubt, if any, which may have previously existed was finally set at rest by the decision of that tribunal.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the fines levied by the Inland Revenue authorities in the Walsall district during the year 1907–8 and the ten previous years respectively; and will he state whether Inland Revenue officers responsible for the cases where fines are imposed get any commission on the fines so inflicted, and, if so, what is the amount.

The amount of fines imposed for Excise offences in Walsall Excise district during the ten years ended 31st December, 1907, is as follows:—

Year.	Amount.
	£	s.	d.
1898	6	2	6
1899	34	16	0
1900	11	5	0
1901	20	18	0
1902	16	6	0
1903	15	11	0
1904	24	3	0
1905	22	2	0
1906	51	0	0
1907	38	7	6

In cases where fines are imposed as a result of an Order for legal proceedings by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, a reward is paid to the officer concerned, but the amount of such reward depends upon the circumstances of each case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of the system of paying commissions to Inland Revenue officers in order to secure convictions?

I am not prepared to answer the Question until I have considered the point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the abuses which arise, inquire into this matter?

If my hon. friend can give me any information showing that mischief has been caused, I will certainly inquire.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to the rates in several parishes in the Western Hebrides, resulting in the complete breakdown of local government, and if he can state what steps the Government propose to take to meet these exceptional circumstances.

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to the circumstances to which my hon. friend refers, and I am in communication with my right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland on the subject. I am unable to give my hon. friend any further information at present.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can now make a statement as to the standing of Lyon King-at-Arms in matters of Imperial heraldry.

The Secretary of State has no statement to make, except to say that questions of what he understands the hon. Member to mean by Imperial Heraldry are outside the jurisdiction of the King at-Arms. Arms are granted to a Colony by His Majesty under a Royal Warrant, countersigned by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. All that is done by the Officers of the Earl Marshal's Department is to put into heraldic form the design the colony wishes to adopt, and to see that the King's concession is duly recorded in the Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that on the accession of King James the VI. and I., Imperial heraldy became of moment and required a corresponding status for the heralds of England and Scotland?

I am afraid I had forgotten that.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the letter of Mr. A. S. Williams, chief constable for Brecon, in which he refuses to afford protection to a public open-air meeting because he does not approve of meetings in the thoroughfare; and whether he will inform the local authorities that this failure on the part of the police to preserve order against organised rowdyism is a proof of inefficiency in the force which, if persisted in, will lead to the police grant being withheld.

The Secretary of State has made inquiry in this matter and finds no reason to suppose that the police have failed to repress violence or disorder at Brecon. It is no part of the duty of the police to secure a quiet hearing to a speaker or to prevent verbal interruptions. The Secretary of State sees no reason, on the facts known to him, for addressing any warning to the responsible local authority.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at one time there were ugly rushes endangering life, and that the police did not interfere?

That is not our information.

And cannot the hon. Gentleman make inquiries in other quarters?

We have had a statement of facts from the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil.

Why not take the same steps to preserve order at Brecon as are taken at Hyde Park?

Similar steps should be taken if the cases are similar.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the recent judgment of the County Court Judge at Kettering in the case of Bowler v. Foskett, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, in which it is held that Section 13 of the Act does not cover accidents to workmen employed on casual labour or peicework; whether he will take the opinion of the Law Officers as to whether the principle on which this judgment is based is likely to be upheld; and whether in that event, he will, in the interests alike of workmen, employees, and insurance companies, introduce a short declaratory Bill to make clear the intention of Parliament to include casual and piece labour under the provisions of the Act.

The Secretary of State has read the newspaper report of the case. The decision does not go so far as the hon. Member suggests. The main question of law before the Court was whether the applicant was employed as a workman, or whether he was a person who had undertaken to carry out an independent contract; and the Court decided the question in the latter sense. It is true that the Judge referred to the facts that the man was paid by the piece and that he was not regularly employed. But the Secretary of State does not consider that there is any need for fresh legislation, since there can be no doubt that piece-workers and casual labourers are entitled to compensation under the Act in all proper cases.

I beg 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.

The Secretary of State replied to this Question a day or two ago, in a printed Answer which was circulated with the Votes, that the matter was under his consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that several motor cabs on the day of the Marathon race arrived at Windsor with six, and in one case eight, passengers; whether the police have made any report or taken any action in the matter; and, if not, whether this inactivity on the part of the police arose because the police were of opinion that in neither of these cases was there a case of serious overcrowding; and whether he has considered that the official refusal to carry out the terms upon which a cab licence is granted acts unfairly to other licensed drivers and deprives them of an opportunity of securing a fare.

The Secretary of State's attention has not been drawn to the incidents mentioned and he does not know whether the Windsor police took any action. The Metropolitan police had not heard of them. The occasion was of course very exceptional; but the presence in a cab of six or eight passengers would certainly be regarded by the Metropolitan police as serious overcrowding. Every endeavour is made by the police to enforce the cab regulations impartially and with due regard both to the interests of cab drivers and to the public convenience.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the remarks of Lord Coleridge, as Commissioner of Assize, to the grand jury at the Normanton assizes, in which he referred to the fact that several cases of robbery with violence were to come before them, and laid stress on the inflicting of the sentences of corporal punishment, mostly passed in cases of this nature to check such crimes; and whether, having regard to the observations of the learned judge and to the fact that the great majority of judges never impose the punishment of the lash, which is a matter of judicial discretion, he will undertake, in each case in which a sentence of flogging is imposed, to consider the facts with a view, if possible, to the remission of the sentence.

The Secretary of State doubts whether the hon. Member has placed the right interpretation on the observations which Lord Coleridge is reported to have made in charging the Grand Jury, at Swansea, on the 17th of this month; but, however that may be, he may remind the hon. Member that, by the Criminal Appeal Act, 1907, their tribunal has been established to which prisoners sentenced to corporal punishment can apply for leave to appeal against their sentences or their convictions; and that no sentence of corporal punishment can be carried out until after the expiration of the period within which such an application can be made. I must decline to give the undertaking asked for by the hon. Member.

Have there been any successful appeals against sentences for flogging?

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Committee upon moat prices will sit; and whether their sittings will be public.

I understand that the first meeting of the Departmental Committee upon combinations in the meat trade has boon fixed for Friday next, 31st July. As at present advised I see no reason for any departure from the usual practice that the meetings of Departmental Committees are not open to the public.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries was consulted as to the appointment of the Committee to inquire into the price of meat, and agreed to the proposed composition of the Committee.

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the importance to British agriculture of the question of meat supply, and the inadequate representation of the agricultural interest upon the proposed Committee to inquire into the moat prices, he will postpone the inquiry until the Autumn Session in order to enable the question to be adequately discussed in the House of Commons.

I have already informed the hon. Member that the Committee has appointed Friday next, the 31st July for its first meeting. As the reference to the Committee is limited to an inquiry as to the existence and influence of combination of companies or firms in the meat trade of this country I have no reason to suppose that any specific representation of the agricultural interest is necessary, or that a postponement of the enquiry is desirable.

Am I to understand that the scope of the Committee will be strictly confined, and that they will not inquire into the desirability or otherwise of removing the restrictions on the importance of Canadian cattle?

It will not touch the agricultural side of the question. The Committee are to inquire into the economic and financial results of the operations of the beef trust.

I bog to ask the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that certain Native labour rules, approved by him on his own responsibility when visiting the British East African Protectorate, were condemned at a large meeting of colonists on 24th March; whether he was authorised by the Secretary of State before leaving England to sanction regulations or do other acts affecting the general policy or expenditure of the Protectorate without reference Home.

The promulgation of rules for the treatment of Native labourers is fully within the competence of the Governor of East Africa. During my visit to that Protectorate I had the opportunity of discussing with the Governor and his officers the conditions under which Native labour should be recruited and regulated, and His Excellency saw fit to embody the result of these conversations, and of minutes which I had written upon them in a series of rules designed to secure native labourers recruited for private employers by Government agency protection against neglect or ill usage, and generally to enforce a greater respect for their rights and a more intimate study of their needs. I afterwards expressed my entire agreement with the Governor in the course he had adopted. This procedure was regular in every respect. The phrase employed by the hon. Gentleman "condemned at a large meeting of colonists" is inaccurate and misleading. Less than 150 persons were present at the meeting. There are upwards of 4,000,000 natives in the administered districts of the East African Protectorate.

was understood to ask if the meeting of colonists was not a very large one.

It may have been large for Nairobi, but certainly it was not large when compared with the number of settlers concerned.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has yet made inquiries into the case of the labourer, David Nicholls, occupying a cottage near Edenbridge, in Kent, who, after applying for land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, is about to be evicted from his cottage; whether he is aware that David Nicholls was admitted by the farmer who is about to evict him to be a decent and respectable man, who has paid his rent regularly, and that no satisfactory reason has been assigned for the action that is now being taken against him; and whether, if the facts are as stated, the Government will consider the advisability of inserting a clause in the Housing Bill giving the Local Government Board special powers to deal with urgent cases of this kind.

I have no authority to interfere in a case of this kind, and I do not gather the nature of the powers which my hon. friend thinks the Local Government Board should be authorised to exercise in such circumstances. I doubt, however, whether the matter could be dealt with by means of a clause in the Housing Bill.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the people of Millport by the frequent interruption of the telegraph service, due to the bad condition of the cable between that place and the mainland; and whether he will give instructions to have the cable repaired or replaced at an early date.

I understand that the cable in question has not previously been interrupted for some years, and perhaps the hon. Member will kindly give me particulars of the alleged "frequent interruption." In consequence of the recent interruption it was decided about a week ago to supply a new shore end to this cable.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to a public speech made by Mr. Dowling, a postman at Maryborough, containing an attack on the Chairman and other Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Post Office Servants; and what action he intends to take, or has taken, in regard to it.

My attention was called to a public speech made at Maryborough by a postman named Dowling, who, I may mention, had received an increase of 3s. a week in his maximum pay as the result of the recent reclassification. The speech contained imputations on the good faith of the Chairman, as well as a gross personal attack on him and on other Members of the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, because of their action as Members of the Committee. When asked for an explanation, Dowling made no adequate withdrawal or apology, and I decided that his two good conduct stripes should be forfeited and that he should be severely reprimanded. I feel sure that the House will concur in the view that it was necessary to take serious notice of Dowling's conduct.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the maximum of postmen's wages has been reduced at Rushden, Northants, by Is. a week, while in the adjoining town of Wellingborough the maximum of postmen's wages has been raised by 1s.; whether he is aware that the cost of living and the character of the work in both towns are approximately the same, Rushden having just over 15,000 inhabitants, and Wellingborough just over 20,000; whether this inequality of the maximum of wages is due to the somewhat out-of-date arrangement by which so large a town as Rushden is still classed as a rural sorting office; and whether he will make local inquiry into the circumstances, and consider whether the maximum at Rushden can be raised to the level of Wellingborough.

The volume of work at Wellingborough is represented by 134 units. It therefore falls into Class III. for outdoor force, on the system of classification recommended by the Committee, and modified by me for the benefit of the outdoor force. The lower limit for that class is approximately 100 units of work, as stated in the Parliamentary Paper (Post Office: Changes in Wages, etc.) issued on the 11th instant. The cost of living is represented by the index number 96, and is therefore slightly below the average. Rushden sub-office, where the volume of work is considerably below 100, being only 32 units, goes naturally on the same system into Class IV. The cost of living is probably about the same at Welling-borough.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the terms of reference to his Inter-Departmental Committee include the hearing of evidence in support of extended facilities for taking children away from school to engage in such remunerative work as can be safely entrusted to young children, or to help in domestic work; whether it is intended to exclude such evidence; and whether he can see his way to frame impartial terms and sot up an impartial committee.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. So far as I am aware the Committee and the terms of reference are impartial. In any case I should be sorry to hazard a guess as to the direction in which my hon. friend thinks they are biassed.

But is there not a considerable belief that the children are compelled to attend school in the country districts to the prejudice of their physical welfare?

I daresay that is so, but this is hardly relevant.

But would not it be relevant to an inquiry into facilities for half-timers?

I have no doubt the whole question will be fully inquired into.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the London County Council have asked for the recognition of Douglas Hall, Hoxton, as a provided school for the purpose of accommodating children from St. John's Church of England School during the reconstruction of the school; and whether, seeing that it is proposed to transfer the children, staff, and managers en bloc from St. John's School to Douglas Hall, and subsequently to transfer them to St. John's School, and thus, in fact, to defray the whole expenses of a non-provided school out of the rates, the Board will decline to sanction the proposal. I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Douglas Hall, Hoxton, to which the London County Council propose to transfer the children from St. John's School, is the hall of a political club; and whether, under the circumstances, the Board will decline to sanction the arrangement.

In reply to these Questions, the building referred to was, I understand, in use before the approval of the Board was asked. I am not aware that it is the hall of a political club, but in view of the unsatisfactory character of the premises the Board's sanction has been given only on the understanding that their use is discontinued after the summer holidays. The attention of the London County Council has been drawn to the fact that it is not open to them to provide premises, even of a temporary nature, for a voluntary school and they have been informed that it will, therefore, be necessary that a building should be hired by the managers of the St. John's School or alternatively that recognition as a council school should be applied for.

asked whether it was necessary under Section 8 of the Education Act to give notice of the intention to use these premises as a school.

asked for notice of that Question.

I bog to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that many parents of children attending the London County Council School, Monnow Road, Bermondsey, have received notices of the intention of the Council to transfer their children to some other school in the neighbourhood, and in some cases to non-provided schools; whether he is aware that some of these children have attended this school for some considerable period; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.

Part of this school has been converted into a higher elementary school, and it has, therefore, been necessary to provide elsewhere for children who are not qualified for admission to the higher elementary school. I think this must be regarded as a reasonable ground for exclusion within the moaning of Article 53 of the Code.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's Answer that the children, some of whom for several years have boon taught the religious syllabus of the London County Council, will now be compelled to accept the sectarian religious teaching of a non-provided school, or their parents must take advantage of the conscience clause and their children be deprived of any religious teaching at school?

The County Council must, of course, carry out the law.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that a number of children attending the West Square London County Council School have been compulsorily transferred from this school to other schools in the neighbourhood; that some of those children have been sent to the St. Jude's non-provided school against the wishes of their parents; that the parents of children sent to this school have either to accept sectarian religious teaching being given to their children or take advantage of the conscience clause; and whether, seeing that the St. Jude's school has been overcrowded by this action of the County Council, and before the holidays a class had to be taught in the cloakroom, he proposes to take any action in the matter.

Part of this school has been converted into a higher elementary school, and it has accordingly been necessary to provide elsewhere for children who are not qualified for admission to the higher elementary school. I will make inquiries as to the last part of my hon. friend's Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether the legal questions of some importance raised by the managers of the Llangollen Church of England School, were raised by their letter of the 17th of March last; whether a reply to those questions have yet been arrived at, and, if not, what is the reason why so long a period has been found necessary for deciding a point of law.

The legal questions referred to were raised by the managers in a letter dated the 21st February, and have received careful consideration. I have now decided that there is no reason to depart from the decision which was previously arrived at and which has since been acted upon.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of the Garforth School in the West Riding, which seemed to raise very much the same point?

If the noble Lord wishes to draw any analogy between the two cases, I should like notice of the Question.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the proximity of the site of the proposed Penmachno School to a sewage tank, any local inquiry was held by the Board as to its suitability; if so, whether the report was in favour of the site; to whom did the site belong and what was the price paid for it; and how and by whom was the price settled.

No local inquiry was held by the Board, as no objections to the site were received by them, but the report from their inspector was not unfavourable. I understand that the sewage tank referred to has been disused for some considerable time, and that the objections on that score will only arise in the event of the tanks again being worked. The site belonged to Dr. W. N. Williams. The price paid was £400, which was settled, I presume, by agreement between the vendor and the Carnarvonshire County Council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that only £350 was given for 4 acres of land, of which this school site purchased for £400 was a part?

replied in the negative.

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider the advisability of providing a room, and arranging for the filing of the daily papers in the House for at least a year back, for the convenience of Members who may wish to refer to them during the course of the Parliamentary Session.

The disposal of newspapers is under the charge of the Librarian and Authorities of the House; I regret to say that there is no unoccupied room available for this or any other purpose.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he will state it the police authorities in England have full information affecting several companies, such as the Provincial Homes Investment Company, as to their fraudulent constitution and business methods; will he state if they have similar information as to concerns known as doubtful traders; will he say where this information can be obtained by the public; and, in view of Judge Parry's recent remarks in Manchester at his Quarter Sessions, will he direct steps to be taken to warn the public in some way, that they may safeguard themselves against attempts to obtain money under false pretences by companies or individuals known to the authorities to be fraudulent.

said he could not answer as to the particular case mentioned, and upon the general question could not undertake to say what information might be in the possession of the police. He could assure the hon. Member that, if the police obtained the necessary evidence which in his opinion would justify such action, proceedings would be taken by the Public Prosecutor. He could scarcely undertake to issue such a warning as was indicated in the question.

asked if it was intended to take any action in respect to advertisements in newspapers having the effect of misleading the public.

said he was disposed to hope that some action would be taken by the proprietors of newspapers, with whom he had been in communication, to check the insertion of such advertisements.

If the hon. and learned Gentleman will look at the Police Gazette he will see how many companies there are of that description.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will consider the possibility of establishing a regular weekly steamboat service between Lochinver and Thurso.

As my hon. friend is aware, the efforts that have been made to develop local traffic north of Lochinver have not been successful and no proposition of the kind referred to is now before me.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he has any further information with regard to the alleged burning of crofters' houses in the parish of Creich, Sutherlandshire.

I have received a report from the Chief Constable stating. that a house in the Parish of Creich, in the occupation of John Murray, was burned by a Sheriff's officer on the 18th instant. It seems to be a matter of some doubt whether Murray was a crofter who had paid rent to Mrs. Hadwin the owner of the estate or not. I am making further inquiries and shall inform my hon. friend.

Who is the owner of the property and who authorised the burning of the house?

I have said I am still making inquiry as to the facts.

Were the premises evicted before they were set fire to?

I assume so. The Sheriff's officer acted on a decree of the Court.