To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the repairs to be undertaken during the winter are to be confined to vessels requiring repairs in the nature of an extensive refit. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The repairs will not necessarily be confined to any particular class of work, but will be arranged with relation to the degree of urgency and importance of the respective ships.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he will state the names of the vessels upon which repairs are to be undertaken during the winter, which have not already appeared in the Estimates. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) It is not the present intention to commence during the coming winter large repairs to any ship whose name has not appeared in the Navy Estimates for the current year.

To ask the Postmaster-General, if he has yet concluded his inquiries into the question of allowing a weekly half-holiday and reducing the attendance on bank holidays; and how soon are the sub-offices in county Fermanagh likely to have the benefit of a change in the present practice. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) Steps are being taken to restrict the attendance at all offices on bank holidays as far as possible, and the sub-postmasters in county Fermanagh, as elsewhere have been duly informed of the conditions on which a weekly half-holiday can be granted under the terms of the Parliamentary Committee's Report. All applications for that concession are dealt with as they arise.

To ask the Postmaster-General if he would give the distances between London and Paris, respectively, via Dover and Calais and via Folkestone and Boulogne; and if he would state the extra mileage covered daily and yearly by the mail services between these two capitals owing to the carrying of the mails over the longer of the two routes, stating also the number of mail services daily by each route. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The distance between London and Paris via Dover and Calais is 287 statute miles, and by Folkestone and Boulogne 259 statute miles. The number of mail services daily by each route is; to Paris via Dover and Calais three on week-days; to Paris via Dover and Calais two on Sundays; and via Folkestone and Boulogne two on week-days only; to London via Calais and Dover three daily; and via Folkestone and Boulogne one daily. If all the mails could be conveyed by the Folkestone-Boulogne route (which is not the case) and the total number of services was the same as at present, there would be reduction in mileage traversed of 168 miles a day or 59,864 miles a year.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed further this session with the Companies (Consolidation) Bill. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) Yes, Sir, it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the Companies (Consolidation) Bill, and I have every hope that it will pass into law this session. The Bill has undergone careful scrutiny by a very strong Joint Committee of both Houses, and in the form recommended by the Committee it will very shortly be introduced in this House.

To ask the Postmaster-General, whether he can state the number of hours overtime worked by the provincial sorting clerks telegraphists during the last financial year. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The information is not readily available. To obtain it would require separate returns for each district, which would involve considerable work and expense.

To ask the Prime Minister whether, before Clauses 12 and 14 of the Licensing Bill are reached, he will cause Amendments to be placed upon the Notice Paper giving effect to his promise that those clauses should be so modified as to secure that the proceedings of the Licensing Commissioners should be effectually kept under Parliamentary criticism and control. (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The necessary Amendments to give effect to this have been placed on the Notice Paper under the name of my hon. and learned friend the Solicitor-General.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are any statistics in the possession of the Department showing the numericial proportion of the unskilled alien workers at present employed in Great Britain to the British unemployed; and, as most of these aliens come from countries much nearer than China, will he consider the advisability of following the South African precedent and restoring them to their respective domiciles of origin. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The answer to both Questions is in the negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any information at his disposal showing the number of accidents and deaths connected with motor vehicles during the first six months of this year in England and Wales, or in either. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) No, Sir. I can only give the figures for London. May I refer my hon. friend to two Answers which I gave to the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division on 21st October.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police have any instructions to enforce any particular speed limit upon motor vehicles in the main thoroughfares of the metropolitan area; and, if so, can he state what those instructions are. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) The speed of motor omnibuses and other heavy motors varies from six to twelve miles an hour, according to the construction of the vehicle, under regulations made by the Local Government Board. The speed of light motors is subject to the maximum of twenty miles an hour, save in royal parks, where it is ten, and in certain other places, where the speed of all motor traffic is restricted to ten miles an hour by order of the Local Government Board, made at the request of the local authority. The speed of tramcars is regulated by the Board of Trade, and varies from four to sixteen miles an hour, according to the circumstances of each portion of the track. The police have instructions to enforce all these limits as effectively as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an augmentation of the staffs in prisons is necessary to adequately cope with the work; whether he is aware that in some cases prisoners are detained in their cells for lack of officers to supervise them in their work outside; and whether he will take some action in the matter with a view to relieving to some extent the present acute state of unemployment. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have no reason to think that any general augmentation of the prison staff is necessary. If, from a temporary rise of population or other cause, the staff in any prison becomes insufficient temporary assistance is obtained. Except in such special circumstances the staff is sufficient to supervise prisoners eligible for employment outside their cells, and I should not be justified in adding to it.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any accurate comparable statistics are obtainable relative to the amount of unemployment in Berlin, London and New York for September last. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) No, Sir.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the importance of the subject matter, he can see his way to issue as a monthly Parliamentary White Paper an amplification of the Unemployment Returns issued in the Board of Trade monthly gazette, with details given separately for such of the trade unions which report to the labour department. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) It would not be possible for me to publish particulars as to the percentage unemployed in each of the 257 trade unions which make monthly Returns of employment to the Board of Trade, as they are obtained upon the understanding that individual Returns will not be disclosed.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Canadian Manufacturers' Association is officially representing to the Canadian Government that British manufacturers are taking advantage of the Canadian public by exporting to Canada cloths which are shoddy and rubbish; whether he is aware that it was owing to similar representations that the Canadian Manufacturers' Association in 1904 was able to obtain the practical abolition of the preference on British Woollens, the minimum duty on which is now as high as 30 per cent.; and whether he is taking any steps to counteract the renewed misrepresentations. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) My attention has been directed to this matter. The duty leviable on British woollen cloths and clothing is correctly stated. I have no reason to believe that the allegations which appeared in the official organ of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association have any foundation: and I understand that the Secretary of the Association has cabled an expression of regret for any injustice that may have been done to British manufacturers by the publication of them. I am of opinion, however, that such misrepresentations can best be met by action on the part of the chambers of commerce in the home district concerned.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to take any steps in the near future to try and conciliate the various interests of those engaged in the cotton industry and to end the lamentable position now prevailing. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The course and consequence of this grave dispute have from its beginning been a subject of daily preoccupation to me, but I have at present no statement to make to Parliament upon it.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what is the information on which he bases his conclusion that there is more unemployment in this country than Germany. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) There are no comparable statistics of the degrees of unemployment in different countries, which vary relatively from time to time; and my statement was based upon a general survey of the conditions which appear to prevail at the present moment in Great Britain and Germany so far as they are known to the Board of Trade. These conditions have in Great Britain been peculiarly aggravated by the coincidence of an acute depression and protracted labour disputes.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the large number of dismissals of the highest paid goods guards by the Midland Railway Company, and whose duties are now being performed by lower paid men; and can he say what are the number of hours per day and per week this grade of men has recently been working.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can say whether the reduction in the standard of wages now being received by Midland Railway guards owing to a large number of the highest paid men having been dismissed is, or is not, a wages question within the meaning of the agreement under which the conciliation boards were recently constructed; and whether the Midland Railway Company have made any application for their operation in this instance. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) I will answer these two Questions together. My attention has been drawn to the dismissals of certain goods guards on the Midland Railway, and I have been in communication with the railway company and with my hon. friend the Member for Derby. I understand that the matter has been already discussed between the representatives of the company and of the men at meetings of the sectional and central conciliation boards, and that it is still under consideration, and I am not without hope that an arrangement may be arrived at.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board what was the amount of the grant from the Unemployed Fund voted to Ireland for the work of the distress committees for the years 1906–7; what was the amount voted to each of the various distress committees who put the Unemployed Act into operation, and the amount subscribed from the rates and from voluntary subscriptions; what was the duration of employment to each applicant in each district, and the number of persons who registered themselves; and whether he can say how soon this year a grant will be made from the Unemployed Fund to the distress committees, and how much to Ireland the grant will be in relief of the want of employment in that country. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. The amounts granted to Ireland were: in the year 1906–7, £11,050, and in the year 1907–8, £4,500. Some particulars of the grants to distress committees will be found in the annual Reports of the Local Government Board for those years. I have sent to the hon. Member a statement showing the amounts in detail. The Board are not in possession of the required particulars as to voluntary subscriptions, subsidies from local rates, the duration of employment of each applicant, and the number of registered applicants, but the Board will make it a condition of further grants that full information upon these points shall be furnished by the local bodies. Grants are being made from this year's Vote according as applications are received and as the necessity is shown to arise. I understand that the Treasury have not yet allocated the current year's provision between the three countries, but I may say that every application from Ireland will be dealt with upon its merits and with due regard to the relative necessities of the districts in which there is abnormal distress from want of employment.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board what proportion of the £300,000 to be given for the relief of unemployment will be allocated to Belfast. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The sum of £1,000 has already been allotted to Belfast out of this year's Vote, and the question of making a further allocation will be considered in due course.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that in the month of May, 1908, eight Bahamian turtling vessels were seized by Cuban revenue cutters and towed into Cuban ports, the owners being heavily fined and the vessels and crews detained for three months, the Government is now prepared to send the cruiser to the Bahamas which has been asked for by the Government of those islands. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The incident of the seizure of the Bahamian turtling vessels was dealt with on the spot through His Majesty's representative at Havana, and it was therefore unnecessary to send one of His Majesty's ships to Cuban waters. No subsequent incident has rendered the presence of a man-of-war desirable, and it is not therefore proposed to send one, but His Majesty's Government will take all proper steps for the protection of British interests. His Majesty's ship "Scylla" has, however, recently visited the Bahamas at the request of the Governor, but it was with a view to the distribution of relief to the sufferers by the hurricane, and not in connection with the turtling incident.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state within £25,000 what is the anticipated under-expenditure which has been caused by strikes and out of which £200,000 is to be spent on the earlier commencement of five cruisers and nine destroyers and £73,500 on extra repairs this financial year; and whether, in order to get the full benefit of this extra work, he will see that its effect is not cancelled by savings on other Votes in order to provide a sum of over a quarter of a million sterling for the purchase of two destroyers which are already built and for the salvage of H.M.S. "Gladiator." (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The figures asked for cannot yet be given. Every endeavour will be made to get the full benefit from this extra work. I must add that my hon. friend's estimate of a quarter of a million sterling is purely fanciful.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the expenditure already incurred by the Admiralty on the salvage of the "Gladiator," and on the purchase of two ready-built destroyers announced last July, involves a sum of over £200,000 sterling which has not yet been provided by Parliament; and whether he will introduce a Supplementary Estimate instead of resorting to the course followed last year when the unexpected expenditure of £200,000 on refrigerating machinery was met by cutting down necessary work elsewhere. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) I am not aware of the truth of the allegation made in the first part of the hon. Member's Question. It has indeed no relation to the facts. I cannot agree that the hon. Member correctly represents what occurred as to the cooling machinery, nor that a Supplementary Estimate and the cutting down of necessary work elsewhere exhaust all the alternatives.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, when it is expected that the trials of the two destroyers recently purchased will be completed. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The destroyers in question have not yet been accepted by the Admiralty. The date of completion of trials cannot yet be stated.

To ask the first Lord of the Admiralty if he can furnish any information with regard to the establishment of a repairing station for submarine vessels at Dundee; and whether any works of a permanent nature are contemplated there, and how many men will be employed. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) With regard to the first and last part of the hon. Members Question, no information can yet be furnished. The reply to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, what is the largest number of the battleships of the active Channel Fleet which were absent from that fleet at one time between the 23rd of last September and the 20th of the present month. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The reply to the hon. Member's Question is nine.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the unemployed he intends to employ on the works at Rosyth and other Government stations in Scotland during the rest of the financial year. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Admiralty works in Scotland are carried out by contract, so that the Admiralty can give no direct employment except to a very few men employed on odd jobs.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the Board are contemplating the provision of temporary docking accomodation for submarines on the north-east coast; and, if so, whether the harbours of Arbroath and Montrose have been under consideration in that connection. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The reply to the first part of my hon. friend's Question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if any, and what, proportion of the repairs to be executed during the winter will be entrusted to private shipbuilding and repairing works. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) It is not proposed to place any portion of the repairs referred to with private shipbuilding and repairing works.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a clause is frequently inserted in policies of marine insurance providing that the production of such policies shall be deemed sufficient evidence of insurable interest; and whether, in view of what occurred in evidence at recent wreck inquiries, he can see his way to introduce a Bill requiring proof of insurable interest in all claims under marine policies, as is done in the cases of fire and life insurance. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. The subject of the insurances to which the Question refers is now under my consideration, and I propose shortly to confer with representatives of the interests concerned with a view to deciding what steps, if any, it is advisable to take in the matter.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the original estimate of £100,000 for the Rosyth Dockyard water scheme in the agreement made by the Admiralty with the district committee is likely to be exceeded owing to erroneous forecasts as to the strata; and whether he can state what payment in connection with this scheme will fall due this financial year. (Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The original estimate is likely to be exceeded by about £73,000, in consequence of engineering difficulties which have been met with. No payment on account of the scheme will be made this financial year, because the capital cost is paid by a "loan," and the Admiralty only begin to make an annual payment when we get water supplied.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he intends to proceed further with the Local Government (Scotland) Bill this session. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) Yes, Sir.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he will arrange for a grant of money to the county council of Sutherland for the purpose of improving the 660 miles of main roads in that county, an expense which it is impossible for the overburdened ratepayers to meet out of the local rates; and whether he is aware that the main cause of this expense is the motor traffic.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether the licences for whaling steamers have yet been granted for 1909; and, if not, will he instruct the Fishery Board for Scotland to grant licences for one steamer only to each station, in terms of the recommendation of the Departmental Committee in 1904. (Answered by Mr Sinclair.) No licences have yet been granted for 1909. The Board's procedure in respect of existing licences will be governed by the provisions of The Whale Fisheries (Scotland) Act, 1907, Section 2 (4.)

To ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that complaints are being made of illegal trawling within the three-mile limit off the east coast of Fife, particularly in St. Andrews Bay; and whether he will take the necessary steps to put an end to these depredations. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) Only one complaint has been received since July, and this was attended to. A cruiser has been continually on the fishing grounds off the Fife coast since the 16th instant with the exception of one day.

To ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state, under the procedure of the Crofters' Commission, what is the usual cost to an individual crofter who makes application to have a fair rent fixed by the Commission. (Answered by Mr. Sinclair.) If a crofter chooses to employ a law agent to act for him, he can pay such fees as may be arranged between agent and client, but under No. 16 of the Rules and Regulations, dated 21st September, 1886 (given at pages 110–113 of the First Report of the Crofters' Commission [Cd. 5247, 1888]), parties before the Commission may appear personally, or by a law agent, or by a friend. A crofter or a landlord may thus dispense with the services of an agent, which is the usual practice, and all the fees payable are set fourth in the table of Exchequer fees. Page 130 of the said Report shows that these amount to 1s. 6d. for a single fair-rent application. When a number of crofters combine and apply in Form 2 the fees are still less. Thus, twelve applicants pay 12s. on the principal application and 1s. on the copy sent to the landlord, or 1s. 1d. each; and similarly twenty-four applicants pay 25s. altogether, or 1s. 0½d. each.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at the petty sessions court, Kildorrery, County Cork, on the 14th instant, on the occasion of the hearing of charges brought against Misses Kate and Hannah Nagle, daughters of Mrs. Alice Nagle, an evicted tenant, by the present holder of her farm; and if he will explain why the presiding magistrate adopted the unusual course of refusing an application of the defendants for an adjournment to the next petty sessions court to enable them to employ a solicitor to conduct their defence, which they could not do in consequence of the summonses having only been served upon them at 9 o'clock on the previous night. (Answered by Mr. Cherry.) I have no power to interfere with the action of a magistrate in the exercise of his judicial discretion. I understand, moreover, that in this case the defendents have lodged an appeal against their conviction, and they will, therefore, have full opportunity of testing the validity of the resident magistrate's decision.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether the Royal Commission at present inquiring into the operation of the law governing the registration of title to land is confined in its inquiry to an investigation of the working of the land registry office; and whether there would be any, and, if so, what, objection to the enlargement of the scope of its functions so as to enable it to inquire whether any further legislation is required to facilitate, and lessen the cost of the transfer of estates in land. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) The Royal Commission is empowered to consider and report upon the working of the Land Transfer Acts, and whether any amendments are desirable. It is not confined merely to an investigation of the working of the local registry office. This is an inquiry of considerable scope, and would not appear to preclude the Commission from reporting in the direction suggested by the Question if they see fit to do so.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at the recent Law Society's conference on the Land Transfer Acts; and if he can see his way to give effect thereto. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) Having regard to the nature and subject matter of the inquiry into the working of the Land Transfer Acts, it is essential that the Royal Commission should be as far as practicable free from prepossessions, and it has been composed with that view, but there is no reason why every view of the subject should not be presented in evidence by those who have special knowledge or interest. The other matters in the Law Society's resolutions appear to be entirely for the discretion of the Royal Commissioners themselves.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether in connection with the registration of titles under The Land Transfer Act, 1897, he will consider the advisability of recommendation being made to the Privy Council to exercise the power given to the Council by the Act to revoke the Order applying compulsory registration of title to the county of London, so as to leave property owners free to register or not as they deem best in their own interest. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) The compulsory registration of titles to land in the county of London is, as the hon. Member is aware, the subject of inquiry by a Royal Commission, and it would be improper of me to anticipate or prejudice their Report by taking the course suggested in this Question.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether memorials have been received at the India Office protesting against the proposed reorganisation of the Public Works Department in India, and especially against the proposed discrimination between the imperial and provincial services; and what action, if any, has been taken by the India Office on these memorials. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) No memorials of the nature indicated have been received at the India Office since the introduction of the new scheme of reorganisation of the Public Works Department in India.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the observations of the Lord Chief Justice at the Clare spring assizes, on which occasion the learned judge, referring to the returns of boycotting presented to him by the police authorities, pointed out that these returns comprised eleven cases which were described as instances of minor boycotting, and that in five of these cases people not only declined to associate with or deal with the boycotted families, but the latter were also compelled to go considerable distances for the necessaries of life; whether the cases of these five families have since been retained on the list of persons boycotted in a minor degree; and will he state in what respects their cases differ from others which are included in the category of serious boycotting. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Answer to the first two paragraphs of the Question is in the affirmative. The local police, who are acquainted with all the circumstances, classify the cases of boycotting upon the principles which are fully stated in my reply to a Question put by the right hon. Member for South Dublin on 20th March, 1907.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Treasury have ratified the appointment by the Commissioners of Intermediate Education of inspectors for Irish intermediate schools; and, if so, when it is intended to make the appointments. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It is intended to appoint inspectors, but the details have not yet been settled. I am not yet in a position to say when the appointments will be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, recently, thirteen tumuli were removed by the War Office or other military authorities from the top of White Hill, Willsworthy, near Lydford, so that a flagstaff might be erected; if so, whether instructions will be given that, in future, such relics of bygone ages shall, where possible, be preserved. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) My hon. friend appears to be referring to an incident which occurred early in 1907, and in regard to which representations were made by members of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee. Notices were in consequence posted up by the military authorities with a view to preventing any further destruction of objects of antiquarian interest, and it is understood with satisfactory results.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Fair Wages Clause of the House of Commons is not being carried out by the painting contractor for the work now being done at the Royal Barracks, Dublin; whether he is aware that the glazing and putting in of panes of glass in the various barracks is also being executed under the standard rate of pay; and will he take steps to see that the Fair Wages Clause is carried out by the contractors on these works. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The matter has been inquired into, and it appears that the current rate of the district has been and is paid by the contractors, and that the conditions of the contract relating to wages are being properly observed.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the threatened scarcity of employment and destitution in the coming winter, the promised rebuilding of the barracks at Windsor is likely to be begun soon; and, if so, whether he is in a position to name approximately the date at which the work may be expected to commence. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) A further contract has now been made for the completion of the new barrack blocks. I cannot state the date of commencement, as it rests with the contractor.

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the delay in gazetting officers to the Territorial Army is causing inconvenience in Lancashire, and that officers accepted several months ago, who have bought their uniforms, served throughout camp, and mastered their drill, are still without commissions; and if the matter can be remedied with some promptitude. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) I am quite aware that the gazetting of officers to the Territorial Force is a long and tedious process, and all that can be

To ask the Postmaster-General if he will say in what way it would be more costly for the Ballina to Crossmolina mail car to start at 12.30 as compared with 4.30; does the 9.15 a.m. train from Dublin carry letters from Dublin as well as the day mail; and between what hours must letters be posted in order to go by the 9.15 train from Dublin. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) If the day mail car were run at the time proposed by the hon. Member a considerably higher subsidy to the contractor would be necessary, as there would be less passenger traffic. The 9.15 a.m. train from Dublin conveys letters arriving in Dublin by the supplementary night mail from England, and letters posted at the General Post Office, Dublin, between 6.15 a.m. and 8.15 a.m., as well as parcels posted at the Amiens Street office up to 8.20 a.m.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the extent in acres of Crown land in the parishes of Aber, Llandegai, and Llanllechid, respectively, in the county of Carnarvon; and whether he will give in each case, separately, the acreage of the land with the minerals or mineral rights only. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.)

To ask the Postmaster-General what is the amount paid annually for the carriage of mails by road between Bandbridge and Scarva, county Down, Ireland; is the contract open for public competition; and, if not, can he say why. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) It is not the practice to publish the amounts paid for mail cart contracts. As regards the second part of the Question, I will have inquiry made and inform the hon. Member of the result.

To ask the President of the Board of Education how many secondary schools in Wales and Monmouth are receiving giants under Section 9 of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act as well as the ordinary secondary school grants; and what is the total amount of the two grants, respectively. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) It is anticipated that, of the ninety-four intermediate schools in aid of which the Treasury grant under Section 9 of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, 1889, is payable, ninety-one schools will claim the grant for the school year 1907–8, and will also be entitled to grant under the regulations for secondary schools (Wales) for that year. The total Treasury grant for all intermediate schools for that year was estimated at £24,115 4s., and the aggregate grants under the regulations for secondary schools (Wales) for secondary schools, whether intermediate or not, for the same year was estimated at £53,831.

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructions have been given in all departments of the Royal Dockyards, with the exception of the Works Department, that on account of the large number of unemployed workmen in the dockyard towns no workmen must be discharged; and, if so, whether he can state the reason why the Works Department has not been treated in the same manner as the other departments.

To ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that there are a considerable number of workmen employed in the central parks doing the work of skilled mechanics who are only being paid labourers' wages, viz., 27s. per week; whether he is aware that skilled workmen are sometimes discharged and, in the course of a few days, re-engaged as labourers, and are almost immediately instructed to do the work of skilled artizans; and whether he will take steps to alter this state of affairs. (Answered by Mr. L. Harcourt.) The Answer to the first paragraph is in the negative. In one instance only has a bricklayer been re-engaged as a labourer. He has once been employed on some rough brickwork; in future such work will be done by a bricklayer.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Mr. B. Cornwall, of London Farm, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, whose child was born on the 5th June, 1907, attended the Newmarket Court on the 1st October, 1907, to obtain exemption from vaccination, but found that, as the day had been set apart for Suffolk cases, his application could not be taken; that Mr. Cornwall had therefore to wait until the following week, the delay causing his application to be made three days beyond the limit of four months; whether Mr. Cornwall is now being pressed to have his child vaccinated; and whether, under the special circumstances of the case, he will instruct the vaccination officer not to prosecute Mr. Cornwall. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The circumstances in which the parent found himself unable to make a statutory declaration before a magistrate within the prescribed time appear to be as stated. I understand that the parents are further considering the question of the vaccination of the child, and that probably now they will have the child vaccinated.

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that certain Inland Revenue officers have been informing applicants for pensions that charitable gifts and allowances were a disqualification for the receipt of a pension; and whether such statements were made with the sanction of the Local Government Board. (Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have no information on this subject. The pension officers are not under my control, and no sanction on my part is necessary as regards any statements they may make to applicants for pensions.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade under what Act of Parliament the Albion Assurance Association, of Imperial Buildings, New Bridge Street, E.C., is established, and under what authority it is carrying on the business of insurance among the working classes. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) My attention has been called to this association which, from inquiries made, appears to be a voluntary organisation. The subject of the transaction by the association of insurance business is engaging the attention of the Board of Trade.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of foreign patentees, together with the articles they manufacture, registered in England, and who are likely in future, in view of the Patents Act, to have such goods produced in Great Britain. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The total number of owners of existing British patents who are foreigners is estimated by the Patent Office to be about 30,000. It is impossible to foretell what number of these patentees will, in consequence of the Patents Act, work their patents in this country; but it would appear from the accounts in the public press that several of them have already commenced such working, and that others are proposing to do so. I may add that several applications for revocation for non-working in this country are at present before the Comptroller.

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any jurisdiction over funicular and cliff railways, and, if so, what. (Answered by Mr. Churchill.) If a railway of either description were constructed by or under statutory authority and came within the meaning of the Regulation of Railways Acts the Board of Trade would have the same jurisdiction as they possess in regard to other railways opened or proposed to be opened for the public conveyance of passengers.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether the action upon the subject of the acquisition by the Corporation of London of the lessee's interest in Spitalfields Market, has yet been set down for trial; if not, when he anticipates that it will be so set down; and in the event of its being already entered for trial, when he anticipates that the trial will take place. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) This action cannot be set down for trial until certain interlocutory matters have been disposed of. I am informed by the City Solicitor, who has the conduct of the case, that no time has been lost in proceeding with the matter during the vacation. The case is to come before the Master for directions on the 26th inst., and the City Solicitor hopes that the remaining interlocutory matters will not cause any considerable delay.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what is the total amount of public money that has been paid in respect of commutation of pensions since the passing of the Pensions Commutation Act of 1871; and if a Return could be furnished showing whether, under the Treasury regulations in force, the Exchequer has profited or lost over the transactions effected, and to what extent. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The amount advanced from Savings Banks Funds since the passing of the Pensions Commutation Act, 1871, up to the end of December, 1907, was £5,790,973 1s. In cases in which the whole pension has been commuted there is no record of the subsequent history of the pensioner or of the date of his death. It would, therefore, not be possible to prepare such a Return as is contemplated in the Question.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he intends to introduce legislation dealing with the blind in Ireland, and, if so, when. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I presume that the hon. Member refers to legislation on the lines of the Irish Education (Afflicted Children) Bill, which was introduced by my predecessor two years ago. I should be very glad to introduce a Bill on the subject if I had any assurance that it would meet with general approval.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from John Fitzgerald, an evicted tenant on the Grehan estate, county Cork, for reinstatement in his holding at Tankardstown, from which he was evicted in June, 1879; whether Michael Walsh, who has only occupied this farm since 1903, is merely a grazier; and whether, seeing that John Fitzgerald and his two sons are fully capable of working a farm properly, the Commissioners would favourably consider his claim. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have received the application, and will consider it in due course. No proceedings appear to be pending before the Commissioners for the sale of the holding, and they are not in a position to state the tenure of the present occupant.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if the National Education Board have sanctioned the use of the Roman Catholic schools in Bandbridge, county Down, for the purpose of holding a dance on the 30th instant; and, if so, can he say on what grounds such permission has been given. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the schools in question are non-vested, and that they do not in any ordinary cases exercise any control over the use of non-vested schools on Sundays, or before or after the school hours on other days. No application for the use of these school-rooms for the purpose of a dance has been received by the Commissioners, and consequently no sanction has been given.

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the inspectors of schools in Circuit 7, Belfast, still insist on the teachers entering in the ordinary roll book not only the time of their arrival at school each day, but also the time of their departure; and whether, seeing that the National Board of Education have no rules or regulations authorising the inspectors to act in such a manner, and the fact that no such demand is made by other inspectors of schools, he will take steps to have such instructions withdrawn. (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Commissioners of National Education assume that in all national schools a record is kept of the teachers' attendance, and there is a query relating to this record in the form of return which the teacher of every national school is bound to have in readiness for the inspector on his visit. The Commissioners think that such a record is necessary, and they have no intention of withdrawing their query on the subject.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of proceeding more rapidly with the construction of Rosyth Harbour as a means of giving work to the unemployed.

The Prime Minister has asked me to take this Question. Tenders for this work which is to be done by contract have already been invited. The contract will contain a clause giving a bonus to the contractor for hastening the work.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he can further accelerate the placing of the contracts for the new cruisers, as a lengthened period must necessarily elapse between the placing of the orders and the actual time at which any considerable quantity of skilled and unskilled labour can be employed upon the vessels and their machinery and armament.

The Prime Minister has asked me to take this Question. I have gone to the limits of possibility in expediting the orders for these cruisers.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the report of Major-General Scobell upon the conduct of the five officers of the 5th Lancers who were placed upon half-pay was founded upon existing written reports from Colonel Graham, the officer commanding, or whether they depended, and in what respect, upon verbal communications between the two officers; will he say why reports upon the efficiency of officers are allowed to be forwarded to the Army Council which are not founded upon the written statement of the officer in command, and, further, why the five officers in question were judged in camera without any previous official communication being made to them as to what charge whether of breach of discipline or want of efficiency) was or had been made against them and without their being called upon for an explanation; and whether the Army Council object, and for what reason, to have public inquiry into the circumstances relating to the case of the officers of the 5th Lancers retired upon half pay.

The officer commanding the 5th Lancers reported in writing adversely on these five officers to the major-general commanding the 1st Cavalry Brigade. These adverse reports were in every instance communicated to the officers concerned and doubtless formed the basis of the general's reports. It is not only necessary but desirable that a general officer should consult with a commanding officer when the latter renders an unfavourable written report upon an officer. But once the general has formed his opinion of the officer in question and recorded it in writing, he is bound by regulation to communicate his written report to the officer. The adverse reports by the General Officer Commanding 1st Cavalry Brigade on the five officers were in each case communicated to the officers concerned. An officer who considers himself wronged by an adverse report has a statutory right to appeal against that report. When an officer exercises that right the appeal together with the unfavourable report are submitted for the decision of the Army Council. The object of convening a Court of Inquiry is to assist superior officers in eliciting information on any subject of an intricate or disputed nature. In the cases in question there are, in the opinion of the Army Council, no grounds for an inquiry.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is customary for the Army Council to act upon reports as to the personal conduct and fitness of individual officers which are not obtained officially and in writing.

The reply is in the negative.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to see that in future the principles of elementary justice are applied in dealing with officers in the same manner pursued in civilian cases, and that the only evidence which shall be acted upon by the Army Council in such matters should be in writing signed by the person responsible for the statement, and that such statement, in accordance with the regulations, shall be forwarded or shown to the officer in question before the matter is considered by the Army Council and an opportunity be given to him to lodge his reply in writing.

The procedure proposed by the hon. Member is that laid down in the King's Regulations for the guidance of officers whose duty it is to report on officers under their command. If the hon. Member will look at the changes made in the Regulations he will find that his suggestions have already been carried out.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the recent trials of the new howitzer have been satisfactory; and whether the new pattern gives more accurate shooting than the old gun. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the new howitzer

In reply to these Questions the new field howitzer is still under trial and it is not considered desirable to publish any results until the howitzer is approved. I think the hon. Member may safely assume that a new pattern will not be adopted unless it is in all respects superior to the old one.

Is it intended that the new gun shall be substantially heavier than the old pattern?

I would rather not go into details now.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many men have been discharged from the ordnance factories at Woolwich, Enfield, and Waltham, since 1st January, 1908; how many were discharged between the accession to power of the present Government and the end of 1907; and how many were discharged between the end of the South African War and the resignation of the late Government.

The figures are as follows:—

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has now further considered the question of stagnation of promotion amongst officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery; and, if so, whether he is in a position to state what steps he proposes to take to ameliorate the hard position in which the officers of this corps find themselves as a result of recent changes of military policy.

The present state of promotion in the Royal Garrison Artillery has been receiving careful consideration, but I am not at present able to make any statement on the subject. It is, however, fully expected that in the near future the present rate of promotion will improve.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything in his power to make some announcement with regard to his proposals on this matter at the earliest possible date in order to avoid the resignation of a large number of these officers with an essentially high standard of attainments?

I shall be glad to do It as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government propose to pay the tenants who have to give up their holdings in the new area in Salisbury Plain any compensation for disturbance, as contemplated by the Agricultural Holdings Act (Amendment), 1906.

I can assure the hon. Member that tenants who may have to give up their holdings owing to the proposal to acquire land for an artillery range on Salisbury Plain, will get the usual compensation for improvements to which they may be entitled under the Agricultural Holdings Act. With regard to compensation for disturbance I would point out that good and sufficient cause can be shown for terminating existing tenancies upon land which is needed for a national purpose.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many labourers are now employed on the farms to be acquired by the Government in the neighbourhood of Salisbury Plain; and what is the number of those aged sixty-five years and upwards.

There are no statistics available to give the information required.

But surely the right hon. Gentleman must realise the difficulty that labourers over sixty-five years of age will have in getting other employment? Is nothing to be done for them?

I hope they will receive every consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the serious decrease in the number of horses in the United Kingdom suitable for Army purposes, it is intended to provide in next year's Army Estimates a sum of money to encourage the breeding of such horses, which Austria-Hungary, Germany, and France promote by spending annually £300,000, £200,000, and £100,000, respectively.

It is not possible at present to give the hon. Member any information on this subject beyond what I have already given to the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give me some answer? When I put the Question to the President of the Board of Agriculture he refers me to the right hon. Gentleman, and when I ask him he will give no answer at all.

The hon. Gentleman is asking information as to the Estimates for next year. That I cannot give him.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any permanent armament in the landward forts forming the defences of the great naval arsenals of Portsmouth, Plymouth, Devonport, and Chatham; and, if so, what is the nature of such armaments.

There is no permanent armament in the landward forts for the defence of our naval ports. Although it was originally intended that they should contain such armament, it is now held to be preferable to provide the garrisons of the forts, which may be of considerable use for purposes of defence, with movable armament which can be used for mobile defence. The naval ports mentioned are all in possession of their movable armament.

Am I to understand that these defences are practically of no use at all?

On the contrary, they are held to be of more effect than if supplied with fixed guns.

asked why Continental nations had these defences for their forts.

said that the recommendations of an extremely competent committee appointed by Lord Lansdowne to deal with this question had been carried out.

asked whether it was the fact that any great border fortresses in other countries had been strengthened by the removal of these armaments?

said he did not know what the arrangements as to these armaments were in other countries, but, being a Scotsman, he would ask the right hon. Gentleman another Question—namely, why, if he held these views now, he did not in other days reverse the arrangement?

As an explanation, may I remind the right hon. Gentleman—

Order, order. There are 159 Questions on the Paper.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the desirability of having stretcher-bearers or an ambulance section with each Territorial battalion during manœuvres while in brigade camp, he will modify the present arrangements under which these men work as an independent brigade unit, or whether he will require each battalion to furnish a stretcher-bearer or ambulance section for its own service in addition to the brigade unit.

Regimental stretcher bearers, to the number of sixteen, are included in the establishment of a Territorial Infantry battalion. They are, as I have already informed the House, formed from the bandsmen, and are trained for the duty. Their organisation, training and duties are the same as in the Regular Army, and they are not organised as part of an independent brigade unit, but do duty with their own battalion.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether recruits from the ranks of the unemployed who join the Special Reserve, and who take the advantage of his offer to provide them during the winter months with weekly pay, free food, quarters, bedding, fuel, and light at the expense of the State, will be entitled subsequently to cancel any obligation to remain in the Reserve for the normal period of six years, or to render any further military service in the event of an emergency, on making a payment of £3 at the conclusion of their temporary employment or at any other time that may be more convenient to themselves.

Any Special Reservist can always purchase his discharge for £3, provided that such discharges are not suspended by any national emergency.

asked whether under the exceptional circumstances the right hon. Gentleman could not revise the terms of enlistment in the interests of the State so that men should not be entitled to cancel their obligation to be called on active service in cases of emergency at so cheap a rate? And he would also ask—

The hon. Gentleman must not forget that this is Question time, and not for debate.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he intends to supply service ammunition at cheap rates to rifle clubs; under what conditions and at what price such supply will be made; and whether any communications have passed between the War Office and the National Rifle Association on the subject.

The details are under consideration at this moment.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to allow Army pensioners the option of commuting a portion of their pensions for the purpose of raising the capital necessary to enable them to proceed to British Colonies to find employment.

I presume the hon. Member has in mind commutation at an earlier age than the existing regulations allow. This would involve a considerable charge upon the estimates of next year, and I am not in a position to make any promise or indeed to express any opinion on this difficult question without much consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to consolidate the military forces in the different Colonies of South Africa and then to withdraw all British Regular troops, leaving the defence of South Africa to the local forces.

No, Sir. There is no present intention of further reducing the South African garrison.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been directed to a statement by Lord Methuen to the effect suggested in the Question?

I saw a very brief report of the statement. I gathered it referred to reductions already announced rather than to future policy.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state what success has attended his recent appeal to the unemployed to join the new Territorial Force; how many men have presented themselves for enlistment; how many have been accepted; and how many of these are under seventeen years of age.

May I venture to point out to the hon. and gallant Member that my so-called appeal referred to the Special Reserve and not to the Territorial Force. The figures for the last fortnight show an improvement of 200 each week over the figures for the corresponding weeks of last year. No figures as regards ages are reported weekly.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any land ranges suitable for Territorial field artillery practice have been acquired within the last six months; and what negotiations, if any, are in progress with a view to purchase such ranges.

No land artillery ranges suitable for Territorial field artillery have been acquired during the last six months. As the hon. Member is aware, negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of such a range on Salisbury Plain. The question of obtaining lands for such ranges in other parts of England has been and is still being fully considered, but matters have not yet reached the stage of definite negotiations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he hopes to conclude the negotiations regarding the Salisbury Plain range?

I shall be glad to do so as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any money has been specially allocated for the purpose of defraying the cost of week-end camps for Territorials, which form of training has been found most useful in the Northumbrian division; and, if not, will provision for this object be made in the future.

The principle adopted from the beginning has been to leave the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief free in the allocation of their training grants, and I have no reason to think that the funds at the disposal of the Associations and of General Officers Commanding are not sufficient to provide for this form of training.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, even when unemployment has reached an acute stage, nearly 50 per cent. of the boys in the Ordnance Factories at Woolwich should be discharged on attaining the age of twenty-one years; whether the period of notice of discharge given on Ordnance, Factory Form 64 is only three weeks; whether the boys discharged have been taught any trade during their period of service which they could pursue after discharge; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that a larger proportion of boys should be permanently retained after attaining the age of twenty-one.

As the House is already aware, the boys employed in the Ordnance Factories may be divided into two classes: (a) Trade lads who on passing an examination are taught a trade which they can pursue after discharge; (b) unskilled lads who are not taught any regular trade but who are employed on work not requiring any trade instruction. Fifty per cent. of the lads in Class (a) may be retained on reaching the age of twenty-one, the number of lads admitted to this class being limited. All the lads in Class (b) are at present discharged on reaching the age of twenty-one as if retained they must be taken on as men, and the numbers being in excess of the approved establishment there are no vacancies for men. When the numbers have reached the approved establishment by wastage any vacanices can be filled by retaining boys who reach twenty-one. I may add that Form 64 is only a blank form filled in according to circumstances. All trade lads now get six months notice, and all the other lads know that they have to go at twenty-one.

But is it not the fact that under Form 64 boys can be discharged at ten days or a fortnight's notice?

I have the form here; it says nothing of the kind.

Does not the form issued of the last, few days provide for the discharge of boys at twenty-one years of age at a fortnight's notice?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what tent accommodation will be provided for officers of the Territorial Force during annual training under the new scale.

The tent accommodation is as follows:—Circular bell tents: one each per field officer and staff officer; one per two other officers. Mess tents: two marquees per Yeomanry regiment or Infantry battalion; one marquee per other unit.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think he will secure the services of an increased number of young officers who are willing to devote their annual holiday to the training by reducing the accommodation provided for them?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in their endeavour to secure a satisfactory ammunition for the service rifle, the War Office have taken advantage of the experience of manufacturing firms by carrying out trials with those types of ammunition of private manufacture which are universally acknowledged by experts to be the best at present obtainable.

Yes, Sir. Private manufacturing firms have been invited to supply ammunition for trial, and some have complied with the invitation.

Have any trials been conducted with this ammunition?

When the ammunition has been supplied for trial I presume we are working with it.

asked as to ammunition for Canada for the Ross rifle.

said he believed the Ross Rifle Company manufactured their own ammunition.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many long Lee-Enfield rifles have now been converted for the use of the Territorial Force; when the necessary total number will be completed; and when the converted rifles will be issued.

20,500 rifles have been converted. The date when the required number will be completed depends on the money available in future years, and cannot at present be estimated. It has not yet been decided when the converted rifle will be issued.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, at the present rate of recruiting, all vacancies in the establishment of the Special Reserve will be filled up during the winter; and whether he will raise the minimum age of enlistment to eighteen years with a view to securing the efficiency of the force.

There are not as yet materials on which it is possible to say with the least degree of certainty what the rate of recruiting for the Special Reserve will be during the winter. So far it has gone up substantially, but this is all I can say. I am adverse to raising the age as suggested in the latter part of the Question, for reasons which I have more than once stated to the House.

If the right hon. Gentleman has no data to go upon, how can he say there will be room for 24,000 of the unemployed?

said the question was, would the increased rate of recruitment continue and would they get the 24,000 men they required.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in the event of enlistment of 24,000 unemployed into the Special Reserve during the present winter, that force will be 8,202 over establishment, saving reductions caused by death, discharge, desertion, and enlistment into the Regular Army; and whether he intends to seek power to increase the establishment of the Special Reserve.

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the negative. The wastage from all sources was estimated at about 8,000, and by adding this number to the present deficiency of about 16,000 the figure 24,000 was arrived at as the probable number of vacancies during the forthcoming winter. As regards the second part of the Question, the reply is in the negative.

But suppose the wastage is less than the estimate of the right hon. Gentleman?

That is a hypothetical Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether official recruiting in Nyassaland for the mines of Southern Rhodesia is permitted without any limitation or stipulation as to non-employment underground of labourers recruited.

The natives in the experimental gang sanctioned by the Seretary of State on 2nd March last were to be sent only to certain specially inspected mines, and might elect whether to engage as surface labourers or for work underground.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government is now practically regulating the export of labour from Nyassaland to Southern Rhodesia; and, if so, whether labour cannot be regulated in Nyassaland so as to provide a sufficient and continuous supply for the service of local industries.

The emigration is under Government supervision. I understand that there is at present a great surplus of labour in Nyassaland, so that no question is likely to arise as to a sufficient supply for local industries.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that about 18,000 natives of Nyassaland emigrated last year to Southern Rhodesia as free and unrestricted emigrants, without any provision being made for their comfort and accommodation on the march; and whether, since free emigration cannot be prohibited, the Government will consider the advisability of organising the export of surplus labour, under satisfactory conditions, for the common benefit of Nyassaland and other regions in Central and Southern Africa.

18,000 natives are estimated to have left Nyassaland last year, the bulk of whom went to Southern Rhodesia. I am now informed that the Government of Southern Rhodesia decided to take in hand the regulation of alien labour from the 1st instant. As I have stated in reply to another Question by my hon. friend, further consideration is being given to the question of the emigration of native labour from Nyassaland to other regions.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the authority for the statement made by Lord Elgin to Lord Selborne, as disclosed by the Blue Book published in April last, to the effect that no considerable number of natives of Nyassaland are likely to find their way to the Rand as independent immigrants; whether such independent immigrants are or are not now at liberty to travel through Southern Rhodesia to the Transvaal; and whether, if the local administration does not control the surplus labour supply, there is any means of preventing its crossing the border into Portuguese territory, and there entering into engagements with the agents of the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association.

Lord Elgin's statement was based on the opinion of Sir Alfred Sharpe, with whom the question was carefully discussed when he was in this country last winter; the subject matter of the latter part of my hon. friend's Question is receiving the attention of the Secretary of State, with the object of ascertaining how far there has been any change in the circumstances.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government is favourably disposed to guarantee the proposed Orange River Colony Loan of £1,500,000; and, if so, will it give the House of Commons an opportunity of fully discussing the question before a final decision is reached.

I cannot add anything to my reply to the hon. Member's Question of the 19th, except that, in the event of any guarantee being given, an Act of Parliament would be required such as was passed in the case of the Transvaal guaranteed loans.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the names of the members of the War Casualites and Injuries Commission appointed by the Transvaal Government to inquire into and report upon the cases of all persons in indigent circumstances now domiciled in the Transvaal, who were resident in the Transvaal on or immediately before 11th October, 1899, who served under arms, either on the side of the Imperial Government or of the Government of the South African Republic, during the hostilities between those Governments; and whether he will give the names of the members of the South African Republic Officials' Pensions Commission appointed to consider the claims of those deprived of office as the result of the war.

The names are as follows: In the case of the first Commission, Mr. I. S. Ferreira (Member Legislative Assembly), President, Messrs. Dutoit (Member Legislative Council), Nicholson (Member Legislative Assembly) and Viljoen; in the case of the second Mr. A. D. Wolmarans (Member Legislative Council) Chairman, and Mr. D. Loveday (Member Legislative Assembly).

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the House will have any opportunity of ascertaining the extent and character of the work carried out by the Colonial secretariat established after the Conference of Colonial Ministers.

The secretarial staff of the Imperial Conference have been and are engaged on work which I trust will be of service to the Conference at its next meeting. I shall be glad to make a statement on the subject when occasion offers.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the expressions of popular indignation in India at the recent treatment of British-Indians in the Transvaal, His Majesty's Government have taken any steps towards remedying the grievances in question.

His Majesty's Government are well aware of the sympathy which has been excited by allegations of ill-treatment of British Indians in the Transvaal, and they are in communication on the subject with the Colonial Government, who, they feel assured, have no desire to take legislative or administrative measures involving unnecessary harshness. The Secretary of State has been in friendly communication with the Transvaal Government on this subject, and a considerable number of concessions have already been made. The principal remaining grievance of the Indians is, as I understand, their fear that they may not secure a supply of professional men to attend to their wants, and the Secretary of State is in communication with the Transvaal Government with a view to ascertain whether it is not possible to secure what is wanted by means of administrative action. I have hope that the representations of the Secretary of State may not be without effect.

Is the contention that the Transvaal Government promised to repeal the Act complained of admitted?

No, Sir, the statement is made on one side and denied on the other.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the length of time during which Dinizulu has been kept in prison in Natal without trial; whether a date has yet been fixed for his trial; and, if so, whether he will place in the Library of the House a copy of the indictment upon which Dinizulu will be tried and the Act of the Natal Parliament constituting the tribunal by which he is to be tried and prescribing the procedure to be followed at the trial.

Dinizulu was arrested in December, and the Special Court which is to try him will open on or about 2nd November. The indictment has not yet been received, but the Governor shall be asked for a copy. The text of the Special Court Bill will be found in Cd. 4195. It was passed, with the two minor alterations specified at page 51 of the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 4328 which has just been published. The rules which the Court has power to make under Section 21 of the Act cannot, I presume, so far have been made, but we have telegraphed for the information to be forwarded as soon as possible.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the unification of South Africa and the possible incorporation in the United Colony of the protectorates of Basutoland and Bechuanaland, whether he will see that native interests are permanently protected by making the complete non-alienation of the land of those protectorates to whites a sine qua non of the surrender of direct Imperial control.

My hon. friend is no doubt aware that an Act of the Imperial Parliament would be necessary to give effect to a new Constitution in South Africa. I think, therefore, it would be a grave mistake to anticipate the proposals for unification or federation which may follow from the important Convention which is in session at Durban. It would, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, be most unwise to interfere in the deliberation of that Assembly, but I can assure my hon. friend that His Majesty's Government are fully conscious of the importance of the maintenance of obligations to the native population. I should add that there is abundant evidence that the delegates to this Convention are not unmindful of the great issues involved in this and kindred matters.

Will the Government be careful in any action they take not to surrender the interests of the natives and to prevent the alienation of their lands?

I think that is indicated in the Answer I have just read.

asked if a like course would be taken in regard to the natives of Swaziland.

The Government will adhere to their declaration of policy.

It is too late in the case of Swaziland; the lands have already been alienated.

This amounts almost to a debate.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Reports can be obtained from His Majesty's representatives in the principal protected foreign countries and summarised for presentation to Parliament in a shape similar to the Return, No. 301, entitled Speeches (Time Limit), recently issued, showing to what extent, if any, party machinery has recently been utilised (with due allowance for constitutional differences) in assisting the progress of measures promoted by any company, trust, cartel, or syndicate when such measures do not form part of the Government programme.

My right hon. friend does not think it would be possible to obtain a Report which would be of any value.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has received information of the seizure by the Venezuelan authorities of the steamship "Lady Kensington," and of the arrest and imprisonment of her passengers and crew, and whether he can state what action will be taken in the matter.

His Majesty's Government have already been informed of the alleged detention of the "Lady Kensington"; but the particulars furnished are so incomplete that the Governor of the Windward Islands, who is in direct communication with His Majesty's Minister at Caracas, has been requested to make further inquiries into the matter.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the attention of the police has been called to a speech, made by the hon. Member for Colne Valley, on Saturday, the 17th instant, to the unemployed in which he is alleged to have urged them to steal; and, if so, whether any action is to be taken in connection with it.

Yes, Sir. The attention of the Commissioner of Police has been called to the speech, and he has considered the question of taking proceedings, but he thinks, and I agree with him, that it is not necessary to do so on this occasion. If, however, there should be further incitements of the same character in circumstances where they might lead to crime or disorder, I fear it will be necessary to take the usual proceedings with a view to the hon. Member being bound over.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that British manufacturers of ammunition are placed at a disadvantage compared with German in consequence of the latter being allowed to sell in this country cartridges containing a powerful priming composition which English manufacturers are only allowed to use under regulations of the Home Office, which render business on a commercial scale impracticable; and whether he can alter such regulations or prevent the introduction of such foreign cartridges under the special circumstances prevailing.

Safety cartridges, that is, cartridges so closed that the explosion of one cannot spread to another, are allowed to be imported to this country without licence, as there is no danger in their conveyance or storage; but their manufacture is dangerous, and is therefore subject to regulations. These regulations have been framed with much care, and are not generally of such a character as to stand in the way of the manufacture of safety cartridges on a commercial scale; but if any manufacturer can show that they bear hardly on any particular class of cartridge, I shall be glad to consider, after inquiry by the Explosives Department, whether it is possible, consistently with the safety of the workpeople, to allow any relaxation of the existing requirements.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to modify the rule which now prevents the Local Government Board from giving assistance out of the Unemployed Fund to county councils who, unable under Section 2 (2) of the Unemployed Act, 1905, to appoint a distress committee, have appointed an unemployed committee under Section 2 (3) of the Act.

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer some of the Questions put to the Prime Minister on the subject of the Unemployed. With regard to the Question of my hon. friend I may state that payments out of the grant are only made to central bodies and distress committees constituted under the Unemployed Workmen Act, who are the bodies empowered by the Act to provide or contribute to the provision of work. Committees appointed under subsection (3) of Section 2 do not possess these powers. Their functions are limited to the collection of information with respect to the conditions of labour within their area and the supply of such information when required.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed that distress committees, working under the regulations of the Unemployed Act, shall be empowered, if necessary, to extend the working period of sixteen weeks in any period of twelve months; and, if so, within what limits.

I beg also to ask the Prime Minister if it is intended to revise the distress committee regulations in respect of removing the restriction by which the period of work provided under the Unemployed Workmen Act is limited to sixteen weeks in any one year.

I will answer these Questions together. It is not proposed to alter the regulation referred to. As it stands, the restriction can be relaxed in particular cases with the consent of the Local Government Board, and in some instances this consent has already been given.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether grants will be made to local authorities in urban districts which may have put work in hand for the relief of the unemployed, but where no distress committees have been or can be created under regulations previously applied.

The grant is voted for expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act, and consequently payments can only be made from it when a central body or distress committees have been set up under that Act.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered and decided upon any means whereby unemployed women may benefit under the Government's proposals; and whether any restraints previously imposed on local authorities in respect to women's work will be discontinued.

It is competent for the distress committee for any district in which there is exceptional distress to submit a scheme of work for unemployed women to the Local Government Board, who will be prepared to consider it. No special restrictions have been imposed in respect of such schemes, and the Board have already made a payment this year from the grant in respect of a scheme of women's work in London.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether grants to local authorities in aid of schemes for the relief of the unemployed will be actually limited to the difference in cost by employing the unemployed instead of workmen normally engaged in the particular kind of work put in hand.

Payments from the grant will not be made to the local authorities, but to the distress committees. Where a distress committee contribute out of monies derived from the grant to the cost of works carried out by a local authority, the amount of the contribution will usually be limited in the manner referred to in the Question.

eg to ask the Postmaster-General what are the conditions governing the employment of temporary hands in the Central Telegraph Office and postal service generally; is it the case that a number of these men, known as season substitutes, are, in accordance with certain regulations, to be dispensed with at the end of the present month; in view of the crisis of unemployment now prevalent, will he take such steps as may result in the retention of as many of these men as possible until the winter season has passed, especially having regard to the fact that it is much more economical to employ such men as substitutes against overtime, sick absence, and annual leave, than the performance of these duties by overtime by the established staff; and will he consider in this connection the need for clerks in other branches of his Department, such as the postal and engineering, which could be met by the temporary employment of some of the permanent staff of the Central Telegraph Office and so create temporary vacancies in that office for a number of men who will otherwise be unemployed until next summer.

Persons employed temporarily in the Post Office are, as a rule, engaged to meet special pressure at particular times of year, and it is made clear to them that they will not be retained when their services are no longer required. A number of persons have been employed temporarily during the past summer to meet the pressure which occurs in certain work at that season; and I am in hopes of finding employment for some of them from the middle of November until Christmas as temporary sorters. The hon. Member may rest assured that the whole matter has my sympathetic attention, and, without endorsing his particular proposal, I may say that no opportunity will be neglected of creating additional outlets which may mitigate the hardship of suspension of employment at the present season.

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General what has been the number of men employed at Christmas by the Post Office in excess of the regular staff in each of the last five years.

To ask the Postmaster-General for how many weeks at Christmastide he proposes to employ the extra staff of 8,000 men to be drawn from the unemployed of London; and what their average weekly wage will be.

To ask the Postmaster-General how many extra men have been employed by the Postal Department in London at Christmastide during the years 1905, 1906, and 1907, respectively.

To ask the Postmaster-General how many extra men have been employed temporarily by his Department at Christmas-time in each of the past three years; and how many men it is proposed to employ at the coming Christmas.