To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the case of licences for which compensation has been awarded by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue under the Licensing Act, 1904, since the date of 1st August, 1906, he can give the total amount so awarded, the total of the Schedule A assessments of the houses in question, and the estimated value of the same houses after the extinction of the licences. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Since 1st August, 1906, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have determined awards of compensation to an aggregate amount of £671,795, in the case of 742 houses. The total of the Schedule A assessments of these houses when licensed was £29,258, and their total annual value unlicensed was £14,742, as estimated by the Inland Revenue for compensation purposes, that is to say, the estimated annual value of the houses unlicensed amounted to about 50 per cent. of their Schedule A value with licences. These figures may be compared with those given in reply to a previous Question as the houses in respect of which the Commissioners awarded compensation for the years 1905 and 1906, showing (exclusive of premises which have been unoccupied) a total Schedule A assessment, with licences, of £20,145, and an actual Schedule A assessment, without licences, of £14,442, or about 72 per cent. of the value with licences.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to say what is the cost of living in the postal area of Twickenham. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) It is estimated by analogy from neighbouring towns where investigation has been made by the Board of Trade that the cost of living at Twickenham is considerably above the normal. Under this analogy the scales of pay of the indoor and outdoor force at Twickenham have been raised.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether he can state what are the recognised weekly hours of the clerical staff in the head offices of Worksop, Mansfield, Lincoln, Spilsby, Gainsborough, Grimsby, and Brigg; and what are the weekly hours these staffs have worked I board's start are sometimes employed for during the past twelve months. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I will have inquiry made into the matter, and will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that letters posted in Belfast at 7.30 p.m. are not delivered at Ross sub-post office, near Mount Nugent, County Cavan, till the second day following, and that it takes the same time for a letter from Ross to be delivered in County Monaghan, he can see his way to have the delivery of these mails expedited. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) There is only one post a day to and from Ross, and it would not be practicable to expedite the delivery of the mails referred to, except by instituting a second post. As there is a loss to revenue on the existing service I should not, I am sorry to say, be justified in authorising an additional service.

To ask the President of the Board of Education how many women inspectors are now employed by the Board of Education; how many are on the permanent staff, and how many temporarily employed; what are the maximum salaries (and allowances) attached to such posts; what are the maximum salaries obtainable, and by what increments are these reached; and whether an increase of the number of women inspectors is contemplated by the board. (Answered by Mr. Runciman.) There are now twenty-one women inspectorships on the staff of the Board of Education; of these all but three are on the permanent staff, with salaries of £200 rising by increments of £15 to £400, as shown in the Estimates; the other three being tenable for five years at a fixed annual salary of £300. Besides these there is the post of chief woman inspector, and further, women not on the board's staff are sometimes employed for two or three consecutive days on different occasions for assisting in the full inspection of secondary schools, being paid by fees proportionate to the time so spent. The answer to the concluding paragraph is in the affirmative.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state how many 1-pounder quick-firing guns for field service the British Army possesses per 1,000 men, as compared with the French and German armies. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The hon. and gallant Member appears to be under some misapprehension. 1-pounder quick-firing guns have been withdrawn from the British service, and there are no such guns in either the French or German armies.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a governor has yet been appointed for the Island of Trinidad; and, if not, when this appointment is likely to be made. (Answered by Colonel Seely.) The vacant Governorship of Trinidad has not yet been filled, but the Secretary of State hopes that the appointment will be made very shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give instructions to the consuls in the ports from which goats' hair, mohair, and low quality of wools are exported to circulate amongst the farmers, dealers, and packers in their respective districts a request that they will use every possible precaution to prevent blood stains and pieces of skin being sent to this country in bales for manufacturing purposes, as according to the recent discovery by Dr. Enrich, of Bradford, that the germs of anthrax are traceable to blood stains and not to the ordinary dust arising from the sorting of foreign materials, the fatal cases arising from anthrax may be diminished, and the costly regulations for dealing with ordinary dust may, if thought advisable, be considerably modified. (Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) I am advised by the Secretary of State for the Home Department that the issue of such a request as is suggested in the Question might possibly prove useful though too great expectations must not be based upon it, and that, after consultation with the Home Office, steps will be taken to bring the suggestion to the notice of those interested.

To ask the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that samples of baskets required for the Post Office have to be sent to an English depot, he will arrange that a receiving depot will be established in Ireland. (Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) This has already been arranged; practically all the baskets required for the Irish parcel service will be ordered in. Ireland and delivered in Dublin.

To ask Mr. Attorney-General whether he will consider the advisability of recommending an Amendment to the reference to the Royal Commission at present taking evidence on the working of the Land Transfer Acts, to enable them to take evidence in favour of the establishment in every county of local registries of deeds similar to the registries that have for the last two centuries existed in the counties of Middlesex and Yorkshire. (Answered by Sir William Robson.) It is not intended to change the reference to the Royal Commission, nor am I prepared to say that they are excluded by its terms from considering the question of local registries of deeds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds does he maintain that it is out of his power, having regard to the provisions of the Prisons Act of 1898, to remove prisoners from the second to the first division, having regard that by that Act the prerogative of mercy exercised by the Crown on his advice is not affected. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have not contended, and I do not contend, that there is an absolute legal obstacle to the exercise of the prerogative of mercy, in a particular case and for exceptional reasons, so as to effect the transfer of a prisoner from the second to the first division as an act of clemency by means of a conditional pardon. The prerogative of mercy, as such, is not altered by the Act of 1898. That Act, however, very widely extended the discretion of courts as regards prison treatment. Parliament established three divisions in local prisons, the second division being designed to enable prisoners of respectable character and antecedents to be completely separated from prisoners belonging to the criminal classes, and in express terms it entrusted to the Courts the discretion of placing each prisoner in one or other of the three divisions. In these circumstances it appears to me that to use the prerogative of mercy for the purpose of overriding the discretion given by law to the Court of trial, and deliberately exercised, would be wrong and unconstitutional action by the Government. Even though the prerogative might be exercised for special reasons as an act of clemency in an individual case, this clearly could not be done for the purpose of placing a whole class of prisoners in a privileged position. I may add that, with regard to the ladies who are now detained in Holloway Prison for offences against the ordinary law, I see no reason to think that the magistrates have exercised their discretion otherwise than rightly in directing that they shall be treated in the second division.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether seven ladies, imprisoned for offences arising out of the woman suffrage agitation who were placed in the third division by the magistrate, have been removed by his authority from the third to the second division; and will he explain how it is within his discretion to exercise the power of removing prisoners from the third to the second division, but outside his discretion to remove prisoners from the second to the first division. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) Eleven ladies were removed from the third to the second division, but this was done by the magistrate, not by me. All I did was to draw the attention of the magistrate to the fact that these ladies belonged to the class of prisoners for whom the second division was intended. I have no executive power to remove prisoners from one division to another; and, as regards the seven ladies who are still detained in default of paying their fines, I do not propose to take any steps with a view to their being removed from the second division to the first.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Civil Service Supply Association, of Queen Victoria Street, is a business organised an conducted by State-paid Civil servants; and whether this association is permitted to canvass and solicit orders from Government employees during office hours. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The association is, I understand, managed by a committee about half of whom are Civil servants and the rest retired Civil servants. The Answer to the latter part of the Question is in the negative; but, I believe, objection is not in practice raised to a servant of the association calling to take any orders that members of Government departments may have to give him.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether a pension officer has yet been appointed for the Bryansford, County Down, sub-district; and, if not, when will the appointment be made. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) A pension officer has been appointed for the locality to which the hon. Member refers.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of licensed holders who brew and sell their own beer; and how many barrels did they pay duty upon during the last-known financial year. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) The number of licensed holders in England and Wales who brew and sell their own beer is given on page 6 of the last Brewers Licences Return (i.e., for the year ending 30th September, 1907, Parliamentary Paper, No. 32, of 1908) as follows:—Victuallers, 2,065; retailers of beer "on" 1,103; retailers of beer "off," 88. In addition, a certain number of the 1,503 common brewers shown on the same page have a victualler's or retailer's business subsidiary to the main business of a brewer, but I have no means of determining how many. I have no information as to the number of barrels on which duty was paid by such licensed holders.

To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, if he will state how many licensed brewers paid duty on less than 500 barrels during the last-known year. (Answered by Mr. Hobhouse.) I have no information as to the number of brewers paying duty on less than 500 barrels.

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what was the amount of home-produce of hops during the year 1907–8; what was the average annual home-production of hops during the last five years; how does this amount compare with that for the earliest quinquennium for which similar reliable figures are obtainable: and what was the average acreage under hops in England in the first and last quinquennium, respectively. (Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The English crop of hops was 374,129 cwts. in 1907, and 470,761 cwts. in 1908. The annual average home production in the last five years (1904–8) was 413,770 cwts., and in the five years 1885–9 504,386 cwts. The average acreage under hops in England in 1885–9 was 64,276 acres, and in 1904–8 45,469 acres.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that instructions to pensions officers require that cases in which the officer and the supervisor differ as to a claimant's right to a pension, or in which, owing to special circumstances, the officer and the supervisor are unable to come to a decision, shall be reported to the Board of Inland Revenue for directions before the claim is submitted to a pension committee; whether it is claimed that these regulations were made by the Board of Inland Revenue by virtue of No. 34 of the Treasury Regulations; and whether, seeing that that paragraph only authorised orders, instructions, and directions of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, subject to the provisions of the Act and of these regulations, while the control assumed by the Board of Inland Revenue in the matter is not subject to, but in contravention of the provisions of the Act and the Treasury regulations, he will direct it to be withdrawn. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I have had before me the confidential instructions to pension officers which have been given by the Board of Inland Revenue, and I am satisfied that the directions which have been given as to the manner in which claims are to be dealt with are in full accordance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that the regulations issued by the Board of Inland Revenue to old-age pension officers have no validity beyond the fact that they are instructions to officers, and that the Board of Inland Revenue's regulations that the supervisor must initial all reports of the pension officer before they are sent to the pension committee can be no possible check on the truthfulness of the evidence or the accuracy of the officer's report, because the supervisor has no knowledge of either, and is, therefore, no safeguard against fraud on either the claimants or the Treasury, he will direct this regulation to be withdrawn and the procedure of the Act and of the Treasury regulations to be carried out. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The duties of the supervisor in connection with claims are performed by him in his capacity of pension officer for the district in which he has been appointed by the Treasury to act, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 (4) of the Act and No. 34 of the Regulations. The present procedure is, in my judgment, necessary for the efficient administration of the Act, and does not appear to me to be in any way inconsistent with anything contained either in the Act or in the Regulations.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, since the Local Government Board for Ireland has been constituted by the Old-Age Pensions Act the central pension authority in Ireland and the local pension committee have been made the tribunal (subject to the Local Government Board) for determining the merit of claims, he can state by what authority the Board of Inland Revenue has usurped these powers of the Local Government Board and the local committees in certain cases and taken into the hands of the Somerset House staff the decision of claims on which its officers differ before the local pension committee is allowed to have information of the claim at all. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) The Board of Inland Revenue has no power to "decide" any claim to an old-age pension, nor am I aware of any case in which they have claimed to exercise such a power.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the advisability of extending the benefits of the Old-Age Pensions Act to naval and military pensioners resident in the Channel Islands, considering that a great part of their lives has been spent in the service of this country. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I will bear the case in mind; but I fear it would be difficult to draw a distinction between the Channel Islands and other parts of the British Dominions whose financial arrangements are separate from those of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that thirty-one Sandhurst cadets for appointment to the unattached list for the Indian Army, who passed the entrance examination in June-July, 1899, were gazetted on 28th July, 1900, and, if qualified, will be promoted captains on 28th July, 1909, and that the Indian Army List for 1st July 1908, shows, by footnotes (pp. 138 to 149a), that twenty-six officers now graded below the above-mentioned thirty-one ex-Sandhurst cadets will receive promotion to captain before 28th July, 1908, owing to their being permitted to count as service for promotion time spent in South Africa as Militia officers; whether among these ex-Militia officers, who in some cases entered the Army without any examination whatever, are some who actually failed in the Sandhurst entrance examination of the summer of 1899; whether, as the result, these ex-Militia officers will supersede the ex-Sandhurst cadets who were regular officers months before the former, the ex-Sandhurst cadets being therefore penalised for their success in the entrance examination; whether this was the intention of the military authorities; and, if not, whether the Secretary of State will have the matter reconsidered with a view of preventing this injustice. (Answered by Mr. Buchanan.) When it was decided that commissioned service in the South African War, previous to the attainment of a commission in the Regular Army, should be permitted to count towards promotion in the Indian Army, it was recognised that this concession would enable some officers specially commissioned in the Regular Army after field service to attain the successive ranks in the Indian Army sooner than officers commissioned from Sandhurst at earlier dates. I have no means of verifying the hon. Member's statement that amongst those who benefit by this concession are some unsuccessful competitors for Sandhurst; but, if it is so, the Secretary of State does not think that this is a sufficient reason for reconsidering the decision then arrived at.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received the report as to the dismissal of a large number of artisans and labourers from the Cork Barracks, where they had been for years employed, and the substitution of military men in their places; what is the rate of wages of the dismissed artisans, and what is the pay of the soldiers substituted for them; is this change in accordance with the Fair Wages Resolution of this House; and whether, in view of the widespread want of employment in Cork, and the efforts of the local representative bodies to cope with it, he will be good enough to withdraw the notices of dismissal. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) A field company of Royal Engineers has recently arrived at Cork Barracks. This company will, as a matter of course, be employed on some military work. No change has been made in the system of doing incidental repairs by the triennial contractor. The military authorities at Cork report that nothing is known of artisans and labourers being given notice of discharge.

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, although funds may be available to provide two suits of uniform for the Territorial Army, the provision of the second suit cannot be undertaken until a pattern for the walking-out dress is approved of; why it has taken seven months for the Army Council to settle this essential preliminary; how much longer delay may be expected; and whether he still suggests that it is the fault of the County Associations that the second suit has not yet been provided. (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) County Associations were informed of the pattern of the second suit of uniform to be worn by the Territorial Force by special Army Order dated 12th June last, except in the case of the horse artillery, which required special consideration. Any delay in individual cases in approving the second suit after that date has been caused by applications made by units to vary the prescribed pattern, and these applications have only been received in the War Office within the last fortnight.

To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the expediency of broadening the basis of taxation for the next Budget, he will consider the advisability of imposing a stamp tax upon all time bargains in fictitious products, shares, and warrants which are not to be delivered, in order to check and control such gambling in options and futures, seeing that bona fide contracts are taxed and gambling Stock Exchange operations are left free and uncontrolled. (Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I can assure my hon. friend that my consideration will be given to this, as to all other modes of raising such revenue, as the circumstances of next year may require.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that about four years ago telephonic communication was established all round the coast of the British Islands with the coastguard stations, and the coastguards were required, when a ship went ashore or was in a dangerous position, to telephone to the nearest port, and in the case of fishing vessels to the owners or port of register for assistance; whether he is aware that this service has been invaluable to fishermen and the mercantile marine; whether this service is to be abandoned in the thirty-three coastguard stations that have already been closed this year; and, on the closing of the other stations, what steps, if any, will be taken to protect life and property by telephone service, as in many cases village telegraph offices are several miles from the shore and are not available during the night.

The coast communication system was instituted in 1892, and a full explanation of the extent to which, and method in which, it has been developed by the Post Office is given in Appendix D. of Command Paper 4091; it does not embrace all coastguard stations nor is it made through them only. There is no doubt that the system has been, and is of value to the mercantile marine and to fishermen. Sixteen of the thirty-three coastguard stations closed this year were connected with the system. I understand that the General Post Office is making such arrangements as are necessary in the circumstances.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Deptford Borough Council, at its meeting held on the 3rd instant, urging the Admiralty in view of the number of unemployed workmen in the riverside districts of London to apportion a share of shipbuilding and repairing work to firms having yards in the port of London; whether such request has been considered by the Admiralty; and, if so, with what result.

The repair of warships is reserved for the royal dockyards. The question of the acceptance of the tenders which have been received for the ships of this year's programme is now under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty, but with regard to the allocation of ship-building contracts, the Admiralty are bound to take into account considerations of price and comparative excellence of work.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the code of working rules containing the wages and working conditions for navvies and labourers, signed by representatives of the contractors and the workmen in the Portsmouth district; and whether it is his intention to insist upon the contractors of his Department in that district observing such wages and working conditions.

My attention has been called to this matter, which is being carefully considered.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the contract for the new works at Rosyth will contain a clause making it impossible for the contractor to claim the bonus of £800 per week for any portion of time that the works might have been completed had there been no labour disputes, providing such disputes were caused by the contractors having failed to pay trade union rates of wages.

I must remind my hon. friend that trade union rates of wages are not specifically mentioned in the Fair Wages Clause which is a condition of all Admiralty contracts. With this limitation, the point raised by my hon. friend is fully provided for in the contract.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is proposed to establish a permanent naval base at Invergordon, in Cromarty Firth; and, if so, how much it is proposed to spend upon it during the financial year.

No, Sir.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the total amount of the orders placed with Messrs. White's yard at Cowes by the Admiralty in each of the financial years 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, and in 1908–9 up to the present date.

The total amounts of orders placed with Messrs. J. S. White & Co., Ltd., are as follows: 1905–6, £375,929; 1906–7, £289,236; 1907–8, £305,150; 1908–9 (contracts signed to date), £16,768.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if there is dock accommodation available on the East Coast of England or Scotland for the refit of the "Dreadnought" and the larger ships of the "Dreadnought" type now building; and, if so, how many ships will they accommodate at the same time.

Messrs. Stephenson & Co.'s dock at Hebburn-on-Tyne will accommodate one ship of either of the types specified when at somewhat less than her normal draught.

And is that the only dock on the East Coast?

Yes, sir.

asked whether Rosyth would accommodate ships of this type.

Yes, when the dock is built.

asked the right hon. Gentleman what he meant by "normal draught."

When she carries her normal amount of coal. The draught can be lightened by limiting the amount of coal carried.

When is Rosyth likely to be ready?

Notice should be given of that Question.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has received any report as to the system of compulsory primary education introduced into the Baroda State; if so, whether the report is a favourable one; and whether the Government of India will take into consideration the advisability of introducing a similar system into British India.

The latest information tends to show that the free compulsory education scheme which was extended in 1906 to all parts of the Baroda State has on the whole worked satisfactorily. The Government of India are no doubt watching the experiment carefully.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantities of gin and rum were imported into Brass in 1907.

The total quantity of spirits imported into Brass in 1907 was 155,800 gallons.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House the difference between gin and rum?

No, Sir; I must leave it to my hon. friend himself to decide what the difference is. Of course, if he wants technical details. I shall be happy to get them for him.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the reason for the reduction made in the railway rates on spirits in 1907 in the Gold Coast Colony.

It was represented by the Governor that the effect of the then existing rate, which was equivalent to more than 7s. 6d. per ton mile on the actual weight of spirit, was to divert all the spirits sent up to Coomassie from the railway to the carriers on the roads. The duties on spirits imported into the Gold Coast were already heavier than in any other Colony in West Africa; and it was considered that the change would not result in increased importation, but solely in the transfer to the railway of the bulk of the Ashanti spirit traffic. The Secretary of State is inquiring whether this anticipation was correct.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, when fines are paid in the delta of the Niger, any entry is made of the amount and nature of the payment.

The Answer is in the affirmative.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if fines were not paid in gin in the delta of the Niger, how were they paid, and who collects the fines.

Fines are paid in coin wherever, in view of the development of the country, it is possible to demand it. Where coin cannot be paid, fines are paid in kind, gin being expressly excluded by law. Fines are collected by order of the Courts and are paid into Court.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if gin is a currency in the delta of the Niger, especially in the neighbourhood of Brass.

Gin is still used as a medium of exchange in some parts of the delta of the Niger, but the Government are doing all that they can to encourage the use of coin. They have recently introduced a new subsidiary coinage with results which are reported to be encouraging; but the extreme conservatism of the inhabitants of these districts renders the task a difficult one.

What is the source of this gin? Is it Hamburg potato spirit?

It comes from various sources. I cannot say its precise nature, but I believe it is very nasty.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what amount of specie was imported by merchants into Brass in 1907.

Specie to the value of £800 was imported into Brass in 1907, as against £500 in 1906.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if produce is mainly bartered for spirits at Brass.

The produce exported from Brass in 1907 was valued at £72,100. The value of the goods imported, exclusive of freight charges and customs duties, was: Spirits, £14,900; other goods, £37,500. If the duties are added, the values are: Spirits, £42,200; other goods, £41,300.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when he will be able to announce the formation of the Commission promised to inquire into the evil alleged to result from the sale of liquor to natives in Southern Nigeria, and the names of its component members; whether, in view of statements recently made by prominent officials in the Colony, a chairman will be sent out from this country to ensure fair and unprejudiced reception and consideration of the evidence to be taken by the Commission; what provision will be made for the representation of the Native Races and Liquor Traffic United Committee on the Commission; and whether it is understood to be the policy of His Majesty's Government to apply the same policy of restriction of supply of liquors to natives in Nigeria as in South Africa.

The Secretary of State is awaiting a communication from the Governor, but I hope it will not be long before I am in a position to make a statement as to the composition of the proposed Committee. Such a statement will, of course, include a reference to any representation of the Native Races and Liquor Traffic United Committee. I am not clear as to the meaning of the reference to the statements of prominent officials in the Colony, but the appointment of a chairman is a matter for the Secretary of State, and I am authorised by him to say that he is disposed to concur in the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman that, if possible, a chairman should be sent out from this country. His Majesty's Government will reserve any statement as to policy until they have the Report of the Committee.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the administration of the medical department of Trinidad; and, if so, can he state whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps having for their object the reorganisation of that Department on lines that will give to Trinidad a health ordinance on more modern lines.

The Secretary of State has received no official representations on the subject, and he is not aware that any scheme of re-organisation is under the consideration of the Colonial Government.

Since the Indian coolies flourish so well in Trinidad, can it be said the condition of the place is so very bad?

We are doing our best to bring about an improvement.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any instructions, and, if so, instructions of what character, have been addressed to the Governors of Colonies following upon Reports made by them relating to the prevention of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, in pursuance of requests addressed to them by the Secretary of State in June, 1906.

The periodical Reports received from the Governors in answer to the Secretary of State's circular despatch of June, 1906, are referred to the Advisory Committee for the Tropical Diseases Research Fund, and so far that Committee have not advised the issue of further instructions. A great deal of work in the desired direction is being done in the Colonies and while it is thought well not to overload the governors and their medical advisers with repeated instructions, the matter shall continue to have the most careful attention of the Secretary of State.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the Resolution carried unanimously at a meeting of the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce, declaring that the Government of Venezuela, whilst availing itself of the full advantages afforded by the harbour and port of Trinidad, has prohibited the export of produce, except in insignificant quantity, from Venezuela to Trinidad, to the detriment and loss of merchants there, who in some cases have advanced moneys in respect of such produce, and requesting the Acting Governor to ascertain from His Majesty's Minister at Caracas the reason for such action on the part of the Government of Venezuela, or to take such other steps in the matter as might seem fit to His Excellency; and, if so, can he state what steps, if any, are being taken in regard to the matter.

Yes, Sir; His Majesty's Minister at Caracas has asked for an explanation from the Venezuelan Minister for Foreign Affairs of the reason for the restrictions upon passenger and goods traffic, and he has been informed in reply that the restrictions on passenger traffic were due to the reappearance of plague in Trinidad, but that they had been removed and that the regulations regarding goods were those contained in the Finance Laws. Sir Vincent Corbett will be instructed to continue to take such action as may seem best adapted in the circumstances to secure the end in view.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any in formation as to the new imposts to be levied in Germany on alcoholic liquors; and whether he can state the total amount of new revenue which is thus proposed to be raised.

We have received from His Majesty's Embassy a copy of the proposals which the German Government have made public, and intend to submit to the Reichstag, providing for an increase in the duties on alcoholic liquors. According to these proposals, the German Government expect to obtain £5,000,000 from the tax on spirits, £5,000,000 from the tax on beer, and £1,000,000 from that on still wine in bottles.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean pounds sterling or marks?

Pounds sterling.

In view of the prevalence of taxation in this country, can nothing be done to keep down the taxation on Moselle?

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the inquest held last week at Birmingham on the death of Henry Mortished, a Revenue Officer, whose death it was alleged was due to excessive work in connection with old-age pensions; and whether, in view of the pressure of this work, about which there are loud complaints among the pensions officers, he will appoint an additional number of officers for the work.

I have seen a newspaper report of the inquest, from which it appears that a verdict of "accidental death" was returned in the case of the deceased officer, whose death has caused deep regret among his colleagues in the public service. The work entailed by the Old-age Pensions Act is undoubtedly heavy in some districts; but I ought to point out that, while it must necessarily be exceptionally severe at first when the initial applications are being received, there is certain to be a considerable decline later when the Act is working normally. While, therefore, I have given directions that assistance should at once be given, where it is found that the officers appointed to administer the Act have more work than they can adequately perform, I have hesitated to appoint a large number of additional officers with whose services it would be necessary to dispense after a short period.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made calculations or has he instructed any of his officials to ascertain whether it is physically possible for any one man to do the work between October and December? Is he aware that there are many cases in which one pension officer has 1,000 cases, spread over a wide area, and that many cases necessitate two or three visits?

I have no doubt that the pressure will be very severe during the next three months. We have between 500,000 and 600,000 applicants; but that is a purely temporary state of affairs due to the fact that we are beginning a new operation. Three or four months hence an officer, instead of having to deal with 1,000 cases, will probably have to deal with only ten or a dozen.

I quite admit what the right hon. Gentleman says; but in the meantime are these men to be killed?

I have already told the hon. Member that where there is exceptional strain of this character, wherever it is brought to our notice, we are dealing with it; and if any officer really feels that he is being overworked he has only to make out a case.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor the Exchequer if he can state what proportion of the £40,000 promised to the county councils for the expenses of collecting establishment licences will be payable to the county of Cumberland.

It is estimated that £350 will be payable to the Cumberland County Council in respect of the surrendered licences.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing the Supplementary Estimate for £100,000 towards the central fund for the relief of distress due to unemployment, he will leave himself free to make grants to approved agencies for dealing with unemployment, especially in connection with skilled artizans and women, in addition to distress committees.

The sum of £200,000 already voted was voted specifically in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act, and it is now proposed that the further £100,000 should be voted as a supplement to that grant. The £100,000 will, therefore, be appropriated to the same purposes as the former grant, and will not be available for application in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would revise the form of the Estimate so as to widen the scope in which the money was to be applied, seeing that there were numerous applications for grants from areas in which no distress committees existed?

I should like to have notice of that Question.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, looking at the increase of lunacy, he can see his way to recommending that a Bill should be brought in to prevent the marriages of those persons who have ever been confined in a lunatic asylum.

No, Sir. It would be impossible to prohibit the marriage of all persons who have ever been confined in a lunatic asylum, because in many cases the mental trouble is of a limited and temporary nature. The recommendation on the subject in the Report of the Royal Commission on the Feebleminded will be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether lunacy is on the increase?

asked for notice.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of David Evans, who was recently sentenced by the stipendiary at Aberdare to one month's imprisonment for alleged assault; whether he is aware that, owing to an inadvertence on the part of a clerk to the solicitor who defended Evans, notice of appeal was not properly lodged within the time specified by the Act; that the prosecuting counsel agreed to waive this objection to the appeal being taken, but the stipendiary himself briefed counsel to oppose the application; and whether, seeing that Evans is a young man of good character and reputation, who claims to have been the party assaulted, and produced strong and uncontradicted evidence at the trial in support of this, under all these circumstances, he will cause him to be immediately released.

I have made inquiry into this case, but on the in- formation before me, I see no sufficient reason for interference. It does not appear that any fresh evidence would have been called if the defendant's appeal had been heard, and the fact that, owing to the mistake of his solicitor, it could not be heard, does not seem to me to afford sufficient ground for advising any interference with the sentence.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with regard to the sentence of fourteen days' imprisonment for disobedience of lawful commands passed, on 23rd October last, by the Barry magistrates on four seamen of the steamship "Taunton," whether any part of this sentence has been remitted; and, if so, upon what grounds.

I advised the remission of the sentence after the men had served one week, as there appeared to me to be reason to believe that the offence charged was due to a bona fide difference of opinion as to what a seaman's proper work is when a ship is taking in cargo; the offence had been committed at Philadelphia in August, 1907.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the amount of ship plates and tramway rails imported into this country from Germany and Belgium during the past year; their cost per ton, as also the cost per ton of similar material manufactured in this country; further, the amount of royalties per ton levied in the countries named, as compared with the royalties per ton levied in this country; and also as to whom the royalties are paid in each of the countries.

I will have a statement printed in the Votes showing the quantity, value, and average value per ton of tram rails and iron and steel plates and sheets imported into the United Kingdom from Germany and Belgium in 1907. I have no official information as to the average cost of tramway rails, or ship plates manu- factured in the United Kingdom, but I am appending to the printed statement some information as to the average declared values of our exports of those manufactures to all destinations. I have no information as to the extent to which royalties paid on the raw materials

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that interference with combinations or other mutual arrangements for working traffic, enforcing rates, withdrawing rebates, pooling receipts, abolishing inter-competition and establishing community of interest, which have been entered into since 1905 by various railway companies in Great Britain, will compel the companies concerned to compete at a loss, or to pay merely nominal returns upon their invested capital, he will state under what statute he possesses authority to disapprove or disallow such combinations or mutual arrangements.

Prior to 1873 working agreements entered into by railway companies under the authority of special Acts, either incorporating Part III. of the Railway Clauses Act, 1863, or containing similar provisions, required the approval of the Board of Trade, but in that year the Railway Commissioners, now the Railway and Canal Commissioners, were established, and the powers of the Board with respect to such agreements were transferred to them. Under Section 17 of the Railway Regulation Act of 1841 the Board of Trade may apply to the Courts for an injunction if they are of opinion that a railway company is acting ultra vires, and that it would be for the public advantage that they should be restrained from so acting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that over half the railway stock in this country is held in parcels of £500 and upwards, and that the return on it averages 3¼ per cent.

The right hon. Gentleman cannot be expected to know everything. Notice must be given.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether having regard to the prejudicial effect on the British printing trade of the operation of the American Copyright Act, by which authors in this country, in order to secure copyright in the United States, are required to deposit there two copies of their work printed from type set up in those States, in consequence of which books intended largely for home circulation are printed in America, he will consider the advisability of restricting the copyright in books of British authors to books printed from type set up in this country, and of requiring America authors to print in this country any books the copyright of which they desire to secure in the United Kingdom.

I do not know if the hon. Member is aware that the adoption of his suggestion would involve the retirement of this country from the Copyright Union, and the sacrifice of the advantages which are derived from participation in that union. I am not prepared to recommend the adoption of the course referred to.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when the English translation promised by him of the suggested alterations in international copyright, being discussed at the International Conference now sitting at Berlin, will be printed and obtainable.

I informed the hon. Member for Leicester on 19th October that I would have a translation issued if he desired it, but I understood that he did not so desire. The document referred to is now out of date, having been superseded by amended proposals brought forward by various countries from time to time at the Conference itself. To issue a translation at the present time would therefore be useless and misleading.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to appoint trade correspondents for the new Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan; and why are appointments for Montreal and Toronto being delayed pending the Report of the Trade Commissioner.

In view of the absence of important trade centres in Alberta and Saskatchewan, it is not, at present, thought necessary to appoint trade correspondents in either of those provinces, but if it appears expedient in the future such correspondents will be appointed. Appointments for Montreal and Toronto are being delayed until it is definitely decided what city His Majesty's Trade Commissioner shall make his headquarters.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when he makes these appointments, see that business men are chosen, and not lawyers or soldiers?

On whose authority are these appointments made?

The appointments emanate from the Board of Trade.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the previous commercial experience of Mr. R. Grigg, the British Trade Commissioner for Canada.

I fully satisfied myself of Mr. Grigg's qualifications for the post in question prior to appointing him thereto. He is neither a lawyer nor a soldier. He has been engaged for many years in business in this country, besides possessing an intimate knowledge of Canada. Mr. Grigg has recently conducted a commercial mission in the Dominion for the Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade on Commercial Intelligence. His Report upon his mission has been laid before the House.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will give the percentages of men who worked on distress works during last December, January, and February, respectively, for six, five, four, three, and two days consecutively in each case; and also the percentages of those who only worked one day at a time.

I am sorry that the information in my possession does not enable me to give the particulars desired by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the number of persons over seventy years of age in the Administrative County of London; and whether he can state the number of such persons in the receipt of Poor Law relief on 1st January, 1908. I beg also to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the number of persons over seventy years of age in England (not including Monmouthshire) and in Wales (including Monmouthshire); and if he will state the number of such persons in receipt if Poor Law relief on 1st January, 1908, on each country.

I hope my hon. friend will allow me to answer together these Questions. The number of persons seventy years of age and upwards in the middle of the present year is estimated as follows: Administrative County of London, 115,000; England, excluding Monmouthshire, 898,000; Wales and Monmouthshire, 59,000. The average daily number of persons of that age who have been in receipt of Poor Law relief during the year (exclusive of lunatics in asylums) is estimated as follows: Administrative County of London, about 31,000; England, excluding Monmouthshire, about 220,000; Wales and Monmouthshire, about 16,000. These figures as to pauperism must be taken as rough estimates only.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any communication from the Eastern Model Yacht Association, asking for his interest in the establishment of a model yacht lake for the East End of London in Hackney Marshes; and whether, seeing that such a lake would be one method of draining the marshes as well as of providing work for the unemployed during this winter, he will consider favourably this application.

I have received a communication from the commodore of the association referred to, and am suggesting that he might place his proposals before the Central (Unemployed) Body.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to an inquiry held in the Coroner's Court at Mortlake, on the 12th ultimo, into the death of a chauffeur killed in a collision with a motor bus near Barnes Common, the jury adding a rider to their verdict recommending that, in consequence of the increase in the number of accidents caused by motor driving within twelve miles of Charing Cross, the speed of motor vehicles should be reduced; and whether consideration has been given to such recommendation, and, if so, with what result.

My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. My attention has been drawn to the recommendation of the jury in the case mentioned. I am not empowered to make a general reduction in the speed of motor vehicles in any district in the absence of an application from the proper local authority. But if such an application is made to me in respect of any specified limits or place, the matter will receive my consideration.

Do these recommendations come before the right hon. Gentleman personally?

Yes, everything of this kind comes under my personal observation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last Sunday afternoon in Hammersmith a motor was going along at four miles an hour?

The hon Member had better give notice of that.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received many recommendations similar to the one referred to?

No, Sir. I can only say that out of twenty-one applications submitted to me I have sanctioned reduction of speed, I think, in eighteen cases.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the speed of motor cars and motor cabs using Hyde Park is restricted to ten miles per hour, he will consider the desirability of applying the same limitation of speed to all mechanically driven vehicles using the public streets of the Metropolis, in which the danger to life and limb from high speed motor-driving is necessarily greater than in the royal parks.

The limitation on the speed of motor cars in Hyde Park was imposed under the powers conferred on the Commissioners of His Majesty's Works by the special legislation relating to the Royal Parks. As regards the streets of the Metropolis, regulations for the reduction of the speed of motor cars in them could only be made under the Motor Car Act, 1903, and on the application of the local authorities, viz., the County Council and the common council.

Is the risk to life and limb not greater in the streets of London?

If that be so, and the London County Council and the Corporation of the City of London make representations to me, I shall not be reluctant to act.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the provisions of the Education Code, Schedule II., Clause 39, a child proposed for admission to a higher elementary school must have attended at a public elementary school for two years; and, having regard to the provisions of the Education Bill to the effect that contracted-out schools will no longer be regarded as public elementary schools, whether he will consider the advisability of providing that children educated in such contracted-out schools should not be debarred from the benefits of such higher elementary schools.

In the event of the Education Bill becoming law it will be made clear in the Code that attendance for two years at an elementary school in receipt of grant will satisfy the requirement to which the hon. Member refers.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education if he can state the latest available figures of the number of scholars on the registers of public elementary schools in England and Wales.

The latest available figures relate to the statistical year ending 31st July, 1907, when the number was 6,003,772. The figures for the statistical year ending 31st July, 1908, will be available in about a month.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of a master recently dismissed from the Royal Naval Engineering College at Devonport, solely with the view to the winding up of that college, the award of £99 3s. 4d. a year as a pension was made by the Treasury on a full and unfettered consideration of the circumstances of his particular case or under the limitations of some, and what, departmental rule.

The award was made under Section. 7 of the Superannuation Act, 1859 (the provisions of which are permissive in character), after a full consideration of all the circumstances of the case. It was made by the Treasury in the exercise of their discretion under that section, due regard being had to the practice of previous Boards of Treasury in dealing with similar cases in recent years.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the Town Council of Edinburgh and the distress committee as to a claim by the distress committee for repayment out of the rates of a sum of £3,700 disbursed on relief work for the unemployed, including wages and the expense of working a farm colony; whether the Local Government Board (Scotland) is prepared to advise that this payment is legal under The Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905; and, if not, what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes, Sir, I am aware that such a difference has arisen. This difference raises a point of considerable doubt; and while the Local Government Board have expressed the view that it does not lie with the Town Council to refuse payment of the demand made, I may point out that where such differences cannot be overcome in any other way the procedure of Sections 175 and 176 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1897, is provided by Article 16 of the Regulations (Organisation for Unemployed) (Scotland), 1905, as the method of settling such disputes by law. In answer to the second part of the Question, I have to say that the Local Government Board has not yet been called upon to consider and decide any question relative to the legality of any payment made by the distress committee out of the central fund. The statutory duty in this regard does not fall to be performed until the matter is brought under their notice on a Report by the auditor appointed under the Act to examine the accounts of the distress committee. I do not propose, therefore, to take any action in this matter, but I may express the hope that amicable adjustment may be attained without resorting to extreme measures.

Is it not the fact that this matter has already been before the Local Government Board of Scotland and that there is a complete deadlock, with the result that the distress committee is being handicapped in its action.

I do not think so. As I have said, I hope there will be an amicable settlement.

Is the decision in these legal matters taken by the Local Government Board's own responsibility or on the responsibility of the Law Officers?

There has been no decision in this case.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he can state the number of persons over seventy years of age in Scotland; and whether he can give the number of such persons in receipt of Poor Law relief on 1st January, 1908.

The estimated number of persons over seventy years of age in Scotland at 1st January, 1908, was 133,730. The old-age pauperism figures collected at present by the Local Government Board for Scotland are in respect of persons over sixty-five and not seventy, but it is contemplated adding a column for the number of paupers over seventy in the next Return.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the unanimous resolution of the Cork Council on 3rd instant on the subject of the important Report of the Departmental Committee on Irish Forestry in April last urging the Department to take practical steps towards carrying out the national scheme of afforestation recommended by the Committee and pledging the county council to co-operate with the Department by every means within its ower; and whether, in view of the public feeling in Ireland in favour of a national scheme of afforestation, and of the amount of employment of a reproductive character which such a scheme would involve at a period of the year when employment is most needed, the Department are prepared to take prompt action in this matter.

The Department have received the resolution referred to. I regret that I am not at present in a position to add anything to the Answers I have given to previous Questions on this subject.

Do the Estates Commissioners possess power to purchase woods in the landlord's hands when estates are being sold with a view to the preservation of the timber?

They have power to purchase, but the practice has been in the past to sell them to timber merchants to be cut down.

Were not the famous Dun drum Woods purchased by the Commissioners.

Yes, and they afterwards passed into the hands of the Department for preservation.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland whether he will explain why home-made hand-separator butter is entitled to be called creamery; is he aware that large quantities of such butter are at present sold as creamery; has the Department from time to time received representations from the Irish Creamery Managers' Association and other bodies on this subject; and will he state whether he intends to take any steps in the matter.

The Department have appointed a Committee with the view of arriving at a definition of creamery butter.

I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that 128 creameries entered for the summer surprise butter competitions in 1907; that out of that number ninety-five sent butter to the first competition, 122 to the second, 116 to the third, twenty-nine to the fourth, and thirty-two to the fifth; whether he is aware that the falling-off in the number of exhibits sent to the fourth and fifth competitions was due to the dissatisfaction caused by the appointment of a Mr. Carroll as creamery instructor; and if the above figures are correct, will he explain how they are to be reconciled with the statement that twenty-eight creameries, not 100, withdrew from these competitions.

The figures are accurate, and in view of the circumstances I am considering the discontinuance of these competitions.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the procedure of arresting persons charged with cattle-driving and bringing them before a single resident magistrate out of petty sessions, with a view to their being bound over to future good behaviour, under the statute of Edward III., has been adopted in pursuance of instructions issued by the Executive Government; what are the circumstances under which the practice of proceeding in such cases by summons was departed from; on what date were the instructions referred to issued; and will he state whether the effect of the altered procedure has been a diminution in the number of cattle-drives.

The procedure referred to in the Question has been adopted for many years, and long before the present Government came into office, by the police in Ireland in the case of agrarian disturbances. The police in this as in other matters act under the instructions of the Executive Government. No special instructions were issued as regards cases of cattle-driving, but as in other cases, instructions from time to time are given with regard to each case. As there has been no recent alteration in either the practice or procedure, it is unnecessary for me to answer the latter part of the hon. Member's Question.

On what date were the instructions issued?

No instructions of a general character were issued, but as cases arose the Central Government sent instructions to the police.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the number of persons over seventy years of age in Ireland; and if he can state the number of such persons in receipt of Poor Law relief on 1st January, 1908.

The number of persons in Ireland aged seventy years and upwards was, at the date of the last census, 187,315. As regards the remainder of the Question I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to a Question asked by the hon. Member for North Sligo on 15th October. In that reply the number of persons in Ireland over seventy years of age then in workhouses, or who had been recipients of outdoor relief since 1st January last, was estimated at 32,000.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland why the Local Government Board for Ireland have refused to sanction a loan of £30,996 applied for by the Longford Rural District Council for the purpose of the Longford Rural District Labourers (Unopposed) Order, 1908, having regard to the fact that the council's application is based on the amount actually approved of by the Local Government Board, namely, £133 4s. 4d. for building each cottage and fencing plot attached thereto, on the amount (or within £2 of it) allowed by the arbitrator, namely, £33 5s. 4d. for the purchase of each acre of land acquired under the Order, and on a sum of £12 per cottage which has been set aside to pay incidental expenses.

The loan applied for by the Longford Rural District Council is at the rate of £182 15s. per cottage, which the Local Government Board consider too high, and the Board have informed the district council that they are not prepared to advance a loan at this rate out of the limited fund provided by the Labourers Act of 1906. The Board have, however, expressed their willingness to sanction a loan of £170 per cottage which they think should be sufficient, and, should this prove inadequate, to consider the propriety of authorising the district council to obtain a supplemental loan in the open market.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what steps will be taken by the Local Government Board for Ireland to deal with appeals arising under the Old-Age Pensions Act; and when, and by whom, will these claims be investigated.

The Local Government Board will deal with appeals as they arise, after consideration of the evidence and documents submitted to them by the pension committees and the appellants. If further information is necessary, the Board will obtain it by local investigation through their inspectors, and where questions of law are involved, they will be guided by legal advice.

Will the Local Government Hoard itself deal with the appeals, so as to expedite the working of the Act?

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say what is the procedure adopted by the Estates Commissioners in respect to appeals lodged by landowners objecting to the compulsory acquisition of untenanted land by the Commissioners, with a view to the reinstatement of evicted tenants; whether notice of the landlord's intention to appeal, and the alleged grounds for appealing, are communicated to the evicted tenants or their representatives; has the landlord the opportunity of making ex parte statements to the Commissioners in person or by solicitor or counsel, whilst the evicted tenant has no opportunity of stating his case or tendering rebutting evidence; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to secure equality of treatment in these appeal cases.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the procedure on appeals under the Evicted Tenants Act 1907, is prescribed by Rules of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Ireland. * When an appeal is taken from an order of the Commissioners they take no further action until the appeal is determined. The Commissioners give notice to all persons interested in the land of their intention to acquire lands under the Act, and it is open to all parties to communicate freely with them.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland when he will introduce his promised Bill dealing with the pay and pensions of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether, as he stated over a year ago that the matter had been too long delayed, he will make the provisions of the Bill retrospective so as to (-over the current year.

I had intended to take the Committee stage on Monday, but find that it is not an available day. I hope to take it to-morrow, after setting up the Committee to-night. When the financial resolution has been passed the Bill will be introduced at the earliest possible, moment, and will, I hope, become law before the end of the session. It is not proposed to make the operation of the Act retrospective.

May I ask what time to-night? Because I may say to the right hon. Gentleman that it is a very controversial Motion, and will take some time.

I cannot believe that it is.

May I ask what is the amount of money involved, and whether it would not be better applied in helping to settle the Irish Land question?

The police have their rights in this matter. It proceeds upon a recommendation of this House, the whole matter is overdue, and there should be no further delay.

May I again ask the Chief Secretary at what time of the night he will take it? It does not appear on the Order Paper.

The Chief Secretary says it is long overdue; is not that a reason for making it retrospective?

I am told it will be taken after the Port of London Bill.

On a point of order, can a Resolution of this kind be taken without its having appeared on the Notice Paper?

Does the hon. Member mean the setting up of the Committee?

Yes.

That can be taken at any time. The Motion that this House resolve into a Committee can be taken at any time.

In consequence of what has fallen from the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask him whether he seriously takes the view that this is a non-controversial measure?

I think after this matter is explained to the House, and after I have explained the purposes of the Bill, it will be non-controversial.

We all know the purpose of it.

I understand the Committee is already set up, and, therefore, no Motion will be necessary.

Is it not a fact that on the papers issued this morning there is a statement that he intends to take this on Monday next, which is an allotted day, and is he not, therefore, springing it on the House?

In answer to the Question, I said I hoped to take it on Monday.

Docs the right hon. Gentleman seriously intend to take this Motion to-night without notice? I must be allowed to say that if he does, it will meet with the most strenuous opposition. Will he answer?

I am very much surprised that there should be opposition to this matter, very much surprised indeed, but after what has fallen from the hon. and learned Member, I will not proceed.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the result of the warning recently given to certain newspapers against publishing the intimidatory resolutions of the United Irish League branches; what proceedings he intends to take within the ordinary law against the proprietors of newspapers who continue to publish these resolutions; and whether he will take action also against the organisations who pass the resolutions and are responsible for the intimidation which is practised.

It is not yet possible to estimate the results of the warnings which have been given. It would be neither possible nor desirable to say what proceedings may in certain events become necessary. Each case will be considered upon its merits. Prosecutions will be instituted in all cases in which evidence of a criminal offence is forthcoming.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has from time to time received many public representations as to the position of agricultural tenants excluded from the operations of the existing land laws; and whether it is proposed to legislate for the claims of these excluded tenants in the forthcoming Land Bill.

Numerous representations with regard to the position of excluded tenants have been made to me and are receiving consideration. I do not think it desirable to discuss the provisions of the forthcoming Land Bill pending its introduction.