asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in response to a request for a Saturday half-holiday from provincial telegraphists, the Hobhouse Committee decided that, subject to the maintenance of a 48-hour week, every effort should be made to so arrange duties that as many of the staff as possible should be free on one afternoon in the week; that, in an interview with the men's executive, he consented that this should not be enforced, and that the old system of a possible early Saturday should be retained where generally desired; and, if so, whether he will explain why, during week-days, officers are listed for a split duty of two hours at Aberdeen and other places, and given time off on Saturdays in lieu?

The Hobhouse Committee made the recommendation quoted by the hon. Member, but I did not think it necessary to abolish the old system of "modifications" on Saturday which benefited the staff; that is to say, if the work happened unexpectedly on any given occasion not to be sufficient to find employment for all the staff present, the superfluous staff might be allowed to go home at the discretion of the supervising officers. But the attendance of the staff has to be adjusted to the incidence of the work. It was on that basis, and with the view of avoiding unnecessary overtime that the attendances at Aberdeen have been arranged.

asked the Postmaster-General if, when an officer has reason to believe that a case against him has been unfairly presented by his superior, he may be allowed to see the endorsement containing the presentation of the case?

Under the present practice, the charge against an officer is put to him in writing, and he has full opportunity of defending himself. He has not, however, the right to claim to see the report of his superior officer. I see no reason for any alteration of the present practice, which is in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office servants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of persons employed in the cotton trade in the year 1880 and in the year 1907, giving the average weekly wages earned?

The number of workpeople employed and wages paid in the cotton trade were not ascertained in either of the years mentioned in the question. At the Censuses of 1881 and 1901 the numbers employed were 503,487 and 545,959 respectively. The numbers employed in factories, according to Returns issued by the Home Office, were 482,903 (including 61,923 half-timers) in 1878, and 523,030 (including 17,651 half-timers) in 1904. A Report dealing with wages in the Cotton and other Textile Trades will be issued almost immediately, and will give comparative wages in 1886 and 1906.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state under their separate headings the number of infectious diseases that it is compulsory to notify that were notified in England and Wales during 1908, with the number of deaths that occurred from each disease?

The information obtained by the Local Government Board on this subject relates to London and 256 boroughs and urban districts in England and Wales. Particulars with respect to the year 1908 are being collected, but the Returns are not at present complete. The information obtained as regards the year 1907 is summarised at page xcii. of the last Annual Report of the Board, a copy of which I will send to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the workmen employed in the Army Ordnance Department at Island Bridge are searched by soldiers on leaving the place of work each day at midday and evening, which frequently incurs the loss of five minutes at dinner time to the workmen; whether he can state why an officer has ordered a workman's lunch to be opened in his presence at the searching place; and if anything in the way of public property has been found in the possession of the workmen during the years the system has been operation?

Workmen employed at Island Bridge are searched by non-commissioned officers on leaving the place of work each morning and evening, and there is a loss to men selected for search of from one minute to two minutes. An officer directed that a parcel containing food should be opened in order to make sure that the employee was not removing Government property. No public property has been found in the possession of the employees during the years the system has been in force. The system of searching employees was instituted it 1903 owing to a case of theft.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can account for the delay which has occurred in paying off the claims of clerk to the pension committees in Kilkenny and other counties for the amounts due to them for their services under the Old Age Pensions Act for the quarter ender 31st December last; and whether he will see his way to having more promptitude shown in discharging these debts to those who have not as yet been paid for their services under the Act?

In order to check these accounts it is necessary for the Treasury to obtain through the pension officers the numbers of claims and ques- ions dealt with in each committee's area. The extreme pressure on the pension officers made it impossible to furnish these figures before the end of January, but in future quarters they will be sent in more promptly. I may add that it is open to any clerk of a pension committee to obtain an advance pnder paragraph 9 of the Treasury Financial Instructions.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state the number of old age pensions granted in the counties of Ross, Cromarty, Sutherland, the Orkneys and Shetlands; and what proportion the number bears to the total population of these districts and to the number of persons of 70 years and upwards?

Old age pension statistics are not compiled on the basis of counties, and the desired figures are therefore not available for the counties of Ross, Cromarty, or Sutherland.

The number of pensions granted up to the 31st December, 1908, is:— In the Orkneys 1,349 In the Shetlands 1,895

According to the Census of 1901, the total population— Of the Orkneys is 28,699 And of the Shetlands is 28,166 and the figures for the number of persons over 70 are— Orkneys 2,027 Shetlands 2,163

The proportions borne by the recipients of pensions are therefore—

In the Orkneys about 1 in 21 of the total population and 2 in 3 of those over 70.

In the Shetlands about 1 in 15 of the total population and 7 in 8 of those over 70.

asked whether Gaelic and Welsh are prescribed in the programmes of Civil Service examinations in which modern languages are named as subjects; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to have these two languages included in the programmes of such examinations in future.

Gaelic and Welsh are not at present prescribed in the programmes of the examinations mentioned, and I understand that no Department has expressed a desire that either of these languages should be included in any scheme of examination for Civil Service situations.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers deficient in the Special Reserve, giving their respective ranks; and what is the number of non-commissioned officers and men deficient.

The figures are as follows:—

* Including 17 on probation.

† No fixed Establishment; the figure given represents the Special Reserve requirements of the Field Force.

‡In addition to the above an establishment has been recently formed of Special Reservists supernumerary to the Territorial Force called Category B. of the Special Reserve, but no returns are at present available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of boys clerks appointed in the years 1906, 1907, and 1908, and also the number of boy clerks and ex-boy clerks appointed during those years to appointments as Second Division, Excise and Customs, and assistant clerkships?

(a) Number of boy clerks registered:— In 1906 ……… 923 In 1907 ……… 1,010 In 1908 ……… 937

(b) Number of boy clerks and ex-boy clerks appointed during years 1906–8 to the situations specified:— Situation. 1906. 1907. 1908. Second Division 81 74 78 Assistant of Excise 11 24 8 Assistant of Customs 5 16 12 Customs Port Service Clerk — — 3 Assistant Clerk (Abstractor) 274 225 293 Total* 371 339 394

*During those years certain other situations were secured by boy clerks or ex-boy clerks e.g . various Post Office appointments, prison clerkships, etc.: the complete figures thus being 386 in 1906, 394 in 1907, and 438 in 1908.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Report of the staff ride and manœuvres, 1908, has been issued; and, if so, whether it is available to hon. Members?

Reports of staff rides and manœuvres are for official use only, and are not available, therefore, for hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the total cost of the British troops in South Africa for the years ending 31st March 1907 and 1908; and if any part of the cost was contributed by the South African Colonies?

Cost was, for 1906–7 £2,881,000 1907–8 £2,273,000

In 1906–7 the Orange River Colony paid £9,000 in respect of half the cost of a survey of the Colony, and Natal paid £5,333 (including an arrear payment of £1,333) in respect of the contribution of £4,000 a year payable until 31st March, 1907.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any official Report, showing that since the introduction of the new Municipal Elections Act in Bengal little interest has been taken in the triennial elections, only an insignificant proportion of the persons entitled to vote appearing at the polls?

The Report shows that in 1907–8 the percentage of voters who went to the polls ranged from 69.6 to 38.4 in the municipalities in which the elections were held in the year. These figures do not compare very unfavourably with similar figures for municipal elections in this country.

asked whether the last Reports of the Commissioners of Divisions in Bengal disclose the fact that the attendance at the meetings of the Local Board was small, and that little interest was taken in the elections, which in several cases failed, so that vacancies had to be filled up by nominees of the Government?

The Reports on the working of Local Boards in Bengal are to the effect stated in the hon. Member's question. These Boards, compared with the District Boards, have very limited functions and responsibilities, and more than two-thirds of the members are appointed otherwise than by election. Proposals for improving the status of Local Boards and enlarging their powers are before the Government of Bengal.

asked whether the senior assistant to the principal of the Medical College and the senior assistant surgeons at the General Hospital and the Maternity Hospital at Madras are military officers, and whether ordinary Hindu professional men are excluded from these posts?

The persons holding the posts are shown in the Madras Civil List as belonging to the military branch of the subordinate medical service. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that duly qualified Hindu assistant surgeons will not be held eligible for these posts in the event of vacancies occurring and suitable candidates being available.

asked whether the assistant surgeons' branch of the Indian Military Medical Department is recruited exclusively from the Europeans and Eurasians resident in India; whether admission to it is denied to Indians; whether the selected candidates are maintained and educated out of public funds and are afterwards furnished with public employment at a higher scale of salary than that of the civil assistant surgeons; and whether he proposes to reform the system in any way?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member. The difference in rates of pay is not however very considerable, being confined to the highest grade. I may explain that military assistant surgeons are recruited for service in European military hospitals, both in peace and war. The general question of the medical profession in India is under consideration of the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will obtain the percentage of unemployed among trade unionists in the Dominion of Canada during the month of January?

said the Secretary of State is asking the Governor-General of Canada if he can obtain and send home the information desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take the necessary steps to ensure the issue to the public at once of that part of the evidence especially relating to the administration of the Poor Laws upon which the members of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws, etc., have based the recommendations contained in their recent Report?

The Report of the Royal Commission is not based upon any particular section of the evidence, but on the evidence as a whole. That evidence will, it is estimated, occupy over 30 volumes. The first volume will, I am informed, be published very shortly, and succeeding volumes will be published at short intervals as rapidly as it is possible to prepare them.

asked whether attention has been called to the alleged existence of an understanding or agreement amongst flax buyers in Ulster with the object of keeping down the prices paid to farmers for Home-grown flax; whether he is aware that a specific instance in support of this allegation can be given; whether he can state the quantity of flax raised in Ulster during the past year, and the average as compared with the previous ten years; the average price per stone realised for Home-grown flax during the past year, and the average price per stone paid for Foreign-grown flax; and the total quantity of the latter imported into Ireland this year, and the average import for last year as compared with the last ten years?

Complaints from flax growers alleging the existence of an arrangement of the nature referred to have been received by the Department, but the Department have no record of any specific instance of such an arrangement. The acreage under flax in Ulster in 1908 was 46,675. The estimated produce (stones of 14 lbs., scutched flax) was 1,258,927. The average acreage under flax in Ulster in the years 1898–1907 was 46,855. The estimated average produce (stones of 14 lbs., scutched flax) was 1,604,895. The average price for Home-grown flax in 1908 is estimated at 6s. 4½d. per stone. The average price of flax imported into the United Kingdom in 1908; as calculated from the monthly statements of Trade and Navigation, was 4s. 9¾d. per 14 lbs.; the average price of imports from Russia being 3s. 8½d. per 14 lbs., and from Belgium 8s. 8d. per 14 lbs. The total quantity of flax imported into Belfast in 1908 amounted to 28,680 tons. The average of the imports into Belfast for the past ten years, 1898–1907, was 30,468 tons. Only a small quantity of flax is imported into Ireland outside Belfast, and comparable figures as regards the total import into Ireland for 1908 and the preceding ten years are not available.

asked what is the amount set aside by the Commissioners of National Education for the payment of fees for the teaching of Irish in the national schools in their estimate for the year 1909–10?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the payment for the teaching of Irish as an extra subject and in the bilingual schools for the year 1909–10 is estimated at £19,300.

asked whether payment of fees for the teaching of Irish in national schools has been refused to extern teachers, although those teachers taught Irish for a number of hours far in excess of the minimum number required by the National Board and secured satisfactory reports from the inspectors; and, if so, what is the amount of the fees thus stopped from extern teachers?

Payment of fees for Irish has not been refused by the Commissioners of National Education in any case during the past school year where extra instruction was given in the subject for 40 or more hours, and where the other essential conditions set forth in the Board's rules were fulfilled. In a number of cases, however, where the prescribed number of hours of extra instruction was given, the fees cannot be paid because certain other necessary conditions such as teaching the subject throughout the school year, were not complied with. The amount of fees for Irish so withheld, where not less than 40 hours extra instruction was given by extern teachers, is about £300.

asked what is the amount paid by the Commissioners of National Education in fees for the teaching of Irish in bilingual schools and in other schools in which it was taught as an extra subject?

The payment of fees for Irish for the current financial year has not yet been completed. The sum paid by the Commissioners of National Education during the calendar year 1908 as fees for instruction given to national school pupils in Irish as an extra subject and in bilingual schools was £10,334.

asked the number of candidates who passed the examinations in the preparatory and junior grades respectively of the intermediate examinations in 1908; and how many of these candidates passed in Irish in each grade?

The total number of students who passed the intermediate examination, 1908, in the preparatory grade was 1,972, and the total number who passed in the junior grade was 3,124. The number of those who passed in Irish in these grades was 1,314 and 2,321 respectively.

asked when the regulations for the school year 1907–8 were issued by the Commissioners for National Education.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that their rules for 1907–8 were issued to managers between the 24th and the 29th of September, and to teachers between the 28th September and the 5th October, 1907.

asked the number of cases in which it has been found necessary, down to the end of January, 1909, to take legal steps and incur expense for the recovery of overdue purchase annuities under the Land Act of 1903?

The following Return shows the number of payers of Land Purchase Annuities under the Irish Land Act, 1903, at the dates mentioned, together with the number of such payers in whose cases proceedings were instituted for recovery of instalments of annuity in arrear:— Gale Days No. of Payers Number referred to Solicitors. 1st June, 1904 … … 2,045 20 1st December, 1904 … 7,437 43 1st June, 1905 … … 12,883 163 1st December, 1905 … 19,047 247 1st June, 1906 … … 25,883 484 1st December, 1906 … 32,177 559 1st June, 1907 … … 38,787 818 1st December, 1907 … 44,688 1,178 1st June, 1908 … … 51,910 1,608

asked the salaries and law expenses, in detail, of the Harbour Board, the City Council, the Poor Law Guardians, and the Water Board of Belfast during the past financial year?

The information asked for could only be obtained from the clerk and secretaries of the several local authorities. In the case of the Harbour Board I have no authority to ask for such particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make inquiries in the United States with a view to ascertaining whether the recent demoralisation of the New York stock market has been caused by the financial operations of those interested in preventing a drastic reduction in the present United States tariffs on iron and other commodities?

I am not at all familiar with financial operations on the New York stock market, but I should be inclined to doubt whether official information is likely to be forthcoming which would enable me to get any report upon the subject of the question for presentation to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a recent pronouncement by His Highness Prince Hussein, the new president of the Egyptian Legislative Assembly, to the effect that he will not permit in that Assembly any demonstrations of disapprobation of Government policy; and whether this pronouncement was made at the request or with the consent of the Egyptian Government as advised by His Majesty's Consul-General at Cairo?

I hear that a report of some decision to this effect has appeared in the newspapers. I have no information otherwise with regard to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the continuance of the disasters from the collapsing of ill-built houses in Cairo and elsewhere, of which hundreds have taken place within the past few years, is still ascribed by the Egyptian Government to the imperfect control of foreign builders resulting from the capitulations; whether, if this view be still taken, he will advise the Egyptian Government to take steps to secure the modification of the capitulations in the interest of the protection of life to all inhabitants of Egyptian towns; and whether, in the case of its being found impossible to fasten the responsibility for the majority of the fallen buildings upon foreign builders, he will urge the Egyptian Government to reform their building laws?

I can add nothing to the remarks made by Sir Eldon Gorst on this subject in the first paragraph of his last Report, which clearly explains the difficulties in the way of finding a remedy for the abnormal situation resulting from the capitulations in regard to the building law and other matters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the money required for building German armoured vessels is voted in three instalments; if so, whether he can state what were the first instalments of each of the battleships and armoured cruisers respectively of 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1909; and what were the second and third instalments for the battleships of each of the above years for which the information is available?

Mr M'KENNA: Up to the present, the battleships have been paid for in four yearly instalments.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state whether the Report of the Committee appointed by the Lord Chancellor to consider the relations between county courts and the high courts will be communicated to this House; and whether the inquiry will extend to the question of fees charged in county courts and to the working of the system of administration orders?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that he believes that this inquiry has already been concluded, though the Report has not yet reached him. He is not able at present to say anything further.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a postman, named Cunningham, of Dunlavin, County Wicklow, was dismissed on 22nd December, the complaint against him being that he had delayed by one day the delivery of two letters, and that he had tampered with the date impressed on the envelopes; whether the complaint was fully and impartially investigated by duly appointed officers of the Dublin Post Office; what evidence was relied upon to prove the charge; and whether, in view of the fact that Cunningham is emphatic in the assertion of his innocence, he will see that a further inquiry will be made into the case?

Cunningham was a rural messenger employed for about three hours a day under an allowance to the Sub-Postmaster at Dunlaving. The complaints were fully inquired into by the postmaster before Cunningham's services were dispensed with; and on appeal renewed inquiry was made by an officer of the Surveyor's staff. I see no reason to doubt the justice of the conclusion arrived at, namely, that Cunningham had delayed letters. I do not think further inquiry would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused to the residents in parts of the postal district served by Moneymore post office, county Tyrone, by the fact that English letters lie undelivered at Moneymore from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.; whether he is aware that an improvement from this point of view could be effected by distributing the English mail to residents in these districts by way of Cookstown instead of Moneymore; and whether he will direct this alteration to be made?

I will make inquiry on the subject and communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a photograph of a new machine, which was recently introduced into the Plymouth post office for the purpose of post-marking letters and obliterating, was published in the "Western Morning News"; and whether, in view of the fact that a similar machine was installed some months ago in the General Post Office, Belfast, and permission was asked by the "Belfast Evening Telegraph" to photograph it, but the Department refused, he can state why the privilege was extended to Plymouth and refused to Belfast?

It is not usual, or, as a rule, desirable, to allow members of the public to enter sorting offices, but it is within the discretion of the Postmaster to make an exception to to the rule.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the assistant superintendent and overseers at pesent employed on the postmaster's and superintendent's offices at Belfast have been on the same duties for several years; and if he can state why effect has not been given to the recommendation of the Hobhouse Committee that those duties should rotate amongst the eligible officers?

Arrangements have been made for periodical changes of officers, employed on the duties referred to, but the exigencies of the work have hitherto prevented the arrangements being brought into operation. Certain changes are, however, being brought into force this month.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can say when he proposes to dispense with the temporary sorting clerks at present employed in the Belfast Office?

I hope to be in a position shortly to carry out the revision of the Belfast Indoor force; and it will then be possible to dispense with the temporary sorting clerks referred to.

asked the Post master General why the postmastership of Tunbridge Wells, which has been vacant since 27th December last, has not been advertised as a vacancy in the Post Office Circular?

The vacancy was advertised last week.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can now state whether the conditions of the Fair Wage Resolution are being observed by Messrs. Charles Webster in connection with work for his Department; and, if not, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Messrs. Webster comply with the Fair Wages Clause in their Mail Contract so far as their mail cart drivers are concerned. I have, however, received representations respecting the wages paid by them to their farriers and wheelwrights, who perform work incidental to the mail service. I am making inquiries on this point, and I hope shortly to be able to settle the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners communicated with H. Bruce Armstrong with a view to acquire the lands of Castlerea and Bawn Upper, in the parish of Moydow, County Longford, in order to reinstate evicted tenants and increase the uneconomic holdings on Bawn Mountain?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not approached the owner of these lands. They published a notice in the "Dublin Gazette" with a view to the compulsory acquisition of the lands of Bawn under the Evicted Tenants Act, but found that they could not be so acquired.