asked what steps are being taken to make good the deficiencies in lieutenants and second lieutenants in the infantry forces in the Special Reserve?

I hope to deal with this subject during the debate on Army Estimates.

asked the number and composition of the troops now in Crete?

It is not customary to publish the existing strengths of garrisons abroad.

asked whether there would be any objection when a soldier is discharged as medically unfit to state in his certificate of discharge the nature of the unfitness, so that a soldier discharged because of dental caries, or some other comparatively trifling cause, might not be exposed to the difficulty occasioned by the present form of certificate, which makes employers unwilling to em- ploy a man rejected from the public service on such a general ground as medically unfit?

While in cases of discharge for medical unfitness for comparatively trifling causes a description of the cause might assist a man in obtaining employment, it is certain that in many cases especially in those when the man subsequently recovers, or when the cause of the discharge is due to certain diseases such a description would seriously handicap him. Most employers are well aware that the medical unfitness for which a soldier was discharged is unfitness for active service as a soldier. The present arrangement was devised in the best interests of the men, and I do not propose to alter it.

asked Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland, whether it has been brought to his notice that Constable O'Shea, of Ballingary, one of the principal witnesses for the Crown in the prosecution of Mr. Keane, editor of the Kilkenny People , on 23rd February, swore that he had read in a copy of this paper, for the publication of which Mr. Keane was under prosecution, certain paragraphs which it was found by the court, and admitted by the prosecuting counsel for the Crown, were not in the paper at all; and whether, seeing that under these circumstances the court acquitted Mr. Keane, he intends to prosecute Constable O'Shea for perjury?

I have made enquiries as to the matter referred to in the question, and I am informed that Constable O'Shea was called as a witness by the Crown merely to prove the purchase of a copy of the newspaper alleged to have been published by the defendant. The newspaper was put in evidence, and was, of course, primary evidence of what was contained in it. The constable was then cross-examined by Mr. Keane as to the contents of the newspaper, the latter reading out passages and asking the constable if he had read same, to which the constable replied in the affirmative. Mr. Keane then read out a sentence closely resembling a passage in the newspaper, but different in effect, and by this trick the constable was induced to say that he had read the incorrect passage. Having investigated the circumstances, I have come to the conclusion that the constable honestly believed that his answer was correct at the time he gave it, and for this reason, as well as be- cause the answer was not material to the issue being tried, an indictment for perjury would not lie. I have no intention of instituting any prosecution.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state when the Board propose to deal with the school endowments within the administrative county of Lancaster as to which schemes have been submitted or with regard to which the decision of the Board has been asked, seeing that injustice is being done to ratepayers in many townships owing to the income from numerous endowments having been locked up since 1903?

The Board have been under the necessity of postponing proceedings with respect to a considerable number of endowments applicable or applied to Elementary Education, partly in view of the recent Bills with respect to Elementary Education, and partly in view of the pressure of more immediately urgent work in the Legal Department of their Office. The Board are now proceeding with these eases with as little delay as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will explain why the scheme applied for by the trustees of the Brow Edge Endowed School, Upper Holker, Lancashire, and which was approved by the Lancashire Education Committee some years ago, is not proceeded with; and whether the Board of Education is aware that the income of the endowment has been lying idle since the appointed day under the Education Act of 1902, entirely against the wishes of the trustees or of the ratepayers of Upper Holker?

This scheme was suspended, with others, in view of the recent Bills relating to Elementary Education. The matter is now being proceeded with, and the Draft Scheme was yesterday communicated by the Board to the Trustees and the Local Education Authority.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Essex Education Committee has sent out circulars to the parents of school children asking them to fill up particulars as to ailments that the child may have suffered from, and also asking if the child has been vaccinated, and, if so, how many marks there are; and if he will instruct the Essex Education Committee to modify their form so as to exclude all reference to vaccination?

I understand that circulars of this character have been issued. The Board have warned the Essex Local Authority, in accordance with their usual practice, in all cases in which they have any reason to suppose that enquiries as to vaccination are being made by the Authority in connection with medical inspection, that care must be taken to avoid prejudicing the work of medical inspection in the minds of parents who have a conscientious objection to vaccination. It is also the Board's practice to state clearly that such enquiries must not be made the basis of action under the Vaccination Acts. I am glad to say that a reply received from the Local Authority on the 18th February was quite satisfactory. They fully appreciate the necessity of considering the susceptibilities of parents, and they inform me that all information recorded is regarded as confidential and is not used for the purpose of enforcing vaccination.

asked what was the total profits made last year by the brewing firm of Bass and Company; and the total licence duty paid by that firm in the same period?

I am precluded by law and long-established practice from giving the information asked for by the hon. Member in either part of this question.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to Section 10 of the Act of 52 and 53 Vic., c. 42, allowing a discount at the rate of 2½ per cent. per annum on prepayments of Income Tax, instead of 5 per cent., as allowed by the Act of 5 and 6 Vic., c. 35; and whether he will say what, if any, dubiety exists in the interpretation of that provision?

Section 10 of the Act 52 and 53 Vic., c. 42, provides that "the allowance to be made under Section 141 of the Act of the Session held in the 5th and 6th years of Her Majesty's reign, Chap. 35, shall be at the rate of £2 10s. per cent. per annum in lieu of the rate of £4 per cent. per annum." There does not seem to be any room for doubt as to the interpretation of this provision.

asked on what basis the distribution of gratuities to pension officers will be made; and if the services of those who have had the most arduous duties to fulfil will be suitably recognised?

The gratuities granted to pension officers will be distributed on the basis of the amount of work which has fallen to the share of each officer, so that those who have had the most arduous duties to perform will receive suitable recognition.

asked what arrangements have been made recently with reference to the British Mail Service to Kilirdini, East Africa; and if the conveyance of passengers and freight has been taken into consideration?

I am in negotiation with the British India Steam Navigation Company for improvements in the British Mail Service between Aden, Kilindini (the harbour of Mombasa) and Zanzibar. A new time-table has been settled under which the service will be once in four weeks as at present, but the round course of post from London to Mombasa and Zanzibar and back will be reduced by a week. Provision is being made for the conveyance of Government passengers and of a certain amount of Government stores. It would be contrary to practice to include in a mail contract provision for the conveyance of ordinary passengers and freight.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can now state the result of his inquiries with reference to telegrahphic communication to North Ronaldshay?

As I have already informed my hon. Friend's solicitor in Kirkwall, a cable across Ronaldshay Firth to North Ronaldshay would be in a strong tideway and over a rocky bottom; and the expense of maintaining it would be prohibitive. A wireless installation might be practicable; and experiments are now being made to ascertain the cost.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has now given the question of the possible advantages of floating docks over graving docks his consideration; and if he can now state the approximate cost of a floating dock large enough to take vessels of the "Dreadnought" class?

The matter is still under consideration. No approximate cost of a floating dock to take a "Dread-nought" can yet be given.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to give regular employment to the greatest possible number of workmen, he will give instructions that wherever possible overtime in the Royal dockyards should be discontinued?

No continued overtime or any overtime which can be avoided by reasonable anticipation of the exigencies of the work is permitted. When it cannot be so avoided, the personal sanction of the First Lord has to be obtained in each instance.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what steps have been taken by the Surrey County Council to deal with the applications of the members of the Beddington Land Club for Small Holdings?

The Board understand from the Clerk of the County Council that no applications for land had been received up to the 18th ult., from members, of the Beddington Land Club. If my hon. Friend will supply me with further particulars inquiry will be made.

asked what is the present position of the applications of the members of the land club at Westerham, in Kent, for small holdings, in connection with which he made inquiries in November last?

Sir E. STRACHEY: We are informed that the County Council are awaiting information from the club as to its financial position, and that until this is received the Council are not in a position to approve the application.

asked the hon. Member to explain why no inquiry of any sort has been held at Godstone by the Surrey County Council in connection with the applications of the members of the Godstone and South Godstone Land Clubs for small holdings; and whether the applicants at Godstone and South Godstone were asked to interview the small holdings sub-committee of the Surrey County Council at Oxted, which is three or four miles from their homes, at hours at which they would not, in the ordinary course of events, have-ceased work for the day?

No application appears to have been received by the County Council from the land clubs at Godstone and South Godstone, but eight applications have been sent in from those parishes. These applicants were invited to attend a local inquiry held in the evening at Oxted between 6.30 and 9.30. The Board see no reason for taking exception to the arrangements made by the Council.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture can say how many applicants for small holdings in England and Wales have actually obtained land up to 31st December last?

Sir E. STRACHEY: This information is not yet available, but it is being obtained and will be published in the annual report which is now in course of preparation.

asked whether the Board, if they have not already done so, will call the attention of county councils, and particularly that of the Kent County Council, to the fact that the rent asked of small holders should be fixed with due regard to the rateable value of the land leased and to the rent previously paid for it?

The rent charged for small holdings must be based on the rent or price paid for the land by the County Council, and must be "such reasonable amount as will, in their opinion, guard them against loss." The considerations to which my hon. Friend refers are required by the Act to be taken into account by a valuer when fixing the rent to be paid by a council for land compulsorily hired.

asked why the Hertfordshire County Council have taken no steps to supply land to Thomas Willson and the other members of the Watford Land Club?

The County Council appear to have used every endeavour to obtain land, but they have not yet been successful owing to the high price of land near Watford. They are considering if land can be obtained by compulsory hiring.

asked what steps have been taken to provide land for the applicants for small holdings at Denmead, in Hampshire?

We are informed by the Clerk of the County Council that three applications were made for small holdings at Denmead, but the applicants did not attend the local inquiry to which they were invited, and only one of them forwarded the information asked for by the Council. This application is still under consideration, together with five others which have recently been received. The Council are taking steps to acquire and supply the land required.

asked whether the Board will obtain from the county councils of Kent and Surrey a list of the members of the sub-committees appointed to interview applicants for small holdings, stating the occupation or profession of each member, and giving, in cases where the members are landholders, the extent and situation of their holdings?

Perhaps I may suggest that my hon. Friend should himself apply to the county councils for the information he desires. They will no doubt be happy to supply him with it.

asked the Secretary of State for War at what price per thousand rounds Government .303 ammunition can now be purchased by units of the Territorial Force and rifle clubs?

Under the present regulations the Territorial Force can purchase Government .303 ammunition at a reduced rate of ¤4 per 1,000 up to 10 rounds for each member. Any further number of rounds required can be purchased at £4 9s. per 1,000 without limit as to quantity. Rifle clubs can also purchase at this latter rate. The question, however, of supply of ammunition to the Territorial Force and rifle clubs at a reduced rate is now under consideration.

asked whether the National Rifle Association has made arrangements for the supply to units of the Territorial Force and rifle clubs of .303 ammunition, loaded to Government specification, at £3 10s. per 1,000 rounds, with a refund of 10s. per 1,000 empty cases returned; and whether he will authorise the use of this ammunition in Government rifles, in order that the Territorial Force may obtain the same advantages as rifle clubs from the cheap supply?

As regards the first part of the question information to this effect has been given to the War Office by the National Rifle Association. As regards the last part of the question the use of ammunition other than the Government supply cannot be sanctioned in Government rifles.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the difference in price per pair of those contractors who were unsuccessful last year, but successful this, in their tenders for blucher boots for the Army; whether the right hon. Gentleman can give the names of the successful contractors for Army bluchers, the price accepted per pair, and the number of pairs ordered from each successful contractor this year; and how many pairs of boots have been ordered from Bristol, Finedon, Chesham, Raunds, Kettering, Ringstead, and Walgrave; and how many pairs have been obtained under 10s. 6d. per pair for hand-sewn?

Such particulars cannot be furnished, as it is the present established practice of the War Department to treat the prices and distribution of specific orders as strictly confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether it is with his authority that a public announcement has been made that three brigades of the Territorial Forces of the Southern Command will be trained during August in the New Forest; whether he is aware that the Court of Verderers of the New Forest has not received six months' notice of the proposed manœuvres, as required by The Military Manœuvres Act, 1897; and what arrangements he proposed to make for the protection of the rights of the commoners over the New Forest?

I am making enquiries and will communicate their result to my hon. Friend. The announcement was not made with my authority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if two representatives have been sent to visit the self-governing Colonies on behalf of the Government; what is the nature of their mission and instructions; and will they be authorised to confer with the Colonial Governments on the question of preferential trade within the Empire?

Sir Charles Lucas, the head of the Dominions Division of the Colonial Office, accompanied by Mr. Pearson, has gone, by the Secretary of State's instructions, on a visit to Australia and New Zealand, in accordance with the suggestion made at the Colonial Conference that opportunities should be created by periodical visits for members of the permanent staff of the Colonial Office to acquire personal knowledge of the circumstances and conditions of those colonies with whose business they have to deal. The main object of the visit is, therefore, to bring the Colonial Office more in touch with Australasian feeling. Sir Charles Lucas will, no doubt, discuss subjects which are of special interest to Australian statesmen. He is well aware of the views of His Majesty's Government as to the application of a system of Colonial Preference to the Mother Country.

asked whether a vagrant law for Trinidad is under consideration which will compel anyone unemployed, however temporarily, to make a choice between immediate imprisonment and acceptance at any price of any work, however unsuited to the person's training and habits, any employer may offer?

The Secretary of State is not aware that such a law is under consideration.

asked whether the acting Governor of Trinidad directed the December salaries to be paid on the 23rd of the month, so as to enable employees to have something for the Christmas festivities; that the General Manager of Railways paid the chief clerk and himself only on that day, delaying the paying of the porters, telegraphists, collectors, and the navvies till the 31st of that month; and, if so, will he see that the acting Governor's instructions are carried out in future?

No information has been received concerning the points raised by my hon. Friend. The question, however, will be referred to the officer administering the Government of Trinidad for his report.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he is aware that various improvements are being carried out in Belmont and Woodbrook, Port of Spain, and are being paid for by agreement, one-third by the landlord, one-third by the town, and one-third by the Government; that the landlord's share, in every case, is being paid by the tenant, the land- lord thus actually contributing nothing; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Government, in view of this, to give to the tenants compulsory rights of purchase, on the basis of the present rental?

Colonel SEELY: The Secretary of State is aware that certain improvements to the streets and drainage are being carried out in Belmont and Woodbrook, Port of Spain; the manner of payment is, however, not exactly in accordance with the facts stated in my hon. Friend's question. In Belmont the ratepayers, who are not necessarily the tenants, are responsible for the repayment of a quarter of the sum of £29,000 raised for the purpose of these improvements. This amount (£7,250) is repayable by an annual rate not exceeding £2 per centum on the rateable value of houses and lands. The remaining three-quarters (£22,250) is repayable one-quarter by the Port of Spain Town Board and the rest by the Government. In Woodbrook the improvements which, when completed, will cost £15,000, are being paid for one-quarter (£3,750) by the ground-owners, Messrs. Siegert and Sons, one-quarter by the Town Board of Port of Spain, and the remainder by the Government. In the case of Belmont the action taken is the result of the ratification by the Legislative Council of the recommendations of a special committee, which were embodied in Ordinance 20 of 1907 and Ordinance 19 of 1908. In the case of Woodbrook, the action taken is the result of the recommendations of the late Governor of Trinidad, adopted by the Legislative Council, and embodied in Ordinance 19 of 1908. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, there is no intention on the part of the Trinidad Government to give in either case to the tenants compulsory rights of purchase on the basis of the present rental.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to oppose the progress of the Great Western Railway (Steamboats) Bill until after the Accounts Committee has reported to the House?

I understand that the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers is the Departmental Committee on Railway Accounts appointed by the Board of Trade, but I do not see how the report of that Committee when received can bear so directly on the proposals of the Bill in question as to justify me in taking the action suggested.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he proposes to extend the scope of the promised committee of inquiry into the Customs to include an inquiry into the long-standing question of salaries in the Excise, seeing that there is now to be a partial amalgamation of the two services?

I cannot make any statement at present as to the exact scope of the inquiry. Its primary object is to effect the amalgamation of the two services with the least possible injury to either individuals or classes.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the strength of the garrisons in South Africa, Egypt, and India (European troops) respectively in 1895, 1898, 1905, and 1908; and what was the total strength and total cost of the Army, irrespective of India, at the same periods?

in reply, supplied the following statement:—

Strength of all ranks on 1st April (European troops only):—

Total strength and estimated cost of the Army (exclusive of India and Auxiliary Forces):—

Strength 1st April:—

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculure, whether he is aware that a vacancy caused at the Royal Gardens, Kew, by the promotion of the arboretum foreman is being filled by an outsider notwithstanding that there are several sub-foremen under notice of dismissal owing to the recently imposed time-limit; and whether, in view of the fact that some time ago it was stated by the hon. Member for Saffron Walden, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, that promotion to higher positions was within the reach of the men employed, he will cause this grievance of the sub-foremen mentioned to be immediately remedied?

The vacancy to which my hon. Friend refers has been filled by the re-engagement of a gardener who has had previous service at Kew and rose to the rank of sub-foreman. The work of the position in question is of a special character, and none of the sub-foremen at present in employment possessed sufficiently long experience of it to justify his selection.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he will institute inquiries regarding the cases of epizootic abortion which are reported to have occurred at a stud at or near Newmarket and whether, if the report be verified, he will give instructions to have the stud isolated so as to prevent the spread of this most infectious disease to other mares?

Epizootic abortion is not a scheduled disease under the Diseases of Animals Acts, but if the hon. and gallant Member will supply us with more definite information as to the date of the outbreak and the premises on which it occurred we will make inquiry into the matter and see if we can with advantage take any action.

asked what was the average number during the last five years of illegitimate children in workhouses in England and Wales being maintained at the expense of the rates, and what was the average expenditure for the same period by Poor Law Guardians upon the maintenance of illegitimate children and their mothers and incidental to the birth of illegitimate children?

The average number on the 1st of January in the five years, 1904–1908 of illegitimate children relieved with their mothers at the expense of the rates in England and Wales was 6,360, of whom the large majority received relief in workhouses. I am unable to give the amount of the expenditure of Boards of Guardians on the purposes referred to in the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he was aware that an old lady, a Mrs. Russell, aged 94, was receiving 2s. 6d. per week outdoor, and from the Worcester guardians, and owing to her removal to Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, to her daughter's house, and after notifying the Worcester guardians, has been deprived of her outdoor relief for 10 weeks before it was again given to her; and whether he intends taking any action in the matter towards restoring this loss sustained?

My attention has not been drawn to the case referred to. I can only point out that if Mrs. Russell, after removing to Sparkbrook, required relief, she should at once have applied for it to the guardians of the union in which this place is situate. There would be no legal authority to make any payment to her in respect of a period during which no relief had been awarded her.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can give the number, or estimated number, of persons under the age of 20 who died in a public institution and are comprised in the Registrar-General's Report for 1907?

I have communicated with the Registrar-General, who informs me that the particulars as to these cases have not been tabulated, and that he is not in a position to give an estimate of the number.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when he hopes to introduce the promised Bill dealing with the milk supply?

I hope to introduce it early in the Session, but I cannot at present fix a date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, having regard to the fact that the Natu brothers, of Poona, were arrested in July, 1897, on suspicion of being concerned in a murder case, and kept in prison for a period of two years without being brought to trial, will he consider the expediency of introducing legislation such as will extend to his Majesty's subjects in India the right to be brought to trial within a reasonable period after arrest?

The Natu brothers were dealt with under a Bombay Regulation corresponding to the Bengal Regulation III. of 1818. It is not intended to interfere with the powers conferred by these Regulations or to vary their provisions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the large

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state when the first battleship of the "Dreadnought" type was laid down in Germany, America, and Japan?

The following are the official dates of laying down:—

Germany—August, 1907.

United States of America—December, 1906.

Japan—January, 1909.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it was decided to build battleships of the "Dreadnought" type; and on what date the "Dreadnought" wad laid down?

It was decided to build battleships of the "Dreadnought" type on 18th May, 1905. The "Dreadnought" was laid down on the 2nd October, 1905.

repairs or refits for which money was voted in 1908–9, viz., "Berwick," "Blake," "Diadem," "Doris," "Formidable," "Forte," "Hogue," "Implacable," "London," "Medea," "Niobe," "Pelorus," "Prince George," "St. George," "Terrible," "Venerable," and "Vulcan," whether he can state in each case when the work was commenced, when it was completed, or the anticipated date of completion?

presented the following statement:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is in accordance with the practice of the Admiralty to terminate the active service of an admiral in a high command before the expiry of the normal period for which he has been appointed subject to His Majesty's pleasure?

The reply to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can offer any explanation of the recent official decision of the Board of Admiralty, as publicly announced in connection with the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Squadron?

I do not understand on what point the hon. Member desires an explanation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say on what date the Naval Estimates will be in the hands of hon. Members?

asked a similar question.

I hope that the Navy Estimates will be in the hands of honourable Members by Saturday morning, the 13th March.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the German armoured cruiser "Blucher" of the 1906 programme is armed with a heavier armament than the 8.2-inch guns mentioned in the Return of Fleets (Great Britain and Foreign Countries)?

There is no official information that the "Blucher" is armed with other than 8.2-inch guns.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can give any information as to the settlement of the land difficulty in Vatersay?

After considerable further negotiation, which showed that a satisfactory settlement could not be reached otherwise, the Government made an offer to purchase the farm of Vatersay, which has been accepted by the proprietor. The price was £6,260; with details which must be added the sum is £6,371 9s. 5d. This is exclusive of compensation to the tenant for acclimatised value of sheep stock and renunciation of lease, which matters have been referred to arbitration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that all the elected bodies in Ireland are now calling upon the Government to legislate upon the Report of the Royal Commission of 1889, and which unanimously reported that the question of the education and training of the deaf-and-dumb and blind should be immediately legislated upon; and whether he can explain the reason for delay in legislation after the sympathetic reception he gave the blind on the subject?

I have received resolutions on the subject from several local bodies in Ireland. As regards the remainder of the question, I can only refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for South Belfast on 26th October last.

asked if the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland could give any approximate estimate of the respective costs of heating and cleansing national schools in Ireland?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have no means of making an estimate of the respective costs of heating and cleaning national schools in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that at the late quarter sessions held in Limerick the County Court Judge, Mr. Law Smith, in dealing with the appeals in connection with the applications for cottages and plots under the Labourers Acts from the labourers of Tipperary No. 2 District Council, which is situated in the county of Limerick, decided against all, or nearly all, the applications; and will he say how many applications were rejected, and on what grounds the rejections took place?

The Local Government Board have not yet received copies of the orders made by the Count Court Judge in this case, but from a statement furnished by the Clerk of the Rural District Council they gather that the judge dealt with petitions relating to 24 cottages, of which 18 were disallowed by him. The Board are not informed of the grounds upon which County Court Judges base their decisions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners received an application for reinstatement from James Enright, of Enniscouch, Rathkeale, in the county of Limerick, evicted tenant; and, if so, what action do they propose to take in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received this application, and will consider it in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the capital expenditure found necessary to provide accommodation for the insane in Belfast and for their maintenance, he will consider the desirability of giving effect to the recommendation No. 29 of the Royal Commission, 1908, on the care and control of the feeble minded?

The recommendations of this Royal Commission concern the United Kingdom generally, and will have to be dealt with as a whole in connection with the report of the Royal Commission on the Poor Laws. No pronouncement can be made with respect to individual recommendations involving unknown financial commitments.

asked the Solicitor-General for Ireland upon what authority he bases the statement that not one of the 576 agrarian crimes reported in 1908 would have been punishable under the Criminal Law and Procedure Act, 1887, if that Act had been in force; whether the large number of crimes for which offenders were made amenable under the various provisions of the Act in former years were duly included in the records of crime, agrarian or non-agrarian; and whether he will ascertain from the constabulary authorities what are the agrarian crimes reported in 1908 which are not punishable under the Act of 1887 were it in force?

When speaking on Tuesday, February 23rd instant, with reference to the list of specially reported agrarian outrages in Ireland for the year 1908, I had in my mind the graver crimes of murder, firing at the person, firing into dwellings, incendiary fires, malicious injury to property, and maiming cattle, which had been the subject of so much discussion in the debate in connection with that list. I did not advert at the time, nor was my attention called to other cases, e. g ., intimidation and riots, which no doubt would, where evidence was forthcoming, be cognisable under Section 2 of the Criminal Law and Procedure Act, 1887. The cases of offenders made amenable under the Criminal Law and Procedure Act in former years were not included in the records of crime, whether agrarian or otherwise. These records did not deal with any cases summarily disposed of. Special returns of prosecutions under the Act were from time to time presented to Parliament, and the figures can be obtained in the Irish Criminal Statistics. The question of what agrarian crimes as reported in 1908 would be punishable under the Act of 1887 is one depending upon the interpretation of the Act itself. No case would be so punishable save offences falling under Section 2 of the Act. The Constabulary authorities could throw no further light on the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that sales to the extent of £25,190,839 have taken place in the Landed Estates Court from October, 1849, to August, 1859, without waiting for the title of the estate to be proved, he will, in the interests of tenants of uneconomic holdings and the public generally, see that the sale of estates at present in the Landed Estates Court is expedited in a similar manner?

The procedure for the sale of estate in the Land Judge's Court is not a matter over which I have any control, but I am informed that there is no statutory power to expedite sales in the manner suggested in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can ascertain how many junior assistant mistresses in national schools have been paid £4 each in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Estimate of 27th July, 1908; in view of the fact that the name, junior assistant mistress, only came into existence on the 1st July, 1906, are junior mistresses who have given efficient service prior to that date as manual instructresses, work-mistresses, or assistants, eligible for this grant for the year ending 31st March, 1908; if so, how many such have been paid £4 each; if not; what is the amount of the unexpended balance of the £4,064 allotted for payment of the junior assistant mistresses for the year ended March, 1908; and what has been done or what is to be done with this balance?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that 546 junior assistant mistresses were paid £4 each in accordance with the terms of the Supplementary Estimate of 27th July, 1908. In all of these cases the necessary qualifying efficient service was composed partly of service rendered as manual instructresses or as assistants. Work-mistresses are not entitled to any share of the grant and consequently service as work-mistresses in the case of 20 junior assistants was not recognised. There are certain exceptional cases of junior assistant mistresses still unpaid, and correspondence is proceeding in regard to them. Unexpended balances from Parliamentary Votes are returned to the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what were the first instalments in the German Navy Estimates for each of the battleships and armoured cruisers of the programmes of 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909; and what were the second and third instalments in each of the above years, for which the information is available.

The information required is given in the enclosed table ex-

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Mrs. Duval, recently sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment in connection with the recent disturbance at Downing Street, though a member of the Women's League, was in no way connected with the demonstration, was merely an ordinary spectator, was not near Downing-street, and was not making any obstruction, and that this can be borne out by three independent witnesses; and, if so, in view of her bad state of health, he can see his way to bring about her immediate discharge?

I have made inquiry, and I am informed that the evidence clearly proved the charge of obstruction. Mrs. Duval's health was not very satisfactory when received in prison. She has been admitted to hospital, and is receiving careful treatment.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the fees payable to doctors and veterinary surgeons, respectively, for attending accidents in the streets and for giving evidence thereon in police courts?

The following are the fees payable:—

1. To medical men: For attending casualties, 3s. 6d., if between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; 7s. 6d. if between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. For giving evidence, 10s. 6d. for

tracted from the published German Navy Estimates.

each case, if within two miles from residence, and for each additional mile 2s. 6d., with a maximum total fee of 21s.

2. To veterinary surgeons: For attending injured horses, 10s. 6d.; for slaughtering, if necessary, 5s., or, if a Greener's humane killer is used, 10s. 6d. I understand that veterinary surgeons never have occasion to give evidence in accident cases.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to appoint a Committee to consider the question of the duration of speeches delivered in this House; and whether a time limit should, subject to qualifications and conditions, be in any case imposed?

I will communicate with the Home Secretary and ascertain whether the Government can see if arrangements can be made to appoint a Select Committee to consider the question of the duration of speeches.

asked in what division the women committed to prison in connection with the suffrage demonstration of the 18th ultimo have been placed; and are they treated as political or ordinary prisoners?

These persons are being treated in the second division, as prescribed by Statute in the case of per- sons committed in default of finding sureties. The Act makes no distinction between the different persons who may be placed in the second division.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that doubts have been cast on the police evidence upon which some ladies were convicted for obstructing the police outside the House of Commons on the evening of the 18th February; that it was admitted by witnesses on both sides that Mrs. Despard, Miss FitzHerbert, and Miss Sidley used no violence or force whatever; and, if they were guilty only of a technical offence in carrying on a political agitation, can he see his way to reduce their sentence or modify their disciplinary treatment?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Donegal, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received representations that Mrs. Duval and Miss Seruya, who were convicted at the Westminster Police Court for obstructing the police on the night of 18th February, were the victims of mistaken and wrongful arrest, and that these ladies, supported by three respectable eyewitnesses, emphatically deny that they obstructed the police or pushed any constable; and will he satisfy himself by adequate inquiry that legal injustice is not being committed by keeping these ladies in gaol.

I have made inquiry of the Magistrate, and am informed that the evidence given in the case of these ladies clearly proved the charge brought against them of obstructing the police in the execution of their duty.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a fatal accident to a man employed upon the Derwent Valley waterworks on the 24th February; and whether the officers of his Department have made any report upon the subject; and, if so, what is the nature of the same?

This accident has not been reported to my Department, but I have ascertained that it was reported under the Notice of Accidents Act, 1894, to the Board of Trade, and that it was due to the fall of a crane, which occurred while large water pipes were being unloaded by means of it.