asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state how many deaths occurred in England and Wales during the year 1907–8 from infectious diseases other than those that are compulsorily notifiable?

I am informed by the Registrar-General that the only infectious diseases which are not ordinarily required to be notified for which he can state the number of deaths in England and Wales for any portion of 1908 are measles, whooping cough, and diarrhœa. The figures for each quarter of 1907 and 1908, as published in the Registrar-General's quarterly returns, are as follows:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any recommendation has been made by the Committee which was appointed to deal with canteen and victualling arrangements in the Navy with reference to the desirability of increasing the commuted money allowance in lieu of ordinary rum rations to abstainers; and whether he can see his way, with a view to promoting efficiency in the Navy, to increase the present allowance to men placed on the temperance list?

A suggestion to increase the allowance to ld. a day was made by the Committee. The Board subsequently made an exhaustive inquiry into the matter, and the opinion of a great portion of the officers and men of the Fleet was taken. On the whole, the evidence was not in favour of the proposal, which would have cost upwards of £30,000, and after full consideration the Board have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of estates of French subjects domiciled in the United Kingdom that became liable to Estate Duty in each of the past five years; and whether the number of estates of persons of other nationalities paying death duties here have shown a tendency to diminish during the same period.

There are no statistics on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state in how many cases under the Old Age Pensions Act inquiries have been made by pension officers of employers or other persons as to whether the applicant for an old age pension has habitually failed to work according to his ability, opportunity, and need for the maintenance or benefit of himself and of those legally dependent upon him?

I am unable to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will explain the increase of the deficiency in the income account of the Post Office Savings Bank from £86,247 at the end of 1907 to £161,443 (estimated) at the end of 1908; will he state whether the deficiency in the income account of the Trustee Savings Banks, estimated at £5,554 12s. 9d., includes the sum mentioned in the 17th annual Report of the Committee of Inspection of Trustee Savings Banks as lost by defalcations; and, if not, how has the amount of those defalcations been dealt with?

An estimate of the amount required to make good the deficiency on the income account of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund for the year ended 31st December, 1908, will be presented to the House in a few days time, and the explanation which I cannot now anticipate of the increase of the deficiency over that for the previous year will appear upon the estimate. The deficiency of income arising on account of the Trustee Savings Banks does not include any sums to make good the defalcations referred GO by the hon. Member. These defalcations are a capital liability, and so far as they cannot be met from the security given by the defaulting officers, are charged respectively on the surplus profits of the two banks concerned.

asked whether the clerks of the pensions sub-committees in the Balrothery district of the county of Dublin have yet been paid the fees due to them up to the 31st December last; if not, what is the reason of the delay in paying those officers; and when will they be paid?

Orders for payment of the amounts due to the clerks of six out of the seven sub-committees of Dublin county (including Balrothery) were forwarded to the clerk of the local pension committee for distribution on the 6th instant. The seventh account is awaiting the completion of the vouchers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the effect of his recent decision to replace 45 members of the Post Office engineering department by Royal Engineers is calculated to react injuriously on civilian employment within the Post Office service, seeing that by this decision 45 places are closed for promotion to civilians, and the chances of Irish boys obtaining employment in their own country are reduced by this number; is he aware that a number of the men affected by this order in Ireland are married, and that accordingly it means the immediate emigration of at least three times that number; and, seeing the disadvantages and harshness which this decision will cause if carried into effect, will he undertake to reconsider the whole question and see whether other means can be found for training Royal Engineers without affecting civil employment in Ireland?

The question of the transfer to Ireland of the Royal Engineers performing Post Office work was very fully considered by the War Office and the Post Office before a decision was come to. As I stated in my reply of the 23rd ultimo in this House, it is not anticipated that as many as 45 officers will have to remove. Other places will be found for a considerable number of them in Ireland, and although the number of civilians employed in the Post Office service in Ireland will be slightly reduced, there will be no reduction so far as the service generally is concerned, and I have no doubt that, as in the past, many Irishmen will be willing to take employment in other parts of the kingdom.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the towns, villages, and rural districts in Scotland in which there is a house-to-house delivery of letters on the Sabbath?

The particulars for which my hon. Friend asks could not be compiled without considerable labour and some expense. I may say, however, that there are comparatively few Sunday posts in rural districts in Scotland, and they are laid out with a view of minimising Sunday labour. My desire is to discourage Sunday labour in the Post Office, and if any district which at present has a Sunday delivery desires it to be discontinued, and the local authorities are prepared to move in the matter, I shall be glad to give instructions accordingly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that ld. postcards are sold at their face value, but that ½d. postcards are charged ¾d. each; whether he is aware that England is the only country in the world where postcards are not sold at their value; and what is the profit made on the stationery by selling postcards at ¾d. each.

It is the case that the charge for foreign postcards, whether sold singly or in packets, is that of the postage only. When inland postcards are sold singly the charge is ¾d. each; when they are sold in packets the charge is 6d. for 11 cards. The general practice in foreign countries is to sell postcards at their face value, but England is not the only country where the charge is higher. No record is kept of the number of inland postcards sold singly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Government of the United States of America has arranged for two-cent, or penny, postage between that country and Newfoundland from 1st March, 1909; and whether he is able to state what other British Colonies enjoy the same privilege of two-cent, or penny, postage with the United States?

I understand that the Postmaster-General of the United States has agreed exceptionally to establish a two-cent postage between Newfoundland and the United States on the ground that the circumstances are virtually identical with those of Canada, which has for some time had two-cent postage with the United States. I am not aware of any other cases, except that for some time past the charge for postage from the Dominion of New Zealand to the United States has been a penny. The charge from the United States to New Zealand is, however, 2½d.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the postal authorities under his direction charge 2s. each for books of stamps of the value of ls. Ll½d.; what is the number, approximately, of books of stamps sold annually; whether he is aware that similar books of stamps are sold in Switzerland for books of this kind, but in charge is made for the wrapper; whether he will abolish this charge, in view of the fact that the Department makes a profit of £5,000,000 sterling annually?

The charge for books of stamps is as stated. I understand that no charge beyond the face value is made in Switzerland for books of this kind, but in some other countries the charge is similar to that in the United Kingdom. The sale in this country amounts at present to about a million copies yearly. I see no reason for abolishing the small additional charge, and so converting a small profit into a loss to revenue. I regret to say that the profit made by the Department is considerably less than £5,000,000 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General if the negotiations between the Post Office and the National Telephone Company which will enable the construction work to be continued without interruption have yet been agreed to; and, if not, whether he will inform the House of what steps he proposes to take to prevent further unemployment consequent on the dismissals by the company?

The negotiations between the National Telephone Company and the Post Office with regard to arrangements for the continuance of construction works are proceeding. I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the rifles of any Continental Army are fitted with wind gauges?

I am not aware that the rifles of any Continental Army are fitted with the wind gauge. The 1903 model rifle which is now issued to the United States Army is fitted with a wind gauge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that many London employers have signified their willingness to give extra holidays on full pay, in addition to their Army pay, to Territorials attending camp, he will endeavour to secure equally favourable treatment for Civil Servants by arranging that they shall receive both Civil and Army pay if they do their annual training outside their ordinary holiday.

Civil Servants in the Territorial Force who attend camp for at least a fortnight will be allowed one week's leave on full Civil pay in addition to military pay. The second week will either be counted as ordinary leave on full pay or as special leave without Civil pay.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the complements of lieutenant-colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, and second-lieutenants respectively required for the Territorial Force in the horse artillery, field artillery, garrison artillery, and engineers respectively; and how many officers of each of these respective classes have been gazetted to date in the respective corps.

The same hon. Member further asked what are the complements of privates required for the Territorial Force in the horse artillery, field artillery, garrison artillery, and engineers respectively; and how many men have been enrolled to date in the respective corps?

What are the complements of drivers and gunners, respectively, required for the Territorial Force in the horse artillery and field artillery, and how many of the respective classes have been enrolled to date?

The figures on 25th February were as follow:—

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the new class of assistant clerks in the Statistical Office of the Customs were promised a prospect of promotion not inferior to that enjoyed by their classes in other departments; whether he can state how many assistant clerks of the new class are at present employed in the Savings Bank Department, General Post Office, Estate Duty Office, Somerset House, and Statistical Office of the Customs; and how many have been promoted in each case?

The Board of Customs are not aware of any promise of the nature suggested in the question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Brixton on the 1st May, 1907, in which, it was stated that the promotions in different Departments depend upon the circumstances of the respective Departments. The figures asked for are as follows:—

asked if the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland have made any proposals as to the putting of the teachers' pension fund on a sound and suitable basis; and if they can state the annual amount that would be required for the purpose?

In March, 1908, the Commissioners of National Education put forward proposals with a view to amending the existing system under which pensions for National School teachers in Ireland are provided, but the Treasury, after careful consideration, was unable to accede to them. No estimate of the cost involved was submitted to the Treasury. In this connection I may refer to the answers given to the hon. Member for South Kilkenny and the hon. and learned Member for North Louth on 27th February, 1908, and 21st December last respectively.

also asked if the Secretary to the Treasury can ascertain from the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland the names, ages, length of service, and amounts of pensions of the teachers who retired from ill health, retired voluntarily, and were compulsorily retired in the year 1907; and whether he can ascertain similar information for the year 1908?

It will be a matter of considerable difficulty to supply the information in the form suggested by the hon. Member. I shall, however, be happy to supply him with a statement giving particulars of the pensions granted in the two years in question, with the name, age, and length of pensionable service in each case.

asked the Lord-Advocate, in view of the fact that the poor rate for the parishes of Barvas, Uig, and Lochs, Island of Lewis, for the year 1906–7, was 13s. 8d., 7s., and 12s. 3d. in the pound respectively, whereas the average poor rate for the whole of Scotland was only 11½d. per pound, if he will state how the Secretary for Scotland proposes to relieve the people of the island of the excessive burden of taxation which is crippling their resources?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the existence of high rates in the Lews is no new phenomenon; and It it not possible for one within the limits of a Parliamentary reply to indicate proposals for alleviating their burden.

asked the Lord-Advocate, in view of the fact that under a recent decision in the Stornoway Sheriff Court the proprietor of the island of Lewis has been relieved of the payment of 45 per cent, and 39 per cent, respectively of rates for which he has hitherto been held to be liable, will he state how the shortage thus created in the rates for the parishes of Lochs, Barvas, and Uig is to be made up, especially bearing in mind that the crofters and other ratepayers in these parishes already find difficulty in paying the rates at present levied on them?

The decision referred to is at present under appeal, and until the questions at issue are finally settled I am not in a position to reach any conclusion regarding the financial position in these parishes.

asked the Lord-Advocate, in view of the fact that the local authority in the Island of Lewis is unable to have the townships placed on a proper sanitary basis, owing to the public health rate being already at its maximum, will he consider the expediency of arranging for Government grants for necessitous sanitary districts, as recommended by the medical officer of health for Ross and Cromarty in his last report?

The recommendation of the medical officer is only one of many for the improvement of the Lews which are under the consideration of my noble Friend and the Congested Districts Boards for Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in all Government contracts in Norway a preference of from 10 to 15 per cent, is given to home manufactures in addition to the duty; and whether he will state how this system was operated in respect to the recent contracts given to the Norwegians, and so causing unemployment in Great Britain and Ireland?

I am aware of the existence of the preference accorded by the Norwegian Government to tenders from Norwegian subjects, to which the hon. Member alludes, but I have no information whether it has contributed to contracts being lost to persons in this country. The nature of the preference is always indicated in notices in the "Board of Trade Journal" with regard to Norwegian Government contracts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the annual output of gold and silver in Rhodesia for the last 10 years, and the output of coal and lead for the last five years.

, in reply, submitted the following figures:—

asked the Lord Advocate whether, under the recent decision of the Stornoway Sheriff Court, crofters who are owners by purchase under the Congested Districts Board Act or other owners will secure a reduction of 45 or 39 per cent, on the rates levied on them?

The decision in question being under appeal, it seems undesirable to discuss its probable effect upon crofters or other owners.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, how many acres of glebe land have been rented by local authorities for purposes of small holdings and allotments under The Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907.

We are in communication with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners with a view to obtain the information which my hon. Friend desires.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether extensive reforms have been carried out in the police service of India since the issue of the Report of the Commission appointed in 1902; and whether he can state the nature of those reforms, in view of the references which have been made to that Report as bearing on the recent action of the police in arresting certain persons in India?

The Report of the Commission, with the Government of India's orders on it, was presented to Parliament in 1905 (Cd. 2478), and in the

Resolution of Lord Curzon's Government a full statement will be found of the reforms adopted. These comprise better pay for all grades, restriction of investigating work to well-paid officers, and provision for systematic training of the police. The supervision of police work in all its stages has also been made much more effective by an increase of supervising and inspecting officers; and an efficient department of criminal investigation, to deal with organised crime, has been constituted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the annual increase in the supply of native labour in the Transvaal and the decrease of Chinese labour since the termination of the war in South Africa; the annual output of gold in the Transvaal during the last 10 years; the average profits earned annually during the last five years by producing companies; and the numbers of tons crushed annually during the same period?

Full figures of native and Chinese labour employed in gold mining up to March, 1907, are given at page 182 of Cd. 3528. In December, 1907, there were 129,618 natives and 37,118 Chinese employed; in December, 1908, there were 164,826 natives and 12,275 Chinese. The annual gold production of the Transvaal to the end of June, 1906, will be found at page 153 of the same Blue Book. In the statistical year 1906–7 it was £26,640,490. In 1907–8, £28,508,368.

The following are the profits of gold mining companies as assessed for the profits' tax:—

The tonnage milled was as follows:—

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the fact that the amount of Consols held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank on 31st December, 1908, was £60,000,000, standing at the average cost price per cent, of £102 19s. 2d., the market value of Consols being on that day £83 15s. per cent., the difference representing a deficiency on the holding of Consols only of £11,571,000; whether there is in the assets of the trustee savings banks an old deficiency in course of liquidation by means of an annuity set up for the purpose; whether, in addition to this old deficiency, a valuation of the assets would show a new deficiency for which no provision has as yet been made; whether, for the years 1903 to 1908, inclusive, there have been deficiencies in the income account of the Post Office Savings Bank amounting to £680,701; whether there have been in the same period deficiencies in the income account of the trustee savings banks; whether it is his intention to propose measures for dealing with the deficiencies in capital and income accounts of these institutions; and whether, having regard to the circumstances, he will appoint a committee to consider the whole question of the position and management of the Post Office Savings Bank and the trustee savings banks.

My right, hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The amount of Consols held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund, on 31st December, 1908, was, as stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member on the 25th ult., £60,241,071. The other figures given in the first four lines of the question are correct, but the inference made in the fifth and sixth lines is misleading, inasmuch as the present market price of Consols is no index to the price at which the Consols held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund would be sold, if and when necessity arose for realising them. Any deficiency which might arise as the result of the sale of these investments at a price below that paid for them has the same security as the investments themselves, viz., the liability of the Consolidated Fund.

The answer to the second question is in the affirmative, but the valuation necessary to enable an answer to be given to the third question has under statutory authority been discontinued as misleading.

As regards the fourth question, the aggregate deficiencies in the income account of the Post Office Savings Bank Fund for the years 1903 to 1908 inclusive (taking for the last year the estimated amount given in answer to the hon. Member's question on the 25th ultimo) amount to £675,147. The answer to the fifth question is in the affirmative, and that to the sixth and seventh questions in the negative.

asked the Lord Advocate what number of crofters can be provided with crofts of suitable size on the farm of Vatersay recently purchased by the Government; for how many of these crofts can an adequate supply of water be obtained on the island; and what is the estimated cost?

Full particulars of the scheme of settlement will be made public as soon as practicable; but it is not possible to give accurate figures at present; and I consider it undesirable to give estimates. At the same time I may assure the hon. Gentleman that an adequate water supply will be provided for the use of settlers, and that it will be obtained on the island.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the island of Vatersay will be placed under the administration of the Congested Districts Board; what steps are being taken to provide an adequate water supply; and what arrangements have been made for the education of the children there?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is contained in reply to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire. As to Education, the responsibility of due provision of facilities rests with the School Board of Barra, with which arrangements are being made by the Scotch Education Department and the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether the Administrator-General of Bengal is a salaried officer, or whether he derives his income from commission on the transactions of his office?

The Administrator-General of Bengal is an officer on a fixed salary, who is paid entirely by Government, and does not receive any commission from fees.

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has information to the effect that Chinese troops have entered the Haking Valley, in Northern Burmah, and that these troops are now levying taxes on the natives.

The Secretary of State has no knowledge of any such proceedings as are described in the question. Reports have been received of the crossing of the Burmah-Chinese frontier in its northern section, by a Chinese party in the autumn of 1907. But the party withdrew, and no further Chinese encroachments have since been reported.

asked what has been the charge cast on the Indian Exchequer by the operations in Somaliland during the current financial year?

No part of the cost of the operations referred to is borne by Indian revenues.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can take any steps to secure the granting of promotion and increments to those teachers whose training, position in school, ability, general attainments, and length and character of service and seniority, would entitle them thereto, and at whose school the average attendance, but for the operation of Rule 127 (b), would, in the opinion of the Commissioners, satisfy the requirements of Rule 104.

There is no power, under the existing rules, to grant promotion or award increments to teachers in any case where the required average as laid down in Rule 104 has not been attained.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to provide State provision for the blind, as is done in Germany and other countries?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by him on the 4th instant.

asked the chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the case of Cornelius Kelly, a tenant on the estate of Sir George Coult-hurst, Ballyvourney, has been fully investigated and inquired into by Mr. Carroll, an inspector of the Estates Commissioners, with a view to purchase; did Mr. Carroll make his inspection and valuation of the holding with the consent of the owner or his agents; was a fair purchase price assessed by him; will he state the amount of this; and whether or not the Estates Commissioners propose to have Kelly included in the sale of the estate?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered the case of Cornelius Kelly, and his holding will not be included in the sale. Inspectors' reports are confidential docu- ments prepared for the information of the Commissioners, and it would be contrary to practice to divulge their contents.

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

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for North Westmeath on the 2nd instant, which gives the latest available figures.

asked the amount of poor rate collected and expended annually from the 31st March, 1900, till the 31st March. 1908. in each of the electoral divisions of Annahilt, Ballykeel, Ballyniacbrennan, Ballyworphy, Blarisbreda, Drumbeg, Drumbo, Glassdrummond, Hillsborough, Killaney, Maze, Oughley, and Saintfield; the amount of poor rate collected annually in each division; the amount of poor rate expended on new works annually in each division; and the amount of poor rate expended on upkeep of roads annually in each division?

Since 1898 the poor rate is not assessed on each electoral division, and it would be impossible to say accurately to what extent each division benefited by the expenditure of the whole district since the passing of the Local Government Act. There are no separate accounts kept for electoral divisions except in respect of special expenses, such as those in connection with the Public Health Acts and malicious injuries.

asked when the Roderic O'Connor estate, county Galway, is likely to be vested in the Congested Districts Board; and whether he is aware that for the past two years the tenants on this estate have been paying high rents to the Board, which rents cannot be reduced till the estate is vested?

There has been some unavoidable delay in connection with the proof of title in this matter, but it is hoped that the proceedings for the sale of the estate will shortly be completed.

asked whether the Inspector General of the Royal Irish Constabulary has issued a circular to the force inviting the rank and file to subscribe towards a memorial to the late Constable Goldrick; whether such an invitation is regarded by the constables as an order; and, seeing that the death of this policeman is being used in England and Ireland for political purposes, whether it is proposed to compel the police as individuals to identify themselves with a party movement?

The Inspector-General, having ascertained that many of the Royal Irish Constabulary desire to join in a memorial to Constable Goldrick, has issued circulars to officers of the force instructing them to give the men who wish to subscribe an opportunity of doing so. The fact that subscriptions are purely voluntary is well understood in the force.

asked whether, without proclaiming a number of counties under the Act of William IV., the Irish Executive could have drafted under the 11th and 12th Victoria, c. 72, from one county in Ireland to another police sufficient to maintain law and order; and if, so, why this procedure was not followed?

It is the case that power exists to draft police from one county to another for temporary purposes, and this power is used in proper cases. It is, however, not the fact that a sufficient number of police could have been spared from peaceable counties to maintain law and order in the disturbed counties in question, and it was therefore absolutely necessary to issue proclamations under I he Act of William IV. I would remind the hon. Member that in the case of drafts temporarily detached from other counties precisely the same charge is made upon local authorities as in the case of police appointed under proclamation.

asked if the deduction of £1,453 5s. 5d. incidental expenses includes the charge for extra police in the county Longford; what is the meaning of insufficiency of income; and how is the loss on the Land Acts of 1891 and 1896 accounted for; and what will be the amount deducted for extra police in the years 1907 and 1908?

The deduction of £1,453 is the net deduction in respect of land purchase liability in the county of Longford. This sum does not include the charge for extra police. As regards the meaning of insufficiency of income and the nature of the losses under the Land Acts of 1891 and 1896, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Waterford on the 24th February. The amount deducted or to be deducted for extra police in County Longford is £94 10s. 4d. in respect of 1907 and £703 13s. 9d. in respect of 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the National Board of Education have, on the report and recommendation of one of its inspectors, contemplated the amalgamating of Gurteen female national school, county Sligo, with Cloonty male school, county Leitrim, without having consulted the manager of these schools, Rev. P. M'Laughlin, P.P., Glenade, or the parents of the children concerned as to the effect of such action; whether the Gurteen female school for four or five years previous to its being closed or struck off the roll had an annual average daily attendance of 24 or 25 children, well taught, and reports satisfactory; whether, having regard to these facts and the fact that the children who attended Gurteen school are now obliged to travel five or six miles to other schools exposed to the stormy weather, which is very frequent and severe on those bleak mountain sides, he would order an inquiry into the circumstances of this case with a view of having Gurteen school reopened; whether, in the event of the amalgamation of the aforesaid schools securing an average daily attendance of 50, a female assistant teacher would be appointed; and, if not, what suitable arrangements would be made for the proper education of young females attending that school?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the question of continuing grants to Gurteen National school, which was attended solely by girls, arose last year on the retirement of the teacher on the ground of age. The Commissioners obtained the observations of the manager, and were advised by him of the views of the parents concerned. No valid reasons were advanced for retaining the school, seeing that Cloonty school, which was attended solely by boys, is conveniently situated and affords sufficient accommodation for children of both sexes. Gurteen school was accordingly struck off the rolls on 31st March last. The average attendance there for the previous five years was 22. The education given was fair. The former pupils have not now to travel five or six miles to attend other schools. Cloonty school is only about a mile from Gurteen. If the attendance at Cloonty national school rose to 50 the Commissioners would be prepared to recognise a duly qualified assistant teacher therein. As soon as Cloonty school is conducted as a mixed school a junior as sistant mistress could be recognised even, if the average attendance were under 50.

asked what is the cause of delay in the reinstatement of Mathew Conroy and his family, an evicted tenant, on the Dunne estate, Brittas, Clonaslee, Queen's County, seeing that the evicted farm is on the landlord's hands, and that the Estates Commissioners have already promised to put the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act into operation in this case?

The Estates Commissioners have instituted proceedings under the Evicted Tenants Act in reference to this farm, but have not yet acquired it.

asked if the Estates Commissioners intend to allow the outstanding tenants on the Kenmare estate to be prejudiced, because they would not agree to the landlord's terms, until such time as the Commissioners deal with the estate in the ordinary way; whether the circumstances of these tenants require extraordinary action, seeing that bailiffs and police officers seized the cattle of Timothy Casey, Peter Murphy, and Patrick Brosnan, three tenants, on the 1st March last, after the landlord's solicitor and agent had accepted a payment of rent on account and granted time for payment of the balance of arrears?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they will enquire into the cases of the tenants who have not signed purchase agreements when this estate is being dealt with in its order of priority. The Commissioners cannot see their way to deal with the estate out of its turn. I am informed by the constabulary authorities that on the 2nd instant estate bailiffs visited the houses of the men mentioned in the question to execute Civil Bill decrees for rent. A seizure was made in one case. Six police attended to preserve the peace, but took no part whatever in the seizure. The police understand that the agent had declined to grant time for payment of the balances due.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from a number of tenants formerly evicted from the estate of Mrs. Mary Brennan, situate at Clonavilla, Virginia Road, county Meath; and what action has been taken in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from a person who seeks reinstatement as the representative of a former tenant on this estate. Proceedings are pending for sale of the estate to the Commissioners, and the application will be duly considered.

asked whether Mr. Eugene Farrelly, Borlea, Kilmainham Wood, county Meath, has applied for reinstatement on the Smith estate, county Meath; and what, if any, objection there is to complying with his request?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this application was not lodged within the time specified by the Evicted Tenants Act, and has not been enquired into. It will be considered when the estate is being dealt with in its proper turn under the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners propose to divide the balance of the untenanted land on the Hussey estate, situate at Rath-kenny, county Meath; and if they will have regard to the requirements of the occupiers of uneconomic holdings of the district?

I have nothing to add to my replies to previous questions on the subject of this estate addressed to me by the hon. Member.

asked whether any purchase agreements have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners on behalf of the tenants on the estate of Mr. J. H. Nicholson, Ballrath, Kells, county Meath; and whether, having regard to the history of this estate, they will exercise the utmost diligence in inquiring into the nature of the tenancies thereon, whether grass lettings or otherwise, the number and condition of the uneconomic holdings now on the estate which have survived the evic- tion of the predecessor of the present owner, the amount of untenanted land on the estate, and as to whether the greater part of the land from which tenants were evicted is deteriorating owing to want of cultivation, and inquire generally into what is the present condition of the land, as compared to what it might have been were it still occupied by an industrious tenantry, before advancing public money for purchase of grass lands and uneconomic holdings?

Purchase agreements have recently been lodged for the sale of this estate. The Estates Commissioners will inquire into the matters referred to in the question when the estate is being dealt with in its proper turn.

asked whether the estate of the Marchioness of Winchester, situate at Kilbarry, county Meath, was offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners if they offered a price, which was refused because of its inadequacy; whether he is aware that there are people in the district, who know the quality of the land, prepared to pay a rent for it which capitalised would enable the Commissioners to increase their offer; and if, considering these circumstances, they will cause the land to be reinspected?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the owners refused to sell these lands at the price estimated. The Commissioners will have a further inspection made.

asked the number of schools the National Board of Education propose amalgamating in the counties of Leitrim, Sligo, Fermanagh, and Donegal, respectively; in how many cases are the schools being changed from one county to another; and what is the regular course adopted in making such important changes?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have not decided upon the amalgamation of any fixed number of schools in any of these counties. The circumstances of each school having a small average attendance are fully considered as occasion arises. In a case of amalgamation the schools affected may be in two different counties, and the school in one of these counties may consequently be discontinued. A few such cases have recently been under consideration. Before amalgamating schools the Commissioners obtain the views of the managers and a special report from their inspector, who also furnishes when necessary a map showing the position of the pupils' homes.

asked upon what grounds the Estates Commissioners refuse to give a grant to Myles Sweeney, an evicted tenant on the Montgomery estate, Creenelea, county Leitrim, who was reinstated last year, and has no means to make the farm pay nor house to live in?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that these lands were sold under Land Purchase Acts other than the Act of 1903, and it has been judicially decided that the Commissioners have no power under that Act to make grants to the tenants reinstated in such lands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that John McLaughlin, son of an evicted tenant, on the Clements estate, Towneymoyle, Manorhamilton, made application to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement; and, having regard to the fact that the person now in possession of the evicted farm is willing to give up possession on receiving adequate remuneration, he would direct an inquiry to be made into this case with a view of having him reinstated?

This farm has been purchased by the present occupier, Mrs. McLaughlin, under the Land Purchase Acts, and the Estates Commissioners are not prepared to take any action in reference in the application of the representative of Hugh McLaughlin, deceased, for reinstatement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the number of purchase agreements lodged with the Estates Commissioners during December, January, and February last, in connection with estates the originating applications in respect of which were lodged subsequent to the 24th November last; and the amount of advances applied for in respect of the same?

The number of purchase agreements in connection with such estates lodged with the Estates Commissioners during the period mentioned and the amount of the advances applied for were as follows:—In December last 29 agreements were lodged applying for advances amounting to £16,570; in January 153 agreements were lodged applying for advances of £28,921; and in February 82 agreements were lodged applying for advances of £25,917.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have paid any portion of the grant of £140 sanctioned, as stated in his reply to the Honourable George Claran, for the four evicted tenants on the Morley estate, Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim—viz., Bartlie Creamer, senior, Stephen McGaurty, Patrick Creamer, and Bartlie Creamer, junior, who were reinstated last year after being 21 years out of possession, and have no means with which to rebuild their houses and stock their farms?

These lands were sold under Land Purchase Acts other than the Act of 1903, and it has been judicially decided in a recent case that the Estates Commissioners have no power to make grants under that Act to tenants reinstated in such lands. The Commissioners are therefore unable to make the grants which they originally proposed to make in this case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to state what proportion of the £300,000 voted for the relief of distress amongst the unemployed has been allotted to distress committees in Ireland, as compared with the amount allotted to similar bodies in Great Britain; and whether any decision has been come to as to the additional grant of £150 asked for by the Drogheda distress committee to enable them to continue the work in hand to the close of the present month?

I am in communication with the Treasury on the subject. No decision has yet been arrived at.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at least three serious fires have occurred during the present year in connection with cinematograph exhibitions; and whether, in view of the increasing number of places used for such exhibitions, and the danger to the public resulting from the absence of control over such places, he will introduce without further delay a Bill to enable the proper authorities to see that adequate precautions are taken to prevent danger from fire or panic in connection with cinematograph exhibitions?

I would refer the Noble Lord to an answer I gave to a similar question on February the 18th, when I said that I had had a Bill dealing with the subject drafted. I have only to add that I hope the Bill will be introduced in the course of a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many infringements of the Employment of Children Act, 1903, have been found in each school division of the County of London in the year 1908; how many prosecutions were instituted in each division; the number of convictions; and will he state the cost of administering the Act for the year 1908 in the County of London?

My right hon. Friend asked me to answer this question. The following table gives the answer to the first three portions of the question:—

With regard to the cost of administering the Act in the County of London for the year 1908, I am informed by the Education Officer of the London County Council that there was no additional cost for salaries of officers in connection with the enforcement of this Act during the period named, as the duty has been allocated to the school attendance staff, and the officers have combined this work with their ordinary duties. A sum of £970 has, however, been transferred from the Councils Education Account to the Special County Account, in respect of the time devoted to this work by the attendance staff. In addition, a sum of £448 was expended for stationery and street trading badges.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can arrange for a cheap issue of the Report of the Poor Law Commission, to be got out at .an early date, for distribution to working men's clubs, reading-rooms, and other similar institutes?

Arrangements have been made for the issue in a handy form of a cheap edition of the Report of the Poor Law Commission. The edition will be in three volumes, costing ls. 6d., 9d.r and Is. 9d. respectively. It is hoped to have the books available for the public by the middle of next month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the date on which the sorter, Mr. H. J. Maskell, was first called upon to perform the duties of an acting overseer, the number of days he has been employed on these duties, and the date when he was informed that he was unsuitable for promotion; whether this officer has been paid the substitution allowance for these duties; and, if so, what circumstances have since arisen to bring about his disqualification?

Mr. Maskell has been employed from time to time as acting overseer. One of the objects of allowing him a prolonged trial on these duties was to see whether Mr. Maskell would develop the necessary qualities for an overseer. I regret to say that he was not found suitable for promotion. He has been paid the proper substitution allowances.