asked whether, if unification is accomplished in South Africa, the settlers in the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal will be consigned to the care of the administration of the Unified Parliament or to the Provisional Councils?

Land settlement is not among the subjects reserved to the Provincial Councils by the draft Bill, and it is therefore, I presume, contemplated that the subject should be dealt with by the Union Government and Parliament.

asked whether the English members of the Royal Commission, to consider the commercial relations between Canada and the West Indies, have been appointed; and, if so, whether he is in a position to name them?

No, Sir; they have not yet been appointed.

asked whether, in the case of any change in duties made by the administrators of any of the West African Colonies, instructions will be given for a notification immediately to be issued in order that merchants trading with such Colonies may be made aware of the changes as soon as possible?

Any change in duties is immediately notified in the Colonies, where all the merchants have agents, and where there are local Chambers of Commerce. Such changes are reported in the Government Gazettes, copies of which are supplied direct to the Chambers of Commerce in England. The administration of the West African Colonies is not conducted from the Colonial Office, and the Secretary of State would not feel justified in directing the Governors to supply telegraphic information as to tariff changes to commercial bodies at home, as appears to be suggested, when ample means exist already for the communication of such intelligence from private sources to those interested.

Do I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the West African Colonies are not administered from the Colonial Office?

Certainly. As far as direct administration is concerned, that is in the hands of the Governor and the local officials.

asked whether any person has lately been ejected from Chatham Dockyard on suspicion of being a spy; of what nationality was the suspected person; and whether he was a resident in this country?

No such person has lately been ejected from Chatham Dockyard for the reason suggested.

Has any person been ejected for any reason?

I did not ask on that ground. I only asked whether any person had been ejected as a spy.

Has any suspect been ejected?

No.

asked whether the Admiralty stipulate that all forgings used in the construction of warships by private firms shall be of British manufacture; and whether forgings of foreign manufacture are allowed to be used in the construction of warships in the Government dockyards?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Is it because they are cheaper than foreign goods?

No. They are used because in time of war we should have to rely on British supplies.

asked whether the foreshore at Rosyth required for the proposed naval base is Crown property; and, if not, what extent of land covered by high tide has been purchased, and what price was paid for it?

The foreshore acquired was not Crown property, but was purchased by the Admiralty as part of the adjacent estates. The area of foreshore purchased is 286 acres. No specific part of the purchase money was assigned for the foreshore, consequently the price for it cannot be stated.

asked, in view of the length of time which has elapsed since the "Dreadnought" was laid down, whether the information as to the date of order of the ten 12-inch guns and their mountings which were placed on board that ship is any longer considered confidential; and, if not, on what date or dates these orders or contracts were given out and the date on which the ship was laid down?

The dates of order of heavy guns and mountings are considered confidential.

Why is information as to a ship which has been built for over two years considered confidential?

Because it would give a very fair inference as to what the present type of construction of guns is.

Is not the reason that the rapid building of the "Dreadnought" was faked by using the guns and mountings which were ordered for the "Lord Nelson" and "Agamemnon" on board the "Dreadnought"?

The hon. Gentleman is entitled to his own opinion upon this and any other subject. I have answered the question.

asked whether there is a recognised numerical ratio between battleships, cruisers, and torpedo craft in an organised sea-going fleet; and, if so, what that ratio is?

No, Sir, since the units composing a sea-going fleet depend on the service the fleet is engaged upon.

asked how many short-service men yearly enter the Navy; what is the estimated saving in the cost of training ships due to employing short-service men instead of long-service men; and whether the short-service system is now considered a satisfactory one?

The average number of short-service seamen entered annually during the last four years is 480. The effect of the employment of short-service men instead of long-service men upon the cost of training ships cannot be estimated. Reports on special service seamen have been satisfactory on the whole.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any estimate as to the cost of saving on pensions due to the same cause?

If the hon. Member will kindly give me notice of that I will inquire.

asked what proportion of the £15,000,000 saved on armaments in the last three years has been saved by the Admiralty; and the amounts severally saved under the different heads of expenditure?

The actual gross expenditure on naval services for the two years ended 31st March, 1906, was … £79,736,541

The hon. Member will find the details on pages 4 and 5 of the Navy Estimates.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman counting in his calculations Estimates not framed by his own Government?

I am counting for the precise years which the hon. Member is asking for.

My question was what proportion of the £15,000,000 is saved by the present Government?

No, the question does not say that. I have endeavoured to give such answer as I thought the hon. Member asked for.

asked whether this country is still under an obligation by treaty to maintain the integrity of Belgium?

The treaties signed in London on 19th April, 1839, under which Great Britain, together with Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, guarantee the independence and neutrality of Belgium are still in force.

asked what will be the difference in the cost of the granite for the new Naval base at Rosyth if it is dressed in Norway or in this country?

The Admiralty have no information on this subject. Under the contract we pay for granite set in place in the work.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have the granite dressed in this country instead of Norway?

No. The contract is let to a contractor. It is the contractor's business to determine whether the granite shall be worked in this country or in its place of origin if the granite should prove to be foreign granite.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the standard sample of granite with which the granite for use at Rosyth is to be compared is British or Scandinavian; and, if the latter, why he selected foreign granite for such sample?

There is no "standard" sample of granite. The contractors have to provide granite up to the specification, and they send in a sample of the granite which they propose to supply, which must be approved.

Was it stipulated that the foreign granite tendered for should be at least equal to the best British granite?

No; it was stipulated that the granite used, whether British or foreign, should be suitable to the work.

Might the granite supplied be below the sample?

No; the contractor supplies the sample with which he proposes to execute the work. He does not tender up to that sample because his tender has been already accepted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Scottish Granite Company, Limited, sent in a tender for the supply for Rosyth; if so, could he say what price was mentioned in this tender; whether the price was below that accepted for Scandinavian granite; and, if it was, why their tender was not accepted?

As I have already explained, the Admiralty did not call for any tenders for granite, but for the whole work, leaving it to the firms invited to tender to make their own arrangements for the supply of materials. The Admiralty do not therefore deal with the subject mentioned in the question.

Is not it possible to find out from the contractor whether there was not a British contractor for this granite at a lower price than the Norwegian contractor?

No. If the hon. Member gives the matter his attention for one moment, he will see that there could be no contract. No contractor knew that he was going to get our work. Therefore no contractor was going to enter into a contract with foreigners who had not our contract. When the contractor got our contract, he would for the first time enter into contracts on his side.

Are we to understand that it is still open to the contractor to make a contract for the supply of British granite instead of Norwegian granite?

Yes, it is perfectly optional to the contractor to do so; but as it would cost him, I understand, some £30,000 more to do so, I assume, on the facts that have been presented to me, that he will in fact buy foreign granite.

Is British capital invested in these quarries? Are British workmen largely engaged on public work there at wages higher than those which they have been paid by British quarry owners for working granite? And is it not a fact that the lower price of the foreign granite is determined by the fact that no mining royalties are payable on this granite?

With regard to the first portion of the question I am informed that the facts are as suggested. As regards that portion of the question which refers to royalties, I have not sufficient information to say how much of the difference in price is due to this factor; but no doubt the royalties would be a material factor in accounting for the difference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no royalties paid on the Aberdeen granite? Will he lay the specifications before the House?

I have no specifications for the granite contract. The specifications for the granite contract are gone into by the contractor. All we have to do is ask for an alternative price from the contractor as to what he would charge for the whole cost of the work if he were allowed to use granite from any source; and what he would charge if he were obliged to use granite from British sources only.

May we see that specification?

There is no specification. That is a mere quotation.

Are you aware that there are no mining royalties on Aberdeen granite?

I will inquire further into that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is yet in a position to state when the changes contem- plated by the Government in regard to His Majesty's Customs and Coastguard will be laid before the House; and whether the latter will have full liberty to discuss the same?

As stated in answer to the hon. Member for Fareham yesterday, no decision has been arrived at in regard to the transfer of the revenue duties of the Coastguard to the Board of Customs. As the introduction of a Bill would be necessary to give effect to any such change, if it were made, the House would have full opportunity of discussing the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he anticipates that a Bill will be introduced this Session?

I do not think it is likely to be introduced this Session. I do not say whether any such Bill will be introduced at all. That is still under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the reason why the names and situations of the granite quarries in Norway whence the granite for Rosyth is to be supplied cannot be given to the House?

Because the Admiralty do not know from what quarries the contrators intend to order their granite, and as no samples have yet been submitted or approved, no granite, British or foreign, can yet have been ordered.

May we hope that the names of these foreign contractors will be supplied by the chief contractors when they have decided whom they will get the granite from?

I have no doubt that the contractors will be perfectly willing to inform us from whom they purchase the granite.

There is immense interest taken on this subject. I have no doubt that the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether 300 underwriters at Lloyds issue policies against liability under the Workmen Compensation Act, 1906; and what number, if any, of them have made the necessary deposit in compliance with Schedule 1 (1) of the Employers Liability Act, 1907.

The hon. Member further asked what number of underwriters have deposited the sum of £2,000, in compliance with Section 1 of the Schedule to the Employers Liability (Insurance Companies) Act, 1907; and on whom devolves the duty of seeing that this provision of the Act is complied with?

I will answer these two questions together. There are 12 underwriters who have made the required deposit in compliance with the Employers Liability Insurance Companies Act, 1907, and so far as the Committee of Lloyds can ascertain no underwriters who have not complied with the Act are issuing policies thereunder. If any instance of non-compliance by an underwriter with the schedule referred to is brought to the notice of the Board of Trade they will consider the propriety of taking action under Section 18 of the Life Assurance Companies Act, 1870, as adapted to Employers Liability Insurance Companies by the Order in Council of 2nd November, 1907.

Is there any official of the Board of Trade responsible for seeing that the provisions of the Act requiring underwriters to deposit £2,000 are complied with?

My impression is that there is not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what number of cases, if any, underwriters have, in compliance with Section 2 of the Schedule to the Employers Liability (Insurance Companies) Act, 1907, paid money into court in redemption of the sum payable to a workman who is injured; and on whom devolves the duty of seeing that this provision of the Act is complied with?

I am not at present in a position to supply the information asked for by the hon. Member, as the statements with regard to the extent and character of the employers liability business carried on by the underwriters during the past year have not yet been deposited with the Board.

asked how many quarries are now closed in the United Kingdom; and how many men would be, in normal times, employed in those quarries?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The information cannot really be given because the process of closing exhausted quarries and opening new ones is always going on. Such particulars as are available were given by me in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth on 1st March, to which I beg to refer the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the construction of the section of the Castleblayney, Keady, and Armagh Railway between the two first-mentioned towns is proceeding so slowly that it is estimated by experts on the spot that the work will not be completed for five years yet; whether he is aware that the delay is the occasion of inconvenience and loss to-farmers and others living along the route of the projected line; whether he is aware that the portion of the railway between Keady and Armagh is already completed and being used for purposes of traffic; and whether he will bring such pressure to bear on the company as to insure that the part of the line still in process of construction will be finished within a reasonable time?

The Board of Trade are in communication with the railway company on this subject, and will inform the hon. Member of their reply.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any old age pensions granted on the recommendation of pension officers have since been cancelled; and, if so, how many?

A certain number of cases in which pensions granted on the recommendation of the pension officer have been cancelled either upon a question raised under Section 7 of the Act and Regulation 17, or upon the conviction of the pensioner under Section 9 of the Act have been brought to my notice, but I have no statistics as to the number of cases in which such cancellation has taken place.

asked what was Lord Macdonnell's salary as Under-Secretary for Ireland; is the rule of the Civil Service Commissioners to calculate the pension of a servant by one-fortieth of the retiring salary for every year of service; if so, how many years were added to Lord Macdonnell's service in Ireland to entitle him to- the pension which he now receives; and why was the pension made greater than what he was entitled to?

The pensionable emoluments of Lord Macdonnell as Under-Secretary for Ireland were £2,333 6s. 8d. per annum. He has received the pension to which he is legally entitled, viz., fifteen-sixtieths of this amount, based on five years' service and ten years' professional addition, as explained in my answer to the hon. Member for Wicklow, East, of the 25th ultimo.

Is it not a fact that other Under-Secretaries have received only £2,000 a year?

This is a question of -what his pensionable emoluments were.

I understood the non. Gentleman to say that this pension was based upon £2,300. Is it not a fact that the ordinary pension of other Under-Secretaries was only £2,000?

I do not think so.

Why did Lord Macdonnell get less than other Under-Secretaries?

We wanted to save.

Can we see the correspondence?

I have no correspondence to publish.

Was this payment made for extra services rendered to the Nationalist party?

Is the Secretary to the Treasury aware that no advance has been made to any of the pension sub-committees in the county Roscommon to cover working expenses under the provisions of the Pensions Act, though the accounts for the quarter ended December have been forwarded to the Treasury long since; and whether he will give instructions to have these expenses paid at as early a date as possible?

I regret the delay which has taken place in the payment of these accounts. They are, however, now being examined, and if they are found to be in order they will be paid within the next few days.

I wish to ask the Postmaster-General if Mrs. Mary Anne Cassery, the postmistress at Laytown, county Meath, is the wife of Sergeant Cassery, a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, stationed at Raheny, county Dublin; if so, will he state how long she occupied the position; and whether her occupation of the position is in accordance with the rules of the Department.

Mrs. Cassery is the wife of Sergeant Cassery, a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, stationed at Raheny. She was thought to be the best candidate, and was appointed sub-postmistress of Laytown in March, 1908. The wife of a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary is not regarded as ineligible for the position of sub-postmistress when, as in the present case, her husband is stationed in a different district from that in which her office is situated.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether his negotiations with the British India Steam Navigation Company will provide for a direct service between London and Zanzibar, or if there will be, as at present, a break at Aden and transhipment of mails, passengers, and cargo; in the latter event, if he will state what advantage is sought to be gained to this country or to East Africa from such a service; and if he will state what sum would have been paid to the German and French steamship companies if the letters and parcels carried during the last year had been carried by them instead of by the British India Company?

The arrangements with the British India Steam Navigation Company are not for a direct service between London and Zanzibar, but for the continuance of a service between Aden and Zanzibar on the same lines as hitherto, but with an improved time-table. The advantage to this country and to East Africa is the maintenance of a regular British service between Aden and Zanzibar in connection with the British packets on the Indian mail service which call at Aden. The arrangement will also provide for the free conveyance of Government officers when travelling on Government service. It is estimated that a sum of about £l,650 would have been earned by the foreign services if the mails (including parcel mails) conveyed during last year by the British India Steam Navigation Company under the arrangement in question had been conveyed by the foreign services.

Is it not a fact that the Post Office lose a large sum of money every year upon this contract?

I do not think so. The contract has been very carefully considered, and we think the arrangement is very fair and satisfactory.

Is it not a fact that you are paying £9,000 for a service worth £1,650?

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he can say whether he received a memorial from the residents of Carrickerry, Glensharrold, Knockfinisk, and outlying districts, comprising the sub-postal district of Carrickerry, as to the necessity for a sub-post office there: is he aware that the population of these districts is about 2,000, and that the nearest sub-offices are four and six miles distant, and that at the present time inconvenience is caused to the old age pensioners who have to go to these places to receive their pensions; is he aware that letters remain in the nearest sub-office from Saturday to Tuesday before being delivered; and whether, under these circum-stances, and also owing to the necessity for a sub-office there to register letters, he will grant the petitioners their request?

I have not yet received the memorial, but I am having inquiry made, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Mary Paterson, or Grant, in the parish of Duthil, in Inverness-shire, who is over 70 years of age, and has been refused a pension because her husband has been in receipt of 3s. 6d. per week of parish relief entirely applied for his own maintenance, although her name has never appeared on the roll nor has she received any parish relief; and will he ask the Local Government Board to reconsider the decision at which they have arrived?

As Mrs. Grant, on her own admission, had no income of her own, the Local Government Board had no alternative but to hold that she participated in the relief granted to her husband. The fact that her name was not on the poor-roll has no significance, as where an application is made by the head of a family and relief granted, he is entered as the pauper and it is not the practice to enter in the roll the names of his dependants. I beg, further, to remind the hon. Member that, as stated in my answer yesterday to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire, it is not competent for the Local Government Board to reconsider its own decisions.

Is it not the case that the decision of the Local Government Board is exactly contrary to the decision of the committee?

I do not think so. I will keep the point in mind.

Why is it impossible for them to reconsider their decision? Are they always right?

Their decisions are final and are not subject to review.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that at the recent High Court held in Glasgow respectable witnesses cited by the Crown in connection with the Uddingston murder case were kept in a locked room from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. without food or any arrangement for procuring the same; and whether, in consideration of the indignation created by this treatment, he will take steps to prevent such incidents in the future?

The witnesses in this case, according to the usual practice, were kept under supervision, but were not locked up. In Glasgow no refreshments for witnesses in criminal cases are supplied at the expense of the Crown, but an attendant is always at hand, whose duty it is to procure food for any witness desiring to purchase it. I have ascertained that on the occasion in question such an attendant was present, and no complaint was made to the constables in charge of the witnesses as to anyone not being allowed to purchase food. I undertake, however, to make further inquiries into the matter with a view to considering whether any change in the practice is expedient.

Can the Lord Advocate state when the revised scheme of allocation of the balance of the Scottish Education Fund will be published; and whether there will be an opportunity given for discussing it?

The Department hope to be in a position to lay the Minute providing for the allocation of the balance of the Education (Scotland) Fund under Section 16 (2) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, on the Table of the House early in May. Then will be the time to make any request for any special opportunities for discussion which may be desired.

I wish to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the grounds upon which the appeal for an old age pension of Mrs. Louisa Galyani, 72 years of age, residing at 3, Meadow Street, Higher Openshaw, Manchester, and born in that city, has been refused?

The case has been investigated, and it has been found that the claimant is not a British subject, being the wife of an alien. In these circumstances, she is not qualified for a pension.

May I ask if in law a British subject who marries an alien loses his British domicile or nationality?

If an Englishwoman marries an alien, yes. There must be some sacrifice.

This woman never left the country.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a Report presented on the 4th inst. to the Court of Common Council by the Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London on the subject of the continued importation of diseased foreign meat, wherein it was stated that on the 2nd ult. a vessel arrived from the United States with a large consignment of boxed meat, such boxes bearing an official label indicating that they had been inspected and passed by the American authorities as being in sound condition, but of which a large proportion upon inspection proved to be unfit for human consumption; whether he could state or would ascertain and communicate the name of the American firm exporting such diseased meat; and whether it is intended to make representation to the United States Government upon the subject?

I have received a copy of the Report referred to. It does not mention the name of the firm of exporters, and I do not at present think it necessary to ascertain what it is. I am giving attention to the case, and I shall consider the question of formal representation to the Government of the United States on receipt of some further particulars which have been asked for. I may add that I understand that the representative in this country of the United States Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for meat certification and inspection, is already investigating the matter under instructions from that Department.

I desire to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether caste Hindu diet is provided in gaols in Great Britain for Hindu prisoners; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, on what grounds it is held that persons born Hindus but resident in Great Britain prior to their incarceration continue to have any claim to be treated as caste Hindus?

When any prisoner professes to consider the prison dietary incompatible with his religious belief, arrangements are made, under the supervision of the medical officer, to provide appropriate diet.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether certain contracts for the supply of dressed canvas have recently been placed abroad; if so, to what amount and in what countries; whether the fair wage standard is applied in such countries; and what hours of work and rate of wages are usual and current in such countries among workmen of the class employed?

The only contract for dressed canvas entered into by any department under my control was for 28,700 yards, value £3,115 6s. 3d., and was placed with a British firm.

asked the Home Secretary how many of the 420 quarries closed in the United Kingdom since 1906 are in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland respectively?

The 420 quarries closed since 1905 (not 1906, as stated in the question) were distributed as follows:—

How many of these quarries were worked out before they were closed?

I do not know. No doubt, several of them.

asked how many of the 7,010 workmen thrown out of employment owing to the closing of quarries in the United Kingdom since 1906 were in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland respectively?

The decrease in the number of persons employed in quarries between 1905 and 1907 was distributed as follows:—

The great majority of the men who have ceased to be employed were engaged in sandstone, limestone, or slate quarries.

asked how many witnesses have been examined by the Interdepartmental Committee on half-timers; what proportion of such witnesses represent purely rural districts; and when the Report may be expected?

Forty-nine witnesses have appeared before the Committee, of whom eleven may be said to represent purely rural districts. I cannot say when the Report will be issued, as the Committee have not yet completed the taking of evidence.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state how many new dwelling-houses have been applied for under The Small Holdings Act, 1907; and how many have been provided by the local authorities?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not yet available, but it is being obtained, and will be published in the annual Report of the proceedings under the Act.

Is the information unusually late, or is there some difficulty in getting it? The hon. Gentleman was able last year to give me an answer to a similar question.

I cannot remember the question put to me a year ago. But I think the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in the matter.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that in the new Post Office buildings in the City being built in ferro-concrete by Hollo-way Brothers only one coat of Portland cement facing is being applied; whether he is satisfied that this is sufficient to finish the exterior rough surfaces of the ferro-concrete, especially in running mouldings, as it is not recognised by architects and the plastering trade, two coats always having been considered the minimum; and also whether one coat is in the specification of the architect to the new Post Office buildings.

The work is being done in accordance with the specification, and is considered by my architects to be the most satisfactory treatment on concrete.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the way this work has been done it is impossible to do satisfactory work under the conditions? Men are being sacked by Messrs. Holloway Bros, wholesale.

That is not my information.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation of the men on the subject?

I have received deputations previously. I shall be glad to receive any information that the hon. Member, or any other hon. Members, may give me in writing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will earmark for the relief of the unemployed the £15,000 which it is reported Raisuli will restore to the British Government out of the £20,000 he received as ransom for Kaid Maclean?

I regret that I am unable to give any undertaking on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of rendering irrecoverable any amounts of income tax deducted by an agent resident in this country from dividends payable to a foreigner resident abroad?

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the grant of rebates on income tax to foreign investors in British securities whose incomes, from British sources alone, do not exceed the prescribed limits?

I will give due consideration to these, as to other, suggestions which reach me for raising the revenue required for the public service in the coming financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether foreign shareholders in British companies whose operations are conducted abroad and whose register of shareholders is not kept in this country are assessed for income tax on the amount of their dividends?

The shareholders of a British company are not individually assessed to income tax in respect of their dividends. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the question of the "residence" of a company for the purpose of the Income Tax Acts has frequently been before the Courts, who have decided that where a business is controlled and directed from this country it is chargeable, even if the physical operations are carried on abroad. It is therefore difficult for me, without risk of misinterpretation, to answer a question on the subject couched in general terms.

May I ask if the information given applies only to companies' registers of shareholders that are kept abroad, or to the register kept in this country as well?

The hon. Member knows very well that there is so much litigation that I would rather not answer the question. If he will put it down I will consider it.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the services rendered by Mr. H. W. Cox in connection with X-rays research, who has fallen a victim to the disease known as dermatitis, involving a second and serious operation, it is intended to recognise that Gentleman's services to science either by the granting of a civil pension or in some other manner?

The case of Mr. Cox has been brought to my notice, and is receiving consideration.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the result of the inquiry into the death of a boy at Staines on 13th February, the Government will consider further legislation for the protection of the public.

I understand that the coroner's jury in this case returned a verdict of accidental death, and exonerated the driver from blame. With regard to further legislation, I do not think that I can add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board in answer to a question of my hon. Friend the Member for the Reigate Division of Surrey on Wednesday last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to securing reductions of the grants in aid to the East Africa Protectorate, he will take into consideration proposals by which the said grants in aid might be reduced by two-thirds and at the same time money provided for the development of the country without any further liability to the British taxpayer?

I am not aware of the nature of the proposals referred to; but if my hon. Friend can persuade the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who administers the Protectorate, that they are feasible as well as financially sound and will effect the desirable object in view, I shall be very glad to consider them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain upon what principle a farmer possessing sufficient capital to farm 350 acres of land at a rental of 25s. an acre escapes payment of income tax, while a tradesman with an income of only £200 a year is com- pelled to contribute through the income tax to the cost of the government of his country?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he considers the present method of assessing farmers for income tax is not an acknowledgment of the fact that agriculture as an industry is overburdened, both for local and for national purposes; whether, therefore, in considering a possible modification he will see that he does not lose sight of the Imperial and local taxation borne by this industry?

also put a second question, asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, owing to the methodical under-assessment of farmers' incomes by the arbitrary assumption that farmers' profits amount to one-third of their rentals, the great majority of British farmers do not pay income tax; whether no farmer pays income tax unless he pays a rent of over £480 a year; whether, owing to the combination of the assessment of farmers' profits with the abatement system, a large farmer paying a rental of £600 a year only pays an income tax of 30s. per annum; and whether seeing that this methodical under-assessment of farmers' profits means that other income tax payers are over-taxed pro tanto he will undertake to abolish Schedule B of the income tax, and, by bringing farmers' profits into line with those of other traders under Schedule D, remedy the inequality referred to?

I will answer my two hon. Friends together, and the two questions of the hon. Member for North Paddington together. I am aware of the facts relating to the assessment of farmers under Statute. My hon. Friend will not expect me to indicate, before the Budget is introduced, any decision with regard to what provisions may or may not be included in the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how many farmers paid income tax in the United Kingdom in the financial year 1907–8?

The information is not available. The statistics of the assessments under Schedule B do not distinguish between farmers and other persons chargeable under that schedule.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the number of persons, farmers or otherwise, who were assessed under that schedule?

That is not the question on the paper, but I will see if I can answer it if my hon. Friend puts it on the Paper.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will furnish a statement, in the same form as that supplied by him on 28th October last, showing the number of persons returned as boycotted since 31st December, 1905, who were, in addition, the victims of overt outrage, and indicating the acts of outrage committed in each case without specifying the names of the individuals attacked?

If the hon. Member wishes to move for a Return, I will consider whether it can be given.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will furnish a statement classifying under their proper designations the indictable crimes in which firearms were used in 1906, 1907, and 1908 respectively, distinguishing between agrarian and non-agrarian crimes of this character?

I will publish with tonight's Votes the statement which the hon. Member asks for.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of gun licences issued throughout Ireland in the year 1906–7 was 19,159, and that, while the average annual increase in the number of such licences issued since 1897–8 was 563, the number issued in 1907–8 was 19,690, an increase of only 431 on the previous year; if his attention has also been drawn to the fact that the number of game licences granted in 1907–8, namely, 4,424, was smaller than in any of the previous 10 years; has he any reason to believe that the number of licences issued in 1907–8 is commensurate with the increased traffic in firearms on which licence duties are payable since the repeal of the Arms Act in December, 1906; and, if not, what steps does he propose to take for the protection of the Revenue?

The figures given in the question appear to be correctly quoted from the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, save that the increase of gun licences in 1907–8 was 531, not 431. It appears from that Report that the diminution in game licences is not peculiar to Ireland. I have no means of making the comparison suggested by the hon. Member. The protection of the Revenue is a matter which primarily concerns my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but the police have strict instructions to report to the Inland Revenue authorities any breaches of the Gun Licence Act which they may detect.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the cause of delay in reinstating the three evicted tenants on the Lansdowne estate, near Kenmare, county Kerry, whose cases have been already investigated and reported on to the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that one of the evicted tenants on this estate has been reinstated, and that three others have been noted as suitable to be provided for on untenanted land when acquired.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a number of tenants on the Lansdowne estate, near Kenmare, have served notices to fix a fair rent; and can he state when the next sitting of the Land Sub-Commission will be held in Kenmare?

The Land Commission inform me that the next sitting of the Sub-Commission to hear fair rent applications from the Kenmare district begins on the 26th of this month. There are 23 cases on the Lansdowne estate for hearing.

Will all the cases that are listed be tried?

I cannot answer that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a trawler has recently been captured when tiawling over nine transatlantic cables in Ballinskelligs Bay, county Kerry, and that at least one of the cables was broken and diagged from its berth on this occasion; and whether, in view of the inquiry which was made into this question last year, he proposes to introduce legislation making it illegal to trawl over cables?

I will answer this question. A trawler was recently found trawling in prohibited waters in Ballinskelligs Bay, but the cable companies concerned inform me that, so far as they are aware, no cable has recently been injured by this or any other trawler in that locality. As regard the question of introducing legislation to make it illegal to. trawl over cables, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question which he addressed to me on the subject on 17th December last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Registration (Ireland) Act specifically provides that poor law medical relief shall not disqualify for the parliamentary franchise, and that the courts in Ireland have held (M'Creery v. Hanrahan, No. 16, 1887) that relief given in a union hospital is medical or surgical assistance within the meaning of that Act; whether he is aware that, so far as Ireland is concerned, it is therefore illegal, under Section 3 (1) (a) of the Old Age Pensions Act, to refuse the old age pension on the ground of such relief; and what steps he proposes to take?

The case of M'Creery v. Hanrahan received the attention of the Local Government Board at the very commencement of their work in connection with the Old Age Pension Act, and they have not regarded a person- as disqualified for a pension where the circumstances are similar.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circulars issued by the Local Government Board of Ireland to decide the lines on which pension officers are to act are in direct conflict with the decision quoted? Will he cause this matter to be brought under the consideration of the Local Government Board, so that the Act may be administered according to Irish law?

The Local Government Board are under the impression, at all events, that they are closely following the ruling given. But I will call attention to-the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what personal protection was afforded to Mrs. Ryan, of Craughwell, prior to 22nd January, when Constable Goldrick was murdered; whether such-protection was continued to her down to-that date; if not, what relaxations were made in this respect; and under what circumstances was the personal protection relaxed or withdrawn?

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that from 1st September, 1907, up to 22nd January last, Mrs. Ryan was protected by patrols at night. No patrols were necessary in the daytime, as her house is opposite to the Craughwell Police Barracks and within 20 yards of it. The protection was never relaxed or withdrawn.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was now in a position to announce the amount of the compassionate allowance to be paid to the parents of the late Constable Goldrick; and could he state that in the determination of the amount regard will not be had to the sum voluntarily subscribed by the public?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could say how many inspectors there are appointed under The Land Act, 1903, to deal exclusively with the cases of the evicted tenants; whether these appointments are temporary or permanent; and whether they are paid a fixed salary yearly or so much a day for the work done by them?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 11 of their inspectors are employed exclusively on work in connection with evicted tenants. The appointments of these inspectors are temporary. They are paid fixed annual salaries.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether a grant has yet been given to James Riordan, of Blossom Hill, Rathkeale, in the county of Limerick, to help him to repair his house and stock his small holding from which he was evicted and on which he has been reinstated; is he aware that two inspectors of the Estates Commissioners have had interviews with him in reference to this grant; if he has not obtained it, can he say how many more inspectors will visit this holding, and what number of times before he gets it?

The Estates Commissioners cannot say whether they will sanction any grant in this case until they have completed their inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many inspectors there will be before they complete their inquiries?

The Estates Commissioners are doing their best.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state how many evicted tenants have been reinstated in county Leitrim under The Land Act of 1903; and how many have been reinstated under the Evicted Tenants Act of 1907?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in county Leitrim since the passing of the Act of 1903 81 evicted tenants or their representatives have been reinstated or provided with new holdings under the Act. Proceedings are pending under the Evicted Tenants Act for the acquisition of other lands to be utilised for the same purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state how many estates have been sold in county Leitrim since the passing of the Act of 1903; what has been the purchase money for the same; how many of those estates have been vested in the tenants;. and what is the amount of purchase money advanced?

Since the passing of the Act of 1903 proceedings have been instituted before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of 172 estates in the county Leitrim, representing a purchase money of £899,263. Of this sum £68,578 has been advanced in respect of 25 estates, and the holdings on these estates have been vested in the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say what is the number of evicted tenants in the county of Limerick reinstated or provided for with equivalent holdings by the Estates Commissioners under the Land Act, 1903; how many evicted tenants in the said county have been reinstated by the landlords since the passing of the said Act; and how many in the county are still unprovided for?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in county Limerick 26 evicted tenants or their representatives have been reinstated on lands purchased by the Commissioners, and that 98 have been reinstated by landlords, making in all 124. Of these 98, 47 were reinstated at the instigation of the Commissioners, and at prices estimated by them. The Commissioners have noted as suitable 80 other evicted tenants, and proceedings are pending for the purchase of untenanted land, on which it is proposed to provide for them.