asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, if he will lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence which has taken place between the Admiralty and Mr. A. E. Webster, late paymaster in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, in regard to his service and retirement?

It is not considered desirable to comply with my hon. Friend's request.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried in the Blackpool County Court last January in which the agent of a candidate in the Blackpool municipal election of 1906 was sued for the hire of a carriage and pair on the polling day; and whether, in view of the contravention of the Corrupt Practices Act disclosed by the case, the Public Prosecutor will take action?

As the result of inquiries which I have caused to be made into this case, I have ascertained that the Registrar of the Blackpool County Court, in giving judgment against the defendant for the carriage hire, the subject of the question, gave it against him personally, and not in his capacity of agent to the candidate at the municipal election, and the Registrar declined to entertain an application to add the candidate as a third party to the proceedings. The case seems to require some further inquiry which I will cause to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mrs. Russell, of West Didsbury, near Manchester, has had her old age pension refused on account of receiving relief, and that such relief consists merely in the guardians having obtained an order against her son to pay 2s. a week towards her support, which has been paid through the guardians; whether, seeing that she has thus received no money from public sources, the pension has been properly withheld; and, if so, whether he will endeavour to remedy the point in his amending Act?

I understand from my right hon. Friend, the President of the Local Government Board, that the facts of this case are not precisely as stated in the question. I am informed that the claimant had been in receipt of outdoor relief for a considerable time previous to the date when an order for repayment was made by the guardians en her son, and also that up to the 24th ult. nothing at all had been received in repayment. The question of repayments is receiving my careful consideration in connection with the general disqualification on account of poor relief, but I cannot pledge myself to deal with the matter in the Bill of this Session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in case of non-payment of income tax through proved inadvertence to demand seven years' arrears of payment or a penalty; and whether, in view of the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Attorney-General v. Herbert Till, such practice will in future be discontinued?

The practice of the Board of Inland Revenue in dealing with back duty cases is governed by the circumstances of each case, and non-payment of tax does not exclusively arise from inadvertence. I may add that an appeal is being lodged against the decision referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state what quantity of methylated spirits was consumed in Ireland during the last 12 months for which the figures are available; whether there is any method of preventing the use of such spirits by licensed traders who are unscrupulous enough to employ it for the dilution of whisky; and whether there are any means of ascertaining the extent to which it is so employed?

I have no means of ascertaining the quantity of methylated spirits consumed in Ireland during the last 12 months. So far as the information at my disposal goes, I see no reason to suppose that methylated spirit is used for the dilution of whisky.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will sanction the re-issue of the Return, Post Office Savings Bank Fund, No. 108, of Session 1905, with the particulars therein contained revised and continued to the end of 1908, and, added thereto, particulars of the total amounts due to depositors at the end of each year, the amount of Consols held at the end of each year, the price at which the stock stood in the books of the fund and the market price on the same day, showing also the dates at which the rate of interest on Consols was reduced successively to 2¾ and 2½ per cent., together with the alterations in the limits of deposit, total or annual, introduced since the establishment of the bank?

The hon. and learned Member further asked what in the year ended 31st December, 1908, was the total amount accruing as repayment of capital from terminable annuities held on account of the Post Office Savings Bank and the trustees savings banks, respectively, applied to the purchase of stock; what stocks were so purchased; and at what prices?

I regret that I do not see my way to sanction the re-issue of the Return in question, or to give the other information asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have received within the prescribed period an application from Mr. William Heffernan, representative of Patrick Heffernan, evicted tenant, for reinstatement on the holding at Rathduff, near Blarney, county Cork; whether an inspector has been sent to inspect the farm and inquire into the circumstances connected therewith; and, if not, what is the explanation of the delay in doing so.

The Estates Commissioners have not received an application from William Heffernan, but they have received one from Patrick Heffernan's widow, and have referred it, with others, to one of their inspectors for inquiry.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have made any recent inquiry into the applications of James and Geoffrey Reen, evicted tenants, for reinstatement in their former holdings on the Hungerford-Clorahn estate, Knocknagree, county Cork; are the Commissioners aware that the allegations previously made as to the causes leading up to their evictions are now proved to be without foundation; and, in view of the fact that the present occupant, Mr. Denis Breen, is willing to surrender these holdings on receipt of moderate compensation, will the Commissioners make further inquiry into their claims?

The Estates Commissioners have carefully considered this case and cannot see their way to depart from the decision they have already come to in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will direct the Estates Commissioners to send a copy of their map of the Reid estate, Ballin-tubber, Carrickboy, county Longford, to the tenants who are buying their farms, the bogs to be divided by the tenants themselves, who require a copy of this correct map to do so," and is he aware that they have been called on to pay an instalment of the interest due, which they have decided not to pay till the bogs are properly divided; and, seeing that this decision may cause friction in the district, will he see that the map is provided?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that a map showing the bog, which the owner is including in the sale of this estate for distribution to the tenants, is being prepared, and will be furnished as requested. The tenants are liable under their purchase agreements for interest in lieu of rent.

asked the Chief Secretary of Ireland whether he will make provision in the forthcoming Irish Land Bill for payment of the cost of ascertaining value and making title to any lands compulsorily acquired under the provisions of the Bill if it becomes law?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a somewhat similar question asked by the hon. Member for North Fermanagh on the 7th December last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, since the beginning of intermediate education in Ireland, forms of entry for the examinations were obtainable up to the last day in February, and in some cases up to the last day in March, and that this year the date has been changed to the last day in January without adequate notice, thereby making it necessary for the students to give five months' notice of their intention to sit for examination; and whether, seeing that the University of London requires five weeks' notice, the College of Preceptors six weeks, and others still less, he is prepared to allow forms of entry to be issued at a later date than the last day in January?

Ample notice of the change of date referred to in the question was given in the rules of the Intermediate Education Board for 1909, issued as a Parliamentary Return in July last, and subsequently published by the Board in October. Special attention was drawn to the change in a circular issued on the 9th November last to all heads of intermediate schools in connection with the Board, and a further reminder was circulated among heads of schools early in January, 1909. The matter lies within the control of the Board, and is not one in which I can interfere.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has any official information showing that dissatisfaction as to the administration of the dairying section of the Department has been caused by the appointment in 1907 of an instructor who had practically no knowledge or experience of creamery work and who is still retained in the Department's service, by the recent appointment as instructor of an Englishman and his subsequent promotion over the heads of other instructors who had more experience, by the recent regulations whereby men may be admitted to examinations in subjects relating to creamery management without having any previous training or experience of the business, and by the regulation which compels creamery managers to have their certificates renewed annually; and, in view of the fact that, notwithstanding the staff of instructors appointed by the Department, the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society have within the past few months, at the request of their members, appointed a creamery expert of their own, will he take steps to put the dairying section of the Department on a more satisfactory footing?

representations in regard to some of the matters mentioned in the first part of the question have been received by the Department from time to time from an Association of Creamery Managers. These matters have been dealt with in the Vice-President's answers to previous questions. No representation has been received from anyone as to the instructor appointed by the Department in 1908. It is incorrect to state that this instructor was promoted over the heads of other instructors who had more experience. The Department regard the present arrangements of their dairying section as satisfactory, and they do not propose to alter them.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the interests of the children in attendance and of the teachers, he will take efficient steps to ensure that the systematic opposition of the Swansea local education authority to the Swansea Church schools shall now cease?

I have no power to control the actions or opinions of the local education authority for Swansea unless those actions find expression in a violation of the law.

asked whether any Departmental obstacles exist or have been raised against the Liverpool education authority purchasing and lending to the new Roman Catholic schools, known as St. Sebastian's, at Liverpool, sufficient school furniture to enable the buildings to be utilised, and thus avoid the expense to the rates which would be involved by the erection at public expense of a Council school in that neighbourhood?

The Board are advised that it is not competent for a local education authority to provide furniture for a new voluntary school.

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, will he state when the Secretary for Scotland expects to be in a position to make a statement indicating the steps which he proposes to take to relieve the people of their excessive burdens.

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question on 8th March.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that an old lady, Mrs. Russell, who has been in receipt of parochial relief from the Worcester Guardians, and was removed to her daughter's house at Sparkbrook, in the Aston Union, has been deprived of her relief for 10 weeks, viz., from 18th December to 24th February; whether he is also aware that the clerk to the Bromsgrove Union notified the Aston Union on 18th December that his union had granted this lady 5s. per week, and whether he is aware that no payment was made to her until 24th February, 1909; whether he can say why this money has been withheld; and will he now take the necessary steps to amend any loss incurred?

Application was made for medical and ordinary relief for Mrs. Russell in the Aston Union on 17th December. Medical relief was at once granted, the house was subsequently visited, and her son-in-law was requested to attend the next meeting of the relief committee. This he did not do. Ultimately, on further applications being made, and after the daughter had attended the committee, the relief was granted. I should suppose that the Bromsgrove Guardians would be willing that the relief should be paid from 18th December, and, in all the circumstances, I think this course might be adopted. I will communicate with the two Boards of Guardians on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can see his way to stating why the Local Government Board refused sanction to the Accrington Town Council to borrow money for the acquisition of 92½ acres of land in the east of the borough as well as for the purchase of Miry Lane Farm for the purpose of allotments and small holdings; under what sections of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act of 1907, or other Act, such sanction has been withheld; and whether he is aware that the withholding of such sanction prevents the Accrington Town Council from carrying out its duty under The Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907?

My hon. Friend is under some misapprehension as to the facts of this case. None of the land referred to is to be acquired for the purpose of allotments or small holdings. The 92½ acres are proposed to be used by the Town Council as public walks and pleasure grounds, and the Miry Lane Farm for growing hay, for turning out their horses, and for disposing of slaughter-house offal. The Local Government Board have not refused to sanction the borrowing of money for the acquisition of the 92½ acres. They have informed the Town Council that they are prepared to sanction a loan for this purpose, if the land can be purchased without the Miry Lane Farm.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that 32 destitute Arab seamen are now located at the Cardiff workhouse and maintained at the expense of the ratepayers; whether he is aware that those seamen have been brought into this country on board of British ships; if his attention has been called to section 184 of the Merchant Shipping Act; whether he intends to take any action in the matter; and if he is aware that 350 British seamen are being fed by charitable persons at the Cardiff docks in consequence of lack of employment, whilst the Arab seamen are being maintained by the ratepayers?

I am informed that on the night of 16th February 30 Arabs who had been turned out of the boarding-house in which they were lodging, and had no means to enable them to go to another, were admitted to the Cardiff Workhouse for the night. They all took their discharge the next morning, and although some inconvenience was caused, the expense was trifling. It will be seen that the Arabs are not being maintained by the ratepayers. I am aware of the Section referred to by my hon. Friend, but I am not able to say whether the case comes within it.

asked the Lord-Advocate if he can give the number of motor-car accidents in Scotland during the past year, and in how many cases the accident was attended with fatal results?

A Return of accidents from horse-drawn and mechanically-propelled vehicles throughout Scotland has been specially obtained, and will shortly be laid on the Table.

asked the Lord-Advocate whether he has considered the numerously-signed petition by certain feuars in Kinross-shire in regard to the claims frequently made for thirlage by landlords where no mills exist; and whether he intends to take any action in the matter?

I have received the petition, which raises matters involving complicated legal issues. As legislation is suggested, I have referred the petition to my Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland, with whom I am now in consultation regarding it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the complaints as to the delay in the payment of the salaries of pension clerks in connection with the local pension committees in Cork county and other places; and whether he can explain the cause of the delay?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Kilkenny City on Monday, the 1st inst., to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if any provision has been made for granting the market rate of wages to labourers and gardeners employed in the Dublin parks and gardens by the Board of Works; and can he say from what source the information was received to guide the Board of Works in recommending the present rate of 16s. weekly for a city of Dublin workman?

The provision for the wages of labourers and gardeners in the Phoenix Park and St. Stephen's Green has been made upon the basis of the market rates for such wages modified so as to allow for the value of the special privileges enjoyed by workmen in the employ of the State. The information was collected from nursery gardeners and private employers in the immediate neighbourhood of Dublin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has any knowledge of the methods pursued by a body termed the Lancashire and Midland Non-unionist Association to obtain money from employers or of how money so obtained is used; whether there is any record of the position of a benefit society in connection with the association to which workmen subscribe for sick and other benefits?

I have seen the rules of this association and of the Independent Workmen's Mutual Benefit Society formed by it, but I have no information as to the methods mentioned by the hon. Member nor as to the position of the Benefit Society. The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies informs me that he has no record of any society corresponding to the description given by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what reserve would be produced by an infantry force of 63,000 men serving on a seven-year colour and a five-year reserve basis; what reserve the same number of men would produce on a basis of three years with the colours and nine in the reserve; and what percentage of each reserve it is calculated would be ineffective from various causes on mobilisation?

An infantry force of 63,000 men under the present (7 and 5) years conditions would produce a reserve of about 29,000 men, including Section D. A similar force on 3 and 9 years conditions, making allowance for extensions of non-commissioned officers, etc., as in the Foot Guards, would produce about 73,000 men. A force so constituted would of course be unable to find garrisons for India and the Colonies. The percentage of reservists calculated as ineffective on mobilisation is 10 per cent.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to give the answers to the petitions from the Admiralty workmen; and, if not, when he expects to be in a position to do so?

It is expected that the answers to the petitions will be given about the end of this month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the actual cost of a war vessel of the "Dreadnought" class built by contractors, giving, among other particulars, the total cost of the hull; the cost per ton of the armour-plates used and the weight and total cost of the said plates; the cost of the machinery, distinguishing engines used in driving the ship; other engines employed to supply power for working the guns; engines used to drive dynamos; and donkey engines and miscellaneous, each class of engine being stated so as to show horse-power and cost; the total number and capacity of the boilers and whether these boilers are of the water-tube or Scotch description; the cost, weights, and shooting properties of each class of gun employed, together with the cost of the charges used for each description of gun; the total coal capacity of the ship and the weight of coal consumed per day, assuming the ship to be travelling for 24 hours at full speed; the estimated profit to contractors on each item in the detailed account; and whether he will also give a similar detailed statement of the costs incurred in building a ship of the "Dreadnought" class in one of His Majesty's dockyards?

There are two ships of the "Dreadnought" type under construction by contractors—the "Superb" and the "Vanguard." The hon. Member will find that all such information as the Board of Admiralty have in their possession and can publish in the interests of the public service, is contained on pages 202 and 203 of the current year's Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long H.M.S. "Scylla" has now been in the tropics; whether it is usual to keep His Majesty's ships two years in tropical climates; and whether he is aware that the stamina and general condition of the crews suffer under such circumstances?

The "Scylla" has been on the West Indies station, including Bermuda, since May, 1907, except for a short time, when she visited the coast of Central America. There is nothing unusual in this service. The reports on the health of the crew are quite satisfactory.

asked whether the plans for contract work placed with Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Company, Newcastle-on-Tyne, have been withdrawn; if so, when the work is likely to be proceeded with; and what benefit the unemployed have derived from contracts given to this firm at the latter part of 1908?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, the Admiralty can have no exact knowledge, but the amount that will be spent on this order by the end of the financial year will be far greater than was calculated for when the Estimates were framed.

asked if anything definite has been decided in the matter of the supply of Naval Volunteer kits, and on the question as to signal ratings?

An establishment of naval volunteer signal ratings, with the same titles, grades, etc., as obtain in the signal branch of the Royal Navy, has been recently approved. The question of the kits is now under the immediate consideration of the Admiralty.

asked what were the numbers of hired workmen employed in the home dockyards and victualling yards on the 1st March, 1903, and on the 1st March, 1909?

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