asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that all the Volunteer divisions are below strength, and that the commanding officers of the divisions have unanimously ex- pressed the opinion that the large loss in trained men is due to the uncertainty about the renewal of kits; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The hon. Member is correct in stating that the Volunteer divisions are below the maximum authorised strength. The matter of renewal of kits is, as I have said, now receiving the Board's consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, what is the sum annually at the disposal of the Irish Department of Agriculture for the purpose of encouraging Irish fisheries, and what has been the average sum spent each year for the same purpose by the Irish Congested Districts Board?

The sum annually at the disposal of the Department for the encouragement of Irish Fisheries is £10,000, allocated to sea fisheries as defined by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899, and such sums as may be applied with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board under that Act, to piers, boatslips, hatcheries, and the protection and development of inland fisheries. Such grants amount on an average to £4,500 a year. I am informed by the Department that in addition about £2,500 a year has been issued in loans in connection with the supply of boats and gear. The average net expenditure of the Congested Districts Board for aiding and developing sea fisheries during the past sixteen years has been 11,850, not including the cost of administration and maintenance of a steamer amounting to £4,666 a year, and the issue of loans averaging £6,527 a year.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of 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?

My right hon. Friend is still in communication with the Treasury on the subject. No decision has been yet arrived at.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of misunderstandings that have arisen, he will state the exact number of men of the Regular Army that he has actually reduced or scheduled for reduction since he assumed office?

The total reduction in the establishment of the Regular Army for which I am responsible is 22,055, including 4,158 Colonial and Indian troops. I will have printed and circulated with the votes a statement showing how this number is derived from the Estimates of the years 1905–6 and 1909–10.

This total includes 4,158 Colonial and Native Indian troops.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, what is the charge against Irish county councils for extra police other than those appointed under the proclamation of the Act of William IV.; whether the late Unionist Government remitted the payment of similar charges upon county councils; and, if so, whether the present Liberal administration proposes to follow that example of removing these charges from the shoulders of Irish ratepayers?

The charge against Irish county councils for extra police now serving, other than those appointed under the proclamations referred to, will be at the rate of about £3,160 per annum. Certain charges were withdrawn by the late Government because in the special circumstances that existed in that case, owing to a mistake made in the method of providing the extra force, the Law Officers of the day advised that the charge was not legally recoverable. The matter was fully explained in Debate in the House on 3rd August, 1904. The county councils are legally liable for the charge now accruing, and no remission can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in country districts many young men who would be most desirable recruits for the Territorial Army are prevented from joining the force solely by the expense of railway fares from their homes to the training stations; and whether he will consult with the county associations with a view to overcoming this obstacle?

My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to in the question, and I propose to consider it when the Association accounts for the year have been examined. County associations, however, are allowed to pay out-of-pocket travelling expenses of men coming to drills out of their grant.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the approved arrangements for Special Reserve training, 1909, Irish Command, as recently issued, are so framed that in almost all cases units are ordered to assemble on a Saturday and to dismiss on a Friday; and whether he could alter the arrangements so that units might assemble on a Monday and disband on a Saturday, for the convenience of the men, who would thus be enabled to draw full civilian pay for both the week in which they assemble and that in which they disband, as was specially arranged by the Secretary of State for War in the case of the Militia in 1907–8 and approved by all ranks?

Arrangements have been made by which the majority of the infantry units of the Special Reserve in Ireland assemble on a Saturday and dismiss on a Friday, thereby securing 21 days' training. The hon. and gallant Member's suggestion would only admit of 20 days' training and pay. The arrangements have been made by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and it is not proposed to interfere with them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any difference is made between public schools and secondary schools with reference to the age at which cadets become eligible for the Government grant of £l per head; and whether, in view of the fact that boys in the secondary schools leave school at an earlier age than boys in the public schools, he will take steps to secure that the present system shall work fairly to the cadet corps connected with the secondary schools?

With regard to such schools as provide contingents for the officers' training corps, grants to State-aided secondary schools are limited to cadets over 16 years of age by Section 2 (f) of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907. In public and other secondary schools not in receipt of State aid there is no such restriction, and capitation grants can be claimed in respect of efficient cadets over 15 years of age. The hon. Member will recollect that the age-limit for State-aided schools was finally settled after very full discussion during the progress of the Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Mr. S. Michaelson, of Pretoria, supplied certain goods to the British Army after the occupation of Pretoria, in June, 1900; that he did so under contract with Colonel Ward, and that the contract notes are still in existence; that the price of the goods was fixed by the proclamation of General Maxwell, Military Governor of Pretoria, dated 7th June, 1900; that in July, 1900, Captain Puckle passed the account, and cheques for £48,163 7s. 8d. were made out in favour of Mr. Michaelson; that the cheques were never handed to him, and are now in the War Office; that the grounds upon which payment was deferred were the alleged uncertainty a3 to the ownership of the goods; that such uncertainty has now been dispelled; that afterwards the matter was referred to the Central Judicial Commission without Mr. Michaelson's knowledge or consent; that the Commission had only jurisdiction to deal with goods requisitioned by the military authorities and not with goods supplied under contract; and that, in August, 1903, the Commission awarded £12,000 to Mr. Michaelson, which he ultimately accepted under protest; and whether, under the exceptional circumstances, he can see his way to refer the question as to whether the goods were requisitioned or bought under contract to the arbitration of any tribunal appointed by himself?

The facts of this case are very incorrectly stated in the question. The supplies were requisitioned and were not purchased under contract. The matter was referred to and investigated by the Central Judicial Commission, who awarded Mr. Michaelson the sum of £12,000, which he accepted in full payment. The award of this Commission must be considered as final. I have been most carefully into the case and do not propose to take any further steps in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has communicated to all headquarters of Territorial brigades the statement he made in this House on 17th December in answer to a question put by the hon. Member for St. Albans; and, if not, when he proposes to do so?

The reply was based on paragraph 242 of the Territorial Force Regulations, and it is not considered necessary to make any special notification on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of officials in the Belfast Post Office who have passed the age for voluntary retirement; and if, in view of the stagnation in promotion caused by the retention of these officers in the service, he will consider the advisability of compelling them to retire?

In the Belfast Post Office the number of full time officers over 60 years of age is 9. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the parcel post rate, which is so much lower between Germany and Spain than between this country and Spain, is proving prejudicial to British interests; and whether he can see his way to have this disparity removed?

I am unable to say whether the low parcel rates between Germany and Spain have had a prejudicial effect on British interests. The question whether some modification can be made in the parcel post rates from this country has been for some time under consideration, but I am not in a position to say that any substantial reduction can be effected without causing the service to be carried on at a loss.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of offices reduced from head offices to sub-offices by the recent classification, and the number of unestablished officers likely to be engaged where formerly established officers were employed?

The hon. Gentleman is under some, misapprehension. The question of any reduction from head offices to sub-offices was in no way affected by the recent classification, and has not resulted in the reduction of any head offices to sub-offices.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now come to an arrangement with the National Telephone Company as to the provision of plant for new services; and if he is aware that inconvenience is being caused in Edinburgh owing to the lack of facilities for new subscribers?

The negotiations with the National Telephone Company now proceeding have in view the continuance of general construction works involving the provision of spare plant for use after 1911. The company are, however, as I understand, prepared to provide plant for all requirements of the service up to the end of that year, when their license expires. I had not received any complaint as to insufficient telephone facilities at Edinburgh until yesterday, when my hon. Friend sent me some correspondence on the subject. I am communicating with the company.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that workmen are being discharged at the Holloway and Mount Pleasant factories, and that work hitherto done there is being given to outside contractors; and whether he will take steps to insure these factories being run at their full producing capacity?

I regret to say that it has been necessary to discharge a few men from the Holloway and Mount Pleasant factories, and it may be necessary, I fear, owing to falling off in a particular class of work, to discharge more later in the spring. Speaking generally, I may say that no work hitherto done at the Holloway and Mount Pleasant factories is being given to outside contractors; on the contrary, work which has formerly been done outside has been diverted to the factories. But, unfortunately, owing to unavoidable causes— i.e., chiefly changes in the nature of the articles required for the service, there has been a considerable falling off in the demand for certain classes of work—especially carpentering work. In spite, therefore, of the efforts we have made to find work for the factories, it has not been possible to obtain sufficient to retain all the existing men in the woodshops. Perhaps I may add that, during the last three years, the policy of keeping the work at the factories as far as possible uniform, in order to prevent ups and downs of taking on and discharging men, has been carried out with satisfactory results.

asked the Home Secretary what are the numbers of fatal and other accidents attributable to the use of the material known as flannelette that have occurred during the last five years respectively; and whether the Home Office has any power to impose restrictions on the use of inflammable materials for children's clothing?

I am unable to furnish these figures, and the Home Office has no power to impose restrictions. I have, however, asked the Committee on the Law of Coroners, though the subject does not come strictly within their reference, to make special inquiry as to the danger arising from the use of flannelette in articles of clothing, and I understand this is now being done.

asked the Home Secretary whether he could state the number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness in England and Wales for 1907 and 1908; the number of persons convicted; the number of licence-holders proceeded against for permitting drunkenness; and the number of convictions?

In the year 1907 the proceedings for drunkenness in England and Wales numbered 217,517, and the convictions 197,064. For the year 1908 the corresponding figures (still subject to correction) appear to be 209,691 and 187,803. In the year 1907 the licence-holders against whom proceedings for permitting drunkenness were taken numbered 1,306, and the convictions 728. The corresponding figures for 1908 are not yet ascertained, but it appears (subject to correction) that there were 642 similar convictions in that year.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the questions of principle regarding the future of British railway companies, and the importance thereof to the trading community raised by the working union Bill of the Great Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railways, he will arrange to give a full parliamentary day for the discussion of the second reading of this Bill?

asked a question in the same terms.

In answer to my hon. Friend's question, and to that of my hon. Friend the Member for Chester, I can only repeat that, while fully recognising the importance of the questions raised by this Bill, and the necessity for adequate discussion, the time at the disposal of the Government does not admit of their giving a full Parliamentary day to the discussion of this Bill.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the question of allowing chief petty officers to commute a part of their pensions has been under consideration for a long time; whether the matter has already been decided in regard to the non-commissioned officers of the Army, with the approval of the Treasury; and, if so, whether he can now announce the decision of the Board of Admiralty?

The question of allowing not only chief petty officers, but all naval ratings to commute their pensions is under consideration. The Admiralty is not at present in a position to announce any decision on the subject. It must be understood, however, that the War Office possesses statutory powers for dealing with this matter, which do not belong to the Admiralty.

asked what is the cost of the food supply to the Navy for the last available year; how much of this is supplied directly by England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively; and could he say who the contractors are in each country, and for what amounts?

The estimated value of the footstuffs (apart from allowances in lieu of food) bought by the Admiralty in the current financial year will amount to, roughly, £1,100,000, of which £800,000 will be spent in the United Kingdom. To give the details asked for in the latter part of the question is not considered desirable, and would in any case entail considerable labour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the terms of the fair wages clause in Admiralty contracts contractors have to pay labourers the port rate of wages in the ports where the contract is being carried out; and, if so, if he will make inquiries to ascertain whether the contractors supplying the machinery for the "Bellona" at Pembroke dockyard are paying the port rate of wages at Pembroke?

The wages clause in the contract for the machinery for H.M.S. Bellona" is as follows: "The wages paid in the execution of the whole of the work shall be those generally accepted as current for competent workmen in each trade in the district in which the work is carried out. For unskilled labour the wages paid for work performed under the contract in any of His Majesty's dockyards shall not be less than the dockyard hourly rate current for that class of labour employed on similar work." The hon. Member's desire for inquiries to be made from the contractors will be complied with.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the prospect of an increase in the amount of new construction, he can now see his way to reopen the establishment at Pembroke dockyard, so as to avoid any injustice being done to hired workmen who, under ordinary circumstances, would now or shortly be entitled to become established workmen.

The question of reopening the establishment at the dockyards is still under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say on what dates were the German armoured cruisers "Gneisenau" and "Scharnhorst" completed, and on what date they were commissioned; and whether he will give similar information as regards the British cruisers "Minotaur," "Shannon,"" "Defence," "Invincible," "Indomitable," and "Inflexible."

The "Scharnhorst" was completed October, 1907, and was commissioned for her final trials 24th October, 1907. The "Gneisenau" was completed February, 1908, and was commissioned for her final trials 6th March, 1908.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the actual amount spent each year for the last 10 years on new construction?

The following is a statement showing the expenditure incurred upon new construction during the years 1898–99 to 1907–08. The amounts shown are exclusive of the cost of guns:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the practice in the United States, Germany, France, and Japan in regard to the disposal of all unexpended balances of Navy Estimates remaining over after the conclusion of the financial year?

, in reply, supplied the following particulars:—

United States.—With certain exceptions, balances of appropriations are understood to remain available for two fiscal years ( i.e., three years from the date of the appropriation); they are then absorbed in the general revenue.

Germany.—It is understood that the unexpended balance of sums voted for shipbuilding and armament can be carried over for three years from the date of voting of the final instalment. We have no official knowledge with regard to the other Votes.

France.—Laws are passed from time to time, as necessary, introducing supplementary credits and annulling unexpended balances.

Japan.—We have no official information.

asked the Post-master-General whether, in view of the number of men connected with the building trade who are at present out of employment, he will at once proceed with the erection of the proposed new post office at Bolton; and, if he cannot do this, will he state when he proposes to commence the work?

This case has been attended with various difficulties, and the plans are not yet settled. I regret that I am not yet in a position to say when building operations can be begun.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the annual cost, excluding proficiency pay, of a private of the line on a seven years' engagement; and what percentage of men on the strengths of line battalions at home and abroad respectively are in receipt of proficiency pay?

The average annual cost of a private of infantry of the line at home, including charges for barracks, arms, ammunition, etc., but excluding proficiency pay, is about £50. About 77 per cent, of the men on the strength of line battalions in the Colonies and about 40 per cent, of the strength at home are in receipt of service or proficiency pay. The strength at home includes line recruits drilling at the depots, who do not receive proficiency pay, as they have not the two years' service required.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that during the year 1907 the deaths occurring from three infectious diseases that are not compulsorily notifiable were 30,249, while the deaths from ten infectious diseases that are compulsorily notifiable were only 8,629, he can see his way to include the three diseases that are not compulsorily notifiable in the list of those that are, or, otherwise, remove some of those diseases that have to be notified from the list?

I am not empowered by the Infectious Disease (Notification) Acts. 1889 and 1899, to adopt either of the courses suggested by my hon. Friend. It is, however, competent for the sanitary authority of any district, with the approval of the Local Government Board, to order that the Act of 1889 shall apply in their district to any infectious disease other than a disease specifically mentioned in that Act, and the Board have given their approval to orders made by various sanitary authorities extending the Act to the three diseases referred to in the question. The Acts do not apply to London, but there are provisions similar to those contained in them in the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Returns relating to local contributions to agricultural schemes in Ireland, of which notices appear on the Order Paper, can be granted?

There is no objection to the granting of this Return. The Return will take some time to prepare, as the particulars have to be obtained from the local bodies concerned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the total cost, giving separately the amount spent on guns, of the battleships of the "King Edward VII." type, the "Dreadnought," and the estimated cost of the "Dreadnought" type now building?

The following is the first cost of the vessels detailed below. My hon. Friend will find the rest of the information he asks for in the Navy Estimates, which are being published tonight:—