asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether materials to be used in the construction, outfit, and machinery of ships for Foreign trade and for trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States are admitted free of duty into the United States?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the United States gives to this country under the most-favoured-nation clause the same privileges as she grants to countries from which she has received reciprocal concessions?

We have most-favoured treatment except as regards spirits, wines, vermuth, and argols, on which special tariff advantages are conceded to certain countries. Cuban goods are admitted at a reduction of 20 per cent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations so as to ensure full most-favoured-nation treatment to this country?

I think the position is not unsatisfactory, and I do not think there is need for His Majesty's Government to take any special measures.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs how long communications had been proceeding between His Majesty's Government and that of' Portugal as to the slavery existing in San Thomé and Principé; and when Papers will be laid?

Communications have passed at various times since 1882, and lately there has been frequent discussion of the subject. As to the present position of the question, I can add nothing to previous answers, nor can I say when Papers will be laid.

asked the Under-Secretary: of State for India whether the Secretary of State made any inquiries into the previous record of Mr. Krishna Kumer Mittra before he sanctioned his deportation and imprisonment without charge or trial; and, if so, if it was upon that record that he was deprived of his liberty without being heard in his own defence and is still being kept in banishment from his home?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on Tuesday last, and to which I have nothing to add.

May I ask whether this gentleman was suspected of organising a movement for the encouragement of home industries in India, and whether that formed the ground on which he was deported?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on the same subject last Tuesday.

May I ask whether, in the opinion of the Government of India, it is a crime to organise a movement for the encouragement of home industries?

Order, order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State sanctioned the arrest, deportation and imprisonment, without charge or trial, of Mr. Satish Chatterjee, with the knowledge that he was a professor at a college affiliated to the University of Calcutta, and that no objection had been made either by the university or the Government against his teaching; and, if so, upon what grounds he decided that the imprisonment of this gentleman was necessary for the security of the British dominions in India from internal commotion?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to this question on Tuesday last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me on the first part of the question whether the Secretary of State sanctioned the arrest, deportation, and imprisonment of this gentleman with the knowledge that he was a professor of a college affiliated to the University of Calcutta, and whether any objection has been made by the University to his teaching?

I answered the hon. Gentleman on Tuesday last on the very same preamble to his question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; and on the second part the Secretary of State has no information.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he would state what inquiries were made by the Secretary of State into the previous histories of the nine British subjects in India whose deportation and imprisonment, without charge or trial, he sanctioned in December last; what was the result of those inquiries; and whether any fresh facts have been brought to his knowledge to justify their continued imprisonment?

As I have stated before on several occasions, the Secretary of State "does not consider it desirable in the public interest to make any statement as to the particular grounds on which action was taken in the several cases. The Secretary of State believes that the Government of India in every case satisfied themselves that it came within the terms of the Regulation.

Has the Secretary of State also satisfied himself?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to an hon. Member on the 2nd March. It is not in my power to make any statement or communication between the Secretary of State and the Government of India on this subject.

May I ask whether the persons deported under these regulations have the same advantage as all criminals possess of having their previous good character taken into consideration?

The hon. Member is aware from the many questions he has asked, and from the many answers I have given, what are the privileges which persons who come under these regulations enjoy.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Are the persons who are deported entitled to have their previous character taken into consideration?

Order, order. The hon. Member must give notice of his question.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether, when the Secretary of State sanctioned the deportation and imprisonment, without charge or trial, of Mr. Ashwini Kumar Dutt, he had been made aware by the Government of India that that gentleman was a graduate of the University of Calcutta and the founder of a college affiliated to that university, had been several times elected chairman of the municipality of Barisal, and had been an active organiser of philanthropic movements; and, if not, whether, in view of these facts, he will order his release from custody or state why he is still detained in prison?

I answered an identical question by the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne last Tuesday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman simply say whether the Secretary of State knows that Mr. Dutt founded a college.

I answered that last Tuesday. The Government of India were well aware of the fact.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has been advised that there is a substantial difference between the Government of India and that of Russia, and between the Duma and this Parliament.

Order, order.

asked the Under-Secretary for India, in view of the fact that under the Indian Regulation of 3rd April, 1818, it is stated that the ends of justice require that when it may be determined that any person shall be placed under personal restraint otherwise than in pursuance of some judicial proceeding, the grounds of such determination should from time to time come under revision, and the person thereby affected should at all times be allowed freely to bring to the-notice of the Governor-General in Council all circumstances relating either to the supposed grounds of such determination or to the manner in which it may be executed, whether he will assure the House that, in future cases of personal restraint under this regulation, sufficient indication shall be given to the person under restraint of the reasons actuating the Government to enable him to bring to the notice of the Governor-General the circumstances which it appears to such person necessary for the ends of justice should be brought to his knowledge?

The Secretary of State sees no good reason for altering the procedure in future cases under the Regulation, should any such arise.

Have any of these private gentlemen availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by the regulations of representing their cases specifically to the Government of India?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Secretary of State has made any inquiry from the authorities in India as to what representations have been made by way of defence or protest by the nine British subjects, or any of them, who were deported in December without charge or trial, and, if not, whether it his intention at any time to make such inquiry?

The Secretary of State does not think it necessary to make such an inquiry as is indicated in the question. The Government of India have been instructed to keep him informed on such matters.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know if the Secretary of State has inquired whether any of these gentlemen have made any defence whatever under these regulations?

The Secretary of State gave special instructions to the Government of India that he was to be kept informed on the various matters.

Has there been any report from the Government of India?

So far as I am aware, there have been no representations on the subject.

May I ask whether special instructions have been given that the House of Commons should not be informed of these matters in any particular?

I do not think it is in the discretion of the Government of India as to what information should be given to the House of Commons.

Who gave the order?

Order, order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether, a few days before the deportation in December last of nine British subjects without charge or trial, a Criminal Law Amendment Act was passed under which they could have been summarily tried by a duly constituted court for the offences of which they were believed to be guilty; and, if so, whether the Government of India has given any reason for not bringing them to trial under that Act?

If the hon. Member will refer to the regulation of 1818 he will see that it was expressly intended for the detention of persons without judicial proceedings in cases in which the security of the British dominions from internal commotion demanded that course of action.

May I ask whether he will consider the question of transferring some of the officials of the India Office to the office of the Chief Secretary for Ireland?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if contractors in the Crown Colonies are asked to comply with regulations as to wages and conditions of labour not less favourable to their workmen than those of competing contractors for Government work in this country?

No, Sir; the conditions as to labour and wages in Crown Colonies are quite unlike those existing here; and a uniform contract for this country and for such colonies could not be made.

May I ask if there is on the part of the Government a race distinction in this matter?

Not a race distinction, but there is a great difference in their position. The position of a Uganda labourer is very different from that of a labourer say in Scotland.

Does it include a distinction of race?

Of course there is a distinction of race; they are different races.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, on a complaint being made in the Canadian House of Commons on Wednesday, 10th March, 1909, that 300 British immigrants had arrived at Toronto workless and penniless, the Canadian Minister for the Interior said that his Government would, in future, enforce the rule that all immigrants entering Canada must show that they possess not less than £5; and will he arrange that this statement of the Canadian Minister for the Interior will be prominently exhibited in every post office, and also posted upon the' door of every place of worship, as well as on the notice boards of every police station in Great Britain and Ireland, in order that intending emigrants to Canada may be effectively warned as to the conditions upon which they may be permitted to enter the Colony?

My attention has been drawn to statements in the Press to the effect referred to by my hon. Friend. The Canadian rule as to the possession of money by immigrants is widely advertised in this country by the Emigrants' Information Office by means of posters displayed in every post office and some 1,400 public libraries and similar institutions, as well as by monthly notices in the Press and in the Board of Trade Labour Gazette. Attention is also called to the rule on the back of the free circulars relating to Canada, of which many thousands are distributed by the Emigrants' Information Office every month.

asked when the Report of the Committee on Land Tenure and Taxation in Northern Nigeria, which sat last Session, will be published?

The Report will be laid at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the report of the Transvaal Indigency Commission, 1908; and whether, in view of its recom- mendations of the taxation of land values, he will have it issued to Members?

I have the Report, which contains many matters of interest to residents in the Transvaal especially. Copies shall be placed in the Library, and I will endeavour to get further copies from South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a Report from his expert advisers of their recent local inspection with regard to the situation arising from the encroachment of the sea at Kilnsea; and whether, if he has received it, he intends to take any action to strengthen the existing Government defences at the Spurn and so guard against the probable destruction of communication with that headland and also the possible danger to the maintenance of the navigable channel of the Humber?

This question is under consideration at the Treasury.

asked the Lord-Advocate if his attention has been called to the length of time elapsing between the hearing of cases in the First Division of the Court of Session and the delivering of judgments; whether he is aware that in many cases this delay extends to six months, occasioning considerable loss and inconvenience to litigants; and whether he will take steps, by means of temporary appointments or otherwise, to expedite matters for the public benefit?

The answer to the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. From inquiries I have made I have ascertained that there are no cases in which delays have occurred of such length as is stated in the question. And when the Court rises for the Spring Vacation at the end of the present week every case which has been taken to avizandum by the First Division will have been disposed of. There are no steps, such as my hon. Friend suggests, available to me by which the period of time between the hearing and decision of cases can be expedited. That is a matter entirely within the power and discretion of His Majesty's Judges. But even if I had power to interfere, I see no reason whatever for interference.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the value of Irish bacon supplied to the Navy during the last year of which he has full particulars; and can he state what was the value of foreign bacon supplied to the Navy during the same period?

Bacon is not included in the Naval dietary, but if the hon. Member's question is intended to refer to salt pork, the value of the quantity purchased this financial year from Irish firms is £4,040, and from foreign firms £3,938.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether bacon is not supplied to the officers of the Navy as distinct from the men?

No, Sir, I do not think so, but I will inquire.

Are we right in assuming that foreign bacon is not included in the Navy rations?

No, Sir. I am not aware, but I will inquire if he wishes.

May I ask why the whole order is not given to Ireland?

It is an old controversy, which I do not think it is desirable to continue.

May I ask why some of this bacon order should not be given to England?

Some of it is given to England.

Has he told us that there was no bacon issued?

Yes, Sir, that is so.

Did the right hon. Gentleman use the word "bacon" in his reply?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if his attention had been directed to the fact that British commerce is threatened by proposals to make serious reductions in the customs tariffs of the United States; and if he can take any measures, whether by way of tariff retaliation or otherwise, to safeguard British shipping and trade interests in this connection?

Before this question is answered, may I ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has any official knowledge of the articles of import which will be subject to the reduction of tariff in the United States, and how far they will affect British commerce and trade?

I do not apprehend that any injury could be inflicted upon British commerce by reductions which might be effected in the American tariff. Although a lowering of American duties would no doubt make the United States a more formidable competitor in particular branches of trade, nevertheless the gain to the purchasing power of the United States and the abatement of restrictions upon the commercial intercourse of the world would confer sensible advantages upon all nations, and from those advantages we should certainly not be excluded. It is, however, better to judge of reductions in the tariff of the United States of America when they have actually been determined by the Government of that country.

May I ask if it is not a fact that the United States only possess 800,000 tons of over-sea shipping, and that her tariff which she would otherwise have, and that therefore—

The hon. Member must give notice of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to an accident caused by the failure of a coffer dam on the new dock works at Birkenhead by which 14 men lost their lives and others were injured; and whether it is proposed to hold an official inquiry into the cause and circumstances of such accident under the Notice of Accidents Act, 1894?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The accident referred to does not fall within the provisions, either of the Notice of Accidents Act, 1894, or of the Factory and Workshops Acts, and there is consequently at present no power to order an official inquiry. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Home Office is promoting legislation this Session in regard to engineering works, which will cover cases of this kind. Having regard, however, to the special circumstances of the accident in question, and in view of the legislation now pending, I have thought it desirable to instruct the factory inspector of the district to investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident as far as possible, and attend the inquest on behalf of the Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the representations he has made to the French Government on the subject of their increased tariff, he has used any threats of retaliation?

I am not prepared to make any statement at present upon the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the French tariff proposals, which are not, however, as stated in the question, put forward by the French Government, but by a Committee of the French Legislature.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Cabinet are agreed on the subject of retaliation?

That question is already covered by my answer to the preceding question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the terms in which the warning to persons thinking of investing in house-purchase and similar companies was circulated; what steps were taken to ensure a wide circulation; and what assurance he has that this warning reached the persons for whom it was intended?

The terms of the Memorandum which I caused to be issued are set out in full in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness on 7th December last. I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The Memorandum, or a summary of it, was widely published in the Press throughout the country, and, from communications which I have received, I have every reason to believe that it reached many of the persons for whom it was intended.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a movement on foot to transfer these companies to another company under another name?

No, Sir. I have been paying some attention to the proceedings of this and other companies, and I do not know of any step being taken which comes within the statutory powers of the Board of Trade.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention had been drawn to the loss sustained by the fishermen in North Uist through a storm in December last, when a number of boats were damaged and lost; whether he is aware that the fishermen have applied to the Congested Districts Board asking for a loan to enable them to repair the damage; that the Congested Districts Board have replied refusing to entertain the application; and if he will take steps to induce the Board to reconsider this question, and to help in a matter so directly affecting congestion in the West Highlands?

This matter has been again brought to the attention of the Board and of the Secretary for Scotland, and I cannot hold out any hope that such aid as is suggested by my hon. Friend can be given.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman agrees with the Congested Districts Board in saying that they have no power under their Act of Parliament to make good this damage?

I do not know what opinion the Congested Districts Board hold, but my opinion is that they have power under the Statute.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how he had arrived at the calculation that to raise the grog allowance to Id. per day would cost upwards of £30,000?

This Estimate was made on the basis of the reports recently obtained from ships and establishments containing about 80,000 men as to the number of men who would desire to be added to the temperance list if the change referred to were made. Assuming that the figures applicable to this large proportion of the fleet would apply to the whole service, an immediate addition of more than 15,000 men might be expected, at an extra cost of nearly £19,000; adding to this figure the extra cost for existing temperance men, and allowing for only a moderate increase of the temperance list in subsequent years, it is estimated that the extra annual expense to which the Admiralty would be committed would be more than £30,000 a year.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the immediate addition of 15,000 men to the temperance list would be cheaply purchased for £.30,000 a year?

Did not the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty promise last year to recommend to the Admiralty that this additional allowance should be given?

The subject has been inquired into most carefully, and as a result it is felt that, while these 15,000 men would be added to the temperance list, it would not mean an additional number of 15,000 temperance men. It is believed that a considerable number of these men would spend the penny in grog on shore.

Is it obligatory on any man in the Navy to draw the allowance of grog if he does not wish to consume it?

Of course not.

If the men spent the money on grog on shore, how much less grog would they be able to buy for the penny?

Considerably less— about one-fourth of the quantity—and the State would benefit to that extent.

Does my right hon. Friend mean that the men would prefer to buy on shore one-fourth of the quantity of grog they could get from the Government?

No. When I referred to "grog" on shore, I used an incorrect word; I meant liquor of some sort. On board ship they can get only a particular kind of grog; on shore they would be free to buy whatever they liked.

Is it not the case that the men have alternative kinds of grog on board ship?

I called on the hon. Member to put the next question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he had given effect to the recommendation of the Victualling Committee to mark grog-drinkers with the letter G on the ships' books instead of, as at present marking the temperance men T?

The Board decided that no special advantage would result from the adoption of this suggestion, which has, therefore, not been carried into effect.

Why is this invidious comparison made by marking "G" against those who take grog? Is it considered a term of opprobrium, or the reverse?

The hon. Member does not appreciate the force of my answer.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter "G" is already appropriated to men who are distinguished in gunnery?

Not on the ships' books; that is on a different list.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what firm of measurers had been employed by his Department to measure the Admiralty work at Greenock; where was their place of business; and what experience they had of doing work in the West of Scotland?

Messrs. Lorimer, Fair-bairn and Lightbody, 56, Queen-street, Edinburgh. The superintending engineer in Scotland, who has charge of the works at Greenock, recommended this firm as being quite competent to prepare the quantities for the Admiralty work at Greenock, and they were accordingly appointed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the wisdom of appointing measurers in the locality of the work?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the matter has been carefully considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would submit to the House the reports received from officers and men of the Fleet with reference to the allowance in lieu of rum rations, in consequence of which the Board of Admiralty had decided not to carry out the suggestion made by the Committee appointed to deal with canteen arrangements in the Navy; and if he would state upon what basis he estimated that the recommendation of the Committee would cost £30,000?

It is not usual to publish reports of this nature, and it is not proposed to make an exception in this case. With regard to the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Appleby.

If my right hon. Friend does not think it worth while to publish these reports, might I be allowed to look at some of them?

I will look into the matter, and see if they are suitable for my hon. Friend to peruse.

This is not the opportunity for arguing these questions; there will be an opportunity in less than an hour.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Estimates for 1906–7 were prepared by the Unionist Government; and if he would say by how much the actual expenditure on the Navy in the years 1906–7 and 1907–8 and the Estimates for 1908–9, respectively, exceeded or fell short of the Estimates for 1906–7?

In November, 1905, Lord Cawdor gave a forecast of the Navy Estimates for 1906–07. The actual Estimates for that year were, of course, prepared by the responsible Government of the day in the early part of 1906. Although there were some alterations in various Votes, the actual total was the same as in Lord Cawdor's forecast. The actual expenditure in 1906–07, 1907–08, and 1908–09 varied from the amount voted for 1906–07 as follows:—

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the county council of Huntingdonshire propose to place any men upon any land under the Small Holdings Act.

Three applicants are already in possession, and it is hoped that 900 acres will be available at Michaelmas next.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if any application had been received by the Board from the county council of Huntingdonshire for compulsory powers for purchasing land in the parish of Ramsey; and, if not, could he state the reason why no land had yet been provided for the large number of men in that parish who had applied for it and satisfied the council of their capacity to work it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The county council have, however, acquired 96 acres at Ramsey, and they are in negotiation for other land. If the necessary land cannot be obtained by voluntary arrangement the Board will press the council to use their compulsory powers so that the demand may be satisfied.

May I ask how long the Board will wait before they advise the county council to put in force their compulsory powers?

was understood to say there would be only a reasonable time.

asked if the county council of Huntingdonshire had entered into possession of any land under agreement for purchase for small holdings; if so, in what parishes was the land situated; and what was the acreage of it?

Yes, in one case comprising an acreage of 96 acres at Godmanchester.

asked if any money had been paid by the Hunts County Council for land for small holdings, either by deposit, or in part purchase, or otherwise; if any conveyances had been executed by the vendors of any such land; and, if not, if a legal contract had been entered into between the council and any vendor?

In two cases the purchase of land has been completed and the purchase price paid over by the county council. In another case the arrangements are on the point of completion.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he was aware that the county council of Huntingdonshire last year entered into negotiation for the purchase of land in the parish of Colne, and that a scheme was prepared and the men informed what portions of this land they were individually to have; if that proposed purchase had fallen through, and what were the reasons why the county council had not gone on with the purchase; and if the council were negotiating for any other land in that parish?

We are aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. The proposed purchase was not carried through owing to certain reservations made by the vendor. We understand that the vendor has let a considerable portion of these lands himself to the applicants, and that the council are not at the present time negotiating for any further lands in the parish of Colne.

asked if the purchase of 440 acres of land by the county council of Huntingdonshire was in one block; if not, in how many blocks was it; in what parishes were the blocks; and how many acres were there in each?

The purchase to which I think my hon. Friend refers comprises approximately 216 acres in Bluntisham, 127 acres in Farcet, and 97 acres in Godmanchester.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could state if any increase had taken place in the short sick absences and late attendances of the postmen engaged on the 4 a.m. attendance at the East Central District Office since 27th October last; and whether, having in view the increased strain put upon the men working this early duty, he would recommend the removal from the records of the late attendances which occurred during the three months following the introduction of the new early duties?

There has been a slight increase in the short sick absences of the postmen in question in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year; but, on the other hand, the number of late attendances has diminished. There is nothing in the figures that suggests any inference one way or the other as to the effect of the duties upon the health of the men. There appears to be no reason for dealing exceptionally with the records of late attendances for the three months following the introduction of the new scheme of duties. Allowance has already been made for late attendances due to causes beyond the control of the postmen concerned, such as late arrival of trains, tramcars, etc., owing to fog, etc.

asked the Postmaster-General if he could state what sum of money had been saved per annum by the amalgamation of the Postal Stores Department and the Controller of Stores Office; what proportion of this sum accrued on account of the manipulative staff having to work 5½ additional hours per week, for three of which no additional payment had been made; and if he could state the reason for which additional hours were imposed?

If, as I assume, my hon. Friend refers to the amalgamation of the Postal Stores Department and the Telegraph Stores Department in London, which was completed in 1905, I regret that it is not possible to furnish the figures he asks for. The amalgamation was accompanied by a redistribution of some of the work formerly undertaken by these Departments among other Departments to which it was. more suitable, and by the creation of a separate Factories Department, and was not directed so much with a view to effect a financial saving as to an increase of efficiency and co-ordination of practice. The hours for all the manipulative staff were fixed at 48 hours net. The whole matter was fully explained by the late Controller of Stores in his evidence before the Select Committee on Post Office Servants (Qn. 22,142); and I may perhaps refer my hon, Friend to that explanation, as the matter is rather too complicated to deal with in a verbal answer. My hon. Friend will recollect that the staff concerned brought the question before the Committee, but that body refrained from making any recommendation in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether letters passing to and from British subjects in India and British subjects in this country are being opened by public officials either here or in India, or on board the mail steamers; and, if so, upon what ground, upon whose authority, and under what law?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, no Post Office servant under my control is permitted to open, detain, or delay any letter save for the purpose of returning it to the sender, or in obedience to an express warrant under the hand of a Secretary of State, and I am sure that no Post Office servant is acting contrary to his duty in this respect. I think it will be obvious to my hon. Friend that any question as to the exercise of the special powers which, in the interest of public safety, are entrusted to the Secretaries of State, is strongly to be deprecated.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has the power of a Secretary of State to open Indian letters?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I have just given.

Does the same rule apply to letters passing between the United States of America and England and referring to Irish affairs?

The rule, as I have said, is this: "No Post Office servant under my control is permitted to open, detain, or delay any letter save for the purpose of returning it to the sender, or in obedience to an express warrant under the hand of a Secretary of State."

asked the Postmaster-General if he has come to an arrangement by which the contemplated discharge by the National Telephone Company of 6,000 skilled construction specialists can be avoided; and if this contemplated discharge is due to the proposal of the Post Office to take over the business of the National Telephone Company on 31st December, 1911?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to the negotiations with the National Telephone Company for the continuance of the construction plant designed for use after 1911. I must point out that, inasmuch as the company have to provide for the normal growth of their system between now and the termination of their license in 1911, they must necessarily continue to carry out a considerable amount of construction work themselves. As the hon. Member is aware, the license of the company comes to an end in 1911, and the business of the company will be taken over by the Post Office.

The right hon. Gentleman will see that these skilled men will be required after the Post Office has taken over the business. Will the Government see that they are not thrown out of employment pending the alteration?

That is a matter for very careful consideration. I am very anxious to come to terms with the National Telephone Company. I regret that, so far, I have not been able to come to terms, but I am still in negotiation with them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many skilled men have been discharged by the company?

I would rather have notice of that question.

Having regard to the statement made by the chairman of .the National Telephone Company on 25th February that if an agreement is not come to between the company and the Post Office the construction department men would have to be discharged, may I ask whether, if no arrangement is come to, the right hon. Gentleman's Department will endeavour to take over as many of the discharged servants of the National Tele- phone Company as possible, considering the state of unemployment at present?

I cannot add anything to the answer I have already given.

May I ask whether the National Telephone Company are observing the terms of the agreement come to with the Post Office?

In what respect? So far as I know they are.

In respect to maintaining the system in a state of efficiency.

The condition about that is that we take over the system in 1911 by valuation, or arbitration if necessary. Under that condition the price will depend on the state of efficiency of the concern at the time it is taken over. Obviously, therefore, if the National Telephone Company neglect their work, the price which will have to be paid will be smaller than it otherwise would be.

Is it not a fact that these men are engaged on new work extensions? Is it not the case that as you have not arrived at a satisfactory arrangement the Telephone Company are declining to undertake new work, and therefore cannot continue to employ the men?

I am assured that they are not employed on new lines.

Is not the discharge of these men prima facie evidence that they are neglecting to maintain the system in a state of efficiency?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in regard to the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry as to the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise, if he can state whether it is the intention of the Government to permit representatives of the bodies concerned to attend before such committee and give evidence?

Yes, Sir. Evidence will be accepted from members of such of the classes and upon such points as are directly included in the scope of the committee's inquiry.

asked Mr. Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the existence of a company known as the National Benefit Trust; whether he is aware that this company practices a system of drawing for house-purchase certifi- cates; whether he is aware that this is in fact a huge lottery; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will consider the necessity for taking some action with a view to the discontinuance of these practices?

I have made inquiries and am unable to discover anything about this Trust, or to verify its existence. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have such information as he possesses in reference to the facts suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any steps, and, if so, what steps, have been recently taken to prevent the importation into this country of meat unfit for human consumption?

I have caused two sets of Regulations under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, to be issued in connection with this matter. The first set came into operation on 1st October last, and the second on 1st January in the present year. The Regulations give power to the officers of port sanitary authorities to examine all food materials, including meat landed in their districts, and to deal with those which are unfit for human consumption. Special provision is made as regards certain kinds of meat foods which, unless they are shown not to be intended for human consumption, must be either re-exported or destroyed.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of residents within the Lymington borough area who are compelled to pay rates for services with which they are not supplied; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation with a view to redressing such inequalities? In asking this question I am not actuated by any hostility to the local authority concerned.

My attention has been called to this subject. Under Sub-section (4) of Section 211 of the Public Health Act, 1875, the Town Council could divide the borough into parts for all or any purposes of the Act, and could make a separate assessment in respect of the general district rate on any such part for all or any of the purposes for which it is formed. It is, however, within the option of the Town Council to determine whether they will exercise this power. I am afraid I could not undertake to introduce legislation of the kind suggested in the last part of the question.

May I ask whether it is the fact that he has received other representations of a kindred character from the Borough of Lymington, the Parish of Milford, and the Pennington Ward, adjoining Lymington, in the New Forest; and whether he will receive a deputation on the subjects or grant a local inquiry to look into the matters complained of?

I have received similar communications, but I do not think that at this moment a deputation is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the fact that since the introduction of the Territorial Forces Act no deputy-lieutenants have been appointed except those who have had military experience or have rendered services to the regular or irregular forces; and if the same qualification is required in new appointments of lords lieutenant, whose duties in connection with the Territorial Army are now such as to make knowledge of military matters essential?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the lord lieutenant becomes under the Statute president of the Territorial Force Association of his county unless he signifies his unwillingness to hold the office. In all recent appointments of lords lieutenant this fact has been kept in view.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it was because of his military experience or his bellicose language that the Government made a D. L. of the hon. Member for North Armagh?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the petition of the Merthyr Tydvil Guardians desiring the division of the Upper Merthyr Tydvil registration district into two; and whether, as this would be a great convenience to a large number of persons in this very scattered district and as the fees and emoluments received by the late registrar would amply suffice to pay two officials, he will recommend to the Registrar-General the sub-division of the district in question?

I have been in communication with the Registrar-General on the subject of the hon. Member's question, and am informed that he gave the Guardians' proposed scheme for the sub-division of Upper Merthyr Tydvil Sub-district, and all the representations made to him in regard to it, his careful consideration, but was unable to discover any sufficient reason for interfering with the existing arrangement, which was adopted so recently as 1905, and which has worked successfully and without complaint up to the present date. The Registrar-General further states that it has been found from long experience that an urban sub-district of about the same number of inhabitants and similar area is usually better served by one registrar giving the whole, or the greater portion, of his time to the work than by the same area divided into two sub-districts having smaller populations, the registrars of which would, as a rule, give less facilities for registration. The Registrar-General is unable for these and other reasons to alter his decision in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Mrs. Eales, of Bradford, whose late husband received Poor Law relief in January, 1908, to the amount of 12s. altogether, and who, almost immediately afterwards, sold part of his furniture to repay the debt, has been disqualified from receiving an old age pension; and, if so, whether he proposes to promote legislation at an early date to deal with this and other cases of hardship under the Old Age Pensions Act?

The facts of this case appear to be as stated in the question. The repayment of the cost of poor relief does not, as I am advised, remove the disqualification for an old age pension caused by its receipt. The point will, no doubt, receive the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with any amendment of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether important contracts have recently been arranged in respect of 52-inch mail-bag canvas; whether these contracts have been undertaken by British firms established in the United Kingdom; whether any provision has been made in these contracts to ensure that the canvas shall be manufactured in the United Kingdom; and whether, if not manufactured within the United Kingdom, he has taken steps to ensure the application of the fair wages clause?

Contracts have recently been made for the supply of 728,000 yards of 52-inch mail-bag canvas. The contract for 48,000 yards—about one-fifteenth part of the whole—was given to a foreign firm. The remainder of the contracts—680,000 yards —have gone to British firms. The contracts contain no condition as to the canvas being manufactured in the United Kingdom. They contain the usual clause as to fair wages, and no question has yet come before me as to its enforcement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether 600,000 yards were manufactured in the United Kingdom?

I cannot give an answer to that question because the contracts did not come before me personally. They were made under an arrangement made by one of my predecessors.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the past, this canvas has not been manufactured at home in Scotland?

The arrangement was made in 1902, and the present arrangement was in force when my hon. Friend was at the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the factory inspector of the district has made any report with reference to Messrs. Harborow, shirt makers, Westminster; whether this firm keep their young women and girls in the workrooms from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. without allowing them to leave the premises for meals or recreation; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.

I have had inquiry made into this matter. It appears that a rule is posted in the works to the effect that no employé is to leave the premises during the day without permission. The workers, however, are not kept in the workrooms. The firm have provided for their use three mess-rooms, which are well warmed and lighted, and a kitchen, in which the workers' food is cooked. No charge is made to the workers for these facilities. Some of the workers who live in the neighbourhood are allowed to go home to dinner each day, and permission is frequently given to other workers. There is no requirement in the Factory Act that workers are to be allowed to leave the factory or workshop premises during the meal intervals, but the firm have agreed, on the inspector discussing the question with them, to withdraw the rule.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Report of the Welsh Church Commission may be expected?

I am informed by the Chairman that he has no reason to suppose that the consideration of the draft report, which is now proceeding, will occupy any great time if the sittings take place continuously, as he hopes they will.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. C. H. Palethorpe, who was fined £5 on 26th February by the justices of the peace of King's Heath, near Birmingham, for driving to the danger of the public in High-street, Selly Oak, and to the character of the evidence on which he was convicted, and to the practice which appears to prevail in many courts of accepting police evidence and ignoring that given by civil witnesses; and whether, as it is known that certain inspectors of police have obtained their promotion by the number of convictions and the amount of fines obtained, and having regard to the prejudice which prevails against motorists, he will consider the advisability of making all fines inflicted on motorists payable to some central general fund, instead of the proceeds, as at present, going to the County Fund?

I have made inquiry in the case referred to, and I am informed that, besides three police officers, there was a fourth witness, not a police officer, who gave evidence for the prosecution, and that the defendant admitted driving a motor-car at a speed of 15 to 18 miles an hour in a street where, in the unanimous opinion of the magistrates who heard the evidence, a high rate of speed was dangerous to the public. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I do not believe any police authority has given, Or would give, an officer promotion on such grounds as are suggested, and I see no sufficient reason for altering, in respect of motorists, the general law relating to the application of fines imposed by courts of summary jurisdiction.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how many persons paid income tax under Schedule B in the financial year 1907–8?

The number of persons who paid income tax under Schedule B in the financial year 1907–8 is not known, but I am causing to be printed with the Votes a statement which shows the numbers of separate properties dealt with under Schedule B and of assessments under that schedule.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland why Mr. James Heaney, Market Street, Enniskillen, was refused an old age pension; whether he is aware that Mr. Heaney, through his solicitor, Mr. Cooper, of Enniskillen, appealed against refusal of a pension, and neither he nor his solicitor had any notice of any hearing of the appeal, but were merely informed it was rejected; and was the decision on appeal arrived at without giving the appellant an opportunity of putting forward his case to show that he was over 70, and of means so small as to entitle him to a pension?

The local pension committee decided that the claimant was not entitled to a pension, and the Local Government Board confirmed this decision on appeal, considering that, on the statement submitted by his solicitor, his means exceeded the statutory limit. The Board decide appeals upon written, and not upon oral, evidence.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Francis Irvine, of Edenmore, Tempo, Ireland, was fined under the Irish Public Health Act on 19th February for refusing to have his children vaccinated; whether an order to vaccinate the children had previously been made in spite of the fact that no notice had been served on the defendant, as required by Section 147 of the Public Health Act; whether Irvine has already been fined under the Irish Vaccination Act; and whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill shortly to give Irish conscientious objectors the same facilities for avoiding prosecution as have been granted to Englishmen, Welshmen, and Scotchmen?

In December last the guardians' solicitor obtained an Order at Petty Sessions under section 147 of the Public Health Act to compel Mr. Francis Irvine to have his two children vaccinated within a month. The Local Government Board have no means of knowing whether notice had previously been served on him. That was a point for the consideration of the magistrates. Having failed to comply with the magistrates' Order, Mr. Irvine was fined 2s. 6d. and 5s. costs at Petty Sessions on 19th February, as stated. I am informed that legal proceedings are usually instituted against a defaulter under the Vaccination Acts before steps are taken under Section 147 of the Public Health Act, and this course was presumably followed in the present case. The number of conscientious objectors to vaccination in Ireland is very small, and they are not, I understand, generally subjected by guardians to repeated prosecutions. I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that inconvenience is caused to pension committees by the action of the Census Office in withholding information as to the ages of claimants for old age pensions; and can he state when the required information will be sent?

It is presumed that the question refers to the Irish Public Record Office, in which the Census Returns for 1831 and 1841 are preserved. The Deputy-Keeper of the Records informs me that these Returns are largely used as evidence of age in connection with old age pensions both by claimants and by Inland Revenue, and that no information in reference to them has been withheld. It necessarily takes some little time to reply to the numerous applications on the subject. The number of such applications has been about 16,000, in addition to some 60,000 cases examined by the Inland Revenue officers working in the Record Office.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, is he aware that for a long time past the Rev. Father Hanly, parish priest of Cahirconlish, and the people of the townlands of Castle-erkine, Meagh, and Kilmurry, very populous districts, have been applying for grants to improve the schoolhouse in Kilmurry, but without success; that some time since an engineer came down, probably from Dublin, to report on the matter, which he did unfavourably, and that under the circumstances as presented to him he could scarcely have done otherwise; is he aware that the engineer sent no intimation of his coming to Father Hanly, the manager, nor to any other person; is he aware that a Mr. Bateman, a farmer owning the lands surrounding the schoolhouse, is prepared to give any amount of land to be required for extension of buildings and offices, and that the parents of the children are prepared to put new windows in the school-house, a new floor, a new ceiling, a door at south side, and all at their own private expense, and are certain that the average attendance daily in the event of the appointment of a new teacher instead of being under 35 will be considerably over it; is he aware that none of the suggestions offered of sending school children four miles to either Cahirline or Cahirconlish on vehicles would suit as, owing to the fact that Cahirconlish being within six miles of Limerick city, the public roads are continually overrun with motor-cars and milk vans; and will he see that the authorities of the National Board of Education continue the grants for the school, appoint a new teacher, and see to the other requirements in connection with the maintenance of the school in Kilmurry?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Father Hanly applied to them in 1907 for a grant towards the improvement of Kilmurry schoolhouse. The Commissioners asked the Board of Works for a report and an estimate of the cost of certain improve- ments. There did not appear to be any need for the presence of the manager at the inspection of the building, and the Board did not therefore inform him of the date of their officer's visit. The school-house was found to be too dilapidated and insanitary to be worth repairing, and the Commissioners were consequently unable to entertain Father Hanly's application. They have no information as to Mr. Bateman's offer. A statement that the parents of the children were willing to carry out the improvements mentioned in the question was embodied in a memorial received by the Commissioners from the manager and the inhabitants of the district. The question of continuing grants to Kilmurry school, which has been inoperative for some time, has been carefully considered, but in view of the small number of pupils for whom it is required, the Commissioners are of opinion that it will be best to send such of the children as are not within easy walking distance of other schools by covered van to the new school at Caherconlish. The Commissioners have intimated to the manager that they are prepared to consider the question of providing funds for this purpose. They do not anticipate any danger to the children from the traffic on the public road.