asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether a petition, dated 14th September, 1908, from the natives of the Orange River Colony, was received by the Governor for presentation to the King; and, if so, whether it has been presented?

No such petition has as yet been received in the Colonial Office, but inquiry shall be made.

Have not six months elapsed since the presentation of the petition to the Governor, and will he grant an inquiry into the matter?

Although the Governor is bound to transmit the petition to the King, he is also bound to take the advice of his Ministers. It may be a convenience to ascertain their views fully before transmitting the petition. If the hon. Gentleman thinks it is very important I shall consider whether we shall telegraph.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendations of the committee of inquiry into the organisation of the Crown Agents' Office, over which he presided, and more particularly those relating to the status of the office as a Government Department, the adoption of the principle of open competitive examinations for appointments to its staff, the provision of opportunities for tendering in the case of Colonial firms, and the annual review by Parliament of the operations of the office?

I can only say at present that the Secretary of State has approved the recommendations of the Committee, and that consideration is being given to the best method of giving effect to them. There shall be no undue delay.

May I ask will there be any review this year of the operations of the office?

I should think an opportunity shall arise. Without doubt that was the wish of the Committee over which I presided that such should be the case. I think it is a desirable state of things.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the statement contained in the Colonial Office Report, No. 57, on Uganda to the effect that goods imported into Uganda from Foreign countries are made up to give the impression that they are of British manufacture; that Americani from the United States is frequently adorned with the imperial crown and is described as royal or imperial; that looking-glasses made in Germany bear portraits of the British Royal Family; that cigarette-papers made in France have directions printed in Eng- lish; and that brass buttons made in Austria have the British crown and anchor; and what steps, if any, are being taken to put an end to this fraudulent trading, seeing that, according to the same Report, nearly 85 per cent. of the stock of the principal bazaars in the Protectorate consist of German, American, and other foreign goods?

In Paragraph 27 of the Colonial Report referred to the Governor intimates his intention of addressing the Secretary of State specially on this subject. My Noble Friend will press for this communication and give it attention as soon as it arrives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government has any information as to the result of recent negotiations between China and Japan regarding the extension of the Imperial Chinese Railway from Hsinmintun to Fakumen; whether his attention has been called to the report by His Majesty's commercial attaché at Pekin which shows that the proposed line would not compete injuriously with the South Manchurian Railway, as alleged; whether representations have been made by the China Association that the impediment offered by Japan to the proposed extension is injuriously affecting British interests; and will His Majesty's Government cause friendly representations to be made to Japan to induce her to withdraw from a position incompatible with the avowed policy of free intercourse and equal opportunity in Manchuria?

As stated in the answer returned to the hon. Member for Kincardineshire on March 9th, we have not yet heard of any agreement having been arrived at on the subject between China and Japan. The answers to the second and third paragraphs of the question are in the affirmative. The Japanese Government are aware that the matter is being followed with interest by His Majesty's Government, but have hitherto held to the opinion that the line as proposed would compete injuriously with their railway.

May I ask whether it is the case that China was assured that a supplementary clause in the Pekin Agreement of 1905, which deals with this question would be interpreted in the light of the treaty which guaranteed to China unrestricted development of her Manchurian territory?

I do not think it is for us to go into the question, which is one between China and Japan. It is primarily a question between China and Japan. This railway is not being promoted by British subjects or financed by British capital, though it is true the contract is let to a British firm. It is thus primarily a question between China and Japan.

Would not the appointment of a Consul at Harbin improve the position very much?

That is not relevant to the question.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is now in a position to state what steps have been taken to secure the publication of a classified directory of Irish exporters of Irish produce and Irish manufactures, which has been under consideration for some time past; and whether it is proposed, as already promised, to have the necessary information published in English, French, German, and Spanish, with a view to making the directory of real value to importers in those foreign countries with whom Ireland has trade relations.

This matter has not been lost sight of by the Department, and arrangements are at present proceeding in connection with the issue and distribution of the proposed list of manufacturing exporters. The list is intended for circulation in foreign countries and in the Colonies, and will be in English, French, German, and Spanish.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total cost, in coal supplies, pay, etc., of the recent cruises of the Admiralty yacht to Scotland and to Malta; and for what purpose these cruises were undertaken?

The cost of coal and oil expended on the three cruises made by the First Lord in the Admiralty yacht on the east coast of England and Scotland, the west coast of England and Scotland, and in the Mediterranean was £278, £564, and £1,788 respectively. No charge for pay arises, as the crew is part of the active personnel of the Royal Navy. The cruises were undertaken in accordance with the long-established usage that the First Lord shall from time to time undertake personal inspection of the naval ports, establishments, and squadrons, both in harbour and at sea.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in the case of a tender for a Government contract including granite or cement it is stipulated that the fair wages clause shall apply if the materials are produced in this country; and whether such clause is stipulated for when the granite or cement is produced in a foreign country; and, if so, will he state how the conditions of the clause are enforced in the latter case?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. No such clause is stipulated for when the granite or cement is produced in a foreign country.

May I ask if in future contracts he will take means to place the British manufacturers and producers on fairer terms than they enjoy at present in competition with their foreign rivals?

I could not admit the underlying assumption of the hon. Gentleman's question that the British producer is not on fair terms. I have never admitted the fair wages clause does in fact raise the price of the article.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of slips capable of being used for vessels of the "Dreadnought" class in England and Germany respectively?

In the United Kingdom the number of such slips at the present time is 17, including two belonging to firms who have not yet undertaken the construction of large warships. With alterations, which would take some months to carry out, two more slips could be made available in Government yards, and several more in private yards, if due notice were given to the firms concerned. In Germany, according to my information, there are at present 14 such slips available. Two more are under construc- tion and will shortly be ready. There is one other only sufficiently broad to construct an "Invincible," and there is yet one more in a private yard which has never undertaken the construction of large warships.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it takes to construct a slip in these countries?

I could not say without notice how long it takes from beginning to end.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the number 17 includes private slips?

Oh, yes.

May I ask whether the slip-way at Chatham is included?

Yes, I think the building slip at Chatham is included.

Have any of those firms agreed to give special facilities at the request of the Admiralty?

I cannot answer that question also without notice. I believe not.

May I ask do the figures which the right hon. Gentleman gives express the capacity of the two countries to turn out a similar class of vessels in the same time?

No, Sir. The building of a hull is only one item. You also have to take the capacity of a country to turn out guns, gun mountings, armour, and the necessary equipments.

Is there any reason to suppose that in these respects Germany is at all behind this country?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the firms possessing the 17 slips possess the adequate docking facilities which the Admiralty stipulate for in contracts?

I am dealing with slips now. The 17 slips include those belonging to the private dockyards or firms who have already built for the Government, and I have added, I think, two belonging to firms who have not yet undertaken such work.

Has the right hon. Gentleman included Chatham?

I think Chatham is included, but I am not sure.

asked what changes, if any, were to be made this year with regard to coastguards on the Fife coast?

No coastguard stations on the Fife coast will be closed this year.

Will there be any change as to the personnel?

I could not say without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, among the special Parliamentary powers to order, collect, and supply various shipbuilding materials during the year 1909–10, for which His Majesty's Government now asked the power to pay for such materials was included; and, if so, could he say out of what moneys and in virtue of what Parliamentary authority the payments in question would be made?

No, sir; special powers are not necessarily required for such a purpose, the Admiralty having power to apply any money available under the relative heads of the Estimates as they think fit— or, with Treasury sanction, within the aggregate of Navy Votes.

In that case, if the Admiralty decide to use these powers, is it proposed to present a supplementary Estimate to Parliament in regard to them?

As the hon. Member, being familiar with the details of this subject, is aware, the giving of orders would not necessarily include any liability on the Government this year. After the placing of the orders some considerable time must elapse before any charge becomes payable.

May we take it that no materials ordered in virtue of these powers will be paid for until next year's Estimates?

Unless they were paid for out of the aggregate Vote of this year's Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would explain why, in the statement of gross naval expenditure on page 1 of the Navy Estimates, he has deducted from that gross expenditure in each year the amount of the annuity paid by the Admiralty in repayment of loans previously expended on naval works; was the amount so repaid, in each year not in fact a part of the naval expenditure of the year, or did the Admiralty hold that repayments of money borrowed and spent in previous years are not expenditure?

It being considered desirable to show the actual outlay on works scheduled in the Naval Works Acts as part of the gross naval expenditure for the year, it was necessary to abate the annuity in repayment of loans under those Acts, otherwise the loan expenditure would have been counted twice. It may be added that the gross expenditure from Navy Votes in 1909–10 includes a sum of £641,700 which would have been otherwise provided had the Loan Acts continued.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could explain the fact that whereas, according to the Finance Accounts, page 11, there was issued from the Exchequer to the Admiralty during the year 1906–7 the sum of £4,081,749 16s. 3d. to be applied to naval works and to the Cunard agreement, it was stated on page 1 of the Naval Esti mates that the expenditure from loans during that year was only £2,431,201; could he say what had become of the remaining £1,650,548 16s. 3d. issued to the Admiralty in that year; would he explain the similar discrepancies for the years 1905–6, 1907–8, and 1908–9; and was the House to understand from the statement, on page 1 of the Naval Estimates that no expenditure whatever from loans would be made by the Admiralty during the year 1909–10?

The explanation of the apparent discrepancy to which the hon. Member calls attention is that the advances under the Cunard Agreement (Money) Act do not form a charge to naval funds, and do not, therefore, appear in Navy Estimates and Accounts. No expenditure from loans will be incurred by the Admiralty in 1909–10.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would arrange to place the orders at an early date for the gun-mountings which would be needed for the equipment of the new "Dreadnoughts," having regard to the fact that they had efficient men and space for the work in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich?

In the allocation of orders for the programme for next year, due regard will be paid to the maintenance of work at Woolwich; but it is not proposed to commence the manufacture of hydraulic gun-mountings at the Royal Arsenal.

May I ask whether, supposing these orders are placed at an early date, similar consideration will be granted to private firms?

It is only private firms who make gun-mountings of this magnitude.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember the promise given in this House that the Government Departments should have first consideration?

My hon. Friend overlooks the fact that there is at present no plant at the Arsenal adequate for making gun-mountings of this size; and it would greatly postpone the equipment of a battleship if we were to wait for the output of gun-mountings until we had put down plant at Woolwich.

I will ask another question on the point later.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to have regard to national interests in this matter, rather than the local interests of Woolwich or Sheffield?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I am having regard only to national interests.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many labourers there were now employed by the contractors, Messrs. Morrison and Mason, at 5d. per hour, or 1d. per hour below the recognised standard rate for this class of work; whether he had yet decided to recommend the contractors to pay the 6d, per hour; and whether he intended taking any action in the matter?

Seventeen men are employed on the new lock at Portsmouth at 5d. per hour. As regards further action, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary is to visit Portsmouth shortly, accompanied by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke, and will make personal inquiry into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the prefatory memorandum to the secondary schools regulations for 1908 was dated 10th April, he could state when the next regulations would be issued, and whether it was proposed to enable new Catholic secondary schools to be opened in future?

The Regulations were published last year on 27th April. I hope this year the issue will take place about the same date. I regret I cannot forecast what changes may be made.

asked how much the Exchequer grants per child in London were below the average grants for the rest of England and Wales, and why a lower grant was earned in London, where the cost of education was greatest?

Excluding grants for special purposes, the average grant for England and Wales in respect of the year 1907–8 was 40s. 10d. The average grant for London was 37s. 11d. The difference is mainly due to the operation of Section 10 of the Education Act, 1902, under which London receives a smaller grant owing to the produce of a 1d. rate per child being considerably higher than the average of the country.

Is it possible for London, in the present condition of the Aid Grant, under any circumstances to earn an education grant equal to that earned in the rest of England and Wales?

I do not think it is.

asked the Lord-Advocate whether he was aware that in some of the training colleges in Scotland for elementary school teachers there were vacancies for which English students were eligible, but that such students were debarred from the privileges of bursarship or remission of fees and other privileges enjoyed by Scottish students, while the imperial grants were payable equally for English and Scottish students; and whether arrangements could be made whereby English and Scottish students could be placed on terms of equality, financially and otherwise?

The accommodation in Scotch Training Colleges being limited, is naturally made use of, in the first place, for the training of students from Scotland, but candidates from England have been admitted to some of the centres at which there was room. It is not the case, as seems to be assumed in the question, that there is a uniform rate of allowance to students from Scotland from which students from England are debarred. Allowances and remission of fees are made by the training college authorities with reference to the circumstances of the students individually, and there is no allowance which could be claimed as a matter of right by any student, whether Scottish or English.

Why is there this differentiation between English and Scottish students in the case mentioned in the question?

was understood to ask for notice.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the recommendations of Dr. Dittmar, the Local Government Board inspector, for improving the sanitary condition of the townships in the island of Lewis, supported by suggestions of the medical officer of health for Boss and Cromarty, had been under the consideration of the Secretary for Scotland ever since he came into office three years ago, he would state when he expected to arrive at a decision on the subject?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to my answer of yesterday to a similar question. The sanitary deficiencies of the Lews cannot be remedied by any short and summary methods, but progress has been made since the Report in question was presented, and the matter continues to receive the attention of the Government.

Seeing that the matter has been under the consideration of the Secretary for Scotland for the last three years, may I ask whether a decision is likely to be arrived at during the life of the present Parliament?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could state the number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness in Scotland for 1907 and 1908, the number of persons convicted, the number of licence-holders proceeded against for permitting drunkenness, and the number of convictions?

The number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness in Scot- land during 1907 was 58,930, of whom 42,280 were convicted. (This figure does not include 15,907 pledges, etc., forfeited.) The number of licence-holders proceeded against for permitting drunkenness and the number of convictions cannot be given as the different natures of the "Breaches of Certificates" are not specified, but the total number of such proceedings was 113 and there were 51 convictions. The figures for 1908 will not be available for some months.

Is it not the fact that Sunday closing obtains in Scotland?

asked the Lord Advocate whether he had received any report as to the alleged settlement of crofters on tenanted land in Barra, or elsewhere in the Hebrides; and, if so, what steps he intended to take in the matter?

The Secretary for Scotland has received reports of the nature referred to, but on making inquiry and intimating strong disapproval of such action, I am glad to say he has learned in each case that it has been desisted from.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the copyright of Reports of Royal Commissions belongs to His Majesty's Government; whether the produce of sales of Blue Books goes towards defraying the expense of publishing such books; and by whose permission and for what reason a private publisher was allowed to issue in volume form a reprint of the Minority Report of the Poor Law Commission simultaneously with the official issue?

The copyright in Government publications is vested by Letters Patent under the Great Seal in the Controller of His Majesty's Stationery Office. The produce of sales of Blue Books goes towards defraying the expense of publishing such books, inasmuch as it is appropriated in aid of the Stationery Office Vote. As explained in my answer to the question of the hon. Member for Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities on the 24th ult., the Treasury did not feel able to take any action in the case referred to in the last part of the question, having regard to the terms of the Treasury Minute of 31st August, 1887, laid before Parliament (House of Commons Paper, 335, of 1887).

May I ask whether it is the fact that the Treasury regulations state what was the policy and practice in regard to this matter when they were made, and whether it is not necessary to revise them now?

The hon. Member is quite correct. The Treasury Minute lays down what was then the practice and policy of the Treasury, but I see no reason to depart from that.

May I ask the hon. Member whether the Government propose to take any action to prevent similar occurrences?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Treasury Minute of 31st August, 1887, he will see that it was the policy of the Treasury that Parliamentary publications of a particular class should be made as easily available as is possible. My hon. Friend knows that the Treasury have undertaken to issue a cheap edition of this particular publication.

May I ask if it is the fact that any signatory of the Report of a Royal Commission is at liberty to publish that Report?

May I ask whether the Minute of 1887 did not state what parts of publications by the Stationery Office might be availed of here and there without the full authority of the Stationery Office having been obtained? Is it not necessary for the Treasury to review the practice now that serious charges—

The hon. Member cannot make a speech now. He must give notice of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what is the elevation above sea level of Lough Erne, which receives the drainage of districts served by the Loughs Oughter, Gowna, and River Erne drainage system and the Lough Oughter and River Erne drainage system; what is the elevation of Lough Sara above sea level; and what is the average elevation above sea level of the districts served by the afore-mentioned drainage systems?

The elevation of Upper Lough Erne, into which these drainage systems discharge, is 156 feet above sea level. The elevation of Lough Sara above sea level is 225 feet. The elevation of the water-shed surrounding the River Erne drainage system varies from 2,188 feet to 480 feet above sea level. Further information can be obtained by inspection of the various maps published by the Ordnance Survey.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments on 1st April, whether the allowance of £20 per annum paid to Customs testing officers at the outports will also be paid to the chemical officers of Inland Revenue, seeing that no reply has yet been given to the petition of the last-mentioned officers forwarded to the Board of Inland Revenue in July, 1907?

Independently of questions arising out of the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments, general questions concerning the organisation of the Government Laboratory and the status of the chemical staff are under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement as regards the allowances to which I understand the hon. Member to refer.

Can the hon. Gentleman state why there has been a delay of two years in replying to the petition?

I do not think there has been such a delay. I understand that the memorial was received in September last.

In July, 1907.

The matter is under the consideration of a Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take upon the report of the advisory committee with reference to the question of British ships carrying some form of life-line throwing apparatus?

The Report of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers, which will be published very shortly, is being considered by the Board of Trade, but it is not yet possible to say what action will be taken with regard to it. To compel ships to carry some form of line-throwing; apparatus would require legislation.

asked whether, before any arrangement in the nature of .a commercial treaty is made with France, the terms will be laid before Parliament, and the House of Commons be afforded an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the general character of such an agreement.

I must refer the hon. Member to the answers returned to the hon. Member for Wycombe on the 6th February last year, to the hon. Member for Brighton on 3rd June last, and to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne on 1st July. We could not give such a general assurance as the hon. Member desires in the case of any foreign treaty without departing from the constitutional practice of this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an Anglo-Japanese Exhibition has been arranged, with the approval of the British Government, to be held in London next year; and, if so, whether the Government intends to make any grant for the purpose, or has offered any particular facilities to the promoters of the exhibition?

His Majesty's Government have been informed that it is proposed to hold an exhibition of the nature referred to, which cannot fail to evoke the sympathetic interest of this country. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he or his immediate predecessor in office has received a complaint from ex-engine-driver William Stockdale, of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, Accrington, complaining of the treatment he received from the officials of the company; is he aware that, shortly after this complaint was sent to the Board of Trade, Stockdale was dismissed for refusing to take out a fireman without the needful equipment, when to have done so would have endangered life and property; and, if the facts are as stated, does the Board of Trade intend to take any action in the matter?

William Stock-dale's original complaint to the Board of Trade was not communicated to the railway company, and my information as to the reason for his dismissal is not in accordance with that contained in the question. William Stockdale, in reply to his subsequent complaints, has been informed that the matter is not one with which the Department can deal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there are any regulations or restrictions in force to govern the carriage by coasting vessels of dynamite, gunpowder, or other explosives between one pore in the United Kingdom and another; and if such vessels exhibit any notice or signal to warn other ships of the dangerous nature of their cargo?

Bye-laws made by local authorities under the Explosives Acts regulate the loading and unloading of explosives in ports and harbours, and the Board of Trade surveyors also supervise the loading of explosives on outgoing vessels. Coasting vessels carrying explosives exhibit special signals when nearing certain harbours, but are not required to exhibit any such signal when at sea.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state the number of applicants for small holdings in Hampshire, the number of applications approved, the acreage applied for, the amount of land already allocated, the number of schemes under consideration, and the acreage involved in them, and the localities in which land has been allotted or will soon be allotted; and how many of the applicants approved have actually entered into possession of the land allotted to them, and the extent of such holdings?

Out of 529 applicants 222 have been approved. They have applied for 2,712 acres, of which 244 acres have been already allocated. Six schemes, comprising 271 acres, are under consideration. Land has, or will be shortly allotted in Thruxton, Sherfield-on-Loddon, North Stoneham, Chandlers Ford, Selborne, Idsworth, and Whitchurch. Nine applicants are already in possession of 214 acres.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can hold out any hope of a Government scheme to encourage the breeding of horses, in view of the increase of motor traffic and the consequent discouragement of horse-breeding in the United Kingdom?

We hope that it may be found possible to bring into operation a scheme for the encouragement of horse-breeding. There are, however, various questions—financial and otherwise —to be settled before any decision in the matter can be reached.

Can the hon. Baronet inform the House whether he has received any substantial offers of help from outside sources?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can say what is the annual rental, and what is the rateable value, of the Thorney estate; and what is the sum asked for it by the Duke of Bedford as the purchase price of the estate?

The information supplied to the Crown by the Duke of Bedford is of a confidential character, and I am unable at present to give the particulars for which my hon. Friend asks.

Is the hon. Baronet aware that the Duke of Bedford admits that the total income from the estate is £5,450 a year?

I am not aware of that.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board have made any offer to purchase the Thorney estate from the Duke of Bedford; if so, whether the Board's offer was £650,000 or any similar sum; and on what basis the offer of such a sum was made?

No offer has been made by the Crown for the property to which my hon. Friend refers. The Office of Woods and Forests, and not the Board of Agriculture, are dealing with the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the whole of the lighting dues paid in the United Kingdom by shipping are received by the Board of Trade; if so, under what account do they appear; and what was the amount of the dues for the past three years and the amount of the expenses and payments made in respect of the lighting of the coast in the same period?

The whole of the light dues collected in the United Kingdom under the authority of the Merchant Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Act, 1898, are received by the Board of Trade, and are shown in the Accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund, presented annually to Parliament, which also include the expenditure incurred for the maintenance of the lighthouses, etc., under the control of the General Lighthouse Authorities. The Accounts, however, do not include the local light dues levied under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, by local lighthouse authorities for the construction and maintenance of local lights, which are not received by the Board of Trade.

The following is a statement of the light dues collected and the expenditure of the general lighthouse authorities for the last three financial years:—

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that upwards of 40 members of this House are at present laid up with influenza, and that the majority of them attribute their illness to the bad ventilation of this House; and if he would, therefore, consider the desirability of adopting a more natural system of ventilation than exists at present?

I much regret the melancholy state of affairs con- veyed in the hon. Member's question, but I am sorry to find that the proportion of 6 per cent. of influenza is not uncommon in other buildings and professions which are subject to the most natural systems of ventilation.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether a paternal feeling cannot move him from his position in this matter, especially as he considers himself the author of the present system?

I do not consider myself the author of this or any other system.

Did not a Commission sit on the subject of ventilation in 1903 and considered the present system very objectionable? Did they not press for an immediate inquiry?

The inquiry has been held. A large number of recommendations were made, all of which I have carried out.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state how many of the councils of boroughs and urban and rural districts, respectively, have neglected to make any regulations under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order of 1885?

The number of the boroughs and other districts in which regulations are not in force is as follows:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to a proposal by the Windermere Urban District Council to establish a sewage farm on the shores of Lake Windermere, between Bowness and the Ferry; and will he make inquiry as to whether it is possible to satisfy the hygienic requirements of the Windermere urban district by some means which will not injuriously affect the amenities of this national recreation ground?

I have received an application for sanction to a loan in respect of this matter, and have directed that a local inquiry be held by one of the inspectors of my Department with regard to it, at which all persons interested will have an opportunity of being heard. My hon. Friend may be assured that I shall not lose sight of the aspect of the case to which he draws attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the total number of eases of lead poisoning from all sources during the last four years; how many of these cases were fatal; how many cases exhibited symptoms of paralysis; how many cases had symptoms of brain trouble (encephalopathy); how many persons were disabled; and have experiments on animals, justifying the conclusion that the lead in this disease is more often inhaled than swallowed, contributed to the decision of the Home Office to alter their special rules under the Factory and Workshops Act for various branches of the lead industry in order to guard against this channel of infection?

The total number of eases of lead poisoning reported during the four years ended 31st December last under the Factory and Workshop Act was 2,448, of which 114 were fatal. The number of these cases showing symptoms of paralysis was 548; of encephalopathy, 84. The number of persons disabled cannot be stated. There are other sources of lead poisoning outside the scope of the Factory Act, of which the most important is house painting and plumbing. Five hundred and fifty-seven cases (including 147 deaths) were reported as occurring in these two industries during the same period, but these reports were made voluntarily, and the figures cannot be taken as complete. As regards the last part of the question, the only experiments of the kind of which I am aware are some that are now being carried out for the Lead Committee in connection with the pottery industry. These have special reference to the question of the channel of absorption, but are not yet completed. They have not, of course, had anything to do with the revision during the last two or three years of various codes of special rules for different industries in which lead is used; but these rules contain precautions which are effective against both channels of infection. There has been no single "decision" to revise these codes. It has been the general policy of the Department to bring the older rules, as occasion arises, up to a modern standard.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation this Session to grant new powers to strengthen the hands of the authorities engaged in the suppression of the white slave traffic between this country and the Continent?

I cannot at present add anything to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 1st March, except that I am about to receive a deputation on the subject of this traffic.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of John Armson, a boy of 15, recently sentenced, at the Nottingham County Police Court, to two months' imprisonment without the option of a fine, merely for scratching the glass in a number of shop windows; and if he can see his way to release this lad at once?

I have made inquiry, and am informed that the damage done by the defendant was extensive and deliberate. He had been convicted and fined three times recently, and only last month he had been allowed the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act after stealing property to the value of £2. In the circumstances I regret that I cannot interfere.

Could not the boy have been sent to a reformatory?

That is a matter for the justices to consider. I quite agree with my hon. Friend that might have been possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it has been de tended to replace the branch office in Chestergate, Macclesfield; is it intended to build a new central post office; if so, has the site been decided upon; and is it intended to replace the branch office in Chestergate by a sub-office?

The lease of the Chester-gate Branch Post Office expires on the 25th proximo, and it has been arranged to give up possession then. The maintenance of a branch office in a town of the S1ze of Macclesfield is altogether excep- tional, and the circumstances do not warrant the continuance of the arrangement. A sub-office will be opened in place of the branch office, and this will, I believe, provide sufficient accommodation for the Post Office business of the district. The head post office is now at Park Green, but the question of providing a new head post office near the present site is being considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Household office, at present held by the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture in the House of Commons is be detached from political duties; and whether, on the Motion for the second reading of the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture Bill, a statement can be made as to the result of the recent enquiry into the allocation of work between the various departments.

:I shall be glad to reply to the points raised by my hon. Friend when either the Board of Agriculture Bill or the Board of Trade Bill comes on for discussion.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that at the Chester-assizes, on the 17th ultimo, a temporary postman was sentenced to 18 month's hard labour for stealing postal orders; and if he will say whether his wages were 12s. 9d. a week, he being a married man with a child?

The man in question was employed as temporary assistant-postman at a sub-office. He was earning not 12s. 9d., but 17s. 9d. a week from the Post Office; and when he was not working for the Post Office he had employment at the docks. The man pleaded guilty, and admitted that he had been spending money on football coupons.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that the Post Office have lately placed a contract for clothing with an East End firm who have been struck off the contractors' list both of the Army and of the Metropolitan Asylums Board; and whether he can give the House an assurance that this will be discontinued in future?

The circumstances, so far as the War Office was concerned, were before me when I made the contract, and I was in communication with the War Office on the subject. No question of wages or conditions of labour was involved. The work done by the firm for the Post Office has been satisfactory, and in the circumstances there appeared to be no reason why I should not continue to employ them. I have no information in regard to the action of the Metropolitan Asylums Board.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the reasons why the firm was struck off the list? Will he ask the Metropolitan Asylums Board?

I have no objection.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us why the firm was struck off?

I think that it was on account of some delay in the delivery.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will state the number of tons and the value of spikes and fish-bolts purchased through the India Office, respectively, from manufacturers in the United Kingdom and abroad during the year 1908?

No purchase of either spikes or fish-bolts from manufacturers abroad were made by the India Office during the year 1908; 2,590 tons of spikes and 960 tons of fish-bolts, to the value of £26,404 and £14,138 respectively, were purchased during that year from manufacturers in the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether, when considering the tenders recently received for steel coach-screws, fish-bolts, rail-screws, dog-spikes, and rolled-steel chairs, he will safeguard British manufacturers from being penalised by having to observe the fair wages clause from which foreigners are exempt?

British manufacturers are not penalised by the obligation to observe the fair wages clause. Contracts are given to foreign firms only when there is a clear saving of money or some advantage in expeditious delivery to the Indian taxpayer for an article equally good in quality.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has received any report of the death of Mr. Henry William Macdonald, who was in charge of a survey party; and under what circumstances, and, if so, where, was he killed?

The Government of India report that Mr. Macdonald, while surveying in the Sheranni country on 11th March, entrusted himself temporarily to the guidance of three Sherannis, leaving his police guard and tribal escort out of reach. The Sherannis proved to be fanatics, who shot him and fled. The chief murderer has been arrested, and measures are being taken to secure the arrest of the remainder of the party. The motive was pure fanaticism, and the rest of the Sheranni country is quiet.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state when the next Return will be issued by the Estates Commissioners giving the names of those to whom holdings have been allotted as evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the Return for the quarter, ended 31st December last, is in the printers' hands, and will be presented this week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state if the Estates Commissioners have allotted a holding to Mr. Daniel O'Callaghan, of Drumconnolly, county Monaghan, as an evicted tenant; and on what date, and who recommended the application?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not allotted a holding to Mr. O'Callaghan as an evicted tenant. At the request of the Land Judge, by whom the Cordner estate was sold to them under the Act of 1903, the Commissioners in June last allotted Mr. O'Callaghan, who had been the gamekeeper on that estate, a parcel of the untenanted land on the estate, including the house in which he was living.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say whether he is aware that the Thurles Rural District Council decided not to erect a cottage granted on appeal by County Court Judge Moore to Mrs. Maher, of Borrisoleigh, who is a farm labourer with a young family; and, if so, whether he will, as President of the Local Government Board in Ireland, insist on this cottage being built and given to this woman?

The Local Government Board have received a communication from the clerk of the rural district council from which it would appear that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. The original applicant for the cottage was the late husband of Mrs. Maher. The Labourers Act contemplate that the District Council shall carry into execution as soon as practicable any improvement scheme finally authorised, and the Board will point out to the council their duty in this respeet as regards this case.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it has been found necessary to adjourn certain cases at the Sligo assizes because the special jury panel had been privately printed and circulated and an active canvass made of the jurors in the interests of the accused persons; whether the persons concerned in this attempt to interfere with the administration of justice are known; and, if so, what action is to be taken with reference to them?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Information was received that the common jury panel had been privately printed and circulated, but there was no direct evidence available of the canvassing of the jurors, though it is believed that the printing of the jury panel was with that object. The persons concerned in this proceeding are not known.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Irish Local Government Board have proposed to the Belfast Board of Guardians that they should provide and endow for the Roman Catholic inmates out of the rates special religious accommodation not demanded by any other communion; what the cost of such proposal, if carried out, would be; what is the estimated increase of the poor rate in the coming year without such expenditure; if the proposals have been rejected by 29 votes to 9; and if he intends to force the decision of the Irish Local Government Board upon the guardians against the wishes of the elected representatives of the people in a matter within their own jurisdiction?

The Local Government Board have not made the proposal set out in the question. They understand that the religious authorities of all denominations in Belfast consider the accommodation for worship in the workhouse quite inadequate. The Board concur in this view, and have asked the guardians to reconsider the matter. The approximate cost of the suggested improvements cannot be stated, as no plans, specifications, or estimates have yet been prepared. The increase of the poor rate in the coming year is estimated at less than fourpence in the pound. When the matter first came before the guardians, they decided, by the majority mentioned in the question, not to take action, chiefly on the ground that it would be well to postpone taking any steps pending legislation for the reform of the poor laws. It was, however, pointed out to them that a large institution for the purposes of indoor relief must always be maintained in Belfast, and they are to reconsider the matter on 23rd instant. The Local Government Board will await their decision before taking any further action.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the accommodation for all classes and all denominations is exactly the same in Belfast Union?

I am sure nobody in this House has any wish to deprive the paupers of the consolation of religion, and it is eminently desirable that proper accommodation should be provided for all religious bodies in the Belfast workhouse.

asked the Chief Secretary what lands have been acquired under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, in county Cavan; what lands are at present under process of acquisition, stating the area in both cases; and how many evicted tenants, noted as suitable to work land, are still unprovided for?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that no lands in the county Cavan have yet been vested in them under the Evicted Tenants Act, but 500 acres of land in the county are in process of acquisition under the Act. Sixty-six tenants evicted from holdings in the county have been reinstated or provided with holdings, and 48 others have been provisionally noted as suitable to be provided with holdings.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that for every one tenant restored by the Estates Commissioners landlords in Ireland have voluntarily reinstated three evicted tenants; and, whether, under these circumstances, the Estates Commissioners intend to acquire land compulsorily for the purpose?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 2,085 evicted tenants have been reinstated or provided with new holdings, 1,432 by landlords with the assistance, when required, of grants from the Commissioners, and 653 by the Commissioners on lands acquired by them; 359 of the tenants, reinstated by landlords, were restored to their holdings through the intervention of the Commissioners, and at prices suggested by them. As the estates on which the holdings were situated were being sold direct to the tenants by the owners, the latter entered into agreements with the evicted tenants at prices estimated by the Commissioners. The Commissioners intend to acquire compulsorily untenanted land, where necessary, to provide holdings for evicted tenants noted as suitable, but not yet reinstated.

May I ask whether the Commissioners find any difficulty in planting these evicted tenants in other districts than that to which they belong?

Difficulties undoubtedly sometimes arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that under the Act of 1907, Section 1 (2a), the maximum number of evicted tenants to be reinstated is only 2,000; and can he state under what Act those over 2,000 are provided with farms as evicted tenants?

The majority of the evicted tenants who have been reinstated have been dealt with under the provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The section of the Evicted Tenants Act to which the hon. Member refers relates only to those who may be reinstated on lands acquired under that Act.

When the Evicted Tenants Act was before the House was it not arranged that only 2,000 evicted tenants should be reinstated, and how is it that more than that number are now reinstated?

No; the 2,000 had only reference to the compulsory clauses of the Act.

Are evicted tenants manufactured to suit the Act?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state whether purchase agreements under the Irish Land Purchase Act, 1903, have been filed by the Earl of Enniskillen in respect of the portions of his estate near the town of Enniskillen and the townland of Knockninny; is the tenure of these tenants similar to that of his remaining tenants in the district of Blacklion; and will he say whether it is proposed to exclude the latter from the sale, and on what grounds?

Purchase agreements have been lodged in respect of parts of the Earl of Enniskillen's property, but not in respect of the Florencecourt Estate, which includes the Blacklion district. The Estates Commissioners have not, therefore, any information as to the tenure of the tenants on this portion of the property.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the necessity of securing an adequate stock of petrol for military purposes in case of war, when the ordinary supplies would not be forthcoming?

It is anticipated that the stocks of petrol ordinarily maintained in this country would be ample for meeting the Army requirements of that article for war purposes. It is not, therefore, considered necessary or advisable to maintain any special Army reserve of petrol.

What would be an adequate supply?

As much as you need.

asked the Secretary for War whether his notice has been called to the fact that there has been a decrease of some 20,000 horses in London during the last year; and whether, in face of this continuous diminution, he will take any steps to encourage horse-breeding for Army purposes in the United Kingdom?

The War Office has received no information of the decrease of 20,000 horses in London during the last year. As regards the last part of the question, I fully explained to the House what action was being taken in regard to the provision of horses for Army purposes on the introduction of Army Estimates.

Is the House to understand there is no prospect of a horse-breeding scheme being endorsed by the War Office?

I did not say that, and it must not be understood.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration that other nations with greater supplies of horses than ours have given very large sums towards horse breeding?

No doubt they do, but they have a very much larger number of horses to supply under their system.

asked the Secretary for War whether he could say why the signature of a medical man is no longer accepted to Army and Navy pension papers, while the signatures of clergymen and police officers are still recognised?

So far as Army pensioners are concerned my hon. Friend would appear to be under some misapprehension. There has been no change in the system under which the signature of the medical attendant is accepted on Army pensioners' life certificates.

asked the Secretary for War whether St. George's Day, 23rd April, 1908, was celebrated at Windsor by the firing of a royal salute and the lining of the streets by forces; and, if so, will he say on what grounds no similar official recognition was accorded to St. Andrew's Day, 30th November, 1908?

The question deals with matters of ceremonial within the precincts of Windsor Castle, of which I have no cognisance. The troops did not take part in the celebration of St. George's Day at Windsor last year.

asked the Secretary for War, having regard to the surplus space and efficient men who are not now fully employed at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, why he has not ordered the laying down of gun-mounting plant which will be needed for the equipment of the new "Dreadnoughts"?

The question whether orders for naval gun mountings should be given to Woolwich Arsenal rests entirely with the Admiralty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a few minutes ago the First Lord of the Admiralty declared the reason he could not place them there was because he had no plant ready, which presupposes he will place the order there when he has the plant?