asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in any scheme for the granting of prizes for horses suitable for the Army at agricultural shows this summer he will bear in mind the claims of Ireland?

Prizes will be awarded at horse shows in Ireland under the same conditions as apply to horse shows in Great Britain as heretofore.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money will be allocated to Ireland as prizes for horses suitable for Army purposes; and if he will consider the desirability of issuing in leaflet form the conditions of these prizes for distribution amongst the local agricultural societies in Ireland?

The amount to be allocated to Ireland depends upon the applications received and the recommendations of the local military authorities on these applications. The conditions under which prizes will be awarded are invariably communicated to Societies whose application for prizes are acceded to, but there would be no objection to issuing them in leaflet form.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allocate a similar sum to Scotland as to Ireland?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Scotland supplies hardly any horses, while Ireland supplies double the number of any other part of the Kingdom?

That is because Scotland does not get any encouragement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Majority Report of the Poor Law Commission (Part IV., paragraph 554) expressed disapproval of the system whereby Army pensioners for the most part receive their pensions quarterly; and whether he will endeavour to secure the adoption of their recommendation that all these pensions be paid weekly through the medium of the Post Office?

I am aware of the opinion expressed in the Report referred to; but, as I have explained on several occasions, a universal system of weekly payments would not be in the interests of the majority of the men, and arrangements can be made for weekly payments in cases where circumstances render it desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the new pattern cavalry sword has been yet issued; and what is the reason of the delay?

No issues have as yet been made. The manufacture is proceeding with all due despatch.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the recent discovery by His Majesty's Government concerning the rapid expansion of the navy of a foreign power has affected the considerations upon which the scheme of home defence has been constructed and entailed any revision of the existing plans?

No revision of existing plans has as yet been thought necessary, but the strategical effect of the expansion of foreign navies has engaged, and will continue to engage, the attention of the Committee of Imperial Defence and the General Staff.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a request from the Wexford Corporation that the military barracks in that town should be re-opened and troops stationed there; whether he is aware that the members of the corporation have been threatened with a rigid boycott in consequence of their having passed this resolution; and whether he intends to comply with the request of the corporation?

No such communication can be traced at the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether county associations are to have any, and, if so, what duties in connection with the impressment of vehicles or mobilisaion under paragraph 277 of the Mobilisation Regulations, 1909?

It is intended that the county associations shall have assigned to them the duty of furnishing in accordance with the direction of the Army Council such carriages, animals and vessels as may be required on mobilisation for the Regular or Territorial Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any list has been prepared of what additional articles of clothing will be required on mobilisation; and what articles will be issued by the Royal Army Clothing Department, and what obtained by county associations under paragraph 278 of the Mobilisation Regulations, 1909?

The details of the articles to be provided by county associa- tions on mobilisation are under consideration. There is no intention that the Royal Army Clothing Department shall issue any articles.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the amount of special grant to be issued under paragraph 667 of the Territorial Force Regulations.

The details of the rates are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what training a man who enlists for three years with the colours and nine in the reserve receives during the nine years of his reserve service?

The training for the reservist of the Foot Guards and Infantry of the Line who enlisted for three years with the colours and nine with the reserve is varied from time to time; the details for the present year will be found in the instructions issued with Army Orders for February this year, of which I will hand the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if any of the Crown Colonies give any preference to goods from the United Kingdom; and, if not, why they do not give at any rate the minimum preference given by the self-Governing Colonies?

There has never been any question of preference to goods from the United Kingdom imported into the Crown Colonies and Protectorates. Their tariffs are arranged for revenue purposes (and there would seem to be no reason for seeking to impose on them such preferential treatment of the Mother Country as in some instances has been accorded voluntarily by self-governing Dominions and Colonies. The only exception is that of the Protectorates in South Africa, which must necessarily follow the regulations of the South Africa Customs Union of which they are members.

Is there any legal or other difficulty why the Crown Colonies should not fall into line with the self-governing Colonies?

It is not a question of the legal difficulty. There has never been any question of our imposing any such arrangement.

May I ask if a Crown Colony offered preference to the Mother Country would the assent of the British Government have to be received?

Yes, Sir. Of course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the eagerness of the Commonwealth of Australia to assist in facilitating telegraphic communication between Australia and Great Britain, the Colonial Office would call the attention of the Commonwealth Government to the fact that, while on telegrams reaching Great Britain from Australia the Post Office here charges no terminal tax whatever but only the equivalent of the ordinary inland rate of one-halfpenny per word, the amount charged by the Commonwealth as terminal tax is fivepence on every word reaching Australia from Great Britain, while the inland rate for telegrams throughout Australia is only one penny per word; and whether, under these conditions, the Colonial Office would call the attention of the Government of the Commonwealth to this difference of dealing, so injurious to the fiancial progress of the Pacifie cable enterprise?

The attention of the Commonwealth Government was drawn to this matter by the report of the Pacific Cable Conference of 1905 (Cd. 2,663), but that Government has not seen their way to reduce their terminal charge for telegrams as suggested in that report. The hon. Gentleman's question is being communicated to the Commonwealth Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he could make any statement with regard to the recent fighting in Nigeria; and whether there had been any loss on the British side?

The British and German Joint Boundary Commission engaged in the delimitation of the Anglo-German Boundary betwen Nigeria and the Came-roons were, early in December last, in the neighbourhood of Takum, a place about 180 miles from the Cross River, the southern end of the boundary. Colonel Whitlock, the British Commissioner, decided to move his headquarters to Sonk-wala, 90 miles further on, and sent an officer with an escort to establish a camp there. This officer met with considerable opposition, and as his force was a small one, Colonel Whitlock and Oberleutnant von Stephani, the German Commissioner, moved to Sonkwala with all available troops, arriving there on the 23rd of December. The total force was approximately 136, of which 40 were men of the German escort. Somewhat severe fighting took place on the 24th of December, and desultory fighting during the next four days, after which organised opposition was at an end. The total casualties among the combined force were 5 killed and 18 wounded. Among the latter I regret to say was Oberleutnant von Stephani, who was severely wounded, but has since been reported to be progressing favourably. No Europeans were killed.

Were any negotiations entered into with the native tribes?

Specific instructions were given to the Boundary Commission to limit the boundary without provoking hostility in any way whatever. In this case that was impossible, for the natives were very hostile.

Was any request made for permission to the native chiefs before this military expedition was sent out?

I presume instructions were issued.

Is there any account of the casualties—how many were killed or wounded?

No, Sir; we do not know what the killed or wounded were.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, referring, to the recent announcements in connection with British and American representations to Russia with regard to the enforcement by Russia of the scheme of territorial jurisdiction and the imposition of taxes on Chinese and foreign residents in the zone of the Russian section of the South Manchurian Railway, had the Government considered that this interpretation of the Portsmouth Treaty of Peace would still further encourage Japan in her reported assumption of territorial jurisdiction in Manchuria, and to persist in her refusal to permit China to extend her railway system for the benefit of the large agricultural regions, of which Fakumen is the centre, west of the Liao River; and, as the first object of our alliance with Japan was the maintenance of China's unimpaired sovereignty, will the Government represent equally forcibly to Japan that Great Britain is under the necessity of reaffirming her previous attitude, and must insist on the necessity of observing treaty obligations?

There appears to be no parallel between the action of the Russian Government at Harbin, to which the hon. Member no doubt refers, and the objection of the Japanese Government to the construction of the Fakumen Railway. This latter subject was fully gone into in the House on the 17th instant, in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for the Epsom Division, and we have nothing to add to what was said on that occasion. His Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that Japan is assuming, or is endeavouring to assume, territorial jurisdiction in Manchuria.

asked the Hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he was aware that on the South-West Coast of Ireland some of the bye-laws made by the inspectors of fisheries extend beyond the three-mile limit, with the result that the British steam trawler owners cannot trawl within a radius prohibited by these bye-laws, whereas Norwegian, Danish, French, and German trawlers could do so; and whether he could take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to place British trawler owners in at least as good a position as foreign trawler owners when trawling off the coast of Ireland?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The bye-laws are made by the Department of Agriculture for Ireland and we have no power to take action in the matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the cable companies suffer great loss owing to the action of those trawlers, and whether Parliament will take some action to obviate this loss?

I am not aware of that.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that margarine is made up into rolls and pats, and covered with linen to represent the best Dorset butter, that eggs bought in crates are stamped with an India-rubber stamp showing the day that the seller's hens laid them, and that, with the aid of a female accomplice looking like a country girl, these goods are carried about in a basket from house to house in the suburbs of London and sold as fresh butter and eggs from the seller's own farm; and whether, with a view to protect the public from these frauds, and to safeguard the agricultural interests of Great Britain and Ireland, he would take steps to have an end put to these dishonest practices?

Cases of the character of those to which the hon. Member refers have from time to time come under our notice, and we have done what we can to put a stop to them. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to supply me with any information in his possession, inquiry will be made, and legal proceedings taken, if necessary.

Have prosecutions been taken in the cases of this kind that have already been brought under the notice of the Board?

I cannot say in regard to particular cases, but if the hon. Member will specify any particular case I will inquire.

I wish to know whether in cases similar to those mentioned in the questions which have already come under the notice of the Board prosecutions have been instituted?

I could not say whether that is so. In all cases where it was thought likely a conviction would take place we have prosecuted.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is in a posi- tion to state whether any contribution has been offered to the Board of Agriculture towards the breeding of horses; and, if so, to what amount and under what conditions; and, if so, whether the offer has been refused or accepted?

An offer of the nature to which the hon. Member refers was received a few days ago. It is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he could state the result of his communication to the Irish Lights Commissioners regarding the dangerous and misleading spot in which the new temporary buoy is moored off Strangford Bar; whether he could state who, if anyone, was consulted by the Commissioners before the present place was decided upon; and if he is aware that local opinion among pilots, fishermen, coasting captains, and everyone who knows that dangerous part of the coast, is in favour of a position 1½ miles off the Bar mouth?

I have received a communication from the Irish Lights Commissioners stating that the position in which the lighted buoy off Strangford Bar has been placed has been decided upon in consultation with Trinity House; that the Commissioners do not concur in the local opinion that the buoy should be placed in a position one and a half miles off the Bar mouth; and that the allegation that the present position of the buoy is dangerous and misleading is, in their opinion, unjustifiable, seeing that the buoy is intended for protecting the passing trade at this dangerous part of the coast and not as a guiding mark for Strangford Lough.

Is the hon. Member aware that no less than ten wrecks of valuable vessels have taken place in this very spot, and whether, under the circumstances, some methods will not be taken by the Board of Trade to urge the Lights Commissioners to put the light in the proper place in order to prevent these losses in the future?

I am aware that wrecks have taken place in the place in question, but I have been informed by the Lights Commissioners that they have had nothing to do with the buoy in question.

Is the hon. Member aware that the consultation referred to that Trinity House is limited by statute to informing that such a change is about to be made, and that Trinity House has no power to alter the decision?

I think that is practically correct, but, as I said in reply to another question, there is a conference every year on the question of new works.

As I understand it, the Board of Trade cannot prevent the Irish Lights Commissioners carrying out work or doing anything. They apply to the Board of Trade to do something, but the Board of Trade cannot really prevent them.

No, that is not quite it. The Board of Trade powers are limited to negation. The Board of Trade cannot order the new work, but they have the power to say "yes" or "no."

Was this light placed in its present position without consulting a single man in the locality? Did not the Lights Commissioners simply drop the buoy there without consulting a soul?

No; that is not my information. If the hon, Member tells me it is so I must accept his word. I think the Irish Lights Commissioners did consult local people, and they came to the conclusion that this was the right place for the buoy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to the accident at Birkenhead Dock, involving the death of 14 men; and whether he intends to hold an official inquiry into the cause and circumstances of the same, in accordance with Clause 3 and Schedule 1 of The Notice of Accidents Act, 1894; and, if not, why not?

My attention has been called to this distressing accident with regard to which, as my hon. Friend is aware, inquiry is being made on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, although, as stated in a reply to a recent question of my hon. Friend, there is no power to order an official investigation. The application of the Notice of Accidents Act, 1894, to docks was repealed by Section 54 and the Third Schedule of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1895.

1895?

Yes, which was re-enacted in 1901.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, under this Act, which he says was repealed 18 years ago, enquiries have been held in the last nine months?

Yes, Sir; my point was that Parliament thought it was enacted under the Factory and Workshops Act, 1895. But that was not so. It only did so with regard to docks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made arrangements for his Department to be represented at the forthcoming trial of automatic couplings to be held in Italy under the auspices of the Italian Government?

The Board of Trade were invited to give their support to a prize competition for automatic couplings, held by the National College of Italian Railway Engineers, but they were advised that no sufficient advantage would be gained by their participation to make it expedient to accept the invitation.

When was the information obtained?

I will let my hon. Friend know.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many hundredweights of white lead were imported into the United Kingdom from America and Germany respectively during the year 1908; how many hundredweights were imported from these countries during the months of January and February, 1909; and at what price American, German and English white lead is delivered in the English market, respectively?

In the year 1908, 96,624 cwts. of white lead were consigned to the United Kingdom from the United States, and 158,186 cwts. from Germany. During January and February of this year, the quantities were 19,217 cwts. from the United States, and 18,428 cwts. from Germany. I am informed that the present market prices in this country are about £16 15s. per ton for German white lead made by the chamber process, from £l6 12s. 6d. per ton to -£16 15s. for American white lead made by the Dutch process, and £17 per ton for British white lead.

Is there any record of the quantity of white lead?

No; but I will enquire.

Is there any record of the white lead the Government use?

I do not know.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a patent was taken out by an English firm reducing the cost of manufacturing white lead by 40 per cent, or 50 per cent?

I am aware that there are a great many hundreds of patents taken out.

asked whether any of the other materials, except granite, required in fulfilment of the Rosyth contract will be obtained from foreign countries?

The supply of materials is not restricted to British sources. The description and quality of materials are clearly specified, also the tests to be ap plied, and provided these are complied with the materials would be accepted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of any other material from foreign countries being used under the Rosyth contract other than granite?

No. The source of supply of materials is not specified, and I am unaware from what country the contractor may obtain the necessary supplies.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain that information for the House?

No; I do not see that any useful purpose will be served.

I am very disappointed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether, in view of the fact that, in the interests of the service, foreign firms are not allowed to tender for forgings to be used in British war-vessels, even though their prices were considerably below the British price, he would explain why the same principle is not followed in the case of the Rosyth contract and thus insure a supply of British granite for dockyard purposes?

The steel forgings used in the construction of ships of war must necessarily be closely inspected and subjected to strict tests during the process of manufacture, and prompt replacement of defective forgings is essential. These operations could not be carried out in a foreign country except at considerable inconvenience, delay, and extra cost. Moreover, it is important that manufacturing plant for the production of important forgings should be available in this country for use in time of war. The circumstances of the production and use of a natural raw material such as granite are obviously on a different footing

Is there any test applied to this foreign granite supplied for this work?

That does not arise out of the question; but there is a test.

Has the Admiralty any means of ascertaining the state of employment in the particular trades affected at home?

That question does not arise. I should be glad if the hon. Gentleman would give notice of that question to the proper authority.

asked whether the Board of Admiralty possessed certain information to the effect that, of the four German capital ships laid down in 1908–9, three are of the "Dreadnought" type and one of the "Invincible" type; and whether there is any information as to the types of the four further ships of the German programme, the preparations for which are understood to have been accelerated?

The German shipbuilding programme, 1908 Amendment Bill, gives three battleships and one cruiser for 1908–9, and a similar number for 1909–10. It is understood that these types are being adhered to.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say are the types of the German battleships and cruisers exactly the same in principle as our "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles," or are they stronger and better?

I cannot say whether they are stronger and better until they are built.

Then may we take it that the right hon. Gentleman's Depart- ment has no information as to what the ships are" going to be?

I did not say that; I said I could not say whether they would be stronger and better.

May I ask whether the German programme for the year is necessarily for construction within the year?

I think that is a question which might be better addressed to the German authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can inform the House what is computed by the Admiralty to be the average length of service now performed by men in the British Navy, excluding commissioned officers?

It is estimated that the approximate average length of service of men of all ratings on discharge from the Navy is nine years eight months. This estimate excludes warrant officers, coastguard and marines.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us the approximate length of service in the German Navy?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what changes, if any, are to be made in the personnel of the coastguard service on the Fife coast during the next twelve months?

The question of the personnel of the coastguard stations generally is still under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of when we shall know the result?

I hope very shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty placed any impediment in the way of other nations obtaining information as to when work is begun on British ships; whether he can state why the Admiralty were in ignorance of the dates on which certain recent German warships were commenced; and whether he will take steps to obtain earlier information in future?

No secret is made as a rule as to the date of placing the orders or of laying down ships in this country. Latterly, in Germany, the dates of officially laying down have been published, but this date has not corresponded with the actual date of commencement of building, which is kept secret.

Arising out of that answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I would like to know whether the principle in reference to the inspection of ships under construction that is in vogue in the Pembroke Dockyard, where a visitor has to sign his name and address and declare that he is a British subject, also applies to other of His Majesty's Dockyards?

I will inquire as to the point which is put to me. I am unable to say.

Was the right hon. Gentleman aware of the intended acceleration of the shipbuilding-programme at the time of Messrs. Krupp's expansion last summer—that is to say, was he informed—

Order, order. The hon. Member must give notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he could state approximately the total number of torpedo destroyers, now either built or building, which would be less than 12 years old on 31st March, 1909, belonging to Great Britain, the United States of America, Germany, France, and Austria respectively?

The answer is:—

asked whether the Government knew in July last that Messrs. Krupp had contracted a large loan for the purpose of extending their workshops in consequence of orders given by the German Government to accelerate their shipbuilding programme?

asked whether the Admiralty were at the time aware that in July, 1908, Messrs. Krupp placed in Berlin a loan for 50 million marks for the construction of new workshops for armaments; and, whether, if so, they connected at or near that date this circumstance with the acceleration of the German shipbuilding programme?

The expansion in Krupp's works, and the means adopted to enable the expansion to be carried out, was well known at the Admiralty before the date mentioned, and it was partly in consequence of it that the time estimated as being required for the construction of a battleship in Germany was reduced by upwards of nine months. The expansion in question undoubtedly foreshadowed increased rapidity in the building and completion of individual ships, and a cessation of the numerous delays which had previously taken place, and it was at once accepted as doing so; it did not, however, either necessarily or reasonably foreshadow an intention on the part of the German Government to anticipate the dates of the commencement of the ships authorised under the Fleet Bill.

The right hon. Gentleman says that the time taken in building German ships was reduced by nine months, in his estimation. Will he now add what is the official estimate of the time taken giving the total estimate?

The total time is, roughly speaking, if nothing occurs to prevent the completion of the ship, two years and six months.

That includes the collection of the material?

That includes everything.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to open negotiations for the acquisition by His Majesty's Government of the three battleships of the "Dreadnought" type now being constructed in this country for the Brazilian Navy?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the statements of the Minister of Marine in the German Reichstag, to the effect that there will be no acceleration of the ship-building programme and that Germany will not have more than 13 "Dreadnoughts" by the autumn of 1912, have been officially confirmed; and, if so, will the Admiralty give due weight to these considerations in regard to their own building programme?

In the German Press it is stated that Admiral von Tirpitz made these statements to the Budget Committee of the Reichstag. The proceedings of the Budget Committee, however, are not reported—a short précis only being given. We have no official information on the subject.

Perhaps it would be more convenient if further questions on this matter were addressed in debate to the Prime Minister?

Yes; I think it would be more convenient.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether it is the rule that all civil servants have a compulsory retiral age of 65 years; and, if so, will he explain why Scottish sheriffs of counties are made an exception, and are permitted to remain in the service of the State to a much greater age than 65?

Scottish sheriffs of counties, whose salaries and pensions are paid from the Consolidated Fund, and whose tenure of office is regulated my statute (7 Ed., 7, cap. 51), are not subject to the provisions of Orders in Council which prescribe retirement for Civil Servants at the age of 65.

Is there any compulsory retiral age?

No; not unless they are found to be inefficient.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in sheriff court cases in Scotland, the litigants are made to pay for the shorthand notes, taken in reality for the benefit of the judges; whether this expense is usually a very large proportion of the costs to the litigants; whether it would be possible to pay this charge out of the court fees that go to the Crown; and, if so, will he see that this change was brought about?

The Statutory right to have the evidence in sheriff court cases taken in shorthand is in reality for the benefit of the litigants, and not of the judges, and it has resulted in a considerable cheapening of legal procedure in the sheriff courts. The proportion which this item of expense bears to the expenses of the action is not, as a general rule, very large. I can see no good reason why the cost of the shorthand notes should be thrown on the public, and not, as at present, on the parties-litigant.

May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether it is not the case that this system was instituted in order to save the sheriff the trouble of taking notes, and why should the litigant be asked to pay for that?

No; it was introduced for the convenience of the litigant, and not for the convenience of the sheriff.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the mails from Aden to Zanzibar cost the country £9,000 a year, and that the same mails could be conveyed for £l,650, what advantage accrued to this country or to East Africa and Zanzibar from such payment?

The sum of £1,650 a year represents the estimated amount which would have had to be paid at the Postal Union transit rates for the bare conveyance by foreign services of the mails sent during last year by the British India Company's Packets, between Aden and Zanzibar, but these rates cannot be taken as the measure of the sum that may have to be paid, if it is thought desirable to have a regular service, under contract. If the mails were sent by foreign ships, the Postmaster-General would have no control over the movements of the foreign vessels concerned, and no guarantee that they would continue to run regularly. The time table of the British Contract Service, on the other hand, is subject to the approval of the Postmaster-General; and has been arranged to give the most advantageous connections with the Peninsular and Oriental Packets at Aden. Power is also-reserved to delay the departure of the vessels up to 24 hours, and to require them to> call at places between Aden and Zanzibar not in the ordinary itinerary. Other advantages are, as already indicated, the maintenance in conjunction with the Peninsular and Oriental Packets of a regular British Contract Service throughout the whole distance between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar, and the free conveyance of Government officers when travelling on official business. The contract with the British India Steam Navigation Company will provide for the free conveyance of Postal Stores, and admit of the maintenance of lower postage rates for parcels exchanged between the United Kingdom and British East Africa and Zanzibar than would otherwise be practicable.

asked the Postmaster-General, if, in view of the fact that certain islands in the Shetland and Orkney quarter have long been and are still destitute of much needed telegraphic communication, he would consider their claims to consideration from the savings which might be effected by the abandonment of the service between Aden and Zanzibar?

The mail service between Aden and Zanzibar has no connection with the telephone communication between the Orkneys and Shetland. As regards North Ronaldshay, in which I understand my hon. Friend to be particularly interested, the question of establishing a wireless service is still under consideration The experiments referred to in my reply to my hon. Friend's question of the 4th instant on the subject are not yet complete, but are being pressed forward.

asked what are the rules governing the franking of correspondence; and what steps, if any, are taken to insure that the rules are not infringed by Junior Lords of the Treasury when congratulating their constituents on the fact of their being about to benefit by the efforts made during many years past to secure them old age pensions?

In order to pass unpaid, letters must bear an authorised frank in order to indicate that the contents are sent upon the public service, and they must be posted either in an official bag, or at certain special offices, amongst which is included the House of Commons office. The rules are, I believe, well known; and it is for the head of each Department to see that the frank is not improperly used.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, under the Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act, 1906, no repayment of the contributions made by poor law officers to the superannuation fund, nor any portion of them, is allowed if an officer leaves his employment with an excellent character of his own accord in order to better his position, nor is any repayment made in the case of a female employé who leaves her employment in order to get married, nor is any allowance made from the fund to a widow on her husband's death, although he may have contributed to the fund for many years; and whether he is aware that under this Act the completed number of years of service only of a poor law servant are counted for superannuation, no allowance being made for part of a year's service; and whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to amend the law in these respects?

I am aware of the points referred to in the question. I will take note of them, but I do not at the present time propose to introduce a Bill for the alteration of the Act.

asked at what date and' in what form was the question raised by His Majesty's Government with a view to ascertain whether any proposals for a mutual reduction of expenditure for naval purposes would be accepted by the German Government; and when and in what form was the assurance conveyed to His; Majesty's Government that these proposals would not be accepted?

The following questions also stood upon the Paper:—

to ask the Prime Minister whether he is in a position, without detriment to the public interest, to inform the House on what occasions the question was raised by the British Government whether a mutual reduction of expenditure for naval purposes would be accepted by the German Government?

to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent statement in the Reichstag by Admiral von Tirpitz that no proposals for naval disarmament had been made to the German Government by the British Government, he can state what has passed between the two Governments on the subject of a mutual reduction of expenditure for naval, purposes?

asked, having regard to the statement made by Admiral von Tirpitz in the German Reichstag that no proposal for disarmament had ever been made to Germany what approaches have been made in this matter to other Powers?

Perhaps I may be allowed to reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the Newbury Division of Berkshire, the hon. Gentleman the Member for York, and my hon. Friend the Member for North Salford at the same time. I must refer hon. Members to the statement I made last Tuesday, which sets out the exact facts and to which I adhere in every particular. The matter has during the last year more than once formed the subject of informal communications between the two Governments, with the view on our part of ascertaining whether any such proposals as are referred to in the question would be entertained. We did not formulate any proposals because we were given to understand that the German naval programme was fixed by law, and in no way dependent on ours. So far as I am aware, there is no authentic report of the remark attributed to Admiral von Tirpitz, which was made in the Budget Committee of the Reichstag, but I observe that it is stated in the German Press that the German Foreign Secretary will take an early opportunity of dealing with the matter. I have no doubt that what he says will be fully reported, and I reserve any further comment until we have his statement before us.

asked whether at any time since information was given to His Majesty's Government in the autumn of last year, that there was an anticipation with four ships belonging to the German programme, any friendly inquiries have been addressed to the German Government with a view to ascertaining the extent and object of that anticipation?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will take an early opportunity of making a statement, which will include this and other matters which can be more satisfactorily dealt with in that way than by question and answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication when the Foreign Secretary will make the statement?

I see on the Paper a motion for a vote of censure. That will be the proper occasion.

asked what arrangements have been made to carry on the Executive Government of the country during the absence of the King from the Realm; who is the Member of the Cabinet in attendance on the King and responsible to the House of Commons, and through the House of Commons to the country, in reference to correspondence in relation to matters of international policy between the King and the heads or Ministers of foreign States; and whether any record of such correspondence is to be preserved for the perusal of the persons responsible to the people for the conduct of the foreign policy of this country?

The arrangements made are similar to those adopted on other recent occasions when the King has been sojourning abroad.

Until the present reign has it not been the uniform practice for the Sovereign to be accompanied by a Minister? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1876 notice was called to the fact that Queen Victoria was absent from the Realm during the sitting of Parliament, and the Prime Minister of the day then said, "She is attended by a Minister, who is in constant communication with the Executive Government." What is the practice now?

His Majesty the King is now abroad in search of health, and in a perfectly private capacity. There is not the least occasion why a Cabinet Minister should accompany him.

Was His Majesty the King in search of health on the Reval occasion, when he went with a permanent official, but without, a Minister of the Crown?

I do not see how that arises.

asked how many distress committees, constituted under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, and county or county borough councils, constituting special committees in accordance with Section 2, Sub-section 3, of the Act, had received contributions from him out of the imperial grants during the last two years; and how many of these authorities have discharged their statutory duty to establish labour exchanges?

Payments have been made from the Parliamentary grants to the Central (Unemployed) Body for London and to 73 distress committees during the last two years to assist them in providing useful work. The bodies referred to in Sub-section (3) of the Section 2 of the Act are empowered to provide work, and no payments from the grants have been made to them. According to the Returns received various forms of organisation have been set up in a number of towns for the purpose of facilitating the obtaining of work for unemployed applicants under the names of labour exchanges, labour bureaux, and employment registers, but I cannot at this moment give precise figures as to the number of cases in which such institutions are at present at work.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been directed to the case of an old soldier in Orkney, who was awarded a pension of 5s. a week by the pension committee, and disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that he had been allowed by the parish council to occupy an empty house; and, in view of the fact that the said old soldier, aged 76, who has served his country with distinction, has never received a penny of parish relief, if he will request the Scottish Local Government Board to reconsider this decision?

I am informed that the applicant has been allowed by the parish council for nearly fourteen years to live rent free along with his wife in a house owned by the parish council, and used by them for housing poor persons. Under the circumstances it was impossible for the Board to hold otherwise than that he was receiving poor relief in the sense of the Act.

asked whether arrangements will be made for the new Fishery Board cruiser to be detailed for service off the North-West Coast of Scotland, especially in view of the numerous complaints of illegal trawling off the coast of Lewis and the western mainland of Ross-shire?

The requirements of the North-West coast will be fully taken into account by the Fishery Board in detailing the Board's various cruisers, including the new cruiser, for service. Complaints from that district have, I am informed, not been numerous this winter.

When is it expected that this new cruiser will be delivered?

Very shortly, I believe.

asked the Lord-Advocate, having regard to the fact that the Fishery Board for Scotland stated that they have no longer funds at their disposal such as will admit of their granting loans for the purchase of boats to fishermen, as authorised under section 32 of The Crofters Holdings Act, 1886, will he consider the expediency of recommending the Congested Districts Board for Scotland to grant loans for this purpose to fishermen in congested districts under section 4, sub-section (e), of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, which empowers the Commissioners to apply the funds of the Board in aiding and developing the fishing industry?

This question has been repeatedly before the Congested Districts Board, whose conclusion, after careful consideration, was unfavourable to the course suggested by my hon. Friend, having regard to the amount of the funds at their disposal and to the other claims on their resources.

Has the matter not been reconsidered?

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the cottars of South Shabost, island of Lewis, had obtained from the proprietor of the island a promise to place the sheep farm of Dalbeg at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board for the creation of new holdings, would he state when he proposes to take action in the matter, especially bearing in mind that the farm in question adjoins the district in which these cottars reside and was formerly in the occupation of small-holders who were evicted prior to the passing of the Crofters Act?

As I have already informed my hon. Friend, all opportunities for making additional land available, both in the Lews and elsewhere, are carefully considered by the Congested Districts Board, but I cannot at present give any specific undertaking in regard to the farm in question.

Will the Secretary for Scotland approach the proprietor, who appears to be willing to allow the farm to be placed at the disposal of the cottars?

The Board have considered the question.

asked the Lord-Advocate if he will grant a Return of the number of cases heard in the first division in the Court of Session during the last twelve months, giving the dates of hearing proofs and the dates of judgments?

I am unable to give a Return such as my hon. Friend asks. The First Division does not take proofs. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 16th instant, which really contains all the information at my command relative to the topic raised by his question.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that sometimes five months elapse between these events, and that some dissatisfaction exists in the public mind?

Yes, but, as I have informed my hon. Friend, no period of time at all elapses between the date of hearing the proofs and the date of giving judgment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, under the Regulations issued by his Department under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, the use of chemical preservatives is not prohibited in all cases; and whether he will instruct that in future salt shall be the only preservative allowed?

So far as the application of chemical preservatives to imported meat is concerned, the Regulations only deal with cases of tripe, tongues, and kidneys. In view of the importance of the public health and trade interests concerned, restrictions of the kind referred to in the question could not be imposed generally without considerable preliminary investigation. I am, however, causing inquiries to be made with regard to the present position of preservatives in certain food stuffs.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that on the 3rd March more than 3,000 extra men were employed by the Manchester cleansing department in snow-shifting, and that 1,300 of these men had their names on the unemployed register; whether he has seen the medical officer's recent night census of homeless persons, showing more than 2,000 homeless persons in London; and whether, in view of these proofs of acute distress, he would take effective steps to continue and extend the relief works in these centres?

I am informed that on 3rd March 3,360 men were engaged in removing snow in the streets of Manchester, that they were principally men thrown out of employment through the severe weather, and that amongst the number only 396 had their names on the unemployed register. I have seen the report of the medical officer of the London County Council referred to in the question. I have given consideration to all the applications made to me by the Central (Unemployed) Body for London and the Manchester Distress Committee for assistance from the Parliamentary Grant, and as far as I felt I properly could, I have given such assistance. In the case of London, I have this winter made grants amounting to £101,156, and in the case of Manchester amounting to £13,143. I am in communication with both bodies as to the further payments to be made from the Grant before the close of the financial year.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, seeing that the Law Officers of the Crown have decided that poor law relief enjoyed by an applicant for an old age pension disqualifies him, though refunded by him out of his own pocket owing to a small and unexpected legacy, as in the case of Henry Austin Williams, of which the Board are cognisant, and such payment having been accepted by the board of guardians as full satisfaction and discharge of all claims the guardians had upon him for poor law relief, he will undertake to make provision in an amending Bill to provide for such cases?

As I have stated on previous occasions, I have no doubt the point referred to in the question will receive the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with any amendment of the Old Age Pensions Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of prosecutions that have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police against motorists for exceeding the 10-mile speed limit in the boroughs of Bromley and Kingston-on-Thames since the issue of the speed-limit orders, and the number of convictions obtained; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in nearly every case the defendants have stated that they were unaware that a 10-mile speed limit was in operation, as they had not observed the notices which had been erected; and whether he will cause the police to suggest to the borough councils of Bromley and Kingston-on-Thames that larger and more prominent notices should be erected?

A 10-mile speed limit was authorised at Kingston-on-Thames on 13th November, 1905, and at Bromley on 16th March, 1908. At Kingston 124 prosecutions have been undertaken, with 122 convictions. The defendants stated m 56 cases that they were not aware of the speed limit. At Bromley there have been 22 prosecutions, all followed by conviction. In some of these instances motorists have stated, when stopped, that they were unaware of the speed limit. The Secretary of State is informed that in each Borough the notices are those recommended by the Local Government Board, and in general use throughout the country.

May I ask my hon. Friend if he will do his best to see that these notices are made more conspicuous?

That is a question which will come within the province of the Local Government Board.

asked what amount (and at what cost) of 52-inch striped canvas was purchased with the £5,314 15s. 5d. given in Command Paper 10; and where this striped 52-inch canvas was manufactured?

The quantity of 52-inch striped canvas purchased with the sum above mentioned was 17,208 yards, at a cost of £961. It was manufactured in France.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the system of dividing the jury list into two sections has been the cause of delay in the trial of actions, especially when one Judge is ill or has to attend the Court of Criminal Appeal or is blocked with a long case; whether the inclusion of a case in the week's list is meant to give notice to suitors that such case is likely to be reached within such week; whether he is aware that case No. 175 came into the week's list on 23rd November, 1908, and was not heard until 22nd January, 1909; that case No. 283 came into the week's list on 30th November, 1908, and was not heard until 17th February, 1909; and that case 390 came into the week's list on 18th January, and was not heard until 10th March, 1909; and whether he will take steps to prevent such cases of inconvenience to suitors and witnesses in future?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, opinions differ as to the practice of dividing the jury list into two sections. This practice has, in certain instances, caused delay in the trial of actions through circumstances such as the hon. Member suggests. The inclusion of a case in the week's list is meant to indicate that the case may be reached within such week, but the hon. Member will readily understand that in the compilation of the list it is necessary for the officers of the Court to guard against contingencies. They are always willing to give the fullest information as to any particular case. I have been furnished with particulars in reference to the latter part of the hon. Member's question, and find that the actions he mentions were preceded by several cases, some of which occupied considerably more time than was anticipated.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in cases in which the practice has broken down he will consider the advisability for altering it?

I have only read the answer to the question which was asked. If the hon. Member desires further information I hope that he will address a further question on the subject.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been directed to the case of B. v. Peltier, XXVII., Morrell's State Trials, pp. 538–619, in which the defendant was tried in the King's Bench, on the information of the Attorney-General of the day, for a libel on the French people and on Napoleon as First Consul of France during the subsistence of peace and amity between France and Great Britain and was convicted, Lord Ellenborough in his charge to the jury having laid it down that publications which defame persons in eminent positions of power and dignity in other countries in terms inconsistent with amity and friendship, expressed in such language as to interrupt friendly relations between Great Britain and other countries, are libels; and whether, regard being had to the many violent attacks on the platforms and by a section of the Press in Great Britain on the German Emperor and the people of Germany, calculated to interrupt friendly relations between Great Britain and Germany, he will consider the propriety of putting the law in force by the institution of proceedings for the purpose of abating this evil, which is a menace to the existence of peace between Germany and Great Britain?

Except by the terms of this question, my attention has not been called to the alleged attacks upon the Ruler and people, of a friendly Power by any section of the Press, and I have no present intention of instituting any proceedings as suggested in the question.

Has the hon. Member noticed one newspaper, in which the acceleration of the German naval programme is described as an act of moral treachery which would almost justify intervention by us, and can nothing be done to stop this course of conduct?

I will convey that supplemental question to my hon. and learned friend.

Is the answer given to me the answer of the Attorney-General?

It is the answer of the Attorney-General.

The Attorney-General has an opportunity of reading the papers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the List of Public Elementary Schools on 31st July, 1908, recently published, .shows that in more than 300 school departments in London, containing over 70,000 scholars, the average attendance for the year exceeds the accommodation; what steps the local education authority are taking to relieve this pressure; and what the Board of Education are doing to prevent over-crowding and to stimulate the local authority to provide the accommodation needed?