asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the recently announced appointment of Naval Assistant is a permanent addition to the staff of the Admiralty, or whether it is only consequent upon the promotion of Sir Francis Bridgeman to the post of Second Sea Lord, and will terminate upon the retirement of that officer?

The post of Naval Assistant has been created experimentally for one year only.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that one of three ladies (Mrs. Despard) sentenced on 26th February to one month's imprisonment, for precisely the same offence, has been released, he will order the release of the other two ladies (Miss Sidley and Miss Fitzherbert) before the expiry of their full term of imprisonment?

Mrs. Despard was released solely upon medical grounds. In the case of the other two ladies, there are no reasons which would justify the Secretary of State in advising interference with their sentences.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state the maximum, the minimum, and the average number of years' purchase on the rental of the 13,000 acres of land purchased by county councils under the Small Holdings Act?

I regret that we are not in possession of the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the policy of his Department, or a contemplated result of any policy, that established labour in sub-offices may be entirely dispensed with; and, if not, whether he will direct that in all reductions of head offices to sub-offices, or in the case of existing sub-offices where established labour is now employed, the existing percentage of established to un-established labour shall not be reduced?

I presume that the question refers to salaried sub-offices. The result of the recommendation of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants, to which I referred in my answer of 26th February, will be to increase the opportunities for sub-office assistants of obtaining established appointments.

asked the Postmaster-General, with reference to the handing over of the Southern Ireland engineering district of the Post Office to the Royal Engineers, whether any volunteers have been found amongst the clerical staff for transfer to England; whether a petition from the clerical officers is at present before the Postmaster-General protesting against the clerical staff being transferred to England; and whether he will in the circumstances find positions for these clerical officers in Dublin?

Only one member of the clerical staff of the Engineering Department of the Post Office in Ireland has so far volunteered for transfer to Great Britain. I understand the clerks in the southern engineering district of Ireland are unwilling to respond definitely to the invitation for volunteers pending my decision on their petition against their transfer. I hope to give a decision on this petition very shortly, but these officers form part of one engineering establishment for the whole of the United Kingdom, and must be aware that they may be called on to serve anywhere in that area.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that certain medical officers of health have represented that medical inspection of school children is compulsory by Act of Parliament; and, seeing that while provision for medical inspection is obligatory on local education authorities it is not compulsory upon parents to submit their children to medical inspection, whether he will take steps to secure that the provisions of the law in regard to medical inspection are brought to the knowledge of medical officers of health?

The Board have always advised local education authorities to refrain from pressing the matter in any case where a parent objects to his child being medically inspected, unless it is obvious that such child is in a condition detrimental to the other scholars, or unless the school medical officer or the local educational authority receive definite information to that effect.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether council schools are allowed to fly the Union Jack?

There is no objection so far as the Board of Education are concerned. The matter rests with the local education authority by whom the schools, are provided.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state for what reason the garrison of Mauritius, which was 950 men in 1895–6, is increased in 1909–10 to 1,402 men; and why the increase in cost is to be borne by the taxpayers of the United Kingdom, and not by the taxpayers of Mauritius?

In 1895–6, pending the construction of barracks at the station, a half battalion was temporarily stationed at Cape Town. The military contribution of Mauritius is fixed as a percentage of revenue, based on the Colony's financial condition, and does not vary with the strength of the garrison.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of cases of simple continued fever which have occurred at Malta during each of the years 1907 and 1908; what was the strength of the troops at Malta during the years 1907 and 1908; and what was the strength of the troops at Malta during the years 1897 and 1898?

The number of cases of simple continued fever were 323 in 1907 and 303 in 1908; there were 1,275 cases in 1897 and 1,509 n 1898. The figures for the average strengths are as follows:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, seeing that the West Riding of Yorkshire Rivers Board, in order to administer The West Riding of Yorkshire Rivers Act, 1894, applied to him under section 6 of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act, 1876, for Iris sanction to take proceedings in 25 cases of alleged pollution of river or stream on 4th January, 1908, two cases on 6th January,]908, three cases on 21st February, 1908, and four cases on 10th April, 1908, he will say in how many of these 34 cases he has decided to grant or withhold such sanction, and when he will acquaint the Rivers Board of his definite decisions concerning the remainder?

In 12 of the eases referred to the application has been withdrawn by the Rivers Board. As to the others, I have, as I intimated in reply to a previous question, felt a difficulty in dealing with them pending the Bill which I propose to introduce on the subject of rivers pollution. If, however, in any particular instance the Rivers Board regard the case as one of such urgency that it ought not to await the contemplated legislation, I am prepared further to consider it, if the Rivers Board inform me of the facts which lead them to this conclusion. I have informed them accordingly.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will say upon what dates and from what bodies or associations he has received representations and deputations concerning the pollution of the streams and rivers in the West Riding of Yorkhire caused by manufactory or trade effluents; what were the names of the persons who took part in those deputations; upon what date he received a deputation from the West Riding of Yorkshire Rivers Board; and of whom did that deputation consist?

I received deputations from the following bodies on this subject:—(1.) The Corporation of Dewsbury, consisting of the mayor, three members of the Town Council, the town clerk, and the borough engineer. (2.) The Dewsbury Chamber of Commerce, consisting of the President and five other gentlemen. (3.) The Batley Chamber of Commerce, consisting of the president and three other gentlemen. (4.) The West Riding Mill-owners' and Occupiers' Association, consisting of the chairman and other members. These deputations were received on the 23rd December, 1907, and about the same time the Rivers Board made representations to me with regard to their difficulties in relation to the administration of the Acts on this subject, but I do not find that I received a formal deputation from them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in regard to the appointment of a Committee to go into the question of indentured coolie labour, if he can state whether representatives of the workers in the Colonies affected will be called to give evidence, particularly that of the working men's association of Trinidad and similar organisations?

Yes, Sir; the Committee proposes to take evidence, and I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will give the Committee the benefit of his own evidence or suggest the names of representative witnesses of the working classes in, Trinidad.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can see his way, seeing that the cost of maintenance of main roads has risen from£1,867,607.in 1896–7 to £2,535,399 in 1896–7, to recommending that some of the extra cost should be met by a tax on motors, according to their respective horsepower?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, who has asked me to answer this question, that the figures given by the hon. Member in regard to the cost of maintenance of main roads are correct. I shall be glad to consider his suggestion, along with the other suggestions which have been made to me, for raising the money necessary to meet the requirements of the coming financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, owing to the onerous duty which has been cast on the officers of Inland Revenue throughout the country in connection with the administration of the Old Age Pensions Act, he will make provision for an extra gratuity to be given to these public servants?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists as to the amount of remuneration proposed for Inland Revenue and pension officers for the extra work performed during October, November, and December last; that, considering the number of hours worked, the amount will be quite inadequate for the work performed; and, if so, can he state what action the Government intend to take in regard to increasing the remuneration to such officers?

I may perhaps be allowed to take these two questions together. The subject of the special remuneration of officrs for old age pension work has been very carefully considered, and I see no reason for departing from the conclusion which has been reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what was the actual net expenditure upon new construction in each of the financial years 1901–2 to 1907–8 inclusive, and what will have been the actual expenditure upon new construction in the financial year 1908–9, estimated according to the latest available information?

reply was as follows:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wood caulkers employed in His Majesty's dockyards have only received Is. per week advance in wages since 1874; that on the introduction of classification in 1891, the rate of pay being then 30s., the Admiralty made three rates, viz., 32s., 31s., 30s., and on the abolition of classification they took away the maximum and increased the 30s. to 31s.; and, seeing that every other trade in which classification has been abolished has been brought up to and over the maximum rate, he will take steps to have the wood caulkers brought up to their maximum of 32s.?

The question of the rate of wages of the wood caulkers employed in His Majesty's dockyards has been raised by the workmen, and has been under consideration, together with a large number of other requests by dockyard workmen. The Admiralty decisions on all the requests will be announced shortly.

asked what is the total acreage of the land, including foreshore and mud land, purchased by the Admiralty for the naval base at Rosyth; and what was the price paid for the same?

One thousand one hundred and eighty-four acres of land and 286 acres of foreshore were purchased by the Admiralty at Rosyth, and the price was £139,550.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state when a reply will be given to the petitions of the workmen presented last year?

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

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number and the numbers of the respective classes of railway servants employed in 1908 on the same basis as the figures given in the last column of Table X., page 30, of the Return of Accidents for the three months ending 31st December, 1907 (Cd. 4099).

These figures are only compiled triennially, and the last year for which they are available is 1907. My right hon. Friend was given the numbers for that year in reply to a question which he asked on 22nd June last, and they will also be found in Tables 7 and 10 of the Returns for the year ended 31st December, 1907, appended to the General Report on Railway Accidents for that year (Cd. 4287), of which I am sending my right hon. Friend a copy. The numbers given in the Quarterly Return referred to in the question were those for the year 1904.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantity of flour manufactured in the United Kingdom during the years 1906, 1907, and 1908, also the quantity imported during the same periods?

There is no official information with regard to the quantity of flour manufactured yearly in the United Kingdom, but in the years in question it probably averaged about 85,000,000 cwt. annually. The following statement shows the quantities of wheat meal and flour imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries and British Possessions in each of the three years, 1906, 1907, and 1908:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether all articles of British produce and manufacture are admitted into Germany, France, Russia, Belgium, and Italy, respectively, under most-favoured-nation conditions; and, if there are exceptions, whether he will enumerate them specifically?

All articles the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom are admitted into the countries named under most-favoured-nation conditions, without exception.

asked the Home Secretary if it is the intention of the Government to promote legislation giving effect to the findings of the Royal Commission which sat in 1906 as to Sunday trading?

The recommendations of the Joint Select Committee of 1906 are under my consideration in connection with the proposed Government legislation on the hours of work in shops.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the numbers respectively of the following classes of railway servants employed and killed or injured on the railways in the United Kingdom during the year 1908—viz., goods guards and brakesmen, permanent-way men or platelayers, and shunters, from accidents to trains, the movement of vehicles, and other causes, the figures being given on the same basis as those on pages 6 and 7 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Accidents to Railway Servants, 1900?

The following statement gives the information desired by my right hon. Friend so far as available, with the corresponding figures for 1907 added for comparison. Table showing the number of persons employed by railway companies on 31st December, 1907, as goods guards and brakesmen, permanent-way men, or platelayers and shunters, the numbers killed or injured in accidents to trains or by the movement of railway vehicles in the years 1907 and 1908, and the proportion per 1,000 of the killed and injured to the number employed:—

From causes other than accidents to trains or the movement of railway vehicles, the numbers killed or injured were:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state why the Board of Trade objected to the Dolter system of surface-contact trams, as used at Swinton and Mexborough?

Complaints were made to the Board of Trade of the frequent occurrence of live studs on the Swinton and Mexborough tramways, and those complaints were brought to the notice of the Company by the Board. The Company decided on their own initiative to replace the Dolter system by the overhead system.

asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take to consult the opinion of retail traders before introducing any Bill to limit the hours of opening of shops?

It is my wish to obtain the fullest information as to the views of retail traders in regard to the question of shop hours. I have already received a large number of communications expressing the views of associations representative of various classes of shopkeepers, and have had, or shall be having, interviews with deputations from many such associations.

asked what was the value of the manufactured goods exported to the United States, to Germany, to France, to the Dominion of Canada, to the Commonwealth of Australia, and to New Zealand, respectively, in the year 1907 and in the year 1908, and the value of the manufactured goods imported into the United Kingdom from the same countries, respectively, and for the same years.

The following statement shows the value of the articles wholly or mainly manufactured (exclusive of food, drink, and tobacco) imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in its trade with the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in 1907 and 1908:—

asked the Attorney-General whether the action commenced by him at the relationship of the Corporation of the City of London against Mr. Robert Horner, the lessee of Spitalfields Market, has now been set down for trial, and, if so, what is the approximate date when it is expected to come on for hearing?

It has not yet been possible to set this action down for trial. The action is of an exceedingly complicated nature, involving the consideration of the market rights of Mr. Horner. It is necessary to place all the facts before the Court, and several interlocutory applications in relation to the case have already been made, the last having been disposed of on the 13th instant. The inspection of the documents and the preliminary inquiries relating to the matter will occupy some considerable time; and the City Solicitor, who has the conduct of the proceedings, informs me that it is at present impossible to approximate a date when the action will be ripe for hearing. I am informed that there are upwards of 1,000 books disclosed by the defendant's further affidavit of documents, and it will be necessary, after inspection thereof, to administer interrogatories to the defendant.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether applications were made to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement on the lands of Aughaderry, in the county of Monaghan, of which Mervyn Montray was the landlord, by the following, claiming to be representatives of the evicted tenants:—Rose McKenna, Mary Murray, Patrick Smith, and Ross McKenna, and, if so, whether the applications were in each case refused, and what were the grounds of refusal?.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that applications were made on behalf of Mary Murray, Rose McKenna, and Patrick Smith, as the representatives of evicted tenants, but they were refused, as they did not appear to come within either Sections 2 (1)(d) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, or the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Acts. No application was made on behalf of Rose McKenna.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what time the Estates Commissioners expect to be able to take over the Rathreddy estate, near Loughrea, from Mr. B. Persse, in pursuance of an understanding arrived at some months ago?

The Estates Commissioners are prepared to proceed further with negotiations for the purchase of the estate referred to as soon as they are assured that all opposition to the persons selected by them as suitable purchasers will be withdrawn and that there will be no recurrence of such opposition.

asked whether Mr. James Broderick, of Doniry, Loughrea, is regarded as an evicted tenant to be provided with a holding in substitution for his own, under the Evicted Tenants Act; and. having regard to the possible distribution of the Blake Whyte untenanted lands in the neighbourhood of Doniry at an early date, is it proposed to allot Mr. Broderick' a holding thereon?

The Estates Commissioners will consider James Broderick's application in connection with the distribution of the untenanted land referred to when acquired.

asked whether agreements to purchase their holdings on the St. George's estate, Tyrone, Clarenbridge, county Galway, have been signed by the tenants and filed in the Estates Commissioners' offices; whether it is proposed to reinstate the widow Greally in her former holding; and, if not, when do the Commissioners intend to deal with her case?

Purchase agreements have not been lodged with the Estates Commissioners for the sale of this estate. The Commissioners understand that Mrs. Greally's former holding is occupied. They offered her a holding on another estate, but she refused it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board was directed by the Galway County Council to the arrears of road money due to Patrick Raffery, a road contractor in the Loughrea District Council; whether the Loughrea District Council, understanding all the circumstances, recommended that the money should be paid; whether the county council made a minute to the same effect; and will he explain what is the cause of the delay in not paying over to Raffery the amount due to him as part of his contract?

The Loughrea Rural District Council, having requested the Galway County Council to pay this road contractor, the county council passed a Resolution that, on production of the original reports and documents, the case should be submitted to the Local Government Board for sanction for the payment of such sums as might appear to be due. No particulars have, so far, been furnished to the Board, and they do not, therefore, know the facts; but they have no power in any case to sanction payments to road contractors. That is a matter for determination by the county council concerned, subject to review by the auditor.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the lands of Freedagh, on Collum's estate, county Fermanagh, who have purchased their holdings under the Irish Land Act, 1903, were, before they purchased, accustomed to get turf on the adjoining Archdale estate, on which there are large bogs, and since the sale to the tenants of the Arch-dale estate the Collum estate occupiers have been deprived of the privilege of turf cutting; and will the Land Commission, under Section 21 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, or otherwise, endeavour to procure for the Freedagh people the privilege of getting turf on the Archdale bogs?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the turbary referred to was not included by the owner in the sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903, but was conveyed by him to trustees by a deed of conveyance. The Commissioners cannot interfere with the powers of the trustees so appointed, but they understand that, under the terms of the conveyance, the trustees can entertain applications from persons other than tenants on the Archdale property to cut turbary on the bog in question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that an arbitrator appointed by the Local Government Board for Ireland for the purposes of The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, has recently, within the jurisdiction of the Baltinglass No. 3 rural district, namely, at Balynacrack and Grangeford, awarded 43 years' purchase for land for labourers' dwellings; can he say whether regard was had in this instance to Section 11 (10) of the above Act, under which no compensation can be awarded in respect of the purchase being compulsory; and will be at an early date introduce legislation to prevent such prices being paid for land required for the purposes of the said Act?

An arbitrator appointed by the Local Government Board has recently awarded a sum of £43 in respect of each of three one-acre plots in this district. That sum covers the interests of both owner and occupier, and is about the average amount per acre awarded, taking Ireland as a whole. The arbitrator has informed the Board that he made no addition to the amount of his award in any case by reason of the lands being taken compulsorily. The district council do not appear to have been represented at the inquiry by their solicitor or by a valuer. I am not aware of any need for the legislation suggested in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will ascertain whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Miss Fonly, representative of the late Mr. Timothy Fonly, for reinstatement in the holding from which he was evicted, after a tenancy of forty years, on the estate of Mrs. Ada Smyth, Castlewidenham, Castletownroche, county Cork; if the farm in question is now in the possession of the landlord; whether Mr. Coll, an inspector from the Estates Commissioners, has inquired into this case, and what action do the Commissioners intend taking to bring about the reinstatement of Miss Fonly?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from Miss Fonly, but it was not lodged within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot therefore be dealt with under that Act.

asked who is the police authority in Ireland for carrying out the provisions of Section 58, Sub-Section (8), and Section 108, Sub-section (1), of the Children Act, 1908?

In Dublin, the Dublin Metropolitan Police; elsewhere in Ireland, the Royal Irish Constabulary.

asked if the Estates Commissioners can state how the turbary on the Kenmare estate, county Kerry, has been vested, and what steps are being taken by them to fairly divide the turbary between tenants so as to avoid the friction that would arise if no action was taken?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the vendor has included in the lands proposed to be sold under the Irish Land Act, 1903, a considerable area of bog. The commissioners will consider its allotment when the estate is being dealt with in its order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the inspectors of schools have brought many parents before the petty sessions courts in cases where their children were absent from school when, owing to the inclemency of the weather, the parents kept them at home, whether in such cases magistrates refused to convict, and, if so, whether he will advise instructions to be issued to the inspectors not to summons the parents in such circumstances?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the inspectors of national schools do not prosecute parents for the non-attendance of their children. The school attendance officers, to whom the question probably refers, are appointed by the school attendances committees under the Irish Education Act. 1892. They are not under my control, nor that of the Commissioners, and I have no means of verifying the accuracy of the statements in the question with regard to them

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the proposal by the "War Office to obtain land for training troops near Ballycannan, county Clare; and whether, in view of the number of people anxious to obtain land for farming purposes, he will see that any land available is given to the people who need it instead of being devoted to the training of the Army?

I understand that the military authorities hire some 1,800 to 2,000 acres of land about four miles from Limerick, on an annual agreement, as a training ground. The War Office are now considering the question of acquiring this area on a 21 years' lease and establishing a rifle range there. They cannot say, at the present stage of the negotiations, to what extent farming interests will be affected. The hon. Member for Limerick, in a question which he addressed on 15th December last, to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War expressed himself in favour of the proposal, and a memorial in support of it has been addressed to the War Office by merchants,, traders and carmen of Limerick. I cannot undertake to make representations to my right hon. Friend with regard to the proposed acquisition of these lands.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegrams to or from the Pacific Cable passing over the lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company follow between Montreal and the Atlantic coast the route taken by the Canadian Pacific Railway across the State of Maine?

As stated in my answer to my hon. Friend's question of the 10th instant on the same subject, telegrams to or from the Pacific Cable are, in normal circumstances, transmitted across the American Continent over lines which pass solely over British territory. They do not follow the route taken by the Canadian Pacific Railway across the State of Maine.

asked the Postmaster-General when he intends to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee with regard to the restriction of business at sub-offices on bank holidays?

The recommendation of the Committee was that attendance at sub-offices on Bank Holidays "Should be restricted as far as possible." This is being carried out, but the difficulties in the case of country telegraph offices are considerable, and I am considering how these can best be met.