asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will obtain for the Members of this House a full translated report of the speech recently delivered by Admiral von Tirpitz in the Reichstag during the discussion on the German Navy Estimates?

I understand from His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin that full reports of the speeches delivered in the Budget Committee are not obtainable.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the definite statement of the well-informed correspondent of the "Daily Graphic" that communications have been made three times to this Government on the question of acceleration?

The hon. Member must give notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could make any statement with regard to affairs in Persia?

The Nationalists have assumed control of the Government and Customs at Bunder Abbas. There appears to be little material change at other places.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he heard any definite statement as to the Shah accepting the Constitution, and whether the latest phase is satisfactory?

I wish I could say the latest phase is satisfactory.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received information of the arrival, at Resht, of a detachment of Russian Cossack troops, accompanied by two quick-firing guns?

I have not heard anything about the guns, but I have heard of the reinforcements, to which I referred the other day.

I have heard about the guns.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the restrictions placed upon education and other essential social services in Egypt by the avowed lack of available funds, he will take into consideration, and urge upon the British Consul-General in Egypt, the propriety of reducing the charge placed upon the Egyptian revenues to maintain the British Army of Occupation?

The contribution paid by the Egyptian Government merely represents the amount by which the cost of the British force in Egypt exceeds the cost of the same force at home, and I cannot propose its reduction, however anxious that the Egyptian Government should have as many funds as possible for education and social reforms.

Is it not quite clear that the increased charges for the Army were due solely to the needs of the Soudan?

I think the increase was in view, and a review of the whole situation.

Is it not mainly through the Soudan situation that the maintenance of the increased expenditure is necessary?

No; but from the point of view of the military situation as a whole.

May I ask whether without the British Army of occupation there is likely to be any reforms at all?

Order, order. The hon. Member can form his own opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any official information on the subject of the outrage committed upon Mr. Brown, of the Indo-European Company, at Tabriz; and what steps do His Majesty's Government propose taking in the matter?

His Majesty's Consul-General at Tabriz reports that Mr. Brown was not the victim of an outrage, though his escort extracted from him a gratuity of about £3 more than he would have given them in ordinary circumstances. An insulting expression of no particular Oriental significance was made use of by one member of Mr. Brown's escort, but otherwise he was politely treated. Mr. Brown addressed no complaint to His Majesty's Minister at the time. His Majesty's Minister states that he will bring the fact to the notice of the Persian Government verbally, but does not consider that more than this is required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us a translation of the Oriental expression?

Who furnished the escort?

I imagine it was the Persian Government. I am not sure, but even if it was I do not think any more action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statements of Admiral von Tirpitz to the effect that the German Government has not received any suggestion from the British Government for a limitation of armaments; whether he can inform the House as to the dates and character of any communications that have been made; and whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of again approaching the German Government in reference to the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister yesterday to questions asked by the hon. Members for Mid-Armagh, Newbury, York, and Salford.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the latest German criticism on the naval question to the effect that the British Government should have burnt the original or mother "Dreadnought" and its plans, and should have imprisoned the promoters and designer of the ship in the Tower?

No, Sir, I have not seen that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention had been called to the manifesto issued by the Central Committee in Europe of the Persian Constitutionalist party, to the effect that this party has always endeavoured to safeguard the lives and property of Europeans in Persia, and would always continue to do so; whether order and security prevail wherever the influence of the Constitutionalist party extends; and can he state whether apprehensions have been expressed to His Majesty's Government, either by the British Consul at Resht or by British citizens resident in that town, for their safety or that of their property?

The manifesto in question has been sent to me. I am hardly in a position to state with certainty that order and security prevail in all places to which the influence of the Constitutionalist party extends, nor exactly how the parties in possession of different centres are composed; but, as far as I am aware, no complaint has yet been made by British subjects as to their treatment in such places as the question contemplates. As regards Resht, disturbances and possible danger to foreigners are anticipated in view of an impending collision between the Shah's troops and forces of the Nationalists. No appeal for protection has reached us from the British community there, who are doubtless aware that, as I informed the hon. Member for Brentford on the 18th, the Russian Consular Guard is being reinforced and has instructions to protect all foreigners. Similar instructions are being sent to His Majesty's ships to protect all foreigners at Bushire and Bandar Abbas if necessary.

Were any representations made by any of the British, or other European Consuls, before this invasion by Russian troops took place?

No; I have nothing to add to my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any records of the discussions on matters of State between His Majesty the King, accompanied by Sir Charles Hardinge, of the Foreign Office, Sir John Fisher, of the Admiralty, and Sir John French, of the War Office, and the Emperor of Russia and his Ministers on the occasion of the King's visit to Reval in June last; whether, among the subjects of discussion, the comparative strength and efficiency of the German and British navies was included; and whether he, as the Minister responsible to this House for the foreign policy of this country, has any and, if so, what justification to offer for advice tendered to the Sovereign to go abroad and interview foreign Sovereigns and foreign Ministers unaccompanied by a Minister responsible to Parliament?

Any conversations which have an official character are recorded; the King transacts official business in the constitutional way through his Ministers. If the hon. Member supposes that I have advised His Majesty to go abroad and transact official business with foreign Sovereigns or Ministers direct and not through a Minister of the Crown, the answer to the last part of his question is that I am not prepared to justify any such advice, because I have not given it, and the thing has not occurred. I am responsible for seeing that foreign affairs are transacted through the Foreign Minister, and that responsibility has been preserved unimpaired. But, in view of the enormous amount of the business, I must claim the right to exercise discretion as to how much of it is transacted through ambassadors or officials of the Foreign Office, who act under instructions from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Unless I am allowed that discretion, I cannot, nor could any other human being, discharge the responsibility. There was no discussion at Reval of the comparative strength, past, present, or future, of British and German Navies.

asked whether, by any order of the Secretary of State or of the Government of India, letters passing between British subjects in India and this country are opened by the Post Office authorities?

As was stated in reply to a question on 11th February last year, the Government of India has certain powers under the provisions of the Indian Post Office Act of 1898 of opening letters in India.

Have they exercised those powers?

Not so far as I am aware recently.

asked whether it is the intention of the Secretary of State to lay any Papers before Parliament relating to the condition of affairs in India which led to the passing of the Press Act, the Public Meetings Act, the Explosives Act, and the Criminal Law Amendment Act, and to the revival of the deportation regulation?

The Secretary of State is not prepared to lay on the table papers such as are asked for by the hon. Member. The proceedings of the Viceroy's Legislative Council at the meetings at which the Acts referred to were passed, copies of which are in the library, contain full accounts of the reasons for passing them. As regards the deportations, in the discussion of the Amendment to the Address moved by the hon. Member, I gave the House all the information in my power as to the circumstances that had necessitated this course of action.

May I ask, arising out of that reply, whether the Under-Secretary can quote a precedent for action of this kind in reference to giving information?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the discussion there have been several deportations?

No, Sir; my hon. Friend is wrong there. No deportations have taken place since.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State has any information as to the state of health of any of the nine British subjects who were deported from their homes in India in December last, and who are still in confinement?

The Secretary of State has not received any report from the Government of India on the subject. My hon. friend is no doubt aware that the officer in whose custody a State prisoner is placed is bound under the regulation to submit to the Government of India periodical reports as to the prisoner's health and comfort.

May I inquire whether the right hon. Gentleman has seen in the Indian Press a letter from one of these deported persons stating that he is extremely comfortable, and letters from other Indians complaining of the large salaries given to the families of these comfortable deportees?

I have not seen the latter, but I have seen the former statement.

Has his attention been called to the petition of the wife of Baba Aswini Kumar Dutt stating that for the last eight years her husband has been suffering from a wasting disease, and it is felt that, if removed from the nursing of his wife, his life may be shortened?

A copy of that petition was put in my hands yesterday by my hon. Friend, the Member for the Newbury Division of Berks; it has been presented to the Indian Government, and I have no doubt they will give it due attention.

Is there anything in the condition of Bengal which would make it undesirable that he should return to his home?

There is no doubt that the Government of India was satisfied at the time that Mr. Baba Aswini Kumar Dutt was arrested that the condition of things in the neighbourhood was such as to compel his arrest, along with others, who were also arrested. The Indian Government believed in that way they could deal with the state of things which has certainly improved.

Is not the condition of things at present one of perfect peace?

No, Sir; I should not be prepared to agree to that.

Is not this person, like other prisoners who are ill, entitled to enjoy the medical attendance and nursing which he would get elsewhere1?

Certainly.

May I ask if the Government have made any provisions that he shall have the same treatment for the disease from which he is suffering, and which has been so beneficial to him when he has been at home and nursed by his wife?

I have every reason to believe that the Government of India, who are responsible in this matter, and there is no great responsibility incurred in looking after these nine persons—I have every reason to believe that they will discharge that duty not only in accordance with the letter of the law, but generously.

rose to address a further question.

Order, order. The hon. Member must give himself the trouble of putting down his question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can inform the House of any announcement which has been given by the National Telephone Company to their officials as to the discharge of a number of the constructional staff of the company if an agreement is not concluded between the Postmaster-General and the National Telephone Company before 31st March, 1909?

I have seen certain announcements made by the National Telephone Company with regard to the possible reduction of their construction staff, but no such announcement as that I have seen has contained the specific statement referred to in the question. The company propose, as I understand, to continue to meet all new applications for telephone service until the conclusion of their license. They will, therefore, in any case require a considerable construction staff during the remaining period of their license, so that, taking into account also the inevitable occurrence of vacancies and the opportunities for transferring construction hands to the increasing maintenance staff, I venture to hope that the company will not find it necessary to carry out the numerous discharges which are the subject of so many alarming rumours at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether they have made any further communication?

I do not think I can do that. I can only take their public statements, when they are made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made arrangements to give employment to the constructional staff in case they are discharged by the Company?

I have informed the He use more than once that I am endeavouring to come to an arrangement with the Telephone Company. I am sorry to say that the negotiations have not yet arrived at any conclusion so far. I am still in negotiation with regard to the whole matter.

asked whether, in connection with the proposed extension of the South-Eastern District Office, Nos. 241, 243, 245, 247, and 251, Borough High Street were acquired by the Post Office in July, 1905, the tenants displaced, and the shop-fronts boarded up; whether, on 29th November, 1907, a petition was presented from 52 neighbouring occupiers pointing out the harm done to their businesses by these shops remaining empty, and praying that whatever alterations were to take place should be put in hand at once; whether the petition was acknowledged on 2nd December, 1907, and that the petitioners, having received no further reply, again communicated with the Postmaster-General in March, 1908, and were informed that the plans were under consideration, but the Department was unable to say when work would be commenced; whether, in August, 1908, the Postmaster-General declined to receive a deputation from the petitioners, and that these shops still remain closed and boarded up, no work having been commenced upon these premises; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The facts generally are as stated by the hon. Member. I had hoped that the scheme for re-constructing the premises could have been put in hand shortly, but I am sorry that financial exigencies necessitate a deferment of the work. Temporary alterations have been carried out, with the result that Nos. 241, 243, 245, and 247, Borough High Street, are in actual use for Post Office purposes, and the boarding of the windows has to a great extent been removed.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has had complaints from newspaper proprietors in Dundee and other northern towns as to the serious delay and consequent inconvenience and loss through the interruption of telegraph communication again caused by the recent storms, to which other towns are not now subjected; and if he can state when these lines will be laid underground to the North, and if he will cause this work to be expedited as much as possible?

I received a complaint from one firm of newspaper proprietors in Dundee in regard to the interruption caused by the recent snow storms. There has, however, been no general complaint. Most people realise, I think, that telegraphic delays cannot be altogether prevented on such exceptional occasions as that of the recent snow storms. The underground work, as far as the present state of finances permits, is being continued and applied to the completion of works which are of general advantage to all parts of the country, especially in connection with the submarine cables.

Can the right hon. Gentleman foreshadow any time when the submarine line of Dundee will be completed?

No; I am afraid I cannot at present.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Patrick Wallace, rural postman between Bannow sub-post office and Brandane, was taken suddenly ill, and, as it was a question of life or death, had to call in the local doctor; whether the postal authorities have refused to pay the doctor's bill on the ground that the sick man should have called in the postmen's doctor, who lives 15 miles away; is he aware that the book of rules for postmen states that where there is no doctor employed at a post office the postman is at liberty to employ his own doctor, and the Department will be responsible; and whether he will order an inquiry into this case, with a view of relieving this man of the payment of the bill in question?

The bills of private doctors called in by Post Office servants are not paid except in case of injuries sustained on duty. There is no rule in the Postmen's Rule Book in the sense supposed by the hon. Member. In view of the distance of Mr. Wallace's residence from the nearest Post Office doctor, he has been removed from that officer's charge, and is now being paid the usual allowance of 8s. 6d. per annum in lieu of free medical attendance

asked the Home Secretary whether an alien immigrant arriving from Russia at a port in this country, and being a fit subject for rejection by the immigration officer on the grounds set forth in Clause 1, Section 3, Sub-section (a) of the Aliens Act of 1905, is now allowed the benefit of the doubt granted to alien immigrants under the regulations issued to immigration officers on 9th March, 1906, in respect of statements made made by such immigrants that they are flying from political or religious persecution?

The Secretary of State has nothing to add to his answer of 11th March to the hon. Member on this subject. That reply covers the point raised in the present question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a plain answer, yes or no?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to ascertain how many of the 680,000 yards of 52-inch mail-bag canvas ordered from British firms established in the United Kingdom are to be manufactured in the United Kingdom; and, if not manufactured in the United Kingdom, what steps he has taken to ensure that those engaged in the manufacture of this canvas abroad do not work for less wages and for longer hours than permitted by the fair wages clause when canvas is manufactured to the order of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom?

The Secretary of State is not in a position to require information as to what proportion of the canvas for which tenders have already been accepted will be manufactured abroad; but with regard to future contracts he has decided, after consultation with the Prison Commissioners, that contractors shall be invited to send in alternative tenders specifying separately the price for foreign and home - manufactured canvas. The latter part of the question was answered by my right hon. Friend on March 16th.

Am I correct in understanding that in future a British firm which tenders will have to show whether the canvas is made abroad or at home?

Yes, sir.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of a lady who was severely burnt on the night of the 17th inst., and is now lying in a critical condition at the Forest Gate Cottage Hospital; is he aware that the accident was caused through a young man throwing down a lighted match; and whether he proposes to take steps to make such conduct a criminal offence?

The Secretary of State has made inquiry, but he finds that this distressing occurrence was a pure accident, and a matter which could not possibly be brought within the criminal law.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the lady still lies in a very critical condition, and that the wife of a friend of mine some time ago was burnt to death in the open air through similar outrageous carelessness?

I was not aware of the facts stated in the latter part of the question. In regard to the critical condition of this lady I was aware of the condition, but that does not alter the fact that it was due to a pure accident.

Is the throwing down of a lighted match a pure accident or a voluntary criminal act?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that 8s. 8d. per week has been granted as provision for the widow and three children of the police-constable at Leeds, recently killed whilst in the execution of his duty, and that this sum is to be discontinued if the widow remarries, he will, in considering the case, exclude from his consideration any provision this constable has made for his wife and children by subscriptions to thrift societies?

The grant of pensions and allowances to the families of deceased police-constables is a matter for the local police authorities. It is regulated by the provisions of the Police Acts, and in this case the maximum pension "allowed by the Acts has been given. The amount of the allowance is not affected by any payments made to thrift societies. The Secretary of State has no authority to increase the pension or in any way to interfere in the matter.

When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to produce the legislation on the subject promised by the Government?

I do not think any legislation was promised by the Government. My right hon. Friend said in his view amending legislation was desirable, but he did not promise its immediate introduction.

asked whether the differences which have arisen between the members of the Welsh Church Commission will retard the introduction of the Bill for the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales?

The Prime Minister asks me to say that he is not yet in a position to make any statement about the probable date for the introduction of the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the case of a sentence of a month's imprisonment with hard labour on two mothers, named Phoebe Brownhill and Sarah Kelly, inflicted by the stipendiary magistrate at Sedgeley upon a prosecution by the education committee, because they allowed their children to go to school when they were suffering from a slight ailment known as the itch; and whether, considering that Dr. Charles Bell Taylor says that the ailment is not infectious and that parents are compelled to send their children to school, he will remit the sentence?

The hon. Member has not been correctly informed with regard to the facts of the case. The prosecution was instituted by the police, and the defendants were charged with neglecting their children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering. It was proved that the parents had been warned many times, but that they had nevertheless persisted in leaving their children in such a dirty and verminous state as to involve, according to the medical evidence, unnecessary suffering. The question whether the complaint the children suffered from was infectious or not was not relevant to the charge. The Secretary of State is sorry that he can see no reason for interference with the sentence.

Is the hon. Gentleman in possession of information as to whether the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children had anything to do with this case?

I am not aware. The prosecution was not undertaken by them, but by the police.

Does the hon. Gentleman approve of punishment for children for being not quite as clean as some medical man chooses to think they ought to be?

Does the hon. Gentleman think itch may properly be described as a. slight and not infectious ailment?

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has now completed his investigations into the allegation that the vaccination officer had shown or given certificates of exemption to the superintendent of the Peabody Buildings, Roscoe Road, St. Luke's, and that the superintendent had then given notice to the person making the declaration to quit the buildings; and if he will take steps to prevent the persecution of people who act in accordance with the Vaccination Act of 1907?

I have made enquiry on this subject, and I am informed that in any case in which it comes to the knowledge of one of the Superintendents of the Peabody Dwellings that a tenant refuses to have his child vaccinated notice to quit is served. I have no control over the trustees of the dwellings in this matter, but I find from the vaccination officer that in no instance has he shown the declaration exempting from vaccination to their agents or superintendents.

asked with reference to the present small-pox epidemic at Bristol, how many cases of the disease occurred in vaccinated persons before any unvaccinated person was notified as having the disease.

There were eleven such cases. It should, however, be stated that 24 cases of the 31 of which at present I have received particulars took place amongst persons over 20 years of age; that 22 out of these 24 persons had not been re-vaccinated since infancy, whilst the remaining two had already contracted the infection of small-pox before they were re-vaccinated. No case occurred amongst vaccinated children under the age of 10, but there were two amongst children who had not been vaccinated.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been advised that vaccination is no good unless the person is under 10 years of age?

No; but the hon. Member asked me to secure certain facts and information. I have given him the facts and information as I received them from reliable persons.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the case of a man named Bidwell, a carpenter, who had been in the employ of the Metropolitan Asylums Board for 37 years, 11 months, 3 weeks, when he reached the age of 65 years (which is the age fixed for compulsory retirement for the service of the Board); whether he is aware that the Board rejected a recommendation of the Asylums Committee to add one year to the man's service so as to entitle him to the full benefit of 38 years' service for superannuation purposes, in view of the fact that his service was only seven days short of 38 completed years, and that he had paid superannuation contributions during the whole period covered by the Act of 1896; whether he is aware that it is customary for the Metropolitan Asylums Board and other poor law authorities, under similar circumstances, to add a number of years to the service of their higher grade officials; and whether, in view of these inequalities, he intends to take any steps to amend Clause 3 of The Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act, 1896, so as to provide that superannuation shall be payable, in all cases, upon the total length of instead of completed years of service?

My attention has been called to the case referred to. I understand that the facts with regard to it are as stated, and I am in communication with the managers on the subject. I will take note of the suggestion of my hon. Friend, but I do not at the present time propose to introduce a Bill for an alteration of the Act.

asked what the conditions and regulations are as to cleanliness and management of dairies and cowsheds which apply to the districts from which the imports of fresh milk and cream are derived?

The information in my possession is not sufficient to enable me to say definitely what are the conditions as to cleanliness and management in the dairies and cowsheds abroad, or as to the extent to which foreign regulations are enforced in these places. I caused inquiries, however, to be made last year regarding the methods adopted at the single creamery in France from which all the fresh milk imported into this country appears to be obtained, and from which also a considerable quantity of cream is imported. The result was generally satisfactory, as was also the result of the examination of some samples taken in London.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importation of this milk in bringing forward the Milk Bill?

Yes, certainly. I have the subject in mind, and I am sorry that in these matters the jurisdiction of the Local Government Board is only applicable to the United Kingdom.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will, on behalf of the Government, favourably consider an amendment of Section 3 of the Costs in Criminal Cases Act, 1908, with a view to empowering the justices, in all cases where a charge made against a person for any indictable offence is dismissed by them, to order the prosecutor to pay the costs of such person incurred in or about his defence?

The point raised by the question was carefully considered by the Government so late as last Session. The possibility of hardship in some cases was then fully recognised, but it was decided to be the better course not to condemn a prosecutor in costs where he has moved the court in good faith and in the interests of public justice, except in the particular cases set forth in Section 6 of the Act to which the hon. Member refers. I am not prepared on behalf of the Government to recommend any change in the law in this respect.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the practices of certain house-purchase companies, by which drawings take place for the allotment of advances free of interest; and whether, seeing that the bondholder who receives an advance free of interest receives the equivalent of a cash prize, and in view of the Lottery Acts, he will say what action he proposes to take?

The question of drawings by house-purchase companies was the subject of inquiry and report by a Departmental Committee of the Board of Trade in 1905, and I am informed that the Board have the matter under their consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will institute an inquiry into the cost of living in towns of the United States of America on the lines of the inquiries made with regard to French and German conditions?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Blackburn on Thursday last, the Board of Trade are at present making an investigation in the United States.

asked if the French Government have issued an order reducing the railway rates in France on goods to be shipped by French vessels without any similar reduction on goods to be shipped by British vessels; and, if so, what representations have been made to the French Government in reference to the injury to British trade?

The system of preferential rates to which the hon. Member refers was inaugurated by the French railway companies with the approval of the French Government in 1904. Last year certain recent developments of this system were brought to the notice of the Board of Trade, and as a consequence I understand that representations as to their effect upon British shipping were made by His Majesty's Government to the French Government. I regret that so far these representations have not been successful.

Seeing that it imposes a disability of some 20 to 40 francs per ton on British steamers, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it a fitting subject for retaliation?

asked whether the French customs tariff has been increased on black plates by 8s. 4d. per ton on certain gauges and 16s. 8d. on others, whilst a new classification termed flat sheets for dynamos is increased by 25s., 34s. 4d., 41s. 8d., and 50s. per ton, according to thickness; and, in consequence of the last-named classification being so vague that trouble may ensue owing to the customs officials claiming the higher duties on the ordinary black plates, which are only subject to the lower tariff, whether he intends taking any action in the matter?

The figures given by the hon. Member represent approximately the changes proposed by the Customs. Commission of the French Chamber of Deputies in the minimum tariff rates of duty on black plates and flat sheets for dynamos, but these proposed changes have: not been brought into force, as the question appears to suggest. Representations upon these proposals have already been received by the Board of Trade, and are being dealt with in connection with other similar representations about the effect of the proposed new French tariff on British-trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has received with reference to the rate of wages and hours of work in the quarrying industry in Norway?

Without a special inquiry no definite and detailed information is available on a basis comparable with the United Kingdom with reference to the rate of wages and hours of work in the quarrying industry in Norway, but I shall be happy to send the hon. Member such information as is in the possession of the-Beard of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has any representation on the Board of the Irish Lights Commissioners; and, if not, can he state by what constitutional authority reresentations are made by the Beard of Trade to the Commissioners, and what powers he possesses to ensure that such representations are carried out?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. The Board of Trade have by virtue of the Merchant Shipping Acts, a control over expenditure by the General Lighthouse Authorities, but they have no power to initiate proposals for lighthouse works, and any representations made by the Board can therefore only take the form of suggestions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state if his Department or the Irish Lights Commissioners have received any communications from ships' captains and the residents, pilots and fishermen of Portaferry and Strangford, county Down, in respect to the position of the new temporary buoy moored 6 miles from the mouth of Strangford Bar; and, if so, can he state whether such communications recommend that the buoy be moved to within 1½ miles of the Bar mouth; and what action he proposes to take?

Communications recommending the removal of the buoy to a position nearer the Bar mouth have been received at the Board of Trade from ship masters, pilots, and others. These communications have been referred to the Irish Lights Commissioners who, as I informed the hon. Member for East Down yesterday, state that they do not concur in the local opinion that the position of the buoy should be altered, seeing that it is intended as a mark to protect the passing trade, and not to guide vessels into Strangford Lough.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of whether any of the deep-sea pilots sent communications, or whether it is only those engaged in the coasting trade who have been consulted in the matter?

Communications have been received from pilots, and these communications have been forwarded by us to the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and after considering these, and all other information received by them, the Commissioners adhere to the opinion that the present position of the buoy is that best suited to afford safety to the shipping.

What I would like to know is whether any recent communications have come from the deep-sea pilots who have to pilot all the boats along that part of the coast or only from the local pilots in Strangford Lough?

I had not in my mind that distinction when asking the question, but I will make enquiries and communicate with the right hon. Gentleman privately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the conciliation scheme arranged in November, 1907, between representative railway companies and the railway workers has not yet been put into force on most of London's tube railways; whether it was not a term in the agreement that the companies' signatories should endeavour to influence non-signing companies to adhere to the agreement; whether any such action has been taken with regard to the London tube railways; and, if so, what has been the result; and if he will endeavour to use his influence to persuade the tube companies to adopt and speedily put into force the conciliation scheme arrived at in November, 1907.

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a conciliation board has been established for the Great Northern and City Railway. With regard to the group of lines controlled by the Underground Electric Railways Company, I understand that communications are in progress as to the formation of conciliation boards, but I have not yet been informed of the result. The Central London Railway Company have so far declined to form a conciliation board for their line on the ground that the circumstances are quite different from those generally prevailing. I understand the position of the City and South London Railway Company to be similar. If, however, there is evidence of a desire on the part of the employés of these companies for the establishment of conciliation boards on these railways, I will again communicate with the companies.

asked what the imports of fresh milk and cream were in 1907 and 1908 respectively, both in weight and value?

One hundred and fifty-six hundredweight of fresh milk of a declared value of £68 were imported into the United Kingdom in 1907, and 953cwt. of a declared value of £437 in 1908. Four thousand two hundred and thirty-one hundredweight of cream, of a declared value of £16,920, were imported in 1907, and 6,862cwt., of a declared value of £26,556, in 1908.

asked what is the total weight and value of potatoes exported in 1907 and 1908 from Great Britain; and to what countries are they exported?

It would take too long to read the particulars, but the information will be printed and circulated with the Votes.

asked what is the number of recognised places in the training colleges of England and Wales, the average annual output of students available as teachers, the average length of a teacher's career as teacher, and the number of teachers required in elementary schools?

The recognised accommodation in training colleges for 1908–9, excluding the Norwood Blind College and a few temporary buildings, is 11,813. The number of students leaving training colleges, after passing the prescribed examination test, in 1908 was 4,343, and in addition there were 110 students in that year who were certificated before admission to a training college. I regret it is not possible to give any estimate of the average length of a teacher's career or of the number of teachers required in elementary schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the practices of certain house-purchase companies in holding drawings for the allotment of advances free of interest; and whether, in view of the fact that legislation has been passed preventing such practices with regard to building societies, he will introduce legislation to prevent the continuance of this practice in the case of house-purchase companies?

My attention has been called to the fact that certain house-purchase companies hold drawings for the allotment of advances free of interest, and I am at the present time considering legislation to deal with the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the short time and consequent suffering now being undergone by miners, railway and other workers, in Scotland, as a result of the dispute between the railway companies and the traders; whether he has taken any steps to bring the dispute to an end; and, if so, what has been done in the matter?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the difficulties which have arisen between certain Scottish railway companies and traders in regard to charges for demurrage of wagons and siding rent. A meeting was recently held at the Board of Trade between the parties concerned with a view to an amicable settlement of the dispute, and it was then arranged that each of the trades concerned should form a small representative committee to negotiate with the railway companies. I understand that these negotiations are still proceeding, and I hope they will lead to a satisfactory result.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state anything as to the result of the negotiations?

Negotiations are still going on. I hope that they will lead to a satisfactory result, but I should not like to make any prediction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the following points are included within the scope of the Instructions to the Commission which has been dispatched to study the management and working of the Continental railway systems; and, if not, whether the Board will take such steps as are necessary to secure their inclusion, namely, the investigation of the systems of dealing with passengers' luggage both as regards registration and charges for excess weight, the customs in force on the different railways respecting the loss in weight of truck-loads of coal while in transit between consigner and consignee, and as to whether weighing machines owned by railway companies are subject to periodical verification by an independent departmental official in the interests of such consigners and consignees and the public?

The instructions to the investigators despatched by the Railway Conference for the purpose referred to were issued by the Conference, and they included within their scope all matters of importance relating to the facilities afforded both to passengers and traders. They did not specifically cover the question of the verification of railway companies' weighing machines, a duty which, in this country, is undertaken by inspectors appointed by local authorities. I shall, however, be happy to obtain information on this point for my hon. Friend.

May I ask when it is expected that the Commissioners will report?

They have dealt with portion of the German and portion of the French railways. Further investigations are now going on. I should not think that the report would be ready for several months.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any official information that, as regards the policy of scrapping old ships, Japanese naval experts consider that this policy has been carried too far, and that they now consider that the older types of vessels, armed with modern guns, might be used with advantage in blockades, leaving the newer types to take the open sea; and whether he can lay any Papers he has on this subject upon the table?

No official information on this subject has been received.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever asked for any information on the subject?

If you put down a question on the Paper I will be happy to answer it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the wisdom of abandoning the policy of breaking up the older ships?

Perhaps you will put down a question.

Is it possible to use the modern weapons on ships of old construction?

It would not be possible on all ships. It might be possible on some.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to the re-introduction of the Hops Bill this Session?

I do not see any chance of passing the Bill in the immediate future, but the matter will not be lost sight of.

asked whether there is any precedent before the present reign, and, if so, what precedent, for the absence of a Sovereign, unattended by a Minister of the Crown, during the Session of Parliament; and what arrangements, if any, have been made to mitigate the inconvenience thereby caused to the public business of the country?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for East St. Pancras on May 2nd, 1907. I am not aware that any inconvenience in the transaction of public business is likely to arise from the absence of a Minister in attendance on the Sovereign.

Was there no inconvenience to public business on the resignation of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman?

No.

Was there not a delay of three weeks to public business owing to the absence of the Sovereign?

Is not it a fact that during the reign of the late Sovereign when she went abroad she was always accompanied by a Minister of the Crown answerable to this House and its representative to the Sovereign?

No, Sir. It is not the case.

asked whether there will be an opportunity before the Easter recess for the discussion of the Foreign Office Vote?

No, Sir; I do not anticipate that it will be possible to take any Civil Service Votes before Easter.

I desire to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will, in view of the public interest in the question, lay upon the Table the Report of the official inquiry held upon the respective merits of British and foreign granite?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18th March to the hon. Member for North-West Manchester.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week he informed me across the Table that he was considering the propriety of giving an answer shortly?

That was a supplementary question. The information is not yet complete.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in carrying out the shipbuilding programme for the ensuing financial year, he proposes to lessen the burden of unemployment in East London by placing orders with shipbuilding firms on the River Thames.

The claims of the Thames district will not be overlooked.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of building battleships for the same reason as Germany, namely, to relieve unemployment in certain distressed districts?

I am unaware that that is the reason for the Germans building battleships.

I wish to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware that on 23rd May, 1907, he stated that they, the gardeners, do not go to Kew without some prospects of promotion and of higher salaries; that, in spite of such statement, sub-foremen with several years' service are being dismissed and a foreman engaged from outside; and, if so, whether it is to be understood that such promise of promotion does not now hold good, or whether the three sub-foremen now under notice, with their several years' service at Kew and five years' training before entering Kew, are not considered capable of filling the position of foreman?

It happened on the occurrence of the last vacancy in the position of foreman at Kew that none of the sub-foremen possessed sufficient experience of the work to justify their promotion, and a gardener who had had previous service at Kew and had risen to the rank of sub-foreman was engaged to fill it. But the general position with regard to promotion remains precisely what it was when I explained it to the House in May, 1907. I may add that the statement in the question of my hon. Friend as to what I said on 23rd May, 1907, is not correct.

Is it not a fact that the secretary to the men's union was fully qualified for this position, but that instead of being promoted his dismissal was allowed to take place?

I must have notice of that question.

I wish to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board is, or has been, negotiating with the Duke of Bedford for the purchase of the Thorney estate; if so, whether the negotiations are completed; and whether, if the negotiations are not completed, the House will have an opportunity of discussing the terms of purchase before the contract is signed?

Parliament has given the Commissioners of Woods statutory powers for the purchase of land; but the assent of the Treasury is necessary in all cases of magnitude. In the present instance preliminary negotiations are proceeding between the Commissioners (not the Board of Agriculture) and the Duke of Bedford; but they are not completed, and no Report has as yet reached the Treasury. I am fully alive to the interest which the negotiations have aroused in this House; and I shall very carefully scrutinise any proposals submitted by the Commissioners. The House will have the usual opportunity of calling in question any decision arrived at—for which I shall be prepared to take full responsibility—but I fear that it would not be practicable to provide an opportunity for the discussion suggested by the hon. Member.

Am I to understand that our money will be paid to the Duke of Bedford without any opportunity of saying how much it will be?

The hon. Member must not understand that.

What assurance have we that the payments to the Duke of Bedford will not be on the same extravagant scale as the payments to Sir Michael Hicks Beach?

I can assure hon. Members that our transaction will not take an extravagant form.

Will any opportunity for discussion arise before the bargain is concluded?

It will be impossible for a bargain of this sort to be discussed on the floor of the House before it is completed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to a resolution which was passed by the borough of Eccles Education Committee on 17th February, 1909, directing the immediate transfer of 16 children, all of whom were under seven years of age on 1st July last, from the infants' department in the mixed department of the Godfrey Ermen Memorial School; and, if so, whether a local education authority has any power to compel the managers of a non-provided school to transfer children from the infants' department to the mixed department in the middle of the school year, when, in the opinion of the head master and the head mistress of the school, such children are not from an educational point of view eligible for such promotion?

The Board have received no information as to the circumstances referred to, and my right hon. Friend is causing inquiries to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. J. W. Broadbent, of Norland, near Halifax, who along with his sister, both being experienced State school teachers, is educating his own children, and to the repeated prosecutions and finings which have resulted therefrom; have these actions been taken with his knowledge, or have they received his sanction; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to this case. He understands that proceedings have been instituted by the local education authority on more than one occasion for failure to comply with the school attendance bye-laws, and that convictions have been obtained. The sanction of the Board of Education is not required to prosecutions under the School Attendance Acts, and the Board have no power to interfere with the local authority's discretion or to over-rule the decision of the magistrates.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has been able to make any progress towards any scheme for the better housing accommodation of the Board of Agriculture?

Yes, Sir. A scheme is proposed for building on the site of Nos. 9, 10, and 11, Whitehall-place. Provision of £l,500 is included in the Estimate for Public Buildings, Great Britain, 1909–10, on account.

When will the building be commenced?

As soon as hon. Members have voted the £1,500.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury how much has been expended during the past ten years on the reconstruction and repairs of the Embassy at Paris; and if the £5,050 included in this year's Estimates for the reconstruction of the kitchen block will complete the outlay proposed to be made?

The total expenditure on reconstruction and repairs at the Paris Embassy during the nine years ending 1907–8 was £26,012; the estimated expenditure for the current financial year is £9,042, making a total for the past ten years of £35,054. I am unable at present to say whether the sum of £5,050 provided in the Estimates for 1909–10 for the reconstruction of the kitchen block will complete the outlay necessary on this building, as during the past year distinct movements have taken place in the main building, due, according to one theory, to the construction of underground railways. A most careful watch over the structure is being maintained, and I am sending my principal architect and surveyor to Paris shortly with instructions to make a complete investigation, and to report what steps, if any, are necessary for protecting the building. Until I shall have received that report it is impossible to form any idea as to future expenditure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has issued instructions to the Inland Revenue officers that, pending the hearing of the appeal in the case of the Attorney-General v. Herbert Till, they shall not, in cases of non-payment of income tax due to proved inadvertence, demand seven years' back payment or an equivalent penalty?

No, Sir, I have issued no such instructions. The Board of Inland Revenue, in dealing with cases of the character referred to by the hon. Member, will continue to be guided by the requirements of each case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in a case where the claim for a pension by a claimant duly entitled to receive it was delayed, through no fault of the claimant, in transmission to a pensions committee, the Treasury will permit the pension to date from the time from which it would have been payable had there been no such delay?

Under Section 5, Sub-section (2), of the Old Age Pensions Act, a pension is payable on the first Friday after the claim has been allowed by the Pension Committee, and I have no power to vary this provision.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state whether purchase agreements under the Irish Land Act of 1903 were filed with the Estates Commissioners in the estate of William Gresson, Winslow, county Fermanagh; when were the said agreements filed; how many were filed; have the Estates Commissioners refused to sanction the sale of this estate; and, if so, on what grounds?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that purchase agreements in respect of the holdings of four tenants on the estate referred to were lodged in October, 1908. The vendor declined to include in the sale other lands in the neighbourhood of which he was owner, and the Commissioners refused to declare the lands comprised in the four holdings an "estate" for the purposes of the Act.