asked whether the draft Asiatic Ordinance enacted by the Legislature of Rhodesia last June has been disallowed; whether that Ordinance was substantially the same as the Registration law of the Transvaal which the British-Indians of that Colony seek to have repealed as being degrading to them; and whether, under the circumstances, the Secretary of State will renew his good offices with the Government of the Transvaal in order to put an end to the sense of injustice under which His Majesty's British-Indian subjects are suffering?

The Secretary of State has instructed the High Commissioner not to assent to the Asiatics Ordinance of Southern Rhodesia. The principle under- lying this legislation was the same as that in the existing Transvaal legislation. The latter was not disallowed because the position of the Transvaal was for historical reasons exceptional. The Ordinance passed under Crown Colony Government were not allowed, but in the exceptional circumstances of the Transvaal His Majesty's Government felt that they could not disallow legislation passed unanimously by both Houses in a self-governing Colony. The circumstances of Southern Rhodesia are of course very different. Further correspondence about the Transvaal Indians will shortly be laid, and I cannot usefully make any further statement at present.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether any offers have been received from Colonial Governments to assist further in strengthening the Imperial Navy; and, if so, whether he can give particulars of such offers?

The Prime Minister will make a statement on this subject in reply to other questions which appear on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any information as to the assault and robbery of a British traveller near Sivend, while on a journey between Isahan and Shiraz; and whether he will make such representations as will ensure that the Persian authorities take steps to secure that British subjects shall not be molested in future?

The Agent of Messrs. Ziegler and Company, a British subject, was robbed and stripped three or four days ago by certain tribesmen near Sivend on the Shiraz-Isahan road, which the Acting British Consul reports to be dangerous. His Majesty's Minister at Teheran has pressed the Persian Government to issue urgent instructions to the governor of the district where the outrage took place to punish the offenders and endeavour to recover the stolen property.

Will this be the subject of indemnity? Will an indemnity be pressed for?

I think that the first stage will be the recovery of the property.

asked whether the Post Office trunk telephone system has yet reached a point of development enabling him to connect Dublin, Galway, and Sligo with Mullingar and other intermediate towns without any local guarantee?

Guarantee terms have already been arranged for the extension of the trunk telephone system from Ennis-killen to Sligo. An offer has also been made to extend the system from Dublin to Mullingar, Athlone, and Galway under guarantee, but the terms have not been accepted. The probable support in the shape of exchange subscribers is not sufficient to justify this extension without a guarantee. Such a guarantee could, no doubt, be obtained more easily if the intermediate towns would join in the arrangement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that until nearly the end of last year the Adamstown sub-post office was open on Sundays for a few minutes after last Mass for the delivery of letters, etc.; whether this has been changed to a most inconvenient time, namely, from 9.20 to 10 a.m., when the people have gone home after first Mass and have not arrived to attend last Mass; and would he see that the convenience of the public was consulted by having the office kept open for, say, 15 minutes after last Mass?

I am inquiring into the matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked what is the present rent of the post office in the town of Carlow, and how many years are there of the lease unexpired; how much money has been spent on the upkeep of the premises during the last nineteen years; is the accommodation sufficient, allowing for proper house-room for the postmaster; what further amount of money does the inspector recommend to be spent on the premises; and whether, before spending more money on these premises, he will consider the advisability of building a new and up-to-date post office in Carlow?

The head Post Office at Carlow is held on a lease for 30 or 50 years from 25th March, 1889, at a rent of £45 a year. Apart from ordinary maintenance charges, a sum of £1,524 has been expended in improving, enlarging, and equipping the building since the commencement of the lease. There seems to be little doubt that the building can, without much additional cost, be so improved as to meet the requirements of the service for some time to come; and I do not think the large outlay which would be necessary to provide an entirely new building could be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether copies of the daily Reports of the Proceedings of this House are returnable post free after revision by Members; and, if not, whether he can make arrangements to secure this for the future?

I have had this matter under consideration, and I am glad to say that I have been able to arrange for copies of the daily Reports of the Proceedings, returned after revision by Members, to be transmitted free of postage, provided that they are addressed to "The Superintendent of the Official Reporting Staff, House of Commons."

asked the Postmaster-General if he will receive a small deputation at an early date with reference to the mail service between Aden and Zanzibar, East Africa, and Uganda?

I am always glad to see hon. Members. But I should be glad if my hon. Friend would let me have beforehand information on the points which he and the others wish to bring before me with reference to the East African Mail Service.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that competent farmers of long experience have been quite unable in recent years to obtain for their live stock or agricultural produce the prices represented in the Official Returns as current; that in the Return for the year 1907–8 the greatest discrepancy occurs in the department of sheep, fat and store, and wool, no prices ap- proaching those in the Returns being obtainable; and, seeing that misleading returns of prices are more dangerous in Ireland at present, while the ownership of land is in course of transfer, than in any other country, whether he will give this matter his attention, find more trustworthy sources of information to check those hitherto relied upon, and endeavour to bring the Returns for the current year nearer to the actual prices of fair and market?

The data as to the prices of cattle and sheep as given in the Returns referred to are based on actual transactions at a large number of fairs throughout Ireland in the case of store stock, and at well-known markets in Dublin and Belfast in the case of fat cattle and sheep. The prices of wool are also obtained from reliable sources at important centres for the sale of wool, as Dublin, Limerick, and Galway. The question of obtaining a larger number of reports as to prices of live stock and agricultural produce at various representative markets and fairs is under consideration.

Is he aware that fictitious prices are very often arrived at by the markets opening at a large price and then a backwardation is given afterwards in order to represent in the papers what the prices are?

I do not admit that.

asked whether the legal advisers of the Irish Government and its departments, other than the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General, hold their positions permanently, irrespective of change of Government; if so, whether this is in virtue of any right of tenure, and on what principle is it allowed; by whom, and by what method, are they chosen; are they paid by fees or by salaries, and according to what scale; are those of them still in the service who were responsible for the regulations which the Estates Commissioners, on 17th January, 1906, declared to be invalid; and, if so, why is this system continued?

The legal advisers of the Irish Government and its departments, other than the Attorney and Solicitor-General are appointed by the Government and hold office, under tenure created by Statute or established practice, irrespective of a change of Government. Their salaries are included in the Civil Service Estimates, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The regulations of 4th July, 1905, to which he refers, were settled by the law officers of the day.

asked what is the cost per 1,000 tons of building and completing ready for commission a first-class battleship in Great Britain, Germany, France, and the United States of America respectively.

I should be glad if my hon. Friend would postpone his question.

asked what is the total number of slipways in private shipbuilding yards on the Clyde which are capable of being used for the building of war ships of the "Dreadnought" class?

The number is six.

asked what is the official estimate of the fighting value of the war ships of the "Prince Edward" type as compared with ships of the "Dreadnought" type?

It is not possible to give a proportionate comparison between the fighting values of ships of different classes. In the opinion of the Board, the "Dreadnought" class are greatly superior to the "King Edward VII." class in simplicity and power of armament, and in speed.

How can the House of Commons make up its mind as to the necessities of the Navy if the Board are not prepared to answer a question of this character?

I have given the answer of the Board that in their opinion the "Dreadnought" is greatly superior in the two qualities named, but it is impossible to give a proportionate comparison— that is, it is impossible to say one ship is half as good or two-thirds as good as another. We can only estimate that it is superior, or very much superior, or very greatly superior.

How many new ships will come into commission, and how many old ships will be scrapped?

I do not know what period of time the noble lord proposes to cover by the question.

The near future.

That is rather too vague.

asked why the battleship "Vanguard," which was included in the Estimates for 1907–8, was not laid down till the financial year 1908–9?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to a similar question on 11th May last.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what the reply was? I was not here.

On 11th May the hon. Gentleman will see there was a full reply given to this very question.

Is this the ship which was held back in view of The Hague Conference?

I shall have to ask for notice of that question. I am not sure of the name of the ship. I do not think so.

asked when the battleship "Temeraire" was laid down; on what date it was then anticipated that she would be placed in commission; and on what date it is now anticipated that she will be commissioned?

H.M.S. "Temeraire" was laid down on 1st January, 1907, and it was then anticipated that she would be placed in commission in January, 1909; it is now anticipated that she will be commissioned in May next.

May we take it that this ship will take thirteen months to build after she is laid down?

If the hon. Gentleman will calculate from January to May he will find it is sixteen months

What has been the cause of the delay?

The strikes.

Was she not laid down before the strikes at Portsmouth? Is she not a Portsmouth ship?

If a ship is built at Portsmouth the machinery is not made at Portsmouth, but has to be made elsewhere.

asked when the battleship "Lord Nelson" was laid down; on what date was it then anticipated that she would be placed in commission, and on what date was she actually commissioned?

The "Lord Nelson" was laid down on 18th May, 1905, and it was anticipated at that date she would be completed and ready for commissioning in November, 1907, that being the contract date. She was commissioned as flagship of the rear-admiral commanding the Nore Division of the Home Fleet on 5th January, 1909.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, at the present juncture of naval affairs, he can see his way to retain the men at Pembroke Dockyard who were entered for temporary employment during the winter months?

It is not proposed to discharge the whole of the men entered at Pembroke for temporary employment during the winter months.

Will preference be given to men who have been employed in case of vacancies arising hereafter?

I could not undertake to give an absolute preference to men who have been employed without regard to character and ability.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give instructions for an estimate to be obtained of the cost of preparing two out of the three shipbuilding slips at Pembroke Dockyard (viz. No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 slips), so that two of these slips may, at the earliest possible date, be available for building the largest class of "Dreadnought"?

Apart from building slips, the resources of Pembroke Dockyard are not at present sufficient to build a ship of the "Dreadnought" type in the time required. It is not therefore proposed to obtain the estimate mentioned.

Is it not the case that at Pembroke Dockyard you can build vessels of the "Dreadnought" type without incurring any expense for piling owing to the nature of the bed?

I should like notice of the question, but that does not conclude the matter. The question is whether Pem- broke could build a "Dreadnought" in the time required. The Admiralty are of opinion that it could not.

Is it simply a question of employing rather more men at Pembroke to enable it to build "Dreadnoughts" in the same time as any other yard in the kingdom?

No, the other resources of Pembroke are not at present adequate for such purposes.

Is there any reason why Pembroke should be considered before other places?

No. Pembroke will have similar treatment to any other dockyard.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of first-class battleships now being built in Great Britain for Foreign Powers; and whether he will consider the advisability of purchasing some, and, if so, how many, of these to strengthen the British Navy?

For Brazil two battleships are under construction, and one is on order and to be laid down shortly. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Does it not appeal to an economical Government to acquire one or two of these ships?

That is a matter of opinion.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman, at all events, consider the advisability of getting a refusal from the Foreign Governments should they be ready to sell?

No; if we required more ships it would be better for us to build them ourselves, but we do not require any more ships at this moment. So far as the future is concerned we shall have ample time to build them.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that supposing the ships were bought by other Powers it would entirely upset the calculations of the Government, and, therefore, it would be advisable to have the refusal of them?

No. Our present superiority in strength—I am dealing with the year 1909–10—is so great that no alarm would be created in the mind of the Board of Admiralty.

asked what is the estimated expenditure and the amount actually spent by Germany on naval construction in each of the last four financial years?

The estimated expenditure on naval construction, including armaments, by Germany in each of the last four financial years is as follows:—

Is there not information that the Vote for shipbuilding and armaments in Germany will amount, for 1909–10, to ten millions and three-quarters, as against our ten millions?

Yes, the hon. Gentleman is quite right. The statement as to the German Estimates for 1909–10 is £10,730,000.

Does not the German Government spend more than their Estimates without saying anything about it?

That is a question which had better be addressed to the German Government.

Is it not the business of the Government to know these things?

I think it is not desirable to discuss the practice of other Governments.

asked approximately what destroyers will be in the possession of Great Britain, France, and Germany, respectively, in March, 1912, capable of efficient work in the North Sea as regards coaling and sea-keeping capacity?

It is not possible to answer the question in the form in which it is asked, nor could a precise definition be given of the hon. Member's expression, "efficient work in the North Sea."

Of ships launched in or since 1903, or provided in recent programmes, Great Britain has a total of 81 destroyers of from 540 to 990 tons, with the "Swift" of 1,800 tons, and two just purchased from Messrs. Palmer, making 84 altogether. Germany has 72 of from 400 to 660 tons; France has 60 of from 298 to 703 tons.

Of older destroyers Great Britain has 65 30-knotters launched between 1895 and 1901, of from 310 to 470 tons, and the "Velox." Germany has 24, launched between 1897 and 1902, of 394 tons. France has 16, launched between 1899 and 1902, of from 295 to 306 tons.

I have not referred to the forty 27-knot British destroyers of earlier date.

asked the names of the two destroyers bought by the Government to replace the "Gala" and "Tiger"; and whether they equal them in speed, armament, radius of action, and sea-going qualities?

The names are "Alba-core" and "Bonetta." The speed of these destroyers is less than that of the "Tiger" and greater than that of the "Gala." The armament is different, but may be said to be equal in power. The radius of action is less. We have not had sufficient sea-going experience of them as yet to provide a reply to the last part of the question.

Are these the two destroyers mentioned in last year's Estimates as costing £240,000?

No; they were not mentioned in the Estimates at all. They were not included in the Estimates.

Is the new "Tiger" possessed to the full of all the destroying qualities of the abandoned boat or "beast"?

May I ask what the armament and speed of these destroyers will be?

The armaments will be equivalent to the "Tiger" and the "Gala."

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what they are?

We have not got these destroyers yet. The difference between the speeds is very small.

Do you say that the new boat is inferior in some respects to the old one in speed or in armaments?

We will never reach the end of questions if we proceed in this manner.

asked the extent of land in each of the Highland crofting counties now in the hands of the Congested Districts (Scotland) Board, and the number of tenants under the Board in each of these counties?

There are 48,500 acres of land, all in the county of Inverness, now in the hands of the Congested Districts Board. At the present time the number of tenants, including joint tenants, is about 500.

asked, in view of the fact that the low assessments placed on mansions and lands used for sport in Scotland inflicts an additional burden on the ordinary ratepayer, will the Secretary for Scotland consider the expediency of taking such steps as may be necessary to ensure a more equitable valuation of such properties?

Under the Sporting Lands Bating (Scotland) Act, 1886, the method of assessing sporting lands was assimilated to that in use for other lands and heritages, and under the Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Act, 1896, sporting lands were expressly excluded from benefiting by the grant made towards rates on agricultural land. The Valuation Acts make ample provision for appeals from the assessors' decisions, and the Secretary for Scotland has no reason to believe that a case has arisen for further legislative interference.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the landward committee of Stornoway Parish Council has furnished the Congested Districts Board with a list of cottars in the island of Lewis willing to migrate to the mainland, will he state the number of cottars comprised in the list and the nature of the steps taken by the Board for the purpose of formulating a scheme of migration?

The qualifications of the names on the list are now under examination, and until these are thoroughly sifted it would be misleading and premature to make any further statement.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the number of serious cases in Scotland in which pleas of insanity are being accepted by his Department; and whether, in view of the fact that such pleas depend entirely on expert evidence, he will take steps to ensure that the poor man suffers no disadvantage in this respect over the man who can afford to pay for such evidence?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. Where a plea of insanity is tendered, I am not aware that a poor man suffers any disadvantage as compared with a man who can afford to pay for expert evidence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the board of directors of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland had recently ceased paying pensions which they have hitherto been paying to certain aged men formerly in their employment at the Inchicore (Dublin) works; if so, what is the cause of the stoppage; and whether the Board of Trade possess any power under the existing law to compel a railway company to fulfil its obligations in respect of the payment of pensions?

I invited the observations of the company on this subject, and am sending the hon. Member a copy of their reply.

Has the reply of the company been received?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman state the reply to the House?

I would like first to send the hon. Member a copy of. If he would wish the reply to be made public he might put down another question.

I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the railway company have tried to evade their obligations to their employés, and for that purpose have taken advantage of the Old Age Pensions Act?

If the hon. Member would wait until he gets the reply he can then if he wishes put down a further question.

asked whether, and, if so, to what extent the payments for the use of granite quarries in Scotland are in the form of royalties on the output; and what are the approximate scales of the royalties?

There are no official Returns on this subject, but the Secretary of State has asked the Inspectors of Mines if they could furnish any information. The inspector for the West Scotland district reports that, so far as he is aware, the granite quarries in his district are worked on the royalty system, but that it is customary to provide for a minimum annual payment. The royalties vary considerably in amount: the inspector mentions three quarries where the royalties are respectively 1s., 1s., and 3d. pe ton orr fdressed stone, and l½d., 3d., and l½d. per ton for crushed granite or rubble, and the minimum annual payments £350, £300, and £140. The inspector for the East Scotland district reports that, so far as he knows, the granite quarries in his district are worked under leases at a fixed annual rent, varying from £25 to £400.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in the case of quarries, the use of which is paid for by royalties, what is the output?

I cannot say what the output is. I have given the information which I possess.

asked what has been the annual output of granite from the granite quarries of England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, with the totals for each of the last ten years?

The Secretary of State can give the figures for Scotland for the years 1898–1907 inclusive, but those for England and Ireland are not tabulated separately, and could not now be obtained without a search so prolonged that it would cause serious interference with the work of the Mining Statistics Branch. The Secretary of State is having the Scottish figures circulated with the Votes.

asked the nature of the restrictions placed upon the employment of boy labour, so far as age is concerned, by the new German Industrial Amendment Act?

The Secretary of State understands that the new Act puts no fresh restrictions on the employment of boy labour so far as age is concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state particulars of the new German Industrial Amendment Act, passed into law in December last, so far as it relates to the restriction of the labour of working women before and after confinement; and if he can give any assurance that, in the interests of the physical well-being of the nation, the Government has any intention of raising the British law on this point to the German standard?

The provision referred to is to the effect that women are not to be employed in the establishments to which the Act applies for periods before and after confinement amounting altogether to eight weeks, nor for at least six weeks after confinement; and proof has to be given that the period of six weeks has elapsed. As regards the latter part of the question, the Secretary of State arranged, with the co-operation of the local authorities of a number of districts (including some of the most important industrial districts of the country), for a comprehensive inquiry to be undertaken by their medical officers of health into the effects of industrial employment in the case of married women. As soon as the inquiry is completed, the results will be carefully collated and considered; but the Secretary of State cannot, of course, at the present stage forecast what decision is likely to be arrived at on the subject. It has to be remembered that the German women receive allowances from their sickness insurance funds during their enforced absence from work.

May I ask whether the Potteries will be included as one of the important industries?

Yes, I believe one of the districts is the Potteries, but I am not quite sure.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that the evidence already in possession of the Government, and that came before the Physical Deterioration Committee, sufficient to give them grounds for action?

Before considering the introduction of legislation the Government thought it desirable to have some exact statistical information as to the comparative effect of industrial work at home, in factories, and absence of industrial work, on the comparative rates of mortality of infants of mothers belonging to those several categories.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the failure of the proceedings against the hon. Member for South Hackney, what had been the cost incurred by the public caused by the abortive prosecution instituted by the Treasury; and whether the latter propose to reimburse the hon. Member for the expense he had been put to in defending himself against charges which were of such a character that the case was dismissed by the magistrates without a single witness for the defence having been called?

In answer to the first part of the question I am informed that the costs will come to about £2,500. In reply to the second part, inasmuch as this prosecution was instituted in good faith within the meaning of Section 6, Sub-section 3, of the Cost in Criminal Cases Act, 1908, I see no reason to depart from the principles laid down in that section.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us on whose advice this prosecution was undertaken, and what are Mr. Avory's fees?

The prosecution was undertaken, as I understand all such prosecutions are undertaken, on the responsibility of the Attorney-General.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the second half of my supplementary question?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it has been brought to his notice that bank notes issued in Ireland for different amounts are similar in size and very similar in face appearance; is he aware that difficulties are constantly arising owing to this fact; are notes issued by Scottish banking companies for different amounts different in size; and will he, in view of the facts stated, consider the whole question, and, if necessary, introduce legislation to deal with the present condition of note issue in Irish banking companies?

The precise form and appearance of bank notes has never, so far as I am aware, been prescribed by legislation in any part of the United Kingdom, and it appears to me that it is a matter which can be arranged much more conveniently by the banks of issue themselves, who are more familiar than the Government can be with the tastes and requirements of their customers. I understand from the Bank of Ireland that their notes for different amounts are similar in size and somewhat similar in face appearance, but that the respective values are so distinctly stated on each, both in the body and at either corner, that, so far as they are aware, no difficulty has ever arisen. I have no doubt, however, that both they and the other Irish banks of issue will be willing to give careful consideration to any suggestions calculated to make their notes more popular with the public generally.

asked the Patronage Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the nature of the regulations he has framed, if any, to ensure that the frank is not improperly used by Junior Lords of the Treasury when writing to congratulate 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?

The framing of rules, regulating the franking of letters by Ministers, is outside the scope of my Department, and is a matter over which I have no authority.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Postmaster-General on Monday referred me to him on the subject, and can he refer me to anyone else?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury draws up regulations for this branch of Government work. I have no authority whatever in the matter.

Are there any regulations at all as to franking letters among Junior Lords of the Treasury?

That is a question that must be addressed to the Financial Secretary.

I shall put down a question.

Is it not a fact that in this department it is the practice to frank from this House private invitations to receptions?

Not under my authority.

It is done, though.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed to increase the grants for the provision of separate training colleges for teachers; and whether the effect of this measure on the university colleges in Wales had been duly considered by the Government?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, before issuing the circular to the local education authorities relating to the revision of the regulations affecting the status of public elementary schools and the sizes of classes, it was calculated how many extra teachers would be required in rural districts, and whether it would entail any extra burden on the rates, and, if so, to what extent; and will any steps be taken to relieve this extra burden by a grant from the Treasury?

The circular does not affect the status of public elementary schools, and the limitation of classes to a maximum of 60 on the registers will not specially affect rural districts. Additional teachers will only be required in those schools where the standard of staffing and the qualifications of the teachers hitherto employed have, as a general rule, been low. I am not in a position to state the number of additional teachers who will be required, but in areas where the local education authority have adopted a high standard of staffing no extra burden will be imposed on the rates. In the interests of educational efficiency I cannot admit that exceptional treatment should be given to areas where the standard has been unduly low.

As regards the last paragraph, I must refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

May not these new regulations involve considerable structural alterations, and therefore, add increased cost to the ratepayers?

I believe in schools where a good class of teacher is employed the present structures will be proved to be quite ample. If the hon. Member has any special case in his mind I will be glad to have notice of a question on it.

Is the right horn Gentleman aware that a great many Education committees concerned that have received this circular are convinced that it will cause them a considerable increase in expenditure; and that one of the county councils has already worked out the figures roughly and come to the conclusion that it will mean £2,000. In view of that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question and say whether any steps will be taken to relieve the extra strain by a grant from the Treasury?

I answered the last part of the question.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that an old lady 83 years of age, and who is a recipient of the Spencer Charity, Coventry, has been informed by the Trustees that she must not apply for the Government pension; whether he is aware that this lady is a cripple, and has to pay 3s. per week rent out of the 6s. allowed her; and whether, in the circumstances, he can take such action that will allow her to apply for the national pension without forfeiting that already being paid her?

The Commissioners are not aware of the particular case, except from the information supplied by the hon. Member. A general notice was issued by the Trustees in October last that no almswoman who may obtain the benefit of the Old Age Pensions Act will be allowed to receive the charity. The Trustees have a discretion, if an almswoman becomes possessed of other sufficient means of support to determine her pension. The Commissioners have already expressed the view that to forbid the almswomen to apply for an old age pension would be likely to cause considerable disappointment. They suggested, therefore, that the Trustees should apply for a scheme to enable them to pay stipends of less than 6s. a week, the prescribed minimum of pensions, to those who had old age pensions, to enable a larger number to receive the charity. Meanwhile the Commissioners are of opinion that the Trustees ought to withdraw the notice, and let the alms-women apply for old age pensions.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me whether the old veterans of the Patriotic Fund have also been treated in the same way?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the inspectors appointed under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts were selected from men holding inspectorships at the Board who were previously appointed to such posts in connection with the administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts; and whether, in the event of any new inspectors being appointed, the Board will, in order to facilitate the progress of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, appoint trained men from outside (as was done in the case of the Commissioners), instead of men holding inspectorships at the Board of a similar character to that mentioned above?

Four of the inspectors appointed under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts had previously served as inspectors under the Diseases of Animals Acts. All of them have had practical training in, and experience of, estate management; and, in view of their knowledge and experience in dealing with local authorities, they were more fitted for the work than men of similar standing without any official training. The applications and suitability of men outside the Department have received, and will continue to receive full consideration when fresh appointments have to be made.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now inform the House on what date he proposes to introduce the Budget?

I do not propose to introduce the Budget until after Easter.

asked the Prime Minister if he has received an offer from the New Zealand Government to provide one or, if necessary, two "Dreadnoughts" for national defence; and, if so, has he accepted the offer. Further, whether he will give the House an oppor- tunity of expressing its appreciation of the magnificent offer?

also asked the Prime Minister if he has received any offer from the Government of New Zealand to provide one or two battleships for the defence of the Empire; and, if so, what answer he has given to such offer?

, answering both questions together, said: The following telegrams have passed between the Governor of New Zealand and my Noble Friend, the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Perhaps I had better read them to the House:—

"The Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received Colonial Office. 22nd March, 1909.)

"With feelings of pride and satisfaction I transmit to your Lordship following message. (Begins.) Government of New Zealand offer to bear cost of immediate building and arming by the British Government of one first-class battleship of the latest type. If subsequent events show it to be necessary will also bear cost of second warship of the same type. Ward, Prime Minister. Plunket.'"

"The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of New Zealand. (Sent 22nd March. 1909.)

"'Please hasten to assure your Prime Minister that his message has been received by me with the highest appreciation of the generous and spontaneous offer made on behalf of New Zealand. It will be at once laid before His Majesty's Government. Crewe.'"

"Telegram to the Governor of New Zealand from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, 24th March, 1909.

"'In further reply to your telegrams March 22nd, I desire you to express to Sir J. Ward and to your Government in the warmest terms the feelings and appreciation and gratitude with which His Majesty's Government have received the offer so generously and patriotically made.

"'So far as the coming financial year is concerned, the provision and powers for which sanction is being asked in the Naval Estimates now before Parliament, afford ample security. In view of the uncertainty that exists as to the character and extent of the demands that may be made on the national resources in the following years the offer of the New Zealand Government to bear, within that period, the cost of providing one first-class battleship of the latest type, and a second of the same type should subsequent events show it to be necessary, is most gratefully accepted by His Majesty's Government.

"'Your Government will doubtless understand that it is impossible to enter into details by telegraph, but you will receive at an early date full communications by despatch, as His Majesty's Government desire to consult with the New Zealand Government as to the time when it may become appropriate to give effect to their public-spirited proposal.'"

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the recommendations of the International Naval Conference, any power would be reserved to this country to capture foodstuffs consigned to a contractor in a neutral foreign country adjoining an enemy's country, which foodstuffs might be resold to the enemy?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether the British Government has protested in the past when foreign countries have declared foodstuffs to be contraband of war?

His Majesty's Government have had occasion to protest against the treatment of foodstuffs as absolute contraband, but they have never questioned the right of belligerents to treat as conditional contraband foodstuffs destined for the armed forces of the enemy.

asked whether the Government has now signified its approval to the recommendation of the International Naval Conference, which recently sat in London, that foodstuffs may in time of war without notice be treated by an enemy as contraband of war under the name of conditional contraband; and will he say if such foodstuffs would be liable to capture, even in neutral bottoms, if consigned either to the Government or to any contractor established in the country who supplies articles of this kind to the inhabitants of the country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but I must point out that this has always been our own rule and practice as well as that of other nations. In answer to the second part, such foodstuffs would only be liable to capture if destined for the enemy's forces. They will be assumed to have that destination if consigned to the Government or to a Government contractor.

May I ask whether there will be any opportunity on the part of the House of Commons to consider these regulations before they are ratified?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister, as President of the Imperial Defence Committee, representing both the War Office and the Admiralty, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the German Government airship Zeppelin I. succeeded, on the 19th instant, in making a flight of nearly four hours, at an average altitude of 650 feet, and covered a distance of over 150 miles, carrying a crew of 26 officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, with their accompanying arms, stores, and ammunition; whether he is aware that, according to official statements, the German Admiralty and War Office are now building, and will have in 1910, 24 such airships; and can he assure the House that this programme of German aerial fleet construction is engaging the attention of our naval and military authorities?

As I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for the Reigate Division of Surrey, on 3rd March, the whole question of aerial navigation has for some time past occupied the attention of the Defence Committee and of the Government, and provision has been made, both in the Navy and the Army Estimates, which will ensure that the problems connected with the use of airships in maritime, as well as in land warfare, will be fully investigated by both the Departments concerned. We have no official information that corroborates or otherwise the question offered in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the official and expert evidence given before the Select Committee on Income Tax showed that the labours of the Committee were seriously impeded by the inadequacy of the official statistics published; whether he is aware that the Return as to Income Tax moved for by the hon. Member for North Paddington amounts to an application for part of the evidence which the Committee needed; and whether he can see his way to grant the Return?

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend's suggestion that the labours of the Select Committee on Income Tax were seriously impeded by the inadequacy of the published official statistics. As regards the last part of the question, I can only repeat the in formation which has already been given to my hon. Friend, namely, that I do not feel justified in granting a Return, the preparation of which would entail an enormous amount of additional labour to officials who are already very hard worked and whose energies would thereby be diverted from their proper occupation of collecting revenue.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will grant, in the succeeding sheet, this particular Return, which could be very easily prepared?

I cannot put any additional burden upon the officials at the present moment, but I will consider the matter later.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that one of the most important Official Returns necessary to the deliberations of this House, viz., the Imperial Expenditure and Revenue Accounts, are not presented to Parliament as a Parliamentary Paper, and, consequently, are not issued to Members, although they are circulated by the Treasury to the newspapers; and whether he will in future alter this practice, so that Members are not made dependent upon newspapers for a small-type and often imperfect summary of the national accounts?

My hon. Friend presumably refers to the usual quarterly statement of the Income and Charge of the Consolidated Fund, which is published by the Treasury on the last day of each quarter. Copies of this statement, as well as being furnished to the Press, are sent to the Vote Office, and can be obtained by hon. Members who desire to have them. I understand, however, that the demand is very small. The suggestion made in the question has frequently been considered, but its adoption would result in the Returns reaching the hands of Members much later than they can be obtained at present, and after the information has appeared in the newspapers.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to see that a notice of the fact is inserted in the Pink Paper circulated among Members?

As a matter of fact the demand is so small that only one has been asked for.

Is the smallness of the demand due to the fact that no one knows about it?

As a matter of fact, if the same course were pursued with regard to Blue Books would not then their circulation also be greatly restricted?

I have no control over the Pink Papers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Scotch Local Government Board have decided that where a husband receives parish relief, although the whole sum is used for his maintenance, that this implies relief to his wife, and that the Board have refused in certain cases old age pensions on this ground to women whose names have never been on the poor roll and who have received no poor relief; whether he is aware that the English Local Government Board in similar cases refer the matter to the local guardians, and on their certificate that the relief is entirely used for the maintenance of the husband old age pensions have been granted to the wife; and will he see that the practice in the two countries is made uniform, so that the Scotch people may not be in a worse position than similar cases in England?

I have handed this question to the Lord-Advocate for answer.

Is it not the fact that the pensioners referred to in the question are suffering from an injustice?

I know; but this matter has been the subject of appeal from the Treasury to the Scottish Local Government Board, and I could not answer a question of that sort. It is a question for the Lord-Advocate to answer and not for me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the books of the Bank of England show the amounts of Consols and other Government securities held by foreigners and persons resident abroad; and, if so, will he ascertain the amount of such investments held abroad from the books?

The books of the Bank of England do not show the amounts of Consols and other Government securities held by foreigners and persons resident abroad.

Do they not show the names and addresses?

I cannot answer that now.

Is it not the fact that the names and addresses are always required by the Bank of England before registering?

I assume that to be the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received any report from his officials who are investigating the alleged irregularities under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, in Ireland; and will he state the result of same?

Interim reports are being received from the Inland Revenue inspectors who are engaged on the investigation. The results of the inquiries go to show that in some cases persons have obtained pensions who were not qualified in respect of age, but the number cannot yet be stated.

Is there any justification for the statement that 50,000 of these pensioners have been cut off?

No.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state what the practice of the Estates Commissioners is when a complaint of duress is made and an enforcement of the purchase agreement resulting from that duress would work immediate ruin; and whether, in the case of the widow, Maria Early, of the Chapman estate, Corolana, Lismacaffry, Westmeath, all proceedings against her by the Land Commission and by the landlord will be suspended pending the investigation of her case?

The Estates Commissioners inquire into any allegations of duress when an estate is being inspected. It is open at any time to a tenant, who alleges that a purchase agreement was signed under duress, to institute proceedings on notice to the vendor to have it dismissed. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary since no test of merit is applied in the annual revision of the staff of land valuers and inspectors employed by the State in Ireland, and no consequence reaches those from whose work loss results to individuals and to the public, whether, having regard to the dependence of price upon rent and the liability of the ratepayers for unpaid annuities, he will inform the House on what principle the annual revision of the staff is carried out?

Upon the re-appointment of these officers all possible pains are taken to secure that the gentlemen to be appointed are properly qualified by knowledge and experience.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the complaints of labourers that in the distribution of untenanted land they are denied a share, although the land itself, if bought at a proper price and given to an industrious man, is sufficient security to the State, and that the fact of a labourer having saved some money is evidence entitling him to special consideration; and whether he will give any assurance that those preparing schemes for the distribution of land will in future give more favourable consideration to the claims of labourers?

In the distribution of untenanted land acquired by the Estates Commissioners under the Act of 1903 the applications of labourers are duly considered with those of other persons eligible for advances under Section 2 of the Act.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether James Sheil, the evicted tenant on the Smith estate, in the townland of Knockanghy, county Cavan, has yet been reinstated; will he say how his case now stands; and will he let the hon. Member for West Cavan have a list of names and descriptions of the evicted tenants to be reinstated or supplied with new farms in the county of Cavan?