asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention has been called to a telegram addressed by the provincial council of Resht and by the governor of that town to this House, under date 22nd instant, to the effect that order and security prevail in the town and district of Resht; that all the consulates, including the Russian consulate, have expressed their satisfaction; and that the governor and inhabitants protest against the arrival in the town of Russian Cossack troops, accompanied by two quick-firing guns, as a course humiliating to the national dignity and calculated to cause national resentment; and has he received from His Majesty's Consul at Resht, prior to the decision of the Russian Government to send troops, any representations as to the existence of danger to Europeans in that town in view of an impending collision between the Shah's troops and the forces of the Nationalists?

My attention has been called to a telegram of the nature indicated in the question, but I have nothing to add to the statement I have already made.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the last part of the question, whether the Consul at Resht, prior to the arrival of the Russian troops, made any representations?

I dealt with the whole subject, according to my information, quite fully yesterday.

asked whether the Egyptian Government has entered into any agreement to promote the construction of a railway which will connect Egypt with Syria?

I am unaware of any such agreement for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member having been entered into by the Egyptian Government.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge that such a railway is contemplated?

I have no knowledge of it being contemplated by the Egyptian Government. Of course it is a matter on which I should expect the Consul-General to report.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have been supplied with particulars of the names, residences, and occupations of all persons who have been bound to the peace for cattle-driving?

Returns have been furnished to the Estates Commissioners giving the names of persons convicted, punished, or bound to the peace, in connection with cattle-driving or other illegal interference with untenanted or grazing lands, with particulars in each case of the offence.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have purchased some untenanted land in the parish of Trim, county Meath, from the Church body for division amongst evicted tenants and small holders; if so, whether it is contemplated to give part of the land to a man named John Hughes; whether Hughes is an evicted tenant or lives near the land to be divided, and, if not, why is he selected as entitled to any portion of it?

These lands have not yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners, and they have not, up to the present, approved of any scheme for their allotment.

asked whether Mrs. Hall, of Clooney House, Quin, county Clare, a lady of nearly 80 years of age, has for some months past been boycotted because she refused to sell her demesne lands, in addition to other lands which she had sold to the Estates Com missioners; whether her herd, labourer, and gardener were each ordered to quit her service and did so; whether her barn was burnt down and her hay destroyed; whether she was obliged to get two men from the Property Defence Association to look after her cattle and sheep; whether seven police have been employed constantly to protect the lives of these men and of Mrs. Hall herself; and whether there are any indications in recent weeks of the stringency of this boycott being relaxed?

I regret to say that the facts of Mrs. Hall's case are as stated. The case is a bad one, but the police are as vigilant and active as they can be, and I am informed that there are signs of improvement. The denunciation by the parish priest of the burning of Mrs. Hall's barn may have had some effect.

May I ask whether, the facts being as they are now stated, the the right hon. Gentleman has had the assistance which we were led to expect, from the hon. Member for Mayo, in putting down boycotting by the United Irish League in Dublin?

I, of course, have no knowledge of any such operations. I can only say I am informed by the Inspector-General that there are signs of improvement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me in what the signs consist?

The signs, as told to me, are that boycotting is being partially removed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the hon. Member for East Mayo on the subject?

No, Sir.

asked on what evidence the Local Government Board for Ireland have decided appeals from the county Meath under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, on the question of the income derived from land and live stock; whether they have taken expert advice, local or otherwise, as to the value of the same; whether in all or in any cases they have afforded the claimants an opportunity of being heard, other than through the pension officer, in support of their claims; and whether they have decided many of those appeals without any reference to the opinion of the local pension committee and without calling for the same?

The practice of the Local Government Board, when deciding appeals in the case of claimants who occupy small holdings, is to obtain particulars of all the live stock possessed by the claimants, and to ascertain how their holdings are cropped, regard being had in each case to the quality of the land and the locality in which the farm is situated. The answer to the second paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. Every claimant has an opportunity of submitting his case to the Board, and in several instances, where the facts were in doubt, the Board have sent one of their officers to visit the claimant. In contentious cases the Board have had the benefit of the views of a sub-committee of the pension committee.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he was aware that in most cases of claims from the county Meath under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, the pension officers have fixed the income derived from the land at three times the judicial rent, and four times the Land Commission annuities; whether on appeals from that inflexible basis the Local Government Board for Ireland have, in many cases, called for no further evidence than the poor-law valuation of the holding; and whether, seeing that other circumstances affect the income of small farmers, they would cause an expert inspector to hold local inquiries as to appeals in cases of income derived from land?

The Local Government Board understand that the basis of calculation set out in the first part of the question has been generally adopted by pension officers. I have explained, in my reply to the question just asked by the hon. Member, the method adopted by the Local Government Board for the purpose of arriving at the facts in connection with appeals. It is not proposed to alter the existing practice.

asked whether the Local Government Board for Ireland, in deciding appeals against claimants, in most cases give no reason for the same; and whether, seeing that dissatisfaction is expressed at the alleged inconsistency of some of their decisions, he will request the Local Government Board for Ireland in future to state in every case their reasons for disallowing a claim or pension?

The Local Government Board have been advised that the form in which they give their decisions is correct. They do not admit that there is any inconsistency in their decisions, and they do not consider it necessary to explain their reasons in every case, the facts which are submitted for their decision being generally fully understood. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he was aware that, owing to increase of rates consequent on the withholding of portions of local taxation grants from local bodies in Ireland and the imposition of income tax and drainage rates upon tenant purchasers, the annual payments of some of these are as great as before purchase; whether the proposals of the new Land Bill are intended to impose upon future purchasers, in addition, advance dividend and a further one-fourth per cent, on the amount of the advance, without shortening the term of 68½ years; and whether he will treat these proposals as essential to the Bill?

I have no information which would go to show that the fact is at all as suggested in the first part of the question. The hon. Member will have full opportunity of discussing the Irish Land Bill when it is passing through the House.

asked the grounds on which County Court Judge Fitzgerald rejected the cottage passed by the Local Government Board inspector, on the town-land of Capparogan, Clonaslee, barony of Tinnahinch, Queen's County, for a labourer named Patrick Murphy; whether Murphy is an evicted tenant, and the land on which the site was fixed untenanted; and what steps the Local Government Board propose taking to provide this man with a cottage and plot?

The grounds of the decisions of the county courts are not communicated to the Local Government Board. I am therefore unable to say why this cottage was rejected. The Board inform me that the evidence taken at the local inquiry shows that the proposed site was on untenanted land, but there is nothing in the evidence to indicate that the applicant was an evicted tenant. It does not rest with the Board to take any further steps in the matter.

asked whether the name of Queen's College, Cork, has been changed to that of University College; if so, for what reason the change has been made; and whether he is aware that the change is viewed with great regret and even indignation by a number of old graduates of the college?

By the new Charter granted to the college under the provisions of the Irish Universities Act, its former name of Queen's College, Cork, has been changed to University College, Cork. The reason of the change is that the college is now a constituent college of the National University of Ireland, the other two constituent colleges being University College, Dublin, and University College, Galway. Since the issue of the Charter, I have received a resolution, adopted at a meeting of graduates of the College in London, expressing regret at the change.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the name of the new college in Dublin is National University or Nationalist University?

The hon. Member can read, I suppose.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, having regard to the information collected by the various Commissions on arterial drainage in Ireland and to the number of officials engaged at the public expense in inspecting land for one purpose or another under the Land Commission, the Estates Commissioners, the Congested Districts Board, the Local Government Board, and the Board of Works, whether, with the existing materials and additional rapid inspections, where necessary, by inspectors engaged in the counties in which the necessity would arise, he can see his way to granting the Return of Land Injured by Water of which notice stands on the Order Paper?

I regret that I am unable to agree to this Return. I am informed it would take several years, to prepare. It would not be possible to utilise the services of the officials referred to, who are already fully employed.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is yet in a position to explain the cause of the delay in issuing the loan granted last October for the reconstruction of St. John's Bridge, Kilkenny City; whether he was aware that there were hundreds of men out of employment during the past five months who could and would have been provided with employment but for this delay in completing this loan; and would he see that the money is passed at once?

I am informed by the Board of Public Works that the question of the period for which this loan could be granted has now been disposed of, and that the loan will be submitted by the Board of Works for Treasury sanction in a few days.

How much longer will the Treasury take over their decision?

They have not yet had an application.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that Dr. Langley Browne, of West Bromwich, who is the medical referee under the Workmen's Compensation Act, was also a director of the Birmingham and Midland Assurance Company; and whether he will say what action he proposes to take with a view to avoiding prejudice in cases in which Dr. Langley Browne is called upon to give an opinion?

The Secretary of State has not previously had this matter brought to his notice. Dr. Langley Browne, who is a practitioner of considerable standing, was a medical referee under the Act of 1897, and was reappointed under the Act of 1906. The matter will have the Secretary of State's consideration, and he will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the last letter, i.e., that of the 12th instant, he had received from Judge Rentoul, K.C.?

No, Sir; the Secretary of State does not propose to continue the correspondence which has already been published. He may add that the Order to print the correspondence was given by the House of Commons on 11th March., and the letter in question was not written until the following day, the 12th, on which day the Paper was issued.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for the Home Department gave a definite pledge to publish the entire correspondence?

The correspondence up to date. It is obvious that if the correspondence were to continue, it might be indefinitely prolonged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the accident at the works of Messrs. Vickers, Sons, and Maxims, Limited, at Barrow-in-Furness, on Saturday, 20th March; and whether any inquiry is likely to be made into the cause, with a view of avoiding similar catastrophes in the future?

Yes, Sir, the Secretary of State has received a report from the Inspector of Factories with regard to this accident. The coroner's inquest, which has been adjourned till April 5th, will be attended by the inspector, and the circumstances and cause of the accident will be fully investigated. A further report will be made to the Secretary of State at the conclusion of the inquest, when the matter will receive his careful Consideration.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Ellen Morrison, in the parish of Kilmallie, in Inverness-shire, who has been refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board, because her husband, an invalid old man, is in receipt of 5s. a week of poor relief which is used entirely for his maintenance, while she is an able-bodied woman, able and willing to earn her own living, but has to stay at home to nurse her husband, thus saving the parish council the expense of a nurse who would have to be employed if the wife did not stay at home; and whether he will take steps to get the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision?

As I have already pointed out to hon. Members, the Local Government Board have no power to reconsider their decisions. As the claimant in this case had no means of her own, it was impossible for the Board to hold otherwise than that she was participating in the relief given to her husband, and was accordingly disqualified under the provisions of the Act.

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that if this case had occurred in England the course adopted would have been to consult the local guardians as to whether the whole sum was spent for the benefit of the husband, and, if so, the woman would have received a pension, and if he will see that Scotland is not unfairly treated?

I am aware that what was done in this case is done in England and is also done in Scotland.

Is it a fact that if a Resolution were passed to the effect that this woman had not received relief she would get a pension?

No. The Local Government Board in Scotland, according to the regulations, consider the evidence and act upon it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board have decided against pensions that were already given by the local committee?

It may be so. If the Local Government Board had additional information it would not act exclusively on the information given by the parish council.

Has not the Local Government Board reconsidered cases of this sort?

They have no power to reconsider the case, but if a fresh point arises and fresh application is made, the Local Government Board will consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that pensioners in Scotland are put on an equal footing with those of England, and not on any worse footing?

They are placed in exactly the same position at present.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention had been drawn to the case of Mrs. Margaret M'Millan, in the parish of Kilmallie, in Inverness-shire, who has been refused an old age pension by the Local Government Board, because, when she was turned out of her house in 1902, she applied for and got a house from the parish council, but she never understood that the rent was paid by the parish council, else she would not have accepted it, and when offered pecuniary relief she absolutely refused it; and whether he will take steps to get the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision and have the matter put right?

I am informed that the applicant has been allowed by the parish council for nearly seven years to live rent free in a house provided by the parish council. Under these circumstances it was impossible for the Board to hold otherwise than that she was receiving poor relief in the sense of the Act.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a complaint from the fishermen of Balbriggan regarding a recent regulation made by the Dublin Port and Docks Board for the harbour of Balbriggan; whether the regulation referred to has the effect of blocking the mouth of the inner part of the harbour against fishing boats, whether going out to or coming in from the sea, for 24 hours at a time, namely, while certain steamers are discharging their cargoes; and, if so, whether the Department intend to inquire into the matter, and to take such steps as may be necessary to safeguard the just interests of the fishermen?

The Department have received the complaint referred to. It points to the necessity for deepening Balbriggan Harbour, in regard to which matter the Department are in communication with the Port and Docks Board.

Am I to understand that the Department is in consultation with the Port and Docks Board with reference lo deepening the harbour?

I propose to go to Balbriggan next week and inquire into the whole question.

asked if the whole of the £100,000 voted for the construction of undenominational schools in single school areas has been allotted; and if any Return has been, or will be, published showing the allocation of the money?

There are still a few cases outstanding, which are under consideration, but a decision has now been reached upon the great majority of applications received. A statement showing the allocation of the grant up to 31st October last was issued in November, and a further Return will be published, if necessary, at a later date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if he can state what representations have reached the Indian Government relative to the fort now being built for the Chinese troops in a situation commanding the British fort at Sima, in the Hachim district?

The Secretary of State has received no information as to the erection of a Chinese fort commanding the British military police fort at Sima.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if he has now ascertained the dates upon which the Chinese troops entered the Hachim Valley, removing boundary posts and levying taxes upon natives under British protection?

No Hachim Valley can be identified. If the hon. Member is referring to the incident mentioned in the answer given to him on 8th March,.I would add to the information then furnished that the reports received do not state that "boundary posts were destroyed or taxes levied.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, if he can state the expenditure on mules and transport incurred during the last six months by the British column in the Hachim Valley, on the Chino-Burmese frontier; what troops are stationed there; and if reinforcements are to be (dispatched?

No British column was collected on the occasion referred to in my immediately preceding answer nor elsewhere on the northern section of this frontier. With a view to a tour by the Political Officer, which was afterwards abandoned, a certain collection of transport was begun, but I am unable to say what expenditure was incurred. No troops are stationed on this portion of the frontier.

Will the Under-Secretary be so good as to make inquiries In view of the importance of the matter?

If the Noble Lord will give me any further information as to the matter to which he refers inquiries can be made. We have no further information of any encroachment or threatened encroachment.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received the Report of his Commissioner, Mr. F. H. Oates, on the All Saints' Church school, Salterhebble; and, if so, whether he would lay the Report upon the Table of the House?

I have not yet received the report of this inquiry, which was held on Friday last. The report will be deposited in accordance with the provisions of Section 73 (3) of the Elementary Education Act, 1870. I do not see any special reason in this case for departing from the usual practice and laying the report on the Table of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will revise the present official interpretation of the regulation dealing with free places in secondary schools, under which in some places 40 or even 50 per cent, of the scholars are admitted without payment instead of one-fourth, as the regulation provides and as Parliament intended?

The regulation in question requires that the proportion of free places shall be ordinarily 25 per cent, of the total number of pupils admitted to the school during the previous year. The Board are aware that this requirement may result in making more than 25 per cent, of the school places free, but in schools where the number of free places now amounts to 40 or 50 per cent, this cannot be due to the regulation, which has only been in operation for two years, and is probably due to arrangements voluntarily made by local authorities under which the percentage sometimes exceeds 60 or even 70 per cent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to consider that a fresh interpretation of the clause will be made?

The matter has been quite recently under consideration; I can see no reason for altering the terms of the regulation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention had been called to a resolution which was passed by the borough of Eccles education committee on the 17th February, 1909, directing the immediate transfer of 16 children, all of whom were under seven years of age on the 1st July last, from the infants' department to 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 education point of view eligible for such promotion?

I have received a report from which it appears that for some time past the Local Education Authority have been endeavouring to induce the managers to accelerate the promotion in this school, the slowness of which, in the authority's view, impeded the educational progress. These efforts did not meet with success, and the resolution referred to in the question was then passed. I am advised that such a direction to the managers is within the powers of the Local Authority under Section 7 of the Act of 1902. If the organisation of the school appeared to the Board of Education to be unsatisfactory it would be open to them, under the provisions of the Code, to require its modification. There is no general rule against the promotion of children under seven years of age.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, prior to the commencement of the erection of a school by the Glamorgan County Council between Llandaff and Llandaff North, he received a petition, signed by some 300 ratepayers and householders, against the erection of such school; whether, in the autumn of 1908, he received a further petition asking for an inquiry as to whether the school was required or not; whether, after he had actually sanctioned the school and the same was in course of erection, he offered to hold such inquiry if the petitioners would give a bond for the necessary security of the costs thereof; and whether this is to be taken as a typical case of the manner in which the Board of Education intends to deal with all schools to be erected under the £100,000 grant?

As there appeared to be some doubt as to whether the notice upon which the Board's original decision was given satisfied the requirements of Section 8 of the Act of 1902, a revised notice was published by the local authority in September, 1908. An appeal from 10 ratepayers was received, and the case was considered by the Board afresh. It appeared to them that on the evidence submitted the local authority had established their ease, but the appellants were informed that a public inquiry would be held if they still desired it, and if they were willing to give security for the costs. The Board are empowered to require security for costs, as a condition of holding a public inquiry, under Sub-section (4) of Section 73 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, and this power has been frequently utilised since that Act was passed, especially in cases such as this where the Board were of opinion that a decision could be given without the necessity of an inquiry. I may add that the Board are under no statutory obligation to hold an inquiry.

Is it not a fact that the offer to hold the inquiry was made after the school had been erected?

No, Sir. As far as I know, the offer to hold the inquiry was made before the school had been completed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in order to ascertain whether the school was, in fact, not almost completed before the inquiry was held?

I do not think that will alter the position—as I have stated quite clearly—in any way.

What would be the benefit of holding an inquiry as to the necessity of the school, when the school was practically erected?

So far as I am concerned, I think an inquiry was totally unnecessary, and I have said so.

Is that the reason why the right hon. Gentleman offered the inquiry?

No, Sir. I am quite prepared to hold an inquiry, if the costs are guaranteed by those who want it. I am quite sure the inquiry is totally uncalled for.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of the rector of the parish of Fyfield, in the county of Hants, who has recently visited the parents of the children attending the village schools at Appleshaw and Thruxton, and tried to secure the removal of the children from those schools to the Church school at Fyfield; and, if so, what action he proposes to take to prevent the rector interfering with the present education of these children?

I have received no information as to the alleged proceedings of the rector. Fyfield school will very shortly cease to be recognised as a public elementary school, and I do not therefore think any action on the part of the Board is required.

Replying to a supplementary question by Mr. WARD,

said: I believe the school is decidedly unnecessary, because there are only 18 pupils there. If my hon. Friend wants further information, I think he should give notice.

asked if it is the intention of the Admiralty to re-rig the "Victory" as she appeared at the date of the Battle of Trafalgar?

The reply to my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of taking, with the consent of the War Office, that part of the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, which is suitable in every way for the making of gun mountings, and thus enable to be put into use for the country space, machinery, and men which were now standing idle and a loss to the State?

The question of the supply of gun-mountings is receiving the consideration of the Board of Admiralty. I would, however, remind my hon. Friend that before beginning the manufacture of hydraulic gun-mountings at Woolwich special plant would have to be installed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that both the Murray and Henderson Committees, formed by this and the last Government, have said the Arsenal was capable of doing this work?

That was not from the point of view of existing plant. It would be capable if the proper plant were installed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have an inquiry made as to whether there is capacity there, or whether it can be easily made, for making these gun-mountings?

We have had full inquiry made, and are very well-informed as to the existing plant at Woolwich at the present time.

Is it the case that at present no Government establishment, or establishments, can turn out a battleship complete, with armaments; and if the answer is in the affirmative, is it not most desirable to do what the hon. Member for Woolwich asks?

Woolwich would not be able to turn out a battleship complete with all the armament, even if what the hon. Member asks for were given.

Would it not be a convenience that two Government establishments between them should be able to turn out a complete battleship, which at present they cannot do?

No, Sir, I do not think it would necessarily be an advantage that two Government establishments should turn out a complete battleship. It may be desirable to reserve the Government establishments for repairs, rather than for the construction of ships, and to give to private firms the main work of construction.

Would it not be an advantage for the Government to be prepared to turn out the armaments?

There is no plant at the present time at Woolwich capable of turning out the armaments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain that plant?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the numbers of all ranks of the Royal Marines and Coastguard service in March, 1904 and 1909 respectively; and whether it is the intention of the Government to effect still further reductions, and, if so, to what extent?

The actual numbers in March, 1904, were:—

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the present policy of the Admiralty is to still further reduce the Royal Marines?

And Coastguard?

No, Sir.

asked what number of battleships we could place in the fighting line in 1912 in addition to 20 "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles," on the present scale of our Navy with regard to personnel and dockyards; and what number of battleships we could place in the fighting line in addition to 16 "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles"?

The number of battleships that could be placed in the fighting line in addition to 20 "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles" in 1912, would depend on the number of armoured cruisers, cruisers, destroyers, torpedo boats, and submarines which the exigencies of the naval service at that time may require. It must not, however, be assumed that the number of men borne in 1912 will be the same as in 1909.

Must we assume that under certain circumstances in 1912 we could not man all our battleships and armoured cruisers?

No, Sir, I do not think that that assumption ought under any circumstances to be made.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman just stated that it depends on the number of torpedo boats, destroyers, and submarines as to whether or not we could man them?

The hon. Member asked me a hypothetical question as to the number we could man in 1912 with our existing numbers. I have stated that our existing numbers will be so many in accordance with the number of cruisers we have. So that we do not confine ourselves necessarily to 128,000 in 1912.

asked what were the number of established workmen employed in the Home dockyards and victualling yards on 1st March, 1893, and on 1st March, 1909?

The total numbers on 1st March, 1893, were 6,202, and on 1st March, 1909, 6,708.

Will the right horn Gentleman say whether a decision has yet been arrived at as to the re-opening of the establishment?

I am not in a position to say anything on the subject, but I hope to be able to do so very shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the ships of the Atlantic Fleet associated with the Home fleet will be exercised with that force as one fleet; and whether the associated ships will be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet?

The Atlantic fleet is a separate command district from the Home fleet, but opportunity will be given from time to time to exercise the associated fleets under the Commander-in-Chief of the Home fleet.

May I ask whether it would be in the discretion of the Admiralty or in the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief?

In the discretion of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of cruisers and destroyers will be under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet and ordinarily exercised with that fleet?

In the first and second divisions of the Home fleet there will be 14 cruisers and 48 destroyers (together with two cruisers and four scouts attached to the destroyer flotillas) in commission with full crews, and ordinarily exercised under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet. In addition, the cruisers and destroyers of the third division of the Home fleet, and the six destroyers at present manned by nucleus crews at Portland, may be exercised at the Commander-in-Chief's discretion. At the present time the number of such cruisers is 13, together with four scouts—but the number will shortly be increased to 15. The number of destroyers (including at present 30 torpedo-boats of the coastal destroyer type) is 104, but this number will increase as other destroyers are commissioned.

Are we to understand that 48 out of the 104 which are attached to the Home Fleet ordinarily exercise with the first and second divisions?

Ordinarily exercise, that is true; but attached to the Home Fleet are 104, and 48 ordinarily exercise with the first and second divisions.

Do those 48 represent first-class destroyers and not coastal destroyers?

No; coastal destroyers are distinct in the answer I have given.

May I ask whether they at present exercise with nucleus crews?

With nucleus crews.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would state the dates when initial orders for collection of material were given, and also the actual or estimated dates of completion of the following ships, viz., the "Bellerophon," "Temeraire," "Superb," "St. Vincent," "Collingwood," and "Vanguard."

I should be glad if the hon. Member would be good enough to postpone his question till Monday, when I shall have the information to enable me to answer it.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Bill for the reform of the house-letting system in Scotland will be introduced before Easter?

asked a similar question.

Perhaps I may reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbartonshire at the same time. I hope that this Bill will be introduced before Easter.

asked the Prime Minister whether any representations have actually been made to the French Government by His Majesty's Government on the subject of the proposed new French tariff?

I do not think it desirable to make a statement on this point while the French tariff revision is still under consideration by the French Government and Parliament. The hon. Member may rest assured that the matter is receiving the attention of His Majesty's Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House, as early as possible, of the results of any representations he may have made?

The House will be kept informed.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the decision of the Secretary of State for the Home Department that contractors shall be invited to send in alternative tenders, specifying separately the price for foreign and home-manufactured goods in respect of the contracts for which the Secretary of State is responsible, he will cause the same principle to be applied in all Government puchasing departments?

I think that in view of the great variety of goods which are the subject of Government contracts the question is one which must be left to the discretion of the Departments concerned.

Will the Secretary to the Treasury call the attention of other Government Departments to the action of the Home Secretary?

I have no objection to doing that.

asked the Prime Minister whether the declaration of intention in connection with the Imperial shipbuilding programme on the part of the German Government was conveyed by formal note to the Foreign Office through official channels, or whether the declaration in question was conveyed verbally through other Members of the Government?

The communication referred to was made verbally to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs through the usual channels of diplomatic intercourse.

asked the Prime Minister upon what date the German Government first conveyed their declaration of intention with regard to acceleration of their shipbuilding programme; if this declaration has been repeated; and, if so, upon what dates?

The definite statement referred to was made verbally on 10th March. It was to the effect that it was not the intention of the German Government to accelerate their naval programme, and that they would not have 13 "Dreadnoughts" till the end of 1912. On comparing the latter part of this statement with information of the Admiralty respecting the German naval programme we came to the conclusion that it would not include cruisers as well as battleships. By Admiral Tirpitz's speech, made, I think, on 16th of March, it was made clear that the statement did include cruisers. On 18th March we were informed that as regards two of the ships to be ordered according to the German programme in the financial year 1909–10, contracts had previously been promised to certain firms in advance, but we were given to understand that this did not in any way qualify the previous statements as to rate of construction. This statement was also made by Admiral Tirpitz about the same time. Any comments as to the bearing which this information may or should have upon our own programme I must reserve till the forthcoming debate.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if any communication of a similar tenour was made at a previous date?

That does not arise out of the answer I have given.

Have these declarations been embodied in any despatch, as is not infrequently done, to the Ambassador?

I have no doubt they have been embodied in a despatch by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to our Ambassador at Berlin.

Do I understand the Prime Minister's statement to mean that His Majesty's Government were mistaken in supposing that there had been acceleration in German building?

No; certainly not.

asked the Prime Minister, if the Government's declared policy of a naval strength equal to that of the two most powerful foreign navies plus 10 per cent, margin applies to programmes adopted abroad, so far as these can be ascertained?

I am afraid I am not quite clear as to the precise point which the hon. Member desires to elucidate. It is obvious that not only actual but projected shipbuilding must be taken into account.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether his attention has been called to the refusal of his Department in February last to pass eight registered packets of raw silk through the post despatched from Milan to Messrs. Gaddum and Company, of London and Manchester, as samples of merchandise, on the ground partly that such samples were vegetable fibre and partly that they were of saleable value; whether he is aware that such samples have for years passed between Italy and this country; what officer in his Department is permitted to decide whether a bonâ fide sample is of value or not; and whether he would take steps to enable the Post Office to continue to be used for the benefit of English merchants rather than hamper them by such restrictions as appears to be the case from the above facts?

The International Postal Union regulations admit to the sample post with a few trifling exceptions only such articles as are not of saleable value. The packets in question, which contained sixteen large hanks of silk, all of one colour, all bearing the same trade number, and all apparently of the same quality, evidently had a saleable value. They were, therefore, inadmissible as samples. The regulations on the subject could not be relaxed even if desired, without the assent of the Postal Union Convention. Articles can be defaced or indelibly marked so as to deprive them of value without impairing their usefulness as specimens of goods, and they can then be sent by sample post.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will grant a post office to the village of Wyck Rissington, Gloucestershire?

I am having inquiry made on the subject, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether an outbreak of smallpox has occurred at Bristol; whether, in spite of the advice of the Board's inspector, the board of guardians refused to make special arrangements for the vaccination of unvaccinated children and for re-vaccination; whether, on the Local Government Board themselves instructing the vaccination officer to provide special facilities, the health committee refused to permit the issue by their medical officer of bills notifying the names of the vaccinators and the places where they would attend for vaccinations; how many cases of smallpox have already occurred in the city and how many have proved fatal; and what steps the Local Government Board propose to take in the matter?

The answer as regards the first two points in the question is in the affirmative. I understand from a newspaper report of the meeting of the Health Committee on the 16th inst. that the Committee resolved that no further bills should be issued by the Medical Officer of Health, but that if necessity arose the Committee should be called together. Bills to the effect stated in the third part of the question had already been issued by the Medical Officer of Health. Up to the morning of the 20th inst., 31 cases of small-pox had occurred in Bristol and its vicinity. Three deaths are known to have occurred up to the 17th inst. I have caused one of the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board to pay two visits to Bristol and the neighbourhood owing to the outbreak, and he has conferred with the authorities and officers concerned as to the precautions which should be adopted, and various measures have been taken accordingly.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when those persons resident in or near the parish of Ebrington, Gloucestershire, who made application early last year for about some 150 acres in all of small holdings are likely to be provided with the same?

The County Council hope to be able to provide these applicants with land at Michaelmas next.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the enclosure of the village green at Redenham, in the county of Hants; and what action he proposes to take to protect the rights of the public in this matter?

As I have previously informed my hon. Friend, we have no power to take any action in regard to this matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman's Department make any inquiries into this subject to see whether any information can be obtained?

It is useless for the Board to inquire when it has no power to act.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state how much of the £100,000 voted for expenses under the Small holdings Act, 1907, has been spent; and if any account of the disposal of this money is available to Members of the House?

The amount actually disbursed up to the present time is about £400. Accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Small Holdings Account will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General and laid before Parliament, with his Report thereon.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Ellen Pimlott, of Long-sight, near Manchester, who was refused an old age pension on the ground that she received a grocery ticket of 2s. from the relieving officer when she went to him for advice regarding her son; whether he is aware that the old lady never asked for any relief and was quite ignorant that the ticket would be considered as poor law relief; and whether, under these circumstances, he can see his way to grant the pension?

I received an appeal from the claimant in this case against the decision of the pension committee. The relieving officer informed me that on 3rd April last the claimant applied to him for her sons to be compelled to assist in her maintenance. He appears to have communicated with them, but they were very dilatory in replying. On 23rd April the claimant came to him again stating that she had no food. He thereupon offered her an order for the workhouse or some groceries. She accepted the latter, and he gave her 2s. worth. In these circumstances it seems clear that she received poor relief, and hence I had no alternative but to decide that by the terms of the Act she was disqualified for a pension.

asked the President of the Local Government. Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the case of 124 prosecutions for exceeding the speed-limit at Kingston-on-Thames, 56 defendants stated that they were not aware of the limit; and, seeing that similar defences were raised by several motorists who were prosecuted for exceeding the speed-limit at Bromley, in Kent, whether he will suggest to the local authorities in question the desirability of making their speed-limit signs more prominent, in order that lawabiding motorists may not unconsciously come into collision with the officers of the law?

I am aware of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member on Monday last on this subject. I am in communication with the local authorities concerned.

In reply to a question from Mr. JOYNSONHICKS,

If my hon. Friend will consult the Member for that district he will find that the signs were prominent. I have seen them myself. And the hon. Member must not forget some motorists are very fertile in the invention of excuses for avoiding notices altogether.

The right hon. Gentleman does not suggest all those motorists were fertile in their inventions?

If the hon. Gentleman would go through Kingston he would see the notices were very prominent indeed.

Would the right hon. Gentleman suggest the use of pedometers?

I think the case has been made. Out of 124 cases 122 have been convicted.

asked what is to happen in the cases in any individual jury list, either common or special, when one of the judges selected for such list goes on circuit or is detailed to sit in a divisional court for a term; and whether he will give further consideration to the remedying of the admitted grievances under which litigants now suffer from the complete breakdown of the new system.

When one of the judges selected for the jury list in London leaves for circuit or is detailed to sit in a divisional court the scheme contemplates that his place will be taken by a judge returning from circuit or by some other available judge. When that does not happen there will be some delay to suitors. As to the last part of the question, it is founded on an assumption I am not disposed to admit—viz., that the new system has completely broken down.

May I ask whether the fact of a change of judge has cut at the root of the whole idea of the scheme, namely, that the judge hearing the interlocutory applications should not hear the trial?

I do not think it is correctly described as cutting at the root of the new scheme there is no doubt if it frequently happens some adjustments will be necessary in the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in arranging conditions with the promoters of the Great Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railways Bill, he will see that sleeping accommodation shall be provided for third-class passengers wherever it is provided for first-class passengers, so as to ensure that one class of passengers shall not have preference over another class?

further asked whether in settling conditions with the promoters of the Great Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railways Bill, he will provide that passengers may use return and other tickets at any time when a train may be going, subject to such regulations as the Board of Trade may approve?

I will answer my hon. Friend's two questions in connection with the Great Northern, Great Central, and Great Eastern Railways Companies Bill together. The conditions which have been arranged with the three companies are contained in the clauses which have already been circulated. I cannot, of course, anticipate the view which a Committee might take of such proposals as those referred to by my hon. Friend, but there is an obvious difficulty in imposing on particular companies obligations of this nature to which railway companies generally are not subject.

Is he aware the Board of Trade have already in the House stated that they were in favour of third-class sleepers being provided?

Yes, Sir; but if my right hon. Friend made that statement I have no doubt he meant it with regard to all railways, as we cannot impose conditions upon some railways and not impose them upon others.

Was it not a purely platonic expression of feeling?

Is he aware that the promise was made in regard to a railway Bill before the House?

No, Sir, I am not aware of any such promise.

asked if it is intended to give legislative effect this Session to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Amendment of the Bankruptcy Acts?

The Board of Trade are fully alive to the importance of this matter, but I fear that I can give no pledge to pass such legislation this Session in view of other demands which the Board of Trade will have to make on Parliamentary time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the percentage of unemployed carpenters and joiners, and the value of imported manufactured house joinery, during each of the past ten years?

I will have the figures, so far as they are available, circulated with .the Votes.

Will he include ship carpenters and joiners?

Yes, I will have that done if my hon. Friend wishes.