asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the consideration of oil fuel for the British Navy, if he can state whether operations in connection with drilling for oil on the pitch lake concession at Trinidad is about to cease; whether such cessation is due to the influence of an oil syndicate; and whether the asphalte company is seeking an extension of its concession, and, if so, will he see that measures are taken with a view to the present concessions being satisfactorily worked?

The Secretary of State is not aware that the operations referred to are about to cease. The company has applied for a licence to search for petroleum on Crown Lands, and this application, with others, will be dealt with as soon as a draft model licence now under preparation has been completed.

asked the President of the Board of Education what additional expense, if any, Order 709 will impose on the local education authorities?

I beg to refer to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Ashburton Division of Devonshire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has considered the application of the naval shipwrights that their branch, the senior of naval trades, should be placed on an equality as to rank and privileges with the E.R.A. and electrician ratings, and, if so, when a reply as to their case may be expected?

The question has received the careful attention of the Board, but it is not considered that a case has been made out for placing the shipwrights, on an equality with engine-room artificers and electricians.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what effect the proposed change in the United States tariff will have on British trade with the United States in Indian and Ceylon tea; whether the imposition of the new duty will necessarily prejudice that trade; whether he is aware that the preference of 1 per cent, on tea sent directly from the country of origin will place English firms of tea brokers at a disadvantage, compelling them to carry on their business in America or to cease therefrom; and whether any friendly representations have been, or will be, made to the United States Government?

I have not yet received copies of the United States Tariff Bill, but I have seen a statement in the Press to the effect that an additional duty is proposed to be levied on tea imported from countries other than those in which the tea was grown. It is not possible at present to make any statement with regard to the last part of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say what steps the Estates Commissioners are taking to apportion the untenanted lands at Style Park, in the county of Limerick, amongst the evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners have directed one of their inspectors to prepare a scheme for the distribution of these lands, which will be divided when the arrangements for resale have been completed, and the necessary undertakings to purchase signed.

asked, the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a case of a landlord letting his untenanted lands to a tenant, and thus making a second-term judicial tenant of him, as in the case of the untenanted lands of Kilgulvan, near Knockaderry, in the county of Limerick, the property of Major Sheehy; and whether in such a case, in the event of the landlord selling his estate on which such lettings are made, the Estates Commissioners will advance money to the tenants so created for the purchase of the landlord's interest in the holdings?

Proceedings have not been instituted before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of the lands in question, and they are unable to say whether this is a case in which they would make an advance.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say how many evicted tenants in Limerick county have been reinstated or provided for with equivalent holdings under the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act; and how many acres of untenanted lands in the county have been acquired under the same Act for the evicted tenants?

Seven evicted farms in county Limerick, comprising 227 acres, have been acquired compulsorily under the Evicted Tenants Act by the Estates Commissioners, who have reinstated the former tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to secure the reinstatement of John Golden, an evicted tenant, in his holding at Killurley East, near Cahirciveen, or to provide him with a farm elsewhere?

The Estates Commissioners will consider John Golden's name in connection with the allotment of untenanted land to be acqured by them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state who is responsible for the concentration of a large police force in Strokestown on the 23rd February last on the occasion of the quarterly meeting of the district council?

A force of 50 men was assembled in Strokestown, with the approval of the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, on the 23rd February last, when the district council met to receive tenders from contractors for the repair of roads. Disorderly scenes had occurred on the occasion of the previous meeting, owing to the refusal of the council to adopt the system of direct labour, and a renewal of the disorder was anticipated. As the men were sent from other parts of the county no expense falls on the county for their services.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that John Daly, of Lakelands, Balla, county Mayo, who is over 80 years of age, and Mayo, who is over 80 years of age, and cut-away bog, was refused a pension on the ground that he received outdoor relief, such relief consisting of 12s. worth of food supplied to him by the doctor in attendance on him; and whether, seeing that this man never asked for relief and was never in the workhouse, he will see that he gets the pension?

This man's claim was disallowed on the ground that he had received outdoor relief. He appealed to the Local Government Board, but that Board had no option but to disallow the appeal, as it appeared that he was granted relief for three weeks by the relieving officer, and the medical certificate on which it was stated to have been granted could not be produced.

asked the Chief Secretary what charges have been placed on the Ireland Development Grant since the passing of The Irish Land Act, 1903; under what Act (quoting also the section or sections) has each of those charges been created; and do all or any of them take precedence of the charges placed on the grant by Sections 38 and 39 of The Irish Land Act, 1903?

The charges placed on this Grant, the amount of which is fixed at the annual sum of £185,000 by the Ireland Development Grant Act, 1903, are set forth in the Estimates annually laid before Parliament in pursuance of that Act. Sections 38 and 39 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, impose on the Grant certain charges, enumerated in those sections, the payment of which is unconditional and must be satisfied before any other charges on the Grant can be met. Section 14 (1) of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, imposes another charge on the Grant, but any expenditure from the money allocated under this provision is subsequently refunded, pursuant to Section 14 (2) of that Act. By Section 1 (3) of the Ireland Development Grant Act, 1903, any portion of the Grant not required for the purposes of Irish land purchase was to be devoted to (a) education and (b) the promotion of the economic development and transit facilities of Ireland. As regards the last paragraph of the question, it will be seen from the foregoing statement that the charges to meet payments under Sections 38 and 39 of The Irish Land Act, 1903, take precedence over all payments for purposes unconnected with land purchase. For further information I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Reports of Proceedings under the Ireland Development Grant Act made by the Lord Lieutenant and presented to Parliament.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he can say what was the quantity of butter imported into Ireland during the year 1907, and its estimated value, and from what countries; to what use has it been applied; whether the figures are yet available for the year 1908; and if he can say whether any of this butter is sold as Irish?

There were 63,258 cwts. of butter, valued at £360,593, imported into Ireland from all sources during the year 1907. All was imported viâ Great Britain. The Department have no information as to the countries of origin. The Department have no precise information as to the use to which this butter is applied, but it is believed that the greater portion of it is consumed in the country. The figures for 1908 are not yet available. The Department are not in possession of any evidence which would prove that imported butter is sold as Irish.

asked whether the butter of Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand is sold in this country under distinctive brands or grades, which help to prevent it being sold as any other and is also an indication as to its quality; whether this is done by a Government Department in these countries; and whether the Department of Agriculture intend to take any steps to adopt a similar practice for Irish butter, and with the view also to prevent fraud being practised on it?

The answer to the first and second queries is in the affirmative. The question of a special brand for Irish creamery butter is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many scholars applied for admission to training colleges under the Regulations of 1908; how many were admitted; how many were refused owing to lack of accommodation; how many were refused on grounds connected with religious faith or observances; how many claimed exemption from religious observances in denominational colleges; and how many of these were admitted and had their claim allowed?

The number of applications for admission to training colleges in 1908 was 14,101 (4,758 men and 9,343 women), but in order to ascertain the number of students applying some deduction must be made from the figure in respect of those students who applied for admission to more than one college. This figure does not include applications for three new colleges opened in 1908, to which the number actually admitted was 170. The number of recognised students admitted was 5,771 (1,795 men and 3,976 women). The residue, viz., 8,330, less the number of students applying for admission to more than one college, represents approximately the number refused admission owing to lack of accommodation. No definite information is available with regard to the remaining questions, but I may say that no case of refusal on grounds connected with religious faith or observances has been reported to the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the number of students who left London County Council training colleges in July, 1908; how many of these are still without appointments; how many teachers have been appointed to London schools between July, 1908, and February, 1909; and how many of these were trained in training colleges not under the London County Council?

The number of students who left London County Council training colleges in July, 1908, was 494. The number who had not obtained appointments when the replies to a circular, issued on December 31st, were received was 153, but I believe a substantial number of these have since obtained employment. I regret I have no figures as to the number of appointments made to London schools between the dates named.

, in reply to Mr. Ellis, has announced the intention of the Board of Trade to submit the following new clauses, etc., to the Bill proposing the creation of a Working Union between the Great Northern, Great Central and Great Eastern railway companies:—

NEW CLAUSE.

Calculating Distances and Rates. —(1) For the purpose of calculating maximum rates in respect of merchandise conveyed over the railways of the three companies, or any two of them, the distance for which such merchandise shall be conveyed over such railways shall be reckoned continuously as if such railways were one railway.

(2) Where different scales of rates and charges are applicable to different parts of the railways of the three companies, or any two of them, over which merchandise is conveyed the maximum charge for each part of the entire distance shall be calculated at the maximum rate which, according to the scale applicable to such part, would be chargeable for the entire distance.

NEW CLAUSE.

Passenger Fares. —The ordinary passenger fares in force on the railways of the three companies on the date of the passing of this Act (including the charges for season tickets, market tickets, and week-end tickets) shall not be increased by reason of the passing of this Act. If after the passing of this Act any such fare is raised, it shall lie upon the joint committee to prove on complaint that such increase is not due directly or indirectly to the passing of this Act or the alterations in the relations of the companies and the conditions of the traffic resulting therefrom, and the Railway and Canal Commission shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any complaint with respect to such increase, but not until a complaint with respect thereto has been made to and considered by the Board of Trade.

NEW CLAUSE.

Rates and Charges. —The rates and charges in respect of merchandise and minerals in force on the railways of the three companies on the date of the passing of this Act shall not be increased by reason of the passing of this Act. And if any complaint shall be made to the Railway and Canal Commissioners under Section 1 of The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894, the alterations in the relations of the companies and the conditions of the traffic in consequence of the working union shall not be deemed to be a reasonable ground for the increase of any rate or charge complained of.

NEW CLAUSE.

Facilities. —(1) If it be represented to the Board of Trade by any of the authorities specified in Section 7 (1) of The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, that the facilities as a whole afforded by the joint committee in any district represented by any of those authorities for either passenger, goods, or mineral traffic have been unreasonably diminished as compared with the facilities afforded by the companies during the year 1908, the Board of Trade may call upon the joint committee for an explanation and endeavour to settle amicably the difference between the complainant and the joint committee, and if they fail to arrive at agreement between the parties they may refer the complaint to the Railway and Canal Commissioners.

(2)If it shall appear to the said Commissioners that, having regard to all the circumstances, there is no reasonable justification for the diminution and that the public interest is prejudiced thereby, it shall be competent for the said Commissioners to order the joint committee to restore such facilities as aforesaid, either in whole or in part as and from a date to be stated in their order.

(3)The provisions of Section 1 (4) of The Railway Regulation Act, 1893, with respect to any company failing to comply with an order made by the said Commissioners under that section shall extend and apply to orders made by them in matters referred to them under this section, but without prejudice to any other mode of enforcing their order.

Amendment of Clause 4, the Clause to be altered in the last three lines, and to read as follows:—

Name and Incorporation of Joint Committee. —4. For the purposes of this Act there shall be a joint committee of the directors of the three companies, constituted as hereinafter mentioned, and the said joint committee are hereby incorporated by the name of "The Great Northern, Central, and Eastern Railways Committee," and under that name shall be one body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, and with power to acquire, hold, or dispose of lands without any licence in mortmain, and shall, for the purposes of this Act, and subject to the provisions thereof, and for the purposes of any enactment passed or to be passed affecting railway companies, to be deemed to be a railway company.

Addition to Clause 20 of the Bill:—

Servants. —(3) If during the period of three years from the date of the passing of this Act any servant of the three companies or any of them or of the joint committee who prior to the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and eight, was in the permanent employ of the three companies or any of them shall be discharged by reason of the passing of this Act he shall be entitled to compensation as hereinafter provided. But nothing in this sub-section shall confer any right to compensation on any servant who is dismissed for misconduct or whose services are dispensed with on any legitimate ground other than that they are not required by reason of the passing of this Act.

(4) Any question as to whether any, and, if so, what, compensation is payable under the last preceding sub-section shall, in default of agreement, be settled by a single arbitrator under The Arbitration Act, 1889.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many persons belonging to the Navy are registered as Presbyterians?

The last complete Return is for the year ending 31st December, 1907, when the number was 4,337.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether any inquiry has been made from Japanese experts as to the views they take since the conclusion of the war concerning the desirability of scrapping warships?

We have hitherto instituted no inquiries on this point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether the gun-sights of the nucleus-crew ships have been corrected; and whether then guns have been calibrated?

The gun-sights of nucleus-crew ships are correct, and their guns have been calibrated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the total sums provided in the British and the United States Navy Estimates for 1909–10 for the material upkeep of their navies so as to include shipbuilding, repairs, and armaments, and prepared on the same basis as the figure officially given for Germany in 1909–10 of £11,942,009?

The United States Navy Estimates for 1909–10, as finally approved and passed, have not yet been received.

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?

, supplementing his oral answer, supplied the following statement, showing the mean monthly percentages reported to the Board of Trade as unemployed in trade unions of carpenters and joiners, and the value of the imports of "house frames, fittings, and joiners' work" into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1899 to 1908 so far as the information is available:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the weight of a broadside from the German battleship "Nassau," of 17,760 tons, assuming that the description given in the last Return of Fleets is correct that she is armed with 12 11-inch and 12 6.7-inch guns; and what is the weight of the broadside of H.M.S. "Superb," of 18,600 tons, and belonging to a corresponding year's programme?

It is undesirable in the public interest to publish the comparison asked for.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state approximately the amount of the expenditure to which the country is committed for new naval construction, including the Estimates for 1909–10, during the years 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, and to what further sums it would be committed during each of those years should it be decided to lay down four more "Dreadnoughts" before 1910–11, to be completed by the spring of 1912?

The total cost of the vessels proposed in the programme for 1909–10 is not given in the Navy Estimates, and it would, therefore, be premature and not in the public interest to give this information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there are any battleships or cruisers of the most modern type building in Continental shipping yards to foreign orders?

There are no "Dreadnoughts" or "Invincibles" building in Continental shipyards for countries other than those in which the yards are situated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a volunteer officer, now serving in the Territorial Army, with recorded service of 11 years in the ranks and nine years as an officer is entitled to the concession of the volunteer long-service medal?

As the regulations now stand he is not entitled to the medal. The question whether any relaxation of this rule is possible is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain members of the Royal Engineers civil staff at Salisbury, who were discharged under circumstances of unusual hardship in February, 1906, still remain unemployed; and whether, in view of the promise then given them, and of the fact that, notwithstanding opportunities having arisen for their re-employment, their claims to special consideration have been disregarded, immediate steps will be taken to insure that special facilities be accorded the gentlemen concerned for appointment as inspectors of works, or to such other vacancies where their qualifications and previous experience may be of value in the public service?

Owing to cessation of military works loan work, three members of the Royal Engineers civil staff at Salisbury had to be discharged in February, 1906. One of these has obtained civil employment. One has been re-employed at Cork. The third was offered an appointment in Malta, which he refused, and no further opportunity of re-employing him has arisen. Re-employment cannot be provided until there is a vacancy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Reports of the Registrar for Co-operative Credit Societies in India afford evidence that progress is being made in the provision of cheap capital on a co-operative basis for the artisan and agricultural classes?

According to figures given in the Report of the Conference of Registrars of Co-operative Credit Societies held in October, 1908, the number of societies in British India was 1,357 on 30th June, 1908, as against 843 on the corresponding date in the preceding year, and the number of members 148,928, against 90,834. The capital of the societies on the 30th June, 1908, was Es. 44,07,026 (£293,800), against Rs.23,7l,683 (£158,000) in the preceding year. These figures are evidence that satisfactory progress is being made, though the movement is still on a small scale.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that, on the 8th February last, a firm of solicitors in Peebles, Messrs. Blackwood and Smith, wrote a letter to Mr. Edward Gorman remonstrating with him for fishing in the River Tweed above Manor Bridge and warning him not to do so again; whether this salmon fishery belongs to the Crown; and, if so, whether this firm was instructed by the Crown to take this action?

Nothing is known by the Commissioner of Woods about the letter referred to in the question. The salmon fishery above Manor Bridge, ex adverso of the estate of the Earl of Wemyss, belongs to the Crown. Messrs. Blackwood and Smith have not been instructed on behalf of the Crown to take any action such as that referred to in the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Crown has granted a provisional lease to the town council of Peebles of the salmon fishings belonging to the Crown on the River Tweed above Peebles, and, if so, at what rent; and whether there were any other applications to lease this water, and, if so, by whom and at what sum?

The Commissioner of Woods has agreed on behalf of the Crown, subject to Treasury sanction, to grant a lease to the town council of Peebles of the salmon fishings in the River Tweed ex adverso of certain lands belonging to the Earl of Wemyss at a rent of £20 per annum, at which amount is was valued on behalf of the Crown. There was another application by the Earl of Wemyss to lease this water at a rent of £50. The offer of this rent was made after the letting to the town council had been decided on.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps can be taken to prevent the sale, to the detriment of indigo planters, of cloth described as indigo-dyed, in the colouring of which neither natural or synthetic indigo has been used?

If the hon. Member can furnish evidence of the actual sale of cloth in this country as indigo dyed, which contains no indigo, natural or artificial, I shall be happy to consider it, with a view to determine whether there is a case for prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any statistics are available to show that the recently-is due at all, and if so, how much, to the diminished demand for Manchester goods is due at all, and if so, how much, to the boycott of the British cotton trade in Bengal?

No statistics are available so far as I am aware which would throw any light on the effect of the boycott on the export of Manchester goods to India.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state what progress has been made with the Queen Victoria Memorial in St. James's Park, and by what date it is likely to be completed?

A large portion of the sculpture is completed, and arrangements have been made to begin fixing it as soon as possible. The fountains and marble work around the base have been finished, and it is intended to remove the hoarding during April, when they will be visible to the public. It is not possible to name an actual date for completion.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can now state what steps will be taken to put a stop to illegal or excessive netting of coarse fish in the River Trent?

We have asked the Sheffield Anglers' Association to supply us with further information, and on receipt of it we will consider whether we can with advantage take any action in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, if his attention has been called to the case of Alexander Hooper, 13, Havelock Street, Sunderland, aged 72, who had an accident on 16th October last, was taken by ambulance to the workhouse hospital on 22nd October, where he was detained till 2nd December, occupying a bed in the hospital the whole time, and who has been refused an old age pension, although his income is only £12 pension per year from the Navy, staying with strangers and paying his lodgings out of such income; and, seeing that he has never had any relief during the whole of his lifetime, whether, under such circumstances, he is prepared to recommend the applicant for a pension?

My attention has not been called to this case, and I have no authority to interfere with regard to it, except upon an appeal against the decision of the pension committee. I may, however, say generally that in circumstances such as there stated the claimant would not appear to me to be disqualified.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that Ebenezer Harlow, of Bias-ton, Leicestershire, on appeal to the county old age pensions committee satisfied that body that his income was such as to entitle him to 5s. a week, and was awarded that amount, and that this award was reversed by the Local Government Board on the ex parte statement of the pension officer of the district without reference to the claimant, who is in ignorance of the statements made by the officer; and will he cause inquiries to be made with a view to remedying this state of affairs?

The local sub-committee decided that Ebenezer Marlow was only entitled to an old age pension of 3s. per week. On an appeal against this decision, the local pension committee of the county of Leicester fixed the pension at 5s. per week. The pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board, who were unable to obtain from the pension committee any particulars to show that the estimate made by the pension officer of the claimant's means was incorrect. They allowed the appeal, and decided that the claimant was entitled to a pension of 3s. per week. If he can show any alteration in the circumstances, he can bring the question before the local pension committee, when the matter will be considered; but, except in this way, it cannot now be reopened.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Edith Stoner, aged fourteen,: committed to a reformatory for three years for assaulting her mistress and pilfering; and whether he is willing to inquire into the case?

I have made inquiry and consulted the magistrate who heard the case, and I regret to say that I find the offence was of so serious a character that it is impossible to interfere with the sentence. The question whether, after she has served a substantial portion of her sentence, she might be released on licence is one which will in due course be considered by the managers of the school, and the decision will depend in part on the girl's conduct and progress in the school.

asked the Home Secretary whether the plan of paying police pensions, adopted in Derbyshire and other countries, once in three months, can be altered to payment once a month and through the post office, so that the hardship of having to wait three months for any income after discharge, and subsequently, may be lessened, and the inconvenience to pensioners of payment by cheque avoided?

The method of paying pensions to county police pensioners is entirely a matter for the discretion of the local police authorities, with which I have no authority to interfere. I understand that in many counties pensions are paid monthly, and if my right hon. Friend will bring the matter before the Derbyshire Standing Joint Committee I am sure they will give it every consideration.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the protest of a mass meeting of florists' assistants against the withdrawal of the exemption order as to overtime in the florists' trade, on the ground that it would lead to the dismissal of large numbers of women; and whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision in this matter?

A representation has been forwarded to me on behalf of the meeting referred to in the question, which is receiving consideration; but I am unable to make any statement on the subject of the Order at present.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill to amend the Truck Act during the present Session of Parliament?

This must depend on the state of business a little later on in the Session.