asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in Ireland, official and other pressure is brought to bear on teachers of primary schools to force them to provide for the teaching of cookery and laundry lessons; and whether, seeing that no such pressure is brought to bear on English teachers, the Treasury will provide a special grant to meet the expenses of introducing these subjects in primary schools?

As I have already stated, in my replies to the hon. Member's questions of 10th December and 26th February last, the Commissioners of National Education, while regarding these subjects as of the utmost importance for Irish children, do not require them to be taught when suitable provision cannot be secured. Managers are paid a grant of 5s. per head for each girl taught cookery in accordance with the existing regulations, and from this grant the manager can meet the necessary incidental expenses.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the amount from Imperial sources and from local rating respectively expended last year by the Technical Department on the item of cookery and laundry alone; whether he has considered the advisability of having two boards, the National and the Technical, overlapping in their attempts to deal with these two subjects; and whether, since the Technical Board's classes fail to reach the masses for whom intended, and the National Board still perseveres in the attempt to take up the responsibility for cookery and laundry, he will consider the advisability of recommending that the funds for these particular subjects at the disposal of the Technical Department be turned over to the National Board, so that they might be able to build and equip centres, provide teachers, and otherwise make the necessary provisions for the proper teaching of these subjects?

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland are unable to state the amount spent on instruction in cookery and laundry work alone. Instruction in domestic economy under the Department's schemes includes instruction in branches other than those mentioned, and it is not possible to apportion the expenditure upon the subject of domestic economy generally be- tween the numerous branches of that subject which are taught in Irish secondary and technical schools and in itinerant classes in rural districts. There is no overlapping between the work of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction and that of the Board of National Education. The classes for which the Department are responsible are held in secondary schools and in technical schools and classes. Senior students (over 14 years of age or eligible to be placed in Standard VI.) of national schools are eligible for admission to these classes, but only when the classes meet after the national school hours. The funds of the Department are barely sufficient to carry out the present work of instruction, and could not be made available for providing new centres of instruction.

asked the President of the Board of Education in how many primary schools in England and Scotland, respectively, are the ordinary staff obliged to teach cookery and laundry; and do the teachers' increments in England and Scotland depend on the teaching of both or either of these subjects?

I have no information as to the number of schools in England in which members of the ordinary staff are obliged by the terms of their engagement to give instruction in cookery and laundry work. The answer to the last paragraph must depend on the terms of the agreements entered into between teachers and Local Education authorities by whom they are employed. Perhaps the Hon. Member would address a separate question with regard to Scotland to my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of John Graham, who for 23 years and 5 months walked 22 miles every day, except alternate Sundays, for 25s. a week as rural postman between Hull and Dunswell; whether he is aware that throughout that period he has supported his mother and kept her off the rates, whereby she is now a recipient of an old age pension; and that in July last year this man was turned adrift, worn out by his labour and certified incapable of further duty, with a gratuity of £22 6s. 2d.; and whether some small pension by way of compassionate allowance can be made to this public servant?

Mr. Graham received the gratuity to which he was entitled under the Superannuation Acts. He is not eligible for a pension and I regret that it is not in my power to award him any compassionate allowance. His scheduled walking distance was 16 miles, but for many years past he has performed but little of his journey on foot. His infirmity cannot be said to be the result of his labour.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the details of the scheme with reference to the Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers have now been settled; and whether they will be communicated to the members of the corps at an early date?

The conditions under which this corps will become a contingent for the training of officers for the Territorial Force were officially communicated to the General Officer Commanding the London District on the 24th inst.

asked what is the number of cases of Malta fever and also of simple continued fever which have occurred among the civil population of Malta during each of the years from 1897 to 1908 inclusive?

There are no statistics of cases of such fevers among the civil population available at the War Office.

asked what was the number of troops in each of the various barracks in Malta during each of the years 1903 to 1908 inclusive.

As there are about 80 separate barracks and forts in Malta the time and labour involved in obtaining the required information would be very considerable, and I am afraid I cannot undertake to have the statistics prepared.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet arrived at a decision as to the issuing of composite licences to men who have qualified as motor-men and conductors, so as to avoid the man having to apply to the police authorities for sanction to use the other licence which has already been granted him?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he hopes that from the 1st May next composite licences can be issued to drivers and conductors, applicable to stage carriages of the same type.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Arthur Williams, a labourer, of Garthmill, Montgomery, charged with setting fire to hay and buildings, and certified insane, and sent to Bicton Asylum, had previously escaped from the asylum and evaded the authorities for 14 days, thus becoming free from restraint; and whether he will consider the propriety of so amending the law as to provide that a lunatic once certified should remain subject to control until released by the asylum medical authority?

I am informed that the facts are substantially as stated. I am still of the opinion expressed in my reply to a question of my hon. Friend on the 24th June last, that there is already full power under the existing law to deal with such cases of escape from restraint, and that no amendment of the Lunacy Acts in this respect is needed.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will lay upon the Table a statement showing the number of hundredweights of herrings landed in the Clyde districts, collectively, and in Campbeltown, Inverary, Rothesay, Greenock, and Ballantrae, severally, during the year 1908, in continuation of the statement furnished by the Secretary for Scotland on 21st May, 1908?

The following is the information desired by the hon. Member:—

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has seen his way to concur in the wish expressed by the Census Committee of the Royal Statistical Society for the introduction in the present year of the Bill for holding the Census of 1911; and whether the Census Bill will be so introduced by him?

The matter is not at present settled, but I am giving consideration to it.