asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies what are the numbers, respectively, of the European population, of the indentured labour force, and of the coloured population of Trinidad; and whether the indentured labourers have complained of the wages they have received under their indentures?

The total population of the Colony, which, of course, includes Tobago, was estimated on 31st March, 1908, as being 344,000. The East Indian population, including persons of East Indian descent born in the Colony, was estimated at 103,000. Of these, something under 12,000 would be serving under indentures. I cannot give the number of persons of European descent, since the census returns do not make this distinction. No complaints by indentured labourers of the wages received by them have been notified to the Secretary of State.

I would like to ask whether the prosperity of the island does not depend in a very large measure upon the treatment of indentured labourers?

That is a matter of opinion. I understand my hon. Friend is going to give evidence before the Royal Commission on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any information as to the intention of the Danish Government to propose a conference of representatives of certain countries to discuss the question of alien criminals in those countries and the cost of their maintenance, with a view either to an exchange of such prisoners or to an arrangement by which the country of origin of a criminal convicted elsewhere would become responsible for the cost of maintaining such a criminal; and whether this country, if invited, will take part in the conference contemplated by the Danish Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. While His Majesty's Government are anxious to assist in making arrangements for the return of criminals to their country of origin, it is impossible to say whether His Majesty's Government would accept such an invitation until it is received and the exact nature of the proposals to be discussed is known.

I desire to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the Shah of Persia has received a loan of money from Germany; if so, what is the amount of the loan; whether the money has been advanced by the German Government or by private persons; and, in either case, upon what security?

I have received no information to this effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any official information to the effect that the Shah's Government has received a loan through the German bank in Teheran; and whether the anti-Royal party has laid an embargo on the Customs at Bushire, which are assigned as a guarantee for the interest on the British loan?

As regards the first part of the question, I have no official information to this effect. As regards the second point, I have not heard that any embargo has been laid on the Customs at Bushire, though it is a fact that the administration of the Customs has been taken over from the Shah's officials by the Nationalist party. Steps are being taken to secure the continuance of the payments due in respect of British loans out of the proceeds of the Bushire Customs.

Will the hon. Member state whether the Declaration of the Naval Conference recently signed by the plenipotentiary appointed by the Government requires further ratification by the Government; and whether it is proposed to give such ratification?

The answer to the first question is contained in the Declaration itself. If the hon. Member will read Article 67 he will see that ratification is required. The question of ratification by this country is under consideration.

I understand that actual ratification has not been given.

No, Sir.

Is it not a fact that ratification is not necessary, and the matter is still open?

Yes, that is so. The matter is still open.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, under the terms of the declaration of the Naval Conference, foodstuffs consigned to German or French Army contractors resident in Antwerp or other neutral ports, and admittedly destined for the armed forces of those countries, would in time of war be immune from capture?

If the hon. Member will read article 35 of the Declaration, he will see that articles of conditional contraband may not, there-under, be seized if consigned to a neutral port.

May I ask the hon. Member to state whether goods consigned to German or French Army contractors resident in Antwerp would in time of war be immune from capture?

I think it would be more advantageous if the hon. Member would give notice of complicated questions of that kind.

My supplementary question is the same as the latter part of the question which stands on the Paper.

If it is the question standing on the Paper, then it has been answered.

I will put down my question again for another day, because it has not been answered.

Will the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) state whether, seeing from Irish statistics that money lending is one of the most flourishing industries in Ireland, and that the prosperity of banks is often in inverse ratio to that of the people for whom they cater, lie has considered the possibility of developing and extending throughout the whole country any system of co-operative credit societies or land banks whereby much of the money now wasted in interest could be saved to the people for their immediate benefit, and Irish capitalists would be gradually induced to transfer their investments from foreign to Irish projects?

The Department are fully alive to the advantages of co-operative credit societies, and they have had for some time a scheme in operation under which they give loans to such societies in suitable cases. The revision of this scheme is at present under consideration.

asked the Attorney General for Ireland, whether, in practice, judicial tenants and non-judicial who have signed purchase agreements but have not received their vesting orders are allowed, the former at the expiry of the current judicial term and the latter at any time before receipt of the vesting order, to have a fair rent judicially fixed?

As a matter of practice, I am informed by the Land Commission that cases such as are mentioned in the question are adjourned pending the completion of the sale. If for any reason the negotiations for sale fall through, the rent is fixed on the application, and the order relates back to the date when the originating notice was served, so that the tenant suffers no loss by the adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the sale of copyright photographs of the workshops and convicts of Portland prison; and what steps he proposes to take to stop those who, against orders, allowed such photographs to be taken?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for having called my attention to this matter. The sale of these photographs is, in my opinion, most reprehensible, and involves a gross breach of faith which, I hope, has now been put a stop to. Steps will be taken to render not only the sale, but the taking of such photographs impossible in future.

I wish to ask the Secretary of State whether his attention has been drawn to the number of newly arrived aliens who present themselves at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital for treatment for long-standing trachoma, and to the fact that as many as 90 per cent, of the sufferers from this disease during the six months with which the last report of the hospital dealt were aliens, and to the chairman's recommendation that aliens who had contracted this disease should be prevented from landing in this country; and whether, in view of the fact that this disease was being introduced into this country on an extensive scale by aliens who have not submitted themselves to an inspection at an immigration port, he will consider the expediency of lowering the number of alien immigrants who can be carried in a non-immigrant ship, at all events as concerned vessels bringing aliens to the port of London?

I understand that the statement mentioned in the first part of the question was made by the chairman of the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital at the recent annual general meeting of the governors. Without altogether accepting as correct the further statement made by the hon. Member, I may say that I have the point under my observation, and that I am asking for further and more exact information as regards the general statements contained in the question.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he can state the amount of industrial and reformatory schools fees collected last year in the city of Liverpool, together with the cost of collecting the same, and the amount of arrears outstanding against individuals?

The amount of parental contributions towards the cost of maintenance of youthful offenders and children in reformatory and industrial schools collected in the city of Liverpool in 1908 was £2,157; and the amount spent in connection with the collection of these contributions was £315. The amount of arrears outstanding against individuals could not be 'stated without a detailed examination of the numerous cases, which would involve the expenditure of considerable time and labour.

I desire to ask the Lord Advocate if he will state the number of uncertified deaths in each of the Highland crofting counties during each of the last five years?

I have obtained the information desired by my hon. Friend, but as the statement of the numbers is lengthy it will he circulated with the Votes.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the very small number of new holdings created in the island of Lewis out of the funds of the Congested Districts Board, will arrangements be made for a portion of the Board's funds to be utilised for that purpose during the present year?

The needs of Lewis are under the consideration of the Congested Districts Board, but I have no statement to make upon the subject at present.

I hope some of the money will be spent in that island, and not the whole of it in one county.

The subject is under consideration.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that although a widow residing at Ardgay, Ross-shire, was granted an old age pension by the local pension committee, this decision has been overruled by the Local Government Board for Scotland, who have held this widow to be disqualified, on the ground that she had received assistance from the parish council since 1st January, 1908, in the form of a free house; but, seeing that the local authority are still utilising for her support money left to her by her brother prior to the date named, will the Local Government Board reconsider their decision?

As this case was presented to the Board there was nothing to show that the parish council were administering the small legacy left to the claimant. If the claimant lodges a fresh claim and it can be shown that the parish council in administering the claimant's fund have taken account of and charged against the legacy the rent of the house which they have allowed her to occupy, the Hoard, if an appeal be taken, will be prepared to reconsider their decision.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could state if underground telephone lines were as efficient as those above ground for long-distance conversations?

The answer is emphatically in the negative. The transmission of speech over underground telephone lines is much less efficient than when overhead lines are used, and speech over underground cable becomes practically inaudible at a very moderate distance.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that no provision was made for holidays in the case of appointments to sub-postmaster-ships, he could see his way, by the establishment of a system of relief or otherwise, to furnish these public servants with some period of holiday in the year?

The Select Committee on Post Office Servants definitely stated that they did not recommend that an annual leave substitute for sub-postmasters should be provided at the public expense.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that the recent Parliamentary Committee recommended that rural telegraph sub-offices should have shorter hours on bank holidays; and whether he would give instructions that the staff of the rural telegraph sub-offices in the North of Ireland be granted a half-holiday on Easter Monday next?

The Parliamentary Committee recommended that attendance on bank holidays should be restricted as far as possible. The question how far it is possible to restrict hours at country telegraph offices without grave public inconvenience is engaging my attention. Offices must be considered individually, with regard to the amount of telegraph business they do, and I cannot, therefore, issue any such general instruction as my hon. Friend refers to.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the rural post offices in the North of Ireland are not very busy on this particular day, and will he therefore give special facilities for a holiday?

Each will be treated individually. I will examine the whole question, and see how far the matter can be arranged.

There would be great difficulty in treating each of these small offices individually. Would not the right hon. Gentleman grant the small privilege of a half-holiday, which is very much desired?

There would be still more difficulty in treating them in the aggregate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that deliberate attempts to promote the sale of alcoholic liquors in refreshment bars in the district offices of London were being organised by a firm of London brewers; and, if so, what action he proposed to take?

The refreshment rooms at the London district offices are managed by committees of the staff employed at those offices. Travellers no doubt wait upon the representatives of such committees to induce them to deal with their firms, but I am not aware that undue influence has been brought to bear upon them by London brewers with the view of securing orders.

asked whether the contract for the Rosyth works, which gave the contractors the option of using Norwegian granite, contained a clause empowering the Government to cancel such option in case the experiments which were being made into the respective merits of British and Norwegian granite demonstrated that the British article was superior to the foreign?

The Admiralty have had careful inquiry made as regards the relative suitability of British and foreign granite for use in dock construction, and they are quite satisfied that suitable granite can be obtained from abroad. Granite of an adequate quality is stipulated for in the Rosyth specification, and the Admiralty will see that the quality supplied comes up to the specification. The contractors have not yet submitted for approval samples of the granite they propose to use. Under the conditions of the contract the Admiralty can reject any that is inferior to specification.

asked whether the same arrangements could be made with regard to pay for the Fleet Reserve as in the case of Territorials, viz., the difference between the day-work rate of pay, which they lost while training, and the service allowance?

The Royal Fleet Reserve is composed of men who have served in the Royal Navy, and who join this Reserve with the obligation to perform certain service for which they receive certain advantages. There is no analogy between the Royal Fleet Reserve and the Territorial Army. The men of the Reserve receive pay at naval rates when up for drill, and no reason is seen for incurring the expense of such an arrangement as is suggested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether, having regard to the new Fair Wages Resolution, he would obtain from the trade unions and employers in the pottery trades a schedule of wages for the different classes of workpeople accepted as fair; and, after consideration, would he insert in the forms of tender to be signed by the pottery manufacturers obtaining contracts with his Department a statement of the wages they would be required to pay?

I must refer the hon. Member to my printed reply of the 15th March to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Wycombe Division, in which I pointed out in respect of another industry that the policy advocated in the question is one of the methods recommended by the Fair Wages Committee which will receive consideration in special cases, but is not specified in the Fair Wages Resolution of the House. I further pointed out that it is not desirable that the Department should pledge itself to a special course of action in respect of one industry rather than another.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, whether, having regard to the new Fair Wages Resolution, he would obtain from the workers' trade unions and the employers in the pottery trades a schedule of wages for the different classes of workers accepted as fair; and, after considering the same, would he insert in the forms of tender to be signed by pottery manufacturers obtaining contracts with his Department a statement of the wages they would be required to pay?

The matter referred to in the hon. Member's question is one which might be considered by the Advisory Committee, which I hope will be immediately appointed in accordance with the Postmaster-General's promise during the debate in this House, and I will take care that the matter is submitted to them.

asked what number of sailors of all grades were discharged or left the Navy during 1908; how many of those leaving had performed over 12 years' service and received a pension; and how many joined the Reserve.

The answer to the first part of the question is 8,519, to the second 817, and to the third 1,579.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state how many, if any, capital ships and cruisers were being built in Germany for Foreign Powers?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Droitwich Division on 25th March.

asked how many "Dreadnoughts," or vessels approximating to the "Dreadnought" type, Austria will possess in 1912, 1913, and 1914?

According to the Minister of Marine's statement the construction of three "Dreadnought" battleships is under consideration, but we have no official information that any decision has yet been arrived at on this point.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, whether Messrs. Slack and Brownlow, of Abbey Hey Pottery, Gorton, Manchester, were Government contractors; if so, whether they had agreed to observe the usual conditions as to wages and working conditions; and if he could say whether trade unionists were allowed to work for this firm?

My Department has no contract with this firm.

asked how many aliens hold certificates as pilots for ports in the United Kingdom; and how many such certificates had been issued to aliens in respect of each port to which such certificates applied?

The number of pilotage certificates now in force enabling alien masters and mates to pilot their own vessels in British pilotage districts is 65, the number in each district being as follows:—

asked whether the result of the North Sea fisheries investigations had enabled the Government to form an opinion as to the injurious effects of trawling on inshore fishing beds; and, if so, would the Secretary for Scotland consider the expediency of recommending the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to call a conference of European Powers interested, for the purpose of determining what waters should be entirely closed against trawlers?

No special report has been received from the International Council on the effects of trawling in inshore waters, but the Government adheres to the policy of closing those waters to trawlers. While hoping that the present investigations will lead to international agreement my Noble Friend does not consider the present moment opportune for suggesting a new conference.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the proprietor of the island of Lewis had informed the cottars of South Shabost that he was willing to place the sheep farm of Dalbeg at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board for the creation of new holdings, would he state for what reasons the Board had failed to communicate with the proprietor on the subject, especially bearing in mind that the neglect of the land question by the Government was causing much dissatisfaction in the island, and that some action should be taken in order to obviate the risk of land seizures similar to those which had recently taken place at Vatersay and the farm of Glendale?

It is not the fact that the Congested Districts Board have failed to communicate with the proprietor of the Island of Lewis on the subject mentioned by my hon. Friend. I cannot admit that the Government are neglecting either the land question in general or the particular suggestion referred to by my hon. Friend, which is receiving full consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Secretary for Scotland to communicate with the proprietor, as the matter is a very serious one?

We have done so.

asked whether the Government intended to endeavour to pass the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill through the House of Lords during the present Parliament; and, if not, would the Secretary for Scotland introduce during the present Session a short Amendment of The Crofters Act, 1886, especially bearing in mind the demand for land in the Highland crofting counties?

The Government certainly retain their discretion to do so; but I have no statement to make upon the subject at the present time. There is no intention of adopting the alternative suggested by my hon. Friend in the latter part of his question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the Secretary for Scotland the need of doing something of this kind, seeing that Lord Lansdowne, in another place, on 20th August, 1907, said: "We desire—"

Quotations are not permitted in questions.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention had been called to the fact that a Scotch student attending a Scotch training college was permitted to represent the circumstances of his case to the training college authorities with the object of securing a bursar allowance or the remission of fees, whereas an English student admitted to a Scotch training college in which there was room for his reception was denied the same privilege, notwithstanding that the Imperial grant was paid alike to the training college authori- ties upon both classes of students; and, if so, would he take such steps as were necessary to secure equality of opportunity for all students?

It is not the case that a student from England is precluded from representing the circumstances of his case to the training college authorities with the object of securing a maintenance allowance, and, in point of fact, such allowances have been given to students from England. But the Department is of opinion that the funds of training college authorities in Scotland should not be used for the purpose of attracting by means of allowances, students from England, so long as any Scotch students would be thereby excluded.

asked whether the Government would consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill to establish a separate Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, with a Vice-President with a seat in Parliament, and a land authority with power to create new holdings?

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. But the Government have no announcement to make upon this subject at present.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention had been directed to the declared intention of the proprietor not to renew the leases of four farms on the Ardkinglas estate (Loch Fyne), employing 12 men each, and to turn these farms into a deer forest; and whether it was the intention of the Government to endeavour to stop such expropriations by re-introducing the Scottish Small Landholders Bill, or similar legislation?

The Government have no information on this subject at present, and I fear that the mere introduction of legislation would not have the effect desired by my hon. Friend.

Is it the intention of the Government to allow deer forests to increase instead of staying their growth?

We cannot help it.

Do you try to?

asked what amount had been already allocated to the Glasgow distress committee out of the grant for the relief of the unemployed for the current year; was the total amount of that grant to be allocated; and, if not, what was the amount of the balance which was not to be allocated, and how was that balance to be disposed of?

Glasgow has already received' £24,200. I am informed that there is a small balance of the grant unallocated, and that it will probably be surrendered.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know what the amount is?

I cannot say at this moment; it depends on an allocation still to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in how many cases the masters of British-owned vessels trading regularly between ports in this country and ports on the Continent are aliens?

Statistics in the precise form asked for by the hon. Member are not available, but the latest Census Return issued by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen shows that 764 masters were employed, on the 4th April, 1906, in British vessels trading between this country and ports on the Continent between the River Elbe and Brest, inclusive, and that of these 11, or about 1·4 per cent., were foreigners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, with reference to the admission of the board of directors of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of Ireland that they have recently ceased paying pensions to former aged employés, whether they have done so because of the persons affected having availed themselves of the Old Age Pensions Act; whether he will give particulars of the circular to the terms of which the directors refer in justification of their statement that the pensions granted by the company in question were given at the pleasure of the company and that the arrangement regarding pensions is liable to modification at any time; whether the employeés of the company have earned their pensions either directly by making contributions to a pension fund or by accepting lower wages than they would have received if there had been no question of pensions; and whether he will make a searching inquiry into the treatment by this company of their former aged employés?

I understand from a letter from the company, of which I have sent the hon. Member a copy, that in a few cases the pensions have been stopped pending inquiries, but I am not aware of the grounds on which such action was taken. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the company's circular to which he refers, which shows the circumstances in which the pensions are granted and the conditions attached to their grant. As the grant of the pensions is a purely voluntary action on the part of the company, I see no useful purpose in instituting an inquiry into the matter, and in this connection I would refer to a reply given to the hon. Member for Cavan West in this House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 21st December last, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

The hon. Gentleman has referred to a letter of which he has sent me a copy. Is that a second letter received within the last week? In answer to a previous question, the President of the Board of Trade stated that he would send me a copy of a letter, but he did not send it.

Yes, Sir, I think it is a different letter.

Does this letter of which he has sent me a copy state that the company has stopped paying pensions?

The hon. Member will see that when he gets the letter.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that the stopping of the payment of pensions by the company is owing to the old age pensions scheme of last year having been passed by this House?

I am not able to answer that. I am unaware of the ground on which the action was taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the date on which the buoy was moored off Ballyquinton Point, county Down, and the number of times it has been taken away by the Irish Lights Commissioners to be repaired?

Before the hon. Gentleman answers the question perhaps he will also state whether the point chosen for the placing of buoy was chosen after the Commissioners had consulted the local fishermen and pilots and the captains of vessels plying on the coast?

In answer to the supplementary question, I have to say that I believe the choosing of the place was done after consultation.

No.

That is my information. In reply to the question on the Paper, I have to state that I am communicating with the Commissioners of Irish Lights in regard to this and the hon. Member's six other questions affecting the Commissioners, and I will let the hon. Member have the information he desires as soon as I can. That reply will also cover the answer I have to give to the other questions the hon. Member has on the Paper.

May I ask whether it is a fact that, for three years, I have been putting down these questions, and whether it is not a fact that it would be possible to obtain the information earlier?

May I ask whether the Irish Lights Commissioners are, in the main, Tories in politics?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Patriotic Commissioners have issued orders reducing the Commissioner's pensions to aged veterans and their relatives where such have become entitled to a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908; and, if so, can he state the amount of the reductions and the terms of the orders?

With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the answer, which is a long one, with the Votes. I am Informed that the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation does not, as is suggested in the question of the hon. Member, issue pensions to aged veterans. Seven survivors of those who took part in the charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava and two Army pensioners who took part in the Indian Mutiny are in receipt of charitable allowances from certain special funds raised in connection with the Balaclava survivors and the Indian Mutiny, but these allowances have not in any way been affected by old age pensions, for which these veterans are disqualified by their incomes. The Corporation, under Patriotic Fund Reorganisation Act, 1903, administers a number of special funds raised by public subscription for the benefit of widows whose husbands lost their lives in certain wars and naval disasters. The widows on such funds receive charitable allowances on a scale which precludes their being eligible for old age pensions. The Corporation administers a fund known as the Patriotic General Fund, from which charitable assistance has been granted to aged widows of sailors and soldiers who had given good service in war, and whose husband's deaths took place long after their discharge from the Navy and Army. The Corporation, for want of funds, being only able to an admittedly limited extent to render this service, it was decided that such widows should be required to apply for old age pensions. No widow, however, has suffered any loss of means of existence by this action, any widow in receipt of a higher allowance than the old age pension of 5s. a week having a supplementary allowance issued to her to bring up her means with the old age pension to the same rate as the charitable allowance made from the Patriotic General Fund up to 31st December, 1908. These allowances are not pensions, but are purely charitable allowances.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in the case of a purchasing tenant applying for a loan to the Board of Works for the erection of hay-barns, etc., the Board requires to be furnished with information as to the amount of the running gale due at the time of purchasing, the difference between the annuity and the old rent, the number of years that elapsed between the date of signing the purchase agreement and the date on which application is made for the loan; and whether he is aware that, if the difference between the annuity and the old rent multiplied by the number of years that elapsed between the signing of the agreement and the date of application and added to the running gale exceed one year's rent, the application is thrown out; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am obliged to the hon. Member for calling attention to the question. The Board of Works have recommended that the liability of the tenant for the difference between rent and interest upon purchase money, contingent on the purchase of his lands not being approved by the Land Commission, should not be by itself considered as a reason for postponing a loan when the question of arrears of rent is being examined; and the Treasury have agreed that the present procedure should be altered to this extent.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division as representing the Charity Commissioners whether his attention has been called to the enclosure of the village green at Redenham, in the county of Hants; and what action they propose to take to protect the rights of the public in this matter?

The Commissioners have made inquiries with respect to the village green, but so far as they have ascertained it does not appear to be subject to any charitable trust. If the hon. Member can furnish the Commissioners with primâ facie evidence of a right of user by the inhabitants they will direct a local inquiry to be held by an Assistant Commissioner.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board of Agriculture has received a Report on the working of the Small Holdings Act in Sutton, Haddenham, Witchford, and Stretham, in the isle of Ely; and what action the Board is taking in the matter?

One of our Inspectors recently visited the parishes named to inquire into the position of affairs there. We are in communication with the county council on the subject, and I will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, how many appointments it is now intended to make to the small holdings staff; and whether he can say when these appointments are likely to be made?

An Assistant Commissioner, two Inspectors and two Special Commissioners have recently been appointed. It is proposed to appoint two additional Inspectors—one for Wales—and, if necessary, more Special Commissioners. The clerical staff has also been increased.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what branch of the Government service is paying for the cost of obtaining the census of the horses suitable for the Army; and what is the estimated cost of obtaining the census?

In the case of each census of horses suitable for Army purposes that is being made by a county association the cost will fall on Army funds. The, Board themselves are obtaining information as to the class and breed of horses kept on the land and the cost of this inquiry will be defrayed out of the provision made for the Census of Production Act, but it is being carried out in connection with a number of other inquiries, and its cost cannot be separately estimated.

May I ask whether the owners of agricultural horses are asked for returns, as well as the owners of other horses?

I believe so.

What course is to be pursued in Ireland, where there are no associations?

I cannot tell you what is happening in Ireland.

Can you tell me to whom I should address the question?

The Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture in Ireland.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the Order preventing the importa- tion of animals from those portions of the United States of America infected with foot-and-mouth disease was withdrawn; and if all the States have now been declared free.

The Board's Order of 28th November last prohibiting the importation of animals from the States of Maryland and Delaware was withdrawn on the 24th instant. The Order affecting the States of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey is still in operation.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he hopes to introduce this Session a Bill to amend the Superannuation Act relating to the pensions of civil servants.

I hope to introduce the Bill at an early date.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if a number of old men in Ireland to whom pensions had been granted have recently been deprived of those pensions on the grounds that they had misstated their age; and if any disqualifications which had occurred were due to the fact that instructions had been given to pension officers to rely solely on the census returns as evidence of age when birth certificates could not be obtained '?

A certain number of old age pensioners in Ireland have been disqualified for the reason stated in the first part of the question. In the absence of other satisfactory documentary evidence of age, there has been no alternative but to fall back upon the census returns, and instructions have been given to pension officers accordingly.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether these disqualifications have been made in each case by the pensions committee?

It is really impossible for me to say where there are a great many what has been done in a particular case without notice.

Is it not the practice to refer the matter back to the pensions committee?

I understand that is so.

Has this disqualification been made in each case by the pensions committee?

It is impossible for me to say what has been done in any particular case in a great number of cases.

Has any single pension been rescinded?

I did not catch the hon. and learned Gentleman's question.

As a matter of fact has any single pension granted in Ireland been taken away, and, if so, has it been done by the machinery of referring it back to the pensions committee and a reference to the Local Government Board?

If the hon. And learned Gentleman will put the question on the Paper, I will answer it.

On what evidence, other than birth certificates, are old age pensions granted? The hon. Gentleman says there is no evidence except the census returns, but there must have been other evidence, otherwise the pensions would not have been granted originally.

In cases where there was no other evidence the officers had to fall back upon the census returns as some evidence.

That was not the only evidence.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Local Government said that in one case the only evidence of birth was a sampler?

I am not.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what evidence is required in cases where there is no record in the census returns?

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the allowances made to officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary for the maintenance of servants are exempted from liability to income tax; and whether this practice has the sanction of Statute and the approval of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue?

Payment of income tax on these allowances has been waived since they were first granted, and my right hon. Friend does not think there is ground for modifying the existing practice.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these exemptions are expressly contrary to the statute?

I am not aware of that.

Under what section are allowances made to officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary for the maintenance exempted from liability to income tax?

I understand that it has been the practice. I cannot say under what particular section the exemptions are made, but there is no intention to abandon the usual practice.

Is not this practice a direct contravention of the statute? Has the Treasury the right to overrule the statute?

There are several cases where the Treasury practice has overruled the statute.

Can the hon. Gentleman say in what other cases have the Treasury been allowed to overrule the statute except in the case of the officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary?

There are several other cases.

Is the House to understand that the Treasury regard themselves as above the law?

I do not know who started this practice, whether by a Government of my political Friends or not or by a Government supported by the hon. Gentleman. The practice, I may say, has been a long-established one.

What other taxation in Ireland is the hon. Gentleman prepared to reduce?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any action in compliance with the memorial lodged with them on behalf of congests and landless people in the parish of Streete, Westmeath, asking them to purchase for distribution the evicted and non-residential grass land of Kilmore, the tenant of which had agreed to sell his interest, and the present landlord of which is Colonel Kavanagh; whether the latter has consented to sell his interest; and, if so, what stage the project has reached?

The Estates Commissioners have received the memorial referred to but up to the present the owner has not instituted proceedings before them for the sale of the estate.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can arrange between the Estates Commissioners and the Local Government Board that whenever untenanted land is being distributed the district council of the district in which it is situated shall be offered a portion, to enable labourers in cottages to keep cows for the supply of milk for their families?

The Estates Commissioners are advised that, having regard to the provisions of sections 19 and 20 of the Labourers' (Ireland) Act, 1906, they have no power to make an advance to a rural district council for the purchase of a parcel of land to be used for the purposes referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the non-attendance of magistrates, there has been no Petty Sessions Court held in Ballymore, county Westmeath, since November last; that a number of poor litigants have been put to inconvenience and expense thereby, some of them having attended with solicitors three or four times; and if he will take steps to provide for the more regular attendance of a bench of magistrates at this place in the future?

A Court of Petty Sessions was held at Ballymore on 27th November last, at which all the cases listed for hearing were disposed of No Court was held in December, as the fixed date fell on Christmas Day. In February a Court was held, but some of the cases had to be adjourned, as there was only one magistrate adjudicating. The Courts for January and March fell through owing to the non-attendance of any magistrate. The magistrates will be asked to consent to a slight alteration in regard to the date, which would enable the resident magistrate to attend this Court regularly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a man named Stephen Quinn, of Urachy-Aughrim, county Galway, was arrested by Constables Lenehan and Reynolds, of Loughrea, and charged with assault, and that Quinn was handcuffed to the back rail of the car and taken to Loughrea, about 13 miles distant, and arrived there at 3 a.m.; and, seeing that the magistrates at petty sessions, including two resident magistrates, unanimously condemned the action of the constables as unwarrantable and unnecessary and hoped the matter would not be let drop, will he state what action has since been taken in reference to this matter?

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that the two constables when returning from Ballinasloe to Loughrea on the night of the 5th instant, met Quinn and another man, who threw stones at them, some of which struck the car. The police arrested Quinn, and brought him on the car to Loughrea. Fearing a rescue they handcuffed him to the rail of the car during the journey. Quinn was prosecuted at Ballinasloe Petty Sessions and fined 10s. and costs for assaulting the police. A counter-charge of common assault brought by Quinn against the police was dismissed on the merits. The bench were unanimously of opinion that Quinn should not have been handcuffed to the rail of the car. The facts were fully reported to the Inspector-General, who considered that the constables had acted improperly, and they have been warned against acting in such a way again.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a magistrate of three years' standing is entitled to vote at an election of petty sessions clerk unless he has four attendances for each of the three years, or resident in the petty sessions district; and whether Edward S. Tenner, agent to Lord Clanricarde, was qualified to vote recently at Woodford, county Galway, being non-resident, and also not having any attendance for two of the preceding three years?

The qualification to vote at the election of a clerk of petty sessions is as stated by the hon. Member. The vote of the gentleman mentioned was disallowed on the ground referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the estate of George Smyth O'Connor, in the county of Roscommon, has been sold to the tenants or to the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether the farm known as Rathconnor, forming portion of this estate, is included in the sale to the Commissioners for the purpose of having it distributed among the occupiers of uneconomic holdings?

This estate has not been sold to the Estates Commissioners, but the owner has entered into purchase agreements under the Act of 1903 for the sale to the tenants of their holdings which lie in the townland of Rathconnor and adjoining townlands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the application of Martin Owens, of Ballykilleen, near Cloonfad, in the county of Roscommon, for a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act has been rejected on the ground that he was convicted at Ballinlough petty sessions on the 20th December, 1901, and sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment without the option of a fine, which decision was confirmed by the Court of King's Bench on 3rd February, 1902; whether he is aware that the conviction in question was not at petty sessions, but at a special court under the Crimes Act, for the repeal of which a large majority of this House has voted; whether the circumstance of the crime and conviction were political; and whether, in view of all the facts of the case, this conviction by an exceptional court and under an exceptional law will be permitted to stand in the way of this man, otherwise highly qualified and deserving, receiving a pension?

This claim was rejected by the Local Government Board as it was admitted that Owens had been sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine. The Local Government Board could come to no other decision, as the Act gives them no discretion in any circumstances to waive the express requirements on this point.

Are we to understand, therefore, that the fact that a man has been convicted under the Coercion Act is a disqualification for him receiving an old age pension?

That is an interpretation put upon the Act by those who are acquainted with the law.

Will the right hon. Gentleman amend the Act in view of his own expression of opinion on the Coercion Act and the opinions of the Government?

I think that I have got enough legislation on my hands already.

What was the evidence on which the man received this sentence?

I do not know.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

I will if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the offence of which this man was convicted was a charge of attending an unlawful assembly which was pronounced by the Lord Chief Baron not to be an unlawful assembly at all?

The Chief Secretary says that he does not know.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money has been allocated to Wales as prizes for horses suitable for Army purposes?

The amount to be allocated to Wales depends upon the applications received and the recommendations of the local military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any saving would accrue from removing the present garrison from South Africa or from reducing its strength unless the British Army were simultaneously reduced by the number of men forming the said garrison, or by the number of men by which it was reduced?

The reply to my hon. Friend's question is that it probably costs more to maintain the same number of men in South Africa than at home.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether any, and, if so, what, places have been selected for cavalry depots in Wales; and whether the exceptional claims of Welshpool in this behalf are receiving due consideration?

The stations for cavalry depots have not been finally settled. The comparative advantages of particular places will be fully considered by the Army Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the new Fair Wages Resolution, he will obtain from the tirades union and employers in the pottery trades a schedule of wages for the different classes of workpeople accepted as fair; and will he insert in the forms of tender to be signed by the pottery manufacturers obtaining contracts with his Department a statement of the wages they will have to pay?

The suggestion of the hon. Member goes beyond the terms of the Resolution of the 10th instant and involves the fixing of schedules of wages by the War Office. This is not contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for War what number of rifles have been ordered from the Birmingham Small Arms Company for the year ending 31st March, 1910; and what percentage do the orders placed with this company bear to the total orders given out to private contractors?

The orders for the year ending 31st March, 1910, have not yet been placed.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will have an inquiry instituted to acquire data which would give an accurate idea of the numbers and composition of the unemployed and the duration of their unemployment, in view of the opinion expressed in the Majority Report of the Poor Law Commission that the ascertainment of the particulars is essential to the successful treatment of distress from unemployment?

I am well aware of the importance of the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but I understand that no feasible plan for conducting such an inquiry with any prospect of success has yet been suggested. I shall be happy to consider at any time any positive suggestions that the hon. Member may have to offer.

asked the Prime Minister when the First Reading of the Established Church (Wales) Bill will be taken?

It is impossible to make any statement at present.

I desire, Mr. Speaker, to ask you a question with reference to the conduct of public business in this House. I desire to know whether there is any remedy, or any means, whereby the occurrence of yesterday may not be repeated when in the middle of a speech, on a matter of primary importance, by a Cabinet Minister. This House had its business simply stopped by the intervention, and the invasion of Black Rod. These interventions have been frequently the subject of complaint and protest in this House. Mr. Labouchere, so far back as 1891, protested to Mr. Speaker Peel against the interruption of public business, and Mr. Speaker Peel said he would do his best, and did so make arrangements with the authorities of the House of Lords to have these interventions of Black Rod at intervals, and times, as convenient as possible. Since the present Parliament interventions have been at most inconvenient times. Intervention stopped business in 1907, when the question of Irish education was under debate, but yesterday was really the climax of it all. What I ask you to do is this: I feel, and know, that the authorities of the House of Lords and the authorities of the House of Commons do their best to prevent it, but public business, every moment of which is important, will be subject to this serious interruption unless some stop be put to the matter once and for all. May I suggest it could be done in one of two ways. A message from the Crown, or from the Lords Commissioners, for the Assent to Bills, to this House, constitutes in itself a quorum, and when the Commission has formed notice could be sent to this House and the House could meet at a time when public business is not on, as it frequently meets at Prorogation. That is one way. Another would be that inasmuch as this act of the Royal Assent is, in reality, merely a notification of Assent already given by the Crown, it could easily be arranged that the notification could be given by proclamation, as has been done in the case of Prorogation. I hope you will excuse me bringing this matter under your notice, but I know you have always taken the greatest interest in making public convenience the first object in this House.

The hon. Member has spoken to me about this matter privately, and I suggested to him that he himself should suggest the time at which he thinks this House and the other House should meet to hear the Royal Assent. If he can make any valuable suggestion I will forward it to the Lord Chancellor, and I am sure the Lord Chancellor will fall in with his view if possible. I am afraid the hon. Member will find it quite impossible to fix a more convenient time than that fixed yesterday—namely, a quarter to 4. It so happened that yesterday questions numbered 60 or so, and for one reason or another they were over at a very early hour. As a rule, questions continue until a quarter to 4, and the moment would have been in ordinary days an extremely opportune one for a short break to carry through what I am sure the hon. Member will consider a very important part of the public business—namely, listening to> the Royal Assent to Acts of Parliament.