asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the protests of Irish local governing bodies against liability for arrears of annuities under the Land Act of 1903; and, seeing that the annuities in default comprise arrears of nominal rents which have never been regularly paid, and are in the nature of bad debts, whether he will endeavour, in connection with any amending legislation, to have the rates relieved of this liability?

There is no intention of relieving the Guarantee Fund of charges in connection with arrears of annuities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the encouragement given by the Imperial Parliament in the past to the emigration of healthy people from Ireland, the exclusion of the feeble of mind and body from the United States of America, the consequent proportion dependent people in Ireland bear to the rest of the population, the opinion of the Financial Relations Commission, that on the foregoing grounds the entire support of the insane arid feeble-minded in Ireland should be made an Imperial charge, and the exceptional burden now being placed upon Irish ratepayers in connection with land purchase, whether there is any prospect of his being able to give effect to the said opinion of the Financial Relations Commission?

It is not intended to transfer the charge of the support of the insane and feeble-minded in Ireland to the Exchequer.

asked the 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 the pension officers accordingly.

asked the 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.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any official of the Treasury or of the Local Government Board has authority to cancel an old age pension which has been granted to an applicant; whether, in case it is impossible to find any properly authenticated record of the birth of an applicant or any reliable evidence of his age, or in case such record does not exist, a pension can be refused to an applicant who gives physical indications that he is beyond the age of 70 years; what is the procedure which must be followed to cancel a pension granted; and whether such cancellation will be authorised where no record of the age of the pensioner is available?

No official of the Treasury has any power to cancel a pension awarded to a claimant in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and the functions of the Local Government Board are confined to hearing and determining appeals brought in accordance with the Act and the regulations made there-under. The question whether a claimant satisfying the statutory condition as to age is one for the pension committee to determine subject to appeal to the Local Government Board, and the pension committee are, subject to such appeal, the judges of the sufficiency of the evidence tendered. The normal procedure for the cancellation of a pension is by question raised in accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the Act, and it rests with the committee, subject to apeal, to decide whether the absence of documentary evidence of age is in itself a sufficient reason for deciding the question adversely to the pensioner.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to transfer the telegraph at Cove from the post office to the railway station; and, if so, whether he will take into consideration the objections to such an arrangement?

The case is under consideration in Scotland. I will communicate with the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements, if any, have been made for the continuance of the coastal telephone service at the points where the 46 coastguard stations have been closed; and whether he is aware of the value of the service to the fishermen and mercantile marine in cases of stranding through fog or shipwreck?

At every place where there is a lifeboat or a life-saving apparatus station arrangements have been made for the continuance of the coast communication telephone service. Very often the telephone is placed in the coxswain's house. The value of this service to the shipping and fishing community is fully appreciated, and every opportunity is taken to improve and extend it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state what expenditure would have been involved if the Report of the Hobhouse Committee had been adopted in the case of the sub-engineers; and what saving is expected to be effected by the scheme which has been substituted?The hon. Member further asked (1) whether it is intended that qualified sub-engineers shall continue to perform second-class engineers' work at the lower salary of subengineers, or whether the appointments of all sub-engineers promoted will be dated as from 1st January, 1908, in accordance with the recommendations of the Hobhouse Committee? (2) Whether 63 out of 143 sub-engineers who sat at the examination recently held for second-class engineerships succeeded in satisfying the examiners; and, if so, seeing that the Hobhouse Committee recommended that all qualified sub-engineers, with three years' service and upwards, should automatically become second-class engineers, will he explain why only 10 additional appointments to the class of second-class engineers are provided for in the latest Estimates?

I will answer these questions together. The recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants as regards sub-engineers applied only to future entrants. As regards existing members of the class, I hope, as I have already explained to the sub-engineers, to be able to offer promotion at a comparatively early date to most of those with three years' service as sub-engineers who succeed, after a first or second attempt, in passing the Civil Service examination for the position of second-class engineer and who are otherwise qualified for promotion. Sixty-three sub-engineers have already passed the examination. Provision for the increased expenditure involved is made in the Post Office Estimates for this financial year, but not in detail, as the necessary additions to force have not yet been formally authorised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state how many British-Indians have been deported from the Transvaal for resistance to the registration laws of that Colony; whether practically the whole of the Indian population of the Colony were domiciled there in the time of the late Republic, and have since established their titles to be in the country; whether he is aware that the deportees include even British-Indians born in South Africa, and in some cases born in the Transvaal; and whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to determine such a condition of things?

I cannot say what the actual number of deportations has been, but it will be seen on reference to the Papers just laid before Parliament that 97 per cent., or more probably now, of the Asiatic residents in the Transvaal entitled to registration have actually been registered. With regard to the concluding part of the question I would refer to my reply to a question on the subject addressed to me the day before yesterday by the hon. Member for East Leeds.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the possibility of extending the system of continuous weekly payments which now obtains in regard to Home ships and naval establishments to all ships where money is paid weekly; and whether he is aware that some men now have to wait 16 days at the end of the quarter before receiving their money?

Directions were given in July last for the extension of the system of continuous weekly payments to all ships and establishments in which wages are paid weekly. So far as the Admiralty is aware, there are no cases in which men, whether paid weekly or monthly, have to wait for their money at the end of the quarter, nor should there be any.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that a number of labourers are being discharged from Deptford Victualling Yard, although, owing to the increase of work at this yard through the extra demands for stores owing to recent changes in victualling the fleets, the present staff of labourers em- ployed are unable to satisfactorily cope with the work; and, if so, what action he proposes to-take?

Additional men are entered in the early winter for seasonal work and are discharged when it is over; this is the reason for the discharges to which the hon. Member refers. The employment of labourers is regulated according to the work required to be done.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the desiccated vegetables used in the Royal Navy are chiefly of British or foreign origin?

No desiccated vegetables have been purchased for the Navy during the last few years. When purchases were made some years ago (between 1901 and 1904) they were largely of foreign origin, though one firm in England (the only one at that time known to the Admiralty as packers of suitable vegetables) secured more than half of the last large order, and substantial portions of previous orders.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the joiners employed fitting up the offices at Keyham dockyard are being paid at the rate of 28s. per week instead of at the proper rate of 31s. 6d.; and whether he will give instructions that these men must be paid at the proper rate, and that they be paid the difference between 28s. and 31s. 6d. for the number of weeks they have been paid at the former rate?

The rating of joiner does not exist in the Works Department. It was found necessary, in order to complete certain work at Keyham this financial year, to arrange for more carpenters to be temporarily employed. In preference to entering new men, carpenters then employed as labourers at 21s. per week were transferred at the rate of 28s. per week. This arrangement is purely temporary, and will not extend after 10th April.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Government proposes to consolidate the law regarding public health, so as to bring together in one Act the different enactments relating to this subject?

I appreciate the advantages there would be in consolidating the Public Health Acts, though it would probably be found necessary in the first instance to amend them in some respects. I shall be glad to take steps in the direction indicated when opportunity offers, but I do not think it will be practicable to deal with the matter during the present Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the protracted delay in repairing the roadway of Grange-road, Bermondsey, which was damaged by the sewer explosion in December, 1908; whether he has communicated with the borough council on this subject; and, if so, can he state what has been the cause of this delay?

My attention has not been previously called to any alleged delay in repairing this road; but I will make inquiry on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the case of a recipient of an old age pension entering a Poor Law infirmary for a curable ailment, the pension lapses during his residence in the infirmary; or whether, if not paid to the individual himself, it is paid to the treasurer of the union concerned?

Provided that the circumstances are not such as to disqualify the pensioner for continuing to receive the pension, the pension continues payable to the pensioner himself. If he is incapable from physical infirmity of attending at the post office in person he may in accordance with the regulations authorise another person to collect it on his behalf. Such authority can, if the pensioner thinks fit, be given by him to the treasurer of the union concerned, who would in that case be entitled to act as the pensioner's agent for collecting the pension subject to the same conditions as are applicable to any other agent appointed by the pensioner.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state when it is proposed by the Estates Commissioners to inspect the Wandesforde Estate, county Kilkenny, prior to sanctioning the agreements entered into for the purchase of the holdings by the tenants; whether he is aware that a number of the tenants have petitioned the Commissioners for an inspection: before the sale is ratified; whether he is aware that any tenants on this property who have not signed the purchase agreement have requested the Estates Commissioners to inspect their farms before the sale is sanctioned; and whether such a course will be taken by the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate will not be inspected in its order of priority for some time. The communications referred to in the question have been received by the Commissioners, and will be duly considered when the estate is being dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, during last Session, a promise was given in this House that a Bill for the reform of the Irish Poor Laws would be introduced at the commencement of the present Session; whether he is aware that all classes in Ireland are in favour of immediate legislation on this subject, and that the findings of the Viceregal Commission are recommended as the basis of such legislation and, if so, whether he can explain the delay in introducing a Bill on the subject, seeing that it would pass as a non-contentious measure; and whether he will now take steps to have the Bill, which he promised, dealing with Irish Poor Law reform, introduced into the House?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend' the Prime Minister to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for East Down on 22nd February.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say if negotiations for the purchase of the Flood estate, Paulstown, county Kilkenny, have been yet completed; if the Estates Commissioners have acquired, or have taken steps to acquire, the untenanted land on this estate; and, if not, having regard to the large number of uneconomic holdings which; exists on this and neighbouring estates, he will recommend that the Estates Commissioners will take steps to acquire this land, which comprises about 200 acres, with a view to its distribution amongst persons who are entitled under section 2 of the Land Act of 1903 to portions thereof?

This estate is not pending for sale before the Estates Commissioners. If the owner institutes proceedings the property will be dealt with by the Commissioners in its order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that John Reynolds applied under the Labourers Acts for a cottage to be erected on the farm of Michael Quinn, in Lismore union; that Mr. Quinn gave his consent to its erection; that the only opposition came from Colonel Grove-White, who is in occupation of some lands in the vicinity, but resides many miles away in the county Cork; whether he will say for what reasons the inspector rejected the application of John Reynolds; and whether, seeing that John Reynolds is a married man with a wife and six children, and resides in a small house condemned as unsanitary, and is a bonâ fide agricultural labourer, and in view of such cases as this, he will give the right of appeal to the district council and the labourers concerned in the erection of cottages as well as to the opponents of the same?

I am informed that Colonel White opposed the erection of the cottage on the site proposed to be taken on Qumn's holding, with the consent of the latter. The inspector did not consider the site a suitable one, as it was opposite a public-house, and he reported to that effect to the local authority. The representation lodged on behalf of Reynolds was not on the ground of the unfitness of his house for human habitation, nor was any certificate of the local sanitary officer produced condemning it. It is doubtful, on his own evidence, whether he is a bonâ fide agricultural labourer. The question whether a right of appeal should be given to labourers in rejected cases was considered when the Labourers Bill of 1906 was before Parliament, and was decided in the negative

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that many of the senior, district and junior inspectors of national schools are constantly receiving objectionable letters from the National Education Office; that many of these letters are written by one or other of the two chief inspectors who are generally in the office, but signed in the ordinary course of business by one or other of the two secretaries who, however, never having been inspectors, find it oftentimes quite impossible to understand their contents; and whether, as several of these four officials are now over 60 years of age and so entitled to pensions, he will, in the interests of education, suggest to the Commissioners the desirability of having them retired?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that all letters written by the secretaries are issued by the authority, general or special, of the Board or the Resident Commissioner. The Commissioners are not aware that many of the inspectors receive objectionable letters from the National Education Office. Official letters are not written by the Chief Inspectors, and there is no ground for the allegation that the secretaries do not understand their own letters. Two of the four officials referred to in the question are over 60 years of age. The answer to the concluding part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland who is the person primarily responsible for the drawing up of the agenda for the various fortnightly meetings of the National Board; is this person at liberty to omit there from any matter which he does not wish to come to the knowledge of the 19 non-resident Commissioners; is he aware of the number of important matters that are thus being constantly reserved to the resident Commissioner to deal with afterwards, without any consultation whatever with the other members of the Board; and whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the most recent agenda paper issued?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the agenda paper for each meeting of the Board is prepared by the secretary in attendance, in accordance with regulations approved from time to time by the Board. The Secretary is not at liberty to omit matters which he does not wish to come before the Board, but the Resident Commissioner is empowered, when the Board is not assembled, to deal personally with certain matters connected with administration. The agenda papers are con- fidential, and it would not be in the public interest to lay them on the table of the House.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that, according to recognised Civil Service regulations, it is the immediate official superior that has to recommend or not to recommend the usual salary increments in the case of subordinate officers; that the immediate official superior of the district inspectors of national schools is the senior inspector of the circuit in which the particular district inspector happens to be stationed; whether he will say why, under these circumstances, it is the chief inspector who very seldom sees them, and not the senior inspector who is constantly in touch with them, that has, notwithstanding, to certify or not for increments in such cases; and why district inspectors are not definitely informed officially with regard to this matter, as also with regard to the particular circuit (of the 20 or so in Ireland) under the supervision of each of the two chief inspectors respectively?

Under the Order in Council of 29th November, 1898, an annual increment of salary cannot be allowed a person in the established Civil Service without a certificate from his immediate superior that such person's conduct during the year preceding the date of the certificate has been approved. For the purposes of the Order in Council the chief inspectors are recognised by the Commissioners of National Education as the immediate superiors of the inspectors generally, as they are personally acquainted with the members of the staff, and are in a position to certify as to their conduct and efficiency. The Commissioners inform me that the relations existing between the chief inspectors and the various members of the inspection staff are well understood by all concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst inspectors of national schools because of the manner in which they are being treated by a few of the higher officials in the National Education Office; that complaints on the part of the aggrieved inspectors only lead to further ill-treatment; that the 19 non-resident Commissioners know nothing about the complaints in question, because the higher officials (of whom the resident commissioner is the chief) will not bring them before the Board; and whether there is any likelihood of the Government being able at an early date to hold an inquiry into the working of the National Education Office?

The Commissioners of National Education are not aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst their inspectors generally from any cause. They inform me that there is no ground for the allegation that complaints lead to ill-treatment, or that they are withheld from the Board. The Irish Government is not aware of any necessity for holding an inquiry into the working of the National Education Office.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the captain of the Russian steamer "Mikhail," which arrived at Millwall Docks on the 22nd instant from Libau, in refusing to allow two Lettish political refugees from Mitau, named Johann Prande and Emilie Presscatt, to land; and whether he will have inquiry made into the matter?

I have made inquiry and find that two aliens were brought to this country in the ship named in the question. They were not ordinary passengers, but came as stowaways without the knowledge or consent of the master of the ship, and without the necessary authorisation. I am not aware that the master was under any obligation to land these aliens in this country; and I understand that his action in the matter was governed by his liabilities under Russian law. I may add that the landing was not prohibited under the Aliens Act, and that I have not jurisdiction in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state how many imbeciles and lunatics have escaped from public asylums in the United Kingdom since 1st January, 1909?

The Commissioners in Lunacy inform me that there have been 67 escapes from asylums in England and Wales this year. I am not in possession of the figures for Scotland and Ireland.

asked the Home Secretary if the Lunacy Commissioners are making special inquiry into the exercising of imbeciles and lunatics in public places; and if they have yet presented a report on the subject?

A Report from the Commissioners in Lunacy of an inquiry which they made at my request into the escapes of lunatics from the asylums in the neighbourhood of Epsom, and matters connected with the supervision of patients both within and beyond the asylum boundaries, was presented to Parliament on Monday last. This report gives also the views of the Commissioners, with which I concur, on the general question of exercising patients outside asylum boundaries.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the escape from Brookwood Asylum, near Woking, of a lunatic named Wickenden; if this man is of a violent disposition; if he will explain under what circumstances the escape took place, and who is to blame for the occurrence; and what steps are being taken to protect the public in the matter?

I have received a report in this case from the Commissioners in Lunacy. It appears that Wickenden escaped in the early hours of last Friday by picking the locks of two doors. He is stated to be suffering from chronic mania, but never to have assaulted anyone in the asylum. I have no information to show that blame attaches to anyone in the matter. The man was recaptured on the day after his escape.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Margaret Shrimpton, of Worthing; and, if so, whether the Home Office has yet come to any decision in the matter?

This case, which the police were suddenly called upon to investigate, was a very singular one, and the circumstances made it imperative that the police should make certain inquiries. The result of these inquiries was to make it perfectly clear that Miss Shrimpton was not the person of whom the police were in search. I much regret that she should have been put to trouble or annoyance, but after a personal and close examination of the facts I do not think that the police exceeded their duty, or that any further action on my part is called for.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total number of on licences for the sale of intoxicants in England and Wales respectively on 1st January, 1908, and 1st January, 1909?

The number of on licences on 1st January, 1908, was—in England 89,575, and Wales 5,942, total 95,517. The corresponding figures for 1st January, 1909, are estimated at 88,279 for England and 5,856 for Wales, total 94,135.

asked the Home Secretary whether a Committee of the Privy Council has been appointed to consider the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Baronetage and to advise His Majesty in relation thereto; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any such action in the matter, and when?

There is no suggestion of submitting the Report to a Committee of the Privy Council. I have submitted the recommendations of the Committee to His Majesty, and hope to be able to make an announcement very shortly.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what are the qualifications of the Mr. Love recently appointed outside farm steward at the model farm, Glasnevin; was he trained at the farm; and, if not, was there no candidate available who had been trained at the model farm?

Mr. Love, who was recently appointed outside farm steward at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin, received his practical training on the farm of Scarvahern, Castlederg, county Tyrone, and his technical training at the Department's winter classes in the same county, of which he was a distinguished student. There was no candidate available who had been trained at the college.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the new buildings occupied by the Education Office and the Local Government Board were designed for heating by means of open fires; whether, after the flues had been constructed, the Office of Works decided to have for most of the rooms a system of steam-heating; whether this was objected to by the Board of Education and the Local Government Board; whether it was condemned by the medical department of the Local Government Board on the ground that the ventilation would be bad; whether an expert was called in to report on the matter after the steam-heating had been installed in some of the rooms; whether he condemned the system on the ground of defective ventilation or on any ether ground; whether, notwithstanding this, the Office of Works retained the system; whether, since the rooms have been occupied, many of the officers have been ill in consequence; and, if so, what is proposed to be done in the matter?

The buildings referred to in the question were originally designed for heating by means of open fires; but, before they were completed, it was decided that a system of steam-heating should be employed. Objections were raised, but expert medical opinion was divided on this point. The system has been retained, and no complaint has reached me of an unusual amount of sickness in the office.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can state the amount which it is proposed to give the Edinburgh distress committee from the grant for the relief of the unemployed; can he explain the inequality between the sum given to Glasgow and that which is proposed for Edinburgh; whether he is aware that the expenditure on relief in Edinburgh has been much greater this winter than last winter, and that the Government grant bears no proportion to this increase of expenditure; and whether, seeing that Edinburgh has subscribed for the purpose of the Act more liberally than any other town, the Prime Minister's assurance will be fulfilled that local contributions are taken into account in distributing grants from the central fund.

I understand that the amount given to Edinburgh is £4,623, in addition to £2,750 already given in respect of the current local financial year, or £7,373 in all. The Government cannot admit any inequality of distribution as between different towns. The whole circumstances, including the apparent requirements of each locality, have been carefully considered, and the total amount available has been allocated accordingly. I gladly recognise, on behalf of the Government, the liberality with which local contributions have been made.