asked the Secretary of State for War if he can see his way so to increase the grants in aid of expenses incurred in conveying officers, men, regimental stores, and baggage to and from the annual camp, paragraph 648 of the Territorial Force Regulations, so as to allow of officers travelling first class, and the expense of baggage conveyance not falling upon county associations?

I have considered this question, but there is no evidence to show that these grants, which are the same as those given to the Volunteers for many years past, are not sufficient to cover the expenses in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the French Government is building nine garages or shelters for dirigible balloons; and how many shelters does the War Office propose to build?

From the information at my disposal it appears that the French Government propose to have five Government shelters for dirigible balloons. The construction of a new shed for a dirigible balloon at Aldershot, in addition to the existing shed, is under consideration.

May I ask if the construction of these balloons at Aldershot is under consideration, and whether shelters are being provided on the East Coast?

These questions are being very carefully considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give hon. Members of this House facilities to go down to Aldershot to see what is going on with reference to these balloons?

I think that I had much better not.

Would the right hon. Gentleman arrange for some hon. Members to go up in these balloons—and keep them there?

asked the Secretary of State for War if the skilled workmen who are discharged from Woolwich Arsenal are still given on leaving a circular or card advising them where to apply if they desired to emigrate to the Colonies or to foreign states?

There has been no alteration in the arrangements made for the distribution of the circulars. The circulars are not given to men who were taken on temporarily for special jobs.

May I ask if the circular is being given to any workmen who leave the Arsenal?

The purpose of the circular was to save men from being got hold of by unsatisfactory persons. The establishment has been settled, and no men of the establishment are being discharged. The use of the circular has ceased to exist.

Are these cards still being given to the men?

As I have already explained, the establishment is settled, and no men under the establishment are being discharged. The use of the circular, as I have said, has therefore ceased to exist.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the present strength and establishment of the Territorial force in its different arms, the number of men who had enlisted for one year, two years, three years, and four years, respectively; the ages of the men in the different arms of the Territorial Force; and the number of guns and the type of gun with which the artillery are armed?

There are no figures of strength available later than 25th February, and these were given fully in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Rutland on 17th March, to which I would ask my hon. Friend kindly to refer. The figures of men serving on particular engagements can only be given approximately; those for 25th February are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Legion of Frontiersmen, having its headquarters in London, is an armed, drilled, and officered military body sanctioned by him, though it is a privately controlled force, and not subject to the laws and regulations governing auxiliary forces; whether its members are armed with revolvers and guns, but are exempt from taking out gun licences; and, if so, whether he will give his sanction to other individuals or organisations enrolling armed forces in similar fashion and enjoying similar privileges?

No sanction has been given for the formation of the Legion of Frontiersmen as an armed force, and there is no intention of sanctioning the enrolment of armed forces as suggested in the last part of the question. As regards the gun licences I have no information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will cause it to be clearly understood in West Africa that they have no wish to interfere with the free expression of opinion by native chiefs in favour of or against the liquor traffic; and that it is contrary to their wish that any of these should suffer by withdrawal of allowance or otherwise for any lawful action he may take on the matter of the prohibition or restriction of the entry or consumption of spirits in his township, village, or district?

I feel confident that the points very properly raised by the right hon. Gentleman's question are already thoroughly appreciated in West Africa. The Secretary of State would deprecate any special intervention on his part which could be construed into an expression of doubt on the subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give to the House the terms of the new agreement reported to have been concluded between the Transvaal and Mozambique?

The agreement deals with the Transvaal Railway traffic through Lourenco Marques, and the percentage to be allotted to that port and provides for the establishment of a joint board. It also deals with the labour supply from Portuguese East Africa, the essential conditions of which, I understand, remain unchanged, and contains some commercial provisions. The text of the Agreement which has been accepted by the other South African Governments and signed by Lord Selborne, has not yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now lay upon the Table of the House Papers giving particulars of the capture in June last of the British trawler "Arcadia," of Grimsby, found fishing in German territorial waters off Nordeny, by the German fisheries patrol torpedo-boat S 42; of the arrest of the master of the "Arcadia"; and of the consequent legal proceedings before the court at Cuxhaven; and whether he can state how far within the territorial waters the "Arcadia" was at the time of her capture, and also how far from the shore?

The only Papers which I have are three despatches from His Majesty's Consul-General at Hamburg, which briefly report the arrest of the trawler and the proceedings taken against the master, who did not appear for trial. I do not think there would be any advantage in laying these Papers, but the hon. Member may see them if he wishes. I understand that the "Arcadia" is charged with fishing at a spot which is only two and a third miles from the nearest sand-bank drying at low water, and the sand-bank being one mile from the high-water line of the coast. If the facts are as stated, the "Arcadia" was therefore within German exclusive fishery limits as defined in Article 2 of the North Sea Fisheries Convention.

asked the Lord Advocate what is the present position of the bank advance guaranteed by the Treasury to meet pressing financial necessities in the Lews in November last; whether there was still a large amount of local rates in arrear; and what steps are being taken to provide for the carrying on of the local administration?

There still remains an unexhausted balance of the total amount guaranteed. The collection of rates is now going on, there being over £5,000 (including arrears as well as this year's rates) still uncollected. The local administration is being carried on as usual.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Government intended to introduce, this Session, a Bill dealing with the dates of town council elections and other town council affairs, as suggested by the Convention of Royal Burghs, and promised last Session by the Secretary for Scotland?

Yes, Sir.

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 Light? Commissioners to be repaired?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the buoy was placed there on 15th November last; that it was taken away once for repair; and that on 23rd March the original buoy was replaced by one of another class.

May I ask whether the buoy has not been unsuccessful, inasmuch as the light always goes out at night?

I am not aware of that fact.

Will the hon. Member inquire into it?

Yes, certainly.

Will the hon. Member have an inquiry held among the local fishermen and pilots and captains in the district itself as to the value of this buoy?

I do not think the Board of Trade have any power to order such inquiry. If the hon. Member will await the answer to another question he will see the matter is under consideration.

What are the powers of the Board of Trade?

Order, order. That does not arise on this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the buoy moored 6½ miles from Ballyquinton Point, county Down, is officially designated Strangford Lough buoy; can he state the reason for such a name being given to it, when it is placed in the fairway of coasting vessels 6½ miles from the bar mouth; and whether, when the buoy was so named, it was the intention of the Irish Lights Commissioners to moor it about 1½ miles from the bar mouth?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that this buoy is officially designated the Fairway buoy off Strangford Lough, and that it was never their intention to moor it 1½ miles from the entrance to the Lough.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Irish Lights Commissioners intended originally placing a lighthouse on Ballyquinton Point, co. Down, and, with that object in view, visited the Point, accompanied by some members of the Elder Brethren; and can he state why the scheme was abandoned?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that they never contemplated placing a lighthouse on Ballyquinton Point, and did not accompany the Elder Brethren on their visit to the Point.

Is it not a fact that an inquiry was held there by the Elder Brethren on the subject?

I dare say that is quite true, but the point is, the Commissioners of Irish Lights did not.

Was there any report from the Elder Brethren to the Board of Trade?

Not that I am aware.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly enquire?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he could state the number of communications received recommending the Irish Lights Commissioners to moor the Strangford Bar buoy, co. Down, as far out as 6½ miles from the bar mouth, and give the names of those tendering the recommendation, and also their reasons?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that they did not receive any communications of the nature suggested.

May I ask why they dropped the buoy where it is?

Because they thought it was the best place.

May I ask how they arrived at that conclusion?

The hon. Member must know the Under-Secretary cannot know that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that local feeling is running high with regard to the spot in which the temporary buoy has been moored off Strangford Bar; and whether he will recommend the Irish Lights Commissioners to remove it to a spot about 1½ mile from the bar mouth, in order to guide not only vessels navigating Strangford Bar, but at the same time to warn coasting vessels of the danger of the insetting tide at that spot?

I am aware that a considerable number of local pilots and masters of coasting-vessels desire that the buoy should be placed nearer the entrance to Strangford Lough. A number of communications received from them by the Board of Trade have been forwarded to the Commissioners of Irish Lights. I understand that the position of the buoy was decided on by a Joint Committee of the Commissioners and the Trinity House after investigation on the spot. The Board of Trade are, however, in communication with the Commissioners as to the desirability of a further conference with the Trinity House.

Do the Irish Lights Commissioners take any notice of communications from the Board of Trade?

They are under statutory obligations to send to the Board of Trade notice of new works. With regard to old works no sanction is required.

Is this new buoy an old work?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a vacancy has been created on the Board of Irish Lights Commissioners by the resignation of Viscount Monck; and whether he will represent to the Commissioners the advisability of appointing some representative of the Board of Trade to fill the vacancy, who will be responsible to Parliament in regard to questions affecting the administration of the Board?

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that Viscount Monck has resigned, and that the vacancy thus created has been filled.

May I ask whether it has been approved by anyone who has any knowledge of that part of the coast from Belfast or the other shipping centres in the North?

I think if the hon. Member will wait he will see in due course whether the person appointed is a person who has his confidence.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us who he is?

No, I cannot.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the recommendations of the recent Royal Commission on Lighthouse Administra- tion and the evidence they took as regards the advisability of modifying the constitution of the Lights Board?

I think that is under the consideration of the Department. No decision has been arrived at.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the loss of the French barque "Surcouf," off Ballyquinton Point, co. Down, made the twenty-fifth fatal disaster off that part of the coast during the past five years, and the sixth fatal disaster during the past winter; whether, under the circumstances, he will make the strongest possible representations to the Irish Lights Commissioners to have the temporary buoy removed from its present position and placed about 1| mile from the bar mouth, and whether, if the Irish Lights Commissioners refuse to do so, he will appoint a Commission to inquire into the whole matter on the spot, with a view to securing that the permanent buoy is moored in the right place?

During the last five years ten vessels have been totally lost by stranding on the coast of County Down between Belfast Lough and St. John's Point, Strangford Lough. Of these wrecks five have occurred during the past winter. In only one instance was there loss of human life, namely, in the case of a wreck near Donaghadee in December, 1905, on which occasion four lives were lost. As I have informed the hon. Member the Board of Trade are in communication with the Commissioners of Irish Lights as to the desirability of a further conference with the Trinity House in regard to the position of the buoy.

Is the hon. Member aware that along the coast all the life saving is due to the coastguards, whose stations are now being taken away?

was understood to say I have no doubt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any progress has been made towards the establishment of the All-Red Route?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8th March to the hon. Member for the Walton Division of Liverpool.

May I take it that no progress is being made?

I think that is substantially accurate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the preparation of any measure he may introduce in the course of the present Session amending the law in regard to the law of insurance, he will consider the advisability of providing such powers as will compel all companies and societies issuing policies of assurance on lives, or for endowment, or against sickness, who collect premiums by agents and collectors at a greater distance than ten miles from their registered office (commonly known as industrial assurance companies and collecting friendly societies), being brought under one uniform law, and of making all subject to the same legal obligations, so that security may be given to those assured against loss from unsound schemes; and will he consider the advisability of providing that uniform returns be made to Government by all such companies and societies?

I am well aware of the importance of the questions referred to by my hon. Friend, but at present I can only assure him that they have been lately, and are still, receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a meeting of members of the Royal Liver Friendly Society held in the Young Men's Christian Association Hall, Belfast, on the 18th of March last, under the Friendly Societies Act, for the purpose of electing a delegate to represent the members at the annual meeting of the society in Glasgow, a candidate named Thomas Thompson was legally elected, but, owing to the non-arrival of the election return at the society's chief office in Liverpool, the election was declared void; that the election return was properly filled up and handed to the society's official in charge of the meeting for transmission to the chief office; and whether he will inquire into the matter, with a view to the proper carrying out of the intention of the Friendly Societies Act?

I have no knowledge of the alleged facts other than that conveyed by the question. The Royal Liver Friendly Society is a collecting society registered under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, and subject to the Collecting Societies and Industrial and Assurance Companies Act, 1896. Neither the Assistant Registrar of Friendly Societies for Ireland nor the Chief Registrar has any jurisdiction in the matters to which the question relates. The election of officers is purely a question of internal administration in the society. If any dispute has arisen in relation thereto it can be determined only in the manner provided by the rules of the society for the settlement of disputes, or, failing that, by action at law.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state if tenders were invited for the contract entered into by the Board of Works for the heating and ventilation of the law library in the Four Courts, Dublin; if not, can he say why; with what film was the contract placed; and why contractors were precluded from tendering for the supply of a fan manufactured in Ireland, seeing that the Sirocco fan is used in battleships and in public buildings all over the world?

asked whether the contract for the heating and ventilation of the law library, Four Courts, Dublin was publicly advertised by the Irish Board of Works; if not, whether he will explain why the usual course was not followed in this case; and whether he will state the amount of the contract and how much of the cost will be provided out of public funds, and explain why, in the specification for the ventilation portion of the contract, a particular fan of English manufacture was specified, thus excluding Irish manufacturers from competing?

I am informed that the contract was not advertised for, as the work is difficult and of a special nature. The Board of Works for Ireland invited competitive tenders from three firms with whose work they are acquainted. Two of these firms are Irish and one Scottish. The Board did not specify any make of fan, but left each firm tendering to specify the fan which it thought most suitable, subject to consideration and approval of the Board, and so tender has yet been accepted.

Is it not a fact that in all these tenders by the Board of Works public competition is invited? Why was that course departed from?

I do not think that is the case, but I will make inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the contract was advertised in the newspapers?

I have said it was not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has made any arrangements for the uninterrupted discharge of telegraphic business at sub-post offices in Ireland within the usual hours, in the event of sub-postmasters being granted a weekly half-holiday?

In Ireland, as in Great Britain, a half-holiday for a sub-postmaster would probably involve the closing of his office. I am considering the question of how far such half-holidays can be granted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has succeeded in making an arrangement with the National Telephone Company for the continuance of constructional work on the telephone system by the company till the end of its licence; and, if not, what action, if any, he proposes to take to prevent or provide for the threatened discharge of the constructional staff by the company?

I am afraid I have nothing further to add as yet to my previous answer. The negotiations with the National Telephone Company for the continuance of construction works are still in progress.

Would it not be as well to give the House a return showing exactly what was happening, as these alarmist rumours are going about?

I will consider that. I have made a statement once or twice endeavouring to allay alarm as to the very great exaggerations on the part of the Press as to the number of men who are likely to be dismissed or who are under notice of dismissal. There is very great exaggeration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London and North-Western Railway Company have discontinued running a separate first-class dining car on the down day mail train from Holyhead; and, in view of the fact that this is a violation of the undertaking given by this railway company that there would be no reduction of the facilities heretofore obtainable on this train, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have no knowledge of the undertaking referred to, but I have communicated with the railway company on the subject, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

The undertaking I refer to was mentioned in this House by the Postmaster-General when the change was made, and the right hon. Gentleman's statement was that he would take steps to see that no facilities which were given heretofore would be taken away. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the matter comes within his Department to see that the promise is kept up?

I was told that this question would be taken by the Board of Trade, and I have not looked into it. If the hon. Member will repeat it I will look into it and answer it. The facilities I spoke of were the times of arrival and departure, and so on. I will look into the point.

I will put it down again to-morrow, but may I ask whether in view of the large sums to be paid to the company he will take care to see that this service shall not be starved by the railway company in any case?

Certainly, if starvation comes in. The facilities I had in my mind were questions of the time of departure and arrival. I did not notice the question as I understood it was to be taken by the Board of Trade

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many dirigible balloons have been acquired by, or are being built for, the German Government; and if he can give any particulars of the garages and stations being prepared to shelter them?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this question. Six balloons are reported to have been built, and six more to be building. With regard to the latter part of the question, the information will be circulated with the Votes and Proceedings.

Do I understand that the number of these garages and stations will be so numerous that they will require a special Paper?

It is a long list; I have it here, and I propose to have it printed and circulated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many manufacturers in this country now possess the necessary plant for the construction of gun-mountings for battleships and cruisers of the largest type?

The Noble Lord also asked (1) with which firms arrangements were made by the Government for providing such an increase in plant as would secure an acceleration of the manufacture of gun-mountings for battleships and cruisers of the largest types; (2) on what dates in January last were orders given to manufacturers of gun-mountings for ships of the largest type to provide an increase in their plant, so that in the course of a few months Great Britain will have an advantage in this branch of construction?

I propose to answer the Noble Lord's three questions together. The Admiralty have hitherto bought 12-inch gun mountings from two firms of contractors—the Elswick Ordnance Works and Messrs. Vickers, Sons and Maxim. The existing capacity of these firms for the supply of gun-mountings is equal to the demands of the shipbuilding programme of the current year. With a view to providing for an increase of output in case of need, communications have taken place between the Admiralty and both these firms. As regards one of them, inquiries were addressed to the firm in November last. Information was given that shop space admitted of an immediate extension of machinery; and in December or January the firm instructed their manager to make all inquiries as to any machinery which might be needed. As regards the other firm, the best method of extending the plant at their works has been under consideration for some months. Both firms, after further communication with His Majesty's Government, gave instructions for the necessary work to be put in hand without delay in February last. Besides the two firms already named, the Coventry Ordnance Works have all the necessary plant for the construction of gun-mountings for battleships and cruisers of the largest type. It is proposed to give a trial order to this firm at an early date.

Has a similar communication been addressed to the War Office?

Yes. My right hon. Friend has been in communication with me on the subject.

Were directions given or promises made in the month of January last of a kind which required an immediate increase of plant by the two firms to which he has alluded, the Elswick Works and Vickers, Sons, and Maxim, and placing them in a position to supply these heavy gun-mountings with greater rapidity?

I should not have used the words myself "directions given or promises made," because in each case the firms had voluntarily agreed to make the necessary increase in the month of February last. Communications with the firms alluded to in the case of one of them began in November last. With regard to the other firm the Admiralty are aware that the firm had had the question of the enlargement of their works under consideration for some months past.

Is the right hon. Member aware that the Prime Minister stated in this House—

Order, order. The hon. Member must not make quotations at question time.

At what date in January last were orders given to the manufacturers of gun-mountings?

I have stated to the House that the word "orders" is not the word I should have used in this case, but in February last both firms volunteered to increase their plant in consequence of communications they had received from the Government.

Then it is not correct to say that "orders were given in January last"?

It is correct to state that the information upon which one of the firms proceeded was obtained from the Government in November last, and that communications between that firm and the Government continued throughout November, December, and January, and until February, and in February the firm volunteered to increase its plant. With regard to the other firm, the Admiralty were aware that it had under consideration the increase of their plant, of which they gave a voluntary assurance in February. It would not be accurate to name the month of January, because the proceedings lasted from November right up to February.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total sum provided in the British Navy Estimates, 1909–10, for the material upkeep of the Navy so as to include shipbuilding repairs, and armaments, and prepared on the same basis as former figures for recent years which had been given to this House, and as the figure officially given for Germany, namely, £11,942,009?

The total sum provided in the British Navy Estimates, 1909–10, for the services specified in the question, is £12,677,195.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the Admiralty had now considered the question de novo of the reduction of the coastguards as promised; and, if so, what was the decision come to with regard to further reductions?

The matter is still under consideration, and the decision is expected at an early date.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take into consideration the desirability of taking the necessary steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that Members of the House of Lords, who are not permitted to take part in or vote at Parliamentary elections, shall not be allowed to send vehicles or motor-cars to assist during the time the elections are in progress?

So far as this question relates to proposals for legislation I think it should be addressed to one of my right hon. Friends in the Cabinet. Perhaps, how- ever, I may be permitted to say that the most appropriate time for suggesting legislation would be when the whole matter of the relation between the two Houses comes up for readjustment. As to taking steps otherwise than by legislation my answer is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when will be an appropriate date for raising the question of the relations between the two Houses?

It does not rest with me to fix an early day, or I should certainly do so.

May I ask you, Sir, whether the question put down by the hon. Member is not a direct interference with the Order of this House that Peers should take no part in elections? Would the lending of a motor-car mean that a Peer took part in an election?

It is a matter for the House to decide whether or not the Standing Order is carried out. If I remember aright, I think there was a discussion of the question of lending carriages, but that was before the days of motor-cars. I do not know whether they have made any difference.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the Romford Urban District Council has applied for Crown land for the purpose of allotments for the town of Romford; will he say whether the land applied for has been let to the council, and upon what terms; whether the Romford Urban District Council has been unable to relet such land to applicants for allotments for less than £6 10s. per acre per annum; and how this sum compares with the rent paid for the remaining portion of the field from which this land is taken?

, who answered the question, said: Arrangements have been made to let on lease to the Romford Urban District Council three acres of Crown land at a rent of £7 10s. per annum, which is the abatement made to the farm tenant on giving up possession. There is no separate rent paid for the remaining portion of the field, which forms part of a larger holding, comprising about 361 acres, the average rent of which is about £l 10s. per acre.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is his intention to consider schemes for the improvement of the Horse Guards Parade and its surroundings; and, if so, whether the work will be commenced during next autumn?

None of the schemes which have been submitted to me for the so-called improvement of the Horse Guards Parade have commended themselves to my mind. I am, therefore, not proposing to commence any work there during the autumn.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now considered the Report of the Departmental Committee on the ambulance service for the metropolis; and what action he proposes to take as the result of that Report?

The valuable Report presented by the Committee has been received, but owing to the pressure of current work I have not yet been able to give it the detailed consideration which it requires. I will see whether I cannot deal at once with certain of the recommendations by administrative action, but I am afraid I cannot hold out much hope of dealing with the main recommendations, which involve legislation, in the present Session.

asked what are the names of the persons and the valuations of their respective allotments on the division by the Estates Commissioners of the untenanted land on the Moutray estate; what were the claims of the allottees to such new holdings; and if persons having claims as relatives of tenants previously evicted on this estate were passed over in favour of the allottees, and for what reasons?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the names of these persons, with particulars of their allotments, will appear in due course in the monthly returns of advances under the Irish Land Act, 1903, which are laid before Parliament. The applications made to the Commissioners by persons claiming as representatives of evicted tenants were refused, as they did not appear to come within the provisions either of the Irish Land Act, 1903, or the Evicted Tenants Act.

When is the Return expected? Can we have it before the Land Bill goes into Committee?

I think that will be so. I will see.

asked whether the police in a protection hut in the Kilmihil district, West Clare, are allowed to work for the farmer whom they are protecting; whether they are allowed to go into a public-house with the said farmer when on duty and take intoxicating drink from him; and whether a person having a licence to sell intoxicating drink is permitted to sell the same to the police when on duty?

The police in the hut do not work for the person whom they are protecting. On one occasion, when a labourer left without notice, they assisted him in tying some loads of hay for his cattle. There could be no objection to their doing so. They also work in their spare time in the garden attached to the hut. They are not only allowed, but directed to enter public-houses and other places with the person under their protection. When absent from their hut they have to obtain refreshments for themselves, but they do not accept them from him. They have often no alternative but to obtain their refreshments in public-houses.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired or propose to acquire 14 acres (I. P. M.) of untenanted land on the Rowe estate, at Garnaston, county Kilkenny; whether he is aware that the same is situate in the midst of uneconomic holdings varying from 14 to 22 acres (I. P. M.); whether the holders of such uneconomic holdings have applied to the Estates Commissioners for a portion of the lands referred to; and will he state what action he proposes to take?

Proceedings were instituted in July last for the sale of this estate direct to the tenants, including 27 acres of untenanted land for division. When the Estates Commissioners are dealing with this estate in its order of priority the applications received in connection with the untenanted land will be duly considered.

asked the number of estates comprised in the applications which have been lodged for sale, and the amount of money involved, under the alt red schedule of the Estates Commissioners allowing the 3 per cent, bonus instead of 12 per cent, since 24th November, 1908?

Advances amounting to £271,685 have been applied for in purchase agreements in direct sales entered into since 24th November last and lodged with the Estates Commissioners. That amount includes £68,774 applied for in respect of holdings on 19 estates, for the sale of which proceedings were instituted after that date.

Will this amount of money only get 3 per cent, bonus and not 12 per cent.?

That is so.

asked, in view of the fact that Mr. Patrick Riordan, J.P., was not appointed to the commission of the peace until last June, and his having twice attended Woodford Petty Sessions, what is the reason for declaring his vote invalid at the recent election of petty sessions clerk?

I am informed that Mr. Riordan had only attended the Woodford Petty Sessions once previous to the election, which took place, on 15th March. Having regard to the date at which he became a magistrate, he should have had at least three attendances to entitle him to vote.

On what basis is it calculated that a magistrate appointed in June must have put in three attendances before his votes become operative? Is it not the fact that this gentleman twice attended Woodford Petty Sessions, and that he has put in the full number of attendances if you take that into consideration?

The vote was disallowed because, in the opinion of those with legal knowledge of the matter, he had not made a sufficient number of attendances. The whole question is one of great complication. The great thing is to observe the same rule for each party.

Is it not the fact that another person, owing to this decision, has got the appointment?

I cannot help that. If both votes were illegal, I cannot help it.

Who decides the actual number of attendances?

I cannot say.

asked whether, in the sale of any estates under the Irish Land Act, 1903, the tenants have been called on to pay interest on a sum greater than the purchase money agreed to be advanced to the vendor, in how many cases this has occurred, and what is the amount represented by the excess of the price over what the vendor received; and what has been done with this excess price?

The Land Commission are not aware of any cases of the kind. If the hon. Member will give a particular instance I will make inquiry.

asked what is the amount of the salaries for March which, by reason of the recent alteration in the date of payment, will not be included in the expenditure of the financial year ending 31st March last?

If I may assume that the hon. Member refers to the Inland Revenue Department, the answer is nil.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a number of Inland Revenue officers and supervisors were compulsorily retired on 1st April before they had completed their 40 years' service, which would entitle them to the maximum rate of superannuation, viz., two-thirds of their salaries; that some of these officers had, on 1st April, served 39 years and eight or nine months; and that a request by them that they should be allowed to remain in the service to complete the 40 years' service was refused; whether these compulsory retirements are in accord with the official statement that no official of either Department, Excise or Customs, would be detrimentally affected by the amalgamation of these two Departments; and whether, in view of the fact that the compulsory retirement of public servants against whose efficiency there is no complaint, within a few months of the period which would entitle them to the maximum rate of superannuation, means a serious loss to them, and but little difference to the State, he will reconsider the claims for superannuation of these public servants?

Forty Inland Revenue officers and supervisors were retired on the 1st instant before they had completed 40 years' service. Only four of these officers had on that date served as much as 39 years and eight months, and none had served 39 years and nine months. In fixing the actual retirement dates the Boards of Inland Revenue and Customs have allowed extensions not exceeding three months beyond 1st April in the case of officers 61 and over on that date, or beyond their 61st birthday, in the case of officers reaching 61 after the 1st April, in all cases where such extension would enable an officer to count either another year's service or another increment for pension. I know of no official statement to the effect quoted in the question. If the hon. Member refers to the statement made by me on 10th June, 1908, on the Inland Revenue Vote, he will see by reference to "Hansard," Vol. 190, Cols. 318–19, that the undertaking which I gave is not correctly represented by the words of his question. I can, however, assure him that the Retirement Order is being administered in the spirit of the undertaking then given.

Then I understand that in cases where they have allowed three months to be added the time of the retired official is brought up from 39 years and eight months to 39 years and 11 months, and he is still kept out of the 40 years' limit.

The answer to that is that it is impossible to extend beyond the three months' period of grace which is allowed.

May I ask whether this includes the saving of £4 10s. per head on these retired officials?

I could not say.

asked, in view of the fact that the Order in Council of 15th August, 1890, giving power to the head of a department to call upon any officer to retire at 60 years of age only applies to Civil servants having a scale of salary in excess of that of the Second Division, and that officers of Inland Revenue and supervisors recently compulsorily retired were not in receipt of salaries on a higher or even as high a scale as the Second Division, under what authority these officials have been compulsorily retired within a few months of the completion of the period entitling them to full pensions?

The power to retire officers, either at the age of 60 or any other age, does not depend upon Order in Council, but has always been possessed by the head of a Department.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. I asked under what authority?

I have answered that by saying it is within the power possessed by the head of a Department.

By what authority? The head of a Department must have some power to act under, statute or otherwise. I am asking by what power the head of a Department exercises that function?

The head of a Department can retire any official at any age he likes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the recent proceedings at Kilkenny Assizes against tenants on the estate of Mr. Boyse, of Bannow House, county Wexford, and others situate at Moonveen, county Kilkenny, in the course of which proceedings it transpired that the agents for this estate have been for a considerable time deliberately defrauding the Revenue authorities by issuing unstamped receipts to the tenants in question; whether he has seen the comments of the learned judge, in which he states that if the Revenue authorities hear of it they will have him or them up for ever so many penalties; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The matter is under inquiry by the Board of Inland Revenue.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will say how many extra Inland Revenue officers have been engaged in investigating the working of the Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland; will the result of their inquiries be known; is he going to have a similar inquiry instituted in England; and, if not, will be explain why he does not propose to take that course?

Six inspectors have been sent to Ireland to make these investigations. Some time must elapse before the result of their inquiries will be fully known, but my right hon. Friend expects to receive an interim report in the course of a few weeks. My right hon. Friend does not consider that a similar inquiry is necessary in England for the reasons which he gave when the supplementary Estimate for old age pensions was before the House on 1st March last. I should add that the general work of the old age pension officers will be inspected in the usual course.

Will the report of the proceedings of these officers be laid before the House?

I am not quite sure I should like notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will say whether there is any regulation under which the wife of a man disqualified for a pension merely on account of receipt of outdoor relief is debarred from getting the pension, if otherwise qualified; will he inquire if some eligible pensions have been struck off for this reason, especially in the counties of Cavan and Leitrim; and will he direct their cases to be reinvestigated, with a view to restoring to them their full rights under the Pension Act of 1908?

The matter is governed by section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act, and there is not, nor is there any power, to make, any regulation on the subject. My right hon. Friend is advised that poor relief given to a husband disqualifies the wife only if she benefits by the relief. The application of this principle to individual cases is a matter for the local pension committee, subject to appeal to the Local Government Board, with whose jurisdiction I have no power to interfere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the activities of certain societies formed with the object of bringing pressure to bear on the Government to increase the naval and military forces of the Crown; and whether he will introduce legislation whereby special taxation may be imposed on the revenues of these agencies to meet part of the growing expenditure on armaments?

My right hon. Friend cannot make any announcement at present as to what may or may not be included in the Finance Bill this year.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant whether his attention has been called to the appeal of the Parliamentary Committee of the Apothecaries Hall of Ireland for compensation for the losses likely to be sustained by that body in the operation of the Irish Universities Act; and whether, in view of the urgency of the representations, he will bring their appeal under the notice of the Treasury?

I received a year ago an appeal from the directors of the Apothecaries Hall of Ireland for compensation for the losses which they anticipate, as a licensing body, owing to the operation of the Irish Universities Act. The appeal is not one which I can recommend to the consideration of the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of the estate, record number 2,787, the agreements for which were lodged by 5th July, 1905, the purchase money has been paid to the vendor; and, if not, whether the Estates Commissioners can name an approximate date when payment will be made?

The purchase money has not been paid in this case, as the Estates Commissioners have found it necessary, before sanctioning the advances applied for, to direct a further inspection of certain village holdings. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland intimated in 1908 that monitors in their last year in 1911 must take a language in addition to English; that some schools elected to take French or German and others the Irish language; and that the former course was adopted in Porta-down, where the managers, teachers, parents, and children object to learning Irish in preference to French or German; if he will say if the Commissioners make payments to the teachers in Roman Catholic schools for teaching Irish, but decline to do so in Protestant schools for teaching French or German; and, if so, if he will take steps to place the teaching of these languages on an equal footing?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that in their code issued in 1908 they inserted in connection with the King's Scholarship programme a notice that in the year 1911, and subsequently, candidates for admission to training colleges would be required to undergo examination in one language in addition to English. Payments are made for instruction in Irish as an extra subject in ordinary National Schools without distinction, and as part of the general curriculum in bilingual schools. There are no funds available for making payments for French or German. Information was recently received that a French class is held in one of the Porta-down National Schools.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners propose acquiring 300 acres (I.P.M.) of untenanted land on the estate of the Rev. W. De Montmorency, J.P., situate at Dongonbeg, county Kilkenny; whether he is aware that there are several evicted tenants, deserving labourers, and uneconomic land-holders in the district; and, in view of this fact, would he take steps to accelerate the division of the lands referred to?

Proceedings have been instituted before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of this estate, and it will be dealt with in its proper order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is intended this year to redistribute the free quotas of police in Ireland; if so, whether he will state the number of the free force to be distributed, and on what principle the allocation is to be made; and whether the disturbed counties of Clare, Galway, King's County, Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon, Sligo, and Westmeath, in which additional police are now serving by virtue of proclamations under The Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1836, will have those additional police allocated to them as a free force at the expense of the imperial taxpayer?

This whole matter is under consideration, but I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject at present.

Is he prepared to admit the accuracy of the statement that extra police are serving in the disturbed county of Roscommon, or is it not the fact that they were withdrawn from Roscommon last week.

If that is so, the county is no longer disturbed.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state the total number of break-down pensions that have so far been granted to teachers, the number granted to head teachers only. and the number granted to head teachers in single-area schools?

Disablement Allowances under the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, have been awarded to 706 men and 1,534 women. I am unable to say how many of the recipients were head teachers.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he would ascertain and publish as a Parliamentary Return information showing, in respect to London schools, the number of children, with their ages, who have been refused admission, owing to the schools being full, since the summer holidays of last year?

I doubt whether this information is obtainable, and, in any case, I do not think the results would be worth the labour involved in compiling it. Where a child is refused admission owing to a school being full a place is usually found for him elsewhere. The Return which my hon. Friend asks for would not, therefore, afford any evidence as to the number of children, if any, for whom accommodation has not been found, nor would it be possible to avoid duplication in cases where parents have applied for admission to more than one school.

Does the Department take care that the "elsewhere" is within a reasonable distance of the child's school?

Yes; that is what we usually aim at.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state how many secondary schools for boys and for girls, respectively, have qualified for the higher grant by conforming to the regulation as to 25 per cent, of free places; of such boys' schools, in how many Latin is an obligatory subject of instruction; and in how many handicraft teaching and laboratory work are essential parts of the curriculum?

I should be much obliged if the hon. Member would be good enough to postpone this question until tomorrow.

asked whether the new staff scale for public elementary schools, announced in paragraph 3 of circular 709, means that no individual teacher may actually teach a larger number of children than the number assigned to the grade to which he or she belongs?

The answer is in the negative. The staff scale set out in paragraph 3 merely affords a guide for calculating the total minimum staff required by the Board in a public elementary school, and has nothing to do with the number of children whom an individual teacher may teach. Paragraph 3 of the circular must be read in connection with paragraph 6, which announces the withdrawal of the old article 14 (which was the only provision in the code limiting the number of children whom one teacher could teach), and the substitution of a new article. This change leaves the authority at liberty to distribute the scholars among the individual teachers on the staff in any manner conducive to the efficiency of the school, subject only to the limitation of 60 children in a class.

asked whether the Scottish Office has applied to the Treasury for an additional grant to the Edinburgh Distress Committee over and above the £4,623 which was paid on Wednesday?

An application for an additional grant for Scotland was made to the Treasury. Had it been possible to agree to it, the claims of Edinburgh would, doubtless, have received further consideration.

May I ask whether he adheres to the assurance that local subscriptions will be taken into account in determining contributions to the Central Fund?

Yes, Sir.