asked the Secretary of State for War whether the orders for rifles from private contractors for the year ending 31st March. 1910. are likely to be given at an early date; and, if so, can he say when?

I am unable to name a date for the placing of these orders, but there will be no avoidable delay in placing them.

asked whether the local authorities at Dublin are withholding from writers in the Army Ordnance Department increases of pay of which assurance was given in this House?

No report of the matter alluded to has reached the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 29th March, 1909, the Assistant-Director of Ordnance Stores in Ireland summoned to his private office a woman, who is a civil subordinate, to obtain information regarding the personnel and working of the Army Ordnance Department; if it is usual for administrative officers to adopt this course, thus ignoring chief ordnance officers and ordnance officers who are responsible for the efficient working and administration of their respective areas; and if he will have inquiry made as to the information obtained from the woman concerned and as to the necessity for such information?

I have no knowledge of this incident, and it does not appear to be a matter which demands the suggested inquiry.

asked whether under Vote 4 of the Army Estimates, 1909-10, Territorial Force, the increase on the Vote of £70,000, payments to county associations for buildings and ranges, it is intended to give the county associations a freer hand to provide drill halls with miniature rifle ranges at the public expense; or whether the Territorial Forces are still to be mainly dependent for these necessary accessories to their military training on local enterprise and individual patriotism?

It is the intention of the War Department to provide such buildings and ranges as are necessary for the training of the Territorial Force. County associations will not spend money on these services without the sanction of the Army Council. The increase is due mainly to the necessity of providing for new accommodation for the Horse and Field Artillery.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to reintroduce the Licensing (Consolidation) Bill this year?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether self-help societies registered as specially authorised societies under The Friendly Societies Act, 1896, are entitled to the exemption from income tax granted to friendly societies under the Income Tax Acts; and, if not, whether, in view of the limited incomes of investors in the smaller societies, he will consider the desirability of extending the same relief to them?

Specially authorised societies are not entitled to the exemption from income tax granted to friendly societies, and I do not think that any sufficient reason can be shown for the extension to them of the benefit of that exemption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the amount of income tax that has been returned to people who are entitled to the return owing to their incomes not exceeding £160 per annum for the last three financial years?

The latest available figures (which will be found on page 199 of the 51st Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue) are as follows:—

1905-6	…	…	…	£802,810
1906-7	…	…	…	845,927
1907-8	…	…	…	886,134

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the late proceedings in Galway, where a young man named Madden was charged with firing at a bailiff named Egan, on the estate of Captain Persse, Roxboro, Loughrea; whether the evidence proved that Bailiff Egan deliberately fired at young Madden; whether he is aware that the learned judge commented severely on the criminal action of this bailiff, and suggested that it was the bailiff and not Madden should be in the dock; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances, he will institute immeditae criminal proceedings against this bailiff?

At the last Assizes for the County of Galway a man named Madden was charged with firing at a gamekeeper named Egan. It appeared from the evidence that Madden was trespassing on the lands of Captain Persse, Egan's employer, and being pursued by Egan turned round and fired at him. Egan returned the fire, but fortunately neither shot took effect. I have no official report of the judge's charge, and cannot say whether the hon. Member's version of it is correct or not. The jury acquitted Madden. I have no intention of instituting a prosecution of Egan.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if the catalogue of criminal cases referred to by the learned judge at the late Galway assizes included the following cases: Bailiff Egan against Madden, and Raffery against Faby?

I do not know to what catalogue the hon. Member refers, and cannot, therefore, say whether it included the cases referred to in the question or not.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of extending the provisions of the Allotments Act to Ireland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my predecessor to a question on the same subject asked by him on the 16th July, 1906. I have nothing to add to that reply.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that in Ireland there is no medical inspection in the schools, although most countries, including England, enjoy it; that in Hungary the schools are medically inspected three times annually; and that the Anti-Tuberculosis Bill will largely lose its value, and that portions (clause 122) of the Children Bill will be inoperative in Ireland; and will he see that Ireland derives at least as much benefit from this recent legislation as England will?

I am unable to add anything to the reply given on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to a question asked by the hon. Member for South Down on the 26th February, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what are the average number of years' purchase under the Act of 1903 for first-term, second-term, and non-judicial rents, respectively, from the passing of the Act to 1st November, 1908?

The following table gives the average number of years' purchase under the Act of 1903, from the passing of the Act to the 1st November, 1908:—Judicial rents—

(a) Fixed or agreed to prior to 14th August, 1896:
1. Within zone	22.0
2. Not within zone—
i. Where percentage of reduction exceeds maximum zone limit of 40 per cent.	16.6
ii. Where percentage of reduction is less than minimum zone limit of 20 per cent.	25.0
(b) Fixed or agree since 14th August, 1896:
1. Within zone	24.7
2. Not within zone—
i. Where percentage of reduction exceeds maximum zone limit of 30 per cent.	20.2
ii. Where percentage of reduction is less than minimum zone limit of 10 per cent.	28.1
(c) Non-judicial rents	21.5

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much is allowed to Royal Irish Constabulary officers for the upkeep of a horse; what steps are taken by the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities to ensure that each officer actually owns a horse; whether he is aware if District-Inspector Rogers, of Enniscorthy, is at present possessed of a horse; if not, how long has he been without one; whether he performs all his inspections by bicycle; and whether he has been drawing horse allowance while having no horse?

The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that forage allowance of £50 per annum is granted to each officer of the force for the upkeep of a horse. Each officer is required by the regulations to have one effective horse, and the above allowance is not paid for any period during which an officer is not possessed of a horse. Each officer is also required to give a stringent certificate that he had an effective horse during each period for which he draws the allowance. The regulations also require officers to perform a certain amount of duty on horseback each quarter, and county inspectors are obliged to state in the quarterly reports to the Inspector-General the number of turns of horseback duty performed by their officers during the quarter. District-Inspector Rogers is at present possessed of an effective horse. He performs his inspections either on foot or by bicycle or by car. Officers are not required to do more than an occasional turn of inspection duty on horseback.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that during the years 1887 to 1906 inclusive there were 5,58 offences against the Vaccination Acts in Ireland; and if, having regard to this evidence as well as other evidence of objection to the Vaccination Acts, he will bring in a Bill to amend those Acts?

The number of offences against the Vaccination Acts in Ireland during the 20 years mentioned in the question is correctly stated. The hon. Member has already been informed, in reply to a question asked on his behalf on 30th March, that I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will say which of the following languages, Irish, French, or German, is most used in the transaction of postal business in Ireland, and which is the most useful for postal officials in the Irish Office?The hon. Member further asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he can state the number of postal orders filled in in Irish which have to be dealt with in Ireland, and the number filled in in French and German; (2) how many letters addressed to Irish have to be translated annually by postal officials: whether such letters, even if posted in Irish-speaking districts, have to be sent to Dublin for translation, thus causing delay; and how many letters addressed in French and German have to be translated annually in Ireland?

I have no information which would enable me to furnish the statistics for which the hon. Member asks. The address of a letter addressed in Irish is translated at the office where the letter is posted, if there is an officer there who knows Irish, and if interference is not thereby caused to his ordinary work. In other cases letters are sent to Dublin for translation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the usefulness of Irish in his Department, he will request the Civil Service Commissioners to add Irish to the programme of languages to be taken as an optional subject for Civil Service examinations?

There is no programme of languages in the entrance examinations for officers whose duty it is to manipulate letters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether ho is aware that the carpenter warrant officers of the Royal Navy have not had an increase of pay on promotion since 1870; whether he is aware that their pay on promotion at that time was roughly a 100 per cent. increase over the petty officer ratings they were recruited from; and whether, seeing that their present pay on promotion is barely a 16 per cent. rise over the ratings they are promoted from at the present day, he will take into consideration the claims of these officers for an increase of pay when promoted to the warrant rank?

I am aware that carpenter warrant officers have not had any increase in their minimum rate of pay since 1870, though their maximum rate has been increased from 7s. 6d. to 9s. It is true that the rates of pay of the class from which these warrant officers are promoted have been considerably increased since 1870, but no reason is seen for altering the present minimum, which provides for an officer on promotion receiving an advance of pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships and armoured cruisers have been based on Sheerness during the last two years; whether these vessels have had their full complement of crews; and whether he will state what changes, if any, have been decided upon with regard to the number, efficiency, and equipment of the vessels to be based on Sheerness in future?

Seven battleships and six armoured cruisers all manned with full crews, except one battleship, have been based on the Nore. In the near future the large vessels based upon the Nore will be seven battleships, three manned with nucleus crews, and four with reduced nucleus crews, and three armoured cruisers manned with nucleus crews. These ships will be kept efficient and ready, like the Portsmouth and Devonport nucleus-crew ships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the sum set down in the German Navy Estimates, 1909-10, as a secret service fund at the disposal of the Secretary of State for the Imperial Navy; and what sum is set down for the use of the German Emperor?

The following items in the German Naval Estimates, 1909-10, would appear to be those referred to in this question:—£6,360 at the disposal of the Minister of Marine for secret service expenses; £881 at the disposal of the Emperor for financial relief to persons in the naval service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why a chaplain has been appointed to the naval depot at Sydney; why has this officer been granted Colonial and house allowances, while other naval officers in the dockyard do not receive these allowances and have to live in a hulk; and whether he can state how many naval chaplains there are on the Australian station at the present moment and how many men, and how many naval chaplains, and how many men were there seven years ago?

A naval chaplain has been appointed for duty at the naval depot at Sydney, because the arrangement previously in force, under which a civilian chaplain gave part of his time only to this duty, was not satisfactory. The officer has not been granted a Colonial allowance, but receives the civil and house allowances usually granted to naval chaplains serving in shore establishments. Certain other naval officers appointed for service in the depot also receive house allowances or occupy houses. There are now five naval chaplains (including the one at Sydney depôt) now serving on the Australian station, and the total number of men is about 3,250. In 1902 there was one naval chaplain, in addition to the civilian chaplain partially employed at Sydney dep6t, and there were about 2,400 men. The difference is accounted for by the larger number of ships allowed chaplains in their complement which are now serving on the station.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his Department will arrange that proceedings are taken against Mr. Goulding, farmer, Ashley, for disposing of three tuberculous cows in defiance of the order of the Ring-wood Urban Council, and also knowingly offering diseased animals for sale in Salisbury market?

I have communicated with the Ringwood Rural District Council (there is no urban council in the district), and I find that they did not issue any order forbidding Mr. Goulding to sell the cows referred to, nor were they empowered to do so. Two of the cows were sold by Mr. Goulding to a Mr. Lewis, who subsequently had them sold at Salisbury Market. I understand, however, that Mr. Lewis was not informed by Mr. Goulding of the condition of the cows. The third cow is still in the possession of Mr. Goulding. The warning given him by the district council related to the use of the milk from these cows for human food, or to its use as food for swine or other animals until it had been boiled So far as I am aware, no legal offence has been committed either by Mr. Goulding or Mr. Lewis.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the county council of Glamorganshire has required the parish council of Michaelstone Lower, in that county, to provide a new public elementary schoolhouse and premises, and that the said parish council, in order to comply with the requirements of the county council, has applied for the sanction of the Local Government Board to borrow a sum of £15,000 and has received the sanction of the Board to borrow that sum on condition that it be repaid within the term of 30 years; and whether, seeing that the county council will not alter its requirements, and that the borrowing of so large a sum on condition of repayment within 30 years will so increase the liability of the ratepayers of the said parish as to involve a total annual liability on their part of over 14s. in the pound, he can see his way to affording the ratepayers of the parish some relief by extending the period for the repayment of the said sum to 60 years?

The money in this case would be borrowed, not by the parish council, but by the county council, and I have sanctioned the borrowing by the latter body of £2,200 for 60 years for the purchase of the site, and of £14,800 for 30 years for the buildings, etc. Not more than three-fourths of the expenses incurred would be chargeable to the parish. I am aware of the circumstances of the case, but I do not think they are such that I could properly extend the period for the repayment of the £14,800 above referred to. I may add that, according to the information supplied to me by the assistant overseer on 9th February last the rates in the parish (including the charges in respect of these loans) would be at least 2s. 3d. in the pound less than the amount stated in the question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Swansea Rural District Council applied to the Board on or about 1st June, 1908, for its sanction to borrow £13,000 for sewerage works for the village and district of Sketty, within the area of the council, and that an inquiry was held by one of the Board's inspectors into the question of the expediency of the proposed works and expenditure in August last; and whether, seeing that the drainage of that village and district are in an unsatisfactory condition and dangerous to the health of the inhabitants, he can see his way to giving the required sanction at an early date?

The facts are as stated in the question. The scheme involves the laying of a sewer on the foreshore below high water mark, and to this the consent of the Board of Trade is necessary. They have the matter before them, and as soon as their decision has been given I shall be prepared to deal with the application for sanction to the loan.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, under existing circumstances, assistant clerks of the new class who have been promoted to the second division, consequent on specially meritorious service, will, after 1st April next, be placed at a considerable financial disadvantage as compared with those clerks who have not been so promoted; whether he is aware that they will be placed at a similar disadvantage as compared with assistant clerks who may be promoted subsequent to 1st April; and whether he will reconsider the terms of the recent Treasury letter, with a view to having all promoted assistant clerks of the new class who did not receive the £5 annual increment during the period prior to 1st April, 1905, similarly treated to the unpromoted clerks by granting them the additions allowed to assistant clerks by that, circular?

Second division clerks promoted before 1st April, 1909, from the class of assistant clerks have the advantage over assistant clerks not so promoted of the superior scale of the second division, which rises to a maximum of £300 (as compared with the assistant clerks' normal maximum of £150), besides advantages of superior prospects and status. I am aware that certain assistant clerks promoted after 1st April, 1909, to the second division will enter that class on better terms than assistant clerks promoted before that date, by reason of the bonus under paragraph 4 of the Treasury Circular of 22nd December last, but I am not prepared to extend the benefits of that paragraph beyond the persons for whom it was intended, viz., assistant clerks serving on 1st April, 1909, who come within its provisions.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many vacancies have been available on the senior section port clerkships on 1st April; how many assistant clerks in the statistical office are eligible by service for promotion; and whether, in view of the small proportion of promotions in the statistical office, he will arrange that some of the existing vacancies may be allotted to meritorious assistant clerks in the statistical office?

The clerkships vacant on April 1st were 5 of the 1st class, 2 of the 2nd class, upper section, and 10 of the 2nd class, lower section. There are 124 assistant clerks in the Statistical Office who are eligible, so far as length of service is concerned, for promotion to clerkships of the 2nd class, lower section. Such promotions are only made occasionally, and on the ground of special merit, but the claims of any properly qualified assistant clerks are duly borne in mind when vacancies are being filled.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of adopting the same system: of valuation in Ireland as exists in Great Britain, where the local authorities are represented on the assessment committees?

In Ireland this work is done by a Government Department, the cost of which is mainly borne by the Treasury; in England the cost falls entirely on the local rating authorities. As the present system is, in this respect, so favourable to Ireland, I doubt whether the assimilation to the practice in England would be generally welcomed.

asked why no provision is made in the Estimates for 1909-10 for a grant to the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester?

The Treasury were unable to agree to increased provision being made in the Estimates for the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 1909-10, under sub-head E (grants for Agricultural and Dairy Education), pending the settlement of certain questions of principle affecting the organisation under which such grants are distributed.

asked whether nine borough councils in London and district have established a minimum wage of 30s. for their adult employés; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of following this example by establishing a similar minimum wage for all adult Government employés in London and district?

I am not aware of the work done by the employés to whom the hon. Member alludes, and I do not think it would be possible to adopt the course he suggests, having regard to the great variety of work done by Government employés.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a commercial treaty has been concluded, or is being negotiated, between the Argentine Republic and Germany; and, if so. can he state its provisions, and in what respect it will affect the interests of British merchants?

I understand that some negotiations were begun a year ago between the two countries for the conclusion of a commercial arrangement of a limited scope, but I have not heard that any agreement has yet been reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to recommend the amending of the Trinidad land regulations, with a view to preventing the sale of the land of that Colony, and so bring about the establishment of a peasantry under the Government on the large area of land still unalienated, with the ultimate result of a large perpetual rent revenue to the Colony?

In framing the Trinidad Land Regulations the Government had in view the recommendation of the West Indian Royal Commission of 1897, that efforts should be made to secure the "settlement of the native population as proprietors and cultivators of small portions of land." A very large number of small proprietors has been created under the existing system, and there is no reason to believe either that the establishment of a peasantry would be accelerated by or that the revenue would benefit from the abandonment of that system. Land in private hands is subject to land tax (of 1s. an acre, houses, paying according to value).

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of provided and non-provided schools, and the average attendance in each class of school within the area of the local education authority for Lancashire upon the appointed day and upon 31st March, 1908; what was their total capital indebtedness on their ex-board schools on the appointed day and upon their council schools on 31st March, 1908; and what were the rates levied by that authority for elementary education, and for education higher than elementary, during 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908?

With regard to the first part of the question, the figures for the year ending 31st July, 1903, which was the last statistical year prior to the appointed day, can only be given for the geographical counties, including the county boroughs, boroughs, and urban districts which are now separate authorities for the purposes of Part III. of the Education Act, 1902. To enable a comparison to be made, the figures for the year ending 31st July, 1908, relate to the same areas.

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 freeplaces; 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?

The number of secondary schools which have qualified during the year ending 31st July, 1908, for the higher grant by conforming to the Regulation as to free places, the number of those schools in which boys are taught, and the number of schools for boys in which Latin or handicraft form a regular part of the curriculum, are shown in the following table:—

	Number of Schools.	Schools in Which Latin is taught.	Schools in which Handicraft is taught.
			Throughout the school.	To the lower Forms only.
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)
(a) Boys only	305	261	226	38
(b) Boys and Girls	166	114	131	16
(c) Girls only	186	—	—	—

Latin is not in all these schools a compulsory subject for every pupil.The Regulations of the Board require that the curriculum of all secondary schools shall provide for science, and that the instruction in science must include practical work by the pupils.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will furnish the statistics with regard to the accommodation, number of children on register, and average attendance during the year ending respectively 31st July, 1903, and 31st July, 1908, in council schools, Anglican schools, Roman Catholic schools, Jewish schools, Wesleyan schools, British and similar schools, respectively, in Lancashire; and if he will give the like information with regard to schools in each of the three Ridings of Yorkshire?

The figures for the year ending 31st July, 1903, relate to a period prior to the constitution of Local Education authorities under the Education Act, 1902, and can only conveniently be given for the geographical counties, including the county boroughs, boroughs, and urban districts which are now separate authorities for the purpose of Part III. of the Education Act. To enable a comparison to be made the figures given for 1907-8 relate to the same areas:—

Geographical County.	Council Schools.				Church of England Schools.				Roman Catholic Schools.
	No.	Average Attendance.	Average No. on Registers.	Accommodation.	No.	Average Attendance.	Average No. on Registers.	Accommodation.	No.	Average Attendance.	Average No. of Registers.	Accommodation.
Lancashire.
1902–3	288	185,951	217,496	228,196	879	281,560	338,463	407,667	299	108,673	130,939	158,860
1907–8	447	245,640	281,141	325,841	866	271,024	313,942	391,978	310	114,251	132,535	162,373
Yorks, E. Riding
1902–3	86	40,221	45,222	49,079	183	26,908	31,668	39,197	15	4,112	4,908	5,648
1907–8	100	47,688	53,823	57,393	178	24,601	27,790	35,871	16	4,114	4,832	5,980
Yorks, N. Riding
1902–3	97	28,833	34,403	38,108	243	19,586	23,319	34,066	18	4,213	5,160	6,192
1907–8	132	35,806	41,206	46,869	236	19,566	22,189	33,700	22	4,905	5,732	7,692
Yorks, W. Riding.
1902–3	556	247,965	290,879	327,534	666	134,574	161,137	207,351	75	20,541	25,540	32,276
1907–8	684	278,622	321,196	388,369	639	128,712	150,010	194,127	73	20,192	24,529	31,588
Geographical County.	Jewish Schools.				Wesleyan Schools.				British and other Schools.
Lancashire,
1902–3	2	2,650	2,816	2,785	136	44,508	54,190	64,362	189	50,898	62,475	78,123
1907–8	2	2,552	2,715	2,812	88	26,884	31,322	38,612	117	30,205	35,449	45,901
Yorks, E. Riding.
1902–3	1	162	177	176	10	2,457	2,830	3,537	14	1,552	1,773	2,347
1907–8	1	113	124	200	9	2,260	2,603	2,824	5	298	332	462
Yorks, N. Riding.
1902–3	—	—	—	—	17	2,893	3,495	4,264	31	3,476	4,161	6,154
1907–8	—	—	—	—	12	1,374	1,559	2,203	24	1,855	2,102	3,421
Yorks, W. Riding.
1902–3	—	—	—	—	47	13,062	15,986	18,550	59	10,171	12,092	15,648
1907–8	—	—	—	—	21	6,645	7,761	8,179	32	4,614	5,286	7,112

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, how many applications have been received from county councils and other persons for leave to appear by counsel at inquiries under the Small Holdings Act; and how many of such applications have been granted?

One county council and three owners have applied for leave to appear by counsel. None of the applications were granted.

asked what schemes have been adopted in Suffolk under the Small Holdings Act of 1907, where situated, and the amount of land granted in each village?

Schemes for the acquisition of 47 acres in Mendlesham, 154 acres in Mutford, and 27 acres in Sudbury St. George have been approved. Other schemes in Barking, Mildenhall, and Rattlesden are under consideration.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is in a position to state the amount of the Treasury grant of £300,000 for the relief of the unemployed which has been allocated to Glasgow and Edinburgh, respectively, and the amount of the local contributions for the same object which has been collected in these two cities during the last 12 months?

The grants to Glasgow and Edinburgh were £29,450 and £7,373 respectively. The local contributions in Glasgow amounted to £36,760 and in Edinburgh to £6,523.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the decision in the Stornoway Sheriff Court, and subsequent appeal, if he will state to what extent the proprietor of the island of Lewis has been relieved of the payment of rates for which he was formerly held to be liable; and will a like percentage of relief be secured to crofters who are owners by purchase under the Congested Districts Board Act, or otherwise?

I am not yet in a position to state the effect of the decision referred to, which has just been given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give any further information as to the amounts of the royalties on granite in the West of Scotland district?

I find that in my answer to the hon. Member on the 24th March the figures in respect of one of the quarries mentioned were wrongly given. They should have been 1s. per ton of dressed stone, and 1½ d. per ton of crushed granite, with a minimum annual payment of £140, instead of 3d., 1d., and £100 respectively.

asked the President of the. Board of Trade if he can state why no passenger or other traffic facility has been afforded between South Harrow, the terminus of the District Railway, and Raynes Lane, on the Metropolitan Railway, although the connection has been constructed and equipped for some years, and whether he can do anything to secure for the public the advantages the connection is calculated to give?

I am in communication with the railway companies concerned in this matter, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what number of applications for patents were filed at the British Patent Office from America, Germany, and France during the three months ending 31st March, 1908, and during the three months ending 31st March, 1909?

The following statement gives the information desired:—

—	Number of applications for patents from
	U.S.A.	Germany.	France.
1st January to 31st March, 1908	657	755	317
1st January to 31st March, 1909	592	710	225

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an accident which occurred on Friday, the 2nd inst., to the Scotch express, which left Euston on that day for Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, which was derailed at Crawford, 15 miles south of Carstairs; whether he is aware that the cause of the accident was a flaw in the axle of the driving-wheel of the engine; and whether an inquiry has been ordered into the circumstances in the interests of the safety of the travelling public?

My attention has been called to the accident referred to, and I have ordered an inquiry into its circumstances to be held by the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the steamer "Ibis," of over 1,000 gross tons and 250 feet in length, is only carrying two A.B.'s, a carpenter and boatswain; whether he is aware that this vessel frequently carries passengers, and is trading between London and Antwerp; and whether the Board of Trade will take any steps to see that the vessel carries a proper complement of deck hands?

I will cause inquiry to be made in this case and communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea on 26th October, 1908, from beri-beri, of an Asiatic fireman, named Tong Tay, on the ss. "Falls of Orchy," of Glasgow; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether any inquiry has been held; whether the seaman was medically examined prior to joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of deaths from beri-beri have occurred on this ship?

Yes, Sir. The man reported to my hon. Friend died of beri-beri on a voyage from Newcastle, N.S.W., to Manila. The cause of beri-beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable that bad or insufficient food may predispose to the disease. Inquiry was held by the Vice-Consul at Manila, and further inquiry will, if possible, be made on the return of the vessel to this country. The man was medically examined at Newcastle, N.S.W., and had had previous sea service. No previous death from beri-beri on board this vessel has been reported.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death, on 11th August, 1908, from beri-beri, of Tan Kay, an Asiatic fireman, one of the crew of the ss. "Ocean Monarch," of Glasgow; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether any inquiry was held; whether the seaman was medically exam- ined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of beri-beri have occurred on this ship?

Yes, Sir. The man referred to by my hon. Friend died of beriberi in the General Hospital at Colombo. The cause of beri-beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable that bad and insufficient food may predispose to the disease. Inquiry was held by the shipping master at Colombo, and further inquiry will, if possible, be made on the return of the vessel to this country. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined or had had previous sea service. No previous case of death on board this vessel from beri-beri has been reported during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the suicide at sea on 2nd November, 1908, of an Asiatic trimmer, Fozore, on ss. "Indus," of London; whether any inquiry has been held; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported in the ventilation of the stokehold; if he can state the amount of coal the firemen and trimmers were called upon to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this ship?

Yes, Sir; inquiry was held by the Consul at Paramarito in the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and further inquiry will, if possible, be held on the return of the vessel to this country. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined or had had previous sea service. As the vessel is trading abroad the Board of Trade surveyors have not yet had an opportunity of reporting on the ventilation of the stokehold. The coal consumption was 30 tons per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers was 19. No previous case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance in this ship has been reported during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the new American tariff increases the duty on lithographic transfers from 10d. to 10s. 5d. a pound; that this change will destroy three-fifths of our exports of lithographic transfers; whether the German Government has protested against this increase; whether he will make a similar protest; and whether he will state what value of this article was exported to America last year from the United Kingdom and Germany, respectively?

The rate of 10s. 5d., or 2½ dollars per pound referred to in the question is that applicable in the new Tariff Bill to "decalcomanias in ceramic colours." These transfers are not mentioned specifically in the present tariff, but, according to the latest United States Customs decisions of which I have any knowledge, are dutiable at the rate of three cents per pound, plus 20 per cent. ad valorem. There are no statistics available which would enable me to say what proportion of our exports of such transfers is sent to the United States, or what is the value of such exports from either the United Kingdom or Germany to that market. I have no official information as to any protest made by the German Government, but will have inquiries made on the subject. The matter shall be carefully watched.