asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the speed of the destroyers of this year's programme will be 35 knots, according to Lord Tweedmouth's unfulfilled announcement as to the destroyers of last year's programme; if their speed is not to be 35 knots, what will it be; and will he state their displacement and armament?

The design of the destroyers of this year's programme is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many dry docks capable of docking "Dreadnoughts" shall we have in the North Sea in 1916 to balance the seven which Germany will have at that date?

I am not in a position to answer this question, as graving docks can be constructed in less than seven years, the time varying according to local and other conditions; and floating docks can be constructed in about two years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the two floating docks provided for in the Navy Estimates for 1909-10 will be capable of accommodating ships of the "Dreadnought" type.

The designs are under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the rapid increase of motor traffic and the consequent discouragement to the horse-drawn traffic, he will consider the advisability of remitting some part of the Hackney Carriage Tax, so far as it affects horse hackney carriages, so as to mitigate the distress that threatens cabdrivers, through no fault of their own, besides encouraging the preservation of a horse supply that would prove invaluable in case of war?

My right hon. Friend will doubtless consider the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea from beri beri of an Asiatic fireman named Meayan Iazalla, on 16th January, 1909, on the steamer "Clan Farquhar," of Glasgow; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before he joined the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of death from this disease have occurred on this ship?

The man referred to died of beri beri at sea between Port Talbot and Glasgow. The cause of beri beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable that bad and insufficient food predispose to the disease. The. "Clan Farquhar" is now abroad, but upon her return to this country further inquiry will be made. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined or had had previous sea service before joining the ship. No previous death from beri beri on board this ship has been reported during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance at sea on 6th January, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Hajee Sk Ebram whilst serving on the steamer "Falls of Moness," of Glasgow; whether the sea man was medically examined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported the ventilation of the stokehold; if he can state how much coal the stokehold hands were required to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?

The man referred to disappeared at sea between Bombay and Port Said. I am not aware whether he had been medically examined before joining the "Falls of Moness," but he had had previous sea service as a fireman. The Board of Trade surveyors reported satisfactorily on the ventilation, and were of opinion that having regard to the voyage the temperature was not excessive at the time of the man's disappearance. The number of firemen and trimmers was 15, and the coal consumption was 30 tons per day. No other case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance in this vessel has been reported during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death, on 30th November, 1908, from beri beri, of an Asiatic seaman named Abdool Currim whilst serving on the steamer "Asama," of Liverpool; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

Yes, Sir; the man referred to died of beri beri at Singapore. 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. The superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Barry who inquired into the case reported that the food supplied was good and ample. I am not aware whether the man had been medically examined before joining the ship or had had previous sea service. One previous case of beri beri on board this vessel has been reported during the last three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Declaration of London, 1909, has yet been ratified by this country; and what foreign countries have already ratified it?

The Declaration has not yet been ratified by any Power.