asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the success of flying machines of foreign Powers, he can state what progress has been made in the British Army in the attempts at aerial flights?

On the introduction of Army Estimates on 4th March I fully explained what action was being taken in regard to aerial navigation, and that it was hoped that substantial progress would be made in the near future. I have nothing at present to add to the information which I gave the House on that occasion, except that progress is being made.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will consider the advisability of extending the number of cavalry horses to be cast for age, which has been by a recent order limited to 4 per cent. for the financial year of 1909–10, having in view the importance of keeping up the normal supply of young horses, the curtailment of which would be detrimental to cavalry efficiency in case of war?

The hon. and gallant Member appears to be referring to a circular letter which merely laid down the percentage of horses which might be cast by Divisional and Brigade Commanders without previous reference to the War Office. As a matter of fact the normal percentage of replacements has for many years past been 10 per cent of the establishment, and provision is made in this year's estimates for replacements on this scale.

The House may take it that 10 per cent. is the average, and not 4 per cent.?

Yes, that is what we have taken the money for this year.

Then there is no change?

No change.

asked the Secretary for War whether the granting of honorary rank to officers of the Territorial Force is to be discontinued; and if so, since the granting of this honorary rank costs the country nothing, whether he will state the reasons for this step?

The abolition of honorary rank in the Territorial Force was one of the measures adopted in conformity with the principle of assimilating pro-the Regular Forces. In place of honorary cedure in that Force more closely with rank brevet rank will be given under paragraph 28 of the Territorial Force Regulations for distinguished service in the field or for meritorious or distinguished service of an exceptional nature other than in the field. This is in strict conformity with the practice in the Regular Army. In consideration of the fact that many officers of the Volunteer Force were on the point of qualifying for a step of honorary rank on 31st March, 1908, after which it ceased to be given, a concession of a year's service has been made to meet such cases, so that any officer who would have obtained a step of honorary rank by 31st March, 1909, will be given it as if the Volunteer Force had continued to that date.

In view of the fact that a great many of these officers have served a number of years, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to retain them for at least another five years?

It is much more important that the Regular Army and the Territoral Force should be under one set of regulations. Very many of these sham distinctions which used to exist are just the very things we wish to eliminate.

Will this new honorary rank, to be substituted for the one abolished, be optional on the part of the commanding officer, or will the officer have it as a right?

It is not optional at all. It is going to be given for meritorious, services only, and it is not going to be given to officers as a mere honorary distinction.

Is it the fact that the brevet rank is given for meritorious services in the field, and in the case of actual warfare?

The hon. Member apparently did not catch what I read: "In place of honorary rank brevet rank will be given under paragraph 28 of the Territorial Force Regulations for distinguished service in the field or for meritorious or distinguished service of an exceptional nature other than in the field."

asked the Secretary for War whether, in the recent mobilisation of the garrison at Gibraltar the Army Service Corps assisted the infantry in defending the fortress; and, if so, whether this was done in consequence of the inadequacy of the garrison or whether it is proposed in future to utilise the Army Service Corps in this manner?

Presumably the hon. Member is alluding to the 1908 mobilisation and not to the 1909 mobilisation which is now taking place? The report of the 1908 mobilisation does not mention that any assistance was given by the Army Service Corps to the infantry defence.

Is it the view of the War Office that the Army Service Corps should perform infantry duties?

That is another question which does not really arise out of the answer which I have given. Perhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.

asked the Secretary for War, if he would state the names of the contractors and their places of business who have been successful during 1909 in obtaining contracts for Army boots and shoes, with the number of pairs to be supplied by each during the present year?

As it has been decided that the names of successful competitors for Government contracts shall be published, subject to certain reservations, I can give the names of those who have obtained Army boot contracts during the current year, but, as they are too long to read out to the House, I will have them printed in the Votes and Proceedings. Particulars as to quantities and prices cannot, however, be given. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

Are these boots machine-made or hand-made?

It really does not matter; they are the best we can get.

asked the Secretary for War why, during the last few days, well-trained lads of good character, about the age of 21, who have worked for six years and upwards in the Arsenal, are being discharged from the Royal Ordnance Factories?

When a boy reaches the age of 21 he becomes a man, and can only be employed if there is a vacancy for a man. At the present moment, owing to slackness of work, men are being employed on short time, and only in special circumstances can a boy be retained for work on which no men on short time could in any way be employed. In reply to a question put by the Noble Viscount the Member for Thirsk and Malton Division of Yorkshire on 25th October last I gave a full explanation of the circumstances under which boys were employed at the Arsenal.

Will these discharges continue indefinitely?

They are not discharges at all. The employment is for boys up to the age of 21, and they enter into the contract on that footing. After the age of 21 they become men.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether some arrangement can be made whereby the lads may continue the session of education for which they have already paid, so that when they are dismissed they may not lose the education and the money which they have paid?

That is a different matter, and I would ask the hon. Member to put down a question.

asked the Secretary of War if he will undertake that discharges under O.F. Form 55 should be suspended, in view of the distress still existing in Woolwich and the neighbourhood?

As I have already informed the House, no discharges from the establishment are taking place at Woolwich Arsenal, except in the case of the Building Works Department, in which, owing to the nature of the work, the strength necessarily varies, and for which no minimum establishment was adopted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are cases of misery and absolute starvation of which I have the facts in my hand, and which have arisen, I will not say from discharges, but from dismissals recently?

There are no dismissals in connection with the work I am speaking of. That work varies from time to time, as in the case of a private firm. There is no establishment and no minimum, and we always take on the hands as they are wanted.

Is there no hope for these people at all?

Is there any limit to the term of suspension? Is it for six months, twelve months, or two years?

We take the hands on as they are wanted. There is no establishment in connection with this work.

Does he mean to say that no discharges are taking place from the Ordnance factories although these boys have received notices saying that their services will not be required after such and such a date?

The Noble Lord has really mixed the matter up. The contract is that the boys are employed up to the time they are twenty-one. They are notified when they are twenty-one. There is no dismissal or discharge, but the contract is adhered to.

Will he say whether the treatment given to these boys, which is similar to that given to boy telegraphists in the post-office, is one of the most fruitful sources recruiting the unemployed?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the reduction of the sentence passed upon Herbert Vivian Denton for maltreatment of a native of the Gold Coast he can inquire whether the Governor of the Gold Coast would extend the same clemency to Albert Watson, who is now serving as a prisoner in Portland on the same charge?

Any representations made on behalf of the convict Albert Watson will be forwarded to the officer administering the Government of the Gold Coast.

asked whether the judicial procedure in the Gold Coast Colony permits a white man to be tried by a black jury without the power by a white prisoner or his counsel to demand a mixed jury or a white jury; and whether a black man may demand to be tried by a black jury, by a white jury, or by a mixed jury in the Gold Coast Colony?

The person charged with a criminal offence has a right to demand trial by assessors instead of trial by a jury, but in the case of certain offences which are considered more appropriate for trial by a jury he must elect to be tried by assessors at the time when he is committed for trial, and he will thereupon so be tried unless the judge, for reasons stated, directs otherwise. The offence committed by Watson and Denton was an offence of this character. Further, if a person accused is not a native of the Colony the Court may direct that a number of the jurors, not exceeding one-half of the jury, shall be jurors who are not natives of the Colony. Subject to this, I understand that the composition of the jury in any case depends on the names of the jurors summoned as drawn from the ballot box, and that no discrimination is made on grounds of colour. I may add that elaborate provision is made by law for the exercise of the right of challenge of individual jurors by the prisoner as well as by the Crown.

Do I understand that while the judge may direct that a white prisoner may be tried by a black and white jury, that it does not lie in the power of the prisoner or prisoner's counsel to demand that he should be tried by a black and white jury?

It lies with the counsel for the prisoner, as I understand the procedure, and I have been investigating it, to ask for a mixed jury, and the Court may decide whether they will grant it or not as it thinks fit.

Is it the fact that in East Africa the white man can demand trial by a mixed jury?

The circumstances surrounding trial by jury in the different African Colonies constitute a very complicated legal question. Although I have some knowledge of it from the investigations which I have made, I would sooner not give a decisive reply now, but if the hon. Gentleman would put down a question on the precise point I shall consider it.

Are we to understand that the whole question of the procedure of Courts in relation to black and white men in British West Africa and elsewhere is being considered?

Before making any change of this kind in West Africa it would be necessary not only to consult the Governors, but also the judges who administer justice there. I have requested the adviser of the Colonial Office on legal matters to consider the whole question and report to the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he was aware that V. W. Denton and Albert W. Watson were tried by a negro jury in the Gold Coast Colony and sentenced to three years' imprisonment for an alleged assault on a negro convict; whether the sentence on V. W. Denton had since been reduced by the Governor to six months' imprisonment; if he had been released from confinement; if so, what was the reason for reducing the sentence on V. W. Denton and for setting him free; whether the sentence is to be reduced for A. W. Watson; and if he would also be immediately released, and on what grounds?

The persons named were tried before a native jury and sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour for intentionally and unlawfully causing grievous harm to a native who was accused of theft. The sentence upon Denton was reduced to one of six months, and he has been released. I am unable to say whether the sentence of A. W. Watson will be reduced. This is a question to be decided by the officer administering the Government of the Colony. It would be contrary to all precedent to state the reason for reducing or for proposing to reduce the sentence on any convict.

May I ask if the Government has considesed those cases and the weight of the sentences upon those prisoners in relation to the nature of prison life in the Colonies of West Africa?

Yes. I am glad to say that none of those men served any appreciable portion of their sentences in the Gold Coast. The question as to how far white prisoners should be removed to a temperate country is a wider question and one which I do not think I could elucidate by a reply now.

asked whether a steamer of the Elder, Dempster, and Company's line will call at Bermuda on both the outward and homeward voyages, and how often; whether Bermuda pays any subsidy to the company for this service; and what is the amount of subsidy paid by the British Government to Elder, Dempster, and Company for the West India service?

I am glad to say that the Legislative Council of Jamaica has agreed to arrangements being made for the "Port Kingston" to call at Bermuda on the homeward, as well as on the outward, voyage, every six weeks. Bermuda has provided a sum not exceeding £900 a year to enable £100 to be paid for each call on the outward voyage. The conditions of the call on the homeward voyage are not yet known, but it is understood that they are not likely to involve any payment by Bermuda. The contract of the 12th April, 1900, with Messrs. Elder, Dempster and Company provides for the payment, of a subsidy of £40,000 a year, of which £20,000 is paid by the United Kingdom and £20,000 by Jamaica.

asked whether this Government pays all the cost of carriage of British mails, parcel post, etc., between England and our Eastern and Central African possessions, or whether any contribution is made by these territories; and by what line of steamships this postal service is conducted?

The mails for British East Africa, Uganda, and Zanzibar are generally conveyed to Aden by the P. and O. packets, and thence by British India packet or by German packet. The mails for Nyassaland are conveyed viâ Aden or by the Union Castle Line viâ Cape Town. In the case of the British lines payment is made by the British Post Office, which receives from the Protectorate Post Offices the transit rates on homeward correspondence. In cases where foreign services are used transit rates are paid under Postal Union rules by the Post Office which despatches the mails.

asked what is the position held by Major Capell, lately retrenched from the post of head of the South African Constabulary in the Orange River Colony, in British East Africa; what is the salary he receives; what did he receive as head of the South African Constabulary; and what prospects are there of Major Capell receiving an appointment in the Colonial service more in keeping with his important and responsible services under Lord Kitchener, under Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell, and as head of the South African Constabulary in the Orange River Colony?

Major Capell was never actually the head of the South African Constabulary in the Orange River Colony, though he was acting in that position when he was retrenched. He is at present acting as an Assistant District Commissioner in the East Africa Protectorate, and presumably is drawing the usual salary of that office—namely, £250 a year. As second in command of the South African Constabulary in the Orange River Colony he received £900 a year. It is very unlikely that the Secretary of State will be in a position to offer Major Capell a substantive appointment at present; though he would be glad to do so if it were possible. It must be remembered that there are many candidates from other parts of the Empire who have claims to senior appointments such as the hon. Gentleman indicates.

asked what reply has been received to the protest addressed to the Chinese Government against the acceptance of the German loan for the building of the Canton-Hankow Railway?

An answer was received from the Chinese Government on 14th April, generally defending their action, but the contention of His Majesty's Government that the conclusion of a loan upon terms which contained no guarantee as to the proper expenditure of the funds is a breach of the spirit of the 1905 agreement was not touched upon. This has been pointed out to the Chinese Government.

What was the nature of the defence of the Chinese Government?

I think I have answered that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet succeeded in obtaining any redress or satisfaction from the Belgian Government in regard to the withholding of sites in the Congo to the British missions; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in regard to the matter?

The point on which the hon. Member seeks information is dealt with in the latest Memorandum from the Belgian Government, and it will, I think, be more convenient to discuss it when that communication and the reply of His Majesty's Government are laid upon the Table of the House. As I have already stated the reply is still under consideration, but I hope it will be ready shortly.

asked if any steps, and, if so, what steps, have been taken by the Belgian Government to bring about that immediate amelioration in the lot of the natives of the Congo in respect to the recognition of native tenure in land and freedom to dispose of the fruits of the soil, asked for in the British despatch of 4th November last?

The answer is the same as that given to the hon. Member's preceding question.

asked whether an armistice was granted to Tabriz in consequence of the intervention of the representatives at the Court of the Shah of Great Britain and Russia; and whether, seeing that such armistice gave an advantage to the Parliamentary forces, he would explain the reason for this intervention in the domestic politics of Persia?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The reason for this step was to facilitate the provision of food for the foreign subjects at Tabriz, who were in imminent peril of starvation, and to avert an attack upon the foreign Consulates which had been threatened.

Was an effort made to obtain a safe conduct for these Europeans, which would have been equally or more efficacious?

Every effort was made to supply food to Tabriz without the intervention of foreign troops.

Who was it that made the attack on the Consulates was it the Nationalist or the Royalist troops?

An attack was threatened from the starving population.

May I ask whether an effort was made to obtain a safe conduct out of Tabriz for the European population, and whether on the refusal of that these steps were taken?

Will the hon. Member be good enough to put down a question on the point?

Was there any arrangement as to the terms or limit of the occupation?

I am not sure that there will be an occupation; possibly the introduction of food will do away with the necessity.

Has food been supplied to Tabriz?

Not yet, I believe.

asked whether any British subjects in Tabriz were actively aiding the Parliamentary as against the Royalist forces, and, if so, whether such British subjects would be duly arraigned under the Foreign Enlistment Act?

It is reported that one British subject was taking an active part on the side of the Nationalists. I am not aware of any provision of the Foreign Enlistment Act which, in present circumstances, would apply to such a case.

Is it not a fact that the Foreign Enlistment Act applies only to British subjects who enlist in the military service of a foreign State at war with a State friendly to this country, and that it does not apply, and cannot apply, to a population struggling for freedom against a tyrannical monarch?

Is a British subject blameless in taking part in a domestic quarrel of this sort, in which the Government of his country is pledged not to interfere?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the frontier force raised and commanded by British officers in the Republic of Liberia for policing the frontier bad been recently disbanded; if so, could he make any statement as to the circumstances which led up to its disband- ment; and was it intended to re-establish the force?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The disbandment of the force was necessitated by the inability of the Liberian Government to keep it in regular pay, and the consequent discontent of the men composing it. It is stated that the Liberian Government are enrolling a small frontier police force under Liberian officers, but I am not otherwise aware of their intentions as regards the re-establishment of the force.

Is that force sufficiently strong to police the country?

I am unable to say.

Was this force supplied or controlled by this Government, or was it a force of volunteers controlled entirely by the Liberian Government?

It was not supplied by this Government, but there were British and European officers.

Was it under the control of this Government in any way?

Oh no.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland had yet obtained information in regard to the declared intention of the proprietor of the estate of Ardkinglas, Loch Fyne, to convert into deer forest four farms on his estate, employing 48 men; and would he state whether the Government proposed to take such steps as might be necessary to arrest the continued extension of the deer forest area in the crofting counties, especially bearing in mind the repeated pledges given by the late Prime Minister and other leaders of the Liberal party in regard to sporting areas?

I am informed that there is not and has not been any intention as suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the cottar population in the island of Lewis, with their families, represented a population of 7,500, and that the landward committee of the Stornoway Parish Council had sub- mitted to the Congested Districts Board a list of cottars willing to migrate to the mainland, if he would state whether the Board had yet examined the list, and, if so, with what result; and, seeing that it was now upwards of three years since the Board were pressed to give effect to a scheme of migration, and were supplied by the Member for Ross-shire with a list of cottars willing to migrate from the island to the mainland, would he state what efforts had been made to secure the requisite land and the cause of the delay?

The particulars obtained and submitted by the landward committee have now been carefully examined by the Congested Districts Board, with the result that the Board are not satisfied that migration on these lines offers the prospect of any practicable mitigation of the cottar problem of the Lewis. The information obtained will be borne in mind; but it is not intended to take any further steps at the present time. The list sent by my hon. Friend was received in March, 1908, not three years ago.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that during the years 1903–7 there were 2,915 uncertified deaths in Ross-shire and Inverness-shire, would he state what action the Local Government Board for Scotland propose to take to secure certification of deaths in the Highlands and Islands?

No action can be taken without legislation, which is not at present in contemplation by the Government.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could state the arrears of assessments in the island of Lewis which were levied up to and including the financial year 1907–8; what was the amount of these assessments for the current year, and how much of this was still uncollected, and what remained unexpended of the bank advance granted, on the guarantee of the Treasury, in November last to meet the pressing necessities of local government?

As the information required by the hon. Member contains a long statement of figures it will be circulated with the Votes. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that under the recent decision of the Stornaway Sheriff Court and subsequent appeal, the proprietor of the island of Lewis had been relieved of nearly 50 per cent. of the rates for which he was formerly held to be liable, would he state how the shortage thus created in the rates for the parishes of Lochs, Barvas, and Uig was to be made up, especially bearing in mind that the crofters and other ratepayers in these parishes already found difficulty in paying the rates at present levied on them?

The decision of the sheriff is now under consideration, and I am not at present prepared to interpret its effect upon the other ratepayers.

Is it not the fact that a decision has been given on appeal by the Sheriff Principal?

The Sheriff Principal has given a decision and I am at present considering what its effect will be on the liabilities of the ratepayers.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that quite recently the Congested Districts Board had expended the sum of £86,250 for the purpose of acquiring 48,500 acres of land in Inverness-shire for the settlement of the people, whereas there had been no expenditure for a like purpose in the other crofting counties, would he state whether there was no prospect of the law-abiding crofters and cottars in those counties haying their grievances dealt with until they, too, took forcible possession of the land in the manner adopted by the people of Barra, Vatersay, and other districts in Inverness-shire?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the present Government is not responsible for the expenditure of £80,000 out of the £86,250 referred to. I must, on behalf of the Government, repudiate the suggestion contained in the concluding part of the question, the responsibility for which must rest with my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Advocate if he was aware that practically all the Scottish Members supported the proposal to put Scottish Poor Law medical officers in the same position as regards right of appeal as their brethren in England and Ireland; and if the Government would afford facilities for the second reading to the Local Government (Scotland) Bill in order that the case might be duly considered in Committee?

I am aware that the Bill referred to receives considerable support. Parish Councils, however, are by no means unanimous in the matter, and without evidence of more general concurrence on their part the Government are not prepared to adopt the course which my hon. Friend proposes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary for Scotland, in reply to a deputation a year and a half ago, promised that this matter should receive consideration when the Local Government (Scotland) Bill was before the House?

He has given it consideration and found that the local authorities are not by any means in universal agreement on the subject.

asked whether any information would be obtained regarding the intention of Austria to add four or more "Dreadnoughts" to her fleet?

The reply to my hon Friend's question is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could inform the House what was the average amount of tonnage in brass and metal castings supplied by contractors for the dockyard at Devonport during each of the three years 1903 to 1905 and 1906 to 1908, respectively?

The quantities of brass and metal castings supplied by contractors during the periods mentioned are as follows:— 1903 3 cwt. 1904 8 cwt 1905 397 cwt. Average per year, 6 tons 16 cwt. 1906 141 cwt. 1907 665 cwt. 1908 563 cwt. Average per year, 22 tons 13 cwt.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would inform the House what was the average number of moulders employed in producing brass and metal castings in the foundries at Devonport Dockyard during each of the three years 1903 to 1905 and 1906 to 1908 respectively?

The average number of moulders employed in the foundries at Devonport Dockyard producing brass and metal castings, including iron castings, were as follows:— During the three years 1903–05 72 During the three years 1906–08 39

How is it that the number of moulders has fallen off to such an extent, seeing that the quantity of castings required from outside so largely increased?

I can only assume that the number of moulders employed in the dockyard was the number required for the work to be done in the dockyard itself. The work done by outside contractors would not be included in this.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would state how many dry docks there were on the east coast of Great Britain into which a damaged "Dreadnought" could enter if she was drawing more water than ordinarily through having some of her watertight compartments flooded; and how many dry docks capable of taking a battleship of the "Dreadnought" type in similar circumstances were possessed by Germany?

There are none on the east coast of England. There are understood to be five in Germany.

How many docks of this capacity are in course of construction in Germany?

I should like notice of that question.

Is the Admiralty taking any steps to provide these most important docks?

Yes. I believe it is common knowledge that a dock is being built at Rosyth.

How long will it be before the dock at Rosyth is completed?

Have the Admiralty any intention of availing them selves of the opportunity of completing a dry dock suitable for "Dreadnoughts" at Immingham on the Humber?

We are discussing that question at this moment.

asked what was the strength of the British fleet in the Pacific Ocean, and how many ships there were on the China and Australian Stations respectively?

In addition to torpedo craft, gunboats, etc., there are on the

CHINA STATION:— 4 Armoured Cruisers, 2 2nd Class Cruisers, 2 Sloops,

and on the

AUSTRALIAN STATION:— 1 Protected Cruiser, 1st Class, 3 2nd Class Cruisers, 5 3rd Class Cruisers, 1 Sloop in reserve.

Two sloops are employed on the West Coast of America. A cruiser from the China Station and another from the Australian Station are at present cruising in the Pacific.

Do I understand that there is not a single first-class battleship in the China or Australian seas?

Yes, that would be inferred from the reply.

asked what was the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet at the present time; and what was the strength of the fleets in the Mediterranean of France, Italy, and Austria, respectively?

I will circulate the answer with the printed papers. [ See Written Answers this date. ]

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the speed of the destroyers of this year's programme would be 33 knots, according to Lord Tweedmouth's unfulfilled announcement as to the destroyers of last year's programme; if their speed was not to be 33 knots, what would it be; and would he state their displacement and armament?

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

How long is it going to be under consideration? The matter is very urgent.

asked 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 that question, as graving docks can be constructed in less than seven years, and floating docks in less than two years.

Yes, but, Sir—[Cries of "Order, order."]

The hon. Member seems to be in an argumentative mood. He can only ask a question now. He must found his argument upon it hereafter.

I beg your pardon, Sir; I was only in a catechetical mood. But I want to know whether or not we will be inferior to the Germans on the date mentioned?

It is impossible to say what number of docks we shall have in the year 1916, as we do not know how many will be built between 1909 and 1916.

How many docks shall we have on the East Coast in 1912 when we will have 17 or 21 "Dreadnoughts"?

The East Coast, 1912? It will depend upon the number of floating docks we shall have then.

May I ask whether the Government intend to do anything on the East Coast?

Yes, Sir.

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.

Will they accommodate "Dreadnoughts"—that is the point?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can take steps, through his inspectors, to prevent master-bakers forcing their employés to work seven days a week?

There are no provisions regulating the duration of the employment of workers in bakehouses other than women and young persons, and I have no power, therefore, to take action in the direction suggested. The observance of the provisions in the Bread Acts as to baking on Sundays which my hon. Friend perhaps has in mind is not a matter for which my Department is responsible, and it would not, in my opinion, be desirable for the factory inspectors to intervene. It is open to any person aggrieved, or any member of the public, to take action.

Is it the intention of the Home Office to introduce legislation to regulate the hours of labour in bakehouses?

There is a Bill that deals with the subject before the House now, and we have informed the promoters that if a second reading is given we shall not offer any opposition to it going to a Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any Report of the inquiry on 20th April into the gangway disaster at Barrow-in-Furness; and, if so, whether he proposes to lay such Report upon the Table of the House?

I have received a Report of the proceedings at the inquest from the inspector who was present on behalf of the Home Office, but the inquiries of the Department are not yet completed, and I have nothing which I can usefully communicate to the House at present on the subject of the accident.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Liverpool, and also signed by the chairmen of the shipowners' associations and those of the principal merchants' associations, requesting the Government in the public interest to allow the two fast steamers "Mauretania" and "Lusitania" to proceed direct to New York, avoiding the delay at Queenstown, in order that the mails leaving Liverpool on Saturday may be delivered in New York on the Thursday following; and whether he will give favourable consideration to the matter?

I have received the memorial to which my hon. Friend refers, and I have answered it in the sense of my reply to the question addressed to me on this subject on the 21st instant by the hon. Member for East Northants.

Is it not the case that if the loss of time at Queenstown were avoided the mails would be delivered in New York at the latest by the first delivery on Friday instead of during the day on Friday as at present; and would not the mails for other parts of the United States, by the omission of the delay at Queenstown, be delivered 12 hours sooner than under the present arrangement?

That I cannot answer at present. If the hon. Member will refresh his memory with the answer he will see that the real difficulty is this: that if we adopt the suggestion in the question it will involve an entire loss on this side except at Liverpool, and one or two places near.

Is it not the case that the City of London is almost half closed on Saturdays for business, and that the sending of the mails on Friday—

On a point of order, may I ask if such questions are allowed whether we will be allowed to answer them by other argumentative questions?

I think the Postmaster-General will give a sufficient answer.

asked the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Government contractors for electric apparatus at North Woolwich are not complying with the fair wages clause; and whether he will call upon them to supply him with a list of the rates of pay and hours of labour worked by the employés?

An allegation to the effect stated by my hon. Friend has been made, and I am making inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to representations made by four professors of zoology with respect to the administration of the natural history collections of the British Museum; whether he will consider as to the desirableness of appointing a Committee to inquire into the relations that should exist between the officer appointed to take charge of these collections and the Trustees of the Museum; and, further, whether, having regard to the scientific and technical qualifications essential to the officer in charge, the natural history branch of the Museum would be more efficiently administered if placed under separate direction and control?

I am in communication with the Trustees of the British Museum upon the subjects raised by the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the publication in "The Times" newspaper upon Wednesday, the 21st, of certain Cabinet decisions relative to the Budget; whether the details so published were authorised to be published by the Government; and, if not, whether any steps have been taken to discover through what channel the information was conveyed?

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the paragraph in question. These conjectural divinations of alleged Cabinet decisions should be received with caution—especially at this time of the year. The Government, of course, had nothing to do with this particular publication.

May I ask for an answer to the last thing in my question, in view of the fact that it has never happened before in the whole history of English journalism—no, never?

I have said that the Government had nothing to do with it.

Have any steps been taken to ascertain how Lord Northcliffe got the information?

What information?

The information he printed as coming from the Cabinet?

I have already said that it was a pure matter of conjecture.

It was not printed so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House any opportunity of discussing the Report of the Select Committee on the Admission of Strangers; and what course he proposes to take with regard to the Houses of Parliament Bill?

I am in communication with Mr. Speaker on the subject of the hon. Member's question, and I would suggest that the hon. Member should address a question to Mr. Speaker on this day week.

I will give notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance to the House that the second reading of the Established Church (Wales) Bill will not be proceeded with until the House has had an opportunity of considering the evidence laid before the Royal Commission on the progress of the Church in Wales?

I am unable to give the assurance asked for.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what diocese the parishes now belonging to the See of St. Asaph in Shropshire will be transferred to, or will they constitute the Diocese of St. Asaph if the Welsh Disestablishment Bill becomes law?

Under the provisions of the Bill it would be the duty of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to attach the parishes referred to in the question to the appropriate English diocese to be determined by them.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has acquired the land necessary to build a new post office at Market Drayton, or does he propose to lease a building; and, in either case, when will the new premises be begun?

A proposal is now in hand for taking a suitable office on lease. It is not yet possible to say when the building operations can be begun.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the recent Report of the Royal Scottish Museum, in which the danger to the museum by the proximity of spirit stores is again stated; and whether he is taking any action to prevent the possible risk of fire?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the grave danger involved to the Royal Scottish Museum by the inflammable nature of the spirit stores, which approach within six feet of this great collection, he intends to take steps to remove those dangerous buildings?

As this question (No. 51) and the succeeding one are practically identical, my hon. Friends will perhaps allow me to answer them together. I have long been aware of the danger to the Royal Scottish Museum from the neighbouring spirit stores, and I am glad to say that, after prolonged negotiations, I have within the last few weeks succeeded in purchasing the site. I cannot, however, obtain complete possession until Whit-Sunday, 1910, but as soon as possible after that date the site will be cleared.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the names of, and the amount estimated by, the five county councils who have already made a statement as to the cost of carrying out the instructions contained in Circular 709?

The counties which have submitted estimates of the cost of carrying out the staffing improvements required by Circular 709 are:— Gloucester £6,932 Herts £2,000 Devon £4,350 Bucks £966 Cheshire £1,000 With the exception of Devonshire, none of these county councils have submitted detailed estimates showing the effect of the Circular on particular schools, and I cannot therefore say whether, in forecasting the financial effect of the Circular, these councils have shown that regard for economy which they will no doubt do when the Circular comes into operation, or whether advantage has been taken of the greater freedom of classification permitted by the Circular as compared with the existing code. A detailed estimate was received from Devonshire on Saturday last, and is now being analysed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask for more detailed information before the Circular is put into operation considering the enormous call on the rates?

There will be no delay in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, as the cost to the rates of the change contemplated by Circular 709 of the Board of Education is being over-estimated, he has taken steps to obtain from all such authorities without delay a detailed estimate of such cost; and, if not, will he do so?

I am taking every opportunity which presents itself of obtaining detailed estimates of the cost to the rates which local education authorities anticipate will result from the changes announced in Circular 709, and I will certainly examine any such estimates as are sent to me. I doubt, however, whether all authorities are in a position at present to submit well-considered estimates, and I am reluctant to press them in the matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance that the Treasury are prepared to find the necessary funds for this?

Any questions on that subject must, of course, be addressed to the Treasury.

The right hon. Gentleman says he is not desirous of pressing the local education authorities. Considering the importance of the circumstances, would it not be desirable to press them?