asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea from beri beri, on 27th January, 1909, of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Rahomallee Mossohallee whilst serving on the steamer "Cardiganshire," of Liverpool; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining, and how long he had been on the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

The man referred to died of beri beri when ten days out on a voyage from Bangkok to Zaandam. 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. I am, however, informed by the owners that the food supplied in the "Cardiganshire" was better and more abundant than the India Government scale required. The man was medically examined before joining the ship, and had been on board nearly three months; but as he developed dropsy four days after joining, it is possible that he took beri beri on board with him. I am not aware whether he had had previous sea service. No other death from beri beri has occurred on board this vessel during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many limited partnerships have been registered in each of the three Kingdoms under the Act of 1907, what are the total sums agreed to be contributed by limited partners in each kingdom, and the general nature of the business of each limited partnership?

The number of limited partnerships registered up to the 31st March last is as follows: England, 176; Scotland, 12; Ireland, none. The total sums agreed to be contributed by limited partners in the 176 partnerships registered in England is £322,480 14s. 9d., and by limited partners in the 12 partnerships registered in Scotland £8,120. As to the businesses of the 188 limited partnerships I have no classified information to offer to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury officials have completed their investigation into the granting of old age pensions in Ireland, and how many pensions have been disallowed by them?

The investigation has now been completed, but it will be some time before it is possible to state how many pensions will be disallowed as a result of it, since the cases in dispute have to be again submitted to the local pensions committees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the comparative proportion paid by rateable property and that paid by other property towards Imperial taxation; and what was the proportion paid by rateable property towards local taxation as compared with that paid from the Imperial Exchequer in the past financial year?

No recent figures are available which would enable me to furnish the hon. Member with a reliable estimate on this subject. He will, however, find a calculation which may be of interest to him at page 211 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation, which was published in 1900 (Cd. 201).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in addition to the proposed rebate of income tax in favour of persons with families, he will consider the justice of extending the principle of such rebate to married, as distinguished from unmarried, taxpayers?

I regret that I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for the convenience of Irish Members, he will arrange to have the two annual Returns of Revenue and Expenditure in Great Britain and Ireland, respectively, for 1908–9 issued at an earlier date this year than usual?

The preparation of the Returns is being proceeded with as quickly as possible, but as a large number of the figures required for their compilation will not be available for at least a month I fear they cannot be got ready before the usual, which is indeed the earliest possible, date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state at what date the new brewers' licence duty will become payable; and if the whole of the duty will be payable upon the specified date?

The new duty will come into force on 1st October, 1909. It is proposed that the licence shall be granted not for a full year but for nine months, to expire on 30th June, 1910. The duty, therefore, will be proportionately reduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the new brewers' licence duty of 12s. per 50 barrels will be calculated upon the output of the brewery during the 12 months prior to the payment of the duty?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the proposed brewers' licence duty of 12s. per 50 barrels will be calculated upon the actual number of barrels or upon Excise barrels as calculated for beer duty at a standard gravity of 1,055 degrees?

The duty will be calculated upon the number of bulk barrels brewed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what machinery it is proposed to set up in order to ascertain the value of ungotten minerals?

I can only repeat what I said yesterday in reply to the hon. Member for the Everton Division of Liverpool, that I do not think it either practicable or advisable to deal with points of this nature by question and answer in the House until the text of the Finance Bill is in the hands of Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if steps are being taken to obtain official statistics as to the value of leasehold property and of the dates upon which existing leases determine?

It is not possible to obtain complete statistics until an official register has been established under legal sanction; but I am causing steps to be taken to procure such information as is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it is proposed to spend during the present financial year, in addition to our existing outlays, upon the institution of forestry schools, the purchase and preparation of land for afforestation, and the establishment of experimental forests upon a large scale?

As I stated yesterday, in reply to the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division, the details of my proposals under this head will be explained when the special legislation in connection with the Development Grant is laid before the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by whom the pro- posed tax of a halfpenny in the pound on estimated capital value of land will be payable where land has been let on lease for a term of years at a fixed rent, and the estimated increase of capital value arises during the continuance of the lease?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for thee Oswestry Division.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that when Sir Michael Hicks Beach was Chancellor of the Exchequer it was proposed to levy a stamp duty on contract notes of produce in a similar way as they are imposed on Stock Exchange transactions; and whether he will consider the expediency of raising money by the taxation of gamblers in the commodities necessary for the progress of trade and the food of the people?

I have already considered this suggestion. I am aware that Lord St. Aldwyn, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed to apply to transactions on produce exchanges the same stamp duty as is applicable to contract notes on the Stock Exchange. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that Lord St. Aldwyn found the objections to such a duty sufficiently grave to induce him to withdraw his proposal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new 20s. stamp on bearer bonds will apply to all such bonds or only to new or fresh issues?

As I have already explained in the House, I propose to postpone dealing with questions of this kind until the Finance Bill is in the hands of hon. Members.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the amount of Two and a Half per Cent. Consols outstanding on 1st May this year and the same date last year?

The amount of Two and a Half per Cent. Consols outstanding on 1st May, 1909, was £572,578,899, and on 1st May, 1908, was £577,211,499.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the quantity of land in the United Kingdom, especially in the Highland crofting counties, exclusively used for deer forests and other sporting purposes, the capital value of which does not exceed £50 per acre, so rendering it exempt from the Budget proposals, he will state whether he has considered the expediency of placing a tax on such land used for purposes of pleasure?

I have considered this proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the removal of the boys from the Duke of York's School will take place this year; if so, on what date; whether any negotiations as to the disposal of the site have yet been entered into; and which Government Departments will have the conduct of the same?

The boys will probably be moved in August or September. I cannot at present make any statement as to the disposal of the site.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state in detail what amount of forage for military horses comes from abroad, and how much from the United Kingdom?

The contracts for Army forage do not contain any specification as to sources of supply, and accordingly it is not possible to give the detailed information required. The supply is governed by the price and specification as to quality.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any, and what, progress has been made with the erection of the new public abattoir for Belfast?

The Belfast Corporation decided last autumn to proceed with the erection of a new abattoir, and the necessary plans have been completed. The Corporation deferred taking further action pending consideration of a report to be made by a deputation appointed to visit abattoirs in other countries. The Local Government Board understand that the report will shortly be laid before the Corporation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the local areas in Ireland where the local authorities have control of the gas supply and where they have not control, and the cost per 1,000 feet of gas in each case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the returns with respect to gas undertakings presented to Parliament from time to time which would appear to afford the required information (See House of Commons Papers 338 and 339 of 1907).

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state what decision, if any, has been come to by the Local Government Board with reference to the erection of labourers' cottages in the Ballymoney union; whether the amount asked for by the Ballymoney Rural District Council was £188 for each cottage, with a half-acre allotment, this estimate including £22 10s. per cottage for incidental expenses; what were the terms of the specification for these cottages; and whether there is any reason why such cottages, with one-acre plots, could be provided in Limerick county at £150 each, while the cost in Ballymoney, with half-acre plots, is £188 each?

The Local Government Board have sanctioned loans at the rate of £170 per cottage for the 131 cottages with half-acre allotments authorised by the Order of 1908. The figures given in the second part of the question are correct. The specification is on the lines of a general specification issued by the Board for the guidance of local authorities and their officers. It provides for the use of materials of the best kind available in the district. The Board are not aware that any exceptional reason exists in the case of Ballymoney why a suitable cottage and half-acre allotment should not be provided for £170, or £18 less than the council asked for. The returns furnished to the Board do not show that cottages with acre allotments are being provided in county Limerick at £150 each.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he could state the result of the Local Government Board inquiry held with regard to the petition of the Castlereagh Rural District Council as to sewage purifi- cation in the Cregagh district; and whether, in view of the inconvenience to the residents in the district caused by the delay, he will advise the Local Government Board to endeavour to effect some agreement on the matter between the Castlereagh Rural District Council and the Belfast Corporation, as the best means of dealing with it?

The Local Government Board have made a Provisional Order in compliance with the petition of the Castlereagh Rural District Council for powers to acquire land compulsorily for the purpose of providing a system of sewerage for the Cregagh portion of the district, and this Order will be submitted to Parliament for confirmation during the current Session. The Board would regard favourably an agreement in the matter between the Council and the Belfast Corporation, but it is not within the scope of their duties to effect such an agreement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the claim of Mrs. Sarah O'Regan, representative of Andrew Neenan, deceased, evicted tenant on the Manning estate, county Cork, was investigated over two years ago by Mr. Hannigan, estates inspector; and, if so, whether she has been placed amongst the list of those who are to be provided with suitable holdings under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act.

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into the application of Mrs. Regan in reference to a farm at one time occupied by her father and now in the occupation of another tenant, and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will give a Return of the free constabulary force allotted to each county in Ireland in the years 1903 and 1908 respectively; the total strength and cost of the force in each of the years named; and the amount charged in each year on the Consolidated Fund and on local rates respectively?

presented the following Return, showing the free constabulary force allotted to each county in Ireland in 1903 and 1908:— Counties, etc. Free Force (Sergeants and Constables) for 1902–3. Free Force (Sergeants and Constables) for 1907–3. Antrim … 269 241 Armagh … 191 185 Carlow … 99 83 Cavan … 219 169 Clare … 421 367 Cork, E. R. … 478 453 Cork, W. R. … 337 248 Donegal … 462 348 Down … 273 253 Dublin … 200 164 Fermanagh … 157 130 Galway, E. R. … 311 313 Galway, W. R. … 349 303 Kerry … 501 361 Kildare … 168 142 Kilkenny … 262 225 King's … 202 164 Leitrim … 192 147 Limerick … 378 303 Londonderry … 141 122 Longford … 134 110 Louth … 160 126 Mayo … 515 403 Meath … 248 172 Monaghan … 146 123 Queen's … 164 131 Roscommon … 307 256 Sligo … 211 206 Tipperary, N. R. … 225 203 Tipperary, S. R. … 287 249 Tyrone … 234 222 Waterford … 198 174 Westmeath … 237 190 Wexford … 243 192 Wicklow … 178 152 Cities. Belfast … 500 500 Cork … 175 175 Limerick … 85 85 Londonderry … 76 90 Waterford … 73 73 Totals … 10,006 8,553 The average total strength of sergeants and constables was 10,668 during 1902–3 and 9,657 during 1907–8. The total cost of the force in 1902–3 was £1,380,318, of which £18,899 was charged to the counties for extra police, and the total cost in 1907–8 was £1,343,529, of which £24,310 was charged to the counties, the balance in each case being charged to Imperial funds.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, when a portion of the free constabulary force allotted to one county is drafted into another county for temporary duty it is discretionary with the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to limit the charge on the county into which they are drafted to the cost of transferring the men?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that when a charge is made under section 6 of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1848, for the services in any county of extra men drafted into it from the free force of another county, that charge must be at the rate of £34 9s. 3d. per annum, being a moiety of the rate fixed under section 5 of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1874.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in dealing with the cost of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Ireland as a whole is treated as a single entity; whether charges have been made on counties into which the free force of another county has been drafted for temporary purposes; if so, whether such charges were made upon his authority, as one of the chief governors of Ireland; and whether he will explain why Irish ratepayers are saddled with a charge which has hitherto been borne by the Consolidated Fund in the days of former Governments?

The Vote for the Royal Irish Constabulary is taken for a force as a whole, and not county by county. Charges have been made against counties, under the authority of section 6 of the Constabulary (Ireland) Act, 1848, in respect of the services of police drafted into them from the free force of other counties. The charges fixed by that Act have, as I am informed, been made against the counties concerned by every Government since the passing of the Act.

asked the Postmaster-General whether better arrangements could be made to enable letters to be delivered at Bar of Slattinagh, Kiltyclogher, county Leitrim, at a reasonably early hour of the day, seeing that at present they are not sent by the Bar of Slattinagh postman, but are sent around by another postman to the sub-office at Tullyrossmearn and from thence are taken to the Scribbagh wall-box and there delivered to the Bar of Slattinagh postman at three o'clock, though if sent direct by him they could be delivered about noon?

I regret to find that the circumstances do not admit of any alteration being made in the existing arrangements for serving Bar of Slattinagh. The present service is carried on at a considerable proportionate loss, and the suggested changes would involve further expenditure.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will take steps to prevent any articles made by pauper labour in Greenock workhouse being sold to the public in future; or, if not, whether he will direct that the proceeds of such sales shall be applied direct to the support of the paupers, instead of being placed at the disposal of a non-representative society?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given in answer to his question of 1st March. I am further informed that the articles manufactured are included in a sale of work for the charitably inclined, held in conjunction with the Christian Social Union Society. They do not compete with the open market as they are sold in excess of their intrinsic value. I do not propose to take any steps in the matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the remark made by the Southwark coroner at a recent inquest on a child whose clothes had been set on fire by a gas grill that such a case was not contemplated by the framers of the Children Act; and whether he will consider the propriety of amending the law in order to secure that all fires are properly guarded?

The coroner reports to me that in the case referred to in the question the child climbed upon a chair to reach a bag hanging on the wall over a gas grille stove, with the result that her clothes caught fire. It is impossible to provide by Act of Parliament against every source of danger. The provision in the Children Act was intended to meet the common cases of open fire-grates, but I am afraid that it would be impossible to prevent accidents in such exceptional circumstances as occurred in this case.