asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the case of the partners in a firm, each of whom has an individual income of less than £2,000, and who obtained relief in respect of earned income for the year ending April, 1908, but who, owing to the forms for claiming relief for the year ending April, 1909, being mislaid during the absence of one of the partners on holiday, omitted to send in a claim before the 30th September last; and whether, under the circumstances, and seeing that the Government, if inadvertently they had omitted to claim the tax in any year, can recover it in the next, the persons referred to will be allowed to claim the rebate in the same way as claims for return of income tax on life assurance are made?

Having regard to the provisions of Section 19(4) of the Finance Act, 1907, I regret that the case referred to in the question is not one in which the benefit of the lower rate of tax in respect of "earned" income could be granted.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to direct that for the future no new contract for the carrying of mails shall be entered into until advertisements inviting tenders shall have been inserted in local newspapers?

It is the usual practice to invite public tenders for new contracts for the conveyance of mails by exhibiting notices in the windows of the post offices in the district. Experience shows that, as a rule, sufficient publicity is obtained in that manner; but, when it appears desirable, advertisements are inserted in the local newspapers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Irish postal officials will be granted equal facilities for attending military training as are accorded to English Territorials belonging to the Post Office—namely, special leave, with full civil pay for half the period in camp; or whether the military pay of members of the North and South Irish Horse during training will be made up to their Post Office salaries?

The North Irish Horse and the South Irish Horse are Special Reserve regiments, and do not form part of the Territorial Force. The members of these regiments are not, therefore, eligible for the grant of special camp leave under the conditions applicable to members of the Territorial Force. They have already been informed that, subject to the exigencies of Post Office service, special leave without civil pay will be granted to them to enable them to attend camp; that the question of granting leave under more favourable conditions is under consideration; and that if such conditions are subsequently authorised the necessary adjustment of pay will be made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Local Government Board for Ireland has sanctioned a loan of £15,500 to the Newtownards Urban District Council, repayable in 40 years, for carrying out a sewerage scheme for the town of Newtownards; whether the urban council desired an interview, by deputation, with the Local Government Board, with the object of getting the period for repayment extended to 50 or 60 years, as in some other towns, and that the Board refused to receive the deputation; and whether, in view of the facts that the valuation of the urban district is only £14,000, that the average valuation of each house is about £5, and that at present the urban council is also carrying out a water scheme at a cost of £18,500, and is now commencing the sewerage scheme at a cost of £15,500, he will make a representation to the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision, with the view of increasing the number of years for the repayment, so as to enable the sanitary authority to carry out other necessary sanitary reforms without unduly increasing the rates, which have latterly increased from 3s. 6d. to 7s. in the£?

The loan has been sanctioned for the period stated. The Local Government Board do not sanction sewerage loans for periods of 50 or 60 years, and as the council had been informed on two occasions that 40 years was the longest period which could be allowed for the repayment of the loan, the Board did not think it desirable that a deputation from the council should be put to the trouble and expense of coming from Newtownards to Dublin in support of an application which could not be complied with. The maximum period usually allowed for such works is 30 years, but the Board in this case took into consideration the fact that a local Act had been obtained, and they allowed 40 years—the period allowed in similar circumstances in the case of a neighbouring district. The matter cannot be reopened.

asked the Chief Secretary whether in view of the fact that there are unexpended balances of the residue of the Exchequer contribution standing to the credit of the counties of Armagh, Down, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo, amounting to £25,302 13s. 3d., since before the passing of The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, and in view of section 17 (2) The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, which states that so long as the residue remains unexpended no portion of the purchase annuities payable by the council of any rural district shall be defrayed from the Labourers' Cottages Fund, the Local Government Board will be asked to distribute the residue at once, in order to lessen the loans for the erection of cottages prior to 1906?

The distribution of the unexpended balance mentioned was deferred, with the view of securing an equitable apportionment thereof, by affording the councils of the several rural districts in each of the counties named an opportunity of providing cottages in their respective districts. The matter is at present receiving attention, and it is expected that the distribution will take place at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Charles Henry, Ballyvarley, Banbridge, county Down, who was evicted three years ago on the Stewart estate; and, as the farm is still vacant, whether he will be restored?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that an application was recently lodged by Charles Henry, who states that he was evicted in September, 1906, from a holding on the Stewart estate. It has not yet been inquired into.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can adopt the suggestion made in the resolution passed by the central executive of the Irish National Teachers Organisation as to filling up the vacancy in the Board of Education by appointing the president of the organisation, seeing that no person having practical knowledge of the views and requirements of teachers at present occupies a seat on the Board?

I have nothing to add to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on 21st April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether transfers of convenience are included among dispositions inter vivos as far as the proposed new stamp duties are concerned?

I do not think it is desirable to deal with matters of this kind until the Finance Bill is in the hands of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether medical men using motor cars will be assessed on petrol at the rate fixed for petrol used for commercial purposes?

Medical men will not be entitled to a rebate of duty paid on the petrol used in their cars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the names of the trade unions in the United Kingdom that pay unemployed benefit to their members, with the amount of unemployed benefit paid by each union during the last three years he has returns for?

Of the 1,161 trade unions existing in 1906, 666 paid in all £514,000 as unemployed benefit in one form or another to their members (i.e., weekly benefit, travelling assistance, grants, etc.). Figures for all the unions—registered and unregistered—are not available for any other of the last three years, but the following amounts were paid in 1905–7 by 82 of the principal unions which give this kind of assistance to their members, and by which the greater part of the total unemployed benefit is paid:— Year. Amount expended. 1905 … … … £522,967 1906 … … … 424,030 1907 … … … 465,668 The names of and amount paid by each of these societies will be found in a Report on Trade Unions which will be issued almost immediately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea, on 19th January, 1909, from consumption of an Asiatic seaman named Ah Fook, whilst serving on the steamer "Bullmouth," of London; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining, and how long he had served on the ship; whether steps were taken to isolate him from the rest of the crew; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

The pumpman Ah Fook died of consumption on a voyage from Suez to Colombo. I am not aware whether he had been medically examined before joining; he had been four months in the "Bullmouth," but it is not known whether he had had previous sea service. As the vessel is trading in the East, I am at present unable to ascertain whether steps were taken to isolate the man from the rest of the crew. No other death from consumption has occurred on board this vessel during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from beri beri, on 16th October, 1908, of an Asiatic fireman named Md Jaffer Sk Alli, a member of the crew of 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, and how long he had served 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 in hospital at Hong Kong. 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 man was medically examined at Bombay before joining; he was over six months in the "Asama," but it is not known whether he had had previous sea service. He became sick, and was occasionally off duty soon after joining the vessel. No other death from beri beri has occurred in the "Asama" during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from beri beri, on 21st December, 1908, of an Asiatic seaman named Anfurulla Ameer Khan whilst serving on the steamer "Clan Sutherland," of Glasgow; 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 death from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

The man referred to died of beri beri in hospital at Port Pirie. 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 man had been medically examined before joining, he had been five months in the "Clan Sutherland," and, as he was serving as donkeyman, it is probable he had had previous sea service. Two other deaths from beri beri have occurred in this vessel during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the officer employed to inspect meat for the consumption of ships' crews in the district which embraces the port of Swansea is a whole-time officer, and, if so, what is his name?

There are four officers in the South Wales district, which embraces the port of Swansea, employed in the inspection of ships' provisions. They are whole-time officers, and their names are W. Buchan, G. A. H. Price, R. H. Price, and R. Smith.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the weapons carried by the German cavalry according to the latest regulations?

The German cavalry is armed with the steel lance, carbine and sabre. The old 98 carbine is being rapidly replaced by a new and longer weapon on the 98 Mauser principle. Experiments have been carried out with a bayonet with the view of substituting this for the sabre, but so far as is known no final decision has been reached on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that no colours can be supplied to a unit of the Territorial Force until the fee of £2 10s. per colour or £5 5s. per battalion has been paid to the inspector of regimental colours for the designs; that no provision is made to defray the expenses of the colour party or detachment attending at Windsor on 19th June; and that expenses will consequently fall on the counties remote from London; and whether, in order to lighten the burden thus incurred by the counties, he will arrange for smaller fees to the inspector of colours, and either provide travelling and sustenance allowance for these parties or lay a request before the King that the colours for Scottish regiments might be presented by His Majesty at Holyrood Palace instead of at Windsor?

The fee payable for the two colours of a battalion of infantry is £2 12s. 6d. This fee is not considered excessive in view of the great accuracy required in the designs. As regards the presentation of colours referred to, in view of the fact that the provision of colours is voluntary and not obligatory upon Territorial units, it is considered that this is not a case in which a special grant of public money for travelling or subsistence could be provided out of public funds.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is willing to

EXPENDITURE ON VACCINATION IN ENGLAND AND WALES. Financial Year. Remuneration of Public Vaccinators and Vaccination Officers, Costs of Prosecutions and other Expenses Defrayed by Boards of Guardians.* Awards to Public Vaccinators. Cost of Production and Distribution of Vaccine Lymph by the Local Government Board. Salaries and Wages of Staff. Hire of Calves.§ Other Expenses. £ £ £ £ £ 1894–95 … … 82,961 9,823 2,309 266 981 1895–96 … … 78,408 14,986 2,322 265 716 1896–97 … … 84,150 13,669 2,334 265 881 1897–98 … … 76,676 10,689 2,346 280 772 1898–99 … … 72,665 13,181 4,227 424 790 1899–00 … … 237,527 7,369 4,680 1,018 2,077 1900–01 … … 233,512 18,582 5,175 1,161 1,844 1901–02 … … 270,628 10,232 5,709 1,977 2,489 1902–03 … … 457,275 12,940 6,318 2,289 2,546 1903–04 … … 321,443 15,205 6,314 1,393 1,878 1904–05 … … 275,898 14,268 6,100 1,169 1,767 1905–06 … … 260,295 16,580 6,118 1,196 1,509 1906–07 … … 243,483 † 5,057 931 1,380 1907–08 … … ‡ ‡ 4,743 853 1,303 1908–09 … … ‡ ‡ 3,997 710 1,055 * The cost of primary vaccination and re-vaccination, the costs of prosecutions, and the other expenses referred to cannot be stated separately. ‡ Figures not yet available. † The expenditure during 1906–7 by County Borough Councils cannot yet be given. The amount paid by County Councils was £16,127. § No calves are purchased.

consider offers for the purchase by private tender of the site now occupied by the Duke of York's School?

It is not desirable to make any statement upon the subject at present.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will give the details of the expenditure on vaccination in England and Wales for the year 1895 and each succeeding year, showing the cost of primary vaccination, cost of revaccination, awards for good vaccination, production and distribution of lymph, salaries of medical advisers and inspectors, costs of prosecutions, salaries of permanent officials, purchase and hire of calves, rent of buildings, cost of new buildings, and other expenses?

The following table gives the particulars desired by my hon. Friend, so far as it is possible to supply them. It is not practicable to apportion the salaries of medical advisers, inspectors, and other officers of the Local Government Board, who are only partly engaged in dealing with vaccination cases:—

asked the Home Secretary if he can give the House the information contained in the report to the Home Office of the inspector who attended the inquest on Lewis Timmins, a little piecer, aged 13, lately killed under machinery in motion at an Atherton spinning mill on the day on which he commenced work?

The reports of the inspector show that the accident happened in connection with a self-acting mule. The boy, who was a young person for the purposes of the Act, had only started work at the mule the same morning, but had been employed on mules for five months previously. According to the evidence of a girl who was working at the same mule, she saw the boy going under the frame with a brush and wiper when the carriage was "on catch," that is, while momentarily arrested at the end of the run before beginning the return journey; she called to him, but he appeared not to hear, and before she could stop him he had been caught between the carriage and the roller beam. The minder, who was at the far end of the mule, stopped it as soon as he saw the boy. The boy appears to have thought the mule had been stopped for cleaning, not noticing that the spindles were still revolving. No blame appears to attach to the minder.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the number of inquiries into regulations issued under sections 79 to 81 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, the titles of the regulations, the subject of such inquiries, the number of days in each case occupied by the Commissioners in conducting such inquiries, and the total legal and other expenses incurred both by the Home Office and by the Treasury on behalf of the Home Office in connection therewith; and whether he proposes in the near future to initate legislation with the view of modifying the present procedure in the interests of the manufacturing community.

The number of inquiries which have been held under section 81 of the Factory Act with regard to draft regulations is seven. The processes affected by the regulations which formed the subject of these inquiries, the number of days occupied in each case, and the cost, were as follows:— Process. Number of days occupied. Total amount paid from Home Office Vote to 6th May, 1909. £ S. d. File cutting by hand 5 712 0 9 Loading, unloading moving and handling goods in, on, or at any dock, wharf, or quay; and loading, unloading or Coaling any ship in any dock, harbour or canal 26 3,279 10 9 The spinning and weaving of flax and tow 3 414 3 9 The use of locomotives and waggons on lines and sidings in, or used in connection with, premises under the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901 13 1,897 12 6 The casting of brass or any alloy of copper with zinc 6 849 7 10 The generation, transformation, distribution and use of electrical energy 10 1,872 14 10 The coating of metal articles with a mixture of lead and tin, or lead alone 6 150 0 0 Total — 9,175 10 5 The Secretary of State understands that no expenses were incurred by the Treasury Solicitor's Department beyond those which were repaid to the Department by the Home Office, and which are included in the foregoing amounts. Expenditure was also incurred in each case by the Stationery Office for the printing of the shorthand notes and certain papers, but against this would have to be set the receipts for copies sold to objectors and others. As regards the last part of the question, certain representations have been made to the Secretary of State which will receive his consideration, but he has no grounds for thinking that generally the procedure laid down by the Act has proved otherwise than satisfactory. When the circumstances permit the Department endeavours to settle regulations in consultation with all parties concerned, so avoiding the necessity of an inquiry. This has been done in the case of the regulations as to felt hats, electric accumulators, wool, paints and colours, heading of yarn, hemp and jute, horsehair, enamelling, and nitro and amido-derivatives of benzine.