asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that complaints are being made by patients as to the treatment meted out to them in the hospital at Port-of-Spain; that such complaints are ignored, and whether he will institute an inquiry in regard to the matter?

The Secretary of State has received no information in the matter, but will make inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the hardship that will ensue in the case of tenants who have entered into a long lease under the previous licensing laws being now confronted with a big rise in the amount of licence to be paid; and, if so, can he state whether some arrangement can be come to in such cases so that the landlord shall bear some part of the increase until the lease expires, on the same principle as in the Compensation Act?

I must ask my hon. Friend to wait until he has the text of the Bill before him.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can say of whom the Board of Conservators for the fishery district of the River Coquet consists, and by whom they are appointed; when was this Board first constituted, and by whom; over what waters has the Board jurisdiction; how many kinds of licences does the Board issue, and what charge is made for each kind; what is the annual income and expenditure of the Board; and what are the Board's responsibilities with regard to watching and stocking the waters over which its privileges extend?

The Coquet Fishery District was formed by a certificate of the Secretary of State dated 18th January, 1866, and was enlarged by a like certificate dated 22nd December, 1869. It comprises so much of the River Coquet and its tributaries as lies within the county of Northumberland and all rivers between a point two miles north of Coquet mouth and a point seven miles south of it, together with the sea-shore and territorial sea between Howick Burn Mouth and New biggin Church Point. The Board consists of 19 members appointed annually by the County Council of Northumberland, with the addition of a varying number of representative and ex-officio members qualified either as elected representatives of licensees or as owners or occupiers of fisheries. Licences are issued in respect of fishing for salmon, trout, or char. The licence scale contains 15 items, varying from £12 for a fishing weir, £4 for a draft net, to 2s. 6d. for a trout rod. The income in 1908 was £471 5s. ld., and the expenditure £524 3s. The discretionary powers of the Board with regard to watching and stocking are laid down in section 27 of the Salmon Fishery Act, 1865.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been called to the case of John Jack, 74 years of age, of 4, Livingston-street, Keppochhill, Glasgow, who has been refused a pension on account of having been, in July last, four days in the poorhouse; whether he is aware that the cost of this man's maintenance during these four days was repaid to the authorities by his sons; and will he say whether this case is shut out from the advantages of the Old Age Pensions Act?

I have inquired into the circumstances of the case referred to by the hon. Member, and am informed that John Jack was admitted to the poorhouse on 23rd July last, and was an inmate of the ordinary wards till the 28th. Repayment of the cost of maintenance in the poorhouse, unless there is an arrangement for it made before admission, does not remove the disqualification.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state how many medical officers for elementary schools have made reports to his Department; and whether it is the intention of the Government to issue a Report in regard to the same, giving the number of children examined and particulars as to their general health, and also reforms, if any, recommended by such medical officers?

About 130 Reports have been received up to the present date. The Board contemplate the issue of a Report in due course on the work of medical inspection, but I am not in a position to indicate precisely what the contents of the Report will be.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can inform the House what quantity of Cardiff coal is exported annually for use by foreign navies?

Particulars of the quantity of coal exported from Cardiff to each foreign country and British possession during each quarter of 1907 and 1908 will be found in the House of Commons Paper No. 111 of the current Session, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The total exports of coal from Cardiff in 1908 were 16,774,535 tons, but I have no means of knowing how much of this was destined for the use of foreign navies.

asked the Prime Minister when it is intended to proceed with the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture Bill?

I have nothing at present to add to the answer that I gave to a similar question on 13th May.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state whether the Estates Commissioners will give a portion of turbary to John and Hugh Mitchell, of Drumdiffer, Ballinamore, county Leitrim, on the Martin estate, which was sold last year, when such estate is being taken over by them, as it was one of the conditions of sale that all tenants were to get turbary, but up to the present they have got none; and, as their small holdings would be practically valueless without turbary, if the matter will receive due consideration?

Until this estate has been inspected in its turn, the Estates Commissioners cannot say what steps they will take as regards any turbary thereon.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners will consider the case of John Flynn, who was evicted from his farm at Clooncliva, county Leitrim, on the estate of Mr. H. J. B. Clements, Lough Rynn, which was sold to the tenant last January; if he will be provided with a farm elsewhere as another tenant is in occupation, or will the latter be given compensation provided he is willing to take same?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into John Flynn's application for reinstatement, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it has been brought to his notice that since the introduction of the Land Bill Messrs. Nussey and Townsend, Cork, estate agents, wrote to Patrick Kelleher, a tenant on the estate of S. G. Wallis Adams, at Cockhill, Mill-street, county Cork, to the effect that the second term tenants on the estate had purchased at 22 years, and that, as he had not agreed to those terms, lie would now have to pay 24 years' purchase to make up for the loss of,.£9 per cent. bonus; and, seeing that on various estates tenants have been excluded from the general purchase on unjust or unreasonable grounds and are compelled in the meantime to continue paying their old rack-rents whilst their neighbours enjoy substantial abatements, will he introduce a clause into his Bill providing that in all such cases the tenants shall have immediately the benefit of a special inspection and valuation by the Estates Commissioners with compulsory assessment of a fair purchase price?

The hon. Member has brought the agents' letter in reference to Kelleher's case to my notice. As regards the latter portion of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of the Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Yeomanry are only mounted infantry and will be required to fight on foot against infantry armed with the bayonet, he will say what weapon is to be provided for them to take the place of the bayonet, which they will no longer carry with the short rifle?

The principles of the leading and training of Yeomanry in dismounted action are given in section 152 cavalry training. In the problem presented by the hon. Member, namely, that of the action of mounted troops on foot opposing infantry armed with the bayonet, the mobility of the Yeomanry has been overlooked by him. In consequence of this mobility the tactics of a mounted force are of such a nature that the possession of a bayonet is not considered necessary. The possibility of eventually arming the Yeomanry, when embodied, with a sword has not been lost sight of, but its use is for action when mounted.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether, looking at the fact that shops are to be allowed to be built on War Office land near the barracks at Tidworth, any definite and clearly marked-out space of land is to be allotted for this purpose; whether these buildings will be supplied with water by the War Office: whether they will come under the War Office or the Local Government Board as regards water, drainage, and lighting; and, if under the War Office, whether there is any precedent, and, if so, what, for the War Office entering into trading?

A definite space of land is to be allotted for the erection of shops. These buildings will only be supplied with water and light by the War Department if no other supply is available. The drainage will be into the War Department sewer. There are precedents for the supply of water and drainage facilities by the War Office to tenants where there was no other supply or facility available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any men have been discharged from the Enfield Small Arms Factory during the last month or so; and, if so, how many and for what cause?

Since 1st April there have been the following discharges: 12 men who have reached the age of 60 years; 1 man through infirmity of body; 1 man voluntarily; 1 man on reduction at his own request; 10 men (gaugemakers) on cessation of the temporary employment for which they were taken on; 3 lads on reaching the age of 21 years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, on the arrival at Kinsale on the 3rd February last, from service abroad, of the 1st Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, trading passes hitherto usually granted to two clothiers from Cork and Kinsale, etc., to enter the barracks with a view to obtaining orders for the supply of civilian clothes to the men about going on furlough or leaving the Army, were refused, and the sole right to enter the barracks as clothiers granted to an English firm, Messrs. Patterson and Company, Aldershot; whether Messrs. Patterson were also allowed the use of a large room inside the barracks to show their goods; who is responsible for permitting this English firm to use the barrack store as an outfitting shop and refusing the right of entry to Irish firms; and whether any consideration was given for the privilege granted to Messrs. Patterson?

A Report has been called for upon this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state what are the changes contemplated by his Department as to the use of Sunderland Barracks?

The general question of the disposal of barracks is now being considered by a Committee, and I am not, therefore, at present in a position to give any information in regard to the Sunderland Barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the bar practising before the British consular court at Cairo has repeatedly petitioned the British Consul-General there for the appointment of a permanent English judge; whether he is aware that there are three such judges at Constantinople, where British commercial interests are much less important than in Egypt; and whether any reason can be assigned for the refusal to appoint a permanent Consular judge at Cairo?

In December, 1907, the Members of the British Bar in Egypt submitted, through the Judge of the Supreme Consular Court for the Ottoman Dominions, a request that one of the two Supreme Court Judges should reside permanently in Egypt.This request, which is the only one of the kind which has been brought to my notice, was carefully considered at the time, but it was decided, after consultation with His Majesty's Consular Officers at Cairo, Alexandria, and Port Said, that the case in favour of the proposed change was not sufficiently established to warrant its adoption, at any rate, for the present.With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, there are only two, and not three, Judges of the Supreme Court for the Ottoman Dominions. Their headquarters are at Constantinople, but one or other of them is, under the present arrangements, occupied for a considerable part of each year in hearing cases in Egypt.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Egypt has any extradition treaties with other Powers, and, if so, with what Powers; if he can state whether Egypt is able to avail herself of the extradition treaties between Turkey and other Powers; and, if so, on what occasions the Egyptian Government has availed itself of such rights?

With the exception of an arrangement made between Egypt and the Soudan in 1902 for the reciprocal rendition of fugitive criminals, I am not aware of an extradition treaty having been concluded by Egypt with any foreign State. I will make inquiry as to the two-last parts of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the Turkish Government and the representatives of the Great Powers to relieve the distress resulting from the massacres of Armenians in Asia Minor and to prevent their recurrence?

Two battleships of the Mediterranean Fleet have visited Mersina and have done what was possible to relieve distress by landing stores arid by lending medical assistance. German, Italian, and French warships have also-visited the port, and two United States cruisers are proceeding thither. On the first outbreak of disorders the Turkish Government despatched military tentso and provisions to Adana, and the Turkish Parliament have voted a sum of £T.20,00a. for relief work, which, it is believed, is to be regarded as a first instalment, only. Troops from other towns have been, drafted to Adana to prevent the recurrence of disorder, and the Vali of the province has been replaced. A court-martial has been sent from Constantinople to inquire into the origin of the disturbances and to punish the instigators.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information to the effect that the captain and crew of the British ship "Carrie D. Knowles" have been for several years, and still are, confined in a Venezuelan prison; and, if so, what steps will be taken to obtain release and redress?

No such official information has been received, but His Majesty's Minister at Caracas will be instructed to ascertain the truth of the report.