asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Egyptian Government has in contemplation a public loan which shall not be under the control of the Caisse de la Dette; whether such loan was proposed in connection with the development of the Soudan; and, if so, whether there was any connection between the proposed borrowing operation and any financial transaction between the Khedival Government and the Suez Canal Company?

It may possibly be necessary, in the future, to raise a loan, the proceeds of which would be applied to the development of the Soudan, but so far as I am aware no definite project of the kind is at this moment in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether His Majesty's Government undertook, in connection with the French entente, that the rights of the Khedivial Government of Egypt should be ultimately be sold to the Canal Company; whether negotiations are now in progress between the Canal Company and the Egyptian Government for the transfer to the former of the rights of the latter in the Suez Canal; or whether any change was contemplated as regards the present status and proprietorship of the Khedival Government with regard to the Canal?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the British consular agent at Kiel is a consul or a vice-consul; and whether he is British-born or a British subject?

As I stated on the 11th instant, in reply to the hon. Member for King's Lynn, the British Vice-Consul at Kiel is a German subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of important developments since the completion of the Blue Book on affairs in Persia up to last November, he could hold out any hope of furnishing a supplemental Report in the near future bringing matters up to a more recent date?

I am not at present in a position to name a definite date, but further papers in continuation of the Blue Book recently issued are in course of preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he could state how many Russian troops were at present in Persian territory; and who was at present governing the city of Tabriz?

The number of Russian troops at present in or near Tabriz is understood to be about 4,000, and there are also small detachments which have been sent to reinforce the guards already stationed at Russian Consulates in other towns in the North of Persia. The city of Tabriz is under the Deputy-Governor, the Ijlal-uI-Mulk, a prominent local Nationalist leader, who has just been appointed at the request of the town, and who is in charge pending the appointment of a regular Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he would lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the Press Law, which has lately been revived in Egypt?

The law in question was laid before Parliament in 1882, and the hon. Member will find the text of it in Parliamentary Paper Egypt No. 5 of that year, from page 18 onwards. A reference to page 4 of Sir Eldon Gorst's last annual Report will show that it is only intended to revive those sections of the law which concern the registration and control of news-papers and the presses where they are printed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether British sailors are still in possession of Bushire; what number have been landed; at whose request the landing took place, and what were the grounds on which the landing was called for; who is at present in control of the government at Bushire; who collects the Customs duties; and to whom are the duties paid?

In view of the improvement in the situation at Bushire, authority has been sent for the withdrawal of the British sailors, but I have not heard yet whether withdrawal has been effected. One hundred bluejackets were originally landed at the request of His Majesty's Consul-General at Bushire, who, together with the other Consular officers, considered such action necessary for the protection of foreign life and property, in view of the presence of armed tribesmen from the interior. The late Governor, the Darya Begi returned to the town on May 10th and was received cordially by the inhabitants. The Customs continue, as far as I am aware, to be collected by the ordinary Customs officials, but the present arrangement as to the disposal of the dues is that they are paid to the Imperial Bank of Persia to the account of the Director of Customs, who may not, pending the settlement of the constitutional troubles, withdraw the money without the Bank's consent. This arrangement is made in pursuance of an agreement previously made with the Persian Government, under which interest on certain existing British loans to Persia was to be provided out of the proceeds of the Bushire Customs dues, and is carried out with the approval of the Nationalists of Bushire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Government still objected to having the Dervish prisoner Osman Digna examined by an independent medical expert as to his mental condition; and, if so, on what grounds the refusal is made?

I do not know whether the Egyptian Government do raise any objections, but I am satisfied that Osman Digna is being well treated, and it must be left to the Egyptian Government to decide whether such examinations are necessary or desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can obtain from the Egyptian Government statistics of the number of persons killed and injured by tramway accidents in Cairo and by railway accidents throughout Egypt in the past year?

I do not know whether such statistics are available, but I will inquire of His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo, and request him to obtain and forward them should it be possible to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the surplus of revenue announced in the last Egyptian Budget, he would urge upon the Egyptian Government the expediency of making better provision for the policing of Cairo and for the reconstruction of the police system throughout Egypt?

It is clear from Sir Eldon Gorst's Report for 1908 that the Egyptian Government are fully alive to the urgency of the question referred to, and I do not consider that the interference of His Majesty's Government is necessary on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the total amount of money awarded to the Royal Irish Constabulary during the six months ended the 31st of December for approved police duty; what proportion of this was allocated for the reward of officers and men engaged in alleged disturbed districts for zeal in the suppression and detection of offences connected with cattle - driving and other agrarian matters; and what proportion was allocated for the reward of officers and men for the efficient performance of ordinary police duty?

The Inspector-General informs me that no such distinction as that suggested in the question is made in according rewards for good police work. On examination of the list of rewards it appears that the amount granted in the six months ended 31st December last for good duty in connection with cattle-driving and other agrarian offences, and for duty arising out of the disturbed state of certain localities, was £221, and that the amount paid for good duty in other cases during the same period was £91, making a total of £312.

asked the Chief Secretary is he aware that a number of tenants on the estate of Captain Harkness, situate at Garryfine, Bruree, in the county of Limerick are refusing to sign agreements to purchase their holdings until the Dunworth family are reinstated in their evicted farm on the estate; if he can say what action the Estates Commissioners were taking with R. M. D. Saunders, who was in occupation of the farm, with the view to bringing about their reinstatement; and if he can say whether the Commissioners were taking any steps to get a number of the tenants to agree to purchase before having settled the Dunworth case?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that certain tenants on this estate have not agreed to purchase their holdings, apparently for the reasons stated in the question. The estate has recently been inspected, and the Commissioners will consider their inspectors' report at an early date. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an inspector of the Estates Commissioners went to these tenants and told them that unless they agreed to sign the agreements the remainder of the estate would be declared a settled estate? Had he the authority of the Estates Commissioners for doing so?

I have no knowledge of that matter, but I will inquire.

I have a letter to that effect.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state when payment will be made to those extern teachers of Irish from whom it has been withheld.

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that payment has now been made to such teachers in all cases in which Treasury authority has been given and the essential conditions of the regulations have been fulfilled.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could say on what grounds the Local Government Board refused, on appeal, to grant Mrs. Bridget Connors, of Duxtown, in the Ballingarry sub-committee district, county Limerick, an old age pension, having regard to the fact that she was 74 years of age, that on the marriage of her son in February, 1909, she gave her holding to him on consideration of £5 a year, and also having regard to the fact that the sub-committee allowed the pension to her?

Mrs. Bridget Connors at the time of the passing of the Old Age Pensions Act was in occupation of a good, well-stocked farm of 35 acres of land in county Limerick. In February last she assigned her farm to her son for £30 and an annuity of £5, and upon certain con- ditions as to her maintenance. Four or five days afterwards she claimed a pension on the grounds that her means did not exceed £31 10s. per annum. The pension officer reported against the pension, but the Committee allowed the full amount of 5s. a week. The pension officer appealed, and the Local Government Board upheld the appeal, and disallowed the claim under section 4 (3) of the Old Age Pensions Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a Return of these appeals, and the reasons of the Local Government Board for allowing them?

I have applied to know if it be possible, and am informed that at present it cannot be done, as it would involve the expenditure of a great deal of time.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received agreements made between the tenants and landlord on the Goodall estate in county Roscommon; whether their attention has been directed to the fact that some of these agreements related to grass farms from which in years past tenants has been evicted and that a portion of the tenants on the estate had refused to sign agreements; whether the matter has yet come before the Commissioners for definition as to whether agreements relate to an estate, and, if so, with what result; and if he will state whether the landlord has initiated proceedings under section 11 for the sale of the grass lands and of these holdings, and against the tenants who refused to join in the direct sale?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that a portion of this property has been sold direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and that the owner has instituted proceedings to sell to the Commissioners under section 6 of the Act the holdings of the tenants who did not agree to purchase and some untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will cause to be printed and circulated as a Parliamentary Paper, together with the statutes of the National University of Ireland and of its constituent colleges, the Report to be presented by the Dublin Commissioners?

The Report referred to has not yet been received. When I have had an opportunity of examining it, I will consider, in consultation with the Chairman of the Commissioners, whether it may conveniently be laid before Parliament in conjunction with the statutes.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could say whether the Local Government Board, in estimating the income of an applicant for an old age pension, calculate assistance given by his or her children, who frequently in Ireland help their parents to enable them to live decently?

The Local Government Board have been advised by the Law Officers of the Crown that voluntary contributions to claimants for old age pensions must be reckoned in estimating their income.

In cases of this kind, where children are members of the family, is it fair to calculate such assistance as part of the income?

I do not know whether it is fair, but the Law Officers of the Crown say it is the law.

Is it done in England?

Oh, yes.

In industrial towns?

The law is the same in both countries, and there is no differentiation in favour of either one country or the other.

Is the administration in the two countries the same?

So far as appeals are concerned the administration is Irish. I do not know if you want that to go over to England, too.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether the Local Government Board, in calculating the value of free maintenance in the case of parents who had years ago given up their holdings to their children on their marriage, estimated it in some cases as high as 12s. 6d. a week, and in cases where there may be a family of eight persons; and, if so, whether he would take steps to see that such amount is considerably reduced?

In such cases the Local Government Board take account, as required by the Act, of all the benefits and privileges enjoyed by the claimants, or to which they may be entitled. The amount assessed depends upon the circumstances of each case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that 12s. 6d. is a fair calculation?

The opinions that families entertain as to the rate of expenditure on aged relatives vary very much, and sometimes the parents receive a higher measure of support and sometimes a lower measure. We cannot enter into that.

Who has to ascertain what measure of support they are receiving?

That is the business of the Local Government Board when the case comes before them on appeal.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he could say whether the Local Government Board, in estimating the value of a small farm belonging to an applicant for an old age pension, took into account the cost of labour, seeds, manure, foodstuff for stock, and any of the losses incidental to farming, or whether they estimated the value from a schedule of the rent, rates, stock, crops, and quality of the land only?

In estimating the income of a land-holder the Board have regard to all expenditure which it may be necessary to incur for the working of his farm.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the estate of Sir H. Grattan-Bellew in the district of Moylough, county Galway, has yet been purchased by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, has all the land usually let on the 11 months' system been included for the benefit of the small holders?

The Estates Commissioners are in negotiation for the purchase of this estate, which comprises a considerable area of tenanted and untenanted land. The purchase has not yet been completed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the County Council of Roscommon have made repeated protests against the amounts charged in the constabulary accounts for the removal of prisoners, for which recoupment has been obtained from the ratepayers of the county, and that as recent instances the county council have drawn attention to the charge of £15 for a brake and two cars for the conveyance of prisoners from Ballygill to Ballinasloe, a distance of 4½ miles, £2 for two cars from Kilbarry to Strokestown, a distance of 13 miles, and for subsistence and cycling allowance to 13 policemen on the same occasion amounting to £5 2s. 2d.; and whether there is any method of putting a check upon the Royal Irish Constabulary in regard to matters of this kind?

I am aware that the Roscommon County Council have expressed dissatisfaction with the charges in the constabulary claims furnished to them. It has not been possible in the time available to make inquiry as to the particular items of expenditure referred to in the question, but the general explanation of the high charges for car hire in county Roscommon is that, owing to the unpopularity of the duty, car-owners are deterred from letting out their vehicles to the police at lower prices. The police are not in fault, and would be glad to have these charges reduced to their normal level.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared with an answer on Monday?

I hope so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the declarations made by judges of assize and county courts as to the peaceable condition of county Roscommon and of the repeated resolutions passed by the county council, any diminution has yet taken place in the number of extra police stationed in that county; if not, whether that diminution is likely to take place; and whether, in fixing the new quota of free force to be stationed in that county during the next quinquennial period, it will be fixed upon the basis of the number of police now engaged in the county?

The extra force serving in the county of Roscommon was reduced by eight men from 23rd April last. The question of fixing a new free quota of police for the county for the ensuing three years is now under consideration.

In fixing the free quota will regard be had to the number of police in county Roscommon, which we consider unnecessarily large?

That fact will, of course, be taken into consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners propose to take any steps to induce Timothy Kennedy, who is now in occupation of the evicted farm of Denis Healy, of Knockanes, county Kerry, by compensation or otherwise, to leave the farm so that it can be restored to its rightful owner?

No, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners are aware that the landlord of the Morrogh Bernard estate, county Kerry, which is now before them, is proceeding to evict Mr. Morty Buckley, a reintsated evicted tenant, in consequence of a dispute about a passage, which the evicted tenant considers essential for the use of the holding; and whether the Commissioners propose to take any steps to effect a settlement of this dispute?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on 3rd March last in reference to this case.

Having regard to the fact that since March last a writ has been issued against this evicted tenant, will the right hon. Gentleman press the Estates Commissioners to try and come to a satisfactory arrangement in the matter?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Estates Commissioners are doing all they can. Their difficulty has been in this case that the evicted tenant has assumed so unreasonable an attitude.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can ascertain from the Local Government Board their reasons for disallowing the pension granted to the widow Johanna Keane, of Kilcloher, Cross, Kilkee, county Clare, which pension was granted by the pension committee by appearance and other proofs that the poor woman exceeded the age of 70 years; and whether, having regard to the proof since procured showing by a Census Return that Mrs. Keane is 75 years of age, the Local Government Board will reinstate her case and cause her to be allowed the arrears of pension?

The pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board against the allowance of a pension of 5s. by the sub-committee to Mrs. Keane, and the Board disallowed her claim, as they could not find any evidence to show that she had reached the age of 70 years. Her family was found in the Census of 1841, but she was apparently not born then, as her name did not appear among them. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision, but if the claimant has obtained facts to disprove the evidence of the Census of 1841, and to show that she has attained the statutory age, it is open to her to make a fresh claim.

May I ask if all applicants are to be bound by the Census Returns of 1841, in view of their tendency to inaccuracy?

They are not bound by them in any shape or way, if the Local Government Board are satisfied by evidence that the claimant has reached the statutory age. In this case they were not satisfied, but if fresh evidence can be produced the applicant has only to make a fresh claim, and the case will be again considered.

What sort of evidence will be accepted?

Obviously there must be some evidence, and not a general statement which cannot be relied upon. I cannot lay down any rule on the point.

Will they accept the evidence of the sampler who knew this lady in her early years?

I can express no opinion about that.

May I ask if in cases like these after the required age has been proved the pension will date back to when the application was originally made?

I understand not.

It is very hard.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Messrs. Reid and M'Endoo have owned in their own occupation since 1863 the lands of Caraun, county Westmeath; if he will state whether their resident agent is now, and for some time past has been, rigidly boycotted; if he is aware that Messrs. Reid and M'Endoo have agreed to sell all their tenanted land in the neighbourhood to the tenants in occupation and have handed over free of charge a bog of 70 acres, that compensations for malicions injuries to cattle on the lands of Caraun has been awarded, and that the Land Judge has already committed to prison 12 men for interfering with the possession by Messrs., Reid and M'Endoo; and whether, seeing that this land is the principal source of income of the owners, he will say if it is intended, by the means at the disposal of the Estates Commissioners, to force them to surrender it to organised intimidation?

I am informed that the lands in question are the property of two ladies, Miss Reid and Miss McEndoo, but I have no information as to the length of time during which they have been in occupation or as to any arrangement which they may have come to with their tenants. The estate is for sale in the Land Judge's Court, and a number of men were committed in July last for interference with it. The agent has been rigidly boycotted for some time past, but I am informed by the police authorities that his position is now somewhat improved. He was awarded compensation in January, 1908, for injuries to cattle on these lands. As I informed the hon. Member for North Westmeath, in reply to a question asked by him yesterday, the Estate Commissioners have decided to take no steps at present with a view to acquiring these lands.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a communication from Mr. John Fitzgibbon in reference to the purchase of the lands of Heathfield, in county Roscommon, and the subsequent sale of the same to the Congested Districts Board; whether this statement was accompanied by a letter from Messrs. Hoey and Denning, solicitors, Tullamore, setting forth the nature of this transaction; whether this statement shows that Mr. Fitzgibbon made no profit whatever on the sale, and that, in fact, his expenses in connection with the transaction were not covered by the amount paid to him for the land, and that by the time it was concluded he was out of pocket; and, if so, whether he will correct the statement previously made that Mr. Fitzgibbon made a profit upon the transaction?

I have received a letter from Mr. Fitzgibbon enclosing one from his solicitors, Messrs. Hoey and Denning, from which it appears that Mr. Fitzgibbon did not even make the moderate profit mentioned in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on the 3rd instant. On the contrary he lost on the transaction, the small difference of some £430 between the price he received and his expenditure on the purchase of the lands, and the redemption of the annuity having boon far more than swallowed up by fees, costs, and incidental expenses which were not referred to in my previous answer. I regret that that answer should have conveyed a false impression, and I am glad to have an opportunity of correcting it.

Does the account to which the right hon. Gentleman refers give credit for profits received by Mr. Fitzgibbon for the use of the land pending the re-sale?

I have seen the account on both sides, and I am perfectly satisfied it is correct.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Congested Districts Board and their chief inspector were cognisant of every fact in connection with Mr. Fitzgibbon's action in regard to this sale, and amongst other things were they aware of the supposed receipt of profits during the period that this property was in the possession of Mr. Fitzgibbon?

It really is only fair to Mr. Fitzgibbon to say that in this transaction he acted on behalf, and as the friend of the Congested Districts Board. The sale was made through him and with his assistance, and I think it is singularly ungenerous that suggestions of this kind should be made in regard to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has any official information showing that members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, at Carrickmore, county Tyrone, endeavour to compel others to join the order by means of boycotting, threatening, interfering with persons buying and selling, and with tradesmen carrying on their trade, and, still worse, by waylaying and beating persons who do not join their society; and, if so, what action does the Government propose to take?

The police authorities inform me that they have no evidence that the members of this society have acted in the manner described in the question.

Is he aware that this is the publicly expressed opinion of Cardinal Logue?

I can only say, in a matter of this kind. I prefer the evidence of a policeman to that of a cardinal.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a certain farm of 90 acres at Ballybroghan, near Tulsk, county Roscommon, on the estate of the late Ffrench Brewster, has been sold or is in treaty to be sold to the Estates Commissioners, or whether a neighbouring landlord named Mr. Richard Hague, J.P., who is himself an extensive grazier, has purchased, or is in treaty for the purchase of, the farm in question; and whether, seeing that in the immediate vicinity there are nine tenants with holdings valued at from 10s. to £9 who are anxious to have the 90 acres purchased by the Estates Commissioners for distribution amongst said tenants, he will say whether steps will be taken to secure this farm for these tenants.

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this farm is not being sold to them, but the owner has entered into an agreement to sell it direct under the Irish Land Act, 1903, to Jane Hague, who appears to hold the land as tenant under a judicial rent fixed in 1891.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government has been called to the high price of foodstuffs now prevailing in India; whether this is attributed to the Government's currency policy and excessive coinage of rupees; and what steps the Government proposes to take in the matter?

The Secretary of State is aware that the matter has attracted attention in India, and is in communication with the Government of India on the subject. But he cannot at present make any definite statement as to the conclusions at which he may arrive.

Is it not the fact that foodstuffs are high in this country owing to the policy of the Government?

had given notice to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that the new taxes which he has proposed in his Budget fall more lightly on Ireland than on England or Scotland, and having regard to the greater benefits accruing to Ireland under the Old Age Pensions Act, he will consider the desirability of making the cost of establishment licences in Ireland equal to the cost in Great Britain?

I beg to ask your ruling on a point of order before this question is answered. I wish to ask you two points. In the first place, whether a Member of this House is to be allowed to use the Order Paper to put forward as a matter of fact what is a matter of opinion or controversy; namely, as to whether these new taxes are to fall more lightly on Ireland than on other portions of the United Kingdom. The second point on which I wish to ask your ruling is, in view of the fact that the hon. Gentleman who has asked it is, I understand, the secretary of the Prime Minister, if the House is not entitled to know whether this was asked on his own behalf, or in order to advertise the views which the Prime Minister himself has not the courage to express?

It would be very inconvenient if every hon. Member had to declare who was at the back of him in asking a question, and it would lead to some rather interesting revelations. As to the form in which the question is put, the views expressed can only be taken as the views of the hon. Member himself, and they are open to argument, or it is open to the Minister to contradict them if they are not his views.

I venture to direct your attention to the special phraseology of the question which has been placed on the Paper. It is to ask whether, having re- gard to the fact that these new taxes will have such and such an effect, and I wish to ask whether that is to be accepted as a precedent, and whether other hon. Members are to be allowed to put forward their own particular matters of opinion and have them stated on this Order Paper as matters of fact?

May I explain that this is a statement of fact, as based on an answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply to a private Member?

I certainly think it is undesirable to state that which has been the subject of argument, and has been constantly argued, as a matter of fact. It is rather, in my opinion, begging the question. I think, if my attention had been called to it, I should have asked the hon. Member to modify it.

Is it not the rule that an hon. Member, in putting down a question, commits himself personally to the statement he puts into it—he commits himself to the truth of the statement that he knows is correct?

This is a matter which has been constantly argued, and will be argued during the course of the Session, and therefore I think perhaps it will be stretching matters a little too far to assume that it is a fact. By the end of the Session it may have been proved one way or the other.

May I put the question, Sir, leaving out that portion of it which you think ought not to be put?

Tell us how it will read as amended.

It is difficult to amend the question now. Perhaps the hon. Member might postpone it till Monday.

Certainly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state whether the War Office property, namely, the Manor Farm, at Ludgershall, near Tidworth Barracks, is to be rated at its agricultural value or, as provided for in the Budget, as building land; and will he consent to pay a portion of its ultimate increased value through the acts of a water company, should the latter carry their existing water mains along the frontage of the building sites on War Department land, seeing that the War Department, would in that case be reaping a profit in increased value?

had also given notice to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether land situated in the immediate vicinity of a town in Middlesex, within 10 miles of London, purchased at £250 an acre, in order to prevent building thereon, but on quasi-public grounds, will be liable to the tax upon undeveloped land, such land not amounting to a public park, but being let for agricultural purposes at a rental of which the tax, if levied, would, it is understood, amount to upwards of 25 per cent.?

I would suggest that it is useless for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to attempt to deal with specific cases of this kind until the text of the Finance Bill is before the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to place an Excise duty, corresponding in amount to his tax on imported petrol, on petrol and similar spirit which is manufactured in this country; and, if so, what steps he will take to prevent illicit manufacture?

As provided in the Resolution passed on the 29th ultimo, an Excise duty will be imposed on motor spirit manufactured in the United Kingdom, and proper arrangements will be made to secure its collection.

Does the hon. Member know that putting an Excise duty on petrol will prevent the utilisation of the waste products of coke?

No, I do not know that.

Is petrol a raw material?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now ascertained and is in a position to inform the House why his expert advisers consider it impossible to give manufacturing chemists relief from the increased duty on spirit in some such manner as is provided by part I. of the Revenue Act, 1906, as to spirits used in art manufacture, etc., proof being given that the spirits are used as aforesaid. I beg to say that I put this question on my own behalf and the Home Secretary has nothing to do with it.

The use of duty-free pure spirit is allowed in the laboratories of certain institutions for research or teaching purposes, but only under stringent regulations as to bond, etc. Part I. of the Revenue Act of 1906 has reference to the users of methylated spirit, which is already highly denatured, and the conditions therein laid down would be inapplicable to the use of duty-free pure spirit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the effect his proposed increase in the duty on spirits, etc., would have on tinctures and other pharmaceutical substances and alcohol used in the manufacture of chloroform, ether, chloral, etc., and the consequent effect on the resources of such institutions as the Dundee Royal Infirmary, which it is computed would be affected to the extent of £170 a year; and whether he will allow exemption to such institutions as are mainly maintained by voluntary subscriptions?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Montrose, and which dealt with precisely the same question. I will give the hon. Gentleman a copy of that answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue he has estimated to obtain from the new duty of £5 5s. on the manufacture of cider and from the wholesale dealers' licence of £5 5s. to sell cider?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to give an exact estimate of the revenue to be derived from these licences.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the duty on unmanufactured tobacco being increased to the extent of 8d. per pound, if he will say when the new schedule governing the rates of drawback on manufactured tobaccos and cigarettes exported as merchandise from duty-paid factories will come into force, and what will the new rates of drawback be?

The new rates of drawback will be shown in the Finance Bill. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to state when they will come into force.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in publishing the new drawback has led to the discharge of large numbers of workmen?

No; I have not heard that.

Is he aware that when the rate of drawback was changed in 1904 the change was made within a fortnight?

I do not see that that affects this particular question.

asked what is the amount of identified income assessed to income tax as profits derived from income on foreign investments in the fiscal year just closed?

I am afraid the information for which the Noble Lord asks is not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Petition, dated 14th September, from the natives of the Orange River Colony has yet been presented to the King; and whether he can now state the cause of the delay in forwarding it to the Colonial Office?

The Petition has been now received and will in due course be laid before His Majesty. It appears that the Petition was received in the Governor's Office the day after he left Bloemfontein on leave of absence for this country, and was unfortunately overlooked.

Will the Petition be laid on the Table of the House in view of the approaching discussion on the question of natives in South Africa?

I will consider that. I think there will be no objection at all.

to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the names of the Commission appointed to inquire into the administration of Mauritius, and when the members of the Commission are to leave for Mauritius; can he state the terms of reference to the Commission; whether the reference is in accordance with the terms of the resolution unanimously voted by the Legislative Council of Mauritius at a meeting held on the 2nd February; and can he state whether the expenses of the Commission are to be defrayed by the Imperial Government?

The Commissioners are Sir F. A. Swettenham, the late Governor of the Straits Settlements; Sir R. L. O'Malley, formerly Chief Justice of British Guiana and Judge of the Consular Court at Constantinople; and Mr. H. B. Drysdale Woodcock, barrister-at-law. The Commissioners are directed by their Commission to make inquiry into the administrative and financial condition of the government of the Colony, particularly with a view to the introduction of economies, and to suggest such measures as may appear best calculated to restore and maintain the Colony's prosperity. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commission will leave on May 22nd.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to lay upon the Table of the House the Papers in connection with the state of affairs in Mauritius since 1907; and, if so, whether these Papers will include the correspondence dealing with the financial position of the island, the recital of grievances against Mr. Cameron, the acting Colonial Secretary, the loans for improving the machinery of sugar factories, and the popular request for a Royal Commission?

As I informed my hon. Friend on the 5th instant, it will not be possible to determine what Papers should be laid on the Table until the Report of the Commission has been received and considered.

asked whether the flax industry at St. Helena is proving a success; whether there is any distress among the inhabitants of the island; and whether their general condition is entirely satisfactory?

The Governor of St. Helena has recently reported that owing to failure in the supply of mature flax leaves the mill may have to close down for a time, though not for very long. Apart from this temporary interruption (which was, however, foreseen when the industry was started) and the present somewhat unfavourable condition of the fibre market, there is every reason to think that the industry has been, and will be, a success. I am glad to be able to say that the general condition of the inhabitants is much more satisfactory.

What was the date of the last Report?

I cannot say offhand. I was reading it only a few hours ago, but I will tell the hon. and gallant Member.

Is this industry a success in St. Helena because the Government have adopted the principle in this case of aiding by a bounty?

I do not know what the meaning of the question is. Of course, the hon. Gentleman knows that owing to the withdrawal of the garrison St. Helena was in great straits. It was therefore decided to take exceptional measures. It would be very unwise to draw general inferences.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement with reference to the present position of affairs in Somaliland and the operations of the Mullah?

No definite change has taken place in the position of attairs in Somaliland, but, as I stated in reply to a question last week, reports have been received of disaffection and desertion among the Mullah's followers.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any report from Sir Reginald Wingate?

Not yet. We do not expect to receive his report for some little time.

asked if the inquiry into the Petition of Sumonu Ewumi has now been completed; and if it has been established or otherwise that the said Sumonu Ewumi was deprived of a concession duly granted to him by the action of an official representing His Majesty' Government, and if the Petition is shown to be well founded adequate compensation will be given petitioner?

It appears from the report now received from the Acting- Governor that Mr. Matheson, the concessionnaire against whom the complaint of Sumonu Ewumi was directed, has expressed his readiness to submit the whole question to the Supreme Court irrespective of any technical question of jurisdiction. The Acting-Governor is of the opinion that this course will ensure a satisfactory inquiry into the facts and an equitable decision on the merits of the case.

asked whether Mr. Telfer Campbell has been transferred from his position as Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands; whether his successor is appointed; and, if so, who is the successor?

Mr. Campbell has been promoted to succeed the British Agent and Consul at Tonga in September next. His successor in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate has not yet been appointed.

asked why it was that, after paying to the natives £50 rent, and so fulfilling the terms of the lease granting the exclusive right to raise and ship all the rock and alluvial phosphate on Ocean Island, the Pacific Phosphate Company in 1908 also paid £1,100 to individual native owners on that island; and what were the sums paid to those owners each year from 1900 to 1907, inclusive?

I understand that annual payments have been made by the company to individual native occupiers beyond the £50 stipulated in the original agreement, in order to facilitate the company's operations and to induce friendly relations with the natives. The payments vary with the size of each area worked, and the total amounts paid under this head in the years 1905-1908 are stated to have been respectively £430, £768, £951, and £1,148. For the years 1900-1904 the amounts were smaller, but the exact figures are not immediately ascertainable.

Have these payments been made in recognition of native rights, or are they held to be a mere douceur?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the position of the Government is difficult in this matter, seeing that the ar- rangement was made with the natives before the British Government had anything to do with the island. We are, therefore, in a difficulty in ascertaining facts which took place before our occupation. In this matter the company are acting direct with the natives, and we have no precise power of interference.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether he believes the payments made were in recognition of native rights?

I can only draw the hon. Member's attention to this, which is what I have been given to understand, that the object was to facilitate the company's operations and to induce friendly relations with the natives.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied with the treatment the natives have received?

We have no complaints at present. I shall be glad to receive any information my hon. Friend has.

Does the rule governing secret commissions apply to this island?

I do not think Sir Edward Fry's Act applies to this group.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the speed of the German torpedo boat destroyers of this year's programme is to be 35 knots, and that the speed of the British vessels of the same class belonging to last year's programme is only 27 knots; end whether, under the circumstances, he can assure the House that the British, vessels of this year's programme will not be inferior in speed to the German vessels?

We have no official information regarding the speed of the German destroyers of this year's programme; but such information as we have does not accord with that of the hon. Gentleman.

asked whether the Board of Admiralty are satisfied that a three-pounder gun is a sufficient anti-torpedo armament for any vessel carrying no other gun smaller than a 7.5, as in the "Warrior" class.

The Board are not at this moment completely satisfied with the armament of any ships designed so long ago as the "Warrior" class.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider these former instruments of war suitable for meeting the newer anti-torpedo vessels—I mean vessels running from 600 to 1,000 tons?

I think the answer I have given covers the ground of the question. I say the Board are not at this moment completely satisfied with the armament of any ships designed so long ago as the "Warrior" class.

asked how many battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, provided for in the 1904–5 programme and subsequent years, have been completed in the time specified in the contract; and what are their names?

None of the vessels referred to were completed in the time specified in the contract.

Why in every case was the contract time exceeded?

I think the general reason was on account of the great strike.

Would that affect dockyard ships, too?

Oh, yes. Dockyard ships do not make their own machinery.

asked how many battleships have been struck off the effective list since the issue of the Dilke Return of Fleets for 1908; and how many new vessels have been laid down?

Nine battleships included in the Return referred to do not appear in this year's Return. One new battleship has been laid down since the issue of 1908.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that to lay down one battleship for every nine struck off is a satisfactory state of affairs?

The hon. Member may not have observed that the Return is issued in a different form this year. We have only put in this year ships of 20 years and under. Last year it included all ships.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been directed to the fact that the proposals for an unearned increment tax now before the German Reichstag are not confined to land, but include the question of the unearned increment attaching to personal property; and whether he will consider the propriety of widening his own proposals as to the taxation of unearned increment to secure equal treatment of all property owners?

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

May I ask if all our legislation is to be based on German legislation?

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to make any provision this Session for carrying out the proposals twice sanctioned by this House during the present Parliament, and not seriously opposed, for establishing for Scotland a Department responsible to the Secretary for Scotland for the administration of agriculture in that country?

I hope that my Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland will soon be in a position to lay proposals on this subject in another place.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the nature of the duties entrusted to the scientific Committee on Aerial Navigation, and explain the relation of the Committee to the executive officers who are understood to be designing balloons and aeroplanes for naval and military purposes?

It is no part of the general duty of the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics either to construct or to invent. Its function is not to initiate, but to consider what is initiated elsewhere, and is referred to it by the executive officers of the Navy and Army Construction Departments. The problems which are likely to arise in this way for solution are numerous, and it will be the work of the Committee to advise on these problems, and to seek their solution by the application of both theoretical and experimental methods of research.

asked how many battleships were maintained in full commission in home waters by Great Britain and Germany respectively in the year 1899; and what are the numbers so maintained by the two Powers to-day?

The hon. Gentleman gives no exact date for the earlier year; but, taking 20th May as the date in both cases, the figures are these for ships in full commission in home waters:—

asked why, in view of the fact that the "Dreadnought" was laid down in December, 1905, and completed in October, 1903, no steps were taken until February of this year to carry out the decision of the Admiralty that a dock for ships of this class was required on the East Coast?

The extent of the docking accommodation to be provided at Rosyth, and the degree of urgency with which it is required, have been continuously under the notice of the House for many years past, and I fear it would not be convenient to review the whole history of the scheme in reply to a question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the German unarmoured cruiser "Emden," of 3,540 tons, is armed with 12 4.1-inch guns, and has capacity for 900 tons of fuel; that the Brazilian unarmoured cruiser "Bahia," of 3,400 tons, is armed with 10 4.7-inch guns, and has capacity for 650 tons of fuel; and whether he will state in what respect the British unarmoured cruiser "Boadicea," of 3,300 tons, armed with six 4-inch guns, and having a capacity for 450 tons of fuel, is superior to these foreign ships.

A direct comparison between these three vessels cannot be made in the absence of complete data for the foreign cruisers; but the fuel capacity of the "Boadicea" is very much larger than stated—in fact the figure would have to be more than doubled.

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to in any way challenge the figures I have given with respect to foreign cruisers?

No; I could not challenge them with any certainty. I think they are fairly accurate, but I really could not say whether they are entirely accurate. The figures in regard to British ships are accurate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman maintain that the British cruisers are superior to the others?

The hon. Gentleman will observe that in the case of one foreign ship he gives the fuel capacity as 650 tons, and that of the British ship named as 450 tons. The British is more than twice as much as that, but I will not say how much more than twice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many out of the 175 British torpedo destroyers were launched before the year 1899; and how many of the 97 German destroyers were launched before that date?

had also given notice of the following question: To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the actual forces of battleships built and building in Britain, Germany, and the United States respectively?

For the reply to this question and the next by the hon. Member I must refer him to the Return issued last week in compliance with the Motion of my right hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Sir Charles W. Dilke), which will give him all the information he desires.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether the British ships "Centurion" and "Barfleur" have been condemned since the issue of the White Paper by the Admiralty last week; whether the ship "Renown," also in that Paper, has no guns and is not likely to have; whether eight battleships of the "Sovereign" class, also included in the Paper, have no reserve ammunition; and whether any similar deductions have to be made from foreign fleets?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. The reserve of ammunition of the "Royal Sovereign" class has been used up for practice to avoid wholesale destruction of cordite when these vessels are placed on the sale list, but the total of this reserve bears so small a proportion to the total of our reserve of cordite that no difficulty would be found in providing such cordite for ships of this class as might be required in addition to the outfit if the ships are called upon for service. I do not quite follow the meaning of the hon. Member's expression "similar deductions," but all that we know about withdrawals of ships since the date of the Return referred to in the question is that the French Minister of Marine has announced the intended withdrawal from the effective list of four second-class cruisers, three third-class cruisers, one torpedo vessel, and two submarines.

In reference to the "Renown," may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not a fact that ten 6-inch guns have been landed, and have been on the dock at Portsmouth for the last three years?

They are kept in stock, and are ready to be put into the "Renown" at a moment's notice.

asked whether it is intended to establish a salvage organisation under the control of the Board of Admiralty?

The present course pursued by the Admiralty is to entrust salvage operations of an important nature to competent private contractors who make such work their sole business, the resources of dockyards being sometimes placed at their disposal. These resources often suffice, unassisted by private contractors, when the salvage work is of a light character. No change in the present system is contemplated.

asked whether, in connection with the salvage of H.M.S. "Gladiator" any other firm or firms than the one employed were invited to tender for the work?

Offers were received and considered from three firms.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in considering the advisability of establishing a naval repair base on the River Tyne, the possibility of acquiring the Albert Edward Dock, which is a deep-water dock near the entrance to the river, with a view to adapting it to naval requirements, will be taken into account?

Should any question of establishing a naval repair base on the Tyne arise, all such matters would be taken into consideration.

asked whether the amount due on the rebate on Irish-grown tobacco is to be deducted from the grant of £6,000 a year which has been promised for five years to encourage the tobacco industry in Ireland?

It has now been arranged with the Treasury that the rebate on tobacco grown before 1st April, 1909, will not be a charge on the new grant of £6,000 a year for five years. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have been authorised to continue a rebate of one-third of the duty on such tobacco until all of it shall have been cleared.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will explain what are the conditions required in creameries before they are eligible for inclusion in the Department's surprise butter competitions; and why only 42 out of a total of over 800 creameries sent exhibits to these competitions?

The conditions referred to in the question are published in the Department's Scheme No. 15, copies of which can be obtained, free of charge, on application to the Department. With reference to the concluding portion of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question of the 18th instant on the same subject.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he intends to add to the number of the Departmental Committee appointed for the purpose of inquiring into certain matters relating to the dairying industry in Ireland; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of selecting a person who would represent the interest of creameries?