asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, in order to enable the infantry of the Territorial Force to increase its efficiency, he would raise the establishment of sergeant instructors, including the sergeant-major, to not less than four for each battalion of eight companies?

This matter has been fully considered, and it has been decided that no increase in the number allowed in the past for a volunteer battalion concentrated in one place—that is three instructors—can be made for Territorial battalions similarly situated. In the case of a battalion with outlying companies, a greater proportion of instructors are allowed, with eight as a. maximum.

If I bring some facts to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman will he consider them?

Yes; I will consider them; but I think this is a question for the general officer commanding primarily.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether the pay of colour-sergeants whilst serving with the Special Reserve is 6d. per diem less than whilst serving with their regular battalions, though the work is as great; and, if so, whether he would grant the same rate of pay with the Special Reserve as with the line battalions?

The duties of the colour-sergeants of the Special Reserve are not so onerous or so responsible as those of the colour-sergeants of the regular line battalions. It is not proposed to raise the pay of the Special Reserve colour-sergeants in the manner suggested.

Is it not the fact that if a colour-sergeant, owing to some slight misdemeanour, is sent back to his regiment, he automatically gets an increase of pay?

It does not follow that he will be a colour-sergeant if he gets back.

asked whether the pension of the Special Reserve sergeant-major is 3s. 9d. per diem instead of the 4s. per diem of the old depot sergeant-major whom he replaces; and, if so, on what grounds he is not granted the same pension as his predecessor?

The pension of a Special Reserve sergeant-major is 3s. 9d. a day after 25 years' qualifying service (with five years as warrant officer), as against 4s. a day awarded to the old depot sergeant-major. As stated by the hon. Member the former now does the work which was performed in the past by the latter, who was a line sergeant-major, and was pensioned as such. The work now devolves upon the Special Reserve sergeant-major, who will be paid and pensioned as such.

Is not this the only grade that has a reduction in pension? All the other warrant officers get the same pension.

No; there is no question of reduction of pension.

asked in what manner the selected Yeomanry corps, acting as the independent cavalry of the Territorial Army, and armed as mounted infantry, are to perform the duty of defeating the hostile cavalry, which is the first duty assigned to them in section 144, Cavalry Training, 1907, in view of the fact that the same section states that dismounted action for independent cavalry will at the best have but negative results?

The action of Yeomanry in the circumstances mentioned will be the same as that of cavalry, and the principles are laid down in Cavalry Training, 1907. I cannot, however, undertake, within the limits of an answer to a question, to discuss the detailed instructions laid down in Cavalry Training. The hon. Member has omitted, I think, to read to the end of the manual of Cavalry Training. If he will look at it again he will find an appendix 4 at page 313, which shows the modifications to be read into the general instructions laid down in the manual, when these instructions are to be applied to Yeomanry training.

Have we in the Territorial Army any force which is capable of meeting fully equipped hostile cavalry?

I think if that fully equipped cavalry is in anything like the same numbers as we are, the Yeomanry of the Territorial Force would not be able to meet them, but the reason is that the training of the Yeomanry of the Territorial Force cannot be as great as the cavalry who are trained for three years, but I think it is extremely unlikely that any Power will succeed in bringing this large force of cavalry and horses across the seas.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to circulate the amended instructions issued by the Army Council respecting British officers visiting Germany?

The instructions for foreign officers travelling in certain parts of Germany, as amended in November, 1908, have been duly circulated to commands. A copy also was laid, as requested, on the Table of this House.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information showing that there are 66,000 trained German soldiers in England, or that there are, in a cellar within a quarter of a mile of Charing Cross, 50,000 stands of Mauser rifles and 7½ millions of Mauser cartridges, that is, 150 rounds per rifle?

My hon. Friend has done well in bringing before the House this illustration of a class of alarmist statements to which credence is too often given by thoughtless persons. To anyone possessing even an elementary knowledge of what mobilisation requirements mean the suggestion is a ludicrous one. Such statements tend to lower our reputation abroad for common sense, and my hon. Friend has done well in exposing this one to the ridicule which it merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can assure the House that the guns at St. Helena are in a serviceable condition; whether the official who looks after them is duly qualified; when they were last inspected by an artillery officer; and what is the date of his last report?

The latest report states that the guns left in St. Helena were in excellent condition on the 1st November last. The official who looks after them, a retired officer of the Royal Engineers, is fully qualified. I have called ler information as regards the latest inspection by an Artillery officer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me if the official in question is His Excellency the Governor?

I have said the official who looks after the guns is a retired officer of the Royal Engineers and he is fully qualified.

Is it His Excellency the Governor who answers that description?

I do not know whether it is the Governor or not.

asked whether the blankets issued to the private soldier are exchanged once every twelve months; if so, whether that is considered to be sufficient to ensure cleanliness; and whether a private soldier joining a unit receives clean blankets, or must use those of others for the unexpired portion of twelve months?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, fresh blankets are not issued to men on joining a unit.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve the practice of young boys having to use blankets which have been used for six or nine months by other men?

The hon. Member was at one time an officer in the Army, and he knows this is a practice which has always prevailed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve the practice?

I have no reason to disapprove of it.

asked what would be the initial and annual expenditures involved were 200,000 men added to the Territorial Army on the basis of the existing force in respect to all arms?

It is clear that this large additional force will involve the formation of new units, and the annual expenditure may on this basis be taken at approximately£2,000,000. As regards initial expenditure, some£1,000,000 would cover the cost of clothing and personal equipment, but the cost involved in the provision of extra buildings and the initial expenditure on guns, wagons, rifles, ammunition, harness and saddlery, and engineer and medical stores, etc., cannot be given without much labour and trouble.

Is it in contemplation to add 200,000 men to the Territorial Army?

I have not said it is in contemplation.

asked what remuneration is paid to medical men, other than Army surgeons, for cases in which recruits for the Yeomanry do not pass the medical examination?

A capitation grant per recruit enlisted is paid to county associations. The remuneration of the doctor who examines candidates for the Territorial Force is paid by the associations from their funds, and is fixed at their discretion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ascertained what is the usual practice?

I imagine it really varies very largely in different districts, and probably in parts of districts. Where a medical officer is very keen about the Territorial Force he probably takes pleasure in doing it for nothing. In other cases he is probably paid. It varies all over.

asked what number of vacancies of the rank of lieutenant there are in the Army Service Corps; how many second lieutenants are qualified for this rank; and why the vacancies have not been filled up?

The present number of vacancies in the rank of lieutenant is 17. Second lieutenants in the Army Service Corps are not promoted to the rank of lieutenant until they have completed three years' Army service, and have passed the necessary examinations, and also the probationary course in Army Service Corps technical duties. No second lieutenants are at present fully qualified for promotion.

Is it not a fact that up till quite recently all lieutenants had to have two years' service for promotion?

The hon. Member had better put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the present method of arming the cavalry of the Territorial Army as mounted infantry is based upon the assumption that any hostile force which might either raid or invade these shores will be entirely deficient of regular cavalry; and, if so, whether he can state any reasons for such an assumption?

The method of arming the Yeomanry is not based on the assumption suggested by the hon. Baronet.

asked whether proposals have been made for battalions of Canadian Infantry Militia to visit Aldershot this year and train with the troops there; and what are the views of the military authorities on the suggestion?

No definite proposal on this subject from the Canadian Government has reached the War Office.

asked what progress has been made with experiments with a new and improved short rifle; and when it is expected that the regular troops will be rearmed with the new weapon?

No experiments are being made with a new and improved short rifle, nor is it proposed at present to introduce such a weapon. Manufacture is proceeding with the present pattern short rifle.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the draught of the battleship "Dread-ought" on the occasion of her first visit to Sheerness was 31 ft. 6 ins.; and whether he would state how much of the main water-line belt remains above the water at this draught, forward, amidships, and aft?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the negative. It is undesirable to publish the information asked for in the last part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that the draught of the "Dreadnought" was 31 ft. 6 ins.?

I have stated that the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked whether any ships included in the Dilke Return, published on Friday week last, have since the date of that Return been placed upon the sale list or in any other way discarded as ineffective; and, if so, what ships have been so dealt with?

It has been decided to dispose of H.M.S. "Hornet," and possibly one other destroyer, but with these exceptions no vessels included in the recent Dilke Return have been discarded as ineffective. With regard to foreign countries, as stated in the reply given on Thursday last to the hon. Member for the Andover Division, 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.

asked what was the date on which the destroyer "Falcon" first passed into dockyard hands at Chatham; what was the original date for completion; what was the actual date on which she passed out; and whether the vessel is now as fit for service as was contemplated when the first plans for her refit were drawn up?

The answer to the first part of the question is 9th November, 1908; to the second and third parts, 31st March, 1909; and to the last part of the question, in the negative. On 22nd April the "Falcon" grounded off Fort-rose and sustained damage; the consequent repairs are not yet complete.

Is it not true that the "Falcon" has been under orders not to proceed at full speed since her repairs were completed?

No; not on the ground of want of repairs, but she has had an accident since she was repaired, and that is the ground of her present incapacity.

She was thoroughly efficient when completed?

Thoroughly.

asked how many torpedo-boat destroyers there are in the Home Fleet reserve flotillas at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Nore, respectively; and how many vessels from each division were able to leave their ports last month to carry out gunnery exercises preparatory to battle practice?

The strength of the nucleus-crew destroyer flotillas in destroyers last month was as follows:—

As a matter of fact, are not a large number of those which were detained what are colloquially called "lame ducks"?

No, not properly described as "lame ducks."

asked whether the oldest destroyer in full commission in the First (North Sea) Flotilla is the "Panther" which was launched in 1897; whether the "Panther" is shortly to be replaced by the "Afridi," launched in 1907; whether, after that exchange has taken place, there will be no destroyer in the North Sea flotilla more than six years old from the date of launch; and whether these facts may be taken to indicate that the Admiralty believes that destroyers seven or eight years old are not fit for service in the North Sea and should be relieved as soon as possible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the "Panther" will shortly be replaced by the "Saracen," a destroyer of the same class as the "Afridi." The statement in the third part is approximately correct; certain of the destroyers in the First Flotilla were launched in the spring of 1903. With regard to the last part of the question, these facts do not indicate that the Admiralty holds the opinion stated; the principle is that, subject to a few exceptions, the latest destroyers are placed in the fully-manned flotillas.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer involve that only high free-board destroyers are efficient for service?

No. Destroyers of high free-board are better than destroyers with low free-board for service in the North Sea, but that does not mean that destroyers with low free-boards are not serviceable in the North Sea.

asked do the Admiralty authorities consider that tin officer commanding one of His Majesty's ships is responsible for the safety of the vessel he commands; and, if so, will they state the reason why the officer on the watch in charge of the "Blackwater," on the occasion of her collision, was tried by court-martial in place of the officer commanding the ship?

The officer in command is primarily responsible for the safety of his ship. In this case the collision occurred at night, when the officer of the watch was in charge. When the commanding officer was sent for to come on deck it was too late for him then to avert the collision.

Has not the Admiralty readjusted the King's rules in regard to courts martial? Ought not the court martial to have been held primarily at any rate on the commanding officer?

Primá facie that would be so, but in the circumstances of the present case the court martial was properly held on the officer in charge of the watch.

asked if any sum was offered to the Admiralty for H.M.S.

I cannot find any trace of the supposed offer referred to in the question.

Was any attempt made by the Admiralty to secure an offer to purchase the ship as she lay on the condition that she was removed from the fairway?

I would rather have notice of the question. I could not say off-hand.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that in some instances boards of guardians have appointed as relieving officers persons who had had no previous experience of Poor Law work; whether such appointments are considered by the Board as assisting to secure the efficient administration of the Poor Law; and whether he is prepared to consider the propriety of declining to ratify such appointments in any future cases that may be brought to the notice of his department?

I am aware that in some instances persons have been appointed as relieving officers who have not had previous experience of Poor Law work. Appointments of the kind are discouraged by the Local Government Board, but it is difficult to say that such appointments should never be made. In dealing with them the Board are guided by their knowledge of the local circumstances, and the occupation and previous history of the person appointed.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether his attention has been drawn to an announcement recently made by the chairman of the Sittingbourne bench of magistrates to the effect that the justices would in future refuse to grant exemptions from the Vaccination Act unless application was made at the ordinary weekly sittings of the court; whether he could issue a circular pointing out to magistrates the nature and intention of the amending Act of 1907; and, if this be of no avail, will he introduce legislation to secure for parents the right to obtain these exemptions on application from individual magistrates?

I beg to answer this question on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The Secretary of State would refer to the reply which he gave on 10th May to a question on this subject by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for West Carmarthen-shire, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member. The views which he expressed in that answer have long been well known and widely disseminated. He regrets that he cannot undertake to introduce legislation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.

asked how many ships and vessels of all classes are wholly or partially fitted to burn oil fuel; whether any ships are fitted to convey oil to vessels at sea, and, if so, how many; and what is the radius of action at 10 knots of the oil-fuel torpedo-boats, originally called coastal destroyers?

I regret that I am still without the information. If the Noble Lord will postpone the question till Wednesday I will endeavour to obtain the particulars.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware what are the rights claimed by the lord of the manor over the land known as the Poor's Furze, in East-bury, in Berkshire; and whether the Charity Commissioners have taken any steps to secure to the parishioners of East-bury the full enjoyment of the fuel allotment, or other benefits, originally awarded to them on that land?

The Commissioners are endeavouring to ascertain exactly what rights the lord of the manor claims, and meanwhile are preparing a scheme for securing to the parishioners the enjoyment of the benefit intended for them by the allotment. The scheme will be published in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Trincomalee Harbour has been dismantled; and, if so, what use, if any, can be made of its batteries, submarine mines, equipments, stores, and boats?

The naval establishment at Trincomalee was reduced to a cadre early in 1905. The submarine mining equipment, stores, and boats were taken over from the War Office, and such of them as were serviceable were appropriated for naval use.

Is it permanently dismantled?

So far as I have stated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what will be the designed speed of the British torpedo-boat destroyers of this year's programme?

Any statement on this subject is premature at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any record has been kept of the persons to whom the printed copies of Captain Bacon's letters to the First Sea Lord were issued; how many copies of each letter were printed; whether they were issued as private and confidential; or for the purpose of being made public; how many copies are now in the possession of the First Sea Lord; and can the copies not in his possession, though printed, be accounted for?

On a point of order with regard to this and a number of subsequent questions on this subject I wish to state that the matter was brought to your attention last week on a question of privilege, and you thereupon suggested that the courts were the proper tribunal for dealing with the matter. It will probably shortly be sub judice, and I desire to ask whether it is in order in these circumstances to ask questions in the interest of one of the parties which, if answered, may prejudice the position of any other party to the litigation?

Of course, if there is any probability of the matter coming before the courts, it would be very undesir able to ask questions here. I have not seen any statement or heard any statement to. that effect. It is possible that the hon. Member may have some private information.

I should not have asked the question unless I had seen it stated in the newspapers that the matter had been laid before eminent counsel for their opinion, with the view to proceedings being taken. It is in these circumstances. that I ask your ruling.

Probably the best judge in the matter will be the First Lord of the Admiralty. He would have heard and would know whether steps had been taken or not. Of course, if he declines to answer on that ground, the House will support him.

May I ask whether there is not involved in this question a matter of great public interest, apart altogether from the interests of individuals and any possible legal proceedings?

Certainly a question of administration arises, but it will be obvious that if, as the hon. Gentleman suggests, the matter is coming before the courts immediately it would he undesirable to discuss it here.

There is no record of any issue of copies of the letters in question, and so far as I am aware no issue in the ordinary meaning of the word took place. Twenty-five copies of one letter were printed, and 50 of the other. Only one copy of each is now in the possession of the First Sea Lord; the remainder were destroyed long ago.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether any proceedings have been taken?

I have no knowledge regarding that.

May I ask whether it is a fact that several officers commanding ships abroad received copies of this letter while in active service?

So far as I am aware that is not so, but the whole of this happened before I was at the Admiralty, and I do not know very much about it.

May I ask whether the Admiralty have tendered any apology to the hon. Member for King's Lynn?

That question does not arise here.

May I ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has asked the First Sea Lord whether he circulated any copies of Captain Bacon's letter outside the Admiralty?

Yes, I have asked the question, and the First Sea Lord tells me that the matter occurred three years ago when he was hard at work, and that his recollection of the whole circumstances is so dim that he cannot be sure whether he showed the letter to anybody or not, but his impression is that he did not.

Am I to understand that there is no record at the Admiralty of the First Sea Lord having circulated the letter at all after a close inquiry and search has been made?

That is so. There is no record of any circulation of this letter at all.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when the copies of the letter were destroyed?

They were destroyed, long ago—I should say probably two years ago.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Captain Bacon. was requested to report on his brother officers on the active or retired lists, or whether the recent correspondence which has been made public was written on his own initiative; and whether it is in accordance with the regulations and traditions of the Admiralty that such communications should be addressed by a junior officer direct to the First Sea Lord?

Captain Bacon did not report on his brother officers; he was not requested so to report. Captain Bacon's private letters have been made public without his knowledge or authority. The imputations sought to be cast on Captain Bacon by the hon. Member are entirely without warrant. I must beg the hon. Gentleman not to couch his questions in a form which must be offensive to a distinguished naval officer.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that I have seen a copy of the letter, which distinctly comments in the way I have mentioned in the question, and, further, whether he is aware that one other brother officer has been struck very hard by the action Captain Bacon took?

May I ask whether, if this letter of Captain Bacon's has been made public, he has only his friend Sir John Fisher to blame for the fact?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would explain why it was considered necessary to print 50 copies of one of Captain Bacon's letters and only 25 copies of the other

The order for the two letters was given at different times. An order for a few copies, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, might at one time be marked for 25 and at another for 50 copies.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given any instructions as to the copies of the letters which were printed?

I have stated that only one of each was preserved. The rest of the copies were destroyed long ago.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is usual to edit all confidential documents printed for convenience of record at the Admiralty?

There is no office rule on this subject. The question of editing a document (other than textual corrections) would appear to depend on whether it is to be published or not. It follows, therefore, that there is no obligation to edit a confidential document printed for convenience of record at the Admiralty—though, as I have stated, it is desirable to edit such documents if they contain any personal references.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that in future private and confidential documents shall be marked "private and confidential"?

I do not think it is a matter of the very gravest importance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would state how many naval correspondents of the First Sea Lord were now engaged in furnishing reports similar to those written by Captain Bacon, R.N.; and when was this system first instituted?

I regret that I can only read the hon. Member's question as intended to make an imputation upon Captain Bacon. From answers to questions already given in this House the hon. Members should be aware that such an imputation is without warrant, and its repetition is quite unjustified.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any steps were taken to ensure the letters being treated as private and confidential?

So far as Captain Bacon is concerned he could take no steps. Captain Bacon's name ought not to be brought into this matter at all except that he wrote the letter. If there was a wrong done in printing, Captain Bacon was not in the least responsible for it. So far as he was concerned they were purely private letters written to an old friend, and he had not the slightest knowledge that the letters were to be printed or used in any way whatever.

May I ask why Captain Bacon dragged the name of a Member of this House into the correspondence?

asked whether the circulated copies of the letter written by Captain Bacon were in each case accompanied by a request for their return.

I am not aware that any copies of the letter written by Captain Bacon were circulated.

Were the copies of this letter which were sent out by the Admiralty accompanied in each case by a request for their return?

I have stated the whole of my information on this subject. It all happened long before I was at the Admiralty.

asked whether any letters containing reflections on naval officers had been printed and circulated besides the two letters which had been already officially acknowledged; and, if so, whether these letters in all cases contained observations of value to the naval service?

The Noble Lord must understand that the two letters to which he refers were printed three years ago, two years before I was at the Admiralty. All printed correspondence that I have seen contains observations of value to the naval service. I have not read, and I do not propose to read, all the volumes of printed matter recorded at the Admiralty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman, in the administration for which he is now responsible, taking steps. to eliminate as far as possible the unnecessary printing of documents of this character, and is he also taking steps to see that they are edited in the way he suggested in some of his answers; further, is he taking steps to see that copies of these private and confidential documents are not allowed to get away from the confidential files of the Admiralty?

Yes. The hon. Gentleman may rest assured that I will do, my best not to fail in my duty in these particulars.

asked on what date Captain Bacon's letter reflecting on an hon. Member of this House was sent to the printer?

In April, 1906, immediately, or almost immediately, after its. receipt.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the Department is aware of the fact that Dr. Sheamus O'Beirne, of Tawin, Oran-more, county Galway, has been compelled, in the interests of the fishing industry at Tawin, to organise an Irish play, which is to be produced at Galway, Dublin, and other centres in the near future, in order to raise funds for the desirable purpose of erecting a pier at Tawin; and whether, seeing the local assistance provided in this way, as well as the proffered grant from the county council of Galway. the Department can now see their way to give some substantial assistance to enable the pier to be constructed

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member's question of 29th March on this subject, the construction of a suitable pier at Tawin would be a very costly work, and the Department, in the present state of their funds, cannot undertake to cooperate unless a substantial portion of the cost be provided locally. The county council suggested five years ago that a pier costing£600 should be erected, towards which they offered a contribution of£200. The Department are advised that a work costing£600 would not be very satisfactory, as it would only afford shelter for hookers and fishing boats in fine weather. No offer of local assistance to a larger or more suitable work has been made.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that locally a strong effort is being made to raise money for this purpose, and in view of the great necessity for this pier, will he reconsider the matter?

When I spoke of local assistance, I meant assistance from the county council.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), in reference to the agricultural statistics just issued showing an acreage under the barley crop of 154,596 acres in 1908, as compared with 170,431 in 1907, whether he will state the acreage of that crop for the years 1800, 1885, 1890, 1895, and 1900 respectively?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, publish with to-night's Votes, a statement giving the particulars asked for.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of the sale of the Holbein picture, "Duchess of Milan," by the Duke of Norfolk, and of the offer of the Government to subscribe£10,000 for the repurchase of the picture in the interests of the nation, he will cause a search to be made in the calendars of the Close Roll to see whether, in the inventory of the Arundel Acts, passed in the third year of the reign of Charles I., this picture was entailed as a heirloom, thus making it illegal for the Duke of Norfolk to dispose of any more than his life interest in it?

The Act referred to in this question is a private Act, and operates as a family settlement of the property belonging to the then Earl of Arundel. It makes provision for fixtures and heirlooms only so far as they may happen to be included in a schedule or inventory which the parties might make and enrol in the High Court of Chancery, but the making of the schedule or inventory was not obligatory. No schedule is attached to the Act. It does not appear that the Crown has any legal interest in the property settled or is entitled to intervene, but a search will be made for the inventory, and if it is found to exist full consideration will be given to the question whether any proceedings are open to the Crown or the matter is one solely for the parties concerned in the settlement made by the Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that this picture was in Arundel at the time, and will he do his utmost to have the matter examined carefully?

I have said so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the Yorkshire Union of Agricultural Clubs urging the Government to renew the Agricultural Rates Act; and, if so, whether he is prepared now to give an undertaking to that effect?

I have received a number of resolutions to the effect stated, and the matter is under consideration.

Will the Prime Minister say when he hopes to be in a position to make an announcement with regard to this very important matter?

At no very distant date.

asked the Prime Minister if he can state what evidence he has that only 1,100,000 persons in the United Kingdom contribute to the income tax; and if he includes in this number all those persons who receive dividends from companies from which the tax is deducted but who make no returns for income tax?

The figures are based on the Estimates given by Sir Henry Primrose, Mr. Bowley, and Mr. Chiozza Money, M.P., before the Select Committee. They include those persons receiving dividends from companies whose total income exceeds£160 per annum.

Are there any records in existence by which the numbers of income taxpayers may be estimated beyond the merest estimate, and does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the numbers are very much larger than the numbers stated?

These are the opinions of very great experts, and I must refer the hon. Member to their evidence.

asked the Prime Minister if lie will present to the House the particulars of the figures which prove that 9½d. is the average rate of the income tax paid last year by the people who contribute to the tax, that 10¾d. will be the average rate when the income tax is levied at Is. 2d. in the£,and 11£. when the super-tax of 6d. is added?

The figure of 9½d. is arrived at by dividing the total yield of the tax by the aggregate income of taxable persons coming under review by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. The other figures are obtained by multiplying the figure of 9½d. by the estimated yield in a full year of the tax after the proposed alterations have been made, excluding and including the super-tax, and dividing by its estimated yield on the existing basis.

Is not it a fact that these figures which have been quoted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer depend entirely on the number of the income tax taxpayers being approximately accurate, and that this number is an estimate?

Yes. Necessarily they depend on an estimate. It is the best estimate which we can secure.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that legislation for the better housing of the working classes has been promised in the Gracious Speeches of the Sovereign for 1907, 1908, and 1909, that hopes of reform have been raised thereby, and that the Bill now before the House has received prolonged and patient investigation in Grand Committee, he can make a statement as to when His Majesty's Government intend to take the further steps necessary for passing it into law?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statement made by him at the end of last Session that the Government hoped to pass the Housing and Town Planning Bill through this House at a very early date this Session, he can now say when time will be given for proceeding with the Committee stage of this measure?

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer the two questions at the same time. We hope to make provision for the further progress of this Bill when the Finance Bill has been read a second time, and soon after Whitsuntide. The Government certainly intend to press this measure through all its stages this Session.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to have the Committee of the whole House, as originally intended, or has any change taken place in the Government plans?

No. That already has been done.

asked whether the Government have decided to lay down eight first-class battleships during the current financial year?

I have nothing at present to add to previous statements.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement made a few days ago by Lord Charles Beresford that he considered it absolutely necessary to lay down eight battleships this year?

asked what steps the Government are taking to carry out the recommendations of Lord Reay's Committee?

The Report of this Committee, as I stated the other day, is being considered by the various Departments concerned, and I am not in a position to state what steps the Government may decide to take upon its recommendations.

asked the Prime Minister whether, now that the Budget Resolutions are through, and having regard to the probability of the House being required to sit much later in the year than usual, and till all summer is past, he can now see his way to extend the Whitsuntide Recess till 7th June, or, if not, will he put down for Thursday and Friday, 3rd and 4th June, such business as will not necessitate a full attendance of Members.

The Budget Resolutions have not yet passed their Report stage, but I hope they may all be reported to the House by Wednesday next. I am afraid it will not be practicable to extend the Whitsuntide Recess as my hon. Friend suggests.

As we shall only have the Finance Bill in our hands during the short Whitsuntide recess, can the right hon. Gentleman allow a rather longer time between the reassembling of Parliament and the second reading?

The hon. Members will have had the Bill in their hands for ten days.

asked whether the Crofters' Commission visited the island of Vatersay during the month of August last for the purposes of making a Report for the information of the Scottish Office and the Congested Districts Commissioners; and whether the Report will be printed as a Parliamentary Paper?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and to the second part is in the negative.

Can the Lord Advocate not see his way to make public this important Report on the Island of Vatersay, on which a large amount of public money has been expended?

It would be highly unusual and very inconvenient.

asked whether, in the proposals which are to be submitted in another place with reference to the creation of a Department of Agriculture for Scotland, provision will be made for the appointment of a Vice-President with a seat in Parliament?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Dumfriesshire on 20th May.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that The Outdoor Relief (Friendly Societies) Act, 1904, does not extend to Scotland, and that the members of the friendly societies there, when applying for parochial relief have their sick aliment taken into account by the parochial authorities, and are thus placed at a disadvantage as compared with England; and whether he will take steps to remedy this?

I am aware that the Act referred to does not extend to Scotland. The Secretary for Scotland does not propose to take any action in the matter pending the issue of the Scottish part of the Report of the Poor Law Commissioners.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Report of the Congested Districts Board for the year to 31st March, 1908, in which they state, in answer to an application from the settlers in Syre expressing their desire to become tenants instead of purchasers, that such a course is not competent under the powers given to them by their Act; and whether, in view of this statement, he sees any reason to reconsider his opinion that the Congested Districts Boards have power to purchase and hold land?

In the case of the Syre Settlement the settlers who applied to become tenants were already the owners of their holdings, having purchased them from the Congested Districts Board, and the Congested Districts Board were, therefore, only in the position of a secured creditor until the purchase moneys should be paid. This is a different case from the preparation of a scheme of settlement for tenants under the crofting tenure on an estate. I see no reason to reconsider the opinion given by my predecessor in office. in which I concurred, that the Congested Districts Board has power to purchase and hold land.

asked the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that in January, 1908, the Wicklow County Committee of Agriculture requested the Department of Agriculture to adopt a scheme for providing veterinary attendance in the case of farm stock on the dispensary medical charities system in the county Wicklow; that he then promised to give a 12 months' trial to a veterinary scheme in force in county Wexford before introducing it into Wicklow; and whether, seeing that the Wexford experiment has worked satisfactorily and is practically self-supporting, he will now initiate the same scheme in the county Wicklow?

The request referred to was received by the Department, who replied that, as they had already approved of an experiment in the working of veterinary dispensaries in county Wexford, they would not be prepared to approve of the extension of the scheme until they had gained sufficient experience of the working of the system, and were fully satisfied as to its soundness, particularly with regard to its financial aspect. The experience gained in county Wexford is not yet sufficient to enable the Department to form a judgment as to whether it would be wise to extend the system to other counties. The experiment is being closely watched. Up to the present it has been far from self-supporting, the cost to the county amounting to about£400 for 12 months.

asked the Attorney-General on how many days the Lord Chief Justice has during this term sat in the Court of Appeal, in the Court of Criminal Appeal, and in the King's Bench Division respectively; and who has taken the place of the Lord Chief Justice in the King's Bench Division while he was sitting in the Courts of Appeal and Criminal Appeal?

During the Easter Sittings the Lord Chief Justice of England has sat in the Court of Appeal on 17 days and in the Court of Criminal Appeal on five clays. His Lordship has not sat at all in the King's Bench Division, and no other judge has taken his place in that division while he has been sitting in the other Courts.

Am I to understand that the effect of that will be to reduce the staff by the Lord Chief Justice during the whole of this term?

Yes; that is so.

asked on how many days the Court of Criminal Appeal has sat during this term; and of how many judges it was composed on each occasion?

The Court of Criminal Appeal has sat on sixteen days—up to and including May 21st—during the present term. The court was composed of three judges on eleven occasions, and of five judges on five occasions.

Am I right in saying that the judges who composed the Court of Criminal Appeal have been absent from their civil work during a period of 50 judicial days up to the beginning of last week, and I think, now, 64 judicial days up to the present time?

The arithmetic of the Noble Lord is right. The facts are as stated in the answer to the question.

Having regard to the pledges given by the Government during the course of the Court of Criminal Appeal Bill, do the Government propose to remedy the prevailing state of affairs by the appointment of fresh judges?

That will be referred to in a subsequent answer.

asked whether, including cases to be tried before special juries, common juries, without juries, and in the Divisional Court, there are now upwards of 650 matters awaiting hearing in the King's Bench Division; whether the Civil Paper is five months in arrear; whether a large proportion of His Majesty's judges will shortly be absent from London on circuit; and what steps the Government propose to take to remedy this state of things?

The number of actions awaiting hearing in the King s Bench Division atnisi prius is 688, while the number of cases awaiting hearing in the Divisional Court is 131. The "Civil Paper" is, as the Noble Lord states. in arrear, and a number of judges will shortly be absent from London on circuit. As regards the last part of the question, I am not in a position to add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Monday last.

May I ask whether the Government propose to repeal that clause 2 of Magna Charta which provides that to no loan will the Crown deny or delay right or justice?

We have no intention to that effect, but perhaps the Noble Lord will put a question to the Prime Minister on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial from the inhabitants of Ballysimon, county Limerick, relative to the closing of the post office in that place; has his attention been called to the hardship that this would entail on the people of this locality; how many miles is it from this place to the nearest post office; how long had the post office been established at Ballysimon; and whether, taking into account the inconvenience and loss to the business people and the hardship it would entail on the aged men and women who are in receipt of old age pensions, he will reconsider the matter with the view of reopening this post office?

I have received the memorial, and am having inquiry made on the subject. I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state what is the cause of the delay which has taken place in carrying out the enlargement of the post office premises at Waterford; and whether he can now say at what date it is proposed to start the necessary works?

Consideration of the scheme of enlargement has been attended with considerable difficulties, and I fear that the building operations cannot be begun for some considerable time yet.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of male and female' counter clerks and telegraphists in the Eastern Central district, and how many of these have been successful in obtaining the technical increment by the Hobhouse Committee?

There are 190 male and 200 female counter clerks and telegraphists in the Eastern Central District of London. Of these, seven men have as yet obtained the special technical allowance to which, I presume, my hon. Friend refers.

Is not the proportion very much smaller than was intended by the Hobhouse Committee?

I have already been in communication with those who represent the employes as to making the necessity to pass a certain examination somewhat less stringent, and I must have experience of that before I consider any further change.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a petition from the inhabitants of Collinstown against the proposal to place the new post office a quarter of a mile outside the town; if he is aware that these premises have lately been used for keeping pigs in, and that there is no footpath in front of the house; and whether, in view of the inconvenience of this site to the majority of the inhabitants, he will say what action he proposes to take?

I have received a petition from residents of Collinstown and neighbourhood on the subject of the premises proposed for the post office. The matter is not definitely settled, and it now seems possible that other premises may be available.

May I ask whether if, on one occasion, the premises were not a pig-stye, they were used as a place to keep pigs?

They were not going to be used as a pig-stye. I think the obtaining of accommodation was a question of difficulty.

And you have selected a pig-stye?

My impression is that they were not going to be used as a pig-stye. At any rate they are not going to be occupied as a pig-stye.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the inquiry into a complaint made in January of last year respecting the wages paid by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, royal mail contractors, to the farriers in their employ has yet been completed; if so, whether he is now prepared to call upon the firm to observe the fair wage clause by paying their farriers the current rate of wages; and, if the inquiry has not yet been completed, whether he will state the reason for the delay in inquiring into the matter, the facts as stated by the trade union concerned not appearing by the correspondence that has taken place to be disputed?

It has been necessary in the case to which my hon. Friend refers to make full inquiry in regard to the wages not only of farriers but also of other classes of workmen employed by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, on work incidental to The performance of the mail service. The ease has presented exceptional difficulties, but I hope to be in a position to arrive at a decision at an early date. The existing contract has not the advantage of the new fair wage clause.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of his desire to employ the least quantity of labour in post offices and among postmen on Sunday in Scotland, and of the fact that where public feeling is against such Sunday work it will be discontinued, he will state what means he adopts to ascertain public feeling on the matter and the public utility of such Sunday work?

It is the practice to consult the local authorities in cases where the circumstances appear to justify a reduction in the Sunday services. The hon. Member may be interested to learn that, with the assent of the local authorities, I have recently been able to effect a considerable reduction in the amount of Sunday labour at the post offices at Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, and Elgin, and that the question of making similar alterations at other places is now receiving attention.