asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the supply of coal and patent fuel for His Majesty's ships stored in the island of Mauritius is maintained in the same quantities that were kept in store there three years since?

had given notice of the following question: To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty would he state the amount of coal available for His Majesty's ships now stored in the island of Mauritius; and would he give the same information as to the amount in store on the same date five years ago?

I will reply to this question and that of the hon. Member for North Birmingham together. It is not considered in the interests of the public service to give information on the subject of the stocks of fuel or other stores maintained at any of His Majesty's depots.

Is it true that the stocks of fuel are disappearing?

No, Sir, it is not true.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the fuel keeps without deteriorating?

It would depend entirely on the quality of the coal, as the hon. Gentleman knows.

May I ask whether the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given is according to precedent, or whether in the past information of that kind has been given?

The practice varies. In the past information has been refused as to the amount of stores.

(on behalf of Lord Robert Cecil) 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?

From experience up to the present the radius of action of the oil-fuel torpedo boats, with clean bottoms and fine weather, is approximately 2,000 nautical miles. In practice a deduction depending on circumstances has to be made for weather, etc.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, with a view to maintaining in working order the warship building appliances in this country, will His Majesty's Government consider the possibility of affording the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company an opportunity of building some of the vessels in this year's programme, one of the four conditional "Dreadnoughts" for preference, at the earliest possible moment? Perhaps I may be allowed to say that I have no connection with this company.

I never supposed that the hon. Member had any connection with the company. The Thames Ironworks Company will be invited to tender for such contract work as it is considered the firm is capable of undertaking.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Admiralty will have formed their judgment as to the substitution of other anti-torpedo armament in place of the three-pounders in the ships of the "Warrior" class; and when he anticipates that the judgment in question will he carried into effect?

I have nothing to add to the reply to the hon. Member's question on this subject of 20th May.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that the crews of these ships entertain the profoundest dissatisfaction, and in some cases dismay, in regard to the torpedo armament? Does the right hon. Gentleman think they will be in a condition to enter successfully into action in that frame of mind?

I think that would be rather an exaggerated view even as regards some members of the crews. I do not think any dismay has entered into their mind. The armament of the ships designed as early as this particular class is not considered satisfactory in every respect.

Really the Admiralty are not taking the right hon. Gentleman into their confidence. These are brand new ships, and as to two of them—

The hon. Member seems to be giving information instead of asking it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if copies of letters addressed to individual members of the Board of Admiralty by persons other than Captain Bacon have been printed and circulated amongst the officers of the Fleet, like those of Captain Bacon, since 1st January, 1906; and if such letters were issued for the purpose of disseminating important technical information?

Any such copies would be confidential, and I must beg the hon. Gentleman to excuse me from entering into further discussion on the subject.

The right hon. Gentleman does not deny that other copies have been sent'?

I beg to be excused from entering into the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is able to say what is the nature of the legal proceedings which stand in the way of work being commenced upon the low-water landing slip which the Admiralty propose to provide for the inhabitants of Turnchapel, Plymouth?

The necessary legal proceedings are the completion of the agreement between the Admiralty and the parish council which the district council have stipulated shall be entered into before they will give their consent to the proposal. The procedure laid down by sections 84-91 of the Highways Act of 1835 has also to be complied with to obtain the order of the justices of quarter sessions to the stopping up of the old right-of-way.

I would ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is able to say if the legal proceedings will take much longer, and also whether the procedure under sections 84–91 of the Highways Act of 1835 might not have been taken a long time since so that the matter would not have been needlessly delayed.

I will inquire into these points, but I am not aware personally.

asked whether the 11 Colonies which made no Special Report on malaria, in response to the circular of 6th June, 1906, have since been communicated with, and have been asked to furnish Reports?

Yes, Sir. A special circular has recently been sent out by the Secretary of State with a view to obtaining fuller information with regard to anti-malarial measures, both from the Colonies to which my hon. Friend refers and from other tropical Colonies.

asked whether the Colonial Office has made any representation to the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis drawing their attention to the fact that, according to Cd. 3992, page 32, nothing has been done by them to destroy the breeding-places of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, although half the adult population are infected by them; and what has been the result of the representation'?

The Secretary of State has made no further representation to the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis in this matter. He fears that effective action in this direction may be hampered by financial considerations, but the officer administering the Government will be asked for a report on the possibility of taking action.

asked whether the Colonial Office has entered into correspondence with the Government of the Bahamas, in consequence of the opinion expressed by the Administrative and Executive Council of the Colony that rules, for the suppression of mosquito-born diseases, including malaria fever and yellow fever, were ultra tires; and with what result?

The incident to which my hon. Friend refers took place in 1906, and there has been no recent correspondence on the subject. The Secretary of State will now call upon the Governor to furnish a Report as to the measures taken in the Bahamas to combat tropical diseases. It has to be remembered that legislation and expenditure in this Colony are dependent upon the consent of the House of Assembly, which is an elective body.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can inform the House as to the causes and circumstances of the recent attack on the Mullah by a British force, in which 600 camels were recovered; and whether further operations are contemplated?

No information has been received from the Commissioner as to any occurrence such as that alluded to in my hon. Friend's question, but he has been requested by telegraph to state what the facts are.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen Renter's telegram'?

We have seen Reuter's telegram, but we have not received any confirmation of it from the Commissioner. It may be quite so, but we have not yet received any official confirmation. We have telegraphed to find out.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this recent engagement seems to express a more active policy on the part of His Majesty's Government, or whether they are still pursauing the purely defensive policy?

No, it does not. Obviously if the hon. Gentleman had read the Renter's telegram he would see that it could not express a more active policy on the part of his Majesty's Government because it was stated that the camels were recovered. The use of that word indicates that the Mullah was the aggressor.

May I ask if any change is reported in the Mullah's mental condition?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances that Kruger sovereigns can only be exchanged in South Africa at a discount of 1s. 6d. per sovereign; if so, whether the Secretary of State would take steps to get the coins called in, so as to avoid further loss falling upon people who accept these coins in good faith and in the absence of any official caution or warning being issued?

Complaints of this kind were made some time ago in the Cape and Natal, where the sovereigns are not legal tender, but in November, 1907, the Transvaal Government stated that they did not anticipate any difficulty in withdrawing and disposing of this gold coinage in the Transvaal as bullion, and no complaints on the subject have been made to the Colonial Office since that date.

Will the hon. Member make further inquiry in view of the fact that on the mails just arriving home there are serious complaints as to these sovereigns being tendered?

What I have said is that no complaints have been received at the Colonial Office. Of course, no doubt complaints may be made. If the Noble Lord wishes for inquiries made of course I will have them made.

Has any order yet been issued?

I do not think any order has yet been issued. Of course the whole matter is a little complicated by the possibility of the approaching union of South African States, which must involve considerations of coinage. As the approaching union has a bearing on the question I cannot make any statement on the matter at present, but I will inquire further as to the matter raised by the Noble Lord.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state in what countries a censorship over stage plays previous to public performance is in existence; and in what countries such censorship is exercised by an official not appointed or controlled by any publicly-elected authority, who levies fees for the reading of each play and whose decisions are not subject to any appeal?

It is only in respect to France and the principal States of the German Empire that any information on the subject is in the possession of the Foreign Office. In these countries the police authorities exercise powers of supervision and prohibition, subject, in most cases, to an appeal to a Minister of State. I shall be happy to show to my hon. Friend the several Reports from His Majesty's representatives at the capitals in question.

Am I to understand that according to the information in the possession of the Foreign Office there is no foreign country which has a censorship over plays previous to performance as distinct from control after production?

I think it would be better if my hon. Friend would look at the documents.

asked whether there is any intention on the part of the Government of Russia of withdrawing or reducing the Russian troops in Tabriz at an early date?

The Russian Government have stated that they are most desirous of withdrawing or reducing their troops at Tabriz as soon as possible, but that before doing so they are awaiting the arrival of a regular Governor in the town. As I informed the hon. Member 'for West Mayo on 20th May, the town is at present under the Deputy-Governor.

asked whether a loan has been or is about to be made by Russia to Persia; if so, for what objects and on what terms; and whether His Majesty's Government is satisfied that such action will not be prejudicial to the cause of constitutional reform'?

The Russian Government have decided to make a small advance of from £50,000 to £100,000 to the Persian Government on the Shah undertaking to restore the Constitution. The advance will be applied to paying off and disbanding some of the troops, to payment of arrears of diplomatic salaries, and other pressing needs. His Majesty's Government are satisfied that the proposed action will not be prejudicial to the cause of Persian reform, and that it will be in accord with the views of the two Government in their endeavours to obtain a stable Government for Persia on constitutional lines.

Are the Government satisfied that the proposed loan will not be prejudicial to the interests of Great Britain?

Yes. I think we are satisfied on that point.

Has our Plenipotentiary in Teheran any say as to the way in which this money should be expended?

I believe that there were some confidential communications between our representative and the Russian Government, but it is a strong thing to say that he has a "say" in a matter of this kind.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this loan necessitates the permanent establishment in Persia of Russian troops?

No; I do not think it does at all.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the statement contained on page 32 of the recently issued report of the medical officer for Ross and Cromarty, will he state whether the leaflets giving directions how to prevent and cope with the different infectious diseases, including consumption, will be printed in Gaelic as well as English; and when are the leaflets likely to be circulated to the Lewis townships?

The county medical officer reports that the leaflets referred to. giving directions how to prevent and cope with different infectious diseases, will be translated into Gaelic and circulated through Ross-shire, including Lewis, as soon as possible; probably by the end of June.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that it has been decided to close the poultry farm at Theale, hitherto conducted in connection with Reading University College, and that the Report of the Departmental Committee has emphasised the need for education, experiment, and research in regard to poultry breeding in Scotland, he will consider the advisability of negotiating with the authorities at Theale as to the transference of their institution to a suitable locality north of the Tweed?

The Report of the Departmental Committee is now under the consideration of the Secretary for Scotland and the Congested Districts Board; but I have no statement to make at present. The Secretary for Scotland is already aware of the information which my hon. Friend's question contains. I may add that a considerable amount of work in this particular direction is already being done on the West of Scotland Agricultural College farm at Kilmarnock, and there seems to be no need to negotiate for the transference of the institution at Theale to Scotland.

asked, seeing that the medical officer of health for Ross and Cromarty, in his recently issued Report, again calls attention to the fact that. the infectious diseases hospital at Stornoway is in urgent need of a water supply, and that the Lewis district committee declare their inability to take. action owing to need of funds, will the Government consider the expediency of making a grant or advance to the committee such as will admit of water being laid on to this hospital, so that the patients may no longer suffer for want of water?

There are no funds out of which a grant can be made for the purpose suggested by my hon. Friend.

In view of the urgency of the matter, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Secretary for Scotland to approach the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to getting the necessary money out of the additional millions that he is raising?

I shall make the effort, but I cannot hold out hope that it will be successful.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been directed to cases of sheep-worrying on the farm of Monkton Hall, near Musselburgh, where, on 8th December, two ewes with lambs were badly worried, and on the night of 12th March 12 lambs were worried to death; whether he is aware that the sheep were watched every night for two months by the shepherd and a police constable, and on. the last occasion the dog was unmistakably identified; that the owner has made no compensation for the loss, and the dog has been temporarily removed to another part of the country; and that the farmer reported the matter to the procurator fiscal of Midlothian, but no action has been taken; and whether the Lord Advocate will direct the necessary proceedings to be taken under the Dangerous Dogs Act to have the dog destroyed, and also for the protection of the flocks of the country issue general instructions to all procurators fiscal directing them to carry out the Act in such cases?

My attention has been directed to the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend, and I have given directions that proceedings be taken under the Dogs Act, 1871. I have considered the question whether general instructions should be issued in order that the Dogs Acts may be efficiently administered in Scotland, and I have decided to give the appropriate directions to the procurators fiscal to secure that object.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state the name of the new Fishery Board cruiser; whether her trial trip was. satisfactory; and what waters she has been detailed to patrol?

I have not yet received the information to enable me to answer the question.

Why has the Scottish Fishery Board in Edinburgh failed to furnish the information to the Scottish Office, seeing that this cruiser has been under construction for three years and reported to be complete and at work?

I have not yet received the information, and would suggest to the hon. Gentleman that he should postpone the question.

Does such a cruiser exists or is it a phantom ship?

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that in the Report of the Congested Districts Board for Scotland, page 8, the Secretary for Scotland states that, it being doubtful whether the Board under the existing Act have power to hold land either temporarily or permanently, it is the intention of the Government to seek such powers from Parliament, will he state whether the proposed legislation will take the form of an Amendment of the Congested Districts Board (Scotland) Act, or does the Government contemplate the reintroduction of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill; and, if so, when?

My predecessor in office and I have, after careful consideration of the provisions of the existing Act, reached the conclusion that under it the Congested Districts Board has power to hold land. Amending legislation in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend is, therefore, in my judgment, unnecessary.

In view of the fact that the Congested Districts Board Report just issued, and signed by the Secretary for Scotland, throws a doubt on the point, will he ask the Secretary for Scotland to amend his statement so that it may agree with the opinion of the Law Officers?

I am quite in agreement with my predecessor that the Congested Districts Board have power to hold land.

May I ask whether the opinion which the Lord Advocate has expressed regarding the power of the Congested Districts Board to hold land is in accordance with the opinion expressed by his predecessors?

It is entirely in accordance with the opinion of my immediate predecessor. I am not aware that the Law Officers were ever consulted on this question previous to its being submitted to my immediate predecessor, myself, and the Solicitor-General.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the date when that opinion was expressed by the Law Officer?

I cannot at this moment give the date, but it was certainly anterior to the commencement of the present Session.

May I ask whether the action of the Secretary of State for Scotland has been hitherto based on the assumption that such a power did not belong to him?

I believe my hon. Friend is quite right. I believe the question was only considered for the first time by my immediate predecessor in office.

Is there any way of reviewing the matter and obtaining a definite decision on this point?

Challenge of the action of the Congested Districts Board may be made in an appropriate court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has yet seen the Report of the Select Committee appointed to consider the question of the Police Forces (Weekly Rest Day); and, if so, how and when he proposes to give effect to the recommendations contained in it?

If the hon. Member will kindly put his question down again on Monday, Pith June, the Secretary of State hopes to be able to make a statement upon the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the punishment of John Byrnes, sentenced at the Middlesex Sessions to 12 strokes of the lash and 12 months' imprisonment, is. still under the consideration of the Home Office; whether the offence was only that of an old man asking for charity; and whether, therefore, in the interests of humanity, he will cancel or reduce the sentence?

The Secretary of State has advised the remission of that portion of the sentence which imposed corporal punishment. In view of the fact that the prisoner had in all 35 previous convictions for begging, and had several times previously been convicted as an incorrigible rogue, and was on this occasion drunk as well as engaged in begging, the Secretary of State finds no sufficient reason for recommending any further interference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a minority of the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales have objected and still object to the separate presentation to Parliament of two selected volumes of the evidence taken by the Commission without the third volume which contains the evidence of the four Welsh Bishops, and which volume is already in print; and whether, in view of this objection on the part of the minority, he proposes to advise His Majesty to issue His Royal Consent for the separate presentation of such mutilated evidence to Parliament?

As no interim Report has been received from the Royal Commission the question of tendering advice to His Majesty on this point has not arisen.

Will it be necessary before the Report is presented to Parliament for the right hon. Gentleman to advise His Majesty on the point?

I am not aware whether any such Report is to be presented. As I have said in a previous answer, if a Royal Commission presents a Report, or an interim Report, that Report has to be presented to the King, and the Secretary of State is the adviser of his Majesty as to the presentation of the Report to Parliament.

Is not the publication of the evidence in the nature of an interim Report, and must not that receive the sanction of His Majesty?

No evidence can be presented except in connection with a Report or interim Report.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will repeat his first answer, which was not heard by those of us who are far from the Throne of Grace?

There are over 70 questions on the Paper. We cannot have the answers repeated without detriment to the chances of some Members getting their answers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the import duties in Germany and France may be altered annually or are the traders and manufacturers in these countries kept from suspense as to alterations of tariffs dealing with their trades for longer periods than one year?

There is nothing to prevent the legislatures of Germany or France from altering the tariffs of import duties in force in those countries as often as they may see fit, so far as these duties are not fixed by commercial treaties with other countries, but in practice it is usual for these tariffs to remain substantially unaltered for several years. So far as the tariff rates are established by commercial treaties with other countries, the power of the legislatures to alter those rates is of course restricted while the treaties remain in force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications the Board of Trade has received under Section 9 of the Companies Act, 1907, for permission to pay interest out of capital during the period of construction of works; how many of such applications have been granted and how many refused; and whether he can publish any regulations which would act as a guide to companies applying for such permission?

Five applications have been made to the Board of Trade for permission to pay interest out of capital during construction. Of these applications three have been granted, one has been refused, and one application was not proceeded with by the applicants. I do not think that any regulations could be usefully published which would act as a guide to companies making application to the Board of Trade. The section to which the hon. Member refers is very clear in its terms, and I do not think that anything could well be added by regulations, for the circumstances will necessarily be different in each case.

Will the hon. Gentleman indicate the nature of the works that were under construction to which this privilege applies?

I think I ought to have notice of that. One of them was a railway company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an application lodged with the keeper of cotton marks at the Manchester branch of the Trade Marks Registry by the Bradford Dyers' Association for the registration of the letters 13. D. A. under the provisions of section 62 of the Trade Marks Act of 1905; whether he is aware that some three years ago the same association applied for a similar registration under section 64 of the Act, and were refused under the provisions of subsection 10 (c); whether the provisions of section 62 are intended to apply only for registration in such cases in which the Board of Trade may consider it to be to the public advantage; whether the same section has ever been invoked to grant the registration of letters as a trade mark in the case of any commercial company; whether the Board of Trade have received any representations on the subject; and whether he will postpone the granting of his permission until a full inquiry can be held into the matter?

I am aware of the application referred to. The Board of Trade have received representations from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce with regard to it, and are meeting representatives of the Chamber to-day in order to give them an opportunity of fully expressing their views.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated expenditure for old age pensions in Ireland for 1909–10; and what is the estimated increased revenue from Ireland under present Budget proposals to meet this expenditure, exclusive of her proportion of the increased naval expenditure?

Out of the £8,750,000 estimated to be required for old age pensions in the current year about £2,500,000 is payable in Ireland. It is not possible to earmark any specific portion of the additional revenue required to be raised for the needs of the public service generally to any particular head of expenditure.

Is it not possible for the hon. Member to give us the amount of the taxation which is due from Ireland under the proposals of the present Budget?

That is not the question addressed to me, which is, "What is the estimated increased revenue from Ire- land under the present Budget, exclusive of her proportion of the increased naval expenditure 7"

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the terms of reference to the Committee of Inquiry considering the Customs and Excise amalgamation will admit of the salary case of the second-class examining officers of Customs being discussed before them; and, if not, will he take steps to have the terms of reference extended in order that this may be done?

The terms of reference to the Amalgamation Committee do not preclude discussion of the scale of salaries paid to examining officers, second class, so far as the Committee may deem necessary for the purposes of their inquiry_

asked the Attorney-General how in any special jury actions, No. 2 List, published for hearing last week, have been tried or disposed of since Monday, 17th May; and if he can state how ninny special jury actions are now set down for trial, and when he anticipates such list can be disposed of?

In reply to the first part of the right hon. Member's question, one part-heard case in No. 2 List was taken last week and adjourned until 25th May instant. In reply to the latter part of the question, 265 special jury actions are awaiting trial, but it is impossible to form any idea when they can be disposed of.

Within a year?

I would not like to pledge myself to any sort of definite date.

Does it not really amount to a denial of justice?

asked the Attorney-General if he can state how many cases of all kinds which are ready for hearing now remain for disposal in the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, and when he anticipates the arrears will be cleared off?

The total number of cases now ready for hearing in the King's Bench Division is 819. It is impossible for the officers of the court to form any- idea as to when these cases are likely to he disposed of, as so much depends upon the nature and length of each particular case.

asked the Attorney-General if he can state how many judges have been occupied in the Court of Criminal Appeal during the present term, and for what period of time; whether his attention has been called to the dislocation of business in the King's Bench Division owing to the constant withdrawal of judges for the purpose of hearing cases in the Court of Criminal Appeal; and whether it is intended to take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?

The Court of Criminal Appeal has sat on 17 days-. up to and including May 24—during the present term. The court was composed of three judges on 12 occasions and of five judges on five occasions. My attention has been called to the state of business in the King's Bench Division, and I would respectfully refer the right hon. Member to an answer given by my right hon. Friend the. Prime Minister upon the subject on Monday last., the 17th instant. This matter is under the earnest consideration of the Government.

Has consideration been given to the immense cost to which litigants are put by reason of cases being postponed, the hearing broken off, witnesses being sent away, and matters of that sort?

I am not in a position to deny the consequences which are suggested as the necessary and inevitable result of delay in the hearing of cases.

May I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman if a sufficient number of judicial appointments might not properly be made from among hon. Gentlemen behind him?

May I ask whether it is not the fact that if all the judges attended to their work there would be plenty of judges for all the business to be done?

I think all the judges do attend to their work, and rather more than attend to their work. A very great amount of judicial work is done out of judicial hours. Judgments are reserved, and they are much more carefully considered than in the olden time. There is not the slightest reason to suggest that the arrears which have now taken place are due to any lack of most earnest vigilant care and industry on the part of the judges.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that, notwithstanding the arrears of cases awaiting trial in the King's Bench Division, three judges were obliged to sit last week in the Court of Criminal Appeal, one in the Court of Appeal, one in the Railway and Canal Commission Court, and one at the Old Bailey; and how many judges were available for carrying on the general business of the King's Bench Division?

The right hon. Member has been correctly informed as to the allocation of business amongst the judges of the King's Bench Division last week--from Monday. 17th May, to Friday, 21st May, six judges sat. daily for the disposal of the general business of the King's Bench Division.

Will the Attorney-General represent seriously to the Prime Minister the great need for more judges?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many cases of evicted tenants in county Carlow have been placed on the list of the Estates Commissioners; how many of that number have been provided with new holdings or reinstated in their old ones; and what steps have been taken to provide holdings for the remaining unprovided cases?

Seven evicted tenants in county Carlow, or their representatives, have been reinstated in their former holdings by the Estates Commissioners, three have been provided with holdings on untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners, and:33 have been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of land when acquired. Three others have been reinstated by landlords.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received copies of resolutions passed at recent meetings held at Nigg, Portmahomack, Hilton of Cadboll, Balintore, and Hill of Fearn (Easter Ross), strongly urging the Government to reintroduce the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill, and to take such steps as may be necessary to limit the veto of the House of Lords; and will he state what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes; Sir, I have received the resolutions referred to by my hon. Friend. I cannot at the moment say more than that the matters referred to are not being lost sight of.

asked the Prime Minister whether in his statement that the new taxation imposed by the Budget upon property is evenly balanced by that upon consumers of commodities, he took into his consideration the inevitable increase in the yield of the former after the first year, as compared with the probable automatic decrease of the yield of the latter; and whether he has formed any estimate as to how long the balance of new taxation to which he referred can be maintained?

The comparison to which the hon. Member refers was expressly stated to be between the estimated yield of the proposed new taxes in the current year. How long the balance is likely to be maintained is a matter of speculation, but I do not, as at present advised, share the hon. Member's view as to the probabilities of the increase and decrease in the future of the respective kinds of revenue.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement distinctly told us that in the case of almost every new tax on property there would be a progressive increase, and if that be so, was it a fair way to state the case?

I think it was a perfectly fair way. I confined my estimate to the present year.

When he made the statement referred to did he take into consideration the fact that the consumers of the taxed commodities are paying ten times more than the increase that comes to the Exchequer.

That was not within my purview at the moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the contradictory regulations issued by the Ministers in charge of the War Office and Post Office with reference to the attendance at Empire Day parades of those under their control; and what steps he proposes to take to bring the practice of these two Departments into harmony?

I am not aware of anything contradictory in the regulations issued. The conditions with which the two Departments have to deal are not the same.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that schoolboys in uniform are prohibited, while postal officials in uniform may attend?

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to certain recent occurrences, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation vesting the control of sepultures in Westminster Abbey in some authority other than that of the Dean of Westminster?

asked the Prime Minister if, inasmuch as Westminster Abbey has developed from a local cathedral into the national Valhalla, he will consider whether the time has come for legislation whereby the duty of awarding the honour of burial within its walls should be transferred from the custodian of the fabric to sonic authority representative of the nation?

I am not able to express any opinion on this matter without much more time and consideration than I have been able to give to it.

May I ask if he can say who is the final authority with reference to the Abbey to decide matters of the kind?

I believe the Dean.

Can he say if Westminster Abbey ever has been a Cathedral in the proper sense of the term or a Valhalla?

I do not know the technical meaning of either of those terms.

Is it not a fact that the right of sepulture to any person, however eminent, absolutely depends on the veto for the time being of the Dean of Westminster?

I believe that is so.

When are you going to alter it?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to recent incidents in connection with the existing dramatic censorship, and also to prosecutions of music - hall managers for the performance of stage plays; whether the Government contemplate any legislation on these subjects; and, if not, should the House consent to give a second reading to the Bill introduced by the hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs and supported by members belonging to all political parties whether he would be prepared to appoint a Select Committee to examine the Bill, and hear evidence, on the understanding that the Bill would not be further pressed during the present Session?

This is a very important matter and it is receiving careful consideration. I do not know what may be the fortunes of my hon. Friend's Bill, but I am disposed to agree with him that the time has come for some such inquiry as he suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of registering officially valuable pictures owned by individuals and so keeping them on the same footing as family heirlooms attached to estates by deferring the payment of death duty upon all such works of art until they are actually sold?

I explained in my Budget speech that I propose to extend to free estates the concession made by section 20 of the Finance Act, 1896, under which exemption from Estate Duty is granted in respect of objects of national, scientific or historic interest forming part of a settled estate. The Estate Duty in respect of such objects will, therefore, under my proposals, only become chargeable if and when they are actually sold.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the contribution per head of the population in Spirit Duties and in Liquor Licences separately in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, under his proposals for 1909–10; and what is his estimate of this same contribution for 1910–11 in duties and licences separately and in each country, respectively, if levied at the same rate.

The estimated contribution per head of population to the additional revenue estimated to be derived from the increase in the rates of duty upon spirits and Liquor Licences respectively in the three Kingdoms in the current year is:—

May I ask if those figures are based upon the amount of spirit imported into these countries or manufactured in the respective countries or consumed there?

I understand they are on the basis of consumption in these countries.

If that estimate is based on the amount of spirit which is duty paid in Ireland, but which is exported to England or Scotland, it would mean a very considerable difference.

It is based on consumption, not on manufacture.

Is he not aware he has already stated the only way that the consumption can be arrived at is by finding out the amount of Spirit Duty paid in Ireland and where a large amount paid is for spirit for consumption in other countion?

I would rather have notice of that question.

Is it not the case that the Spirit Duty, through forestalment and other reasons, would be very little this year and much larger in future years, and will he on that account not reconsider the amount of Spirit Duty this year?

I am not quite clear as to what is the point put to me-by my hon. Friend. Does he want the matter reconsidered?

Owing to the fact that the duty this year, through forestalment and other reasons, is less than it will be next year, will he not, for that reason, reconsider the proposal for the tax, so far as the duty is concerned for this year?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the price of petrol is always higher in Ireland than in England; that the retail price of petrol per gallon, before the Budget was introduced, was 1s. in Dublin as corn-pared with 10d. in London, and that the price is now 1s. 4d. in Dublin and 1s. 2d. in London; and whether he would recommend a rebate on petrol used in Ireland, so as to equalise the cost of it in both countries?

I am aware that the price of petrol varies in different parts of the United Kingdom, but I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an apprehension exists among persons residing in Jersey and other Channel Islands in various employments, who have hitherto been entitled to the same deductions or refunds of Income Tax as if living in England, that they will henceforward be treated for this purpose as if they resided out of the United Kingdom, and thereby be disentitled to such deductions or refunds; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to meet the case of such persons?

I am afraid I do not see my way to treat residents in the Channel Islands as other than residents outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a notice issued on 18th May by the Inland Revenue Department notifying that dividends entrusted by Colonial companies to an agent in this country for payment here (presumably for shareholders resident either here or abroad), and also like dividends which, although not entrusted to an agent in this country for payment, are realised in the United Kingdom through bankers and others; and whether he is aware that, in consequence of this notice, Colonial companies are now considering arrangements for the payment of their dividends through bankers abroad and the removal of such business from their agents in this country; and whether he has considered the loss of business thus involved to the mercantile community, the volume of such business, and the business connected or consequent thereon being large, and affecting more or less all the British Colonial mining companies in the Empire and their connection with the mother country?

No new departure is involved in the issue of the notice referred to in the question, it having been the custom now for many years past to issue similar notices on the passing of the Income Tax Resolution. There does not appear to me to be anything in the present notice which should cause any alteration in the arrangements made by Colonial companies for the payment of their dividends.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that complaints are made in India of the insufficiency of the station staff at Lucknow to cope with any sudden increase in the local traffic of the Oudh and Rohilkund Railway; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

The Secretary of State has received no information as to the complaints referred to by the hon. Member, but he has no doubt that if they are brought to the notice of the Railway Board they will receive due attention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the present president of the Medical College, Madras, was appointed to that post after having acted as surgeon on the personal staff of three successive governors of Madras; and what educational experience this gentleman possesses to qualify him for his present appointment?

The present principal of the Medical College, Madras, was surgeon to the Governor of Madras from May, 1892, to February, 1902. He has also held various other appointments in the medical service, and was professor of medical jurisprudence and professor of surgery for 21 years before he became principal. The appointment is one for which the authorities in India are responsible, and the Secretary of State sees no reason to question the propriety of their selection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the policy of the Government of India to make use of the civil branch of the Indian Medical Service as a reserve of officers for the Indian Army; whether it is proposed in case of war to withdraw officers of the Indian Medical Service from the posts which they hold at present in all the important civil medical institutions; and, if so, whether any provision is or will be made to fill their places?

The civil side of the Indian Medical Service is intended to be used to a considerable extent as a war reserve; but the officers holding the more important and specialised posts in civil medical institutions are not regarded as a part of the war reserve.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what date the increased Income Tax would become payable; whether he was aware that some bankers were deducting Income Tax at the rate of 1s. 2d. in the pound on dividends accruing from 1st November last and due on 1st May; and whether, in that case, they should have deducted Income Tax at the increased rate for one month only, and not for the whole six?

The increased rate of Income Tax is applicable for the year beginning on 6th April last. If the dividends referred to are dividends on foreign or Colonial securities the deduction at 1s. 2d. in the pound was correct.

Is it right to deduct Income Tax at the rate of 1s. 2d. in the pound on dividends which accrued five months before 5th April?

I am only following the usual practice, but if there is any reason for a departure I shall be quite willing to consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question if I raise it at a future time?

I will always very carefully consider any representations made by the hon. Baronet.

Does the same practice apply to dividends on Indian railway stocks?

I assume that the practice is the same; the same principle seems to apply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intended to continue the abatements and relief from Income Tax hitherto enjoyed by British chaplains serving abroad'?

I do not see my way to make a special exception in the case of British chaplains serving abroad other than military and naval chaplains resident abroad on duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would state on what grounds instructions had been issued by the Treasury that Income Tax at the rate of 1s. 2d. in the pound must be deducted from foreign and Colonial dividends for the half-year ending 31st March if such dividends happened to be paid after the introduction of the Budget?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on the same subject on the 24th instant.

asked whether, as admitted by the Secretary to the Treasury in the Debate on the Estimates in June, 1908, paucity of promotions existed in the Customs Department; if vacancies at present occurring in the grades of first and second class examining officers were being filled by the transfer of Excise officials to the further detriment of deserving officers, whose period of waiting was already considerably in excess of the average; and whether, if such was the case, it was proposed to compensate officers so affected in any way?

The action that has been taken by the Board of Customs and Excise is of the nature of a temporary expedient, pending full consideration of the whole question of amalgamation by the Departmental Committee which has been appointed by the Treasury. In the interests of public economy it is clear that, so long as there are redundant officers, employment must be found for them on duties suitable to their rank. Any other alternative would involve the addition of new entrants to the establishment, with a correspondingly increased charge on the Vote.

Are the Excise officers who have been transferred to fill vacancies in the grades of first and second class examining officers being paid their old salaries as Excise officers, or higher salaries adequate to the work they are now doing?

I ought to have notice of that question.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was aware that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Dewsbury, when Financial Secretary to the Treasury, admitted in the House of Commons on 16th May, 1907, that the disparity between the salaries of clerks and officers of Customs was greater than anyone anticipated it would be; and whether steps would be taken by the Committee of Inquiry now sitting to carry out the right lion. Gentleman's wish that some means should be found to lessen this disparity?

I am aware of the remarks made by my right hon. Friend on this subject. The Amalgamation Committee has been appointed in order to secure the fusion of the Customs and Excise staffs with the least possible hardship to the various grades affected, rather than to consider questions of this kind. I understand, however, that the salaries of clerks and officers will, necessarily, both come under the review of the Committee.

asked whether a direct grant would he made to minor local authorities, out of the fund proposed to be raised from the taxation of motor cars and petrol, towards the improvement and maintenance of roads within their areas now maintained by urban district councils?

I explained in my Budget speech that I propose that the revenue raised by the taxation of motor cars and petrol shall be placed at the disposal of a central authority, who will make grants to local authorities for schemes of road improvements, etc. I am afraid I cannot give my hon. Friend any further information until the Bill dealing with my proposals in connection with this matter has been issued to the House.

Will these sums be ear-marked for the purpose named, so that local authorities cannot use the money so granted for other purposes?

The money will be spent only for the purpose of carrying out schemes submitted by the local authorities to the central authority.

Will these grants be for the benefit of the ordinary users of the roads—that is, in relief of the rates—or to cover additional expenditure, in the interest of motorists?

They will be for improvements in the roads referable to motor traffic. Some of those improvements are at present carried out at the expense of the rates, and to that extent the grants will be a relief to the rates.

Will these improvements be carried out in London streets?

If there are any schemes for the improvement of roads in London for motor traffic it will be quite within the competence of this authority to consider schemes of that kind.