asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the regulations relating to retailers' off-licences in the First Schedule to the Finance Bill entirely change the character of the spirit grocers' licence in Ireland by prohibiting the sale of spirits in any quantity less than a quart; whether this change is intended; and whether, if so, it is intended to apply to existing holders of spirit grocers' licences in Ireland, whose trade it seriously affects?

The answer to all three questions is in the affirmative.

asked whether dividends earned before 5th April, 1909, but paid subsequent to that date, are liable to the enhanced rate of Income Tax; and whether, under similar conditions, the rent of land is liable in the same way?

As regards the first part of the question, I do not think I can add anything to my reply of the 24th ult. to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth on a similar point. The answer to the second part of the question is that the deduction of Income Tax from rent should be at the rate or rates in force during the period the rent was accruing due.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state how many bankers in the United Kingdom or out of it are charged with, and have undertaken to levy by deduction on behalf of His Majesty's Government, the Income Tax on securities passing through their hands; what percentage or commission is allowed to them for this service; and what is the total amount of such percentage or commission so allowed in each of the years 1907–8 and 1908–9?

Inclusive of bankers, financial houses, and coupon dealers, there are several hundred firms and persons who deduct Income Tax from dividends and interest in connection with securities and pay over to the Inland Revenue the tax so deducted. Fourpence in the pound (threepence in the case of the Bank of England) on the amount so collected is allowed as commission. The commission for 1907–8 amounted to £49,387. The figures for 1908–9 are not ready yet, but there would be little variation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether such institutions as the Army and Navy Auxiliary Co-operative Stores, Limited, pay any Income Tax on their profits earned; and, if not, will he say whether it is so on account of the fact that the majority of their shareholders or members have less than £160 per annum of income, and therefore would be entitled to have the Income Tax returned?

The Army and Navy Auxiliary Co-operative Supply, Limited, is an ordinary registered company, chargeable with Income Tax on its profits.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the lands held for the purposes of their undertakings, and restricted by Statute for such purposes, by public dock and harbour trustees, will be liable for taxation under the Finance Bill; and, if so, will he, in view of the fact that these bodies are rating authorities, do not exist for private gain, but for the public benefit, and do not resell the land, consider the advisability of exempting such lands from taxation under the Bill?

Land held by public dock and harbour trustees, even though they may not be, technically speaking, rating authorities, will, under clause 25 of the Bill, be exempt from taxation so long as the land is occupied and used by the trustees for the purposes of their undertaking. If the trustees are technically rating authorities within the meaning of clause 24, as will sometimes be the case, their land is exempt from taxation under that clause.

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

Crown property does not fall within the charge of the proposed duties on land values.

asked if, in the case of residences with more than two acres of gardens in the neighbourhood of the large cities, one acre of garden will be allowed free and a second acre will be charged only one farthing in the pound tax and the balance of the land at one-halfpenny in the pound?

No, Sir. If the garden exceeds two acres in extent it does not come within the provisions of sub-clause (4) of clause 11 of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the mixed character of the business done, he will consider, in the case of grocers' licences under the. Finance Bill, the desirability of giving to the person by whom the duty is payable the option of paying a poundage upon the receipts from the sale by him of intoxicating liquors instead of upon the annual value of the premises?

I am carefully considering the various suggestions which have been made to me in regard to grocers' licences, and among them will give due attention to that of my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the increased rate of Estate Duty is now being levied; and whether he can state upon what authority this increased duty is demanded before the Finance Bill has become law?

In connection with deaths on or after the 30th April, 1909, Estate Duty is accepted only at the rates set out in the relative Budget Resolution.

asked, in view of the Budget proposals to abolish the supplementary spirit bottle licence as well as the retail rights of the dealers' wine licence and to compel wine and spirit merchants, to take out separate retail licences, whether the retail off-licences for wines, spirits, and beer will be granted by the Revenue officers in each district to wine and spirit merchants without application being made to the magistrates

Yes, Sir, if the premises are used exclusively for the sale of intoxicating liquors, or of intoxicating liquors and mineral waters or other non-intoxicating drinks, and have no internal communication with the premises of any person who is carrying on any other trade or business.

asked whether, under clauses 57 and 58 of the Finance Bill, it is the intention of the Government that when a broker acting for a client purchases securities from a jobber on the Stock Exchange the jobber shall make and send a duly stamped contract note to the broker, and the broker shall also send a duly stamped contract note to his client?

It is not the intention that the jobber shall in a case such as that mentioned by the hon. Member make and send a contract note to the broker.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state why owners of agricultural land in Ireland are not to be required to make returns under section 16 of the Finance Bill, and, in the absence of such returns, what materials will the Commissioners have for ascertaining the total value and the site value; and who is to decide whether the land is agricultural land within the meaning of the Finance Bill?

In view of the fact that there is already in existence in Ireland a Government Valuation Department, it did not seem necessary to require owners of land in that country to make returns declaring the total value and site value of their land respectively, as the valuation can be efficiently carried out by the Department. As regards the latter part of the question, the decision as to whether any given land exceeding £50 per acre in value is agricultural land within the meaning of clause 27 the Bill will rest with the Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, in the case of tenants who have purchased their holdings under the Land Purchase Acts, any of the duties in Land Values which may become payable under the Finance Bill will be a charge upon the lands in priority to or subsequent to the purchase-money instalments; whether such duties will be a personal debt due by the tenant purchasers; and whether he will consider the hardship of such tenants in having to pay such duties in addition to the instalments?

The holdings in question are agricultural, which, as such, are not likely to attract the proposed Land Duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, for convenience of discussion and following the precedent of the Act of 1880, by which the existing scale of publicans' licence duties was established, he will set out the proposed new duties in the body of the Finance Bill, and not leave them to be discussed in the schedules thereto?

I cannot see my way to accept the Hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the. Exchequer whether rates are assessed in Scotland on the actual sums paid as rent by tenants, without any deductions, whereas in England rates are assessed on what is called the rateable value, which usually amounts to about two-thirds of the actual sums paid as rent by the tenants; if so, will he say whether this also applies to public-houses and to licensed grocers' premises; and will he see that this inequality between the two countries is taken cognisance of in the Finance Bill now before the House?

The rates of licence duty are charged in the same manner in both countries, namely, according to the rent or annual value of the premises as determined by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under the. Excise Regulation Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that pensioners who have spent their lives in India are often obliged from motives of health or economy to live on the Continent after their retirement; that they are frequently bringing up large families upon small means to become in their turn servants of the State; that the abolition of the abatement allowed to persons living out of the United Kingdom is a blow to such pensioners, who are in some cases taxed as foreigners in the countries in which they are settled; and, if so, whether he will consider the propriety of a revision of the Budget in this behalf?

A person so situated would not be assessable to Income Tax in respect of a pension payable from the revenues of India, but only in respect of any income which he might derive from sources in the United Kingdom. Unless this were considerable in amount the burthen imposed by the tax would be a very small one, and I do not think the case is one calling for special relief.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he intends to deal with military messes and canteens under the Finance Bill?

There is a clear distinction between naval and military messes which are maintained and regu- lated in accordance with the King's Regulations and canteens. Messes maintained and regulated under the Regulations are of a family or domestic character. On the other hand, I am advised that some messes and also canteens conducted upon the regimental system may come within the description of a club for the purpose of the Licensing Acts and the Finance Bill. An ordinary Excise licence is required for canteens which are run by contractors if liquors are sold therein.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the distribution of the grant indicated in the Budget Resolutions towards the maintenance of roads, he will bear in mind the claims of the main lines of communication passing through Montgomeryshire to Welsh watering places on the coast?

I shall be glad to bear in mind the claims referred to by my hon. Friend. In this connection I may refer him to the answer which I gave on the 7th instant to the hon. Member for Taunton.

asked what is the total number of assessments in the United Kingdom under Schedule A of the Income Tax for houses, other buildings, and land respectively?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked if there is any machinery existing at present for the return of the Petrol Tax on petrol which has been purchased at an increased price of 4d. per gallon for the purpose of use for lighting purposes; and will the whole extra cost be repaid on such petrol or only the tax of 3d. per gallon?

Pending the passing of the Bill, arrangements have been made for receiving claims for the rebate of the duty allowed under clause 65 of the Bill. Rebate can only be allowed of the actual amount of duty paid in each case.

asked what will be the tenure of office of the referees to be appointd under section 23 of the Finance Bill?

The referees in question will hold office during His Majesty's pleasure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners who will, under the Finance Bill, assess the total and site values of land in the first instance have been selected and appointed by reason of any qualifications as land valuers and land surveyors; and whether he can furnish a list of their names, with the addition of their qualifications and experience as land valuers prior to their appointments respectively?

I must refer the hon. and learned Member to sub-clause (2) of clause 74 of the Bill. It is there provided that any reference to "the Commissioners" in Part I. of the Act shall be construed as a reference to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under clause 25 of the Finance Bill, land used for school playgrounds will be exempt from Undeveloped Land Duty; and whether, in the event of a school playground being sold, in order that a more suitable playground may be purchased with the proceeds of the sale, the ground sold would be liable to Increment Value Duty?

The answer to both questions is in the affirmative.

asked whether land leased by the trustees of an endowed school, the rentals being applicable either to the general purposes of the school or specifically to the payment of the masters' salaries, will be liable to any, and, if so, to which, of the duties under part I. of the Finance Bill?

The Finance Bill contemplates exemption from the proposed duties on land values only in respect of such land as "is occupied and used" for the purposes indicated therein by the person, or body of persons, by whom the land is held. The case mentioned by the hon. Member does not therefore fall within the exemption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inform the House whether he has considered the removal of land assessment from Schedule A to Schedule D as regards Income and Property Tax, and arrived at any, and what, conclusion?

The matter, as I have already informed the House, is receiving my consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

asked whether it is intended by the Finance Bill to treat as undeveloped land such parts of domestic gardens, exceeding one acre, as are cultivated and used as kitchen gardens, orchards, fruit and flower gardens, or otherwise for the food and service of man, or kept as open spaces for health and recreation, and usefully employing labour, and also already paying taxes and rates?

I must refer the hon. Baronet to sub-clauses (3) and (4) of clause 11 of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the suggestion of assessing the Licence Duty as regards hotels upon the actual amount of liquors sold instead of by reference to rateable value; and if he is aware that under the Finance Bill a public-house having a sale of, say, £4,000 a year would pay a Licence Duty of about £100 a year, while the Licence Duty on an hotel with a similar sale would in many cases pay 2.9 times as much?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative, and special provision is made in clause 31 of the Bill for the duty in respect of a licence for an hotel being calculated by reference to the receipts from the sale of liquors. I cannot draw any comparison between the amount which would be paid as Licence Duty for a public-house and an hotel where in each case the sales amount to £4,000 a year, since the duty in the case of a public-house depends entirely upon annual value, and is not calculated in any way by reference to sales.

also asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the case of one of the large London hotels, which cost £1,500,000, of which £600,000 debenture capital only receives 4 per cent., and on the shareholders' capital of £900,000 only £17,000 is net profit, out of which the new licence duty would require nearly £4,000, or nearly one-quarter of the profit on that capital; will he say what would be the amount payable under the alternative option of basing the duty upon the compensation value; and what does he estimate would be the amount of that compensation value?

I cannot identify this hotel as one to which my attention has been called. It is not possible to reply to the other questions asked upon the information given me by the hon. Baronet.

further asked what is the definition of the expression original site value in the Finance Bill, and how is it to be ascertained; and what is to be the consequence of the owner of land being unable to estimate the site value of his land, denuded or in its actual state?

The definition of the term "original site value" is to be found in clause 17 (1) of the Finance Bill, and the method by which it is to be ascertained is land down in clause 14. As regards the latter part of the question, I must refer the hon. Baronet to clause 16 (3) and clause 17 (3) of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is included under the term minerals in the Finance Bill; and will he insert in the Bill a definition of the substances so included?

"Minerals" is a phrase which has a distinct legal meaning, and is constantly used in legal documents without definition. The phrase has been the subject of various decisions in courts of law, and I am advised that the effect of any attempt to incorporate the various decisions in a definition may result in a complication rather than a simplification of the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended that the increment value duty shall apply to land held by railway and other statutory companies whose land can only be used for the special purpose for which it was acquired, and cannot be sold or let?

Yes, if the undertaking of the company is carried on with a view to the, payment of a dividend or profit out of revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state whether in cases of Customs and Excise officers being compulsorily retired under the recent order of the Board, where they have completed a considerable portion of a year, they will be allowed to finish that year of service so that it may count towards superannuation?

The officers referred to in the question are granted an extension not exceeding three months where such extension will enable an officer to complete another year's pensionable service or to get another increment. I regret that I cannot see my way to extend this period of grace.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Customs Department have annually at their disposal some 40,000 pounds of confiscated tobacco, which is chiefly used for the smoking of insects at Kew and smoking by criminal lunatics in Broadmoor and other asylums; and whether he can see his way to allot a portion of such tobacco to the solace of the Chelsea pensioners during their declining years?

I regret that it is not possible to adopt this suggestion. The quantity of confiscated tobacco annually at the disposal of the Customs is about 8,000 lbs. only, and this is practically disposed of as stated in the question. The grant of confiscated tobacco is confined to cases in which the purchase of tobacco would otherwise fail to be defrayed out of moneys voted by Parliament, and this is not the case at the Chelsea Hospital.

asked whether, in view of the fact that a bounty of £6,000 a year is granted to tobacco cultivation in Ireland, a grant of a somewhat similar amount for the encouragement of beet or other cultivation in Wales is likely to be made?

I shall be glad to consider any proposals of this nature which may be laid before me.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his inquiries in regard to the disclosure of Captain. Bacon's and Admiral Mann's letters in any way show that the letters in question were obtained by Sir George Armstrong for a monetary consideration?

I must refer the hon. Member to a letter addressed to me by Sir George Armstrong, and communicated by him to the Press.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the works at Rosyth which Messrs. Easton, Gibb and Son have contracted to execute; at what date the contract provides for their completion; and if he will state what other works remain to be contracted for in connection with the Rosyth naval base?

With regard to the first two parts of the question, I would ask the hon. Member to refer to the paragraph headed "Works" in my statement explanatory of the Navy Estimates. With regard to the third part, workshops and other buildings will be erected when the main contract is completed and the ground is available; but it is premature to decide now exactly what will be required.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to ask the House to read the Welsh Disestablishment Bill a second time before the Report of the Royal Commission, and the evidence upon which it is founded, are in the hands of Members?

I cannot give any definite assurances as I am unable to say when the Report and evidence of the Royal Commission will be in the hands of Members.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received a memorial praying that land in the county Clare, which is needed for farming purposes, should not be taken over for a military range; and when the reply to this memorial is likely to be given?

I have received the memorial, and a reply will shortly be sent. I must point out that I have also received an extensively signed petition welcoming the proposal to make a range there.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with reference to the action of the officer of the 1st Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, on the arrival of that regiment in Kinsale, on the 3rd February last, from service abroad, in excluding all Irish traders from entering the barracks with a view to obtaining orders for the supply of civilian clothes to the men about going on furlough or leaving the Army, and permitting only one firm, an English one, to enter the barracks for the purpose, he will state the name of the officer concerned; whether his action was taken of his own authority or pursuant to any regulation; whether he gave any Irish firms the opportunity of contracting; why the officer departed from the practice which has hitherto prevailed; the names of the firm whom he invited to become contractors; on what principle he selected those firms; whether there is any precedent for his action; and whether the War Office approve of the action of a commanding officer in rendering it impossible for soldiers stationed in Ireland to buy their civilian clothes in that country?

Full information regarding the matter was given in my reply to the question put by the hon. Member on the 18th ultimo, to which I have nothing to add. The commanding officer acted solely in the interests of his men in a matter within his discretion, and the Army Council fully approve of his action.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to confer upon the cavalry, artillery, and rifle units of the Territorial Forces some honour or recognition equivalent to the presentation of colours to the infantry battalions of these forces?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the seven non-commissioned officers and men detained at Millbank Hospital as enteric-germ carriers, if he will state under what section of the Army Act these men were indefinitely deprived of this liberty?

I have fully explained to the hon. and gallant Member the circumstances under which these men are undergoing special treatment at Millbank Hospital. Papers on the subject will shortly be in the hands of hon. Members. A sick soldier can be ordered to be confined in hospital, and disobedience to such lawful command would be punishable under the Army Act on conviction by court-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the non-commissioned officers and men now detained as germ-carriers at Millbank are detained for the public convenience and not because they are unfit for military duty or for employment in civil life; and whether, under the circumstances, he will remit the hospital stoppages to which these men are subject?

As I have already informed the House, these cases were considered dangerous to their comrades in barracks, and they are therefore detained in the interests of all with whom they might otherwise come in contact in civil or military life. In accordance with the Regulations in cases of sickness, these men have had half their hospital stoppages remitted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received information as to the supply of tent-boards and great-coats to the Territorial troops stationed at West Down Camp, Salisbury; and whether he is aware that there are only 600 tent-boards at the camp for 12,000 men, and that even the hospitals are without such necessaries?

There are over 2,300 tent bottoms on Salisbury Plain which are ample for the Territorial troops encamped there. Tent bottoms are only supplied when the medical authorities certify it to be necessary; they are not usually provided for camps of short duration. Waterproof ground sheets are issued when tent bottoms are not supplied. There seems no reason for treating Territorial troops differently from other troops in this respect. It must be remembered that the tent bottom is a very large and heavy article, very difficult to transport, and expensive to provide. They have never been considered an ordinary article of equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the whole of the 4th battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment at West Down are without great coats, and that some men in the Manchester Brigade are without any uniform, being compelled to wear their own civilian attire throughout the recent bad weather; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of such scandals?

In accordance with my statement on Monday last, I have communicated with the county association in regard to the supply of great coats and full information will be forwarded in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men have been sent to Bulford Camp hospital during the present period of training, how many have been dealt with in brigade and regimental hospital tents, and what proportion of such cases are traceable to preventible causes, such as inadequate supply of tent boards and clothing?

A report has been called for, but the information has not yet reached the War Office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can now state the result of his inquiry into the action of the officials of the Reading Workhouse in the case of Mrs. Emily Chapman; and what he intends to do in the matter?

I have obtained a copy of the depositions taken at the inquest in this case, and have made inquiry into the matter. It is the fact that Mrs. Chapman was admitted into the workhouse on the evening of the 20th May, and was not seen by the medical officer until 9 o'clock the next morning. I do not find from the depositions that the master made the statement referred to in my hon. Friend's previous question; but Mrs. Chapman appears to have been seen by the police surgeon before her removal to the workhouse, and the workhouse officers did not think it necessary on her admission to send for the medical officer. She seems to have received care and attention from them, and the medical officer stated at the inquest that he could have done no good had he been sent for on the evening of the 20th. I consider, however, that when- ever a case of serious illness is admitted to the workhouse the medical officer should at once be informed by the master. I have communicated this opinion to the guardians, and the master has promised to act accordingly in future.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the number of newly-born male calves that are butchered annually in the United Kingdom and Ireland; if he has any information showing that these newborn calves are suitable as wholesome food; and, if not, if he has any power to prevent such so-called meat being sold or offered for sale?

I am not able to give the figures asked for in the first part of the question, and I am not aware that the information exists. The carcase of a newly-born calf would usually be regarded as unfit for food, and would be liable to be dealt with by meat inspectors accordingly. If it was necessary to prevent danger arising to public health from the importation or preparation of these calves when intended for sale for human consumption, regulations could be made on the subject under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907; but I have no evidence at present to show that this is the case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the resolutions passed by several boards of guardians in London protesting against the action of the Metropolitan Water Board in granting to their chairman an annual salary of £500 for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the official hospitality of the board; and if he will use all the influence and the powers that he possesses to prevent it?

Sub-section (4) of section I of the Metropolis Water Act, 1902, empowers the Metropolitan Water Board to pay a salary to their chairman, and it is in exercise of this power that the Water Board have recently voted such a salary. I understand that a certain number of boards of guardians have passed resolutions to the effect stated in the question. These resolutions have not been brought under my notice, and I have no authority to interfere in the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, when rates are paid to an overseer by mistake, being by mutual admission owing by another person, the sum paid in error should be refunded by such overseer?

I do not know what are the circumstances of the case which have led to my hon. Friend's question. I think I can only say generally that if rates are paid to an overseer by mistake by a person who is not liable for them, I am not aware of any reason why the sum paid in error should not be refunded.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a married woman has been detained in the workhouse at Hampstead, N.W., although able-bodied and able to obtain work, on the ground that her husband orders her to remain in the workhouse; if so, whether this is in accordance with a circular of the Poor Law Board, issued in 1842, previous to the Married Women's Property Act, 1882; and whether he will consider the advisability of withdrawing such circular in the interests of the ratepayers as well as married women?

I have made inquiry on this subject, and am informed that in the case referred to by my hon. Friend, the guardians, after investigating the matter, determined to allow the woman to take her discharge, and that she did so on 3rd May, her husband and children remaining in the workhouse.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any Return of the hours worked by, and wages paid to, the barmen, barmaids, and other servants in the on-licensed beer and spirit houses in the county of London; and, if, not, will he consider the advisability of obtaining such a Return?

I have previously informed my hon. Friend that there is no record of the wages and hours of duty of persons employed in public-houses, and I am not prepared at present to undertake the inquiry suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state whether the German Imperial authorities have yet published the corrected figures relating to German imports and exports in 1908; and, if so, will he state the figures and say by what amounts they are less than the corresponding figures for 1907?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The following statement compares the corrected figures for 1908 with the corresponding figures for 1907:—

Statement showing the value of the imports and exports of merchandise into and from Germany (" Special Trade ") in each of the years 1907 and 1908.

NOTE.—"Special" Imports are Imports for Home Consumption. "Special" Exports are Exports of Domestic Produce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received particulars of the new German-American Treaty on Patent Law; and, if so, if he will state its provisions with regard to the patent rights of German or American inventors who, having been granted a patent in either of the two countries, work it only on the soil of the other country?

"The provisions of the laws applicable, now existing or hereafter to be enacted of either of the contracting parties, under which the non-working of the patent, working pattern (Gebrauchsmuster) design or model carries the invalidation or some other restriction of the right, shall only be applied to the patents, working patterns (Gebrauchsmusteri designs or models enjoyed by the citizens of the other contracting party within the limits of the restrictions imposed by the said party upon its own citizens. The working of a patent, working pattern (Gebrauchsmuster) design or model in the territory of one of the contracting parties, shall be considered as equivalent to its working in the territory of the other party."

The remaining Articles relate solely to the question of the ratification and duration of the Treaty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the application of the Bradford Dyers' Association for the registration of certain letters, viz., B.D.A., under the provisions of section 62 of the Trade Marks Act, 1905; whether any similar applications have been granted to any commercial firm or company; and whether such section has hitherto been used only for the registration of marks connected with semi-philanthropic and non-trading bodies?

Applications under section 62 of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, for the registration of the letters B.D.A. as a trade mark for goods in various classes have been received from the Bradford Dyers' Association, and, by direction of the Board of Trade, the marks were advertised in the "Trade Marks Journal" of 28th April and 5th May. In the case of the marks advertised at the earlier date for goods in classes 31 (silk piece goods) and 34 (cloths and stuffs of wool, worsted, or hair) the time for lodging notice of opposition has expired, but in the case of the applications which relate to cotton piece goods representations have been received at the Board of Trade, as a result of which the time for lodging notice of opposition has been extended to 28th June. No such notice has yet been lodged. Applications under section 62 have been received from several associations of traders and the marks applied for duly registered, but in only one previous case, so far as I am aware, has registration been granted to an actual trading body.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have any information as to the reported recent purchase by the great packing firms of the United States of further considerable interests in the beef trade of the Argentine Republic?

I have no other information with regard to the matter referred to than that which has appeared in the public Press. I am, however, causing inquiries to be made on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he was aware that many licences are being granted under the Pharmacy Act, 1908, to persons other than qualified chemists to sell poisonous substances for agricultural purposes, and that these licences are being granted in large industrial towns where existing facilities are ample; and whether, in view of the definite statement made by the Under-Secretary of State on the second reading of the Pharmacy Bill that it was not intended to license traders where facilities of supply by chemists were ample, he will take steps to prevent the wide and indiscriminate granting of licences to non-qualified traders?

The Privy Council Office, which is the Department concerned in administering the Act, informs me that there is no evidence that local authorities generally have disregarded its provisions and the regulations made under it; though it is possible that instances of such disregard may have occurred in some localities. The Act charges the local authority with the duty of considering whether the reasonable requirements of the public are satisfied, and these requirements may not, in some cases, be met by the facilities given by chemists. If the hon. Member knows any cases in which a grievance exists I shall be glad if he will bring them to my notice.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether Sir Ernest Blake, the senior Crown Agent for the Colonies, has retired upon pension; and, if so, whether the Secretary of State has considered the advisability of filling the vacant post by the appointment of a retired Colonial Governor or other high Colonial official of business experience?

Yes, Sir, the senior Crown Agent has retired, but the Secretary of State is not at the moment in a position to make any announcement as to his successor.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Government notice in the "Natal Government Gazette" of 27th April prohibiting coloured pupils from remaining in the Government schools after they have passed the age of 16 and the admission into the Government schools set apart for Indians of free scholars of any pupils who may have reached the age of 14 or who have passed Standard IV., and of the teaching of any subject above the standard of primary schools; and whether His Majesty's Government will urge upon the Government of Natal the impropriety of imposing education disabilities upon coloured and Indian children to which the children of European colonists attending the Government schools are not subjected?

Yes, Sir, the age limit fixed by the Regulation previously in force was 14. His Majesty's Government cannot interfere with the discretion of a self-governing Colony in matters of this kind.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he is aware that the bi-monthly intercolonial mail steamer plying between Barbados and St. Kitts reaches St. Kitts between six and eight p.m. on Saturdays and leaves on the return voyage at six p.m. on Sundays; that the post office at St. Kitts closes at six p.m. and does not open till six a.m., and that consequently mails for Barbados are not shipped, thus leaving the Colony without regular postal communication for a fortnight; if he is aware that on the return voyage the mail steamer is delayed for several hours at Dominica and St. Lucia; and whether he can see his way to so arrange the department of the steamer from St. Kitts as to allow of time for mails to be shipped at that port on Sundays?

According to the timetable the hour of arrival of the Inter-Colonial Mail steamer at St. Kitts should be five a.m. on Saturday, and the hour of departure seven a.m. on the same day. The hours of call are, however, admittedly inconvenient, and the Secretary of State is now endeavouring to arrange for their improvement so that adequate that adequate time may be given for letters arriving by the mail steamer to be answered before it leaves.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the fact that actions for large sums for the price of goods sold and delivered instituted in the Sheriff Court of Glasgow are being delayed for seven to nine months by counterclaims of damages set up by defenders in respect of alleged breaches of contract; whether he is aware that these delays occur from overpressure of work in that court; and whether, in view of the fact that they are of serious import in a trading community, he will take any action to relieve the pressure?

It is quite impossible to tell without a search involving great expenditure of time and labour in what cases in the Sheriff Court of Lanarkshire counterclaims have been lodged. No diets of proof have been fixed in this Court so late as seven months from the present time, and in many cases the reason for delay was, due to the exceptional circumstances of the cases. The question of pressure of work in this Court is receiving serious consideration.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state what amount of land Las been obtained by the Kent County Council to supply the applicants at Orpington for small holdings and allotments?

The county council has not yet been able to acquire any land for small holdings in Orpington, but negotiations are in progress for supplying the parish council with ten acres for allotments.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset what steps have been taken by the Board to make known the depredations caused by the warble fly ( hypoderma bovis ); whether the Board are aware that it is estimated that this fly causes a loss of £6,000,000 a year in the value of cattle, etc., and will the Board issue a declaration requiring all persons breeding, dealing in, or farming cattle to dip them twice a year in a certain solution which has been proved efficacious for the destruction of the warble fly?

The Board have issued leaflets on the subject. The Board have no means of judging if the estimated loss is correct. The Board do not consider dipping a practicable remedy.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether he has received representations from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce stating that the meat trade are apprehensive of a beef famine, arising from the shortage of American and Canadian cattle imports, and urging the immediate removal of the embargo on Argentine cattle for immediate slaughter at port of disembarkation; and if he can say what action the Board intend to take in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board are not in a position at the present time to adopt the course suggested consistently with their statutory obligations in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether further reports have been received from His Majesty's Consul-General at Tripoli as to the slave trade at Constantinople and other Turkish ports, from Barca and elsewhere on the Tripoli coast; whether he will direct inquiry to be made into any information on the question received since the reports to the Italian Anti-Slavery Society, which were the subject of resolutions of the Anti-Slavery Congress, held at Rome, in December, 1907; whether the attention of His Majesty's Government was drawn to the communication from that society to the Arms Conference, at Brussels, last year, and to the detailed particulars given to that conference, respecting the caravans of slaves brought into Benghazi in one year and the boats having slaves on board which left that port during the same 12 months; whether His Majesty's Government is aware of the statements made by a Franciscan missionary to the French Anti-Slavery Society as to the Tripoli slave trade being supported last year from the frontier of the French and Anglo-Egyptian Soudan; and whether these repeated statements have been the subject of further inquiry by His Majesty's Consul-General since the date of a Foreign Office communication addressed to the British Anti-Slavery Society last summer?

The last report from His Majesty's Consul-General at Tripoli on this subject was that of May, 1908, of which the substance was communicated to the British Anti-Slavery Society; it was therefore of a later date than the reports to the Italian Anti-Slavery Society. The attention of His Majesty's Government was drawn to the communication made by that society to the Arms Conference in letters of April and July, 1908. Most of the information contained in them referred to dates anterior to the Consul-General's last report, and was implicitly contradicted by that report. I am not aware of the statements made by a Franciscan missionary to the French Anti-Slavery Society, but the Consul-General at Tripoli evidently disbelieves the reports as to the slave trade between Tripoli and the Soudan. The Consul-General is fully alive to the anxiety of His Majesty's Government for information on this subject, but if any fresh particulars are brought to my notice I shall willingly instruct him to make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will say what was the total cost of the Assouan dam, and by how much it has raised the selling value of the land which it irrigates?

All the information in my possession on the two points raised by the hon. Member is contained in the published Annual Reports on Egypt for the years 1904, 1906, 1907, and 1908. The references to the Parliamentary Papers containing these Reports are as follows:— Egypt No. 1 (1905), page 34; Egypt No. 1 (1907), page 65; Egypt No. 1 (1908), page 19; and Egypt No. 1 (1909), page 23.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have decided not to take any action in reference to the claim of William Boyd, now resident at Derryhallagh, for reinstatement in a farm on the estate of Sir John Leslie, in the county Monaghan, from which he was evicted; if so, whether their reason for this decision is that the farm has been in the occupation of a man named Dunlop under yearly tenancy, and that they are unable to obtain unoccupied land on which to give allotments to evicted tenants who can be reinstated in their old farms; if he is aware that one of the conditions of sale on the sale of this estate to the tenants was that the evicted tenants should be reinstated; and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered William Boyd's application for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him and now in the possession of another tenant, and, in the exercise of their discretion, have decided not to take any action in the matter. Sir John Leslie's estate is being sold direct by the owner to his tenants, and the Commissioners are not aware what arrangements were made between the parties prior to the signing of agreements for purchase.

asked the Chief Secretary if a claim was received from Terence Johnston, of Cussaboy, for reinstatement in a farm containing 11 acres 3 roods, held at £15 3s. per annum, on the Dartrey estate, in the townland of Corfad, in the county Monaghan, from which he was evicted in the year 1881 for non-payment of two and a half years' rent; if he will say whether the Estates Commissioners sent an inspector down on the holding; what the decision of the Estates Commissioners in reference to this case has been; if he is aware that Johnston lived on the farm for three years after his eviction as a caretaker; that subsequently a brother of the estate bailiff took the farm at a reduced rent as a future tenancy; and whether this man's son is still in occupation under the same tenure?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that an application was received from Terence Johnston for reinstatement in the farm in question, which is now in the possession of another tenant. The Commissioners, after due inquiry and in the exercise of their discretion, decided not to take any action as regards the application.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he would state whether the Estates Commissioners have been made aware of the terms of the statement of Thomas Nagle, while under examination in the petty sessions court at Kildorrery, county Cork, on 12th May; and whether the Commissioners will direct inquiries to be made into the conditions under which Thomas Nagle would be willing to give up possession of the holding on the Leader estate, so as to facilitate the reinstatement of Mrs. Alice Nagle, thus ending a long-standing dispute and restoring peace and harmony in the district?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the Question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on 27th May last.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is prepared to extend the scope of the new deferred pay or amended Superannuation Act so as to bring within its provisions all unestablished workmen included in the 1867 Superannuation Act, so that the relatives of workmen who die in harness may receive the bonus or gratuity which the workman was entitled to by length of service?

The answer is in the negative. I would point out that in the new Superannuation Bill it has been found possible to provide for grants to relatives of established Civil servants only upon the condition that as a set-off to the increased cost the grants to those who retire on pension are reduced by an amount actuarially equivalent.

also asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the reason why it is proposed in the Superannuation Bill to exclude from the provisions of that measure existing officers over 60 years of age?

I do not think it advisable to discuss detailed provisions of this measure in anticipation of the statement which I shall have to make to the House.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that at all stamp offices, established as such (as distinguished from post offices, etc.), documents would be received and forwarded for adjudication to the central office, in view of the fact that the present system involves the intervention of an agent who in most cases can have no knowledge of the nature of the instrument?

:I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can mention any case in England where a deduction has been made from a municipality from the Government contribution in lieu of rates where the municipality was rendering, in the case of the buildings concerned, the same services as were being rendered to ordinary ratepayers; whether he will grant a Return of cases of the kind, so as to give Irish Members an opportunity of ascertaining that their country is being fairly treated and not leave them dependent on the mere assertion of the officials concerned; whether there is any precedent in England for the attempt made by the military authorities in Cork to compel the corporation, under threat, to undertake for them services which were not being rendered to ordinary ratepayers; and if he will state the reason why the military authorities in Cork made no effort to procure a contractor to remove the refuse from the barracks on the days when the corporation were unable to remove it?

A case of the kind referred to is that of the Borough of Woolwich. I am not prepared to sanction the issue of a Return of all the cases of this kind, as I do not see that it would serve any useful object. I do not think I can usefully add anything further to my previous replies to the hon. Member's questions on this subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he was aware of the fact that James Hutchings, Customs watcher, entered the service of the Customs Board in 1864, and has remained there ever since, making forty-five years' continuous service, and bears an unblemished character, and that he is to be discharged on 12th June, upon reaching the age of sixty-five years, without any pension; and, if so, can he state whether such notice can be withdrawn, and thus enable him to serve till he reaches seventy years of age and so receive his pension?

Hutchings is being retired under the ordinary rules of the service. The appointment he holds is not pensionable, but he is eligible for a gratuity under section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state whether he has received a resolution from the Enniskillen (No. 2) Rural District Council, Blacklion, in reference to the scheduling of portions of their district under the Congested Districts Board; and, in view of the representations and the conditions of almost chronic famine prevailing in this district in the north-west of Cavan, will he have the matter further inquired into, and, if necessary, introduce legislation to deal with the question

I have received the resolution referred to. As the hon. Member has already been informed in reply to the question asked by him on 26th May last, the Royal Commission on Congestion did not recommend that any portion of Cavan should be scheduled as congested. I de not propose to institute further inquiries or to add to the area to be placed under the administration of the new Congested Districts Board by the Land Bill, which follows the recommendations of the Commission.

asked the Chief Secretary how many labourers' cottages have been erected, or are in the course of erection, under the Act of 1907 in Ireland as a whole, and in the county Clare?

The records of the Local Government Board do not give the precise information asked for in the question. Up to 31st March last 19,355 cottages, of which 660 are in county Clare, had been authorised to be provided under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, and loans had been sanctioned in respect of 15,800 of these cottages, including 613 in Clare.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, under what statutory authority they administer Lady Southampton's Charity, in the parish of Kenchester, Herefordshire, when in their Report they admit that the trust deed of the charity is in various respects ambiguous, and yet they decline to obtain a legal interpretation of it?

The Charity Commissioners do not administer Lady Southampton's Charity. It is administered by a body of trustees appointed under the Foundation Deed of 4th June, 1830, and is, in the opinion of the Commissioners, properly administered by them.