asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he would state whether His Majesty's unsalaried consular representative at Kiel was a German subject having a commission as reserve officer in the German army and still liable to military service?

The unsalaried British Vice-Consul at Kiel is a German subject. I have no information respecting the other points mentioned in the hon. Member's question.

Would it not be possible to have an English subject at this place?

The primary reasons for appointing consular representatives are the trade and commercial interests, and you cannot appoint consular representatives unless foreign Governments are willing to accept them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he would state whether His Majesty's consular representative at Wilhelmshaven was unsalaried and a German subject, residing some 50 miles away from Wilhelmshaven?

There is no British consular representative at Wilhelmshaven.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he would state whether there was any resident British consular representative at Essen, Krupp's town?

There is no British consular officer at Essen.

May I ask whether the consular representative at Dusseldorf could not act for Essen, which is close by?

It may be in that consular district already; I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information as to why the deputation of Russian teachers has been prevented from visiting this country this summer?

The answer is in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it will be possible for an invitation to be extended to these teachers by the Board of Education on behalf of His Majesty's Government?

I really do not know what the views of the Board of Education may be in the matter. I know nothing about the subject. The teachers are, I presume, officials of the Russian Government, and I do not know whether the Board of Education desire to extend an invitation to them or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that a German shipping company was subsidised by its own Government for the steam service to East and South Africa to an extent which made it impossible for British shipping to hold their own and compete on level trading terms, and that in consequence the British-India Company had abandoned its East African service from Bombay; whether the matter had already been brought before the Government; whether they had considered the possibility of finding any means in which British services and interests might be defended from this subsidised and unequal competition, or whether their only alternative was to submit to exclusion from a trade which they had hitherto enjoyed; whether British troops were transported from one Foreign settlement to another by German steamships; and whether in particular he had considered the expediency of subsidising the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company sufficiently to enable them to compete on even terms with the German opposition?

The various matters referred to by the hon. Gentleman have been brought to the notice of successive Governments and have received careful consideration. Very strong reasons would have to be adduced before His Majesty's Government could favourably consider the granting of a subsidy, and they do not consider that sufficient reason has been shown for acceding to the application of the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company for a subsidy for a service between Bombay and East and South African Ports.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether he will take into consideration the fact that the British Government do now pay £9,000 a year for subsidising a line to East Africa which, in the opinion of many persons, is absolutely waste expenditure?

May I ask whether or not the German taxpayer is paying for British goods sent to East Africa in consequence of the subsidy?

In regard to the first supplementary question, I presume my hon. Friend refers to the mail subsidy which is paid to the British India Company. It is, of course, for the Post Office to consider whether they are receiving value for the money expended. It is purely for postal services. As to the other question, whether the German taxpayer is paying for the carrying of our goods, there is no doubt some truth in that, but there are also other considerations—for instance, postal considerations—which make it not so entirely favourable to us as it appears.

May I ask whether it is not perfectly clear that the object of the Germans in subsidising this service is in order to throw British shipping out, and then to charge British shippers

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, early in 1907, under the supervision of Dr. Hugh Ross, steps were taken to extirpate malaria-breeding mosquitos from the district of Ghezireh, in Cairo; whether, after Dr. Ross's resignation, there were frequent changes of the Europeans who were in charge of the work; whether it was ultimately placed under the supervision of a native cab-driver, who had been coachman to the late adviser to the Minister of the Interior; whether, as a result, the campaign collapsed after the rising of the Nile last October; whether the Foreign Office is aware of any complaints being made that the malarial staff in Cairo was now altogether insufficient for its work; and whether, in view of the results obtained under Dr. Ross's supervision and of the importance of this work to the health of the city, the Egyptian Government will be communicated with on the subject?

Dr. H. C. Ross was instructed in December, 1906, to take measures for the destruction of malaria-breeding mosquitos in part of Cairo, and shortly afterwards at Heluan and in other quarters of Cairo. I am aware that, after Dr. Ross's resignation, the post which he had filled was given to an officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps, but I have no information as to whether any other European was afterwards appointed to it. The latest information in my possession relates to the month of June, 1908, and is to the effect that at that time the work at Heluan was being very efficiently supervised by a native employé. I have no information as to the collapse of the campaign beyond a statement made by Dr. Ross in a letter to "The Times" that a report to that effect had reached him, nor have I heard any complaints as to the insufficiency of the staff employed on this work in Cairo. I have no reason to doubt that the Egyptian Government are continuing to use their best efforts to stamp out malaria, and I, therefore, see no necessity for the interference of His Majesty's Government in the matter.

Would the right hon. Gentleman really consider the advisability of communicating this to the Egyptian Government without in any way censuring them?

Well, Sir, I will make inquiry as to what is being done, but I have no reason to suppose that the importance of the matter is being overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the approximate number of the victims in the recent massacres at Adana and the neighbouring towns and districts; how many of these were Armenians and how many Mahomedans; and would he lay upon the Table of the House, at the earliest possible date, Papers containing Reports from His Majesty's Consular officials on this subject?

Estimates of the number of victims at Adana and in the surrounding districts can only be highly conjectural, but the British Vice-Consul at Mersina, writing on 21st April, judged the number of killed in the town itself to have been about 2,000, of whom about 600 were Moslems. He estimated that from 15,000 to 25,000 persons had perished in the neighbourhood. I will consider the question of including the Vice-Consul's reports in the next Blue Book on Turkey.

Is not it a fact that this country is party to a treaty under which the security of the Armenians is guaranteed? And in view of the terrible events which have recently taken place, may I appeal to the right hon. Baronet to place the House in a position as soon as possible to judge of the way in which the terms of that treaty have been carried out?

It is known that these events took place. Since these events have taken place the Turkish Government has begun a full investigation, and when that is completed I will, of course, endeavour to supply full information to the House. It is obvious that we require further knowledge of the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information showing that Germany is negotiating with Italy for the purchase of Italian Somaliland; and, if so, will he give it to the House?

I have no information to this effect.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state as near as possible the amount of absentee rental withdrawn from Ireland during the past 25 years, and the effect of that withdrawal on the economic condition of the country; or has it tended to the prosperity of Ireland and the general welfare of the Irish people?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question may I ask is not the absenteeism of which the hon. Member complains due largely to the hostility and the disposition of unfriendliness displayed towards the landlords in Ireland?

Is it not the fact that when a tax on absenteeism was proposed by the Irish Members it was obstructed by the Duke of Devonshire and other Irish landlords?

I must allow the rival historians to settle this matter. This is a very old story indeed, but there are no materials available from which an estimate can be made of the ultimate destination of the rental of Ireland during the past 25 years, or which would enable the economic effect of the mode in which such rental has been applied to be stated.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now state if those extern teachers of Irish, whose payments for the session September, 1907, to July, 1908, have been withheld, will now be paid a pro rata fee; and whether his attention has been called to the claim of the extern teacher of Irish in the schools of Bruree and Killacolla, county Limerick?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the fees have now been paid in all cases in which the condition as to forty hours' instruction in the year has been complied with. Where, as in Bruree and Killacolla, forty hours' instruction was not given, the Commissioners have no authority to pay any fees. Their application for permission to make a pro rata payment in such cases is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Michael O'Sullivan, who has held the position of teacher in the Maryborough Prison for 27 years, has recently been discharged on a report of the doctor that he suffers from an affection of the heart; whether he is aware that the Prisons Commission, as far back as 1903, decided upon abolishing the schools in such prisons, but allowed the teacher to remain and take up other service, and that O'Sullivan has recently produced medical certificates from such eminent physicians as Dr. Cox and Dr. M'Dowell Cograve that they see no danger in his continuing his service; whether he is aware that Mr. O'Sullivan was a national teacher when he joined the prison service, and was asked for by the prison board, and that he is now offered a pension for the period he was in the prison service only, although the Superannuation Act of 1892 gives the authorities power to allow him a contribution from each pension fund; and whether, having regard to the alleged disease, he will consider the advisability of giving the case more favourable consideration?

Mr. O'Sullivan was retired on the certificate of the Medical Officer of the Prisons Department, endorsed by the Treasury Medical Referee in Ireland, Sir Thomas Myles, that he was unfit to discharge his duties as he was suffering from affections which were likely to be permanent. Both doctors took into consideration the risks attendant on employment in a convict prison, where an officer may find himself at any time obliged to deal single handed with dangerous criminals. There is nothing to show that Mr. O'Sullivan's private physicians had these considerations before them when issuing the certificates which he has produced. The statement that the prison authorities decided in 1903 to abolish schools in certain prisons is incorrect. Mr. O'Sullivan was awarded the full pension to which his prison service entitled him. His claim to pension in respect of his prior service as a national school teacher was extinguished by the repayment to him of his pension premiums in 1882 on his appointment to the prisons service.

Cannot the Treasury give him an increase of 10 years in determining the amount of his pension, and may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to see if something can be done in the matter?

I do not know whether that is so or not, but I can assure the hon. Member that the case has received very full consideration. I do not think there is much chance of getting an alteration in the terms.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an outbreak of fever has recently taken place in Clonfanlough, Ferbane, dispensary district, King's County, and that up to the present four deaths have occurred; will he state what time elapsed between the date of notification by the Member for the Division and the arrival of the inspector on the scene; whether he is aware that the spread of fever was due to the fact that not until after a fatal case did the people find out that fever was the cause of death; and, seeing that this has been the second outbreak in this district, will he grant a sworn inquiry into this matter in order to give confidence to the people who are terror-stricken?

I am informed by the Local Government Board that there were sixteen cases of enteric fever last month at the place mentioned, but the Board do not know the exact number of deaths which have occurred. I understand that the hon. Member communicated with the board on 25th May, and that the medical inspector visited the district on 28th May. The first recognised case of the series was seen by the medical officer of health on 15th May, when he suspected the water supply to be the source of infection, and a sample of water sent for analysis has been found to be polluted. The medical officer appears to the board to have taken all reasonable precautions in connection with the outbreak, which is now probably at an end, as no case is reported to have occurred since 26th May. The Board have brought the sanitary requirements of the locality under the notice of the district council, and have urged them to provide a proper water supply. There is nothing in the case calling for a sworn inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from the date of my telegram until the inspector appeared on the scene there was an interval of over eight days, and would he say that he has done his duty to the inhabitants of the place by leaving them in a fix all that time?

I understand that the hon. Member communicated with the Board on 25th May, and that the medical inspector visited the district within three days.

That was when I wrote the second time.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has had a communication from the central council of clerical managers of primary national schools in Ireland objecting to the proposal contained in the Irish National Schools (Heating and Cleansing) Bill to place any portion of school expenses on the local rates, and stating their willingness to make themselves responsible for half the cost of the heating, cleansing, and sanitation of national schools provided the Treasury supplied the other half, in accordance with an offer contained in a public statement by the Chief Secretary; and will he introduce legislation to give effect to this practical agreement between the responsible managers of schools and the Chief Secretary?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for East Kerry on the 11th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that it would be useless to receive a deputation on the subject?

If the hon. Gentleman asks that question I am bound to say that I am. I have already considered the question so fully that I do not think at the present moment there would he any use in receiving a deputation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what were the grounds on which the Crown refused. to have Oliver Corrin, who was charged with murder at Armagh Assizes in March last, examined by an expert in lunacy; whether he is aware that the judge who tried the case at once ordered such an examination to be made, and that, as a result of that examination, the prisoner was found by the jury to have been insane when he committed the crime; and what steps he proposes to take in similar cases in the future?

The Crown declined to accede to the request of Corrin's solicitor, for a special examination of the accused by an expert in lunacy, in view of the prison medical officer's report that there was not the slightest ground for supposing that the accused was insane. The Judge of Assize did not order such an examination; but the question whether the accused was capable of pleading having been raised by his solicitor, a jury was sworn to try it, and the verdict was in the affirmative. Corrin was accordingly put on his trial, when the jury returned a verdict that he was guilty but of unsound mind at the time he committed the murder. In dealing with cases of the kind the special circumstances of each particular case must be considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the laying down of poison in, or in the vicinity of, certain towns in Ireland, and particularly in and around Bangor, county Down; whether he is aware that in Bangor many dogs have lately been killed from this cause, and that dog owners are unable, without the assistance of the police, to find out who are responsible for the practice of laying down poison without safeguards against the destruction of dogs; and whether he will instruct the police authorities to enforce strictly the law relating to this matter?

I am informed by the Constabulary authorities that a number of dogs were poisoned last month in and around Bangor. The police have not as yet been able to find out who laid the poison. Similar cases occurred some short time ago in other parts of county Down, and in two cases persons who had laid down poison on their lands for the protection of their sheep, without giving proper notice, were prosecuted by the police and convicted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Michael J. Hanly, a Justice of the Peace for county Roscommon and assistant surveyor of the same county, on 9th March last presented a barrel of stout to a mob of labourers who had successfully intimidated the Strokestown District Council into handing over the upkeep of the county roads to direct labour instead of to contractors as formerly, and that many of the mob got drunk and waylaid, attacked, and beat members of the council; and will he say whether the attention of the Lord Chancellor has been drawn to the action of Mr. Haply, and, if so, is it his intention to allow him to continue to hold His Majesty's Commission of the Peace?

The attention of the Lord Chancellor has been called to the statements made in the question, and he has caused a copy of these statements to be sent to Mr. Hanly, with a request that he should furnish him with any explanation or observations which he may desire to offer in respect of them.

Am I to understand that this is the first occasion on which these facts have been brought to the notice of the Lord Chancellor? I am informed that they were brought to his notice three or four months ago.

I cannot say. This is the first time they have come to knowledge.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether he has received a copy of the resolution, unanimously adopted by the committee of management of the Limerick District Asylum, urging on the Government the necessity of supplementing the local taxation account which, under the Local Government Act, 1898, was intended to meet certain liabilities, including the rate-in-aid for maintenance of lunatics, as the amount allotted is inadequate to meet the requirements; and whether he intends to obtain the increased grant so required?

A copy of the resolution in question has been sent to me. I recently received a deputation on the subject from the committee of management of the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum, when I undertook to bring before the Chancellor of the Exchequer the facts and figures relating to Irish local taxation and the charges made upon it, the increase of the lunatic asylum charges, and the prospective insufficiency of the fund to meet those charges. This I have since done.

:What reply did you get from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

As yet I have not had any reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India. whether the Government of India and the India Office have for many years past given a preference to Indian products and manufactures wherever possible; and, if not, whether the Secretary of State will consider the propriety of addressing the Government of India on the subject?

The regulations laid down by the Government of India have provided for many years past that every consideration should be given to Indian products and manufactures, whenever this could be done without disadvantage to the State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state what is the composition of the Commission appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal to inquire into the methods of the Criminal Investigation Department of Police to that province; and whether any unofficial or Indian members have been appointed on that Commission?

The inquiry is into the conduct of the police in the Midnapur case, not into the methods of the Criminal Investigation Department. The Secretary of State has, as yet, no information as to the points raised except that the Commissioner of the Burdwan division will have charge of the inquiry.

Has the Secretary of State made inquiry into the constitution of the Commission, or is the Commissioner of the Burdwan division the only person who is inquiring into the matter?

No; the responsibility for the personnel of the Commission rests solely with the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam has appointed any commission to inquire into the methods of the Criminal Investigation Department of Police in that province, as disclosed in the recent judicial decisions of the High Court in the Barrah dacoity case, the Nattore mail robbery case, the Comillah shooting case, and other recent cases.

The Lieutenant-Governor has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of the police in the Barrah case. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, no special inquiry has been instituted in regard to the other cases mentioned.

May I ask by whom the inquiry was made?

I really do not know whether the persons are named, but I should say by Members of the personnel forming the Government.

Will the Secretary of State make inquiry as to how the Commission of Inquiry is constituted?

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that Inspector Chandra Kanta Dam was employed in 1907 in the Comillah shooting case in which the conduct of the police was censured by the High Court, and that it was given in evidence by Mr. Ryland, district superintendent of police, in that case that he had previously been degraded for extorting a confession from an accused person; whether he is aware that the same officer was employed this year in the Barrah dacoity case, in which his conduct was again unfavourably commented on in the High Court; whether this officer is now in the service of the Criminal Investigation Department; and whether Inspector Chandra Kanta Darn was employed in collecting any of the evidence upon which any of the nine Bengali gentlemen, who were imprisoned in December last without charge or trial, were deported?

The Secretary of State has no information as to the employment of the officer mentioned in the question. The Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam has directed an inquiry into the Barrah case.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the police who have been engaged in the Midnapur, Barrah, and Nattore cases were natives of India; whether the unfavourable comments by the courts upon the conduct of such police referred only to their conduct in cases with reference to which such unfavourable comments were made; and whether he has-any official information showing that the superior British officers of police have suborned their native subordinates to-fabricate false evidence in order to secure the unjust conviction of their fellow countrymen?

So far as the Secretary of State is aware, the answers to the first questions are in the affirmative; the answer to the third is in the negative.

Has the House to take it then that there is no justification for the insinuations made against another official fellow-countrymen?

None.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Secretary of State has had his attention called to the fact that, under a Return of prosecutions for seditious speeches and writings in India, it appears that sentences of upwards of 160 years' imprisonment, in the aggregate, and fines to the amount of over 15,000 rupees have been inflicted upon more than 60 journalists, printers, and others; whether most of these sentences have been passed by magistrates who are not barristers and who have had no practical legal experience; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps in the matter?

The Secretary of State is aware of the particulars contained in the return. The sentences referred to have been passed by duly constituted courts, presided over by officers who have received legal training and had much practical experience in the administration of criminal justice; and they have in all cases been subject to appeal to the High Courts, on which barrister judges have had the opportunity of reviewing the decisions and the sentences imposed. The Secretary of State does not consider that any action in the matter is desirable

Is there any ground for stating that the ordinary process of law is no longer adequate?

I believe there is no ground for that statement.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the statement was made by Lord Morley? Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with Lord Morley on the subject?

Is there any ground for the assumption that civil judges and magistrates are in any way inferior to barrister judges and magistrates in India?

That opens up a very large question, and it is certainly a matter of opinion and not of fact.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in one of the cases reported the man was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment for criticising the system of education in Egypt?

I am afraid I am not familiar with every individual case, and my hon. Friend can hardly expect me to give an answer.

Am I to understand that these cases were appealable to any of the High Courts?

Yes; what I said was that these cases were the subject of appeal to the High Court, where the barrister-judges have an opportunity of reviewing the decisions.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no appeal to the High Court in the great majority of these cases?

The hon. Gentleman must take the answer which has been given.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether there is any provision of the Bengal Regulation, under which nine British subjects were deported from Bengal without charge or trial more than six months ago, which prevents the Government of India from reconsidering at any time the evidence upon which those deportations were sanctioned; and, if not, whether he can state why those deportations should not be immediately reconsidered?

asked whether it is the intention of the Government of India to at any time afford an opportunity to the nine British subjects deported from Bengal in December last, without charge or trial, of defending themselves against the grave charges brought against them by the Secretary of State in a speech made by him at Oxford on Saturday?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has yet received official information which will enable him to assure the House that none of the police officials, whose proceedings were so unfavourably commented upon in the recent judgments of the Calcutta High Court in the Barrah and Midnapur cases, were consulted by the Government of India in regard to the deportations of British subjects, without charge or trial, sanctioned by the Secretary of State in December last?

asked whether either the Secretary of State or the Government of India are opposed to an amendment of the Law of India making it unlawful for the Executive Government to deport British subjects from their homes without charge or trial in times of peace except under a warrant specifying the nature of the offence of which they are suspected, and subject to a copy of the warrant being laid before the accused and before Parliament; and, if they are opposed to such an amendment, can he state the grounds of their opposition?

asked whether the Secretary of State has had submitted to him the information supplied by the district officers to the Government of India upon which Mr. Ashwini Kumar Dutt and Mr. Krishna Mitra were deported in December last without charge or trial?

As there are five questions on the Paper relating to the deportations in India, it will perhaps be convenient to the House if I deal with them altogether. It has already been repeatedly stated that His Majesty's Government are not prepared to enter into details as to the evidence upon which action was taken. They are not prepared to state what the evidence was, nor by whom it was given. It was drawn from various sources and corroborated in various ways; it was examined by four lieutenant-governors, and by the Governor-General in Council; and His Majesty's Government are satisfied—upon the evidence taken as a whole—that recourse to Regulation III. of 1818 was advisable and necessary. His Majesty's Government have never framed, and do not intend to frame, charges against the persons deported, or to bring them to trial. It is of the essence of action under this Regulation that no charges need be framed, and the avowed purpose of the Regulation, in the words of its enactment, is to provide for cases in which "there may not be sufficient ground to institute any judicial proceeding, or when such proceeding may not be adapted to the nature of the case, or may for other reasons be unadvisable or improper." To frame charges or to take judicial proceedings would therefore be to frustrate the very purpose for which recourse was had to the Regulation, a purpose justified by the result. The responsibility for fixing the period of detention rests with the Governor-General in Council, who may take into consideration at any time the question of bringing it to an end. His Majesty's Government have no doubt that it will be considered as soon as ever the Governor-General in Council is satisfied that the purpose for which the detentions were ordered has been fulfilled. But I should like to remind hon. Members that by constantly calling into question in this House the action of the Government of India, they are only encouraging a revival in India of the elements of mischief that the deportations of last December have done so much to abate. They are thereby postponing the date which it is their desire—and certainly the no less strong desire of His Majesty's Government—to hasten. I come to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for the Newbury Division regarding certain amendments in the Regulation that have been proposed by him and embodied in a Bill. His Majesty's Government are opposed to such attempts at amendment. Action under the Regulation does not purport to be judicial procedure, and it is idle to try to clothe it with judicial aspects. His Majesty's Government cannot be a party to proposals which by mitigating its strictness tend to deprive it of its value as a deterrent, or to render it a less effective instrument for dealing with anarchical and terrorist conspiracy.

May I ask whether the men who have been deported have not been tried on any criminal charge or subjected to any legal proceedings; whether the Prime Minister will advise the Government of India not to keep them confined in gaol as common prisoners, but will allow them to live outside the prison confines on the understanding that on their word of honour they will not return to the district from which they have been deported until the period of deportation has expired?

I understand that the hon. Member has given notice of a question on this very point, arid perhaps he will allow the answer to be deferred.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that we were informed by the Under-Secretary for India that all these gentlemen are in gaol, and have been for over six months, and whether that is non-punitive treatment; if it is not, what are they being punished for?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

I wish to ask the Prime Minister, with reference to the very important statement he has made to the House, whether recent judicial decisions in India by the High Court—which related to the very conspiracy to which the Prime Minister has referred—point out that the police evidence is tainted and corrupt, and that the witnesses were procured by the police, and does not that very materially alter the position of affairs in regard to these nine persons?

I understand that we have no report to that effect. I think the hon. Gentleman did not listen to, the answer I gave: "The Government are not prepared to state what the evidence was, nor by whom it was given. It was drawn from various sources and corroborated in various ways; it was examined by four lieutenant-governors and by the Governor-General in Council."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in no fewer than three proclamations issued by the Crown it was promised that there should be equal rights and privileges for Indian as well as British subjects?

So there are.

Will he try this regulation in this country.

Is he aware that the evidence which has been examined by all those Governors has never been brought to the notice of the accused persons, and as the men are all of high character, whether he thinks the Government of India should give some opportunity to them of hearing the evidence.

I have dealt with all those points in my reply.

May I ask has he any reason to suppose a European is entitled to the privilege of being dealt with under those regulations if he qualifies?

May I ask, as the Under-Secretary said those men were deported on account of encouraging sedition, if the law of India is not strong enough to deal with those people by trial before a jury?

My bon. Friend could not have listened to the reply.

Several other hon. Members having risen to put further supplementary questions on the subject—

I must remind the House that there are ninety-six questions to-day.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Edinburgh School Board is now granting free books to all children attending State-aided board schools, and has refused to grant free books to any children attending voluntary State-aided schools without making any inquiry into the circumstances of their cases; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Education Act, he can say what action he proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his previous question on the same subject on the 26th ultimo, when I stated that the Edinburgh Board, in acting as they have done, are of opinion that they are acting within their powers under section 3 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908. Whether they are, as I was informed they held they were, acting under that section is a legal question which must be decided, if necessary, by a court of law. The Act does not confer any powers on the Department to take action in the matter.

May I ask the Lord Advocate if it is suggested by him that legal action should be taken by the parents of those children; and, if so, will the costs of that inquiry be paid by the Crown, seeing that this provision was passed in an Act of Parliament specifically to safeguard such cases?

The Crown have no power to direct the Edinburgh School Board in the exercise of its discretionary power.

Is he aware this has been a test question at a recent election in Edinburgh; and can he say whether the electorate is to blame and not the School Board?

I understand it was a test question.

May I ask if the fact that a question is made a test question at an election is supposed to override the words of an Act of Parliament?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all of the British war vessels engaged in the manœuvres in the North Sea in July last had full crews; and, if not, how many were short of their full complement of men and how many had only nucleus crews?

All the vessels had full crews

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a few years ago experiments were carried out by the Admiralty with a view of ascertaining what description of coal was the most efficient for use in war vessels, and, am a result of such experiments, it was found that a mixture of two-thirds Welsh and one-third best Northumberland steam coal gave the best results; and whether he will now arrange for such a mixture to be used on some of the vessels taking part in the forthcoming manœuvres.

The mixture referred to was in use in His Majesty's Navy for a considerable period prior to 1887, and was found to be so generally unsatisfactory that its use was discontinued. It is not proposed to supply this mixture to any ships taking part in the forthcoming exercises.

May I ask if he can state what the objectionable feature of that mixture was?

The matter has been very fully inquired into, I think something like twenty years ago, and after the fullest investigation it was decided that the mixture was unsatisfactory. I could not in less time than an hour explain all the facts.

Considering the enormous time that has elapsed, will he give an opportunity for a similar inquiry now?

It is the same coal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of a probable lock-out or strike in the South Wales coalfield, any arrangements have been made for the use of North Country coal on the ships of His Majesty's Navy?

It is not considered to be in the public interest to indicate the arrangements contemplated by the Admiralty for the supply of coal to the Fleet in the event of a lock-out or strike in South Wales.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether the Committee of Inquiry now sitting on the Navy has finished taking evidence; and, if so, when it will report to the Committee of Defence?

I cannot say anything further at present than that the Committee has not yet concluded the inquiry.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at what date were the Government first aware of the extensions taking place in Messrs. Krupp's works, which he has referred to as being now realised?

It was known early in 1906 that Messrs. Krupp's works were being extended. This expansion has been going on continuously since then.

Is he quite clear he is not ante-dating?

No; in 1906.

May I ask whether the information or any part of it appertaining to this subject was received from any of His Majesty's consular representatives in Germany?

I think it would be undesirable to state the sources of information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the work of salving the "Blackwater," sunk off Dungeness, has been abandoned; whether any salvage firms were invited to tender for the work of raising the wreck; how much has been spent in the attempt to recover the vessel; and how much did she cost originally?

The work has been abandoned. Three firms were asked to tender. £4,227 has been spent on the work, but the value of guns, mountings, torpedo tubes, etc., salved must be set off against this. The ship's original cost was £75,040, exclusive of guns.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any arrangements have yet been made for the erection of garages or sheds for dirigible balloons; if not, if plans and estimates for them have been got out; if the sites for them have been fixed upon; and has the latest information been obtained as to the cost and erection of these garages in France?

The question of the garage of airships has received careful attention. Plans and estimates have been considered and compared with similar garages abroad. The position of suitable sites is under review. It is not proposed for the present to erect Admiralty shelters.

Is the Admiralty leaving action to be taken by the War Office, and does he not consider the Navy is quite as much affected as the Army?

The hon. Gentleman will see from the Estimates provisions have been taken for this very purpose. The Admiralty is not itself providing garages, but they will be provided by the contractors.

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the whole of the evidence given before the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales was in the printers' hands so long ago as July of last year, and the issue of it cannot be much longer delayed, he will take steps to secure its publication before the introduction of a Welsh Disestablishment Bill?

I am afraid I can only repeat that the Government have no control over the issue of the Report or evidence of a Royal Commission.

May I ask whether the Government is not responsible for the advice tendered to His Majesty before the Report is presented to this House, according to an answer given by the Home Secretary?

We cannot give any advice until something comes before us to advise upon.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a complaint made by Captain Hulbert, now Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence at the Admiralty, which related to a statement made by Admiral Bethel to Captain Hulbert, in connection with the present inquiry by the Committee a Defence, to the effect that he, Captain Hulbert, would be placed on half-pay if he gave evidence unfavourable to the Admiralty; and whether a statement embodying that complaint was formally communicated to the Prime Minister by Captain Hulbert himself?

Captain Hulbert made a complaint, which was investigated by the Committee. They are satisfied that Admiral Bethel did not make the statement suggested, and that Captain Hulbert's complaint was founded on a misunderstanding.

asked the Prime Minister if he will lay upon the Table those Minutes of the inquiry now being conducted by the Defence Committee relating to Captain Hulbert's complaint against the conduct of Admiral Bethel?

No, Sir.

Are there no Minutes on the subject.

The answer to the question is no.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to restore to this House the liberty of discussing questions which the House, in its judgment, considers of urgent public importance, and the discussion of which is prevented by blocking Motions?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask if this subject is one which has occupied the anxious attention of many Governments and whether it is not due to the habitual congestion of business in this House, for which the only solution is the devolution of local affairs?

The supplementary question raises a very large field for possible discussion, and is not wholly uncontroversial. As to the question on the Paper I must refer my hon. Friend to previous answers which I have given on this subject. I fear it is impossible, in the absence of something like general agreement, to amend the present procedure.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that 410 passengers of the British ss. "Slavonia," wrecked off Flores Island, have been saved by the prompt and effective action of two German merchant ships, the North German Lloyd "Princess Irene" and the Hamburg-American liner "Batavia"; and whether, in view of these facts, His Majesty's Government will reconsider their decision to maintain the right of this country to capture and possibly destroy these ships in the unfortunate event of war with the nation under whose flag they sail?

I am glad to have the opportunity of expressing His Majesty's Government's appreciation of the action of the German merchant ships. Such actions of kindness and courtesy no doubt have a reciprocal effect in promoting good feeling between nations; they add to the pleasures of peace and make nations reluctant to disturb it; but I cannot see what bearing they have upon the conduct or rules of war.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, what are the dates of completion originally decided upon for the "St. Vincent," "Collingwood," "Vanguard," and "Neptune"; and is it anticipated these dates will be adhered to?

The dates are as follows:—

Do I understand from the reply of the right hon. Gentleman that the "Neptune" will be completed two months under two years.

I think two years, January, 1909, to January, 1911.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the British subjects who have been recently acquitted by the High Court of Calcutta in the Barrah dacoity case were proceeded against under the new Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908; and, if so, whether they were allowed to be present at the hearing before the magistrate of the police charges against them, or whether any opportunity was given them before being committed for trial of confuting those charges?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The accused were present at the hearing before the magistrate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the application by the Bradford Dyers' Association for the registration of the letters B.D.A. as a cotton mark was made under section 62 of the Trade Marks Act of 1905, which expressly provides that the Board of Trade may authorise the registration if they think it to the public advantage; whether in such case he had satisfied himself that it was to the public advantage to register letters contrary to the universal practice, and, if so, why; and whether it was necessary for individuals to lodge notice of opposition with regard to what should be a matter entirely in the discretion of the President of the Board of Trade?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The question of whether or not such registration is to the public advantage is still undecided, but my decision in this matter would necessarily be facilitated if notice of opposition were lodged by any individual or corporate body opposed to the registration, a course which would also enable all legal questions arising out of the application to be properly considered. I am at present in communication with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on the subject.

Why is it necessary for private merchants to be put to the expense of what amounts to legal proceedings on a matter which the right hon. Gentleman himself could determine in the public interest?

The question is a complicated one, and I must ask for notice in order that I may consult my legal advisers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware that following upon the refusal of British cocoa manufacturers to purchase cocoa produced by slave labour in San Thome their foreign competitors who manufactured such cocoa and sold it in this country had been placed in a position of unfair advantage; and whether, under the circumstances, he could see his way to take measures to prevent the importation of cocoa from countries where slave labour was employed in its production?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 8th March to the hon. Member for the Stepney Division of the Tower Hamlets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he could say what was the number of inquiries to be held into the circumstances attending accidents to railway men on duty for periods, viz., up to and including March, April, and May, 1909?

The number of accidents occurring in the months named in regard to which inquiries have been ordered, but have not yet been concluded, are as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision had been given by his Department respecting the procedure as a first step in the operation of the Conciliation Boards in the case of the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland); if so, could he say what was the decision?

A meeting took place at the Board of Trade between representatives of the railway company and the employés, and, after arguments and evidence had been brought forward by the two sides, the view was expressed on behalf of the Department that the usual course of procedure that had been followed in applications for changes in wages or hours of a class of empléyes appeared to have been by petitions signed by a reasonable number of the men affected, and that, therefore, in accordance with the conciliation agreement, this course should now be adopted. It was understood that the secretary for the employés would take steps to have this opinion brought to the notice of the men, but I have not yet been informed whether any action has been taken accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he had brought to the notice of the Great Western and the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Companies the request to deposit a copy of the working agreement arrived at between themselves upon the Table of this House; and, if so, with what result?

I brought to the notice of the companies the questions put by the hon. Member on the 25th ultimo and my replies. I have not heard whether they propose to deposit with the Board of Trade a copy of the agreement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman address them further?

I had better see what is the character of the reply, if any, to my first letter before I make any further communication.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention had been called to the case tried recently at the Merthyr County Court, in which Mrs. Emma Sheen claimed the return of £13 6s. from the Royal Liver Friendly Society, the amount of premiums paid on two policies for life insurance on the lives of her father and mother; whether he was aware that the decision given by His Honour Judge Bryn Roberts ruled that a person had no insurable interest in father or mother, and that the return of premiums on policies could not be claimed, as the transaction was a gamble and therefore illegal; that it was stated that no inquiries were made by the agents as to whether there was any insurable interest; that these transactions were carried on wholesale; and whether he would consider the advisability of introducing legislation to remedy the position with regard to such transactions?

also asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention had been called to a case recently tried at Blackburn, where a woman sued the Prudential Insurance Company for certain moneys under a policy on the life of her sister; whether he was aware that it was stated that the agent left the proposal and the claimant signed the name of her sister thereon; that the agent afterwards signed as a witness as though he were present; that 90 per cent. of the proposals were left to be signed in the same way; and whether, in view of the fact that the claimant was unable to secure a refund of the money paid in premiums, he would consider the advisability of introducing legislation making the company or its agents, either singly or jointly, responsible for the repayment of premiums in cases of this kind?

I will answer these two questions of the hon. Member together. My attention has not been called to the particular cases referred to, but the question of insurable interest with which they are concerned has had my careful consideration for some time past, and as a result a clause (No. 34) to deal with the position has been inserted in the Assurance Companies Bill, which is at present before the House of Lords, and which I trust will become law this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the existence of a compulsory sick fund on the South-Eastern Railway, which published no annual balance sheet, and whose members had no share in the management and no knowledge of the financial position thereof; and what action he proposed to take in the matter?

The Board of Trade have no knowledge of the sick fund referred to. The fund does not appear to come within the scope of the inquiry of the Committee now investigating the superannuation funds of railway companies, and I have no jurisdiction in regard to it.

asked on how many old age pensions had the secretary of the county Kerry Pension Committee been paid fees?

The Clerk of the county Kerry Pension Committee has not been paid fees on any claims for old age pensions. As the claims are dealt with entirely by the sub-committees he is not entitled to any fee under paragraph 1 (2) of the Treasury Financial Instructions.

If I put down a question asking what fees have been paid to members of the sub-committee, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer?

I think so.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he could say under what authority were existing pen- sioners deprived of pensions on the strength of the Census Office records in Ireland, having regard to the fact that they were not taken as legal proof of age in the Irish courts and having regard to the fact that the certificates in regard to age on which the pensions were originally granted were furnished by responsible clergymen after due local inquiry?

No pensioner, who can furnish legal proof that he has attained the age of seventy, has been, or will be, deprived of his pension on the ground of failure to satisfy the statutory condition as to age. In the absence of legal proof the pension authority has to rely upon any evidence which may be available. Since the burthen of proof rests upon the claimant, the fact that the pension authorities admit evidence which might not be accepted by a court of law is wholly in his favour, as otherwise the claim would of necessity fail if legal proof of age were not forthcoming.

Where there is a difference in age between the Census Records and the certificates of clergymen given after due local inquiry, would it not be better to rely on the certificates of the clergymen.

All questions as to what is good and reliable proof depends in the first place on the committee itself, and, in the second place, on the Local Government Board if an appeal is taken from the decision of the pension committee to the Board. The matter does not depend on any interpretation by the Treasury, by myself, or anyone else.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that pension committees have no power whatever in the matter, and that their decisions are completely ignored by the pension officers and the Local Government Board?

The decisions of the pension committee are not and cannot be over-ruled by the pension officer. He can only appeal to the Local Government Board if he is not satisfied with the committee's decision.

Where the age according to the Census Returns of 1841 differs from the age according to the Census Returns of 1851 will the benefit of the doubt be given to the applicant?

The decision does not depend on the Treasury. It depends, in the first place, on the pension committee, and, in the second place, if an appeal is lodged, on the Local Government Board, over whom we have no jurisdiction whatever.

In an ordinary case would not legal proof be afforded by an affidavit?

I am not qualified off-hand to give a legal opinion.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would say to whom the Stationery Office sends the circulars issued by the Scotch Education Department; and if he could arrange to have them noted on the Pink Paper, so that Scottish Members might have an opportunity of knowing the lines of administration followed by the Department?

also asked the Secretary to the Treasury why the reports of the inspectors and other papers of the Scotch Education Department, which used to be issued as Command Papers and were available for Members, had now ceased to be so, and were not even supplied to the Library of the House of Commons; and whether he could arrange that these should be accessible in some way to Members desiring to read them?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer these two questions together. The circulars mentioned in the first question are not in the class of papers which are usually issued to Members. The inspectors' reports and the other papers mentioned in the second question are subsidiary to the General Report of the Scotch Education Department. They are no longer issued as Command Papers, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Select Committee on Publications. All these papers can be obtained, upon payment, from the Official Agents' Office, at 32, Abingdon-street, Westminster. The Stationery Office are, however, prepared to supply copies of the particular publications in question to the Library of the House of Commons on the application of the Librarian.

In view of that very unsatisfactory answer, will the hon. Gentleman explain how Scotch Members are supposed to be informed of the doings of this despotic and uncontrolled Department?

I think my hon. Friend might well qualify his statement. We are acting in this matter on the recommendation of a Select Committee, which sat for the purpose of seeing whether unnecessary publications to this House might not be cut down.

If an unanimous request were made by Scotch Members that these papers should be restored to the Pink Paper would the hon. Gentleman be prepared to give effect to it?

It is difficult to answer off-hand a question of that sort. There is a very clear recommendation by the Select Committee that publications should be limited. If I am to yield to every request of this sort and to go behind the decision of the Committee my position becomes very difficult.