asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, by the Press Law of 1881, newspapers can be suspended or suppressed in Egypt, by order of the Minister of the Interior, after two warnings; whether any action has been taken recently under this law; and whether he will ask the Government of Egypt to rely upon the courts of law until this House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and that to the second in the negative. As regards the last point, I see no ground for interference with the discretion of the Egyptian Government in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State whether any request has been received by His Majesty's Government from that of Turkey for the postponement of the withdrawal of His Majesty's troops from the island of Crete; and, in view of the complications which may ensue if the troops be withdrawn, will he reconsider the decision which was arrived at in circumstances which have been greatly modified since it was taken?

asked whether, in view of the unsettled state of affairs in Turkey, he will use his influence to delay the evacuation of Crete by the troops of the protecting Powers?

asked whether, in order to the safeguarding, as far as may be, the sovereign rights of Turkey in Crete, His Majesty's Government will give a favourable hearing to any request the Porte may make as regards the withdrawal of His Majesty's troops or the postponement of such withdrawal?

I would beg to reply to this question and to the questions of the hon. Members for St. Andrew's Burghs and Montgomery Boroughs at the same time, as all three questions refer to the same subject. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, His Majesty's Government do not consider that they would be justified in departing from the pledge given to the Cretan people more than a year ago, and see no reason to reconsider the decision then arrived at, as the conditions as to tranquillity have been maintained. I may add that it is proposed that "stationnaires" shall be retained in Cretan waters in order to protect the Turkish flag, and to ensure the maintenance of tranquillity and the protection of Mussulmans in the island.

Are we to understand from the reply that the troops are to be withdrawn next month and the Cretans left to themselves?

I have nothing to add to the reply.

As I do not understand the reply I will put a question down for Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is now in a position to state when the Russian troops are to evacuate Tabriz and the adjacent districts?

I have been officially informed by the Russian Government that they are about to proceed with a gradual reduction of the Russian troops at Tabriz, withdrawing the whole on the arrival of the newly-appointed Governor, who is shortly expected.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether any of the nine political deportees in India have made application to have members of their families sent to bear them company during their exile; and whether, as the object of the deportation is preventive rather than punitive, arrangements will be made whereby these nine gentlemen may live en famille on parole, and not be kept confined as prisoners during the remainder of their undefined period of exile?

The answer to the first question, according to the information so far received by the Secretary of State, is in the negative; and the Secretary of State sees no sufficient reason for making any change of the kind suggested in the latter part of the question.

May I ask whether the Government of India have been consulted as to the wisdom of the point I raised in the last part of the question—namely, whether it is intended to treat these men as ordinary criminals?

In a subsequent answer which I propose to give to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham some details of the detention are stated. In reply to the supplementary question, the Government of India are in accord with the Secretary of State for India on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he can now state the constitution of the Commissions which have been appointed to inquire into the conduct of the police in the Midnapur conspiracy and Barrah dacoity cases?

The inquiry into the conduct of the police in the Midnapur case has been entrusted to the Commissioner of the Burdwan Division. The Secretary of State has not heard who is to inquire into the questions arising out of the Barrah case.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Commissioner of the district is Commissioner of Police, and therefore that it is purely a Departmental inquiry?

No, Sir. It is true that the Commissioner of the district is technically the head of the police, but he is only technically so. In regard to the actual administrative duties of the police there is little or no ground for the suggestion.

Can he say if this Government is in a position after their conduct on the Congo—

Order! Order!

By whom was the Commissioner appointed? He is a policeman inquiring into the charges against the police.

No, Sir. I expressly pointed out he is not a policeman.

Is he not the head of the police?

No, Sir. I said he was not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is now in a position to state whether Babu Krishna Kumar Mitra, who has been deported without charge or trial, is confined in the Agra gaol in an ill-lighted and ill-ventilated cell; whether he is kept under lock and key except for half an hour in the morning and evening for exercise; whether his meals are cooked for him by an upcountry convict; and whether he has no access to literature other than a Bible and a History of the Punjab, or to writing materials; and, if not, whether he will immediately ascertain the facts by inquiry from the Government of India?

The facts as reported by the Government of India are as follows: Mr. Mitra lives in a large, airy and well-lighted and ventilated barrack, with a large central corridor in which he sleeps, being provided at night with a fan and mosquito net; he is allowed two hours' exercise outside his quarters every morning and one hour every evening; his health has in no way deteriorated; it has not been possible to provide a Bengali cook, but he is provided with wholesome diet, and is not confined to prison fare; he is allowed books freely and writing-materials whenever he requires them.

Is he allowed Mr. John Morley's "Life of Edmund Burke"?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of one Hriday Nath Bose, who lately died in the Medical College Hospital, Calcutta, and made a dying declaration before a magistrate that his ribs had been fractured by a bamboo which had been rolled on his chest till he became unconscious, and to the post mortem report of Colonel Jordan, I.M.S., that seven ribs were fractured, and that death was directly due to pus in the cavity of the right lung; and whether any inquiry has been ordered into the conduct of the police officers concerned?

further asked the Under-Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case from Sylhet in which one Bho ka Chowdhry and others were charged with murder and were eventually acquitted by the sessions judge, who found that the police investigation was full of irregularities and that the prosecution witnesses were under improper police influence; and whether any inquiry has been ordered into the conduct of the police officers concerned?

Perhaps the hon. Member will permit me to answer this question and the question immediately following it together. The Secretary of State has no information as to either case beyond what has appeared in the newspapers, but he will inquire. He has no doubt that the local governments concerned will do what is necessary in regard to the investigation of charges made against the police.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether Captain McKendrick, who has been the expert adviser to a committee inquiring into malaria in Bombay, has been withdrawn and sent back to Coonoor; whether he will state why this has been done; whether anyone has been appointed to carry on Captain McKendrick's work in Bombay, and, if so, what are the special qualifications of the new officer; and what is his knowledge of Bombay itself?

The Secretary of State understands that Captain McKendrick has been recalled to Coonoor in order to take charge of the Pasteur Institute there, of which he is assistant-director. The director has been obliged to take: leave. It is not known who has been appointed by the Bombay Government to continue the inquiry on which Captain McKendrick was engaged.

Is the Government taking any steps to find out?

I do not think there is any reason why they should.

asked whether the official instructions to the Commissioners of Burdwan regarding the Midnapur conspiracy case directed not only a full investigation into the conduct of all concerned in the prosecution but also enjoined an inquiry into everything likely to throw light on the existence of a conspiracy against the Government and on the persons involved, whether recently tried or not; and whether the Government accepted the judgment of the Chief Justice, as showing that no conspiracy existed?

The instructions issued by the Lieutenant-Governor include a clause in the sense stated. When the hon. Member put his question on the Paper he could not. I believe, have seen the judgment of the High Court. Now that he has seen it, he is aware that the question which it decided was not whether a conspiracy existed, but whether certain appellants, were or were not proved to be guilty of conspiracy. The Government of India, of, course, are bound to accept the finding of the court as final and conclusive in respect of those appellants.

Am I to understand, then, that a principal object of the inquiry is to ascertain whether a conspiracy existed?

Yes, that is so—amongst other objects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State had had his attention called to the facts of a case heard on appeal in February last, by the Chief Court at Lahore, in which the conviction of a woman for the alleged murder of her husband was set aside on the grounds that important evidence for the defence had been withheld by the police, and that a confession of guilt had been extorted from this woman by acute torture after outrage by the police; whether he was aware that the court, consisting of Justices Robertson and Rattigan, asked for a searching inquiry into the conduct of the police; and whether such an inquiry had been held, and with what result?

The Secretary of State has as yet no detailed information, but the Government of India telegraph that the inquiry referred to has been held, and that the resulting Report is under the consideration of the Government of the Punjab.

Are we to assume that the inquiry was by the police?

I do not think we must assume that.

Have the incriminated police been discharged, or are they still in office?

The matter is still under consideration by the Government of the Punjab.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the fact that Colonel Colin Harding, C.M.G., late Commandant of the Barotse Land Police, sent in his resignation of that office upon being informed that reductions of the police force necessitating his retirement were about to be made, and were approved by Lord Selborne; whether, as a fact, the Colonial Office declined to approve of such reduction, and Colonel Harding's post was accordingly filled by another without an opportunity being afforded to him to withdraw his resignation; and whether, under the circumstances of his resignation being caused by a misunderstanding between Colonel Harding, Lord Selborne, and the Colonial Office, he could now state when he would be in a position to offer Colonel Harding another appointment?

The Administration of the British South Africa Company, partly for reasons of economy and partly for other reasons which were clearly indicated to Colonel Harding, were anxious to secure the retirement of Colonel Harding, and pressed it upon the High Commissioner, who ultimately acquiesced in the action of the company after obtaining decidedly better terms of retirement for Colonel Harding. In these circumstances, although the Secretary of State would be glad if it were possible to offer Colonel Harding another appointment, he has always maintained the view that no direct liability rests upon the Colonial Office in this matter. Colonel Harding is aware that his name has recently been carefully considered, but that the opportunities of employing a man of his age and particular qualifications do not often occur.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the Chartered Company were displeased by Colonel Harding's action in carrying out the instructions of the Colonial Office to deal leniently with the natives in regard to the collection of their hut tax; and does he not think that the Colonial Office is under special obligation to Colonel Harding for his loyalty; and will my hon. Friend not see that he does not longer suffer injury for his loyalty?

I cannot accept without reservation the account of the matter given by my hon. Friend. We are anxious to find employment for Colonel Harding, but it is exceedingly difficult to do so owing to his age and previous experience.

Might not the experience of Colonel Harding be of advantage to the Colonial Office in many parts of the world?

The appointments which we have in the Colonial Office are appointments for very junior officers, and to appoint a person of some 50 years of age, of great experience and administrative ability, would obviously be impossible. We are anxious to do what we can for Colonel Harding, but the very fact of his great experience and high qualifications renders it impossible for us to give him one of these junior appointments.

Is it not the fact that Colonel Harding incurred the displeasure of the Chartered Company by his refusal to carry out an order to collect an increased hut tax at the cost of burning a settlement of the natives; if so, has he not a special claim on the Colonial Office?

That is similar, to a question already put.

Is there not room for a man whose experience the Colonial Office recognises; and is my hon. Friend not aware that Colonel Harding is not 50, but only 45, and that he has offered to accept any junior post which he may be offered?

He is approaching 50 years of age, and it is impossible to appoint an officer of his capacity to a junior post, but we will try to find him suitable employment.

Could not this gentleman be appointed to the Irish Office, where men of experience are wanted?

What were the better terms obtained for Colonel Harding by the Colonial Office?

If my hon. Friend will put down a question I will explain fully what were the original proposals and the conditions ultimately sanctioned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he could state what the costs of the prosecution and the defence of Dinizulu were?

The only information as to total costs of the proceedings includes the costs of other trials as well as of that of Dinizulu, and I am therefore unable to give the information asked for by my hon. Friend.

Is it possible for the Colonial Office to get this information, or would it be more convenient that I should put down another question.

The hon. Member had better put down another question.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the Congested Districts Board had purchased the farm of Vatersay, Barra, from Lady Gordon Cathcart for £6,250, and that it was proposed to establish on Vatersay island sixty holdings for crofter fishermen, he would say approximately the additional expenditure which this would impose on the Board, the size of each holding, and the proposed rental?

Negotiations for the settlement of Vatersay are at present going on, and until they are concluded it would be premature to enter into detail on the points referred to by my hon. Friend.

Will the Lord Advocate say when he will be in a position to give particulars?

In a month.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that John Mackenzie, 80 years of age, residing at Altnasuth, Lochalsh, Ross-shire, had been denied an old age pension on the ground that during the cold weather last year, being unable to obtain peats, he secured ten hundredweight of coal from the inspector of poor; and, in view of the special circumstances of the case, would the Local Government Board give instructions for Mackenzie's application to be reconsidered, especially as this was the only occasion on which he had received any kind of parish relief?

In face of the well-ascertained fact that Mackenzie was admitted to the poor-roll and granted relief in the form mentioned by my hon. Friend, the Local Government Board had no alternative but to declare him disqualified, and I cannot, in the existing state of the law, undertake that this decision will be reconsidered.

Am I to understand that this poor man of 80 years of age is denied a pension simply because he had 10 cwt. of coal sent him by the inspector of poor in the depth of winter? Will further inquiry be made into the case?

asked whether the syllabus on temperance teaching, recently issued by the Board of Education, had been under the consideration of the Scotch Education Department; and what action, if any, the Department intended to take to introduce temperance teaching into the code?

The syllabus in question has been received by the Department, and will be further considered. With reference to the latter part of the question, the Department are reluctant to add yet another separate subject to the primary school curriculum, but ample opportunity for such instruction in temperance as the responsible managers of schools may think desirable is afforded under the subject "Laws of Health," which is part of the prescribed work of the older scholars, while arrangements have been made and have been in operation for some time for the fuller and more practical training of teachers to give instruction in this subject.

Could not the same arrangements be made in Scotland as are proposed to be made in England?

That may be considered.

asked what rental Lady Gordon Cathcart received for the farm of Vatersay, Barra; and the annual value of the shootings which had been reserved to Tier until Martinmas, 1916?

The rent (including interest on improvements) was £353 2s. 6d. The shootings are let along with other subjects, and their value is therefore not separately assessed, but I understand it was estimated by the proprietrix at £50.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that the lady who has received this rent has never, for more than 30 years, been near Barra?

I am not aware of that fact.

asked what was the estimated cost of providing a school for the children of the settlers on the Island of Vatersay, Barra, and the approximate cost of securing for the settlers a suitable water supply?

The Scotch Education Department are in communication with the School Board on the question of school provision on the island. They have not yet received from the Board any estimate of the probable cost of such provision. In regard to the cost of the water supply, I beg to refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire, given yesterday.

May I ask what was the nature of the reply referred to?

The Congested Districts Board have sanctioned an expenditure of £400 to meet the requirements of Barra in the matter of water supply.

Will more be expended if the £400 is not sufficient?

I should think that that would follow.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention had been called to the case of John Barr, a lorryman in the employ of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Glasgow, convicted of recklessly driving a horse yoked to a lorry, and to the suggestions which had been made of malice in the case; and would he make inquiry into the case?

This case has already been brought under the notice of the Secretary for Scotland, who caused inquiry to be made, and upon the information before him formed the opinion, in which I entirely concur, that there was no foundation for any allegation that the officials responsible for the complaints against Barr were actuated by malicious motives.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that an inquest was held on 24th May on the body of Jack Bond, aged eight weeks, in the care of Mrs. Wilson, registered foster-mother, of Elsdon-road, Tottenham; if he is aware that the child had been vaccinated in four large places, notwithstanding that it had a broken thigh, and that evidence was given by Dr. Wainwright that vaccination made the child worse; will he say if the vaccination of these infants is in accordance with the instructions of the inspectors of the Local Government Board; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of the inquest on this child, and I have obtained a copy of the depositions taken by the coroner. It appears from the evidence of Dr. Wainwright, who made the post-mortem examination, that there was an old fracture of the thigh, which had set badly, and that the child had been vaccinated. The depositions do not contain the statement attributed to Dr. Wain- wright in the question, but I have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings in which the statement apears. If the public vaccinator had been of opinion that the child was not in a fit and proper, state to be successfully vaccinated he should have given a certificate of postponement; but I understand that he found the child's condition at the time of vaccination quite satisfactory, and that the fracture of the thigh was healed many days before the vaccination took place. It does not seem to me to be necessary to take any special action in the matter.

asked whether the calves used for the production of glycerinated calf lymph are slaughtered before the lymph is issued to public vaccinators, or whether they are only hired and are afterwards returned to the owners; and whether, in the latter case, any steps are taken to ascertain if they are suffering from disease or not?

The calves are hired, and after the lymph has been collected, they are removed by the owners. Each calf is slaughtered as soon as practicable after its removal. A post-mortem examination is made, at which a veterinary surgeon—engaged for the purpose—is present. He makes a careful examination of the carcase and of the viscera in order to ascertain whether the calf was in perfect health, and immediately afterwards sends in a certificate as to its healthiness or otherwise. The lymph is not issued unless a satisfactory certificate has been received.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, with reference to the case of the able-bodied married woman at Hampstead who was able to obtain work, but was detained till 3rd May last in the workhouse at the desire of another inmate, being her husband, whether any sanction was given to this detention by a circular of the Poor Board issued in or about 1842; if so, whether he can state the provisions of such circular; and whether, as the Married Woman's Property Act, 1882, has since been passed, he will withdraw or modify such circular in the interest of the ratepayers and of married women?

The circular referred to appears to be one issued by the Poor Law Commissioners on 5th February, 1842. It contained the following passage:—

"It seems doubtful if the guardians have the power to prevent the wife from leaving the workhouse without her husband; but the husband can if he thinks fit, detain her in the workhouse by his marital authority, and the guardians would be justified in refusing her permission to quit the house under such circumstances."

The circular accompanied a general order on workhouse rules, which has long since been rescinded. It remains as an expression of opinion entertained by the Poor Law Commissioners at the time it was issued, and cannot be withdrawn, but it has no operative force. I am not aware of any sufficient reason for issuing a further circular on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has seen the report of Mr. E. A. Miles to the Lambeth Borough Council at their meeting on the 17th instant, to the effect that bathrooms in a large number of houses inspected by him in his district were used as lumber-rooms and coal-houses; will he say what were the exact figures in Mr. Miles's report; if his Department has further information as to similar reports, giving the particulars, will he state them; and what action is it proposed to take in this matter?

I think my hon. Friend is under some misapprehension in this matter. I understand that no report to the effect mentioned by him has been made to the Lambeth Borough Council, but that, at their meeting on the 17th instant, Mr. Mills, one of the borough councillors, stated that he had been informed by a friend that in a certain district outside London, the name of which he did not mention, a landlord had fitted baths in about 40 workmen's dwellings and that the landlord's agent had shortly afterwards discovered that in half the cases the baths had been used by the tenants for storing coals and other materials. The Local Government Board have no information as to any cases of the kind.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the feasibility of improving the postal service for Luthrie, Lindores, and the neighbourhood, by making use of the Newburgh and North of Fife Railway, which now has a regular train: service through the district?

I have already considered the question of using this railway for the purpose of improving the postal service in the district to which my hon. Friend refers, and a mail for Kilmany is already sent over it, with the result that a material acceleration of the morning delivery has been effected at that place. It appears, however, that with the present service of trains no advantage would be gained by using the line for the mails for other places than Kilmany.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Wexford County Council passed a resolution on 14th instant calling attention to the facilities afforded by the Rosslare-Fish-guard route for the carriage from Queenstown of the American mails for London, the entire South of England and Wales, and the Continent, and pointing out that the adoption of this route will accelerate the delivery of these mails by at least two hours over present arrangements; that this acceleration might be increased by at least a further hour by the construction of a connecting line of railway between either Cork and Fermoy, or Youghal and Dungarvan; and whether he proposes to do anything that will in some measure give effect to the resolution?

I am aware of the resolution referred to. As I recently explained to my hon. Friend, there are practical difficulties in the way of despatching the heavy inward American mails by the Rosslare-Fishguard route. Even if these were overcome, the regular use of this route instead of the Dublin route for the special train services would result in a later arrival of the mails for the North of England and also in many cases of those for Dublin and the greater part of Ireland. The question of constructing a connecting line of railway to shorten the distance to Rosslare is one for the railway companies to consider.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Rosslare-Fishguard quay has an equipment of electric cranes, and that there the mails can be shipped from the steamer to the train and vice versâ in a few minutes, and could not the American mails, late for the Dublin train, be sent on by the Rosslare-Fishguard route, so to arrive in London earlier; and will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are very anxious to make use of this line in so far as it will accelerate mails, and, though we have gone very fully into the matter, I shall be glad to have any further information the hon. Member has to offer.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the number of sheep on the farm of Vatersay, Barra, taken over by the Congested Districts (Scotland) Board and the cost thereof to the Board?

The transfer of sheep stock is at present the subject of arbitration, and my hon. Friend will recognise that it is inexpedient to publish any details while negotiations are proceeding.

Why does the Lord Advocate refuse to state the number of sheep taken over by the Congested Districts Board? This subject was pretty fully discussed in another place by Lord Camperdown—why deny the information to this House?

asked, having regard to the fact that out of 125,146 acres of land dealt with by the Congested Districts (Scotland) Board since the passing of the Act in 1897, no less than 103,543 acres are in Inverness-shire alone, and seeing that the total acreage secured for all the other five counties is only 21,603 acres, will the Board be instructed to formulate their land schemes in future on a more equitable basis?

My hon. Friend's figures do not present, as of course he is aware, a complete statement of the case. And I have nothing to add to my reply of yesterday on this subject.

My figures are taken from the Reports of the Congested Districts Board. By whom are these unsatisfactory answers prepared: by the office-boy of the Scottish Office, the Lord Advocate, or Lord Pentland, the Secretary for Scotland?

asked for what purpose ships, of war were stationed in the South Atlantic in 1904, and why they were subsequently withdrawn?

I cannot undertake to give the reasons which prompted the late Government to take the action referred to in 1904.

Arising out of that answer, am I to understand that the First Lord of the Admiralty will not answer questions connected with Admiralty policy and administration?

No, Sir. You are to understand that the First Lord declines to answer questions which depend upon the responsibility of the late Government.

Are we to understand that there is no record at the Admiralty of the reasons why these ships were stationed and subsequently withdrawn?

I know of no record of the reasons which prompted the late Government to any steps they may have taken.

I beg to give notice, owing to the unsatisfactory answers, to ask the Prime Minister a question.

May I inquire if that is the way to keep the Admiralty out of party politics?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the accident which occurred on 27th May to a seaman named Charles Collard while coaling the "Assistance" in Portsmouth Harbour; whether he was represented at the inquest; and, if so, what was the nature of the jury's verdict?

A report on the subject has been received. The Admiralty was represented at the inquest by their local law agent. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death caused through the breaking of a faulty strop," and added as a rider that they considered that an Admiralty order should be printed and issued to all ships coaling at the depot. Emphasis has now been given to local orders, which already existed prior to the accident, by issue of a general port order on the subject, in the sense of the jury's recommendation, which it is hoped will have the effect of ensuring adequate care being taken by all concerned in future.

asked whether, in view of the necessity of affording better protection to Irish fisheries and enforcing the provisions of the Trawling in Prohibited Areas measure, and in view of the demand made on Irish taxpayers towards naval expenditure this year, the Admiralty will place at the disposal of the Irish fishery authorities some gunboats to assist in preventing illegal fishing off the Irish coast?

The supervision of the Irish fisheries is carried out by two cruisers, but one is temporarily detained in, the North Sea until after the naval manœuvres. Any circumstances requiring the presence of additional ships, and any representation made by the Irish authorities as to any special need arising at the present time would be considered. The measure referred to does not appear directly to affect the action of His Majesty's ships.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for many years the Admiralty have placed at the disposal of thy Scottish Fishery Board boats for the protection of the Scottish fisheries, and can he explain why we, who require more protection owing to the number of boats coming across from the Scottish coast, are denied it?

I think the purport of my reply shows that, so far from that being the fact, two cruisers are kept available for this particular purpose.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to the work these two cruisers have been doing? He can consult his colleague, the right hon. Gentleman the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture, and ascertain from him whether it is not a fact that one boat, the "Helga," has been unable to perform the work thrown upon it?

I have stated, in the course of my reply, that any representation to the Admiralty on behalf of the Irish Board of Agriculture would be considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman himself consult the Irish Board of Agriculture, who is now sitting two paces from him?

I have already had the advantage of a consultation with my right hon. Friend the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture.

How many boats are placed at the disposal of the Scottish fisheries by the Admiralty?

I require notice of that question.

Will the boats sent to Ireland be taken from the protection of the trawling grounds off Scotland?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury on how many old age pensions the secretaries of the sub-pension committees in Kerry have been paid fees?

The clerks to the sub-committees (28 in number) have been paid fees for 9,812 claims and questions dealt with in the quarter to 31st December, 1908. Accounts in which fees are charged by the clerks to the sub-committees for 1,452 claims and questions dealt with in the quarter to 31st March, 1909, were received on the 31st ultimo, and are now under examination.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that pension allowances passed by the Tipperary pension committee to persons in receipt of poor relief, both indoor and outdoor, which were certified for by two medical doctors, were not sanctioned by the Local Government Board; and if he will (as the Local Government Board has refused to) state the reasons why the orders of the committee in those cases of bonâ fide medical relief were not carried out?

replied: In the absence of particulars regarding the individual cases referred to I am not in a position to reply to the general statement made in the first part of the question. The decisions of the Local Government Board in all such cases are based on the terms of the Act and of their explanatory circular letters on the subject.

Is it not sufficient justification that two medical officers certified for the relief to these poor people?

I am not aware of the particular case referred to, but there is an appeal to the Local Government Board, and they must be satisfied on the point in question.

I can send the right hon. Gentleman dozens of such cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will lay upon the Table the regulations prescribing the tests for motor spirit to be made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under Clause 64 (9) of the Finance Bill?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer for my right hon. Friend, who is overwhelmed with the consideration of Amendments to the Finance Bill.

The regulations referred to in Clause 64 (9) of the Finance Bill can only be made after the passing of the Bill. I may, however, explain that in the meantime and for the purpose of giving effect to the Resolution of the House of Commons by which a duty was charged on motor spirit as from 30th April last, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have issued provisional regulations for the guidance of their officers. Under these regulations their officers are instructed to accept duty on any article entered by the importer or maker as "motor spirit," and not to allow the delivery free of duty of any spirit the specific gravity of which is 0.800 or less without the authority of the Commissioners. In doubtful cases samples are directed to be sent to the Customs laboratory for examination. I should add, that in accordance with the directions of my right hon. Friend the Commissioners are aiming at the taxation of spirit which is ordinarily and generally used for driving motor vehicles, and are not attempting to levy the tax on the various other substances, which, though not at present generally used as motor car fuel, could be, or are occasionally used as substitutes for or in association with such fuel.

asked whether the Chancellor will lay upon the Table the regulations for calculating the unit of horse-power of motor cars to be made by the Treasury under Clause 66 (2) of the Finance Bill?

As I explained in regard to the preceding question, these regulations can only be made after the Finance Bill has become law.

asked whether there will be any power of appeal against the regulations to be made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise prescribing the tests for motor spirit under Clause 64 (9) and by the Treasury for cal- culating the unit of horse-power of motor cars under Clause 66 (2) of the Finance Bill?

The answer is in the negative.

I wish to know whether it would be in the power of the Department to change these regulations from time to time or at any time?

Yes; regulations made by the Department can be altered by the Department.

asked the Chancellor whether his attention has been called to the fact that under the clauses of the Finance Bill relating to the tests for motor spirit and the horse-power of motor cars power is given to a Government Department to fix the limit of taxation; and whether there is any precedent for such legislation?

I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that the powers proposed to be given to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under Clause 64 (9) of the Finance Bill to prescribe tests for motor spirit and the regulation-making powers proposed to be given to the Treasury under Clause 66 (2), for the purpose of determining how the unit of horse-power is to be calculated in connection with the Licence Duty on motor cars, are such as to enable them to "fix the limit of taxation." There are numerous precedents for the powers which it is proposed to give under the Bill to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and to the Treasury with respect to motor spirit and the horse-power of motor cars. I may refer my hon. Friend to the powers of the Commissioners under section 2 of the Finance Act, 1901, with respect to sugar, especially in the case of molasses, invert sugar, etc.; to the powers of the Treasury under section 7 of the same Act with respect to manufactured or prepared goods containing articles liable to duty; to the powers of the commissioners with respect to the process of butting of tobacco under section 2 (3) of the Finance Act, 1904; and, lastly, to the close parallel afforded by section 4 of the Finance Act, 1907, under which power is given to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, to make regulations authorising the use of any means described in the regulations for ascertaining for any purpose the strength or weight of spirits. There are no appeals in these cases.

asked whether it is the Chancellor's intention so to modify the Finance Bill that cricket, football, golf, and other athletic clubs, who are freeholders or leaseholders for a term of more than 50 years unexpired, shall be relieved from the payment of Increment Value Duty and Undeveloped Land Duty, and thereby continue to exist?

The hon. Member has doubtless considered the provisions of Clause 11 (3) in this connection. Land used for games which does not come within the provisions of this sub-clause as not being used for the benefit of the public or as not fulfilling the other conditions specified, will be subject to Undeveloped Land Duty. Land used for these purposes will also under the Bill be subject to Increment Value Duty. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not see his way to modify his proposals in regard to this matter, but he will be glad to consider suggestions which may be made to him.

Would the hon. Gentleman at any rate consider the advisability of exempting clubs which have a covenant in the lease that they should not build on the land?

Yes, certainly.

Will the hon. Gentleman advise the Chancellor to consider the question of exempting playgrounds belonging to schools and colleges and societies whose grounds are used purely for recreation purposes?

Any representations of this character will certainly receive the very sympathetic consideration of my right hon. Friend.

asked whether the Chancellor could see his way to graduate the licence duties of wholesale dealers in spirituous liquors in Scotland, in view of the fact that some of the smaller dealers make only a bare living at the trade, whereas the larger dealers make large sums?

My right hon. Friend does not think that duties graduated according to the annual value of premises would be suitable for licences granted to wholesale dealers in liquors, having regard to the fact that many of these licences are held by persons who have merely one or two rooms used as offices. The licence to a retailer, which can be granted independently of the wholesale licence, authorises sales in quantities which seem to him to be suitable for the smaller dealers. The duty upon this licence is graduated according to the annual value of the premises in respect of which the licence is granted.

asked whether the Chancellor's attention has been called to the fact that chemists in Scotland have to take out a licensed grocer's or off-licence in order to sell medicated wines to the order of the medical profession, charitable institutions, infirmaries, and other like bodies; whether he is aware that the proposed increase of duty will bear hard on these traders, making it necessary for them in many cases to relinquish that part of their business with inconvenience to the public; and whether he will grant to chemists a special licence to sell such medicaments?

Under the practice of the Board of Customs and Excise wines sufficiently medicated to be regarded as medicines may be sold by registered chemists and druggists without a licence, provided that the directions as to dose, etc., on the label clearly indicate that the article is intended for use as a medicine and not as a beverage. My right hon. Friend assumes, therefore, that the wines to which my hon. Friend refers, though called medicated, are not sufficiently medicated to pass the official test of the Government Laboratory, and he does not think it would be desirable to lower the standard at present insisted on.

asked the Chancellor if he would state whether, in the case of a retail public-house where a small brewery is attached, the licensee will have to pay a duty according to the assessment of the brewery and retail premises as well as the new duty on beer as brewer; and whether the assessment committees will be compelled to make separate assessments of such places?

The brewer's licence is entirely distinct from the public-house licence, and, as at present, two licences will be required where a brewery business and a public-house business are carried on upon one set of premises. The only difference arising under the Bill is that, whereas at present the duty on a licence to a brewer for sale is the fixed duty of £1, the duty in future, if the number of barrels brewed in the year exceeds 100, will instead of being £1 depend upon the number of barrels brewed. As a rule, the two businesses are carried on in such a manner that the premises used for one business are not distinct from the premises used for the other business, and where this is so there is only one assessment; and it would be impossible for the Assessment Committee to make separate assessments of such places.

asked whether sub-section (5) of Clause 63 of the Finance Bill is to be read as meaning that on and after 1st January, 1910, the cultivation of tobacco will be entirely unrestricted throughout England and Wales; and whether, if this is so, he will consider the desirability of devoting some part of the proposed Development Grant to the encouragement of this industry in England and Wales?

The effect of the clause in question will be to allow tobacco to be grown by any person in England and Wales subject to a payment of an annual licence of 5s., and to compliance with regulations to be made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under section 3 of the Finance Act, 1908. As regards the latter part of the question, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any proposals of the kind which may be laid before him.

May I ask whether the answer applies to Scotland?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the general support recently given to the movement for entailing on every man the duty of giving personal service to his country, he will consider the advisability of giving facilities for passing the National Military Training Bill?

No, Sir, I cannot offer the hon. Member any encouragement.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the matter of the admitted necessity of every man giving personal service for the defence of our country, he agrees with Mr. Punch that our political leaders are all talk and no go?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the interest felt by many hon. Members in the question of Indian deportations, he will be able to arrange for an early discussion on the Indian Estimates?

asked whether he sees any objection to fixing an early date for the discussion of the Indian Budget?

asked whether, in view of the fact that a large number of Members desire to discuss the policy of deportation in India, he will arrange for the Indian Budget to be taken at an early date?

Pehaps I may be allowed to answer the three questions at the same time. I hope that there will be no undue delay, but I am not yet in a position to fix a date.

In view of the fact that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will be in charge of the Indian Budget and also of the Excise Clauses of the Budget Bill, would it not be for his convenience that the Indian Budget should be taken whilst the Land Clauses of the Budget are under consideration, and whilst he will be at comparative liberty?

Perhaps the hon. Member had better wait for the present.

I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to appoint a Committee of inquiry into the working of the censorship over stage plays previous to production, and also the forms of licence granted respectively to theatres and music halls, with a view to considering whether legislation is desirable?

After consideration, I think the time has come when a further inquiry into these matters might well be held. The best instrument for such an inquiry will be a Joint Committee of the two Houses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention of the Government to charge the tax for ungotten minerals for land where excavation would destroy the land for building purposes or jeopardise the foundations of the buildings thereon; and whether land subject to the tax for un-development will be exempt from the Mineral Tax, or whether such land is to be taxed doubly in spite of the fact that development in buildings renders it unsuitable for mining and mining renders it unsuitable for building?

The question whether the duties on undeveloped land and on ungotten minerals would or would not be payable, either separately or conjointly, is one which can only be answered in a given case when the facts have been duly ascertained. I may, however, point out that in a case where mining operations would affect the value of land for building purposes they would correspondingly affect the value subject to Undeveloped Land Duty; and similarly the value of the mineral rights would be affected in a case where the fact of land being built upon would render it impossible to work the minerals beneath it without risk of incurring heavy charges for compensation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that in any case those subjects will be taxed on the same land?

I mean that the circumstances with regard to building land and undeveloped land will act and react upon each other.

Then the same land may be subject to both taxes?

It is possible, but not, I think, conceivable.

I do not quite understand the right hon. Gentleman's reply. Did he say "possible but not conceivable," because I do not understand that answer. Will the hon. Member kindly explain?

It is difficult by question and answer to explain a detailed point of this sort. What I meant to say was that circumstances may possibly arise, but will not probably arise.

I wish to ask the hon. Gentleman whether in any single case in the United Kingdom any damage can be done to land on which no buildings have been erected where subsidence has already taken place?

Oh, yes; I can conceive such a case, and I have a case in my mind.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why Mr. Gerald Byrne, an evicted tenant from Luggacurren, who has been given a new holding at Upton, county Carlow, has been refused a free grant for building purposes, when all the other evicted tenants, who have been accommodated with holdings in the same locality, have been given free grants; and whether he is aware that there are no buildings on the holding assigned to Mr. Byrne?

In the exercise of their discretion the Estates Commissioners decided not to sanction any free grant for buildings to Gerald Byrne, who resides with one of his sons on another holding of 70 acres.

Why have the Estates Commissioners come to that decision?

It seems to me that some explanation is afforded on the face of my answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state how many schools in Ireland have been exempted from Rule 127 ( b ), National Education Board, Ireland, and on what reasons; how many National schools in Ireland with an average attendance of over 30 and less than 35 are under one teacher; how many National schools with over 20 and less than 30 are under one teacher; and, considering that an average attendance roll of 26 to 30 pupils means that there may be generally from 30 to 40 pupils present under the care of one teacher for five hours, and that the rules of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland admit only 12 pupils to one teacher, will he take measures to man the schools with a sufficient staff to teach the children daily?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the enrolment as pupils of boys under seven years of age is permitted in the case of 507 schools in which no mistresses are employed. In most of these cases either there is no school under a mistress available, or the exclusion of these boys would probably cause the loss of an assistant teacher to the school concerned. In a few cases a temporary or partial relaxation of the rule in question has been sanctioned. There are 427 National schools with an average attendance of over 30 and less than 35 pupils, and 1,098 with over 20 and less than 30 which are under one teacher. The rules of the Department of Agriculture permit classes of as many as 40 pupils under one teacher for theoretical instructions. The limit of 12 only applies to butter-making classes. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that the staff of the National schools is insufficient.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet completed the negotiations for the purchase of the untenanted land on the Gubbins estate, county Limerick?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet acquired the untenanted lands on this estate, in respect of which proceedings are pending under the Evicted Tenants Act.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken with a view to the reinstatement of Mr. Timothy Burke, of Kilduff, Pallasgreen, county Limerick; and whether the present occupier of Burke's farm is satisfied to leave the place upon getting adequate compensation?

The Estates Commissioners do not propose to take any steps with a view to Burke's reinstatement in his former holding, which is in the occupation of another tenant, but his name has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners, having refused to reinstate Phil Sweeney, an evicted tenant on the Wynne estate, Ballaghameehan, owing to his age, would consider the application of I the son of the evicted tenant for reinstatement, as the person in possession is willing f to surrender on receiving compensation?

I have referred this question to the Estates Commissioners, who will consider the hon. Member's suggestion when they are dealing with the estate.

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary if the Estates Commissioners have failed to acquire the farm now on the hands of the landlord, Lord Ashtown, on his county Waterford estate, from which Mr. Carrigan, county councillor, was evicted; if the Commissioners have failed to acquire this farm, can he state what has caused that failure; has Lord Ashtown planted a portion of this evicted farm with trees and claimed it as a home farm; and, if the Commissioners have refrained from exercising the compulsory powers vested in them to acquire Mr. Carrigan's old holding, what steps have they taken to provide him with a suitable farm elsewhere?

As I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to a question asked by him on 10th December last, the Estates Commissioners decided that the lands at one time occupied by Carrigan on the estate of Lord Ashtown could not be acquired compulsorily under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, having regard to the provisions of section 7 of the Act. The Commissioners understand that portion of the land has been planted with trees by the owner. Carrigan was offered another farm by the Commissioners, but refused it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has any official information showing that the spread of fever in the Ferbane dispensary district was due to the incompetence of the medical officer in not properly diagnosing the case when first called to visit the patient, or to negligence in not warning the people of the nature of the case; and, as this is the second occurrence of the kind in the district, will he cause a sworn inquiry to be held and thereby restore confidence in the minds of the people?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In the opinion of the Local Government Board no blame attaches to the medical officer of health in connection with this matter. The previous outbreak of fever in this district occurred some fifteen years ago. I have already stated, in reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on the 17th inst., that there is nothing in the case calling for a sworn inquiry.

I wish to ask the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the pension officer at Newcastle West refused to recommend for a pension John Sheehy, of Gurrane, Castlemahon, in the county of Limerick, who, on the marriage of his daughter Bridget, assigned the farm and stock to his son-in-law last January, in conformity with the national practice, and Patrick Hough, Ballyvaughan, Ardagh, who made a similar assignment to his son William, in like circumstances, last February; and, having regard to the fact that the pension committee allowed a pension in these cases, and that the pension officer has appealed against this decision on the ground that the claimants indirectly deprived themselves of their means in order to qualify for pensions, he will say what decision has been come to in those cases; and whether pension officers will be instructed to respect such assignments in estimating the incomes of claimants for pensions?

No decision has yet been come to by the Local Government Board on the appeal in either of these cases, as the Board have not yet received all the documents necessary to enable them to adjudicate. As regards the last part of the question, the pension officers are not under my orders, but it is obvious that the consideration for the assignment is an important element in such cases.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he now has any information to give in reply to the resolution of the Board of Governors of the Limerick District Lunatic Asylum, in relation to the increase of lunatic asylum charges in Ireland and the insufficiency of the fund to meet those charges; and is he aware of the position those asylums will stand in if they are starved for want of funds?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for West Limerick on the 17th instant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Patrick Conroy, principal teacher of Ballinree National school, resigned some years ago owing to ill-health, and was granted a pension of £4 4s. per annum, commutable to a fixed sum; why was that fixed sum not granted, though application was made for it several times to the Treasury, and, on their advice, through the Commissioners of National Education; is he aware that the applicant was that fixed sum not granted, though again through the Commissioners of National Education; will he state why that body repudiated their obligation, as he was no longer in their service, but informed him that they forwarded his application to the Treasury; is he aware that, though in the workhouse, Conroy has refused to apply for any pension for the past year as a protest against the action of the Treasury in refusing to commute his pension; if he now applies will commutation be allowed; and is he aware that Conroy was subjected to deductions from his salary as a contribution to the pension fund?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that Mr. Conroy was awarded a disablement pension of £4 4s. per annum in 1902. In 1906 he applied to have this pension commuted. Under the pension rules a pensioner must satisfy the Commissioners that he is permanently disabled before his pension can be commuted. Mr. Conroy was informed of this requirement, but up to the present he has failed to furnish the necessary medical evidence. Until he complies with the rule on this point the Commissioners will not be in a position to consider his application for the commutation of his pension. I understand that Conroy has not drawn his pension since December, 1907, but he has given no reason for this omission.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent decision in the King's Bench Division by Lord Chief Justice Palles and Mr. Justice Johnson upholding the claim of the board of governors of the Richmond Asylum to give a reasonable preference in all contracts to goods of Irish manufacture; and whether, with a view to putting an end to the system of surcharging practised by Local Government Board auditors in this and similar cases, he will now issue instructions which will prevent these auditors from needlessly interfering with the right, now judicially established, of giving a reasonable preference to Irish manufactures?