asked how many active-service ratings remained available on shore on 12th June?

I am advised that it is undesirable in the public interest to give this information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that an average sum of £40,815 was to be spent this year upon the construction of the German destroyers of the current programme, and that the whole of the German vessels of the 1907–8 programme were in commission, while the earliest of the English were not expected to be delivered till October, he would now say whether the expenditure on the British destroyers of this year's programme would be increased above the figure of £5,450 each at which it now stood?

There is nothing to add to the reply given to the same question when put by the hon. Member on the 25th May last.

Is the consideration the right hon. Gentleman promised at that time still being given to this very important subject?

Yes.

When does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to give a definite answer?

When the Vote comes up for discussion will be the proper time to raise the question.

asked what armament would be supplied to the four Russian battleships which had just been laid down?

According to the latest information which has appeared in the Press, these ships will be armed with

asked what progress had been made towards the establishment of a base for submarines in the Firth of Tay?

Negotiations in this connection are now in progress with the Dundee Harbour authorities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that on the occasion of H.M.S. "Illustrious" coming out of dry dock recently it was found that, on account of faulty replacement of a valve, water had made its way into the ship, and that the water in the dock had to be pumped out again in order to remedy the defect, thus causing delay and expense; and what action he intended taking in the matter so as to prevent recurrence of such mishaps?

On the occasion referred to, leakage past a valve occurred, but no appreciable amount of water made its way into the ship. The water in the dock was pumped down in order to put the valve in order, but no delay or expense of importance was incurred. The occurrence was due to the improper replacement of the valve, for which an artificer engineer was responsible. There is nothing to show that it was due to the employment of unskilled men. No Admiralty action is proposed in the matter.

asked whether the three-pounder guns of the "Hermes," "Highflyer," and similar class protected cruisers, had been removed because of their inadequacy as anti-torpedo weapons.

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked whether the Admiralty had any intention of replacing the secondary armament of the battleship "Renown."

The secondary armament will be replaced if the necessity arises.

asked what were the displacement, speed, and armament of the "Indefatigable," building at Devonport; and when is she to be completed for sea?

It is not desirable in the public interest to give this information.

asked whether the 12 executive officers on the active list who had qualified as interpreters in German gained any pecuniary advantage from having done so; and what remuneration was granted to officers similarly qualified in Oriental languages?

The remuneration allowed to officers qualified in Oriental languages is at the following rates:—

Swahili, Arabic, or Hindustani and Persian taken together, 75 rupees per month.

Hindustani (revised test) or Persian, 50 rupees per month.

Officers qualified in Japanese or Chinese receive 2s. 6d. and 1s. per day, according to qualifications, when appointed as interpreters.

In view of the very few officers who have obtained the qualification, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of increasing the pecuniary advantage?

These are executive officers only; there are a number of other officers who also are qualified.

Is not the number of other officers referred to only 15?

I think the total number is 31.

Is not that number entirely inadequate?

Are officers of the Navy who have qualified in Oriential languages given any preference for service in the East, or do they reap any advantage for the pains they have been at to acquire these languages?

These officers receive an allowance immediately, and their qualifications help them later on.

asked whether it was on the ground of public interest that information was refused as to the proportion of active service ratings, coastguards, and Royal Naval reserve men who were to mart the 16 special service ships taking part in the manœuvres?

Yes, Sir.

If there are 20 per cent, of active service ratings, how can it be against the public interest to say that they exist?

It is undesirable to state what is our system of manning the: ships.

asked whether the Admiralty had evidence as to how the Bacon and other letters which left the Admiralty were circulated?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would state the number of seamen and marines of all ranks and ratings, forming the nucleus, crews of vessels of all classes mobilised for the manœuvres; the numbers required to complete the full crews, and the source or sources, with the respective numbers, from which they were drawn?

It is undesirable to publish details of this nature as to the manning of the fleet.

Is it a fact that any vessels have been sent to take part in the present manœuvres without full crews on board?

I have already stated twice that all the ships taking part in the manœuvres are fully manned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the age of the cruiser "Sappho," he would carefully consider the advisability of selling the vessel in her damaged condition instead of spending a considerable amount of money for salvage and temporary repairs, as was done in the case of the "Gladiator"?

The two cases in question do not bear comparison. The "Sappho" left Dover this morning for Chatham. As has been previously stated, the salvage of the "Gladiator" was necessary.

Does the "Sappho" belong to the "Apollo" class, which vessels were practically condemned four years ago?

No; they were not condemned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he was aware that a German shipping company was subsidised by the German Government in order that it might kill British Competition upon the East Coast of Africa, and subsequently impose its own rates upon British shippers; whether he was aware that, except through the agency of a private company, there was no regular service between Beira and Chinde; whether the Colonial Office had finally decided not to subsidise any British line; and, if the answer to the last question were in the affirmative, whether it was proposed to leave trade and commerce on the East Coast of Africa entirely in the hands of the Germans?

I am afraid that I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Baronet the Member for Wandsworth (Sir H. Kimber) on the 17th of this month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are gradually losing this trade?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the questions and answers of the 17th inst. he will see that the matter was fully dealt with on both sides of the House.

asked whether any steps are being taken to reform the Wakfs administration in Egypt?

On 28th December, 1905, a Decree was issued, modifying the composition of the Supreme Council for the administration of Wakfs, which was created by a Decree of May, 1901, but I have no more recent information on the subject.

Seeing that this is a most corrupt administration, will the Foreign Office bring their influence to bear on the Egyptian Government with a view to securing some reform?

reply was inaudible in the Gallery.

Have any complaints been received at the Foreign Office from the beneficiaries?

I am not aware of any.

asked when the Beport on trade in imports and exports at Irish ports for the year ending 31st December, 1908, will be available?

The Department hope that the Beport in question will be ready in July or August.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state approximately the gross amount spent by the Department in the last completed financial year on purposes connected with or involving grass culture, and on purposes connected with or involving tillage respectively?

It is not possible to give the figures asked for, but it may safely be taken that the major portion of the expenditure is in connection with purposes involving or connected with tillage.

inquired of the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he is now in a position to state briefly any definite results from the deputation which, with his concurrence, visited the Continent last winter in the interest of Irish industries?

The Department published a report on the visit of the deputation to Germany, which was circulated in Ireland. They understand that a number of centres are taking action in regard to it. No more definite statement can be made at the present time.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state the method by which the rate of produce of crops per acre and their value are arrived at for the purpose of the annual Reports of the Department; whether they are merely guessed by persons not having to make their living by agriculture; and whether he will have the tables described in future as estimates unless practical steps are taken to make them accurate?

The average yields for Ireland of the produce of the several crops are calculated from returns furnished by the constabulary enumerators as to the yield of crops in each electoral division, this information being obtained by inquiries made direct from farmers in each division at the harvesting or raising of each crop. Returns as to yield are also furnished direct to the Department by their crop correspondents, and a series of weighed returns of crops is forwarded for each county by the county instructor in agriculture. The returns furnished to the Department are reviewed before compilation by the statistical inspectors, who are well acquainted by personal inquiry with the state of the crops in the several districts. Where estimates of value are placed on any crops these estimates are made directly by the Department after special inquiry as to the value to be placed on the season's crop.

Do the Department ever ask the corn buyers in the large corn markets in the different parts of Ireland as to what the return per acre, in their opinion, would be, and whether we are to understand that the enumerators referred to in the answer are the Royal Irish Constabulary?

There are more enumerators than the Royal Irish Constabulary referred to. Our correspondents and instructors are over the country and they gather information from every source that is possible.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state the average price of store cattle in May, 1909; the average price in May of the preceding 10 years; the percentage of difference this year; and how the latest reports compare with the June prices of the last 10 years?

I will, with the hon. Member's permission, publish with tonight's Votes a statement giving the particulars which he requires, so far as they are available. [ See Written Answers this date .]

inquired on what date was the Annual Report of the Department for 1907-8 presented to the House; when was it handed to the printers; and what is their explanation of the delay in printing it?

The Annual Report of the Department was presented to the House "in dummy" on 15th December last. The final proof marked "for press" was sent to the printers on 27th May. There was a misunderstanding on the part of the printers as to the printing off, which caused some delay, but it is right to say that the Report is of considerable bulk and that the printing and binding of a large number of copies necessarily takes some time.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state why Mary Mulhern, Stragally, Strabane, who received the old age pension for over four months, has now been refused further payment at the post office at Commeen; and will he say whether she can renew her application and prove that she is over 70 years of age, if that be the ground of refusing her the pension?

Mrs. Mulhern was in the first instance granted a pension on the strength of a clergyman's certificate, no documentary evidence of age being available at the time. It was subsequently found that she was recorded as eight years old in the Census of 1851, and on a question being raised by the pension officer under the statutory regulations, the local pension committee decided on 5th May that Mrs. Mulhern was not entitled to pension, the payment of which was stopped the following day. Upon the facts as stated, it would be useless for her to put forward a fresh claim at present.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when he proposes to circulate the Memorandum detailing various sections of Acts of Parliament referred to in the text of the London Elections Bills, as promised on 4th May?

I presented the Memorandum for which the hon. Member asked on 4th May, the date on which I promised it, and it was circulated to all Members with the Votes within two days of that date. I will hand the hon. Member a copy of it immediately after questions.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, when he wrote to Mr. Sidney Colvin, of the National Art Collections Fund, informing him that the Government would themselves authorise the Treasury to contribute £10,000 of the amount required for the purchase of Holbein's "Duchess of Milan," he was under the impression that the picture was to be acquired for £61,000, which it was stated Messrs. Colnaghi had paid for the picture; whether, when he used the words at the suggested price and the amount required, he meant £61,000 or £71,000; whether his letter to Mr. Colvin was dated; if so, what was its date; whether he can account for its having been published without any date; and, if the letter was not dated, can he inform the House when, approximately or precisely, it was transmitted to Mr. Colvin?

My impression was that the demands of both the Duke and the dealer would have to be satisfied. My letter was written and dated on May 5th, and was delivered on that day by hand to Mr. Colvin.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will answer that part of my question that relates to the price. Was he under the impression that the suggested price was to be £61,000 or £71,000?

My impression was that the price was that arranged between the Duke and the dealer.

What was the profit derived by Mr. Colnaghi? Was there any attempt on the part of the Government to reduce the price?

I know nothing of the dealer's profits.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been called to the decision of the county council of the Soke of Peterborough refusing to approve of the purchase of 238 acres at Newborough, Northants, which has been recommended for purchase for small holdings by the small holdings committee of the county council; if he is aware that the purchase recommended by the small holdings committee was of land in the occupation of T. H. Vergette, who is already a large occupier of land in that district; if he is aware that the applicants for this land recommended for purchase by the small holdings committee have been approved by that committee, and that the Commissioner for the Board of Agriculture has inspected this land and recommended its purchase; and what steps the Board of Agriculture intend to take to carry out the recommendation of their Commissioner, Mr. Cheney, and approved by the small holdings committee and ignored by the county council?

The facts as to the action of the county council are as stated, and we are in communication with the council on the matter.

Will the hon. Member say whether the report of the Commissioner on this case was made in writing, and, if so, whether it was forwarded by the Board of Agriculture to the county council?

I have already said that the Board of Agriculture are in com- munication with the county council, and have asked whether they are prepared to carry out the recommendations of our Commissioner.

But what I want to know is whether the Board of Agriculture have forwarded to the county council a statutory report under the provisions of the Act?

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the small progress made in bringing into operation the Small Holdings and Allotments Act in the North Riding of the county of Yorkshire, the Board will consider the advisability of appointing a Special Commissioner to assist the county council in the matter?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can give any information as to the intention of the Board of Agriculture to encourage the breeding of horses in the United Kingdom, having in view the increase of motor traffic and the consequent discouragement to future horse-breeding?

I regret that I am unable as yet to add anything to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on this subject on the 11th ult.

inquired of the hon. Member for South Somerset whether his attention has been directed to a statement made by Mr. John Hunter, the analyst, under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, appointed by the Board for a number of the districts in Scotland, to the effect that the regulations of the Board of Agriculture prohibit the analyst from stating the origin of the various ingredients or the fertilising value of the manures submitted to him, and that in a sample which had been sent to him in duplicate of a large parcel, and which was analysed by him, the nitrogen was derived from leather and shoddy, and therefore worth- less, but he was prohibited from stating this, and his analysis was in consequence misleading in the most important particular; and whether the Board of Agriculture will modify these regulations so as to ensure that the analyses made will give full and reliable information to farmers regarding the fertilising value of the manures and each of their constituent elements?

Our attention has been directed to the statement referred to by the hon. Member. The form of certificate prescribed by the Board's Regulations follows the terms of the Act which makes no distinction between nitrogens derived from different substances. The Board will consider whether the form can properly be altered in the direction suggested.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state how many prosecutions have taken place in Scotland under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and how many convictions have resulted therefrom, and will he say in how many cases the law officers have refused to prosecute?

There has been, so far, one prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It resulted in a conviction. In one instance, on account of insufficiency of evidence, no proceedings were adopted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say in how many cases the law officers refused to prosecute?

Yes; I have said so. In one instance the law officers refused to prosecute.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that John Maclean, a cottar under the Act on the estate of Earl Lovelace, was on Monday, 7th June, evicted from his house at Annat, Torridon, Ross-shire, built by his father 90 years ago. In view of the fact that Maclean, who is 72 years of age, was unable to appear at the Dingwall sheriff court in answer to the summons owing to ill-health, and explained the circumstances by letter to the court, will he ascertain why an order for his eviction was forthwith issued; and, seeing that Dr. Cockburn, of Torridon, certified that Maclean was suffering from kidney disease and heart weakness, and that his removal might endanger his life, will he state why the sheriff's officers disregarded the medical certificate and demolished Maclean's house, with the assistance of the servants of Earl Lovelace, regardless of the man's sufferings?

Inquiry has been made into the facts of this case. I am informed that Maclean's cottage had been occupied by another cottar and his family, and that on 26th May, notwithstanding the landlord's remonstrances and the offer of compensation under section 9 of the Crofters Act, the then occupiers were turned out by Maclean, who went to live in the cottage himself. The landlord proceeded, in accordance with a previous intimation, to serve a notice of removal on Maclean, who was ejected in due course. I cannot find that there was any want of consideration on the part of the Court, which was not told that Maclean was unable to appear, and which gave him every opportunity of being represented by the agent for the poor. The ejection appears to have proceeded in a regular manner, and I am informed that, notwithstanding the medical certificate, Maclean showed no signs of illness.

In consequence of the unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman and the inhuman treatment of this old man, who, I understand, was thrust out into the road at the risk of his life and had his house demolished before his eyes, I shall find it necessary to put further questions on the Paper.

inquired whether the recent incident in which a British vessel, the "Woodburn," was fired upon by Russian war vessels took place in Russian territorial waters or upon the high seas; and whether there is any treaty or convention in existence between this country and Russia enabling the Russian Government to make or enforce regulations to be obeyed by British vessels upon the high seas, other than the regulations for preventing collisions at sea established by general international agreements?

There seems to be no doubt that the incident in question took place in Russian territorial waters, but we have telegraphed for definite information on the point. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman will also inquire whether the depth of the channel was such that a vessel of the draught of the "Woodburn" was unable to get out at all without passing between the lines of the Eussian squadron?

We will also make that inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the expulsion from Italy by public decree in November, 1907, of Mr. Victor Raffael, a manufacturer in Milan and a British subject; whether he is aware that no specific charge has ever been made or sustained against Mr. Raffael by the Italian authorities, even after the seizure and examination of his private papers; whether the suggested ground for his expulsion was that Mr. Raffael's operations in Milan had made him generally disliked, and that therefore the authorities had finally decided to expel him; whether he is aware that the Italian Government declines either to substantiate any charge against Mr. Raffael or to annul the decree of expulsion; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

We are perfectly aware of the facts, and His Majesty's Ambassador at Rome has, under instructions, not ceased to do all in his power to obtain the revocation of the decree of expulsion which, owing to the strong feeling stated to have been roused against Mr. Raffael by his operations on the Bourse in Milan, was issued in November, 1907, under Article 90 of the Italian Law of Public Security. The evidence on which the action of the Italian Government was based has never been communicated to His Majesty's Government; but, as the result of repeated representations, the Italian Government have at length expressed their readiness, as an act of courtesy to His Majesty's Government, to permit Mr. Raffael to return to Italy and continue his business unmolested, provided his conduct gives rise to no further comment. They, however, absolutely decline to revoke the decree, in view of the entirely unfavourable reports with regard to Mr. Raffael which were received from the Prefect of Milan. The Italian Government appear to have acted within their legal rights in the matter, but we propose to make a further representation on general grounds.

asked the Lord Advocate whether several liquidations of Scotch joint stock companies have been open for 30 years; whether he is aware that in some of such cases the creditors were paid in full 20 years ago; that in one case it has taken 16 years to liquidate a company which had not been in business 16 months; and whether he will take steps to secure the distribution amongst the shareholders of these companies of such of the assets as have not already been swallowed up in legal expenses?

I have no information on the points referred to in my hon. Friend's question. There are no steps open to me by which I can secure the object mentioned. Shareholders who desire a distribution of the assets of companies in liquidation with which they have been connected can themselves attain that end by application to the court.

Is there any limit to the time in which a limited company can be in the hands of the liquidator?

No, there is no limit.

asked whether, in view of the decision of the Stornoway Sheriff Court and subsequent appeal, he is now in a position to state to what extent the proprietor of the Island of Lewis has been relieved of the payment of rates for which he was formerly held to be liable; and will a like percentage of relief be secured to owners by purchase under the Congested Districts Board Act or otherwise?

I am not yet in a position to state the prospective effect of the recent decisions upon the rates of either the proprietor of the Lews or other owners.

asked whether the balance of the Scottish Education Fund is by the Act of 1908 ordered to be so allocated as to give greater aid to those districts in which per head of the population the education rate is excessive as compared with the valuation of the district; whether, notwithstanding that the education rate in Stirlingshire is nearly 1s., and its valuation only £6 10s., whereas the education rate in Forfarshire is only 8d., and its valuation £7, the sum allocated to Stirling- shire with a population of 142,291 is only £13,688, while the sum allocated to Forfarshire with a population of 122,909 is £14,222; whether this allocation is in contravention of the letter and spirit of section 16, sub-section (2), of the Education (Scotland) Act; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this injustice?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for South Lanark on the 14th inst. The cost of the provision of secondary schools in Forfarshire in proportion to the population is greater than in Stirlingshire, and the number of small schools in which an addition to the minimum staff is provided is also greater. The extra cost under these two heads more than accounts for the difference in the sum allocated', while on the basis of population alone Stirling receives £6,043, as against £5,219 for Forfar, and on the basis of population multiplied by expenditure and divided by valuation Stirling receives £3,500, as against £2,392 for Forfar. The allocation under the Minute is not in contravention of either the letter or spirit of section 16 (2) of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, and it is not proposed to vary the allocation in any essential particular in the present year.

Has not the allocation made by the Scotch Department stereo typed previous grants made at the discretion of the Department, and is it not a practical violation of clause 15, which declares that sums for the Scotch education funds shall no longer be applied or distributed' as formerly provided for, in which case this is illegal and unjust?

Previous grants were certainly taken into consideration; that is not at all in violation of the terms of the Act.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why Forfarshire was treated so favourably by the Department?

For the reason I gave in the answer I have read.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the increasing use of Chelsea Embankment as a training, place for drivers of motor omnibuses and motor cabs; whether he is aware that the erratic driving of these cars is an annoyance and danger to the public; whether the use of the road for this purpose is permissible; whether the police are aware that many persons do not take out licences for driving until after they have undergone a course of lessons on the public highways; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that Chelsea Embankment is not used as a training ground more than other thoroughfares. Police officers have been employed on this Embankment to keep observation, but no cases of erratic driving of motor omnibuses or motor cabs have been brought to their notice. There is nothing to prevent learners from practising in any thoroughfare, so long as they commit no offence, such as driving negligently or without licence. It is most desirable that before they begin to drive an omnibus or cab by themselves they should have had experience of driving, under proper direction, in the streets. I understand that a responsible instructor is invariably sent out with each vehicle. I am informed, further, that the motor cab and omnibus companies will not allow any person to go out with one of their vehicles unless he has obtained his driving licence from the county council; and that learners have often been stopped and asked for their licences, and in no case have they been found to be without one.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that motor cars containing five, six, and seven men are to be seen constantly driving in this locality?

No, Sir, I am not aware. Of course, learners must learn somewhere.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will issue a Return, in continuation of Parliamentary Paper No. 335, of Session 1876, showing, with respect to each county in England and Wales, the number of owners of land of less than one acre and of owners of up to 100,000 acres and upwards, as in continuation of that Paper?

I am afraid I could not undertake to comply with this suggestion.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman give the return asked for in the second part of the question?

The Return to which this question refers cost £18,500 and nearly two years to prepare. I cannot undertake the preparation of a Return at such a cost as that.

asked the Postmaster-General what decision has been come to with regard to the vacant postmastership of Ballintoy, county Antrim; whether the daughter of the late sub-postmaster, who is an applicant for the position, has had 18 years' service; whether, when the vacancy occurred in February last, the Belfast surveyor, knowing her qualifications for the position, at once placed her in charge of the office as acting sub-postmistress; and whether a number of the inhabitants of the district served by Ballintoy post office have twice memorialised the authorities in favour of the services of the acting sub-postmistress being retained?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he is aware that there are other and better qualified candidates, one supported by a memorial; that the family mentioned in the hon. Member's question already hold nearly all the jobs in the place, including the posts of Bog Bailiff, Seaweed Bailiff, Rent Agent, Salmon Fishery Manager, Shipping Agent, and Harbour Paymaster, and are the local Pooh Bas; and that there is a strong feeling in the locality in favour of the principle of one man, one job?

The hon. Member is asking four or five Supplementaries.

The matter has not yet been decided finally; but in making an appointment the whole of the circumstances will be carefully considered. I have received memorials in support of two of the candidates.

Has there been any other applicant for this post office but the one?

I do not think I desire at the present moment to add anything to the answer I gave.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the ss. "Cedric," of the White Star Line, on her last home-bound voyage called at Queens-town and landed passengers and mails; whether she, en route to Liverpool, called at Holyhead and also landed passengers and mails; whether this new departure in the matter of American mails transport to this country was done with the consent of the Government, and especially of the Post Office Department; whether it is intended to be continued; and, if so, with what object?

I understand that the steamship "Cedric" did call and land mails both at Queenstown and at Holyhead on her last homeward voyage from New York. This action was taken without any previous arrangement with the British Post Office, which has no control over the movements of steamships bringing mails to this country from the United States of America. The question of the continuance of this arrangement is a matter for settlement by the United States Post Office and the shipping company.

Will this new departure entail any alteration in connection with the present arrangements for the transmission of the mails by Queenstown?

I am only responsible, and have only control over the outer mails from Great Britain to the United States. The White Star line calls at Queenstown, and, as I understand, the "Cedric" did call at Queenstown, and also called at Holyhead.

Are the carrying companies at liberty to land mails at any port they like without consultation with the Postmaster-General?

I think that is so with regard to the homeward mails. That contract for them is not with the British Government, but with the Government of the United States, and having settled with the United States Government they are not bound to consult me, and I have no control over their movements with regard to the homeward mails.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman compelled to make arrange- ments for the receipt of these mails and for the landing of the mails? Can they land the mails without consulting him?

It is a question rather between the railway companies and the Post Office. I should take it we have power, but the arrangements are made much more on behalf of the railway companies to provide the trains rather than for the Post Office to arrange to accept them from the ships to the shore.

May I ask whether, in the event of these arrangements for the inward mails proving satisfactory, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of adopting Holyhead as a port of departure for the outward mails also?

The shipping ring wants that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Estate Duties are now being levied at the rates fixed by existing Acts of Parliament or at the rates as proposed in the Finance Bill; and, if so, under what authority the increased duties are being levied?

I may perhaps be allowed to refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 10th instant to a similar question by the. hon. Member for the Strand Division, in which he stated that in connection with deaths on or after 30th April, 1909, Estate Duty is accepted only at the rates set out in the relative Budget Resolution.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer state whether annual allowances made, for example, from father to son, will come under the provisions of Clause 43 of the Finance Bill as regards the amount allowed during the five years prior to the decease of the person making the allowance?

Yes, Sir.

I desire to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when he undertook to provide £10,000 out of public funds towards the purchase of Holbein's "Duchess of Milan," he did so on the faith of any statement that the picture was to be acquired for £61,000; whether, when he wrote to the director of the National Gallery, informing him that the Government were willing to provide a sum not exceeding £10,000, he was under the belief that the total amount required to purchase was £61,000; whether, when, as stated in his letter to the director, he discussed with his colleagues in the Cabinet the question of the proposed sale of Holbein's "Duchess of Milan," he informed them that the price for which it was to be acquired was £61,000 or £71,000; and whether, if he was under the impression that the total price was £61,000, he would have advised his colleagues to agree to the contribution of £10,000 had he been aware that the price was to be immediately advanced from £61,000 to £71,000 for the benefit of the owner or any intermediary?

further asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his letter to the Director of the National Gallery with reference to the portrait of the "Duchess of Milan" was dated; if so, what was its date; whether he can account for its having been published without any date; if the letter was not dated can he inform the House when, approximately or precisely, it was transmitted to the Director; and whether, looking to all the known circumstances attendant upon the purchase of the portrait of the "Duchess of Milan," the Government will appoint a committee to inquire into the transaction?

I will answer these two questions together. When my right hon. Friend on behalf of the Government informed the Director of the National Gallery that the Government were prepared to contribute a sum not exceeding £10,000 towards the purchase for the nation of Holbein's "Duchess of Milan" he did not do so on the faith of any statement, or under the belief that the picture was to be acquired for £61,000. My right hon. Friend's letter was dated May 5th, and was sent by hand to Sir C. Holroyd between the hours of 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on that day. The Government do not see any grounds for appointing a Committee to inquire into the transaction.

Will the hon. Member put before the Treasury the advisability before paying over large sums like this of considering the extreme need there is in poor parts of the country for money which might be spent with a great deal more benefit to the people?

How can the hon. Member reconcile the answer he has just given with that which was given by the First Commissioner of Works?

I can see no discrepancy between them.

Does the hon. Member admit the specific accuracy of the statement with regard to the price?

I pointed out in reply to the original question that the Government had no concern what the price was.

Will he tell the House what profit was made upon it by Messrs. Colnaghie?

I have no information on that point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the estimated site value of the land of a county in Great Britain and the name of the valuer or valuers employed; and whether he will have the details of such valuation and its cost laid before the House in the form of a Parliamentary Paper?

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed my hon. Friend in reply to a similar question yesterday, it is not possible to give particulars of this kind until the valuation contemplated by the Finance Bill has been effected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inform the House what is the estimated number of persons who will be required under the Finance Bill to make valuations of the site value of their lands?

The information asked for is not available.

Not at the present moment or not at all?

Not at the present moment.

Can the hon. Member get the information?

I think it will be very difficult to obtain, but I will inquire.

I desire to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in arriving at the total income for the purposes of Super-tax, that part which is represented by premiums paid on policies of life insurance will be deducible if less than one-sixth of the whole?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that many suburban estates are mortgaged to the extent of two-thirds of their value, and that the new Land Taxes would in such cases fall most oppressively on the small margin remaining to the freeholder, he will consider the advisability of either modifying the taxes in the case of encumbered estates or allocating them in such a way that they may be borne proportionately by all those who have an interest in the land on which they are charged?

My right hon. Friend cannot see his way to depart from the principles laid down in the Finance Bill, under which for the purposes both of total value and site value land is to be deemed to be sold free from encumbrances.

asked if limestone would be classed as a mineral under the Finance Bill; and if brine, as found in Cheshire, will be included?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend on the 16th instant to the hon. Members for the Holborn Division and for Darlington.

I wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case of copyhold land under which there may be minerals, it is intended to tax the ungotten minerals, considering that in the absence of any special custom of the manor the copyholder has no right to work them, and neither has the lord of the manor any right of access to them without the consent of the copyholder; and whether he is aware that in Derbyshire, Notts, and Yorkshire, and other parts of the North of England, this form of tenure largely prevails?

It is intended that minerals under these circumstances will be liable to duty. Any restrictions of access, where they exist in practice, will be taken into consideration in determining the value of the minerals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will set at rest doubts in the legal profession by saying whether the proposed increase in the transfer stamp on conveyances will have effect when the Royal Assent is given to the Finance Bill, or at what other time?

The increase will take effect when the Royal Assent is given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether at present a beer dealer's wholesale licence must be taken out in order for the holder to be qualified to take out the beer dealer's additional retail licence; whether, under the provisions in the Finance Bill, the new off-retail beer licence can be held without the dealer's licence; and whether, if a licensee has to renew his dealer's licence on 5th July of the present year in order to continue to hold the retail licence, and after 30th September the dealer's licence ceases to be necessary to qualify for the retail licence, he will then be able to drop the dealer's licence, and will be allowed to claim a return of the proportion of the duty on his dealer's licence for the unexpired portion of the year?

The answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. With regard to the third question it is provided in Clause 39 of the Bill that the licences granted oh 5th July, which I include the beer-dealer's licence and the beer-dealer's additional licence, when granted in England, shall cease to be in force on 30th September, and that the commissioners shall repay or allow to the holder a proportionate amount of the duty paid thereon. If, therefore, a beer-dealer takes out these two licences on 5th July, and does not desire to continue his beer-dealer's licence after 30th September, he can claim repayment of the portion of the duty paid for that licence.

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will specify the distribution in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, of the two or three millions of acres of land which he announced will be included within the purview of Clause 1 of the Finance Bill?

further asked the right hon. Gentleman if he will state the basis of the calculation that only two or three millions of acres of land in England. Scotland, and Ireland will be subjected to valuation under Clause 1 of the Finance Bill for the purposes of the Increment Tax?

My right hon. Friend's statement was an expression of opinion in the course of Debate as to the amount of land in the immediate vicinity of towns, and as such, was necessarily approximate. The figures cannot be distributed between England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Has the Treasury given the total estimate?

I pointed out that my right hon. Friend merely gave an approximate estimate.

Yes, a very approximate estimate.

Is that estimate still adhered to?

Yes.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the income of the Intermediate Education Board in Ireland will be affected by the proposals with regard to Licence Duties contained in the Finance Bill; and, if so, whether any steps will be taken to ensure that the interests of Irish secondary education are not injured?

The statutory income of the Intermediate Education Board in Ireland is, under section 3 of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, derived from the Irish share of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties paid to the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account. These duties are the additional duties imposed upon beer and spirits by the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, and do not include Licence Duties. The income of the Intermediate Education Board is thus in no way dependent on the amount payable to the Local Taxation (Ireland) Account in respect of the proceeds of Liquor Licence Duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to enlarge the income side of the Irish Local Taxation Account by assigning to it any part of the new or increased taxes or duties proposed in the Finance Bill?

My right hon. Friend proposes, as he stated in Committee upon the Finance Bill yesterday, to assign a portion of the proposed Land Value Duties to the Local Taxation Accounts of the three Kingdoms respectively.

I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the estimated increase in the yield in Ireland of the Liquor Licence Duties, as proposed in the Finance Bill, will be placed to the credit of the Irish Local Taxation Account and disbursed to local authorities in Ireland?

Any increase in the total yield of the Liquor Licence Duties resulting from the proposed increase of rates will under section 17 (3) of the Finance Act, 1907, be retained by the Exchequer, but the hon. Member will see from the provisions of Clause 68 (1) of the Finance Bill that the Local Taxation Accounts will be safeguarded from any loss which might otherwise arise through a diminution of the number of licences issued as a result of the enhanced duties chargeable.

I wish to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the hon. Member for East Kerry is one of His Majesty's justices of the peace for that county, and, if so, when was he appointed, who recommended him, what is the oath taken in such cases, and on what date was it taken by the hon. Member; if his attention has been called to the speech of the hon. Member for East Kerry, delivered at Kilmurray, near Castle Island, county Kerry, in which he recommended his hearers to prevent the eviction of a tenant named Richard J. Walsh, and incited them to resist the police and the under-sheriff in the execution of their duty; and will he say if the attention of the Lord Chancellor has been called to the language used by the hon. Member on that occasion, and, if so, with what result?

The hon. Member for East Kerry was appointed to the Magistracy for the County of Kerry in June, 1907. The appointment was made by the Lord Chancellor upon his own responsibility. The oaths to be taken by magistrates upon their appointment are those prescribed by the Promissory Oaths Act, 1868, but I understand that the hon. Member has not taken the prescribed oaths, or acted as a magistrate. I have seen a newspaper report attributing to the hon. Member the language referred to in the question, but I understand that he does not accept it. The attention of the Lord Chancellor has not been drawn to the matter.

Is there any possibility of the hon. Member for East Kerry giving us his interpretation of the speech lie delivered on that occasion?

Has the hon. and gallant Member given the hon. Gentleman any notice of this question?

Yes, I gave the hon. Member notice immediately I put the question on the paper.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the fact that the police arrested four men last week in connection with the recent attempted eviction of Mr. Walsh at Castleisland, county Kerry, is an indication that the police are to be offered to assist in Mr. Walsh's eviction on the next occasion, though since the last attempt the landlord was offered a substantial payment by the tenant and an agreement made to leave the settlement of fair-purchase terms to the Estates Commissioners, before whom the estate of Mr. Gun Mahony now is; whether he is aware that the present Lord St. Aldwyn refused police protection for evictions in Ireland 20 years ago when the landlord acted unreasonably; and if, having regard to the character of this eviction by which an old woman's life is endangered and the whole peace of the district upset by the action of the landlord, he will refuse the employment of the police in such cases?

Four men were arrested last week by the police in connection with this case, and were taken before a resident magistrate and bound to keep the peace. It is the duty of the police to afford the fullest possible protection and assistance to the sheriff in the execution of writs of ejectment. The law upon the subject has been repeatedly laid down by the High Court in the most unmistakable manner. It has been held that the Executive Government have no power whatever to withhold police protection and assistance from a sheriff in the execution of writs of the courts. I am informed that Walsh has now been evicted by the sheriff under police protection. I understand that Walsh's mother was allowed to remain in the house after possession was taken.

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Miss Rose O'Reilly, who applied for reinstatement in her father's holding on the Wade estate, county Meath, has no brother alive, and that Philip O'Reilly, who was provided with a farm, and who is still living, cannot therefore be her brother; and, having regard to the fact that her claim is still unsatisfied, if he will cause further inquiries to be made in her case?

Some confusion appears to have arisen owing to the fact that three persons named Philip O'Reilly applied for reinstatement as evicted tenants. But each case was dealt with on its merits, and the decision of the Commissioners not to take any action on Miss O'Reilly's case was not based on her supposed relationship to one of these applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to provide dirigible airships of large size for the use of the British Army; and when it is anticipated that the first of these vessels will be ready for trial?

The question of the provision of dirigible balloons of better and larger design than those already tried is under consideration, and at present I can give no information as regards the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that armourer-sergeants in the Yeomanry and Infantry of the Territorial Force are considered unnecessary and are to be abolished, he can state what steps he is taking to insure the appointment of efficient armourer-sergeants to these regiments at short notice in case of war?

also asked the Secretary of State for War if the abolition of the armourer-sergeants in the Territorial battalions is for the purposes of war efficiency, and if he is aware that the Army Order proposes that the duties should be performed by the permanent staff, who are to be left at the regimental depot on mobilisation; is he aware that skilled mechanics have, in many cases, been trained at considerable expense for the performance of the duties of armourer-sergeant; and if he will give this subject further consideration?

In reply to questions Nos. 73 and 80, in view of the expert knowledge of the sergeant-instructors and of the fact that the armourers were never intended to effect more than minor repairs, it is not considered necessary to retain the post of armourer-sergeant in the Territorial Force. All important repairs will be carried out by the Army Ordnance Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with regard to the present shortage of candidates for the Army, he will take advantage of the opportunity to increase the number of commissions given from the ranks, with a view also of benefiting recruiting?

The number of commissions granted from the ranks is not subject to any fixed limit. The candidate only requires the qualifications laid down in the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc., and the recommendation of his Commanding Officer and the General Officer Commanding.

asked whether this is the first occasion on which the qualifying examination for the Army has been accepted as sufficient for entrance to Sandhurst without any competitive examination; and whether such qualifying examination is on a level with the standard of the competition?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the scope of the competitive examination is somewhat more advanced than that of the Army qualifying examination, which is intended to ensure that candidates have attained a fair standard of general education. My hon. Friend must be aware that competition following a qualifying examination always raises the standard of an examination.