asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has been come to respecting the size and capacity of the floating docks, provision for which is made in this year's Estimates; when is it intended to commence the construction of these docks; and whether the Admiralty have come to any conclusion as to the number required and the places where they are to be stationed?

I have at present nothing to add to previous replies on this subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the fully-commissioned cruiser H.M.S. "Brilliant," of the same class as H.M.S. "Sappho," is shown in the Navy List as having carried for the past year a captain and five lieutenants for the deck duties, and whether tie can state what lieutenants H.M.S. "Sappho" had on board, in addition to the officers of commander's rank, at the time of her collision, and when they joined the ship?

The lieutenants on board the "Sappho," in addition to the officer of commander's rank, at the time of her collision, and the dates when they joined the ship, are as follows:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state on what dates the six French battleships of the "Danton" class and the six American battleships of the "Michigan," "Delaware," and "Florida" classes were actually laid down; and what are their anticipated dates of completion?

supplied the following particulars:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the names of the ministers of religion who receive grants under Vote 2, Sub-section U,

of the Navy Estimates; and will he state to what denominations these ministers belong, where they are stationed, and the amount paid to each?

supplied the following particulars:—

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an opportunity of discussing Civil Service Estimate, Class 2, Vote 1, Sub-head A (Department of the Lord Chancellor)?

No, Sir, lam afraid that no early opportunity can be found for the discussion of this Vote.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the fines imposed last year on officers of Inland Revenue for communicating to a service newspaper the number of pension claims have been levied in one sum or in instalments?

The fines in question were levied in instalments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, under Clause 53 any, and, if so, what, change in the existing Stamp Duty is proposed in any of the following cases: disentailing assurance, resettlement or settlement of family estates when the object is not to evade Death Duties, settlements made by trustees for giving effect to directions contained in the instrument creating the trust, and assents and conveyances by personal representatives and trustees for giving effect to beneficial interests?

It is difficult to make a definite statement as to Stamp Duty without knowing the facts of the particular case. It may, however, be stated generally that an ordinary disentailing assurance would not come under Clause 53, but that original settlements of estates, unless made upon marriage or by will, would do so. As regards family resettlements, liability would depend on the circumstances of each case. The other instruments mentioned would be excluded by sub-clause 6.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the application to the National Board of Education for a loan of £100 to carry out certain necessary alterations in St. Aidan's National School, Belfast, has been granted; and, if so, will the manager of the school be permitted to have the work carried out during the closing of the school for the summer holidays?

An application from the manager of St. Aidan's National School for a loan of £100 to provide partitions and make other improvements in the school-house has been received by the Commissioners of National Education, who are in communication with their inspector on the subject. The case will be decided without any avoidable delay.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the reports or minutes of newly appointed inspectors of national schools during their period of probation or novice-ship, before they are appointed to one particular district, in cases where such reports are less favourable than teachers had been receiving from various other inspectors for many years, may have the effect of preventing the promotion of or the awarding of increments to such teachers; and, in such cases, will the Board undertake to send some experienced inspector to decide on the justice or otherwise of such reports before the interests and prestige of such teachers are jeopardised or destroyed?

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that the work of junior inspectors while on probation is supervised by senior inspectors of long experience, and the Commissioners have no reason to believe that the reports of their junior inspectors jeopardise or destroy the interests and prestige of any national teacher.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that eight or nine tenants on the estate of the Knight of Glin, at Glin, in the county of Limerick, who refused to sign agreements to purchase their holdings with the other tenants previous to 1st November last, are now asked by the landlord to pay 9 per cent, in addition to the landlord's previous offer, on the ground that a bonus of 3 per cent, will only be given on the purchase of their holdings; can he say whether these tenants can be included with the other tenants in the sale of the estate; and whether the Estates Commissioners will complete it without making inquiries into their position, with the view to fixing their purchase price, including them in the sale?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the agreements for the purchase of this estate were lodged in July last. When the estate is being inspected in order of priority inquiry will be made as to the cases of any tenants who may not have signed agreements. In the case of agreements entered into after 24th November last the rate of bonus is 3 per cent.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Ruan branch of the United Irish League, county Clare, has been actively engaged during the past three years in promoting an agitation for the division of untenanted lands at Rineen among the members of the League in that district, and that the Estates Commissioners in the same period have been negotiating for the acquisition of these lands; whether any, and, if so, what, representations on the subject have been made to the Commissioners by the Ruan branch of the League; and whether he will take steps to prevent advances of public funds being made for the purchase of lands in all cases where acts of intimidation and serious overt crime have been directed against individuals m occupation of such lands?

At the request of the owner, the Estates Commissioners made a preliminary inspection of these lands in March, 1908, and intimated the price they would be prepared to advance, but up to the present the owner has not instituted formal proceedings for sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903. In February last the Commissioners gave notice of their intention to acquire the lands for the purpose of providing holdings for evicted tenants, but, on considering the objections filed by the owner under section 2 of the Evicted Tenants Act, the Commissioners decided not to continue proceedings under that Act. No representations have been made to the Commissioners by the Ruan branch of the United Irish League in reference to these lands. As the meetings of the branch are held within doors, I am not in a, position to state the nature of their proceedings. It is not the practice of the Commissioners to give allotments of untenanted land to persons who have been convicted of cattle-driving or other illegal interference with the user of the lands, and in the case of some estates they have refused to proceed with the sale owing to local interference, notwithstanding that such decision was objected to by the owners who wished the sale to proceed so that they might get their purchase money.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any progress is being made with regard to the sale, either to the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners, of the O'Donel estate at Newport, county Mayo, and the Palmer estate in the same county?

The Congested Districts Board bought the tenants' interests in several farms on the O'Donel estate ten years ago. They have for many years been anxious to purchase the estate, but are unable at present to negotiate for any further purchases owing to the want of funds for improvement works. The Estates Commissioners have given notice of their intention to acquire 33 acres on the estate under the Evicted Tenants Act. A petition lodged by the owner against such acquisition has not yet been determined. Sir Roger Palmer's estate in county Mayo has not yet been offered to the Congested Districts Board, nor are proceedings pending before the Estates Commissioners in respect of it.

asked the Chief Secretary, in respect to the estate of Robert G. E. Twiss, county Cork, whether the Estates Commissioners can say upon what grounds Daniel Barry, evicted tenant, was excluded from the purchase operation on this estate; what was to have been the amount of the proposed purchase annuity on his holding as compared with the old rent; if the Commissioners are aware that this man complained of being deprived of certain amenities of the holding, viz., proper access to adequate water supply and right of way through his farm to a neighbouring tenant; and on what conditions are the Commissioners prepared to reinstate this man in his former holding?

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the annuity on the price put by them on Barry's former holding would have been £21 9s., as compared with the old rent of £34 17s. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply to the question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on 23rd July, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary how many evicted tenants have been restored to their homes by the Estates Com- missioners since the passing of the Land Act up to 1st June, 1909, how many have yet to be restored, and how many claims have been rejected?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 2,285 evicted tenants or their representatives have, since the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, been reinstated in their former holdings or provided with other holdings; 1,493 by landlords with the assistance, where necessary, of grants by the Commissioners; and 792 by the Commissioners on lands acquired by them. In the case of 413 of those reinstated by landlords the restoration was the direct result of the intervention of the Commissioners, and was effected at prices suggested and sanctioned by them. The names of 1,301 applicants have been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land, and 5,473 applications have, after inquiry, been refused.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can say what amount of advance has been applied for by Mr. Reginald Digby, J.P., of Geashill Castle, agent to Lord Digby, for the purchase of land on that property; whether he is aware that all the land held by the agent is evicted land; and will the Estates Commissioners sanction an advance in this case?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that a purchase agreement signed by Mr. Digby has been lodged by the owner, and that the advance applied for is £2,312. When this estate is being inspected in its order of priority due inquiry will be made before the advance is sanctioned.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the fishing industry at Fethard is in a precarious condition owing to the want of accommodation for the fishermen's boats; whether he is aware that the fishermen have to leave their homes and go away to sea for several months in the year to make out a living; and whether any steps have been taken to improve the Fethard Pier, which is now over a hundred years old and was not, originally, intended for a fishery pier at all?

The present condition of the Department's funds would not warrant them in entertaining the question of making such a contribution towards the cost of improving Fethard Harbour as the magnitude of the proposals placed before them would demand. Should, however, the Department be provided with additional funds the matter will be reconsidered. In the meantime, the Department's engineer has arranged to meet a committee of the Wexford County Council with a view to a further conference regarding the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state the towns that have put into operation the Feeding of Children Act, as also those that provide the meals direct in their own schools?

The following local education authorities have been authorised by the Board of Education to spend money out of the rates on the provision of food under section 3 of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906. I have no complete information as to the number of cases in which the meals are provided in the schools:—

Aberdare Urban District.

Abertillery Urban District.

Acton Urban District.

Ashton-under-Lyne Borough.

Aston Manor Borough.

Bath County Borough.

Barry Urban District.

Birkenhead County Borough.

Birmingham County Borough.

Bolton County Borough.

Bootle County Borough.

Bradford County Borough.

Brecon County Council.

Bridlington Borough.

Brighouse Borough.

Brighton County Borough.

Bristol County Borough.

Burslem Borough.

Bury County Borough.

Bury St. Edmunds Borough.

Cannock Urban District.

Cardiff County Borough.

Chadderton Urban District.

Coventry County Borough.

Crewe Borough.

Cumberland County Council.

Darwen Borough.

Derby County Borough.

Dukinfield Borough.

Durham County Council.

East Ham Borough.

Ebbw Vale Urban District.

Erith Urban District.

Farnworth Urban District.

Gillingham Borough.

Gorton Urban District.

Halifax County Borough.

Handsworth Urban District.

Hanley County Borough.

Hartlepool Borough.

Hastings County Borough.

Hebburn Urban District.

Heston and Isleworth Urban District.

Heywood Borough.

Huddersfield County Borough.

Hyde Borough.

Keighley Borough.

Kent County Council.

Kingston-upon-Hull County Borough.

King's Norton and Northfield Urban District.

Lancaster County Council.

Leeds County Borough.

Leigh Borough.

Leyton Urban District.

London County Council.

Manchester County Borough.

Merthyr Tydvil County Borough.

Middlesbrough County Borough.

Middleton Borough.

Mountain Ash Urban District.

Nelson Borough.

Newcastle-upon Tyne County Borough.

Newport County Borough (Mon.).

Norwich County Borough.

Nottingham County Borough.

Reading County Borough.

Rochester Borough.

Rotherham County Borough.

St. Helen's County Borough.

Salford County Borough.

Sheffield County Borough.

Shipley Urban District.

Smethwick County Borough.

South Shields County Borough.

Stalybridge Borough.

Stockton-upon-Tees Borough.

Stretford Urban District.

Swansea County Borough.

Swindon Borough.

Swinton and Pendlebury Urban District.

Todmorden Borough.

Tottenham Urban District.

Wallasey Urban District.

Wallsend Borough.

Walthamstow Urban District.

Warrington County Borough.

West Bromwich County Borough.

West Ham County Borough.

Worcester County Council.

Workington Borough.

York County Borough.

Yorks (West Biding) County Council.

asked the President of the Board of Education what steps he has taken to secure that the ratepayers of the parish of Cold Norton, Essex, shall have a primary school within their own parish; and whether the provision of such a school will be made before the winter?

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 5th April last on this matter. I understand the question of school accommodation in this district is under the consideration of the local education authority, with whom the Board are in communication.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that for many years men who were licensed to act as drivers or conductors of Metropolitan stage carriages could obtain the yearly renewal of their licence by sending 5s. through the post to Scotland Yard, whilst for some time recently, owing to an order issued by the Commissioner of Police, men desiring to renew a licence were obliged to attend personally at Scotland Yard for the purpose of being photographed; and whether, having regard to the inconvenience and expense caused to men who can ill afford it, involving as it does loss of a day's work and wages, in addition to paying their travelling expenses to and from Scotland Yard, he will consider whether some other arrangement could be made for the men being photographed at a more convenient place, and thus minimise the expense and inconvenience now put upon them?

Only a triennial attendance at New Scotland Yard is required, and men may attend at their convenience on any day during the month preceding the expiration of their licence. This requirement does not appear to be too exacting, and it is not practicable to arrange for the men to be photographed elsewhere.

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated cost of the inquiry now being held into the question of employment in florists' workshops; what are the special circumstances justifying this procedure; whether it is proposed to adopt this form of inquiry whenever exemption from normal law is sought; and whether such work falls within the responsibility of the factory department?

I cannot give an estimate of the cost of the inquiry, but as it is likely to be short the expenditure will probably be small. It is not an unusual practice when difficult questions connected with the administration of the Factory Act arise in a particular trade for a special inquiry to be made into the matter by a Departmental Committee, or a Commissioner, or otherwise. The consideration of questions relating to the grant of the special exceptions provided for by the Act is a part of the administration of the Act for which my Department is responsible, and in regard to which it is incumbent upon it to obtain all the information necessary to enable it to come to a proper decision. In view of the controversy which has arisen in regard to the special exceptions for the florists' trade, I considered that an independent inquiry was the best means of dealing with the subject in this case.

asked the Home Secretary whether the decision of a Marlborough-street magistrate in February last, in which it was held that outworkers employing others to assist them are contractors under section 116 of the Factory and Workshop Act, and are, therefore, not legally entitled to particulars of work and wages when work is given out to them, is recognised by the Department as applying to the making of boots and shoes or parts thereof; whether the decision of the magistrate was given owing to the wording of the Order issued by the Home Office; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter to thousands of workers, he proposes to issue an amended Order?

I have given very careful consideration to the questions raised by the decision referred to, and I am proposing to issue an amended Order for the wholesale tailoring and wearing apparel trades (including the boot and shoe trade), which I hope will meet the difficulty as regards outworkers who employ others to assist them.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as represent- ing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether an Order for compulsory acquisition of 16 acres of land at Burnham Norton by the Norfolk County Council for small holdings was refused confirmation by the Board on the ground that the 16 acres was a small holding; if so, whether the Board were aware that the tenant of the 16 acres is a large farmer occupying 1,000 acres or more; and whether the Board consider the occupation of such a man a small holding, whether he occupies as tenant under one landlord or more?

The reply to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. The 16 acres in question are held under a separate agreement, and from a different owner, and, inasmuch as the Board are advised that lands let by separate owners to the same tenant should be regarded as separate holdings, they are unable to confirm the Order to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the re-establishment of the system of deferred pensions at 50 for deserving ex-soldiers which was abolished about 1865?

These pensions pertained to the long-service system of recruiting the Army, and I am not prepared to reintroduce them.

asked the Secretary of State of War if, according to his promise, he will give the conditions which cover the employment of boys and lads in the arsenals as soon as possible?

Boys and lads employed in the arsenals are of two classes: (1) Trade lads, who are selected by means of open competition. These must be under 16 years of age on the 1st January preceding the examination. They are taught a trade under a paid instructor, and are required to attend classes in mathematical and technical subjects at the Woolwich Polytechnic. According to present arrangements a proportion of these are retained after reaching the age of 21. (2) Other boys and lads. They are entered generally between the ages of 14 and 16 as vacancies are available, and are employed as machine hands, messengers, office lads, etc. In selecting entrants preference was given to the sons of ordnance factory employés and men who had served in the Army or Navy. Under 21 years of age boys or lads are employed on rates below the minimum rate of wages allowed for men. On reaching 21 years of age they become men, and are entitled to the minimum rate of wages sanctioned for men. If there are no vacancies for men in the factories they cannot be taken on as such.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the contract price of the beef and mutton per pound supplied to the recent Yeomanry camp at Riseholme; what quality of each was specified; whether any inquiry was made as to the price at which English beef and mutton could be supplied; and, if so, what was the price?

As I have previously informed the House, contract prices are confidential. The quality of the beef and mutton was as laid down in the specification in the contract, which is common to the whole Army. As the meat supply to the Army is not limited to English beef and mutton, no inquiries in the direction suggested were made.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he was aware that the Government of India recommended that a special good service pension of Rs. 1,000 per annum be granted to Mr. E. Giles, C.I.E., in addition to the usual pension of Rs. 6,000, on the ground that his service had been so exceptionally distinguished and meritorious as to justify such a grant, and that this recommendation had the strong support of the Government of Bombay; whether he is aware that Mr. Giles had rendered nearly 35 years' service in the Education Department, having held for 10 years the office of Director of Public Instruction in the Bombay Presidency, and for over a year officiated as Director-General of Education in India; whether he will explain why the advice of the Governments of India and Bombay has been disregarded, and their recommendation rejected; whether it is the intention of the Secretary of State to abrogate Article 924 of the Civil Service Regulations; whether he is aware that no reply has ever been officially given to Mr. Giles, and no explanation offered him, for refusing the application contained in his letter dated 22nd January, 1908; and he will say why the Governments of India and Bombay should be unequal to the task of deciding whether an additional allowance of £87 10s. per annum should be granted to a public servant?

Mr. Giles has already been admitted to the pension of Rs. 5,000 per annum, which is the maximum ordinarily admissible, and also to the additional pension of Rs. 1,000 per annum, which may be granted to officers who have held certain high appointments for not less than three years, and have shown special energy and efficiency in the discharge of their duties therein. The Government of Bombay recommended that a second additional pension of Rs. 1,000 a year should be granted to Mr. Giles, but the Secretary of State was unable to sanction this proposal, because he holds, in common with his predecessors, that additions to the ordinary maximum of Rs. 5,000, other than the special addition of Rs. 1,000 already mentioned, should not be granted unless for wholly exceptional reasons. The decision was, in the ordinary course, communicated by the Secretary of State to the Government of India, through whom the recommendation reached him. He presumes that the Government of India then communicated it to the Government of Bombay, and that Mr. Giles was duly informed, but he has no definite information on this point. He has no intention of abrogating Article 924 of the Civil Service Regulations, under which, subject to certain minor exceptions, pensions in excess of the amounts admissible under the Regulations or involving any relaxation of rule require his sanction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government have been consulted and have consented to the proposed Russian loan to the Shah of Persia; whether the British representative has been consulted as to the proposed disposal of the loan; what are the Russian terms on which the loan is to be given; and what is the amount of the proposed loan?

As regards the first and second and last questions, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Bath on 26th May. As far as I am aware the question of the terms of the Russian loan is still under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communications have been addressed by His Majesty's Representatives to the Sultan of Kedah in respect of the proposed transfer of the suzerainty of Kedah from Siam to Great Britain?

The answer is in the negative, and the reasons are contained in the answer given to the hon. Member on the 21st June.

further asked whether the Governor of the Straits Settlements is about to enter the State of Kedah with an armed escort in connection with the arrangements to be made under the new treaty with Siam; and whether, in view of the assurances given that there is nothing in this treaty which will prejudice the position of the Sultan of Kedah, he will forbid such action by the Governor pending the ratification of the treaty?

His Majesty's Government have no information of any such expedition, and in any case they have full confidence in the discretion of the Governor of the Straits Settlements as regards any arrangements he may make in connection with the transfer of territory under the terms of the recent treaty.