asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can say if the proposed tax on petrol includes gasoline or refined petrol used for lighting purposes?

Gasoline or refined petrol comes within the definition of motor spirit. But if the hon. Member will refer to clause 65 of the Finance Bill he will see that the intention is not to tax motor spirit used for purposes other than supplying motive power for motorcars. It will be a matter for decision by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise whether the spirit may be delivered duty free for such purposes under such conditions as they may impose for the protection of the Revenue, or whether duty must be paid on the spirit and a claim for repayment subsequently made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise staffs at Belfast has now been effected; whether the changes involve the dismissal or removal of any of the staffs; and what economies, if any, are expected to be effected by the change?

The amalgamation of the Customs and Excise staffs at Belfast has not yet been effected. Pending the report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the conditions under which amalgamation can best be effected, no statement can be made as to the result of any changes that may be necessary, or as to the economies that may be possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether hotel companies who are offered the option of being taxed upon the basis of 33 per cent, of what is called annual compensation value of their premises are not to be informed of the mode of calculation by which the compensation value is to be arrived at, and the figure by which that is divided and reduced to annual compensation value, in order that they may know the liabilities they have to face; whether he is aware that, according to the figures which his experts have given in the case of large hotels, the tax on this basis would amount to twenty times the existing Licence Duty, and 6 per cent, of the entire profits of an hotel which has cost £1,500,000 of money; whether he will insert in the Finance Bill some definition or statement of the principle of calculation upon which such compensation value is to be arrived at; and whether such information is to be kept secret from the taxpayers, and they, nevertheless, are to be bound by the certificate of the Commissioners without any disclosure of the method by which the amount of the duty has been determined?

As regards the first part of the hon. Baronet's question, I beg to refer him to my answer of the 21st instant. I cannot say whether the hon. Baronet's figures are correct, but no doubt the proposals involve an increase in the inadequate Licence Duty now payable in many cases. I shall be happy to receive any suggestions for defining compensation values. There is no intention of withholding any necessary information from the persons who will be required to pay the duties.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he would furnish a list of the chief sanitary officers of the Crown Colonies, stating, in respect to each, whether he possesses a diploma of public health, a diploma of tropical medicine, or a certificate of efficiency in the latter subject; what his experience was before receiving the appointment he now holds; whether in addition to being chief sanitary officer he fulfils any other duties of a public or a private character; and what salary he receives as chief sanitary officer?

The chief sanitary officer in a Crown Colony is usually the principal medical officer. The salaries and, in many cases, the qualifications and experience of the principal medical officers are given in the Colonial Office list. The details desired by my hon. Friend shall be obtained, and a list forwarded to him, but the collection of the material may take some time. It is the almost invariable practice at the present time to require that officers who are appointed to be sanitary officers in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates should possess a diploma of public health.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to a recent case in which the Belfast Corporation confiscated five cows which the owner had purchased for £60, and refused any compensation, and the owner, as the result of proceedings, was awarded £30 and £70 costs; and whether the Department would issue instructions to local authorities as to the position created by the result of this case?

This matter has not arisen under the Acts administered by the Department of Agriculture.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is the intention of the Irish Government to provide funds for the building of technical schools in localities where the need is urgent and financial resources insufficient?

I do not at present see any prospect of providing additional grants for the building of technical schools in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners will reconsider the case of Miss Margaret Clarke, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mrs. Penelope Filgate, county Meath; and, if they cannot reinstate her in her former holding, will they provide her with an equivalent holding under the Land Act of 1903?

I have nothing to add to my reply to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on 1st April, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners propose to purchase the balance of untenanted land on the estate of R. G. Kellet, Barley Hill, county Meath; and, if so, will they take into consideration the prior claims of those who occupy uneconomic holdings on the estate?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the questions asked by him on 4th March and 28th April last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mrs. Smyth, of Horses-town, Beauparc, county Meath, an evicted tenant on the Hussey estate, has made application to be reinstated in her former holding; and what action has been taken in her case by the Estates Commissioners?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to the question asked by him on 28th April last, this application was not lodged within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, and no action has been taken on it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the fact that shots have been continually discharged during the past 12 months from the Courthouse, Gort, to the terror of the inhabitants, and contrary to the provisions of section 10 of The Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851; whether he is aware that a man named Mark Connolly complained to the district inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary, stationed at Gort, that a shot was fired over his head from the said building on 13th June last; what action has been taken by this officer in the matter; why no action was taken in the past; and what steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of this conduct in future?

I am informed by the Constabulary authorities that there is no foundation for the statement that shots have been discharged from the Courthouse at Gort. Mark Connolly has not made any complaint to the police such as is mentioned in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the fact that the sergeant of the Royal Irish Constabulary stationed at Kinvara, county Galway, sends a telegram to the police authorities at Gort on each occasion that Mr. Michael O'Donohoe, J.P., county councillor, Kinvara, visits Gort in discharge of his public duties; will he state the cause or justification for such action, having regard to the fact that Mr. O'Donohoe discharges his duties conscientiously to all concerned?

I do not know whether the facts are as alleged, and I see no reason to inquire as to the manner in which the Constabulary authorities exercise their discretion in a case of the kind.

asked the Chief Secretary whether be is aware that an old man named Patt Hubon, living at Ballingarry, Loughrea, was granted a pension last January, and that the pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board on the ground of age; that a search was made in the 1841 and 1851 Census Returns with the result that the payment of the pension was not made; and that it was since discovered that Hubon was over 90 years of age at the time of his death, which occurred lately; and, in view of these circumstances, will he insist upon the amount of arrears of pension due to this poor old man at the time of his death being paid to his family?

The appeal in this case was not on the ground of age but on the ground that the claimant was disqualified by reason of a protracted stay in the workhouse hospital. The Local Government Board found that he had been maintained in the hospital for two years, and he was, therefore, disqualified under the terms of the Board's Circular of 30th December last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that Johanna Kiely was declared to be entitled to an old age pension of 5s. per week by the Dungarvan rural sub-committee on 4th May, 1909; that on appeal by the pension officer the Local Government Board disallowed the pension on the ground of age; will he say what evidence of age did the Local Government Board obtain to contradict the evidence which satisfied the sub-committee; whether the Local Government Board obtained evidence from the Census Returns; and how did they identify the applicant with the name appearing on the Census Returns which it is alleged refers to the applicant, and which has caused her pension to be disallowed?

The facts of the case are as stated. The claimant's age was recorded in the Census Returns of 1851 as three. The evidence before the Committee appears to have consisted of statements made by neighbours. In the case of searches in the Census Returns it is the practice of pension officers to obtain particulars for the purpose of identification from the claimants, and in the present case this was done.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether, if the case of the eight or nine future tenants on the Knight of Glin's estate, at Glin, who refused to sign the agreements to purchase on the ground that they were not getting from the landlord satisfactory 'terms, is considered by the inspector of the Estates Commissioners to be reasonable, and that the purchase price is agreed on between themselves and the landlord, they will be included in the sale of the estate with the other tenants whose agreements for purchase were lodged in July last; and whether, in such event, the landlord will receive the bonus of 12 per cent, on their purchase money?

If agreements are lodged with the Estates Commissioners, signed by the outstanding tenants, their holdings will be included in the sale and dealt with along with the holdings in respect of which agreements have already been lodged. In the case of agreements entered into subsequent to 24th November last the bonus rate is 3 per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he could explain the delay in having payments made to clerks of pension committees in the county Galway, no payments having as yet been made for the quarter ended 31st March last, nothwithstanding the fact that application had been made to the Treasury on 30th April; and will he take such steps as may be necessary to ensure prompt payments to these officials in future?

The delay in payment in this case has arisen through the fact that the number of claims and questions charged for in the account did not agree with the number reported by the pension officer. The account will be paid as soon as this discrepancy has been cleared up.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that although the police have the right to ride on the Mid-Suffolk Railway at two-thirds of the ordinary rate soldiers are denied this right; and whether he will say what steps he is taking to secure this privilege being extended to soldiers duly provided with passes?

No question has hitherto arisen in connection with this light railway. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me have full particulars of the case I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private Thomas Guerin, No. 8,842, A Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, New Barracks, Limerick; and, seeing that this young man's mother has applied for his discharge on the ground that he is her sole support, and that if discharged he will be taken back to work by his former employer, if he will consider the advisability of the desired discharge being granted?

My attention has not been called to this case. The matter is one for the local military authorities to deal with.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he could state whether there is a fair wage clause in a certain sanitary contract now being carried out at Wynberg Barracks, Cape Town, by a contractor named Schultz; whether he is aware that the plumbers engaged on the contract are not being paid the district rate of wages; and whether he will take steps to have the fair wage clause observed?

Such contracts are concluded locally. The case will be inquired into.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the naval plumbers and plumbers' mates have not received any increase of pay since 1867, whereas during the same period several advances have been granted to the plumbers in the Royal dockyards; and whether he will take steps to adjust any disparity of the wages of the plumbers in the two branches of His Majesty's Service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement made on behalf of the Admiralty in reply to a question from the Member for Portsmouth on 16th April, 1907. The Admiralty remain of opinion that there is no reason for reconsidering the position and pay of men holding plumbers' ratings in the Royal Navy. The work and conditions of life of the naval rating are entirely dissimilar from a dockyard man's. The former lives on board and is victualled free, and no real comparison can be made between his scale of pay and the wages of the civilian workman in the dockyard.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the date when the contract for constructing the naval base at Rosyth was signed, and whether the amended fair wages clause applies to this contract?

The contract for Rosyth was signed on 1st March, 1909. The old fair wages clause was included in the particulars sent to the contractors on 23rd October last, and it is embodied in the contract as signed.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can give the amount of money paid in rent for agricultural land in Great Britain for the years 1870 and 1907, respectively, and whether he can give the same for Ireland?

We have no information which would enable us to reply to the hon. Member's question.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he would appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the conditions of the egg and poultry industry in England and Wales?

The Board do not consider that the appointment of a Committee, as proposed, would be of sufficient service to justify the very considerable expenditure of time and labour which would be entailed. But perhaps the hon. and gallant Member would let me know the grounds upon which his suggestion is based and the objects to which he thinks that inquiry could with advantage be directed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the populous and prosperous neighbourhood within a few miles of Downpatrick, along the Killaugh-road, county Down, there are only two postal deliveries in the week; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused, he will arrange for at least one postal delivery daily?

Fresh returns of the correspondence are being taken, and when the result is known I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state when the work of connecting up Downpatrick, Newcastle, and Castlewellan, county Down, by telephone will be started?

Terms were quoted some time ago for telephone extensions under guarantee to various places in county Down, but the terms were not accepted. A proposal for providing the service more cheaply is now under consideration, and, if this found to be practicable, offers will be made to provide the service for lower guarantees, which I hope may prove acceptable.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons other than those of English birth now hold positions as postmasters or sub-postmasters; whether, in view of the importance of avoiding any possibility of the interruption of the telegraphic communications, he will terminate any such appointments, as now exist, without delay; whether he can see his way to give any assurance that no further appointments of such a nature shall be made; whether he is aware that the telegraphic communications in a small area adjoining a part of the Yorkshire coast are now entirely controlled by postmasters and sub-postmasters all of German birth; and who is responsible for sanctioning the appointments?

Most of the postmasters in Scotland and Ireland are not of English birth; but I am unable to give the numbers. I may add that foreigners are not now eligible for appointment to any permanent and established position in the Post Office; and they would not be selected for any situation for which suitable British subjects are avail- able. The hon. Member will, of course, let me have particulars of the cases to which he refers.

asked the Postmaster General if the Messengers' Association have communicated with him as to their grievances, and as to whether he is prepared to receive a deputation from such association in regard to the same; and, if so, will he say what has been done in connection with such communication?

The Messengers' Association have submitted several memorials recently respecting the conditions of their service. A deputation from the association was received in February, 1908, by the Departmental Committee appointed by me to consider the cases of the classes not represented before the Select Committee. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served at the present time by receiving another deputation. The association has already been informed to this effect, and the various points raised by them in their memorials have been dealt with in reply.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience suffered by the residents of Slip End and neighbourhood by the absence of a telegraph office nearer than Luton, with which borough they carry on a considerable trade in straw plaiting; and whether he will consider the possibility of establishing a telegraph office at Slip End?

The question is under consideration locally. I will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has promised that all sub-engineers with over three years' service, and who succeeded in passing a qualifying examination, should be promoted; that all those who failed at the first attempt should have ample facilities for study afforded them; and, if so, will he state when he expects to be in a position to give effect to these promises?

Steps are being taken to promote all the sub-engineers with three years' service who passed the recent qualifying examination. The unsuccessful candidates will have adequate opportunities for study before another examination is held, the date of which is not yet arranged.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the standard which must be attained by a candidate in each obligatory subject in order to qualify at a Civil Service examination is usually only 33 1–3 per cent, of the maximum number of marks obtainable in such subject; will he state what was the passing standard required in each subject at the examination recently set to sub-engineers; whether this standard was determined, not by the Civil Service Commissioners, but by the Post Office authorities, with regard to a definite number of additional appointments for which authority had already been applied; and whether the nature of the test was thus changed, in effect, from a qualifying to a competitive examination?

I am not aware what is the usual standard of qualification in each obligatory subject required of candidates in examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners; the standards in the recent examination for sub-engineers were fixed by the Civil Service Commissioners without regard to the number of appointments vacant, of which the Commissioners had no knowledge.

asked the Postmaster-General what inquiries, if any, have been made in reference to the various complaints that have been made against the Western Electric Company, Woolwich, for violating the fair wages clause; and, when inquiries are made, by whom are they made; and why this firm is allowed to be the only contractor asked to tender for general work?

I have arranged to receive a deputation from the Scientific Instrument Makers' and Trade Society on this subject.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether the Charity Commissioners are aware that in November last criminal proceedings were taken against certain parishioners of Eastbury, in Berkshire, by the tenant of the Manor Farm for alleged trespass on the land known as the Poors Furze, in that parish; whether the Commissioners recognise any right or title in the prosecution to interfere with the privileges in regard to the Poors Furze secured to the parishioners of Eastbury; and, if not, what steps they propose to take?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second in the negative. It is now stated that no lease of the Poors Furze or the sporting rights over it has been granted by the lord and lady of the manor, the trustees of it. It is beyond the province of the Commissioners to take any steps as to the prosecution which has taken place. But they have now prepared a draft scheme for the future regulation of the charity.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the practice of the Board to recommend the enforcement of any penalty against those teachers who, on entering a training college, have given a bond that they will teach 18 months in an elementary school on leaving the college, or pay a sum of £75 to the college authorities in lieu of the loss occasioned by the non-payment of the Government grant allowed when such teaching has been done, and who, being unable to find any employment in the teaching profession, have been compelled to seek other work?

The undertaking to which the hon. Member presumably refers contains the following clause:—(

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in reference to the Convention with Denmark regarding Iceland and the Faroes, concluded in 1901 and brought into force on 31st March, 1903, and in reference to the communications between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of Spain and Portugal in 1904 on the subject of the six-mile limit on their coasts, he will, following the precedent of the North Sea Convention, lay Papers upon the Table and issue a Blue Book?

The Papers mentioned do not seem to be of sufficient interest to warrant the expenditure of public money which would be entailed by their presentation to Parliament.