asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he will specify the recommendations of the Crown Agents In- quiry Committee relating to opportunities for waste and extravagance which have been carried out and those which have not been carried out?

I have difficulty in answering the hon. Gentleman's question in precise terms, because the Committee did not find that opportunities for waste and extravagance existed, but he may rest assured that effect will be given in one form or another to all the recommendations of the Committee over which I had the honour to preside.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will furnish a list of engineering works undertaken by Crown Agents within the last ten years, showing in each case the original estimated cost and time for completion; the sum and time, where known, within which a responsible contracting firm would have done the work; the reason for not getting it done by contract; and the actual cost and time under the Crown Agents, stating whether the work is complete or not?

The Crown Agents for the Colonies do not undertake engineering works. Their duties in connection with works undertaken by the Governments of Crown Colonies are explained in a Memorandum written in 1904, and printed in the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 1944, to which I would ask the hon. Gentleman to refer. I cannot supply hypothetical figures, such as he asks for, with regard to the cost and time within which works might have been carried out under a different system of construction from that which was actually employed; but, if he will be good enough to refer to the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 2325, relating to the Construction of Railways in West Africa, he will find a very useful Memorandum of the considerations which have to be taken into account in deciding whether any particular work should be carried out Departmentally or by contract.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the weekly rate of wages paid to tailors in Dublin who are employed under trade union conditions?

There is no standard weekly rate of wages in the tailoring trade. The log or list rates in Dublin are 5d. and 5½d. per hour. According to the log a certain number of hours are allowed for making each part of a garment or for each operation; and if the worker takes more or less than this time his actual earnings are correspondingly greater or less than the nominal rate per hour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the continuation of short time in the Ulster textile factories has caused intense hardship to the workers and their families; whether he has any official information showing that the short-time movement is a result of the financial instability lately so much in evidence in America, or to a desire on the part of either spinners, manufacturers, agents, or commission houses to maintain a high level of selling prices, or to the cost of raw material, or to the shortness of supply of home-grown material; whether, prior to the good years of 1906–7, spinners, manufacturers and finishers worked at a loss; what were the average profits during those years as compared with the present time; whether, prior to the inauguration of short time in November, 1907, speeding-up of both machinery and workers had taken place; whether he is aware that in the lessened period of work, with the consequent lessened wage, an almost equal amount of work has been extracted from the worker and the machine; whether the system of speeding-up involves any new process or any deterioration in the product; whether any steps are in contemplation with the object of securing to the textile workers a 'minimum wage sufficient to maintain them in frugal comfort; and whether the Government will institute an inquiry into the whole present position of textile manufactures in Ireland?

The amount of short time in the linen industry in 1908 was considerable, one of the principal causes of the depression being the greatly decreased demand from the United States. I am, however, unable to say to what extent the "desire on the part of either spinners, manufacturers, agents or commission houses to maintain a high level of selling prices" contributed to the short time movement. In view of the contraction in the demand for linen goods in 1908 it is not likely that the decreased production of flax in that year seriously affected employment, and the price of flax was considerably less in 1908 than in 1907 or 1906. No information is available as to the profits of the trade during the period 1906–8, or as to the alleged speeding-up of machinery. As compared with 1907 there was, however, a considerably decreased export both of yarn and piece goods in 1908, and presumably a considerably reduced production. Since the beginning of 1909 the state of employment in this industry has steadily improved, and the numbers employed and the weekly amount of wages earned per head, as shown by the monthly returns published in the "Labour Gazette," have shown a continuous increase. The exports for the first five months of 1909 have been largely in excess of those for the corresponding period of 1908. In the circumstances I do not think it necessary to institute a special inquiry into the industry, but the state of employment will continue to be carefully watched.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now decided what period of annual leave to allow in the General Post Office to the staff officers and to the Higher Division clerks on scales of pay above those of the Second Division; and, if so, what increases of leave, if any, he has granted to such officers in the Departments of the Secretary, the Accountant-General, Engineer-in-Chief, and Controller of the London Postal Service?

There are no Higher Division clerks on the staff of most of the Departments enumerated in the question; and I do not find sufficient reason for any general change in the present rules as regards the leave of officers in the Post Office on scales of pay above those of the Second Division.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. T. Downey, junior clerk at Tralee post office, who has been dismissed on the ground of unsatisfactory performance of duties; whether this young man would be prepared to take a lesser salary if kept on in order to try and qualify for a better post later on; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in this case?

The appointment of Mr. Michael John Downey, who was on probation, was cancelled because he was unreliable in his work, and because he gave no promise of becoming an efficient servant of the State. I regret that I cannot agree to his retention in the service.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is now in a position to state what action he proposes to take relative to the resolution which was unanimously passed by the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District on 7th December, 1907, asking the Local Government Board to cause an inquiry to be made into the cause of scarlet fever; and whether any, and, if so, what, further means could be adopted for its prevention, in view of the continued prevalence of the disease, notwithstanding the extensive isolation accommodation which has been provided?

The matter is engaging my attention at the present time, and I hope shortly to be in a position to arrive at a decision with regard to it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the inquiry made regarding the wages paid to the tailor employed at Island Bridge is yet complete?

Inquiries have been made as regards the tailor, and his wages are considered adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any action has been taken respecting the employment at Island Bridge of leading men as assistant foremen and storehouse clerks; whether at Island Bridge assistant foremen are performing the duties of foremen and workshop foremen; and whether, in the interests of the public service, he will see that increased responsibility shall not be placed on assistant foremen?

As regards the employment of leading hands as assistant foremen, one leading hand was so employed in anticipation of a proposed augmentation of that grade by one, which has since been approved. The other leading hands are not strictly employed as assistant foremen, but, being next senior to the foreman in their groups, act for them during temporary absence. It is expected that they should perform such temporary duty without extra pay to qualify them for and justify their promotion to assistant foreman when vacancies occur. As I informed the hon. Member previously, there is no grade of storehouse clerk at stations other than Woolwich and Pimlico. As regards the further question of the performance of the duties of foremen and workshop foremen by assistant foremen, I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Lord Kitchener has been requested by the Commonwealth Government to visit Australia to organise the military defence of that country; and whether it is intended by His Majesty's Government that Lord Kitchener should undertake this work?

The War Office has no special information in regard to Lord Kitchener's visit to Australia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Mediterranean Fleet and cruiser squadron have been withdrawn from the Mediterranean to the West Coast of Scotland for a month's manœuvres, leaving no efficient battleships or cruisers in the Mediterranean except the "Duncan," which is refitting at Malta, and whether this step was taken after a correspondence with the Foreign Office in which the situation in the Levant and in Morocco was fully considered?

I am fully aware of the temporary withdrawal of the greater portion of the Mediterranean Fleet from the Mediterranean to enable them to take part in the naval manœuvres. The advisability of this step was fully discussed between the Admiralty and the Foreign Office. There is nothing in the political situation in the Mediterranean to make it necessary to alter the arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state the full effect of the difference between the definition of agricultural land as defined in the Agricultural Eating Act and the definition of agricultural land given in Clause 27 of the Finance Bill; and what is the reason for this differentiation and its intention for the purposes of taxation?

Every definition must be considered with reference to the subject-matter of the measure in which it is contained, and it does not follow that the definition of a term in one Act of Parliament must necessarily suit the subject- matter of another Act of Parliament. In point of fact, however, the differences, which I will proceed to enumerate, between the two definitions mentioned by my hon. Friend are very small:—(1) Owing to the definition in the Agricultural Rating Act being exhaustive, while that in the Finance Bill is inclusive, arable land, which was necessarily specified in the Rating Act, is not referred to in Clause 27 of the Finance Bill. Similarly, orchards are not specifically mentioned in Clause 27. (2) Woodland is included in the definition in the Bill, but not in the definition in the Act. (3) Cottage gardens exceeding a quarter of an acre were specially included in the Agricultural Rates Act, whereas other gardens were specially excluded. Under the Bill gardens are treated separately, and any garden not exceeding an acre occupied with a dwelling house is exempt from Undeveloped Land Duty. (4) The exclusive part of the definition in the Agricultural Rates Act would not be appropriate to the Bill, as the matters excluded, parks, gardens, recreation grounds, etc., are dealt with in the Bill by special provisions. I may perhaps point out that the differences between the two definitions are all in the favour of the taxpayer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether chaplains, other than the chaplains attached to the Plymouth Marine Division, are engaged as examiners in navigation; if so, are they remunerated for such work, and at what rate; whether such employment of chaplains is sanctioned by him and is proposed to be continued; and, if so, on what grounds?

There is one other such chaplain, and he is remunerated at £50 a year. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative, and the reason is, that these officers are naval instructors as well as chaplains, and have been selected by the Board as suitable officers for the duty.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will recommend that a compassionate allowance should be offered to Mr. J. P. Smith, who until quite recently was employed as a teacher in a public school in Amble, Northumberland?

I regret that circumstances will not justify the adoption of my hon. Friend's suggestion. The teacher will, on attaining the age of 65, be entitled to the annuity purchaseable by his contributions to the Deferred Annuity Fund.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken with regard to the application of Miss Maggie and Miss Moriarty, of Castle-street, Tralee, to be reinstated in their father's farm; whether their application was reported on by Mr. Dundon in December, 1906; and will he explain what is the cause of the delay in completing this case?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into the application of the Misses Moriarty for reinstatement in a holding at one time occupied by their father and now in the occupation of their uncle, and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patt Mitchell, of Loughrea, was awarded a pension last January of 5s. a week, and that his indenture papers to the bakery business show that, as long as strength and health was left him, he worked for 60 years at the trade; and will he explain the cause of keeping this old man so long in distress, waiting for the grant which should have been paid to him six months ago?

Mitchell was allowed a pension as stated. The pension officer, however, appealed to the Local Government Board, who found it necessary to make inquiries from the pension officer and the clerk of the Loughrea Union with regard to claimant's age and means, and the alleged receipt of poor relief by him. As claimant was maintained in the workhouse hospital from May, 1907, to August, 1908, he was disqualified for a pension, having regard to the terms of the Board's. Circular Letter of 30th December last, a-copy of which has been sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the fact that photographs of delegates representing the Gaelic Athletic Association from county Galway at the congress of that body at Thurles, county Tipperary, on 25th February, 1907, were shown by Michael Scully, district inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary, Gort, to Mr. John M'Namara, of that town, for the purpose of identifying one of the delegates who resided in Gort, namely, Mr. John Gormally; will he state the place where those photographs were taken and by whose authority; if they are at present in the possession of Mr. Scully; whether the action of this inspector in exhibiting them to others is contrary to the police regulations; and, having regard to the non-political and non-sectarian aspect of the association, what action does he purpose taking in the matter to explain the object of such proceedings?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the previous question on the same subject asked by him on 24th May last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether Richard Wallace has applied for an advance for the purchase of his farm at Gortnalee, rural district of Roscrea (No. 3), Queen's County; and, if so, for what amount?

The lodgment of a purchase agreement applying for an advance to enable Richard Wallace to purchase the holding referred to cannot be traced in the records either of the Land Commission or of the Estates Commissioners from the particulars given in the question.

asked what was the amount of the advance made to Mr. H. Davis Kenny for the purchase of his farm at Rossdonagh, rural district of Roscrea (No. 3), Queen's County?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that an advance of £2,000 was made in this case.