(for Mr. Thomas O'Donnell) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether frozen pigs are shipped from Chinese ports for consumption in these countries; if so, what quantity has been landed during the past twelve months; whether there has been any inspection either in Chinese ports or at the landing ports in this country to safeguard the future consumers of this meat; and whether full inquiries will be made in China regarding the feeding, killing, curing, and packing of these pigs before they are allowed to be landed in this country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. No frozen carcases of pigs from Chinese ports have been imported into this country during the last twelve months. A packing-house and freezing establishment has, however, lately been constructed at Hankow, and a consignment from it of frozen pig carcases is expected to arrive here at the end of the present month. I have caused inquiry to be made into the matter, and have obtained information from the importing firm as to the feeding, killing, curing, and packing of the pigs. On arriving in this country the consignment will become subject to the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, which I issued last year, and I have caused communication to be made to the Medical Officer of Health of the port at which the consignment is expected to arrive with a view to securing that a strict examination is made of the carcases in question.

Is he satisfied with the result of his inquiries into the matter? He said he had instituted inquiry.

No carcases of pigs have yet arrived. We anticipate their arrival by taking precautions, and I can assure the hon. Member that when such consignment does arrive it will be inspected generally in the most rigorous way, and my medical officers will do their best to subject this, the first consignment, to microscopic examination.

Can he say whether this firm, which is established at Hankow, and which is making the arrangements for this importation, is English or American?

I do not know and I do not care. They will all have to toe the line as far as inspection is concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Return called for by this House from the National Board of Education in Ireland on 1st December, 1908, and again on 13th May, 1909, will be presented?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the Return is now approaching completion and will be furnished within the next few days.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state why a lately appointed official in the office of inspectors, Lunatic Asylums Board, Ireland, ordered the joint committee of the Mullin-gar Lunatic Asylum to go back upon the plans of the verandah about to be erected and already sanctioned by the inspectors of the Lunatic Asylums Board, thereby causing an extra expense of over £70 to the joint committee of Mullingar; will this official be made liable by the auditor for this unnecessary expenditure; and will he devise means to prevent such action on the part of officials in the future?

The hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. I am informed by the inspectors of lunatics that the facts are as follows: In May, 1908, plans and specifications for a verandah for consumptives were approved. In April last the Asylum committee's engineer wrote that the timber specified for the work was not obtainable, and that it would cost an additional £150 to substitute equally good timber of another kind. The inspectors referred the matter to their architectural adviser, and, after consultation with the committee's engineer, an arrangement was arrived at by which the additional expense was reduced to £70. The inspectors' architectural adviser did not, order any departure from the original plans, and his intervention resulted in a saving to the Committee.

asked what is the cause of the delay in reinstating the evicted tenants on the Mearscourt estate, near Moyvare, county Westmeath, the Estates Commissioners having long ago approved of their claims and given public notice of the compulsory acquisition of land for the purpose of reinstating them?

Proceedings have been instituted by the Estates Commissioners for the acquisition of 272 acres on this estate under the Evicted Tenants Act. The Commissioners expect to be in a position to acquire possession at an early date.

asked what is the total amount to date in the hands of the public trustee of the yearly statutory payments of £5,000 to Trinity College, Dublin, with interest thereon, under section 39 of the Irish Land Act, 1903; what amount of land, if any, has been sold by the College authorities under that Act; what amount of redemption money have they received; and whether, in view of the heavy demands upon the Ireland Development Grant, it is proposed to continue these statutory payments indefinitely?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask if it is a fact that at the present moment negotiations are pending between Trinity College and a great many tenants which will result in the near future in extensive sales?

If the right hon. Gentleman tells me that is so, I am sure it is so, but I have not myself had any communication in regard to it. I am informed by the public trustee that the amount now in his hands, including interest received, after making payments under the section referred to, is £36,605. The amount of land sold by the College under the Irish Land Act, 1903, is altogether 5,478 acres. The amount of redemption money which has been paid for superior interests owned by the College and referred to in sub-section 2 of section 39 of the Act of 1903, which has been paid, is £81,390. No alteration could be made in these payments except by legislation, and it is not proposed to introduce such legislation.

asked what is the entire amount paid over to the Guarantee Fund for the year ending 31st March, 1909, out of the Ireland Development Grant, and what is the estimated amount which has become payable to the same fund for the half-year ending 1st June, 1909?

The hon. Member will find, on reference to the report of the proceedings under the Ireland Development Grant Act, 1903, for the year ended 31st March, 1909, which has been presented to Parliament, that the total amount paid over to the Guarantee Fund in that year from the Ireland Development Grant was £104,545 2s. 8d. The actual amount claimed and paid for the half-year ended 1st June last was £01,152 6s. 11d.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the recent proceedings at the Kanturk Quarter Sessions in the case of a criminal injury application of a farmer named Eugene Daly, of Rowls; is he aware that the Recorder of Cork commented upon the fact that there was evidence that the people in no way sympathised or approved of the malicious burning in question, and yet a heavy fine by way of compensation was levied upon these ratepayers; and whether the Irish Government will consider the propriety of introducing such legislation as will provide that the guilty parties and not the ratepayers shall be punished?

My attention has been called to the proceedings in question. According to the newspaper report which I have seen, the Recorder emphasised the fact that such crimes are really against the innocent ratepayer, and should be put down. The guilty parties are also liable under the existing law both to criminal and civil proceedings, if they can be discovered.

If the Irish Government will not introduce legislation to redress this wrong, will it insist on the statutory authorities taking all possible precautions to punish the real offenders and not inoffensive ratepayers?

No One wants innocent ratepayers punished, and I am quite sure the police are taking every possible step they can to bring to justice the criminals who are guilty of the acts.

Has the right hon. Gentleman been furnished with a copy of the Recorder's comments, and did he observe in the report of the proceedings that previous cases had occurred in connection with these holdings, and that the police have a very strong idea who were the guilty parties, and no one is brought to justice?

The police share my own anxiety to bring everyone in Ireland to justice who is acting against the law.

Is not the real difficulty in this case the reluctance of the people in the neighbourhood to give evidence to assist the police?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's reading of the Recorder's comments show exactly the reverse of what the right hon. Gentleman alleges?

I read the Recorder's speech without gathering exactly what his frame of mind was, except that he shared my opinion that; it is very hard lines on the neighbourhood, which shows no sympathy with the crimes, that it should have to bear the punishment, but that is the proceeding of the Act of Parliament, which throws the obligation on the neighbourhood for crimes of this kind.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see in the facts of this case good reason for introducing legislation to assimilate the law of Ireland to that of Great Britain in respect of compensation for malicious injuries?

And the rest of the civilised world?

I do not agree with that view. It is true that since Anglo-Saxon times it has not been the law of this country, but I am not prepared to hold up the law of England as an example to all nations.

Was not the law of England as it at present stands the law of Ireland when Ireland had a Parliament of her own?

No, I think that is not so; but I cannot discuss history with the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will obtain from the Intermediate Education Board and furnish the following particulars, namely, the number of boys who passed senior grade in 1908 who had already passed senior grade in 1907, the number of boys who passed senior grade with honours in 1908 who merely passed senior grade in 1907, the number of boys who passed senior grade with honours in 1908 who passed senior grade with honours in 1907, and the total number of schools represented by the above; and the same particulars with regard to girls?

The number of boys who passed the examination in exactly the same way in 1907 and 1908 was 25, and the number of girls seven. The number of boys who passed in 1907 and took honours in 1908 was 10, and the number of girls two. The number who took honours in both years was 32–31 boys and one girl. These students came from 36 schools.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, 20th June, at Toureen, near Gort, county Galway, 16 cattle, the property of J. Roche Kelly, Esq., were driven off his land for about four miles, and a gate pulled down, and not since recovered; whether he is aware that the land from which the cattle were driven is Mr. Kelly's own property, and that he has no tenants in the same parish; whether he can state if the police can assign any reason for the outrage; if any arrests have been made, and, if so, what sentences were passed upon the perpetrators of the outrage; and what steps the police propose to take to protect Mr. Kelly's property from occurrences of a similar nature in the future?

Sixteen cattle were driven off the farm in question, which is Mr. Kelly's own property, on the date mentioned, and were recovered about two miles away. A gate was also removed, and has not yet been found. Mr. Kelly has no tenants in the parish. The police have not yet been able to discover the guilty parties, and it would be contrary to the established practice to express any opinion as to their motive. The police are taking every precaution to protect Mr. Kelly's property.

asked whether the bailiff in charge of the farm from which Mr. Walsh has been evicted at Cordal, Castleisland, county Kerry, has been given food and sleeping accommodation at the Cordal police barrack; and by whose authority has this been allowed?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that the bailiff has been allowed to spend the night in the day-room of the barrack until the farmhouse is ready for him. He procures his own food. The police have done no more than the support of the law requires.

Am I to understand that the police are to be at the disposal of the landlords of the county of Kerry?

I do not think even an Irish bailiff is beyond the purview of ordinary humanity.

There are several houses in the locality, and he has been taken special charge of by the police officers. Will the right hon. Gentleman permit that to continue?

I do not think he can sleep better than where he is doing.

(for Mr. John Roche) asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the settlement of Mr. Lawrence Egan's claim as an evicted tenant formed part of the agreement to purchase between Sir Henry Burke and his tenants on the Marblehill estate; and, as the agreement was entered into two years ago, can he state has any effort been since made by the Estates Commissioners to settle this case; and, if so, with what result?

The Estates Commissioners propose to provide this man with a holding on lands, which they hope to acquire at an early date. The former holding is in the occupation of another tenant.

Are they going to provide him with land in the immediate vicinity which the Estates Commissioners have already?

They will provide him with land as near as possible to his own home.

asked whether it has been the practice in Ireland to exclude from the list of revising barristers any person who has acted as a party agent or a Parliamentary candidate; whether that practice was departed from last year in the case of the revising barrister sent down to the constituency at present represented by the Solicitor-General for Ireland; and whether it is proposed to renew that appointment?

I am not aware of the existence of any such practice. The assignment to particular Divisions of a county does not rest with the Government, but with the county court judge.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us a single case within the last 20 years where a barrister who has been a Parliamentary candidate or a political agent has ever been appointed a revising barrister?

Is it usual to exclude from office those lawyers who have been Parliamentary candidates?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the county court judge of the adjoining county of Donegal was appointed by a Unionist Government as county court judge after he had contested one of the Divisions of the county, and whether he has heard that not only lawyer candidates but also lawyer Members of Parliament sometimes look for jobs and get them?

That does not arise out of the question.

This gentleman against whom these questions are aimed was, I understand, 20 years ago a candidate for some other seat in Tyrone. His ambition was not gratified. He never sat in this House, and I believe for 20 years he has never sought the honour of a seat in the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice, which I say exists in Ireland, without doubt exists in this country?

Oh, dear me, no.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the majority of the tenants on the Marsham estate, Ballinaghera, county Leitrim, were about to be evicted in March, 1908, for non-payment of exorbitant rents when a settlement was arrived at and the estate sold to the tenants, subject to the approval of the Estates Commissioners; whether the agent on behalf of the landlord has since refused to comply with the terms of the sale as agreed upon and instituted legal proceedings against the tenants; and whether there would be an inquiry into the facts of this case before police are drafted into the district to assist in evicting these tenants and collecting rents at the expense of the ratepayers?

The Estates Commissioners have no official information as to the settlement referred to, but they understand that it was agreed that they should be allowed to inspect the property with a view to making an offer which it would be open to the tenants and the owner to accept or refuse. The agent communicated with the Commissioners, who expressed their readiness to make the inspection if furnished with the necessary maps and schedules. These have not been furnished, nor have proceedings been instituted for sale to the Commissioners. The owner is, however selling three separate estates direct to the tenants, and he has a fourth estate in the county in respect of which he has not yet arranged terms of sale. Any tenants who have not signed purchase agreements are still liable for rent, and the Commissioners have no power to interfere with any legal proceedings which the owner may take for its collection.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received any communications from students of the late Royal University (Ireland), who were studying music, complaining that no facilities are given in the arts course of the new Queen's University, Belfast, for carrying through the musical part of the course to its finish; whether he is aware that he promised definitely when the Bill was introduced that no students of the Royal University would suffer by any change under his proposed scheme; whether he is aware that it will be necessary for students who have passed their first examination in music in the Royal University, and who are midway in their course, to seek the completion of the degree in some other university; and what steps he proposes to take?

I have received one communication of the kind, and have referred it to the Commissioners, in whom the power of making statutes is at present vested. As regards the second paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to section 13 (3) of the Irish Universities Act, 1908, which was designed to protect the interests of students of the Royal University. It is enacted by that section that the governing body of the new University shall, so far as practicable, provide that students of the Royal University who elect to enter the new University may obtain degrees on conditions not more onerous than those under which they could obtain corresponding degrees in the Royal University.

If the facts be as stated, what steps does the right hon. Gentleman intend to take to see that that is carried out?

It is a matter for the governing body of the University to see that they carry out the obligations imposed upon them by the Act of Parliament.

asked if it is obligatory on each professor in the Queen's University to make a statutory declaration binding him to respect the religious susceptibilities of his class; if this obligation applies in general to lecturers and readers; if it will in particular apply to the lecturer or reader about to be appointed in scholastic philosophy; and, if not, what precautions will be taken in the case of this appointment to secure a similar object?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Apparently the statutes make no special provision to extend this obligation to lecturers and readers who might fairly enough be required to make a similar declaration. No lecturer in scholastic philosophy has yet been appointed, and the question raised by the hon. Member will be referred to the Commissioners, in whom the appointment is vested.

May I ask whether these Commissioners are appointed by the right hon. Gentleman himself?

The Commissioners are certainly nominees of the Government.

May I ask whether there will be an appeal to the University Committee of the Privy Council, and whether the Members of that Committee will also be nominated by the right hon. Gentleman?

I cannot answer that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this precaution of requiring each professor to make a statutory declaration is not enforced by someone, it may open the door to what is denounced as denominational teaching?

I have expressed the opinion that although the statutes make no special provision for it, I think a lecturer or reader might fairly come within the requirement imposed by the Act. I will call attention to the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case of conviction and sentence to 12 stripes for the theft of a flower plucked in the Alfred Park at Allahabad; whether he is aware that the sentence has been stayed pending a reference to the High Court; that it was passed by a young magistrate of only 18 months' service in India; and whether, in view of the facts of the ease, the Government will reconsider the advisability of vesting officers of so little experience with powers under the Whipping Act?

The Secretary of State has seen newspaper comments on the case referred to; he has seen no report of the case, but he will inquire. By law, sentences of whipping can be passed only by a magistrate of the first class; and first-class powers are not conferred upon a magistrate until he has passed all his departmental examinations and has been reported fit to exercise such powers by his superior officers. The Secretary of State does not think it necessary to propose any alteration of the law on this subject.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman thinks it desirable that a magistrate with only eighteen months' service should have the power of passing such a sentence?

May I ask whether the practice which the hon. Member for East Nottingham has condemned is one that has obtained for many decades in India in the service of which he spent his life?

also asked the Under-Secretary for India whether his attention has been called to a recent case in Calcutta in which a Bengali offender, when sentenced, was offered a choice of imprisonment or whipping, and chose the latter; and whether, in view of recent restrictions placed by recent legislation in India upon resort to this punishment, he will consider the advisability of making representations to the Governor-General in Council on the subject?

The Secretary of State is not aware of the case referred to in the question. He does not propose to make any representations to the Governor-General in Council on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether an agreement has been concluded between the Government of Bombay and a French company for the placing of 100 first-class and 50 second-class taxi-cabs on the streets of Bombay, and whether a similar agreement has been concluded with the Government of Madras; and whether he can state why preference has been given to a French company?

There has been no agreement between the Government of Bombay and a French company for the purpose described in the question. But the International Sleeping Car Company, which is a French company, applied for permission to establish a service of taxi-cabs in Bombay, and permission has been granted. Their cabs will be licensed by the police on the usual conditions. The company has preferred a similar request to the Government of Madras, which is under consideration. The permission given in Bombay does not confer any monopoly on the company.

May I ask whether any other offers have been received from any other companies?

I am afraid I cannot answer that.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman can explain why France, a protected country, can supply taxi-cabs to India on more favourable terms than manufacturers in this country?

asked whether it is now known at the India Office who has been appointed to carry on Captain McKendrick's sanitary work at Bombay; and what are the qualifications of the new officer?

The Government of Bombay have appointed Dr. Charles Albert Bentley to the post vacated by Captain McKendrick. Dr. Bentley is a M.B. of Edinburgh University, and holds the Cambridge diplomas of public health and of tropical medicine. He has had experience in malarial diseases as medical officer on the estates of an important tea company, and has been engaged in research work of a bacteriological kind, the results of which have been published in the "British Medical Journal."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it was necessary to use liquid fuel during the trials of the cruiser "Boadicea" in order to get the required horse-power; if so, whether any record was taken of the maximum speed obtained with the use of coal alone, and what was that speed; and whether any arrangements have been made for the storage and use of oil fuel in the ship?

The trials are not arranged to ascertain the maximum powers or speeds which can be reached, but to develop specified powers under given conditions. The full power trial of the "Boadicea" was carried out using liquid fuel and coal as laid down in the contract.

Am I to understand that no maximum speed trials require to take place?

No, Sir. The purpose of a speed trial is to see whether the conditions of the contract have been complied with.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now say what, in the opinion of the Admiralty, are the relative values, for the purpose of computing the two-Power standard, of battleships of identical fighting power at Kiel, Toulon, Pola, Nagasaki, San Francisco and New York?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to this question on the 16th June.

May I take it that in the opinion of the Admiralty the effective strength of a battleship of identical fighting power at San Francisco is equal to that of a battleship at Kiel?

I do not wish to commit myself to a statement so broad as that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this standard of comparison was instituted by the Government a few weeks ago?

I think that was made perfectly clear in the course of the Debate.

Is the answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave on 16th June capable of any other interpretation than that which I have given?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to lay down any more vessels of the "Swift" class of ocean-going destroyers?

There is no such present intention.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that after the destroyer "Panther" has been relieved by the "Saracen," or "Afridi, "the first destroyer flotilla will consist entirely of vessels of the "Tribe" and "River "classes, none of which was completed before 1904; and if he will state how many destroyers of these classes are in reserve?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Gentleman on 24th May, namely, that the general principle is that, subject to a few exceptions, the latest destroyers are placed in the fully-manned flotillas.

This would be one of the exceptions to which the right hon. Gentleman referred.

No, Sir, It would be in accordance with the general principle.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what facilities for the repair and docking of His Majesty's ships of various classes exist to the east of Malta and to the West of Haulbowline?

The question is of too comprehensive a character to permit of an answer being given, involving as it does an analysis of the contents of all British and foreign dockyards abroad. In view of the great labour involved, I must beg to be excused from making a reply.

Are we to understand that the Admiralty does not know what repairing facilities there are in this part of the world?

That does not arise out of my answer.

I asked what facilities exist in that part of the world?

That would cover all the dockyards, private as well as public.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say whether in the drafting arrangements of engine-room artificers due regard can be given to appointment on ships for home and foreign stations alternately?

The drafting of engine-room artificers is governed by the Drafting Regulations, which apply to naval ratings generally, and provide that care shall be taken that all men receive a fair proportion of home and sea service respectively, so far as the requirements of the service admit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the district committee of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, have lodged a complaint against the firm of Messrs. Armstrong, Whit worth, and Com- pany, Elswick, as to this firm's non-observance of the fair wages clause of this House; and can he say what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

A complaint of this nature has been received. The Admiralty are in communication with Messrs. Armstrong, Whit worth, and Company on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the distance from New York to Brest is about 2,900 knots and from Libau to Tsushima approximately 13,000 knots; and whether, in view of the fact that a Russian fleet was able to undertake the latter voyage with the object of carrying out offensive operations, and that a United States navy would thus be able to carry out similar operations on the eastern shores of the Atlantic Ocean, he will take the latter navy into his consideration in providing for the two-Power standard?

With reference to the first part of the question the facts stated are approximately correct. With regard to the second part, it is undesirable to moot hypotheses for which there is no basis.

I do not understand the answer of the right hon. Gentleman. I understand that the United States Navy was excluded from the computation in estimating the two-Power standard. Is that so?

I have stated that I think it would be undesirable to moot hypotheses for which there is no basis.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say if it is now the view of the Admiralty that the two-Power standard must be taken to be the total effective strength of the British Navy for defence as against the combined effective strength of any other two fleets for attack; and whether, in computing the strength of the latter, regard must be had to the geographical position of the bases from which the fleets will operate?

The Admiralty view of the two-Power standard has been very fully stated in Debate, and the hon. Gentleman will understand that it is impossible to continue the Debate by means of interrogatory in the very limited time devoted to questions.

Am I to understand that regard must be had to the geographical position of the bases of a possible hostile fleet?

Yes. I think that the hon. Gentleman will find a phrase almost on those words in the course of the Debate to which I have referred.

How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that with the answer to my former question?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of the man Pole, a Russian subject, who was deported after conviction in this country in 1906, convicted at the Central Criminal Court on the 23rd June, 1909, and again sentenced to be deported; whether inquiries have been made as to the manner of this man's return to this country; and whether steps will be taken to prevent his further reappearance?

I am aware of this case. I have not been able to obtain trustworthy information as to the manner of the alien's return to the United Kingdom. Every effort is made at the immigration ports to detect such persons; but failing that, the utmost that can be done is to prosecute and punish them for contravention of the Order when they are discovered here, and to send them again out of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the case of a young man called Taylor convicted in December, 1906, for feloniously stealing a few farthings and metal spoons, and sentenced to 14 years' penal servitude; and whether he will now consider all the circumstances of the case and the fact that it was the young man's first offence, with a view to mitigating the sentence?

This case—a very serious case of burglary—has been repeatedly brought to my notice, and I have care- fully considered all the circumstances, but I do not feel able at present to recommend any interference with the sentence.

Are we to understand from the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that stealing a few spoons constitutes a serious burglary?

I have taken into consideration all the circumstances of the case which are not mentioned in the question.

Is not it the case that it was the young man's first offence?

I cannot say that it was his first offence. It is his first conviction.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a statement made by the inspector of experiments on living animals in the Return for 1908 to the effect that one licensee performed (so-called) feeding experiments on seven puppies, one kitten, and two rodents without obtaining the necessary certificate, and that another licensee exceeded the terms of his certificate by bleeding certain animals to an excessive amount; how many experiments of the kind referred to were made; of what nature wore they; and what are the names of the persons who performed them?

In the first of the cases referred to in the question the number of experiments was ten, and their nature was the feeding of animals with food containing cultures of micro-organisms. The licensee had a certificate which allowed inoculations, but he failed to observe that its terms did not cover the alternative method of feeding. The nature of the experiments in the second case is fully stated in the Return; the licensee held a certificate authorising the abstraction of small quantities of blood; this was done by pricking a vein in the ear, and he bled some of the animals to a considerable amount. The number of cases was about a dozen, but there is difficulty in drawing the line between the small quantities mentioned in the certificate and the larger quantities which were in some cases abstracted.

Is there any reason to suppose that there was any unnecessary cruelty involved with these experiments?

I have no reason to think so.

The right hon. Gentleman has not given the names.

Is there any real reason why the names of these gentlemen who inadvertently or otherwise transgressed the law should be concealed from the public?

I do not think there is any particular reason, or any particular reason for giving them.

Do the particular experiments in respect of which the Home Secretary directed the licences to be abolished appear in table form or in any other part of the returns?

I understand they are mentioned in the returns.

In table form?

I will inquire.

This is also a first offence?

So far as I know.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the number of police engaged at Westminster on 29th June in coping with the disorder created by the suffragettes; and whether the city of Westminster will have to pay the cost of the same, as is the practice in Ireland when extra police are brought into a district to discharge special duty?

It has not been usual to give the numbers of police specially employed on these occasions, and I do not think it would be desirable to do-so. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Am I to understand that when outside police are called in in this country in case of disturbance to assist the local police in preserving the peace the practice is that it is not the local authority that pays for these outside police, but it is the outside authority that pays for them?

No outside police were called in.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the total expenditure in connection with the police employed on Tuesday?

No, Sir. I can get the information if the hon. Member wishes.

Who pays for the bringing in of extra police?

They are Metropolitan Police. The hon. Gentlemen knows very well how they are paid.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how long the Department Scheme No. 16 has been in force; how many village halls have been erected under the scheme, and the names of the villages; what are the conditions and terms of the loans with regard to repayment; why should the Department demand the whole control of these halls when the grant is not a free one; and whether he will consider the desirability of giving the promoters in the establishment of these village halls the same facilities in regard to repayment of loans as the Board of Works give to farmers for the erection of hay-barns, namely, 23 years, paying principal and interest in that term?

Scheme No. 16 was published late in the year 1906. Village halls were erected at the following places with the assistance of loans from the Department:—Seirkieran, near Birr; Garrison, on the borders of county Cavan and Leitrim; Rilleshandra, county Cavan; Gurteen. county Sligo; Glenamaddy, county Galway. The loans in the first two cases were granted prior to the issue of the scheme. Repayment of loans in ten half-yearly instalments, with interest at the nominal rate of 2½, per cent. on the outstanding balance, is secured by a bond signed by the trustees in whom the hall is vested. The sole management of these halls is in the hands of the local trustees, hut the County Committee or the Department, on payment of certain agreed-upon fees, have prior claim to the use of the hall in connection with county schemes. The primary object of this scheme is to grant a limited number of loans for the erection of new, or for the repair of old, buildings in districts in which difficulty has been experienced in getting suitable accommodation for classes under county schemes. The amount allocated for the purpose of these loans by the Department, with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board, is very limited, and it is not intended to modify the conditions of the scheme as published.

(for Mr. Nannetti) asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that an order has been made by the Treasury that ship inspectors who are not pensionable officers should retire on reaching the age of 60 years, which is a hardship on men of good character; and, seeing that other officials of a similar character are allowed to serve until 65, whether he can see his way to recommend that the ship inspectors be allowed the privilege of remaining in their situation until the 65 years' age is reached, provided they are able and fit for service; and if not, whether any compensation can be granted to those men who are compelled to retire?

The Department's ship inspectors, who are for the most part police pensioners, retire on attaining 60 years of age, the limit fixed by the Treasury several years ago after inquiry into the duties, conditions of service, and pay of these officers. This rule has been applied in a number of cases; and the Department are not prepared to reopen the question with the Treasury. The ship inspectors' employment is on a temporary basis, and no compensation is payable on ceasing to hold office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the railway companies in Great Britain and Ireland who are the owners of docks and harbours; where each is situated; the amount of the dock dues charged, if any; and whether the accounts of such companies are so kept as to be able to distinguish as between dock and railway revenue, showing the profit and loss under each head; and, as to the latter, if not, is he prepared to take action in regard to all future railway and dock Bills having for its object the compelling of such companies to so arrange their balance sheets as to place under separate headings the revenue from the railway and the docks?

Information as to the docks and harbours owned by railway companies is not published in any very convenient form, but I will send the hon. Member a list of such docks and harbours and the owning companies, prepared by the Board of Trade from the Return of Harbour Authorities, presented to Parliament in 1903 [No. 3250 of 1903], and from other information in their possession. The revenue and expenditure from docks is not shown separately in railway companies' accounts as now rendered; but the Departmental Committee, which has recently reported on Railway Companies' Accounts and Statistics, recommended a form of account which would give this information. The Committee's recommendations are now being very carefully considered.

Do I understand that it is impossible to tell this income and expenditure under separate headings of the railways and harbours of railway companies?

No; I did not state that. I only stated that they were not published in a convenient form. I think I shall be able to furnish my hon. Friend with the information desired.

Do I understand that the accounts of the railways and harbours are published in convenient form understandable by the public, showing the amount received from the railways and the amount received from the harbours and docks?

No; I do not think they are. My hon. Friend will understand I only state that they do happen to be arranged in this manner. I dare say amendment will be made.

Might we have a list of the harbours and docks specified in this question sent with the Papers?

Yes, I think I shall be able to do that.

(for Mr. Hudson) asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the change made by the Metropolitan District Railway Company in placing the side exit doors of their electric trains out of control of the guards and conductors who work the trains; whether the company have taken steps to secure the safety of passengers travelling by such trains; and, if so, whether these steps have received the sanction of his Department?

I am aware of the alteration to which the hon. Member refers. The particular arrangement adopted does not require the sanction of the Board of Trade, but I have been in communication with the company, who have informed me that a sufficient platform staff is employed, and detailed instructions have been issued for ensuring, so far as possible, that all carriage doors are closed before a train leaves the station. The company also state that they are providing an improved apparatus for the easier working of the doors.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what number of small holdings have been created in the county of Rox-burgh under the Small Holdings Act of 1892, and what is the area thereof; and whether any progress has been made as to number and area since last century?

None, Sir.

asked with regard to the circular of February, 1907, issued on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Small Holdings, whether any inquiry has been made by the county council of Roxburgh as to the identification of land available for small holdings; when, and with what result; and whether any farm servants were associated to conduct any such inquiry?

None, Sir.

asked what is the number of scholars in average attendance in primary and secondary schools in Scotland respectively; and in what estimated proportion will the balance (£421,000) of the Scottish Education Fund be divided between them?

The average attendance in higher class schools for the year 1908 was 17,489. There were in addition 19,932 scholars receiving secondary education in the higher grade departments of primary schools. The average attendance of pupils in primary departments was 692,144. As regards the second part of the question of the hon. Member, the Act directs the balance referred to to be distributed to local authorities for the various purposes enumerated in section 17 of the Act, and it is impossible to discriminate between these purposes so as to say what proportion of the expenditure should be attributed to secondary and what to primary scholars. In any case, till the proposals of the district committees for the expenditure of the sums allotted to them have been received it is not possible to give even approximately the estimate asked for.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a petition from ratepayers and parents of Sidley, Bexhill, respecting school accommodation; and what steps he proposes taking in the matter?

The Board have received the petition referred to, and are in communication with the local authority and the managers thereon.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have come to any decision as to the publication of a Report on the proceedings of the Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the Navy?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

May I respectfully ask whether in these circumstances he will see that no communique of any kind whatever is made to the Press?

No communication of any kind has been made by the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the officer commanding the Shropshire Yeomanry complained to the General Officer commanding Western Com- mand and to everyone in authority whom he could find, and that the principal veterinary surgeon, as well as the brigadier, also complained that the oats supplied were foreign, dirty, and of very bad quality, without any result, he will take steps to insure the supply of good oats and hay in future years; and is he aware that the same complaints have come from the Warwickshire Yeomanry, with the addition that the men were supplied with bad foreign meat?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, no complaint from the Shropshire Yeomanry regarding their forage supply has been received from the general officer commanding the western command. All forage issued to the Yeomanry on Salisbury Plain was inspected and passed daily by a Board of Officers, and any rejected as inferior was replaced by forage of satisfactory quality. The meat supply to the Yeomanry was under the same conditions as the supply to the regular troops, and no complaints have been received by the War Office.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any complaints about the supply of forage to Yeomanry regiments, and will he receive on this question a deputation of hon. Members of this House who are interested in the Yeomanry force?

I do not think I can do so at present. The system prevails in connection with the troops. There are obvious reasons why, in changing from an old system to a new one, there should be complaints, but after a little time the change, which has been made will be better appreciated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the general officer of the Western Command received personally from the officer commanding the Shropshire Yeomanry a general complaint that the oats and forage were distinctly bad? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to take any notice of the complaints?

The general officer commanding the Western Command is one of the most experienced officers dealing with these questions, and no doubt had excellent reasons for the course he took in regard to the complaints.

Does the right hon. Gentleman really suggest that all these complaints about the oats are merely due to the fact that there is a change of system?

I did not say all.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman see his way to provide samples for the officers?

As I have stated in the reply, "all forage issued to the Yeomanry on Salisbury Plain was inspected daily by a Board of Officers." Having looked very carefully into their reports the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief sees no reason to take further action.

Can he tell the House at the time these supplies were served out to the Yeomanry what the price of homegrown oats was and the price of foreign oats?

Had the General Officer Commanding the oats weighed, as the chief complaint was they were so light?

The forage was inspected daily.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that the man who contracted to supply the oats for the Shropshire Yeomanry rents Government farms on Salisbury Plain, and not only supplied very bad foreign oats, but when the oats were condemned and sent back he merely had them screened and sent the same oats back again; and whether he proposes to take any action in the case of this contractor?

The contractor in question does not rent Government farms on Salisbury Plain. Any oats supplied by him that were condemned were replaced by good oats in accordance with the conditions of contract. There do not appear to be sufficient reasons for taking any further action in this case.

Is he aware that the officer commanding himself stated that the same oats were sent back after they had been condemned?

My information is that any oats supplied by this contractor and which were condemned were afterwards replaced by good oats.

rose to put further questions.

It would be more convenient if hon. Members would put their questions down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Income Tax is charged on the £40 per annum paid by a man to his father, aged 75, which sum precludes the further receiving an old age pension; and, if so, can he see his way to grant a rebate?

A voluntary money allowance is not an admissible deduction in computing the Income Tax liability of the person by whom such allowance is made. I regret that I do not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.