asked the Secretary of State for War how many, if any, denominations must be in attendance at a training camp to secure the special services of a chaplain of that denomination who has to attend at the camping ground; how are such chaplains paid; is the payment per head or per service; do the payments cover travelling expenses; if not, what is the amount allowed per mile for travelling expenses; and if he can say whether the scale of payment for the Militia and Regular soldiers are the same?

The arrangements for holding divine services in camp are made by the local military authorities, who either detail Army chaplains for the duty or engage civilian clergymen. A clergyman of any denomination can be engaged provided that the numbers of his denomination appear to the General Officer Commanding to necessitate his employment. A clergyman appointed for temporary duty receives £1 1s. per parade service, not exceeding £2 2s. per Sunday, provided there are at least 25 of that denomination present, and actual and necessary cost of conveyance, if any, is allowed. These arrangements may be applied also in the case of the Special Reserve in brigade camps with the approval of the Army Council. In Special Reserve camps of less than a brigade the remuneration is 10s. 6d. per Sunday for numbers over 25 and under 100, and £1 1s. for numbers over 100.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the most suitable type of dirigible airship for the requirements of the Army has yet been decided upon; and whether the construction of a new airship of any type has yet been commenced by the Army Balloon Department?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Balloon Department has yet submitted any Report or recommended any programme with regard to the construction of dirigible airships for Army purposes; if so, upon what dates; whether this matter has yet been considered by the Army Council; and, if so, what decision has been arrived at?

I am not in a position at the present moment to give any replies to the points raised in this question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that about 150 Church of England children in the scattered homes of the West Ham Board of Guardians are in homes under Nonconformist and Roman Catholic foster mothers and are compelled to attend Nonconformist chapels and Sunday schools; whether he has previously had to call the attention of the board to the same matter; and whether he will take steps to see that the children receive their religious teaching in accordance with their description in the creed register?

On the previous occasion referred to, I communicated with the guardians, and was informed that the circum- stance complained of arose owing to a mistake, but that arrangements had been made which would prevent a similar instance occurring in the future. I have not since received any complaint on the subject; but I will again communicate with the guardians with respect to it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the West Ham Board of Guardians have applied to him for permission to send out to Canada 27 children; that 26 of these children are members of the Church of England; and that it is proposed to hand them over to a Nonconformist society called the Annie Macpherson Society; and, seeing that last year the Local Government Board received from the Canadian Government Reports as to certain children, sent out through that society, which were unsatisfactory as to the families in which the children were placed, whether he will withhold his consent to the emigration until he has made full inquiry into the matter through the Canadian Government?

It is the case that the guardians have applied to me for sanction to the emigration to Canada of a number of orphan or deserted children through the agency of the Annie Macpherson Home of Industry. I do not know to what religious denomination the children belong, nor have I any information to show that the society referred to is a Nonconformist society. I may mention that the guardians have obtained from them a written undertaking that each child if a Protestant shall be placed with a family of the Protestant faith. I understand that, in the large majority of cases, the homes in Canada in which the society place pauper children are reported by the inspectors of the Dominion Government to be satisfactory, and I am not aware of any sufficient reason for the adoption of the course suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the present expenditure on old age pensions?

The amount paid for old age pensions in the first quarter of the present financial year was approximately £2,046,000, being an average of £157,385 per week.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the circular issued in December last stating that assistant clerks in the Customs and Excise Department who had served five years on the maximum salary of £150 might be recommended for an increase of £10 on the grounds of special merit; how many assistant clerks in the Customs and Excise Department have been five years and upwards at the maximum salary; and how many have been awarded this special increase of £10?

There are five assistant clerks in the Customs and Excise Department who have been five years and upwards at the maximum salary of £150. None of these clerks has yet been recommended to the Treasury for the award of the special increment of £10, but the matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the fees due to some pension sub-committee clerks in the Kenmare division of county Kerry have not yet been paid for the quarter ending 31st March; and can he state the reason of the delay, and say when these fees will be paid?

These accounts, which were not received by the Treasury till the end of May, have now been paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a central register of seamen is in operation in Norway, and whether he will obtain and furnish this House with particulars of the scheme?

I understand from the Norwegian Consul-General in London that there is no central register of seamen in operation in Norway.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on or about 17th May last three men and a boy were charged at Colombo for singing while rowing in a boat by His Majesty's ship "Hyacinth," at 11 a.m. on 16th May, and thereby causing disturbance to the crew while engaged in divine service; that the accused alleged in defence that they were in the habit of singing while rowing, and did not know that divine service was being held on board the ship; that nevertheless the men were fined Rs.5 each, and the boy, being under 16 years of age, was sentenced to receive five cuts with a cane; whether the sentence was under the ordinary criminal law of the Colony or under special harbour regulations; and whether the punishment of flogging may be inflicted in such a case?

I have no information on the subject, but inquiry will be made of the Acting-Governor. Under the ordinary criminal law of the Colony disturbance of divine worship is punishable with fine or imprisonment, or both. By the Youthful Offenders' Ordinance, a criminal court is authorised to order any offender under 16 years of age to be caned in lieu of imprisonment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the number of unestablished workmen employed in the Engineering Department of the General Post Office who are upwards of 25 years of age?

The number of unestablished workmen in the Engineering Department who are over 25 years of age is 3,964.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the number of established officers, below the rank of supervising officer, there are in the Engineer-in-Chief's, the Controller of Factories, and the Controller of Stores' Departments?

The number of established officers in the Engineering Department below the rank of inspector, second class, is	1,034
The number in the factories below the rank of foreman	56
The number in the Stores Department below the rank of storekeeper	266
Total	1,356

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the employment of postmen on cycling duties, any additional duties in regard to medical examinations of postmen to be so employed have been placed upon medical officers; and if he will state what regulations the Post Office have laid down in regard to such examinations?

It has for some time past been a part of the duty of Post Office medical officers to examine postmen about to be employed on cycling duty. I have recently seen cause to extend this examination to men already employed on cycling duty, and to cause it to be repeated at intervals of four years. In order to ensure a searching and complete examination a list of questions has been compiled for the use of medical officers indicating those points which are of importance in the interest of the staff and of the public service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is much dissatisfaction in the Moneymore postal district, in county Tyrone, as to the delay in the delivery of letters; whether he is aware that an English letter arriving at Moneymore at 10 o'clock a.m. is not delivered at Clontoe-Richardson, a distance of only nine miles, until 12 o'clock midday on the next day; and whether he can arrange a delivery via Cookstown?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can arrange to give the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, a half-holiday on Tuesday to enable the workmen to take part in doing honours to the officers and men of the fleet who are to be entertained by the town of Woolwich on that day?

There is no objection the Arsenal being closed at 1 p.m. on Tuesday for the afternoon, but without pay. Arrangements have accordingly been made to this effect.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that certain sorters in the foreign section of the London postal service employed on all-night attendance have been working l£ hours per week in excess of the 48-hour week laid down in the Tweedmouth regulations; and whether he will cause payment to be made for this excess time worked and restore the duty allowance?

The sorters to whom the hon. Member refers do not work more than 48 hours a week. I have already pointed out in answer to previous questions that it was not possible to maintain the Tweed-mouth Regulation regarding duty in excess of 16 hours in two days, and at the same time to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants that, subject to a maintenance of a 48-hour week, the staff should be set free if possible on one afternoon in the week.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, considering the importance of publishing Empire news throughout Great Britain and Ireland, he will consent to the registration in this country, at the present rate for British newspapers, of all newspapers published in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Afrca, West Indies, and all the other Colonies and Dependencies of the British Empire, so as to enable them to be re-posted at a moderate postage rate to friends in the country; whether an alteration in the postal law would be necessary to carry out this reform; and, if so, will he give facilities for the passing of such a law?

The privilege of registration for transmission by newspaper post is restricted by statute to newspapers which are printed and published in the British Islands. I regret I do not see my way in existing circumstances to introduce the necessary measure to extend the privilege in the direction indicated by my hon. Friend.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if the Director-General of the Ordnance Survey is an officer appointed by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to carry out the survey of Ireland under the Act of Geo. 4, c. 99; and, if not, will he say in whom the appointment is vested and under what authority?

The Director-General of the Ordnance Survey is appointed by the Board of Agriculture under the powers conferred upon them by section 2 (c) of the Board of Agriculture Act, 1889. The Act to which the hon. Member refers has been repealed.

asked the Prime Minister who were the Members of the Committee which has been discussing the establishment of the All-Red Route; how many meetings has the Committee held; and when may their Report be published?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have already informed the House that the Committee to which the hon. Member refers is a Committee of Ministers assisted by permanent officials and others. Six meetings have been held. Among those who have attended meetings are the following: The Chancellor of the Exchequer First Lord of the Admiralty, President of the Board of Trade, President of the Board of Education, and Postmaster-General. I am not prepared to make any statement at present as to the publication of any Report.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether he is aware that the trustees of the Wilby Charities have been surcharged to the extent of 8s. 9d. for telegrams sent during the year 1907; if so, whether it was made by the auditors after consulting the Charity Commissioners; and on what grounds the surcharge can be upheld in view of the fact that in 1903 the auditors allowed a charge of a guinea expended in a similar manner?

It was not the trustees of the Wilby Charities, but members of the parish council of Wilby, who were surcharged by the Local Government Board 8s. 9d. for telegrams sent by Mr. E. W. Goldspink, their clerk, in 1907. The surcharge was made by the district audi- tor of the Local Government Board. It was confirmed by the Local Government Board after they had asked the Commissioners whether there was any reasonable ground for the telegrams being sent and had received a reply in the negative. The last paragraph of the question is not understood, as similar surcharges of £1 17s. 10d. and £1 6s. were made for similar telegrams sent in 1903, 1904, and 1905.

asked the President of the Board of Education why he advised the governors of the girls' grammar school, Skipton, to advance their students' fees; whether the advancement of the fees for pupils in the kindergarten department from £1 3s. 4d. to £1 10s., for pupils in the main school under 12 from £1 13s. 4d. to £2, for pupils in the main school over 14 from £3 to £3 10s., has had the desired effect; and whether the non-advancement of the fees for pupils between 12 and 14 has added to, or detracted from, the educational efficiency of this school?

The reason for the advice given to the Governors by the Board in 1905 was stated in my previous answer. With regard to the remainder of the question, it would not be possible to form an opinion without a further inspection of the school, and as the revised scale of fees did not come into operation for the whole school until the autumn of 1907, it is probably too soon to attempt to decide whether it has produced the financial stability which was its object.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of spirits on which duty was paid in the three months ending 30th June of the present and last years, respectively?

The quantities of spirits on which duty was paid in the three months ending 30th June, 1908 and 1909, respectively, were, approximately, 8,756,000 and 6,735,000 proof gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Inland Revenue have recently increased the annual leave of assistant surveyors of taxes from 24 days to 36 days; is he aware that these posts are now filled by mere youths owing to alteration in age limit; whether he is aware that the result of this is to throw more responsibility upon the first clerks; is he aware that first clerks of all grades only receive 18 days' annual leave; and whether, in view of the increased responsibility of these clerks, he will grant more leave to all first clerks who have completed 10 years in such capacity?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I am aware that the regulations as to annual leave in the Tax Surveying Service have recently been assimilated to those in force in the other Departments recruited from the Junior Appointments examination. It is the case that first clerks only receive 18 days' annual leave, but I see no reason to suppose that a greater measure of responsibility is thrown upon them than was previously the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that clerks to surveyors of taxes are graded into classes; is he aware that promotion to a higher class does not carry with it an immediate increase of pay; whether he will alter this arrangement so that clerks on promotion will receive an immediate increase, the same as in all other branches of the service?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that promotion in the Civil Service necessarily carries with it an immediate increase of pay, and I do not see my way to adopt his suggestion in the case of clerks to surveyors of taxes.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has received a Petition from over 400 line fishermen of Belfast Lough asking for a more strict enforcement of the regulations against trawling in the lough; if so, what reply, if any, has been sent to the petitioners; whether he can state the number of prosecutions for illegal trawling in the lough which took place during the year ending 31st May, 1909, and in how many cases convictions were secured and what were the penalties imposed; how many of these prosecutions were brought at the instigation of the Coastguard; and whether, seeing that the existing bye-laws were made 16 years ago, and that owing to the facilities given for illegal trawling and the consequent destruction of fish spawn the quantity of fish taken in the lough has been reduced almost to a minimum, the Department will take any action to remedy this state of affairs?

The Department have received a Petition from a large number of persons asking that Belfast Lough "be included in the list of areas prohibited for trawling purposes." Trawling restrictions already exist in Belfast Lough, and the petitioners were informed that these restrictions were made after full inquiry, and that the circumstances of the case did not appear to have changed to such an extent as to justify the Department in reopening the matter. They were also informed that the restrictions would be enforced so far as might be possible with the means at the disposal of the Department. The Department have at their disposal but one cruiser for the purpose of enforcing bye-laws. The number of prosecutions for illegal trawling in the lough which took place in the year ended 31st May, 1909, was six. Two of these cases were reported by the Coastguard. Convictions were secured in all cases, and penalties ranging from 10s. to £1, with costs, were imposed by the Magistrates. Since that date nine prosecutions have taken place, in all of which convictions were secured. The penalties ranged from 10s. to £1, with costs. The detections in these nine cases were made by the Department's cruiser. An additional case is pending. It may be well to state that the Department received in February last a request from the Belfast trawler fishermen that the existing restrictions on trawling in Belfast Lough should be removed. They were informed that the restrictions in question were made after full inquiry, and that the circumstances of the case did not appear to have changed to such an extent as to justify the Department in reopening the question. If any facts be brought before the Department as to the injurious effects of such trawling as is permitted in the Lough at present, or as to the necessity for further opening the Lough to trawlers, they will receive careful consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state who is the owner of the game on New Brooklands, near Hollymount, county Mayo, once the property of Lord Clanmorris, and now the property of the Estates Commissioners?

On the sale of the lands of Newbrook to the Estates Commissioners by Lord Clanmorris the sporting rights were reserved to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if an application has been received by the Estates Commissioners from Daniel Hackett, evicted tenant, who in 1884 was evicted from a farm at Derryvilla, New Birmingham, county Tipperary; and, if so, have any steps been taken to provide him with an equivalent?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from Daniel Hackett for reinstatement to a holding on the estate of Colonel White, now in the occupation of a tenant purchaser, and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an evicted tenant named Francis Moore, from the Cambie estate, Killoran, Moyne, county Tipperary, applied to the Estates Commissioners some years ago for reinstatement; that several evicted tenants in the locality who applied at the same time have since been provided for; and, seeing that this man and his family are in bad circumstances, will his reinstatement be effected with the least possible delay?

The Estates Commissioners have been in communication with the owners with reference to the reinstatement of Francis Moore, and have furnished them with their estimated price for the farm in question. The agent has informed the Commissioners that the owners are about to institute proceedings for sale of the holding to the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the reason for the delay in commencing the work of the re- building of the Guildhall, Derry; and whether, in view of the shortage of work in that city at present, he will endeavour to expedite this matter?

No application has come before the Local Government Board for a loan for the purpose of rebuilding the Londonderry Guildhall, and the Board have no knowledge that any such scheme is in contemplation. They have, however, sanctioned a loan of £2,000 for a morgue and police court. The erection of such works is a matter entirely under the control of the corporation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he had any official information showing that an excursion train conveying a contingent from Beragh, Carrickmore, and Pomeroy to Armagh, on 26th June was attacked by a fusilade of stones at Portadown; that some of the carriage windows were broken, and that a lady was cut by falling glass and a priest injured; and, if so, whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrage, or whether the police have made any attempt to bring the attacking party to justice?

I am informed by the Constabulary authorities that on 27th June last a number of excursion trains passed through Portadown. When one of these trains was passing through the outskirts of the town a stone supposed to have been thrown from the backyard of some houses broke the window of a first-class carriage occupied by a priest and a lady. The former was uninjured, but the lady was slightly cut by the glass. The police did not see the stone thrown, and no person has been arrested in connection with the matter, though searching inquiries have been made.

asked what is the annual charge made for the use of the Metropolitan police as an imperial force and for services rendered by the police on behalf of Government Departments; how much of this charge represents the pay of the police; how much the contribution to the pension fund; and how much administrative expenses?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Metropolitan Police accounts for the year 1908–9 (No. 120 of 1908–9), which are presented to Parliament in accordance with Statute. These accounts show the following receipts:—By the Police Fund:—

	£	s.	d.
For services rendered by the police employed by Government Departments (page 6)	211,658	18	9
In reimbursement of the pay and expenses of police specially employed (page 8)	8,767	0	1
For conveyance of prisoners (page 8)	8,447	17	5
For conveyance of naval prisoners (page 8)	1,575	1	0
Total	£230,448	17	3
By the Police Pension Fund:—
Contribution to the Pension Fund by the Government in respect of the services above-mentioned	£52,970	18	7

A proper charge for administrative expenses is included in all these sums. I may add that, as I mentioned in the House on 14th June in answer to a question by the hon. Member for the Holborn Division of Finsbury, I have under my consideration the question whether there ought not to be an additional grant from Imperial funds in view of the Imperial services which are rendered by the force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that some justices of the peace charge a fee for signing an exemption from vaccination certificate and that no fee is charged by others, he will, with the object of securing uniformity in the administration of The Vaccination Act, 1907, by circular or other means inform the magistrates that they are not justified in charging a fee unless the services of the justices clerk are utilised?

If the hon. Member will inform me of any cases in which justices have charged a fee for anything done by them in their magisterial capacity I will communicate with them. I do not, however, think that a general circular is called for, as I have no doubt that justices generally are properly informed on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will give the number of taxi-motor cabs licensed in the Metropolitan area on 1st July, 1909, and the number on the same date, 1903; also the number of hansom and four-wheeled cabs licensed on 1st July, 1909 and 1908?

The numbers are as follows:—

		1908.		1909.
Hansom cabs	…	5,329	…	4,039
Four-wheeled cabs	…	3,768	…	3,379
Motor cabs	…	1,508	…	3,394