asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the Stamp Duty of 1d. on contract notes (of the value of £5 and under £100) cannot be distinguished, as the duty is included among other postage and 1d. Inland Revenue stamps, regulations can be made requiring brokers on the Stock Exchange to use Inland Revenue stamps only on contracts instead of ordinary postage stamps, with a view to the considerable sum represented by such stamps being credited to the Inland Revenue account direct instead of being credited to the General Post Office?

My hon. Friend will readily understand that there is great convenience in the use of postage stamps for small transactions, and I scarcely think it would be desirable to have stamps specially appropriated to the 1d. duty on contract notes. I should explain that the amounts represented by these stamps are not credited to the General Post Office, as that Department pays over annually to the Inland Revenue a gradually increasing sum which is estimated to represent the Inland Revenue business for which postage stamps are used. The amount so paid by the Post Office in 1908–9 was £591,960.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Imperial Revenue Return issued on Friday shows that Ireland's contribution to Imperial purposes was only £583,000 last year; and whether he will say if, under the provisions of the Home Rule Bill of 1893 as it passed the House of Commons, Ireland's contribution to Imperial purposes on the basis of last year's Irish revenue figures would have been well over £3,000,000?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Home Rule Bill of 1893 provided that the arrangements for the contribution to Imperial liabilities and expenditure should be revised after six years, but, even upon the original basis, the contribution would (so far as the data in my right hon. Friend's possession enable him to calculate it) have been considerably less than the amount stated in the question. It must also be remembered that certain services which are treated as local for the purposes of the Return, were under the Home Rule Bill to be in part chargeable against the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, and that this vitiates the comparison suggested in the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in estimating the taxable capacity of Ireland as compared with the rest of the United Kingdom, the proportion of production, for export is taken into account?

There are no official estimates of the comparative taxable capacity of Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. The only estimates of the kind with which my right hon. Friend is acquainted are those framed by various groups of Members of the Financial Relations Commission, for which I must refer the hon. Member to the Reports of that Commission. He will find that most of those Reports regard statistics either of exports or imports as an unsatisfactory basis for estimating taxable capacity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to introduce the Bill to amend the Old Age Pensions Act?

asked a similar question.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to state when this Bill will be introduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state in how many towns it is proposed to establish branch offices of the Inland Revenue; and what will be the cost of doing so both in capital expenditure and in salaries?

My right hon. Friend is not yet able to state in how many towns the offices in question will be established, but it is intended, as far as possible, to utilise the existing local stamping centres. It is not possible at present to say what additional expense will be incurred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to lay upon the Table any estimate of the cost of the valuation under the Finance Bill before the Committee is asked to consider Clause 14 and the following clauses?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave on the 27th instant to the hon. Member for the Holderness Division of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of the Finance Bill not having passed into law by 30th September, holders of licences which will expire on 10th October, 1909, will have to pay Licence Duties on the existing scale, or will be chargeable on the new scales set out in the First Schedule to the Bill?

Under the provisions of the Finance Bill the new scales of duty will come into force on 30th September in respect of all licences which expire on 10th October next. I think it would be premature for me to make any statement at the present moment as to what alterations (if any) of the arrangements proposed in the Bill will be made in event of the Bill not having passed into law by 30th September.

asked whether the exemption of garden ground to the extent of one acre from the Undeveloped Land Tax applies to gardens used jointly by the occupants of several houses; and whether the whole area of such gardens will be exempted, provided the number of acres does not exceed the number of houses.

The matter is not intended to be dealt with in this manner in the Finance Bill. I have, however, undertaken, in reply to a deputation which brought the point before me, to propose an Amendment in regard to gardens used jointly by occupants of several houses, if it appears that the Bill in its present form does not provide for the case satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many additional officers, and at what salaries, are to be appointed or have been appointed to the London Traffic Branch of the Board of Trade; and whether all these gentlemen are established officers?

No permanent appointments are contemplated at present. The sum proposed to be taken in the Supplementary Vote is intended to cover the expenditure anticipated during the remainder of the financial year in payment of remuneration and fees to officers for temporary assistance in various capacities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number, status, and emoluments of the staff to be appointed, or already appointed, under Item T 3 of the Board of Trade Supplementary Vote for £5,000 in respect of the Trade Boards Bill?

None of the staff referred to have yet been appointed, and I am not yet in a position to give a detailed statement of the number and salaries of the officers who will be required, as this must largely depend on the views taken by the Trade Boards, which are not yet constituted. I may say, however, that the sum of £5,000 is intended to defray the expenses of the Trade Boards and District Trade Committees for five or six months, including the remuneration of appointed members, secretaries and district officers, provision for clerical assistance, accommodation, travelling, and other allowances and incidental expenses.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has noticed that in the most important divisions in this House on the Irish Land Bill on 9th and 23rd July every Irish Member in the House voted against the Government, except one Member who is in receipt of a salary; and whether he proposes at a later stage of the Bill to make any concession on the question at issue to this unanimity of Irish opinion constitutionally expressed.

The facts referred to have not escaped the notice of my right hon. Friend, but he has not at present any observations to make about them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the decision of the local sub-committee granting a pension to Alice M'Donnell, of Currea, Ballingtogher, near Collooney, county Sligo, was appealed against some four months ago; can he say whether the matter has since been considered by the Local Government Board; and, if so, with what result?

The Local Government Board have not yet given their decision on the appeal lodged by the pension officer in this case pending the result of certain in-

—	Five years ending 31st December.
	1885.	1895.	1905.
	£	£	£
Aggregate cost of carrying out the Intermediate Examinations in Ireland	44,552	51,225	60,476
Aggregate value of exhibitions and other prizes awarded to students	46,715	65,446	64,161
Aggregate grants to Schools inclusive of bonuses for choirs and orchestras	42,354	165,984	282,802

No bonuses for choirs or orchestras were paid before 1904. The matter referred to in the last paragraph of the question is at present engaging the attention of the Commissioners of Intermediate Education.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will explain why he expressed in writing his cordial approval of the actions of all the police officers engaged in the recent eviction at Cordal, county Kerry, and authorised the circulation of such writing amongst those concerned; and whether there is any precedent for such action?

The publication of the Minute in question was unauthorised and irregular, and steps have been taken to prevent such an occurrence in future.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how much was the aggregate cost of carrying out the intermediate examinations in Ireland for the five years ending 31st December, 1885, 1895, and 1905; how much was the aggregate value of the exhibitions and other prizes awarded to students examined in each of these periods of five years, respectively; how much were the aggregate grants to schools, inclusive of bonuses, for each of the same periods; and whether the Commissioners of Intermediate Education will consider the desirability of making such changes as will largely reduce the present cost of carrying out examinations and proportionately increase the amount awarded for exhibitions so as to make it possible for poor students possessing ability to obtain university education?

The following gives the required information:—They are of opinion that the amount of the exhibitions awarded in the senior grade is sufficient to render it possible for the students to obtain university education.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the value or amount of each junior, middle, and senior grade exhibition awarded in the years 1885, 1895, and 1905, respectively, by the Commissioners of Intermediate Education in Ireland; what was the number of superintendents of intermediate examinations employed in each of these years; what was the number of pupils who underwent examination; what was the remuneration or average remuneration received by each of the superintendents; and what was the average amount allowed to each of them in each of these years for travelling and other expenses?

The following tables give the required information:—

I.—VALUE OF EXHIBITIONS.
Grade.		Value of Exhibitions awarded in
		1885.	1895.	1905.
Preparatory	…	Nil	£20 tenable for 1 year.	Nil.
Junior	…	£15 a year tenable for 3 years under certain conditions.	£20 a year tenable for 3 years under certain conditions.	£20, £15, and £10, all payable in one sum.
Middle	…	£25 a year tenable for 2 years under certain conditions.	£30 a year tenable for 2 years under certain conditions.	£30, £25, £15, and £10, all payable in one sum.
Senior	…	£10 prize payable in one sum.	£50 prize payable in one sum.	£50, £40, £30, and £15. all payable in one sum.

II.—NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND SUPERINTEDNENTS.
Year.			Number of Students.	Number of Superintendents.	Average remuneration of Superintendents.			Average travelling and other expenses allowed to Superintendents.*
					£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1885	…	…	5,181	149	12	18	5	1	18	2
1895	…	…	8,323	250	14	1	1	3	9	0
1905	…	…	9,677	262	14	13	10	3	15	4
* Including the payment made by Superintendents for attendants.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the number of extra police stationed at present in the police sub-district of Athenry; the number of persons who were receiving police protection in the sub-district during the three last months of 1907 by patrol and by constant police protection, respectively; the number of specially reported cases during the first six months in 1907, and the

There are now 26 extra police stationed in the Athenry sub-district. During the last three months of 1907 thirty-four persons were protected by patrols, while two were under constant police protection. There were nine specially reported cases during the first six months of 1907, and five during the first six months of 1909. There are two policehuts containing 17 men and a police canteen on the lands referred to. One of the huts has been there since January and the other since February, 1908. I cannot say when it may be found possible to remove them.

asked whether there is a regularly appointed constabulary canteen at Athenry; and, if so, what has been the turnover per month for the past six months at this canteen; and what has been the profit or loss on each month's trading?

I am informed by the police authorities that there is a regularly appointed constabulary canteen at Athenry. I do not know what the monthly turnover or the profit or loss thereon may be, and I do not think that any useful object would be attained by making inquiries into the matter. The loss, if any, does not fall on public funds.

asked whether a deputation from Athenry waited on the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, Ireland, and the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, en 22nd January, 1908; who were the gentlemen who made up such deputation; what was the nature of its business; and what action, if any, has been taken by the Vice-President and the Inspector-General?

My right hon. Friend the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture informs me that on 22nd January, 1908, some visitors from Athenry, whose names he does not now remember, called at his office in Merrion-street in order to impress upon him that the burning of the house belonging to the Department at New Ford was not malicious. He advised them to place their views before the judge. On the same day Captain Shawe Taylor and Messrs. Daly, Ruane, Clery, Nolan, Holland, Finerty, and Murphy called on the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary at Dublin Castle and urged him to reduce the police force in the Athenry district. It has not yet been found possible to comply with that request.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to reduce the police force in Athenry district to the regular number to which the place is entitled, seeing the peaceable condition of the district since the sale to the tenants of the several estates therein; and, if so, when will he take steps to do so?

The condition of the Athenry district cannot be regarded as satisfactory. The time has not yet come for considering the question of reducing the police force in the district.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, on 1st January, 1908, a public meeting was held at Athenry in connection with the agrarian struggle then in the district, when a committee was appointed for the purpose of discussing matters in connection therewith for the purpose of arriving at a peaceable and satisfactory settlement and preventing a continuance of hostilities in that district pending the passing of the Land Bill, which it was expected would be introduced into law; whether he is aware that land disputes were discussed by this committee, and will he say what has been the result of its work since then; whether one of the cases discussed related to a man named Thomas Curran, Athenry, who signed an agreement leaving the settlement of his dispute to the arbitration of Sir Anthony (now Lord) M'Donnell, and that Lord M'Donnell refused to undertake the task; whether he is aware that this man has been since under constant police protection notwithstanding the fact that on several occasions he asked the protection to be removed; and what is the reason a force of police is kept guarding a man's house against his will?

I am informed by the Constabulary authorities that an indoor meeting was held in Athenry in January, 1908, in connection with the state of the district, and that a committee was appointed with a view to a peaceable settlement of the matters in dispute. The committee has since met several times, but apparently with no good result. The statements with regard to the case of Thomas Curran are, I understand, correct. He is now protected by patrols. The decision as to the nature of the protection required in any particular case must be left to the police, who endeavour to afford such protection as unobtrusively as possible.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many police huts are on the lands now held by the Department at or near Athenry in addition to the Constabulary canteen; what was the cause for placing these huts on those lands; whether there has been any reason for such a display of force in connection with the working of this place; and, seeing that such display is likely to prevent the sons of farmers from availing themselves of the instruction paid for out of Treasury funds, whether he will, in the interests of peace as well as furthering the prospects of scientific agriculture in Galway county, recommend the removal of these huts from the lands worked by his Department at Athenry?

The inquiries contained in the first portion of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary. The Department do not agree with the view expressed in the concluding portion of this question, and do not propose to take the action suggested.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are making arrangements for the purchase of the untenanted land at Drominicar and Mortgage, Fedamore, county Limerick; and, if so, how soon it may be expected that the land will be divided?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the lands referred to in the question. If the hon. Member will state the names of the owners I shall be happy to make further inquiries.

asked how much money has been advanced for land purchase in county Limerick under the Act of 1903; how much has been applied for; and what has been the average number of years' purchase paid?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that purchase agreements applying for advances amounting to £4,626,900 were lodged up to 31st March last in direct sales in the county Limerick. Of this amount £1,172,078 was advanced up to that date. The average number of years' purchase is 21.4.

asked whether Mrs. Mary Murphy, representative of the late Mrs. White, Newtown, Bannow, evicted tenant belonging to Mr. Boyse's Wexford estate, was promised a farm in the county Dublin by the Estates Commissioners; and whether there is any prospect of this woman getting a farm in lieu of her own home on the Boyse estate?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. The Estates Commissioners tell me that Mrs. Murphy was not promised a holding in county Dublin. Her name has been noted by the Commissioners for consideration in connection with the distribution of such untenanted land as they may acquire in the neighbourhood of her former holding.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. Charlotte Elle Lett was evicted from her home on 2nd June, 1909, at Woodville, South Wexford, and that she wants evidence of eviction from the police to place before the Argentine courts in a question of division of property; and whether he will instruct the police at Bridgetown to supply the required evidence?

I understand that Mrs. Lett, who was evicted as stated, has asked the police to make an affidavit in the case for use in connection with civil proceedings. The request is not one which can be complied with, as the police are not concerned in the matter and were not even present at the eviction. Mrs. Lett can no doubt obtain the evidence which she requires from the Sheriff or from the Court by order of which she was evicted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners, having declined to consider the claims of James Butler and James Mulcahy for reinstatement in their old holdings on the Bevan estate at Bruff, county Limerick, will provide them with an equivalent on some untenanted lands in county Limerick, having regard to the fact that they are bonâ fide evicted tenants and only a few years previous to their eviction they spent £500 on the erection of a dwelling-house for which they were never allowed one farthing?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to the question asked by him on the 21st instant, the Estates Commissioners have decided to take no action on the applications of these persons. The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed as to the facts of the case. The lands in question are not lands to which the Land Law Acts apply, and the applicants were not evicted but surrendered their holdings.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the length of service of the late Private Andrew Jamieson, who was found dead with his throat cut in a cell of the regimental prison at the Curragh; why the man received imprisonment; what was the sentence and the diet the man was fed upon prior to death; was the man confined in a cell measuring nine feet square; and will he state how many suicides have taken place in the Curragh within the past three weeks?

The total service of this man amounted to 15 years 36 days. He was awarded 168 hours detention (not imprisonment) for absence from duty—this being the second offence of this nature in three weeks. The diet was, according to the scale, fixed by the regulations which was very carefully considered and approved by the medical authorities. The cell measured 10ft. by 8ft. by 11ft. 6in. This is the only case of suicide at the Curragh during the past three weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Special Reserve in some parts of the country have had served out to them a new short rifle, and that in many cases the bayonets do not fit and cannot be fixed on the rifles; and whether he will cause bayonets that do fit to be issued?

The new short rifles were issued without bayonets which are special to them; the issue of these bayonets has just been completed. I may point out that the bayonet belonging to the long rifle does not fit the short rifle.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there are any officers in the Army who were promoted from the ranks in 1902. and have fully qualified for the rank of captain, who have not yet been promoted to that rank?

Nine officers who were appointed to the ranks in 1902 are now serving as lieutenants and are qualified by examination for the rank of captain. It must be remembered that the average service for promotion to the rank of captain is upwards of eight years.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the double suicide in Colchester Barracks on Saturday morning last; if he is aware that this makes the fourth suicide in the Colchester garrison within the past six weeks; and whether he intends making any inquiry why so many suicides have taken place in the Colchester Barracks?

Inquiries are being made into these cases of suicide.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to Army Order 21 of 1909, equitation bounty; and, if so, whether the Army Council have decided that the instruction therein contained that commanding officers of Yeomanry regiments should personally initial each entry in the pay lists of his regiments is necessary for the efficient control of the expenditure; and, if not, whether he will have the Army Order amended?

Equitation bounty is paid to men certified by their commanding officers to be proficient in equitation. The provisions of Army Order 21 of 1909 are considered necessary to secure this.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can say whether he has received a memorial which was forwarded to the Secretary, General Post Office, Dublin, from the inhabitants of Dromard and district, asking to have a letter-box erected at Dromard, on the (day mail) road, midway between Ballingarry and Rathkeale, in the county of Limerick; and, if so, will he give the matter his favourable consideration?

The matter is one which should be dealt with locally. The Secretary in Dublin will no doubt take such action as may be necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the fact that the present temporary arrangement of East Central postmen's duties has been in operation for nine months, he can state if a revision is to take place; and if he can meet the wishes of the staff that those concerned may be allowed to choose their duties according to seniority and ability?

The details of a revised, scheme of duties have already been announced to the postmen, who will be allowed to choose their duties according to I seniority and ability.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether a sum of money was granted by the Department for the building of an agricultural college at Athenry; if so, what is the amount and on what date was it authorised; when is it intended to proceed with the building of this college; and what has been the cause of the delay?

In June, 1907, a sum of £10,000 was provisionally allocated by the Department for the erection of an agricultural college at Athenry. Owing to the unsettled state of the district, action in regard to the expenditure of this money was indefinitely postponed, and the Department are unable to say when, if ever, any portion of the said sum will be expended for the purpose for which it was allocated.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agricul- ture (Ireland) what is the area of the land at the disposal of the Department in connection with the agricultural station at Athenry; how much of it is under tillage and how much under grass; what is the number of live stock, irrespective of premium cattle, which have been disposed of locally and also at the Dublin and English cattle markets; and whether these cattle were disposed of at a profit or a loss?

The area of the farm occupied by the Department at Athenry for the purpose of their agricultural station is 670 acres. At present 250 acres are under rotation crops, 20 are under plantations, 80 are permanent meadow, and the remainder is pasture. The number of live stock, exclusive of premium cattle disposed of at this station, was between 400 and 500 head, including lambs. The Department consider that the financial results from these sales were I not unsatisfactory.