asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the tax on petrol has been collected from importers and manufacturers up to the present, and, if so, from what date; and can he say approximately the number of gallons on which duty has been paid?

Imported motor spirit has been liable to duty since 30th April, 1909, and home-made motor spirit since 1st June, 1909. The approximate quantity delivered duty-paid to 30th June, inclusive (the latest date up to which quantity accounts are available), was 3,624,000 gallons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reference to the bonding of spirits in Ireland, whether the Excise authorities take steps to differentiate between whisky placed in bond and British or foreign spirits; and if not, can they make arrangements to do so, in view of the fact that Ireland is a whisky-producing country, and with a view to verifying the accuracy of the figures in the Revenue Returns as published in the Parliamentary Papers?

The Excise authorities are not able to differentiate between whisky and other British spirits placed in bond.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the deported State prisoners have now been in detention for more than six months, he will state to the House if their case has been under review by the Indian Government, and with what result?

The Government of India have not yet reported the result of their consideration of the case.

asked whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Lajpat Rai, who in 1907 was deported for sedition, has completely succeeded in exonerating himself from the charge of being a seditious person made by a Calcutta newspaper, and has been awarded £1,000 damages in a libel action recently tried before Mr. Justice Fletcher in the High Court of Calcutta, the Secretary of State will consider the desirability of allowing to the nine British subjects who were deported in December last, without charge or trial, some opportunity of appearing before an impartial tribunal so as to meet the charges which led to their deportation?

It is understood that the newspaper to which the hon. Member refers has appealed against Mr. Justice Fletcher's judgment. But, in any case, as no charges have been made against the persons now detained under Regulation III. of 1818, the Secretary of State sees no connection between the hon. Member's premises and the conclusion which he desires should be drawn from them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the civil surgeons in India are usually military doctors belonging to the Indian Medical Service, and that their duties are very light and leave them ample time for private practice; whether the same work is done in the native states by doctors who do not belong to the Indian Medical Service at a much less cost and to the entire satisfaction of the Government and the public; and whether he could say when he will introduce his proposed scheme for the reform of the medical service of India?

The hon. Member is correct in stating that the civil surgeons in India are usually officers of the Indian Medical Service. The Secretary of State has no detailed information as to the amount of time which they are able to spare from their official duties for private practice, nor is anything known as to the work of medical practitioners in native states. The Secretary of State is still in communication with the Government of India in regard to the best means of promoting the growth of an independent medical profession in India.

asked the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether it is the case that the attendants in the National Library of Ireland are compelled by his Department to work 54 hours per week, although on the reorganisation of the staff over five years ago the Treasury proposed a 48-hour week; whether, if so, steps will be taken to have the original proposal of the Treasury put into operation; and whether, regard being had to the fact that in all public offices in Ireland the Civil Service officials are granted a half-holiday every week except in the National Library of Ireland, the same privilege will be granted to the staff of the National Library of Ireland.

The hours of attendance—nine daily for men attendants in the National Library of Ireland—were fixed by the Treasury in 1904 on the recommendation of a Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into matters relating to the Library staff. The men attendants are allowed a half holiday every second week. The library is open to the public each week day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and it would not be practicable to allow a half holiday to the attendants every week.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can say if any application has been received for the transfer to the National Board of a Church Education Society school in Mullartown, county Down; and, if so, whether the Commissioners will have regard to the fact that there is ample school accommodation within a mile and a half radius, and that the granting of the application would entail the displacement in one school of an assistant who has taught for 25 years, and also possibly an assistant in another school, and that there arc two Protestant schools in the district, one within 15 minutes' and the other within 20 minutes' walk?

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that they have received an application for a grant to a school at Mullartown, county Down. The Commissioners have referred the application to their local inspector, and pending the receipt of his report they are not in a position to make any statement with regard to the matters referred to in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the action of the Irish Government in relieving the Midland Railway Company of Ireland of its statutory obligation to keep the Royal Canal in a navigable condition, because of prospective legislation, and the imminent destruction of the canal and loss and inconvenience to many, he will say what degree of certainty there is of legislation on this subject next Session, and at what period of the Session?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have already fully explained the position of affairs in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on 22nd July, and can only add that he is mistaken in supposing that the Irish Government has relieved the Midland Railway Company of any statutory obligation. Pending the receipt and consideration of the Report of the Royal Commission on Canals, it is obviously impossible for me to express any opinion as to the probability of legislation affecting the Royal Canal.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the recommendations of the Commission on Irish Canals will be presented this year; and whether Parliament will be asked to legislate on the subject early or at all next Session?

I understand that the Royal Commission on Canals propose to report first on British waterways, and expect to do so before the end of the year. They hope to report on Irish waterways in the early months of next year, and until that Report has been received and considered no statement as to possible future legislation can be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if there is any immediate prospect of the carrying out of the Hobhouse recommendations in the Dublin sorting office as regards confining the duties within 12 hours; is he aware that nearly a year and a half has now elapsed since the recommendations were made public; and will he see that the new duty scheme is expedited?

As I have previously informed the hon. Member, it is intended to confine the attendances within a period of 12 hours as far as the peculiar incidence of the work at Dublin permits, and the question is being considered in connection with a revision now in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the superintendent of the sorting office, Dublin, is still acting as an insurance agent; whether he intends to allow one holding such a position to act in the capacity of insurance agent; whether he will make inquiries when two sorting clerks and telegraphists, named J. Devine and Fitzpatrick, were enrolled as members of the insurance society, the date of their entrance, and the name of the agent who enrolled them; whether he is aware that Mr. Devine joined the society in 1907 and Mr. Fitzpatrick in 1908; if he will inquire whether the statement made that this superintendent gave a flat denial to the implication of being an agent in answer to a previous charge was true in fact; and what steps he proposes to take?

I am informed that the officer in question supplied Messrs. Devine and Fitzpatrick, at their request, with information, but that he did not canvass them on behalf of an insurance society. This is not inconsistent either with the rules of the service or the statements made by the officer in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether application has been made to connect the town of Bandon, county Cork, with Cork city by telephone; and whether, having regard to the importance of this town from a commercial point of view, he will grant this request, as in the new post office a telephone exchange has been provided?

About two years ago Bandon was canvassed for subscribers to a telephone exchange; and, although very little support was forthcoming, I offered to carry out the extension under guarantee, and terms were quoted to the Cork Incorporated Chamber of Commerce. I have, however, heard nothing further from them. I shall, however, be happy to reopen the negotiations with any public body interested in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of salaried sub-postmasters in the employ of the Post Office; and whether, in view of the fact that a number of salaried sub-postmasters receive larger salaries than some head postmasters, he will take steps to issue a Return showing the wages paid to all salaried sub-postmasters in receipt of £120 per annum and upwards?

There are approximately 545 salaried sub postmasters and sub-postmistresses in the employ of the Post Office. Head postmasters and salaried sub-postmasters are paid according to the work performed at their respective offices, and I do not think that the Return asked for would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what has been the result of his recent circular letter to local authorities with regard to the stricter enforcement of the Act which compels bakers to sell bread by weight?

Of the local authorities that have so far replied to the recent circular a large majority undertake the enforcement of the law as to the sale of bread by weight. I hope that the circular will have had a good effect in drawing attention to the statutory requirements in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the importance of the Kiel Ship Canal to the trade of the United Kingdom, whether he can state when the alterations will be completed so as to enable ships of deep draught to pass through?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of torpedo-boat destroyers ordered in each of the financial years 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, and the number of each year's order already delivered?

The numbers of torpedo-boat destroyers ordered and delivered respectively in the financial years 1905–6 to 1907–8 are as follows:—

			Ordered.	Already delivered.
1905–6	…	…	6	4
			(1 of special type.)
1906–7	…	…	2	2
1907–8	…	…	5	None.

In addition to the above, which were styled "ocean destroyers," there were 12 "coastal destroyers" ordered in each of the years 1905–6 and 1906–7, which subsequently—during the latter year—were redesignated as first-class torpedo boats, new type. These have all been delivered, as well as nine of the 12 first-class torpedo boats ordered in 1907–8.

asked the Lord Advocate it he will state whether the two applicants for crofts on Vatersay who, with others, were imprisoned for taking possession of the land, were not accepted as suitable candidates for crofter holdings on the ground that they were unable to equip and stock a holding; and will he say how it is proposed to meet the requirements of cottars of this class, seeing that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill makes no provision for such cottars?

I have already informed my hon. Friend on 26th July, and the hon. Member for the College Division on 22nd July, as to the method of selection adopted by the Congested Districts Board with regard to the candidates for these Crofter holdings. With regard to the second part of my hon. Friend's question I have nothing to add to the reply given to him by the Prime Minister on 26th July, of which I am sending a copy to him.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he has had his attention called to a fatal accident caused by a traction engine near Fortingal, in Glen Lynn, on 11th June last, by which two girls lost their lives; and whether there are any special reasons for holding that the case is one in regard to which a public inquiry ought not to be held?

My attention has already been called to the accident referred to, and I have ordered an inquiry to be held.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the Registrar-General of Friendly Societies invited the Treasury officials to meet the representatives of the various Government Departments to discuss the administration of the compensation scheme in force in the various Government Departments; whether such invitations were accepted; what cases were brought to the Treasury's notice by the representatives of the Small Arms Factory Union; whether the Treasury have considered these cases, and what has been the result up to date in each case; and whether the compensation now granted is a result of that interview?

The Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies received a deputation last autumn from certain organisations of Government employés respecting the working of the Government scheme under the Workmen's Compensation Act, and two representatives of the Treasury were present at the interview at the request of the Chief Registrar. The Treasury has since been in communication with the War Office with respect to certain cases to which reference was made by the deputation, and in some of those cases the War Office has felt justified in recommending, and the Treasury in assenting to, a revision of the original awards. I do not think there would be any public advantage in giving details of the individual cases, but I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Member with the particulars of any of them in which he may be interested.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Government contract with Messrs. Francis and Sons, Trundleys-road, Dept-ford, for the supply of drums was suspended for a fortnight on account of the rate of wages paid by that firm; and, seeing that no changes in the wages have been made since the work for the War Office has been resumed, will he take action in this matter?

There is some difficulty in ascertaining the current rate for the various operations in the manufacture of these articles, and the investigation of the case is not complete. I am not aware of any suspension of the work on account of the wages paid.

asked whether, seeing that the Small Arms Employés and the Royal Gunpowder Factory Unions of Enfield and Waltham respectively brought before him by deputation in November last the question of affording financial assistance to the Middlesex County Council to provide increased facilities for technical education for the workmen of the Small Arms and Gunpowder Factories, he will say whether the inquiries he undertook to make have been completed; whether the Government have seen their way clear to give any financial assistance to the Middlesex County Council; and, if so, what increased facilities will now be provided?

The War Office will make a contribution of £500 to the local education authority towards the cost of building and equipping a new technical institute at Ponder's End. The payment will be made on the completion of the institute to the satisfaction of the Army Council, and will be in addition to the annual contribution already made towards the expense of the existing institute. This was notified to the Divisional Secretary, Middlesex County Education Committee, Enfield, on 21st June.