asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the extensive use of tetrachloride of carbon as a hair-wash; whether his attention has been called to a recent death of a young lady while her hair was being shampooed with this compound; whether his attention has been directed to the poisonous properties of carbon tetra-chloride; whether any restrictions upon the sale or use of this compound at present exist; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

My attention has been called to the use of tetra-chloride of carbon as a hair-wash, to the very great danger involved, and to the death referred to by my hon. Friend. I am informed by the Privy Council that tetra-chloride of carbon is not a poison within the meaning of the Pharmacy Acts, and there are, therefore, no restrictions as to its sale. As regards the steps to be taken in the matter, I can only say that the Director of Public Prosecutions has the question of a prosecution now under his consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Estates Commissioners have yet completed their inquiries and negotiations with the landlord as to the reinstatement of evicted tenants on the Kenmare estate, county Kerry; and, if so, what has been the result?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet completed their negotiations.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the night of 4th August last some persons desecrated the Protestant churchyard at the pariah church, Ballinamore, county Leitrim, by pulling up six tombstones; and can he say if the police have any clue to the reasons which prompted the outrage or to the perpetrators?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that the facts are as stated. The police have not yet succeeded in tracing the persons who pulled up the tombstones. No motive can be assigned for their misconduct.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the reasons which have prompted the Commissioners of National Education, Ireland, to close Narrowater national school, county Down; whether he is aware that there was a small attendance during last year only on account of measles, whooping-cough, and mumps having broken out among the children, and that if this school is not reopened it will necessitate some of the children having to walk over six miles to the next Protestant school; and whether he is aware that in the immediate neighbourhood there are 53 Protestant children under 14 years of age, most of whom will be inconvenienced if the school is not reopened?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they have not withdrawn grants from Narrowater national school, but the question as to whether grants should be continued, in view of all the circumstances, is at present engaging their attention. The principal teacher of the school retired on pension on 30th June last, and as the average daily attendance of pupils for the year 1903 was less than 25, and as the school is situated at a distance of less than two miles from the Dromore-road national school, which is under the same management, it became necessary under the Commissioners' rules to consider whether a rearrangement of the schools in the district should not be effected. The average attendance of pupils for the year 1908 was somewhat less than that of the preceding year, but the Commissioners were not aware of any special circumstances, such as those set forth in the question, which had injuriously affected the attendance.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the request of the Kilkenny Local Pension Committee that the necessary sanction should be given them for expenditure in obtaining legal advice; and can he say what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

I understand that the legal question involved, which is one of some difficulty and importance, will shortly come before a court of law in connection with a case arising in another part of Ireland; and, pending a judicial decision thereon, I do not think that I could properly enter upon a discussion of the matter.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the fact that at the present time there are only five surveyors and not a single valuer engaged in the work of revaluing Dublin city; if he will take the necessary steps to have the staff of surveyors and valuers increased to expedite the work in order that all ratepayers in Dublin may bear their proper share, of municipal taxation; and if he will bring pressure to bear on the Commissioner of Valuation with a view to having the re-valuation completed within a year, having regard to the fact that nine years have elapsed since the Dublin Corporation Act was passed?

I am informed that at the moment five surveyors and no valuers are employed on this work. The senior valuers of the Valuation Department were, however, engaged on this work up till two months ago, and will be returning to it again in a short time, as soon as the annual revision, on which they are at the moment engaged, is completed. It is net thought desirable to engage temporary persons for the work, because it can be completed both more efficiently and with greater speed by the senior valuers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is intended to retain Mass Mary Frances M'Namee, employed at the Savings Bank Chief Office, Blythe-road, Kensington; and, if not, will he state for what reason, and has she been given any reason why she should be dismissed; and could he see his way to retain her in some other department of the Post Office service?

The service of Miss Mary Frances M'Namee in the post office terminated on the 31st ultimo. After full trial on the duties of a woman clerk during the usual period of probation, she was not found to be efficient. She was fully informed in writing of the grounds on which it was considered that her appointment could not be confirmed, and a trial as female sorter was offered to her as an alternative to leaving the Service; but she declined it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telegraphists at Dublin whose incidental relief in one month amounts to four hours are being called upon for explanation; and whether, in the interests of the health of the staff, he will direct that this method of aggregating casual reliefs shall cease?

It is only in cases where reliefs of this nature are sought to an excessive extent for several months in succession that official notice is taken so far as the Dublin office is concerned. I see no reason for any change in the present practice.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he can now name a date when the work proceeding in the studio of Mr. Brock, on Primrose Hill, will be completed, and the area railed off from the hill be restored to the use of the public?

I regret that I am not yet able to fix a final date for the completion of Mr. Brock's work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House what has been the total loss on the camp and farm at Middleburg, in South Africa, and whether any deficiencies have been accounted for by those held liable?

I have nothing to add to the information which I gave my right hon. Friend on 29th June last year on this subject. As regards the farm, there has been no loss of public money.