asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made lately by the Argentine, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, or other Governments regarding the freedom of the flocks and herds of their respective countries from disease; whether any requests have been made by the Argentine or other Governments that the restrictions on the importation into Great Britain of animals from their respective countries for slaughter should be relaxed or removed; what replies thereto have been given by the Foreign Office; and whether he can lay any Paper upon the Table relating to the subject?

A request has been received from the Argentine Government that the prohibition against the importation into this country of cattle from districts of the Argentine Republic unaffected by foot-and-mouth disease should be removed. In order that the matter may be considered the Argentine Government have been asked to be good enough to furnish detailed information as to the steps taken either by the Federal or the Provincial Governments to deal with the suppression of the disease. A request has also been received from the Danish Government that live sheep from Ireland may be allowed to be imported into the United Kingdom. They have been informed that there is nothing to prevent importation provided the sheep are slaughtered at the port of landing. No communications have been received from the Dutch or Norwegian Governments on the subject. In the circumstances I do not propose to lay any Paper upon the Table.

Am I correct in thinking that the Foreign Office instead of the Board of Agriculture has taken upon itself to deal with this question of the importation of sheep and cattle from foreign countries, or do they consult the Board of Agriculture? This is not a diplomatic matter; it is an agricultural matter.

The Foreign Office does not treat it as a matter apart from the Board of Agriculture. At all events, the Board of Agriculture always decides these questions on the merits. This is a matter of diplomatic communication with the Argentine.

Will the hon. Gentleman make it clear that no concession of a diplomatic character will be made to those countries as against the interests of agriculture?

May I ask whether, in view of the difficulty of getting the Board of Agriculture to move in this matter, that His Majesty's Government will consider the property of removing the restrictions at present prevailing?

That is certainly not a matter for the Foreign Office.

May I ask why the Argentine is treated differently from the United States in the matter of the importation of cattle?

I am not aware the Argentine is treated differently. The Argentine Government made certain representations to us and we have asked them for certain information.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners, in considering the sale of the estate of Sir George Colthurst, Rathcoole, county Cork, and the sub-tenants concerned, have taken into account the case of Mr. John Buckley, who had a holding of over 10½ acres, and John Leary, who holds a tenancy of one acre three roods, and other sub-tenants; and under what circum- stances they have debarred these subtenants from purchasing their holdings, in view of the fact that the vendor and the direct tenants consented to the sale of these holdings?

The Estates Commissioners, in dealing with this estate, considered the cases of these two sub-tenants. The Commissioners did not, however, make any declaration under the provisions of Section (15) of the Irish Land Act, 1903, that these sub-tenants should be deemed to be tenants of the plots held by them, and the entire holding was accordingly vested in the direct tenant. If the parties are now disposed to apply for the sub-division of the holding and the apportionment of the annuity the Commissioners will be prepared to give their application favourable consideration.

In a case of this kind, where a man has a holding of the fairly considerable size of 10½ acres, is he to be excluded from the benefit of a scheme of land purchase where all parties concerned are agreeable to his inclusion?

Of course, I cannot answer why it was that the Estates Commissioners in this case decided to vest the property in the tenant without regard to the sub-tenants, but I gather they are perfectly ready now to consider the question.

I shall communicate with them.

asked whether any, and, if so, how many, evicted tenants in county Fermanagh have been restored to their holdings or provided with new holdings since the passing of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907; and have the Estates Commissioners acquired any, and, if so, how much, untenanted land in county Fermanagh available for evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 44 evicted tenants belonging to county Fermanagh have been reinstated or provided with new holdings on estates sold under the Irish Land Act, 1903, since the passing of that Act. Proceedings are pending for the acquisition under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, of 316 acres in the county, but no tenants have yet been reinstated under the Act as the lands have not as yet been acquired.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Catholic Clerical Managers' Association, the Protestant Episcopalian Managers' Association, the Presbyterian Education Committee, and the Methodist Body in Ireland have declared their willingness to bear half the cost of heating and cleaning the National schools under their management providing that the remaining half be borne by the Treasury; whether the Commissioners of National Education (Ireland) are willing to frame the necessary regulations, should such a scheme be brought to a successful issue; and, if so, whether, in accordance with his promise, he is now prepared to press the matter upon the Treasury?

The Commissioners of National Education have received resolutions from the Catholic Managers' Association and the Methodist Body to the effect stated in the question, and they understand that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church is also in favour of the proposal. They have not yet been made aware of the views of Protestant Episcopalian Managers. The best method of dealing with this most important question is still in the stage of consideration, and I am prepared to give careful attention to any practical solution which has the support of the school managers of the different denominations in Ireland. The Commissioners of National Education are ready to co-operate in every way in their power.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he proposes to arrive at any practical solution without calling all the parties together?

We have gone a long way as it is, and we have got them almost all in hand in the matter. I do not know that there is any great advantage to be gathered from a convention on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education have made a rule to the effect that a knowledge of Irish shall only be required in one-third of the number of appointments to the junior inspectorate in future; if so, whether he can state on whose recommendation this rule was adopted; and whether, having regard to the fact that a larger percentage of inspectors with a knowledge of Irish will be required, he can get the rule amended?

The Commissioners of National Education have made a regulation to the effect that, in the case of one-third of the vacancies for inspectorships, candidates will in future be required to undergo a qualifying examination in Irish. This regulation was adopted in consequence of the necessity, for the purposes of the efficient administration of the system of national education, of appointing inspectors who had a good knowledge of Irish, and in view of the fact that very few of otherwise highly qualified candidates for recent appointments were conversant with that subject. It would not be in the interest of the public service to say on whose recommendation this rule was adopted. The Commissioners do not propose at present to modify the regulation which they have so recently adopted, but, should the exigencies of the service require it, they would at some future date reconsider the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners, now that they have signified their intention to divide during the present month of August the grazing ranch on the Douglas property at Cloonquirk, county Longford, will give the names of the evicted tenants and other parties to whom they intend to give this grazing ranch; and by whom were the parties selected?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet settled a scheme for the allotment of the lands referred to which they are acquiring under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, for the purposes of that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the cases of appeals made by the pension officer against pensions granted by the Castlecomer old age pension subcommittee to Richard Shea and Anne Wilson on the question of means, the Local Government Board took any steps further than reading the pension officer's report to inquire into the means of said claimants, before deciding against the decision of the committee granting them pensions; and, if so, will he state the steps so taken?

I understand that in both these cases the Local Government Board obtained returns as to the claimants' stock and crops.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the Castlecomer old age pension sub-committee passed a claim for pension to William Tracey and Mary Comerford, and that the said claims respectively were appealed against by the pension officer, who relied on the Census Returns, and that the sub-committee, having local and other proofs of the ages of the applicants, and statutory declarations made by the applicants, that each of the two was over 70 years of age, passed the pensions, and that the Local Government Board decided against their claims; if he will state the reasons which influenced the Local Government Board to set aside the decisions of the committee and the statutory declarations of the applicants in favour of a record from the Census, having regard to the fact that a statutory declaration is accepted as evidence, whereas a certificate from the Census will not be so accepted in a court of law; whether he is aware that, in the case of William Tracey, the Local Government Board was requested to send down an inspector to verify the declaration made by Tracey; whether the Local Government Board did so; and, if not, will he say why they did not so send down before setting aside a statutory declaration?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeals in these cases as there was not sufficient evidence that the claimants had reached the statutory age. In Mary Comerford's case letters were forwarded from two persons stating that they believed her to be seventy years of age. Tracey made a statutory declaration that he was thirty-two years old at the time of his marriage in 1868, and submitted a letter from a clergyman to the effect that he believed his statement. The Board could not accept this evidence, having regard to the fact that the claimants appeared from the Census Returns of 1851 to have been then nine and eight years of age respectively. Tracey asked the Board to send down an inspector to see him, but, having regard to the documentary evidence, it was not considered necessary to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these Census Returns would not be received as legal evidence in any court of justice?

I daresay that may be, but the misfortune of the case is that there is no legal evidence obtainable in these cases with regard to age, and the authorities have to act in each case upon their general view of the facts. It is a very difficult thing to do.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the claim of Jeremiah Stapleton to an old age pension was, after full and careful inquiry, sanctioned by the Kinsale (No. 1) pension sub-committee, county Cork; that the Local Government Board, on the appeal of the pension agent, has decided that the claimant was not entitled to a pension on the ground that the claimant's wife was in receipt of poor relief; that the medical officer has certified that the relief granted was medical, and, as such, was no disqualification; and, if so, will this case be reconsidered?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer in this case on the ground that the claimant's wife had been in receipt of Poor Law relief. It appeared from a return furnished by the clerk of the Union that during a portion of last December the claimant's wife was an ordinary inmate of the workhouse, and he was, therefore, disqualified for receiving a pension. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision on the claim.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the claimant was not in the workhouse, and that his wife was in the hospital?

The case, as I am told, is that the wife was an ordinary inmate of the workhouse, and, as the hon. Member knows, the disqualification of the wife attaches to the husband.

Will the case be reconsidered on the facts I mention?

If it can be shown she was not an ordinary inmate but only in the hospital for a short time, which is a well-known exception, the case ought certainly to be reconsidered.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners had received resolutions from the tenants of uneconomic holdings adjoining the untenanted land of Turfarney, in the Queen's County, on the estate of the late Arthur J. Owen, also a letter from the parish priest, the Very Reverend Canon Brennan, requesting them to communicate with the vendors with a view of purchasing the farm mentioned for division amongst the holders of uneconomic farms in the locality; whether the Commissioners were aware that the vendors, in order to deprive the small holders of their rights under the Act of 1903, had sold the farm to an 11 months' man, representing it to be a tenanted holding, although it was in the occupation of the late owner and let for grazing up to his death a few years ago; and could he say whether the Estates Commissioners were prepared to sanction an advance in this case; and, if so, for what amount?

The Estates Commissioners have received the resolution and letter referred to. The lands in question are situate on the estate of William Dobson and James S. S. Mowbray, trustees of Elizabeth Owen, deceased, and an agreement for the purchase of 141 acres thereof signed by Arthur J. Owen has been lodged. The estate cannot be dealt with by the Commissioners for a considerable time.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state the present position as regards the sale of the O'Brien estate at Corglass and Cornakelly, in North Longford; and when the tenants might expect to have their vesting orders issued to them?

The estate referred to has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners from the Land Judge under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act of 1903. The Commissioners cannot at present say when the holdings will be vested in the tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that 49 tenants on the Douglas estate, at Bawn Kilnashee, Cloonmacart, and Cloonaugh, had signed a protest and forwarded the same to the Estates Commissioners against the completion of the sale of the estate until an inquiry was made into the allotment of the bog by the landlord; in what order of priority this sale stood, and would the Estates Commissioners direct an inspection of the estate before passing this sale?

The purchase agreements in the case of this estate were not lodged until 26th October, 1906, and it cannot, therefore, be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners for a considerable time. When it is reached in its turn an inspector will in the ordinary course visit the estate.

asked whether any further progress had been made in the purchase arrangements for the estate of the late R. Davoren, at Killasonna, county Longford; and, if not, what was the cause of the delay?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the owner's title under Section 17 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, has not yet been cleared. Until this is done the Commissioners cannot issue their proposal to purchase.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sale in this case has been under negotiation for over two years; and will he ask the Estates Commissioners to push the matter forward?

I will communicate that desire, but the difficulty is to show who is the person entitled to sell. As soon as that has been disposed of, the matter will be proceeded with.

asked whether, in the case of a farm of land purchased under the Land Act, 1903, from which Bryan Cormack, of Lisawarriff, was evicted, and which the present tenant was willing to have restored to his representative, the transfer would be sanctioned by the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners cannot trace any application for reinstatement from an evicted tenant giving the name and address quoted in the question.

asked whether the offer of Mr. James W. Bond, D.L., to sell the lands of Monedarragh, county Long- ford, for distribution amongst the tenants adjoining who live on uneconomic holdings had yet been accepted by the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, when that consummation would be reached?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, in reply to a question asked by him on 4th May last, the proceedings for the sale of tins estate were only instituted in November, 1907. The Estates Commissioners will deal with the estate in order of priority, but they cannot yet say definitely when its turn will come.

This has been going on for nearly two years. A lot of people are complaining of delay.

There is no need to point that out to me; I am only too painfully aware of the fact.

asked the Chief Secretary if an extra force of police had been drafted into the village of Lorrha, North Tipperary; and, if so, would he state the cause?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that two constables were sent to this village early in the month to help the local police in patrolling, in order to prevent a cattle-drive, which was expected. There was no cattle-drive, and the two constables were sent back to their stations on the 21st inst.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. William Golby was paid his purchase money on 7th November, 1907, for his estate at Ballinahulla, county Kerry; whether the Land Commission only paid the Treasury 3 per cent, since that date, but had charged the tenants 3½ per cent, to 1st May, 1909; and whether, if this was so, he could state to what fund the profit made on the transaction went?

This estate was sold to the Estates Commissioners under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the purchase money was paid on 7th November, 1907. The holdings were vested in the tenants, with two exceptions, on 1st May last. Between those dates the Land Commission paid 3¼ per cent, to the Trea- sury on the advance, and the tenants paid 3½ per cent, interest to the Land Commission. The explanation of this difference of ¼ per cent, and the purposes to which it is devoted are fully stated in my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for South Kildare on 30th November last, to which I would refer the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain into what fund the difference of 5s. has gone?

The estates purchased often include a considerable extent of untenanted land, which has to be held by the Commissioners for distribution for some time after the vendor has been paid the agreed price. This involves expenses of management and the payment of local rates and taxes. The ¼ per cent, is required for these payments, and also for the working balance to meet the claims of the National Debt Commissioners. The Treasury does not get anything out of it at all.

Does an auditor of the Government or anybody else know what this working balance is, and how it is applied?

Yes. There is really no secret in the matter whatever.

Having regard to the fact that there is no untenanted land on this estate, will the right hon. Gentleman direct that the tenants should be refunded the money?

There are expenses of management, local rates and taxes, and matters of that kind, which absorb the small difference between the two percentages.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government had yet received any Report as to whether the case of the nine gentlemen who were arrested and deported in December, 1908, under Regulation III. of the Act of 1818, had been reconsidered; and, if so, could he make any statement on the matter to the House?

The Secretary of State has not received any Report from the Government of India. My hon. Friend, if he has the words of the Regulation in his mind, is aware that the Reports on 1st January and 1st July are confined to conduct, health, and comfort, and the Regulation does not direct that they go beyond these three matters. Of course, there is no reason whatever why the Government of India should not consider the policy of the cases at any rate when they may think fit. The Section of the Regulation states: "Every officer in whose custody any State prisoner may be placed shall on 1st January and 1st July of each year submit a Report to the Governor-General-in-Council, through the Secretary to Government in the Political Department, on the conduct, health, and comfort of such State prisoner, in order that the Governor-General-in-Council may determine whether the Orders for his detention shall continue in force or shall be modified." That, I submit, has reference only to the conduct and the health of the prisoner, and has no reference whatsoever to the reasons for which he is being detained.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that my question did not put the point he has now mentioned? I simply said that these gentlemen were arrested under a certain Act. The point of my question is that on two occasions in this House the representative of the India Office has declared that these cases would be reviewed every six months.

I amplified my reply, as I thought, for the convenience of the hon. Member. It is quite true that he did not ask for the information I have given. I thought I made it clear that every six months a report had to be made as to the health and comfort of the prisoner. If the hon. Member pressed the point too closely it would be impossible for the Government of India to consider the condition of these prisoners in any other month than those specified in the Regulation.

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that on two occasions in this House the representative of the India Office has declared that the whole case of the deportees should be reconsidered every six months, with a view to recommendations being made by the Government of India for their release?

The Secretary of State constantly has the cases of the deportees in mind, and I have not the. slightest doubt, if I represent my Noble Friend aright, that he will release these prisoners the moment he and the Indian Government consider it to be consistent with the public interest to do so.

But is the hon. Gentleman not aware of the fact that promises have been made in this House on two occasions that the whole case of these deportees should come up at specific periods of the year with a view to considering whether they should be released?

I thought I made it clear to the hon. Member that these cases do come up every six months in accordance with the Regulation I have read. The question of the State reasons for the deportation of these prisoners is an entirely different matter.

Has the hon. Gentleman observed in the paragraph he read that the question of the detention or non-detention of the prisoners is a matter for the consideration of the Indian Government and the Home Government?

I have only explained that the whole question of the deportees is always engaging the attention of the Secretary of State and the Indian Government. They do not need to be bound by this Regulation at all.

Are not the words perfectly clear that they are to reconsider whether the Orders for the detention of the prisoner shall or shall not remain in force; if so, by these words are not the Indian Government bound to consider whether the prisoners are to be further detained?

I have already answered the question. The question of policy has already been decided by this House, and the Prime Minister recently made a very emphatic declaration upon it. It is not competent for me to argue the question of policy which has been decided upon by the Cabinet, and confirmed by this House.

May I ask—

This is degenerating into a Debate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the reason for the delay in giving effect to his repeated promises to promote 63 sub-engineers who qualified for the position of second-class engineer at a Civil Service examination held in January last?

I regret that there has been some unavoidable delay in giving effect to the promotion of these sub-engineers. I am in communication with the Treasury and the Civil Service Commissioners on the subject, and the promotions will be carried out as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when the new Civil Service examination for sub-engineers was being introduced, he promised that all candidates who failed to pass the first examination would have ample facilities for study afforded them before being called upon to sit for reexamination; and, if so, will he explain why the officers concerned have been recently informed that the Postmaster-General now finds that the only facilities which can be granted consist of permission being given to these officers to cease work when, and only when, they have completed their normal hours of duty, provided that longer attendance is not required by the exigencies of the service?

I regret that it has frequently been found necessary to call upon sub-engineers to perform overtime. In the case, however, of those who failed at the first examination in January, I will see that their hours of work are, as far as possible, restricted to eight a day, and that they are given whatever facilities for study can be arranged.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are 11 mail drivers in Belfast employed as follows: Two men work 93 hours each for 21s. 6d., 4 men work 86, 84½, 84, and 79¾ hours for 21s. 6d., 4 other men work 86½, 76½, 61½, and 57 hours for 20s. each, and 1 man works 19 hours for 12s.; whether he is aware that these men's uniform consists of coat, vest, and cap only, whereas the ordinary postmen receive two full suits, overcoat, waterproof cape, and boots per year; whether he is aware that recent inquiry in Belfast respecting this matter consisted in calling the contractor's foreman and accepting his statement, without approaching the persons employed in any way; whether he is aware that on 20th July he informed the House that the hours were 60 and the wages 21s. 6d. and uniform; and whether he will take the necessary steps to enforce that statement, and add to the uniform trousers, boots, top-coat, and waterproof cape, and thus make the uniform complete?

I am having inquiry made in the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in connection with the complaint as to the non-observance of the Fair Wage Clause by Messrs. Charles Webster, Limited, Royal mail contractors, as regards the farriers in their employ, a fireman at the firm's depot at Imperial-street, Bromley, E., whose wages have been increased from 33s. to 38s., is still receiving 4s. below the district rate, which is 42s. per week, and that at the firm's Whitechapel depot a fireman is paid 37s. 6d. per week, the district rate being 42s., and a doorman is paid 33s., the district rate being 36s.; whether he is aware that all the farriers in the employ of the firm are worked 60 hours per week, although the maximum number of hours recognised in the trade is 54; and will.he say what action he proposes to take in these cases?

I recently informed Mr. Webster that it had come to my notice that they were not paying the recognised rate to farriers employed on Post Office contract, and they undertook to pay the recognised rate, namely, 7s. a day for firemen and 6s. a day for doormen. As regards, however, the firemen and doormen employed at the contractors' Bromley and Whitechapel depots, I understand they do not perform any Post Office work, with the exception of one man at Bromley, who sometimes performs work incidental to the mail contract. I propose to make further inquiry respecting this man's duty and wages. I am already in communication with the Board of Trade in regard to what is the usual number of hours worked per day by farriers in London.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to inflict any penalty upon the firm for not having paid the proper wages in connection with their contract?

I drew the firm's attention to the matter, and the farriers have had their wages raised. If they are not paid the matter can be further inquired into.

asked the Postmaster-General why the Post Office authorities decline to deliver letters addressed to Clondra, county Longford, the ancient name and present name of the village, and insist instead that no letters not addressed as to Richmond Harbour will be delivered; and will he direct that the ancient Irish name of this village will be recognised in future by the postal authorities?

I have called for a report; and, on its receipt, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the case of a lady telegraphist who has contracted muscular disease of the arm in consequence of her occupation, he will consider the advisability of arranging for her transfer to some other department requiring less manual effort instead of being removed from the service?

If, when such a case arises, the officer in question desires to make any representation to me on the subject, I will, of course, gladly consider it.

If I forward the right hon. Gentleman particulars of the case; will it receive his attention?

I shall be very glad to look into it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any steps have recently been taken to link up the towns between Dublin and Sligo on the grand trunk telephone, as promised years ago by the late Mr. Hanbury and subsequently by the right hon. Member for Worcester when Postmaster-General?

I am in correspondence with the Treasury as to the acceptance of a local guarantee for the extension of the trunk telephone system to Sligo. I am not aware of any pledge on the subject having been given as suggested by the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it would be better to take the line viâ Belfast instead of Dublin?

I cannot answer off-hand. But we will carry out the other as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the cruiser which is to be built as an answer to the foreign super-"Invincibles" is to be of a design which will merely enable it to outrun capture by the foreign vessels, or whether it will be itself equipped with such speed and armament as will enable it both to outrun and to capture the enemy's vessels?

It is premature, as yet, to give details of the design of this vessel.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Messrs. Vickers, Sons, and Maxim have a monopoly in submarine construction, or does the Admiralty consider designs and suggestions put forward by other firms?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the second part in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the bases of the First and Second Divisions of the Home Fleet respectively?

These divisions usually cruise in the North Sea or English Channel; they have no fixed base in the ordinary sense of the term, but their usual anchorages will be the Forth and Portland.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say under what circumstances the ordinary serge tunic worn by men of the Royal Marines when engaged in land operations would be replaced by khaki?

The ordinary serge tunic would be replaced by khaki when- ever, in the opinion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the circumstances of the case appeared to warrant such a course.

Are we to understand that the khaki tunics will be carried on board ship, or will the ship have to go to some naval base to get them?

All I can reply is whatever is found necessary in the circumstances of the case will be done.

If a landing party is suddenly necessary how are they going to get this khaki clothing unless it is carried on board ship?

I have no doubt due provision will be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now state whether any steps have been taken to relieve the stagnation which threatens the lower commissioned ranks of the Fleet?

Steps are being taken to deal with the block in promotion that will shortly commence, and the decision arrived at will be communicated to the Fleet at an early date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state if it has been decided to accept the torpedo boat destroyer "Afridi"; and whether her contract speed of 33 knots has been attained?

It has not yet been decided to accept the "Afridi." The decision regarding the final acceptance of the vessel will be given as soon as the whole of the work included in the contract has been completed. In so far as speed is concerned, it has been decided, in accordance with the terms of the contract, to accept her as having a sea speed of 32¾ knots.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether he has taken since February to decide whether the speed is correct or not?

No, I cannot. Will the hon. Member put the question down?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the fact that when troops are moved from England to India or to the Cape, the travelling expenses of officers' wives are paid by the Government, he will state whether, when the base of a fleet is shifted, the same allowance is made to the wives of naval officers?

The Regulations do not provide for the payment of any allowance to the wives of naval officers in the circumstances stated.

May I inquire why the families of Naval officers are treated worse than the families of Army officers, and even Revenue officers, who get an allowance when moved from one station to another?

I will look into the matter.

May I ask if provision is made for the wives of private soldiers?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the lack of any provision for prompt medical attendance for the men who may meet with accidents during the construction of the new base at Rosyth; whether the terms of the contract contained any stipulation for the provision of such medical requirements being supplied; and, if not, what action, if any, he proposes to take to make good the omission?

A clause is embodied in the contract making the contractors responsible for all personal injuries arising out of or in connection with the execution of the works. It is understood that the contractors have appointed a surgeon at Inverkeithing, who also acts as the Admiralty surgeon, for surgical attendance on their workmen.

Is it not a fact that some of the men who have met with accidents have had to be carted 4½ miles to the place the hon. Gentleman mentioned; and would it not be advisable to have some medical assistance nearer than that?

Inverkeithing is three miles away, not 4½. I will look into the matter more closely, and see that proper provision is made.

I should certainly like the hon. Gentleman to do so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the lack of proper house accommodation for the workmen now collecting together at Rosyth for the construction of the new naval base; and whether the Board of Admiralty are taking steps to deal with this subject without further delay?

There is no lack of accommodation for the workmen at present employed at Rosyth. It is probable that accommodation required for the additional men who will be employed in the near future will be provided by private enterprise. As regards the last part of the question, the Admiralty provided in the contract for handing over to the contractors a plot of land (about 6 acres) for the purpose of constructing buildings thereon for the workmen, if they desire to do so.

Are we to understand that as a matter of fact the Admiralty have made no provision whatever for housing the men, and that they are relying entirely upon private rack-renters to institute the necessary accommodation?

Under the contract all we have done is to set aside this plot of land for the purpose of the contractor building the houses. But he must submit his plans and designs to the Admiralty. Under the contract he is not compelled to use the land for that purpose, but he cannot use it for any other purpose.

May I take it for granted that you have made no provision for compelling the contractor to house the men who will be employed upon the works for the next seven or eight years?

Yes, under the terms of the contract, I think that is the case.

asked the First Lord whether he can give any information as to the stranding of His Majesty's ship "Hannibal" and the resulting damage?

His Majesty's ship "Hannibal," when on passage from Babbacombe Bay to Plymouth on 19th August, struck some submerged object between 600 and 700 yards off the Ore Stone, Tor Bay. She will not be docked until Saturday or Monday next, so that the resulting damage cannot be definitely stated at present.

asked whether any Orders have been issued for the withdrawal from circulation of any published Papers' relating to naval manœuvres?

Every year orders are issued for the destruction of confidential reports that are considered to have become obsolete, but apart from such orders, no special directions of the nature indicated in this question have been given.

Has an order been given for destruction in the case of published papers?

Except the general instruction in regard to confidential reports that have become obsolete, no order has been given in connection with this particular matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us some information as to what he means by confidential reports?

I should have thought the description was quite sufficient.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has communicated with the Rhondda and Swansea Bay and Great Western Railway Companies, asking if they would supply a copy of the working agreement into which they had entered; and, if so, will he say what has been the result of such application?

I have not asked the railway companies for a copy of the agreement, which they are under no obligation to supply, but I called their attention to the hon. Member's previous questions on this subject, and was informed by them that they saw no reason for the publication of the agreement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman seek for legislative powers to compel them to publish these things?

I am not in a position to make any statement upon that point.

asked whether the statement in the recent White Paper issued on railway hours, namely, that questions relating to the hours of labour of any class of employé engaged in the manipulation of traffic may now be dealt with by the conciliation boards set up under the agreement of 6th November,1907, and, failing settlement by such boards, may be referred to arbitration, is to be taken as having reference to cases in which excessive hours are worked and as superseding the proceedings under The Railway Hours Act, 1893?

No, Sir. The statement in question does not imply, and was not meant to imply, that the procedure under the Act of 1893 has been in any way superseded or affected by the establishment of conciliation boards. I trust, however, that the mutual settlement of questions relating to general hours of labour will tend to reduce the number of cases in which it is necessary to have recourse to the Act.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the growing practice of calling men on duty on the Midland and other railways after nine hours' rest only, thus causing them to work regularly seven or eight shifts in one week; and whether, in view of the prejudicial effect this practice has upon the health of the men, he will take any action with the companies thereon?

My attention has not previously been called to this matter, but I have communicated with the Midland Railway Company, who inform me that they have not made any alteration in their arrangements for calling men on duty, and that the practice alluded to is not a growing one on their line.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the national concern for news of the ss. "Waratah," he can promise an inquiry into the various systems of wireless telegraphy with a view to making an installation compulsory on all vessels carrying passengers, and at British and Colonial ports?

The question of the installation of wireless telegraphy apparatus on passenger ships has been, and will continue to be, very carefully watched by the Board of Trade, but I do no think any useful purpose would be served by a special inquiry at the present moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication as to the sympathy of the Government with any inquiry into these various systems, if it was only on behalf of the greater security of human life? Is he aware that two of the large steam shipping companies who have subsidies from the Government have not this installation upon their steamers carrying large numbers of passengers?

The installation is desirable, but I do not think the time has come when action of a general or compulsory character could be taken, and I do not think this is the best opportunity in the interests of a more general adoption of the installation for an inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any statistics exist of the number of deaths from suicide; whether he can give the figures for each of the last five years; whether the statistics are classified according to the manner of death; and, if so, can he give particulars?

The number of verdicts of suicide returned by coroners' juries in each of the five years,1903 to 1907, is as follows:—

1903	…	…	…	…	3,480
1904	…	…	…	…	3,327
1905	…	…	…	…	3,515
1906	…	…	…	…	3,434
1907	…	…	…	…	3,477

The figures for 1908 are not yet available. The Returns made to the Home Office do not disclose the manner of death, but the information is furnished by the Registrar-General in his Annual Report (see Report for 1907, page 438).

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sentence of five years' detention in a reformatory recently passed by Mr. Rose, the stipendiary at the Tower Bridge police court, upon a girl 14 years of age for stealing the sum of £3 10s. from a coffee-shop in which she was employed; whether there had been any previous conviction against the girl; and, if not, whether he proposes to advise a mitigation of the sentence?

I have made inquiry into this case, and am not prepared to interfere with the order of the court. There had been no previous conviction against the girl, but it is clear, in view of her character and history, that it is in her interest that she should remain in the reformatory school, where she will receive the careful training which is called for in her case.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the Government Bill relating to hops is now practically uncontroversial, and is of importance to the hop-growing districts, he will proceed with it so that it may have an opportunity of becoming law this Session?

I am afraid that the Bill in question cannot be regarded as of a non-controversial character, and I cannot hold out any hope of its being proceeded with this Session.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate in what quarter of the House the opposition to the Bill arises?

No, Sir.

Will the Bill be allowed to remain upon the Paper in case it should turn out to be non-controversial?

I rather think the Order has been discharged, and the Bill withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet learnt the result of the negotiations between the Shipbuilding Employers' Federation and the Boilermakers' Society with regard to the question of supplying particulars to piece-workers in shipbuilding yards; and whether he will now issue a draft Order applying the provisions of Section 116 of the Factory and Workshop Act without delay?

I am informed that the negotiations referred to have not resulted in any arrangement as to the supply of particulars being agreed upon between the parties, and I accordingly propose to issue, without further delay, a draft Order applying Section 116, with modifications, to this industry.

asked the Secretary for the Home Department whether he has received the verdict and riders of the jury in the inquest held at Newport into the causes of the dock disaster in that town; and what action he proposes to take to carry out the wishes of the jury?

also asked whether he has received the Report of Mr. Squires, C.E., who acted as assessor in the Newport Dock inquest; and, if so, does he propose to issue such Report in some official form?

Yes, Sir; I have received from the coroner a copy of the verdict and the riders appended thereto. Mr. Squire, who was appointed by me to represent the Home Office at the inquest, has not as yet, however, submitted his Report on the causes and circumstances of the accident; and until I have been able to consider the Report I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a fatal accident that has recently occurred on the New Pit, Maltby, near Doncaster; whether any inquest has yet been held upon the occurrence; if so, with what result; if the inspector made any report upon the accident; and, if so, the nature of such report?

I understand the question to refer to the fatal accident which happened last Thursday at the Maltby Mam Sinking Pit. An inquest has not yet been held, as the body of the man who lost his life has not yet been recovered. I have, however, received a preliminary report from the inspector, from which it appears that a rope by which pipes were being drawn out of the shaft slipped through the clamps by which it was held, and the tackle falling into the shaft, swept with it one of the men who was helping to receive the pipes at the pit top. The cause of the accident is not at present clear, but investigation is, of course, proceeding.

Did the inspector in his report enumerate the number of fatal accidents that have already occurred to the men engaged in this one pit?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that means a very substantial number?

No, Sir; but as my hon. Friend has drawn my attention to it I will look into it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has noted the prominence given by Professor Redmayne, Chief Inspector of Mines, and Mr. R. D. Bain, Inspector of Mines in Durham, in their Report on the West Stanley explosion, to the dangers arising from the use of electricity in mines, and to the statement in the Report that, on the asssumption that the explosion did originate in the Busty seam, they were of the opinion that electricity was a more likely first cause than any of the alternatives already discussed; whether he is aware that all the evidence given at the inquest by mining experts and other witnesses went to show that the explosion originated in the Busty seam; and whether, having regard to this evidence as to the Busty seam and the statement of the inspectors making the Report as to electricity being the most probable cause, he will arrange a commission of inquiry into the danger involved in the use of electricity in mining operations?

Yes, Sir, I have had under my consideration the Report of the chief inspector and district inspector on the West Stanley disaster and other reports which have reached me from time to time in regard to the use of electricity in mines and the working of the special rules. Since the previous inquiry five years ago much further experience on the subject has been obtained; new points have arisen, and the special rules, the working of which has been carefully watched by my Department, have shown themselves in need of amendment on a number of points. I propose, therefore, to appoint a small expert Committee to revise the rules in the light of the experience which has now been gained of their working.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in face of the terrible explo- sion at the West Stanley mine, and as his reporters have discarded every other alternative as to the cause of the explosion, inquire into the danger of the use of electrical machinery in mines?

Oh, yes, Sir.

asked whether the Scottish Office has had any communication from the Peebles Town Council regarding the closing of paths in the grounds of Neidpath Castle by Lord Wemyss; whether the Scottish Office has any powers to protect the public in the enjoyment of these paths; and, if so, whether it proposes to put them into operation?

No communication from the Peebles Town Council dealing with this matter has been received at the Scottish Office, nor has the Secretary for Scotland any power to interpose in the direction suggested by the hon. Member.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether this action was prompted by the fact that the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have permitted fishing in the Tweed?

I have no information on the point.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that the recently imposed annual clothing fee of £5 by the Governors of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bristol, excludes the children of poor parents from entering, he is prepared to suggest to the Governors the advisability of retaining a proportion of free places for clever children of poor parents?

I will ask the Governors for their observations on the hon. Member's suggestion, and will communicate the result to him.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state what evidence of age, in the case of an application for an old age pension, will satisfy the Local Government Board, where neither birth certificate, marriage certificate, nor entry in the Census Return for 1841 or 1851, is forthcoming; and whether the sworn declaration of the applicant and the testimony of two reliable witnesses would be sufficient?

In the absence of a certificate of birth, baptism, or marriage, or of an entry in the Census Returns, the Local Government Board are prepared to consider any evidence that may be submitted to them; but they cannot undertake to lay down any general rule as to what evidence they could regard as sufficient to establish the age of persons claiming pensions.

Will the Secretary to the Treasury state when it is intended to lay the Regulations under the Superannuation Bill upon the Table of the House?

The Regulations under Section 3 of the Bill cannot be finally made or laid on the Table for the information of hon. Members until the measure has become law. The draft Regulations now before the House have, as indicated in answer of 17th August, been modified.

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman finds that a copy of the modified Regulations is not available and has not been issued, will he make representations to the Treasury on, the subject?

Yes, I will do so.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the amount of deferred annuities operating to replace stock on 31st December, 1908; the amount of deferred annuities operating to replace cash on 31st December, 1908; and the cash balance at the General Post Office on 31st December, 1908?

There were no deferred annuities operating to replace either stock or cash on 31st December, 1908. The cash balance at the General Post Office (including the balance to the credit of the Postmaster-General's account at the Bank of England) at the close of business on 31st December, 1908, was £875,214 10s. 1d.

Will the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) state on what authority county councils can compel all persons owning sheep in Ireland to cause them to be dipped at least once a year; what are the penalties for not doing so; and who are the officials that are bound to see these penalties enforced?

The Diseases of Animals Act, 1903, confers power to make orders for the dipping of sheep. Orders of this kind are now in force in Ireland requiring two dippings in the year within certain prescribed periods. The councils of counties and county boroughs are the local authorities for the enforcement of these orders. They can appoint inspectors to see to such enforcement. The police also assist in the matter. If breaches of the orders occur it is open to the local authorities either to prosecute on their own behalf or to request the police to do so. At the discretion of the court offenders may, on conviction, be fined any amount not exceeding £20, or where the offence has been committed in respect to more than four animals, not exceeding £5 for each animal.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the changing of dates that are fixed at present, which most agriculturists find unsatisfactory?

I shall be glad to consider that point.

Is it open to private owners to do their own dipping within a specified time?

I think so.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he can state when the publication of the tables of Irish Exports and Imports may be expected?

The Report with Tables of Irish Exports and Imports will be forwarded for presentation to Parliament in the course of a few days.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware that the prices of hides and other by-products from slaughtering have for some time past shown a considerable increase; whether he is aware that the American firms shipping live cattle to this country for slaughter no longer dispose of the hides and by-products to local buyers in this country, but re-ship them to the United States and whether, in view of the effects upon British trade arising there from, the Board of Agriculture propose to take any, and, if so, what, action?

We have no official returns of the prices of hides and the other articles to which my hon. Friend refers, but we understand that it is the case that they are generally high at the present time. We have no information as to the extent to which the hides of imported American cattle are reshipped to the United States, and we have no power to intervene in the matter.