asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the new tariff law of the United States imposes a duty on British spirits imported into the United States of $2.60 per proof gallon, whether similar spirits imported from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland pay only $1.75 per proof gallon under their respective reciprocity treaties with the United States; what are the dates on which these treaties respectively expire; whether he is aware that in the interval British distillers are placed at a serious disadvantage in being subject to duties of more than 50 per cent, greater than their competitors; and whether any representations, and, if so, with what results, were made to the United States Government as to the breach of the most-favoured-nation clause in the treaty of 1815 which such differentiation represented?

The facts as to duties are as stated by the hon. Member. The reciprocity treaties referred to expire as follows:—Treaty with France in November next, treaty with Germany in February next, treaties with Italy, Spain, and Portugal on 7th August next, and the treaty with Switzerland on 31st October next. This differentiation on spirits is not new, as the question implies, but has been in force for several years, and the matter has been more than once represented to the United States Government, even as long ago as in 1900; but, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the United States Government have long held that the advantages granted under the special provisions of the Dingley Tariff Act respecting reciprocity agreements, in return for a consideration, could not properly be claimed under a most-favoured-nation article. These special provisions are, however, not repeated in the new tariff law.

further asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, before the present tariff law came into operation, the duty on spirits imported into the United States was higher for spirits imported from the United Kingdom than for similar spirits imported from France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland; whether such differentiation contravened the provisions of the treaty of 1815, by which the United States agreed to extend most-favoured-nation treatment to the United Kingdom; whether any representations have been made to the Government by British distillers as to the hardship imposed by this differentiation; and whether any communications, and, if so, with what results, were made to the United States Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is contained in the reply which I have just given the hon. Member on the same subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if, during the negotiations which took place with the French Budget Committee at the time the new French customs tariff was under consideration, any promise or arrangement was made by the Government that the duties on French wines should not be increased under the Finance Bill, notwithstanding the increase in the Spirit Duty and Excise?

The answer is in the negative.

If we have any negotiations at all, will they be made through the Board of Trade, or will they have to pass through the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

I do not see how that arises out of the statement that no negotiations are taking place.

Could any negotiations have taken place through another Department?

The Foreign Office is the channel through which negotiations must take place, but in the case of commercial treaties the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade are in constant consultation with each other.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the number of conveyances of land upon which Stamp Duty was paid during each of the last three years and the amount of the proceeds of the duty in each year?

No statistics are available as to conveyances of lands separately, or as to the number of conveyances on which duty is paid. The amount of duty for conveyances of lands and houses paid the last three years was:— 1906–7 £711,345 1907–8 717,677 1908–9 635,548

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the numbers and average gravity of the bulk barrels of the beer brewed in the United Kingdom in the year ending 31st March last?

The number and average gravity of the bulk barrels of beer brewed in the United Kingdom in the year ended 31st March, 1909, was:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state in how many cases during the past three financial years have tenants' interests in Ireland been valued for the purposes of the Death Duties; at what sum was the value assessed; and what was the gross Poor Law valuation of the holdings so assessed?

The number of cases during the past three financial years in which tenants' interests in Ireland have been valued for the purposes of the Death Duties, and the sums at which the values were assessed, are as follows:— Numbers. Values. 1906–7 2,140 £219,553 1907–8 2,681 264,346 1908–9 2,352 238,012 The gross Poor Law valuation of the holdings so assessed cannot be stated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in Ireland all legacies to hospitals and other charities are exempt from Legacy Duty; and whether, in view of the increasing difficulty of finding money to manage hospitals, he will insert in the Finance Bill a provision extending this exemption to Great Britain?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot see his way to accept the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received from the council of the Royal Colonial Institute a communication calling attention to the effect upon persons residing in different parts of the Empire outside the United Kingdom of the provision of Section 50 of the Finance Bill, which excludes such persons from exemption or abatement; and whether the views set forth by the council will receive favourable consideration?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The communication is receiving the attention of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state whether payment of the increased Stamp Duties, under Sections 52 and 53 of the Finance Bill, are payable from the date on which the Resolutions dealing with the Clauses were passed, or does the increase only take effect when the Bill becomes law?

I may refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 16th ultimo to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Grinstead in which he stated that the new Stamp Duties would come into force on the passing of the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provisions regarding clubs in the Finance Bill will apply to the refreshment bars and refreshment rooms of the House of Commons; and, if not, whether he intends to move Amendments to this effect?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why are the Excise Commissioners to prepare and keep the register of compensation values of licensed premises and of the equivalent annual compensation values and another set of Commissioners, viz., those of Inland Revenue, to certify such values; will the licensee have any opportunity of knowing how such values are arrived at, and of showing cause against the amount registered or certified against him before being forced to pay; is the licensee, or is the House, to be informed of the method of ascertainment or the formula of calculation of the compensation, and the figures upon which it is based and upon which he is to be taxed; what is the proportion or percentage which the sales are to bear to the compensation value; by how many years' purchase is the compensation value to be reduced to its equivalent annual compensation value; and is the Licence Duty once ascertained by reference to sales or value based on sales in one year to be varied in each year according to the actual sales of each year, or is it to be fixed for any, and what, number of years?

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise are the Department responsible for the issue of licences, and as such are entrusted by the Bill with the duty of preparing and keeping corrected the register of compensation values and annual compensation values upon which the duties for Excise Licences will be based. The Commissioners of Inland Revenue are the Department who are now responsible for determining the compensation values under the Licensing Act of 1904, and they have in consequence been entrusted with the duty of determining the compensation values for the purposes of the Finance Bill. The compensation values will be calculated on the same lines as under the Act of 1904, which are well known. The principles upon which the equivalent annual compensation value is to be calculated will, under the terms of an Amendment which my right hon. Friend has placed on the Paper, be prescribed by Regulations to be made by the Treasury.

asked whether the British Government had any other object in lending £1,100,000 to the Chinese Government to buy back the concession for the Hankow-Canton Railway except that, on account of its proximity to the British Colony of Hong Kong, it was considered desirable that it should be controlled by British subjects; what steps, if any, were taken between 1905 and the spring of the present year to promote that object by securing for British interests the control of this railway; whether, in order to re-cover the Hankow-Canton Railway, the British and French groups were compelled to allow German financiers to participate in the Szechuan Railway; and, if so, who was mainly responsible for this change?

It is substantially the case that in lending China the sum of £1,100,000 in 1905 His Majesty's Government were actuated by the wish to obtain control over the Hankow-Canton Railway. Negotiations proceeded continuously from that year until the spring of 1909, when, as the hon. Member was informed on the 30th ultimo, a German group of financiers offered the Chinese terms which they considered more advantageous than those the British group was prepared to offer, or than the British Government could have approved, and which the Chinese Government accepted. The subsequent negotiations resulted in a compromise, the object of which was to secure more control and avoid competition.

asked whether the Chinese Government have, under pressure from the British Government, become contributary to the payment of 5 per cent, per annum interest on a loan of £1,500,000 for the construction of the Kowloon Railway, which they know they can never pay; sole guarantors for a loan of £3,000,000 at 5 per cent, interest for the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, which is being worked at a loss to them of £101,000 per annum; solely responsible for the working expenses of the trafficless railway built by the Peking Syndicate, in addition to paying £35,000 a year interest on the bonds for it; whether the Chinese Government always disapproved of the making of each and all of these railways and wanted railways made elsewhere; and in a country where railways are so necessary and would be beneficial to China and to investors if made in right places whether British influence will in future be directed to securing this latter condition?

The Chinese Government promised the concession for these railways 11 years ago. The actual terms on which these lines have been or are being constructed were settled by amicable agreement with the Chinese Government. There is, so far as I am aware, no ground for the allegations implied in the question that the Chinese Government are dissatisfied with the terms or the railways, or that the railways are in districts where they are not required and could not be made profitable.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any recent action in respect to the acquisition of the holding on the Pyne O'Callaghan estate, near Kanturk, from which Conn Donovan was evicted, with a view to his reinstatement thereon; are the Commissioners aware that the representatives of the late tenant Singleton are desirous of surrendering the holding upon receiving reasonable consideration there for in order to facilitate Donovan's reinstatement; and whether, having regard to this fact and the arrangement brought about by Inspector Vaughan, the Commissioners have abandoned their intention of acquiring this holding?

The Estates Commissioners are intimating to the owner the price they will be prepared to advance if the holding is sold to them with a view to effecting the reinstatement of the former tenant.

Has the right hon. Gentleman the name of the present occupier?

No, I have not.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are taking action at present in regard to purchase negotiations on the Colthurst estate, Rathcoole, county Cork; and, if so, what steps they propose taking towards procuring the reinstatement of Mrs. Julia Lyons, evicted tenant, whose case has been under their consideration for a considerable time past, and in which case the present occupier is willing to surrender the holding on receiving moderate compensation?

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that this estate has been sold under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and that the holdings have been vested in the tenants. The holding referred to in the second part of the question has been purchased by the present occupier, and the Commissioners do not intend to take any action in reference to Mrs. Lyons' application.

asked whether a force of police was sent to Portadown from Meath on the 14th August; whether Meath is charged for extra police taken from other counties; and, if the police can be spared from Meath, is it to eke out a profit for the Treasury that an extra force is kept in Meath and charged to it notwithstanding its peaceable condition?

It is true that a force of police was sent from Meath to Portadown for duty on the 15th instant, but the hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that an extra force is now kept in Meath and charged to it. No extra police have been serving in the county since the 26th May last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will reconsider the whole question of the higher rate of interest proposed to be charged to all tenants purchasing their holdings in the future; and whether he will consult the Treasury with a view to reverting to the well-established 3¼ per cent, basis before the Report stage of the Land Bill is reached?

This matter has already received the most careful and mature consideration of His Majesty's Government, and it has been decided to be impossible to continue to advance money for Irish land purchase at 2¾ per cent. As was clearly shown in the recent Debates on the Committee stage of the Bill, the Government, in undertaking to make advances at 3 per cent., are giving the fullest advantage of British credit for the furtherance of Irish land purchase.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the amount of money required to settle all the estates now in the hands of the Commissioners for sale to the tenants under voluntary purchase, and how much it is proposed to pay this year towards wiping out the arrears; and by what date he anticipates payment for all estates now in the Commissioners' hands will be completed?

Proceedings are pending under the Irish Land Act, 1903, before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of property representing a purchase money of £52,874,696, in respect of which advances have not yet been made. The Commissioners are not in a position at present to state the amount of the advances which they may be able to make by the end of the current year or in what time the total purchase money applied for may be advanced. Since the commencement of the Act of 1903 the Estates Commissioners have advanced £30,524,155 to date.

asked the Chief Secretary, in view of the statements that the Irish Land Commission had not this season instituted proceedings against defaulters, and were not proceeding to enforce a certain agreement vitiated by duress, whether he will account for the seizure by the sub-sheriff of Westmeath, at the instance of the Land Commission, of a mare and foal, the property of Miss Early, tenant under her father's will of a farm at Corolana, on Lady Chapman's estate, in execution of a decree obtained against Widow Early on an agreement signed by the latter under duress at a time when she was not tenant or competent to purchase; whether the Estates Commissioners undertake the collection of interest in lieu of rent for landlords without inquiring into cases like this brought under their notice, while the landlords can, after the money has been recovered for them by the State, resume the property and cancel the proceedings for sale; whether the Commissioners before the institution of proceedings were aware of the duress and change of tenancy in this case, and instead of having the case investigated by their inspector in the district have had seized the only beast of the plough belonging to the tenant; and whether he will ask the Commissioners to stay all proceedings in this case until an inquiry has been held by their inspector on the ground?

As my right hon. Friend has repeatedly informed the hon. Member, the allegation that the agreement in this case was signed under duress will be inquired into when the estate is being inspected in order of priority. In the meantime, the Land Commission are bound by law to collect and pay over to the owner the interest on the purchase money, which is considerably below the rent which the tenant would otherwise have to pay. The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the Land Commission have not instituted proceedings against defaulters this year, or that they have anything to say to the steps taken by the sheriff to execute the decrees of the court. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how land purchase carried on under circumstances like these, where ruinous terms are enforced, can be called voluntary?

That is an argumentative question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. James Wallace, of Cangort Park, King's County, has applied to the Estates Commissioners for an advance of £4,525 to purchase his holding on the Atkinson estate; how many acres of this holding are evicted land formerly in the occupation of a man named Devane; whether Devane has been provided with a holding; can he say what action the Estates Commissioners propose to take with regard to the evicted tenant's holding now in the possession of Wallace; and whether he is aware that Wallace holds large estates in fee in county Tipperary and King's County.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say what action they may take in reference to Mr. Wallace's application, as the estate cannot be dealt with for some time. The Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Mr. William Devane, who stated that he was evicted in 1896 from 17 acres of Cangort Park. The Commissioners offered to provide him with another holding, but he refused the offer. I have no information as to whether Mr. Wallace holds any lands in fee.

Will the Government hold a public inquiry into this matter?

I am afraid there is no power to do that, but if any information is forthcoming to show that any person has obtained advances improperly the matter will be investigated.

Are there not official returns showing the lands held in fee?

There are certain Poor Law returns, but it would be very difficult to go through them in order to get this information and to identify particular persons?

But the information can be obtained by making an inspection of the register kept under the Registration of Titles Act?

The same difficulty as to identifying a particular person would arise there.

Cannot the Land Commission ascertain if a James Wallace is creating a mortgage for an amount exceeding ten times the annuity?

The Land Commission has a great deal of work to do, and cannot give up the whole of their time to hunting up particulars of this nature.

Order, order. We cannot give the whole of the time to supplementary questions.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can say if William H. Atkinson applied to the Estates Commissioners for an advance of £6,322 to purchase certain lands on the Atkinson estate, King's County; whether he has been returned to the Estates Commissioners as a yearly tenant; whether, before the Estates Commissioners sanction this advance, they will satisfy themselves of the nature of this tenancy; and whether this transaction is other than a friendly arrangement between members of the same family to extract from the Treasury a large sum of money, the consideration between the parties being natural love and affection?

My right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. Member, in reply to a question asked by him on 19th July, that Mr. Atkinson has applied for an advance of £6,322, and that he has been returned to the Estates Commissioners as a yearly tenant. When the estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners in order of priority, due inquiry will be made as to the matters referred to in the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this special case? This man was never a yearly tenant.

I really know nothing more than I have already said. It is utterly impossible for a Minister to spend all his time in investigating every case of this nature in Ireland.

Then are these bogus cases to be allowed to go through?

Seeing that this fraud is being daily practised in Ireland, and persons holding large tracts of land are getting enormous sums of money, will the right hon. Gentleman direct the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the matter, and ask them to exercise more care?

They have already directed my attention to cases in which fraud is alleged, and I have ordered proceedings to be taken. It is, therefore, not necessary for me to call their attention to the matter.

Is it not the fact that during the Debates on the Land Purchase Bill attention was frequently called to the possibility of frauds of this kind?

Do the Estates Commissioners read the newspapers?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a newly erected house on the Scully ranch, near Tullaroan, county Kilkenny, the property of a man named Patrick Campion, was recently partially destroyed by a bomb explosion; whether he is aware that the division of those lands by the Estates Commissioners occasioned some disturbances in the locality, which were followed by prosecutions; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that Campion's house was partially destroyed, as stated, by an explosion on 6th August. The prosecutions to which the hon. Member refers were in November last. The police are investigating the matter, and all necessary protection will be given to Campion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. John A. Studdert, a Clare land agent, was shot at a few days ago from the roadside as he was cycling back from Cloony to his residence at Cragmoher; whether the police have succeeded in making any arrest in connection with this outrage; whether he is aware that two other shooting outrages have occurred in the same county, one at Ballinruan, about ten miles north of Ennis, and another at the house of a farmer named O'Neill, midway between Ennis and Inagh; and, if so, what steps does he propose to take?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that Mr. Studdert was fired at as stated on 9th August. In the other two cases referred to in the question shots were fired into houses by night on 7th August and 18th July respectively. No arrests have been made. The police are doing all they can to prevent such occurrences, and to detect the guilty persons, but it is obviously difficult to do so in the case of offences committed under cover of darkness.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board have deducted a sum of £292 for extra police tax from the amount of money payable to the Leitrim County Council out of the Local Taxation Fund; and whether, having regard to the fact that the county council protested against the importation of extra police, their services not being required, as the county was in a peaceable condition, the Local Government Board were justified in thus penalising the ratepayers of Leitrim; and whether he will make representations in the proper quarter with a view of having this amount refunded?

On the 12th August the Lords Justices made an Order under Section 80 (2) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, for the deduction from sums payable from the local taxation account to the county council of Leitrim of a sum of £292 10s. 6d., due to that body in respect of extra police expenses for the half-year ended 31st March, 1909. The amount has been paid over to the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, and a copy of their Excellencies' Order has been forwarded in the usual course to the Local Government Board with a view to its deduction in the next allocation to be made by that Department of grants from the local taxation account. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Had the county council received any notice of the intention of the Local Government Board to take proceedings?

The proceedings are not taken by the Local Government Board. It is the Lord Lieutenant who makes the Order.

Have the county council a right of appeal against a decision of this nature?

No, Sir. The Lord Lieutenant has an absolute right to make deductions in respect of any amount due from the council.

Is it not the case that under this provision any landlord in Ireland who wishes can deliberately obstruct the working of the Land Act and therefore involve the taxpayer in enormous taxation?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the name and address of the present lieutenant of the county of Londonderry; by whom his appointment was recommended, and the date of his appointment; whether he will state the number of Catholics who have been appointed justices of the peace in the county of Limerick since he received the appointment, and the number of other religions; whether he has refused to approve of the appointment of Catholics whose names were submitted to him either locally or by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland; if he will state the number of Catholics and non-Catholics present in the commission of the peace for the county of Londonderry; and will he state the proportion of Catholic to non-Catholic inhabitants in the said county?

Mr. John Cooke, of Foyle View, Londonderry, is the lieutenant of the county of Londonderry. He was appointed to that office by His Majesty on 24th January, 1908. Twenty-five new magistrates have been appointed on his recommendation, of whom ten are believed to be Catholics. I have no means of knowing what names have been submitted to him locally, but I am aware that he is acting in full accord with the Lord Chancellor, with whom he is in constant communication on the subject of the magistracy. The number of magistrates of the county is 180, of whom 54 are believed to be Catholics. The male population of the county in 1901 was 50,824, of whom 20,966 were Catholics.

Is it within the right of the Lord Chancellor to appoint magistrates irrespective of the recommendations of the Lord Lieutenant?

I think it is.

Is it customary to give appointments to the minority in preference to the majority in Ireland—

That matter does not come under the jurisdiction of the Law Officers of the Crown.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Wexford County Council asking for discretionary power for county councils to alter the periods for closing the rate collection; and whether, as in counties where the majority of the ratepayers are agriculturists, the present periods for closing the collections inflict hardship, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation in the direction indicated in the resolution?

The Local Government Board have received the resolution of the Wexford County Council referred to in the question. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Board have power under the Public Bodies Order to grant an extension of time to any collector for the completion of his collection when they are satisfied that the collector is unable for reasons beyond his control to complete the collection within the prescribed time. There does not, therefore, appear to be any necessity for legislation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of evicted tenants that have been restored to their farms or provided with new ones under the Act of 1907; and whether the Estates Commissioners have purchased or have now on hand any untenanted land in county Doegal, and, if so, how much and where, to provide farms for those still without holdings?

Two hundred and four evicted tenants or representatives of evicted tenants have been provided for by the Estates Commissioners on the lands acquired under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. Proceedings for the acquisition of some 325 acres of untenanted land in the county Donegal are at present pending under that Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible to get evicted tenants in Ulster reinstated? Why do not the Estates Commissioners give some consideration to the claims of Ulster evicted tenants?

I never heard of any difference between Ulster and anywhere else. There are very few in Ulster, as a matter of fact.

As a matter of fact, I know of dozens.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can say what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to restore Andrew Conaghan to his farm in Blairstown, on the Bustard estate, near Castle-fin, East Donegal, from which he was evicted, or to provide him with a new holding?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered Andrew Conaghan's application for reinstatement in a holding on the Bustard estate, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are in negotiation for the purchase of 150 acres of untenanted land on the estate of Henry Cole Bowen, Farahy, Kildorrery, county Cork; and, if not, whether the Commissioners would consider the desirability of acquiring the land in question to provide for the needs of evicted tenants and others under the provisions of the Land Purchase Act of 1903?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The owner has not instituted proceedings for the sale of the lands referred to under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Estates Commissioners have no power to acquire lands compulsorily under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why the supplemental grant for the salaries of Irish national teachers made last year, and known as the Birrell grant, has not been added to the salaries of the teachers entitled thereto and paid quarterly along with their salary, instead of at the end of the financial year in a lump sum; is he aware that the system of paying it at the end of the financial year has caused inconvenience to the teachers entitled to it; and will he cause inquiries to be made with a view to arranging for quarterly payments along with the salary in future?

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that when the first payment from this grant was made it was impossible to provide for the payment of arrears in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1908, and also for quarterly payments during the year 1909, the whole sum made available by the Supplemental Vote in July, 1908, having been required to meet the claims for the former period. It was then arranged that in future years the grant should be paid in April immediately after the conclusion of the financial year, and this arrangement cannot now be altered.

May I ask if the refusal to pay this supplemental grant quarterly is due to the delay in the payment of the money by His Majesty's Treasury, or the inherent objection on the part of the officials of the National Education Office in Ireland to do their work in a business like manner?

The money is paid by the Treasury, and it is impossible to pay the salary and the aditional grant until the latter is paid by the Treasury.

Would it not be a more businesslike transaction to add the supplementary grant to the salaries of the teachers, and pay them together quarterly in one cheque?

Yes; but it would require additional money to do so now.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he can now say when the rules for bringing the new Reform Act into operation in Bengal are likely to be issued?

As I informed the House in my statement on the Indian Budget, every endeavour is being made to expedite the preparation of the Regulations under the Councils Act, but the Secretary of State is not yet able to say exactly when they will be issued. The delay will not be more than a few weeks.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has been come to on the Report made by the Sirdar on Somaliland.

I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked whether, under the terms of the circular issued by the Colonial Office in April this year anent the establishment of probationerships from which vacancies in the Ceylon police service are to be filled, only British subjects of European descent may enter for the competitive examinations; and what are the reasons for thus barring out Singhalese gentlemen who possess the necessary qualifications from competing for these positions?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. It is essential that there should be an European element in the force, and this is supplied from the examination at home. The local element, which is also necessary, is supplied by local appointments.

Do I understand that Singhalese are still eligible to set in a competitive examination to enter for this service?

As to the precise dividing line, I would wish my hon. Friend to kindly put down a question.

Is this a new regulation which is intended to bar out native Singhalese and to reserve the whole of the police service to persons of European descent?

No; there is no intention to bar out Singhalese or to reserve the whole of the police service for Europeans. The exact contrary is the case, as I said in my first answer. With regard to the dividing line, as I said, if the hon. Member will put down a question, I will give him an answer.

Can he say whether a Singhalese gentleman in this country is eligible for competition?

I am not quite sure. On that point also I require notice.

asked the Postmaster-General if there is a dispensing power in himself to appoint, on a vacancy, as postmaster a licensed person in the case only of sale of liquor for consumption off the premises, under the rule No. 24 ( b ) of 1907, and if he claims any dispensing power in those cases where the applicant has a licence for consumption of liquor on the premises; and, if so, will he state under what Rule?

The Rules made by the Postmaster-General are intended for the guidance of his staff. He is at liberty himself to vary them or alter them at any time. The powers of appointment conferred on the Postmaster-General by Patent from the Crown are unfettered. I may add, however, that, as I have more than once stated in the House, post offices are not opened on licensed premises except under very exceptional circumstances, and the numbers of these are reduced from time to time where possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if country postmasters are sometimes obliged to ask the local banks to postpone till next day the presentation of the postal orders they have for collection, on the ground that their cash is insufficient; and, if so, if he will take steps to enable the Post Office to fulfil its obligations and to prevent loss to the banks?

It appears occasionally to have happened that at small offices the sub-postmasters have been obliged to ask the local banks to postpone till next day the presentation of the postal orders they have for collection, on account of insufficient cash. When any such cases are brought to light steps are taken to avoid a recurrence. If the hon. Member will give me any case he has in mind, I shall be very glad to inquire into it.

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?

Clondra, Longford, is a well-known place and I am assured that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that letters so addressed would not be delivered. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of the complaint made to him I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the case of Michael Maguire, a postman of Longford, who some years ago lost three stripes, and whose record since has been very good, he can see his way to restore this man to his former status in the service?

If Mr. Maguire's record continues to be good, one of the forfeited stripes will be restored to him during the present month, and he will eventually become eligible for the full number of six stripes. There will be, however, a permanent loss of four years.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of postmen and telegraph messengers now employed by the Post Office in Ireland; whether any contracts for the supply of clothing, caps, boots, etc., are placed in that country; if so, can he give the names of the contractors; and, if not, will he say why a portion of these orders is not placed in Ireland?

Uniforms are supplied to 7,450 postmen and 1,362 telegraph messengers employed in Ireland and the whole of the uniform clothing needed in Ireland is made by two Irish firms, namely, Messrs. J. Ireland and Son and the Limerick Clothing Factory. Three Irish firms tendered for the supply of boots, but at prices too high for acceptance; and of several Irish firms asked to tender for caps and waterproofs none replied.

Is it not the fact that the tenders for boots with samples were sent over to this country, and that a few years ago they were sent to the local stores in Dublin when there was an opportunity of the contracts being made in the country?

I am not aware of that fact. For some time past at all events, again reverting to the old custom, I think it has been necessary to send them to London, and I should think it more convenient, because the various specimens can be compared, but I will look into that point.

When will the Report of the Departmental Committee, which the right hon. Gentleman appointed to consider the question of Post Office stores in Ireland, be available?

I will make inquiry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to an order issued by Major-General Bunbury of the Administrative Department of the Irish Command, at the instance of the postal authorities, to the effect that only a small number of soldiers have entered for examination as telegraphists, and urging them to enter for examination with a view to becoming telegraphists; whether that order was issued with his sanction; whether it is his intention to put soldiers into competition with the Civil servants who now perform the duties of telegraphists throughout the country; and whether similar orders have been issued to the military authorities in England and Scotland?

Arrangements made so long ago as 1897 by the Government of the day oblige me to reserve yearly a certain number of appointments as postmen and porters for ex-soldiers or ex-sailors. If some of these ex-soldiers or ex-sailors could qualify to become telegraphists I should consider it advantageous to appoint them as such, since the appointments as postmen which they would otherwise have filled would then be available for telegraph messengers. No question arises of the soldiers being put into competition with the Civil servants who now perform the duties of telegraphists. They will enter by an examination in the same subjects as the ordinary telegraphists, and will have to obtain the ordinary Civil Service certificate. The position and rights of the telegraphists are not thereby in any way affected. I have, of course, no responsibility for orders issued by the War Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received from Mr. C. E. Kelway a letter, dated the 14th August, 1909, pointing out that it would appear that the Admiralty restrictions to the use of the Kelway sound-locating system at Dover and on the South and South-East Coasts of England were no longer in force, and asking him whether he was now prepared to grant a licence under the Wireless Telegraph Act for the use of the Kelway Hertzian-wave apparatus in time of fog in those parts and generally throughout the United Kingdom; and, if so, will he explain why a definite reply in the affirmative has not been given to Mr. Kelway in view of the losses in fog in the parts named and generally around our coasts?

Mr. Kelway's letter of the 14th ultimo was duly received, and its receipt acknowledged. I am in communi- cation with the Admiralty on the subject, and will send a definite reply to Mr. Kelway as soon as possible.

Is the advantage to humanity to be entirely lost through official red tape?

There is no question of red tape in connection with the matter. The question of interference between, stations is a matter of great importance, and it would be far worse from the point of view of humanity to have erected a station which was ineffective because it was interfered with by another station and which rendered that station ineffective by interfering with it. It is only on that ground that there has been any delay in regard to this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a number of parish magazines issued all over the Kingdom are delivered by hand owing to their being charged 1d. postage; and whether he could see his way to place them on the same footing as newspapers?

I have no discretion in the matter. The publications which enjoy the advantages of cheap postage are those which conform to the statutory definition of a newspaper contained in the Post Office Act of 1908, and unless a particular paper conforms to the statutory definition it cannot be conveyed at the cheap rate. But I may point out to the hon. Member that a parish magazine can, under the present half-penny post regulations, be sent for a postage of ½d. if its weight does not exceed two ounces.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there are 11 mail drivers in Belfast employed as follows: two who work 93 hours each for 21s. 6d., four who work 86, 84½, 84, and 79¾ hours for 21s. 6d., four others who work 86½, 76½, 61½, and 57 hours each for 20s., and one man who works 49 hours for 12s.; whether he is aware that the uniform of these men consists of coat, vest, and cap only, whereas the ordinary postmen receive two full suits, including overcoat, waterproof cape, and boots, per year; whether he is aware that the recent inquiry held in Belfast respecting this matter consisted of calling in the contractor's foreman and accepting his statement, without in any way approaching the persons employed; and whether, in view of the statement that the hours worked by mail-cart drivers in Belfast were 60 per week for 21s. 6d., with uniform, he will take the necessary steps to enforce the hours and wages as aforesaid, with the addition to the uniform of trousers, boots, overcoat, And waterproof cape?

The inquiries which I am making in this case are not yet completed, but I will send my hon. Friend a reply as soon as possible.

Will the inquiry be extended to Dublin?

I think I recently had a report from Dublin. I will look into the matter, if the hon. Member will give me notice.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the sub-post office at Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, has been removed from a very convenient spot to a part less convenient for the inhabitants of the district; whether he is aware that this office has for 21 years been solely used for postal purposes, and that at the present time it is being conducted by a sub-postmaster with no previous experience, and who has commenced a stationery and newspaper business in competition with one struggling tradesman whose takings have been reduced during the two months that this subsidised business has been in operation by no less a sum than £2 per week; whether he is aware that the town council has expressed disapproval of reducing this office from one devoted solely to postal affairs to one connected with a business; whether he will consider the desirability of consulting such bodies before such changes are made; whether he can either raise the salary of the present sub-postmaster in order that he may live without trading, or whether he is prepared to pay adequate compensation to the tradesman already mentioned; and whether he is prepared to take any action in the matter?

The facts in regard to Chapel Ash are as follows:—It was represented to the Post Office by the town council and others that the existing sub-post office at Chapel Ash was inconvenient both in regard to situation and accommo- dation. On the resignation of the sub-postmistress, therefore, it was thought advisable to seek better premises. Under Treasury Regulation the amount of business transacted at Chapel Ash only enables a small salary to be paid for a salaried sub-office; and under such an arrangement the accommodation which the town council and others appeared to desire could not be provided. It was thought better, therefore, to turn the office into a commission sub-office, and thus to obtain for the public facilities and conveniences greater than those that could be provided under the other system. The usual advertisement was inserted, but none of the shopkeepers whose premises are in a suitable position came forward as candidates for the post. The premises of the tradesmen to whom the hon. Member refers were not thought to be sufficiently central, or to meet the needs of the neighbourhood. Another offer which was received appeared to provide adequate accommodation in what is believed to be the best situation, and the offer was therefore accepted. The sub-postmaster who has been appointed, and his wife also, are acquainted with the business of a sub-office, and were thought to be unusually desirable candidates. I am informed that the business which will be carried by the new sub-postmaster is not thought likely to interfere to any appreciable extent with any existing business. I may add that the Parliamentary Committee fixed £250 as in the ordinary course, the total emolument which would justify the institution of a salaried office. The remuneration at Chapel Ash is considerably below that figure.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman's action in this case in complete contradiction to the recommendation of the Committee, that these offices should be gradually placed under a direct salaried office?

No, my hon. Friend is mistaken in that. The recommendation of the Committee was that all offices of a certain size should be placed under salaried officers. They did not suggest that smaller ones should be.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the application was sent in from the very place where this sub-post office used to be 21 years ago? Is he also aware that the person now appointed—

The hon. Member ought to give notice of that. It requires research.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the site for the new post office at Stafford has been decided upon; if so, whether the site chosen is in Eastgate-street; whether, before anything definite is done, he will take steps to consult the town council of Stafford, who consider that any new post office in Dr. Maston's house or on that site would be in a ridiculous position, owing to its being entirely out of the way; and whether it would be advisable, as far as possible, to consult the premier governing body of a town when the convenience of its inhabitants is under consideration by the postal authorities?

No decision has yet been arrived at as regards a site for a new post office at Stafford, and the local feeling which appears to have been aroused is based therefore on a misapprehension. Various offers of sites have been received in reply to advertisement, and are now under consideration. I have already recognised the advisability of ascertaining the town council's views before a particular site is selected, and reference was, as a matter of fact, made to the council in regard to a site which was under consideration last year. I may take the opportunity, however, of pointing out that negotiations for the purchase of sites which are subjected to undue publicity are apt to come to nothing. When the Post Office is known to be in the market, holders of sites are disposed to ask more than I am prepared to pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Primary Instruction Bill which received its third reading in the States of Jersey on 5th August, 1909, by the majority of 28 to 21 votes, was passed without reference to the electorate; whether he is aware that the president and three of the other members of the Primary Instruction Committee to be established by the Bill are the bailiff and three jurats, who are also president and judges of the Royal Court of Jersey, so that the same persons will be called on incidentally to interpret the law judicially after having decided it administratively, and this with power to modify or annul trust deeds of voluntary and other schools; and whether he will take these circumstances into consideration before recommending its confirmation by the Privy Council?

I understand that the usual procedure was followed in the case of this Bill, and that the constitution of the education committee under the Bill is the same as that of the existing committee. All the circumstances or allegations mentioned by my right hon. Friend will be taken into consideration in dealing with this matter.

When is this matter likely to come before the Committee of the Privy Council, and what is the constitution of the Committee of the Privy Council?

I believe it is now before the Privy Council. It has not come before me in any shape. I cannot answer the last question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the date on which this Session will end?

No, Sir.

asked when it is proposed to take the second reading of the Development Bill?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await my statement on the Business of the House?

asked why the Agricultural Rating Act is, under the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, only to be renewed for a period of nine months from the date of its expiry, instead of for the longer period for which it has been previously renewed?

asked why it is proposed' to continue the Agricultural Rating Act, 1896, until 31st December, 1910, that is, for a period of nine months only after 31st March, instead of for a full financial and rating year?

The reason why the Agricultural Rates Act is continued for a shorter period than previously is that it is now proposed to continue it by the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill instead of by a special Bill confined to that Act alone. It is the custom to continue all Acts continued by the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill only to 31st December in the year succeeding that in which the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill is passed.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the proprietors of the Wingfield and Mackintosh estate, Abercanaid, Merthyr, who have refused to sell or lease land to the Merthyr Borough Council for the erection of workmen's dwellings on the plea that the housing scheme of the council does not seem to be of any advantage to the estate; and whether it is intended, by legislation or otherwise, to take from landowners the power to withhold land when required for housing or other public uses?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The town council have sent me a copy of a letter which they have received from the solicitors to the owners of the estate referred to, and which is to the effect stated in the question. Local authorities are already empowered by Section 57 of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890, to apply to the. Local Government Board to enable them to purchase land compulsorily for the purpose of providing houses for the working classes, and, I may add, that under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Bill now before Parliament, the procedure in relation to this matter is proposed to be considerably simplified and improved.

asked the Prime Minister if he will cause instructions to be issued to the various Departments of State that Papers relating to important matters of administration, upon which this House is entitled to express an opinion and in which the constituents of hon. Members are closely interested, shall be supplied to Members of this House in the first place, and that the practice of issuing such Papers primarily to the newspaper Press and only subsequently to this House shall cease?

The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that there is any such practice as that to which he refers in the latter part of his question. The ordinary and proper procedure is that Parliamentary Papers are supplied to Members of this House in the first instance.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the unfortunate occurrence in regard to the Memorandum on the Development Bill an important Paper of the Board of Education has been issued to and commented upon by the newspaper Press generally, though it is not available for distribution?

I do not know about that. I do not know that it is a Parliamentary Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Parliamentary Papers are sometimes distributed three or four or more days after they appear in the Press?

That ought not to be the case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue some instructions so as to ensure that the practice is carried out?

After what I have said I hope the practice will be observed.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the statements put in after the conviction of Von Veltheim and before his sentence were not put in by the police in the ordinary way, but were put in by a detective who had been previously privately employed by the prosecutor; and what steps he proposes to take in view of that fact?

I have made inquiries, and learn that the statements referred to were put in in the ordinary way by the police officer engaged in the case. He is an officer of the City of London Police, and was never in the employ of the prosecutor.

Are we to understand that the information was not supplied by a detective who had been in the paid employ of the prosecutor and that that was the only source?

I have answered according to information which has been given me and which I have no doubt is accurate.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the Manchester city police court five youths, the youngest of whom was but 17 years, were sent to prison for three months for stealing articles from the goods arches of the London and North-Western Railway Company; whether due precautions are taken to guard such articles; and whether, in view of the advice of his Department with respect to first offenders, he can take steps to reduce this sentence imposed on the children of poor parents?

I am making inquiry into this matter, but have not yet had time to obtain a report. When my inquiry is completed I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary if he has received from the Watch Committee of Liverpool a recommendation to hold an inquiry into the recent disturbance in that city; if so, does he propose to grant an inquiry, and on what date; will the inquiry be held on oath; and will the Press be admitted?

No, Sir; I have not at present received any such recommendation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will agree to an Instruction before going into Committee on the Coal Mines Regulation Bill, to enable a clause to be moved making it clear that the 60 hours' overtime provided in the Coal Mines (Eight Hours) Bill is not intended to be of general application, but only to meet the special circumstances of certain districts?

The declaratory clause suggested with regard to the 60 hours' overtime allowed by the Act for emergencies and trade pressure would be outside the scope and title of the Bill.

The point of my question is whether the Home Secretary will agree to an Instruction being moved to overcome that very difficulty.

The question might arise if I thought the Bill had any reasonable prospect of being proceeded with this Session, but it can only be proceeded with if it is uncontentious.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any contracts for food, clothing, boots, etc., for the use of sailors in the Royal Navy have been placed in Ireland; if so, will he give the names of such contractors; and, if not, will he see that that country gets a share of the contracts; and will he say what is Ireland's contribution to the upkeep of the Navy?

The answer to the first part of the question is generally in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, arrangements have recently been made for the periodical publication in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" of the names of successful tenderers. As to the third part of the question, all competent firms who desire to tender for Admiralty contracts are treated on exactly the same footing, irrespective of the particular part of the United Kingdom where they may happen to be located. The Irish contribution to naval expenditure for 1908–9 calculated on the basis of 0.66 per cent, of the whole cost, would amount to £202,440.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can see his way to have a depot established in Ireland where specimens of the various articles required might be sent so as to give manufacturers in that country an opportunity of competing without having to incur the extra expense of sending articles over here?

I did not hear the whole of the hon. Member's question. If he will put it on the Paper I will be happy to give him an answer.