asked the Chief Secretary whether the sale of the lands of Creagh, county Longford, to a grabber, named William Jones, has been sanctioned; and, if so, whether an inspection was ordered before the sale was sanctioned with a view to the restoration of the evicted tenant, Robert Armstrong?

Robert Armstrong has been provided by the Estates Commissioners with another holding. His former holding was purchased by the present occupier as tenant in occupation, and the holding has been duly vested in him.

asked the Chief Secretary when the estate of Colonel A. H. Lefroy, Carnglass, county Longford, will be reached in its order of priority; and whether, when reached, an inspection will be made with a view to having included therein John Gilroy, Patrick Rogers, James Quinn, Anne Logan, and Pat Dunne, sub-tenants, to whom sale was refused?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that there are two estates belonging to Colonel Lefroy now pending for sale under the Irish Land Act, 1903, the purchase agreements having been lodged on 4th April, 1907, and 27th October, 1908, respectively. When the estates are being dealt with in their proper order of priority, which will not be for some time to come, the cases of the sub-tenants will be inquired into.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state when the sale of Olonfin and division of the untenanted lands included in the sale will be reached in the order of priority?

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the purchase agreements in the case of this estate were not lodged until October, 1908. The property cannot, therefore, be dealt with under the Irish Land Act, 1903, for a considerable time to come.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the people living in the vincinity of Lough Gowna, North Longford, suffer loss from flooding owing to the bad drainage of Lough Erne, into which Lough Gowna drains; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the grievance?.

If occupiers of land in the district referred to suffer from neglect on the part of the drainage trustees to maintain the drainage works their proper course is to complain to the Board of Public Works stating the facts. Only one such complaint has been received by the Board since December, 1906. It was received on 24th July last, and is being investigated.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners will agree to receive a deputation from the tenants on the Douglas estate at Bawn, Kilnashee, Cloonagh, and Cloon-macart, who complain of unfair division of bog and who are prepared either to appear by counsel or by deputation for the assertion of their rights?

As I have already stated in reply to the hon. Member's question for 26th August, the purchase agreements in this estate were only lodged in October last, and some considerable time must elapse before the estate can be dealt with under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners do not think that any useful purpose would be served by their receiving a deputation at present, but the matter will be considered when the estate is being dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state what investigation the Local Government Board for Ireland made in reference to the age of Catherine Feeley, Drumcask, county Cavan, an applicant for an old age pension, who was granted a pension of 5s. a week by the Bawnboy sub-committee on 21st December, 1908, against which the pension officer appealed on the question of age and which appeal was upheld by the Local Government Board by their decision of 24th June, 1909; is he aware that the claimant forwarded to the Local Government Board on the 25th June, 1909, an extract from the Census Return for the year 1841, showing she was then six years of age, consequently now 74 years of age; and, having regard to the fact that the Local Government Board for Ireland have the Census Returns for 1841 and 1851 searched before adversely deciding in appeals on questions of age, he will now that neglect has occurred direct that Catherine Feeley shall receive full pension as from, the 1st January last, in accordance with the decision of the local pension sub-committee?

I understand that the pension officer reported to the Committee that this claimant's age could not be traced in the Census Returns of 1841 or 1851. Before deciding the case the Local Government Board communicated with the claimant asking her for any evidence she could produce as to her age, and with the aid of certain particulars which she furnished had a further search made in the Census Returns, but no trace again could be found of her family. As no other evidence was furnished by her the Board were obliged to uphold the pension officer's appeal. It is the fact that after the Board's decision was issued an extract from the Census Returns was submitted as stated, but as the Board had given their decision it could not be reconsidered, and the claimant was informed that it was open to her to make a fresh claim, and it must be remembered that the onus of furnishing proof in such cases rests with the claimant I have no power to give the direction suggested in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary if the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps with a view to the purchase of the untenanted lands on the Coote estate, at Mount Coote, Kilmallock, county Limerick; and, if so, with what result?

Proceedings have not yet been instituted before the Estates Commissioners by the owner for the sale of these lands under the Irish Land Act, 1903?

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have made any offer for the untenanited land on the Dicken estate, at Dromin, county Limerick; and, if so, with what result?

No proceedings are pending before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of the lands referred to, and no offer has been made by the Commissioners for them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet acquired the untenanted land on the Lloyd estate at Dooneen, Crecora, county Limerick; and, if so, how soon may the deserving classes expect to have it distributed among them?

The Estates Commissioners cannot, from the particulars given in the question, identify this estate as pending for sale before them.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say why the grants promised by the inspector to the Siggins-haggard evicted tenants belonging to the Carew estate to enable them to build houses and make a start on their farms have not yet been made; and, as the tenants can make no progress without grants, will he recommend an immediate payment of them?

The Estates Commissioners will direct one of their inspectors to supervise the expenditure of the grants in these cases as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet taken compulsory possession of the Boxwell property with a view of putting back the evicted tenants in their homes; and if he can hold out any hope of an immediate restoration?

Proceedings have been instituted by the Estates Commissioners under the Evicted Tenants Act in reference to these lands, but up to the present they have not acquired possession.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the names of the urban authorities who are taking advantage of the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, the amount of loan applied for in each case, and the amount advanced or sanctioned?

Return showing the cases (1) in which loans have been sanctioned under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1908, and (2) in which applications for loans under the Act have been received and are under consideration:— Loans Sanctioned. Armagh Urban District £700 Athlone £4,000 Blackrock £14,500 Kells £1,900 Kingstown £9,000 Wexford £7,000 Bantry Town Commissioners £1,300 Applications under Consideration. Dublin County Borough £17,400 Limerick £45,000 Dungarvan Urban District £3,870 Fermoy £1,100 Kilkenny £6,450 Letterkenny £5,800 Listowel £4,500 Tralee £7,000 Trim £2,800 NOTE.—The Local Government Board understand that a number of other local authorities are contemplating applying for loans under the Act.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the names of the examiners of title in the Irish Land Commission, the dates of their appointments, their previous occupations, and the periods for which they have been employed?

The following is the information asked for:—

Name of Examiner. Date of Appointment to Examiners Staff. Previous Occupation. *Lynch, H. C.; B.L. … 1st January, 1892 … Chief Clerk (Land Purchase Branch) Irish Land Commission. *Shaw, J. H.; B.L. … 2nd January. 1904 … Practising Barrister. Mabony, D. McC; B.L … 23rd October, 1905 … Practising Barrister. Dixon, G. Y.; B.L. … 1st March, 1906 … Practising Barrister. Dick, W.; B.L … 27th April, 1907 … Assistant Examiner Land Judge's Court. The above are permanent officials entitled to the benefits of the Superannuation Acts. Orpen, J. R.; B.L. … 21st March. 1904 … Practising Barrister. White, Jeffrey, B.L. … 7th March, 1904 … Practising Barrister. Brady, C. W. R.; B.L. … 23rd October, 1905 … Practising Barrister. Stubbs, W. C.; B.L. … 23rd October, 1905 … Practising Barrister. Wilson, R. C. K.; B.L. … 23rd October, 1905 … Practising Barrister. Monahan, H. J.; B.L. … 8th November, 1905 … Practising Barrister. Glover, W. E.; B. L. … 8th December. 1906 … Practising Barrister. Christie, D.; B.L. … 30th May, 1907 … Practising Barrister. Harley, T. T.; B.L. … 12th December, 1907 … Practising Barrister. Sullivan, J.; B.L. … 16th December, 1907 … Practising Barrister. The above are non-pensionable officers. * Chief Examiners.

In addition to the above, Mr. G. V. Hart, K.C., an examiner of title in the Land Judge's Court, has been assigned to act as examiner of title in Land Commission cases where the land judge, acting as a judicial commissioner, distributes the purchase moneys.—The service of each officer has been continuous since the dates mentioned in column 2.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that the Local Government Board have made new rules under the Labourers Acts, Rule 55 (8), leaving it optional with solicitors deducing title, and acting on behalf of an owner or a lessee, to claim a fee of two guineas without any taxation of their account where the compensation does not exceed £60; whether he is aware that solicitors so acting are claiming a fee of two guineas for deducing the title of tenant purchasers where heretofore they got only half a guinea, tenant purchasers not being owners or lessees within the meaning of the Section; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to this claim?

The Labourers (Ireland) Older, 1909, a copy of which I have for-warded to the hon. Member, contains a provision to the effect stated in the question. If, in the cases referred to by the hon. Member, the persons from whom the fee is claimed are not owners or lessees, the provision in question would not apply. Payments under this provision are made entirely on the responsibility of the rural

district council and their solicitor, and are subject to review, in due course, by the Auditor of the Local Government Board.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether, in the case of Joseph Daly, who is taking action against Constable Begly, of Longford police force, for assault, the Crown will guarantee the expenses of the prosecution before the court of assizes, with a view to the protection of the individual and securing to him of justice when assailed by an officer of the law?

I am not aware of any precedent for the course suggested in the question, and I doubt very much whether it would be legal. The usual practice in the case of private prosecutions is for copies of the depositions to be laid before me, and it is my duty then to consider whether the case is one which should be taken up by the Crown. In the event of my determining that question in the affirmative, all further expense in the case is borne by the Crown. The usual practice will be followed in this case, should the occasion arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of James Price, late private in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, regimental number 4093, who, after serving for 15 years, nine of which were spent in India and several years in South Africa during the war, obtaining the Queen's medal and four clasps, whose conduct during the whole term of his service was noted in his discharge as exemplary, and who was invalided in 1907 owing to liver disease contracted in India, on a pension of 11d. per day; and whether, owing to this man's ill-health and the fact that he has a wife and three children, he will consider the possibility of his pension being increased so as to enable him, in case he got some light employment, to rear his family?

The hon. Member appears to refer to James Rice, but the details of his service are not quite accurately stated. Although the disease which led to his discharge was neither caused nor aggravated by service nor climate, he was granted a pension of 2½d. a day more than his actual service, apart from his ill-health, entitled him to. It is, therefore, impossible to increase his pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the firm of painters named the Executors of J. Arundell, 38, City-road, Bradford, is at present engaged upon any contract for his Department; if so, what contract; and whether the firm is deemed to be one complying with the fair contracts clause of the Government?

The name of this firm has recently been removed from the list of contractors to the War Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of soldiers billeted in Ireland for the past five years; whether any of the clothing, boots, and other apparel has been supplied by Irish contractors for their use; if so, will he give the names of such contractors; whether Ireland reaps any benefit financially by their presence in that country; and whether he can say what is Ireland's contribution towards the upkeep of the Army?

The average number of Regular troops quartered in Ireland during the past five years has been about 26,000. Supplies of clothing or other apparel obtained from contractors in Ireland are not restricted to troops actually serving for the time being in that country, but are utilised for the equipment of the Army generally. It is not possible to state what proportion of such supplies may at any given time be in use by troops in Ireland. Ireland reaps considerable financial benefit by the presence of troops there. The information at my immediate disposal does not enable me to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the firm of Messrs. P. and J. Gordon, contractors for the painting of Maryhill Barracks, are not complying with the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause; that the firm is employing labourers at labourers' rates of wages to do work that is ordinarily done by painters at painters' rates of wages; that it is employing painters at less than the district rate, which is 9d. per hour; that it is employing painters from Edinburgh without conforming to the custom of paying them lodging allowance; that, although on inquiry being made it was found that 9d. per hour was being entered on the painters' time sheets, the fact is that the men are actually only receiving 6d. per hour, the firm in some cases, in order to mislead the painters' union, having paid the men the full rate on the Saturday with instructions to refund the difference between 6d. and 9d. per hour on the Monday; and that the sergeant major at Glasgow has been given the names of men who have testified that they only received 6d. per hour; and whether he will have a searching inquiry made into the matter with a view to having the Fair Wages Clause complied with?

The matter shall be fully inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the chairman of the urban district council of Rushden has reported, within the last 14 days, that unemployment still exists in the Raunds and Ringsted district among Army boot and shoe makers; and whether, in these circumstances, he can and will take the opportunity of providing the Department with that class of boot and shoe of which he cannot obtain a sufficiency in time of war, or what action, if any, he intends to take to give this class of operatives employment?

I am informed that unemployment in the boot trade is not confined to that branch that deals with Army boots and shoes. The present requirements of the Army, both as regards current wear and authorised reserves of boots, are adequately met by the orders already placed, and it is, consequently, not proposed to increase these orders. I must point out to the hon. Member that it is the duty of the Contracts Department of the War Office to secure to the Army in peace or war a sufficient provision of the supplies it requires, and this has only been adequately secured by the broadening of the area of supply that has taken place during the last few years.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many pairs of boots there are in stock at Pimlico, and how many pairs of shoes less than three years old; how many pairs of boots and how many pairs of shoes are there at Pimlico which have been in stock for more than three years; how many pairs of these were made outside the United Kingdom and how many pairs are size 10 and over?

The figures are as follows:— Boots and shoes in stock at Pimlico:— Pairs. Boots, Ankle, over 3 years old 36,000 Boots, Ankle, under 3 years old 287,000 Total 323,000 Shoes,over3 years old 7,500 Shoes, under 3 years old 4,000 Total 11,500

Of these 6,783 pairs of ankle boots and 99 pairs of shoes were made outside the United Kingdom, none of which are less than three years old. Of size 10 and over there are 36,501 pairs of ankle boots and 1,191 pairs of shoes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a German was recently arrested inside Leenan Fort, Buncrana, county Donegal,-whether he was tried by court-martial; and, if so, what was the finding?

A German tourist was recently admitted inside the fort named, and being observed not to be following the directions given him on entrance, was handed over to the Civil police, but as he was able to give a satisfactory explanation he was discharged the same day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether certain officers of the Territorial Force had been granted permission to attend the man-oeuvres on Salisbury Plain; whether such permission has since been refused; and, if so, why?

General Officers Commanding-in-Chief have been empowered to allow officers of the Territorial Force to attend these manœuvres, expenses in connection therewith being met from the general officer's training grant so far as funds permit. I know of no case in which permission to attend has been refused, though in some cases it has not been possible to provide pay or allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the band of the Royal Engineers, Territorial Force, is publicly advertised to perform at a mass meeting of the Women's Unionist and Tariff Reform Association to be held at Cluny Castle on 4th September; and will he give directions to put a stop to this and every other use of the Territorial Force bands at political meetings?

I have telegraphed to the local military authorities, drawing attention to paragraph 125 of the Territorial Force Regulations, and I am informed by them by wire that no such band is engaged to play at Cluny Castle on the date named. I am awaiting a written report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to reports in to-day's papers that on the occasion of a Budget meeting to be held in Manchester on Saturday afternoon, the band of the 18th Hussars will perform; and, if so, whether this is in accordance with the Military Regulations?

I have telegraphed for information. It would not be in accordance with the King's Regulations for a military band to play at a political meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any estimate of the amount of the pecuniary compensation which will be payable up to 31st December, 1911, under Clause 4 of the Zanzibar Slavery Decree, 1909?

I am unable at present to give an estimate, but I will ask His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Zanzibar to furnish any information in his possession.

asked the President of the Board of Trade upon what dates respectively the application for harbour grants in the oases of Craster, Pwllheli, and Newlyn, which were approved by the Harbour Grants Committee on 11th May, 1907, 17th August, 1907, and 12th August, 1907, were first submitted to that Committee for consideration?

These applications were referred to the Committee on the 30th March, 1907, the 15th August, 1907, and the 9th July, 1907, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new American tariff proposes to penalise by an extra 25 per cent, ad valorem duty all the export trade of a country which pays a bounty upon any of its exports; and whether there is any bounty, paid upon exports from this country which will cause British exports to incur the penalising duty referred to?

The answer is in the negative. The new United States tariff, likes its predecessor, imposes an additional duty above that prescribed by the tariff equal to the net amount of any bounty or grant given by the exporting country in respect of any particular article. No bounties are accorded on the exportation of any article from this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the request of the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty that land conveyed by gift or purchase and dedicated to the use of the public and held by the National Trust or any such public body, should be exempt from Stamp Duty under Clause 53, Sub-section (1), of the Finance Bill?

I have considered the communication sent to me by the National Trust, but I regret that I do not see my way to accede to their request for a specific exemption from Stamp Duty under Clause 53 (1) of the Finance Bill. In exceptional cases of established hardship power already exists for granting relief.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that second division clerks of eight years' service and upwards are eligible for promotion to staff posts, he will consider the advisability of extending this concession to clerks to surveyors of taxes who have completed eight years' service as first clerks; and whether he is aware that at present they have no prospect of advancing beyond the rank of clerk?

It is not proposed to make any change such as is suggested in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the extension of the Income Tax Department due to the changes in legislation, he will state if it is proposed to offer any of the staff posts to first clerks to surveyors of taxes of approved service and ability; and is he aware that their training fits them for posts in the repayment branch?

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

asked whether a bounty of 3d. per gallon is paid by the British Customs on spirits exported from this country; if so, whether any duty on such spirits is received by the British Government; and whether the origin and reasons for this bounty can be stated?

No bounty is paid upon the export of British spirits from this country. An allowance of 3d. per gallon is granted on British plain spirits on exportation, as an equivalent to the British distiller for the cost to him of the requirements and restricts imposed by the revenue laws and regulations in connection with his plant and methods of manufacture. The effect of this allowance is not to put the British producer of spirits in a position of advantage as compared with his foreign competitor, but to save him from being placed in a position of disadvantage.

asked whether the voluntary allowance made by the owner of an estate to those who are unable through old age any longer to work on it will be liable, under the Finance Bill as it stands, to pay duty in respect of the last five years' payments of the allowance before the death of the said owner.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many new class assistant clerks are employed in the Statistical Office of the Customs, and how many have been promoted or nominated for promotion; how many new class assistant clerks in the Tea Accounts Office of the Customs, and how many have been promoted or nominated for promotion; and will he state the reason for the small percentage of Promotions in the Statistical Office?

The numbers are as follows:— Employed. Promoted or nominated for promotion. Statistical Office 172 8 Tea Accounts Office 64 5

Any comparison of the respective percentages of promotions in the two offices must take into consideration the promotions of abstractors, who, as the hon. Member was informed in reply to his questions on 29th June, 1908, and 8th March, 1909, form the senior section of the Assistant Clerk Class. The figures for the whole class employed in these two offices are as follows:— Employed. Promoted or nominated for promotion. Statistical Office 209 26 Tea Accounts Office 70 8

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the number of men in the Royal Naval Reserve who have received the long-service medal, and the number who have received the sum of £50 on the application of their time; whether an application was recently received from Sunderland on behalf of those who had done over 20 years' service, and were of good conduct, for the long-service medal; and, if so, whether he could state the reason for refusing the application then made to the Registrar-General of Seamen at Sunderland?

None of these medals have yet been awarded; the regulations as to the institution of the medal were issued in May last, and applications are now being examined and will be forwarded shortly. 1,930 men have received the gratuity. It was a necessary condition for award of the medal in the regulations first issued, that applicants should have been on the active list on 1st January, 1908; an application from a Royal Naval Reserve man at Sunderland who had left the Royal Naval Reserve prior to 1st January, 1908, was refused accordingly. This condition has now been removed, so that all men who have the necessary qualifying service will be eligible for the medal.