asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether he will state what was the nature of the representations received from certain foreign Governments as to the marking of hops, as prescribed in the Bill introduced this year; whether they applied to the growers' names, the parish of origin, or to the mixing of hops by different growers; and whether he will give the names of the countries from which representations were received, and to what extent those countries have hitherto sent hops to Great Britain, and what conditions and duties, if any, are imported on British hops imported into these countries?

As the Government do not propose proceeding further with the Hops Bill, my Noble Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture does not think that any useful purpose would be served by supplying the information asked for, and is not prepared to give it.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset what is the acreage under hops in England this year, and the area under cultivation in each county?

The acreage returns are not yet available, but I hope they will be very shortly, and I will then send the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether a person who has had an old age pension granted him, but who subsequently through illness is unable to look after himself and is compelled to go in the workhouse infirmary, is disqualified from receiving his pension whilst in the infirmary; and, if not, whether the pension has to be paid to the guardians during the period that he is an inmate of that institution?

Speaking generally, I think that, if a pensioner who is suffering from illness is removed to a Poor Law infirmary for cure or treatment, he is not disqualified for continuing to receive a pension, such relief as he receives, other than surgical or medical assistance, being merely incidental to such assistance. If, however, he became a chronic inmate of the infirmary, the medical character of the relief would cease to preponderate, and disqualification would ensue. With regard to the second part of the question, it is competent for a pensioner who is physically incapable of attending personally at the post office to appoint an officer of the institution or any other person as agent to receive the pension on his behalf. Such an agent (whether an officer of the institution or some other person) can only draw the pension upon a written undertaking on the occasion of each payment to pay the amount to the pensioner forthwith. The guardians are, however, entitled under the Poor Law Acts to take and appropriate money in the possession of any pauper to reimburse them for sums expended in his relief during 12 months' previously.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the correspondence which passed between the Congested Districts Board and the Irish Government in February, 1908, relative to the proposed pier at Portmagee, county Kerry, and of the offer of the county council to contribute towards the expenses of construction, he will state what steps, if any, have been taken to secure its construction under the Marine Works Act?

No steps have been taken to secure the construction of the suggested works at Portmagee out of funds provided under the Marine Works Act, nor is there at present any balance available for the purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an application has been made to the Estates Commissioners, with a view to reinstating a young man named M'Kay on the farm at Liskeeveen, Mansergh Going estate, county Tipperary, from which his people were evicted in 1886; whether the landlord is willing to sell at a reasonable price; and, if so, will the Estates Commissioners favourably entertain the application of young M'Kay?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into this case, and have decided not to take any action in reference to Hugh M'Kay's application to be reinstated in the holding at one time occupied by his grandmother.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that John Crawford, Ballybrien, near Limerick Junction, on the estate of Lady Grace, was evicted from his holding on 13th instant; that Crawford offered to purchase at the landlord's terms of 1902, and agreed to have £30 in lieu of arrears due since 1902 added to the purchase money; is he aware that the agent, Mr. Butler, refused a deputation to sell unless £30 and costs were paid; that a force of police was present at the eviction; will the district have to bear the cost; and whether, as the agent's solicitor was offered a fair offer of settlement, the Estates Commissioners will take the case in hand?

I understand that Crawford was evicted on the date mentioned, and that a force of 21 police was present. As they were supplied from the County force the cost will not fall on the district. The case will be inquired into by the Estates Commissioners when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Commissioners have no power to interfere in any legal proceedings which the landlord may have instituted for the recovery of the rent due by Crawford.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can say if, in cases where recently appointed inspectors of National schools in Ireland give reports more unfavourable than have ever been given by inspectors of long standing, both senior and junior, since the introduction of the new system nearly 10 years ago, such reports will be permitted to mar the increments or prevent the promotion of such teachers, or will the Board have regard also to the reports for, say, the preceding seven years?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that they deal with all cases of increment and promotion of national teachers in such a manner as in their opinion secures full justice being done to the teachers concerned. The Commissioners are always ready to investigate any case of alleged hardship arising from inspectors' reports if brought specially under their notice.

asked the Chief Secretary why the head teacher and assistant teacher of Ballynagarrick National School, Gilford, county Down, District No. 7b, have not yet received the triennial increase to which they are entitled under the rules, notwithstanding that the inspector's report for the three years has been favourable?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the claims of these teachers required special consideration. The increments have now been awarded, and payment will be made in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a farm at Ardnaneaningh, in the parish of Durrus, county Cork, is advertised to be sold on the 21st instant; and, as the Congested Districts Board are owners of the adjoining townlands, will they purchase the said farm for distribution among the tenants of these lands?

The Congested Districts Board have no funds available for the purchase of the farm referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, so far, is the cost of the total amount of old age pensions, and their numbers for men and for women, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively?

The total payments in respect of old age pensions from 1st January last to the 2nd instant inclusive amounted:— In England and Wales to £3,270,609 In Ireland to 1,541,817 In Scotland to 593,867

The number of pensioners upon the books of pension officers on 30th June last (the latest date to which figures are available) was:— England and Wales 410,119 Ireland 184,265 Scotland 73,173

Separate returns have not up to the present been obtained for the two sexes, but I will consider whether this can be done for the current quarter.