asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any provision in the Finance Bill to alter or impair the provision of Sub-section 15, Clause 3, of the Finance Act, 1894, that Estate Duty shall not be payable in respect of any pension or annuity payable by the Government of British India to the widow or child of any deceased officer of such Government, notwithstanding that the deceased contributed during his lifetime to any fund out of which such pension or annuity is paid?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that clerks to surveyors of taxes are called upon to work late hours without extra pay, he will state why these clerks should not work the ordinary official day of seven hours, the same as is in operation in all other Government offices; and whether he will explain why the Government should not conform to the ordinary rules of trades unionism and pay these clerks for all overtime worked?

On this subject I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by him on the 13th instant. The weekly hours of attendance of clerks to the surveyors of taxes range from 42 to a maximum of 48, according to the requirements of the work. For any hours worked in excess of those limits the clerks receive overtime pay.

asked the-Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what was the amount of revenue derived from gun carrying and game licences in Ireland for the years 1903 and 1908, distinguishing the amounts and descriptions?

The amount of revenue derived from gun and game licences in Ireland for the years ended 31st March, 1903 and 1908 respectively was as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the number of gallons of foreign spirits imported into Belfast and Londonderry and the number of gallons imported into Ireland in the first six months of the years 1907, 1908, and 1909, or in the period up to 1st September in these years?

presented the following statement of the number of gallons of spirits imported from foreign countries and British Possessions into Belfast, Londonderry, and into Ireland as a whole, in the first six and eight months respectively of the years 1907, 1908, and 1909:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been received from Argentina stating that the herds of that country are free from foot-and-mouth disease; and whether any application has been made for the admission of cattle for immediate slaughter from that country?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. An application was received in April last asking that cattle might be imported for slaughter into this country, provided they came from unaffected districts in Argentina, with regard to which communications are proceeding with the Argentine Government.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in this country has been traced to cattle imported for immediate slaughter at either the Deptford or Birkenhead foreign cattle markets?

There is no direct evidence of any such case, but in the opinion of the chief veterinary officer to the Privy Council the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred in London, Bedfordshire and Kent in 1880, were traceable to foreign cattle landed at Deptford, and it was suspected that the outbreak at Rhyl in 1900 was connected with the landing at Birkenhead of animals from Argentina.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether his attention has been directed to the decrease in the number of cattle imported from North America into this country for immediate slaughter, and also the increase in price of North American beef; and whether, as the cattle of Argentina are officially declared to be free from disease, he will consider the advisability of allowing the importation of cattle for immediate slaughter from that country?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The freedom of a country from disease at any particular moment is only one of the factors to which the Board are bound to have regard in deciding whether or not cattle should be allowed to be imported for slaughter, and until all the various requirements of the Diseases of Animals Acts are satisfied it is not possible for the Board to adopt the course suggested, and we are awaiting certain information on the subject which the Argentine Government have been asked to be good enough to furnish.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is authorised under Treasury regulations, in case of disability from sickness, to extend the leave of officers of his Department to a maximum period of six months on full pay and six months on half pay; if so, are these privileges usually granted to all civil servants employed under him, with the exception of those employed on the Ordnance Survey; and will he say why such privileges are withheld from officers serving in that Department?

The sick pay of the Civil assistants employed on the Ordnance Survey is the subject of special regulations, details of which are given in Appendix No. XII. of the Report of the Departmental Committee of 1891. The Committee recommended certain modifications of those regulations to which effect was duly given. Each case is considered on its merits, the period of sick-leave allowed varying according to the length and character of the service and the nature and cause of the illness.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he can state the amount collected by fines for illegal trawling off the coast of Scotland within the last 12 months; and whether the sums so collected would be devoted to the acquisition of another fishery cruiser?

The amount received during the 12 months ending 30th June last, was £573 3s. 4d. The Fishery Board acquired a new cruiser only a few months ago, and do not at present contemplate the acquisition of another. The fines are under the Application of Penalies Act, 1907, available as an addition to the fund out of which cruisers are provided and maintained, unless and until a different purpose is prescribed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the average strength fro. 1888 to 1908, inclusive; what has been in each of the years from 1888 to 1905 inclusive, the number of men who have been attacked by and have died from small-pox in the United Kingdom, in India, in Egypt, and in the Colonies, respectively; and what has been, in each of these years, the percentage of cases and of deaths to the average strength, and the percentage of deaths to attacks in the United Kingdom, India, Egypt, and the Colonies, respectively.

submitted the following table showing the average strength of the British troops serving at home and abroad during the years 1888 to 1908, also the admissions and deaths with the percentage to strength, and the percentage of mortality to attack, for small-pox amongst the troops serving in the United Kingdom, India, Egypt, and the Colonies, during the years 1888 to 1905, inclusive:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether the telegraphic arrangements for the Press broke down at Glasgow on the night of Lord Rosebery's speech; whether he is aware that the last part of his speech, handed in at 8.18, did not reach the "Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury" office until nearly one o'clock in the morning, taking nearly five hours in transmission; and whether the Post Office authorities will make such arrangements at Birmingham as will prevent such a delay in telegraphing the Prime Minister's speech?

Ample telegraph apparatus and staff were provided at Glasgow, but unfortunately, from some cause which I have not yet been able to ascertain, the transmission of some of the news reports was delayed. Full and special provision has been made for the Prime Minister's meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for War in how many cases the general officers commanding exercised their discretion vested in them of exempting recruits enlisted since 1st January last from doing the prescribed number of drills before going to camp and receiving camp pay?

There are no statistics available at the War Office to enable me to reply to this question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the cost of living index figures in the following Metropolitan districts: Walworth, Kennington, Deptford, Rotherhithe, and New Cross?

The cost of living index number for Walworth, Kennington and Rothsrhithe is 99. For Deptford and New Cross the index number is 97.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the approaching taking over of the business of the National Telephone Company, whether the privileges at present enjoyed by the public of telephoning throughout the night will be in any way restricted when under the management of the Post Office; and whether it is proposed to make any change as to the use of the telephone on Sundays?

I do not anticipate that present facilities for night telephone service—so far as they meet an actual need on the part of the public—will be restricted after the transfer of the National Telephone Company's system to the State. The question of the extent of Sunday use will require careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state when the 28 established store porters who were classed as redundant when the amalgamation of the postal stores and the controller of the stores offices was effected, as a grade which would enable them to qualify for future promotion, are likely to be promoted to the rank of third class storemen?

The claims of established store porters are considered with those of other eligible officers when vacancies on the third class of storemen arise. I am unable to forecast the occurrence of the vacancies necessary for the promotion of all the store porters.

asked the Postmaster-General if an officer of the rank of superintendent is employed on Sunday duty in the Dublin sorting office, while no officer of that rank is employed in the instrument room that day; and will he say if it is the practice to employ officers of the rank of superintendent on Sunday duty in Class A offices in England and Scotland?

An assistant superintendent is in charge of the instrument room at Dublin on Sunday during the forenoon and evening. During the rest of the day an overseer is in charge. In the sorting office a superintendent is on duty on Sundays. The supervising staff on Sunday duty at Dublin and at other offices is determined in each case by the requirements of the work.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that a petition was sent in by a section of the Dublin telegraph staff on the 24th ultimo asking that the department should look for volunteers for overtime; if he is aware that this request was refused by the acting controller; and if he will say if overtime is compulsory when volunteers are available?

The section of the Dublin telegraph staff who sent in the petition alluded to were juniors, and the duties which they were called upon to perform on overtime during the period in question were only proper to junior officers. As the only volunteers available would have been senior officers, the acting controller rightly refused to accede to their request. He, however, arranged that a day's notice should be given to officers whose services would be required, and was prepared to release any officer so notified on condition that he provided a suitable substitute. Exceptional pressure prevailed during the week in question. Subject to exceptions due to the exigencies of the service, the rule is that overtime is not compulsory when suitable volunteers are available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, if a guarantee can be secured from the urban areas of Galway, Athlone, Mullingar, Cavan, Longford, Boyle, and Sligo, together with the promise of a given number, not less than 10, of subscribers in each of these townships to a telephone service, he will take steps to extend the grand trunk telephone system from Dublin to Galway, and Dublin to Sligo and to Cavan, via the Midland Great Western Railway line, immediately?

I have already offered to recommend to the Treasury an extension of the telephone system to Mullingar, Athlone, and Galway under guarantee, but thus far an offer to provide part of the guarantee has been received from Athlone alone. A direct extension to Cavan would be very costly, but if guarantee can be obtained for an extension to Clones, I will quote guarantee terms for a further extension to Cavan. In the same way extensions to Longford and Boyle could not be undertaken with any prospect of a reasonable return except in connection for a scheme for serving Mullingar. Guarantee terms for an extension of the trunk system from Enniskillen to Sligo have been arranged.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take for the prolongation of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, renewed in 1906 for a term of three years; whether, in view of the constant and rapid developments in the practical application of wireless telegraphy, the wide and varied interests involved, and bearing in mind the negotiations now proceeding for the acquisition by the Post Office of important existing installations, an opportunity will be afforded for a full consideration of the Act before the end of the present Session; and whether any new conditions, and, if so, what, have arisen since the last renewal in 1906 which render it expedient to depart from the practice hitherto followed of renewing the Act for a specific limited period, in order that it may come before the House for revision at definite intervals?

It is proposed to renew the Wireless Telegraphy Act to the end of next year by means of the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. As the Act has hitherto been renewed once only, it cannot be said that there is any recognised practice as to the manner of its renewal. There appears to be no need, therefore, at present to revise the Bill. No circumstances or question have yet arisen which necessitated any alteration in the Act.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the need for the establishment of a post office at Mandistown Cross, county Meath; if the people of the district are unable to take full advantage of the wall letter-box recently erected there; and whether, seeing that they have to travel three miles to the nearest post office for a stamp or postal order, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am having inquiry made on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can give any assurance that, in the event of a local sanitary authority acting as a responsible authority under the Housing and Town planning Bill for a town-planning scheme within the area of a neighbouring authority, the latter will retain all its duties and powers as regards the provision of sewerage, water supply, lighting, and consequential works throughout its own area, and that none of such duties and powers will pass to the responsible authority by virtue of any regulations hereafter made under that Act by the Local Government Board?

It is not intended that the powers and duties of a neighbouring local authority should be transferred to the local authority responsible for the execution of a town planning scheme. These powers and duties would not be interfered with, except in so far as it might be necessary in order to secure the carrying out of the scheme. For example, it might be necessary to provide that they should be exercised in some particular way.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of old age pensions which have been cancelled in Ireland as the result of the recent revision up to the present date?

The number of old age pensions withdrawn in Ireland from all causes up to 30th June last, the latest date to which figures are available, was 3,404.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state whether the Inland Revenue prosecute in all cases for breaches of the game-licensing laws in England, Wales, and Scotland; and, if so, will he state the annual number and result of these prosecutions for the last five years?

asked whether the Department of Inland Revenue prosecutes in all cases for breaches of the game-licensing laws in Ireland; and what, if any, is the difference in the administration of the game laws in Ireland and in Great Britain?

I will, with the permission of the hon. Member, answer these two questions together. Up to 1st January last the administration of the Game Licensing Laws and the responsibility for prosecutions thereunder was for the whole of the United Kingdom vested in the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. In England and Wales the police had also the power of prosecuting for hawking game without licence and for other game licence offences falling within the provisions of 1 and 2 William IV., cap. 32. As regards England and Wales, the administration was, under the Finance Act, 1908, transferred as from 1st January, 1909, from the Board of Inland Revenue to county councils, the police retaining the power mentioned above. So far as Scotland and Ireland are concerned, it has not yet been found possible to arrange for a similar transfer of the duties of administration, and those duties are consequently still discharged by the Board of Customs and Excise, who have succeeded the Board of Inland Revenue as the authority responsible for Excise administration under the Finance Act, 1908, as from 1st April last. The figures as to prosecutions are as follows:—

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he was aware that Bulletin No. 7, Report on Co-operative Agriculture and Rural Conditions in Denmark, also No. 6, Bacon Industry in Ireland, were out of print; and, in view of the importance of these documents, would he consider reprinting them?

These Bulletins were issued by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland. Bulletin No. 7 has been out of print for some time. Bulletin No. 5 (not No. 6) dealt with the bacon-curing industry in Denmark (not Ireland), and is also out of print. Bulletin No. 5 was issued before No. 7, and was subsequently included in the latter. The information contained in these papers is now partly out of date, and it would not be desirable to reprint them in their present form.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the work in connection with the carrying out of the Seeds and Weeds Bill will entail any expense on the local bodies, or will such officials as may be required to carry out the order be paid out of the funds of the Department?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The officers of the Department will carry out the order.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any complaint has reached him of the insufficiency of the grant for technical instruction in county Longford; and whether he is yet in a position to increase that grant?

No specific complaint as to the insufficiency of funds for the purposes of Technical Instruction in the County Longford has been received, but the Department are aware that the County Longford Committee have, like most other Committees in Ireland, felt the need of an increase in their income. The funds at present at the disposal of the Department for the purposes of technical instruction are not sufficient to admit of any increase in the amount of the Department's grants.

asked whether the sanction of the Lord Lieutenant in Council has been given to the bye-laws proposed to be made by the Department, and published on 26th June last, for the regulation of steam trawling off the coasts of the counties of Londonderry, Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo; and, if not, when the decision of the Privy Council is likely to be given?

The bye-laws referred to have been submitted for the approval of the Lord Lieutenant in Council, but the Department are not aware when a decision is likely to be given.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that within the last few weeks steam trawlers have been constantly at work in Sheephaven Bay within prohibited areas, and that on Monday, 5th instant, two steam trawlers swept the whole bay up to near Portnablagh; and what steps the Department is taking to protect the local fisheries?

The Department have received reports of alleged illegal trawling by two steam vessels in Sheephaven Bay on the 5th and 11th instant, and are instituting legal proceedings in the matter. The Congested Districts Board's steamer "Granuaile" was in the vicinity between the above dates, and at the request of the Department kept a look-out for any illegalities that might be committed. None were, however, observed. The Department's cruiser "Helga" will, so far as her other duties permit, continue to patrol the locality referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any official information showing that in the intermediate examinations recently held in Ireland, owing to the system of marking for Irish and the increase in the required number to pass, an increase not made in any other lingual subject, Irish scholars have been placed at a disadvantage in the recent examinations; and, if so, will he take steps to put Irish on the same footing in this respect as other languages for future examinations?

The Commissioners of Intermediate Education inform me that there has been no alteration for the recent examinations in the percentage required for a pass in Irish or any other subject. They add that students taking Irish are not placed at any disadvantage for passing the examinations in comparison with students taking any of the other languages that are contained in the Board's programme, and that the rules published by the Board show clearly that Irish is on the same footing as other languages.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the total amount paid to successful exhibitioners and prize-winners at the intermediate examinations, 1908, and the approximate amount to be paid this year; and whether he is aware that in consequence of the recent stringent rules adopted for exhibitions, prizes, and passes, more than 40 per cent. of failures are announced this year as against an average 78 per cent. of passes since the establishment of the Intermediate Board 30 years ago?

The Commissioners of Intermediate Education inform me that the amounts expended in 1908 for exhibitions and prizes were as follows: Exhibitions, £6,365; book prizes, £810; composition prizes, £594; total, £7,769. The amount of the exhibitions awarded as the result of the recent examinations is £4,850. As the Board have not determined the number of book and composition prizes to be awarded, no estimate of the amount involved can be made. For the 30 years during which the examinations have been held prior to 1909 the average percentage of students who have passed is 62.5. For the present year the percentage is 55.1.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners in any way earmark or bring to a separate account the profit made by them under Section 6 of the Land Act, 1903, in borrowing from the Treasury for the purchase of estates money at 2¾ per cent. and charging the tenants interest at 3¼ per cent.; what has been the yield of this ½ per cent. profit up to the present, and is there any reason why such profit should be pooled in the general receipts of the Estates Commissioners; and is it at the instance of the Treasury that this system of book-keeping is adopted, or have the Estates Commissioners a discretion in the matter?

I have already dealt with this matter in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for South Kildare on 30th November last, to which I would refer the hon. Member. The Estates Commissioners inform me that the cost of management, payments for rates and taxes, and deficiency of income on some estates are met out of surpluses on other estates and so prevent losses on Guarantee Fund. Under Section 36 (4) Act of 1903 the excess surpluses of income are carried to the credit of the Reserve Fund for the benefit and improvement of estates, and for grants to evicted tenants and others for the provision of stock equipments and otherwise. The arrangements referred to were made at the instance of the Estates Commissioners, and were sanctioned by the Treasury, who (as stated in the reply to which I have referred) do not benefit.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state in what counties the Estates Commissioners have failed to acquire lands under the Evicted Tenants Act; what is the extent of the staff administering this Act; who is in charge of the county Cavan; and is it intended to continue this Act which expires in 1911?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the counties in which land has not as yet been compulsorily acquired under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, are Armagh, Cavan, Down, Dublin, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Londonderry, Roscommon, Tyrone, and Wicklow; but proceedings are pending under that Act in respect of lands in all these counties save Dublin and Roscommon, and a considerable area has been, or is being, acquired in all of them under the voluntary provisions of the Act of 1903. Proceedings under the Evicted Tenants Act form part of the work of the general staff of the Commissioners, and it is not possible to say what proportion of their number and time is taken up with this particular work. No fixed staff is assigned to any particular county.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will inquire as to the cause of delay in the completion of the sale and purchase of the estate of Dr. Hayes, Watergrasshill, county Cork, in which matter purchase agreements have been signed over three years ago; whether the estate has yet been inspected; and when may it be expected that the vesting orders will be issued?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet been able to deal with this estate, owing to the prior claims of other estates. It is expected that its turn for inspection will be reached at an early date. Until the Commissioners have received and considered their inspector's report they will not be in a position to say when the holdings may be vested.