asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what evidence is regarded as sufficient to establish a claim for an old age pension; whether any evidence independent of the Census of 1841 or that of 1851 is considered adequate to that purpose; and would the testimony of persons of good standing in the district of the applicant be accepted in support of such claim?

If the hon. Member refers to the last Annual Report of the Local Government Board, which was presented to Parliament on 10th August this year, he will find at pages 11 and 12 of the Report a statement of the practice of the Local Government Board in relation to evidence of age on the hearing of pension appeals. The testimony of any person in a position to give reliable evidence of a claimant's age would be admissible in support of a claim.

Why does the Local Government Board not receive testimony that the applicants are over 70 years of age?

The evidence of any person who is in a position to give reliable evidence will be acceptable.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the rules of evidence in regard to age in these cases are quite different from those in courts of justice?

The hon. Member should give notice of that.

In a case where there is variance between the recommendation of the pension officer and the pension committee, in view of the highly representative character of the pensions committee, would their recommendation be accepted in preference to that of the pension officer?

The hon. Member must be aware that the Local Government Board consider the matter on their own responsibility.

If a sworn deposition is made as to the probable age of an applicant by a reliable authority, will it not be accepted by the Local Government Board?

The Local Government Board are themselves made the judges of what is satisfactory evidence, and the responsibility must be left to them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say on whose instructions emergency men in the service of ranchers in Ireland are allowed by the police to misconduct themselves with impunity; why the Rathowen police have not prosecuted Peter Lacy for assaulting his employer, Christopher Taaffe, J.P., though they found it necessary to protect Taaffe from Lacy; why the police have not prosecuted Nash, emergency man to Harry Bond, J.P., for firing with an unlicensed gun several shots in the village of Ballinalack on 25th August last, and for firing one shot in the house of John Smith, whose wife was then sick in her confinement; and whether he will have those emergency men removed from a district peaceful but for them, and bring under the notice of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland the action of the two magistrates mentioned?

There is no foundation for the statement in the first paragraph of the question, and the constabulary authorities tell me that the hon. Member is misinformed as regards the particular cases to which the refers in support of that statement. No complaint was ever made to them that Lacy had assaulted his employer, and the allegation that Nash, who is a gamekeeper, had fired shots on the public road was found, on inquiry, to be groundless. Nothing is known to the police as to his having fired a shot in the house of John Smith.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the steps, if any, taken by the British Government subsequently to the undertaking given in 1905 by Chang-Chi-Tung in consideration of the loan of £1,100,000, and prior to the acquisition of the Hankow-Canton Railway line by the Germans in the spring of this year, to secure that line for England in accordance with the undertaking; if the terms of the international combination for the construction of this railway are now concluded; whether one portion is to be built by German and American engineers jointly, and another by French and English engineers jointly; in what proportions is the mileage to be thus or otherwise divided; whether the portion recovered from the Germans has been recovered on the same terms on which the Germans had obtained it from the Chinese; whether he is aware that the Chinese have always preferred an Anglo-American combination, to give them what they called English roads and American rolling stock; and if he will say on what point and through whose fault, if any, the negotiations with that object failed?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 2nd instant, negotiations in regard to the Hankow-Canton Railway have proceeded continuously from the year 1905 until the spring of 1909. No agreement has yet been concluded, and as negotiations are still proceeding I am unable to add anything further.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Kilo gold mines, in Belgian territory, west of Lake Albert, are being worked by forced labour from the surrounding country; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?

My information is to the effect that the Kilo mines are being worked by free labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is in accordance with consular practice, when a native is accused of killing a British subject and when a British subject is accused of killing a native, respectively, to hold the preliminary magisterial inquiry incamera; whether it was with his approval all hearing of the charge against Constable John Mears of having killed Yu-Fa-Cheng, at Kiukiang, last April, was refused for three months, until an extensive trade boycott rendered some sort of inquiry necessary; whether he is aware that at length Consul-Judge Werner heard the charge in camera and suppressed the evidence, that the doctor attached to the British consulate admitted having heard Mears say he had given a poke to Yu-Fa-Cheng, and that the latter died from internal hemorrhage a few hours later; that this ecidence was corroborated by other witnesses, including two American citizens; that the Consul accepted all the evidence for the defence, rejected all for the prosecution, did not allow Mears to be called or questioned before him, spoke of the admitted poke as an imaginary blow, and refused to allow the case to go before the British Supreme Court of Shanghai; and whether he will allow the case to go before the British Supreme Court of Shanghai, or lay upon the Table of this House a copy of the evidence given before the Consul?

No information has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking in regard to the incident referred to by the hon. Member. Sir John Jordan will furnish a report on the matter in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, and the other statutes in force for the prevention and punishment of corruption, so far as applicable in a foreign country, are included in the laws of Great Britain which British consuls are commissioned to administer among British subjects in China; and, if so, whether he will have copies of the applicable portions of those statutes circulated by the British Legation and consulates in China?

It is the custom in His Majesty's Extra-territorial Courts abroad to apply statutes of the Imperial Parliament, so far as the nature of the provisions and the circumstances of the case allow. Copies of the statutes can always be obtained by His Majesty's Legation and Consulates in China.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that people who violate the statutes do not want copies?

But it is not the people who violate the statutes to whom copies are to be supplied.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can state the manufactured condition of the cotton recently declared to be contraband of war by the Russian court of appeal?

It is stated to have been raw cotton.

asked whether there is now any nearer possibility of the conclusion of an International Convention in connection with the fisheries of the English Channel upon the lines of that in force since 1884 in connection with the North Sea fisheries?

There is at present no question of an International Convention on the lines indicated in the question; but His Majesty's Government are in communication with the French Government with a view to the conclusion of a Convention with France for the regulation of the Channel Fisheries.

asked whether the representations made by the British and foreign consuls to the authorities of Morocco have had any effect in stopping the tortures inflicted on political prisoners in that country; and, if not, what action does His Majesty's Government propose to take in this matter?

No case of the torture of prisoners has been brought to the knowledge of His Majesty's Government since the date of the representations referred to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a man has been killed in prison since? Has he not used the ordinary means of communication?

I have no information to that effect.

Having regard to the existence of these tortures, does the right hon. Gentleman consider it right and proper that close relationship should still be maintained with this foreign Government?

The action taken in this case was collective action by the Powers, and any farther steps will presumably have to be taken in concert. I cannot make any statement.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Sergeant Carrigan, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, on last Saturday evening ordered Mr. Mark M'Cormack, a licensed publican in the town of Castlerea, to remove a flag bearing the stars and stripes which he had hung out upon his house to honour two American citizens who were visiting the town; whether any other publicans in the town, all of whom displayed flags, were similarly instructed; whether Sergeant Carrigan, in taking this action, was acting under instructions from the Government; whether he is aware that, upon the refusal of Mr. M'Cormack to remove the flag, he was informed that the renewal of his licence would be opposed; and whether the Government intend to carry out this threat of the police?

I am informed that Sergeant Carrigan did call the attention of the publican in question to the fact that it was a breach of the Licensing Acts to display any flag from his licensed premises except the accustomed sign of the house. In doing so, I understand that the sergeant acted on his own initiative, the law being quite clear that any such display is an offence under the licensing code. The sergeant did not inform the publican that the renewal of his licence would be opposed if he refused to remove the flag. No communication was made by the police to the two other publicans in the town who displayed flags.

Is not the Act of Parliament dealing with the display of flags an Act dealing with illegal and secret societies, and is it not a fact that in Dublin every day of the week the large hotels and public-houses display flags, and the police take no action, and is it not the fact that in this case the action of the sergeant is based on the allegation that the United States flag was a party emblem?

I do not know that there is any foundation for the suggestion.

May I ask whether it would be illegal for a publican in Ireland to fly the Union Jack?

That is a hypothetical question. The hon. Member should give notice of it.

May I ask the Solicitor-General whether the police authorities at headquarters have issued any orders all over Ireland that flags are not to be displayed, and, if so, whether he can explain the fact that hotels in Dublin are allowed to fly flags in contravention of the law, while publicans in small towns are visited with pains and penalties? Will the hon. Gentleman explain why there is a distinction?

I am not aware of the existence of any general Regulation on the matter. The Act of Parliament is perfectly distinct.

In view of the fact that the act of this policeman is likely to be regarded as an insult to a great and friendly Power, does the hon. Gentleman propose to offer any explanation that this act was done by one of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and that though he is an officer of the British Government, you are not able to deal with him?

The law on the matter is perfectly distinct.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say when the Land Commission will sit in Listowel, county Kerry, to hear fair rent applications between landlords and tenants; and whether they will take the cases listed for Glin district, which is convenient to Listowel, in order to have them promptly dealt with?

I am informed by the Land Commission that a sitting of a Sub-commission was held at Listowel on the 15th instant, and that all applications from the rural district of Listowel, county Kerry, pending on 31st August last were set down for hearing at that sitting. The list did not contain any cases from the rural district of Glin, which is in a different county, and no date has yet been fixed for a sitting to hear cases from that district. There is only one such case pending.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can say on what ground the Local Government Board (Ireland) stopped the old age pension of 3s. a week to Mrs. Ellen Shanahan, of Lisnamuck, Croagh, in the county of Limerick (No. in Sub-Committee Register 144, No. in Pension Officer's Register 683); is he aware that she was not satisfied with the amount, as she considered her board and lodging in her son's house was only value for £12 per year, the amount she was to receive under his marriage settlement, made over four years ago, in case she disagreed with him; and is he aware that she raised the question with the pension officer, who reported that she was not entitled to 5s. a week, and, on appeal to the Local Government Board, they decided that she was not entitled to any pension; and, having regard to these facts, will he direct them to grant her the pension of 5s. per week?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer on the ground that the Board considered that Mrs. Shanahan's support and maintenance, in the circumstances, was worth more than £31 10s. a year. My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has no authority to give the direction indicated in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners have received during the last few years a number of letters and memorials from and on behalf of congests in Coole rural district, Westmeath, asking the Commissioners to purchase some of the untenanted and non-residential land in that district for relief of the congestion, and that the Commissioners have, so far as is known, inquired only regarding the Gradwell estate, three years ago, and none since; if he can say when inquiry will be made in the other cases brought under their notice or an inspector be sent to the district; and, in the latter case, will anyone, on behalf of the congests, be given notice in advance?

The Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to identify the lands referred to as pending for sale before them. If the hon. Member will state the names of the estates on which the lands are situate further inquiry will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any official Reports from the Government of India to the effect that a bomb had been thrown at a train in Eastern Bengal with the object of securing £90,000, which was known to be aboard the train, to be used in furtherance of the Anarchist cause; that the three natives in charge of the treasure showed great courage, pulled the communication cord, and refused to leave the treasure van, which was shattered; and that the bomb used was one of an extremely high explosive power; and, if not, whether the Government of India are taking any, and, if any, what steps, under the Press Law or otherwise, to put an end to the transmission of such unfounded statements?

had given notice of the following question on the same subject: To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any official information that on Wednesday last a bomb was thrown at a train on the Eastern Bengal Railway, which is alleged to have shattered the treasury van, and that the crime was probably committed by political dacoits to gather funds for the Anarchist cause?

The hon. Member for Newbury has also a question on the subject, which I will answer at the same time. The Secretary of State has no official knowledge of the report referred to; and with regard to the last part of the question of the hon. Member for Merthyr, I would remind him that Reuter's message was apparently a bonâ fide report based on the statements made by the Indians in charge of the van. The Government can scarcely undertake to deal with every unfounded statement in the Press that forms the basis of questions on India in this House.

May I ask what authority the Under-Secretary has for saying that this unfounded report was based upon statements made by those in charge of the van?

We have no official information at the India Office, and the only report I have seen is Renter's telegram.

May I ask whether, in view of the strict interpretation of the law applied to the native Press in regard to reports concerning Europeans, the India Office will consider the advisability of applying this law to unfounded reports that cause bitter irritation when referring to natives?

The hon. Gentleman should give notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Secretary of State to take steps to deport some of the members of this brigade of liars?

That question also requires notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the average number of Chinese, African natives, and white men, respectively, employed in the Transvaal mines in the months of June in the years 1907, 1908, and 1909; and what were the average rates of mortality of the Chinese and African natives, respectively, in each of those periods?

The general statistics of mortality furnished to the Secretary of State are for periods of three months, and the figures for the three months ending 30th June, 1909, have not yet been received. The figures for the quarter ending 31st March, 1907, 1908, 1909, respectively, are available, and if the hon. Gentleman will permit me I will circulate them with the Votes.

May I ask the hon. and gallant Member whether he can give us the figures in regard to the whites in the periods named?

The figures in regard to the whites were given, I think, in answer to a question put a few days ago by the hon. Member for Gravesend, but if that is not so I will include them also.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total number of deaths that have occurred since 1st January, 1906, among the Chinese and Kaffirs, respectively, employed in the mines in the Transvaal; and if he can state how many of the deaths of the Kaffirs must be attributed to the substitution of Kaffirs for Chinese since that date?

The total number of deaths from all causes between 1st January, 1906, and 31st March, 1909 (the latest date for which full statistics are available) is, Chinese 2,142, natives 15,973. As regards the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I can only refer him to what passed as a result of a similar question by the Noble Lord the Member for East Marylebone on 24th June, 1908.

Is there any reason to believe that the gritty substance in the mines has a more injurious effect on the natives than on the Chinese; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have the gritty substance removed by water or otherwise from the atmosphere of the mines?

Is it not the case that the Kaffirs have not enough grit for the job?

I am afraid I am not able to state in what different degrees the gritty substance affects different races.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, on the occasion of the next vacancy on the Executive Council for British Guiana, favourable consideration will be given to the appointment of a representative of labour, which is at present unrepresented?

The Secretary of State will consult the Governor as to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that on 28th August of this year the steamship "Mitlah" arrived at Port-of-Spain from India with 817 indentured coolie immigrants; that the expense per immigrant was £27, of which sum the planters requiring such labour would only contribute some £5 per head; whether he is aware that in the same month at Pont-of-Spain some 300 unemployed natives and colonists asked for an interview with the Governor, Sir George Le Hunte, pointing out their destitute condition, and offering to emigrate; and, if so, whether, in view of the number of unemployed, he is prepared to take any action in regard to restricting such importations?

The Secretary of State has been informed of the arrival of the steamship "Mitlah" at Port-of-Spain with the number of immigrants mentioned in the question. He has not received any information bearing on my hon. Friend's further inquiries, but the Governor will be requested to furnish a report in regard to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of white workmen now employed on, in, or about the Transvaal mines; and the proportion of British subjects amongst the same?

The number employed on mines in the Transvaal in July was 23,755, of whom 22,021 were employed on gold mines. The Secretary of State has no information as to the proportion of British subjects. I will endeavour to obtain the information.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of Europeans employed in the Transvaal mines during the period when the maximum number of indentured Chinese labourers were so employed, and the numbers of Europeans and coloured labour, respectively, so employed at the latest date up to which statistics are available?

In January, 1907, when the maximum number of Chinese were employed, the number of whites employed on the Transvaal gold mines was 17,874, the number of Chinese being 53,856 and of natives 102,477. The figures for July last are: Whites, 22,021; Chinese, 5,360; natives, 171,100.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the last of the Chinese are going to disappear?

Very soon. In January the contracts expire, and within a very short time after that they will be gone.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is proposing to buy the Marconi wireless telegraph stations, and, if so, at what price; if a trans-Atlantic wireless station could be erected for £15,000 or less, and an ordinary shore-to-ship station for £3,000; if he is aware that there are several other methods of wireless telegraphy, the inventors of which allege that messages can be sent more rapidly, with greater reliability, and to greater distances than by the Marconi system; and whether, seeing that the science of wireless telegraphy is still comparatively in its infancy, he will take care that there is no interference with perfectly free competition between the various systems?

I am in negotiation with the Marconi Company and with Lloyd's in regard to the matter. I hope to be able to come to an arrangement satisfactory to the Post Office. If, and when, the arrangement is concluded, I propose to make a statement in the House in regard to it. It would be premature to do so now. As regards the last paragraph of the question, however, I can at once give the desired assurance.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the lady clerks working at the Postal Order Issue Department, Somerset House, have to pass an examination before appointment; and if he can state how these lady clerks are selected for appointment?

These appointments are filled by candidates nominated by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to compete at an examination held by the Civil Service Commissioners.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not seen a report in the paper to the effect that the daughters of officials are employed in Somerset House?

I am not sure; but they would have to pass an examination.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Messrs. Houghton and Company, Walthamstow, are contractors to various Government Departments, and that the firm in question are violating the Fair Wages Clause Resolution of the House of Commons in regard to wages and overtime rates; and if he is prepared to have a Committee of Inquiry into the matter?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the alleged violation of the Resolution, I will communicate with the Department or Departments to whom Messrs. Houghton are contractors, and inquiry will no doubt be made. I see no necessity for a special Committee of Inquiry, as the existing machinery for investigating such complaints appears to be sufficient.

asked the Lord Advocate, whether he can see his way clear to revise the sentence passed on J. W. M'Ewan, who received six months' imprisonment for attempting to stab the under-manager of the Print-field, at Thornliebank, under provocation, and in consequence of extraneous matter introduced by the prosecutor at the trial?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Renfrew on 14th September to the effect that the Secretary for Scotland sees no sufficient reason for advising any remission. I cannot admit the implication suggested in the concluding words of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of a van guard at Marylebone, employed by Messrs. Thompson, M'Kay, and Co., carters for the Great Central Railway Company, who is under 15 years of age, being employed for 15 hours and 45 minutes on 31st August last; whether he proposes to take any action in the matter; and whether he proposes to amend the Railway Hours Act, 1893, with a view to bringing boy labour under its scope?

also asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the case of a carman employed by Messrs. Thompson, M'Kay, and Company, at Marylebone, who was on duty on 6th September for 16 hours 45 minutes, less meal times, on 7th September 16 hours, on 8th September 15 hours 30 minutes, on 0th September 13 hours, on 10th September 13 hours 45 minutes, and on 11th September 11 hours 30 minutes, a total of 86 hours 30 minutes for six days; whether he proposes to take any action in this case; and whether he will consider the advisability of including carmen in an amended Railway Hours Act?

I will answer the hon. Gentleman's two questions together. The employés referred to appear from the question not to be in the service of a railway company, and I have no information with regard to their hours of work. As the hon. Member is aware, the operation of the Railway Regulation Act, 1893, is confined to railway employés, including boys, engaged in working the traffic on the lines of a railway company. As regards future legislation, I shall be happy to consider any suggestions which the hon. Member may make, but he will appreciate the difficulty of extending the Act to one particular class of carmen not in the employ of railway companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea from heart failure, on 15th March, 1909, of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Goolan Hossein Cassum, aged 17, whilst serving on the steamer "Knight Templar," of Liverpool; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining; how long he had served on the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; whether he was on duty at the time; what was the temperature of the engine-room; how much coal the engine-room hands were required to work each 24 hours; what were the respective ages of the other coal trimmers employed; whether the engineer's log-book has been produced to the Board of Trade surveyors; and whether any previous cases of death from heart failure, heat-stroke, suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?

Yes, Sir. The coal-trimmer boy referred to in the question died of heart failure six days after leaving Cardiff on a return voyage to Bombay. He was medically examined before joining and had been on the vessel three months and nineteen days, but I am not aware whether he had had any previous sea service. At the time of his death he had been off duty since noon on the previous day. The temperature of the engine-room on the day before he died was 80 degrees, of the stokehold 94 degrees, and of the bunkers 78 degrees Fahr. The owners state that the coal consumption was 34 tons 10 cwt. per day, and that the vessel carried 23 firemen and trimmers. I have no information as to the ages of the other coal trimmers. The engineer's log-book has not yet been produced to the Board of Trade surveyors, and they have not yet had an opportunity of visiting the vessel since the boy's decease, but full inquiries will be made in the case on the vessel's return to this country, and the result communicated to my hon. Friend. Two other deaths from heart trouble, one from cardiac failure following influenza, and the other from heart disease and dropsy, have occurred among members of the crew of this vessel during the last three years, but no cases of death from heat-stroke, suicide, supposed suicide, or of disappearance during that period have been reported.

Has any complaint been made by or on behalf of any of the Asiatic seamen referred to in the questions?

No.

Is not that a very material fact?

It may be, but I have answered the questions on the Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether any complaints are made in respect of the ships and shipowners to which and to whom reference has been made?

Yes, if my hon. Friend will put down a question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea from heat exhaustion and heart failure, on 13th May, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Kootoobdeen Peerbux, whilst serving on the steamer "Caledonia," of Greenock; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining; how long had he served on the vessel, and whether he had any previous sea service; whether he was on duty at the time; what was the temperature of the engine-room; how much coal the engine-room hands were required to work each 24 hours; whether the engineer's log-book has been produced to the Board of Trade surveyors; and whether any previous cases of deaths from heart failure, heat stroke, suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?

Yes, Sir. The fireman Kootoobdeen Peerbux is reported to have died of heart failure and heart exhaustion after suffering from malarial fever. At the time of his death the ship was only five days out from Bombay, at which port he bad joined. The owners state that all the men on their ships are medically examined before joining, that Kootoobdeen Peerbux had had considerable experience as fireman, although not on the "Caledonia," and that when taken ill he was on duty in the engine room, the temperature of which was 112 deg. The amount of coal worked daily was 125 tons. The engineer's log-book has been produced to the Board of Trade surveyors. One other death (that of an able seaman) has occurred among the members of the crew during the last three years front heart failure, and also one (that of a trimmer) from an aneurism. No cases of death from heat-stroke, suicide, supposed suicide, or of disappearance have occurred during that period.

Do I understand that the temperature in the stokehold was 110 degrees?

No. When he was taken ill he was on duty in the engine-room, the temperature of which was 112 degrees.

That is enough to kill anyone.

As the temperature of the engine-room was 112 degrees, does the right hon. Gentleman infer from that the temperature of the stokehold was considerably higher?

Are there any regulations for ventilation in the stokehold?

I have given all the facts as I received them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to an outbreak of beriberi on the steamer "Singapore," of London, manned by Lascars, on the passage from New Orleans to Antwerp; if he has any official information showing that five of the Lascar seamen died from this disease on the passage, and six had to be put in hospital on the arrival of the ship at Antwerp; that the cause of the outbreak was the bad quality and insufficiency of the food; will he say whether these Asiatics were medically examined before joining, and how long they had served on the ship; and whether any previous cases of deaths from this disease have occurred on this vessel?

My attention was called to the outbreak of beri-beri to which my hon. Friend alludes, and the Board of Trade ordered an inquiry to be held under the provisions of Sub-section (b), Section 728, Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Upon receipt of the report of that inquiry, I will furnish the hon. Member with the information which he desires. No previous deaths from beri-beri have been reported on board the steamer "Singapore."

Under the Section quoted is the power of the Board of Trade to appoint an inspector to inquire into the causes of accidents or damage, and also whether the whole machinery of any steamship is sufficient and in good condition, and as to what that has to do with the disease of beri-beri?

I have only inquired into the conditions which prevail on board this ship?

Does the Section give power to the right hon. Gentleman to appoint an inspector to inquire into a disease of this character?

That is a question of law.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the alleged improper feeding of the Lascar crew of the steamer "Langdale," of Liverpool, during her last voyage, and to the alleged assault on one of the Lascars when he stated the food was not good; whether any inquiry will be instituted into the matter by the Board of Trade; whether these Asiatics have now been discharged from the vessel; and, if so, whether the master has made proper provision for their return to their own country, as required by Section 125 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; and whether any cases of death from beri-beri, consumption, heat stroke, heart failure, suicide, or disappearance have ever occurred on this vessel?

No allegations as to improper feeding were made to any officer of the Board of Trade, nor have any come to my notice with regard to this vessel. I have no information as to the alleged assault on one of the Asiatic seamen, but one of them was convicted at the Thames Police Court on the 18th instant of an assault on the first mate, and was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. The Asiatic seamen have not been discharged, but have proceeded with the vessel. In any event, Section 125 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, would not apply to these men, as they were engaged at Colombo and not in India. No cases of death from beri-beri, heat stroke, heart failure, suicide, or disappearance, have occurred on the vessel since she was registered in 1903; there has been one case of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the position of the present officials of distress committees appointed under the Unemployed Workmen Act, so far as appointments under the Labour Exchanges Act are concerned?

The qualifications of officials of distress committees will be carefully considered with those of other candidates.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman is yet in a position to state the number of Labour Exchanges it is proposed to set up under the heads A, B, C, and the towns in which such Exchanges will be located?

The number and allocation of Labour Exchanges of the various grades to be established is not yet finally decided, but so far as can be foreseen at present the number of Class A Exchanges will be from 30 to 35, and of Class B Exchanges somewhat larger. Ultimately there will also be a considerable number of smaller Exchanges, sub-offices, and waiting rooms. As a general rule towns with over 100,000 inhabitants will have a Class A Exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the action of the North British Railway Company in refusing to supply artificial limbs to employés who have been injured in the execution of their duty; and whether he is prepared to consider an alteration of the law to compel employers to make this provision?

The Secretary of State is informed by the company that they do not now as a matter of general practice supply artificial limbs to injured employés in addition to paying compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The workmen's claims under the Statute, which are met in full by the company, are very onerous, and the company do not feel justified at present in undertaking further expenditure by way of compensation. The Secretary of State does not think the time has come for the revision of the Workmen's Compensation Act.

asked whether, having regard to the fact that the police have recently made regulations compelling motor omnibuses and motor cabs to place thereon a device for making a continuous noise when the speed exceeds certain limits, the Home Secretary will take the necessary steps in conjunction, if necessary, with the Board of Trade to have the same device placed upon tramcars?

This matter is still under consideration, but the application of this device to tramcars presents special difficulties, because of the varying limits of speed authorised for those vehicles.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some of the tramcars pass along the Embankment at the rate of more than 20 miles an hour?

asked whether the Home Secretary has received a Report from the chief inspector of mines for Yorkshire upon the cause and circumstances which led to the death of George H. Good-graves while engaged in pit sinking at Maltby main colliery; and, if so, whether the Report makes any recommendations as to taking better precautions for preventing such dangerous practices as were brought to light at the inquest?

The Secretary of State has received a further Report from the Inspector of Mines, from which it appears probable that the accident was occasioned by a failure or delay in sending a signal to the driver of the locomotive which was being used in raising materials from the shaft. The Report raises the question of how far locomotives should be used in raising men or materials from a mine shaft, and this question will receive careful consideration from the Department.

asked whether the Home Secretary has applied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for any grant of public money to make the experiments which the inspectors of his Department state are necessary should be made without delay to safeguard the lives of miners where electricity is employed?

The Secretary of State has not received any recommendation from the inspectors of mines as to the necessity or urgency of any experiments with regard to electricity, though he has seen a paper read at the Institution of Mining Engineers by Mr. Nelson, in which he suggests that certain experiments on live cables would be of interest and might be valuable. The whole subject of the regulations for the use of electricity in mines is about to be referred to an expert Committee, who will doubtless consider how far any such experiments would be useful and by whom they can best be made. Their recommendations will have the Secretary of State's most careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the interest that has been displayed in the re-issue by the Board of Education of the first instalment of the suggestions for the consideration of teachers and others concerning the work of public elementary schools, he can see his way to fix approximately the dates on which further instalments will be issued and to supply Members of this House with the order in which the subjects discussed will be considered?

The preparation of the future instalments has not reached a sufficiently advanced stage to enable the Board to say when or in what order they will be issued, but it is probable that the next subject dealt with will be Drawing.

asked whether it is within the President of the Board's knowledge that, in many of the public elementary schools of the country, headmasters are allowed to delegate powers of corporal punishment to their assistants, and that these assistants in their turn are accustomed to employ one of the pupils to watch and report other pupils for punishment; and whether he will take measures to put a stop to this practice?

It is within the discretion of the local education authorities to make regulations as to the persons to whom, and the conditions under which, the infliction of corporal punishment may be delegated, and the Board do not consider it necessary to intervene except when particular cases of abuse are brought to their notice. The Board are not aware of the practice of employing children in the manner suggested in the question, and it is certainly not one which they would approve.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire whether it is the fact that children are employed in this way to watch other children and report them for punishment? If they are, will measures be taken to put a stop to that practice, which is obviously reprehensible?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman can give us information as to the practice, and if we find that it is in operation we can make inquiries.

I shall be very happy to do so.

Is it not the fact that the Board of Education have issued Regulations which confines the power of inflicting corporal punishment to the headmaster?

That is a matter which is left to the discretion of the local authorities. The Board of Education only deal with special cases of abuse that may arise.

May I ask whether the Board of Education think it desirable that assistant masters should be vested with powers of corporal punishment?

Corporal punishment is under the control of the headmaster.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the fact that Cyril Marsh Nearns, headmaster of the National schools at Ashford, under the Middlesex County Council, was, on the 6th instant, summoned for assaulting one of his pupils, aged 10, who, because he was unable to perform an allotted task in drawing, was placed by Nearns over a desk and thrashed with a cane until it broke in two, and that Nearns was convicted by the Bench unanimously, and fined £5, the highest penalty within their power to inflict; whether he is aware that the mother of this boy was, previously to this occurrence, summoned before the school attendance committee for rot sending her children regularly to school, and alleged that the conduct of Nearns to her children rendered their attendance impossible; and what course does he intend to take with reference to Nearns with a view of checking the infliction of similar barbarities on children?

This case is under consideration. I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

May I put down a question with reference to this in ten days' time?

Yes.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received a resolution from the Central Chamber of Agriculture with regard to the Water Supplies Protection Bill; and, if so, what course he proposes to take?

:I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. It urged the Government to send the Water Supplies Protection Bill to a Joint Committee of both Houses without delay. I am afraid, however, that it would not be practicable to adopt this course during the present Session.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Lambeth vaccination officer did not serve Form Q on Mr. Silvey, 47, Frazier-street, Oakley-street, Lambeth, reminding him of the date on which the four months from the birth of his child expired, during which period he could have declared his conscientious objection to vaccination; and whether, in view of this fact, he will notify the officer not to prosecute Mr. Silvey for the non-vaccination of his child after it attains the age of six months?

I understand the facts are as stated in the question. The fact that he did not receive Form Q does not relieve the parent from liability to proceedings for not having his child vaccinated. It rests with the vaccination officer to determine in the circumstances what action he will take.

asked whether the President of the Local Government Board is aware that the following angles of side-fall to the gullies in New Oxford-street, between Kingsway and Tottenham Court-road, have been measured along the length of roadway, namely, 1 in 23.6, 1 in 23.3, 1 in 19, 1 in 21.3, 1 in 13.7, and many others below 1 in 25; and whether he will cause a report on these dangerous inclinations, which affect motor, cycling, and horse traffic, to be made by one of his inspectors with a view to making representations, if the facts are as alleged, to the Holborn Borough Council?

I have no information as to the accuracy of the measurements mentioned in the question, but I understand from the borough surveyor that, in accordance with modern practice in road construction, the surface for a few feet around gully gratings has been given a slightly steeper fall than the rest of the road, to facilitate the removal of rainwater; also that, in consequence of the fact that the land rises sharply on the north side of the street, it is impossible to avoid making a steeper camber at the intersection of the side streets. Apart from these instances, the general inclination of the road is 1 in 38, and I learn that, although the road has been open for traffic for several weeks, no accidents have been reported. I have no jurisdiction with regard to the construction of roads by a Metropolitan borough council, and I do not think I can properly intervene in the matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received any complaints from anybody else except motor car owners?

I have not had any other complaints. The question put by the hon. Gentleman is not alone connected with motor cars.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the number of established men employed in His Majesty's dockyard, Devonport, during each year of the past six years, and the number of men placed on the establishment in each of these years?

The total number of established men employed during each of the six years was:—1904, 1,829; 1905,1,886; 1906, 1,887; 1907, 1,867; 1908, 1,791; 1909, 1,742. The number of men placed on the establishment in each of the first four years was:—1904, 504; 1905, 83; 1906, 59; 1907, 30. Admission to the establishment has been suspended since 1907.

asked whether the First Lord can state on what grounds a telegram addressed to the coastguard station, Sunderland, by relations of the crew of the Cullercoats fishing coble "Grand Old Man," asking for news of the boat which had been driven southwards during a gale on 31st August, was refused at the coastguard station; and whether it is part of the duty of the coastguard to render assistance by keeping a look-out and reporting vessels in distress?

The telegram received by the Sunderland coastguard station did not contain any name or address of the sender. Inquiries were made of the Sunderland Post Office whether they could furnish the name and address, but they could not do so. It was therefore impossible to reply—and the original telegram and reply-paid form were returned to the General Post Office, Sunderland. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will say the number of coastguards per mile of coastline in Scotland, and the same number for England; and whether this entails coastguards in the former country having more onerous duties to perform than those in the latter?

My hon. Friend's question appears to be founded on a wrong impression of the basis for the distribution of the coastguards, there being large tracts of the coast not supervised at all by the force. The average number of coastguards per mile of coastline under the supervision of the force is in England one to 1.2 miles, in Scotland one to four miles, but the number of coastguards employed in any particular area is fixed according to the special requirements of Revenue protection in such area, and is dependent on other considerations than those of length of coastline. The larger number of men in England is due to the greater facilities for smuggling—for example, proximity of foreign countries, easier access by boats, etc.—and for the same reasons a more careful watch and more frequent visits are required, necessitating a larger number of men. The amount of work is not, therefore, to be gauged by the length of coastline, and it is not considered that the men in Scotland have more onerous duties than those in England.

Am I right in assuming that the coastguards have decreased?

No, Sir; they are not further being decreased.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Good's Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock, Government contractors, are violating the Fair Wage Clause by paying the labourers in their employ 4d. per hour instead of the customary rate of 4½d.; and whether he will take steps to see that the Fair Wage Clause is complied with?

The matter raised in the first pant of the question has not been previously brought to the notice of the Admiralty, but if the necessary details with regard to the particular Government contract, etc., involved are furnished, the necessary inquiries will be made with a view to ensure compliance with the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts.

This question was put down a week ago, and the right hon. Gentleman promised he would make inquiries. I understand he has not yet commenced to make inquiries.

I think my hon. Friend is in error. I have not seen a question with regard to Good's Shipbuilding and Engineering before.

May I make a correction in reference to this question? The word "Good's" has been substituted for "Scott's" in the name of the firm referred to.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if Earl Fitzwilliam has sold to a middleman named Minion a farm in the occupation of Patrick Condren, a sub-tenant; if so, was Condren afforded any opportunity, either by the landlord or by the Estates Commissioners, of purchasing his holding; whether Condren's portion of the land is yet vested in Minion; and, if so, can he say under what Section of the Act of 1903 has Condren's farm been given to the middleman Minion?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the owner entered into an agreement to sell to Minion the farm of 152 acres which he held as a tenant. The purchase money has been advanced, and the holding was vested in Minion in April, 1908, under Section 5 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. Condren holds three acres, three roods of the holding as a sub-tenant.

May I ask whether Condren got any opportunity of purchasing his small holding, and whether, when the representation was made to the Estates Commissioners, it included all the names of all the tenants, and whether Condren was represented as a sub-tenant to Minion?

I am not aware of the precise facts suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Would the hon. Gentleman say if the sub-tenant who has a holding separate, and with a separate rent, is entitled to purchase; and, that being so, will he ask the Estates Commissioners to take care all those sub-tenants should not be passed over?

As regards the matter raised by the hon. Member, Section 50 of the Act says that the Estates Commissioners have the right to do so, and sell to a sub-tenant by declaring his holding a separate holding. There is no obligation on them to do so. The discretion is left with the Estates Commissioners.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask the Estates Commissioners to give particular attention to the case of those subtenants, and allow them to exercise the right of purchase as well as the larger tenants?

You may be sure the Estates Commissioners follow the proper course in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that in the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Mines, recently presented to this House [Cd. 4820], the Commissioners, on page 84, report that the Government declined to contribute towards the cost of certain experiments which the Commissioners considered were urgently required for the safety of miners, he will, in view of his declaration on 19th September that no such request had been received by him from the Commission, communicate with the Commissioners for an explanation of this paragraph in their Report; and whether any representation was made by the Commission for this grant of public money to any permanent official at the Treasury or to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?

The section of the Report of the Royal Commission to which my hon. Friend refers does not deal with the use of electricity in mines, which formed the subject of his previous question, but relates solely to coal-dust explosions, with especial reference to the value of wet or dustless "zones" in stopping or reducing the effects of dust explosions. If my hon. Friend will refer again to the passage which he cites he will find that the Royal Commission put forward no request for a grant in aid of experiments in connection with the use of electricity. As regards the last part of the question, the Royal Commission applied through the Home Office for a Government grant towards the cost of the proposed experiments with coal-dust, but the Government did not feel justified in acceding to their request.

This question does not refer to electrical experiments, I used the word in a former question. The question referred to experiments which have to be conducted by electricity.

I told him that no applications had been made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received from the Home Secretary any request for a money grant in aid of making experiments in connection with the use of electricity in mines; and whether, in view of recent explosions believed to be due to some unknown electrical fault causing enormous loss of life, and that his Majesty's electrical inspector of mines has publicly stated that these experiments are urgently required, he will forthwith provide the necessary funds?

My right hon. Friend has received no such request from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the, fact that many recruits for the regular Army, otherwise qualified, are rejected because of defective teeth, means will be devised to rectify this failing, and so make considerable reduction in the proportion of rejections?

Whenever, in the opinion of a recruiting medical officer, dental treatment will render a recruit efficient, the necessary treatment is now given, provided the cost of such treatment does not exceed £1.

Is that really the estimate of the value of a recruit—a sovereign?

No, it is not; but we do not supply false teeth for 50,000 troops.

May I ask if provision will be made for the proper care of soldiers' teeth as part of their regular daily routine?

That is not a question which arises out of the one which I answered.

May I ask if it is the opinion of a great many dentists that the teeth of young men are bad because of the bad treatment of infants by vaccination?

May I ask whether it is not a fact that 10 out of 12 men at Aldershot, highly trained men, who had been in the Army some time and returned as having bad or unserviceable teeth, would require £3 to improve them, and whether he does not think that that small expenditure was justified in that case, and whether he will take steps to have it done?

I know nothing about that. Will the hon. Member put down a question? What I do say is that for the last two years there has been a very considerable improvement in the teeth. The teeth are now taken care of to the extent of a pound.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that only yesterday he answered a question as to this case?

The hon. Member should not put the question again to-day.

In view of the physical degeneracy which is going on in all parts of the country, will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Government the absolute necessity of feeding the children in the schools?

I should require some better authority than such a general statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman supply corresponding statistics referring to the French army?

I do not know whether they exist. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a question I will inquire.

Does not the percentage of rejections vary inversely to the state of trade? When trade is bad and lots of men are out of work, do you not get a better class of recruits?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received any information from the authorities of Uganda to the effect that prospectors in the employ of the King of the Belgians were extracting gold from a point south-west of Lake Albert, on the British side of the boundary; and, if not, whether he would make inquiries?

No information has been received from the Government of Uganda to the effect stated, but inquiry shall be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons had been removed from their homes under the operation of the Egyptian Law of 4th July, 1909, and how many of these had been previously convicted; whether this law was administered by native officials, and by whom were the lists of proscribed persons prepared; and how many names had appeared on the preliminary lists of proscribed persons?

I have not yet got any information on these points, but reports will be furnished regularly as to the working of the law, and as soon as information is forthcoming I shall be prepared to give it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government had any official information showing that Bu Hamara was executed by order of the Sultan Malai Hafid on 12th September, immediately following representations made to the Sultan by the foreign consuls against the torturing of prisoners by him; did His Majesty's consul join in this protest of the foreign consuls; and, if so, what steps he proposed taking, if any, to see that representations made by His Majesty's Government are not treated with contempt?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have already stated that a collective representation against the torture of prisoners was made by all the Treaty Powers. I cannot at present foreshadow the action of His Majesty's Government in a hypothetical contingency. The action taken hitherto has been collective action, and any consequences of it will presumably be considered collectively by the foreign representatives, if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the King of Spain had been invited or was about to pay an official state visit to His Majesty King Edward, to be followed next year by a return visit; and, if so, whether, in view of the arrest and prospective trial by court-martial of Senor Ferrer and people who had been identified more or less with Senor Ferrer's policy, he would advise His Majesty against any such interchange of visits?

I do not think the omission of those words affects the reply of my right hon. Friend, which is: "The answer is in the negative."