Written Answers
Territorial Force: Auxiliary Postmen
asked the Postmaster-General whether auxiliary postmen who belong to Territorial regiments have to provide substitutes during their time in camp; whether they are only allowed one week in camp; whether their pay is stopped during this time; and, if this is the case, whether he will consider the possibility of extending to these men the same advantages as are given to appointed postmen in the employ of the Post Office who are enrolled in Territorial regiments?
Under Treasury Regulations the civil pay of auxiliary postmen and other part-time officers is stopped during any period of special leave granted for attendance at camps of the Territorial Force, but there is no rule limiting that period to one week. Leave for a fortnight is granted when desired, subject to the exigencies of the Post Office service.
Rural Postmen (Wages)
asked the Postmaster-General what is the average percentage of their wages paid in rent by postmen in rural districts divided roughly into North, South, and West of England, the Eastern Counties, the Midlands, and Wales; what cottage accommodation is generally available; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing cottages for post- men, as is done by railway companies and other large employers of labour?
I regret I am not in possession of the information desired by the hon. Member. I would point out that the salaries paid to postmen in different localities vary to some extent in accordance with the cost of living; and that in the cost of living rents are an important element. The existing system works satisfactorily, and I do not think the provision of official cottages is required.
Post Office (Payment For Superior Duties)
asked the Postmaster-General whether a payment for substitution has been made alike to officers of the major and of the minor staffs in the Post Office in pursuance of the Postmaster-General's decision, following upon the recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants, notified to postal servants generally in the Post Office Circular dated 14th February, 1908; whether payment for substitution has been suspended in the case of officers of the major staff attached to headquarters offices in London; whether the date of such suspension, if suspension there be, can be stated; and whether the date on which it is proposed to make good the arrears of payment due for substitution can be stated, at least approximately?
Payment for the performance of superior duties was made in certain cases through a misunderstanding in the case of officers of clerical and administrative rank.
Telegrams And Express Letters
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a telegram of 12 words can be sent from any part of England or the Channel Islands to Leckhampton Hill, Cheltenham, which is three miles from the post office, for 6d., but that the charge for an express letter conveyed by the same telegraph messenger is 9d. for three miles from the post office, though the post office is in the latter case saved the expense of telegraph clerks and line construction and maintenance; and will he make some attempt to rectify this inequality?
I am prepared to accept my hon. Friend's statement as to the situation of Leckhampton Hill. As he is doubtless aware, the charge of sixpence, which includes free delivery, involves a considerable loss on each telegram sent to Leckhampton Hill. I am not prepared to add to the unremunerative services performed in connection with that place by reducing the rates on express letters delivered there.
British And Foreign Postage (Circulars)
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a foreign merchant residing in France can send 504 circulars in open envelopes to English clients resident in England for £1, whereas the English merchant can send only 480 circulars in open envelopes to his customers for £1; whether he is aware that French firms having branch offices in this country actually post these circulars in France, thereby, under the Postal Union law, England does all the work and France takes the whole of the postage receipts for these circulars; and seeing that this arrangement is prejudicial to the postal revenue of this country and gives the foreigner an advantage over his English rivals in trade, whether he will take steps for an alteration?
I am aware that 25 francs is equivalent to 500 five centimes, and that £1 sterling is equivalent to 480 halfpence. Perhaps, however, my hon. Friend is not aware that, in consequence of the difference in weight between two ounces and 50 grammes, the English halfpenny prepays about 14 per cent. more than the French five centimes. Thus, while the advantage in numbers is with the French poster, the advantage in weight is with the English poster. Until my hon. Friend has been able to arrange international standards of money and weight, I fear these slight differences of postage must remain.
British Crown Colonies And Protectorates (Railway Construction)
asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he will give the names of the railways constructed in British Crown Colonies and Protectorates during the last 20 years; and the number of miles in each case constructed depart-mentally under the control of the Crown Agents and under contract on public competitive tender, respectively, with the average cost per mile and gross cost in each case under each system?
As I have already stated, no railways are constructed under the control of the Crown Agents. I am not in possession of the particulars which would enable me to give the hon. Gentleman the information for which he asks.
asked whether any professional or business opinion was obtained by the Crown Agents' Inquiry Committee before recommending that the head of the Crown Agents' engineering inspection department, controlling the expenditure of millions per annum, should be paid £600 a year; and whether an opinion was voluntarily conveyed to the Committee that such a salary for the occupant of such a position would be a direct incentive to dishonesty?
the head of the Inspection Department of the Crown Agents cannot be said to control expenditure. His duty is to carry out efficient inspection of goods. The hon. Gentleman has overlooked the full extent of the recommendation as to the salaries of the heads of technical Departments made by the Committee over which I presided: that recommendation was for a salary of £600, rising by annual increments of £25 to £800, with pension rights attached. This scale was based on careful comparison of the rates offered in similar cases in the Imperial service, and appears to the Secretary of State to be adequate to the responsibility thrown on the officers to whom it is assigned. No such opinion as the hon. Gentleman mentions is known to have been volunteered or otherwise expressed to the Committee.
asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he will state the net cash profit, as distinguished from patronage and other consequential advantages, derived by the Crown Agents from each and all of the railways constructed under their control during the last 20 years, as shown by their accounts?
As the hon. Member has already been informed, no railways have been constructed under the control of the Crown Agents. The Crown Agents personally derive no profit from any works constructed by the Governments for which they act.
Army Non-Commissioned Officers And Men (Wearing Ham Clothes)
asked the Secretary of State for War whether the privilege of wearing plain clothes when not on duty extended to non-commissioned officers and men of the regular Army is the same as that extended to the Royal Marines, namely, that permission may be given by commanding officers to non-commissioned officers below the rank of colour-sergeant and to men of good character to dress in plain clothes when on furlough or pass away from their station and subject to the approval of the officer commanding troops and with the concurrence of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief when on pass at their station; and, if so, whether permission under the regulations is granted at all home stations?
The regulations are the same in both cases. As regards the carrying out of this order, the authority is vested in the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief at home, and there is no information in the War Office as to the extent to which this privilege is granted.
Old Age Pension Applications (Ireland)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inform the House as to the cause of the delay in dealing with the application of Patrick M'Namara, Kerry-road, Kildysart, for an old age pension, which was duly lodged not later than November, 1908?
The delay in this case is due to the failure of the claimant to produce satisfactory evidence of age in support of his claim, and to the necessity for having search made in the Census Returns. I understand that the claim is about to be submitted to the pension committee.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the total number of claims for old age pensions lying at the Kilrush station without having been submitted to the county pension committee?
The number is 190.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the number of applications for pensions which have been lying at the Kilrush station for nine months, eight months, seven months, six months, five months, four months, three months, and two months respectively, without having yet been reported upon or submitted to the county pension committee?
The numbers are as follows: Nine months, 35; eight months, 66; seven months, 32; six months, 4; five months, 1; four months, 1; three months, 1; two months, 5. All these cases have been investigated by the pension officer, who has been awaiting the result of searches required to be made in the Census Returns in order to submit the cases to the pension committee for decision. These results have now been obtained and the claims will be sent forward at once. There appears to have been delay in dealing with these cases, and inquiry is being made into the matter.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mr. Martyn, pension officer of Kilrush, has refused to consider claims for old age pensions on the ground that four months previously he had already considered claims from the same applicants; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?
Under proviso (a) to No. 9 (1) of the statutory regulations, where a claim has been disallowed by a pension committee, the pension officer is not bound to investigate a fresh claim made within four months if he is satisfied that there is a primâ facie reason to believe that the ground of disallowance is still in operation. I find on inquiry that the pension officer at Kilrush has not refused to re-investigate fresh claims, to which this proviso does not apply.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in regard to the old age pension granted to Patrick Boyle, of Quilty, West Clare, and against which an objection has been raised by the pension officer, he is aware that the Very Reverend Canon Cahir, P.P., of the parish, certified that Patrick Boyle was over 70 years of age, and that two of the oldest men in the locality have forwarded to the Local Government Board a signed statement to the same effect; whether the ground of objection is that Patrick Boyle's name is not on the parish register; and whether, in view of these facts, he will give instructions that the pension be continued?
In this case a question was raised by the pension officer under the statutory regulations on the ground that the pensioner had not attained the statutory age to qualify for pension. The local pension committee decided the question in favour of the pensoner, and the ease is now under appeal to the Local Government Board, with whose jurisdiction I have no power to interfere.
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that at a meeting of the Lisburn, Belfast, and Aghalee old age pension sub-committee, held at Lisburn on 21st September last, a number of persons already in receipt of pensions were disqualified on the objection of the pension officer on the ground that their age was not proved by the Census Returns and that they could not obtain baptismal certificates, although they had been admitted for pensions on the certificates of clergymen that they were of the required age; that, in the case of one Arthur Gillen, of Lurgan, whose age was certified by the parish priest of Glenavy and by Dr. Mussen, the dispensary doctor, the Census of 1851 showed him to be only six years of age, and there was no trace of him in the Census of 1841, and the committee were quite satisfied that the man was over 70, the claim was disallowed because the Census was relied on; that the committee disallowed also all the pensions which they had passed in December last for 1st January on the strength of certificates from clergymen; that the pension officer advised those whose claims had been disallowed to appeal to the Local Government Board, as it was a legal question whether, in the absence of fraud, a pension once granted could be cancelled; will he say by what authority the pension committee is empowered to cancel pensions already passed; whether, in the case of appeals, the committee has power to continue the pension pending the decision on the appeal; and whether any evidence whatever, apart from the very doubtrul evidence of the Census Returns, is to be admitted in proof of age in the case of applicants for old age pensions in Ireland?
The pension subcommittee referred to, at their meeting on the 21st ult., disallowed, on questions raised by the pension officer, the pensions granted from 1st January last in eight cases in all, including the case of Arthur Gillen, on the ground that according to the Census records the statutory conditions as to age had not been fulfilled. In five of these cases appeals have been lodged, and are awaiting the decision of the Local Government Board. The pension officer does not appear to have tendered any advice such as that suggested in reference to the decision of the committee. The pension committee's authority for cancelling a pension on a question raised by a pension officer is Section 7 of the Old Age Pensions Act. In the case of an appeal against the committee's decision, the commitee has no power to give any directions as to the continuance or stoppage of the payment of the pension pending the result of the appeal.
Income Tax (Co-Operative Societies)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is intended, under Clause 1 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Bill, to authorise advances to co-operative societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Acts; whether he is aware that those co-operative societies trade for profit, which is returned to shareholders and customers by way of dividend; and whether co-operative societies are liable to pay Income Tax?
In answer to the first part of the question, I may call the hon. Member's attention to the Amendment moved on behalf of the Government on the 7th instant, by which the words "organisation of" have been inserted before "cooperation" in Clause 1 (1) (a) of the Bill. I am aware that all societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts are necessarily societies for carrying on industries, trades, or businesses, but many of them are bodies of a philanthropic nature which do not trade for profit. In regard to the liability of cooperative societies to Income Tax, I would refer the hon. Member to an answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 8th May, 1907.
Post Office (Boy Sorters)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that ex-boy sorters deny that any regulations were issued to them on appointment as boy sorters showing that their service would be non-pensionable; and whether, in view of this statement, he can produce any such regulation signed by a boy sorter on appointment?
Regulations setting out the conditions of competition and service were published by the Civil Service Commissioners at the instance of the Postmaster-General, and opportunity for seeing them was given to all candidates for the position of boy sorter. Successful candidates are not required by the Civil Service Commissioners to sign any acknowledgment that they accept an appointment subject to the regulations concerning such appointment.
Old Age Pensioners (England, Scotland, Ireland)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can say what is the percentage of persons receiving old age pensions in each of the three Kingdoms based on the Census Returns of 1841, and if he can say what was the population of England, Ireland, and Scotland in that year?
I assume that the information required by the hon. Member is the percentage which the number of pensioners in each country bears to the population as shown in the Census of 1841. These figures are as follows, as regards the number of pensioners on 30th June, 1909, the latest date for which figures are available: England, 2.57 per cent.; Scotland, 2.27 per cent.; Ireland, 2.25 per cent. The population in the year 1841 was: England, 15,914,000; Scotland, 2,620,000; Ireland, 8,175,000.
Finance Bill
Standard Barrels Of Beer (Duty Paid)
asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state
| Gross Quantity cleared for Home Consumption. | Gross Amount of Duty. | Amount of Drawback paid on Offal Tobacco. | Net Receipt of Duty. | ||||
| lbs. | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| May, 1908 | … | … | … | 8,499,871 | 1,280,368 | 125,960 | 1,146,924 |
| May, 1909 | … | … | … | 6,471,893 | 1,187,913 | 54,473 | 1,123,985 |
| June, 1908 | … | … | … | 8,058,360 | 1,214,104 | 130,515 | 1,077,132 |
| June, 1909 | … | … | … | 7,511,221 | 1,383,029 | 82,578 | 1,290,060 |
| July, 1908 | … | … | … | 8,206,341 | 1,236,813 | 125,110 | 1,102,685 |
| July, 1909 | … | … | … | 7,923,760 | 1,458,120 | 155,933 | 1,292,090 |
| August, 1908 | … | … | … | 8,200,787 | 1,235,987 | 108,311 | 1,120,561 |
| August, 1909 | … | … | … | 7,380,822 | 1,358,776 | 94,775 | 1,254,290 |
| September,1908 | … | … | … | 8,342,646 | 1,257,045 | 126,902 | 1,121,576 |
| September, 1909 | … | … | … | 7,847,019 | 1,444,659 | 111,339 | 1,320,575 |
Pauper Lunatics (Ireland)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to resolutions passed by the Enniscorthy Asylum Board, urging the Treasury to increase the capitation grant from 4s. to 6s. 6d. per week; whether, the number of standard barrels of beer on which duty was paid in the five Excise collections in London in the months of September, 1909, and September, 1908, respectively?
The number of standard barrels of beer upon which duty was paid in the five Excise collections in London in September, 1908, was 545,569, and in September, 1909, 508,212.
Sale Of Alcoholic Liquors In Clubs
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is understood that the sixpence in the £ to be levied on purchases of alcoholic liquors by clubs is to be levied on the cost of such liquors, and the duty in addition, i.e., that the sixpence in the £ will always be levied on duty-paid liquor?
The answer is in the affirmative.
Raw Tobacco
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the weight of raw tobacco cleared, the value in money of the duty on raw tobacco, the amount repaid in drawback on tobacco offal, and the net receipts from duty on raw tobacco, in each of the months of May, June, July, August, and September in the years 1908 and 1909?
presented the following statement:—when the estimate of 4s. was arrived at, it was based on the assumption that it meant half the maintenance of each patient; and whether, as provisions have increased in price and large sums of money have been spent in building and fitting up quarters to accommodate the increase in patients, he will he able to see his way, either by legislation or otherwise, to increase the capitation grant?
I have not seen the resolutions referred to, but I presume they relate to the payment from the local taxation (Ireland) account to county councils under Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, of a 4s. capitation grant for pauper lunatics in district asylums. The question of the sufficiency of this grant can only be discussed as part of the larger question of the relation between Imperial and local taxation.
Small Holdings (Area Of Land Acquired)
asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what was the acreage of the land included in schemes submitted to the Board by each county council for England and Wales up to 30th September last?
The following statements will, I think, give the information which my right hon. Friend desires:—
Small Holdings And Allotments Act, 1908
1.—Statement showing the area of land acquired or arranged to be acquired voluntarily by local authorities in England and Wales for the purpose of providing small holdings under the above Act; compiled from information furnished to the Board up to the 2nd October, 1909:—
| Name of County | Area. | |||
England.
| acres. | |||
| Bedford | … | … | … | 1,547 |
| Berks | … | … | … | 1,771 |
| Bucks | … | … | … | 853 |
| Cambridge | … | … | … | 2,390 |
| Cheshire | … | … | … | 986 |
| Cornwall | … | … | … | 1,314 |
| Cumberland | … | … | … | 84 |
| Derby | … | … | … | 223 |
| Devon | … | … | … | 864 |
| Dorset | … | … | … | 1,052 |
| Durham | … | … | … | 694 |
| Essex | … | … | … | 1,204 |
| Gloucester | … | … | … | 1,040 |
| Hereford | … | … | … | 845 |
| Hertford | … | … | … | 661 |
| Hunts | … | … | … | 1,082 |
| Isle of Ely | … | … | … | 1,984 |
| Isle of Wight | … | … | … | 544 |
| Kent | … | … | … | 1,049 |
| Lancashire | … | … | … | 167 |
| Leicester | … | … | … | 1,210 |
| Lincoln—Holland | … | … | … | 1,228 |
| Kesteven | … | … | … | 1,768 |
| Lindsey | … | … | … | 1,256 |
| London | … | … | … | — |
| Name of County. | Area. |
England—cont. | acres. |
| Middlesex | 94 |
| Monmouth | 781 |
| Norfolk | 3,496 |
| Northampton | 1,233 |
| Northumberland | 1,523 |
| Notts | 511 |
| Oxford | 835 |
| Rutland | 232 |
| Salop | 540 |
| Soke of Peterborough | 115 |
| Somerset | 2,745 |
| Southampton | 467 |
| Stafford | 580 |
| Suffolk, East | 377 |
| do. West | 707 |
| Surrey | 120 |
| Sussex, East | 23 |
| do. West | 3 |
| Warwick | 603 |
| Westmorland | 80 |
| Wilts | 928 |
| Worcester | 667 |
| Yorks—East Riding | 462 |
| North Riding | 200 |
| West Riding | 310 |
| Total | 43,448 |
Wales.
| |
| Anglesey | 520 |
| Brecon | 11 |
| Cardigan | 298 |
| Carmarthen | — |
| Carnarvon | — |
| Denbigh | 999 |
| Flint | — |
| Glamorgan | 191 |
| Merioneth | — |
| Montgomery | 154 |
| Pembroke | 1,738 |
| Radnor | 342 |
| Total | 4,253 |
County Boroughs.
| |
| Brighton | 186 |
| Bristol | 260 |
| Burnley | 105 |
| Blackburn | 98 |
| Cardiff | 262 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | 90 |
| Northampton | 335 |
| Total | 1,336 |
| Total area acquired by voluntary arrangement | 49,037 |
2.—Statement showing the area of land acquired or proposed to be acquired under compulsory orders by local authorities in England and Wales for the purpose of providing small holdings under the above Act; compiled from information furnished
to the Board up to the 2nd October, 1909:—
| Name of County. | A tea of Land. |
England.
| acres. |
| Bucks | 232 |
| Cambridge | 334 |
| Cornwall | 42 |
| Cumberland | 12 |
| Devon | 477 |
| Dorset | 28 |
| Essex | 59 |
| Gloucester | 152 |
| Hereford | 161 |
| Hertford | 269 |
| Hunts | 896 |
| Kent | 42 |
| Leicester | 49 |
| Monmouth | 294 |
| Norfolk | 810 |
| Northampton | 495 |
| Oxford | 257 |
| Salop | 262 |
| Southampton | 274 |
| Stafford | 53 |
| Sussex, East | 34 |
| do. West | 35 |
| Warwick | 150 |
| Wilts | 538 |
| Yorks, East Riding | 13 |
| do. West Biding | 191 |
| Total | 6,159 |
Wales.
| |
| Brecon | 173 |
| Cardigan | 319 |
| Carmarthen | 338 |
| Merioneth | 273 |
| Total | 1,103 |
County Boroughs.
| |
| Cardiff | 435 |
| Tynemouth | 238 |
| Total | 673 |
| Total area acquired or proposed to be acquired compulsory | 7,935 |
Licensing Act, 1904 (Compensation)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications by the quarter sessions of a county for his consent to the borrowing on the security of the compensation fund of any sums required for the purpose of paying compensation under the Licensing Act, 3904, he has refused since 1st January, 1906; and whether he will now give his favourable consideration to any such applications from quarter sessions?
The answer to the first part of the question is that I have not refused any applications from county quarter sessions; and the answer to the second part is that I am ready, as I have always been, to take all the circumstances of any such application into consideration.
Baronetage (Report Of Committee)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the intention of the Government to take any action on the Report of the Committee on the Baronetage, issued in 1906?
This matter has received careful consideration, and a decision will be announced as soon as the difficulties which have arisen have been overcome.
Naval Ordnance, Etc (Expenditure)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the percentage of the total expenditure on ordnance, rifles, torpedoes, gun-cotton, and ammunition, or stores in which the trade and Government compete, given by the Admiralty for the years 1903–4 and subsequent years, and the probable percentage for years for which, estimates only are available?
The percentage of the total expenditure on ordnance, rifles, torpedoes, gun-cotton, and ammunition, or ordnance stores in which the trade and Government compete, given by the Admiralty for the years 1903–4 and subsequent years, is approximately as follows:—
| Trade. Per cent. | Government. Per cent. | ||||
| 1903–4 | … | … | … | 59 | 41 |
| 1904–5 | … | … | … | 60 | 40 |
| 1905–6 | … | … | … | 61 | 39 |
| 1906–7 | … | … | … | 58 | 42 |
| 1907–8 | … | … | … | 49 | 51 |
| 1908–9 | … | … | … | 49 | 51 |
| 1909–10 | … | … | … | 54 | 46 |
Chatham Dockyard (Gratuity To Widow)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the application of the widow of Mr. G. Honnor, lately inspector of engine fitters in Chatham Dockyard, for a compassionate allowance on account of the death of her husband from heart disease; whether he is aware that the evidence goes to show that the disease was aggravated by the man's transference to Malta for a period; and whether, in view of the fact that if the man had been invalided out of the service, not having served long enough to be entitled to a pension, his case would have been considered by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as to whether it was a proper one in which to grant a gratuity, and of the fact that the widow has been left without any support for herself and child, he will favourably consider the granting of some allowance?
I have gone into this case, and in consideration of the special circumstances have awarded to the widow a gratuity of £20.
Greenwich Hospital Fund
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Greenwich Hospital Fund was originally reserved for sailors only; when was it extended to officers and warrant officers; and how many old sailors are now prevented from receiving the additional 5d. a day owing to such extension?
The primary object of the foundation of Greenwich Hospital, as stated in the Charter of 1694, was the relief and support of "seamen," but from the date of the opening of the hospital as an asylum for in-pensioners a considerable number of posts and offices of emolument were assigned to officers, and in 1806 (46 Geo. III., c. 100) the Commissioners were empowered to grant Greenwich Hospital out-pensions to officers who were not provided for in the Hospital. It would thus appear evident that at that time it was held that the term "seamen" used in the Charter did not exclude officers. The funds of the hospital wore assisted by contributions from men of the Royal Navy and the Merchant Service, and officers of the Royal Navy also contributed to the funds out of their prize-money, etc., from 1707 to 1829. The value of the emoluments received by officers at Greenwich Hospital just before the Act of 1865 amounted to £15,000 a year, and, therefore, on the closing of the hospital and the establishment of pensions in lieu of admission thereto, a proportion of the income of the institution was devoted to the provision of pensions for officers. The amount now allocated annually to benefits to officers is:—Greenwich Hospital pensions to officers, £7,700; Educational Grants to the children of officers, £1,500. £9,200 a year would provide 1,210 pensions of 5d. a day, but as the average cost of an age pension (owing to the number of increased age pensions at the higher rate of 9d. a day) is considerably in excess of 5d. a day, the actual number of age pensions which could be maintained for an additional £9,200 a year would be about 850. In view of the reasons for allocating a portion of the income of Greenwich Hospital to benefits to officers it would not, however, be correct to state that 850 men are being deprived of age pensions on this account.
Indian Prisons (Dietary Scales)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether information is available regarding the weight and bulk of the food of an Indian prisoner in gaol; and, if so, whether he will communicate such figures to the House?
The various diet scales for prisoners in force in India (which differ from province to province, according to the habits of the people and the staple food-grains) are laid down in the provincial gaol codes. It is hardly practicable to extract all the provisions relating to them (which are very voluminous) in answer to a question, but copies of the codes can be made available for the hon. Member if he desires to see them. A scientific inquiry into the suitability of the various diet scales is now being carried out under the orders of the Government of India.
Medical College, Madras (Military Assistant Surgeons)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the senior assistant professor at the Medical College, Madras, and the senior assistant surgeon at the General Hospital, Madras, are Eurasian military assistant surgeons lent to the civil medical department; whether he can state their medical qualifications and salaries, with the salaries of the civil assistant surgeons under them; and whether it is proposed to open these posts to well-qualified Indians?
It appears from the Madras Civil List that the two officers mentioned are military assistant surgeons; the Secretary of State has no information as to whether they are Eurasians or as to their medical qualifications; their total emoluments are respectively Rs. 575 and Rs. 255 a month; the civil assistant surgeons in the medical college, who hold appointments of equal rank, draw either Rs. 250 or Rs. 200 a month. As was stated in reply to a question on 2nd March, the Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that duly qualified Indian assistant surgeons will not be held eligible for these posts in the event of vacancies occurring.
State Departments (Administration)
asked the Prime Minister whether the time has now arrived for the appointment of a Commission or Committee to inquire into the possible application of methods of economy in the administration of the great Departments in the government of the country?
I am not satisfied, having regard to the difficulties of such an inquiry and the extent of its scope, if its results are to be adequate and fruitful, that it is expedient in existing circumstances to embark upon it.
Disappearance Of Asiatic Coal Trimmers
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the supposed suicide at sea, on 19th May, 1909, of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Husin Amat, whilst serving on the steamer "Cardiganshire," of Liverpool; whether any inquiry has been held in the matter; 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 and stokehold; how many tons of coal the engine-room hands were required to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?
The Asiatic coal trimmer referred to in the question disappeared about 30 hours after joining the "Cardiganshire" and 17 hours after that vessel left Singapore for Hong Kong. Inquiry was made by the deputy superintendents of Mercantile Marine at Hong Kong and Middlesbrough and the principal Board of Trade officer in London. It is reported, but not definitely proved, that the man had been medically examined before joining; he was apparently in good health, and had had previous sea service. He was not on duty at the time of his disappearance. The temperature of the engine-room was 112 degrees and of the stokehold 102 degrees. The coal consumption was about 28 tons per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers was 21. One other case of disappearance has occurred on board the "Cardiganshire" during the last three years.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the suicide at sea on 28th May, 1909, of an Asiatic coal trimmer named Sookoor Mangrey, whilst serving on the steamer "Bloemfontein," of London; whether any inquiry has been held into the matter; 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 and stokehold; how many tons of coal the engine-room hands were required to work each 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?
The coal trimmer referred to in the question jumped overboard in the Bed Sea whilst on the voyage from Calcutta to Boston, U.S.A. Inquiry was made by the Vice-Consul at Boston. It is usual for all crews engaged at Calcutta for the line to which the "Bloemfontein" belongs to be medically examined before joining, but I have no definite proof in this case. The man had been 20 days on board the vessel, but it is not known whether he had had previous sea service. He was on duty at the time of his disappearance. The temperature of the engine-room was 117 and of the stokehold 123 degrees. The coal consumption was about 43 tons per day, and the number of firemen and trimmers was 18. No other case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance has occurred in this vessel during the last three years. The "Bloemfontein" has not been in the United Kingdom since the date of the occurrence.
Australian And Irish Railways
asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the railways in Australia are practically owned by the various State Governments, and that the concessions to customers stand in the following order: The farmer, the pastoralist, the miner, the merchant, and the suburban passenger; and whether, seeing that in Ireland the farmer receives the least consideration of all, the Department of Agriculture will enter into negotiations with the railway companies with a view to relieve farmers from excessive railway rates?
The Department understand that the governments of the several States own the greater part of the railways in Australia. The Department are in frequent communication with railway companies regarding rates for the conveyance of Irish agricultural produce. Pending the issue of the Report of the Vice-Reg Commission on Irish Railways, it is now possible to indicate what action it may be deemed desirable to take in regard to the general question of rates for Irish agricultural produce.
Inishkea Fish Industry
asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the Inishkea islanders do not fish for lobsters near Inishkea, but in Blacksod Bay, and even more so in Broadhaven, between Erris Head and Rinroe Point; that the white fish and small shell fish industry of Inishkea has been ruined by the whale fishery; is he aware that all the profitable employment in connection with the whale fishery is monopolised by Norwegians; is he aware that the island is in a filthy and unsanitary state, caused by the offal of decaying whales; and, in view of these circumstances, does he propose to take any steps to prevent the additional whaling station in the land-locked waters of Blacksod Bay from becoming a grave nuisance to the inhabitants of the surrounding shores?
The Department are aware that the Inishkea islanders fish successfully for lobsters amongst the Inishkea Islands and in the immediate neighbourhood of the whaling station. The Department are not aware that the white fish industry at Inishkea has in any way suffered from the effects of the whale fishery, or that the shell-fish industry has been affected except on that part of the islet of Rusheen occupied by the factory. A sum of nearly £900 has been paid in wages to the Inishkea islanders who were employed at the whaling station this season, the rate of wages being in most cases £1 per week. From an inspection of Inishkea Island made by the Department's officers near the close of the recent whaling season the island did not appear to be in the condition described in the question. The Department are taking all suitable steps to see that the industry is conducted on proper sanitary lines.
Trinity College (Management Accounts)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Trinity College authorities do not publish any accounts; and whether, in view of the fact that the institution is a public trust, the funds having been provided by the State, he will consider the advisability of taking measures to provide for the production of accounts respecting the management of Trinity College?
I have no power to call on the authorities of the college to publish their accounts. The hon. Member will find a complete statement of the accounts for the years 1901 to 1905 in the appendix to the First Report of the Royal Commission on Trinity College, Dublin, and the University of Dublin. I understand that the accounts vary but little from year to year, and that they are audited annually by an external auditor, the accountant-general of the Bank of Ireland or his deputy.
Blacker-Douglas Estate (Proceedings Against Tenant)
asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a tenant on the Blacker-Douglas estate, in the county of Kerry, named John Sheehan, has had a writ of ejectment served upon him in order to force him under duress to sign agreements for the purchase of his two holdings on unreasonable terms; whether he is aware that this tenant claims a tenant's right over a bog, which the landlord has been trying to sell to sub-tenants through the Estates Commissioners without giving John Sheehan compensation for surface damages or an opportunity of satisfying the Commissioners of the validity of his claim; and whether, seeing that this writ was served upon the tenant immediately after preferring his claim of tenant's right over the bog, and that like action was taken against the great majority of the other tenants on the estate, who were compelled to yield to the landlord's demands, he will say what action he proposes to take in the matter?
The Estates Commissioners have had Sheehan's two holdings inspected, and are prepared to advance the sums of £320 and £42 respectively, but the tenant has refused to sign purchase agreements at these prices; and in the circumstances the Commissioners propose to exclude his holdings from the sale. Sheehan claimed to be entitled to a bog which has been divided by the owner, free of charge, amongst the purchasing tenants, including Sheehan. Prior to the sale the owner has from year to year been letting the bog to the tenants and the public, and paying the rates in respect thereof. Sheehan appears to owe five and a half years' rent, and the Commissioners have no power to interfere with any legal proceedings which the owner may have instituted for the recovery of the rent due.
Vaccination (Ireland And England)
asked the Chief Secretary if the Government proposes next Session to assimilate the law relating to vaccination in Ireland to the law in England?
As I have already stated in reply to questions asked by the hon. Member for the Tyneside Division in March last, the Government do not propose to introduce legislation on the subject.
Revising Barristers' Courts
asked the Attorney-General whether he has any jurisdiction over revising barristers as to where they shall hold their courts; whether he is aware that they are frequently held upon licensed premises; and whether he will issue instructions to revising barristers, or take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to secure that they shall hold their courts, whenever they can conveniently do so, upon premises altogether apart from public-houses and licensed hotels?
I have no jurisdiction over revising barristers, and I am unable to direct them as to where they shall hold their courts. It frequently happens, especially in country districts, that none but licensed premises are available for holding these courts; it is not proposed to issue any instructions to revising barristers on this subject or to introduce legislation of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.