asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had yet received a Report from His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo showing how many persons had been proceeded against in Egypt under the Deportation Law of 4th July, 1909, and whether he could say in how many cases there had been convictions and what sentences were passed?

I learn from His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo that 283 cases have been tried under the Law referred to. These cases were carefully selected by the Minister of the Interior from a list of names of about 1,200 persons who were considered the most dangerous by the local authorities. This list was itself prepared by a careful selection of names from among a much larger list of persons whose, existence in the locality in which they resided was considered locally to be a danger to the community. Two hundred and eighty-one persons (22

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many persons have actually been deported? Also, is it a fact, as stated in the Egyptian Press, that the amount of bail required, varying from £200 to £1,000, is such that in the great majority of cases it cannot be given, and deportation follows as a matter of course?

I cannot say how many persons have actually been deported, because appeals are still pending in some of the cases.

Have these cases been heard in public, and had the men legal assistance?

I think that is the case. But perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question.

Has any other expression of opinion been received?

Yes. I am informed that there is general satisfaction among the rural population.

Among the rural population themselves—apart from the Notables?

Yes.

What is the cause of the existing unsatisfactory condition of affairs?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the important commercial, Egyptian and international, interests involved in the Suez Canal, he would take steps to give this House an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the proposed extension of the lease of the Suez Canal Company before the negotiations were completed?

Certain points in connection with the proposed extension are now under the consideration of the Egyptian Government, who must have time to form. their own opinion upon them. Meanwhile, the negotiations are in suspense, and there is nothing further to be said at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that we shall have an opportunity of discussing the matter before the negotiations are completed?

No. The Egyptian Government are considering the matter, and before any final conclusion is come to the General Assembly will be consulted.

I am thinking only of this House. Is it not reasonable that this House should have an opportunity of deciding such a grave question?

The decision from the point of view of the Suez Canal Company does not rest with this House. The decision as to whether the Egyptian Government should make a certain bargain rests with that Government, who are now forming their opinion upon it, and they are doing so without any pressure from us.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the alleged dropping of the negotiations is accurate, or are the negotiations still being carried on?

I have said that the negotiations are in suspense, because the Egyptian Government are considering certain propositions.

asked whether the trade routes from Bushire to Shiraz were still unsafe for commercial traffic; and, if so, whether representations could be made to the Persian Parliament calling attention to this state of things?

As long ago as 23rd September, His Majesty's Minister at Tehran, under instructions from His Majesty's Government, addressed a strong remonstrance to the Persian Government on this subject; and about the same time the Persian Minister of the Interior informed Sir George Barclay that he was engaged in preparing a scheme of road guards which, he felt confident, would restore order on the roads. According to the most recent reports from Sir George Barclay, the security of the trade routes in Southern Persia has improved, and the number of robberies and outrages has diminished. In these circumstances, no further representations to the Persian Government appear desirable for the present, but the whole question is engaging the serious consideration of His Majesty's Government. I ought to add that since this answer was drafted I have seen in the newspapers that a serious outrage has occurred on these roads, but I have not as yet received official information about it.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland when the Estates Commissioners would send an inspector on the Ramsden estate at Beal-killa, near Listowel, North Kerry; and when would the holding be vested in the tenants after inspection?

The purchase agreements in connection with the sale of this estate were not lodged until October, 1908. Having regard to the very large number of cases pending before them in which the agreements for purchase were lodged at an earlier date, the Estates Commissioners cannot at present say when this estate will be dealt with.

There being 150 tenants on the estate, will there be an inspection before the vesting order is issued?

Yes.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what arrangements have been made by the county council of the county of Down for the adoption of the Polling Districts and Registration of Voters Act; and whether the scheme has been formally approved by the Local Government Board?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question I should like to ask him whether he is aware that the question of the hon. Member is prompted by the fact that he is rather nervous about his seat in South Down?

No, Sir, it is impossible for me to address myself to that point in whatever part of the House hon. Members sit. but I always understand why questions of that sort are asked.

May I assure the hon. Member for North Down (Mr. Corbett) that I shall increase my majority and that he will decrease his?

The Local Government Board have not yet received any scheme from the Down County Council under the Polling Districts and Registration of Voters (Ireland) Act, 1908, but they understand that the county council have the matter under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, with reference to the fact that the school registers may be made available for the purpose of establishing the ages of claimants for old age pensions, as stated in the letter of 6th November, 1909, from the Commissioners of National Education (Ireland) to Mr. M. Sullivan, whether any conditions as to the terms on which such registers may be used have been laid down by the Commissioners; and, if so, what; and whether the Commissioners have ascertained, approximately, the extent to which the school registers in use from 1846 to 1864 are still in existence?

The Commissioners of National Education have permitted the national school registers to be utilised by persons seeking old age pensions in order to establish their ages, but no conditions have been laid down regarding them. The registers are kept in the schools, but the Commissioners have not ascertained to what extent the registers in use from 1846 to 1864 have been preserved.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can promise that something will be done by the Irish Government to allay the anxiety excited amongst the old people in Ireland of over 70 years of age on account of the stoppage of pensions by the Irish total Government Board in cases where the local pension committees have been satisfied, on full consideration of all available evidence, that the pensions are payable, and where they have ordered the payment of pensions; and whether, in view of the fact that evidence as to age in a great many cases is not derivable from Census Returns on account of the errors and inaccuracies in these Returns for Ireland in the last century, he will direct that the evidence available in the locality, sifted and inquired into impartially by the local pension committees, shall be acted upon in accordance with the provisions of The Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, so that honest and deserving old people shall be saved from the despair in which the action of the Irish Government has plunged them by depriving them of their pension?

It is the duty of the Local Government Board to determine the questions raised by pension officers on the decisions of the local pension committees, and the Board are bound to form their own conclusions on the merits of each case. Claimants or pensioners are in all cases afforded an opportunity of putting forward such evidence as they can obtain, and any representations made by the local pension committees are also duly considered.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the action of the Local Government Board in stopping the pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act of Bridget M'Gowan, of Dunmoran, and Catherine Gilhooly, Highpark, in the Skreen sub-committee district of the county of Sligo; whether he is aware that the local pension committee which considered and decided on granting pensions to those people consisted of five district councillors, one local Protestant clergyman, and three Roman Catholic priests; whether he is aware that in the opinion of this committee the said Bridget M'Gowan is 80 years of age, and the said Catherine Gilhooly is also qualified for a pension in respect of her age, being well over 70 years, and that reliable evidence in each case has been submitted to the committee; and whether he will require the Local Government Board to reconsider their decision in both cases and secure that the pensions in both cases shall be paid?

The Local Government Board are not aware of the composition of local pension sub-committees. The Skreen sub-committee expressed an opinion, as stated in the question, that Bridget McGowan was 80 years of age, but her own statement in her claim to a pension was that her age was 72. The only evidence which the Board could obtain from her as to her age was that of the parish priest, who stated that when he came to the parish in 1869 she was certainly over 30, and that he considered her to be about 75 years old. In the case of Catherine Gilhooly, the Census Return of 1851 gave her age as five years, which would make her only 63 years old now. She claimed to be 71, but the only evidence she could put forward was the statement of a neighbour that he believed that the claimant was over 19 years of age when he was married in 1857. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decisions, but if fresh claims are lodged the Board will send an inspector to visit the claimants and report generally on the evidence in the two cases.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction of the county of Sligo protesting against the treatment of Galway University College, the Government grant given to which is considerably less than the grants given to Queen's College, Belfast, and to the University College, Cork, and which grant is disproportionate to the needs of Galway University College; and whether he will use his influence to secure equality of treatment for the University College, Galway, and an immediate supplemental grant to enable the work of that institution to be efficiently carried on and the educational wants of the people of Connaught, which is the poorest province in Ireland, to be adequately supplied?

I have seen the resolution referred to. Although Galway is undoubtedly at a disadvantage in regard to financial provisions, I cannot give an undertaking to re-open the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention had been called to complaints as to the action of the Irish Local Government Board acting as a court of appeal in the administration of the Old Age Pensions Act; whether he was aware that many of the pension committees and sub-committees in the county of Cork and in other parts of Ireland state that their functions in regard to the Act are rendered nugatory by the action of the Local Government Board in acting solely on the report of the local pension officer and ignoring the local committees; and whether, in view of the official figures showing that the percentage of persons receiving old age pensions based on the Census Returns of 1841 on 30th June, 1909, was for England 257 per cent., Scotland 2'79 per cent., and Ireland 2.25 per cent., he will send instructions to the Local Government Board to recognise the position and responsibility of the local authorities in the administration of the Act?

The Local Government Board have received Resolutions of the nature referred to in the question from several pension sub-committees. As I have just explained in my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for North Sligo, the representations of the pension committees are duly considered by the Board, who are, however, bound to form their own conclusions.

Is the right hon. Member aware that with regard to the figures given in the latter part of the question— the percentages—that they are accurate and official figures, and that they dissipate the erroneous impression that an undue number of pensions are going to Ireland?

Well, I do not doubt at all that the figures do go in the direction that the hon. Gentleman indicates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the local pension committee disagree from the decision of the Local Government Board that, in case of appeal, the Local Government Board will not return to the local pensions committee the documents upon which the claim and appeal is based? Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Local Government Board do return all such documents to the local pensions committee?

I will inquire into that. I see no reason why the documents should not be returned.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the University Committee, Cork, of the 20th instant, complaining of the insufficiency of the sum allotted for building purposes; and whether, in view of the increase in the number of students from all parts of Munster and the increase in the number of subjects taught, he will communicate with the Treasury with a view to securing an increase of the sum granted?

I have seen the Resolution, but as I have just informed the hon. Member for North Sligo in the case of Galway, I cannot undertake to re-open the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Belfast gets a building grant of £60,000, and Cork only gets £14,000, which is totally inadequate?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would state whether the estate of Charles Waring, consisting of the townlands of Corodoagh, Drumera, Pottlebrack, and Drumanespie, all in the county of Cavan, had yet been vested in the tenants; and, if not, what was the cause of the delay; or, if same has been removed, will he say on what date?

The Estates Commissioners hope to be in a position to vest the holdings in the tenants early next month. The prescribed certificate of title was not lodged until the 5th instant owing to difficulties in connection with vendor's title.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he is aware, that for many years past, according to the Official Calendar, the Queen's and more recently the King's Birthday has been celebrated in Queen's College, Galway, as a holiday and the Union Jack flown on the college buildings, and that on 9th November last, the first King's Birthday since the affiliation of the college to the National University in Dublin, the Union Jack was not hoisted; and whether he can state if orders were issued from Dublin Castle to this effect, or, if not, by whom?

I am informed by the President of University College, Galway, that under the Statute for the college, the King's Birthday is not a "Statutory Holiday, "and was not observed by the college on 9th November. No regulations have at any time existed as to flying the Union Jack on the college buildings, and no orders with reference thereto were given for 9th November?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that it is not usual to hoist the Union Jack over public buildings in Ireland on the King's Birthday, and even in the case of the brewers and distillers it has not been done?

Very shocking!

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Belfast and other loyal parts of the North of Ireland— T know the right hon. Gentleman treats this with contempt—it has been in the past the custom to hoist the Union Jack as the emblem of the unity of empire?

I have no knowledge of it.

What price do you get for flying it?

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that on the last birthday of the King there was not a Union Jack flying in the whole of the constituency of North Down?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the special Report of the Advising Examiner in Irish to the Board of Intermediate Education; and whether, in view of the evidence which it affords that grants for the teaching of Irish are being wasted, the money voted for this purpose will be applied to another purpose?

I have read the report of the Advising Examiner on this year's intermediate examinations. It has no bearing on the teaching of Irish in primary schools for which alone money is voted.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a shooting outrage in the Ruan district of county Clare, on 30th October, when a farmer named Murphy was injured; whether Murphy holds a farm which his neighbours want to be divided amongst themselves; has Murphy been attacked previously, and is he now under police protection; and whether his assailants have been arrested?

I have had a report of this case. Murphy was fired at and wounded in 1907 and again on 30th October last as stated. The police give him all the protection which he will permit. They have not yet been able to arrest his assailants.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received particulars of an attack with firearms upon the house of Patrick Gibney, in county Galway. on the night of 6th November; whether Gibney had been warned to remove his horses from a boycotted farm; and whether the police have made any arrests in connection with this outrage?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that this man was warned as stated, and that his house was subsequently attacked. The police have not yet been able to make any arrests.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is with the knowledge and approval of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland that one of their chief organisers, Mr. McElwee, is recommending the teachers in the national schools of Ireland to use the drawing publications of a Scotch publishing house and is advising the teachers to become subscribers to the school journal issued by the same house, and that he carried specimens of both with him on his visits to schools and brings these samples under the notice of the teachers; if so, whether he has sanctioned this organiser's action in recommending Scotch publications to the detriment of Irish trade, more especially as the Irish publishers have specially brought out at great expense Irish handbooks to meet the requirements of the existing programme in drawing; and will he further state if the Scotch drawing publications are much more expensive than similar publications produced in Ireland?

The Commissioners have no information on the subject of this question, but inquiries will be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, under the rules and regulations regarding the reformed councils in India, the district and local boards and municipalities constitute the electoral basis for popular representation on the provincial legislative councils; and whether, under these rules and regulations, the choice of the electorate is limited to the selection of a person who is already a member of the district or local board or municipality concerned in the election?

also asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there is included under the rules and regulations regarding the reformed councils in India a rule which authorises the Government at its discretion to declare any candidate ineligible for a scat in council; and, if so, whether, before any candidate is declared ineligible, he will be informed of the grounds on which objection is taken by Government and be afforded an opportunity of meeting such objection?

I will answer my hon. Friend's two questions together. The full text of the regulations and rules, varying as they do in the different provinces, is too voluminous to telegraph, and will not reach this country before the 18th of next month. In the meantime I believe my hon. Friend will agree that it is better not to attempt to impart their substance to the House by means of question and answer upon isolated points, a method that might give rise to misunderstanding.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the question of high prices ruling in India has attracted the attention of the Indian Government; and whether it is intended to appoint a paid officer to report on the matter?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The Secretary of State has agreed to the deputation of an officer to investigate the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary for India, whether he is aware that Mahomedan British-Indians imprisoned for non-compliance with the Transvaal Registration Law were refused facilities for observing the religious fast of Ramazan; and whether the Secretary of State will make representations to the Government of the Transvaal that such conduct is exciting great indignation among His Majesty's subjects in India, as expressed in public meetings and otherwise?

When the attention of the Secretary of State was called to this matter he consulted the Secretary of State, for India and found that the Transvaal Government, who were under the impression that no precedent existed for conceding the request of the Mahomedan prisoners, were wrongly advised as a special arrangement for enabling Mahomedan prisoners to keep the fast exists in the Punjab, though not, it would seem, in India generally. The attention of the Transvaal Government was at once called to the Punjab practice, but they were unwilling to introduce a different practice in the Transvaal from that of the Cape, which has a larger Mahomedan population, namely, over 15,000, than any other South African Colony, and where no notice of the fast is taken in the penal institutions.

asked whether any settlement has been arrived at of the Transvaal - Indian question, or whether terms of imprisonment with hard labour are still being meted out to the Indian passive resisters for non-compliance with the Registration Law; whether the number of the Indians left in the Transvaal is about 6,000 out of a population of 13,000 in the pre-war period; and whether he is aware of the feeling aroused in India by the treatment of the Transvaal British-Indian colonists.

I regret that no actual settlement can be said to have been arrived at, which the leaders of the British-Indians are prepared to cordially accept. But my noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies made a statement in another place on November 16th showing that Transvaal Ministers have professed their willingness to meet the practical demands of the Indians. The law continues to be enforced. With regard to the number of Indians I would refer to a reply which I gave in this House to a similar question on 22nd April. The Transvaal Government stated on 5th June that 198 persons had been expelled, of whom 148 were known to have returned, and Mr. Handhi stated in July that the number of Indians actually residing was about 5,000, but I cannot say how far this figure may be correct without referring to the Transvaal Government. I am aware that meetings have been held in various parts of India to express indignation at the action of the Colonial Government.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he can state the number of Chinese and natives working in the South African gold mines in December, 1905, and the number working in the same mines in the last week in September, 1909; if he can state the rates of pay; and whether any modifications have been made in the conditions of employment during this period?

In December, 1905, 93,831 natives and 47,267 Chinese were employed on the Transvaal gold mines; and in September, 1909, 166,649 natives and 4,122 Chinese were so employed. I have no information as to rates of pay. The conditions of employment of each class have not been substantially altered as far as I am aware, but changes, for instance, in the length of time for which natives contract have been made from time to time.

asked whether His Majesty's Government propose in any way to modify their policy of discouraging the sale of spirits to the native races of Africa in consequence of the findings of the Committee presided over by Sir Mackenzie Chalmers?

His Majesty's Government do not propose to modify in any way their policy of discouraging the sale of spirits to the native races of Africa, and they will continue to co-operate with other European Powers to that end.

asked whether the motor cars in use on the Central South African railways are of British manufacture; and, if not, whether British manufacturers were given an opportunity of quoting for them?

The Secretary of State has not been supplied with information on this subject. I will ask the Agent-General for the -Transvaal whether he has any particulars.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he has received any official information to the effect that Mrs. Krishna Kumar Mitra has seriously suffered in health owing to the anxiety caused to her by the deportation without charge or trial and the prolonged imprisonment of her husband; and, if not, whether he would make inquiries?

The Secretary of State has received no information to the effect stated.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries, and may I ask him whether it is not a fact that this lady has made application to the Government of India to join her husband, and has been refused?

I have no knowledge of that.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry?

I will consult the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will take into consideration the desirability of associating the publication of the new reform scheme in India with some graceful act of conciliation, such as the release of the gentlemen deported some time ago, under Regulation III. of 1818?

asked the Prime Minister how much longer the nine Bengali gentlemen who were arrested and deported last December, without charge or trial, are to be deprived of the liberty to which every British subject is entitled?

asked whether, in view of the near approach of the prorogation of Parliament, and the fact that for nearly a year nine British subjects have been imprisoned in common gaols in India without having at any time been informed of any offence committed by them or tried for any crime against the law, he will make some statement to the House in justification of the continued detention of these gentlemen, and say for how long His Majesty's Government intend to sanction it?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will be able, before the House rises, to make any statement as to the intentions of the Government respecting the nine British subjects who were deported from Bengal and imprisoned last year without charge or trial?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention before Parliament rises to give the House any information as to the grounds on which His Majesty's Government justify the pro- longed imprisonment of the nine British subjects who were deported from Bengal nearly a year ago without having been charged with or convicted of any offence against the law?

asked whether His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of liberating the nine Indians, deported 11 months ago, on the inauguration of the reforms; and, if not, whether he will inform the House what circumstances justify their further detention?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to the question of the hon. Member for Hackney, and perhaps I may answer the other questions at the same time. I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply to questions with a similar object on 17th June. I can only add that the Secretary of State and the Government of India are fully alive to all the circumstances and arguments of the case, and have the matter under their especial consideration, with a view to release at the earliest moment when the general situation admits.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State did not say that the reasons for these deportations was that the reforms might be carried out in tranquillity, and not under conditions of unrest, and whether now that these reforms are carried into law there is any reason for their further detention?

That is the question I have answered.

May I further ask the Prime Minister, seeing that the reason for the detention of these gentlemen, is preventive and not punitive, he will direct that they shall not be detained in prison, but otherwise in a manner consistent with public security.

I have said the Government of India and His Majesty's Government have this matter under special consideration with a view to release at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether any agreement exists between this country and Russia imposing disabilities upon British subjects of the Jewish faith who are journalists, in the event of such subjects applying to the Russian consulate in London for their passports to be viséd; whether he is aware that a Mr. M. J. Landa, a British subject and a Jew, acting in the capacity of a special correspondent of the "Daily News "newspaper, was so treated; and, in view of this fact, will representations be made to the Russian Government to remove such restriction from the journalistic profession?

The circumstances of the Russian Consul-General having refused to visér Mr. Landa's passport has been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government. No agreement exists of the nature referred to in the question, and I would beg to refer to the reply given on 17th November last to the hon. Member for Kilkenny. So long as the Russian regulations respecting persons of the Jewish faith are applied to all persons alike, irrespective of their nationality, which His Majesty's Government have reason to believe to be the case, they have no treaty grounds for protest. It is not practicable to ask for special exceptions to be made in favour of one particular profession.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has any official information showing that the judges of the chief court at Lahore, whose judgment in the Gulab Bano case was dissented from by the executive, have announced their intention of commenting publicly upon the resolution of the executive; and whether he can say whether the judges have made those comments, and what is their nature?

The Secretary of State has no official information on the subject, but he has seen in the newspapers a report stating that the chief court have taken notice of the resolution published by the Lieutenant-Governor, and have expressed the intention of considering the matter further. The Secretary of State has no knowledge as yet of the result of such consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary whether he has any official information showing that the inquiry held by the Punjab Government into the charges against the police of torturing one Ghulam Mohammed by racking him, contained in Mr. Dundas' judgment at Rawul Pindi, was an inquiry held in secret by police officials; whether he can say if any of the police implicated were put upon their oaths and submitted to cross-examination; and whether these policemen are still in the service of the Government?

The reports received by the Secretary of State do not show in detail the manner in which the enquiry was conducted by the Lieutenant-Governor, but they show that the evidence on which his conclusions were based included the report of the civil surgeon who examined the prisoner immediately after he made his complaint, and the opinion expressed by the district magistrate of Rawul Pindi after making independent enquiries. The Secretary of State is unable, on the information received, to answer the last two questions, but since the Lieutenant-Governor found the police concerned to be free from blame they are presumably still in the service.

May I ask that when a judge has found by his own ocular testimony that there was torture, the question should not be disposed of toy a secret police tribunal?

The Secretary of State is quite satisfied with the statement of the Executive Government.

Is the Secretary of State satisfied that in future where cases of torture are found by the judicial tribunal to have been practised, that the matter should be disposed of in secret by.an inquiry held by the police themselves?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to carry out a reconstruction of the Legislative Council of Malta; whether it is proposed that the elected members shall in future be in a majority; and, if so, what will be the numbers of the elected and the official members, respectively?

The Secretary of State, as at present advised, does not propose to introduce any changes in the constitution of the Legislative Council of Malta.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he is yet in a position to report as to the progress made as to the restoration of the borough council to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, which was taken away by the late Government in 1896?

Considerable progress has been made in regard to this matter since the last occasion on which my hon. Friend addressed a question to me on the subject. I am not yet- in a position to make a statement on the subject, but I hope it may soon be possible to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at the recent municipal election at East Ham, in the Plashet Ward East, about 150 electors who arrived at the polling booth before eight o'clock could not vote in consequence of being unable to get to the polling tables by 8 p.m; whether he is prepared to have investigation made; and if he can state whether the Government have any intention of bringing about legislation to prevent people being disenfranchised?

I do not find that I have received any representations in regard to this matter in connection with the recent municipal election at East Ham. I could not undertake to introduce legislation on the subject, but I have taken note of the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

In consequence of the gravity of this question I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will refer the matter to the Law Officers of the Crown with the view of having a circular sent round to the polling authorities so as to insure that every man who gets into the polling booth before eight o'clock shall have an opportunity of recording his vote?

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a healthy young woman named Rose Sandall, residing with her mother at 28, New Queen-street, Bedminster, Bristol, was constrained by her employers, Messrs. Mavdon and Sons, of Bristol, to be vaccinated in February last; is he aware that the vaccination was not successful in the medical sense of the word, but resulted in the formation of proud flesh at the place of insertion, sores in the foot, and general illness and emaciation, disabling her from working; if he is aware that she has died and that a post-mortem examination has revealed symptoms of cancer; and, since it is known that in some cases vaccination produces cancer, whether he will take steps to insure full inquiry by persons in no way responsible for the production of the vaccine used in this case into the nature and origin of this vaccine?

My attention has not been called to the circumstances referred to in the question. I am, however, now causing inquiry to be made into the matter.

In view of the frequent recurrence of death and injury from vaccination, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to appoint an impartial Committee to inquire into the nature of the stuff which is going out from his Department?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has yet had time to consider the case of Nurse Steward, who has been employed by the Wolverhampton, Wools-ton and Burslem, Dudley, Newport Abbot, and Rugby workhouses for a period amounting to 11 years and 10 months, and who has been certified by several medical men as unfit for further workhouse service as a nurse; whether he can see his way clear to grant this person her pension; whether he is also aware that this case has been under consideration since June; and what action, if any, does he intend to take in the matter?

I have been in communication with the parties with respect to this matter, and will give my decision in the course of the next few days. I will send a copy of it to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that, in consequence of the education grant to the borough of West Ham being of a less amount than last year, an increase in the education rate of 1½d. in the pound has been caused; and whether he can see his way to make an extra grant in consequence of West Ham being one of the highest rated education authorities in the country?

I am aware that the share of the special grant for necessitous areas received by West Ham in respect of the last financial year was considerably reduced owing to the operation of Section 5 of the Regulations. I regret, however, that I cannot contemplate any extension of the scope of that grant, which is strictly limited to the sum of £200,000 voted by Parliament. I may, perhaps, add that the sum received by West Ham from that grant in respect of the last financial year was more than £30,000 in excess of the sum received by any other local education authority In England or Wales.

asked the right hon. Gentleman what is the total amount of the superannuation allowance and annuity on which Mr. Thomas Madge, of Pentrepoeth county council school in the borough of Swansea, has been retired; and at what age his retirement took place and after what number of years' service as a certificated head teacher in public elementary schools?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division of Shropshire on 26th October last.

I am told that the answer which the right hon. Gentleman gave in the case referred to is not an answer to this question.

I gave as full an answer on that occasion as I can give to this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the British Section being built at the Brussels Exhibition has been let to a British contractor, and that the fibrous plastering work has been sub-let to a foreign firm, and the rate of wages paid is four francs per day; and, seeing that the work was let to a British firm, should the London rates of wages be paid for the work; and whether, in view of the Fair Wages Resolution, he intends taking action in the matter?

I have been in communication with the contractors for the decoration in the British Section of the Brussels Exhibition, 'who inform me that no portion of their contract has been sub-let; that they are paying their Belgian workmen at the rate of more than four francs per day, and that the rates paid are not less than the rates current in Brussels. In these circumstances I see no occasion for taking action in the matter.

Is four francs per day the standard rate of wages for plasterers in Brussels?

Yes.

There is a lot of difference between that and the wages paid in this country.

Did the right hon. Gentleman advise the contractor as to the rate of wages to be paid?

No, Sir; it is obvious that in decorating an exhibition in a foreign country you cannot import British workmen. That would cause a great deal of ill-feeling, and might destroy the purpose of the exhibition. The rule followed by the Government is to pay the current rate of wages in the district, and that, I am informed, is four francs per day for plasterers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the dismissal by the North British Railway Company of Moncrieff Craig, Ladybank, East Fife, a workman who had been many years in the service of the company and bore a good character, for taking part in municipal affairs during hours when he was not required to be on duty; whether, as the result of the action of the company, none of its servants would allow himself to be nominated for the Ladybank Town Council at the recent municipal elections; what are the powers possessed by his Department for dealing with such cases; and how does he propose to exercise them?

My attention has previously been drawn by the hon. Member to the dismissal of Mr. Craig, but I have no information as to the other circumstances mentioned in the question. The matter is not one in regard to which the Board of Trade have any powers.

Is it not a fact that this railway company gave an undertaking to allow their servants to take part in municipal elections and to serve on public bodies so long as it did not interfere with the carrying out of their duty to the company; and will he state whether the Board of Trade have any power to ensure the liberty of railway servants in this respect; and if he has not power will he seek further powers to see that railway servants are protected in this matter?

I am advised that I have no power to interfere, but I believe this company expressed a desire not to interfere with the discharge of municipal duties by their servants if it did not interfere with the carrying out of their ordinary duties. Of course, I have no power to interfere in the case of individual workmen.

In view of the undertaking given to the Board of Trade and repeated in this House, will the President of the Board of Trade call the attention of this railway company to the continuance of this practice?

I do not think I am justified in allowing it to be understood that I agree with the statement that this company has intimidated its workmen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that considerable alterations have been made in the lines and signalling arrangements at New Cumnock station, Glasgow and South Western Railway (Scotland); whether from the new signal cabin the signalman has a clear view of the traffic under his control; whether on the down side it is necessary to have a signal to protect the crossing made by the new loop line; and whether the alterations made by the company at this station have been passed by an inspecting officer of the Railway Department before being opened for working?

Plans of the alterations which have been made at New Cumnock station were submitted to the Board of Trade, and provisional sanction to the new works being brought into use was given. The works have, since opening, been inspected by one of the Inspecting Officers of Railways, who reported that the general arrangements were satisfactory. I am advised that the signalman has a good view in each direction from the new signal box, that there are two signals on the down side protecting a through crossing, and that no more are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can say under what circumstances Catherine Tolson and two other women suffrage prisoners were turned out from Strangeways Prison about 10 o'clock last Friday evening and driven in a cab to the offices of the Women's Social and Political Union in Oxford-road, and left there on the street, the offices being closed; whether one of the women fainted twice before finding accommodation for the night; whether Miss Tolson did not reach home till 3.30 in the morning, having had to walk from Altrincham to Hale through the fog; whether Miss Tolson's father had arranged with the Governor of the prison that he would meet his daughter and the other two ladies at 8.15 on Saturday morning, the day on which their sentences expired, and had given an undertaking that there would be no demonstration; and for what reason and by "whose instructions was this arrangement departed from?

The Governor, acting on the discretion which had been given to him, decided to discharge these prisoners on Friday night. He arranged the time so as to allow Miss Tolson to catch a train for her home at 10.50; offered to send an officer home to Rochdale with another of the prisoners, while the third was to go to a friend in Manchester for the night. The three prisoners, however, being free to do as they liked on discharge, 'elected to go together in a cab to the offices of the Women's Political and Social Union, and left the prison singing and shouting. It appears that, finding the offices of the union closed, they drove to a friend's house; that Miss Tolson was pressed by one of her friends to remain with her for the night, but that she insisted on going home in a taxicab, and on the driver losing his way in a fog, she walked the last part. It is true that the Governor had arranged with her father to release her at 8.15 a.m. on Saturday, but the father had first voluntarily promised in a letter, which I have seen, to keep this information to himself, in order that there might be no demonstration. The Governor found, in the course of Friday, that information of the hour of release had been communicated to the Women's Social and Political Union; and, to avoid any demonstration, decided to release the prisoners on Friday.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any intimation as to the change of the arrangements was made to the father of Miss Tolson, or any of the relatives of the girls, and is the Home Secretary aware that there is a special prison rule (No. 3) which provides that in the case of girls under 20 years of age intimation must be sent either to the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society or some responsible person; and is the Home Secretary aware that Oxford-street, where these girls were sent by the express orders of the Governor, is one of the lowest streets in the City of Manchester?

I think I have already given a very full answer to the hon. Member's question. I must say that the girl's father did not keep to the arrangement, and I do not see why any further communication should be made.

Is the Home Secretary aware that Miss Tolson's father denies that statement?

What statement?

The statement that he informed the Women's Social and Political Union; and is it not a fact that the father has been informed in a letter from the Deputy-Governor of the prison that the reason why the release was made on the Friday was in consequence of a telegram received from the Home Secretary? Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why that telegram was sent, and what were its contents?

The hon. Member's information is inaccurate. I have already stated the exact facts. A discretion was given by me to the Governor to act according to his judgment, and release the prisoners either on Friday or on Saturday.

As the accuracy of my statement has been called into question I will read a paragraph to the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "NO."] It is a matter of importance, and I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether he has received a copy of a letter sent by the Deputy-Governor of the prison to Miss Tolson's father, in which he says:—

"When I telephoned to you that the arrangement for 8.15 the following morning, entered into between yon and Captain Haines, stood good, it was to the best of my belief understood that, this was so, and it was my intention to carry it out. It was not till some time afterwards that a telegram from London made it impossible for me to make any reply."

I have stated the facts, and have nothing to add.

The facts will be stated later in the law courts.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty what practice is adopted by the Admiralty authorities in respect to lunatic seamen discharged from the Royal Navy; if it is the custom to send these men to their relatives or to the workhouses of their native districts; if so, is the practice sanctioned by naval medical officers; and do the Admiralty authorities propose to continue the practice of deducting from the pension or other allowance given to discharged lunatic seamen now maintained in Irish lunatic asylums the capitation grant paid by the State towards the maintenance and transferring the amount of such grant to the relief of the Vote for the Admiralty?

The procedure of the Admiralty is governed by the Lunacy Acts, 1890–1891, and by the provisions of the Army Act, Section 91, made applicable to the naval service by Section 3 of the Naval Enlistment Act, 1884. Dangerous lunatics are committed to an asylum, those entitled to pensions for life being admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital, Yarmouth. Non-dangerous lunatics are sent to Yarmouth or to the union of the parish to which it appears from the declaration made on entry and from other information that they are chargeable, unless their relations or friends are willing to take charge of them and the Admiralty are satisfied that proper oare will be taken of them. In the latter case the Admiralry act on the advice of the naval medical authorities. With regard to the last part of the question, the reduction of the pension by the amount of the grant received by the asylum authorities from the local taxation account in aid of the pensioner's maintenance is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 7, Clause 2, of the Superannuation Act of 1887, and the Admiralty has no option in the matter.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that when naval pensioners are transferred to Irish lunatic asylums or workhouses, the total cost of their maintenance is thrown on the local rates or the local taxation account in Ireland?

The Admiralty have no option in the matter. They are bound by legislation.

Are these old men who have served under the British flag sent to Irish workhouses as an inducement to more Irishmen to join the Navy?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the beneficial effects likely to result, whether the Board will extend the grant of good-conduct badges and the extra pay to men who receive them to all the lower-deck ratings?

A similar question was asked on the 29th March last by my hon. Friend the Member for Devonport, and I have sent to the hon. Member a copy of the reply then given.

Does the Admiralty adhere to the statement in that answer?

Yes, sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the expenditure on new ships and their armaments for 1910–11 to which this country is necessarily committed by the existing programme, and to which the programme of 1910–11 will be additional?

I am unable to give information in anticipation of the Estimates, which will be laid in due course.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that precisely similar information was granted to hon. Members below the Gangway when they wished to reduce the Navy Estimates in 1906–7?

No, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the amount to be voted for new construction and armaments for Germany in 1910–11, calculated on a similar basis to the official figures for this year, 1909–10, of £10,256,194 for Great Britain and £10,751,466 for Germany?

The official proposed German naval estimates have not yet been received and it is not possible to give the figures asked for.

Has the Admiralty any reason to believe that the figures published in the Press this morning to the effect that the German vote for naval construction and armaments is nearly £2,000,000 in advance of last year are inaccurate?

The question asks the amount to be voted for new construction and armaments for Germany in 1910–11. The figures have not yet been received, and naturally I cannot give the answer.

Does the hon. Member mean that they have not yet been received by the Admiralty 1 They have been published officially.

They have not yet been received at the Admiralty.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Cork butter market trustees on the 18th instant, calling attention to Sub-section (a) Clause 1, of the Development and Road Improvement Bill of the Government, and expressing apprehension as to the danger of public moneys being advanced to organisation societies which are trading in direct competition with private traders; and, in view of recent experiences in Ireland, what steps the Department proposes to take in regard to this Sub-section?

The Vice-President has received a copy of the Resolution referred to in the question; and is of opinion that the legitimate interests of the private trader are not endangered by the Clause as it stands.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that grants-in-aid have been given in the past and may be given under this Bill again to organisations who are neither manufacturers of manures nor seeds, and who compete against those who are legitimate manufacturers and pay rates?

I must ask for notice of that. I cannot undertake to answer a question of that kind offhand.

asked the Vice-Presi- dent of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware of the havoc done by steam trawling along the coast of North Donegal; whether any steps will be taken to prevent the same; and what, if any, is the result of the recent inquiry held into the matter?

The Department will take all steps possible, having regard to the means at their disposal, to prevent illegal trawling off the Donegal Coast. Certain bye-laws which they submitted, prohibiting steam trawling off that coast, received the approval of the Lord Lieutenant in Council a few days ago, and steps are being taken in accordance with the law to give notice of the fact that the bye-laws are now in force.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the harbour of Nairn has been severely damaged by the storms of September, 1908, and October, 1909, and is now in a dangerous condition; that notwithstanding repeated representations the Fishery Board for Scotland refuses to make any grant for repairs; and whether the Secretary for Scotland proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I am informed there has been some injury, but I have not the details.

Is the hon. Member aware that during this recent month the harbour of Nairn has suffered further injury, and is in imminent danger of being totally destroyed?

I would ask the hon. Member to put down a question. I am informed there has been some injury, but I have not the details.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the fact that the depute procurator of the county of Linlithgow engages in political work in that county; and, if so, will he say whether the regulations of the Crown Office for the guidance and instruction of procurators fiscal and their deputies apply in that case?

I am not in a position to answer my hon. Friend.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the business of the First Division of the Court of Session had recently to be adjourned on account of inability to find a quorum of judges; whether one of the judges of that division has since ti en obtained leave of absence on account of ill-health; and, if so, what plan he proposes to adopt in order that the public may suffer no inconvenience by delays?

On 2nd November, owing to the sudden illness of two of the Judges of the First Division a quorum could not be constituted, and on that day that Court did not sit. No Judge of the First Division has since then obtained leave of absence on account of ill-health. Lord McLaren, who is one of the Judges of the First Division, obtained leave of absence from the commencement of the Winter Session till 1st January next.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any decision has been come to as to the future status of Walmer Castle, and whether he will consider the advisability of constituting it a national monument open to the public?

I can add nothing to my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devonport circulated with the Votes on 15th September.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the attention of the President had been called to a.speech made by the chairman of the small holdings Committee of the Berkshire County Council at the last quarterly meeting of the council, in which he said that in Berkshire 5,000 acres had been applied for by individual small holders, exclusive of 2,290 by the North Berks Society, that 4,138 acres had been recommended by the committee to satisfy the approved applicants, but that only 1,786 acres had been acquired by the council, that many applicants remained unsatisfied, and that the committee had no land available at the present moment to satisfy the applications; and whether, under these circumstances, the President proposes to use the compulsory powers given by the Small Holdings Act to obtain the land required?

The President has seen a report of the speech referred to. In view of the difficulty of obtaining suitable land he thinks that the acquisition of nearly 1,800 acres shows that the council are endeavouring to administer the Act in a satisfactory manner, and he has no doubt that all possible steps will be taken to satisfy the remaining demand with as little delay as possible.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether the attention of the President has been called to the report of the small holdings committee, which was discussed at the last quarterly meeting of the Berkshire County Council; whether he is aware that the chairman of the committee stated that the committee had been for months trying to obtain 20 acres of land at Aldermaston for an applicant of approved character and capital, and that the Board of Agriculture had advised the use of compulsory powers to obtain the land, but that Mr. Keyser, who owned two-thirds of the village, refused to let any of his land, on the ground that the applicant was not a suitable man, and possessed political opinions of which he did not approve; and what action the President proposes to take to see that the applicant obtains the land to which the county council have held him to be entitled?

Yes, the attention of the President of the Board has been called to the report to which my hon. Friend refers, and he gave instructions last week for inquiry to be made into the matter by an inspector so soon as opportunity offers. The President will await the receipt of the inspector's report before deciding what action, if any, he can with advantage take to help the applicant in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any steps are taken to ventilate the street boxes in London used for electric calls, having regard to the fact that many large towns in England have, in the interests of public health, adopted means for ventilating them?

If the hon. Member is referring to the cabinets in public telephone call offices, I may assure him that all those installed by the Post Office have ventilators.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the published announcement that on and after 1st January, 1910, for the remainder of the winter season, the Cunard Company's mail steamers from New York will not call, as heretofore, at Queenstown to land mails and passengers, but will proceed direct to Fishguard; whether he is aware that the proposed alterations will not alone cause delay in the delivery of the Irish mails, but will also cause discomfort to passengers bound to Ireland, who, under the new conditions, must first land at Fishguard and subsequently undertake a second sea passage across the Channel to Rosslare; and whether he will represent to the postal authorities in the United States the loss and inconvenience which must inevitably result from the contemplated change?

My attention has been called to the matter. As my hon. Friend is aware, the Cunard Company is not under contract with my Department in respect of their Eastward voyages, nor do I understand that the United States Post Office is in a position to control the company in respect of their ports of call. As regards postal facilities, I find that during the period in question, as much as 90 per cent, of the mails are for Great Britain and places beyond, and of these the greater part will be accelerated. As regards the Irish mails, there will be, I fear, some delay; but we propose generally to convey them to Ireland by the route Fishguard and Rosslare, thus reducing the delay to a minimum.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that the loss and inconvenience referred to in the question is not limited to Ireland, but that Scotland is also seriously affected; and do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not intend to make any representations to the United States in connection with this matter?

Ninety per cent, of these mails are for Great Britain and beyond, and the bulk of those are accelerated by the new system. As regards the Irish mails, they are not accelerated, but we are doing our best to meet that difficulty. I do not think there is any advantage in making representations to the United States. We made representations in refer- ence to a somewhat similar matter, and as far as I am aware they have no control over these mail boats.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of representing to the Postal Authorities in the United States the very serious loss and inconvenience that will be caused to Ireland by this change?

I am informed, as I have said, that 90 per cent, of the mails are for Great Britain and beyond, and the bulk of them will be accelerated. I will consider the matter, but I should find it rather difficult to make representations to the American Government when it is clear from the figures before me that the great majority are accelerated. I shall be glad, however, if the hon. Member will give me any facts bearing upon the matter.

Is it not a fact that numerous representations have been made to the right hon. Gentleman asking him to avoid the delay by the steamers calling at Queenstown?

I have received numerous representations.