asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Press Act carried through the Viceregal Legislative Council on 8th February gives power to a local government to repress a newspaper on the ground of its being mischievous; and, if so, what steps have the Government taken to ensure a right of appeal to the High Court on the merits of such cases as may come within the machinery of the Act?

The heads of this measure were submitted to

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can say on what date the Report of the Royal Commission on Vivisection will be made public?

I am informed by the Secretary to the Commission that it is impossible, owing to the change of chairman and to the fresh points which have arisen, to state definitely at what date the Report is likely to be presented.

asked the Prime Minister whether he could see his way to introducing this year a small measure on old age pensions, reducing the qualifying age of women to 65 years?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners are in possession of the Earl of Westmeath's estate, in the Loughrea district, namely, Earl's Park; can he state when the Commissioners expect to be able to deal with it; and, in view of the length of time this particular part of the estate is in abeyance, will he communicate with the Commissioners and point out that it is all important in the interests of the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood that these derelict lands should be handled immediately?

I have referred the question to the Estates Commissioners, who inform me that they are not in possession of this estate. The owner did not institute proceedings for sale until September, 1908, and the estate has not yet come up to be dealt with in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary what is going to be done with the Normandy sires recently imported into Ireland; whether he is aware that Mr. T. W. Russell stated during the recent election that they would not be introduced into the country; whether they were then and are still in the neighbourhood of Dublin; who recommended their introduction; was the advisory committee on horse-breeding consulted in regard to them; and what was their cost?

I understand that the Vice-President stated that the Normandy sires would not be sent for service into the country, and this undertaking has been carried out. The sires are retained on the Department's own farms. The horses were purchased for the purpose of an experiment, and it is not the practice to bring questions of an experimental nature before the Committee for advising the Department with regard to their general horse-breeding schemes.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he intends to defer to the practically unanimous view of breeders of horses in Ireland that the introduction of Normandy sires and Normandy blood will be disastrous to their interests and to those of Ireland?

Four of these horses were imported for the purpose of an experiment, which will be carried out on the Department's own farms. The whole matter was fully explained by the Vice-President in a letter to the hon. Member for the Leix Division, which was widely published. I am sending a copy of that letter to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the revenue from home-made and foreign spirits respectively for the year ending 31st March, 1910?

I have nothing at present to add to the statement I made in this House on 22nd October last.

asked what are the total number of distilleries in England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; how many of them were working during the week ending Saturday last, 19th February; and how many were working during the corresponding week in 1909?

The total numbers of distilleries in England, Scotland, and Ireland are 9, 162, and 30 respectively. The other information: asked for in the question is not in the possession of the Board of Customs and Excise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Development Commissioners have yet been appointed?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why promotion to port clerkships are not in the direct line of assistant clerks employed in the Customs Statistical Office; to what class are assistant clerks in the Statistical Office eligible for promotion, according to their conditions of service; and under what order are they eligibe for promotion to minor staff officers, as stated in the reply of 1st November, 1909?

Port clerkships are recruited by means of a special Civil Service examination, and are, therefore, not in the direct line of promotion of any grade. Assistant clerks are, however, eligible for promotion to these posts and to junior clerkships in the Statistical Office, exceptionally, on the ground of special merit. They are also eligible, under Treasury authority, for advancement to the position of minor staff officer.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will grant a Return of all orders and regulations now in force made by the Treasury under the Irish Land Purchase Acts, giving the dates and references to the "Gazette," or other official publication where the same may be found?

I will see what information I can give the hon. Member if he will kindly communicate with me as to the form of Return.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, with a view to simplicity of accounts and equality of burden, the Treasury can see its way to have all the debts of district councils in Ireland in respect of labourers' cottages and plots consolidated and made payable uniformly at land purchase rates, in accordance with an implied promise given three years ago?

No promise has been given, nor has it ever been implied that loans for labourers' cottages issued prior to the Labourers Act, 1906, should be made payable at the rates, which are land purchase rates fixed by that Act. The premises regards the consolidation of such loans has been carried out by Section 6 of the Public Works Loan Act, 1907, and a large number of local authorities have taken advantage of the occasion, the periods of 1,065 loans having been extended.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the amount of general taxes drawn from Ireland in the financial year 1895–6; the net amount by which the Majority Report of the Financial Relations Commission found that sum to exceed Ireland's fair share as compared with Great Britain; and the amount of general taxes drawn from Ireland in the financial year 1908–9?

The amount of Imperial taxation contributed by Ireland in 1895–6, on the basis of calculation adopted in the Financial Relations Returns was £8,034,384, and in 1908–9, £9,250,500. The Financial Relations Commission had not the particulars for the year 1895–6. It is stated, however, in the Majority Report, that the relative taxable capacity of Ireland was not estimated by any of the signatories at more than one-twentieth of that of Great Britain, and on this view the contribution of Ireland for the year 1895–6, on the basis of taxable capacity, would not have exceeded £5,132,047, or £2,902,337 less than the actual contribution as estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner John M'Clintock, No. 15,039, 29th Company, Southern Division, Royal Garrison Artillery, was discharged in 1901 at Fort Rowner, Goasport, as medically unfit for further service owing to deafness caused by firing of heavy guns, and, notwithstanding good service and the cause of his discharge, is not in receipt of any pension; and can he see his way to make some provision for Gunner M'Clintock by way of pension or gratuity?

This man was discharged, after five years and three months service, on account of perforation of the tympanum, and was awarded a temporary pension of 8d. a day for six months, which was renewed for a further period of twelve months at the rate of 6d. a day. If the hon. Member will be good enough to forward the man's address to the War Office steps will be taken to have him medically examined with a view to the consideration of his claim for further pension by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give to the House as to the assassination of Butros Ghali Pasha, the President of the Council of Ministers in Cairo; and whether he has received any information to show that fanatical feeling is on the increase?

The information which I have received from His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo corresponds with that which has appeared in the Press. I understand that the motive of this outrageous crime was purely political. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative. I would take this opportunity of associating myself with the profound regret which has already been expressed on behalf of His Majesty's Government at the loss which Egypt has suffered by the death of Butros Pasha, who rendered such distinguished and valuable public service to his country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the numbers of coal miners who have applied for work at the respective Labour Bureaux throughout the mining districts of Great Britain; and whether he can say how many of these men have found employment at their trade through the agency of the Labour Bureaux?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the right hon. Member for Wimbledon and the hon. Member for Burnley.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade have appointed any officers or servants in Ireland to administer the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909; if so, where do they work; where are Labour Exchanges situate in Ireland; and what causes delay in putting the Act in operation in Ireland?

Yes, Sir. Labour Exchanges will be opened at Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Londonderry, and Waterford on 1st March. The short delay which has occurred was solely due to the difficulty of obtaining suitable buildings.