With reference to this Bill, it is one which seeks to empower the Society of Apothecaries of London to grant diplomas in sanitary science, public health, State medicine, school hygiene, and tropical medicine, and also for dentistry and dental surgery, and for that purpose to hold examinations. I have considered the matter very carefully, and I have come to the conclusion that this is a Bill which ought not to proceed as a private Bill, but must proceed as a public Bill, as it deals with public interests.

asked by whom, and for what purpose, was it intended to use the Villa Rosebery, near Naples; what outlay hitherto necessary would its acquisition render unnecessary; what was the estimated cost of the alterations necessary to adapt it to its new purposes; and what was the estimated annual cost of its upkeep after those alterations?

It is intended to use it as a (country) residence for His Majesty's Ambassador and the staff of the Embassy at Rome. This will render it unnecessary for the Ambassador to take a villa during those months of the year when residence in Rome is undesirable for climatic reasons. No alterations are necessary to adapt it for its new purposes. The estimated annual cost of upkeep is £500 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he could state whether the Egyptian Government would be bound by the decision of the General Assembly upon the question of the proposed extention of the lease of the Suez Canal?

The General Assembly has only a consultative voice.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman could state why the Suez Canal Company has sought to extend its lease of the Suez Canal till the year 2008, in view of the fact that the present lease does not expire till the year 1968?

The object of the Suez Canal Company is understood to be to secure for its shareholders that their investment shall have a more permanent character than it possesses at present.

asked how many shares His Royal Highness the Khedive of Egypt held in the Suez Canal Company, and what was their value?

I am not aware that the Khedive possesses any shares.

Is there any public place where one can consult the list of shareholders in the Suez Canal Company?

I do not know, but I will inquire.

asked, in view of the intention of His Majesty's Government not to submit the Declaration of London, 1909, to Parliament before ratifying it, was it the intention of His Majesty's Government to ratify it by a pure act of prerogative without the assent of Parliament; and, if so, was he aware that in the case of Baird and Walker the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council decided in 1892 that the fact of the Crown having made a treaty by prerogative alone, without any Act of Parliament to carry it into effect, gave the Crown no right to coerce the subject into obedience to the conditions of such a treaty; and, inasmuch as the Declaration in question abandoned maritime rights hitherto held essential to the defence of the country, did His Majesty's Government propose to advise the Crown to exercise the prerogative by ordering naval officers to abstain from the exercise of those rights, without having received any authority from Parliament to order such abstention?

I stated during the last Parliament that an opportunity would be afforded for this House to discuss the Declaration of London before it is ratified. The question whether any steps are required to render the Declaration binding on British prize courts is still under the consideration of His Majesty's Government, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject at present.

May I take it that the Government do not propose to give the advice in the circumstances to which the question refers in the last four lines?

We could not give that advice before the Declaration is ratified, and I have already promised that before it is ratified the House will have an opportunity of discussing it.

asked if the Foreign Secretary could inform this House what effect the recent events which have occurred in Thibet are expected to have on the relations between Thibet and India; and if he can state what the general policy of His Majesty's Government will be in relation thereto?

rose to reply.

May I ask whether I am not to have an answer from the Foreign Secretary? May I remind him that Thibet is not in India, but in China?

Yes; but the question refers to the relations between Thibet and India.

The relations between India and Thibet are determined by a treaty with the Thibetian Government which has been confirmed by the Chinese Government, and there is no reason to suppose that they will be affected by the change in the personnel of the Thibetan administration. The general policy of His Majesty's Government will be strictly to observe their treaty obligations and to require similar observance by the other parties concerned.

asked when it was proposed to present to Parliment the Bill required so to alter the Common Law embodying the Law of the Nations as to give effect to the proposals of the Hague Conference for the establishment of an international prize court?

The Bill in question will be introduced during the present Session of Parliament, but I cannot yet fix the date. It must be before the end of June.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he can communicate to the House any information regarding the progress of the project known as the Baghdad Railway?

It is announced by the Baghdad Railway Company that work will be begun at once on two more sections: namely, the Taurus section to Aleppo, and the section from Aleppo to El Halif.

May I ask whether the position of the Government remains as it was before, or has there been any change?

No, Sir.

Have the Turkish Government and the British Government any understanding to the effect that the British Government would have a prior claim?

There has not been any alteration in the terms of the concession at present.

asked whether, having regard to Section 7 of The Naturalisation Act, 1870, there was any treaty between this country and Russia which protected a native of Russian-Poland who had been duly naturalised in this country from being treated as a Russian subject, should he return to his native country?

The reply is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether a Russian subject naturalised in this country would, on returning to Russia, be liable to military service?

I imagine, if I understand the case rightly, that any Russian who was originally a Russian subject, and is now naturalised in this country, would, when he returns to Russia, be still treated as a Russian subject, and therefore would be under all the obligations of a Russian subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been drawn to a recent speech in London by Count Metternich, the German Ambassador to this country; and whether, having regard to the views therein expressed, the Government would see its way to renew communications between Great Britain and Germany, directed to attain some agreed limitation of the naval armaments of the two countries?

I have read a report, published in the Press, of a speech made by Count Metternich at the Hotel Cecil on 28th January last. I cordially reciprocate the friendly tone of that speech. It contains no reference to the question of the limitation of armaments. The position of His Majesty's Government in respect to that question was fully explained by the Prime Minister in this House in answer to a question by my hon. Friend on 7th September of last year, and I have nothing to add to the statement then made on that point.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it worth while to dispose of a rather improbable suggestion in "The World" newspaper that the visit of Prince Henry of Prussia has something to do with this question?

asked whether the destruction of big game, especially of elephants, is proceeding practically unchecked in the Lado enclave at the present time; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent such destruction immediately if it was taking place?

I am not aware that destruction of elephants or other big game is taking place unchecked in the Lado Enclave at the present time. I have no recent information, but, as I stated last year, I was then informed that instructions had already been sent to the officials there to repress with the utmost severity any breaches of the Game Regulations. The territory will be taken over as soon as the Government of the Soudan can make the necessary arrangements.

Are there any officials there responsible for checking this destruction since the Congo officials have withdrawn?

My impression was that the Congo officials are still there, and that arrangements were being made between' the Soudan Government to take the country over as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland afforded any protection or remedy within the reach of poor people when paid officials of local councils threaten recipients of outdoor relief that the relief will be withdrawn unless their male relatives vote for a particular candidate at a Parliamentary election, and threaten applicants for labourers' cottages with the loss of the cottages on the same grounds?

No instance has been brought to the notice of the Local Government Board of a person being threatened with the withdrawal of outdoor relief or the loss of a labourers' cottage in the circumstances mentioned. The Local Government Board have frequently informed boards of guardians that an officer of the union should not interfere in elections beyond exercising his statutory right to vote; and if any definite case of the use of threats such as those indicated in the question were brought to the Board's knowledge they would investigate it.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is in a position to state how many horses were purchased in Ireland by foreign Governments for military purposes during the year 1909?

The numbers of horses exported from Ireland—viâ Great Britain—to foreign countries in the year 1909 were as follows:—Through Belgian, Dutch, and German ports, 2,723; through French ports, 1,420; through Danish, Swedish, and Russian ports, 103; through American, 11; and for Switzerland, 160. Total, 4,417. The Department of Agriculture have no official information as to the number of these horses purchased by foreign Governments for military purposes, but it is assumed that the majority of them were bought for those purposes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what age those horses that are exported usually are?

I am afraid I must have notice of that.

asked why, when the Postmaster-General dismissed the Moy postmaster in connection with an assault for which he was adjudged to pay damages, did the Irish Executive retain him as petty sessions clerk; and, if so, why the Irish Government retained this person to discharge duties connected with the administration of justice when the English postal authorities did not consider him fit to deliver letters to the public?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. I understand that the late sub-postmaster at Moy was not dismissed but resigned, and that his resignation had nothing to do with an assault. Nothing connected with his conduct has come to my knowledge which would call for his dismissal from the petty sessions clerkship.

asked whether that portion of the Ventry estate situated at Glenawadra, in the parish of Kingswilliamstown, comprising about a dozen tenants, has been offered by the landlord for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and whether, seeing that this portion of the estate is highly congested and that negotiations are proceeding between the Congested Districts Board and the landlord, steps will be immediately taken to have this portion inspected and bought with the rest of the estate?

The townland mentioned in the question is not included in the portion of the Ventry estate which has been offered to the Congested Districts Board. Inquiry will be made as to whether the owner wishes to sell to the Board the holdings referred to.

asked whether the estate of Captain Burke and others, of Kilmeen, Loughrea, was purchased some time ago by the Estates Commissioners; what quantity of the untenanted land was acquired; and when do the Estates Commissioners intend to prepare a scheme of allotment in connection with this estate?

The Estates Commissioners have not purchased this property. There were preliminary negotiations between the owner and the Commissioners, but formal proceedings for sale were not instituted until October, 1908, and, having regard to its place on the priority list, the property cannot yet be dealt with. It includes some 390 acres of untenanted land, and under the Act of last Session the consent of the Congested Districts Board will have to be obtained before the Commissioners can purchase. The hon. Member's inquiry as to a scheme of allotment is therefore premature.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will explain what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners in the way of acquiring the lands of Dartfield, the property of Mrs. Gowing; and, in view of the necessity which exists for the distribution of these lands, will he indicate the time when these lands might be dealt with?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the lands of Dartfield appear to form portion of the Meath Hospital Estate. The papers in the case are at present in the hands of one of the Commissioners' inspectors for the preparation of a scheme for their distribution.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that a notice threatening the life of the district inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary, at Athenry, was posted on the district inspector's door; and what precautions were being taken to protect this officer?

No notice threatening the life of the district inspector stationed at Athenry was posted on his door or elsewhere so far as the police are aware. No special precautions are taken to protect this officer.

asked how many police are stationed at Craughwell, county Galway, at present, and how many at Athenry; and what were the numbers of police at these two places, respectively, in January, 1906?

Thirty police are at present stationed at Craughwell and thirty-one at Athenry. In January, 1906, there were seven police at Craughwell and fifteen at Athenry.

What is the necessity for such an increase in the number of police?

The condition of these two places is such as to require the presence of an additional number.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the condition of those two places is improving at the present time, or getting worse?

I should say it remains pretty much the same.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners had considered the application of John D. M'Auliffe, an evicted tenant on the estate of D. Smith, at Ballygibbon, Blarney; whether this tenant was evicted on 27th July, 1905, for one year's rent; whether he is in every sense a person to whom the provisions of the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, 1907, apply; whether the present occupant of the farm is willing to surrender in favour of M'Auliffe; and would he, therefore, state the reasons why the Estates Commissioners have decided not to take any action in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have considered this man's application. He was evicted subsequent to the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the provision of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, do not therefore apply in his case, and the Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners received an application for reinstatement from James Crawley, who was evicted from his holding at Shanachrane, Dunmanway, parish of Inchigeelagh, in 1883 by the representatives of William Beamish Lane; whether the rent which this tenant paid formerly for seventy-five acres of land and twenty acres of commonage was £30 a year, although the present annual value was only £14; would he say if the present occupier has it at present for £12 a year; did the tenant in 1880 obtain and pay for a lease for a term of thirty-one years; were all the circumstances of this man's eviction inquired into by an inspector of the Estates Commissioners; had his application been refused; and, if so, would he state the definite grounds for the denial of his claim to reinstatement?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from this man for reinstatement in a holding now in the occupation of his brother, and decided to take no action in the matter. The statements in the question as to the acreage and rent of the holding correspond with those made by applicant, and were before the Commissioners when they came to their decision. It would be contrary to the established practice to state the grounds of that decision, which was made in the exercise of the discretion vested in the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he was in a position to say what was the amount of the financial contribution which the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction was prepared to make towards the improvement of the harbour at Portandoo, Portrush?

The question of marine works in county Antrim is to be discussed at a conference between the Department and the piers committee of the county council on the 15th instant. In the meantime nothing definite can be stated. The present condition of the Department's funds must constitute an element in the discussion.

asked the Chief Secretary if, in view of the fact that the county of Galway was not directly represented on the Congested Districts Board, he would take steps to see that the districts in the county of Galway, especially Connemara, which was the largest, the most congested, and the poorer district in the whole of Ireland, received that attention and consideration from the Board that they deserved; and if he would state when the Board would direct its attention to the necessities of Connemara?

The Congested Districts Board are alive to the condition of the inhabitants of Connemara. Steps have already been taken with the object of effecting an improvement, and further measures are in contemplation.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that a widow, Mary Hickie, of Inches, district of Millstreet, county Cork, applied in November, 1908, for an old age pension, representing herself to be seventy-two years of age, that she was granted a pension of 5s. per week, it being established by the Census Return that her immediately elder brother was seventy-four years of age, that the pension officer stated at the time that he was satisfied she had attained the age of seventy years and over, and endorsed the same on the back of her marriage certificate, that the pension was paid regularly for ten months and then suspended until proof of age was furnished; was he aware that the certificates of two old men over eighty years of age were furnished to the Local Government Board proving Mrs. Hickie was over the prescribed age; and whether, seeing that no parish records existed, would he, in all the circumstances of this case, see that this woman should have her pension continued, and that the arrears should be made good to her?

Mary Hickie, who stated in her application that she Was seventy-one years of age, was granted a pension in November, 1908, her appearance and her marriage in 1863 being apparently taken as sufficient proof of age. The pension officer, relying on her appearance, was satisfied as to her age at the time, but subsequently raised a question on the ground that her name was not found in the Census Return of her parents' family in 1841. As the other evidence of her age did not appear to be sufficient, the Local Government Board decided against the applicant on appeal. The Census Return records the fact that three children had died before the date of the Return, and these, or some of them, may have come between the applicant and the elder brothers referred to. The certificates of the two old men mentioned in the question are, as I am informed, merely statements of opinion, and are worthless as evidence.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India whether much of the ammunition shipped from Europe and run from Muscat to the Mekran coast of the Persian Gulf consisted of cartridges with expending bullets; and, if so, whether steps could be taken to check the export of such cartridges, the use of which was forbidden to our soldiers, upon whom they would be issued in the event of any disturbance on the North-West Frontier?

A very small proportion of the ammunition captured has been found to consist of cartridges with expanding bullets. I fear that it is not practicable to check the export, but every possible precaution is taken to prevent them reaching their destination.

asked if any attempt had been made during recent years by the Government of India, or by private individuals with the assistance of the Government of India, to cultivate a long staple cotton; and, if so, with what success and at what cost to the Government?

In 1905 the Government of India and the British Cotton Growing Association agreed to defray the cost in equal shares of preliminary experiments conducted by a syndicate formed in Calcutta for the cultivation of a long staple cotton. These experiments have not been successful, and have now been brought to a close. The cost to the Government has been £3,660. The Agricultural Department is engaged in experiments for the improvement of the indigenous species of cotton and the introduction of exotic species, and has met with a fair amount of success. The cost of these experiments is included in the general expenditure of the Department.

asked if it was the intention of the Government of India to introduce legislation prohibiting the emigration of Indian labour?

Legislation is contemplated which will empower the Governor-General in Council, where he has reason to believe that sufficient ground exists for prohibiting emigration to any country to which it is now lawful, to declare that emigration to that country shall cease to be lawful from a specified date.

What is the reason for that legislation?

To enlarge the powers which are now exerciseable by the Governor-General in Council.

Why is the Governor-General in Council empowered to stop emigration?

As the hon. Member knows, the Governor-General in Council now can for certain specific reasons forbid immigration into a country, and in order to enlarge those powers we are seeking fresh legislation.

asked whether the medical diploma which is held to be sufficient for military assistant surgeons in India is also in all cases sufficient to entitle the holder to be registered under the Medical Acts and to be recognised as a qualified medical practitioner in this country?

No, Sir.

asked whether the senior assistant professor at the Medical College, Madras, and the senior assistant surgeon at the General Hospital, Madras, were military assistant surgeons; and whether they possessed any additional qualifications for those important positions?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to a question by the hon. Member for Galway North on 21st October last. The Government of Madras have doubtless satisfied themselves that the holders of the posts possess the qualifications necessary to enable them to fill them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention had been called to a resolution unanimously adopted at a meeting of members of the medical profession, held under the auspices of the Bombay Medical Union, submitting that the present system of reserving all important posts in the medical service of India for military officers of the Indian Medical Service had led to the entire exclusion from these posts of Indian civil doctors, however high their qualifications; whether he was aware that the present system caused much discontent and was the occasion of unnecessary expense; and whether he could hold out any hope of early reform?

The Secretary of State has not seen the resolution referred to. From answers given to previous questions and from the papers presented to Parliament last year, the hon. Member is aware that action has been taken with a view to increasing the number of Government medical appointments held by unofficial doctors in India. The process must inevitably be a slow one; and the Secretary of State is not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Does not the system of using these military doctors in civil employ during times of peace reduce the charge on the taxpayers, as compared with the system of having two separate services?

These matters were fully dealt with in the Papers laid before Parliament last year.

asked whether any, and, if so, what, decision had been arrived at by the Governor-General of India in Council as to the supply of indentured labourers to the Colony of Natal?

It has been decided to postpone consideration of this question until the Union of South Africa has come into being.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could supply information showing the names of those Scottish burghs which had not complied with the provisions of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1903, especially with regard to Sections 5 to 10, inclusive; and whether he proposed to take any steps to enforce compliance with those provisions in such burghs as were found in default?

I have no informations as to the burghs which have taken action under the sections specified to form a register of streets. If my hon. Friend desires to move for a Return, the Government will offer no objection.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he was aware that service with the colours did not count towards qualification for pension in the Civil Service, and that a Departmental Committee had reported in favour of colour service counting as half-time for pension qualifications; and, if so, whether the Government intended to give effect to such recommendation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the last part I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the present Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Wandsworth on 3rd March, 1908.

asked whether the report of the superintendent of the Straits Settlements Lunatic Asylum showed that the substitution of cheap brandy for opium was leading to a rapid development of alcoholic insanity amongst the Chinese?

The report to which my hon. Friend refers states that alcoholic insanity among the Chinese is increasing, but the statement is scarcely borne out by the figures, which show that in 1908, the year to which the report relates, fourteen persons were admitted to the asylum suffering from alcoholic insanity, as against sixteen in 1907. The superintendent refers to several cases in which insanity was the result of overindulgence in cheap brandy, but there is nothing to suggest that this liquor was used as a substitute for opium.

Was the brandy used priced at a shilling or less per bottle?

I have no knowledge on the point.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the membership of the House now included seven ministers of religion, he would consider the desirableness of inviting one or other of those honourable and reverend gentlemen to officiate at prayers, and thus save the salary of the present chaplain?

I was not aware of the fact which my hon. Friend brings to my notice, and I am disposed to doubt whether his suggestion would turn out in practice to be a well-considered form of economy.

asked the Prime Minister whether it was still his intention to pass the Budget through this House before the House adjourned for the Spring Recess?

When the right hon. Gentleman replies, will he state what he means by the "Spring Recess"? Does he mean a recess extending from 15th April to Whitsuntide; if not, what other period does he mean?

I am afraid it must be what in ecclesiastical language is called a "movable feast." I should not like at the moment to commit myself to a precise date. April 15th is certainly not necessarily the day on which the recess will begin.

In reply to the question on the Paper, as I stated on Monday, in answer to the Leader of the Opposition, there has been no change in the intention of the Government, announced on the first night of the Session, to ask the House to assent to the Budget before, it adjourns for the Spring Recess. Our intention is—subject of course to unforeseen contingencies—to ask the House to dispose of the Budget as soon as the Resolutions relating to the House of Lords have been passed through the House of Commons.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to embody the Budget proposals for the two years in one Finance Bill?

I cannot give an answer about that at the moment.

Is it the intention of the Government to bring in a Finance Bill without doubt?

I think my answer is perfectly explicit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman adumbrate the first business after the Whitsuntide recess?

I think it would be premature to do so at this moment.

If unforeseen circumstances should arise, will the right hon. Gentleman promptly inform the House of any change in his intentions?

asked the Prime Minister whether it was still his intention that the Resolutions dealing with the veto of the House of Lords should be embodied in a Bill and carried through the House of Commons in the course of the present-Session?

Our intention, as has been already stated, is to get our proposals on to the Statute Book in the shape of an Act of Parliament at the earliest possible moment. As was said last Monday: "Unless we find ourselves in a position to ensure that our proposals not merely will pass the House of Commons, but can be passed into law, we shall not continue in office."

Are we to understand that if the Resolutions sent up from this House fail to pass in another place, the circumstances contemplated by the Prime Minister will have arisen?

We had better wait and see.

Are we to understand that the pledge given on 21st February to bring in a Bill embodying the Veto Resolutions, and to pass it through the House of Commons in the course of the present Session, still holds good?

Certainly it is intended to embody the proposals in a Bill. But until we know what decision has been come to upon our Resolutions, both in one House and in the other, it would be premature and altogether impossible to determine finally what the course of procedure in regard to them shall be.

Is the House to understand that the unqualified pledge given by the Prime Minister on 21st February to bring in a Bill and to pass it through all its stages in this House during the present Session no longer holds good?

I must refer the hon. Gentleman to what I said on Monday.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman assure the House on Monday that the only change in procedure from that originally announced by him was that the Resolutions would be submitted to the House of Lords?

That is the only change in procedure. At the same time, both the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I said that in a certain event we did not intend to ask this House to repeat the process described in days gone by as "ploughing the sands."

Is bringing in a Bill embodying these Resolutions and passing it through all its stages in this House not a matter of procedure?

asked whether, before Parliament was asked to vote more money for the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland, that body would be required to present a report and abstract of accounts similar to those presented by other accounting bodies, and similarly accessible to Members of this House, showing the total value of money and other property that came under the control of the Commissioners in the last financial year, the total value of property dealt with by them within that year, and the actual market value of all the property and estimated value of all the securities held by them or under their control at the end of that year?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury has asked me to answer this question. The money voted for the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests is for salaries, law costs, and incidental expenses, and is accounted for like any other Vote. The accounts of the funds lodged with the Commissioners for charitable purposes are duly audited, and a report of their proceedings is presented to Parliament each year as required by law. I have no power to alter the statutory obligations of the Commissioners in these matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether he will grant the Return in the name of the hon. Member for Central Sheffield relating to British Colonial Legislature.

I am anxious to supply the information which the hon. Member desires, but I do not think the terms of the Motion which he has placed upon the Paper are sufficiently comprehensive. I will communicate with the hon. Member privately, and I hope that it will be possible to agree upon the form of word to be adopted.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the further information respecting the freedom of the Argentine Republic from foot-and-mouth disease has been obtained; and, if so, can he state when it is proposed to remove the existing restrictions upon the importation into the Deptford Cattle Market and other Foreign-animal wharves of live cattle for slaughter?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can now see his way to remove the restriction on the importation of live cattle from Argentina?

Further information on this subject has been received from the Argentine Government, which is now engaging our consideration. I will communicate with my hon. Friend and with the hon. Member for Greenwich so soon as a definite decision is arrived at.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any representations have been made to the Board of Agriculture by the Argentine Government in favour of the removal of the embargo on the importation of live cattle from Argentina into this country; and whether, before the Board consents to the removal of the embargo, care will be taken to ascertain that foot-and-mouth disease has been stamped out in Argentina, and that there will not be a repetition of the fiasco of the year 1903, when the embargo was prematurely removed, the herds of this country subjected to risk, and the Board of Agriculture obliged to reimpose the embargo after an interval of only two months?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board will appoint a Committee to inquire into the question of swine fever, and to see if the diagnosis of the disease could be better defined?

Swine fever is the subject of continuous investigation by our veterinary officers at their laboratory, and the Board do not think that any useful purpose would be served at present by the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the diagnosis of the disease.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question as a whole, and give us some more information?

We have considered the question as a whole. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question for Thursday I will give him an answer that I think will satisfy him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance at sea of two Asiatic firemen named Yu Ah Yu and Woo Ching Za, on 20th August, 1909, and 27th August, 1909, respectively, whilst serving on the steamer "Prometheus," of Liverpool; whether any inquiry has been held into these cases; whether the seamen were medically examined before joining; how long they had served on the vessel; whether they had had any previous service whether they were 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 twenty-four hours; whether the engineers' log books have been produced to the Board of Trade surveyors; and whether any previous cases of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?

Inquiries have been made into the disappearance at sea of the two Asiatic firemen, named Yu Ah Yu and Woo Ching Za, by the Acting British Consul at Jeddah, by the superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office at Liverpool and by a Board of Trade surveyor. The men had been medically examined before joining the "Prometheus," and they had served on the vessel nearly two months. Both men had had previous sea service, and were on duty at the time of their disappearance. When Yu Ah Yu disappeared on 20th August the temperature of the engine-room was 94 degrees and of the stokehold 98 degrees. On 27th August, when Woo Ching Za disappeared, the temperature of the engine-room was 96 degrees, and the stokehold 102 degrees. An average of 42½ tons of coal were required to be worked each twenty-four hours, the number of firemen and trimmers being eighteen. The engineers' log books have been produced to the Board of Trade Surveyor. No previous case of suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearances have been reported on this vessel during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea, on 7th August, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Rasam Ghaleb, whilst serving on the steamer "Tangistan," of Swansea; whether he can state the cause of death; and, if so, why the cause was not stated in the return of deaths published by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen for the month of September, 1909?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to the death of the Asiatic fireman in question. He is supposed to have committed suicide, and in such cases it is not usual to publish the cause of death in the monthly return of deaths issued by the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen.

May I ask whether there are not exceptions made in the Returns as to the cause of death?

In a few cases. In a case like that mentioned the cause is not given out of consideration for the feelings of the relatives.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance at sea, on 4th October, 1909, of an Asiatic seaman named Raiman Hossein, whilst serving on the steamer "Macedonia," of Belfast; whether any inquiry has been held into the matter; whether he was on duty at the time; whether he was medically examined before joining; how long he had served on the vessel; whether he had had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of death from suicide, supposed suicide, or disappearance have occurred on this vessel?

Inquiry into the disappearance at sea of the Asiatic seaman in question was made by the shipping master at Fremantle and by the deputy-superintendent of the mercantile marine office at Tilbury. The seaman was not on duty when he disappeared; he was medically examined before joining the "Macedonia," and had served on the vessel about eight months. He had had previous sea service. One other case of supposed suicide has occurred on this vessel during the last three years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the disappearance at sea on 20th September, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Dong Chup, whilst serving on the steamer "Chatham," of London; whether any inquiry has been held into the matter; whether he was on duty at the time; whether he was medically examined before joining; how long he had served on the vessel; whether he had had any previous sea service; 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?

Inquiry into the disappearance of the Asiatic fireman in question has been made by the shipping master at Newcastle, New South Wales, and further inquiry will be made when the vessel arrives in the United Kingdom. The man was on duty at the time of his disappearance, but it is not known at present whether he had been medically examined before joining the "Chatham," or whether he had had any previous sea service. He had served on the vessel about two months. The minimum temperature of the engine room for the voyage was 90 degrees, and the maximum temperature 120 degrees. The minimum temperature of the stokehold was 92 degrees, and the maximum temperature 118 degrees. I have no definite information at present as to the coal consumption of this vessel. One other case of supposed suicide has occurred on this vessel during the last three years.

May I ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department never takes into consideration the question of temperature in these rooms and their connection with the suicides that frequently take place?

The matter is very carefully considered from every point of view. Whenever these questions of temperature are brought to the attention of the Board of Trade, and in their view the temperature is excessive, representations are at once made to the shipowners in question. I am glad to say that in nearly every case—certainly the majority of cases—our representations are very favourably received with a view to mitigation.

Is it not the case that higher summer temperatures than those mentioned are experienced on deck in certain tropical waters?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is his intention to set up the advisory trade committees under the regulations of the Labour Exchanges Act; and, when set up, is it his intention to ask for representatives of employers and workmen associations to constitute such committees?

Steps are being taken for the early formation of advisory trade committees. The mode of constitution of these committees is prescribed in Section 7 of the General Regulations. It is my intention to consult the principal associations of employers and workpeople in each district before the actual appointments of these committees are made.

Are we to understand that such committees will be exclusively composed of representatives of the employers and of the workpeople?

The object, so far as possible, is to get real representatives on the one hand and on the other, so that the advisory committees may be really representative of the employers and workmen.

Will there be any remuneration for the members of these committees?

I do not think so.

I desire to ask whether people who are neither employers nor workpeople, but who are people of experience and goodwill, will be eligible to serve on these committees?

They will be eligible to serve if they seem to be acceptable to the employers and to the workmen. Our desire is to obtain primarily those who will represent the employers on the one hand and the workmen on the other.

Will arrangements be made not only for the representation of employers and trade unionists, but also for free labour to be represented?

What I said just now was that we desire to obtain those who are bonâ fide representatives of the employers on the one hand, and of the workmen on the other. We desire, as my right hon. Friend and predecessor has pointed out more than once, to have on these committees equality of representation of both sides.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a definition of what is meant by "free labour"?

Better ask the hon. Member who put the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the officer in charge of a Labour Exchange can, under the regulations, advance money to an applicant for work towards meeting the expenses of travelling to a place and taking work in a trade where there is a strike?

No, Sir. Under the regulations made by the Board of Trade in pursuance of Section (2) of the Labour Exchanges Act, no advance of travelling expenses can be made in the case of an applicant taking up employment in a place where a trade dispute which affects his trade exists, or where the wages offered are lower than those current in the trade in the district where the employment is found.

Are the regulations available for the Members of this House; and may I ask whether, in the case of money advanced to a workman to reach his place of employment he will be required to repay the money?

Such money advanced under the Regulations will be repaid by the workman concerned. As regards the regulations, I intend to lay them on the Table at once. I will send a copy to my hon. Friend.

Do the regulations insist upon an employer in dispute with his workpeople, and who made application to the exchange for assistance, notifying the fact that a dispute is pending?

The question of strikes has been very carefully considered with a view to the avoidance of the difficulty suggested, and the placing of exchanges on neutral and impartial ground.

asked whether Clause 2 of Regulation 4 of the Labour Exchanges Act will be amended to provide that copies or summaries of agreements arranged between associations of employers and workmen for the regulation of wages, or other conditions of labour in any trade, shall be posted in a prominent place in the Labour Exchanges?

The Regulations referred to have only recently come into effect, and I do not think it would be desirable to alter them until some experience of their actual working has been gained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the names, positions held, and qualifications and previous experience of the chief appointments made directly by him under the Labour Exchanges Act of last Session?

On 1st February last a list of the names of the principal officers appointed under the Labour Exchanges Act was published, together with the positions to which they had been appointed. I am sending a copy of this list to the hon. Member. It is not usual in such cases to publish an official statement as to the qualifications and previous experience of the officers appointed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of the men so appointed had any previous experience in work of this kind or of a corresponding nature?

Not of this class; this is new work altogether; but certainly they are men who have had experience of work of a similar nature, which qualifies them for the duties they have undertaken at the Labour Exchanges.

How many of these men are ex-military officers, and how many of them are returned ex-South African Civil servants?

asked if arrangements can be made, in the case of towns where no Labour Exchanges exist, for obtaining forms at local post offices or elsewhere which any unemployed applicant can send by post to the nearest Exchange in a franked envelope?

The possibility of utilising the services of the post offices for the extension of the Labour Exchange system is at present under consideration by the General Post Office and the Board of Trade.

asked if the distress committees in towns where there are no Labour Exchanges are in communication with the neighbouring Exchanges, and work with them in supplying lists and details of men wanted and available, and are also in communication with the head office in London?

No arrangement of the nature suggested in the question has been entered into, and I doubt if it is desirable as a general rule to associate the work of Labour Exchanges too closely with the work of distress committees. I hope, however, that Labour Exchanges will be established before next winter in nearly all industrial districts where a distress committee exists at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was prepared to receive further applications with a view either to immediate or to future appointments under the Labour Exchanges Act; and how far the applications already sent in are likely to result in appointments?

I am glad that my hon. Friend has asked me this question, as there appears to be a good deal of misapprehension in regard to the matter and it is well that the facts of the position should be known. It appears that over 20,000 applications have been received for appointments made under the Labour Exchanges Act. I find also that practically all the immediate appointments have been made, and I desire to bring this fact specially to the notice of all those applicants who have not already been notified of appointment. Further, it is clear that, in the circumstances, no further applications should be made, and I am anxious cot to raise hopes which cannot be fulfilled.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether political influence carries weight in making appointments?

No, certainly. Any applications made are considered on their merits and the qualifications of the applicants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a resolution from the Sligo County Council calling for the establishment of a Labour Exchange Bureau in Sligo; and, if so, whether, seeing that Sligo is the most important town in the province of Connaught, and that there is as yet no Labour Exchange opened in that province, he will consider the advisability of establishing one in Sligo?

I have not so far received any resolution from the Sligo County Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the grievances experienced by the inhabitants of the Woodside ward of the city of Aberdeen in their postal services, more especially with reference to a decision that letters for that part of the city should be addressed as being in Aberdeenshire instead of Aberdeen; and whether he will include in that inquiry a re-examination of the question of more greatly utilising the tramway services of the city for postal requirements?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that the controller at the Holloway factory, when he gave a workman named Cosker his notice of discharge, told him that if Tariff Reform had been adopted his discharge might have been avoided; and whether he would take steps to prevent officials using their positions to propagate their political principles?

also asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a man named Cosker, employed at the Holloway factory, who was discharged recently, ostensibly on account of slackness, had made a complaint a few days prior to receiving notice with regard to a shortage in his wages; and whether he will make close inquiry into the matter with a view to ascertaining whether the fact of the man having made a complaint was really the cause of his discharge?

I am assured that the Controller of Factories made no such statement as is attributed to him, and I am satisfied, after close inquiry, that Cosker's discharge was not in any way connected with his complaint.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that advertisements are appearing in various newspapers for postal telegraph clerks; and if he can state how it is that the various Government Departments are not using the Labour Exchanges?

I think the hon. Member is referring to advertisement issued by commission sub-postmasters who desire to obtain assistants. Such assistants do not enter the Post Office service but are the servants of the sub-postmaster, who is allowed to engage them where he pleases. In many cases knowledge of telegraphy and other expert knowledge unlikely to be found at a Labour Exchange are required. For its own service the Post Office would certainly avail itself of the Labour Exchanges in proper cases if it had any difficulty in obtaining labour.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the circumstances under which Mr. Bryan Flynn was appointed as rural postman in the Kilfinane district; who recommended him for the position; was this man dismissed about fifteen years ago from the same position in the same district; can he state the causes of his then dismissal; was a man named Kelly entitled in the ordinary course of promotion to the position; did he actually receive a letter of appointment; and will he have the whole facts of this case investigated in the interests of the public service, and a proper appointment made?

I am having inquiry made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the respective numbers of letters and amounts of postal matter received and delivered through Portrush and Ballymoney post offices in the twelve months ending 31st December, 1909; and the number of employés in each place?

The information asked for is not at present available, but I am having inquiries made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that the workmen employed in the engineering department of the Postal Telegraph Factory, Mount Pleasant, are being threatened with short time and possibly some discharges; and whether he will take steps to ensure that work is supplied to the factory rather than to outside contractors?

I am giving immediate attention to this question, and am making every effort to secure a sufficiency of work for the factory.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructions have been recently given that all the men who have hitherto been annually engaged for temporary work on the Greenwich Hospital estate must in future register themselves at the local labour bureau as a condition of re-engagement?

A notice was posted in the Works Department Yard at Greenwich stating that no application for employment will be entertained unless made through the Labour Exchange.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me whether the men usually engaged in this work will be prejudiced by having to take their turn with the other unemployed, and whether they will have to register each time they are stood off for two or three days?

I quite agree with the hon. Member the wording of the form was probably not put in the best way possible. No prejudice will occur to men usually employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the Port of London Act limits the dues on goods discharging or loading in the open river to one three-thousandth of their aggregate value, any schedule approved by the Board of Trade will be required to conform to such limitation?

As I stated to my hon. Friend yesterday, the Port Authority have no power to go beyond the Statutory limitations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any complaints were made by or on behalf of the deceased Asiatic coal-trimmer, Ali Mahomed Rajan; the Asiatic fireman, Annasalla Cadis Mahd; and the Asiatic fireman, Shibatoola Romeezoola, of the steamers "Mahronda," of Liverpool; "Arracan," of Glasgow; and "City of London," of Glasgow, respectively; and whether he has any official information showing that the crews of these steamers have complained, or have cause of complaint, of their treatment by the masters and owners concerned?

also asked whether any complaints or claims for compensation have been made by or on behalf of the deceased Asiatic seamen, Vue Yu Ahu and Woo Chin Za, of the "Prometheus," Liverpool; of the deceased Asiatic, Rasan Ghalib, of the "Tangistan," of Swansea; of the deceased Asiatic seaman, Riman Hussein, of the "Macedonia," of Belfast; and of the deceased Asiatic fireman, Dong Chup, of the "Chatham," of London; and whether he has any official information showing that the crews of these steamers have complained, or have cause of complaint, against the masters and owners concerned?

No complaints have reached me with regard to any of the cases to which he calls attention. But I desire to add that any bonâ fide representations made from any quarter in regard to the conditions under which firemen and others on board ship work will always receive my consideration.

May I ask whether particulars upon which this question are framed are not available in the Official Returns which have been published, and whether the statistics do not show that violent deaths and suicides are fewer proportionately among Asiastic than European sailors?

I do not think that is the point. The allegation is that, under certain conditions of temperature in certain hulls under which these firemen and others work, there is a tendency to commit suicide. What I pointed out was that I do not think it is necessary for me or the Board of Trade to wait to get representations from the crews themselves. So long as we get bonâ fide representations upon the matter, we say it is our duty to consider the representations and to examine them carefully, in order as far as possible to reduce such evil results as those complained of.

Do not the official statistics show that the percentage of deaths on this account is lower among Asiatics, on the average, than among Europeans?

Even though the percentage of deaths is low, everyone will desire to see it lower.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state when he anticipates the completion of the rigid dirigible balloon now under construction at Barrow?

In June or July next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the designed speed of the destroyer "Swift," her maximum speed on trial, and the period over which this maximum speed was maintained?

The designed speed is 36 knots for six hours. The greatest speed of which records were taken was 35.239 knots. This speed was the mean of six runs on the measured mile, taken during the fourth hour of the trial.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the exact dates on which the four German armoured vessels of the 1909 programme were laid down?

The German official dates for ordering the "Ersatz Frithjof" and the cruiser "H" are 8th April, 1909. We have no other German official information on the subject.

Are these the official dates?

In this case I understand the date is that of the official order.