asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received any recent information as to the intentions of the Turkish Government with regard to the Sporades Islands; and whether he could now renew the former successful intercessions of His Majesty's Government with the Sublime Porte, so as to secure for the delegates from the islands now at Constantinople a speedy and favourable response to their petition that the ancient privileges of the islanders should not be interfered with?

I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Member on 9th December last, and, for the reasons then given, I do not consider that it would be in the interests of the islanders for His Majesty's Government to intervene in the internal affairs of the Turkish Empire.

Are we to understand that the Government are not going to follow precedents, but refuse altogether to intervene?

I do not think it is a question of following precedents. The position and circumstances are entirely altered, as was explained in the answer of 9th December.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he could state how much of the £70,000 voted as a Supplementary Estimate for the accommodation of the Labour Exchanges had so far been expended; and whether it was proposed to suspend expenditure upon permanent buildings pending an opportunity for ascertaining the utility of such exchanges?

My Department is practically committed to the expenditure of the full sum of £70,000 provided by the Supplementary Estimate for the accommodation of Labour Exchanges during the current financial year, though some small surplus may have to be surrendered in respect of accounts which may be outstanding on 31st March next. The Board of Trade is empowered by the Labour Exchanges Act to establish and maintain Labour Exchanges in such places as they think fit, and I shall be prepared to comply with the lawful requirements of that Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of applications for employment made to the newly-established Labour Exchanges for any period of time since they were opened, and the number of these cases in which the exchanges have been instrumental in securing employment?

As I have already pointed out in reply to a similar question asked me by the hon. Member for Burnley on 23rd February, it is the intention of the Board of Trade to compile and issue periodical statistics of the operation of the Labour Exchanges, but only five weeks have elapsed since the opening of the first exchange, and hitherto the attention of those in charge has been largely occupied with the preliminary work of organisation and the registration of applicants. Present statistics would, therefore, be of little value. I may, however, say that as far as can be judged from the information received the exchanges have made a promising start.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not himself got the information we have frequently asked for?

A certain amount, but not in any sense in detail such as, I think, would be of value to the House. There is no desire whatever to withhold information from the House, but statistics founded upon the first two or three weeks of an entirely new system in which the officers concerned are engaged in organisation and registration would give no proper idea of the value or extent of the use to which the Labour Exchanges are put.

Is it not possible, at all events, to give the number of applications made?

Are we to understand from the answer it will not be possible to obtain the figures for the first month or the number of applications or the number of jobs found?

I did not say so. I said I would like to give an opportunity to these exchanges to get into working order before statistics are produced, which might put—I do not say they would—an entirely erroneous view as to the likelihood of the success of these exchanges. That is the sole object I have in view. I am sure the Noble Lord desires, with me, that these exchanges may be a success.

We shall have it eventually?

Yes.

Are the Labour Exchanges new to London?

The National Labour Exchanges are. The others were only local.

Are these Labour Exchanges, on the whole, fulfilling the expectations of the Government?

The phrase I used was that as far as we could judge they are making a promising start. I make some appeal to the House that we should give them a fair opportunity of carrying out their work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trades council of Sligo and the workers in a number of other towns in the West of Ireland, as well as the county council of Sligo have called upon the Government to establish a Labour Exchange in Sligo for the province of Connaught; and whether, in order to meet the needs and the convenience of the artisans and labourers in this province, he will take steps to establish, as soon as possible, an exchange in the town of Sligo?

I have received from the hon. Member a copy of a resolution passed by the Sligo Trades Council requesting the Government to establish a Labour Exchange in Sligo for the province of Connaught, and I have also received from the hon. Member for South Sligo a copy of a resolution to the same effect passed by the Sligo County Council. Both these resolutions have been noted. The further development of the Labour Exchange system in Ireland is receiving careful consideration, but it is not possible at present to provide exchanges in every important area.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any representations have been made to him with regard to the difficulty of enabling unemployed to obtain work at a distance through the Labour Exchanges; and whether increased facilities for helping the men to secure work outside London are contemplated?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board has asked me to deal with this question. No representation of the kind described by the hon. Member has been received. Each Labour Exchange is in constant communication with Exchanges in other districts with a view of enabling men who cannot get work in their own districts to fill vacancies which cannot be filled by local workmen. The General Regulations made under the Labour Exchanges Act provide for the advance of travelling expenses under certain conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action to ensure that the advisory committees for juvenile employment to be formed in connection with the Labour Exchanges shall not be exclusively composed of employers and workmen, but shall include persons of experience or knowledge of education, or of social conditions, or of the problems of adolescence?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to Rule 2, Sub-section 1, of the Special Rules with regard to the registration of juvenile applicants in England and Wales, of which I have sent him a copy. He will see that it is expressly provided that the special advisory committees for juvenile employment in connection with Labour Exchanges shall include persons possessing experience or knowledge of education or of other conditions affecting young persons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it would be within the duty of the advisory committees for juvenile employment to be established in connection with Labour Exchanges to make inquiries and issue reports with reference to local trades and industries, particularly with the view of guiding boys leaving school to occupations which give them a reasonable hope of a career as men?

Rule 5 provides that the advisory committees for juvenile employment which it is proposed to establish in connection with Labour Exchanges "may take steps, either by themselves or in co-operation with any other bodies or persons, to give information, advice, and assistance to boys and girls and their parents with respect to the choice of employment and other matters bearing thereon." I am not at the moment prepared to define more closely the duties of these proposed committees, but the point raised by my hon. Friend shall be borne in mind.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he could say when the Queen Victoria Memorial, facing Buckingham Palace, would be completed; whether any time for the completion was stated in the original contract or commission; and, if so, would he state the time; and was he aware that the present condition of the Memorial was an eyesore to everyone using the Mall?

I anticipate that the work will be finished in the course of the next twelve months. No actual date for completion was fixed in the original contract; the progress of sculpture is always doubtful and it is not usual to name a date. Mr. Brock, the sculptor, asked for ten years, and the Memorial will probably be completed within seven years from the date of contract. This is probably an unexampled rate of progress for a work of this magnitude. In reply to the last paragraph, I have never yet seen any scaffolding that was not displeasing, and this one is no exception to the rule.

What was the date of the contract?

I do not carry it in my head. I suppose it was six years ago; and it is likely to be completed in twelve months.

Is it proposed to defer the opening of the Mall into Charing Cross until the completion of the Memorial?

Oh, no. I hope to open it as soon as possible, but I am rather dependent on some work of the county council outside the confines of the Royal park.

Will the thoroughfare be opened this year?

Oh, certainly.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he would consider the expediency of removing the painted wood boarding which had for so many years disfigured the stone screen facing the entrance to the Admiralty in Whitehall; and whether he could hold out any hopes of the completion of the towers of the Home Office in Whitehall in accordance with the design of the architect?

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative; but the cost will be considerable, and I am not prepared at this moment to incur it. I much regret that financial exigencies will not permit me to undertake the completion of the towers at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he had any official information showing that teachers in public elementary schools were appointed as sub-agents of political parties during the recent General Election; and, if so, whether such action on the part of Civil servants had the sanction of the Board of Education?

I have no official information on the subject. My attention has been drawn to certain cases in which it is alleged that teachers in public elementary schools were so employed, and I shall be glad of any further information as to the extent to which the practice may have prevailed. Teachers in public elementary schools, however, are not technically Civil servants, and I am not sure how far the Board have any authority to interfere with their liberty of action outside the school hours. I think that hon. Members on both sides of the House will agree with me that, in view of their relations to the parents of their pupils, it is most undesirable that teachers should act as political agents or sub-agents in the immediate neighbourhood of their schools.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention had been called to the use made of certain public elementary schools for canvassing purposes during the recent General Election; and whether the Board of Education could take steps to secure that no school supported out of the rates and taxes should be used during school hours for party purposes?

My attention has been called to certain cases in which teachers in public elementary schools are alleged to have attempted to influence the minds of the children under their charge in favour of a particular political party or candidate. I think it would be extremely difficult to frame rules which would effectually remove all possibility of such practices, and I am satisfied by experience that the Local Education Authorities may be trusted to suppress such practices when their attention is directed to them. I should prefer, however, to believe that the good sense and right feeling of the teachers would lead them, as a rule, to avoid any such abuse of their position.

May I ask if the question is one for the teachers when people came in from the outside; and there is real power to stop this invasion of the schools during school hours?

I should like to have a specific case put to me before I commit myself to a definite answer on the subject. But I think the invasion of the schools by outsiders for political purposes is to be deprecated by the local governing authorities, and by all others concerned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, whether he could give the terms or consideration on which the concession of 64,000 acres of native lands were granted to Captain E. S. Grogan, by the Acting Commissioner of the East African Protectorate in 1904; whether the terms of the grant have been fully complied with; and if not, will he explain why this has not been done

The agreement provided for the payment by the tenant of a yearly rental of 2,000 rupees and of a royalty for every tree felled. The rent was to be deducted from any sum payable as royalty, provided that in no case should a less sum than 2,000 rupees be paid by the tenant in each year. The tenant was to fell and utilise, sell or export at least 1,000 trees in every year. The terms of the grant have not been fully complied with. The tenant maintains that this is due to circumstances beyond his control, and that the Government are not free from responsibility for his failure to comply with the terms of the agreement. The Government are unable to admit this contention, and have instituted proceedings for the cancellation of the agreement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether he will inform the House how much of the Transvaal loan of £5,000,000 guaranteed by the Imperial Government has been raised and how much of the money has been expended; and to what specific purposes the money has been applied and particularly how much, if any, has been allocated to agricultural development, irrigation purposes, land bank operations, and pensions, respectively?

Four million pounds have been raised, and the following are the amounts according to the finance accounts of the Transvaal issued from the Exchequer up to 30th June, 1909:

What has been the expenditure with regard to pensions?

I shall be glad if the hon. Gentleman will put that question to my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, whom I hope will be in his place to-morrow.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether the last of the Chinamen imported into South Africa have now been sent back to their own country; whether he can give figures showing separately the numbers of white men and of natives employed in the mines in the year preceding the importation of the Chinese coolies and in each succeeding year, and the numbers of Chinamen leaving South Africa and remaining there in the period during which their repatriation has been going on; and whether he can give figures showing the output from the mines where the Chinese coolies were at work, beginning from two years before the Boer War down to the present time?

The last of the Chinese labourers are, I understand, sailing to-day. I will circulate the figures with the Votes, as they would take a long time to read. [See Written Answers this day's date.]

May I ask the hon. Gentleman why a reply to a similar question of mine was neither given in the House, nor circulated with the Votes?

I gave directions that it should be circulated with the Votes and Proceedings, and I regret very much that it was not done. I will make inquiries. Evidently a mistake has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had now inquired into the circumstances disclosed in the action of Fowler v. Grant, tried at the Manchester Assizes a fortnight ago, in which it appeared that a person now admitted to have been perfectly sane was committed to a lunatic asylum, and there treated as a lunatic for upwards of a year, and especially to the observations of Mr. Justice Walton that a man or woman, not a pauper, might be taken to the workhouse, shut up in an imbecile ward, and then declared to be a lunatic and placed in a lunatic asylum, without any public inquiry, any hearing before a magistrate, or any notice of what was going on; and whether he will consider the advisability of making inquiry, by means of a Select Committee or otherwise, into the working of the Lunacy Act, 1890?

The Secretary of State has seen reports of the case, and has made inquiry. He is advised by the Lunacy Commissioners that the procedure in connection with the plaintiff's removal to an asylum was regular throughout. The action was settled by an agreement between the private parties, on which he can express no opinion; but he may say that he agrees with the Commissioners in Lunacy that when there is opportunity for legislation Section 13 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, should be amended, so that a patient admitted under that Section should have the same right to see a justice after admission as is conferred upon a private patient under Section 8.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Factory Department has formed any estimate of the proportion of its inspectors' time devoted to office work during the year; and whether that proportion has increased during the decennial period ending 1909?

The proportion of the time of the district staff spent in office work in 1909 was 29 per cent. Information is not available for the years before 1904, but the proportions in that and the following years were as follows:—1904 and 1905, 26 per cent.; 1906, 27 per cent.; 1907 and 1908, 29 per cent.

asked the Home Secretary what is the number of factories and workshops not visited in 1909; and the number not visited since 1907?

During 1909, 23,110 factories and 44,388 workshops (including men's workshops) were unvisited by factory inspectors, and 5,249 factories and 14,736 workshops were unvisited by the district staff either in 1909 or 1908. I may add that the effect of the additions recently made to the staff was not fully felt in 1909, and that considerable demands were made on the time of the staff in connection with inquiries by Departmental Committees. Four thousand new factories and workshops also were added to the list during the year, and an unusually large number of additional works were brought under regulations for dangerous trades, for which more frequent visits are required.

Do the figures include convents, laundries, and other monastic institutions?

I think they include all the factories and workshops registered as factories and workshops?

asked the Home Secretary whether he can state what efforts, if any, are being taken, by the dock company or their contractors to recover the bodies of the thirty-four workmen who were killed in the disaster at Newport last year, and if he has any knowledge of the difficulties of identification experienced by the county court judge at Newport in the compensation claims owing to the failure of the people responsible to re-excavate the collapsed trench; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The Secretary of State is informed by the superintending inspector of factories for the division that owing to the shifting nature of the soil and to the incursion of water the cavity containing the wrecked timber and the bodies had to be filled with dry sand last autumn, and the newly made ground required time to settle. It was then found to be unsafe to begin the reconstruction of the collapsed trench owing to the tidal pressure, and the construction of concrete monoliths was decided upon as a precautionary measure. The engineers advised that these must be completed before the excavation of the collapsed trench could be undertaken with any measure of safety, and the work of constructing them is actively going on. The Secretary of State has no information as to the proceedings in the county court. As the hon. Member is aware, he has no jurisdiction at present in regard to works of construction of this kind, and there does not appear to be any action which he can usefully take in this matter.

Arising out of the last part of the answer, can the hon. Gentleman intimate to the County Court judge that cases ought not to be dismissed for want of identification if it is the absence of re-excavation that makes that lack possible?

Will the hon. Member communicate with me as to the proceedings in the County Court?

asked the Home Secretary if he can state when it is proposed to appoint the promised Committee to inquire into the causes of accidents upon public works and possible regulations for preventing the same?

In view of the accidents which occurred last year at Birkenhead and Newport, my right hon. Friend's predecessor was intending to have special inquiry made into the dangers arising from deep excavation work in connection with the construction of docks. He agrees with his decision and proposes to appoint a small expert Committee to inquire into the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman indicate the date on which the Committee will be appointed, seeing the matter has been open for about twelve months?

At the earliest possible moment.

asked the Postmaster-General what proportion the number of telegrams sent per annum bears to the number of telegraph forms printed and issued; and what the cost of these forms is per 100,000?

The proportion is, roughly, as five to six. It will be understood, of course, that a single telegram may cover more than one telegram form. As regards the cost, the contract is placed with the Stationery Office, but I may say that the prices in such contracts are usually regarded as confidential.

asked the Postmaster-General whether telegraphic communication between London and the South of Ireland offices, including Limerick, was totally interrupted on 20th February; whether he can state when communication was finally restored to Limerick; what delay occurred as a result of the stoppage; what provision was made to meet the extra work entailed in the affected Irish centres; and what steps, if any, were taken at either end to restore communication earlier?

Telegraphic communication between London and the South of Ireland was not totally interrupted on the 20th ultimo. Communication on the direct lines between London and Limerick was stopped on the evening of the 20th ultimo until the 23rd, but telegrams were sent by way of Dublin with a delay which, at its maximum, was of six hours. The staff was employed on overtime, and, generally, every effort was made by my officers to remedy at the earliest moment the damage caused by the storms, and to deal with the work as quickly as the wire upstanding would allow.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the scheme for additional staffing of the Local Government Board will include the appointment of an official with a practical knowledge of agriculture?

The scheme does not include provision for such an appointment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the extraordinary regulation affecting farm buildings in the different counties of Scotland to the detriment of the health regulations, as well as to the detriment of agriculture, owing to the lack of skilled central supervision?

If my hon. Friend will communicate the details I will cause inquiries.

asked whether the hon. Member for the Wick Burghs, or his election agent, had any authority from the Government for stating that the Government would more readily provide funds for Wick Harbour were the proposal made by a Liberal representative than they would if the application were put forward by a representative who sat upon the Opposition Benches?

The answer is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered whether the issue of leaflets on the eve of the election containing such assurance as embodied in the question is an infringement of the Corrupt Practices Act?

Has not the time arrived when some extension of the Corrupt Practices Act should be made in order to cover cases of this kind?

Unanimity on this subject seems to prevail on both sides of the House.

Is it not a fact that the facts are the other way to that indicated in the question, and that the Liberals get nothing in Scotland while the friends of the hon. Member opposite get everything?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a prolonged strike prevails in Dublin between the Brushmakers' Society and Messrs. Varian and Company of that city; whether any efforts have been made by his Department to bring the strike to a conclusion; and whether he can see his way to put the provisions of the Conciliation Act into force by offering conciliation or arbitration between the parties?

As the hon. Member is aware, the good offices of the Board of Trade are always at the service of the- parties to trade disputes if they desire to avail themselves of them Inquiries have been made into the circumstances of this particular case, and I am considering whether any action can usefully be taken by my Department in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he would state what was the difference between the average price per imperial quarter of wheat in London and in Paris for the year 1909?

The official average price of all British wheat sold in the London market in 1909 was 37s. 6d. per imperial quarter. The official average price of all wheat—mainly home grown—sold in the Paris market was 42s. 5d. In 1909 the import of wheat and flour into France was insignificant, amounting to only about 2 per cent. of the total consumption. In 1907, when the French import was about 4 per cent. of consumption, the corresponding prices were:—London, 31s. 6d.; Paris, 41s. 1d. In 1903, when the French import was between 5 and 6 per cent. of consumption, the corresponding prices were:—London, 27s. 3d.; and Paris, 39s.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can say what octroi or other duties beyond the 12s. 2d. a quarter import duty are payable upon foreign wheat sold in Paris, and what the cost of transport on foreign wheat from Havre to Paris amounts to?

No octroi duty is leviable on wheat brought into Paris. I understand that the railway rate on wheat carried in sacks from Havre to Paris is from 8½ to 9 francs per metric ton, or about 1s. 6d. per quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can say what is the average annual consumption of wheat and wheat flour per head of the population in France and the United Kingdom, respectively, for the period 1905–8?

The average annual consumption of wheat per head of the population in the years 1905–8 was 511 lbs. in France and 361 lbs. in the United Kingdom. In these figures wheat flour has been taken at its equivalent in grain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would issue instructions to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies that the annual balance sheet required to be furnished to the Registrar under Section 26, Sub-section 3, of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, shall, in the case of public companies registered prior to the passing of the Act, be deemed sufficient and in compliance with the sub-section if it states the general nature of the assets and their value, without stating in detail the values for stock in trade, machinery and plant, and goodwill, respectively, as now required by the Registrar; and when the practice of requiring in detail such values to be stated was adopted?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Statute provides that balance sheets of public companies shall be filed annually with the Registrar, giving such particulars as will disclose the general nature of the liabilities and assets and how the values of the fixed assets have been arrived at. The Board of Trade were advised in 1908 that under this provision fixed assets must be separated from floating assets, and that the tangible or separately realisable assets, such a ships' stores or investments outside the business, should be distinguished from intangible and evanescent assets, such as goodwill. I may remind my hon. Friend that under the Companies Act, 1900, the amount payable for goodwill was required to be specified separately in the prospectus, and by the Act of 1907 this requirement was extended to statements filed in lieu of prospectus. Some difficulty in placing any separate value on "goodwill" has been experienced by companies which were registered before there was any requirement with regard to the separation of goodwill, and I am now considering whether any relaxation of the requirements can properly be made as regards such companies.

May I ask whether the Board of Trade see that these balance-sheets are lodged and filed, especially in Ireland?

If the hon. and learned Member will give me notice I will inquire.

And whether the Board of Trade keep a record of the companies and check off the balance-sheets received or not?

I should be glad to have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of the principal lighthouses on the south coast of Ireland from the Fastnet Rock on the west to the Tusker Rock on the east, including the latter; what are the names of the fog-signal stations on the same coast, and what distance are they from each other; and can he say whether any vessels have been lost owing to fog on this coast during the last ten years?

The number of principal lighthouses on the coast mentioned by my hon. Friend is ten. With his permission I will have the list with the particulars asked for printed with the Votes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman gratify the hon. Member by printing the information in Irish?

I have not the least objection if the right hon. Gentleman will do so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that during the Antarctic voyage of the Scottish National Antarctic ship "Scotia," in 1902–3, the captain of the "Scotia" put in at the Falkland Islands and applied to the representative of the Board of Admiralty for a supply of coal; what price was charged by the Admiralty; whether any purchase of coal was made by the captain of the "Scotia;" and whether the Admiralty made a charge for scientific apparatus lent to the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition?

Supplies of coal were made to the captain of the "Scotia" in December, 1903, and February, 1904, from the Admiralty stock at the Falkland Islands, and repayment was made to the Admiralty at the then standard official price, namely, £170 for 68½ tons of coal, including labour charges for handling. No charge was made for loan of scientific apparatus.

asked the First Lord whether, in view of his statement of 30th March, 1909, that it is not considered in the interests of the Service to use north-country coal, such reserves of Welsh coal are at hand so as to render the Admiralty independent of the consequences of a possible coal strike in Wales?

On the assumption that no strike will occur unprecedented in length and extent of area covered, provision is being made to render the Admiralty independent; but it is not in the public interest to furnish details of the arrangements made.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the reserves of Welsh coal have been increased since last July?

I do not carry the figures in my head, but if the hon. Member will give me notice I shall be glad to supply him with the information.

Is it not a fact that there is something in the north country coal injurious to the boilers?

North country coal can be used when sprinkled with oil, but I do not think it is quite as good for the boilers as Welsh coal.

Is it not a fact that north country coal cannot be used only in cylindrical boilers with oil without injuiry?

That is a much controverted question, and I do not think the representatives of north country constituents will agree with that contention.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that recent storms have damaged the breakwater off Southsea beach, and swept away the dolphins, he will consider the possibility, for the satisfaction of the seagoing population of Portsmouth, of now widening the entrance between the blocks forming the breakwater and to replace the dolphins by buoys which could be removed in case of need?

It is not proposed to alter the design of the obstruction, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 9th December, 1908, to the Member for Fareham, and on 28th October, 1909, to the late Member for Portsmouth.

asked whether attention had been called to complaints made by shipowners of the difficulties placed in the way of merchant ships coaling at Portland by the Admiralty; was he aware that the needs of the mercantile marine for coaling in Portland Harbour are now inefficiently served by ten small coaling ships without any power of self-propulsion, that these ten only contain in all 12,000 tons, and that their coaling gear is worked by hand; and will he consider the propriety of making or allowing arrangements to be made whereby one or more of these ships should be, replaced by a self-propelling coaling ship containing 8,000 tons, and fitted with modern steam appliances for loading coal, and the latest arrangements for weighing it?

The subject matter of the question is the subject of litigation between the proprietors of a coaling ship and the Admiralty's representative at Portland, which has recently been decided by the Court of King's Bench, and may presently come before the Court of Appeal In the circumstances it is not desirable to make any statement which might prejudice the proceedings.

asked whether the conditions as to age limit and eligibility for pension applicable to Devonport Dockyard apply equally to Portsmouth and other Royal dockyards?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the sheriff for the county of London is about to be appointed and that it will be part of his duty to appoint the Parliamentary returning officers for the various London boroughs, the Government will take steps to ensure that in the case of all Metropolitan boroughs for Parliamentary elections the town clerks shall be made the returning officers, as in the case of municipal and county council elections?

The duty of appointing fit persons to be returning officers for the Metropolitan boroughs rests by statute with the incoming sheriff of the county, and it is not within the province of the Government to interfere, whether by way of suggestion or otherwise, with the exercise by the sheriff of his statutory discretion in that behalf.

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to reintroduce the Budget for the year 1909–10 immediately after the House of Commons has disposed of the Resolutions dealing with the powers and privileges of the House of Lords, or whether it is the intention of the Government not to introduce that Budget until after the Resolutions have been disposed of by the House of Lords?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for York on 3rd March.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to continue the work of the distress committees in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the years 1910–11; and, if so, will he ask Parliament for a Vote of the money to defray the expenses of these committees?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, under which distress committees act, has been continued until 31st December, 1910. The question of its further continuance and of a further Parliamentary Grant will be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether, on the occasion of an ex-Minister declaring that his private income is not sufficient to maintain him, any statement is made as to what that private income is; whether any steps are taken to verify the statement; and whether the Treasury take into consideration whether that private income is or is not sufficient?

No case of the kind has occurred since I have held my present office, and I cannot say what was the practice of my predecessors. So far as official records are concerned, they appear to be confined to a statement that the First Lord of the Treasury had satisfied himself that the case was within the intention of the Statute.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement reported in the "Star" newspaper of 22nd January to the effect that an ex-Minister had stated his income to be £12,000 per year for the last twenty-five years, land of a further statement made in the "Wimbledon Gazette" that that £12,000 was after all expenses were paid? Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to that statement, and does he propose to take any steps in the matter?

My attention has not been called to the matter, and I was not aware that ex-Ministers were in such a happy position. Such a case has not arisen since the present Government came into power, and if it does arise I will consider it.

Now that the matter has been mentioned here, does the Prime Minister think there is sufficient justification for doing something in the matter?

If any ex-Minister applies to me, I shall certainly make careful inquiries.

Are these political pensions limited in number?

Yes, they are limited.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgency of the proposal for insurance against unemployment, the introduction of which was promised by the Government last year, and in view also of the probability that such a measure would be practically non-controversial, he will take an early opportunity of ascertaining the feeling of the House on the matter?

The Government are most anxious to introduce and carry into law the legislation which they have prepared on this subject. In existing circumstances I cannot say more than that I have not yet abandoned the hope that it may be found possible to treat the matter as non-controversial.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Resolutions to be submitted to this House on 29th March next will include one to substitute five years for the seven years specified in the Septennial Act, 1714?

The Resolutions will include proposals for shortening the duration of Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister at what dates the Spring Recess after Easter will commence, and for how long will it continue?

I am afraid it is impossible to make any definite statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the proposed action of the Government respecting the House of Lords, he will take whatever steps may be necessary to recommend the institution of a new order of honour, neither hereditary nor legislative, for the reward of former members of the Ministry, or its present supporters?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state when the terms of the Resolutions dealing with the status of the House of Lords will be placed upon the Paper?

No, Sir, I cannot say at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to set up a time limit within which the House of Lords will be expected to approve or reject the Resolutions dealing with the status of the Second Chamber; and whether postponement of the Resolutions by the other House pending the introduction of the Bill embodying the Government proposals will be regarded as rejection.

I cannot undertake to answer purely hypothetical questions.

In the event of the House of Lords disapproving or refusing to consider the Resolutions, will the right hon. Gentleman think it proper to tender his resignation?

I can only repeat my previous answer. I cannot undertake to answer purely hypothetical questions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any Report as to the cause and circumstances of an explosion which occurred while quarrying at the Rosyth Dock works in November last from the contractors; and what are the precautions taken by his Department to prevent such accidents in the future?

No report has been received. The contractors are responsible for the adoption of proper precautions. Inquiry will be made respecting the matter.

Do I understand that the Admiralty contract with contractors and make no regulations for the proper provision of medical attendance for the men? Does the right hon. Gentleman think the Admiralty, having done this, they have absolutely no liability in the matter?

No, Sir. In employing any particular firm the Board always endeavour to satisfy themselves that it is a good employer of labour, and they make all necessary provision for the proper safeguarding and care of the men employed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the house famine in West Fife and the lack of decent accommodation for the workmen at the new dock works, Rosyth; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take to deal with the subject?

It has not been the policy of the Admiralty to arrange for housing contractors' workmen. Having regard to the magnitude of the operations at Rosyth, and the number of years which will elapse before their completion, and the absence of any existing provision for housing workmen at Rosyth on a scale adequate to the prospective needs, the Admiralty placed a site at the disposal of the contractors. This site can be used for no other purpose than that of the erection of workmen's dwellings.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to an article in the "Glasgow Herald" of 23rd February last, describing a most disgraceful condition of affairs with reference to the housing of workmen working under the right hon. Gentleman's department?

I have not seen the article to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will mention to me the date of the paper I will take care to see it.

asked how many destroyers of the 1908–9 programme have been completed?

None have yet been completed?

asked the President of the Local Government Board in how many cases has the Lord Chancellor empowered the chairman of the board of guardians of a union (in lieu of a justice of the peace) to sign orders for the reception of persons as pauper lunatics in institutions for lunatics, in pursuance of Section 25 of the Lunacy Act, 1891; what are the names of the unions in which this has been done; and in how many cases has such an application been made to the Lord Chancellor and refused?

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I am in communication with the Lord Chancellor on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his Department gives permission to boards of guardians or local authorities to raise money by loan when they have omitted to collect equivalent sums due to them by the ratepayers?

The purposes for which the Board can sanction loans are expressly limited by statute, and I am not aware that the precise question put by the hon. Member has arisen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what statute it would be necessary to charge Excise duty on sugar beet grown in the United Kingdom?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state under what statute it is necessary to put an Excise duty on sugar manufactured in this country from beet because there is a Customs duty on sugar imported into this country?

It is held—although the question has not yet been settled—that the terms of the Sugar Convention Act, 1903, are such as to necessitate a charge of Excise duty on sugar manufactured from sugar beet grown in the United Kingdom, but I am advised that the actual charge of duty would have to be the subject of special legislation.

Does that apply to sugar for home consumption as well as for export?

I am not aware that there is any distinction between the two.

Does that mean that is the opinion of the Law Officers?

No; it is the assumption on which the Excise authorities have acted up to the present. I am not sure that the opinion of the Law Officers has been sought on the subject. If it should be necessary, I will ascertain it before any further steps are taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there is uncertainty whether the rebate on petrol can or cannot be granted in respect of cars duly licensed for hire, but which do not stand or ply for hire in a public place; and if he will take steps to issue a regulation on the subject?

I am advised that under the Finance Bill as drawn the rebate referred to cannot be allowed in respect of cars which do not stand or ply for hire in a public place, and this is in accordance with my intention, which was to draw a distinction between hackney carriages of the ordinary kind and cars which are more of the nature of private vehicles hired for short periods. If my hon. Friend is in possession of any evidence to show that owners of vehicles of the former class are prevented by causes outside their own control from standing or plying for hire in a public place, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked what steps, if any, the Government are at present taking to carry into practice the recommendations of the Treasury Committee appointed to consider the organisation of Oriental studies in London; whether they have made any proposals or given any assistance with regard to the provision of the necessary buildings; whether they propose to financially assist in carrying out the committee's recommendations; and, if not, what hopes can they hold out for the completion in the near future of the general scheme outlined by the Committee?

The Secretary of State for India has appointed a Committee, over which the Earl of Cromer has consented to preside, to prepare a detailed scheme for the institution of a School of Oriental Languages, upon the lines recommended in the Report of Lord Reay's Committee. The Committee will include, besides the chairman, Lord Curzon, the Lord Mayor, Sir Charles Hardinge, Sir Charles Lyall, and Dr. Frank Heath, Director of Special Inquiries and Reports to the Board of Education. The answers to the other questions will partly depend on the scheme, when it is prepared.

May I ask how, if no money grant is made this year, it will be possible to do anything in the new financial year?

It is premature to discuss making a grant of money before the scheme has been decided upon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee have already asked for a sum of money?

Lord Reay's Committee did not furnish a detailed scheme on which it would be possible to start the school in question.

Will the hon Gentleman allocate that sum of money which Lord Reay's Committee said would be initially necessary?

That matter must be postponed until this Committee just appointed has completed its work.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the work will be entrusted to the University of London?

That also is one of the points deferred until this Committee has completed its work.

asked whether the Treasury had yet framed the regulations prescribing the mode of application for advances out of the Development Fund under Part I. of the Development Act; and, if not, when it is proposed to do so?

The regulations will be drawn up as soon as the Development Commission is constituted.

May I ask whether these regulations cover applications made by a Government Department?

I should hardly like to anticipate what the views of the Commission will be. They ought to have a free hand as to the advice they give as to the character of the regulations.

asked the Chancellar of the Exchequer whether persons who have paid Income Tax during the last few months in the mistaken belief that the Government would carry through the Budget and so legalise the tax before 31st March, will have their payments refunded should they so wish on making application to the Inland Revenue officers?

This is a question of law on which I am taking the advice of the Law Officers.

Assuming the money was obtained, would the Chancellor pay interest to the persons by whom the money is being asked during the period the Government borrow it?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that by the Income Tax Act any taxpayer who pays his Income Tax before it is due is entitled by law to 2½ per cent. discount per annum?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not also the case that the officers of Inland Revenue take care that money shall not be received in time to allow any such deduction to which my hon. Friend refers?

It is impossible to answer questions put in that way. Perhaps hon. Members will put them down.

asked whether the deduction of Income Tax from dividends by the directors of the Bank of England has been made with the concurrence of the Treasury Commissioners; whether the amounts so deducted have been paid to the Exchequer; and whether such concurrence and payment are based on the assumption that the collection of Income Tax will eventually be legalised?

The answer to the first and third queries is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative.

also asked why the Government, being willing to receive Income Tax collected without objection by the Bank of England by deduction from dividends, will not request and, so far as objection is not offered, receive payment from individual Income Tax-payers?

Payment of Income Tax assessed on individuals is accepted when tendered at the rate specified in the Resolution of 17th May last. The issue of demand notes is primarily a question for the decision of the local commissioners of taxes, with whose discretion I have no power to interfere.

asked whether any date has yet been fixed for introducing the Bill for extending old age pensions to those at present in receipt of Poor Law relief?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be able to inform the House what is the permanent loss to the Treasury owing to the continued delay in passing the Budget?

The amount which will be permanently lost cannot be estimated until the whole of the revenue for the year has, so far as may prove possible, been collected and brought to account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount has been paid up to 5th March, 1910, in respect of interest on money borrowed to make good the deficit in the revenue caused by the failure of the Finance Bill, 1909, to become law; what is the estimated amount that will be paid in interest up to 16th April, 1910; what interest will be saved and by what amount will the borrowings be reduced as a result of the proposed suspension of the Sinking Fund?

The amount paid for interest on Ways and Means borrowing (including discount on Treasury Bills), from 1st October last to the 5th instant, inclusive, has been £151,674, as compared with £29,015 in the corresponding period of last year. The difference between these figures is due in the main to the delay in the passing of the Finance Bill. The amount payable from the 6th instant to the 16th proximo inclusive will depend on the prices obtained for the Treasury Bills to be issued between those dates and the currency adopted for the Bills, since the whole of the interest in respect of borrowing upon Treasury Bills is paid in advance in the form of discount. The suspension of the new Sinking Fund to the extent of £6,300,000, as proposed in the Treasury (Temporary Borrowing) Bill will have the effect of reducing the amount which would otherwise have had to be borrowed on or about the 31st instant by £2,800,000, as compared with the position which would have been created if the Finance Bill had become law in ordinary course. This will save the interest on Treasury Bills to a similar amount which would otherwise have had to be issued.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say exactly the amount due to the delay caused by the Government not taking the necessary steps to collect the Income Tax?

That is exactly the point put by the Noble Lord in his question, and which I have answered most fully.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether one of the members of the board charged with the defence of the harbour of Karachi is the German Consul?

The German Consul at Karachi is a member of the Karachi Port Trust, but that body is not charged with the defence of the place. The Consul is a naturalised British subject, and sits on the Board of Trustees as the elected representative of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce.

asked the Under-Secretary for India if any advice had been tendered to the Indian Council at Calcutta recommending a modification of the proposed duties on tobaccos and cigarettes which, if confirmed at the proposed level, would mean throwing out of employment many hundreds of persons in Bristol and Liverpool?

asked the Under-Secretary whether he can see his way to make representations to the Government of India to the effect that the proposed increase in the import duties on tobacco and cigarettes, in addition to being prohibitive and unscientific from a revenue point of view, will inflict hardships on those engaged in the industry in this country in Bristol and elsewhere?

The Secretary of State has been in communication with the Government of India on the subject. The Government of India have fixed the rates with reference to the necessity they are under to provide from other sources revenue to meet the loss of opium revenue. They report that they do not consider that the duties will seriously affect consumption as a whole. The Secretary of State will carefully watch the effect of the new duties, and has directed the Government of India to submit monthly Returns of imports of tobacco under classified heads.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman is aware that 90 per cent. of these imported cigarettes are smoked by British soldiers in India, and that it is calculated that the amount of the duty payable indirectly by them will be over £250,000 sterling per annum?

No, I was not aware of that.

asked the Under-Secretary what are the new duties on tobacco imported into India, what sum the new duties are estimated to produce beyond the revenue produced by the old duties, and whether a counterbalancing Excise duty on native-produced and manufactured tobacco will be imposed?

The duties are: On unmanufactured tobacco, 2s. the lb.; on cigars, 3s. 4d. the lb.; on cigarettes, 2s. 8d. the lb., with a minimum of 6s. 8d. the 1,000; on other manufactured tobacco, 2s. 2d. the lb. The net additional revenue which the duties are estimated to yield is £394,000. The Government of India have undertaken to examine without delay the question of levying corresponding taxation on native tobacco. They do not, however, consider that there is effective competition between the native and the imported product.

In view of the discharges from employment in this trade already, will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of immediately imposing a countervailing Excise duty?

I have already told the hon. Member that the Government of India is considering the possibility or advisability of levying a corresponding Excise duty.

Why should there be any doubt about levying an Exise duty in the case of India when there has been no doubt whatever about levying an Excise duty in the case of Irish tobacco?

There is considerable doubt in the mind of the Government of India as to whether native tobacco in any way competes with the imported tobacco.

Does Irish tobacco interfere with the imported product?

asked the Under-Secretary on what date the proposed new duties on cigarettes, imported into India, comes into force; and whether it is intended to impose an Excise duty equal to the import duty!

The duties took effect from 25th February, the date when the Tariff Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council. With regard to the second part of the question, I have already said that the Government of India have undertaken to consider the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many prisons have been closed in Ireland in the last twenty years; and for what are these buildings at present being used?

The number of prisons which have been closed in Ireland during the last twenty years is twelve. Of these eight have been handed over to the local authorities, and I have no means of knowing how they are now used. Of the others one is a lunatic asylum, one is an inebriate reformatory, and two are available when required for prisoners at Winter Assizes, Quarter Sessions, or in case of emergency.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that old age pensions have been withdrawn from Mary M'Garry and Margaret M'Garry, of Cullea, and Pat Devanny, of Kingsfort, all in the parish of Killery, Collooney, county Sligo sub-committee; whether he is aware that the pension officer notified these pensioners to attend the committee meeting in Collooney, on 10th September, 1909, alleging they were not seventy years of age, and that these pensioners attended and produced evidence which satisfied the sub-committee, one of the witnesses being Mr. Hugh M'Guire, J.P.; whether he is aware that these witnesses offered to swear to the accuracy of their statements; whether birth certificates were forwarded to the Local Government Board in support of these statements; and whether, if so, he will order a reinvestigation of these cases?