asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the amount and value of raw cotton imported into the United Kingdom from Nigeria in each of the last five years?

The following statement shows the quantity and value of raw cotton imported into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1905 to 1909, inclusive, which was consigned from Nigeria:

Years.	Quantities. Cwts.	Value.
		£.
1905	10,335	21,582
1906	24,799	66,021
1907	33,449	99,165
1908	21,113	61,889
1909	44,160	125,842

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply the latest statistics of trade for the port of Hong Kong, showing the values and quantities of British trade and foreign trade, respectively, during the last ten years?

Hong Kong being a free port, there are no complete statistics available with regard to its foreign trade, and the particulars asked for cannot therefore be given.

asked whether an agreement arrived at by a railway sectional or central conciliation board, under the arrangements drawn up by the Board of Trade in 1907, can be reopened on the expiry of one year from the date of the agreement, or must it remain in force for the full period specified by the agreement?

further asked: (1) Whether, in the case of a Scottish railway company, his Board can give an interpretation of the conciliation scheme, or any point arising out of it, without an application being made to the Lord President of the Court of Session, and even, although the company or the employés may have asked the Lord President for an interpretation; and (2) whether a railway central conciliation board has power to enter into an agreement which shall be in force for a period of years exceeding that for which the members of the board have been elected?

The only points which the Board of Trade are entitled to decide under the Railway Conciliation Agreement are questions of the interpretation of the scheme for conciliation between the various railway companies and their employés. The schemes provide that if such a question arises it is to be decided by the Board of Trade, or, at the request of either party, by the Master of the Rolls, or, in the case of a Scottish railway, by the Lord President of the Court of Session. Thus, if on any point of interpretation either party prefers to appeal to the Master of the Rolls or the Lord President, the question is taken out of the hands of the Board of Trade: In any case, the Board of Trade could only give an interpretation after giving both parties an opportunity to be heard, and in these circumstances I cannot properly deal with the question of interpretation in reply to questions in this House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the figures of the export of textile machinery from this country for the last five years respectively?

The following statement shows the value of the textile machinery (manufactured in the United Kingdom) which was exported to all destinations in each of the years 1905 to 1909:—

Year.				Value of Exports.
1905	…	…	…	5,606,304
1906	…	…	…	6,710,413
1907	…	…	…	8,038,772
1908	…	…	…	8,829,001
1909	…	…	…	8,239,764

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the most recent development in the proposals of the Commission of the French Senate with regard to the proposed new tariff on twist drills, which form a considerable item in the Sheffield productions sent to France; whether such proposals are to so increase the duties as to make them three times as high as they were fixed by the Chamber of Deputies, namely, where the greatest diameter at the cutting part is 25 millimetres or more, 150 francs per 100 kilos; 10 to 25 millimetres. 300 francs per 100 kilos; and less than ten millimetres, 450 francs per 100 kilos, and what steps he proposes to take in the matter in order to avoid the annihilation of the trade which must inevitably follow?

I am aware that the Report of the Commission of the French Senate contains proposals of the nature indicated in the question, and the necessary instructions are being given to His Majesty's Embassy at Paris.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantity of cigarettes exported from the United Kingdom to India during the past five years; whether he is aware that the recent sudden increase of the Indian Import Duty on cigarettes from about 4d. to 6s. 8d. per 1,000 is causing dislocation in the British cigarette-making industry as well as the auxiliary industries, such as air-tight tins, etc.; and whether he will make any representations to the Government of India to mitigate the severity of these changes?

No figures are available with regard to the export of cigarettes to British India in 1905, but since that year the weight of cigarettes exported to that country has been as follows:—1,477,343 lb. in 1906, 2,044,085 lb. in 1907, 1,856,597 lb. in 1908, and 1,951,504 lb. in 1909. With regard to the last part of the question I beg to refer the hon. Member to answers which have been given in this House within the last few days to questions upon this subject addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for India of which I am sending him copies.

asked whether seeing that the British Government imposes duties on many Indian products and the Indian Government imposes duties on British manufactures, the Government are prepared to negotiate a reciprocal tariff treaty with the Government of India to secure reciprocal preferences on the tariffs respectively imposed in the two countries?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the new duties which the French Government are about to impose on hemp and cotton yarns will injure the English export trade; and, if so, what action he intends to take?

The tariff proposals of the Customs Committee of the French Chamber of Deputies with regard to the duties on hemp, linen and cotton yarns were referred to in the communication to the French Government, to which I alluded in the reply given on 2nd March to the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield. I am happy to say that the proposals were considerably modified by the Chamber, and that in the Tariff Bill as passed by that body the duties on the highest counts only are raised, the duties on other counts remaining as at present. The attention of the French Government has, however, been again called to the matter, and, as I have already stated, the Tariff Bill has still to be considered by the French Senate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he could give the value of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom, exclusive of bullion and specie, consigned to Australia, France, and the United States of America for the year 1909; and, if the figures for 1909 are not available, will he give the last annual total available?

The value of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom consigned to these markets in 1909 was as follows:—

To Australia	£23,970,492
To France	£21,469,495
To the United States of America	£29,728,314

asked the President if he is aware that bacon which is said to have been manufactured from Chinese pork is now being offered for sale at much below the market price and described as best Wilts-cut sides, cured in England; and, if so, seeing that this description is a fraud upon the consumer and the Wiltshire curers, and a breach of the Merchandise Marks Act, what action he proposes to take?

My attention has not hitherto been directed to these allegations. If the hon. Member is in possession of any evidence that a breach of the Merchandise Marks Act has been committed, I shall be happy to consider it, with a view to deciding what action, if any, it may be advisable to take in the matter.

asked the President whether he is aware that the deportation of the Chinese from South Africa has created a considerable amount of employment for white subjects in that country; and whether he will, in order to create employment for British seamen resident in the United Kingdom, take steps to prevent the employment of Chinese seamen on British ships?

Information has reached the Board of Trade through His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Cape Town which bears out the suggestion in the first part of this question. As regards the second part, there is no legislative restriction on the employment of foreign seamen in the British Mercantile Marine, provided they comply with the requirements of Section 12 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, and prove that they have a sufficient knowledge of the English language to understand the necessary orders that may be given to them in the course of the performance of their duties.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the sailing ship "Clan McPherson" of Glasgow, left Newcastle, New South Wales, on 24th June, 1909, and has not since been heard of; if he can state the number of tons of cargo she had on board and her total carrying capacity; whether the load-line was altered after the issue of the new instructions of the Board of Trade in 1906; if so, what was her total carrying capacity prior to the alteration of the load-line; and whether he can state the number and ratings of the crew?

It has been decided to hold a formal investigation in the case of the "Clan McPherson," and all the points raised by the hon. Member will then be inquired into. Pending this investigation I prefer to make no statement on the subject.

asked if his attention has been called to the practice of the Midland Railway Company coupling together two long goods trains and making them into one train with an engine in the middle for block section purposes; whether any inquiry has been made into this method of working trains, and, if so, what views have been ascertained as to the danger to the men working trains under such circumstances; and whether the maximum safety in train working is maintained?

Attention has previously been drawn to this matter, and the Board of Trade were informed by the railway company that nothing had occurred to indicate that this system of working was attended with risk of accident to the men employed or to the public. The company also stated that so long as the full instructions issued for the guidance of the staff were observed, there was no reason to apprehend the occurrence of accidents under this method of working. The practice of coupling two goods trains together is not confined to the Midland Railway Company, and I am advised that there is no evidence to show that it involves any special risk.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider the desirability of opening a branch of the Labour Exchanges in Galway, seeing that for several years it has been necessary to provide relief work for unemployed men there on a large scale?

As I have already stated, the question of the further development of the Labour Exchange system in Ireland is receiving careful consideration, but I am not in a position to state definitely what additional exchanges it will be possible to open.

asked whether the Glasgow Labour Exchange is to be called upon to do the work for the neighbouring burghs of Govan and Partick; and, if not, when the exchanges will be opened in these two places?

The Board of Trade propose to establish Labour Exchanges at Govan and at Partick during the course of the present year, but I am not yet in a position to say upon what date these exchanges will be ready to commence operations. In the meanwhile, persons living at Govan and Partick desiring to register at a Labour Exchange should communicate either personally or by post with the Glasgow Exchange, of which the address is 13, Carlton Place.

asked whether, under the Labour Exchanges special rules for juvenile applicants, he will be able to ensure due representation for all classes of teachers and schools on the special advisory committees?

I am not at present able to do more than to refer my hon. Friend to Section (2) Sub-section (1), of the special rules with regard to the registration of juvenile applicants, which makes provision for the representation on the special advisory committees for juvenile employment of persons possessing experience or knowledge of education or of other conditions affecting young persons

asked when the census of wages dealing with railway employés will be issued?

I regret that I am still unable to say when the Report dealing with the earnings of railway servants will be ready, but I understand that the preparation of the information is being forwarded.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many authorities have ordered the

SWINE FEVER ORDER OF 1908.
Total No. of Local Authorities in Great Britain.	Regulations under Article 10 (1) (a) requiring owners of boars used for service of sows other than their own to keep particulars of service.		Regulations under Article 16 (1) (b) requiring pig dealers to keep Registers showing particulars as to purchases and sales.
	Have adopted Regulations.	Have not adopted Regulations.	Have adopted Regulations.	Have not adopted Regulations.
324*	38	286	93	231
(95 Counties 229 Boroughs.)	(13 Counties 25 Boroughs.)	(82 Counties 204 Boroughs.)	(35 Counties 58 Boroughs.)	(60 Counties 171 Boroughs.)
* Exclusive of boroughs transferred by agreement to counties in which they are situate, and regarding the united district of East and West Suffolk as the district of one local authority.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what were the total rents of agricultural land in Wales in 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, and 1908?

I regret that the information asked for is not available, nor do I know where to obtain it with any approximation to accuracy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, with reference to the undertaking given in his answer, dated 16th September last, to the hon. Member for Southampton, will he explain why the rates of pay for superintendents, as given on page 18 of the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed in 1891 (Cd. 6692), have been omitted from the revised Return (Cd. 4981); and will he cause the information in question to be now published?

The rates of pay of the various classes of minor superintendents in divisions are included in the revised scales of pay printed in the Return to which the hon. Member refers. The duties assigned to the superintendents at headquarters differ very materially in character and responsibility, and no uniform scale of pay applicable to all of them has therefore been prescribed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the

The information for which the hon. Member asks is as follow:—exemptions granted to motor vans used for collecting and delivering goods are equally eligible for motor cars provided by business firms for commercial travellers, and which are strictly confined to business purposes only, particularly if the name of the firm be printed on the cars?

The statutory exemption from Licence Duty in the case of motor cars used for the purpose of trade has reference to a motor car "which is constructed or adapted for use, and is used solely, for the conveyance of any goods or burden in the course of trade or husbandry, and whereon the Christian name and surname, and place of abode, or place of business of the person, or the name or style and principal, or only place of business of the company or firm, keeping the same, shall be visibly and legibly painted in letters of not less than one inch in length." The answer, therefore, is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether a rebate of taxation on tea and tobacco consumed in the Isle of Man is granted for the relief of local taxation?

I am not quite sure that I understand what the hon. Member means by a rebate in this connection. As will be seen on reference to the Isle of Man Customs, Harbours, and Public Purposes Act, 1866, the financial system of the island is distinct from that of the United Kingdom; and, though its Custom duties (including those on tea and tobacco), are, as a matter of practical convenience, collected by the Board of Customs and Excise, they form pant of the Insular Re-venue, and are applicable to Insular purposes.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the estimated

—	Great Britain.	Ireland.	United Kingdom.
Amount paid in pensions in the 52 weeks ended 30th December, 1909	£5,904,947	£2,305,649	£8,210,596
Average number of pensioners in the same period	475,000	185,000	660,000
Population (estimated) in 1839	18,088,668	8,111,438	26,200,106
Amount paid in 1909 per head of population in 1839	6s. 6.35d.	5s. 8.22d.	6s. 3.21d.
Proportion of number of pensioners in 1909 to population in 1839	2.626 per cent.	2.281 per cent.	2.519 per cent.
Population (estimated) in 1909	40,634,263	4,374,158	45,008,421
Amount paid in 1909 per head of population in 1909	2s. 10.87d.	10s. 6.505d.	3s. 7.55d.
Proportion of number of pensioners in 1909 to population in 1909	1.168 per cent.	4.229 per cent.	1.466 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there has been issued recently by the Board of Customs and Excise a general order compelling a very large body of their officials to retire at the age of sixty-one instead of sixty-two, as hitherto; whether, in consequence of the issue of this order, many officials are debarred from completing the forty years' service which would entitle them to full retiring allowance; whether, in view of the fact that no such redundancy of officials, consequent on the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise services, as would appear to have suggested the necessity for the Board's order, has resulted from the amalgamation, the order in question should now be rescinded or so modified as to allow competent efficient officials, producing satisfactory certificates of health, to complete forty years' service; whether the conditions, under which nearly all the Civil servants affected by the order entered the service, presupposed the right to full retiring allowance; and whether, in consequence, the officials in question will suffer injustice through the continuance and enforcement of the order?

The order to which the hon. Member refers was issued

in October, 1908, and its operation does, no doubt, increase the number of officials retiring with less than forty years of pensionable service. I regret, however, that I cannot accept the suggestion to withdraw it. As my right hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, informed the hon. Member for Newry on 5th April last, the power to retire officers at any age has always been possessed by the head of a Department, and I am not aware of any right possessed by officers to serve for any definite number of years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, on the sale by public auction for £400 of a small agricultural holding of 20 acres, subject to an advance made under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts of which £400 is unredeemed, Stamp Duty is payable on £800; whether, according to the Returns of the Irish Land Commission, the advantage derived by the average tenant purchasing under the Land Act of 1903 is the substitution of an annuity of about £13, terminable in about sixty-eight years, for a yearly rent of about £16; whether on the sale of the holding mentioned the price of £400 obtained therefor is paid for the former tenant right plus the value created by the substitution of the terminable annuity for the former yearly rent; and whether he will consider the question of altering the existing law which requires the payment of Stamp Duty twice over on the same interest?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The annuity referred to in the second part would be about £11 14s. The answer to the third part is in the affirmative. As regards the fourth part, it is not the case that the existing law requires the payment of Stamp Duty twice over on the same interest. Duty is payable once only, on the full consideration for the conveyance, which by reference to Section 57 of the Stamp Act, 1891, includes the redemption value of the annuity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government are still deducting Income Tax from the salaries of Civil servants; and, if so, whether he can state the grounds on which this distinction is made in their case as compared with other professional men?

Yes, Sir, the course indicated is being pursued as a matter of convenience both to the officials themselves and to the Departments in which they are serving.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether valuations for estate duty must necessarily be made by the Department of the chief valuer at Somerset House, irrespective of the amount of the estate; and, if so, what steps will be taken to prevent the State being put to unnecessary expense and the beneficiaries to unnecessary inconvenience in cases of small and easily valued estates?

The valuation of realty for the purposes of the Death Duties is primarily a matter for the chief valuer at Somerset House. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the considerations referred to in the second part of his question are not overlooked.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been paid into the Bank of England by other banks on account of Income Tax deducted from dividends, and which has not been paid over to the Government account; the reason why such money has not been paid to the Government account; and when the Government proposes to instruct their bankers to place this money to their credit?

It is not possible to say how much money has been paid into the Bank of England by other banks on account of Income Tax deducted from dividends, since the amounts paid in by banks are not accompanied by particulars indicating the source from which they are derived. All amounts paid into the Bank of England by other banks on account of revenue are placed forthwith to the credit of the Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the collectors of Income Tax are paid for their services by commission on the Income Tax collected; and, if so, will he state how they are being paid at the present time, and if he proposes to compensate them for the losses they are sustaining owing to the non-collection of the tax?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the expected amounts deducted as Income Tax on dividends by banks and joint stock companies have been in the ordinary course paid in to the Treasury; and, if not, what is the amount of Income Tax calculated as remaining in the hands of bankers and joint stock companies at date?

I am unable to give the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are average number of claims for repayment of Income Tax annually received for England, Scotland, and Ireland; and will such claims be barred where the tax on individuals has been deducted by bankers and joint stock companies, but has not been paid in by them to the Treasury by the 31st instant?

The average number of Income Tax repayment claims received in the two years 1907 and 1908 approximates for the three countries to 600,000. The point mentioned in the latter part of the question is receiving my consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary for India what were the numbers of acres in British India planted with the opium poppy in the years, respectively, 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, 1908–9, and 1909–10; and what was the net revenue to the Indian Government from opium production during the same years respectively.

The area under opium was: In 1905–6, 613,996 acres; 1906–7, 564,585 acres; 1907–8, 488,548 acres; 1908–9, 427,000 acres; 1909–10, 350,000 acres. The figures for 1908–9 and 1909–10 are approximate. The net opium revenue was: In 1905–6, £3,572,944; in 1906–7, £3,743,773; in 1907–8, £3,571,948; in 1908–9, £4,654,113; in 1909–10, £4,420,600. These figures include receipts from pass duty on Malwa opium. These receipts amounted to £569,400 in 1905–6, £551,680 in 1906–7, £620,480 in 1907–8, £1,398,780 in 1908–9; for 1909–10 information is not yet available.

asked what is the present stock of opium ready for sale in the hands of the Indian Government, and what was the stock on 31st March of the years, respectively, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, and 1909; also what has been the average sale price per chest of the opium sold by the Indian Government during the years 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, 1908–9, and 1909–10?

The stocks in question amounted to:—

69,762 chests in March 31st, 1905

76,062 chests in March 31st, 1906

72,013 chests in March 31st, 1907

61,232 chests in March 31st, 1908

55,333 chests in March 31st, 1909

On 31st March this year the stock may be approximately put at or below 40,000 chests. The average sale price has been:

R.1434 in 1905–6

R.1391 in 1906–7

R.1350 in 1907–8

R.1384 in 1908–9

R.1610 in 1909–10

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the inspecting captain of boys' training establishments has recently made an inspection of the youths serving in the ships of the Nore sub-division of the Third Division of the Home Fleet; and whether it is usual for the duties of the officer holding this appointment to include the inspection of the complements or part of the complements of ships in the First Reserve?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The youths in question were embarked for training and not as part of the ship's complements, and it is one of the duties of the inspecting captain of boys' training ships to inspect them periodically.

asked what were the numbers of officers and men of all ranks serving in His Majesty's ships "Victorious," "Cæsar," "Antrim," and "Hogue," on 22nd February last; and how many youths and boys were serving in those ships on that date?

It is not in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part of the question, the numbers are:—

"Victorious" 98, including 56 borne for training.

"Cæsar" 86, including 30 borne for training.

"Antrim" 58, including 37 borne for training.

"Hogue" 101, including 51 borne for training.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the original cost, including guns, of H.M.S. "Inflexible," "Invincible," and "Indomitable "; when H.M.S. "Invincible" was first commissioned; how many days since that date has she been in dockyard hands; and what is the estimated cost of such alterations and modifications as have been carried out in the ship since she hoisted the pennant?

The cost of the "Inflexible" was £1,720,555, "Invincible" £1,767,413, and "Indomitable" £1,752,945, including £90,000 for guns in each case. The "Invincible" was first commissioned on 20th March, 1909. She has been in dockyard hands 154 days since that date. The estimated cost of alterations and additions carried out since commissioning is £3,272. Some alterations to the turret mountings have been carried out at the cost of the contractors.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the First Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet will visit Belfast Lough on leaving Lough Swilly?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty at or about what date replies may be expected to the petitions presented by the workmen in Chatham Dockyard in the early part of last year?

As stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dundee on 1st March, it is hoped that it will be possible to issue the answers to the petitions about the middle of April.

asked the First Lord whether, having regard to the fact that the establishment has been closed at Chatham since February, 1906, to the present time, he will make provision to enable those who were qualified during that period, but who may now be disqualified by age, to enter the establishment?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Devonport on 3rd March, which is applicable to all the Royal dockyards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will take the necessary steps to arrange that in future Admiralty contracts for works in which granite is required shall be advertised in Irish newspapers, so that Irish quarry owners may have the opportunity of tendering for the supply of Irish granite?

The supply of materials is a question for the contractors, and the Admiralty have nothing to do with the source from which firms tendering for the works obtain the materials specified to be used in their execution.

asked the Lord Advocate what are the latest figures with regard to the diminution of drunkenness in Scotland since the increase in the duty upon spirits?

Statistics applicable to the whole of Scotland are not yet available, but taking for the three cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee the number of convictions for the offences of (1) drunkenness and drunk and incapable; (2) drunk and disorderly; (3) drunk in charge of a child, etc.; (4) drunk or drinking shebeen; (5) disorderly on licensed premises, etc.; (6) habitual drunkenness, together with (7) breach of peace, where the person was under the influence of drink when apprehended for the offence, the figures for each of the months April to December in the years 1908 and 1909 are to as follows:—

	1908.	1909.
April	2,522	2,288
May	2,418	1,714
June	2,587	1,798
July	3,341	2,462
August	2,797	2,176
September	2,610	1,979
October	3,129	2,149
November	2,564	1,844
December	2,648	1,742
Total	24,616	18,152

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state the expenses charged by each of the Members of the Fishery Board in each year respectively since these were last given to the House of Commons?

The following expenses have been charged by the members of the Fishery Board for Scotland in 1908 and 1909, namely:—

	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Mr. Angus Sutherland, C.B	10	14	6	2	10	3
Mr. D. Crawford, K.C,.		—		3	3	9
Prof. D'Arcy W. Thompson, C.B.	11	7	6	10	15	8
Dr.W. R. Duguid, Buckie	41	14	3	43	1	9
Mr. L. Milloy, Rothesay	20	12	9	23	4	6
Mr. D. Mearns, Aberdeen	20	13	0	33	16	6
Mr. H. Watson, Anstruther	12	0	0	12	19	5

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say how the average price of tenanted land so far agreed to be sold under the Irish Land Act, 1909, compares with the average price of land of the same class sold under the Act of 1903, and also with the price of similar land under the Ashbourne Act; and the cash difference to the vendor and also to the purchaser repaying in the normal term in each case respectively?

The Estates Commissioners are not in a position to supply the information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain why Mary Kilcullen, of Carrowcullen, Skreen, county Sligo, has been deprived of her pension under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1908, without any inquiry or investigation, through the action of the Irish Local Government Board?

I understand that the pension officer raised a question in this case, but the Local Government Board decided against him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to a protest against the action of the Irish Local Government Board, made by resolution of the Collooney sub-committee of the local pension committee of the county of Sligo, in respect of the persistent disallowance of the sub-committee's decisions in respect of claims for pensions arrived at by the committee after the hearing of evidence and the production of certificates instructing the age of applicants; whether he has been reminded by that same sub-committee that the Census Returns of 1841 and 1851 are unreliable; and whether he will recommend the appointment by the Government of a special commission to inquire and report to this House on the working of the Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland, and the conduct of the Irish Local Government Board and of the revenue officials employed as pension

Province.					No. of Cottages.	No. of Additional Allotments.	Loans Sanctioned.		Amounts Issued.
							£	s.	£
Ulster	…	…	…	…	5,125	230	886,020	10	540,870
Munster	…	…	…	…	7,435	2,360	1,318,915	10	667,705
Leinster	…	…	…	…	7,818	1,269	1,376,181	0	743,536
Connanght	…	…	…	…	2,102	99	363,169	0	195,765
Total			…	…	22,480	3,958	£3,944,286	0	£2,147,875

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from the representatives of the late William M'Cormack to be reinstated in his former holding on the estate of Mr. Batterby, situate at Diamor, Crossakiel, county Meath; and what action the Commissioners have taken?

The Local Government Board have received resolutions to the effect indicated. The Board do not admit that the Census Returns are, as a rule, untrustworthy. If they were untrustworthy the great majority of claims would have had no evidence to support them. I am not prepared to recommend the appointment of a special Commission, as suggested in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the amount of loans actually sanctioned and paid out under the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, up to and including the financial year ended 31st March, 1909; and what was the amount applied for, and in respect of how many cottages, in each province since that date?

The amount of loans sanctioned and recommended for issue, under the Labourers Act, 1906, up to 31st March, 1909, and 3rd March, 1910, were respectively as follows:—

	Sanctioned.	Issued.
	£	£
31st March, 1909	2,815,754	1,066,995
3rd March, 1910	3,944,286	2,147,875

The allocation by provinces of the last-mentioned amounts, and the number of cottages, etc., for which the loans were sanctioned, are as follows:—

As I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to a question asked by him on 5th March, 1909, the Estates Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter of the application of this man's representatives for reinstatement in a holding of which he lost possession on the expiration of his lease. The Commissioners understand that the owner is willing to sell the lands to his widow, and the matter is one for arrangement between the parties.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Michael Tiernan, Wood-mill, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mr. Balfour, Townley Hall, Drogheda, has applied to be reinstated in his former holding; and what action the Estates Commissioners have taken in his case?

The Estates Commissioners have considered this man's application for reinstatement and have provisionally selected him for a holding on untenanted land which they have recently acquired.

asked the amount spent on printing and advertising by the West-meath County Council, by each of the rural district councils in Westmeath, and the total, from the commencement of the Local Government Act to the latest date for which the accounts have been audited?

The Local Government Board have not got this information, which could only be obtained by searching the audited accounts of every district council in the county for the past ten years, a labour which I cannot ask the local officials to undertake.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will arrange to have national teachers who conducted evening schools during the session 1909–10 paid as soon as possible for that service, and to have all payments made direct to teachers in future?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the evening school grants are paid as rapidly as possible after the close of the session on receipt in their office of the final reports for the session. The grants are paid to the managers in accordance with the regulations, and it is not intended to make any alteration in this arrangement.

asked if the money provided under the Labourers Act, 1906, is now practically exhausted; and, if so, whether, in view of the necessity for continuing the work of erecting cottages for the Irish labourers, steps will be taken for the provision of further funds for this purpose?

As I have already stated in reply to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for Mid-Tipperary on the 7th instant, the Government are at present considering the question of introducing legislation with the object of re-enacting Section 18 of the Labourers Act, 1883, so as to enable loans to be made to local authorities for the purpose of erecting labourers' cottages on the system which existed before the passing of the Act of 1906.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that M'Neill, of Aughavas, has surrendered his farm as a consequence of the severe boycotting to which he and many others connected with him have been subjected; and what protection he proposes to afford in such case?

I am informed by the Constabulary Authorities that McNeill has not surrendered his farm. He is receiving and will continue to receive ample protection.

asked what is the true value of the decadal reductions in the Ashbourne Act; what amount per cent. is deducted after each decade; has the amount per cent. undergone any change, either up or down, within the last few years, and, if so, what has been the cause of it; and whether the calculations of the Treasury officials were found to be wrong in this matter?

In all cases under the Ashbourne Act where no instalments are in arrear at the end of a decade the amount of the decadal reduction is £10 3s. 9d. per cent. This rate has been in operation since the passing of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1896. No change has been made in the rate, and there is no reason to suppose that the calculations are incorrect.

asked what is the cause of not having the purchase money advanced on the estate of Frances Mulcahy and others at Scart, Kilteely, county Limerick (number of property, 2,795, date of purchase, 18th September, 1905); and, having regard to the fact that tenants on neighbouring properties who purchased six months later are now in possession of their holding at 3¼ per cent., will steps be taken to have the sale completed, and thus bring the tenants on the property, who are now paying 4 per cent., on equitable terms with their neighbours?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate was inspected in order of priority. The rulings of the Commissioners arising on the inspector's report have since been complied with, and the proceedings for sale will be completed as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War if in future Yeomanry officers attending schools of instruction will only receive pay and allowances if their service at the school involves loss of or interference with normal civil employment?

The regulation mentioned, concerning the grant of pay and allowance, applies only to day schools, and is applicable to any Yeomanry officers attending such schols.

asked for what purpose it has been thought necessary to obtain offers to serve abroad in case of national emergency from officers and men of the Yeomanry Force; whether it is intended to use such detachments to make up the strength of cavalry regiments in the Expeditionary Force; and, if so, whether they will be used as drafts or in what way they will be organised?

Offers to serve abroad in case of national emergency have been made spontaneously by individuals and units of the Territorial Force undr the provisions of Section XIII., 2a, Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907. The conditions under which such offers can be accepted and the methods of officially recognising such offers have recently been made clear by Army Order 3 of 1910. It is impossible to state how their services would be utilised until the emergency actually arises, but I would like to point out that, as stated in paragraph 5 of the Army Order, officers and men undertaking this engagement cannot, under such engagement, be drafted as individuals to any unit other than their own.

asked whether the Government have considered the recommendations of the Committee on the civil employment of ex-soldiers in regard to emigration, and more especially the suggestion that it should be possible to make arrangements with the Governments of the great self-governing Colonies to advance the moneys necessary to meet the expenses of transportation by insuring repayment from reserve pay or pension; and what steps, if any, have been taken to carry out this proposal and to ascertain the views of the Colonies on the subject?

As regards Reservists, emigration can only be permitted to a limited extent. As regards soldiers who have completed their engagement, the Army Council would be glad if employment with the Defence Forces of the oversea dominions could be guaranteed for a limited period—say two years. This would enable non-commissioned officers and trained soldiers to take up work for which they were fully qualified, and which would be of benefit to the dominions while they were settling down in their new environment. No advances of reserve pay can be made. Facilities for commuting pensions to a certain extent at present exist, but are only granted in cases where employment is assured. No definite steps have been taken to ascertain the views of the Dominions and Colonies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the Army Council has been called to the fact that aiming-rests do not form part of the equipment of the units of the Territorial Infantry; whether these appliances are found useful in the musketry training of the Regular Army; and whether he will make provisions in the new Army Estimates for the supply of these instructional appliances to the Territorial Forces?

Aiming rests for the Territorial Force have been ordered and are now being manufactured. Issue will be made as soon as supplies are received. No special provision in the new Army Estimates is therefore necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House what course is proposed in the present year for the Army (Annual) Bill?

The Army (Annual) Bill will not be taken until after Easter, but it is not possible at present to give any definite date.

asked whether the Secretary for War will take the necessary steps to arrange that in future War Office contracts for works in which granite is required shall be advertised in Irish newspapers, so that Irish quarry-owners may have the opportunity of tendering for the supply of Irish granite?

Such contracts are advertised as for a complete building, and it would be impracticable to advertise separately for the various materials comprising the building for which the contractor is responsible. If the necessity shall arise for advertising for the specific supply of granite the point will be borne in mind.

asked whether it is proposed to fix a scale of salaries for research chemists employed at the Royal Arsenal similar to that obtaining in the establishment of the Research Department at the Royal Gunpowder Factory for chemists engaged on similar work?

The chemists of the Research Department are employed on special work. The chemists of the Ordnance Factories are not a research department, but are concerned with the chemistry of manufacture, and not with experimental work. There is no intention therefore of assimilating the salaries of the former class to those of the latter.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the new offices in Whitehall Place, for the Board of Agriculture, will be proceeded with; and what is the cause of delay?

The building will be commenced as soon as the details of the plans are finally determined.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received representations from public bodies in county Meath protesting against any change being made in the hours of posting and conveying of the mails on Sundays through the various districts of the county; whether any change was contemplated, and for what reasons?

I have received representations upon the subject in question. I find that the alterations were suggested in the interests of the men employed. I am, however, having further inquiry made in the matter.

asked how many boy telegraph messengers were discharged by the Post Office annually during each of the last three years; and what steps have been taken by the Post Office to secure them employment?

I regret that figures before July, 1907, are not available. For the nine months ended on 31st March, 1908, the number of boy messengers discharged at 16 years of age was 3,012, and for the year ended on 31st March, 1909, 4,322, of whom 924 on leaving secured employment by the aid of the Department. The steps taken by the Post Office to secure employment for these boys include the establishment of an employment register at every head post office, the giving of facilities for improving educational qualifications, and various other measures requiring more detailed description than is possible in the limits of this reply. I may say generally, however, that I regard the present situation as far from satisfactory, and I am giving immediate attention to this very important matter.

asked to what extent the work is being delayed at the Newcastle-on-Tyne General Post Office extensions by the contractors for the stone demanding a reduction in the wages of the quarrymen, which has caused a dispute and withdrawal of labour?

The amount of Ken-ton stone used in the extension is of an insignificant quantity, the exterior dressing being principally of Carrara ware. No delay, so far, has been occasioned by the non-delivery of stone.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention had been called to the case of Jane Shaw, now resident in Glasgow, who entered the service of the Post Office at Manchester in 1899 after competitive examination and served in his Department until 1908, when she suffered a nervous breakdown owing to her duties as telegraphist and to telegraphist's cramp; whether he is aware that the report on this case by Dr. Watson, the Post Office doctor at Manchester, is contradicted by certificates from two outside doctors of greater eminence; and whether it is on that account that the Post Office Department refuse now, when she is restored to health, to take her back into their service?

Miss Shaw did not state while she was in the Post Office service that she suffered from telegraphist's cramp, and she was not superannuated on that ground. I have seen the medical certificates to which the hon. Member refers, and I am glad to learn that Miss Shaw is now in good health, but I am satisfied, after looking into the whole case, that it would not be advisable to bring her back again to duty.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state what has become of the shipments of Chinese pork which were refused permission to be landed in London; and if he has any official information showing that these shipments are to be sent to the Isle of Man to be cured there into bacon and then shipped to England?

I am informed that the pork brought to London by the "Graf Muravjef" has been brought by sea to Liverpool. Some of it can, I understand, be landed subject to inspection by the medical officer of health. The remainder, not complying with the Foreign Meat Regulations, will have to be re-exported. I have no official information as to its being sent to the Isle of Man to be cured into bacon and retransmitted to England.

asked whether, in passing any Bill in relation to the continuance of the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, he will have regard to the Second Report of the Royal Commission on Agricultural Depression, dated 7th February, 1896. and to the Commissioners' recommendation in paragraph 45 that, in order to place agricultural lands in their right position as compared with other rateable properties, it is essential that they should be assessed to all local rates in a reduced proportion of their rateable value, namely, one-fourth only of their rateable value., and be prepared to give effect to this recommendation?

also asked whether, in any re-enactment of the provisions of the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, Government will provide that the measure of relief shall apply to the rate for the time being leviable upon the land, and not, as at present, to the rate within the meaning of the original Act passed in the year 1896?

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer these two questions together. I could not undertake to promise legislation with a view to extending the operation of the Agricultural Rates Act in either of the directions indicated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will consider the desirability of providing in the schedule of the Census Bill for an enumeration of the unemployed on the date of the Census, as a basis of comparison with the Board of Trade Returns relating to the number of trade unionists unemployed on the last day of March?

The point has been considered, but the machinery of the Census does not appear to be suitable for collecting statistics of unemployment.

asked the President of the Local Government Board when he will receive the Report of the Local Government auditor on the finances of the London County Council during the year ending 31st March; and whether he will hold a special Departmental inquiry into the financial transactions which have taken place under the authority of that body?

It is not practicable to say when the audit of the accounts of the County Council for the year ending 31st March, 1910, will be completed. It would seem desirable to await the report of the auditor before considering the matter referred to in the latter part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in regard to the Departmental Committee lately appointed to inquire into the cost of public buildings for schools, etc., he will consider the advisability of adding to that Committee the names of one member of the council of the British Architects' Institution, one member of the council of the Surveyors' Institution, and one member of the council of the Institution of Civil Engineers?

I purposely restricted the membership of the Committee in order that it might be able to report quickly. It is not intended to be a Committee of experts who could authoritatively recommend particular materials or methods of construction for adoption by local education authorities. The practical question which lies behind their reference is whether the Board of Education can properly modify their building regulations and entertain or encourage proposals from the local education authorities who are primarily responsible for school buildings for the adoption of new materials and methods, and if that question is decided in the affirmative, what further arrangements are necessary to give effect to the decision.

Period		Denomination.				Total.
		Church of England.	Wesleyan.	Roman Catholic.	Others.
1903–1904	…	62	7	—	35	104
1st Aug., 1904, to 31st Dec, 1905	…	94	49	—	183	326
1st Jan., 1906, to 31st July, 1906	…	43	19	—	50	112
1st Aug., 1906, to 31st July, 1907	…	35	19	—	46	100
1st Aug., 1907, to 31st July, 1908	…	28	16	—	33	77
1st Aug., 1908, to 31st July, 1909	…	27	20	—	42	89
1st Aug., 1909, to date	…	9	1	—	4	14
Total	…	298	131	—	393	822

asked when the King's police medal will be struck and distributed to the police?

The design for the medal is still under consideration, and at this moment it is in the artist's hands. There will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given his approval to the regulations suggested to be made by the Court of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London under the City of London (Street Traffic) Act, 1909, in pursuance of Section 2, Sub-section 2 (6), (c), and (d), with regard to costermongers, street hawkers, or itinerant traders carrying on their business in certain scheduled streets between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and, if he has not already approved of the regulations, before doing so whether he is willing to receive representations, by deputation or otherwise, on behalf of the street traders who have been accustomed

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state, by denominations, the number of voluntary schools which have been transferred in each year since 1903, inclusive?

I hope the following table will give the hon. Member the information he requires:—to carry on their business in the streets specified in the schedule?

I have not yet approved the regulations in question. I have already under consideration certain representations made on behalf of the street traders affected, and I will be willing to consider any further representations if submitted without delay. Any such representations should reach the Home Office before Easter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Ilford Urban District Council passed bylaws regulating the employment of children, and providing, amongst other things, that the lowest employment age should be twelve years for boys and fourteen years for girls, and that eight p.m. should be the latest time for child employment; that these by-laws were submitted to the Home Office, and that a reply was sent to the urban district council to the effect that the two by-laws mentioned were without precedent, and suggesting that eleven years of age might be the lowest age for employment of boys, with prohibition of dangerous employments, and that nine p.m. should be the latest time instead of eight p.m.; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the power of his Department is not used to dissuade progressive local authorities from raising the age at which children may be employed and generally improving the conditions of such employment?

A set of by-laws which the Ilford Urban District Council proposed to make under the Employment of Children Act were submitted to the Home Office for preliminary approval in August last. They included the two proposals stated in the question. A reply was sent from the Department in September pointing out that the proposal to prohibit under penalty all employment of however light or casual a character below the age of twelve for boys and fourteen teen for girls went further than any bylaw in force elsewhere and seemed stringent, and inquiring what were the grounds of the proposal and whether the Council had considered the policy of prohibiting employment for all occupations up to eleven, the age adopted in London and other Metropolitan districts, and limiting prohibition above that age to occupations in which the conditions are specially injurious. No comment was made on the proposed limitation of hours for children. The council have, up to the present, not replied to the Home Office letter. I think that the hon. Member will agree that it is the duty of the Department, where stringent and exceptional proposals of this character are made, to satisfy itself that adequate grounds exist before allowing them to receive the force of law; but I shall be happy to consider carefully any explanations in support of their proposals which the Council may submit.