asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that in the Customs branch of the Customs and Excise Department, owing to the depleted staff, the officers are required to take their annual leave from March to December, and that, in the Excise branch, the officers are having their leave from June to November; and whether he will equalise the treatment of the officers of the two branches in respect of having leave allocated during the more desirable months of the year?

It is the standing rule in both the Customs and Excise that, subject to the requirements of the Service, every effort should be and is made to allow officers who so desire to take their leave during the more desirable months of the year; but it is obviously not possible to guarantee this privilege to every individual member of the staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Thomas M'Mahon, Corrys' Lane, Kilkee, West Clare, was in the enjoyment of an old age pension for nine months; and whether he can state the grounds on which Thomas M'Mahon's pension was disallowed?

I find that Thomas M'Mahon's pension was withdrawn on a question raised by the pension officer on the ground that the pensioner had not attained the statutory age. The case was the subject of an unsuccessful appeal to the Local Government Board.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention had been called to the case of Mrs. Mary Lynch, of Rehy West, Cross, Kilkee, West Clare, who had been in receipt of an old age pension of 3s. weekly since 1st January, 1909, but had been deprived of the pension after some months' enjoyment on the ground that her name did not appear on the Census Returns of 1841 and 1851; and whether, in this case, he would consider as good evidence of age the certificates of two respectable ratepayers, aged eighty-four and seventy-two respectively, who have known her from infancy?

I am informed that this pension was withdrawn, on appeal to the Local Government Board for Ireland, whose decision is, under the Old Age Pensions Act, final and conclusive, and I have no power to interfere.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is acquainted with the circumstances under which Mrs. Kate Connell, of Clonlaheen, Miltown Malbay, was deprived of an old age pension which she had enjoyed for some months; whether on 14th September the pension committee sitting at Kilrush considered an objection that in the Census of 1851 she was returned as one year old, but nevertheless became satisfied that she was of the statutory age, and accordingly again recommended her pension; whether any grounds exist for disallowing the pension other than the communication of the pension officer in regard to the Census of 1851; and whether it appears that the pension officer was acquainted with the appearance of the applicant?

The answers to the first, second and fourth parts of this question are in the affirmative. As to the third part, I am informed that the Local Government Board for Ireland decided on an appeal by the pension officer that Mrs. Connell was not entitled to a pension, and it was accordingly withdrawn

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will direct his attention to the case of Michael Hedderman, of Querin, West Clare, who had been in receipt of an old age pension for about twelve months and was subsequently deprived of it on the ground that in the Census of 1851 he appeared as only eight years of age; whether his sister Mary, who was born in 1836 and who is reported to be three years senior to Michael, appears in the Census of 1851 as six years of age, and in the Census of 1841 as five years of age; and whether, in view of these discrepancies, the evidence would be considered of various reputable citizens of Kilrush who can certify from personal knowledge that Michael Hedderman must be over seventy years of age?

The Local Government Board ordered the withdrawal of the pension granted to Michael Hedderman on an appeal to them by the local pension officer on the ground that the pensioner had not attained the statutory age. The entries in the Census Returns to which reference is made have been found, on further investigation, to refer not to Michael Hedderman's sister, but to another person of the same name and place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what circumstances it is considered necessary to recruit the lower section of the technical staff of the General Valuation Office, Dublin, by a semi-professional examination mainly suitable for English candidates, whereas the upper section of the technical staff has been successfully recruited from the clerical staff of the Department?

The valuers and surveyors (first section) in the Valuation Office are now entirely recruited from the valuers and surveyors (second section). The second section is recruited by a technical examination equal to that required for Fellowships of the Surveyors' Institute, and has been so recruited, with a single exception, since 1889. A technical examination is necessary in order to secure officers with the requisite technical qualifications for field work. I understand that the majority of the men appointed since 1889 are Irish.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the names of the persons in Scotland who were allowed to grow tobacco in the season of 1909, with their residences; the lands where tobacco was grown; and the quantity of tobacco raised?

Only one person in Scotland has applied to be allowed to grow tobacco for experimental purposes in the season of 1909. His name is Mr. W. M. Neilson, of Barcaple, Kirkcudbrightshire, to whom authority was given to cultivate one acre at Barcaple. The actual quantity of tobacco raised cannot be stated, the curing not yet being completed; but the amount will probably be about 400lbs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a Department has been established in connection with the Estate Duty Office for the purpose of, or in relation to, the inspection and valuation of the estates of deceased persons?

A Department is in existence for this purpose at the Inland Revenue. Its creation was necessitated by the unsatisfactory nature of the valuations which in many instances had previously to be accepted.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the decision of the Government to limit the period for which Supplies are asked has caused confusion to the Departmental staffs and pressure upon the printers in reissuing the Vote on Account; and what is the extra cost occasioned thereby or in connection with the Government's departure from the usual practice?

I am not aware that there has been any confusion in consequence of the decision of the Government. The extra expense in connection with each issue of the Vote on Account will be about £5, for printing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, since the publication of the "Napier Report" respecting the condition of the crofters and cottars in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the deer forest area in the Highland crofting counties has increased by 1,248,598 acres; and, in view of the fact that it has been shown by this and subsequent Reports that much of the land thus absorbed for sport might be utilised for the creation of new holdings, and be thus made available for occupation by crofters and cottars who are making urgent demands for land, will he consider the expediency of discouraging a further extension of the deer forest area by arranging for a special tax on deer forests?

I will consider the point raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in cases where the extra Spirit Duty of 3s. 9d. per proof gallon has been, since 4th December, paid as a deposit, such amount is being retained as a deposit or is being utilised by the Treasury for the financial exigencies of the moment; and whether, in the event of the fact that certain clearances have been made without such deposit being lodged, he will, in the event of such being passed as retroactive, demand interest since 4th December on such withheld deposit, and, if so, at what rate?

The amounts deposited have been paid into the Exchequer. As regards the latter part of the question, it is not proposed to charge interest in such cases.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether all unexpended balances in the hands of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland are returned to the Treasury at the end of every financial year; and whether any such practice prevails in England or Scotland?

The Vote for Public Education (Ireland), like the corresponding Votes for England and Scotland and all other Votes of Parliament not voted expressly as Grants in Aid, is subject to the surrender of balances unexpended at the close of every financial year. In the case of a continuing service, however, no actual cash repayment takes place, the surrender-able balance being treated as a sum issued in respect of the grant for the succeeding year.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Richard Boyle, National School teacher, at Colliery School, Castlecomer, county Kilkenny, has been retired by the Board of Education on a pension of £38 per annum, on account of failure of sight after forty years' service as principal teacher, but, because he has not served forty years after the age of twenty-one, he is debarred by the rules of the Board from receiving the full pension of £46; and whether, in view of Mr. Boyle's services, he will recommend the Commissioners of National Education to add the necessary one year and nine months to his service to qualify him for the full pension?

I understand that the teacher in question has become blind and will be retired on the 31st instant, when he will be entitled, under the rules governing the Teachers' Pension Fund, to a pension of £38 a year. Had he been able to continue to serve until December, 1911, he would have been entitled to a pension of £46 a year, but the Commissioners of National Education have no power to add to his service as suggested in the last paragraph of the question.

asked whether the Commissioners of National Education have made recommendations to the Treasury in favour of paying the teachers monthly; whether any estimate has been formed as to the increased cost; if so, what is the amount; and is the question of cost the only objection to granting the unanimous request of the teachers in favour of monthly payments of their salaries?

The Commissioners of National Education made no recommendations to the Treasury on the subject, but they prepared an estimate, from which it appears that the cost of the proposed change would be £180,000 or thereabouts for the first year, in addition to an annual increase in the Vote of some £2,000 for the additional staff which would be required in the Education Office. The cost is not the only difficulty. As I have already informed the hon. Member, time does not admit of the matter being maturely considered in connection with the Estimates for the current year, but the question whether arrangements can be made to effect the change is regards the year 1911–12 will be duly considered before next year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could state what action, if any, had been taken by the Congested Districts Board in the matter of providing fishing facilities and road improvements in South Kerry, in accordance with the representations which have been made?

The Congested Districts Board at their last meeting increased their grant for a pier at Cooscroum to £l,200, the county council voting the balance of £300. The county council are making arrangements for starting the work. At the same meeting the Board increased their grant for Cahirciveen Pier to £323, the county council voting the balance of £444. The Board are also engaged in rock-clearance work at Trawagginaun, on the island of Valentia. Up to the present nothing further has been arranged for in South Kerry.

asked whether the council of any county or county borough in Ireland has placed at the disposal of the National University, or any of the constituent colleges thereof, any sums for the purposes mentioned in Section 10 (2) of the Irish Universities Act, 1908; and, if so, what sums?

No sums of money have been placed at the disposal of the National University by the council of any county or county borough in Ireland for the purposes mentioned in Section 10 (2) of the Irish Universities Act, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the rural district council of Roscommon has been in negotiation for a considerable time with the Land Commission and with Mrs. Bermingham for the acquisition of land in the possession of the latter for the purpose of labourers allotments, under the Labourers Act of 1906; that the land proposed to be taken consists of 23 out of 95½ acres, repurchased by Mrs. Bermingham as owner of an estate sold under the Land Act of 1903, upon which the Land Commission have made an advance of £2,854; that the Land Commission has now fixed £920 of this amount on the 23 acres, whilst the district council states that the proper acre-able proportion is £684, and that the land proposed to be taken is not superior but rather inferior to that which remains; that the council has asked the Land Commission for the basis upon which this amount was fixed and has been refused any information, further than a statement that the amount is a matter of actuarial calculation; whether he will state what official in the Land Commission is responsible for this particular calculation; and whether he will request the Commissioners to furnish the district council with the information which it seeks, and thus facilitate the operations of the council under the Act of 1906.

I am informed by the Land Commission that in the particular case referred to in the question the 95½ acres referred to were purchased from and resold to Mrs. L. M. F. Bermingham under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. These lands are situate on the outskirts of the town of Roscommon and are now subject to a Land Purchase Annuity of £92 15s. 2d. in repayment of an advance of £2,854 made to her for the repurchase of the lands under the Section. Twenty-three acres of this land are now being acquired by the Roscommon Rural District Council by agreement under the Labourers Acts. As these twenty-three acres must be discharged from further liability to the payment of the Land Purchase annuity, the Commissioners as chargeants on the lands, on being applied to, intimated that for that purpose £29 18s. of the land purchase annuity should be charged on the twenty-three acres and be redeemed, the residue of the annuity, £62 17s. 2d. to continue to be payable by Mrs. Bermingham in respect of the remainder of the land in her occupation. The redemption value of the annuity (£29 18s.) is approximately £920, but depends on the value of Guaranteed 2¾ per cent, stock at the actual date of redemption, and is a matter for actuarial calculation when the redemption money comes to be paid. The case is one which has received most careful consideration with regard to security and other matters, and the Commissioners do not see any reason for departing from the decision already arrived at. The matter has been the subject of considerable correspondence, and the Commissioners have explained that a lower figure which the parties proposed to pay was not at any time assented to by the Commissioners, or settled with their concurrence.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have been requested by Mr. Hamilton Stubber to exchange the farms of Kilbrudy and Aghaboe, Queen's County, for places of much less value; and whether, considering that Kilbrudy and Aghaboe are evicted farms, and that the representatives of the evicted tenants are claiming them, the Chief Secretary will see that no bargain of this character is entered into, particularly as the Commissioners are acquiring the lands under the compulsory provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act?

On the hearing of the objection lodged by the owner in this case the Estates Commissioners decided to discontinue proceedings under the Evicted Tenants Act in regard to these lands, but, the owner having intimated his willingness to sell to the Commissioners other lands in his occupation, an inspector has been directed to report as to such lands.

asked whether an application for an advance to purchase a holding on the Owens Estate, Turfarney, Rath- downey, Queen's County, has been received by the Estates Commissioners from Frank Scott; can he say on what terms Scott holds the farm, and if under a yearly tenancy, when the tenancy was created; and whether the Commissioners propose making an advance to Scott, and, if so, what amount.

The Land Commission inform me that Scott has acquired by assignment the interest of the tenant who signed the purchase agreement. The amount of the advance applied for is £2,770. It is stated in the document lodged by the vendor that the tenancy was created prior to 1881. The estate has not yet been inspected.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Return of Local Contributions (Ireland), of which notice appears on the Order Paper, will be granted?

Yes, Sir. The Return will be granted, but its preparation will take some time, as the particulars have to be obtained from the local bodies concerned.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can explain the circumstances under which a labourer named O'Brien, of Knockundervaul, Duagh, rural district of Listowel, was refused the additional half-acre; was the application of this man twice inquired into; is he aware that at the inquiry in July, 1907, Mr. M'Cabe, Local Government Board inspector, expressed himself in favour of it; and that there is a sufficiency of land held by the occupier, Thomas Casey, out of which an additional allotment might be granted?

I understand that O'Brien's application has been twice inquired into, but there is nothing in the transcript of the shorthand writer's notes of the second inquiry to show that the Board's inspector approved of the renewed application, and he disallowed it on the ground that the applicant was not a labourer. The area of the farm on which the additional half-acre was marked appears to be forty-one acres, but the occupier based his objection upon the fact that consent was given to the original half-acre for a cottage and plot for O'Brien (although he was not an agricultural labourer), on the understanding that no more land would be applied for by him. The applicant never worked as an agricultural labourer, but is a tailor.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Quinlan, chairman of the Tipperary (No. 2) Rural District Council, recently adjudicated at the Hospital Petty Sessions, county Limerick; whether any of this petty sessions district comes within the above district council area; and, if so, will he explain whether Mr. Quinlan can exercise his magisterial functions in Hospital?

Mr. Quinlan is chairman of the Council of the Tipperary (No. 2) Rural District, which lies wholly within the Newpallas Petty Sessions District, but I understand that, besides being a magistrate in virtue of his office, he is also an ordinary county magistrate. The question whether he was entitled in the latter capacity to sit at the Hospital Petty Sessions is being considered by the Lord Chancellor.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty are aware of the number of men entitled to the Greenwich age pension who are at present anxiously awaiting payment of this pension; and if he will state what steps he intends to take to meet this position?

There are no men entitled to Greenwich Hospital age pensions. The Admiralty is, of course, aware that there is a large number of pensioners eligible for age pensions whose applications cannot be complied with, but every step has been taken to distribute these pensions as fully as the available funds will permit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the dredgermen, looking to their work and the time they are employed, are the worst paid men in the dockyard; whether he will inquire into their case with a view of increasing their pay and position; whether the Admiralty have received the petition relative to the rates of pay of skilled and unskilled workmen in His Majesty's dockyards in comparison with private dockyards; and, if so, when a reply may be expected; whether the Admiralty have received a petition from the hired workmen in the dockyards with regard to establishment; and, if so, whether they will formulate a reply; what steps he intends to take with regard to the establishment in the dockyards; and if he intends to make it common to all departments employed.

Reference to the Royal Dockyards will be necessary before an answer can be given to the Noble Lord's question, but the reply will be circulated with the printed Answers to Questions as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the officers of Territorial Forces attending a school of instruction are entitled to the pay and allowances of their rank with 4s. per diem messing allowance; and, seeing that the number of officers attending such schools has shown a decrease coinciding with an Army Order making issue of pay and allowances to officers while attending a school provisional on their being able to prove actual financial loss to at least the amount of pay and allowances claimed, whether he will take steps to ensure that all officers attending schools of instruction are given the pay and allowances mentioned?

Will the hon. Member kindly refer to my replies to questions on this subject put by the hon. Member for the Rye Division of Sussex on 2nd March, and by the hon. Member for Hertford on the 9th March, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked what is the value and efficiency of the musketry course of the Territorial Force as compared with that of the old Volunteer force and of the Militia respectively, with regard to the training of recruits and with regard to trained men who have completed their course of training as recruits; whether, in regard to the latter class of men, 23 rounds only have to be fired by each man in the year, of which eight rounds are rapid firing of an inaccurate kind, and that, to qualify as an efficient, each man need only make a very small minimum score out of the maximum attainable by accurate shooting; and whether any, and what, reforms are now contemplated in the shooting of the Territorial Force?

The system of musketry training in the Territorial Force is considered by military experts to be immeasurably superior to that which obtained in the Volunteers. The result of the musketry training of trained men for 1909 was considered to be very satisfactory; that of recruits, though satisfactory, was not so good, as the test was somewhat too severe. The standard has accordingly been slightly lowered. The Militia course was not analagous to that for the Volunteers or Territorial Force. All Territorial soldiers are expected to fire ninety rounds unless they qualify in the standard test, when it is considered that they have reached a slightly higher standard of efficiency than the average European conscript, and that no further practice during the year is necessary In such cases ammunition may be saved and usefully employed in the further training of indifferent shots. In view of the very satisfactory character of the new system it is not proposed to carry out any further reforms.

asked whether, in the event of the majority of the Imperial Yeomanry accepting the Imperial Service conditions, the sword will be added to their equipment; and, if not, how can Yeomanry called up for service abroad and armed only as mounted infantry, act with cavalry?

It is not proposed to add a sword to the equipment of the Yeomanry, even in the case of those who accept Imperial Service conditions, as the short period of their annual instruction is barely sufficient for their training in the use of horse and rifle. In the event of their offer to serve abroad being accepted it is not intended that Yeomanry should be sent there without a period of training on embodiment.

asked how the census of horses is to be kept up to date, and, if this is to be done annually by the county associations, what allowance will be made to them for the cost of the record and annual classification of the horses in their area?

The police authorities have undertaken to make a census every year in December, which will be used by the association's collectors for the purpose of keeping their lists up to date. Associations are asked to satisfy themselves that this is being done, but I do not think it calls for a special grant.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can give the following particulars as regards the Lindsey Local Education Authority, Lincolnshire:—The total number of school-places in the provided and non-provided elementary schools; the average attendance in the elementary schools for the years 1904–5, 1905–6, 1906–7, 1907–8, 1908–9; the number of provided schools that they have built since the appointed day; their allocation of the cost of new schools as between the immediate locality to be served by such new schools and the county as a whole; the amount of their elementary rate; how much whisky money they spend upon, and what rate they levy for, education higher than elementary; their scholarship scheme; the number of secondary schools and training colleges, and in how many of them are sectarian tests imposed upon student-teachers or students, and whether the sectarian secondary schools and training colleges are subsidised out of the rate that is levied for higher education; and the amount of any subsidy that they pay towards some university?

For an answer to the first and second parts of the question I must refer my hon. Friend to the published statistics of the Board of Education. The local education authority have built eleven new permanent council schools and four temporary council schools since the appointed day. The Board do not possess the information necessary for a reply to the fourth part of the question. The total amount of the rates raised by the local education authority for elementary education in the year 1907–8, the latest year as to which the Board have information, was £22,667. The amount of "whisky money" received by them in the same year was £6,049. Whisky money must be spent for education higher than elementary. No rate was levied by the local education authority for education higher than elementary in the year 1907–8. An answer to the seventh part of the question will be found in the "Higher Education Handbook," issued by the Education Committee in June, 1909, a copy of which my hon. Friend can no doubt obtain. There are nine secondary schools in the area of the administrative county on the grant list. All these schools are endowed schools governed by schemes, and they comply fully with the Board's regulations for secondary schools; it follows from this that no sectarian tests can be imposed upon any students in these schools. It is understood that the local education authority pay grants amounting to £1,005 annually in aid of these schools. There are no training colleges in the area of the Administrative County of Parts of Lindsey. The Board have no information on the subject referred to in the ninth part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, whether any arrangements had been come to between His Majesty's Government and the Union Castle line regarding an extension of steamer service to East Africa; and, if so, whether he would state the nature of those arrangements?

No formal agreement has been entered into between His Majesty's Government and the Union Castle line, but, the company having arranged for an extension of steamer service to East Africa from the beginning of the year, the Government are endeavouring to support it in its enterprise by sending their officials and stores by the company's steamers whenever this can be conveniently done.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will extend to the Metropolitan Police pensioners pensioned prior to the 1st April, 1891, the same facilities to enable them to receive their pensions at their due date as those granted by the late Home Secretary in 1909 to pensioners pensioned after the 1st April, 1891, to wit, to enable the pensioners pensioned on or prior to the 1st April, 1891, to sign and forward their pension forms to the receiver two days prior to the pension becoming due, thus putting them in a position to receive their pension at the due date, in lieu of the practice now prevailing, which requires that the forms should not be signed or forwarded till the date at which the pension is actually due?

I have consulted the Receiver, and on his advice I propose to modify the regulations so as to give effect to this suggestion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any action is contemplated by the Government in view of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Water Supply, 1869 (Report, paragraph 264), of the Royal Commission on Salmon Fisheries (Report, 1902, pages 62–3, recommendations 1 (b) and 3), of the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal (Third Report, 1903, paragraphs 44–9, 57, 60, 65, 70–3, 74), and of the representations made to him by the County Councils' Association in 1903 (Third Report, Sewage Disposal Commission, Appendix A, page 6), and the Metropolitan Water Board in 1907 (Water Board Minutes, 1907, page 485), with reference to the appropriation and regulation of catchment areas for public water supplies?

This matter is engaging my attention in connection with a Bill which will shortly come on for consideration in another place.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that only thirteen years are allowed by the Board for the repayment of loans for wood and wire fencing or wooden buildings for small holdings; whether he is aware that many county councils have fixed the rents to tenants of their small holdings on the supposition that the term granted for such loans would be the same as that which has been granted by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Lands Improvement Acts, namely, twenty to twenty-five years; and whether he can state in what way, if the short term for such loans is adhered to, a county council can comply with the terms of Section 7 (3) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, and at the same time charge such rents to their tenants as they will be able to pay?

I am aware that thirteen years is the term allowed by the Board for the repayment of loans for wood and wire fencing and wooden buildings where the wood is creosoted under pressure, and that some county councils have proposed rents on the supposition that a longer term would be allowed. I have been advised that thirteen years is an adequate term to allow, looking to the nature of the work, and in these circumstances the provisions of Section 7 (3) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, cannot be regarded as a reason for extending the term.

asked the Postmaster-General if the postal authorities contemplate immediately introducing military telegraphists into the Cork post office; if he is aware that the public bodies, of Cork last year unanimously adopted resolutions protesting against such a proceeding; and, if so, whether, seeing that so much unemployment prevails in Cork, he will cancel such arrangements and recruit the staff from local civilians?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question on the 7th instant from the Senior Member for Cork City.

asked when it is intended to establish the position of chief inspectorship of postmen in Liverpool, as promised some time ago, and as was carried out recently in respect of Manchester?

I hope very shortly to be in a position to create a. post for an inspector-in-charge at Liverpool.

asked the Undersecretary for India whether he has any official information as to the allegations of torture laid against the police in the trial of Gopal Govindrai, at Bombay on 10th March?

The Secretary of State has seen a report in the Press that such allegations have been made and denied, ' but he has no official information on the subject. The judgment of the court must be awaited before any statement can be made.

asked the Undersecretary for India whether the new Press Act enables the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal to confiscate natives' waist cloths-if found seditiously embroidered?

The Secretary of State does not feel called upon to give an opinion on the point of law raised in the question. My hon. Friend will observe that Section 17 of the Press Act enables any person against whom an order of forfeiture is made to appeal to the High Court.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he will give the value of the goods exported from India to the United Kingdom to British possessions, exclusive of Hong Kong, and to foreign countries, including Hong Kong, during each of the last five years, distinguishing between raw materials,

—	1904–5.	1905–6.	1906–7.	1907–8.	1908–9.
	£	£	£	£	£
United Kingdom	28,287,046	26,665,055	31,289,511	29,936,472	24,048,132
British Possessions (excluding Hong-Kong)	11,900,980	12,871,391	13,799,794	13,858,265	12,210,645
Foreign Countries (including Hong-Kong)	62,572,822	65,923,036	70,298,704	71,857,414	63,823,856
Total	102,760,848	105,459,482	115,388,009	115,652,151	99,882,633
NOTE.—Treasure, Government stores, and re-exports are excluded.

It has not been found possible to distribute these values under the four heads used in the table in Paragraph 5 of the Government of India's despatch on preferential tariffs, of 22nd October, 1903, as it is not known what articles were included under these respective heads. If the Noble Lord will move for a Return, the Secretary of State will cause it to be prepared in India. But in view of the labour which the compilation of the figures for five years will involve, perhaps the Noble Lord may be disposed to consider whether figures for one year or for two years would answer the purpose.

—	1904–5.	1905–6.	1906–7.	1907–8.	1908–9.
	£	£	£	£	£
United Kingdom	42,021,951	45,825,871	48,198,645	57,757,883	50,617,819
Other British Possessions (excluding Hong-Kong)	4,689,195	4,561,070	4,996,454	5,614,703	5,959,989
Foreign Countries (including Hong-Kong)	17,741,016	18,335,772	19,009,956	23,224,143	24,266,010
Total	64,452,192	68,722,713	72,205,055	86,596,729	80,343.818
NOTE.—Treasure and Government stores are excluded.

For the reasons given in the answer to the last preceding question, it has not been found possible to give the detailed information asked in the latter part of the question.

The value of the goods exported from India to the United Kingdom, to British possessions (Hong Kong excluded), and to foreign countries (Hong Kong included), in the five years, 1904–9, is as follows:—

asked the Undersecretary for India whether he will state the value of the imports into India from the United Kingdom, from other British Possessions (excluding Hong Kong), and from foreign countries (including Hong Kong), in each of the last five years, distinguishing between raw materials, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, and other articles?

The value of the goods imported into India from the United Kingdom, from British Possessions (Hong Kong excluded) and from foreign countries (Hong Kong included) in the five years 1904–09 is as follows:—

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 is still in existence, with a president and secretarial staff; and, if so, for what purpose it exists and what cost it entails upon the National Exchequer?

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 has a Charter of Incorporation as a permanent body. Its income derived from investments and from the Kensington estate is expended for scientific and educational purposes. It entails no cost on the Exchequer other than the cost of its office accommodation.

asked the First Commissioner of Works why parties of school children and others are no longer allowed to visit the Clock Tower; whether the new order is due to the unsafe condition of the steps; and, if so, why Members of this House are still permitted to use them?

There has been no new order governing admission to the Clock Tower, the access to which is perfectly safe. Apart from Members of Parliament, who may wish to conduct a few friends up the Tower, permission is now, as formerly, limited to students of horology. An increase in the facilities is undesirable, as it would involve the appointment of a special staff for purposes of supervision.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the sum that has up till now been expended on the site, building, and equipment of the new Duke of York's School at Guston, near Dover?

Two hundred and twelve thousand six hundred and forty-six pounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any alteration has been made during the last twelve months in the system of irrigation in Egypt; and whether native officials have been substituted for Europeans in superintending any portion of that process?

I am not aware that there has been any alteration in the general system of irrigation in Egypt. The progress made during the past twelve months will be described in Sir Eldon Gorst's Annual Report on Egypt, which is now being prepared for presentation. I will inquire whether native officials have been substituted for Europeans in any works connected with irrigation.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the bridge which was constructed last year over Applecross River, Ross-shire, collapsed owing to the piers not having been carried down to the solid rock, will he state whether the Congested Districts Board have now made arrangements for the reconstruction of the bridge?

The authority responsible for the reconstruction and maintenance of the bridge referred to is not the Congested Districts Board, but the County Road Board. The Congested Districts Board have, however, agreed to consider an application by the County Road Board for a grant in aid of the reconstruction of the bridge by the latter authority who have not yet submitted their scheme.

asked whether, having regard to the fact that the cottars of Valtos and Kneep, island of Lewis, some time since petitioned the proprietor of the island to break up the farm of Reef, in the parish of Uig, what decision has been arrived at; and whether the Congested Districts Board would be prepared to co-operate with the proprietor in the creation of new j holdings?

After careful inquiry the Congested Districts Board were satisfied that the farm of Reef was unsuited for division into crofts, and the petitioners were informed accordingly.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that the Report of the Poor Law Commission (Scotland), which was issued in November last year, confirms the report of Dr. Dittmar, medical inspector for the Local Government Board for Scotland, in regard to the-grossly insanitary condition of the townships in the island of Lewis, would he state what action the Government proposes to take in the matter, especially bearing in mind that this question has been under the consideration of the Secretary for Scotland since 1906?

I am unable at present to add anything to the terms of the reply given to my hon. Friend on 1st December last.

asked the Lord Advocate in view of the decision of the Stornoway sheriff court and subsequent appeal, is he now in a position to state to what extent the proprietor of the island of Lewis has been relieved of the payment of rates for which he was formerly held to be liable; and will a like percentage of relief be secured to owners by purchase under the Congested Districts Board or otherwise?

It is difficult to estimate the ultimate relief, but the immediate effect of the decision referred to was, I understand, to reduce the amount of rates payable by the proprietor for the year 1907–8 from £1,450 11s. 6d. to £839 16s. 2d. The deduction from rental for rating purposes will in future be applicable to ratepayers alike.

asked whether arrangements can now be made for the new fishery cruiser to patrol the waters off the coast of Lewis and the western mainland of Ross-shire?

Under existing arrangements the fishery cruiser "Minna" patrols the waters of the North-West Highlands and the outer islands, while the fishery cruiser "Norna" pays occasional visits to the west coast of Ross-shire. In present circumstances this disposition of the vessels seems to the Fishery Board to be the most advantageous.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any investigations have been conducted by the Board with a view to ascertain whether the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Edinburgh in 1908, attributed to infected hay from the Netherlands, was traceable to the same causes which the United States Department of Agriculture now assert (Circular 147) to be responsible for the extensive outbreaks of that disease in the States in 1902–3 and in 1908?

The most exhaustive inquiries were made as to the cause of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Edinburgh in 1908, with the result that it was found that the evidence that it was attributable to infected hay was very strong indeed. There was nothing whatever to suggest that the disease might have been introduced by means similar to those which are believed to be responsible for the outbreak in the United States in 1908.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Legislatures of Jersey and Guernsey have now passed the Bills for amending the law in regard to merchant shipping in the Channel Islands, upon which conferences have been going on for some time past between representatives of the Board of Trade and the insular authorities?

Substantial progress has been made in the matter to which my hon. Friend refers, but the Board of Trade are still in communication with the Bailiff of Jersey on one or two important points which must be settled before steps can be taken to secure the passage of the contemplated legislation into law. I hope, however, that the matter will shortly be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state when the Labour Exchange will be opened at Bolton?

Premises have been acquired for a Labour Exchange at Bolton, and it is hoped that the necessary structural alterations can be carried out in time to permit of the opening of the exchange during May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state why, although a report has been presented by Commander Fredericks to the effect that certain land at Sea View, Isle of Wight, is Crown property, being seashore, some residents are still precluded from it through the action of a neighbouring landowner deposing that he had manorial rights over it; and whether he can take any action in the matter?

The report by Captain Fredericks referred to by the hon. Member did not deal with the question of the ownership of the foreshore at Sea View, but with the question whether certain works were above or below the line of high water of ordinary tides. Although the shore below that line isprimâ faciethe property of the Crown, claims adverse to the Crown have been put forward, and are being investigated.