asked the Secretary of State for War whether the privileges of medical and surgical treatment given to men employed in the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich had been curtailed; and, if so, whether he could see his way to have medical and surgical attendance reestablished on a broader basis?

The privileges of the men employed in the Royal Arsenal as regards medical and surgical treatment have not been curtailed, but it has been found necessary to restrict the Government hospital at the Royal Arsenal to accidents for which it was established, and not allow it to become a general hospital.

asked whether he could say on what date the discharges of lads at the age of 21 from the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, would cease; and whether, seeing that these lads had never been warned of this termination of engagement at 21 years of age, he could see his way to mitigate this hardship?

At the age of twenty-one lads employed in the Royal Arsenal officially become men, and are then, if retained, entitled to the minimum rate of 23s. a week. As long as it is necessary to absorb all vacancies due to wastage, there are no vacancies for boys reaching the age of twenty-one to be entered as men. No date can at present be assigned for absorption of wastage to cease. The lads are well aware of their liability to discharge at the age of twenty-one.

asked whether the plan suggested by Lord Kitchener to the Australian Commonwealth of granting commissions for military efficiency instead of by means of social influence has been under consideration by the War Office, with a view of applying the plan to the British Army generally; and, if so, whether an opinion has been expressed that the West Point system is the best for training aspirants for such commissions?

The hon. Member is incorrect in his suggestion that social influence controls the granting of commissions in the British Army. As I understand it, nomination is an essential feature of the West Point system, whereas entrance to the British Army is in the main by open examination.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that when a soldier in the ranks wishes to attain commissioned rank, he is assisted to do so by the military authorities?

We encourage it in every way, but it is not everybody who will take a commission in the Regular Army.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us in what way they encourage the ranker to go in for a commission?

Whenever anybody is recommended by his Commanding Officer for a Commission every encouragement is given to him at headquarters to get it.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the statement of Parsee Rustomjee, sentenced to a second term of six months' imprisonment on the 11th August, 1909, for recrossing the border after being deported, and who complained of the treatment he received at the Diepkloof prison; whether the treatment complained of was that always given to offenders under the Registration Law; if so, would representations be made to the Transvaal Government, that the offences under the Act should be considered as political offences, and that those convicted should be considered as first-class misdemeanants, and should not be subjected to rigorous hard labour treatment?

We have been in correspondence with the Transvaal Government, but as the reply is very lengthy it will be most convenient to the House to circulate it with the votes. —[See Written Answers this date.]

Have the Government any intention of laying papers?

Does my hon. Friend mean in this particular case or on the general question?

All correspondence?

I will consider that. I do not know that anything fresh has occurred in the last few months, but I will consider it. and perhaps my hon. Friend will ask a question on it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that some 3,000 people, 15,000 cattle, and 250,000 sheep were formerly on the land granted to the East African Syndicate, and that at the present time there were six Europeans and 80 Africans and 15,200 sheep and 135 other stock, he could state if the conditions under which the East African Syndicate obtained the land had been fairly carried out; and, if not, whether proceedings would be taken to cancel the concession in a similar manner as had already been decided on with reference to another concession granted to Captain Grogan?

I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said in the House on the 10th of June, 1909, when a similar question was asked by him. The statements which I made on that occasion were communicated to the Governor, and I have no reason to suppose that, as far as possible and within reasonable limits, the conditions under which the East African Syndicate's concession was made are not being fairly carried out.

May I ask whether we can be assured that all Concessionaires in East Africa will receive equal terms in administration as regards forfeiture?

Yes; I promise to be strictly impartial.

Was not a promise given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme that no long concessions of land would be given in East Africa?

I do not know that this arises out of this particular question. What I said then I adhere to now.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether any limit had been placed to the fines which may be proposed under the proposed Sedition Ordinance for Southern Nigeria; whether he was aware that the Ordinance was stated by the Attorney-General of the Colony to have been drafted at home; whether this statement was made in order to meet the objection made locally that the Ordinance, while possibly suited to India, was unsuitable to the African hinterland; and whether, during the fifty years which had elapsed since the Lagos district was ceded to the Crown, any seditious act or acts had been proved against any members of the Yoruba tribes?

The fines which may be imposed under the Seditious Offences Ordinance are not specified in the ordinance, but, as in this country in such cases, are left to be determined in each case, subject to the proviso that they shall not be excessive. The statement of the Attorney-General that the Ordinance was drafted in England is correct, but I should add that it was not passed until the draft had been considered by the Governor of Southern Nigeria and his legal advisers, and until certain amendments suggested by them had been approved by the Secretary of State. It would not be strictly correct to say that there has been no hostility between the Government of Lagos and any of the Yoruba tribes since 1861, the date of the cession; but I have no hesitation in saying that the loyalty of the people generally is beyond dispute, and gives no cause whatever for dissatisfaction. The Ordinance referred to is a codification, for local purposes, of the common law of England, which was already in force in the Colony, but which was not readily ascertainable on the spot by the local inhabitants. The penalty of transportation for life, which is provided by the Indian penal code, has not been included in the Southern Nigerian law. I may sum up the matter by saying that this legislation is simply the translation of the existing law of the Colony, that is the Common law into Statute.

Will an opportunity be given for further consideration in this House before the Ordinance is finally approved by the Colonial Office?

The question can be raised on the Colonial Vote. But I think there is a misapprehension in the matter. There is nothing new in this Ordinance; it is simply a codification of the existing law, and, as far as that goes, it is to the advantage of the people of the Colony, showing them what the law is.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could now see his way to recommend the liberation of Robert Simpson, Glasgow, who was convicted in 1907 of conspiracy to defraud certain newspapers, in view of the facts that the conviction rested largely on handwriting, and that further doubt had since the conviction been placed on the opinion of the handwriting expert?

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave regarding this case to the hon. Member for Bridgeton last week.

Has the Secretary for Scotland considered this case?

Yes.

asked whether, having regard to the number of cases in which masters of trawlers convicted of illegal trawling go to prison so as to avoid payment of the fines imposed, procurators-fiscal would press in all cases for the confiscation of the trawl gear belonging to such trawler?

Under the existing practice the gear is seized at the time of detection, wherever it is practicable to do so, and is sold on a conviction being obtained. This practice will continue to be observed.

Will steps be taken to secure that the gear is sold in some centre of population, and not at the spot where the conviction has taken place; because when the latter course is followed, the gear is often bought back for a mere song, so that the offender receives practically no punishment?

I will communicate with the Fishery Board and see if it is practicable.

Is it not a fact that some of the sheriffs in Scotland have stated that the penalties attached to illegal trawling are not sufficient to prevent the continuance of the illegality?

I am not aware of that.

asked how far the Small Holdings Commissioners had proceeded in securing land for the applicants at Newborough; and, seeing that it is now two years since the men applied for land and nine months since the Soke of Peterborough County Council refused to sanction the proposal of their own small holdings committee for the compulsory purchase of a certain farm, whether the Board of Agriculture could hold out reasonable prospect of the Commissioners securing this land before Michaelmas next?

The Board deferred taking any further action in this matter until the new County Council had been constituted and its Chairman and other officers appointed. The Board now propose to bring the matter urgently to the notice of the Council and they will do everything in their power to expedite a satisfactory settlement. It is not, however, possible at this stage to say whether the land can be actually acquired before Michaelmas next.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention had been drawn to the hardships and pecuniary loss to the present occupiers of land at Whixley, near Harrogate, owing to the circumstances under which the West Riding County Council were proposing to take their land for small holdings; and whether, in view of the constant recurrence of similar grievances, the Board of Agriculture could see their way to secure reasonable compensation in such case to farmers affected?

No representations have been made to the Board by the occupiers of the land in question. With reference to the latter part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the reply given yesterday by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Barkston Ash.

Will the Board make inquiries into this case?

With pleasure. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a question we will inquire into it, if he desires us to do so.

asked how many schemes involving the raising of loans for adaptation or equipment had been submitted to the Board of Agriculture by the various county councils under The Small Holdings Act, 1908, and how many of these schemes had been approved by the Board?

The number of schemes submitted to the Board, in which provision is made for expenditure on equipment or adaptation is 284, of which 270 have been approved. It does not, however, necessarily follow that every such scheme involves the raising of a loan.

asked whether the Board had, since the issue in April, 1906, of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Louping Ill and Braxy in Sheep, prosecuted any further investigations into those diseases along the lines indicated in such Report; and, if so, when they would make public the results of such investigation?

Further investigations have been carried out by the members of this Committee since the date of their Report, but they were interrupted for a considerable time by the long illness and regrettable death last spring of Professor Hamilton. The Board hope to receive a further Report on the subject in a few months, and will consider the advisability of publishing it.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture had during the last six months received many complaints in respect of sheep-worrying by dogs; and, if so, whether those complaints came from any particular district or districts, or were fairly general throughout the country?

The reply is in the negative.

Does that mean that no complaints whatever have been received from any part of the country of sheep-worrying by dogs?

I should not have replied "No" if that had not been the case.

asked when it was proposed to publish the Annual Report of the Intelligence Department of the Board of Agriculture for 1909?

Part I. of the Report mentioned will probably be issued in about six weeks. Part II., which will include information to the 31st instant, cannot be issued until June or July next.

Is it quite impossible to have both parts of this Report before the Vote for the Board of Agriculture is taken?

We do not yet know when the Vote is to be taken.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture were carrying out any systematic investigation as to the food of different species of birds, other than the very limited investigation of Mr. Robert Newstead, to which reference was made in a supplement to the Journal of the Board of December, 1908, in order to ascertain definitely which British birds are harmful on the farm and in the garden and which are beneficial?

The British Association for the Advancement of Science appointed a committee in 1908 to investigate the feeding habits of British birds. The Board are represented on the committee, and are giving a contribution towards the expenses.

Will not the Board consider it worth its while to pursue its own separate investigations in so important a matter, in the interests of those who cultivate the soil?

What is being done at present is sufficient. If the Board were not satisfied of that they would not have made a contribution.

asked the Postmaster-General if any progress had been made in completing the arrangements for the All-Red Route, and when he expected it would be at work; and if the new steamers now being constructed for the Pacific service by the Grand Trunk Railway would be available for use on that route?

The matter of the All-Red Route is still under consideration, and I am unable to say when a decision will be arrived at. In those circumstances it is not possible to give any reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been called to the fact that female officers had been recently employed at the public counter at Limerick general post office, contrary to the Departmental instructions issued in 1907 forbidding their employment at the postal side in the absence of cloak-room accommodation; whether an objection had been lodged by the female staff on these grounds; and whether he would consider the advisability of cancelling that arrangement, in the interests of the public and staff, pending suitable provision being made?

The Departmental instructions issued in 1907 did not forbid female officers being employed at the public counter on telegraph duties, and had no relation to the question of cloakroom accommodation. Those instructions reserved the postal duties for the male staff in order to enable them to have as frequent relief from night duty as possible. No objection has been lodged by the female staff on the grounds suggested, but I will inquire into the question of accommodation to which the hon. Member has drawn my attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether A. E. Fergusson, for seven years an employà in the postal office at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, who had since been dismissed on account of being reported as medically unfit, was examined in person by the medical officer on whose report the dismissal was based; and, if not, would he consider the advisability of ordering another examination to be held?

A. E. Fergusson was a telegraph messenger who applied for appointment as an assistant postman. He was personally examined by the local medical officer, and on account of a physical defect disclosed by his report, the Chief Medical Officer advised that Fergusson was not physically fit for the appointment.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, in view of the fact that direct steam service was now provided to East Africa by the Union Castle Line viâ the Cape, he would ascertain on what terms that company could complete the round trip viâ the Suez Canal; whether the sum of £9,000 was still paid by the Post Office for the conveyance of mails from Aden to Mombasa; and if he would state what saving to the Post Office would be effected if the Aden-Mombasa mails were conveyed by German or French steamers?

I have ascertained that the Union Castle Company is not at present prepared to make the arrangement suggested. The sum of £9,000 per annum is still paid to the British India Steam Navigation Company in respect of the service maintained by them between Aden, Mombasa and Zanzibar in both directions. If all the mails conveyed on this service were carried by French or German Packets there would be a saving to the Post Office Vote of £7,200 per annum.

asked the Postmaster-General if he was aware that an advertisement appeared in the Post Office Circular of 1st March last with reference to the vacant postmastership of Fermoy, stating that there was no official residence at Fermoy, and that, as houses suitable for a postmaster were difficult to obtain, the appointment was only suitable for a bachelor or a married man without a family; and whether, seeing that such a restriction unduly handicaps suitable applicants, he would consider the advisability of overcoming the difficulty by providing an official residence?

I will look into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could state the estimated cost to the British Post Office that would occur by the adoption of the penny post between this country and France?

The initial cost of penny postage to France is estimated as £82,000 a year, and it is calculated that the correspondence would need to be multiplied sixfold in order to recoup this sum. If penny postage with France were held to involve the extension of the penny rate to the other countries of Continental Europe, there would be a further initial loss of £243,000 a year.

asked why the air and floor space per child in the elementary schools was not the same as that of the secondary schools?

I presume that the question refers not so much to the fact as to the Building Regulations of the Board, which are more stringent in this respect as regards secondary schools than as regards elementary schools. If that is the case, the answer is that the Board are compelled to bow to considerations of economic practicability. The Board's requirements in respect of public elementary schools represent the irreducible minimum consistent, in their opinion, with the preservation of the health of the children and the efficiency of the schools. The requirements in respect of secondary schools approach more nearly to the ideal which the Board would gladly see applied to all schools of whatever type, but the enforced application of this standard to all the 20,000 public elementary schools in the country would entail an enormous outlay in new or extended buildings.

Are we to understand that there is preferential treatment in the secondary schools?

There is no preferential treatment, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there is a different standard set up for elementary and for secondary schools.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will give instructions to the officials conducting the approaching decennial Census to obtain, amongst other particulars, the religious denomination of the population?

The Census Bill does not provide for the taking of a religious census, and, as I am desirous of avoiding all points of controversy, I do not propose that it should.

Is it not a fact that as regards the Irish Census that this information is to be given?

As regards Great Britain there never has been a religious inquiry in the Census. The Government are following the precedents of 1890 and 1900.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any application has been made to the Board for the building of a Roman Catholic school at Moorthorpe, in the township of South Kirkby, in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and whether, if such application is made and is opposed by the local education authority, he will cause a public local inquiry to be held before giving his decision?

On the 31st December, 1909, the Board received a printed copy of a notice of the intention of certain persons to provide a new public elementary school for about 120 children at Moorthorpe, in the rural district of Hemsworth. The notice states that religious instruction will be given in the proposed new school in accordance with the doctrines of the Catholic Church. On the 17th March, 1910, an appeal against the proposal was received from the local education authority. The Board have not yet received formal evidence of the publication of the notice, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Education Act, 1902. As soon as this evidence is received the Board will proceed to consider the pro- posal, and the appeal against it. I am not yet in a position to say whether a public local inquiry will be necessary.

If the appeal is in order, is the right hon. Gentleman not bound to grant a local inquiry?

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to know about this particular case he had better put a question on the Paper. I have given all the information I can give at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the scheme which the Board for some years have been considering in connection with Admiral Long's Charity and the Burnt Yates school, in the parish of Clint, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, is approaching completion; and, if not, whether he will consider the hardship to the ratepayers caused by the fact that the moneys derived from the endowment are accumulating instead of going in aid of the education of the parish?

In view of the recent appointment of a Departmental Committee to inquire into certain classes of Educational Endowments, and specially those in rural areas, the Board have thought it desirable not to proceed with the preparation of a scheme for this Charity at present. In the meantime, I understand that arrangements are being made, with the approval of the Board, for the payment of a substantial sum out of the income of the Charity to the Local Education Authority for application by them in relief of the local rate under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1902. This application of a part of the income can properly be made under the existing Trusts.

Do I understand that the income is actually being paid to the Local Education Authority?

No, Sir; I said part of the income.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the discontent amongst the clerical staff of the junior ranks in the Land Registry Office in relation to the constitution of the office and their pay and prospects; and whether His Majesty's Government will appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into and report upon the constitution of the Land Registry Office with especial relation to the pay and prospects of the clerks in the junior ranks of that office?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to say that he is not aware of discontent among the junior staff of the Land Registry Office as suggested in the question; and he does not think there is any occasion to institute an inquiry.

asked whether, as the result of the protective duties levied on tobaccos and cigarettes imported into India, between 1,000 and 2,000 hands employed in this country are being thrown out of employment?

I have no official information as to whether or to what extent employment has been affected by the duties levied on tobacco and cigarettes imported into India. The new duties came into operation on 25th February last.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that one large London firm has during the past fortnight dismissed between sixty and seventy hands; a Liverpool firm has dismissed 300 hands; and a prominent Bristol firm—

The hon. Member is giving information, and not asking for it.

asked why the scale of provisions set out in the First Schedule to The Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, was not supplied, as required by Section 25 of that Act, to the twenty-four Chinamen engaged as the crew of the steamer "Strathesk," of Glasgow, on 13th September, 1909, at the mercantile marine office, Poplar; and by what authority the Board of Trade superintendent sanctioned a smaller and cheaper scale, called a Chinese provision scale, to be embodied in the agreement of the crew?

As I stated, in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Middlesbrough on the 16th instant, Subsection (5) of Section 25 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, provides that the scale of provisions set out in the First Schedule of the Act shall not apply in the case of Lascars or natives of India or others not accustomed to a European dietary with whom an agreement is entered into providing an adequate scale of provisions suited to their needs and uses. The scale of provisions sanctioned in the case of the steamer "Strathesk" was, I was informed, that usually adopted for Chinese crews.

asked whether the steamer "Strathesk," of Glasgow, engaged a crew of twenty-four Chinamen at the mercantile marine office. Poplar, on the 13th September, 1909; that nineteen of these Chinamen stated their birthplace to be Hong Kong; that seventeen did not produce continuous discharge books; that fourteen stated they had previously served on foreign ships; and that no qualified able seaman was carried; whether he could state what evidence of birthplace, previous service on British or foreign ships, and ability to efficiently perform their duties as sailors and firemen was produced; and what steps were taken by the Board of Trade surveyor to test the seaworthiness of the ship, having regard to the composition of the crew?

No evidence of the seamen's statement of birthplace being produced, they were examined in regard to their knowledge of the English language, and satisfied the superintendent of the mercantile marine office that they possessed a sufficient knowledge of it to understand the necessary orders which might be given to them in the course of the performance of their duties. It was not necessary for the Superintendent to refer the case to the Board of Trade Surveyor.

asked what was the number of tons of tin-plates produced in this country and the United States of America respectively for the years 1891 and 1908

The only official statistics available of the production of tin-plates in this country are those compiled in connection with the Census of Production, which show that in 1907 the quantity of tinned and terne plates and sheets produced was 529,000 tons. No corresponding figures can be given for 1891 or 1908. As regards the United States of America I have no available figures for 1891. In 1908 the quantity produced was 537,000 tons.

asked how many names of unemployed have been received by the Labour Exchanges up to the present time, and in how many cases has work been found for the applicants?

I gave the information asked for by the hon. Member to the House on the 18th instant so far as available, and explained the position of affairs in Debate. As I informed the House on Friday last, statistics of the operations of Labour Exchanges will be published periodically in the "Labour Gazette."

Has the attention of the President of the Board of Trade been called to statements published in a London newspaper purporting to give detailed statistics of the operations of the Labour Exchanges in the London district, and may I inquire whether these statistics are correct?

My attention has been called to these statements. They are entirely unfounded, and the figures, both in total and in detail, bear no resemblance whatever to the facts. I may say that the number of situations filled in London has been more than three times as great as the total stated in the newspaper paragraph.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the wages of rivetters, platers, and iron-caulkers in His Majesty's dockyards range from 24s. to 28s. per week, whereas the minimum rates prevailing in private yards range from 33s. 9d. to 40s.; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter with a view to bringing the wages of these men more in harmony with the spirit of the Fair Wages Resolution?

In His Majesty's dockyards there are no mechanics classed as rivetters, platers, or iron-caulkers. The scale of wages in His Majesty's dockyards alluded to in the question is that of skilled labourers, and ranges from 22s. to 28s. per week. This scale is now under the consideration of the Board. Where skill is concerned in the operation of plating, shipwrights are employed in His Majesty's dockyards.

asked when the last officer was entered into the Royal Marine Artillery and into the Royal Marine Light Infantry; and how many officers have left the corps since those dates?

The last officers who joined the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry were appointed second lieutenants in the Royal Marines on the 1st September, 1907. Since the date mentioned the number of officers removed from the list is thirty-one, but ten officers have been absorbed on return from seconded list.

asked on what dates the destroyers for 1909–10 were laid down?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the two which are not yet laid down will be laid down?

Yes. Our officers report to us that they do not think there is any danger of these two boats not being completed within eighteen months from the date of the order.

asked whether there is any condition in the contract for the floating dock to be placed in the Medway that the dock shall be in a position, ready for possible use, by the end of the year 1911?

The contract date for completion is such as to provide for this condition being fulfilled.

asked the Prime Minister if he was now in a position to say, for the convenience of Members residing at a distance, when the Finance Bill of 1909–10, or any Resolution in lieu thereof, or giving effect to its proposals, will come before the House of Commons?

No, Sir, I am not at the moment in a position to answer the hon. Member's question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if this business will come on before 5th April?

No, Sir, I cannot say so definitely. I think it is extremely improbable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to postpone collecting Death Duties for Budget purposes as well as postponing collecting Income Tax1?

Payment of the Death Duties may be made, at the taxpayer's option, either at the statutory rates or at those proposed in the Finance Bill of last Session. Note is taken of any case in which the lower rates are tendered, with a view to recovery of the difference when the rates proposed in the Finance Bill are confirmed.

asked the number of cases in the years 1906, 1907, and 1908 in which Income Tax payers have had to be sued to recover the amount of the tax; and if he has formed any estimate of the increase in the number of such processes that will be required owing to the collection of two years' Income Tax in the coming financial year?

The number of cases for the years referred to in which writs were issued for the recovery of Income Tax was as follows:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the event of the Finance Bill of 1909 becoming law without further change, and continuing law for ten years, what does he estimate that the aggregate increase effected by it in the taxation of Ireland will amount to in the tenth year?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh.

I desire to ask whether any of the applications for the position of valuer under the Finance Bill of 1909 have been considered, and whether any appointments have been yet made?

All applications of the character in question are noted and receive careful consideration, but no appointments have been made in view of the Finance Bill of 1909 not having yet passed into law.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state all the Stamp and other duties to which an ordinary agricultural farm in Ireland of the capital value of £1,000, and subject to a purchase annuity for that sum, would be liable on the death of its owner, on conveyance to a member of his family, and on sale, respectively, if the Finance Bill of 1909 become law, as compared with the similar liabilities of the same farm before purchase and before the Finance Bill?

On the assumption that, by the statement that the farm is "of the capital value of £1,000," it is meant that it has that value over and above the redemption value of the purchase annuity, the Stamp Duties payable before purchase under the Land Acts and before the Finance Bill would be, on conveyance to a member of the owner's family, 10s., and on sale for £l,000, £5. After purchase, but before the Finance Bill, these sums would be 10s. (assuming there were no covenant in the deed to indemnify against the liability for the annuity) and £10 (if sold for £ 1,000) respectively, the increase from £5 to £10 on the conveyance on sale resulting from the creation of a charge upon the property and the consequent application of Section 57 of the Stamp Act, 1891. After the Finance Bill, the Stamp Duty on the conveyance to a member of the; family would be £10 in respect of a gift of the value of £1,000, with £20 on the conveyance on sale. No statement is possible in regard to Death Duties in the absence of more specific information. In no other respect would the Finance Bill affect the property, seeing that the farm, being stated to be an ordinary agricultural farm, would presumably, on the occasions in question, have no higher value than its value for agricultural purposes only, and therefore on sale would pay no Increment Value Duty whatsoever, no matter how large a price might be paid for the farm by the purchaser.

asked what amount was received into the Exchequer in respect of Income Tax from 1st April, 1909, to 12th March, 1910, and how much of this was in respect of assessments made for the year 1909–10?

The amount paid into the Exchequer from 1st April, 1909, to 12th March, 1910, was £12,782,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when the Income Tax on profits for the past year will be levied on traders and professional men, so that they may have reasonable time to arrange for the payment?

As to the date when the Budget of last year will be introduced into the House of Commons, I must refer the hon. Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am unable to admit that, on the passing into law of the Finance Bill for 1909–10, there can be any hardship involved in the immediate collection of Income Tax which, but for the rejection of the Bill by the House of Lords, would have been payable on or before 1st January last.

May I ask if the collection of the Income Tax will not entail the withdrawal of a large sum of cash from the Money Market, and whether that will not cause a great disturbance in the market?

The collection of the Income Tax always draws a large sum of money from the market.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Thames Ironworks Company, in order to complete the construction of the "Dreadnought" for which a contract has been placed with it, has found it necessary to order a special floating crane, and that such order has been placed in Germany, notwithstanding that a British firm of standing and experience had tendered for it; and, seeing that its erection will be largely contemporaneous with that of the "Dreadnought," and will involve the employment of Germans with access to the building yard during the construction of the battleship, what steps he proposes to take to safeguard British interests.

The Admiralty have no power in the matter of the purchase by shipbuilding firms of their plant, and have no knowledge whether the firm in question is obtaining alternative tenders for the floating crane from Germany and from British firms. The contract contains a clause securing all necessary secrecy.

May I ask the right hon. Gentlemen did he read the whole of my question, which is: "Whether or not the Thames Iron Works Company had actually placed an order in Germany for a special floating crane, and whether or not its erection will be largely contemporaneous with that of the 'Dreadnought,' and will involve the employment of German workmen and supervisors and allow them to come into the shipbuilding yard?"

My hon. Friend supposes the "Dreadnought" is now under construction in this yard. He is in error. We have no knowledge at the Admiralty— and I have made inquiries on the point— we have no knowledge whether the crane in question has been ordered from a British or foreign firm, but should it have been, ordered from a German firm—a fact which I do not know—every precaution will be taken to ensure secrecy, and, as a matter of fact, there is a clause in the contract which absolutely secures secrecy.

I am sorry to press the right hon. Gentleman, but what I want to ask is this. Accepting, as he will for the moment from me the statement that the crane has been ordered from a German firm, and that German workmen will supervise its erection contemporaneously with the commencement of the "Dreadnought" in the shipbuilding yard, is it not a fact, then, that the work and conditions are such, that these workmen may take the fullest information of the details of the construction of the "Dreadnought"?

My hon. Friend has overlooked the fact that the crane in question is part of the plant for building the "Dreadnought," and it will have, therefore, to be completely erected before the "Dreadnought" is advanced any distance at all in its construction. No German workmen can be admitted to the dockyard at a time when anything secret is being done.

Is it not a fact that the contract placed with this German firm provides that the German firm shall by its own workmen and supervisors erect the crane when it arrives in this country in parts in the shipbuilding yard in a certain position which is in communication with the yard in which the "Dreadnought" is being built contemporaneously?

Assuming the statement made by my hon. Friend to be accurate that this crane has been ordered from a German firm, the crane will have to be erected before the "Dreadnought" is built. The crane is for the purpose of building the "Dreadnought."

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman says distinctly that the "Dreadnought" will be laid down upon its slip only when the crane is completed?

Oh, no, Sir, I said nothing of the sort. There is no secrecy about a slip or the laying of the keel upon a slip. As the hon. Gentleman knows very well, such secrecy as there may be in the construction of a ship only arises at a far later stage.

No.

Then the right hon. Gentleman does not know. There is no secrecy in the keel of a "Dreadnought."

Docs the right hon. Gentleman not know that in erecting a ship the frames and other parts which will be handled by this crane disclose the whole of the design?

The frame and other parts handled by the crane can only be handled when the crane is erected. The crane having been erected, the German workman, if they are there—I have no knowledge, but assuming that German workmen will be employed there—they will have disappeared before the ship is built.

Will not the parts be there alongside the slip before the keel is laid.

No German erecting a crane nor anyone else can in the least discover the design of a ship from the parts of a ship laid one over the other.

asked whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to grant, prize money to those officers and men who took part in the capture of the four Chinese destroyers on 17th January, 1900?

The question of taking steps for the award of prize bounty on account of the captures referred to was fully considered in the spring of 1901 by Lord Selborne's Board, and the decision was that no such action should be taken.

Is it the intention of the Admiralty to alter the policy of giving prize money in the case of a capture of that sort?

No, Sir; the Admiralty have no intention of altering the decision come to by Lord Selborne's Board in 1901.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state approximately what is the present proportion of local and Imperial taxation, respectively, paid by rateable property in this country; and, if not whether the calculation has ever been made officially in the past, and with what result?

An attempt to classify Imperial and local taxation on the basis suggested in the question was made in a Return presented to the House of Commons by the President of the Poor Law Board in 1870 (House of Commons 470 of 1870). It would not be difficult to apply the method of classification therein adopted to the figures of local and Imperial revenue for any subsequent year down to the present, but it has now for many years been generally recognised that such analyses provide no real indication of the comparative incidence of taxation as between the owners of different kinds of properties.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer has noticed that the excessive taxation of Ireland, estimated by the Financial Relations Commission at nearly £3,000,000 a year, has since been increased by £2,500,000, making the present taxation of Ireland about £5,500,000 a year more than its propor- tionate share, and more than the entire government of Ireland would cost in Irish hands; and whether, in any future financial proposals, so long as the Act of Union is maintained, he will give Ireland the benefit of the exemptions and abatements to which she is entitled under that Act?

The Financial Relations Commission made no estimate of the absolute taxable capacity of Ireland. The only aspect of the question dealt with was that of relative taxable capacity as compared with Great Britain. On the basis of one-twentieth suggested in the Majority Report, the proper contribution of Ireland to the total revenue of 1908–9 would have been £7,073,000 as against an actual contribution of £9,250,000 or £2,177,000 less. The corresponding excess on the figures for 1895–6 was, as pointed out in the question, nearly £3,000,000. Thus, on the basis of the one-twentieth standard, the excessive taxation of Ireland has, instead of being increased by £2,500,000, as suggested in the question, actually been reduced by about £750,000 in the thirteen-year period. The latter part of the question touches upon a subject which is of far too controversial a nature for me to deal with in a reply to a Parliamentary question.

asked what would have been the revenue which would have been received from the export duty on coal, if it had not been taken off, during each of the past four years, and assuming that the export trade had not been affected by such duty?

Under the conditions specified the revenue that would have been derived from the export duty on coal during each of the four years, 1906 to 1909 inclusive, is estimated at—

asked whether, as the old age pensions fall due at the end of the month, he will take measures to collect Income Tax to pay the same instead of borrowing money?

Ample provision has been made by the Vote on Account to pay the old age pensions which fall to be paid weekly and not monthly as suggested by the question.

Will the Government arrange for the regular weekly payments of old age pensions in the event of the General Election taking place?

The payments now made will undoubtedly and unquestionably be continued weekly as heretofore.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to support and vote for old age pensions whenever proposed and by whatever Government?

There is no question whatever about the payment of old age pensions.

asked what are the amounts of the grants in the Session of 1909 and the Estimate for 1910–11 for the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, respectively; why the grants and estimates for the Irish Department are so much greater than those for the British Board; what accounts for the increase of £181,500 for the Irish Department; and why a similar increase of vote is not asked for for the Board?

The figures are as follows:—

asked whether the stamp duties chargeable in respect of marketable securities under Section 76 of the Finance Bill, 1909, will be retrospective if the Bill becomes law, namely, will marketable securities which have already been duty stamped have to be stamped with the increased duty the first time they are assigned or in any manner negotiated in the United Kingdom?

No, Sir.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would make provision for a grant-in-aid of experimental tobacco growing in Scotland of £6,000 per annum for five years, as is now provided for Ireland?

My right hon. Friend thinks, in view of the Development Act of last Session, that this is a question which should be brought before the Development Commission when it is constituted.

Is it not a fact that the grant made to Ireland was made out of the ordinary fund?

Yes, that is so, because the Development Commission was not then in existence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already promised to do the same for Scotland as he has done for Ireland?

Again I must point out that that promise was made before the Development Act was passed.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer's attention has been directed to the fact that 70 per cent, of the clerks employed in the offices of Inland Revenue surveyors of taxes are un-established and liable to have their engagements terminated at a week's notice, on the ground that their duties were of a routine character; whether he is aware that the main consideration in framing the list of established clerks was the class of the district in which they happened to be employed at the time the Treasury scheme of April, 1908, took effect; whether he is aware that the clerks employed in the lower class districts are discharging duties of a confidential and responsible nature, similar in character to those of established clerks; and, if so, whether, having regard to the interests of the public, he will consider the advisability of placing the whole of the clerks employed on this work upon the establishment?

I am informed that the question of the further establishment of clerks in the offices of surveyors of taxes is the subject of a petition which is now before the Board of Inland Revenue, and I am unable at present to express any opinion on the matter.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer prepared to appoint a Committee, consisting of Treasury officials, leading bankers, and other gentlemen conversant with finance, to advise and report as to whether a scheme can be advised for the consolidation into one stock, at a uniform rate of interest, of all the existing Government Stocks, namely, Consols, Irish Land Stock, the War Loan (to be provided for on 5th April), and a possible Naval Loan, with a view to greater convenience and at the same time towards raising the status and the value of the premier securities of Great Britain both at home and abroad?

My right hon. Friend does not think that the appointment of such a Committee would serve the purpose anticipated by the hon. Member.

asked whether his attention had been called to the fact that the Budget Committee of the Reichstag had voted a further sum of £37,500 for the relief of tobacco workers thrown out of work in consequence of the increased taxation imposed on tobacco by the German Budget of 1909; and if, when he was framing his Budget for 1910–11, he would take the Tobacco Tax into consideration?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. As regards the latter part, he will be glad to consider any representations which my hon. Friend may wish to make to him in regard to the Tobacco Duties.

asked what was the amount of Treasury Bills outstanding on 11th March, 1909, and what amount was paid in interest thereon; and what are the corresponding figures for 11th March in each of the years 1905 to 1908, inclusive?

The amount of Treasury Bills outstanding on 11th March in each of the years 1905 to 1909 inclusive, and the amount of interest paid thereon, was as follows:—

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say at what rate of interest the advances for the Grange-more portion of the Magan-Topping estate, Westmeath, are to be repaid; and whether all the untenanted land comprised in it will be distributed among the suitable congests on the estate and in the immediate neighbourhood who are anxious to get it and willing to pay its full value?

If the Estates Commissioners acquire the lands, which are the subject of proceedings for sale to them under the Irish Land Act, 1903. the annuities on resale will be at 3¼ per cent. The matter referred to in the second part of the question will be considered when the estate is being dealt with by the Commissioners.

In view of the fact that many persons who, on the evidence of the Census Returns, have got old age pensions would not have got any but for that evidence, and of the inability of many applicants to have those Returns examined, will the right hon. Gentleman have that examination made for them in the cases in which it has not yet been done; when a, name is not in those Returns, and the pension officer and committee disagree on the point of age, which opinion is adopted; and whether there is any class of cases of applicants in which he will have the applications reconsidered as a result of the Debate on the 18th instant?

In all cases in which no other sufficient evidence of age has been produced, it is the practice of the Local Government Board to require search to be made in the Census Returns, this being done free of charge by officers employed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The committee decide the question of age in the first instance, and, if the pension officer appeals, the Board come to a decision on the evidence and do not adopt the opinion of either party. The answer to the final paragraph of the question is in the negative. If any persons; wish to have their cases reconsidered, and think they can furnish further evidence, they must make fresh claims.

In a case in which the local committee have voted the pension, and it has been disallowed by the Local Government Board, because they say they do not know whether the name is in the Census Returns or not, by whose authority is the pension suspended?

It is suspended by the Local Government Board, because they are of opinion that the applicant has not made out a case, and the onus rests upon him of proving that he is seventy years of age.

On what principle do the Local Government Board decide this question when there is no entry in the Census Returns?

We go a good deal by appearance.

Is it a case that, so far as these poor people are concerned, the Debate of last Friday was a mockery?

Oh, no.

Are we to understand that the Local Government Board interview these persons? Is it not a fact that they never see the applicants?

The Local Government Board do not see them themselves, but they see them through their inspectors.

Can the Chief Secretary state the ground of withdrawal of the old age pension of Patrick M'Dermott, of Barnes Upper, parish of Kilmacrenan?

The pension officer raised the question that M'Dermott had not reached the statutory age, as he was shown by the Census Returns to be only one year old in 1841 and eleven years old in 1851. On appeal, the Local Government Board have decided that the claimant will be entitled to a pension from 1st April next.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could state the grounds upon which the old age pension granted to James Doherty, Kilmacrenan, county Donegal, has been withdrawn?

The. pension in this case was discontinued as the result of a question raised by the pension officer as to the pensioner's age, which was recorded as seven years in the Census Returns of 1851. His name does not appear in the 1841 Census Returns, and no satisfactory evidence that he had attained the statutory age was produced.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could state the grounds upon which the old age pension received by James Boyse, Meenacross, Milford, county Donegal, since January, 1909, has been recently withdrawn?

The pension in this case was disallowed as the result of an appeal by the pension officer to the Local Government Board on the question of age. Boyse's age is recorded in the Census Returns of 1851 as ten years; his name does not appear in the Census of 1841, and no satisfactory evidence that he had attained the statutory age was produced.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the admission of one class of extern students, namely, the students of Maynooth, to the right of competing for a degree of the National University in Ireland without having the qualification of residence in the university, he will take steps to have the same right conferred on another class of extern students, namely, the national school teachers of Ireland?

There is no power under the Irish Universities Act to permit extern students to enter for the university examinations save in the case of students of the late Royal University. Students in recognised colleges are not extern students.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question—whether he will take steps to have the same right conferred on another class of extern students, namely, the national school teachers of Ireland?

No, Sir; the students of Maynooth are not extern students, because they are resident at a recognised college. I do not propose to take the steps suggested.

Is it not a fact that the extern student must be a qualified resident in the university?

The extern and the intern students are what they are declared to be by Act of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Decree prohibiting the recruitment of native labourers in the Province of Angola for labour in the cocoa plantations of San Thomé and Principe is still in force; and if he can say whether the cocoa planters have recently engaged a large number of free labourers from Mozambique for work in the plantations?

The Decree of 22nd November, 1909, prohibited recruiting in Angola until 1st February last. I understand that it was decided that recruiting should not be resumed until the new regulations were properly introduced. It is at first only to be allowed in the districts of Quillenges, Bailundo, and Jinga de Ambaca. With regard to the second part of the question, recruiting of labourers from Mozambique has been proceeding for some months, but I am not aware whether a large number of labourers have been engaged recently. I am asking for reports from the Consul to get the latest information on both these points.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if his attention had been called to a discussion in the German Reichstag on 15th March, when a unanimous resolution was passed that a sum should be inserted in the next Estimates in support of the movement for international arbitration; and if he was prepared to recommend to the Government that a grant be made to further the international arbitration movement?