asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was aware that, although the last Return of Deer Forests in the Highland Crofting Counties, published in 1908, shows that the deer forest acreage in these counties has risen to 2,958,490 acres, the assessment thereon is only £132,041; and, seeing that this valuation is based entirely on estimates provided by the owners of the deer forests, would he consider the expediency of taking such steps as may be necessary to secure assessments more approximate to the rentals which landlords secure from tenants who rent the forests for sporting purposes, especially bearing in mind that such rentals are usually fixed at the following rates for the season's bag, namely, £30 for every stag, £10 every hind, £5 every roebuck, £3 every salmon grilse, £l 10s. per brace black game, £1 10s. per brace pheasants, £l per brace grouse, and 15,s. per brace partridges?

I should explain to my hon. Friend that the valuation of deer forests is not based entirely on estimates provided by the owners. All such forests are assessed by the district commissioners of taxes on their rental value as lands, plus the rent at which the sporting is, or could be, let. A gross rental value is fixed in the first instance by reference to the number of head of game, but allowance has to be made in fixing the valuation for the expenses necessarily incurred by the landlords in preserving the game. I will, however, consider whether any further steps are requisite.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the representations placed before him in December, 1908, by a deputation from the London Customs watchers, when they asked for the recognition of an overtime payment of 2d. extra per hour, and that the existing wage of 24s. per week should be increased for men of fifteen years' service by 1s. per week per annum up to 30s. per week, the latter wage to be immediately paid to men with twenty years' service, have yet been considered; and, if so, with what result?

I am afraid that I cannot at this moment add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 2nd December last, except that the Customs and Excise Committee has begun its sittings.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the alteration in the status of the Board of Trade and the increase in the Estimates for that Department, he can state what increase in the salaries of the officials, clerks, and messengers will take place?

The alterations are set out in detail in the Estimate for the Board of Trade (page 31, of House of Commons Paper 62), to which I may perhaps refer the hon. Member. The increase in the total of the Estimate is mainly due to the increased provision for Labour Exchanges and Trade Boards.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state on what grounds the Board of Customs and Excise have given instructions to their collectors and inspectors that Customs officers must in future take their ordinary annual leave at any period for which they may be minuted throughout the year or otherwise forego their leave; whether he is aware that this order inflicts injustice on a large body of public servants, and that the Customs staff is the only Government Department so treated as regards leave; whether the order of the Board of Customs and Excise is in accordance with Paragraph 10, Establishment Code, which lays down that when possible the annual leave shall be granted during the most desirable months rather than in the officially busy winter and spring seasons; and whether the subject will be reconsidered?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for South Kilkenny on this subject.

asked the Financial 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?

As this affects a legal Department, perhaps I may be permitted to answer the question. I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that he is not aware of the discontent among the junior staff of the Land Registry Office suggested in the question, and does not think there is any occasion for a Committee.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, as a result of the Customs and Excise amalgamation, the regular promotion of senior second-class examining officers of Customs, hitherto unduly retarded, has since 1st April, 1909, been entirely suspended, to the pecuniary loss of the officers concerned, while the promotion of all other grades in the Customs and in the Excise has been allowed to proceed without interruption; and whether, in view of the explicit assurance of the Prime Minister to the House of Commons that no officer should suffer loss as a result of the amalgamation, and in view of the seriousness of the position in which the second-class examining officers are placed, as also of the fact that those officers received from the late Board of Customs so long ago as November, 1907, and from the Financial Secretary in June, 1908, assurances of redress of pre-existing grievances as regards retardation, he will state approximately the date on which the long-expected measures of salary adjustment are likely to be applied, and also the date on which the regular promotion of the senior second-class examining officers will be resumed?

I hope that immediately after Easter the Committee appointed by the Treasury to consider the conditions under which the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments can best be carried out will commence to take evidence. I am afraid I cannot accept the hon. Member's question as accurately describing the facts, but I can assure him that the point raised by him will be fully considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield of the Stamp Duties in Ireland for the eleven months, April, 1909, to February, 1910; and will he state the yield for the preceding corresponding period?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield of the Tobacco Duty in Ireland for the eleven months, April, 1909, to February, 1910; what was the amount of the yield for the corresponding period in the preceding years; and whether he can state the quantity of duty-paid tobacco imported into Ireland?

My right hon. Friend does not think it is desirable that he should anticipate his financial statement by giving for a particular tax figures relating to so large a part of the current year. As regards the eleven months ending 28th February, 1909, the figures asked for were as follows: —

No information is available as to the quantity of duty-paid tobacco removed to Ireland from Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total output of all Irish breweries for the eleven months, April, 1909, to February, 1910; and, had the increase in brewers' licences proposed in the Budget of last year been in force, will he state what the yield would have been for the period named?

The number of barrels of beer at the standard gravity of 1,055 degrees charged with duty in Ireland in the eleven months, April, 1909, to February, 1910, was approximately 3,305,000. I regret that I am unable to give the information requested in the latter part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will say whether it is with his sanction that the collection of the Land Tax and the House Duty for the year 1909–10 has not been proceeded with?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is still an instruction to pension officers in Ireland to make three times the rent and four times the purchase annuity the minimum when estimating the income from small holdings; if such instruction is not in force has its withdrawal been communicated to the pension officers; and what system, if any, has been substituted?

The practice of pension officers was in the past in many cases as described in the question, but definite instructions have been issued directing pension officers to furnish with their reports to the pension committees a detailed statement of acreage, crops, stock, etc., as a guide to the committees in forming their own judgment as to the means to be derived from small holdings.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what has been the cost of the Viceregal Commission on Irish railways from its formation to the present date?

The cost of this Commission from its formation to the present date amounts to £7,729 0s. 4d., while £253 has been realised by sale of Reports, etc.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any gifts of money, land, or other property have been made to University College, Dublin, under Section 5 (9) of the Statute, for endowment of research or for any other, and, if so, for what, purposes?

I am informed by the President of University College, Dublin, that, with the exception of books presented to the library, no gifts of money, land, or other property have been so far made to University College, Dublin, for the endowment of research or for any other purpose.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the exceptional floods in the Shannon districts below Athlone, where the land is now entirely inundated with water, many persons being compelled to abandon their homes; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will advise the Government to take some action to alleviate the condition of the poor people in the vicinity, whose position is now one of great distress?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for South Roscommon on the 18th instant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the men of the Royal Naval Volunteers whilst on H.M.S. "Buzzard," in addition to being called upon to pay a subscription of £l per year, are compelled to pay for their own food, their out-of-pocket expenses amounting annually to between £6 and £7; and, if so, whether he will take steps to modify the financial conditions of service, which only a limited number can meet?

Each of the ten companies of the London Division uses the "Buzzard" for a fortnight's training in rotation. This training is quite optional, as the Volunteers can undergo all the necessary drills for efficiency purpose in the drill hall on shore. Volunteers who use the "Buzzard" under these conditions often elect to sleep on board, in which case they can, if they wish, obtain any meals they desire to purchase from the canteen on board. There is no compulsory subscription for men of the Division, and subscriptions are purely optional.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the rates of pay, privileges, etc., of viewers employed inspecting articles made in the Department or by contractors in the Woolwich Arsenal and the Royal Army Clothing Department?

The rate of pay of viewers and examiners at Woolwich vary from 24s. to 58s. a week, and at Pimlico from 33s. to 45s. a week, according to trade, service, and other circumstances. The privileges are set forth in the Rules and Regulations of the several Departments concerned, copies of which I shall be glad to supply to the hon. Member if he desires them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the case of James Chalk, late 2nd Brigade Royal Artillery, who was injured at Kirkee, in India, in December, 1880, with a view to his receiving a pension from Army Funds?

There is no record in the man's documents of the injury which he alleges he sustained in India in December, 1880. He served with the colours for more than five years after that date, and was discharged on the termination of his engagement, and not as an invalid. He is not, therefore, eligible for the award of any pension from Army Funds, and he has been informed to this effect on several occasions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the reference to the Commission appointed to give effect to the proposed changes in the constitution of the Legislature of Ceylon; who are the members of it; and whether its sessions are held in public?

The terms of reference to the Commission were to inquire into and report upon the measures which should be taken in order to give effect to the scheme embodied in the despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, No. 664, of 24th December, 1909, for altering the constitution of the Legislative Council, with special reference to (a) the qualifications, if any, to be required of candidates for election to the Legislative Council; (b) the basis on which the franchise should be given in the case of each of the different communities to whom it is proposed to grant the privilege of electing members of the Legislative Council; (c) the arrangements which are required, with regard to each of the said communities, for the preparation and periodical revision of registers of persons entitled to vote for the election of members of the Legislative Council; (d) the manner in which the elections should be conducted and the votes thereat recorded; (e) the legislation which is necessary with regard to corrupt practices in connection with elections; (f) the manner in which temporary appointments should be made during the absence from the Colony of elected members; and (g) all other matter of detail affecting the election of members to Council. The persons appointed to serve on the Commission were Sir Hugh Clifford, K.C.M.G., Mr. A. G. Lascelles, K.C., Mr. W. H. Jackson, Mr. W. H. Figg, Mr. A. Alvis, Mr. B. W. Bawa, Mr. H. A. Beachcroft, Mr. V. A. Julius, Mr. J. H. M. Banda, Mr. J. Peris, Mr. E. Rosling, Mr. N. Selvadurai, Mr. J. A. van Langenburg, and Mr. J. G. Wardrop. Of these Messrs. Figg, Rosling. Beachcroft, and Wardrop have since resigned, and Mr. Julius has been relieved from further service at his own request. The Secretary of State has no official information as to the third part of my hon. Friend's question, but from the accounts published in the local Press it appears that at their first meeting the Commission decided not to admit the public or Press representatives to the subsequent meetings.

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

Yes, Sir; the Secretary of State has been in correspondence with the Transvaal Government in regard to the case of Mr. Rustomjee, and the following reply has been received from Ministers: "Mr. Rustomjee was suffering from obesity when admitted to prison, and was ordered sedentary labour by the resident medical officer at Diepkloof Prison. Ministers are advised that, although this convict was nominally employed at stone-breaking, he was really on light labour, as he was not pressed and practically allowed to do as much as he liked. On admission to prison no signs of organic disease were discovered in Mr. Rustomjee, but the conjunctiva of the left eye was found to be slightly red at the angles. This appeared to be a chronic condition, but Mr. Rustomjee never complained of his eyesight. Mr. Rustomjee was medically examined several times at his own request, and was specially transferred from Diepkloof to Johannesburg for the purpose of obtaining the opinion of the visiting medical officer there. All medical reports agree, however, that nothing constitutionally wrong could be detected with him, and that he was in good physical health. With regard to the point that Mr. Rustomjee was made to remove his cap, Ministers are advised that although devout Parsees wear head-covering both by day and night it is not necessary on the part of a Parsee confined in gaol to wear the usual velvet cap, the cap supplied in the Transvaal prisons being quite sufficient in this respect. Mr. Rustomjee was discharged from gaol on the 10th instant, and on discharge admitted to the governor of the gaol that he had been allowed to do practically what he liked at the Diepkloof Prison except for about two days before his transfer to the Johannesburg Gaol when a native warder had tried to make him work harder than he usually did. He stated that he had no complaint to make about his treatment in gaol, apart from what he considered to be lack of proper medical treatment for his pains in the back and chest." Ministers are not, I understand, willing that offenders under the Registration Laws should be treated as first class misdemeanants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it has been, or will, be, arranged that warrants under Act XIII. of 1859 can be executed in Native States?

The Secretary of State is not aware that any difficulties have arisen as to the execution of warrants under Act XIII. of 1859 (The Workmen's Breach of Contract Act) in Native States. But he will inquire.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State can communicate to the House any information regarding the proposed establishment of inland wireless telegraphic stations in India?

The question is still under consideration, and I am not now in a position to make any statement. Perhaps my hon. Friend will repeat his question later in the Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, having regard to Section 3 of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1907, the Local Government Board will introduce legislation to repeal Section 19 of the said Act on the ground that it is not generally applicable to the circumstances of a rural district, or whether the Board has taken or will take any steps to amend the said Section so as to make it applicable to the circumstances of a rural district?

It is not to be inferred from Section 3 of the Public Health Acts. Amendment Act, 1907, that every Section of that Act is to be regarded as applicable to the circumstances of a rural district, and at the present time I do not see any adequate reason for proposing legislation to amend Section 19 of the Act, as suggested.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the repeated applications and complaints which have been made by the rural district council of Godstone and the rural parish of Tatsfield, both in the county of Surrey, in respect of certain of the principal roads in the said parish of Tatsfield, and asking for powers to order compulsory making up of the roads on the ground that they are dangerous to vehicular traffic, impassable at certain seasons of the year for passenger traffic, and a source of nuisance and danger to the public health, and that all such applications have been refused by the Local Government Board; and whether he will say under what Act or section of what Act the rural district council ought to apply, or what steps they can take to get the roads repaired?

My attention has been drawn to these applications and complaints, and I am aware that the powers of Section 19 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907, have been refused, the provisions of that section not being generally applicable to the circumstances of a rural district. I have already drawn the attention of the rural district council of Godstone to the provisions of Section 94 of the Highway Act, 1835, and to Section 25 of the Local Government Act, 1894, but I am not aware that the council have taken any action under those powers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state how many cigar factories have been closed in this country during the last twelve months, and how many operatives have been thrown out of employment owing to the closing of these factories; whether he can say to what extent, if any, the output from cigar factories in Great Britain has decreased during the past twelve months, and what is the number of operatives in those factories at present working short lime; and whether representations have been made by the tobacco trade section of the London Chamber of Commerce to His Majesty's Government to the effect that the decline in the business of manufacturing cigars in this country is due to the duties proposed to be imposed by the Finance Bill lately rejected by the House of Lords?

I have no statistics of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. I understand that certain representations on the subject have been made to the Treasury, and are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that railway companies have in use a special private classification of goods to which the public are denied access, with the result that it becomes impossible for traders to ascertain correctly what class their traffic is chargeable under, and that the ordinary classification which is open to the public is thus rendered incomplete and misleading; and whether, seeing that the non-publication of this document is a direct contravention of Sub-section 1, Section 33, of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, he will take steps to compel the railway companies to have the same published?

I understand that railway companies issue to their staff special instructions relating to the carriage of certain articles, and it is, no doubt, to those instructions that my hon. Friend refers. So far as those instructions do not alter or add to the General Railway Classification, it does not appear that the companies are bound to publish them under the Section cited. Certain entries in the instructions were, however, recently brought to my notice as being practically amendments of the General Classification, and the Board of Trade are in communication with the Railway Clearing House on the subject.

asked the Postmaster General whether one of the principal duties of a head postmaster is to visit the rural sub-offices under his control at regular intervals; if so, will he state the total number of such visits made by the postmaster of Limerick since he was appointed to his present office; and in this connection will he state why travelling duties so frequently devolve upon the superintendent at Limerick?

A head postmaster should visit his rural sub-offices when cases of importance arise at any of them, but he acts within the limits of his descretion when he delegates his duty of inspection to any of his suitably qualified officers. It would not serve any useful purpose to state the number of visits to sub-offices made by the present postmaster of Limerick since he was appointed to that post. I have made inquiry into the circumstances, and have no reason to believe that the postmaster in any way neglects his duty in this matter, nor that he delegates his travelling work unnecessarily.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now come to any decision regarding the proposed establishment of a sub-post office at Meenacrosh, Dungloe, county Donegal?

I am having further inquiry made, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the rates of pay, privileges, etc., of viewers employed inspecting articles made in the Department or by contractors?

Arrangements have recently been made for two established classes of viewers employed in the Stores Department (London), namely: Senior viewers, with a scale of pay rising from 42s. by 2s. to 50s. a week, and viewers, with a scale rising from 33s. by 1s. 6d. to 42s. a week. For these classes the prescribed period of annual leave is fourteen days, and the privileges as regards sick pay, pension, etc., are those applying generally to established classes of Post Office servants.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether legislation exists in Australia, Canada, and the Cape against the use of hop substitutes; and whether the use of such compounds is prohibited by law in Germany?

There is no special legislation as to the use of hop substitutes in Australia. Their use is restricted in Canada, and prohibited in Cape Colony, Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Baden, and Alsace-Lorraine.

asked whether the inquiries made by the Board of Agri- culture as to the cause of foot and mouth disease in Edinburgh in 1908 resulted in showing how the hay suspected of being the medium of infection was contaminated, seeing that the disease did not exist on the farm premises whence this particular consignment of hay had been exported?

There was no evidence to show how the hay became contaminated. It was of foreign origin.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in advising the Crown as to the selection of a bishop to fill the See of Lincoln, he will decline to nominate any clergyman who has not hitherto uniformly obeyed the law as laid down by the King's judges, and who will not discountenance all attempts to set aside or disregard that law as already declared by the King in Council?

The procedure I propose to follow on the occasion referred to in the question will not differ from that usually observed.