asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would state the pay of a reserve colonel, Royal Marines?

Officers on the reserve list of colonels of Royal Marines receive the full pay of a colonel commandant, namely,£730 a year in the Royal Marine Artillery and £702 12s. 6d. a year in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

Why did the right hon. Gentleman state, on 10th August last, that the pay was £600 a year and had not been increased?

The hon. Member must give me notice of that. I have not the particular answer in mind.

asked whether the two floating docks figuring in the programme of new construction of 1910–11, and for which a total Vote of £9,141 was asked in the coming financial year, were to be capable of accommodating ships of the "Dreadnought" and super-" Dreadnought "type?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the total cost?

I am unable to give any information beyond what is stated in the published Estimates.

asked whether it would be possible to berth a floating dock for the accommodation of "Dreadnoughts" in the Medway without dredging; and, if not, when it was proposed to start the work?

The reply is in the affirmative.

asked what would be, approximately, the total cost of each of the two floating docks now under construction by contract; what approximate amount would remain to be expended on them after the end of the ensuing financial year; when were the tenders for these docks received; when were they accepted; whether he adhered to his statement of 5th July, 1909, that the docks would be finished in eighteen months or two years from that date; and, if not, what was the reason for the delay; what was the total amount which it was estimated would be required for providing accommodation for the floating dock at Portsmouth; and how much was to be expended for that purpose this year?

It is undesirable and quite unusual at this stage of the progress of the work to give the information asked for in the first two parts of the question. The answer to the third part of the question is 19th October, 1909. With regard to the fourth part of the question, provisional acceptance was given by telegram on 27th November, 1909. It is expected that the docks will be completed about September, 1911. The figures asked for in the last part of the question are not available.

Why has the right hon. Gentleman put the date later?

I am not aware that I have done so. In answer to a supplementary question I stated that the work would be completed in from eighteen months to two years, and that period is included within the dates I have mentioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that the small cruisers of the "Boadicea" class were termed unarmoured cruisers in the Navy Estimates for 1909–10 and 1910–11, and unprotected cruisers in the Dilke Return of Fleets for last year; that the five cruisers it was proposed to commence in the coming financial year were called unarmoured cruisers in the detailed Estimates and protected cruisers in the Statement Explanatory; and whether he would clear up the apparent inconsistency by stating whether the proposed new ships would be protected or unprotected cruisers?

Two vessels will be unarmoured cruisers of the "Boadicea" type; the design of the other three has not yet been settled, but it is probable that they will be of the protected type.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention had been directed to the superior advantages and shelter offered by Gills Bay in the Pentland Firth; and, if not, would he obtain a report thereon?

Yes, Sir, the Admiralty are aware of the shelter obtainable in Gills. Bay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he was aware that a number of mechanics who had served their apprenticeship in Portsmouth Dockyard, and who were discharged during adjustment or reduction, and who on discharge were obliged by family or other ties, and by the lack of work in the country, to sign on as labourers, had been and were being passed over in favour of mechanics taken from outside the dockyard, instead of having the preference over such men; and if he would consider their case?

No, Sir, I am not aware of the circumstances referred to, but I am having inquiries made at once concerning the statement made in the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state when a reply to the petition, sent last year, of the skilled labourers of Portsmouth Dockyard would be made?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Chatham on the 10th of this month.

asked why, since the "Neptune" and "Indefatigable" were to be completed within the financial year 1910–11, there would on 31st March, 1911, be an outstanding liability against the "Neptune" of £15,235, and against the "Indefatigable" of £32,850?

The outstanding liabilities, which are due to the fact that there is always some interval between the completion of the contract and actual payment of the final instalment, owing to the necessity of examining and collecting various certificates, settlement of questions of penalty, etc., will in no way delay the completion of the ship.

asked what reductions had been made in the strength of the Royal Marines since the present Government came into office; and whether any, and, if so, what, further reduction was contemplated in the corps?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on the 28th February last. With regard to the second part of the question, the hon. Member will find the answer in Vote A of the Estimates recently presented to Parliament.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to future years?

I have already stated that it would be undesirable in answer to a question at Question-time to outline the policy of the Government for future years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he was aware that it was difficult to find out exactly what the cost of adding a ship to the Navy was, owing to the present form in which the Navy Estimates were made out; whether the total estimated cost of H.M.S. "Temeraire," including guns, was £1,743,955; whether he would designate how much her outfit of ammunition and permanent stores, including reserve of guns and reserve of ammunition, costs; whether he could add a column or columns in the Navy Estimates showing what the whole cost of adding a ship to the Fleet was as far as material was concerned; whether it would be possible to schedule the various ratings in the complements actually allowed to every ship in the service, placing the commissioned ships on one list and nucleus crew ships on another list, instead of as now, Ships on Active Service, 70,345, etc.; and whether it would be possible, instead of placing Disposable Supernumertries, 19,955, as now, that their numbers could be shown in columns, stating their ratings and where they were stationed?

had also given notice of the following question: To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the proportion of service ashore and afloat of the Royal Marine forces; what time was considered necessary for proper training of Marines in their military duties and what the average service ashore and afloat of the Marines would be under present conditions; whether it was intended to send all the Marines afloat in case of war, including the newly joined recruits; if not, how many was it intended to retain at headquarters; and how many it was intended to keep as a margin of reserve for filling up casualties after war began?

I must ask the Noble Lord to defer these questions until next week, as I have not been able to receive the detailed reports from the Departments in time for me to give him a reply to-day.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a new labour ordinance has been sanctioned for Nyassaland by the Secretary of State, or is now under the consideration of the Colonial Office; and, if so, whether, under the provisions of such ordinance, recruitment is forbidden, while the Governor is empowered to regulate emigration of natives to places outside the Protectorate?

An amending and consolidating law relating to the employment of natives within the Protectorate and their engagement for service outside the Protectorate was sanctioned at the beginning of this year. Recruitment of natives for service outside the Protectorate has been prohibited by this law, but a similar provision existed in the earlier law of 1904. The Governor is empowered by the law to regulate the emigration of natives to places outside the Protectorate, but similar, although less stringent, provisions existed in the earlier ordinances.

May I ask whether, though recruiting is forbidden, emigration does not proceed?

Yes, Sir. That is just the point. You are not allowed to ask the native to go, but if he insists on going the Government tries to take care of him, and see that he does not come to any harm, which he might do without supervision.

May I inquire whether under the existing regulations encouragement is or is not afforded by the authorities to the inhabitants of Nyassaland to emigrate?

No, Sir, there is no encouragement. We find that they insist upon going because of the high wages, and that they die in large numbers. To that extent we have to endeavour to protect them, and put stringent regulations in force to prevent them suffering in health.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he was aware that the natives recently removed from their homes and holdings in the vicinity of the racecourse at Lagos were only removed under the presence and menace of the military; whether the dispossessed natives were obliged in consequence to wander about the country homeless; whether these natives have been compensated for ejectment; and, if so, how many, and to what extent?

The Secretary of State has received no information for many months past on this subject, but without definite proof to the contrary he cannot admit that there is any ground for the allegations of harsh treatment implied in the question of my hon. Friend. The policy of the Government of Southern Nigeria has been, as stated by me in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the member for Orkney and Shetland on the 4th of May, 1908, to give every consideration to the claims of the natives whom it was found necessary to expropriate. I stated on that occasion that liberal compensation was being awarded. I am now able to supply the actual figures. The area affected amounted to seven acres, most of which is described as "barren, destitute, and unfenced," and containing only 59 buildings of any description. The compensation awarded amounts to £13,347 in all, of which £5,316 is for land—a rate of over £750 per acre—and the remainder for buildings. The principle adopted was to give, as compensation for compulsory purchase, 20 per cent, additional to the value of land, and 10 per cent, to the value of buildings. The number of claimants compensated was ninety-two, and I may say that in order to avoid any reasonable ground of complaint, the local government agreed to a scale of compensation which appeared to err, if anything, on the side of generosity.

asked whether during the fifty years since the Lagos territory was ceded to the Crown any seditious act has been recorded against the Yoruba tribes; and, failing any such seditious acts, what are the grounds on which the Governor justifies the introduction of a Seditious Offences Ordinance?

In reply I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the Ashburton Division of Devonshire, in which I pointed out that this legislation is a codification of the law existing in the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he is aware of the declaration by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Walter Egerton (30th June, 1905) that it was explained to Bishop Tugwell that for a good many years past the policy of this Department had been to abolish the Colonial chaplaincies in Crown Colonies, and of the declaration by Lord Elgin to Sir Walter Egerton (31st March, 1908) that the policy of successive Secretaries of State for the Colonies for many years past had been to abolish Colonial chaplaincies in Crown Colonies, and there were none now remaining except those in the Eastern Colonies, which were a survival, and the chaplaincy of the Gold Coast, which was revived for special reasons some years ago; and whether the recent grants to Lagos involve a reversal of the policy contained in those declarations, and. if so, what are the reasons for this change of policy?

I am aware of the statements referred to, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the present Government has no intention to depart from the policy therein laid down. I explained yesterday, in answer to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich, and other hon. Gentlemen, that the creation of this chaplaincy had been considered to be justified by the exceptional circumstances of the European community at Lagos, and that any representations received from members of the different Christian denominations in the town would be considered in a spirit of complete impartiality. I may again point out that there is no question of any grants from the funds of this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that money will be provided out of the earnings of natives who have no interest in this question?

Before that question is answered may I ask whether it is not the case that the natives respect the British for endowing and practising their own religion?

Yes, Sir. In reply to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend (Mr. Rainy), of course it is the fact that the natives do contribute in so far as they pay taxes in that country, but the Secretary of State did not feel himself justified in refusing the request, which was backed up by the Legislative Council of Lagos, and for this reason, that it was pointed out to him by men of all denominations that unless some such step was taken there would be no white Christian minister to minister to the dying or to bury the dead.

asked whether any information has been received as to the alteration or modification of any of the proposed new duties on steel plated goods or engineers' tools by the French Senate?

I am glad to say that the Senate have agreed to an increase in the proportion of chrome, tungsten, and other metals which will make steel liable to the increased duties imposed on special steels. The duty of 50 francs per 100 kilogs. will now be leviable on steel which contains more than 6 per cent, of either chrome or tungsten instead of 4 per cent, of chrome or 2 per cent, of tungsten as provided by the Bill in the form in which it passed the Chamber of Deputies. So far as I am aware the duties on plated goods and twist drills and similar tools have not yet come up for discussion in the Senate.

asked the Secretary (of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government's policy in the Far East will be modified in such a manner as to not run counter to British and American commercial interests?

The questions of the hon. Member are based upon misapprehension. In the matter of the Chinchow - Aigun Railway, in which His Majesty's Government have been pressed to take an active part, they are unable to do so as they are bound to pay some regard to the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1899, which has never formally been abrogated. To interpret this attitude on their part as running counter to British or American interests is an entire misapprehension.

asked whether the American Government has requested the support of His Majesty's Government for the Chinchow - Aigun scheme; and, if so, what reply has been given to the American Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the railway scheme has already been defined in my previous, answer. The United States Government have been kept fully informed of their views and of the view of the Anglo-Russian Agreement of 1899 upon which they are based.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information concerning the reported agreement between Russia and Japan regarding Manchuria and Mongolia; and whether His Majesty's Government will define the right of those two Powers to interfere in the railway developments China wishes to make in those regions, by the agreements she has signed with American and British groups?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The hon. Member has already been informed that it is not for His Majesty's Government to admit, deny, or define the rights and interests of other Powers in the matter, and I must remind him of the agreement already referred to in previous answers.

asked whether Abd-el-Aziz Rifaat, Mohammed Hilmi-el-Taleb, Abbas Hanafi. Sheikh Mohammed-el-Fiki, Mohammed Sadik Said, Mohammed Tewfik Naggar, Kamal-el-Elfi, Hassan Hosni, and Chefik Mansour were arrested in connection with the murder of Bautros Ghali Pasha in Cairo?

I understand that certain persons are accused of complicity with the assassin of Boutros Pasha, but their names have not been reported to me. I shall receive a report in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the tendency on the part of some parents to withdraw their children from a secondary school to which they had been admitted under Article 20 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools after the expiration of either one or two years to enable them to become wage-earners, the Board will consider the advisability, in the interests both of the child and of the school, of amending Article 20 of and the Appendix to the above Regulations so as to secure that all students provided with free places in a fee-charging school shall, as a condition of entry, remain students of the school for a period of at least three years?

The Board are aware that this tendency prevails among many parents of pupils at secondary schools. It is not, however, confined by any means to the parents of free pupils. It is now the practice of the Board in cases where this evil is prevalent to suggest to the school authorities that they should require an undertaking from the parent of each pupil on his admission to the school that he shall not be removed, without good reason, before completing an adequate period of school life. Such an undertaking, with a penalty attached, has already been exacted by certain school authorities with marked results. I am not, however, prepared to apply a rule of this character to the holders of free places only as distinct from fee-paying pupils. I may observe that representations have been made to the Board from a number of schools that the financial burden of the free-place rule is greater than was anticipated because holders of free places in fact remain at school longer, as a rule, than fee-paying pupils.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that during the recent county council elections strong protest was raised, especially in the agricultural districts, against any further increase in the county rate levied for the national service of education; and whether, in view of such protest, the Board will cease to put pressure upon local education authorities to levy a general, as distinct from a special or local, rate for higher education pending the promised readjustment between local and Imperial burdens?

With reference to the first part of the question, I have no official knowledge of the protest referred to, but the hon. Member's statement contains within it no element of improbability. Protests against any increase of the rates are a common feature of county council elections. With reference to the second part of the question, it is the duty of the Board to call the attention of local education authorities to any defects or deficiencies in the supply of higher education in their areas and to insist that the schools and classes, for which their financial aid is sought, shall be conducted efficiently and in suitable premises. It is only in respect of the fulfilment of this duty that the Board can be said to put pressure upon the authorities to levy a rate for higher education. I am not prepared to give any undertaking that the Board will cease to exercise their proper functions in this respect.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the county of Gloucester, although every district has voluntarily allowed itself to be levied for a higher education rate for its own particular secondary school, yet His Majesty's Inspectors of Secondary Education are threatening to reduce the grant unless a general county rate is provided for this purpose?

I do not think that is the form in which the Inspectors would put the matter. Presumably they are saying that the schools are not up to the standard required.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can now give the terms of reference for the Departmental Committee to inquire into swine fever; and who will constitute the members of that Committee?

Neither the constitution of nor the terms of reference for the Com- mittee have as yet been finally settled, but so soon as they are I will communicate them to the hon. Member.

In view of the interest that agriculturists are taking in it, may I ask if the matter is being pressed forward?

I am quite aware of the interest that agriculturists take in this matter, and the hon. Member knows the interest I have always taken in it. It certainly will be pressed forward.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could see his way to grant re-engaging pay of 2d. a day to all ratings in the Royal Navy who took on after 12 years' service to complete time for pension?

The system of re-engagement pay referred to, which was formerly allowed to seaman class ratings, has been abolished for all men who entered the service after the 30th September, 1907, and it is not contemplated to reintroduce it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the increase in the outbreaks of anthrax throughout the country, the Board will institute an inquiry as to the best means of exterminating the disease?

The Board's veterinary officers are continuously engaged in making inquiry as to the causes of the spread of this disease, and as to the measures that can most usefully be taken to control it. The Board are also considering what steps can be taken to bring About a more uniform and efficient method of diagnosis. They do not think that a general inquiry on the subject at the present time would be likely to be attended with any beneficial results.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state whether his attention has been called to a case at Southampton County Court on 15th March, which was described by Judge Gye as a scandal, and by which it appears that many Italians have been brought over to work on no wages either at Southampton or other places to which they were supplied; and whether he can see his way to suppress this traffic?

I have seen newspaper reports of the county court case on which this question is based. The case related to Italians engaged in the ice-cream trade. I have no power to "suppress the traffic" as desired by the hon. Member, but I may say the conditions under which young Italians are brought to this country for the purposes of this and kindred trades have for some time engaged the attention of my Department in connection with the administration of the Aliens Act. From time to time leave to land at ports in the United Kingdom is refused under that Act to such Italians by immigration officers and immigration boards on the ground that they are not satisfied that the immigrants have, or can obtain, means of decently supporting themselves in this country; in other cases the immigrants produce sufficient evidence to satisfy the immigration officers or boards, and are given leave to land. With a view to assisting the officers and boards with information my Department makes inquiries, when occasion arises, into the way in which these immigrants are treated by those who brought them here, and I have reason to think that this action is proving beneficial. I shall continue to watch the matter very carefully.

Will inquiry be made about this particular matter?

I think inquiry has been made, but I will see.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me what became of the Bill which the Labour party promoted and passed unanimously through this House on this subject?

The hon. Member can find that out for himself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he can give the number of men employed in Great Britain who are not British subjects?

The only information on this subject of which I am aware is to be found in the volumes of the Census for the year 1901. The numbers of persons returned as foreigners are shown in those volumes; and the occupations are given of 148,345 male foreigners, namely, 131,958 in England and Wales, 10,912 in Scotland, and 5,475 in Ireland.

asked whether the Government are proposing to remove the county court from St. George's Hall, Stonehouse, to Plymouth; whether he is aware that St. George's Hall is the most convenient position for the commercial and legal communities of the three towns, Devonport, Stonehouse, and Plymouth; and whether he will state to the House exactly what are the intentions of the Government in the matter?

The matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Home Office. The question should be addressed to the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State if he will cause a public inquiry to be held into the circumstances which led to the premature retirement of the late Sergeant John Rosser from the Pembrokeshire Constabulary, which took place immediately following the recent General Election?

I am making inquiries, though the matter would appear from my hon. Friend's question to be outside the jurisdiction of the Home Office.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will consider the question of obtaining on the next Census paper information as to whether the person is unemployed on the date appointed, and for what length of time he has been unemployed during the previous twelve months, as is done in the United States?

As I stated in the reply I gave on the 10th instant to a question on the same subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough, the point has been considered, but the machinery of the Census does not appear to be suitable for collecting statistics of unemployment.

asked if the chairman of the Worcester County Council Old Age Pension Committee requires a police certificate with each claim for a pension, stating whether the applicant has been in gaol during the previous ten years; and if this is a practice sanctioned by the Local Government Board?

I am making inquiries as to the practice of the pension committee and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the pension officers were under the direction of the pension committees and had to obey the directions of these committees?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chairman of the Worcester County Council Pension Committee did give these instructions to the pension officer and is he aware that they were confirmed by the Board of Inland Revenue.

I do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman is referring to. If he will give me the details I will make inquiries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a number of claims are being made in Ireland by the Customs and Excise Departments for repayment of old age pensions in cases where no fraud is alleged to have taken place and where pensions were originally granted by pension committees with the concurrence of the pension officers, and paid for many months without question; whether it was the duty of the pension officers to have satisfied themselves before the pensions were granted as to the age of applicants, and to have appealed immediately to the central pension authority; and whether, seeing that the error, if any, in these cases was shared by the officers of the Inland Revenue Department, he will direct that no further steps shall be taken to prosecute the claims for repayment, except in cases where there is clear evidence of an intention to defraud?

If the hon. Member will supply me with the particulars of any cases in which serious hardship has arisen by demands such as those referred to, I will have inquiry made into them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the reason of the delay in issuing a pension order book to James M'Bride, Gleneragh, Glin, county Donegal, to whom the local committee, whose decision was upheld by the Local Government Board acting on appeal by the pension officer, granted a pension as from 5th December last?

There is a debt due to the Crown from the pensioner under Section 9 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act in respect of pension money drawn prior to his having reached the statutory age of seventy, and the new pension is being withheld until the debt is liquidated by deduction.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me under what Section of the Act that is done?

Under Section 9 (2).

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the reasons which have induced him to permit members of the staff at the Local Government Board to sit upon borough councils and other representative elected bodies; and whether, having regard to the fact that the position of the Local Government Board as a supervising and appealing authority constantly brings it into contact with the work of the borough councils, any administrative inconvenience has resulted there from?

I believe a few cases have occurred in which members of the staff have served on local bodies, but I am not aware of any administrative inconvenience having been caused thereby. I may say that it now rests with me to determine whether, and, if so, on what conditions, a member of the staff may become a candidate for, or a member of, a local council, provided that the duties involved do not conflict with the personal performance of his official duties. If I find that any administrative inconvenience is occasioned I shall not hesitate to refuse permission.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send a copy of that answer to the Board of Education?

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention had been called to the promise made by the authorities in the Isle of Man that the Chinese pork which is being cured into bacon there, after being rejected at the ports of London and Liverpool, should not be offered for consumption in that island but should be exported at once; and if he would take similar action and that it is not landed in England for consumption?

I have no information with regard to the first part of the question beyond what has appeared in the public Press. As regards the latter part of the question I may refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on the 17th instant.

May I ask what possible ground there can be for allowing this meat in after it has been once refused, and whether it is proposed to send it back to-London, Liverpool, and other ports in any form?

The Local Government Board has no jurisdiction over the Isle of Man. That is my only answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have inquiry made to see whether any of it is coming back from the Isle of Man?

I will do my best to ascertain the facts.

asked the Lord Advocate whether half of the engrossing clerks in the Sasines Department of the Register House, Edinburgh, were suspended or unemployed from the beginning of August last until November; whether, for weeks immediately prior to August, many temporary extra clerks had been engaged in that Department; and will he say what steps are being taken by the Government to remedy this recurring problem of unemployment in that office?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the answer to the second part is in the affirmative. Endeavours are being made to secure, so far as possible, that the employment of the permanent staff shall be constant throughout the year, but this must always be difficult so long as the most of the conveyancing transactions in Scotland take place at one term in the year.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say who is responsible for the engaging of one set of clerks and the suspending of the other?

There is no suspension.

asked the Prime Minister whether he still anticipates that it will be possible for this House to adjourn for a considerable recess at some time in the month of April?

I am still not without hope that it may be possible to get through the necessary business before the close of April, and then to adjourn for the Spring Recess.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he proposes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should make his Budget statement for 1910–11 before this April recess?

As at present Advised, I should think not.

asked the Prime Minister, whether an opportunity would be given to the House to discuss the Seditious Offences Ordinance of Southern Nigeria and other Nigerian questions on the Colonial Vote?

Yes, Sir. With regard to the particular Ordinance referred to, as my right hon. Friend explained yesterday, this legislation is a codification of the existing law, and imposes no fresh penalties.

asked whether it is the intention to fulfil the pledge given to a Jewish deputation at the by-election at Manchester in 1908 by the present Secretary of State for the Home Department-, in which he said that he was authorised to say on behalf of the Government that receiving houses for immigrants must be provided wherever necessary, even if it required legislation; that the Government did not object to allowing right of appeal from decisions of Immigration Board to King's Bench; and that better provision should be made for the interpretation of evidence?

These questions have been for some weeks past receiving my attention. In several of the ports there are already satisfactory places for the reception of the immigrants, but I am making enquiry with regard to the others, and especially London. The question of appeals would require legislation, and no legislation is at present possible. I believe the provision for interpretation is now good—at any rate, the Home Office, who invited complaints two years ago, have received none. But this, too, is a subject of inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister if he would ask the House to sit on Thursday, 24th March, for the purpose of passing an Income Tax Resolution and thereby minimising the, disorder of the national finances?

The answer is in the negative.

asked whether, with a view to minimising the financial chaos and loss to the Treasury, he will ask the House to sit on Thursday, 24th March, in order to pass a Resolution authorising the collection of Income Tax?

This is the same question and is covered by the same answer.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the aged poor of Scotland are apprehensive lest their pensions shall not be paid after the expiration of six weeks from the 1st of April next, when, owing to the action of the Government on the Vote on Account, a sum of £900,000 only was voted for old age pensions for the whole of the United Kingdom; and whether he intends to take any and, if so, what steps to ensure that persons eligible for pensions in Scotland, after the expiration of six weeks from the 9th March, shall duly receive them?

The answer to the questions is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the hon. Gentleman who asked this question has ever seen Scotland except on the map?

asked whether in the case of Robert Simpson, of Glasgow, convicted in 1907 of conspiracy to defraud certain newspapers, the handwriting expert, Henry Gurrin, on whose evidence the conviction mainly depended, was the same expert in handwriting on whose evidence Beck and Edalji were convicted, but were subsequently released?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on the 12th May last, in which I pointed out that the conviction of the accused did not rest upon expert evidence as to his handwriting.

also asked, has the right hon. Gentleman official information to the effect that since the conviction and imprisonment of Robert Simpson for conspiring to defraud certain newspapers, letters have been received by the judge who tried the case, by the "Daily Record" newspaper, and by the father of the prisoner, admittedly in the same handwriting as the incriminating telegram, which letters it was impossible for the prisoner to write?

It was represented to the Secretary for Scotland, in a petition in 1907, that certain letters had been received by the judge who tried the case, by the "Daily Record" newspaper, and by the father of the prisoner, which were alleged to be in the same handwriting as the telegram referred to, but upon examination this allegation was not supported. It is not therefore correct to say, as is suggested in the question, that the identity of the handwriting in the telegram and in the letters was admitted.

Was the handwriting examined by Mr. Gurrin?

I cannot recollect whether it was examined by that expert or not, but the particular telegram was spoken to by one of the conspirators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the practice of Trinity House to grant licences to foreigners to act as pilots in British waters; and, if so, whether he proposes to advise that in future such practice be discontinued?

I am informed by the Trinity House that it is not their practice to (grant licences to foreigners to act as pilots in British waters. The qualifications they require of candidates for such licences do not specify that they shall be British subjects, but every candidate has to be certified as "well affected to His Majesty's person and Government." I am further informed that no foreigner has applied for such a licence, at any rate in recent years, and that if such an application were made the Trinity House would probably, in the exercise of their discretion, refuse to entertain it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the passenger-vessel "Ellan Vannin," which foundered recently, was about fifty years of age; whether there is any length of period fixed during which a vessel may continue to carry passengers; and, if not, whether some such provision could be made, or whether, as an alternative, more rigorous and frequent inspection of a vessel should be made as it advances in age?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is no-fixed age limit in the case of passenger vessels, but every passenger steamer is thoroughly surveyed at least once a year to determine whether she is in all respects fit for her intended service, and one of the principal points to be considered by the surveyors is the previous history and age of vessel. The survey is a rigorous one, and can be repeated at short intervals if the circumstances require it. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by a fixed age limit.

Did the right hon. Gentleman ascertain what was the condition of the hull after the last survey?

If the hon. Member will give me notice I. will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been drawn to complaints of short time being worked by the hands employed in the Mount Pleasant factory; and could he state whether steps could be taken to keep the factory more fully employed?

also asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that at the Bovey Place factory, in Islington, there are constant complaints of shortage of work; that, as a result, some men have been discharged and others are unable to earn a full week's wage; can he say what is the cause of this shortage of work; and what steps can be taken to keep the factory fully employed?

I will answer these two questions together. I have given close attention to complaints of inadequate employment in these factories, and am endeavouring in various ways to secure a larger amount of work for them. I am not convinced that the factories are at present organised on the most economical lines, or that, apart from questions of wages, it would not be possible to reduce the cost of production of various articles. If such a result could be achieved it would not only admit of a saving for the State, but would also render it easier to secure continuity of employment for the staff engaged. In order that the matter may be fully investigated, I am appointing a Departmental Committee to hold an inquiry into the subject, of which my hon. Friend the Assistant Postmaster-General will be Chairman, and on which my hon. Friend the Member for East Hull will give me the benefit of his business experience. The other members of the Committee will be officers of branches of my Department which are in direct relation with the factories.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what was the date on which the new public offices, Westminster, were completed by the contractors and occupied; whether the accounts for their construction had been completed; and if there had been any saving on the original estimate?

The date of completion was 30th July, 1908, and occupation followed immediately. The accounts have been completed, but it is impossible to make any statement at present as to any saving as there is a claim by the contractors for a large sum of money which must be decided by arbitration.

Has an arbitration already been decided upon, and can the right hon. Gentleman indicate the probable time when a decision will be arrived at?

I would rather have notice of that question. I may say that an arbitration has been decided upon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether slates and slabs were classed as minerals for purposes of taxa- tion under the Finance Bill of the current year?

I must refer my hon. Friend to Clause 20 (5), which specifies the cases in which Mineral Rights Duty would not be chargeable.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman had received a request from the Civil Service to receive a deputation respecting the application of the new Superannuation Act; if so, what reply had been given; and would he receive such a deputation?

A request to this effect has been received from the Civil Servants' Deferred Pay Committee, but, as has been intimated to the committee, my right hon. Friend has not seen his way to receive the deputation, as it is impossible to relax the rules governing the admission of existing Civil servants to the benefits of the Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been called to the fact that men who had served as apprentices in Devonport Dockyard and become established are placed at a disadvantage in respect to their pensions compared with men who had entered as yard boys and become established; and whether, seeing that the apprentices had to pass a competitive examination and yard boys do not, he would take the necessary steps to introduce such amendments as in his opinion may be necessary in the Superannuation Act of 1887 to remove this disadvantage, the disadvantage being that the former class of workman was only allowed to count his hired time for pension at the earliest from the age of twenty, while the latter class of workman had the privilege of counting his time for pension from the age of sixteen, thereby gaining two extra years?

I regret that I am unable to agree to any change in the existing conditions.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether his Department will consider the advisability of making the necessary grant from the Development Fund to improve the canal communication with Stoke-on-Trent along the lines sug- gested by the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways in their Report recently published?

This is a matter, in the first instance, for the Development Commission when it has been constituted.

asked whether, in view of the fact that large sums, amounting to some millions of money, are in the hands of companies throughout the country in respect of deducted Income Tax, the Government have considered the possibility of some of these companies going into liquidation before these sums are paid into the Exchequer; and whether, in view of such a possibility, the Government will reconsider their decision to delay the legalisation of the collection of Income Tax, and will take immediate steps to legalise such collection?

The Government see no grounds for reconsidering their decision in this matter, but I may remind the hon. Member that in the somewhat remote contingency of such companies going into liquidation in the course of the next few weeks, the Crown will, in the case of liquidations subsequent to 5th April next, be entitled to preferential treatment in respect of the tax assessed for the financial year, 1909–10.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in the estate of Mrs. E. J. Rice and another, Clonmain, county Armagh, in which the sale to the tenants was completed in November, 1905, the purchase money has never been paid; and if he will have inquiries made as to the cause of the delay?

The Land Commission inform me that the purchase money of this estate was advanced and brought to credit of the matter on 4th November last, the day on which the holdings were vested in the tenants. The title to the property was examined and the necessary requisitions were issued to the vendors' solicitors in October last. It rests with them to apply to the court in the prescribed manner for the distribution of the funds.

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that a num- ber of tenants on the Ahaseragh and Doon portions of the Clonbrock estate, county Galway, have been processed for interest at 4 per cent, on their purchase moneys; and whether such proceedings became necessary by reason of the Estates Commissioners, who were present at the negotiation, of carrying out their undertaking to complete the sale of this portion of the estate in one year from March, 1908?

I understand that the owner has instituted proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners, and that it was one of the conditions agreed upon by the tenants that they would pay interest in lieu of rent to the owner at 4 per cent, until the holdings were vested. The Commissioners are informed that the tenants have refused to pay the owner the interest now due, and that he has taken legal proceedings for its recovery. The Commissioners gave no undertaking that the sale would be completed within one year from March, 1908, but they have expedited the proceedings for sale as far as possible.

What was the total amount paid out of the Parliamentary Vote in respect of the maintenance of children in industrial and reformatory schools in Ireland in April, 1908, and 1909, respectively?

In April, 1908, £26,853, and in April, 1909, £26,715.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why only £25,000 has been put into the Vote on Account of this service, and how does he propose to meet the charges for maintenance in those institutions when the sums granted by Parliament have been exhausted?

The attention of the Treasury has been called to the fact that the Vote on Account was to some small extent insufficient for the purpose, and other provision has been made. There will be no delay in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state the number of cases on each of the three principal registers mentioned in the regulations made by the Lord Lieutenant on 15th February, 1910, under Section 4 of The Irish Land Act, 1909?

The following figures show the number of cases on the principal register on 15th February, 1910, being the date of the regulations of the Lord Lieutenant under Section 4 of The Irish Land Act, 1903: Direct Sales, 5,410; Sales to Land Commission, under Sections 6, 7, and 8, of the Irish Land Act, 1903, 458; Sales to Congested Districts Board, 16.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Faculty of Arts of Queen's University, Belfast, has recently passed a resolution to alter the regulations relating to the degrees of the university, so that scholastic philosophy, which heretofore has been accounted one of a number of optional subjects specified for degrees in arts, shall in future be subdivided into three subjects, namely, scholastic logic, scholastic metaphysics, and scholastic ethics, in each of which subjects separate courses of lectures shall be delivered, and each of which subjects may be selected as a separate option; and whether he is aware that there are already chairs of logic, metaphysics, and moral philosophy, and why it is proposed to duplicate them?

further asked the right hon. Gentleman (1) whether he is aware that the present lecturer in scholastic philosophy in Queen's University, Belfast, has applied to have his lectureship raised to the status of a professorship and to have separate lecturers appointed to assist him in teaching scholastic logic and ethics; and whether he will take steps to prevent public money being thus spent on denominational teaching; and (2) on behalf of what portion of the community or what religious denomination has the demand been made in the professedly non-sectarian Queen's University, Belfast, to provide separate courses of lectures in logic, metaphysics, and ethics, all taught from the scholastic standpoint?

I have referred these three questions to the authorities of the university, who inform me that no resolution of the Faculty of Arts such as the hon. Member describes has come before them; nor has any suggestion been made to them by the lecturer in scholastic philosophy or anyone else that his position should be raised to that of professor, or that separate lecturers should be appointed to assist him. No representations whatever have been made by any portion of the community or by any religious denomination with reference to the provision of separate courses of lectures in logic, metaphysics, and ethics from the scholastic standpoint.

In view of the fact that the information I have is in direct contradiction to that which the right hon. Gentleman has given, I beg to say that I will put down a question on this subject at an early date.

asked whether, having regard to the deadlock which has arisen owing to the money provided under the Labourers Act of 1906 having been exhausted, and bearing in mind the need for continuing the beneficent operations of that Act, the Government will introduce a short measure dealing with the subject, in view of the fact that all parties in Ireland are united in desiring that the building of necessary labourers' cottages should continue?

It was provided by the Labourers Act of 1906 that £4,250,000 may be advanced on Land Purchase terms for the provision of labourers' cottages and plots. The whole of that amount has either been advanced or earmarked for advance in respect of pending schemes. The number of cottages and plots which will be provided under the Act of 1906 is estimated at about 23,500, and the number provided under previous Acts was 21,50), making the substantial total of 45,000 cottages and plots. Of the 23,500 cottages which are being provided under the Act of 1906, at least three-fourths have not yet been completed, and tenants for these have to be found. It is, however, admitted that a good deal will remain to be done before the provision of accommodation for labourers can be said to be reasonably satisfactory. The Government are favourably disposed to the continuance of the policy of providing labourers' cottages, and the question of reviving the powers of borrowing for that purpose which existed before 1905 has been under consideration. Whether it will be possible to legislate for making further loans on anything approaching Land Purchase terms is a question upon which I can make no statement at the moment, but the Government will give the matter careful consideration, regard being had to the financial situation for the time being.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that on this matter there is no difference at all among the different parties in Ireland, and that if a measure were proposed by the Government, it would be entirely uncontroversial. I think I am justified in saying that.

I am very glad to hear it, and it is quite in accordance with my own view. It is the desire of the Government also to meet the demand if it can possibly be done.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a statement made by Mr. Justice Wright, at the spring assizes for county Galway, to the effect that until the activities of certain secret or powerful organisations in the county were diminished or checked it was hopeless to expect any improvements in the condition of certain lawless areas; and whether he proposes to take any steps against such organisations in county Galway so as to bring about an improvement in the condition of the county?

I have seen a newspaper report of the learned judge's statement. The police are doing their best to prevent the commission of offences, and to deal with all persons who break the law individually or collectively.

asked whether any arrangement, similar to that proposed for Queen's University, Belfast, for the duplication of lectures in logic, metaphysics, and ethics, and for the segregation of the undergraduates pursuing courses of study in philosophy, exists, or is proposed in the University colleges of Dublin, Cork, or Galway; and whether there exists in any University in the United Kingdom in receipt of public money a precedent for such duplication of lectures and such segregation of students?

I am informed by the Universities authorities that they do not propose to duplicate lectures in the manner described in the question.

asked whether agreements for the sale and purchase of land under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts entered into and lodged after 15th of September, 1909, and made on the basis of the financial terms of the Land Purchase Act of 1903, are being returned to the landlords and tenants with a view to their being altered to suit the new financial conditions; and whether it was the intention of the Government to so treat agreements entered into and lodged between 15th September and the date of the passing of the Act of 1909; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that in Ireland it was generally understood that the new financial provisions would take effect as from the latter date, the Government will introduce legislation to give effect to this understanding, which the support of all parties in Ireland would make non-controversial?

Under Section 13 of the Act all agreements lodged or entered into after 15th September are future purchase agreements, and, as such, are subject to the new rate of annuity. This date was chosen as being as late a date as possible, while avoiding the rush to lodge agreements which might have taken place if a prospective date had been named. I had, however, hoped that before the Bill became law that date might be changed to the date of the passing of the Act. But a financial change of this nature could only properly have been made while the Bill was in Committee of this House, and no opportunity for making the change arose. The position has now become much complicated owing to the fact that in many cases revised agreements, in lieu of the returned agreements, have already been lodged, and in a large number of other cases new agreements are in process of making. In the case of some of these new agreements the revised terms are more favourable than the original terms to either the vendor or the purchaser, and in such cases the party so favoured would naturally object to revert to the old terms. I have, therefore, reluctantly come to the conclusion that much inconvenience and confusion would arise were the date to be altered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether the chief constable of a county in Scotland asked the War Office whether they could arrange for the mobilisation of troops to take place in winter, as the horses in his county, being used for agricultural purposes, were not available in the summer months?

There is no information at the War Office to show that a chief constable asked any such question.

asked whether honorary rank, under Paragraph 229 of the King's Regulations, confers all the rights and advantages of substantive rank as regards precedence, and is only limited by not entitling the holder to military command?

If the hon. Member will kindly read the paragraph he will find that it states that an officer holding honorary rank is entitled to precedence attached to the corresponding rank of combatant officer, and that such rank will not entitle the holder of it to the presidency of courts-martial or to military command of any kind except over such officers and men as may be specially placed under his command.

asked whether it is in accordance with the decision of the Army Council that officers holding temporary or honorary rank should have the prefix temporary or honorary placed before their rank and names in official directories issued under War Office authority; if not, could this decision be promulgated; and whether the honorary rank of captain is granted and not the rank of honorary captain, etc.?

In the Quarterly and Monthly Army Lists, to which the hon. Member presumably refers, the actual ranks held by officers are shown, whether substantive, temporary, or honorary. This is in accordance with Section 163 (d) of the Army Act. In reply to the last part of the question the honorary rank of captain is granted.

asked whether, during the period since the reinstitution of the Army qualifying examination, there has been a diminution in the number of candidates relatively to the number of vacancies; and whether the absence of competitive examination during the latter portion of such period has been due to a dearth of candidates?

The Array qualifying examination is a mere qualifying test, and there are no vacancies named in connection with it. The absence of competitive examinations last year was due to the fact that the number of qualified candidates presenting themselves was not in excess of the number of vacancies available at Woolwich and Sandhurst. It must be remembered that the intake of cadets into Woolwich and Sandhurst was increased owing to the demand for Regular officers for the Special Reserve and Territorial Force.

asked whether the Army Qualifying Board is responsible for the Army qualifying examination; whether the Civil Service Commissioners, who controlled the competitive examination, have any control over the Army qualifying examination; and whether the Army Qualifying Board is composed wholly or mainly of examiners drawn from London University?

The Army Qualifying Board, under the Presidency of Sir Henry Craik, is responsible to the Army Council for carrying out the Army qualifying examinations. The Civil Service Commissioners have no control over the Army qualifying examination. The Army Qualifying Board is composed of representatives of the following educational bodies, who grant leaving certificates for Army purposes: The Scotch Education Department, the Central Welsh Board for Intermediate Education, the Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination Board, the University of London, the University of Birmingham, the Oxford Local Examination Delegacy, and the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate.

asked whether, in the case of the Army qualifying examination, there are moderators to regularise the standard of papers set; whether such moderators took any part in supervising the papers set to candidates in the recent Army qualifying examination; who such moderators are; and whether the competitive examination is abandoned or merely suspended until the number of candidates warrants its reintroduction?

The standard of the papers set at the Army qualifying examination is regulated by and co-ordinated with that of the leaving certificates for Army purposes by the Army Qualifying Board. The papers set at the recent exami- nation were, as usual, reviewed and approved by the Board. The competitive examination is not abandoned, but the necessity for holding such an examination depends on the number of qualified candidates presenting themselves.

asked the Secretary for War, in view of the fact that on mobilisation some county associations are ordered to provide within a week a fully-equipped general hospital, the administrator of which is expected to arrange for having a call upon local tradesmen for hospital equipment, drugs, and surgical appliances, besides fittings for a building in which to store them, that the local tradesmen appear unwilling to set aside the requisite stock owing to the inconvenience to them of locking up the capital required, and that the county associations are precluded by C. M. 221 from incurring any expenditure on purchase, storage, or other provision for equipment, whether he will consider the necessity for a special grant to be devoted to the above object?

The whole question is under consideration.

asked the Secretary for War if he will state how many officers of the Militia and Special Reserve have been given commissions in Regular battalions or regiments each year ending 31st December from 1900 to 1909, inclusive?

The figures are as follows:—1900, 449; 1901, 487; 1902, 287; 1903, 266; 1904, 102; 1905, 147; 1906, 158; 1907, 99; 1908, 99; 1909, 83.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask whether it is proposed to gradually discontinue the advantages previously given to members of the Militia and the Special Reserve?

No, Sir. You can enter the Army now through the Special Reserve, as you could through the Militia.

Do not the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given indicate an intention to discontinue them?

I do not think so. It will be observed that the drop began just after the war. There were only 102 in 1904, which was long before the Territorial Force was created.

asked if any trouble has arisen with the ammunition for the guns at Aldershot, and if a number of shells were recently condemned; and if the cause of the defect has been discovered and arrangements made which will secure the future ammunition from deterioration?

About eighteen months ago some of the ammunition at Aldershot was found in an unsatisfactory state. No shells were, however, condemned. The cause of the defect has been discovered, and arrangements have been made to secure future supplies from deterioration.

Is that the last occasion?

As far as I am aware, that is the last occasion.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Southend Town Council have recently submitted to the Board of Education a scheme for the education committee for the borough, containing a provision that no clergy or ministers of any denomination shall be eligible to serve as non-council members of the committee; whether he is aware that there are in Southend, besides five council schools, three Church of England schools, and one Roman Catholic school; whether he is aware that a petition has been presented against the proposed exclusion of ministers from the committee; and whether, under these circumstances and in view of Section 17 of the Education Act, 1902, he will undertake to refuse the approval of the Board to the provision in question?

The answer to the first, second, and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. Objections to the scheme are at present under consideration, and I am not prepared to anticipate my decision on them by any statement at present.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, if he will state whether he can legally give a guarantee to the effect that railway companies can, if they transfer the Income Tax now overdue, recover the money in the event of the Finance Bill not being passed?

I only received the hon. and gallant Member's notice this morning, and I have really had no time to give to the matter. I should like to consider it a little longer, and, if he would put down a question on, the Paper, I should be very glad.

asked whether any relief in the rating of railway companies is contemplated; and whether underground companies which relieve street traffic are to be rated in future for the benefit of competitors who wear out roads and add to congestion of traffic, and to the expenses of repairing and widening streets?

The Government are not at present contemplating any legislation upon the subject of the rating of railway companies.

May I ask whether the rating of railways in general, and of underground railways in particular, is not inequitable as compared with that on other kinds of property?

That is a matter of opinion. The suggestion implied in the question is that railway companies are differentially treated, and the hon. Member suggests that owners of vehicles do not contribute. But I may inform him that both tramway companies and municipal authorities which own tramways contribute very substantially to local rates and to the maintenance not only of their own track, but of a certain portion of the road on either side of the track.

But do not the railways contribute irrespective of the use they make of the roads?

Only in the same way as the authorities I have named contribute to the rates in respect of their property.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Somerset County Council have been informed that the January instalment of the whisky money will not be paid during the current financial year? If that is so, what is the reason for it?

I have not received any information on the subject. Had I received notice of the question I would have done my best to get an answer.

The President of the Board of Education told me he had informed the right hon. Gentleman that the question would be asked.

I mentioned to my right hon. Friend the fact that the Noble-Lord was going to ask a question, but I could not say what the question was. That was only a few moments ago.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can ascertain from the Thames Ironworks Company the date on which the crane which they have ordered in connection with the "Dreadnought" is to be delivered?

Nine months from the date of the order.