asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would consider the case of first-class Petty Officer W. H. Ellis, who, but for an accident which resulted in the loss of a leg, would have been eligible for the Royal Fleet Reserve pension; and if he would endeavour to obtain some compassionate employment for this man?

This question has already been considered by the Admiralty, as was explained to the hon. Gentleman in reply to his question of 17th March last. I have caused the circumstances to be referred to one of the Navy employment societies with a request that they will use their endeavours if possible to find employment for the man.

asked how many of the twenty destroyers of last year's programme were actually laid down on 2nd March last; what was the actual date on which each destroyer was laid down; and at what yard was the work undertaken in each case?

All the destroyers of last year's programme were actually laid down before 2nd March last with the exception of the "Fury," which was laid down on the following day, and the "Minstrel" on 11th March. I will circulate the remainder of the information asked for with the Votes and Proceedings. I would remind the Noble Lord that these vessels were all ordered in October of last year, and that the contract dates for completion run from the date of order, and are not affected by the dates of technically laying down. [See Written Answers this date.]

May I ask the exact date of finishing?

Within eighteen months of the date of ordering in October last.

asked what were the main and secondary armaments, respectively, of the Japanese battleships "Aki" and "Satsuma;" and whether the Admiralty, in computing the comparative strength of our own and foreign navies in battleships of the "Dreadnought" type, class the "Aki" and "Satsuma" as "Dreadnoughts" or pre-" Dreadnoughts "?

The armaments are as follows: "Aki," four 12-inch, twelve 10-inch, eight 6-inch, eight 12-pounder, four machine-guns, five submerged torpedo-tubes; "Satsuma," four 12-inch, twelve 10-inch, twelve 4.7-inch, four 12-pounder, four machine-guns, five submerged torpedo-tubes. For the purpose mentioned in the question, these vessels, owing to their size and powerful armament, are reckoned by the Admiralty as if they were of the "Dreadnought" type.

asked how often in a month ships of the "Dreadnought" class could enter the Fountain Basin, Portsmouth; whether Fountain Basin was the only entrance to No. 15 dock; whether No. 15 dock was at present the only one capable of holding a "Dreadnought"; whether the "Dreadnought" was injured the first time she was taken into No. 15 dock; and, if so, whether the accident occurred through there not being enough water for her bilge keels to pass over the entrance to Fountain Basin; and whether No. 15 dock would be capable of taking all ships of the "Dreadnought" class built, building, and projected?

The number of days, including Saturdays and Sundays, and night tides, on which it is possible for ships of the "Dreadnought" class to pass Fountain Lake entrance of No. 4 basin averages fourteen and a half days per month at the draught to which the ship is usually lightened for docking. Fountain Lake entrance is the only one at present that will admit ships of the "Dreadnought" class to No. 15 dock. No. 15 dock is at present the only one at Portsmouth capable of holding a "Dreadnought." The "Dreadnought" was not injured the first time she was taken into No. 15 dock. The injury referred to was incurred at the Fountain Lake entrance to No. 4 basin, and the ship had previously been passed three times satisfactorily through this entrance. On this occasion the ship had a slight list and was driven out of the middle line of the entrance by the tide. No. 15 dock will accommodate all ships of the "Dreadnought" class built, building and projected.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to have that answer circulated for the information of officers and others concerned?

I will see that it is done.

May I ask whether that answer does not go to show that if a vessel has a slight list it cannot enter this dock at all?

No, Sir. If she had a slight list she must be put straight.

asked whether the sub-letting of contracts for labour only is permitted in contracts made on behalf of the Admiralty; whether due inquiries are made in the district where the work was being carried on regarding the condition of local labour; and whether, seeing that so many plasterers were out of employment in the surrounding district, the First Lord of the Admiralty will give instructions that the plastering of the new drawing offices at Keyham shall not be sub-let?

It is permissible in works contracts made on behalf of the Admiralty to sub-let portions of the work for labour only, and the Fair Wages Clause applies to such sub-contracts. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask whether the Works Department of the Admiralty consider the question of local labour at all, or whether they are satisfied that the work will be well done?

Yes, Sir; they are satisfied that the work will be well done under conditions of labour which satisfy them as suitable. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that if he wishes to turn out one set of men in order to employ another set, the men turned out will then become in due course unemployed.

May I ask whether it is possible for a contractor to bring labour from Newcastle to Devonport and to ignore altogether that local men are out of work?

I do not suppose that any contractor would do anything so foolish as that.

May I ask whether the Works Department of the Admiralty will see that that is not done?

No, Sir. I do not find it necessary to see that the Works Department do not do foolish things.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would explain to the House in what way the duties of first-grade storehouse men differed from those of second-grade storehouse men; whether there was any store charge known in the Devonport Dockyard as a first-grade charge; whether it was customary in the Royal dockyards when a first-grade storehouse man vacated; his position to appoint a second-grade storehouse man to the post without the second-grade storehouse man necessarily receiving any rise of pay; whether he would consider the advisability of discontinuing the present classification; and whether, in place of remunerating first-grade storehouse men at a minimum wage of 33s. a week rising to a maximum of 39s. per week, and second-grade storehouse men at a minimum wage of 26s. per week rising to a maximum of 32s. per week, he would make the minimum wage for all storehouse men 26s. per week, rising by a uniform rate of 1s. a week annually until the maximum of 39s. be reached?

The charges apportioned to the respective storehousemen are allocated by the local naval store officer according to their relative importance, the staff allowed, and the varying circumstances of dockyard work. A classification of charges is consequently not advisable nor practicable. The question of continuing the existing classification of storehousemen has already been considered, and it is not proposed to make any alteration.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to kindly answer the second point, namely, "whether there is any store charge known in the Devon-port Dockyard as a first-grade charge?"

I am afraid I could not answer that question off-hand. I regret it is not included in the answer I have given. It is a technical matter of which I have no personal knowledge.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Mr. A. P. P. Meachey had resigned his seat on the Executive Council of British Guiana; if not, when was the last occasion on which he attended and the number of meetings that had taken place since; and, if he had resigned, whether steps would be taken to appoint a successor, either provisionally or otherwise, representative of labour?

My hon. Friend, no doubt, refers to Mr. A. P. P. Mackey, who resigned his seat in the Combined Court on 5th of January last owing to ill-health. The Secretary of State is not aware that he has resigned his seat on the Executive Council, and inquiry will be made as regards his attendance at council meetings. In reply to the last part of the question, I must refer to the answer I gave on 10th March.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he had yet received any information in reply to inquiries as to the possibility of effecting a reduction in the mounted section of the police force of British Guiana, in compliance with the expressed desire of a majority of the members of the British Guiana Legislature; whether he was aware that on an Amendment moved recently to reduce the vote for the mounted police in the British Guiana Legislature the Governor voted against, and then on a tie being declared gave a casting vote against; and whether this action on the part of the Governor in voting twice was correct?

The Secretary of State has not yet received the Governor's reply to his inquiries, nor has he any official information in regard to the debate on the proposal for the reduction of the mounted police. A Press report of the debate is substantially in accordance with the information of my hon. Friend. The British Guiana Constitution Ordinance of 1891 expressly provides that the Governor or other presiding member shall have an original vote on all questions before the Combined Court, and also a casting vote, if the votes are equally divided.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been drawn to a debate that took place in the British Guiana Legislature on 23rd February last with regard to the number of successful appeals from decisions of the magistrate of the South Essequebo district; and whether steps would be taken to remove from office this magistrate?

The Secretary of State-has seen a newspaper report of the debate to which my hon. Friend refers. The Governor will no doubt make a recommendation to the Secretary of State if it is necessary to do so.

asked the. Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he would give the name, profession, or standing of each of the members of the Committee or Commission recently appointed to consider the question of Coolie Immigration in the Crown Colonies?

The Committee is composed as follows:—

asked where and under what conditions the Committee for the consideration of coolie immigration held its meetings; whether all classes interested, including negroes and coolies, were allowed to give evidence; and whether special facilities had been offered to the latter in order to enable them to give evidence?

The Committee holds its meetings at the Colonial Office. The evidence of all classes interested has, of course, been accepted and welcomed. A representative of the Trinidad Working Mens' Association and a representative selected by the East Indians in Trinidad to give evidence before the Committee have been heard on their behalf.

asked the terms of reference of the Committee on Coolie Immigration in the Crown Colonies, showing its power or authority; whether it was instructed to go into other matters related to the social conditions of the natives in Jamaica and elsewhere, or simply to confine itself to the indentured labour question; and whether particular care would be taken to ascertain whether there was any connection between the importation of indentured coolie labour and the extensive emigration of the native negro population?

The terms of reference to the Committee are as follows:— To consider (a) The general question of emigration from India to the Crown Colonies, (b) The particular Colonies in which Indian immigration may be most usefully encouraged. (c) The general advantages to be reaped in each case, (1) by India itself, (2) by each particular Colony. The Secretary of State has not yet received the report of the Committee, but it is understood that in the course of their inquiry they have received evidence.as to the general social condition of the population in the Colonies concerned with coolie immigration and as to any connection which emigration of the native population in such Colonies may bear to the introduction of coolies. The evidence taken by the Committee will be presented to Parliament with the Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he had received an application from His Excellency the Governor of Trinidad for permission to import 3,200 Indian immigrants during the year 1910–11; and whether, having regard to the prevalence of signs of unrest and dissatisfaction in the island, it was his intention to postpone consent to the application until the Committee on Coolie Immigration in the Crown Colonies had completed its labours and reported?

The Secretary of State has received an application from the Governor and has approved the importation of the number of immigrants specified in my hon. Friend's question. It would not have been possible to suspend decision as to the number of immigrants required during the year 1910–11 pending the receipt of the report of the Committee on Coolie Immigration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to an advertisement appearing in British newspapers asking for 1,000 coal miners for the Dominion Coal Company's mines, Nova Scotia; whether he was aware that an industrial dispute between this company and its employés had been in progress for the past nine months and was still unsettled, and that as a consequence the workmen were locked out or on strike; and what action he proposed to take to warn intending emigrants of the facts of the case?

My attention has not previously been called to the advertisement in question. But the existence of the dispute had been known to the Emigrants Information Office since it began in July last, and reference to it had been made from time to time in the publications issued by that office. In the Canada Circular dated 1st April issued by the Emigrants Information Office a description of the present situation is included, and coal-miners are warned against going to these mines in search of work at the present time. A similar reference is made in a circular which has been sent by the Emigrants Information Office to the Press.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he would now lay upon the Table the further papers, already promised, relating to Somaliland?

Some further Papers will be laid in due course.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he had any official information to the effect that the Mullah had slaughtered 800 friendly natives and captured their stock; and whether he would state to the House how many natives under British protection in Somaliland had been killed, and how many head of cattle and what amount of Government stores, rifles, or ammunition in the hands of friendlies had been captured by the Mullah or other hostile raiders since the conclusion of Sir R. Wingate's mission to the Protectorate?

With regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, I would refer him to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Rugby. With regard to the second part, I have made inquiry of the late Commissioner, who is now in this country, but he is unable to give any estimate, and I think that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain trustworthy information.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that statements have been published in a Blue Book that eighty-seven friendly natives have been killed by the Mullah's emissaries, and 7,000 head of live stock have been captured, together with a considerable number of rifles?

I am not aware of it. That refers to the first part of the question. I have nothing to add to the information which I gave yesterday, because no information has been received.

Is it not the case that the military authorities of Somaliland have received reports from the interior of these matters to which my hon. Friend referred?

I have read out to the House yesterday the whole of the information received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports have the Colonial Office received as to the health of Dinizulu, the ex-King of Zululand; under what conditions was he living in imprisonment; when did his term of confinement expire; and were there any reasons of a personal or political nature why he should not now be released and restored to his people?

No recent official reports on Dinizulu's health have reached the Colonial Office, but I have no reason to suppose that he is otherwise than well. The conditions of his imprisonment were reported by the Governor in his despatch enclosing the judgment of the Special Court printed in Cd. paper 4585. page 47. The court condemned Dinizulu to four years' imprisonment, to run from 9th December, 1907, with another year on another count, this latter with the option of a fine. Dinizulu has also forfeited his position as Government Induna in Zululand. As I have explained before, the Union Government will be able to review the whole situation, and the Secretary of State does not propose to reopen the question now.

In view of the work of reconciliation which is going on in South Africa, will the hon. Gentleman take the opportunity of calling this case to the attention of the Union Government with the object of obtaining the release of this man, whose continued imprisonment undoubtedly must cause a great deal of irritation and ill-feeling among the large coloured population?

We realise fully how desirable it is that the reconciliation of all races in South Africa should proceed, but while I sympathise entirely with the view expressed by my hon. Friend, I doubt whether representations on our part to the Union Government or those who may one day form the Union Government, would at the present moment be desirable. In the first place the Union Government has not yet been formed. It very soon will be, and I am quite sure it will bear in mind the facts that have been stated by my hon. Friend.

Is there any, at the present time, unrest whatever among the Zulu population?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Reports of His Majesty's Consuls regarding the internal condition of the foreign countries in which they are stationed are confidential documents; and, if so, whether any change is proposed as regards their classification in this respect?

The question whether a particular Consular Report should be treated as confidential or not must be decided according to circumstances, and no general rule can be laid down on the subject.

Is it proposed to treat as other than confidential the Reports of our Consuls in regard to internal affairs in Turkey and in other European countries?

That is a particular question which has not yet arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proposed conference to consider the situation on the Balkans consequent upon the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria has been definitely abandoned, or whether negotiations are still proceeding among the Powers for the holding of the conference; and will he, in view of the continued tension and restlessness on the Peninsula, use his influence for the early assembling of the conference?

There is no proposal for a conference now being considered by the Powers, nor does it appear that the present situation requires one.

Has the suggestion for the conference been withdrawn by the Foreign Office?

The circumstances have so altered that the necessity for the conference does not now exist.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state whether his attention has been called to the indenture of a large colony of Italian youths in the new glass nurseries, Whitehall Road, Chingford, on a very low farinaceous diet, and to their conditions of lodging and maintenance, by which working men in search of work on the old nursery rate of wages find themselves undersold; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

If the hon. and gallant Member can furnish the Secretary of State with information enabling him to discover the Italian colony which he has in mind, my right hon. Friend will look into the matter. The inquiries which he has made so far, though they have extended to all nurseries in the parish of Chingford, have failed to disclose anything of the nature indicated in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he would state the number of persons imprisoned in England in the year 1905 for refusal to pay the Education Rate, and the number imprisoned for refusal to pay the same rate in the year 1909; and would he state if any alteration in the law had taken place between these two dates?

It is impossible to give this information as there is no legal distinction between persons who go to prison in default of paying a rate levied for education purposes and other rate defaulters. The hon. Member is, no doubt, familiar with the history of the attempts made by the present Government to remedy the Nonconformist grievance by legislation.

asked the Home Secretary if he was aware of the grievance felt by relatives of patients who died in the county asylums, and who had been chargeable to boards of guardians, because of the description pauper patient in the notice of death sent out from the asylums; and whether, having regard to the fact that the full cost of maintenance of many such patients had been met by relatives or friends, he would cause to be eliminated the word pauper from the Form (No. 21) of Notice of Death prescribed in the rules laid down by the Commissioners in Lunacy?

The terms "Private" and "Pauper" are in common use to mark a necessary distinction, and, as the terms are defined in the Lunacy Acts, they could not be changed without legislation. The Secretary of State may point out that although the whole expenses of "maintenance" (as denned by s. 287 of the Lunacy Act, 1890) of patients classed as "Paupers" are often met by relatives or friends, these "expenses of maintenance" do not include any charge for the cost of the building in which he is housed. If a rent charge were exacted, it would mean a payment of about 4s. or 6s. a week beyond the so-called "maintenance."

asked whether the figures in the annual Returns of Parliamentary Constituencies (Electors, etc.) and the figures based upon the last Return which had been recently given by the Secretary of State, showed the actual number of persons entitled to vote at Parliamentary elections or far more than that number?

There is an unknown number of duplicate entries upon the registers which it is impossible to eliminate from the figures. There are, first, the plural voters, who possess two or more votes in different constituencies, all of which they may lawfully exercise; and, in addition to these, there are many cases of duplicate registration in respect of different qualifications in the same constituency, which give the right to only one vote in a Parliamentary election. When discovered at the revision of the lists of voters, duplicate votes of the latter class are either struck out or marked as available for local elections only; but doubtless a considerable number escape observation, and remain upon the register.

asked the Postmaster-General whether men in the engine department at the Post Office works in Mount Pleasant, Hoxton, have had to take their holidays in January, and, if so, on what grounds; whether any of the men have been placed on short time; and, if so, whether he will state the circumstances which have led to this being done at this time of the year?

As I explained on 23rd March, in reply to the hon. Members for North and South Islington, there has been slackness of work for some time in the Post Office factories and short time has been necessary. Some workmen were allowed at their own request to take a portion of their annual holidays in January as an alternative to short time.

asked whether in contracts for supply of instruments or other goods that may be obtained by firms having establishments abroad as well as in this country, a clause was or was not inserted limiting the whole process of manufacture to the works situated in this country; and what means were at his disposal to see that such a clause was not evaded?

No such clause is inserted in the contracts, but I am giving the matter consideration.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the desire of telegraphists who have served in the Royal Engineers to have that portion of their Army time in which they were actually working under the Post Office included in the assessment of their superannuation allowance; and whether he was prepared to grant them this concession?

My attention has been called to the matter which I am again bringing under consideration. It has on several occasions in the past been decided that the concession was not one which should be granted.

May I ask if these men are to be penalised because they have served in the Army instead of under the Post Office directly?

It is really a matter for the Treasury's decision rather than my own, but I am not prepared to admit that there is any penalisation.

asked what considerations, other than cost of living, are taken into account when classifying post-offices for the purpose of fixing the rate of wages of Post Office employés?

The Parliamentary Committee on Post Office servants recommended that the classification of Post Offices for the purpose of fixing the scales of pay of the staff should be based primarily upon the volume of work at each office as ascertained by the Post Office, the cost of living, in each locality as a whole, as ascertained by the Board of Trade, being taken into account as a modifying factor. This principle is being acted on.

I not the fact that the volume of busi in that particular post office can be regulated by having a greater or lesser nu of servants to perform the duties?

No, Sir; the number of Post Office servants must depend upon the business, and not the business upon the Post Office servants.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the cost of living in certain Scottish towns with a view to reclassification in regard to rates of pay?

Whenever a matter is referred to the Board of Trade for consideration, as other matters have been referred during the last few weeks and months, any change is always taken into consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us which class of Scottish towns were taken into consideration?

No; not without notice.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that small pattern or sample parcels and newspapers are regularly sent from Japan to this country by the Siberian route; whether these parcels and newspapers are carried at the Id. for four ounces rate or at the higher rate; and, if at the lower rate, will he explain why this country cannot obtain the same postal facilities by the Siberian route as the Japanese appear to have obtained?

Samples and printed papers prepaid at the reduced rates are accepted by the Japanese Post Office for transmission by the Siberian route, but not by European post offices (except Russia). I regret that, in the circumstances which I explained in my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 21st ultimo, I am unable at present to provide for sending such articles by this route.

asked whether the Post master-General will consider the possibility of making compulsory secondary education a condition of employment for boy messengers?

I have this proposal under consideration with other suggestions for dealing with the question of the future employment of boy messengers.

asked whether it is a necessary part of the impending revision at the Leeds office that unestablished labour should be employed continuously during the slack winter season, whilst learners at Leeds are being offered appointments elsewhere; and, if not, whether he will direct that the places which have been filled by season assistants during this period shall be recruited from the male learners at present attached to the Leeds office?

The existing arrangements are temporary pending the settlement of a revision involving several important points to which I have had to give special consideration.

asked, with reference to the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman to a deputation from Ireland on 31st March, namely, that of the mails carried by the "Lusitania" and "Mauretania" the Irish proportion only amounted to about 10 per cent., while the other 90 per cent, was for Great Britain, is not a large proportion of Continental mail matter included in this 90 per cent.; and, if so, can he state the exact proportion?

The 90 per cent, includes mails for the Continent and elsewhere in transit through this country, as well as mails for all parts of Great Britain. As almost all the mails for the Continent and places abroad have to pass through London, the same considerations apply in regard to the importance of early arrival in London as in the case of those whose destination is England. An analysis of several recent mails brought by the "Lusitania" and "Mauretania" shows that 7 per cent, of mails were for Ireland, 42 per cent, for Great Britain, and 51 per cent, for the Continent and other places abroad

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, is it not the fact that the proportion of Irish mails is in reality far larger than 10 per cent.?

Yes, as compared with the mails to Great Britain; but compared with the mails despatched to London for delivery elsewhere, and whose early arrival is very necessary, the proportion is only 7 per cent, against 93 per cent.

Why should Continental mails be included in the comparison between the proportions of Ireland and Great Britain?

Because international obligations rest on the British Post Office to secure the earliest possible expedition in forwarding the mails abroad.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he could see his way to reconsider the decision to close the post-office of Wick at an earlier hour; and, if not, whether he will regard the proposed change as experimental, and will cause an inquiry to be made at the end of, say, six months with the object of reverting to the original hour if the change be proved to be prejudicial to the business interests of the town?

further asked whether the proposed restriction of the hours of business in the Wick post-office is in accordance with a policy which is being carried out by the Department generally, or is due to particular circumstances affecting the town of Wick; whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the commercial community there apprehend grave inconvenience and loss as the result of the restriction proposed; whether he has received and considered a memorial from the Provost and magistrates of Wick on the subject; whether, in light of the circumstances there stated, he can see his way to reconsider the proposed change, or, in any event, to limit the proposed restriction of hours of business during the fishing season; whether, if he has decided that some restriction of hours must be made in the meantime, he will regard the change as experimental; and, if it is shown that public inconvenience and loss result from it, will he authorise a return to the hours of business which have obtained in Wick for over thirty years?

It will be convenient to answer these questions together. It is the practice of the Post Office to revise as opportunities offer the hours of business at towns where they are unusually long and where the amount of work transacted is comparatively email, so as to bring each office into line with others of a similar character, and in the case of Wick the steps taken are by no means exceptional. Local circumstances are, however, taken into account, and it was in consideration of such circumstances that it was decided to keep the Wick office open till 9 p.m., instead of 8 p.m., during the summer months. I will cause inquiry to be made as desired by the hon. Members when the new system has been in operation for a time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the case of the death of a child, Edward William Brewer, of Cambridge Circus, Hackney Road, upon whom an inquest was held in the Bethnal Green coroner's court on 25th March ultimo, to the evidence of Police-constable Daniels and Inspector Griggs as to the absence of food in the house and as to the respectability and extreme poverty of the family, and to the statement of the mother that she had applied for parish relief and had been refused help; and, if so, will he state what action he proposes to take?

My attention has been directed to this case, and I have made inquiry of the guardians concerning it. I find that no application for relief on behalf of Mrs. Brewer and her children was made since last July.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that on 28th February last the Somerset County Council applied to the Board for consent to borrow £14,578 4s. 8d. for the purchase and adaptation of land for small holdings, that on 11th March the Board of Agriculture wrote to the clerk of the Somerset County Council asking for plans and estimates of certain works, the estimated cost of which amounted to £460, that the clerk of the Somerset County Council replied that it was not possible to forward such plans at once, and suggesting that the Local Government Board should defer their consent to the loan for these works rather than the sanction of the larger sum should be delayed; and whether, in view of the difficulty of properly financing small holdings, owing to the delays of the Local Government Board, he will in future adopt the principle of sanctioning those portions of loans for small holdings about which there is no dispute, leaving the disputed portions over for subsequent controversy?

I am aware of the facts of the case in question. I have no objection, where the local authority desire it, to sanctioning those portions of loans for small holdings about which there is no dispute as soon as the necessary particulars are received, leaving the portions in respct of which such particulars are not available to be dealt with later. The loans to which the hon. Member refers, less the sums required for adaptation, have been sanctioned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will obtain a return from the Lindsey County Council showing how many applications have been made for small holdings in the county of Lincoln; and how many of such applications have been granted, together with the acreage in each Parliamentary Division of the county?

There have been 586 applications for small holdings made to the Lindsey County Council, of which 492 have been approved. Seventy-nine of the applicants have been, or are about to be, provided with small holdings: sixteen for ninety-one acres in Louth, fifty-three for 931 acres in Horncastle, ten for 233 acres in Gainsborough.

asked if the hon. Gentleman can state how many horses valued at £5 and under, and how many valued at above £5 but not exceeding £10, were exported from Great Britain in the year 1909 to Belgium and Holland respectively?

There were exported to Belgium in the year 1909 1,734 horses, valued at under £5 per head, and 21,328 valued at £5 and under £10 per head. The corresponding figures in the case of Holland were 14,587 and 2,424.

asked whether Argentina has been declared free from cattle disease for two years; and, if so, whether, considering the decreasing supply of meat available from the United States and the importance to our population of a constant and cheap supply of good meat, the Board of Agriculture will remove the embargo now placed on the admission of Argentina cattle to the United Kingdom?

We have been informed by the Argentine Government that no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in Argentina since January, 1909. A formal decree declaring the Republic to foe free from the disease was issued on 25th August last. The question of the removal of the existing prohibition is under consideration, but no decision has as yet been arrived at. I am glad to note that the hon. Member is interested in keeping up a constant supply of cheap food apart from any restrictions.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that there has been no disease in the United States during the last two years, as he himself has acknowledged, he will now take off the prohibition against the Argentine?

There was no prohibition at the time the disease existed.

May I ask whether it is not the fact that when the State decree was issued declaring the Republic free from the disease it was the decree of interested parties, namely, those who controlled the cattle interest in the Republic, and whether His Majesty's. Government made independent inquiry into the matter?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

May I ask whether a decision is likely to be soon arrived at by the Board?

We shall arrive at it as soon as ever we can.

Is he aware that there is a plentiful supply of good beef to be had from Ireland?

May I ask whether, as suggested in the question, it is the fact that the check upon the importation of live cattle does reduce the supply of meat?

I do not consider that it does.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if notification of that disease in that country is compulsory?

I must have notice of that question.

asked whether the Board proposes to bring in for England and Wales Bills to prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and one to enable the testing of agricultural seed for purity and germination and the publication of results?

The working of the Weeds and Agricultural Seeds (Ireland) Act is being carefully watched, but the Board do not at present think it necessary to propose legislation on these subjects for England and Wales. They will be glad, however, to consider any representations which may be made to them respecting it by representative agricultural organisations.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the agricultural societies desire it?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in consequence of the requirement of the Board of Education that local authorities shall provide a certain proportion of free places in secondary schools, the Government will, in view of the increasing burden of local rates, augment the Government Grants for this purpose?

I think the hon. Member must have misread the history of this requirement. The requirement first appeared in the Regulations for the year 1907–8, and was itself one of the conditions of a considerable increase of grant. Schools which were on the Grant List in the year 1906–7 and preferred not to fulfil the requirement in question were at liberty to continue on the old footing, receiving the lower rate of grant.

asked whether he will give instructions that for the future, before alterations are made by the Board of Education in regulations concerning secondary schools, those persons directly concerned in the working of these schools shall be previously consulted by the Board, in order to do away with the inconvenience entailed by the Board's present system of issuing regulations without giving power to the different bodies affected to make proper representations to the central Government?

I do not undervalue the opinion of the local education authorities and other bodies concerned with the work of the secondary schools in the country, and I endeavour by all practicable means to keep in touch with that opinion, which is taken into account in the annual revision of the Regulations. The proposal of the hon. Member would, however, appear to involve the submission of the Board's Regulations in draft for the criticism of, at least, all county and county borough councils, numbering 137, and of the governing bodies of several hundred endowed secondary schools. The Board receive frequent requests that their Regulations may be issued earlier in the year. These requests I am endeavouring to comply with. The only result that I can foresee of the adoption by the Board of the policy advocated by the hon. Member would be that no Regulations would ever reach the point of issue. I am aware that some persons would regard this as a happy consummation, but the Board of Education, unfortunately, cannot so easily shake off their administrative responsibilities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a strong feeling in certain parts of the country, and certainly in the county of Warwick, that all sorts of orders are sent out from the Board of Education without ever consulting the people, who, if I may so with respect, know more about the matters than the Board?

I did not think the people of Warwick had any complaint, but if the hon. Member gives me particulars of any specific complaint in the county I shall be glad to inquire into them.

I shall be very glad to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has come to any decision about the renewal of the modus vivendi in regard to training colleges for the ensuing year?

I understand my hon. Friend's question to refer to Article 8 (d) (i) of the current Regulations for the Training of Teachers for Elementary Schools, which provided, in effect, that one-half of the vacancies in any training college in the year 1909 should be open to candidates irrespective of their religious views. As my hon. Friend is aware, a similar provision was in force as regards vacancies in the year 1908. The experience of these two years has satisfied me that the provision works equitably, and I have, accordingly, decided to continue it in force as regards vacancies in the present year. I am further considering the desirability of indicating in the ensuing issue of the Regulations that the same degree of permanency—and no more— will attach to this provision as to other Articles of the Regulations. Considerable inconvenience is involved in the arrangement hitherto adopted by which candidates are kept in uncertainty from year to year as to the number of places available for them in the colleges to which they desire to be admitted. I am inclined, therefore, to think that the course I have suggested ought to be adopted in the interests of candidates of all denominations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil for the 5th April?

I propose to print with the Votes a statement giving certain particulars with regard to the higher appointments under the Labour Exchanges Act, but, as I have already informed my hon. Friend, it is not the custom to publish an official statement as to the qualifications and previous experience of officers appointed to situations in the public service, and I see no reason for departing from the rule in the present instance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of Labour Exchanges and sub-offices of exchanges already opened in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively, under the authority of the recent Act?

The number and distribution of the Labour Exchanges and sub-offices actually opened by the Board of Trade under the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, are as follows: England, eighty-one; Scotland, seven; Ireland, six; Wales, four; making a total of ninety-eight.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information of instances where the local authorities have discouraged the opening of those exchanges?

There was one case. If my hon. Friend will give me notice, I will inquire, but as far as I am aware there has been only one case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to a resolution of the Sligo Corporation urging the opening of a bureau or office of the Labour Exchange in Sligo, which is the principal business centre in the West of Ireland; and whether he is now prepared to open an exchange in Sligo?

I have received a resolution from the Sligo Corporation to the effect stated. I fear I cannot at present add anything to my answer to a similar question which the hon. Member asked me on 7th March.

In view of the fact that the President of the Board of Trade has stated in answer to Question No. 44 that there are only six Labour Exchanges opened altogether in Ireland, does he not consider Ireland is being neglected in regard to Labour Exchanges by his Department; and I want to know specially if he would consider the advisability of opening at least a sub-office under the Labour Exchanges in Sligo for the convenience of a population of five counties, the workers in which are very much interested in this matter?

Amongst an agricultural population Labour Exchanges are not of the same value as they are to industrial populations. Apart from that we must go comparatively slowly in this matter. The whole of the question is of an experimental nature, but I will bear Sligo and other places in mind.

Is it not the case that this slow progress obtains only in regard to Ireland?

Not that I am aware of.

Can the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to popularise Labour Exchanges in such places as Sligo and Galway, which at present are not touched by the machinery?

I should be glad to receive and consider any suggestions from the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in all cases of depreciation in the value of securities in which the Public Trustee invests trust moneys, the beneficiaries are entitled to be recouped out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom?

also asked whether the Consolidated Fund is liable to make good to the persons entitled thereto any depreciation that may take place in the value of the following investments made or held [Cd. 5087] by the Public Trustee: foreign stocks and bonds £165,297 15s. 4d., railways, foreign, £281,609?

I must refer my hon. Friend to Section 7, Sub-section 1, of the Public Trustee Act, which defines the liability of the Consolidated Fund in regard to the responsibilities of the Public Trustee. The answer to his two questions depend upon the proper construction of that section in reference to the facts of each particular case, a matter on which I have no authority to pronounce any opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether this House will have an opportunity before the Recess of discussing the attitude of the House of Lords towards the Veto Resolutions?

This is a question I clearly cannot answer before the event.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in drafting the text of the Resolution allocating the time that the House shall take to discuss the Budget for last year, he will take into consideration the fact that a number of new Members have been elected to this Parliament for the express purpose of amending that Budget; and whether he will see that sufficient time is provided in the Resolution to enable those Members to recommend to the House alterations in the Budget?

All relevant considerations, including those suggested by the hon. Gentleman, in so far as they are relevant, will be taken into consideration in drawing the terms of the Resolution.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any information to the effect that certain portions of the Budget are objectionable to the Irish people?

I regret to say that my information shows that there are portions of the Budget which are objected to by persons I think imperfectly informed, not only in Ireland, but also in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inform us what are the concessions, or has he been informed of the concessions?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any negotiations have taken place for the purpose of popularising the Budget?

asked the Prime Minister if he has any further statement to make in regard to the conclusions of the Cabinet Committee on the question of civil rights for public servants?

The hon. Member will no doubt remember that I made a full statement on this matter last October in reply to a question that he addressed to me. The Committee have concluded their deliberations, and I have no further statement to make.

asked the Prime Minister on whose authority the Board of Inland Revenue instructed the Accountant-General of the India Office to deduct Income Tax from the pensions of retired officers?

On the authority of His Majesty's Government.

Is it not the case that Parliament alone has the right to give this authority, and if that is the case, is it not the fact that these sums of money have been illegally deducted?

No, they are not illegally deducted.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take effective measures before the Spring Recess to make the salary of the President of the Local Government Board equal to that of the President of the Board of Trade?

I am not able to make a definite announcement at the moment, but perhaps the hon. Member will put his question again in a few days.

May I ask if there is any change in the probable date?

I do not think that arises.

asked whether the Wages Board for the chain-makers of Cradley Heath had fixed wages yet; and, if so, whether it had sanctioned a time rate of 2½d. per hour; whether it was proposed to publish the evidence submitted to the Board, together with its award; and when would the full terms of the award be published?

The Chain Trade Board have not yet fixed any minimum rates of wages. But I understand from the chairman that they will shortly give formal notice of certain rates which they propose to fix. A period of three months must then be allowed for objections before the rates are fixed by the Chain Trade Board. The question of what information, if any, shall be published in addition to the proposed rates is one for the determination of the Chain Trade Board.

asked what was the original value of the property of the Duke of York's School which was considered when the decision was taken to remove; and what was the amount of the last valuation?

It is not desirable at the present moment to make any statement as to the value of the property.

asked whether officers other than teachers employed by central institutions, provincial committees for the training of teachers, and county secondary education committees could be pensioned by school boards in Scotland under the new system?

Expenditure by the authorities of central institutions, by provincial committees, and by county secondary education committees for the purpose of making a reasonable provision for pensions for officers in their employment other than teachers may be reckoned as part of the approved expenditure of such institutions and bodies for the purposes of Sections 16 and 17 of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908. The expenses of such institutions, whether for pensions or for other purposes, are not, of course, chargeable to school boards.

asked whether, in consequence of the recent reorganisation of the Army Accounts Department, several second-class assistant accountants in that Department had become supernumerary; whether such accountants were appointed to that Department after competitive examination; whether such accountants, by reason of their high position in the list of successful candidates at such examination, were enabled to choose an appointment in that Department in preference to other Departments; whether such accountants had been offered the alternative either of being transferred to other Departments with loss of seniority, or of being dismissed from the public service; whether the prospects in the Army Accounts Department, at the time of such accountants receiving their appointments, were in fact better than those in the other Departments by reason of there being a larger proportion of appointments of the value of £350 per annum; whether it was imperatively necessary that such accountants should, on being transferred to other Departments, suffer a loss of seniority, and so become junior to men who were placed in a lower position in the list of successful candidates at the same competitive examination, and junior to men who entered the Government service at a later date; whether the Army Council had strongly recommended to the Treasury that such transfer should carry with it no loss of seniority; whether such accountants had performed their duties with thorough efficiency; and whether, under the circumstances, the transfer of such accountants to another Department could be effected without loss of seniority?

The answer to the first two inquiries is in the affirmative. I am unable to give an opinion as to the considerations by which successful candidates are influenced in the selection of appointments. I understand that the number of appointments of the value of £350 per annum was possibly larger in proportion in this Department than in some others, but it is impossible to say whether the prospects were really more favourable. These officers have become redundant owing to a reorganisation of the Army Accounts Department, and in such circumstances the public interest requires that transfers to other Departments should be made. I regret that it is not possible for the Treasury to provide that such transfers in the case of these officers should be made with retention of seniority, as this would give rise to grievances in the Departments affected. The answer to the last inquiry but one is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether eighteen assistant accountants who entered the Army Accounts Department under the intermediate scheme of open competition were to be dismissed unless they accepted transfer to other Departments on terms involving loss of seniority, whereas, under the recent organisation of the Army Accounts Department, thirty civilians and forty-four officers of the Army Pay Department, who happened to be redundant, were being retained pending absorption in that Department; whether he could see his way so to treat these eighteen accountants that the advantage of their seniority in the public service might be safeguarded to them in any new Department where their service could be availed of; and whether the Army Council recommended that this seniority should be recognised?

So far as this question is not answered by the reply which I have just given to the hon. and learned Member for Preston, the matters referred to in it belong to the province of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, and I would refer the hon. Member to an answer given by my right hon. Friend on Monday last to the hon. Member for Enfield.

Will these eighteen gentlemen lose their seniority altogether?

I think the hon. Member will find the facts with regard to these gentlemen in the reply to which I have referred him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the success attending tobacco-growing in Ireland and the employment the extension of the industry was likely to give, he would favourably consider whether further financial encouragement might be given to the tobacco growers in the future, so that the area under crop might be so increased as to allow small holders to take up tobacco cultivation?

I think that in view of the passage of the Development Act of last Session, this is a matter which should in the first instance be brought before the Development Commission, which I hope will shortly be constituted.

Are we to understand that the Commissioners will have full power?

Undoubtedly.

Would not a better way of assisting the industry be to abolish or reduce the excise?

That would be the very worst way.

Why?

Will any benefits conceded to Ireland be granted also to tobacco growers in Roxburgh and other parts of Scotland?

I have already given a reply to that question to representatives of Scotland. If she puts herself in a position to comply, Scotland will undoubtedly receive exactly the same treatment as Ireland.

Will the same consideration be extended to those who are anxious to cultivate the beet-growing industry?

I have already answered that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated amount of duty leviable on whisky manufactured in Ireland under the Budget of 1909–10; and what proportion of that amount he expected to be able to collect?

I can give no separate figures for whisky, as distinguished from other home-manufactured spirits; but whatever the amount may be, I expect to collect the whole of it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the arrears are now?

asked whether the same or equivalent concessions would foe given to Scotland as to Ireland with regard to the Finance Bill of 1909?

It would be contrary to all precedent for me to answer questions of this kind in anticipation of my financial statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the claims of Scotland in the event of any concessions being made to Ireland?

It is my duty to consider the claims of every part of the United Kingdom.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if a circular was issued by the Treasury on 4th December last, after the suspension of the Budget, to the officer responsible for the payment of Civil Service salaries in Scotland, stating that Income Tax was to be deducted from salaries, and that if objection was taken the matter was to be referred to headquarters; and if at the same lime banks and other large businesses tendering Income Tax: had had their offer refused?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative, so far as the Inland Revenue is concerned.

Was notice given to those from whom the tax was deducted that they might object?

Notice is not given to persons of their legal rights.

asked whether claims of exemption or abatement from Income Tax would be recognised in the case of persons residing in the Colonies who could have claimed such exemption under previous Budgets?

The treatment of Income Tax repayment claims of the character in question for the year 1909–10 will conform to the provisions of the Act imposing the tax for that year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been called to a printed circular addressed to a firm in Glasgow on 19th January last, by the surveyor of taxes of the third district, asking that copies of the company's, accounts be forwarded to him for the year for which these, were last made up, together with a statement of particulars showing how the amount of assessable profits returned was arrived at from the accounts; whether he was aware that this circular further asked that to save trouble in future a copy of these accounts should be sent annually to the surveyor as soon as they were ready; and whether he could state by whose authority this circular was issued?

My attention had not been called to the circular referred to until the hon. Member forwarded it to me, but I am aware that surveyors in Glasgow and elsewhere issue printed letters to companies requesting to be furnished with copies of accounts and other information as indicated in the question. Such requests are issued by the surveyors, with the knowledge and approval of the Board of Inland Revenue, as tending to the convenience of both taxpayers and officials.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that these circulars, which are being addressed regularly to traders in Glasgow and elsewhere, are naturally accepted by the traders as legalised circulars; and does he not think it a wrong thing that the surveyors of Inland Revenue should send circulars which they have no legal authority to issue, asking for documents which they have no right to demand?

I do not agree that the surveyors have no right to issue these circulars. They have no right to issue them accompanied by any threat of penalty. I have seen the circular; it is purely a courteous request for information. I should have thought it was to the general interest, seeing that all parties are agreed that the Income Tax must be reimposed, that facilities should be given to enable it to be collected when the time arrives.

The important point is that the "courteous request" is always supposed to be reinforced by legal authority.

After all, it is addressed to intelligent Scotsmen, who know perfectly well that there is no threat of penalty at all. As a rule, when there is a penalty attached, notice is given on the circular itself.

Though there is no question of penalty, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the threat generally takes the form of an increased assessment for Income Tax?

asked whether the Government of India had yet considered or come to a decision upon the memorial, signed by Lord Hobhouse, Sir Richard Couch, Sir Richard Garth, Sir Charles Sargent, Sir William Markby, Sir John Phear, Sir John Scott, and other distinguished retired chief justices and judges of the High Court, and persons acquainted with the administration of the law in India, suggesting a separation in the judicial and executive functions, presented to the then Secretary of State in 1899, and to which the present Secretary of State called the attention of the Government of India in 1906?

The question is still under the consideration of the Government of India, who have consulted the Governments of the two Bengals regarding a tentative proposal for the complete separation of judicial and executive functions in selected districts by way of experiment. The matter is one of great moment, and has not yet reached a stage at which definite proposals could be laid before the Secretary of State.

Then the paragraph appearing in the papers a few days ago which stated that the Government had come to a decision was incorrect?

The information which I have given to the hon. Gentleman is correct. I have not seen the paragraph in the papers.

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that there are an equally large number of equally eminent persons who deprecate the proposed measure, which is intended to impair the position of the district officers, and will the hon. Gentleman duly consider this aspect of the question?