asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could state approximately when the Russian troops would be withdrawn from Tabriz and other towns in Northern Persia?

I am unable to make any statement under present conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Deutsche Bank has made proposals with a view to a loan to the Persian Government; and whether the British or Russian Governments would interpose any obstacle to the Persian Government obtaining a, loan from the Deutsche Bank or from any other source?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I cannot say what our attitude would be towards any loan till the conditions of it were known to us.

asked whether the Russian Government insist, as a condition of a loan to the Government of Persia, that a police force should be established in Northern Persia under the control of Russian officers; and whether His Majesty's Government was supporting this demand?

I am not in a position to make any statement with regard to the conditions of the loan while the question remains under negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he would lay upon the Table further Papers on the affairs of Persia?

I hope to lay the Papers in the course of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the terms on which the Russian and British Governments are willing to make a loan to the Government of Persia?

I have at present nothing to add to the reply returned to the question asked by the hon. Member on this subject on 7th March.

asked when the renewed period for which Persia undertook, in favour of Russia, not to make any railways would elapse; and whether His Majesty's Government had still a right to construct or procure the construction of railways in Southern Persia, whenever railway construction took place in any other part of that kingdom by or on behalf of any other Power?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the period referred to expires on 8th April. In reply to the second part, His Majesty's Government regard the undertaking by which the right in question was conferred as still binding, though the extent to which it would be exercised by His Majesty's Government would, of course, be in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Russian Agreement.

asked the total number of Russian troops at present stationed in Persia; what are the reasons for their detention beyond the time repeatedly stipulated by Russia; and whether the presence of foreign troops in Persia is compatible with the Anglo-Russian treaty which guarantees the independence of that country?

Since the date of the answer returned to the question asked by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on 23rd February, I have learnt that the detachment at Tabriz has been reduced to 500 men, but I have no subsequent information as to the numbers of Russian troops in the Ardebil district and at Kazvin. I am not aware that the Russian Government have ever undertaken to withdraw their troops at a specified time, as is implied in the second part of the hon. Member's question, but they have declared their intention of doing so when order is secure. As regards the third part, the temporary occupation of certain points in Northern Persia by Russian troops for purposes of protection in a time of disorder cannot be considered a violation of the independence of the country, if it is strictly limited to the condition stated.

asked whether law and order yet prevail to such an extent in Persia as to make the withdrawal of the Russian troops from Tabriz a matter of indifference to the population; and whether the Russian Government raised any objection to the landing of British bluejackets at Bushire?

His Majesty's Consul recently reported that until the rebel organisation had been broken up most Europeans would view with alarm the departure of the Russian troops. There are 500 troops at Tabriz. The reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked whether the control of the police force in Northern Persia by Russian officers differed in principle from the control of Persian Cossacks by Russian officers, or from the control of the hypothecated Persian Customs by Belgian officers; and whether Russian officers em- ployed in the Persian police will, like the Russian officers controlling Persian Cossacks, and the Belgian officers controlling Persian Customs, be themselves under the control of the Persian Government?

I cannot at present answer this question, because Russian officers are not in control of the police force in Northern Persia.

asked the Secretarty of State for Foreign Affairs whether he would now lay upon the Table the correspondence which has passed between the Suez Canal Company, the British Government, and the British Consul-General in Cairo in reference to the proposed Suez Canal Agreement; and also the Report of the Committee of the Egyptian National Assembly on the Suez Canal concession?

With regard to the presentation of Papers, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on the 17th ultimo. I have not yet received the Report of the Committee of the Egyptian National Assembly, nor do I yet know the decision of the Assembly as a whole.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the present position with regard to this scheme?

I understand that the position is that the Committee of the Egyptian National Assembly will make its decision known, and that the Egyptian Government will then take the matter into-consideration.

asked whether a riot has-taken place in the Shansi province as a result of the measures taken by the Chinese Government to prevent the recultivation of opium in land previously under the poppy; and whether trustworthy information reached the Government regarding the feeling of the Chinese cultivators, as well as of the Chinese Government, regarding the present policy being pursued by the latter Government in concert with his Majesty's Government?

No official information has reached me of the riot in question. We have no special information with regard to the manner in which the question is viewed by the farmers, though we have heard that the suppression of the industry has met with considerable opposition in some places.

Would it not be in accordance with the traditional practice of the British Foreign Office to consider how this question affects the masses as well as the classes?

The Chinese Government are very much in earnest in this matter, and we can only take the opinion of the Chinese.

asked what steps have been taken to induce the French Government to modify the serious increases of the new French tariff as affecting British trade interests?

Various representations were made to the French Government with regard to articles in which British trade is interested while the new tariff was under discussion with a view to its modification. It is, of course, impossible for me to say what representations have been made to the French Government by other countries or with what success. I can, however, say that in several cases reductions have been made in the duties originally proposed on articles of importance to British trade, with respect to which the views of British traders as ascertained by the Board of Trade and their Commercial Intelligence Committee, had been brought by us to the notice of the French Government. Though the French tariff as finally passed is by no means welcome to British trade, I have no reason to believe that British interests have received less consideration than those of other foreign countries.

Is it a fact that the Bill as it passed the Senate was worse than when it was originally introduced, and have not large concessions been made to American interests?

I do not say whether concessions have not been made to other countries. The last part of the answer already given answers that. But it would be a mistake to suppose that British interests have received less consideration than those of other foreign countries to which concessions have been made.

When will Papers be prepared?

Papers are being prepared. A general examination of tariffs is essential to the presentation of any Papers. That is now being pursued by the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that Article 24 of the Treaty of London declares that parts of docks and their component parts are to be regarded as conditional contraband; whether the granite obtained from Scandinavia for Rosyth comes within the above description; and, if so, whether he will advise the Admiralty of the risk of non-completion of dock works or repairs, so long as they obtain their granite from abroad?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to his question on the 9th ultimo. Any articles or materials included in the "free list" set out in Article 28 of the Declaration of London will be immune from capture as contraband, to whatever use it may be intended to put them. Moreover, ordinary building materials which may be used in the construction of a dock are not "parts of docks" within the meaning of Article 24 (6) of the Declaration.

Is it not the presumption that conditional contraband is liable to capture if it can be shown that these shipments are destined for naval purposes?

I understood the question to be directed to the point of what was conditional contraband, and on that I have answered the question.

Is it not a fact that this particular Class 7 applies merely to building materials, and specially provides for docks and component parts of docks, and what are component parts of docks if granite is not a component part?

If the hon. Member would consider the answer already given he will see that it to a great extent covers his supplementary question, but if after consideration he has any further question to ask perhaps he would put it on the Paper.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a large tract of land, purchased under the Land Purchase Acts, at and adjoining Derrymore, on the borders of Westmeath and Meath, is submerged by water owing to the stopping of a culvert under the Royal Canal by the neglect of the Midland Great Western Railway Company; and, as this affects the security for the purchase annuities, whether he or the Land Commission will require the company to reopen the culvert and maintain the watercourse at its old level?

I am informed that the Railway Company's drains alluded to by the hon. Member are in fact in good order and condition. The old disused culvert placed there originally for a temporary purpose, I am informed, in no way causes flooding, the drainage being effectively dealt with by means of a built culvert under the canal.

By whom was the right hon. Gentleman so informed, and is it not a fact that the land is submerged?

I have no doubt that the lands are subject to being submerged, but I have no knowledge of the cause of it.

Is it by the Railway Company that the right hon. Gentleman has been informed?

I have no knowledge of that.

asked in what proportion the sum of £4,500,000 voted under The Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, had been allocated to the different provinces?

The total amount of the advances authorised under Section 16 of the Labourers Act of 1906 is 4¼ millions. No allocation of this amount has been made to the different provinces, and its distribution has depended solely upon the probable cost of authorised schemes, irrespective of the provinces in which they have been promoted. Loans have already been sanctioned as follows: —Ulster, £893,340 10s.; Munster, £1,331,415 10s.; Leinster, £1,404,696; Connaught, £364,019. Total, £3,993,471. The Local Government Board inform me that on a rough estimate, the balance of £256,529 available for pending schemes will probably be distributed as follows:—Ulster, £48,120; Munster, £111,600; Leinster, £82,320; Connaught, £14,489.

Is it possible to have these figures by counties if notice be given?

If notice be given I will consider it.

Why has Ulster been prejudiced to this extent in connection with these grants, and why was there not equality?

Is not the small amount given to Ulster owing to the fact of the local authorities' unwillingness to put the Act in force?

The answer states that the distribution is made entirely irrespective of provinces, and solely with reference to the probable cost of the authorised schemes.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman answer my question whether the small amount given to Ulster was due to the unwillingness of the local authorities to put the Act in force?

How many cottages were built in the Nationalist county of Donegal?

I would remind the hon. Members that there are 130 questions on the Paper, and I would beg of them to exercise some discretion in asking supplementary questions.

asked whether the inhabitants of Rathlin Island depended solely on their small fishing boats to bring their stock farm produce and fish to the market on the mainland, and that there was no landing place for these boats on the island or at Ballycastle which could be used with safety except in calm weather; and whether the Government was prepared to provide accommodation for the boats at Rathlin and at Ballycastle?

further asked whether the Antrim County Council had frequently expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Department of Agriculture in improving the harbour accommodation at Rathlin and at Ballycastle; whether the officials of the Department had recommended the Government to take action in this matter; and, if so, why had they neglected to do so?

The Department of Agriculture are co-operating with the county council in arranging a scheme for the improvement of the landing facilities at Rathlin Island and Ballycastle, and it is the intention of the Department to carry out the scheme and to defray part of the cost.

asked whether the governing body of University College, Dublin, had taken any, and, if any, what, steps or had come to any decision as to procuring any land or buildings in or near Dublin for the purpose of providing residence, lecture halls, and a common centre for students in University College, Dublin, or what provision was now made or proposed to be made for the above purpose?

The President of University College informs me that the question of a site for the future buildings of the college has engaged the attention of the governing body for a considerable time, and that the matter is at present under the consideration of a committee appointed for the purpose. For its present work the college has the use of part of the university buildings and of the laboratories and lecture rooms of the Medical School, Cecilia Street. A lease has been taken for a term of three years of the buildings 82 to 86, St. Stephen's Green, for the accommodation of the classes in the faculty of arts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an answer in respect of the denominational school in Cecilia Street, Dublin?

It is a medical school. I do not think it is of any denomination.

Is not the title "The Catholic School of Medicine, Cecilia Street?"

That may be.

asked whether, at a meeting recently held in Dublin, attended by all classes of national school teachers, a State contribution towards the proper heating and cleansing of national schools, as outlined by the Bill now before Parliament, was approved of; and whether, under the circumstances, he will give facilities for the passage of the Bill at the earlies possible moment?

I am aware that a resolution to the effect stated in the question was adopted at a recent meeting of national school teachers in Dublin. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a similar question asked by him on 14th March.

asked whether Sligo County Infirmary have applied to the Local Government Board under Clause 2 of The Local Government Amendment Act, 1902, to have their accounts audited, in consequence of being over a thousand pounds in debt; whether this action placed the infirmary under the control of the auditor of the Local Government Board; if so, would the salary of £80 per annum paid to the Roman Catholic chaplain be allowed; whether he could state if payments to chaplains were permitted in other similar institutions; whether he was aware that the governors recently appointed as matron a lady who has had no experience as a nurse; and whether the auditor appointed by the Local Government Board would inquire into the whole management of the infirmary and furnish the public with a report?

further asked whether the debt of £1,000 referred to in the question was a debt contracted by the old grand jury and before the present authority came into existence?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

The council of county Sligo and the joint committee of management of the county infirmary under the special provisions of the Section mentioned applied to the Local Government Board to have their accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1909, examined with a view to obtaining from one of the Board's auditors a certificate of the amount which would be necessary to meet a deficit in the funds of the infirmary. This application does not make the financial transactions of that institution subject to the control of the auditor. The Section referred to makes no provision for a statutory audit of the accounts, nor are committees of county infirmaries included among the local authorities whose accounts are subject to the usual audit by the Board's auditors. The auditor will not inquire into the whole management of the institution. The Local Government Board have no information respecting the appointment and salaries of chaplains or matrons in connection with county infirmaries.

asked how much of the moneys voted for building new schools in Ireland since 1st January, 1906, has gone to schools under Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, and other dissenting management, respectively?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the amounts of the Grants were as follows: To Roman Catholic applicants, £165,745; to Protestant Episcopalian applicants, £8,268; to Presbyterian applicants, £10,338; to Methodist applicants, £1,938; to other Protestant applicants, £1,195.

asked whether Bernard Martin has been evicted, for non-payment of rent, from the lands of Cloncruffer, on the estate of the Countess of Kingston; that Martin made application to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement or for an equivalent holding; and that the Commissioners have refused to consider his application; and whether, in view of the facts of the case, he will direct the Commissioners to again take the matter into consideration?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to a similar question asked by the hon. Member on 9th March.

asked what are the amounts in regard to which applications had been received from vendors pending purchase agreements to take their advances partly in stock and partly in money, and altogether in stock, respectively, in pursuance of Section 3 of The Irish Land Act, 1909, and of the Lord Lieutenant's Regulations made under Section 4 of that Act?

Applications have been received from 707 vendors for payment, partly in money and partly in stock, to the amount of £7,326,796, and from 255 vendors for payment, wholly in stock, to the amount of £2,027,608.

Does it amount to this, that of the £64,000,000 of land agreed to be bought under the Land Acts, the last Land Act has only gone to solve the problem to the extent of £8,000,000?

The answer, of course, refers merely to pending purchase agreements.

Is there not only £8,000,000 out of the £64,000,000?

I consider the figures very remarkable.

Do the right hon. Gentleman's figures mean that £8,000,000 only of stock is to be taken under this settlement of the land question out of a total of £64,000,000?

asked how many evicted tenants applied for reinstatement in the county of Wicklow; how many had been, up to date, passed as qualified and entitled to be reinstated or provided with other holdings by the Estates Commissioners; how many, respectively, had been dealt with in either way; whether he was aware of the local dissatisfaction at the delay that had occurred in a vast number of cases; and would he say what was the cause of such delay, and when might it be expected to come to an end?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that applications have 'been received from 159 persons claiming to be evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants in county Wicklow. Of these, sixty-eight have been rejected after inquiry and consideration; twenty-six applicants have been reinstated or provided with other holdings, and twenty-one applicants have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land. The remaining forty-four applications were received after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act and cannot be dealt with under that Act. There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with these applications.

asked whether the farm in Greyfield, Gurteen, Ballymote, county Sligo, from which Mr. Michael M'Dermott was evicted some twenty years ago, has lately been acquired by the Congested Districts Board, the late occupier having received compensation therefor; and, if so, whether, as this farm was a comparatively small one, unsuitable for sub-division, and that the son of the former evicted tenant had returned from the United States and desired to be reinstated in his father's holding, the Congested Districts Board would favourably consider the question of his reinstatement?

I understand that the Congested Districts Board purchased Mr. Michael Caffey's interest in the farm in question for the purpose of enlarging the small holdings immediately adjacent thereto, and that they have disposed of all the land in this manner.

Is it not the fact that the only surviving son of M'Dermott, the evicted tenant, has returned, and that the farm is altogether unsuitable for the enlargement of other small holdings, and will the Congested Districts Board reconsider the matter with a view to having the son of the evicted tenant reinstated, seeing he has ample means to carry on the farm?

That is a speech, and not a question.

asked whether negotiations have been entered into for the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the Jackson estate, situated at Cloon-sala, Ballintogher, county Sligo; and, if so, whether, in case of the success of these negotiations, the claim of the herd, Richard Feely, now under notice of eviction, to portion of these lands will be considered?

The estate in question has not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, nor are they in negotiation for it. They have no knowledge of the circumstances relating to the herd.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners received a memorial from the town tenants in Glin, in the county of Limerick, on the Knight of Glin's estate there, asking to have the town holdings included in the sale with the agricultural portion of the estate; and, If so, whether they intended to send down an inspector to investigate into the matter with the-view to sale, and take any other steps necessary to bring about an agreement as to terms between the landlord and the tenants?

When the estate is being dealt with in order of priority and when the inspector visits the lands the memorial received from the town tenants in the town of Glin to have their holdings included in the sale will be considered by the Estates Commissioners.

asked how many schemes for the building of labourers' cottages, in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts, were lodged in the office of the Local Government Board and were at a standstill for want of money to finance them; and whether it was the intention of the Government to take any steps to remove the deadlock; and, if so, in what way?

also asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that an improvement scheme for the building of labourers' cottages in connection with the Labourers (Ireland) Acts had been lodged with the Local Government Board by the New castle West Rural District Council for the past month, and that at the time the scheme was formulated the council were of opinion that money would be obtained at 3¼ per cent, to carry it into effect; whether money at this rate could now be obtained; and, if not, what action the Government proposed to take to enable the council to carry through the scheme which had been formulated and in reference to which expense had been incurred?

I understand that there are in the office of the Local Government Board schemes from three Rural Districts, including one from the Newcastle West Rural District, which are at a standstill. The Newcastle Rural District Council were, I have no doubt, in framing their scheme, under the impression indicated in the question. As regards the concluding portion of the questions, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to a question asked by the hon. Member for Waterford on 23rd March.

Will the money be granted as heretofore?

I think the hon. Member will find that the whole matter, as stated by the Chief Secretary, is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the Scartaglen pension committee granted a pension to Matthew Lenihan, of Knocknaboul, in East Kerry, on 5th November, 1909, and that, on appeal by the pension officer, the Local Government Board disallowed the claim; and whether he would state the grounds on which this decision was arrived at?

The Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal on the ground that, in their opinion, the claimant's maintenance on the farm which he had assigned to his son was worth more than £31 10s. a year.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will state the number of appeals to the Local Government Board by pension officers on the grounds of claimant's age not being found on the Census Returns, there being no other documentary evidence; what steps are taken or inquiries made by the Board, on the appeal, before they arrive at their decision; and in how many such appeals have pensions been confirmed by the Local Government Board?

The Local Government Board are not in a position to supply the figures asked for. Before coming to a decision in cases such as are referred to, the Board invariably communicate with the claimants notifying the grounds of appeal and inviting them to supply any available evidence or information in support of their claims.

Is it not the fact that the Local Government Board invariably give no reason whatever for the decision on appeals by pension officers?

They simply announce their decisions.

They give no information?

I do not think he has answered the first question; is there a case taken under those conditions where, the Local Government Board have granted the pension?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, when a local committee reduces an old age pension and the pensioner appeals against the decision, the former pension is continued until the decision of the Local Government Board on the appeal reaches the local committee and the pensioner; and if he will say on whose authority the 5s. pension book of Bernard Molloy, of Coole, Westmeath, was taken from him last November and a 3s. book subsequently supplied to him, though no decision on the appeal has yet been received by either the local committee or the pensioner?

The usual practice up to the present in the cases referred to in the first part of the question has been to continue payment at the higher rate. In view, however, of the fact that, if the appeal goes against the pensioner, he is liable to repay the difference between the higher and lower rate for the period during which the question has beensub judice,and may have his pension suspended altogether for several weeks on this account, I am considering whether in such cases it will not be better in the interests of the pensioner himself to make payment during the interval at the rate to which, upon the finding of the committee, the pensioner is primâ facieentitled, leaving the balance which will become due if the appeal is successful to be paid when the appeal has been decided. As regards the case of Bernard Molloy referred to in the second part of the question, it appears from inquiries made that the pension officer was not aware that the pensioner had himself appealed against the decision of the pension committee reducing his pension from 5s. to 3s. per week. He therefore exchanged the 5s. book to one for 3s.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, at a meeting of the Faculty of Arts of Queen's University, at Belfast, held on 3rd March last, it was proposed by the Reverend Denis O'Keeffe, lecturer of scholastic philosophy, to substitute for scholastic philosophy in the list of optional subjects for degrees in arts the subjects scholastic logic, scholastic metaphysics, and scholastic ethics; that after discussion the motion was altered so as to add the words, "in this subject three courses of lectures will be delivered which may be selected as separate options," after the words "scholastic philosophy," on page 14 of the regulations; and that the amended motion was carried with one dissentient, who requested that his dissent and protest should be recorded on the minutes and forwarded to the general board of studies and to the senate in any report upon this subject that the faculty might make; whether the resolution had been forwarded to the general board of studies and the senate; and, if so, what action had been taken by these bodies respectively?

The President of the Queen's University, Belfast, informs me that proceedings of the faculties of the university are private and confidential until they are received by the Senate, and are so marked. He is not therefore in a position to furnish any information with regard to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proceedings of the faculty mentioned in the question were known to the whole counties of Ireland three or four weeks ago?

If that is so it must be the result of a breach of confidence somewhere.

Was not the whole North of Ireland aware of the proceedings, and can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the facts as stated in the question are correct?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that Sir Jocelyn Gore Booth, baronet, whose Ballymote (county Sligo) estate was sold to the tenants some years ago under the Act of 1903, had expressed his willingness to come to an arrangement with his town tenants for the purchase of their holdings situate on the same estate; whether the Estates Commissioners, some three years ago, agreed to consider any application made to them in connection with the suggested sale; and, if so, would he state whether any steps had since been taken in the matter of this sale with the view of having it perfected?

The Estates Commissioners have informed the owner's solicitor that if he desires to sell the holdings in Ballymote, he should enter into purchase agreements with the tenants and lodge an originating application. No such application has, so far, been lodged with the Commissioners, and until this is done and the other requirements of the Statute and rules are complied with they cannot consider the matter further.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could state what was the cause of the delay on the part of the Estates Commissioners in taking over the untenanted land on the Caldbeck estate, Ballacolla, Queen's County; and when would they be in a position to do so?

also asked whether he was aware that a scheme for the distribution of the untenanted land on the Caldbeck estate, Ballacolla, Queen's County, dated 19th February, 1909, had been submitted to the Estates Commissioners by their inspector, Mr Booth; can he say if the scheme had been approved in its original form, or whether any changes had been made; and, if so, what were the nature of the changes?

As the hon. Member has already been informed, in reply to a question asked by him on the 4th November last, the delay in concluding the sale in this case has been caused by the death of the owner and the necessity of his successor proving title. The Estates Commissioners inform me that title has now been cleared and that their formal proposal to purchase is now issuing. A scheme for the distribution of the untenanted land on the estate is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked what steps are being taken to promote forestry in Ireland; and whether any funds are to be allocated for this purpose in the near future?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked yesterday by the hon. Member for North Antrim.

I beg to give notice that I will call attention to this question at the first opportunity.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether he was aware that inconvenience was caused by the delay in publishing the rules and forms under which future purchases by the Congested Districts Board would be carried out; and whether he would take steps to have them published at once and so enable the Board to go on with its work?

These regulations are under the consideration of the Trish Government and will be issued without any unnecessary delay.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet been able to ascertain that the amendment of the Small Holdings Act, in the direction of securing any compensation for farmers whose land is taken, comes within the limits of non-controversial legislation; and, if not, from which quarter of the House has he any reason to anticipate opposition to any such proposal?

I am still making inquiries, and perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his question next week.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now explain in what form and by what procedure the Resolutions now before the House, if passed by the House, will be introduced into the House of Lords?

asked whether he will undertake that the Government will not bring in a Home Rule Bill for Ireland until the promised reform of the House of Lords has been carried out?

asked whether, in view of the promise in the Gracious Speech delivered by His Majesty at the opening of Parliament of a measure to be introduced by the Government reconstituting the House of Lords, it is their intention to add to the representation in that Chamber of the interests of religion by the inclusion of representatives of other religious denominations than the Church of England?

asked whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce the Veto Resolutions now before this House in the House of Lords; and, if so, at what date and under what conditions?

asked whether, in view of the Resolution that has been placed before the House of Commons with regard to the House of Lords and Money Bills, it is the intention of the Government to send the Budget of 1909–10 to the House of Lords before the Resolutions are finally disposed of by the House of Lords?

These questions all relate to the intentions or action of the Government in the future, near or remote, and most of them to contingencies which have not yet arisen and may not arise, or to proceedings that may hereafter be taken in another place. I do not think that I can be called upon at present to answer them.

When will the right hon. Gentleman take Parliament into his confidence?

I am doing so.

Is there any precedent for introducing in the House of Lords Resolutions that have been passed in the House of Commons, and on which a Bill is subsequently to be founded in the House of Commons?

I would require a good deal of notice before answering that.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that these Resolutions will be disposed of in another place before the Budget is introduced?

You should know that.

The question is purely speculative.

May I ask if it is not the case that during the election the Prime Minister and other Members of the Government declared that no less urgent a reform as that of Home Rule for Ireland was that of Home Rule for Scotland?

I do not think that arises out of the reply.

Arising out of Question No. 60, may I ask if the Finance Bill will leave the House of Commons before the Resolutions are disposed of by the Lords?

I do not know how soon the Resolutions will be disposed of in the House of Lords.

May I ask is the right hon. Gentleman of the same opinion respecting the reform of the House of Lords as designated in the King's Speech?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked whether the present proposals for amending the relations between the two Houses are only of a temporary character, and it is intended to bring forward further proposals with respect to the relations between, the two Houses when the scheme for the reform of the House of Lords is introduced or becomes law?

asked whether it is the intention of the Government that the Veto Resolutions now under discussion shall apply only to the House of Lords as at present constituted, or to any reformed Second Chamber however constituted?

I must refer the hon. Members to what I said on this subject in my speech here on Tuesday in last week, to which I have nothing at present to add.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state whether the undertaking given by the Secretary of State for War and the President of the Board of Trade that the grievances of War Office employés shall be submitted to the Fair Wages Advisory Committee also applies to employés under the Admiralty and other Departments; in what way are the grievances and the evidence thereon to be tendered to the Committee; and whether the Committee will receive and hear trade union representatives on behalf of the men?

The allegation made in the Debate on the Army Vote was that the War Office itself was paying to certain employés wages lower than it would require a contractor to pay to such workmen under the provisions of the Fair Wage Clause. Accordingly my right hon. Friends undertook, on behalf of the War Office, that where doubts arise in this matter, the Department should obtain the advice and assistance of the Fair Wages Advisory Committee in order to ascertain what rates of wages and hours of labour prevail among good employers in analogous circumstances, so as to satisfy the requirements of the Fair Wage Clause. The undertaking applied primarily to the War Office, but I am in consultation with my colleagues as to the extent to which it can be made applicable to other Departments. It is for the Committee to determine their own procedure for the purpose of carrying out the duties entrusted to them.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to take up the time of private Members on Fridays after 15th April?

I am afraid it will be necessary to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentle man aware that when his Radical Friends are successful in the ballot they are allowed to have their discussion, and that our friends are cut out of discussion on this very important matter; and may I ask whether, as the Chief Secretary stated that this matter was over-ripe for discussion—

What matter?

Poor Law reform in Ireland.

I will consider that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can say when the next Vote on Account will be taken?

I cannot yet name the precise day.

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he can say what will be the first Parliamentary act of the Government after the Spring Recess? I desire to explain that I use the word "act" in the sense in which it is commonly understood.

No, Sir.

When will the right hon. Gentleman, be able to say?

I cannot say yet.

asked whether the Bill to be founded on the Veto Resolutions now before the House would be the first business after the Recess; and would this measure have precedence of the Budget for 1910–11?

I cannot yet make any statement as to the order of business after the Recess.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he could state if the home farm on the Blacker-Douglas estate, at Tullihinal, Asdee, North Kerry, had been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners for division amongst the poor people of the district; whether it had been purchased by the Estates Commissioners, and, if so, when; and, if purchased, why was there such a long delay in dividing and giving possession to the poor people of the new holdings?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 206 acres of the lands in question were sold direct by the vendor to persons nominated by the, Estates Commissioners at prices estimated by them. Of these lands 155 acres have already been vested in the purchasers, and the Commissioners hope that the remainder will be vested in the immediate future.

asked whether there was a vacancy for a sessional Crown Solicitor in Ireland; and, if so, whether it was proposed to fill it?

There is no such vacancy, so far as I am aware.

asked why office expenses were to be provided for three Crown Solicitors in Ireland, in view of the fact that for twenty-seven others no such expenses were required?

The three Crown Solicitors in question who were appointed prior to 1884 receive an allowance for office expenses under the terms of their appointments. In the case of all sub- sequent appointments the salaries are inclusive.

asked whether the allowance of £1,200 to the Chief Crown Solicitor, and of £1,476 to the Treasury Solicitor for office expenses were amounts fixed by scale; whether any Return of how those amounts were expended was made to Parliament; what office staff was allowed to those officials; and by whom was it appointed?

The allowances in question were fixed by the Treasury after inquiry into the requirements of the office. Details of the amounts expended appear in the Accounts of the Chief Crown Solicitor and the Treasury Solicitor, which are audited by the Controller and Auditor-General. The Chief Crown Solicitor's staff consists of one assistant Chief Crown Solicitor, appointed by the Irish Government, and five clerical assistants appointed by the Chief Crown Solicitor. The staff of the Treasury Solicitor is as follows: An Assistant Solicitor appointed by the Treasury; a clerk assigned by the Civil Service Commissioners; three assistants assigned by the Civil Service Commissioners, and five general clerks and two boy clerks appointed by the Treasury Solicitor.

asked whether it was proposed to abolish the position of senior clerk in the offices of the Judge of the Chancery Division; and, if so, whether that precedent would be followed in the other offices of the High Court?

I understand that it was arranged in 1898 that the post of senior clerk in the office in question was to be abolished on the next vacancy. This arrangement has only recently come into effect. The offices of the High Court are not under the control of the Irish Government.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board had received a copy of the resolutions of the United Estates Committee of North, South, and East Galway passed on 13th March; and whether the Board would be able to take any action with regard to the subject matter of the resolutions?

The Resolution in question is at present receiving the consideration of the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners would consider the desirability of sending down an inspector to inquire into the difficulties that had arisen between Mr. James Hoad and his sub-tenants before sanctioning the sale of the Cahererahena estate, county Galway.

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the estate referred to from the particulars given in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary why Parliament was asked to vote £500 a year for a private secretary to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, in view of the fact that it was asked to vote only £300, with an allowance of £150, for a private secretary to the Lord Chancellor of England?

The salary of the private secretary to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland was fixed by Order dated the 22nd November, 1884, made by the Lord Chancellor of the day with the concurrence of the Treasury, pursuant to the Supreme Court of Judicature (Ireland) Act, 1877. The duties of the office are not identical with those of the private secretary to the Lord Chancellor of England and include duties which in England are discharged by other officials.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in view of the French Government's refusal to grant the most-favoured-nation treatment for petrol imported into France, the product of British India, he intended to take measures to increase the duties upon wines, silk, and silk goods imported into British India from France, and upon which the French Government asked for a reduction in order to meet the demands of the Indian Government with regard to the duty on British-Indian petrol?

No, Sir. The duties upon wines, silk and silk goods have been imposed and their amount fixed for revenue purposes only.

Is the Indian Government satisfied to accept terms which are 50 per cent. inferior to those granted to Roumania?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary of State was aware that the sum of £100 was spent last year in improving navigation on the Shiré River between Fort Herald and Villa Bocage; whether the road and river dues charged upon imports amounted to £1 per ton; and what sum would be devoted this year to the improvement of the river between those ports?

In October last the Governor of the Protectorate stated that the amount expended last financial year on improving navigation on the Shiré River between Port Herald and Villa Bocage was £117. The road and river duties charged upon imports are as stated. In the Estimates for 1910–11, as in the Estimates for 1909–10, a sum of £400 has been inserted for the removal of obstructions to navigation on the Upper and Lower Shiré River, but I have no information to show what part of this sum will be devoted this year to the improvement of the river between Port Herald and Villa Bocage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of freight from different parts of Nyassaland to the coast amounts to over £70 per ton?

That is a matter I can hardly be expected to carry in my head.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the services rendered bear some relation to the charges made?

I hope we shall endeavour to see that that is the case in all parts of the world.

asked whether there was any, and, if so, what, duty imposed in Ceylon on imported rice, the staple food of the coolies; what proportion such duty bore to the cost of the rice; whether the rice so imported came largely from India; and whether there was any, and, if so, what, duty imposed in Malta on imported wheat?

The duty on rice imported into Ceylon, the greater part of which comes from India and Burmah, is 50 cents (i.e. 8d.) a hundredweight. The price of imported rice varies according to the state of the market. I understand that Rs.3.50 a bushel would be considered a fair price. The duty on wheat imported into Malta is 10s. per quarter.

May I ask why these very heavy duties are retained?

Certain duties survived all the great Free Trade Ministers—Sir R. Peel, Sir M. Hicks-Beach, and others. Of course, we lead the way in Free Trade, and the rest of the world cannot be expected to follow at once.

Will the Government take early steps to abolish the duties and give practical effect for once to their Free Trade opinions?

It is always our hope to reduce food duties.

Who is the authority to lay these taxes upon Malta?

In the last resort, the Secretary of State, and—it comes to this— this House. In practice we endeavour to give some measure of Home Rule to the Crown Colonies, and to consult their convenience. But this matter has been going on since 1835, I think.

Do these prices vary in accordance with the duty?

No doubt they do; they do everywhere.

asked whether the friendly natives in the recently evacuated Somaliland territory had been supplied with the means of defence by the British Government?

Such arrangements as are possible have been made for the issue of arms and ammunition to the friendly natives, with a view to enabling them to provide for their defence.

Am I to understand that the Government is preparing to abrogate the Brussels Convention which prohibits the supplying of arms to natives in Africa?

I do not think that the action we have taken, which is a continuance of the action taken by His Majesty's previous advisers from 1904–5, in issuing arms to friendly natives is in contravention of the Brussels Convention. I think it was a necessary step to take then as now.

Is the House to understand that the friendly tribes have been put in a position to defend themselves against the Mullah, and that they are doing so with any prospect of success?

Yes. I am glad to say that we received a telegram only an hour or two ago saying that the natives of the friendly tribes are in a position to defend themselves. So far from being driven to the coast, as has been suggested, they are now in a very strong position more than 100 miles from the coast, and, in the view of the Commissioner, they are in a better position to defend themselves than they were when we occupied the isolated post of Bulhar.

Is it not a fact that the recent disturbances, and loss of life in this part of the world were caused by an attack upon the Mullah by the so-called friendlies?

That hardly arises out of the question.

I will try to make it legitimately arise next week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to give any information as to the number of friendly natives who have been slaughtered during the last two or three months?

In the telegram to which I have referred—from which I cannot quote because it contains military dispositions which it might be unwise to communicate at the moment—it states that the number of friendlies reported to be killed was 200, or less, instead of 800, as stated, and that a great number of dervishes also were killed. In fact, it appears quite certain that the information upon which a Debate took place yesterday in another place was based on a rumour to which I should have thought no reasonable man would have attached credence.

Who began these disturbances?

There have been faction fights going on for many years. It is very hard to say when they began.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that the Mullah objected to the trade methods of what are called the friendly tribes, and that the whole trouble springs from the fact that the Mullah is a Tariff Reformer?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the wages of the labourers and gardeners employed under the Irish Board of Works will be raised as from 1st April, 1910; whether the contractors under the Board are bound by the Pair Wages Resolution to pay over 20s. a week to the labourers they employ; whether the contractors' labourers work Bide by side with those of the Board; and whether the latter receive only 15s. or 16s. a week?

The answer to the first, second, and third parts of the question is in the negative. The building contractors' men do not work side by side with the park labourers. The latter are employed on the roads and as garden hands, and the rates allowed vary from 15s. to 18s. per week. I am informed that these rates compare favourably with those paid for similar work outside, especially in view of the fact that there is no broken time in the case of the Board's men, who are also entitled to sick pay, pay for holidays, and a gratuity on retirement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the recently issued instruction of the Board of Customs and Excise to their Customs collectors and inspectors respecting the taking of the annual leave at undesirable periods throughout the year was to be permanently or only temporarily applied; whether its compulsory application to examining officers and assistants was in equity to be made general, to include clerks and surveyors; why the leave arrangements which had hitherto given general satisfaction were now altered to the disappointment and detriment of the outdoor staff; and whether the new arrangements, owing to a depleted staff and sickness, have already collapsed at some of the outports?

No general instructions such as those referred to have been issued. In order to meet temporary circumstances, it has been found necessary at a few ports to minute some of the staff to take a portion of their leave this year in March or November and Devember— months which were previously excluded from the leave "scheme" at these particular ports. There is, therefore, no question of applying this arrangement generally either to one whole class or to the whole staff of the Customs and Excise Department. The arrangements for the leave of officers of all ranks are subject to, and are varied according to, the periodical exigencies of the public service, and it is obviously not always possible to grant every officer his leave during the more desirable months of the year. The Board of Customs and Excise are not aware that the leave arrangements for the current year have collapsed at some of the outports.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether it is with the permission of that Board that the Midland Great Western Railway Company of Ireland have, by neglect, allowed a culvert under the Royal Canal at Derry-more, on the borders of Westmeath and Meath, to be stopped and the water diverted to another channel, causing a large area of land to be flooded; and whether the Board of Trade will require that company to reopen the culvert and maintain the watercourse at its old level?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Board of Trade has asked me to answer this question. It is disposed of by the answer which I have just given to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a person at present in employment, and not under notice to terminate his engagement, can register his name at the Labour Exchanges as requiring employment; and, if so, will he state the number of persons registered under these conditions?

There is no regulation preventing persons from applying for employment through a Labour Exchange if they are still employed at the time of registration. I am not able to give the exact number of persons who have registered their names while still in employment, but I understand that the number is quite inconsiderable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, on the occasion recently of a dispute between the General Motor Cab Company, Limited, and the cab-washers at their Brixton depot, men were supplied from various Labour Exchanges to take the places of the cab-washers; what instructions the managers of the Exchanges have as to supplying or not supplying men when a trade dispute exists; and whether he will take steps to obviate the danger of the Exchanges being used, in the case of unorganised trades, so as to enable employers to bring undue pressure to bear on their employés?

The procedure to be followed by Labour Exchanges in the event of trade disputes is defined by the Regulations made by the Board of Trade, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. In the particular case to which my hon. Friend alludes I understand that no notice of the existence of a dispute was filed at the Labour Exchange, but that the manager nevertheless took the very proper precaution of warning all applicants of the probable cause to which the vacancies were due.

Are we to understand that the representative of the company did not fully explain the circumstances when he applied for that labour?

That is possible. The regulations provide that in the case of a dispute that either party may give notice to the Exchange that a dispute is taking place. In that case it is the duty of the manager to represent to applicants that there is a dispute going on. In this case no notice was given, and the manager, when he heard himself of the dispute exercised what I think was a wise discretion, and, as a matter of fact, mentioned the fact.