asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, it experiments in cotton growing are being carried out in any of the Crown Colonies by either the Imperial or Colonial Governments; if so, in which colonies; and what grants in aid, if any, are made for this purpose by the Imperial Governments?

The Imperial Government is not carrying out directly any experiments in cotton growing in the Crown Colonies, nor have grants in aid hitherto been made specifically for this purpose; but for some time past a great deal has been done in encouraging the growth of cotton by a number of Colonial Governments, particularly in the West Indies and Tropical Africa, including most of those which receive grants in aid of general revenue. If the hon. Member desires more complete information on the subject, I shall be happy to have a detailed memorandum prepared for him.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he could state to what extent cultivation of cotton was successful and progressing in the Protectorate of Uganda, and the cultivation of fibre, coffee, wheat, and wool in the Protectorate of East Africa; and what markets exist for the disposal of the commerce of the said Protectorates?

I regret that it is not practicable to make an adequate reply within the compass of an answer to a question. Information as to the cultivation of cotton in Uganda will be found in a Special Report on the subject made by the late Governor of the Protectorate a few months ago, and in the Report on the Botanical, Forestry, and Scientific Department of the Protectorate for the year ended on the 31st of March, 1909. Both these Reports have been presented to Parliament. They are Cd. 4910 and Cd. 4972. Information as to the production of fibre, coffee, wheat, and wool in the East Africa Protectorate will be found in the Annual Reports on that Protectorate which have been presented to Parliament and in the Annual Reports of the Protectorate Department of Agriculture. I shall be happy to place these sources of information at the disposal of my hon. Friend, so far as he may not have access to them already.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the latter part of my question?

The answer to the latter part of the question was to be found in the first part of my reply. I say there it is not practicable to give an adequate reply within the compass of an answer to a question.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he would inquire from the West Australian Government whether there is any official authority for the announcement that the West Australian Government are desirous of securing 200 female domestic servants to go to West Australia next month, and that the Premier has given an assurance that all applicants may rely on promptly securing situations at good wages upon landing?

The Secretary of State learns from the Premier of Western Australia, Colonel Moore, who is now in this country, that there is an extreme dearth of domestic servants in that State, and that Colonel Moore is therefore prepared to give special facilities for the early departure of a large number. It is intended that a special party, up to 100, shall sail by the "Orsova" on the 27th May, and that a similar party shall follow by a later steamer. Only those selected and approved by the Agent-General will be sent.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he approves of the publication of advertisements that the Premier of West Australia has given a semi-official assurance when there is no foundation whatever for such statements?

It is very right that a close watch should be kept on any advertisements of this kind, but, so far as I have been informed, no misstatement has been made. It is a fact that the Prime Minister of West Australia is interesting himself in the matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the advertisement stating that "we have the assurance of the Premier of West Australia that all applicants may rely on getting quickly situations at good wages on landing," and whether the Premier has given that assurance?

It depends to whom that notice applies. The Prime Minister of West Australia, I think, has given the assurance that these specially selected emigrants will receive situations, and I have no doubt that they will.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he could state, approximately, what is the mileage and cost of proposed extension of railways in Uganda, and also the mileage and cost of extension of railway to Lake Majadi in East Africa; and if, in view of the development of both Protectorates, he would consult with the Post Office with reference to existing communications?

With regard to Uganda, the mileage is approximately fifty miles and the estimated cost £160,000. I am not at present in a position to make any statement with regard to Lake Majadi. With regard to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I assume that he refers to steamship communications, and I am able to inform him that the Colonial Office and Post Office keep in touch on that matter.

May I ask the Under-Secretary whether it is proposed to make any extension of other railways in other Protectorates—Nyasaland, for instance—or is it to be confined to Uganda?

That is a very wide question. If the hon. Member will put down a question I shall be very pleased to give him an answer.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he could state on what terms officials in Uganda, East Africa, and in the West African Colonies could insure their lives for the benefit of their wives and families, at the present time and under the scheme of insurance under consideration by his Department; and if the climatic condition of certain stations in East Africa and Uganda would be allowed for?

I am informed that, in the case of Uganda and Nyasaland, the additional premium charged over and above the ordinary rates ranges, generally speaking, from ¾ per cent, to 2 per cent, of the sum assured. I have no accurate information as to the East Africa Protectorate, but in view of the reputation of that Protectorate the terms obtainable by residents there are doubtless even more favourable. In the case of West Africa the rate of additional premium is stated to vary from 3 per cent, upwards. As regards the question of a Government scheme for West Africa I would explain that no definite scheme has yet been formulated, and it is not possible therefore to make any statement on the subject at present. The latter part of my hon. Friend's question implies a necessity which I think does not arise, since, so far as I am aware, insurance companies make no distinction between particular stations in the Protectorates mentioned.

Is a scheme under consideration for West Africa?

Oh, yes; we are considering what we can do, and something should, I think, be done early.

asked whether any fighting was now going on between the Mullah and the friendly tribes, and whether he had any information to show the losses that the friendlies had sustained to date, and on what date his last despatches were received?

No official news has been received of further fighting between the Mullah and the friendly tribes since I made my last communication to the House on the subject. With regard to the losses of the friendlies, I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury on the 6th of April. The last despatches were received on the 16th of this month.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can state why the Friendly Blacks have been deserted when His Majesty's Government displayed such affectionate regard for the yellow Chinese in South Africa?

I do not see how that question arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whom the two Commissions chosen to inquire into the failure of the Egyptian cotton crop were appointed; what is the difference between the functions of these two Commissions; and whether either or both will report if there has been any remissness of Government officials in carrying out the necessary regulations?

The two Commissions have been appointed by the Egyptian Government. The first, containing representatives of all sections of the community interested in the production of cotton, will study the special causes of the falling off of the yield in 1909. The second, composed mainly of experts in various branches of scientific research, will conduct investigations into the history of the insects which prey upon the plant, and into other scientific aspects of the matter. They will report on everything material to the cause of the failure.

What steps are being taken this year to safeguard the present Egyptian cotton crop against the attacks of the cotton worm?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General why the mail car from Monaghan to Cootehill does not call en route at the Dartrey post office as heretofore; if he is aware that inconvenience is caused to residents in the district by the delay in getting their letters consequent on this change; if he proposes to improve the present system; and if there have been any irregularities recently in connection with the carriage of the mails from Monaghan to Cootehill?

further asked the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that, on the arrival of the mail car from Monaghan at Cootehill, a postman is sent each morning between seven and eight o'clock a.m. to Dartrey Post Office, which is on the road between Monaghan and Cootehill, with letters addressed to a few specially favoured persons in the district, and that he then returns to Cootehill, and, on the arrival of the mid-day mail at Cootehill, he again goes to Dartrey Post Office, bringing the letters addressed to the members of the general community resident in the district; and, if so, will he take steps to ensure the despatch of all correspondence addressed to residents in the district around Dartrey Post Office immediately on the arrival of the first morning mail, and so avoid the unnecessary delay entailed by the present system?

I am having inquiry made on the subject of these two questions, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked if, in most London telegraph offices, the telegraph messenger boys are only allowed twenty minutes for their meal time, which seems insufficient, especially when boys have to go out to get their dinner; and will orders be given that more time should be allowed in future?

The minimum time allowed to boy messengers for the mid-day meal is twenty minutes, as stated by the hon. Member, but in the City and at certain other offices the time allowed is thirty minutes. I have not received any complaint with regard to these arrangements, but I will look into the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the last increase in the establishment took place at Portsmouth Dockyard, and when the next increase will take place; whether these increases in the establishment take place at irregular intervals, thus causing considerable injustice to men approaching the limiting age of forty-five; and whether he will arrange in future for additions to be made to the establishment at regular intervals?

No workmen have been placed on the established list at His Majesty's dockyards since May, 1907, but the establishment will shortly be resumed. Workmen may be established only in vacancies, and not at any regular intervals, regardless of the existence of vacancies. The cases of workmen who have passed the age limit whilst the establishment has been suspended will be specially considered, provided they are the most suitable for the available vacancies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two months ago he promised that the establishment would be opened forthwith?

That is what I am engaged in doing now. The hon. Gentleman must be aware that very numerous inquiries have to be made locally with regard to the men suitable to be appointed to the establishment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that shortly and forthwith are synonymous terms?

By forthwith I meant forthwith.

Then why was not the establishment opened forthwith?

The hon. Gentleman must understand that before the establishment can be opened the sanction of the Treasury had to be obtained. I had just obtained that sanction, and then proceeded to take certain necessary steps in order to distinguish which workmen should be added to the establishment. Those steps were taken forthwith.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the fact that in Germany there exists a land range over ten miles long for the purpose of testing naval guns of large calibre; and, in view of the fact that from trials on this range important improvements have resulted, whether any steps are being taken to provide a similar range in this country?

The question of providing a range of this nature is at present engaging the attention of the Admiralty.

asked whether, in the event of a site for the Medway floating dock being selected in the neighbourhood of Sheerness, he will provide that the dock be worked from Sheerness?

The question as to the working of the floating dock is being considered in connection with the site.

asked whether a committee is now considering recommendations to lay before the Board of Admiralty as to the site and future working of the proposed floating dock for the Medway; and, if so, whether he can see his way to make any announcement as to the personnel of the committee?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the inequality of the weekly amount paid to chargemen in the Devonport Dockyard; whether a certain number, and, if so, what percentage of the whole, are paid 1s. 6d. a week, while the remaining chargemen are paid 1s. a week; in what way does the supervisory work performed by charge-men receiving the higher amount differ from that performed by chargemen receiving the smaller amount; and whether he can now see his way to place all charge-men in the Devonport Dockyard on the same footing by awarding them a uniform payment of 1s. 6d. per week?

No chargemen are paid either 1s. 6d. a week or 1s. a week charge pay. I am aware that some chargemen are paid 6s. a week and some 9s. a week additional to their trade pay, but the numbers in each case are not in any fixed ratio. The difference between the duties of the chargemen getting 9s. a week and those getting 6s. a week charge pay may not be very great—if it were the difference in pay would probably be more marked. The chargemen have petitioned the Admiralty direct in regard to their pay, and their requests will shortly be answered; in the meantime it is not considered desirable to anticipate the reply.

asked whether the officers and men of His Majesty's ship "Irresistible," 750 in all, have recently undergone a month's punishment for an undiscovered offence; what was the nature of the punishment; whether one man of the signalling department is still being closely shadowed day and night; what redress will be made to this man should he prove to be innocent; and whether this is the usual method of punishment adopted in similar cases?

On 13th March parts of twelve-pounder guns were stolen, with the effect of disabling the guns. Restrictions were placed on the granting of leave to the ship's company not as a punishment, but as a precautionary measure against a repetition of the offence, which impaired the ship's fighting efficiency, and to facilitate the inquiry which followed. One man to whom suspicion attaches is still being closely watched with a view to preventing a recurrence of the same offence. The contingency referred to has not arisen, and the question of redress need not therefore be considered. The precaution is considered a proper one in the circumstances. As already stated, the measures taken in this instance cannot be regarded as punitive.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of established workmen borne on the books of the Home dockyards at the date of suspension in 1907 and of the number borne at the present time; whether it is proposed to bring up the numbers of established men to what they were at the date of suspension; and when he expects to be in a position to fulfil the promise he made that the establishment should be reopened forthwith?

Prior to the suspension of the establishment in 1907, the number of established workmen authorised for His Majesty's dockyards was 7,000, and practically this number were borne. At the present time the corresponding number borne is about 6,150. It is not deemed desirable to make an announcement as to what the future numbers are to be before the issue of the official instructions, which will shortly be sent to the dockyards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information showing that the keel of the first Austrian "Dreadnought" was laid some months ago and the second "Dreadnought" will be begun in the course of the next few days on the slip vacated by the "Zranagi"; and whether he can give the House any further unofficial information on this subject without necessarily indicating from whence such information is derived?

There is nothing to add to the answer already given to a similar question on 12th April.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now able to reply to the petitions from Portsmouth Dockyard?

It is hoped that the replies to the petitions will be issued to all the yards very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether pilotage licences are granted to foreign shipmasters?

Since the passing of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, no pilotage certificates can be, or have been, granted to masters or mates unless they are British subjects, but pilotage certificates which have been granted to foreign masters before 1st June, 1906, can be renewed.

Do foreign shipmasters come in the same category as foreign pilots?

I should like notice of that question. I believe some are in a different category.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the export trade from this country to the Argentina for the year 1909, and the value of the import trade from that country to this for the same period?

The declared value of the total exports consigned from the United Kingdom to the Argentine Republic in 1909 was £19,200,000, of which £18,700,000 consisted of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom, the remainder being re-exports of foreign And Colonial goods. The imports into the United Kingdom consigned from the Argentine Republic in 1909 were of a declared value of £32,700,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Castlebar Urban Council forwarded a resolution to him asking to have a Labour Exchange established in Castlebar for the county of Mayo, it being the county town and most centrally situated; and whether, in view of the unanimous opinion of the people of the town and county on the subject, he will consider the advisability of having an exchange established there in the near future?

I have received from the Castlebar Urban Council a resolution asking for the establishment of a Labour Exchange in Castlebar. As I have already said, in answer to previous questions on this subject, the further development of the Labour Exchange system in Ireland is receiving careful consideration, but it is not possible at present to provide exchanges in every important area.

asked whether the arbitration between the Midland Railway and the Midland and South-Western Junction Railway, which was promised two years ago, has yet been commenced; and, if so, whether any conclusion has been arrived at.

I am informed that this arbitration is proceeding, but that no conclusion has yet been reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will obtain and lay upon the Table of the House, in similar form to Cd. 4695 of last June, copies or summaries of all working agreements now subsisting between railway companies, entered into without the sanction or authority of Parliament, other than those relating merely to the working of subsidiary lines, the exercise of running powers, or the user of joint stations?

I fear it would not be practicable to attempt to collect particulars of such agreements, and in any case I must await the Report of the Departmental Committee on Railway Amalgamations and Agreements.

also asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will say, now that his attention has been called to the negotiations which are in progress between railway companies for the formation of working agreements on an extensive scale, whether the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the question of railway amalgamations is likely to be presented shortly; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of taking steps to restrain railway companies from entering into agreements in restriction of competition until such Report has been presented and the opinion of the House has been taken on the subject?

The Committee were instructed to report as soon as practicable, and I understand that they will probably have finished taking evidence in a month's time.

What steps can the Board of Trade take in regard to railway companies' action in these matters?

The hon. Member had better wait and see what the Committee recommends.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that the Railway Clearing House informed the Board of Trade in November last that effect would be given throughout Great Britain, on and from 1st January, 1910, to the recommendations of the Railway Conference in 1908, with a view to the modification of the owners' risk conditions in contracts for the conveyance of milk churns by rail, some, if not all, of the railway companies have failed to make any alteration in the form of such contracts; and, if so, whether the Board proposes to take any action in the matter?

I believe it is the fact that the altered forms of agreement and consignment notes for "owners' risk" milk traffic have not yet been issued, but I am informed that they will be issued shortly. Meanwhile, I understand, that in practice claims for loss of or delay to milk since the beginning of the year would be dealt with as if the traffic had been consigned under the new conditions. If the hon. Member knows of any instances to the contrary and will furnish me with particulars I will have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has noticed that the Chairman of the London Quarter Sessions has condemned the accommodation for prisoners at the Newington Sessions Court in very strong terms; who is responsible for improving this condition of things; and whether he can undertake to see that adequate arrangements are made?

This is a matter for the county authorities. About a month ago the Secretary of State called the attention of the London County Council to the matter. He understands that the Standing Joint Committee for London will very shortly have before them a report on the subject from a sub-committee appointed to consider it, and will then communicate with the county council, by whom the funds for any improvements have to be provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case at Willesden where a man who had been sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment five years previously, but who had since reformed and was now in a situation, had been recognised by the constable who had secured his conviction; whether he is aware that this constable informed both his employer and his landlady of his past record, with the result that he lost his situation and was turned out of his lodgings; whether the constable had exceeded his duties in this particular case; and, if so, whether he will have this matter further inquired into?

The case in question has been inquired into. The Commissioner reports that there is no truth in the allegation that either the man's landlady or employer were informed by the police of his past record. The man himself denies that he ever asserted that his landlady was so informed, and the person described as the employer states that he had never employed this man.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow an inspection of the papers at Scotland Yard concerning the explosions at Exchange Court, Dublin, the Four Courts, Dublin, and Nelson Street, Dublin?

The Secretary of State thinks the hon. Member will see that it would be quite impossible for him to throw police papers open to inspection; but he may tell the hon. Member that there are no papers at Scotland Yard respecting these explosions, except, in the case of the first, a request from the Irish Government for assistance in tracing the person suspected to be the perpetrator, by circulating his description and otherwise.

Will the Under-Secretary say where these papers are kept if they are not at Scotland Yard?

I am afraid I do not know. I am only respnsible for Scotland Yard.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether these papers have been destroyed?

That I cannot tell.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the attention of the Government has been directed to a case heard at the Wells (Somerset) Quarter Sessions on 7th April, 1910, from which it appears that the licensing justices for the city and county of Bristol had refused to renew a beer off-licence for sale in retail quantities by a Bristol brewery, on the ground that the brewery in question canvassed from house to house for orders for small quantities of beer which, in the opinion of the justices, was contrary to the spirit of the licensing laws and contrary to public policy, and that, upon an appeal from the justices of Bristol, who had the advantage of local knowledge, the justices of the county, who could not be so conversant with the conduct of the licensees or its effect as the local justices, had reversed such decision; and, if such reversal of decision is in accordance with the law, will His Majesty's Government consider the advisability of introducing a. short measure removing the right of appeal to local quarter sessions where such exist?

The Secretary of State has obtained a report of this case from the Bristol justices and finds that the facts are represented in the question, with substantial accuracy. The questions involved are of great importance and considerable difficulty, and my right hon. Friend would hesitate to say that in such, a case the conclusion arrived at by one bench of magistrates is necessarily right and the different conclusion reached by another bench is necessarily wrong. At the same time, as my hon. Friend will recollect, the Government would have removed the occasion for this difference if they had been allowed to pass the Licensing Bill, 1908, which provided, inter alia, for a new appeal authority in lieu of county quarter sessions as regards licensing cases from large boroughs. The Secretary of State is afraid that he cannot hold out hope of immediate legislation on this single item of the licensing question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the advisability of providing in the regulations to be issued under the Children Act, 1908, that where whipping is ordered by courts of summary jurisdiction, this punishment shall be delayed until one day after a certified copy of the order made by the court has been; furnished to his Department?

The Children Act gives no power to make regulations on the subject, nor has the Secretary of State otherwise any power to delay, in the manner suggested, the execution of lawful orders given by a competent court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of recent disclosures, he will consider the advisability of abolishing the use of the birch as a mode of punishment in the cases of juvenile offenders?

The Secretary of State has not been informed of any recent disclosures that point to the advisability of abolishing the birch as a mode of correcting juvenile offenders. He believes the use of the birch is regarded in certain cases of juvenile offenders as an appropriate form of punishment.

Is it not a fact that a youth who was birched in Pentonville Prison two months ago died a day or two afterwards; and, if so, has any inquiry been made?

I cannot say, but I shall be glad to make inquiry.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that the use of the birch makes the boys any better?

asked how many children have been sentenced to be whipped by courts of summary jurisdiction in the Hayward's Heath district during the last five years; how many have been sent to reformatories or industrial schools; and what were the offences charged against the children so punished?

The Secretary of State has not got this information. He will inquire whether it can be obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the nature And character of the evidence given before the Hayward's Heath bench upon which the boy Bulbeck was convicted; whether unsworn testimony was accepted; and whether he proposes to take any further steps in the matter?

The Secretary of State believes it is the case that after the sworn evidence which proved the offence had been taken, and before sentence was passed, a police superintendent told the justices what was known of the boy. This course is usual, not only in courts of summary jurisdiction but also at assizes and quarter sessions, and is normally pursued in order to enable the court to decide what is the most suitable method of dealing with the offender.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that the Home Secretary disapproved of the decision of the magistrates he will take some steps to deal with this unsworn testimony?

What the hon. Gentleman calls unsworn testimony has to be taken in the case of the Children Act in order that the magistrates may decide tow best to deal with a child who is under a possible sentence.

Was it because of unsworn testimony that the imprisonment was given to this boy, which the Home Secretary has removed?

I do not know, but there are many cases in which this testimony considerably helps the juvenile offenders who are concerned.

Is it the fact that where a person is charged in a court of summary jurisdiction, and there is a bad record, there is a legal means of proving his record, and that any other means of proving by statements of the police can be excluded?

I believe that is so.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been directed to a charge of petty larceny preferred against Charles Bulbeck, a boy in his thirteenth year, before the Hayward's Heath bench on 11th April, 1910, upon which the accused was convicted and sentenced, among other penalties, to six strokes of a birch rod; and whether, having regard to the limitations upon the power of inflicting punishment of whipping imposed by the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, he intends to take any steps to prevent such punishments in similar cases?

The order for birching appears to have been strictly in accordance with the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1879, as amended by the Children Act, 1908. Any prohibition of such punishment would require an alteration of the law.

Is it illegal under the Summary Jurisdiction Act to punish any child over twelve years, and was not the child in this case proved to be in his thirteenth year?

Under the Children Act the definition of a child was extended to fourteen years, and six instead of twelve strokes are allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to consider amendments to the existing laws dealing with procuration and kindred offences, with a view further to mitigate the evils of the white slave traffic?

Various matters connected with the white slave traffic and kindred offences against women are being considered at the present time. Certain aspects of the subject will come under discussion at an International Conference which will sit in Paris this week, and at which His Majesty's Government is represented. The Secretary of State will be happy to consider any practicable suggestions that are made to him.

asked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been, called to the case of Mrs. Paul Robello, of Aberdeen, who, after being in receipt of an old age pension throughout 1909, was, on an appeal to the Local Government Board by the succeeding pension officer, declared to be ineligible on the ground that she was married to a foreign subject, a man who has resided in Aberdeen fifty years and was a qualified voter on the Parliamentary and municipal roll; whether he is aware that all the circumstances were known to the committee and the pension officer for the time being when the claim was granted in the first instance; whether he is aware that Mrs. Robello is the daughter of a British soldier who has seen active service, and that she has been resident in Aberdeen all her life; whether he is aware that since the disallowing of the woman's claim she has been called upon to refund the money she has received; whether the section of the Act which states that the decision of a local pension committee on any claim not referred to the central pension authority shall be final and conclusive applies to this case, in view of the woman having been in receipt of the pension for at least twelve months; and whether the decision to discontinue the pension can be reconsidered, or the application for a refunding of the pension already paid withdrawn?

I am aware of the circumstances alluded to by my hon. Friend, to which my attention has been also called by my hon. Friend the Member for South Aberdeen. The section of the Act to which my hon. Friend refers did not, in my view, apply in this case. The decision to discontinue the pension was, in my judgment, in accordance with the provisions of the Statute. The case is obviously an extremely hard one, and I am informed that in view of Mrs. Robello's poverty the application for repayment of the money already paid will not be pressed.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention has been directed to the Report by the Commissioners of Inquiry appointed in 1883 to consider the condition of the crofters and cottars in the Highlands and islands of Scotland, with special reference to a pier at Foula; and, in view of the facts that the Congested Districts Board has inti- mated a considerable grant towards the work, and that the county council of Zetland has had the matter under its consideration, will he inquire of the county council, on whom rests the responsibility for the delay?

I am aware of the observations relative to a suggestion for a boat shelter at Foula in the Report referred to. The offer of a grant was strictly conditional. The conditions have not been fulfilled; and the Congested Districts Board have no means of enforcing them. I am unable to see that the course suggested by my hon. Friend would fulfil any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of circular letter 10/4334 A, which has been issued to Lancashire and is to be issued to other counties, he will see fit to extend the reference of the Departmental Committee on School Buildings so that it can report on the question of school planning and the arrangement of class rooms; and whether he will prevent the instructions contained in the circular letter referred to taking effect until such a Report can be received?

I am not aware that there is any serious difference of opinion among local education authorities, school managers, or school architects as to the most suitable methods of planning schools and arranging class rooms, or that the bodies and persons concerned have any difficulty in obtaining good advice on the subject. I see, therefore, no reason to believe that the enlargement of the reference to the Departmental Committee now sitting is necessary or desirable. As regards the improvement of existing schools in Lancashire and other areas, I must remind the hon. Member that in many of these cases the premises fall below the most moderate standard of healthiness, comfort, and suitability. Whereas in the country as a whole a decided improvement in school accommodation, has been effected, the prevailing standard in Lancashire has been, and still is, low. In dealing with the worst cases in the area, the Board are not aiming at any ideal standard, or even at a standard which is not generally accepted as fairly applicable to old as distinguished from new schools. Gene- rally speaking, everyone knows what is needed. In a considerable number of these cases the reasonableness of the Board's requirements has never been disputed; and yet it has happened that the Board's repeated representations during a period of as many as six or seven years have been, for all practical purposes, unheeded. It is hardly reasonable to ask that the Board should now provide the excuse for further delay. What is required by dilatory authorities is not further information, but the will to carry out a plain duty to the children and teachers in their schools.

Are the terms of this circular intended to include or refer to a large number of new schools in the West of England which have a large assembly hall into which the class-rooms open?

That has nothing to do with this question.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has recently received any memorial protesting against the exclusion of petrol or steam-driven vehicles from Hyde Park between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; whether he can inform the House what is the daily average number of both mechanically and horse-driven vehicles that traverse the park between Hyde Park Corner and the Marble Arch; and whether he can assign the reasons that have led him to reinforce a regulation causing such inconvenience to a number of public during the busiest season of the year?

I have not recently received any memorial on this subject. I have no knowledge of the daily number of vehicles using the road referred to, but an average of fifty motor-cars per week are reported for emitting smoke in excess. The reasons for these regulations were fully stated when they were imposed by the late Government.

The right hon. Gentleman has not given the information I have asked for, the number of motor-cars and horse-drawn vehicles that use the park daily.

I have no record of the numbers.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state what was the contract price for building the Duke of York's School at Dover?

The cost of the school, apart from site, was £192,600.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to divert the money which was to have been used in relieving the Poor Law disqualification in respect of old age pensions to financing land purchase in Ireland?

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement recently made at Athlone by the hon. Member (Mr. Dillon) in which he said he had good reason to believe that the money was going to be so diverted?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Was that a breach of confidence on the part of the hon. Member?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Education Department refuses to permit the members of its staff to contest seats upon the London borough councils; whether he can state in what essential particulars the relationship of his Department to the borough councils differentiates from that of the Local Government Board, which grants such permission; and whether he is aware that the President of the Local Government Board has stated that he is not aware of any administrative inconvenience having been caused thereby?

The answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The Board of Education is called upon to deal, both in an administrative and in a quasi-judicial capacity, with matters which are the subject of acute political controversy. It is, therefore, in the highest degree essential that officers of the Board should not incur even the remote risk of becom- ing labelled with a party badge. I am quite aware that London borough council elections are not necessarily fought on political lines, but it not infrequently happens that they are so fought. I consider it, therefore, desirable to have one general rule in the Board of Education which admits of no exceptions. The answer to the concluding paragraph is in the affirmative.

asked the Attorney-General what is the date of the restriction imposed at present on the Law Officers of the Crown in England to refrain from private practice at the Bar while holding the office of Law Officer of the Crown, while a similar restriction is not imposed on the Law Officers of the Crown for Scotland and Ireland; by what authority was the restriction imposed; and what is the reason for its existence?

A partial restriction from private practice was first imposed on the English Law Officers in 1892. That restriction was made complete in 1894. It was imposed by the authority of the Treasury for the purpose, I believe, of securing that the entire services of the Law Officers should be available in the courts for the Crown.

Was not this restriction first established after the first Attorney-Generalship of Sir Richard Webster, and was it not established owing to the incompatibility of a Law Officer of the Crown being at the same time the chief legal agent for "The Times" and Pigott?

The answer is correct as to the fact, but as to the precise reason which operated on the mind of the Government, I am not authorised, or able, to speak.

asked whether it is proposed to increase the grant of £100,000 a year for university colleges in England?

I have been in communication, as my hon. Friend is perhaps aware, with representatives of the university colleges in regard to the Grant, and the matter is receiving my consideration, but I cannot make any definite statement at present.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he will lay upon the Table the Report of the inquiry held in March, 1908, on the working of the regulations for appointments in the Indian Forestry Service during the preceding three years; whether it has been shown that the present temporary regulation which admits to a course at Oxford as probationers candidates of inferior qualifications at a lower limit of age than the age prescribed for fully qualified candidates tends to exclude candidates from other universities; whether a Return can be prepared of the probationers selected in the last three years showing their qualifications at the time of admission; and whether he can hold out any prospect that the appointments in the Indian Forestry Service of probationers shall soon be opened by competitive examination to members of all British universities?

The Report is still under consideration, and its presentation is not desirable until the Secretary of State has considered the views of the Government of India on the recommendations it contains. With reference to the second part of the question, the present regulations for the appointment of probationers to the Indian Forest Service give a preference to candidates who have obtained a degree with honours in Natural Science at any University in Great Britain or Ireland, and admit candidates of inferior qualifications only if there are not enough qualified candidates with such a degree. The Secretary of State will grant the Return suggested if the hon. Member will move for it. With regard to the last part of the question, the Secretary of State is unable to make any statement until he has considered the views of the Government of India.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can mention any definite time within which the Report referred to in the first part of the question will be laid on the Table? It is two years since the Report was made.

There will be no avoidable delay, but communications with India do take a long time. The Report is now under consideration.

asked how much untenanted land has been purchased by the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board in county Leitrim with a view to reinstating evicted tenants or enlarging uneconomic holdings; and where this land is situate, together with the price paid for the same?

The only untenanted land purchased by the Congested Districts Board in county Leitrim is a farm of 150 acres, situate in Carrick-on-Shannon Union. The price paid was £889. The farm was acquired for the purpose of enlarging adjacent holdings. The Board have no power to acquire land for the reinstatement of evicted tenants. That is a matter for the Estates Commissioners, who have purchased 1,940 acres of untenanted land in the county. The Monthly Returns of Advances presented to Parliament give particulars of all such lands according as they are resold by the Commissioners and vested in purchasers.

asked how much of Mr. George Marsham's property in county Leitrim has been sold to the tenants; the districts in which such portions are situate; and the terms on which they were sold?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Mr. Marsham has instituted proceedings for the sale of three estates in county Leitrim, and that purchase agreements have been lodged for the sale of 117 holdings in the electoral Divisions of Cloverhill and Ballinamore for £25,018, the rental being £1,087; of twelve holdings in the electoral Division of Gowel for £3,874, the rental being £193; and of 123 holdings in the electoral Divisions of Drumkeeran, St. Patrick's, and Mahanagh for £16,258, the rental being £700.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the five persons appointed to be justices of the peace in county Mayo recently, notwithstanding the fact of their being licensed publicans, still continue to be licensed publicans; if not, have they merely transferred the licence in each case to wife, or son, or other member of their families, respectively, and do they in each case still reside in the licensed premises just as they did before their exaltation to the rank of justice of the peace; will he state the districts in county Mayo where it is difficult to procure gentlemen to act as justices of the peace without conferring the commission of the peace on local publicans; and will he also state the aggregate valuation of the five public-houses occupied by these five justices of the peace?

I understand that the persons referred to have not yet transferred their licences. Four of them live on licensed premises. I am not in a position to state the aggregate valuation of their public-houses, but I understand that they all possess other property and carry on other kinds of business. I am informed that, with a few exceptions, the petty sessions in county Mayo are not well attended. On twenty-six occasions last year petty sessions in the county fell through for want of the attendance of any magistrate, and on 134 occasions only one magistrate attended.

Is it a fact that the only people who can be got to attend petty sessions in Mayo are publicans?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that publicans are extensive property holders in other parts of the county?

I have said that they hold other property besides public-houses.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Government has, in view of the failure of the finance clauses of the Land Purchase Act, 1909, expressed its willingness to make such new provisions as will enable land purchase to proceed with the same rapidity and success as under the Land Purchase Act of 1903; and whether he can state when these new provisions for relieving the block in land purchase are likely to be made?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for South Dublin on the 14th instant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, although three years have passed since the Rev. P. M'Namee, Bellaghy, county Derry, bought a site for a teacher's residence, the Land Commission has not yet issued a lease; whether he is aware that over a year ago the Land Commission authorised an answer in this House to the effect that it would be issued immediately; whether he is aware that in consequence of the delay, the purchaser sought to have the agreement cancelled, but that the Land Commission refused to refund the deposit, and that the application was thereupon renewed; and whether any explanation can be given of the delay, or any definite date fixed for the completion of the transaction?

The hon. Member is apparently under a misapprehension. The Land Commission do not issue leases in such cases, and my reply to the question on the subject asked by the hon. Member on 16th June last made no mention of a lease. The Commissioners have long since applied the deposit paid in reducing Mrs. Rea's annuity, and the instalments thereof have been reduced since June, 1908. It is for the parties to complete the transfer deed of the plot acquired for the teacher's residence, and the Commissioners await proof that such transfer has been perfected and lodged with the Registrar of Titles. When the proof is received the order discharging the plot from liability to the land purchase annuity will be made. I understand that Father M'Namee's solicitor was informed to this effect so far back as 28th July last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to the periodic floodings of Lough Arrow, 1,100 acres of land, situated in Boyle No. 2 district, South Sligo, are rendered unprofitable, if not absolutely useless, annually; and, if so, whether, as the matter affects the holders of 150 uneconomic farms situate in a congested district, the Congested Districts Board will take it in hand with the view of having a drainage scheme started?

Should the Congested Districts Board acquire estates affected by the overflow of this lake they would be willing to prepare a drainage scheme provided that the occupiers of the lands agreed to pay the cost of the works or to contribute a reasonable portion of it, and formed a legally constituted board for the maintenance of the drainage system. The Board would not undertake the preparation of a drainage scheme unless they became the owners of a substantial part of the flooded lands.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mrs. Catherine Silk, of Beech Hill, New Inn, county Galway, has been deprived of her pension in consequence of a Census Return giving her age as sixty-seven years; whether a certificate was supplied to the pension officer giving the date of her marriage as 10th January, 1859, also a certificate of birth of her child, giving the date 19th October, 1859; and whether, in face of such evirence, he will direct that the pension be restored to this woman?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer as the name of Catherine Silk was not found in the Census Return of her parents' family in 1841, while her age was recorded as being only nine years in 1851. A marriage certificate was furnished as stated, but the Board did not consider that it was sufficient to prove that Mrs. Silk had reached the statutory age.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that William Pawley, of Canary (Moy), county Armagh, having been granted an old age pension of 2s. a week, which was paid to him from 1st January, 1909, to 15th May, 1909, was deprived of the same, upon a decision of the Local Government Board, upon a claim being made by Pawley for 5s. a week, that he was not entitled to any pension; whether the legality of this decision was contested, and the Court of Appeal quashed the order of the Local Government Board; and whether directions will be given that Pawley shall be paid the arrears of his pension since 15th May last?

Directions have been given in this case for payment to William Pawley of all arrears of pension from 14th May last.

asked whether John and Bridget Walsh, of Drimina, Kilmactigue, Tubbercurry, county Sligo, have been deprived of their pensions; and, if so, can he state the grounds on which such pensions have been withdrawn?

These pensions have been withdrawn, in the case of John Walsh by the Local Government Board on appeal, and in the case of Bridget Walsh by the pension committee, on the ground that the pensioners had not attained the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. O'Shea, of Cools, Emlaghmore, Cahir-civeen, county Kerry, has not yet been notified that she is entitled to draw an old age pension, although the hon. Member for South Kerry has been informed that she is so entitled; and whether payment will be made as from the day when the pension became due?

The decision of the Local Government Board that the claimant would attain the age of seventy years on the 1st inst. was communicated to the pension sub-committee on 7th February last, and it thereupon became the duty of the sub-committee to notify her of the Board's decision. The payment of pensions is not a matter over which I have any control.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state why Patrick M'Andrew, Mrs. Margaret Sexton, and Patrick Conlan, all of Templeboy, county Sligo, have been deprived of their pensions by the Local Government Board; what evidence against their claims was produced to the Board; and whether the grounds of the decisions were communicated to the pension subcommittee?

In these cases the pension officer raised questions on the ground that the pensioners had not reached the statutory age, and on appeal the Local Government Board decided in his favour, as it appeared from the Census Returns that Patrick M'Andrew was only eight years old in 1851, that Margaret Sexton was nine years old in 1851, and not recorded among her parents' family in 1841; and that Patrick Conlan was eight years old in 1851, and not recorded among his parents' family in 1841. The Board when notifying their decisions use the form of notification prescribed by the Regulations and do not give the grounds of their decisions, but when asked for their reasons they are prepared to state them. In these three cases the pension sub-committee were aware of the reasons, as the pension officer's questions had come before them in the first instance.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that delegates representing branches of the Gaelic Athletic Association in county Galway, at meetings held frequently in Athenry, are shadowed by a detective, whose duty appears to be to report to local police stations the names of persons who attend such meetings, and that Mr. Tom Kenny, Craughwell, president of that association in Galway, and others are shadowed even in Dublin when business brings them there; and whether, having regard to the fact that this organisation is non-sectarian and non-political, he will explain what the object of the police is in pursuing a line of policy so annoying to peaceably disposed and law-abiding citizens?

No person is being shadowed or watched in county Galway or elsewhere because he is a member of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

asked whether any of the moneys now at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board will be set apart for the promotion of industries in some of the small towns in the West of Ireland from which so many able-bodied and energetic young men and women have to emigrate because of the want of any remunerative employment?

Negotiations are already in progress for giving substantial assistance in one case, and the Congested Districts Board are anxious to assist suitable industries in congested districts so far as their means permit.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of police at present stationed in Gort, county Galway, the number of extra police stationed in the town, and the cost of such extra police to the ratepayers of the county; and whether, having regard to the fact that Gort is one of the most peaceable towns in Ireland, and that it is over-garrisoned against the will of the people, he will have the additional police force removed forthwith?

The police in Gort consist of one district inspector, one head constable, and nineteen men. They are required not so much for the town itself as for patrolling the district around it. There are no extra police in the town.

asked how many grazing farms in the police district of Athenry are under police protection; what are the names of the landlords who have let these lands, the graziers who now hold them, the number of acres, and the valuation; whether any effort has yet been made by the Congested Districts Board to get possession of these farms; and, if not, will he say why this has not been done?

I am informed by the police authorities that twenty-five grazing farms in the Athenry police district are under police protection. No useful purpose would be served by publishing the names of the owners and occupiers of these farms or their area. The Congested Districts Board have not purchased any grass lands or farms in the neighbourhood of Athenry, nor is it their intention to do so. It would be contrary to the established practice to state the reasons which actuated them in the exercise of their discretion.

asked whether the Chief Secretary would state the number of extra police now stationed at Craughwell, county Galway; the date or dates on which such extra police were drafted in there; the cost per month to the county; and whether, in view of the fact that all the lands in the parish of Craughwell have been sold to the tenants excepting a small estate owned by Lord Clanricarde, and that there is now no crime in that district, he would have the number of extra police there removed without delay?

There are seven extra police now at Craughwell. They were sent there in February, 1909. The charge to the county is at the rate of £34 9s. 3d. a year per man. It is true that the lands in the parish of Craughwell have been sold to the tenants except 2,000 acres belonging to Lord Clanricarde. There is nothing in the state of Craughwell which would justify the reduction of the police force.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state how many extra police are now stationed in Athenry police district; what is the cost per month for the upkeep of such extra police; and whether, seeing that Athenry and the surrounding districts are absolutely free from crime of any sort, excepting some slight explosions of political temperament due to the behaviour of a small number of individuals whose grass-grabbing propensities are the cause of any existing troubles, he will ask the Congested Districts Board to take over these disputed lands for the welfare of the community and the general relief of the taxpayer?

There are at present sixty-eight extra police stationed in the Athenry district. The charge on the county in respect of them is at the rate of £34 9s. 3d. a year per man. The district is by no means free from crime. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Congested Districts Board do not propose to buy lands in the neighbourhood.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have taken any further steps towards the reinstatement of an evicted tenant named Mrs. O'Connell, on the May-berry estate, near Kanturk, county Cork?

Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the lands comprising Mrs. O'Connell's former holding are pending before the Estates Commissioners.

asked what steps, if any, the Estates Commissioners are at present taking to acquire compulsorily the lands of Garryduff and Templemary, on the Fuge estate, county Cork?

Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the lands of Garryduff under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, are pending before the Estates Commissioners. The lands of Templemary have been offered for sale to the Commissioners by the owner, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Estates Comissioners or Congested Districts Board have received an applicacation for a grant under the Evicted Tenants Act from James Cullen, of Frieunadullagh, Dromahair, county Leitrim, who was evicted for non-payment of rent in 1887 and reinstated two years afterwards; and whether, having regard to the loss and inconvenience he has suffered, they would consider his application and assist him to rebuild his house and stock his farm?

Nothing is known of this case either by the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state relatively the amount, in years' purchase, of the increase in price paid for land in the counties of Galway and Cork under the Act of 1903, including bonus, as compared with the average under the Ashbourne Act in the same counties?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Return with respect to Land Purchase prices presented to Parliament in 1908 (No. 357), which appears to give the information which he requires.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that more tenant purchasers have been created in county Cork in five years by the Act of 1903 than were created in all the rest of Ireland by all the Acts preceding for twenty-five years; and whether there is anything in the Act of 1903 to prevent purchasers in any other county in Ireland from making as good bargains as those which have been made in county Cork?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Return I have mentioned he will discover exactly how the matter stands in all the counties in Ireland.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the tenant purchasers have paid a higher number of years' purchase in county Cork than in all the rest of Ireland?

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Roche) received over thirty years' purchase for his own estate?

asked the Chief Secretary if he is in a position to state whether the Congested Districts Board have yet purchased any lands in county Sligo for sub-division amongst the tenants of congested holdings and others entitled to such lands; and, if not, when will the operations of the Board commence in this county?

The Congested Districts Board have purchased 3,992 acres of un-tenanted land in county Sligo under the Land Acts of 1896 and 1903 and have disposed of nearly all of it. They have not yet purchased any lands in the county under the Act of 1909.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board have acquired for the purposes of the Land Acts the lands of Garry-duff, part of the Beatty estate, and the lands of Ballygrehan, part of the King estate, situated near Templeboy, county Sligo?

The Congested Districts Board have given their consent to the Estates Commissioners completing the purchase and resale of the two estates mentioned.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Thomas H. Blackall, J.P., has obtained compensation, at Ennis, for damage done to his house and property by the discharge of rifle bullets and shots; that County Court Judge Bodkin described it as a base and dastardly outrage, firing into a room where a lady and gentleman were, recklessly not caring whether they were killed or not; and whether the authors of this outrage have been discovered and brought to justice?

I understand that Mr. Blackall obtained compensation at Ennis Quarter Sessions on the 12th instant for malicious injury to his property by the firing of shots into his house on the night of 3rd January last, and that the county court judge used the words quoted by the hon. Member in reference to the case. The authors of the outrage have not yet been discovered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if rocking-horses are to be supplied to all Cavalry regiments for the purpose of teaching recruits to ride; and does he propose to extend this advantage to the Territorial Force with a view to increasing their efficiency?

The Noble Lord is doubtless alluding to certain dummy horses on rockers which have been tested with very satisfactory results. The question of the supply of such dummy horses is now under consideration.

Is it the intention to make good the deficiency of real horses by these wretched mechanical beasts?

I am told that various hon. Members opposite practise with profit on these dummy horses.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any scheme has yet been considered whereby pensions may be granted to labourers employed by the Ordnance Survey who are compulsorily retired at the age of sixty; whether he is aware that hardship is inflicted on these men by being thrown on the labour market in their old age; and whether a petition has been received by his Department asking that these men should be put in a similar position for pensions as those of other employés of the Ordnance Survey?

A petition on this subject has recently been considered. It was expressly stated when the pension scheme for the Civil asistants was originally sanctioned that it was not intended to include labourers, and it has been decided that no modification of the scheme in this respect can now be made.

asked how many soldiers of the Royal Engineers have been transferred to the Irish Survey during the past two years; how many civilians have been displaced in the same period by these soldiers; and whether the discharge of these permanent civilians is contrary to the usage of the Civil Service?

On 1st April, 1908, 790 civilians and 166 Royal Engineers were employed on the Ordnance Survey in Ireland. The corresponding figures this year are 675 civilians and 162 Royal Engineers. As my hon. Friend is aware, the reduction of the numbers employed is due to the approaching completion of the re-Survey of Ireland on the 25-inch scale. The course which has necessarily been adopted is not in any way opposed to Civil Service usage.

How many civilians have been displaced in the same period by these soldiers?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

It is part of the question on the Paper.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is intended to discharge a number of civilians employed in the Ordnance Survey in Ireland; whether several men have already been marked out for discharge; whether this is only the beginning of further discharges in the various districts of that country; whether it is intended to fill their places by inexperienced Royal Engineers; whether he is aware of the hardship and distress it will inflict on these civilians of long standing in the Department if they are thrown out on an overcrowded labour market; and whether he will take steps to protect old and established servants on the permanent staff in their employment?

It is, I am afraid, inevitable that some reduction of the Ordnance Survey staff should be made in the near future owing to the completion of the 25-inch Survey of Ireland and the consequent decrease in the amount of work to be done. There is, of course, no intention of filling up the vacancies.

Will the Department consider the advisability of retaining the civilians and displacing the military men, who have other employment to go to, so as not to send the civilians out into the labour market?