asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what manner the value of the property transferred by voluntary disposition inter vivos under Sub-section (1) of Section 74 of the Finance Bill is to be ascertained; and whether, in the case of a farm sold to the tenant under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts, the value is to be ascertained in the same way as it is ascertained for purposes of Death Duties, and, if not, by what method?

Reasonable evidence of the saleable value of the property conveyed or transferred will be required. In the case of a farm sold to the tenant under the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts, the value of the property voluntarily transferred inter vivos for the purpose of assessing Stamp Duty under Clause 74 (1) of the Finance Bill, is the full saleable value in each case. The provisions limiting the principal value for the purpose of assessing Death Duties do not apply to the Stamp Acts.

asked whether, in view of the burdens laid on the agricultural and other great industries of this country, he will give his especial attention to the source of revenue that awaits him owing to recent developments in the rubber or oil markets?

If the hon. and gallant Member wishes to suggest that I should have "a flutter" with public funds in the rubber or oil markets, I am afraid I must decline. As a method of obtaining revenue, I should regard speculation in rubber and oil as in the same category as Tariff Reform.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the Government Report on Irish tobacco, which declares that the manufacturers who bought the crop of 1907 have reported favourably upon it; and whether, in view of the promising nature of this industry and the employment it gives, he will recommend that further financial aid is extended to it under the new Development Act?

I hope that the Development Commission will be constituted shortly, and they will then be able to consider this matter.

asked whether a new department has been formed in the Inland Revenue Office to deal with the valuation of land under the Land Taxation Clause of the Finance Act; if so, how many officers have been appointed and under what conditions; what will be the total increase of staff required; and what will be the total cost to the Exchequer involved?

asked how many valuers are to be appointed to carry out the valuations of land under the Budget scheme; what will be the annual remuneration of these valuers; are they appointed after competitive examination or by direct appointment; and, if by appointment without examination, by whom is this patronage exercised?

asked how many land valuers he proposes to appoint immediately on the passage of the Finance Bill into law; and how many of these will occupy positions that are permanent and pensionable?

I will answer these three questions together. No new Department has been formed under the Board of Inland Revenue in connection with Part 1 of the Finance Bill. As regards the number of valuers required, and the cost involved, I may refer the hon. Members to the speeches made in Committee by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 11th and 17th August last. A number of these valuers will be permanent officials under the Board of Inland Revenue, with whom the appointment will rest. The remainder of the valuing staff, which will be similarly appointed, will be employed temporarily. No appointments have yet been made.

asked how many gallons, approximately, of motor spirit, imported prior to the imposition of the duty and on which duty has not been paid, were in the United Kingdom on 1st June, 1909, and on 1st April, 1910; what sum was received for Motor Spirit Duty between those dates; and what are the corresponding particulars for the London area?

I am unable to state, even approximately, the quantities of motor spirit imported prior to the imposition of the duty which were in the United Kingdom or in the London area on 1st June, 1909, and on 1st April, 1910. The net amount of duty received on motor spirit from 1st June, 1909, to 31st March, 1910, was £305,000, and of this amount £191,039 was collected in the London area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the nature of the scheme for State insurance against unemployment, invalidity, and sickness, which was privately printed for him by the Government printers, and circulated by him amongst the members of the National Conference of Friendly Societies; and whether a copy of such scheme can be supplied to Members of this House?

I have been privileged to have meetings of a purely private and informal character with certain representative members of the great friendly societies, at which I laid before them for confidential discussion the outlines of a contributory scheme of State insurance against sickness, invalidity, etc. I cannot make any further statement on the subject at present.

asked whether, under the Finance Bill, 1909–10, timber is now to be valued for the purpose of Death Duties separately from the rest of the estate; whether it is subject to the higher scale of Death Duties proposed in the Finance Bill; and whether the rate of Death Duties on the timber increases in proportion to the value of the rest of the estate upon which it is grown?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is also in the affirmative, but the duty will not be payable until a sale of the timber takes place. As regards the third part, the rate of the Estate Duty will be determined by the total value of the property which has to be aggregated.

also asked whether, under the Finance Bill of 1909–10, the land upon which timber is grown is subject to a higher rate of Death Duties than formerly?

If the value of the land, plus the value of all the property to be aggregated therewith, exceeds £5,000, then under the Finance Bill a higher rate will be payable whether timber is grown on the land or not.

asked the Chancellor if, in his next Budget, he will reduce the taxation upon timber in this country in order to allow it to compete upon fair terms with foreign and Colonial-grown timber which is not subject to similar burdens?

As the Noble Lord is no doubt aware, during the passage of the Finance Bill last year, I took especial pains to safeguard the interests of genuine growers of timber, and I can assure him that the matter is still engaging my attention.

asked the Chancellor whether, considering that the proceeds from Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) for the financial year 1909–10 are considerably less than the amounts received in previous years, and that consequently the sum payable to local authorities for purposes of higher education must be proportionately reduced, he will consider the desirability of bringing up the contributions to local authorities to the figure obtained for the year 1908–9 out of his anticipated surplus?

I may refer the hon. Member to the statements which I have made on this subject both in replies to questions and in the Debate of last Friday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state for the year ending 31st March, 1910, the total amount of Death Duties actually received during the year; the total number of estates; the total capital amount which those duties actually paid; and the aggregate rate per cent., the capital for corporation duty being represented by the annual value on which the duty was paid in the year?

also asked the Chancellor if he can now state for the year 1908–9 the total amount of Income Tax received; abatements allowed; life insurance premiums allowed; income, including abatements and life insurance premiums; increase per cent, over the preceding year; and rate of the Income Tax in the aggregate, virtually representing the tax per cent.?

I regret that the information asked for in these questions is not yet available.

asked whether it is a necessary condition for appointment to the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue that applicants should be members of the Surveyors' Institution; and, if so, why other professional bodies have been excluded?

The existing Valuation Branch of the Inland Revenue is composed principally of Fellows and Professional Associates of the Surveyors' Institution. The selection of the staff was governed by the requirements of the public service in connection with estate duties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the official relations subsisting between the Commissioners forming the Board of Inland Revenue, who by the 23rd Section of the original Income Tax Act, 1842, are also ex-officio Commissioners for special purposes of that Act, their staff, and the Commissioners for special purposes, popularly known as the Special Commissioners, who make Income Tax assessments when asked to do so by traders and others, hear appeals, and are appointed by warrant of the Lords of the Treasury; what is the form of that warrant; has it been altered since it was first framed, and, if so, in what respect, and why; are the salaries of the members of the Board of Inland Revenue greater or the salaries of the Special Commissioners less on account of such ex-officio appointment; whether he will consider the advisability, in view of the extensions of the Income Tax Laws, of such ex-officio appointment being now abolished, the 23rd Section alluded to to that extent being repealed, and the Department which is controlled by the Special Commissioners so appointed by warrant being made a Department directly responsible to the Treasury, in accordance with the apparent intention of the original Act; what are the names of and the dates of the appointments of each member of the Board of Inland Revenue and each Special Commissioner; were any of the members of the Board and any of the Special Commissioners previous to their accepting their present offices either an inspector or a surveyor of taxes, or both, in the service of the Crown; if so, will he give their names; are inspectors and surveyors of taxes the usual advocates on behalf of the Crown in Income Tax appeals heard by Commissioners; and are they independent of any control by the Board of Inland Revenue?

As regards the first part of the question, the Board of Inland Revenue, in their capacity as Special Commissioners of Income Tax, are always available to co-operate with the other Special Commissioners, if and when occasion arises. But the Special Commissioners, in making assessments or hearing appeals act in each case upon their own responsibility under their oath of office as Commissioners of Income Tax. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the appointment of Special Commissioners is by Treasury Warrant for which, so far as I am aware, there is no prescribed legal form, and they take the oath prescribed by Schedule F of the Act 5 and 6 Vict. cap. 35). I regret that I do not understand the meaning of the fourth part of the question. I cannot admit the implication contained in the latter portion of the fifth part, nor do I see my way to adopt the suggestion contained in the earlier portion. I attach a table giving the information asked for in the sixth part. In answer to the seventh part, two Special Commissioners were previously superintending inspectors of taxes. The answer to the eighth part is in the affirmative. As regards the ninth part, surveyors and inspectors of taxes are, so long as they continue to serve in that capacity, under the control of the Beard of Inland Revenue.Names of Members of the Board of Inland Revenue, and of the Special Commissioners, together with the dates of their appointment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the allowance for children under sixteen is to be reckoned on the statutory income for 1909–10 or on the actual income?

Title to the relief contemplated by Clause 68 of the Finance Bill will be determined by reference to the statutory income as prescribed therein.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the present procedure which precludes a Civil servant against whom false Departmental reports have been made from being heard at a formal inquiry in his own defence, His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of creating a Board of Appeal, composed of Members of the Privy Council, selected for the purpose, who would have power to hear and advise His Majesty upon the petitions of Civil servants who have been wrongfully dismised from office, or fined, or otherwise condemned without due inquiry?

I am not aware that any substantial difficulty is experienced by Civil servants in obtaining full consideration from the heads of their Departments for any representations which they desire to make; and the procedure suggested in the hon. Member's question does not commend itself to my judgment as either desirable or practicable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give directions to the proper authorities, in all cases of appeal under the Old Age Pensions Act, to supply with the decision the reason or reasons for the same; and, if necessary, will he introduce legislation to secure that appeals which are heard in camera, or without notice to the respondent, shall not unfairly prejudice the parties involved by concealing from either the grounds of the decision arrived at?

The matter is governed by the statutory Regulations, which provide that in all cases of disallowance of claims by local pension committees the grounds of the committee's decision shall be stated. The only other case in which the grounds of a decision are not apparent from the decision itself is that of disallowance by the Central Pension Authority upon appeal of a claim which has been allowed in the first instance by a local pension committee. The question how far reasons can be given in these cases is one for my right hon. Friends the Presidents of the Local Government Boards to decide. On this point I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Mon- day last by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant to a question by the hon. Member for North Sligo.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in cases where claimants for pensions can produce no documentary evidence of age, pension officers, if satisfied that claimants are of the required age, are still compelled to appeal; if the officer does not appeal in such cases will a supervisor be sent to inquire; and has it ever occurred that this supervisor has required the pension officer to fill a form stating that, in his opinion, the claimant was disentitled on the ground of age, though he had previously reported the contrary?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 12th inst., in the circumstances described a pension officer is not compelled to lodge an appeal to the Local Government Board against a decision of the local pension committee granting a pension. I have already promised to have inquiry made if particulars are given of any instance where the pension officer's report in such cases has been unwarrantably overruled.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Committee appointed to consider matters connected with the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Departments will report upon the claims brought forward by the senior watchers of His Majesty's Customs in a deputation which attended on 1st December, 1908; and, if not, whether he will now give his reply to the points raised on that occasion?

As stated in my answers to previous questions, the Committee referred to will not deal with the watchers. But several points raised at the deputation in December, 1908, such as overtime payment, are general ones which must necessarily be considered in connection with the proceedings of the Committee. It appears to me best, therefore, to keep the whole set of questions raised by the deputation open for settlement at one and the same time after the Committee has presented its Report.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Messrs. Varion and Company, brushmakers, Dublin, have a Government contract with the Board of Works Department; whether the firm are carrying out this contract by workmen who are not receiving the standard rate of wages of the district; whether he is aware that this firm have kept their regular workmen out of employment since November last, and have refused the efforts of the Lord Mayor of Dublin and other prominent citizens to bring about a settlement of the dispute between them and their late employers; and whether, in view of the action of this firm, he will continue to retain them on the list of Government contractors?

I understand that Messrs. Varion are brush contractors to the Board of Works for a period of three years from 31st October, 1907. The Board inform me that they are satisfied that Messrs. Varion comply with the Fair Wages Resolution of 1891. I am informed that the firm has had a dispute with their workmen, and that the men went on strike because of the refusal of Messrs. Varion to agree to certain demands, but I am not in a position to obtain further information or to form an opinion as to the merits of the dispute. The Board of Works do not consider they would be justified in ex- cluding Messrs. Varion from competition for the next contract, which will take effect as from 1st November next, bat if Messrs. Varion compete for and obtain that contract they will then be subject to the Fair Wages Resolution of 1909.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will examine into the claim of Mrs. Johnston, of Derrytunny, Carrigeenroe, Boyle, county Roscommon, to an old age pension, and inquire into the reason why the pension has been hitherto withheld?

The local pension committee decided on 7th March last that the claimant had not reached the statutory age. Her appeal from that decision is at present under the consideration of the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state for what reason the pension granted to Mrs. Bridget Keane, of Glena-nane, in the Dungarvan district, was cancelled; what were the grounds of the appeal of the pension officer to the Local Government Board; and whether the baptismal certificate of Mrs. Keane proves that she is now over seventy-five years of age?

The pension officer appealed on the ground that the pensioner was under the statutory age, being recorded as only seven years old in the Census Return of 1851, and the Local Government Board upheld the appeal. The baptismal certificate forwarded by Mrs. Keane related to an elder sister named Bridget, who was baptised, according to the certificate, on 23rd June, 1834, and is recorded in the Census Return of 1841 as having died in 1836 at the age of two years.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the unanimous resolution passed by the Rural District Council of Strokes-town at their meeting held on 1st April with regard to the office of veterinary inspector under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, which they declare unnecessary except in shipping centres, and call on the Local Government Board to abolish this office with a view of enabling the rural district council to appoint a duly qualified veterinary inspector, under the Cowsheds and Dairies Order, resident in the district, who would be available to attend the stock of the tenant farmers of the locality; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any, and, if any, what, action in the matter?

The Local Government Board have received the resolution in question, and have informed the rural district council that they have nothing to do with the officer appointed by the Roscommon County Council as inspector under the Diseases of Animals Acts. At the same time the Board have called upon the district council to proceed to discharge their duties under the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order without further delay.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to a purchase agreement lodged by Patrick King, of Ballinafad, for a nonresidential holding of land in the town-land of Lavally, on the estate of Mrs. Grace C. P. Mahon, county Roscommon; whether this land is in a congested area; and whether the Congested Districts Board will reserve the land in question for distribution among the small holders in the locality in view of the existing congestion?

The purchase agreement in this case was lodged in 1906. The Congested Districts Board have therefore no power to adopt the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state what is the cause of the delay in dealing with the Wilmot-Smith estate, county Clare?

There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with this estate. It is situated in a congested districts county, and, having regard to the provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1909, it is proposed to transfer the work of completing the sale to the Congested Districts Board.

asked whether an application has been received by the Estates Commissioners from Mr. Edmond Corbett, of Main Street, Lismore, for reinstatement in his evicted holding; and what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners in reference thereto?

This application was not received by the Estates Commissioners until after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot therefore be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary when the Parliamentary Return, Magistrates (Ireland), ordered by this House on 31st August, will be presented?

The Return was not finished until after the Dissolution of the late Parliament, and could not, therefore, as I understand, be presented without a further order. If the hon. Member will renew his Notice of Motion, the Return, which is now being brought up to date, will be furnished as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that officials in the Four Courts are paid from public funds, he can state on what grounds it is alleged that they are not Government servants; whether any department of the public service is entitled to withhold from Parliament the information which Parliament has ordered to be supplied; and whether the particulars so withheld will now be supplied?

No Department of the public service is entitled to withhold information called for by Parliament; but in the present case I understand that the Lord Chancellor held, as a matter of legal interpretation, that the offices attached to the Supreme Court did not come within the term Government Departments used in the Order of the House. If the hon. Member will move for a Return with respect to the Officials of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Ireland, similar to that which has already been furnished with regard to other Irish officials, there will be no objection to granting it.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have had under consideration from time to time since 1905 applications from Mary Ann Eccles, of Ashgrove, Castlefin, county Donegal, for reinstatement on the farm of 102 acres on the Hastings estate, county Donegal, from which her late father had been evicted; whether her application has been finally refused; and, if so, whether the fact that she inherited a small farm of twelve acres through her mother weighed with the Commissioners in their decision?

I have nothing to add to my reply to the question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on the 13th instant.

asked whether there is in existence a regulation by the Board of National Education prohibiting inspectors of schools who may be candidates for higher office, communicating with individual members of the Board; whether there is any such regulation in reference to increments or any matter other than promotion; and whether an inspector who had communicated in reference to increments was severely censured; and whether this was in accordance with the regulations?

As I have already state in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for the College Green Division on the 1st instant, inspectors are very properly prohibited from canvassing the Commissioners individually. This prohibition is not confined to those seeking promotion. I understand that the inspector referred to in the last paragraph of the question aggravated his breach of the regulations by the insubordinate tone of his letters.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a number of the tenants on the Southwell estate, in the parish of Roscunnish, county Leitrim, who had purchased their holdings under the Land Act of 1903, had signed agreements and paid interest on the purchase money, were now called upon by the agent to sign new purchase agreements at a higher rate of interest; and whether he would state how the original sale had fallen through, seeing that all the tenants had signed within the statutory time and the agreements had been lodged with the Commissioners?

I am informed by the Estates Commissioners that in the case of this estate ninety-one purchase agreements under the Irish Land Act, 1903, at 3¼ per cent, annuity, were lodged after 15th September last, the date mentioned in Section 13 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, and were returned in order that they might be amended in accordance with the provisions of that Act, or replaced by new agreements.

asked whether Mr. Donovan has been appointed to the professorship of English literature in the University College, Dublin; and, if so, what is the salary; what are Mr. Donovan's qualifications for the post; and if this gentleman was until recently employed on the staff of the "Freeman's Journal"?

The Irish Government has nothing to do with the appointment of professors in University College, Dublin, and I have no information, except what I may have gathered from newspapers, as to Mr. Donovan's appointment. I know nothing as to his qualifications or past.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have declared the lands of Colonel Alexander, situate at Garistown, county Dublin, an estate; whether he will state what provision has been made to keep the lands arterially drained; what action has been taken with regard to tenants who have refused for specific reasons to purchase their holdings; and whether the Commissioners have refused to advance the whole of the purchase money to some tenants who have signed agreements, and for what reason?

These lands have been declared an estate. They are subject to a Board of Works loan, which was spent on drainage, and will be redeemed by the owner out of the purchase money. The drainage maintenance rate will be payable by the tenant purchasers as owners when the lands are vested in them. The Estates Commissioners have asked that purchase agreements be lodged in the case of the tenants who have not yet signed such agreements. The Commissioners refused, on the ground of security, to advance the full purchase money in the case of some holdings where there were extensive buildings on the lands.

asked the Chief Secretary what action the Estates Commissioners propose to take with regard to the application of John Tully, evicted from the Headfort estate, to be reinstated in his former holding or provided with an equivalent one?

As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Estates Commissioners have no record of the receipt of an application from John Tully for reinstatement in a holding on the Headfort estate.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of applications received by the Estates Commissioners from persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants in county Meath, and how they have been dealt with?

The Estates Commissioners have received applications from 326 persons seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or the representatives of evicted tenants in county Meath. One hundred and forty-three of these applications have been rejected by the Commissioners after inquiry, seventy-five applicants have been reinstated or provided with new holdings, and the names of fourteen have been noted for consideration in connection with the allotment of untenanted land. The remaining applications were received after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the number of applications for cottages and plots of land disallowed by the inspector at the recent inquiry under the Labourers Act in Roscrea rural district; and whether he can state the grounds on which the inspector disallowed the several applications?

I understand the inspector disallowed the applications for nine cottages and one allotment. Two sites were disallowed because they were demesne land and one because the holding on which it was marked was too small. Two applicants were found to be ineligible, three had boycotted or intimidated the owners of the sites, or were otherwise undesirable, and one declined the site selected by the council. The proposed allotment was disallowed as it was two miles from the applicant's house.

asked what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates. Commissioners to provide a holding for William Hyland, who was evicted from the farms of Boley and Clonoghill, estate of Lord De Vesci, Queen's County, in 1895, and who is at present residing in an evicted tenant's hut, in the parish of Raheen, Queen's County, in the vicinity of his former holding?

Hyland's former holding is in the occupation of another tenant, and his name has been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the peaceful condition of the county Sligo, he will now consider the advisability of having the extra police stationed in Riverstown, Bunninad-den, and Ballymote withdrawn, thereby relieving the ratepayers of any unnecessary expense involved?

The extra police force in the county was reduced by ten men in January last, and a further reduction is in contemplation. The force at the places named in the question will be correspondingly reduced. The state of the county does not yet permit of the total withdrawal of the extra force.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the sale of the estate of Sir George Colthurst, situate at Rathcoole, county Cork, the Estates Commissioners vested the holdings in the tenants whilst deliberately excluding the claims of John Buckley and other sub-tenants therefrom; did these sub-tenants sign agreements to purchase, and did their immediate landlords consent to the terms of sale to them; and, if so, can he explain the circumstances under which the sale was finally sanctioned without admitting the several sub-tenants to the benefits of it?

I have nothing to add to the answers to the questions as to these sub-tenants asked by the late hon. Member for North Cork in June, July, and August last.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mathias Dromey, of Johnstown, Macroom, was arrested and brought from a special court at Dunmanway on a warrant charging him with intimidating Thomas Seymour on 30th March; whether he is aware that this man Seymour is a caretaker on a farm from which Dromey has been evicted; that not one particle of evidence was produced to support the charge made against Mr. Dromey, that the magistrate who heard the case declared there was nothing to justify the charge, and that from what he knew of Mr. Dromey he did not think Seymour would be injured by him; and will he state why in these circumstances Mr. Dromey was arrested, and why a charge of this kind was not brought in the ordinary way before the petty sessions court by summons, without subjecting defendant to arrest and imprisonment beforehand?

I understand that the proceedings in this case were at the suit of the caretaker Seymour. A warrant for Dromey's arrest was granted on his information, and the police were bound to execute it. Dromey was brought before a magistrate, who discharged him with a view to his being proceeded against by summons, the only evidence against him being that of Seymour. The case was to be heard at Macroom Petty Sessions on the 13th instant, but Seymour left of his own accord on that date, and has been replaced by another caretaker. There has been no more trouble since his departure.

asked whether any reports have been made to the constabulary authorities as to the conduct of an emergency man named Thomas Seymour, in charge of an evicted form at Johnstown, Macroom, from which Mathias Dromey was evicted; is he aware that this man forced open the door of the room in which Mrs. Dromey, wife of the evicted tenant, is at present lying seriously ill, at seven o'clock in the morning of 2nd April; did the constables in charge, namely, John M'Carthy and Patrick Broderick, or any one of them, witness this incident, and was Seymour partially naked at the time; has this man been drummed out of the Army; and, seeing the danger to the public peace and the menace to the health of Mrs. Dromey occasioned by his conduct, is it the intention of the responsible authorities to take any steps to have him removed from his present post of caretaker on this evicted farm?

I am informed by the police authorities that Seymour has left the farm, and has been replaced by another caretaker. In these circumstances, it is unnecessary to discuss the occurrence referred to in the question, about which there is some doubt, as the only eye-witness was a child. No door was forced open.

asked why the Estates Commissioners will not put the compulsory provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1909, into operation with regard to the untenanted lands at Ballylin and Glenville, Ardagh, in the county of Limerick, on the Massy estate, with the view to relieving congestion in the district?

The Commissioners hope to acquire the lands under the voluntary provisions of the Land Purchase Acts.

asked why the Estates Commissioners declared as an estate the lands of Mr. Bateman at Deelis, Camp, county Kerry, when five out of thirteen tenants refused to sign on the terms offered; whether the other lands sold by Mr. Bateman were nearly twenty miles distant, entirely different in character, and in a non-congested district; whether, seeing that this portion of the estate stood by itself and required different treatment, these five tenants were entitled to have their lands inspected and valued before declaring it an estate; and will steps now be taken to have this done?

The circumstances in which the tenants referred to refused to sign purchase agreements were fully considered by the Estates Commissioners when they were dealing with the estate. One of these tenants made claim to a mountain and the others to turbary. The Commissioners were unable to allow these claims, and as the tenants refused to sign agreements to purchase their holdings, they could not be included in the declared estate.

asked if the Verschoyle estate, in South Kildare, is about to be sold; whether a request has been made to the Estates Commissioners by the landlord or on his behalf; and whether the tenants have approached the Estates Commissioners with the view that they should purchase and distribute the untenanted land amongst the evicted tenants and uneconomic holders of land?

Proceedings for the sale of this estate to the tenants were instituted in November, 1907. It includes some untenanted land which the owner proposes to sell to the Estates Commissioners. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but its turn has not yet come.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners received an application for reinstatement from Mr. Lawrence P. Heffernan, Athy, on 18th February, 1908; whether they promised, on 27th February, 1908, to have the matter dealt with; and, if so, whether he can state the cause of the delay in providing Mr. Heffernan with an equivalent I farm or reinstating him?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Hefferman's application was not lodged within the time specified in the Evicted Tenants Acts and cannot be dealt with under it, and that he has been told so. His former holding has been purchased by the present occupier under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether an application for reinstatement has been received by the Estates Commissioners from Miss Ellen O'Beirne, who was evicted with her brother from their holding in the townland of Rickardstown, near Kildangan, county Kildare, by Lord Drogheda; and, if so, can he say when Miss O'Beirne may expect to be reinstated or provided with an equivalent holding?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into Ellen O'Beirne's application. She was not evicted from the farm in question, which was sold by her brother, and the Commissioners do not propose to take any action in the matter of her application, or to provide her with another holding.

asked whether on Captain E. B. Murphy's estate, Lully-more, Rathangan, Kildare, there are fourteen tenants living on the bog reclaimed by themselves with rents varying from £7 down to 10s. a year; whether he is aware that Lullymore contains 350 acres on the landlords' hands, much of which is let on the eleven months' system, Kilpatrick 120 acres let on the eleven months' system, and Lullybeg SO acres; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the Estates Commissioners will take action to acquire these lands for the purpose of enlarging uneconomic holdings and providing for evicted tenants?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as pending for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the number of crimes reported to the constabulary and classified as agrarian and non-agrarian, respectively, in each of the years 1908 and 1909, and in the first three months of 1910?

The figures are as follows:—1908, agrarian offences 576, non-agrarian 1,708; 1909, agrarian, 397; non-agrarian 1,783; first three months of 1910, agrarian 99, non-agrarian 410.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the number of extra police chargeable to the county Galway immediately prior to the revision of the county establishment in May of last year; whether as a result of this revision the executive, without reducing the net establishment, relieved the county of the cost of a considerable number of the extra force at the expense of the Imperial taxpayer; and, if so, what was the number of the extra force of men whose expense was transferred to the Constabulary Vote, and what was the annual saving to the county rate so effected?

The number of extra police chargeable to county Galway before the redistribution of the free force in 1909 was 345. There was also a free force of 616 men, making a total of 961 police in the county. By the redistribution the number of the free force in county Galway was fixed at 741, and at the same time the extra force was reduced to 201, making a total of 942. These changes have relieved the county rates to the extent of about £4,960 per annum.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Thurles Rural District Council petitioned the Local Government Board against the Provisional Order made by their inspector after an inquiry held by him under the Labourers Act, 1906, and that the council pointed out to the Board the reasons on which the inspector disallowed a portion of their improvement scheme; whether he can state the number of owners and occupiers of land proposed to be taken for the purpose of the part of the scheme which he rejected and who consented at the inquiry or had intimated their consent to the district council in writing; and whether the inspector disallowed any portion of the scheme against which no legal objections were raised at the local inquiry?

I understand that the Solicitor to the Rural District Council wrote a letter to the effect stated in the question to the Local Government Board, who replied pointing out that the inspector had no power to issue a supplemental order authorising the acquisition of the sites rejected by him, or not included in his original order. In six of the cases in question neither owner nor occupier appear to have objected to the acquisition of the sites, and in a seventh case the occupier consented, but the owner dissented. In these seven cases the inspector rejected the sites on the ground of unsuitability.

also asked what quantity of untenanted land is still available for purchase in addition to the 62,536 acres of grazing land purchased by the Estates Commissioners and the 12,853 acres purchased by the Congested Districts Board since the year 1903, in the county of Galway, for the enlargement, etc., of small holdings; and what was the average number of years' purchase paid for their holdings by tenants in the county of Galway since the year 1903?

I would refer the hon. Member to Table I. of Appendix VII. to the Report of the Royal Commission on Congestion, and to the Tables appended to the last Annual Report of the Estates Commissioners which will give him the information he requires.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial signed by William F. Henery and nine other small landowners on the Normanton estate, at Bishopswood, Dun-drum, county Tipperary, requesting the Estates Commissioners to declare the estate a congested area under the Land Act, 1909; and whether he can state what steps the Commissioners purpose taking with a view to remedy the congestion complained of?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the receipt of the memorial referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Thomas Dooley, who was evicted under the Plan of Campaign from his holding of sixty acres at Coolglass, Luggacurren, is still unprovided for; whether his attention has been directed to the fact that it was repeatedly stated in Debate, when the Land Purchase Bill of 1903 was before Parliament, that one of the objects of the Government was to settle the land question where the land war existed; and whether, in view of such expressed intention, steps will be taken immediately to provide Thomas Dooley with an equivalent holding?

Thomas Dooley's former holding has been purchased by the present occupier under the Land Purchase Acts. Dooley's name has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by the Estates Commissioners.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the application of Edmond Nolan, who was evicted in 1882 from his holding at Bellin, Queen's County, was listed in 1904; that Edmond Nolan is prepared to take an equivalent holding in Queen's County or any adjoining county; and that a promise has been made that Edmond Nolan's case would be dealt with as soon as the Estates Commissioners acquired land; whether large parcels of land have been acquired since 1904 in Queen's County and adjoining counties and, if so, can he state when Nolan's case will be dealt with; and what is the cause of delay?

The Estates Commissioners have noted the name of Edmond Nolan for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by them. The Commissioners are at present in negotiation with the owner of some untenanted land in connection with which they hope to be able to consider Nolan's case.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he is aware that a writ for non-payment of rent was issued at the suit of Lieutenant M'Carthy O'Leary against a tenant of his named Cornelius O'Sullivan, of Dromenangle, Newmarket, county Cork, on the 24th day of August, 1906; that the landlord and his agent, Sir Vincent Nash, of Limerick, deny having given orders for the issue of the writ; and whether, under the circumstances, he proposes to take any action for the protection of tenants from such unauthorised use of legal process?

I have no knowledge whether or not the writ referred to by the hon. Member was issued without the plaintiff's authority or that of his agent. If so, the court in which the writ was issued has ample power to deal with the matter, and no action is called for on my part.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, under the civil disabilities rule of the Commissioners of National Education, it is an offence for national teachers to contribute individually or through their organisation to political funds; if so, what is the form of punishment meted out to offenders; and why is it not given in the rules and regulations of the Commissioners?

I have communicated with the Commissioners of National Education who inform me that they cannot undertake to answer hypothetical questions as to the bearing of their rules. If any particular case is submitted to them they will consider it.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state whether it is the usual custom to managers of national schools to appoint teachers without submitting the teachers' qualifications to the Board of Education, as has been the case at Newmarket female school; whether he has yet learned if the teacher who took charge of this school on the 12th instant is qualified; and has she a certificate, to teach Irish?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the appointments of teachers are notified to the Commissioners by the managers, and that, on receipt of the necessary particulars, the qualifications of the candidates are considered. If the candidates are not qualified under the Commissioners' Rules the appointments are not ratified. The name of the teacher appointed to the post of principal of Newmarket Girls' National School, county Cork, has not yet been notified to the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Major Fair, the landlord of the Bushfield and Shantella estate, near Hollymount. county Mayo, is anxious to dispose of that estate to the tenants, and that they are only too anxious to buy; and whether, seeing that both parties are willing to have a transfer of these lands, he will take steps to put the machinery of the Congested Districts Board in motion so that these people may become the owners of their holdings on reasonable terms?

Major Fair offered his estate to the Congested Districts Board about two years ago and has recently again expressed his willingness to sell. Negotiations are at present in progress.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a man named Martin Duffy, Cushlough, Ballinrobe, applied to the Galway Board of Conservators of Fisheries for a licence to use an eel net on 8th October, 1909, and was granted the same, for which he paid £1; that on the face of the licence it is stated that it is for use in Gap Eye or Basket in any weir for taking eels for 1909; that Martin Duffy, assisted by his brother Michael, proceeded to set the net in a stream running from Lough Cerra into Lough Mask, as he believed the licence authorised him to do so; that they were met by a fishery inspector, who seized the net, and informed them that they were not authorised to fish for eels in the stream; that Duffy on 17th October wrote the Conservators at Galway for a refund of the £1 paid under a misconception; that no reply was vouchsafed by that body and no refund made; that in addition to the seizure of his net and the loss of the money paid these men were prosecuted for illegally setting a net and fined £8, which was afterwards reduced by the Lords Justices to £3; that these men, being unable to read, were unaware of a by-law which appears to be in existence, and under which the prosecution was brought; and whether, taking all the circumstances of the case into account, he will have instructions issued that in future all such licences shall have this by-law printed in red ink on the face of each licence, that the fines be remitted to these men, who are wretchedly poor, that the net, which is valued at £4, be restored to them, and that the sum of £1 paid for a licence be also remitted to these people?

The statements in the question agree with the reports furnished to me, save as to Duffy's letter to the Conservators about which I have no information. The suggestion that the by-law should be printed on each licence is impracticable. I have no power to remit fines; that is a matter which can only be dealt with by the Lord Lieutenant, on application, in the exercise of the prerogative of mercy. The law does not appear to provide for the refund of the Licence Duty.

asked whether he is aware that on the borders of the Caheraphcepa grazing ranch, in the Clarenbridge parish and Gort union, there are several small tenancies, the valuation of which does not average more than 50s. each; that the grazing farm is in the hand of the bank; that there is a desire on the part of the landlords to sell the place, and on the part of the tenants in its vicinity to purchase and have it distributed; whether any step has been taken by the Congested Districts Board to acquire this ranch; and, if not, whether he will intimate to that body the desirability of moving promptly in that direction?

The Congested Districts Board sent a circular letter to the owner in 1907 asking him whether he would sell these lands, but received no reply. They do not at present intend to open negotiations for the purchase of the lands.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenants in the townlands of Kilgreena, Carrahall, and Drishaughan, in the Ballinrobe Union, comprising the Browne and Owens estate there, and the landlords have agreed as to terms of purchase; that the latter have offered the place to the Congested Districts Board; that there is a grazing farm of 250 acres on this estate, while the tenants have only 100 acres between them; and that it is a case suited for prompt handling by the Congested Districts Board; whether he will state what are the intentions of this body regarding the matter; and whether they will soon take it over for redistribution and enlargement of holdings?

I understand that a portion of this estate was offered to the Congested Districts Board some time ago. The Board hope soon to be in a position to communicate with the landlords in this and numerous other cases asking whether they will reopen negotiations for sale to or through the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received a series of resolutions passed at a public meeting held at Bal-laghmore, parish of Kyle, Queen's County, with reference to the distribution of untenanted land about to be acquired in the locality, accompanied with a list of names of small holders in the neighbourhood in want of allotments of the same; and can he say what course the Commissioners propose to adopt with reference to the same?

The Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to trace the receipt of the Resolutions referred to. When distributing lands they consider the claims of all applicants qualified for parcels of land under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary when the Estates Commissioners expect to be able to carry through the purchase agreements in connection with the estate of Mr. Rodney and others, Athenry; is he aware that the purchase agreements have been signed for close on two years; and will he bring the matter to the attention of the Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners hope to complete the sale of this estate in about twelve months' time, the vendors having elected under the recent Land Act to take payment in stock.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received applications for reinstatement from Daniel M'llwain, of Knocknabollan, Mary White, Drumlarga, and other tenants evicted from their holdings in the parish of Termon by the Earl of Leitrim; and what steps are being taken in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received application for reinstatements from seven evicted tenants or representatives of evicted tenants in connection with this estate, including Daniel M'Ilwain and Mary White. One application is outside the Land Purchase Acts, the eviction having taken place in 1862, and in two cases the Commissioners, after inquiry, have decided to take no action. The remaining applications will be considered if the estate is dealt with by the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Patrick Costigan, of Clonboo, Clonmore, county Tipperary, who is the representative of William Costigan, who was evicted from a farm on the Hamilton Stubber estate at Gurryduff in May, 1889; whether he can state what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take with a view to reinstate him; and whether he can state that the Commissioners propose to provide him with another holding?

The Estates Commissioners have received this application, but it was not lodged until after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot therefore be dealt with under that Act,

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the case of John Haskin, formerly a private, No. 8,457, in the Inniskillen Fusiliers, who having, while in the Service, received an injury to his knee, was discharged as unfit for service, with a pension of ninepence a day for twelve months, on 16th August, 1906, and is now unable, owing to this injury, to support himself, and has been refused relief by the Poor Law boards, on the ground that the Army authorities, in whose services he became thus disabled, should come to his relief; and, having regard to the destitute condition of this man, owing to a misfortune for which he is not accountable, what steps, if any, will be taken by the War Office with a view to the alleviation of his distress?

Steps are being taken by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital to have this man examined by a medical board in order to determine whether his disability entitles him to further pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the risks involved in testing cordite, and the fact that the three men employed in this operation at the Naval Ordnance Works, Bull Point, are required to work seven days a week in shifts of eight hours, he will consider whether some extra remuneration over and above the 4s. per day they are now receiving can be given them, or, failing that, whether some higher rate of pay can be allowed for Sunday labour?

The work performed by the three men referred to is of a simple nature and practically no danger is involved. They receive pay at the rate of one-sixth of a week's pay for each eight-hour shift, and it is considered the pay received is sufficient for the work performed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a promise was given during the recent Parliament by him to the employés at the Royal Arms Factory, Enfield, that the establishment should not be reduced below a minimum of 2,000; and, if so, whether he will explain why the establishment is now substantially below that number?

The limits of establishment for Enfield are 1,900 to 2,000 as stated by Mr. Buchanan in answer to a question put by Mr. Crooks on 25th July, 1907. This establishment was intended as the normal one for which work would be found; but there was no undertaking that, if wastage reduced the numbers a any time below such establishments, the vacancies would be filled up.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of young men who have been in employment at the Enfield Small Arms Factory from between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years are now, on attaining the age of twenty-one years, under notice of dismissal; and whether, bearing in view the automatic discharge of employés on reaching the age limit and the consequent reduction of establishment, he can see his way to temporarily retaining these young men on the books of the establishment with a view to their ultimate absorption?

As I informed the House in reply to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Woolwich on 22nd March, boys employed in the ordnance factories on reaching the age of twenty-one officially become men, and are then, if retained, classed as men and entitled to 23s. a week. If there are no vacancies for men, boys, on reaching the age of twenty-one, cannot be retained, and their engagement as boys automatically terminates. The suggestion to retain boys temporarily at Enfield on reaching twenty-one cannot be accepted, as there at present no vacancies for men, and there are not likely to be any vacancies in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there were in 1908 7,306 district and general courts-martial resulting in 7,133 convictions, and 7,336 courts-martial resulting in 7,129 convictions and punishments in the British Army in 1909; and whether he proposes to take any action to reduce these figures?

The figures stated, which are correct, include regimental courts-martial. During the progress of the Army Annual Bill through the House I endeavoured to explain to the hon. Member that the whole object of the extension of the powers of the commanding officer under Section 46 of the Army Act provided for in Clause 4 of the Bill was to reduce courts-martial.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 15-pounder Ehrhardt gun will be issued to Territorial Royal Horse Artillery batteries in time for them to train their men in the use of the gun before the end of July, when many of the batteries go to camp; and whether this gun is fitted with a dial sight?

One battery will he issued at the end of this month and another at the end of May. Further issues will be made as the guns can be got ready, but it is not anticipated that more than two batteries will be available in sufficient time to allow of the necessary training before going into camp. The guns will Le issued with dial sights.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an Eastbourne firm, Messrs. H. T. White and Company, has refused to grant leave of absence for the purposes of camp to two of its employés, who are members of the Cinque Ports Rifles, and have stated that unless some other arrangement can be made the men will have to leave its employ; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am not aware of the circumstances, but if they are as stated in the question the two men should apply to their Commanding Officer, explaining the position, and asking him to grant them leave of absence from this year's annual training in camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many civilian medical officers are at present engaged, or likely to be engaged, in the Belfast district in connection with the annual Militia training; will he state the particular localities to which they are attached; how many Army medical officers are there in the same district; and what is the respective cost of Army and civilian officers for the same period?

There are no civilian medical officers at present engaged in connection with the annual training of the Special Reserve in the Belfast District, but about fourteen will probably be required to assist in the medical examination of the men on their assembly for training. This duty will occupy from one to two days in each case, and is paid for at the rate of a guinea a day. There are seventeen Army medical officers at present serving in the Belfast District, and their employment with the Special Reserve will not entail any extra cost on the public.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can say when the War Office regulations will be issued authorising county Territorial associations to enrol, as part of the Territorial Reserve, officers and men who have served in the Regular or Auxiliary Forces as a veteran wing of such Reserve; and will the veteran officers and men be allowed to wear a uniform and to drill, and will they be formed into separate units under their own veteran officers, or is the veteran Reserve to be merely a paper force?

I am not yet in a position to give the hon. Member the information on these points which he desires.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the 1st Cavalry Brigade are on leave preparing for promotion examination?

No officers have been granted leave for the specific purpose of preparing for promotion examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the dismissal of Warder J. J. Sinnott in August last at Hong Kong was considered by the Governor and Council; if Mr. Sinnott was furnished with a statement in writing showing the grounds of his dismissal; if Mr. Sinnott was given an opportunity of stating his case in writing before his dismissal; if Mr. Sinnott was furnished with a copy of the doctor's report and of any other documents upon which his dismissal was founded; if the Colonial Secretary was furnished with a full report of the proceedings in this case; and, if so, upon what date?

The case was not considered by the Governor in Council. Warder Sinnott was summarily dismissed, in accordance with prison regulations, for being drunk on duty. He had previously been reduced in rank for a similar offence. So far as I am aware, he was not furnished with a statement in writing showing the grounds of his dismissal, nor invited to state his case in writing; but a full investigation was held by the assistant superintendent of the gaol, and Warder Sinnott had every facility for putting forward his defence. I understand that Warder Sinnott has obtained a copy of the doctor's report. There are no other documents bearing on the case. The Secretary of State received a full report on the case at the beginning of last March. He has carefully investigated the matter, and is satisfied that the dismissal of this warder was fully justified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India on what grounds, under the recent reorganisation, a continuance of the exchange compensation allowance has been refused to the administrative grades of the Indian Telegraph Department except to the Director-General of Telegraphs, whereas it has been continued under the reorganisation of the Public Works Department to the administrative grades of that Department; whether, by the Secretary of State for India's Despatch No. 7 (Telegraph), dated 27th February, 1903, it was promised that the prospects of advancement in the telegraph service should not be inferior to those of the Public Works Department; whether in 1905 the pay of the administrative grades of the Public Works Department was revised and substantially increased; and whether, having regard to the fact that proposals for an increase of pay to the administrative grades of the Telegraph Department were first made in September, 1905, and for the executive grades in April, 1907, the Secretary of State will order that the increased rates of pay recently granted to the administrative grades of the Telegraph Department instead of dating from 1st April, 1910, as at present ordered, shall have retrospective effect from the dates from which the pay of officers of corresponding rank of the Public Works Department was increased so that officers of the Telegraph Department may not be losers by the delay which has occurred in dealing with their case?

The gradual discontinuance of exchange compensation allowance has been an accepted policy for many years. But the application of that policy must depend on the particular circumstances of each Department, and the Secretary of State cannot admit the claim to exact parity of treatment in that respect, implied in the hon. Member's question, between the Public Works and Telegraph Departments. The language of the Secretary of State's despatch referred to cannot be regarded as a pledge to the Telegraph Department that their scale of remuneration would be exactly equalised with that of the Public Works Department, nor does the Secretary of State see sufficient reason for giving retrospective effect to the orders recently passed for the reorganisation of the Department.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the temporary mitigation he is prepared to give to schools complaining of the ten-feet rule is determined solely by the immediate difficulty of carrying the requirements of the Education Office into effect; and whether he will indicate more specifically the circumstances under which, and the length of time for which a temporary indulgence may be expected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question I am not prepared to commit myself to a category of circumstances. The Board are prepared to consider any representations that may be made to them, and each case will be dealt with on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is prepared to sanction the co-operation of the police in the manner recommended by the Departmental Committee of 1906–9 in the event of the London County Council establishing a rapid ambulance service, summonable by telephone, in accordance with their powers under the Metropolitan Ambulances Act of 1909?

I have not any information as to the intentions of the London County Council in this matter, but I need not say I shall be happy to give my best consideration to any proposal that may be put before me with every desire to sanction, as far as may be practicable, the cooperation of the police.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that hand-stretchers are still used by the Metropolitan Police for conveying persons who have suffered serious injuries to the hospital; and whether he will see that the supply of motor ambulances is increased so as to avoid the necessity of resorting to the use of hand-stretchers in cases where time may be a matter of life or death to the person injured?

Hand - stretchers have not been used for this purpose by the Metropolitan Police for many years, but wheeled litters of an approved pattern are so used. The London County Council last year obtained Parliamentary powers for the provision of motor ambulances, and I understand this question is now engaging the attention of the Council.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the Leicester borough police court on 20th April, the vaccination officer of Leicester informed the magistrates that he was ordered by the Local Government Board to take proceedings under Section 31 of The Vaccination Act, 1867, even though such proceedings might have been taken under Section 29 of the Act; will he say on what date such order was issued; and whether it was a general order to all vaccination officers?

No order has been issued in regard to this particular matter. I find that the question of procedure under the two sections mentioned has been discussed on more than one occasion when one of the Board's medical inspectors has been inspecting vaccination in Leicester, and that the inspector did not dissent from the view of the vaccination officer that in the circumstances then obtaining procedure under Section 31 was preferable.

asked whether there is any official report showing how far, if bacon is imported into this country derived from pigs suffering from tuberculosis, British experts are able to detect it; and, if so, whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The answers to both questions are in the negative.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the alleged irregularity in the election of parish councillors in the parish of Rumney by the refusal of the presiding officer to grant a poll demanded by a sufficent number of electors in accordance with the provisions of the Law; and whether he will cause an independent inquiry to be instituted into the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I have no authority to direct an inquiry with respect to it.

asked what sums have been paid from Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) to the credit of the Cheshire, Lancashire, and Derbyshire County Councils for the financial years 1906 to 1910, ending on 31st March?

The following statement gives the desired information. The sums mentioned were paid in addition to the shares of the counties in the £300,000 appropriated for police pensions:—Statement showing the sums paid out of the Local Taxation Account to the councils of the undermentioned counties, on account of the "residue" of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties for the financial years 1905–6 to 1909–10.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the proposal for the erection of fifteen blocks of dwellings upon the site of the Ironmongers' Almshouses in Kingsland Road, nearly an acre of which is planted with fine old trees, and has been laid out as a garden for 200 years; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to prevent this last remaining garden city feature of Shoreditch being sacrificed to the builder in a district which has a density of 540 persons per acre?

My attention has been called to the subject of the question, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend concerning it.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that in 1908 the Charity Commissioners declined in the public interest to sanction the proposed sale of the Ironmongers' Almshouses, Kingsland Road, and the erection of fifteen blocks of lofty buildings on the site thereof, after hearing the local authority, the National Trust, the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association thereon, he could see his way to lodge an appeal against the recent decision in the Court of Chancery in an action commenced before 1802, wherein the local authority and the above societies were refused a locus standi, so as to prevent the destruction of the last remaining garden city feature in an area where the density is 540 persons per acre?

I am afraid that the prospects of success are not sufficient to justify me in advising the appeal suggested.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture has considered the question of compensation to the vendors of carcases seized in the public interest, in view of the fact that large quantities of meat are condemned for tuberculosis which cannot be detected before slaughtering; and, if so, what action, if any, he proposes to take?

I have considered this question, but I am not in a position to propose legislation on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture when the Small Holdings Account for the last financial year will be laid before Parliament, in accordance with Section 51 (4) of The Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908; and when was the last such account laid?

The account for the year ended the 31st ult. will be laid before Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor-General together with his report thereon in January next. The account for the year 1908–9 is printed on page 211 of the Appropriation Accounts for that year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will explain why so many men in the works department of the telephone service have been suspended, when at the same time there is such a heavy arrear of work awaiting execution?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that heavy arrears of post office telephone work are awaiting execution. On the contrary, the arrears have recently been largely reduced, and a considerable number of new works have been authorised in advance of immediate requirements. I am inquiring whether there have been any suspensions recently.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of male sorters recruited during the past two years to the class of male sorters through the open competitive examination and through the limited competitive examination, respectively; and from which has the standard of educational efficiency been higher?

During the last two years forty-four male sorters were recruited from the open competitions and 382 from the limited competitions. The candidates from the open competitions obtained a somewhat higher average of marks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether an intimation is conveyed to boy messengers that in the event of their deciding to enlist in the Navy or Army, when past the age of messengers, they will be able to re-enter Post Office employ at the expiration of their service with the colours as postmen or sorters through the limited competition?

No instructions have been given that the attention of boy messengers should be drawn to this fact. It is indeed a matter of common knowledge.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the growing delays on the telegraph between the London and Liverpool Stock Exchange, and vice versâ; whether he is aware that there is an operating room in both exchanges, and that nevertheless delays occur daily, ranging from fifteen to forty-five minutes; and whether he will take steps to increase the staff in one or both of the rooms?

During the recent activity in the Rubber market telegrams to and from Threadneedle Street Post Office (Stock Exchange) have increased by 40 per cent., and the staff there has been increased by nearly 45 per cent. Every effort is being made to avoid delays, and I am considering whether the service can be further expedited. The bulk of the Liverpool traffic has been disposed of with less than 10 minutes' delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the difference in remuneration given to Post Office employés in Liverpool and London, respectively, is governed solely by the estimated difference in the cost of living in these two cities; and whether, -if so, he will exhibit as a Parliamentary Paper the estimates respectively of such cost of living upon which differentiation is founded?

The scales of pay to which the hon. Member refers were fixed as regards both London and Liverpool in accordance with the explicit recommendation of the Select Committee on Post Office Servants who took into consideration cost of living and certain other circumstances. The information collected by the Board of Trade on the cost of living is published in the Board of Trade Report of 1908 (Cd. 3864).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he proposes to take to secure compensation for the destruction of the property and loss of the personal effects of British residents in Changsha?

I am waiting until full reports on the matter reach me.