asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information in regard to an agreement between the Governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary whereby, should there be any difficulty in obtaining a grant to cover the cost of their construction, the German Government will purchase from Austria-Hungary the four large armoured ships now building or projected?

We have no official information.

asked whether either of the four proposed Austrian battleships have yet been laid down, and, if so, when they were commenced?

We have no official information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information that the Stabiliminto Tecnico of Trieste is proceeding with the construction of one or more of the four "Dreadnoughts" for the Austria-Hungarian Government in anticipation of the provision of funds?

We have no official information.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman received reports from our Naval Attaché to Austria-Hungary with reference to this question?

reply was not audible.

asked a further question which was also inaudible.

No, Sir. Official information would be such information as we might receive officially.

May I ask whether he distinguishes between the official information he obtains from his own subordinates and the official information he obtains from foreign Governments, and whether it is only the latter kind he communicates to the House, and not the former?

On matters affecting foreign Governments I communicate to the House such information as the foreign Governments communicate to me. As regards any information which I receive from our Naval Attachés, I can make no statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to obtain official information on this matter, which is so very important in regard to our naval defence?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Admiralty will not be behindhand in obtaining all information.

Am I to understand that he will not give any information to this House which has been received by him from Naval Attaches unless the Naval Attaches have received that information officially from the Governments to which they are accredited?

No, Sir. I have stated nothing in regard to information in general, but such information as would be only desirable to quote from official sources. I should only quote from official sources.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that the statements which have appeared in newspapers with regard to the commencement of those ships in Austria are, as a matter of fact, incorrect?

The House, so far as unofficial sources of information, are just as well able to form an opinion as I am. So far as official information, I have given all the official information I have.

In view of the fact that the so-called unofficial information generally proves to be correct, and is usually in advance of the Admiralty information, will the right hon. Gentleman call for a specific report on these matters?

I must dispute the statement made by the hon. Gentleman that unofficial information has been in advance of the Admiralty information. The Admiralty, I can assure the hon. Member, are fully informed of all the facts of the case, but I am unable to state to the House any information except such as I have received officially.

asked whether names had yet been allotted to the two armoured vessels ordered for the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand, and, if so, what these names were?

No, Sir.

asked when the Dilke Return is to be issued?

The Return will be delivered to the House on Friday morning.

asked whether tenders have been invited for the twenty destroyers of the current naval programme; whether such tenders have been received; and, if so, from which firms have they been accepted?

Tenders have been received, and are now under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when this consideration will materialise in fact.

Very shortly.

asked whether the designs for the twenty destroyers of the current naval programme have been prepared by the builders tendering for their construction or by the Admiralty; and, if by the latter, whether the whole twenty are to be of one type?

Tenders are under consideration for some destroyers to the builders' design and for some to that of the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give a Return of the quantities of cordite during the last three months which have been destroyed, or used at practice, or passed into the Service?

It is not in the public interest to supply the details asked for.

asked if he will state whether several recent deliveries of cordite for big guns supplied by the Government factory and private manufacturers have been found too unstable after forty days' storage to warrant admission with safety into the Service; and, if so, what steps are being taken to provide a stable explosive for the Navy?

It is not in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. Investigations and experiments are continually in progress with a view to further ensuring the stability of cordite.

May I ask if he can assure us that there is no truth in the reports which have been published in certain papers that owing to the stringency of the tests which are now imposed by the Admiralty for cordite that a large quantity of Government made cordite and privately made cordite have failed to pass the test; and that owing to that fact there is a certain amount of shortage in cordite for the Navy?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no truth in the statement that there is any shortage of cordite. With regard to the first part he is merely repeating the question.

asked how many destroyers of the British 1908–9 programme are now in commission; and how many of the German destroyers provided for in the same year?

According to recent information in the Press, seven of the twelve German destroyers of the 1908–9 programme are now in commission. Not any of the British destroyers of the 1908–9 programme are yet in commission.

May I ask why His Majesty's Government allow the English shipbuilding programme to be so much outdistanced by the German?

I can only repeat that this matter was very fully debated on the Estimates, and it would be very undesirable to reopen it in question and answer.

asked if he can state how many destroyers were provided for in 1907–8 by the British and German Naval Estimates respectively; and on what dates the last boats of the respective programmes were commissioned?

Twelve destroyers were provided for in 1907–8 by the German Naval Estimates. The last of these commissioned on 15th December, 1908. Five destroyers were provided for in the British programme for 1907–8. Four of these are in commission. The remaining boat, the "Viking," will be completed next month.

What steps have been taken to speed up our shipbuilding programme as compared with the Germans?

This subject was very fully debated.

asked how many destroyers of British 1909–10 programme have been launched; and how many of the German destroyers provided for in the same year have been completed?

Three of the German destroyers provided for in the 1909–10 programme are understood to have been completed. None of the British destroyers of the 1909–10 programme have yet been launched.

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain why it was that one of the German programme was in commission before the first of ours was laid down?

That fact was fully explained in the Debate on the Estimates.

asked on what date did the Home and Atlantic Fleets leave their respective ports to take part in the combined exercises now in progress; what is the number of battleships, armoured cruisers, protected cruisers, and destroyers respectively nominally composing the participating squadrons; and what was the number of vessels of each class unable to leave port on that date with the main body?

The Home and Atlantic Fleets sailed on 18th April. The nominal strength of the squadrons participating in the cruise is twenty-two battleships, thirteen armoured cruisers first class, six protected cruisers second class, two unarmoured cruisers, two destroyer depot ships, four scouts, forty-nine destroyers. Of these, five battleships, four armoured cruisers, two protected cruisers, second class, two destroyer depot ships, one scout, fifteen destroyers, did not proceed with the main body, as the vessels were refitting or being docked, or preparing to refit, or were employed on other duties.

May I ask why our first striking force should be short one-third of its strength, and unfit for commission after a fortnight's notice?

No, Sir; that is not so. The fact that a ship is being repaired or refitted does not imply that it would be unfit for action if called upon, but all ships in this or any other striking force must be repaired from time to time.

Are we to always dock one-third of our strength as compared with other forces.

German ships, like ours, have to repaired.

asked how many battleships of the "Dreadnought" type were now in full commission; and how many were taking part in the combined exercises?

The reply to the first part of the question is six—and to the second part, two.

Arising out of that reply—

The hon. Gentleman must really exercise some restraint. There are 125 questions on the Paper to be got through in three-quarters of an hour. The hon. Gentleman has asked certainly one if not two supplementary questions on every question he has put.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the expenses in regard to the Painted Hall, Greenwich, could be paid by the State instead of out of the Greenwich Hospital funds?

It is not considered desirable to alter the present arrangement whereby the expenses in regard to the Painted Hall, the contents of which are the property of Greenwich Hospital, are charged to its funds.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the question, because if the expense were charged on Navy Votes, all the money now devoted to this purpose could go to the men?

I am aware of the circumstances of the case.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he had received a petition from the Associated Shipwrights' Society respecting the pay and position of their trade in the Royal Navy; and, if so, when a reply might be expected?

A printed but unsigned statement has been received. The representations in this document will receive consideration, but it is not anticipated that it will be practicable to accede to the requests.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether men belonging to the Royal Fleet Reserve whose quarterly retainers were due on the first day of the quarter had to wait till the 15th or 16th day; and, if so, whether he intended to take steps to pay these men their retainers on the first day of the quarter, as was the case with Army Reservists?

The payment of these retainers is made at the Reserve Divisions, and inquiry is being made as to the practicability of issuing the money orders in time for payment on the first day of the quarter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the fact that there were in the Royal dockyards instances of ex-apprentices who had been on the hired list for fifteen to twenty years; and whether, on the ground of efficiency alone, he would consider if it was possible, when establishment was reopened, that provision be made to meet these eases of long service?

Yes, Sir, the dockyard regulations provide for preference to be given to men who have served apprenticeships in the dockyards in selecting work-ment to be placed on the established list, but the number of men who may be established is restricted by the number of vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been drawn to a manifesto on the subject of the relations between Russia and Finland, signed by eight prominent European authorities on international law; and whether he was in a position to make representations to the Russian Government on the subject?

also asked whether the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland was guaranteed or recognised by any international treaty?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether the Imperial Russian Government has made any representations to His Majesty's Government with regard to Home Rule, or any other domestic question?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will allow me to reply to these questions together, as they deal with the same subject. I have seen the manifesto in the Press. Great Britain is not a party to any international treaty of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend, and I am not prepared to interpret the provisions of treaties to which Great Britain is not a party, nor am I in a position to make representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the late Boutros Pasha, Prime Minister of Egypt, before his assassination expressed his approval of the proposal to extend the Suez Canal concession, and objected to that question being submitted to the General Assembly because of the revolutionary sympathies of that body; whether he was aware that El Wardani, who was awaiting trial for the murder of Boutros Pasha, gave as an excuse for his act the approval which Boutros Pasha had given to the proposal of the Suez Canal Company; and whether these facts were known to the Agent-General, and to the Foreign Office, when the British Government consented to the question of the extension of the Suez Canal concession being decided by the vote of the General Assembly?

I am not aware of the views of the late Boutros Pasha on this question, nor do I consider it desirable to discuss the circumstances of his assassination pending the conclusion of the trial of Wardani. If the hon. Member will refer to the reply given to a question by Dr. Rutherford in the House of Commons on 4th November last he will see that the decision to submit the question to the General Assembly had been taken several months ago.

What course do the British Government propose to take in respect of the concessions?

That hardly arises out of the question.

asked whether the objections raised by Russia to the construction by China of the Chinchow-Aigun Railway were consistent with the undertakings given by Russia in the Portsmouth Treaty of Peace, and especially Articles 3 and 4 of that treaty, and with the Russia-China Secret Treaty of 1895, and especially Article 4 of that treaty?

also asked whether the attitude of Japan towards the proposed construction by China of the Chinchow-Aigun Railway was consistent with the Portsmouth Treaty of Peace, and especially with Articles 3 and 4 of that treaty; and whether this attitude vas consistent with Clause 7 of the Treaty of 1905 between China and Japan and with paragraph (b) of the preamble of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1905?

I beg to reply to the Noble Lord's two questions on this subject together. I have nothing to add to the replies which I have already made in regard to this matter to the effect that there appears to be nothing unreasonable in the attitude of either Russia or Japan, and that it is not for His Majesty's Government to define the rights and interests of other Powers in the regions affected.

Will the Government give the same backing to the representative body acting for us as the other nations give to theirs?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by the representative body acting for us.

There is one body for each Government.

If the hon. Member refers to the financial group, their action is entirely independent of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he had received any reports from Egypt of a disquieting nature, that the influence of this country was rapidly weakening, and that English residents in many places could not go out without running the risk of being insulted; and if any papers relating to the question could be laid before Parliament.

Recent reports respecting the situation in Egypt with special reference to the assassination of Boutros Pasha, are not as satisfactory as could be desired, but I have not heard of any cases of insult to English residents. There are no papers which can be laid.

Apart from official information, have the Foreign Office had an opportunity of meeting any residents who have returned from Egypt lately, and do they bear out the statements in the question?

I have not seen them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he would consider, for the advantage of the public, the advisability of establishing a post office at each of the large London railway termini, such as Euston, London Bridge, Paddington, King's Cross, Waterloo, Victoria, St. Pancras, Liverpool Street, Gharing Cross, and Marylebone?

I recognise the advantage to the public of postal facilities being available at important railway stations. There are already telegraph offices at the large London termini, provided by the railway companies, and there are also posting-boxes. At some stations stamps are on sale, and I am now taking steps to arrange that stamps shall be obtainable at all such stations. To establish offices for all branches of postal work at these stations is not practicable, as there is reason to believe that in some instances accommodation could not be obtained at all, and in other instances could not be obtained on terms which could properly be accepted. Nor does experience show it to be necessary, for when a post office was open at King's Cross station it was found that very little general postal business was done. With facilities for obtaining stamps, for posting letters, and for despatching telegrams, I trust that the convenience of the public will be met.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the event of post-offices being stationed at the various railway termini in London, he would decide that the work should be done in connection with the various branch offices, and that only established staff should be employed in any offices so created?

I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Portsmouth on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the matter of the conveyance of the mails between Paris and London was being carefully considered with a view of lessening the number of mails carried at present via Dover and Calais as compared with Folkestone and Boulogne, in view of the fact that there were forty-one services per week carried by the former and longer route as compared with only nineteen by the latter and shorter route; and whether he was aware that if all the mails were conveyed by the shorter route there would be a reduction in mileage traversed of 59,864 miles a year?

also asked the Postmaster-General (1), with reference to the conveyance of mails between London and Paris, if he would before making further contracts consider the desirability of a certain proportion of the mails at least being carried by the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway and Etat of France Railways, via Newhaven and Dieppe; if he would communicate with the French Government as to the practicability of this proposal, more especially as the railway system between Dieppe and Paris belonged now to that Government, and that there was a project of shortening the Dieppe and Paris transit by thirty-two kilometres (twenty miles) by doubling the line via Pontoise, together with the placing of faster vessels on that Channel service; would he also state the mileage between Paris and London, via Dover and Calais and Newhaven and Dieppe, respectively, and if such a project was adopted, whether economies would be effected owing to the shorter mileage of the latter route; and if he was aware that, even at present, one service via Dieppe and Newhaven occupied eight hours and forty minutes as compared with one of the mail services via Dover and Calais which occupied eight hours fifty minutes, and that the adoption of such a project would lessen the effects of the monopoly which had hitherto been used by the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway and the Chemin de Fer du Nord both as regards the conveyance of mails and passengers, to the detriment of the public interest? (2) With reference to the carrying of London and Paris mails, if he had considered the disadvantages of the present arrangement of train services whereby three out of the four day services from London left between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., and the corresponding services from Paris, although more evenly distributed, between the hours of 8.20 a.m. and 12 noon; if he would endeavour to minimise this inconvenience to business men and the general public, against which the Chambers of Commerce had protested, by securing from the railways concerned a more equable distribution of train ser- vices throughout the day, together with the starting of one of those services at an earlier hour from London so as to obviate London evening letters of the previous day and the English morning newspapers not reaching Paris for delivery until about 7 p.m., long after business hours; and if he was aware, with a mail service leaving London between 6 and 7 a.m., that correspondence and newspapers could be delivered in Paris before 3 p.m., thus enabling an answer to be sent the same day, and in this way effecting a great postal economy of time?

It will be convenient if I deal with the hon. Member's three questions together. The figures quoted by the hon. Member are substantially correct, and I am fully alive to the advantage of encouraging competition between the several steamer services between England and France. The Newhaven and Dieppe route is already used for the service of certain French towns, and I am in communication with the French Postal Administration as to the possibility of making a more extended use of that route. The distance between London and Paris via Dover and Calais is 287 miles, and via Newhaven and Dieppe 244 miles. I am at present in negotiation with the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company with regard to the general question of the mail service between London and Paris, and while it would not be expedient for me to deal specifically at the present time with the points raised by the hon. Member, I can assure him that full weight shall be given to the considerations which he has advanced.

asked whether the night and day service at present existing throughout the National Telephone Company's exchanges would be continued when this service was taken over by the Post Office?

The answer in general is in the affirmative.

asked if there was any regulation prohibiting a postmaster from acting as presiding officer at a Parliamentary or municipal election?

No, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General if he had inquired into the case of the telegraph messengers only being allowed twenty minutes for their meal time; if he could state to the House the result of this inquiry; and whether he was aware that under the rearrangement of the duties of the telegraph messengers at Portsmouth they were unable to get the relief allowed by Orders in Paragraph 2 of the General Post Office Circular Letter (Registered No. 508,824, 1908) of 14th February, 1910?

The inquiry is not yet completed. I will look into the arrangements at Portsmouth, but I should explain to the Noble Lord that the scheme set forth in the Circular he mentions applies only to officers employed upon indoor work.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office authorities had been frequently asked to insist on letters for Angus Mackay, Knockan, Gordonbush, Sutherland, being addressed to Brora instead of Embrace, where they were now sent, a change which would entail an additional walk of ten miles to Angus Mackay and his family; whether he was aware that this change in the addressing of letters was sought for so as to prevent Angus Mackay or his family from using a pathway which led to Kin-brace through a deer forest tenanted by a Mr. Frank Sykes, of Bonobol, Kinbrace, Sutherland; and, if so, whether he would refuse this request?

I am inquiring into the matter, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that money orders could not be obtained or cashed at Rasharkin, county Antrim, and that as a result people in the district were put to inconvenience; and whether he could see his way to provide the facilities demanded?

I will have inquiry made, and consider whether anything can be done in the matter.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he was aware that a Mr. Morrin, president of the local branch of the United Irish League and a justice of the peace, ordered certain persons to graze their cattle on the lands of Mr. John O'Hara; and whether he would bring the action of this magistrate to the notice of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland? I regret that owing to a clerical error the name of the place is not given in the question. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes I shall be glad to postpone it, and supply further details.

No; the Attorney-General has asked me to answer the question in the following manner: From the information supplied to him, consisting merely of hearsay statements, my right hon. Friend is unable to form a conclusion as to whether or not the magistrate referred to did in fact give the direction indicated in the question. It is not his intention to bring the matter to the notice of the Lord Chancellor.

Is it only Conservative magistrates who are to be condemned in this House?

No. So far as I am concerned, on the facts proved I either hold my tongue or speak.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he would state by what authority the Director-General of the Ordnance Survey issued an order deducting the military pension and Reserve pay from the scale rates of pay of all ex-Royal Engineers serving in his Department?

It has for very many years past been the practice to take into account military pensions when fixing the pay of ex-Royal Engineers employed on the Ordnance Survey. The Director-General, when he issued the order mentioned, exercised the authority of long usage handed down to him by his predecessors. The Committee which it is proposed to appoint to inquire into the pay of employés on the Ordnance Survey will no doubt consider and report upon the existing arrangement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give any information as to the cause of the sudden death of three horses and twenty-six bullocks at Billingsley, in South Shropshire?

also asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the death of three horses, ten yearlings, and two fat cattle on Mr. Millings' farm at Billingsley, near Bridgnorth; and if he can give any information as to the cause of death?

We are in communication with the local authority on the matter. It is under investigation, but the Board are not in a position as yet to give the information for which the hon. Members ask.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the near approach of the months of May, June, July and August during which the native oysters cannot be lawfully sold in this country but during which foreign oysters are freely imported, his Department can take any steps to protect the community from foreign oysters no more seasonable than British oysters; and whether, if the Board has no adequate legislative powers, the Government will introduce legislation to relieve the British oyster trade from the present preferential position of foreign oysters in the British market?

The Government are not prepared to introduce legislation with a view to protect the home oyster industry from legitimate foreign competition, but if oysters are imported which are unfit for human food steps can, of course, be taken for the protection of consumers; and, perhaps, the hon. Member will bring any information in his possession on the subject to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board, with whom it falls to deal with questions affecting the public health.

Will the Government give orders that prosecutions for the sale of oysters shall not be carried out so long as foreign oysters are permitted to be sold at the same time?

That depends upon the circumstances of the case.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state the capital cost and the number of the new public elementary schoolhouses completed, or in course of erection, between the appointed day and 31st March, 1910, provided by the local education authorities of Lancashire and the West Riding, respectively?

The official information in the possession of the Board does not enable me to answer this question. If my hon. Friend desires it, I will make inquiries from the local education authorities concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman extend his inquiry to Durham?

asked the President of the Board of Education if, before introducing any Bill to abolish half-time exemption in elementary schools, in accordance with the recommendation of the Departmental Committee, he will take steps to ascertain whether the instruction given in the upper standards of the schools in which the children are to be retained is of such a character that they will be spending their time profitably in the schools, and not be merely marking time?

I shall certainly not take any steps to deal with the half-time question without considering it in all its bearings. The character of the instruction given in our public elementary schools, particularly in the upper standards, is a matter to which I am giving and shall continue to give careful attention with a view to securing such improvements and developments as are necessary and practicable. My hon. Friend is, I think, aware of the efforts which are being made by the Board to improve the opportunities for efficient instruction in respect of teaching rooms, staff, and curriculum.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, on the 3rd De- cember last, the head teacher of the British Boys' School, Market Hill, Maldon, used for dictation exercises the following words, namely: "Freedom of trade and the vast increase in our commerce have enabled the working man…with cheap and varied food. No longer is he restricted to the products of his own country"; and again: "Mr. Asquith had first to deal with the immediate financial crisis created by the action of the Peers; he had secondly to answer the challenge so audaciously thrown down by them on the constitutional issue. In neither case did his reply fall short of the occasion. It was as conspicuously abundant in fairness and decision of purpose as in splendour and dignity of phrase"; whether the Education Department sanctions the ratepayers' money being used for instilling partisan politics into the minds of school children; and whether he will give instructions that the practice shall be discontinued?

I have no information on this point beyond that conveyed by the question. With regard to the general inquiry contained in the last paragraph but one of the question, I may refer the hon. Member to an answer that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich on 7th March.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he intends to compensate the managers of the Oxford Street School, Swansea, for the expense and inconvenience to which they have been put by the misconstruction of the law on the part of the Board, as shown by the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal?

I cannot admit the assumption on which the question is based. Notice of appeal to the House of Lords is being given, and, as I understand, that a speedy decision may be expected, it seems better to postpone discussion in this House until the case has been finally decided.

Will the right hon. Gentleman and the Attorney-General pay the Court of Appeal costs out of their own pockets; the expense was utterly unnecessary?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a petition from the ratepayers of the parish of Willaston, in the county of Chester, praying him to protect them against the proposal of the Cheshire county education authority to force a new school on the village at the cost of about £4,000; and whether, in view of the fact that the existing schools provide ample accommodation for the parish and have been recently altered by the managers to satisfy the requirements of the education authority, and that there is a practically unanimous local feeling against the necessity of this heavy outlay, he can see his way to institute an inquiry on the spot, so that the locality, which can ill afford it, may be saved from this heavy expenditure?

The Board have received two appeals, one signed by ratepayers of the parish and the other by the managers of the Church of England school, against the proposal to provide a new council school. They have also received a resolution passed at a meeting of ratepayers to the same effect. These protests have been referred to the local education authority for their observations. Pending the receipt of their reply I am not prepared to say whether it will be necessary to hold a local inquiry. I must not be understood to accept without qualification the statements implied in the concluding paragraph of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the long period which must yet elapse before all sections of the police force under his control receive one day's rest in seven, he will consider the possibility of providing some extra pay in the case of those men at least who are compelled to wait for more than six months?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the question of giving extra pay to Metropolitan Police who are not receiving the one day rest in seven promised?

The one day's rest in seven is a large concession, to be granted wholly at the expense of the London ratepayers and without any deduction from the pay of the men 'who are to enjoy the benefit of it. From the first it has been stated that it would have to be introduced gradually, and that it might take four years to complete the necessary addition to the force; but the first instalment has already been given to all the men in the force, and the other instalments, as they follow, will extend in the same way to the whole force. In these circumstances, I am sure my hon. Friend will see that there is no case for any Grant of extra pay.

Is it at all possible to give some Imperial assistance to carry out this useful reform without imposing upon the local ratepayers the whole burden?

Can the right hon. Gentleman make some statement as to any assistance that may be given to bring the Bill at present before the House to a final issue?

With regard to the first question, it is not one that I can answer at all. It is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister, seeing it has reference to the relation between Imperial and local taxation. With respect to the question of the hon. Member opposite, I have carefully considered the matter, and if he brings his Bill on I will use any influence I can on its behalf to secure its passage through the House. But, as I say, I am not authorised to make any promise in regard to it.

When will the second instalment come?

We are labouring to carry out the matter as quickly as we can with regard to the Metropolitan police. The number of extra men to be recruited is, I think, 1,600. A very large number of men have to be recruited every year as it is, and the facilities for recruiting and training are limited, and so also is the supply of high-class men required. Therefore it is not possible to accelerate the augmentation of the force beyond a certain point, but we are getting on as quickly as possible.

Why is Scotland excluded from the Bill brought in by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Holborn?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ha will now favourably consider the holding of an inquiry into the practice of forcible feeding in prisons and asylums?

If the hon. Member considers that any improvements can be effected in the methods employed in asylums and prisons for administering food to persons who refuse to take food naturally, and will give me his reasons for thinking so, I will consider whether further inquiry in the matter is desirable, but at present I do not know to what end such an inquiry would be directed. The methods now employed are, I believe, those recommended by the highest medical authorities, and I know of no reason for modifying them.

Is the Home Secretary aware that quite recently, within the last fortnight, a man who had been forcibly fed subsequently died suddenly, and the cause of death was held to be largely due to the forcible feeding employed? If so, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider the case one for some inquiry?

I do not recognise in any of the cases that have come before me one that answers to the description given by the hon. Gentleman. If he knows of such a case and will give me the facts I will consider it.

I will send the facts on.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state the total amount of the fines imposed in the Metropolitan police courts in connection with prosecutions for betting during each of the three years 1907–9, and also the particular fund or funds to which such fines are allocated?

It is impossible to obtain this information except by an examination of the books at each of the police courts for the past three years—a work which would involve more labour than the value of the result would justify. The fines paid go to the Metropolitan Police Fund.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why, in the photographic illustrations issued by the Board of the types of horses required for the Army, the photographs show horses with their tails closely docked and their manes hogged; and is at intended that these are the conditions required by the Army?

My hon. Friend has asked me to answer this. No special significance is to be attached to the illustrations on the point referred to. All horses purchased for the Cavalry are required to be undocked. It is not absolutely essential for the horses bought for other branches of the Service to be undocked, but it is preferred. Horses are not as a rule purchased with hog manes, and the practice of hogging the mane in the Army is discouraged.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the photographs do give the horses as I have stated, and is the hon. Gentleman aware that a long undocked tail is necessary for the horses, and that a mane is most necessary to enable a man to mount quickly, and also to prevent him from dismounting without being ordered?

It is perfectly true that the illustrations in this pamphlet to which the hon. Gentleman refers are faulty and imperfect, and if we issue a fresh edition of the pamphlet I shall ask my hon. Friend to see if the illustrations can be improved.

Is the hon. Member not aware that the photographic illustrations of the horses show that they are whole hoggers?

asked how many of the arrests resulted in conviction, and how many of the 169 cases of house-breaking and burglary in the City, and of the 3,423 cases within the Metropolitan police area were, respectively, cases of burglary, house-breaking, and shop or warehouse-breaking; how many in each class were accompanied with personal violence; and how many of those arrested were found in possession of firearms or other dangerous, implements?

Of the 3,423 cases in the Metropolitan police district, 1,739 were cases of housebreaking, 520 of burglary, and 1,164 of shopbreaking. All the 169 cases in the City of London were cases of shopbreaking. The number of convictions in the Metropolitan police district cannot yet be given, as the figures are not completed, but I am informed that in the City of London twenty-six of the thirty-five arrests resulted in conviction. I regret that I cannot give the other particulars desired by my hon. Friend, which would involve a long and troublesome search.

Are the police in the exercise of this dangerous duty entitled to get compensation if injured, as they are in Ireland?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked whether the Welsh Church Commission have concluded their sittings; and, if so, when he expects the Report to be published?

I am in communication with the Chairman of the Commisision as to the date when the Report is likely to be published.

asked the Secretary of State if he is aware that two detectives from Scotland Yard stand at each side of the turnstiles at Harrod's Stores when the employés are leaving work; and if he intends preventing detectives from Scotland Yard being used by this firm inside the stores?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. No officers belonging either to the detective or the uniform branch of the Metropolitan Police are so employed at Harrod's Stores.

asked the reason for the delay in the sanctioning by the Home Department of the employment of children by-laws proposed by the urban district council of Ilford?

I can only refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to his previous question on this subject on the 10th of last month. I am still awaiting the council's reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the council, by a majority, have again passed these by-laws?

I will look into it. I am still waiting a reply, but I think I ought not to wait very much longer.

asked what are the terms of solitary confinement served under existing regulations by various classes of prisoners; and whether he proposes to make any changes in this matter?

There has not for many years been solitary confinement in the proper sense of the term, except for very short periods as a punishment for graver prison offences. Separate confinement (that is, separation from other prisoners except during daily exercise and chapel) has formed a part of the severer sentences, the periods being:—For hard labour prisoners, one month; for convicts of good character, three months; for convicts not previously of good character, six months; and, in the case of recidivists, nine months. The whole question is now under consideration.

asked why payment has been refused to the committee of management of the Monaghan and Cavan District Asylum of the Capitation Grant in aid of the maintenance of pauper lunatics for the period from 1st January, 1899, to 31st March, 1899; if he is aware that the Corporation of Dublin brought a petition of right in reference to the payment of the Capitation Grant in aid of the maintenance of pauper lunatics in Richmond Asylum, and that the petition was decided in favour of the corporation; and whether, in the face of this decision, the Treasury propose to still withhold payment in the case of the Monaghan and Cavan Asylum?

The Government have not yet decided whether they will or will not appeal against the decision referred to, and meanwhile no payment can be made.

asked when the payment of the old age pension to Ellen Hayes, of Castleconnell, county Limerick, was stopped; when was her case adjudicated on by the Local Government Board; at what date payment of the pension to her was resumed; and whether the arrears of pension, if any, due to her were paid?

The pension granted to Ellen Hayes as from 15th January, 1909, was stopped by the pension officer under a misapprehension, as to which I am enquiring, as from 22nd July, 1909. The case was adjudicated on by the Local Government Board on 1st February, 1910. Payment of pension was resumed on the 5th instant, and the arrears of pension due to her will be paid.

asked if pension officers in Ireland have been deprived by the Board of Customs and Inland Revenue, or by the Treasury, of the right to exercise their discretion as to appeals from decisions of local pension committees; if he will state whether instructions have been given to these officers to appeal against every decision of a local pension committee granting a pension where the applicant's claim is not supported by extracts from the Census Returns; and whether he will cause these instructions to be withdrawn?

The right of pension officers to exercise their discretion as to appeals is subject to Article 34 of the Statutory Regulations. The instructions with regard to cases of the kind mentioned in the second part of the question allow a discretion to pension officers whether an appeal should or should not be lodged, as I explained in reply to a question put to me by the hon. Member for West Kerry on the 5th instant. These instructions have not been altered, and accordingly the third question does not arise.

Is it a fact that instructions have been given by the Treasury or the Board of Customs and Inland Revenue to the pension officers in Ireland to enter appeals in every case where pensions are granted unless there is an entry to support the claim in the Census?

I have already explained no instructions of that sort have been given to pension officers. Of course, every person who applies for a pension has, under the Act, to establish his or her right to that pension by some documentary evidence.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the Pension Act makes it obligatory upon the applicant to satisfy the requirements as to age by producing documentary evidence? I think that is absurd.

Are the payments of the pensions suspended from the time the pension officer makes his appeal to the Local Government Board, or are the pensions only suspended from the time the Local Government Board gives its decision?

That particular subject is occupying my attention at the present moment.

On what authority does the pension officer call for documentary evidence of age?

If the hon. Member consults the Act he will find it.

When the Local Government Board decides in favour of the applicant, does) the Treasury pay the arrears from the time the pension has been stopped?

The hon. Member must put that question on the Paper.

asked if Mary M'Daid, of Letterkenny, county Donegal, has recently been deprived of her pension; if so, whether he can state from what date the pension has been stopped, and on whose authority; and in what cases is a pensioner liable to be deprived of his pension after he has satisfied the Local Government Board of his eligibility?

The Local Government Board decided on appeal on 11th ultimo that Mary M'Daid attained the age of seventy on 5th August, 1909. The amount of pension drawn by her prior to that date, when she was legally ineligible for pension, is a debt due to the Crown under Section 9 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act, and, in the absence of direct repayment, is being liquidated by suspension of the current pension.

Will the pension be restored when the arrears are paid up?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity of Chinese pork imported into the United Kingdom in March, 1910, and the ports of arrival; and whether he can state the quantity which was refused admission and the grounds upon which this refusal was based?

The information is being procured, and will be forwarded to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what quantity of Chinese pork was refused admission into ports of the United Kingdom during March, 1910; upon what grounds was this admission refused; and whether he can state what became of these carcases?

So far as my information goes, some 16,800 carcases, which arrived during last month, did not comply with the foreign meat regulations, and were re-exported. As to the last portion of the question, perhaps I may be allowed to refer the hon. Member to my replies to similar questions on this subject.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by re-exported? Does he mean sent back to China?

They were refused at the port where they went. I have no further knowledge on the point.

Are we to understand that some 16,000 hundredweights of Chinese pork have got into consumption in this country?

No. The hon. Member is confusing hundredweights and the carcases refused, which numbered 16,800. The carcases arrived in March, 1910, and were refused admission.

What were the grounds on which they were refused?

They were refused not because they were unsound or unfit for food, but because they did not comply with the foreign meat regulations under the Food Regulations Act, which stipulate that carcases should be imported whole. It was because the backbones were taken out, and did not comply with that condition, that these carcases were rejected, and for that reason only.

When the right hon. Gentleman uses the term re-exported, does he mean re-exported out of the United Kingdom?

They were refused at the port at which they were landed.

But were they re-exported out of the United Kingdom?

I presume so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still of opinion that all these pigs were white pigs, and that none of them were the black scavenger pigs of China?

Yes, I am.

asked whether, under the new Russian proposals relating to the government of Finland, the control of the Finnish Customs will pass into the hands of the Russian Customs authorities; whether he can state the general ratio between the existing Finnish and Russian import duties; and whether he has received any protest from associations of British traders against the proposal to transfer the control of the Finnish fiscal system from the Finnish Diet to the Russian Duma?

I have received no information as to any new Russian proposals with regard to Customs administration in Finland, nor have I received any representations from British traders on the subject. Under the Russo-German Supplementary Commercial Convention of 1904, Russia is required to give two years' notice of any decision to apply the Russian Customs tariff in Finland, and as far as I am aware no such notice has been given. The scale of duties imposed by the Finnish Customs tariff is in general on a lower level than that in force in Russia, but it is not possible to express the difference between the two tariffs in the form of a simple ratio.

asked what are the average numbers per week of unemployed registering at the Labour Exchanges and of the vacancies filled?

Statistics relating to the work of the Labour Exchanges are published monthly in the "Board of Trade Labour Gazette." I am causing a copy of the last issue of the "Gazette" to be sent to the hon. Member. The next number will be published on 16th May.

asked whether the inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Thistle-moor" will take place on 3rd May; if not, when it will take place, and where; and whether, when the inquiry is held, the scope of the inquiry will embrace the questions if on the night of the wreck there was adequate watch kept on shore for danger signals, and if, generally, extended arrangements for coast watching are needed along the shores of the Bristol Channel?

The inquiry into the loss of the steamship "Thistlemoor" has been fixed for 3rd May, and will be held at Bide-ford. The scope of the inquiry will include the arrangements made for coast watching on the shores of Barnstaple Bay on the night of the wreck. The question of the coast watching beyond this district will be dealt with by the Board of Trade in connection with the local investigations which we are now making on the subject.

asked whether representations have been received from the Port of London Sanitary Authority with reference to the unsatisfactory condition of crews' provisions on vessels; whether he is aware that in many instances the meat and other food on board vessels intended for the use of crews has been found to be in a putrid condition; and whether, inasmuch as the matter is of importance to the health of the sailors, he will consider if any steps can be taken to provide for a more efficient and satisfactory supervision of provisions supplied to ships for the use of seamen?

Representations have been made to the Board of Trade from the Port of London Sanitary Committee to the effect that the medical officer of health has on several occasions condemned provisions found on ships within the Port of London, and I understand that such provisions were in almost every case very properly destroyed. The crew of any British ship have a right of complaint and compensation under Sections 198 and 199, Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, in cases where bad or inadequate provisions are supplied to them. It is the desire of the Board of Trade, within the limits of the powers conferred on them by the Merchant Shipping Acts, to deal effectively with this matter. As at present advised, I am not convinced that the powers of the Department, taken in conjunction with those of the Port Sanitary Authority, are insufficient for the purpose, but the matter will be carefully watched. If my hon. Friend will submit any cases to me I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he can give any information as to the delay in dealing with the petition presented to the Board in 1908, requesting the Board of Trade to use the powers conferred upon them by the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, to cause the Great Eastern Railway to run a service of workmen's trains on the Loughton and Romford branches of this railway?

In pursuance of Section 3 of the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, this matter has been referred to the Railway and Canal Commission, at the request of the Great Eastern Railway Company. There have already been some preliminary proceedings before the Commission, but a final decision has not yet been given.

also asked the right hon. Gentleman, having in view the need for an early amendment of the Cheap Trains Act, and the promises made by his last two predecessors that the Government would be asked to deal with this matter, if he can inform the House when he will be able to promote a Bill for this purpose?

I fear that I am not at present able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on this matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state whether any distinction is made between sick pay received from a trades union and that received from a friendly society when a person applies for outdoor relief?

Section 1 (2) of the Outdoor Relief (Friendly Societies) Act, 1904, provides that, in granting outdoor relief to a member of any friendly society the board of guardians shall not take into consideration any sum received from such friendly society as sick pay except in so far as such sum shall exceed 5s. a week. The question whether a particular trades union was a friendly society within the meaning of the Act would probably depend on what was the main purpose of the association, as determined by their rules, and whether it was a benevolent or a trade purpose. I have, however, no authority to determine the question.

asked how many of the new appointments lo be made in connection with the Poor Law administration will relate to Wales; and whether Welsh-speaking candidates from the Principality will receive a proper preference?

I am not at present making any fresh appointments, but I can assure my hon. Friend that in connection with any Welsh appointments the question of language will not be overlooked.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the event of the Census (Great Britain) Bill becoming law, the full particulars specified by Clause 4, Sub-section (1), will in practice be required in the case of all inmates of institutions or establishments, including conventual institutions; and whether the chief resident officer or head of such institutions, if appointed enumerator, will in practice be required to make the declaration imposed by Clause 11?

Full particulars will be required in the case of all inmates of institutions or establishments, and if the head of the institution is appointed enumerator he will be required to make a declaration under Clause 11.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at the King's Norton Union workhouse, Selly Oak, an inmate named George Hooley, of good character, who has had twenty-two years' service in the Army, applied to the guardians for outdoor relief with a view to being in a better position for finding employment; that the guardians informed him that before his application could be considered he would have to take his discharge from the workhouse, find lodgings as a place of residence, and then report himself to the relieving officer; whether he is aware that the chairman of the board has stated that if they granted outdoor relief to a single able-bodied man they would be surcharged; and, if this statement is correct, whether he can take any action in the matter?

I have had some correspondence with reference to a case in the King's Norton Union, which I take to be the one referred to, but I have not had before me all the details mentioned in the question. The regulations in force in the union provide that every able-bodied person requiring relief shall be relieved wholly in the workhouse, unless his case comes within one of the exceptions specially provided for in the regulations. Subject to the regulations in force, it rests with the guardians to decide in what manner relief, when it is needed, should be given, whether in or out of the workhouse. The Local Government Board cannot interfere with the discretion of the guardians in this respect, nor for the purpose of ordering relief in any individual case, being expressly prohibited by law from so doing.