asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the salaries of the principal teacher and staff of the Cloonfad, Castlerea, county Roscommon, national school, due on 16th April, have not yet been paid; and, if so, whether he will see that these salaries are paid immediately?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the salaries of the teachers were paid in the case of the girls' school on 16th April, and in the case of the boys' school on 25th and 26th April. In the latter case the claim forms and quarterly return were not received in the National Education Office in time for the issue of payments on the 16th instant.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received copies of the resolutions passed by the Dungarvan, Abbeyside, and Ballinroad branch of the United Irish League, calling attention to the case of the evicted tenants of the Nugent Humble Estate Company, Waterford, and pointing out that the scheme for the acquisition of the untenanted lands in the possession of Mr. Charles Nugent Humble, which fell through, was ill-considered and was prepared without having the necessary local information, and requesting that a new scheme for the acquisition of these untenanted lands should be prepared, and whether steps will be taken in the matter by the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners have received the resolutions referred to. They inform me that proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of certain lands held by Mr. Humble were instituted by them under the Evicted Tenants Act, but the owner appealed, and the High Court of Justice decided that the lands could not be acquired compulsorily. The Commissioners cannot take any further action with a view to the compulsory acquisition under the Evicted Tenants Act of the lands affected by that decision.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a tenant named Cox was evicted from his farm, in Ashbrook, county Roscommon, in 1885, and with his family emigrated to America; that, on learning of the passage of the Evicted Tenants Act, the representative of the family, James Cox, made application through a solicitor and also filed the regulation forms with the Estates Commissioners in due time through his friends, and then returned to Ireland in the expectation of being promptly restored to his farm, but that for some reason his case has been neglected by the Estates Commissioners; and whether steps will be taken to restore him to the former holding of his family, which is now in the possession of the landlord?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from James Cox for reinstatement in a holding on the Hanley estate, from which his father was evicted. The Commissioner's decided not to take any action in the case.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners, when hearing the case of Simon Ryan, evicted tenant at Cross, Pallasgreen, county Limerick, took into account the fact that he had three sisters and one brother; having regard to the fact that Ryan's case was admitted to be a genuine one, but that he was refused an equivalent to his former holding because he was in occupation of a holding of twenty-five acres, will the Estates Commissioners give a rehearing to this case and have Ryan's brother or sisters provided with a holding equivalent at least to the one they were evicted from, and which is now in occupation of another tenant; and are the Commissioners aware that the house on the farm held at present by Ryan was built by the money earned through the labours of his sisters for fifteen years after their eviction.

The Estates Commissioners were aware that the deceased, Patrick Ryan, had left other children besides Simon Ryan, when they decided not to provide his representatives with a holding. They are not prepared to reopen the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the application made for reinstatement by Daniel O'Connor, evicted tenant, of Cloghane, county Kerry; and, if so, what decision have they arrived at in his case?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into O'Connor's application for reinstatement and have decided not to take any action in the matter. His former holding is in the possession of another tenant.

asked what is the result of the application for reinstatement of John Lynch, Hugh Crean, and John Courtney from their holdings at Ballinvagig, Minard, county Kerry, estate of John C. Hickson?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered the applications of John Lynch, Hugh Crean, and John Courtney, for reinstatement in holdings on this estate, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked what steps have been taken for the reinstatement of Samuel Sullivan, evicted tenant, Dingle, county Kerry, on the Gallwey estate?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Margaret Sullivan, daughter of the former tenant and niece of Samuel Sullivan. The Commissioners, after inquiry, decided to take no action in the matter.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Margaret Glazier, of Banemore, Listowel, an evicted tenant on the Palmer estate, for reinstatement; and what action have the Estates Commissioners taken in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Margaret Glazier. Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the lands in question under the Evicted Tenants Act are at present pending before the Commissioners.

asked what steps have been taken for the reinstatement of Mr. Denis M'Carthy, Main Street, Dingle, in his farm; and whether, as the present occupier is willing to accept compensation, steps will be taken to have the evicted tenant reinstated at once?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Denis M'Carthy for reinstatement in his former holding of about 3½ acres on this estate which is now occupied by another tenant, and decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can hold out any hope that Mrs. Mary Callaghan, whose claim as an evicted tenant on the White estate, Bantry, has been admitted and approved by the Estates Commissioners, will be provided with a holding out of some of the untenanted land which is at present in process of being acquired in Cork county under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907?

The application of Mrs. Callaghan, whose former holding has been purchased by the present occupier under the Land Purchase Acts, has been noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land to be acquired by them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the case of John Cronin, evicted tenant, of Droumavally, Ballyseedy, Tralee; and what steps have been taken for his reinstatement?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into this case and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Maurice Sheahan, an evicted tenant on the Ormaithwaite estate, living at Coilbee, Listowel; and whether the Estates Commissioners will make an immediate inquiry into his case with a view of giving him a free grant for stock and buildings?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application for a grant from Sheahan who was reinstated by the landlord fourteen years ago. The application will be considered when the estate is being dealt with.

asked the circumstances under which a tenant of a labourer's cottage at Moynska, in the Listowel rural district, named Gouran, was evicted from it; whether he is aware that the present tenant is a Mrs. Barry, who possesses no qualifications to entitle her to a labourer's cottage; that there was a resolution passed by the council in favour of the reinstatement of Gouran under certain conditions; and, seeing that he is a bonâ fide labourer with a helpless young family, will the Local Government Board recommend that the cottage should be given to him in preference to a person who has no proper or legal claim to the tenancy of a labourer's cottage?

Gouran appears to have been evicted from the labourer's cottage on two or three occasions for non-payment of rent. The arrears having been struck off, Mrs. Gouran was appointed tenant, but she also had to be evicted for the same reason. Mrs. Barry, the present tenant, does not appear to be an agricultural labourer within the meaning of the Labourers Acts. The council passed a resolution on 5th November last ordering notice to quit to be served on Mrs. Barry, apparently with a view to the reinstatement of Gouran, but the resolution was rescinded on 3rd December last. The Local Government Board have already written to the council stating that Mrs. Barry's tenancy should be terminated as neither she nor her husband is an agricultural labourer and that the cottage should be let to a suitable tenant. The suggestion that the Board should recommend the council to let the cottage to Gouran, who has had to be evicted on previous occasions for his failure to pay the rent, is obviously one which cannot be acted upon.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the case of Maurice Barry, evicted tenant, of Lougher, Annascaul, county Kerry, Ventry estate; whether the farm is unoccupied and the evicted tenant in very poor circumstances; and will steps be taken at once to have him reinstated?

The Estates Commissioners decided to take no action in reference to Barry's application for reinstatement, but it may foe possible to effect the reinstatement of his mother, who appears to be the evicted tenant, when the estate is being dealt with.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have as yet received the Report of their inspector in regard to the turbary on the estate of M. A. Kirwan, and others, Aghagreagh, county Longford; and whether these bogs will be vested in trustees for the sole use of the tenants, as has been done on the neighbouring estates; and will instructions be given to the agent on this property not to let these bogs pending the decision of the Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners have received their inspector's report as to this estate, but have not yet issued their rulings thereon. They do not propose to interfere with the present user of the bog pending the completion of the sale.

asked whether the tenants on the Batsman estate, Dulis Camp, county Kerry, who did not sign purchase agreements refused to do so solely on the grounds that the price demanded was too high; whether the lands of those tenants were valued, and an opportunity given them to purchase before the lands were declared an estate; and, if not, will the Commissioners explain why?

The circumstances in which these tenants refused to sign purchase agreements were stated in my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on the 25th April, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Constable M'Glynn, stationed at Gort, is in the habit of visiting frequently the townland of Kilbecanty, some four or five miles east of Gort; whether he is aware that this policeman stops the people on the roadway, insults them by demanding where they are going to, and that he visits their houses at all hours, querying in an insulting and provocative way as to the movements of the people; and whether the people are to understand that this policeman is acting at the suggestion of the Irish Government?

I am informed that Constable M'Glynn has frequently to visit Kilbecanty on duty, and must continue to do so. The police authorities assure me that there is no ground whatever for attributing any discourtesy to him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the parish of Kilbecanty, Gort, county Galway, is one of the most congested in the county; and that a grazing farm, known as the Annagh Farm, the property of Mr. George Gallahan, lies in the immediate vicinity of this congestion; and whether, in view of the feeling which exists in regard to the necessity of relieving the local congestion out of this Annagh Farm, he will urge upon the Congested Districts Board the advisability of taking steps to acquire this farm?

So far as I can ascertain no representations have been made to the Congested Districts Board in this case by landlord or tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the case of Patrick O'Brien, applicant for an additional allotment at Duagh, in the Listowel union, county Kerry, the facts have been wrongly represented to the local government, seeing that this man could not have given any undertaking to the present occupier, Casey, not to apply for the extra half acre, as there was no mention whatever of such a thing when the improvement scheme of sixteen years ago was being considered; is he aware that Casey was not in occupation of his present farm at that time, it being then owned by his mother; that a tailor or any other man working for hire in a rural district is entitled to a cottage under the Labourers Act provided his income does not exceed 2s. 6d. per day; that O'Brien proved that he came within this qualification, and that his family work as agricultural labourers, and will he take steps to provide that O'Brien should obtain an additional allotment under the Act?

As I have already stated, in my answer to the question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member on 21st March last, the inspector disallowed the additional allotment in this case on the ground that O'Brien was not an agricultural labourer. The undertaking referred to in the question was only mentioned incidentally in my previous answer. I understand that the evidence was that it was given to Casey's mother. By Section 93 of the Irish Land Act (1903) the expression "agricultural labourers" in the Labourers Acts is extended so as to include certain classes of persons working for hire in the rural districts other than ordinary labourers. But O'Brien, who is stated to be a tailor by trade, does not apparently work for hire, and the evidence at the inquiry was that he was unable to work. The Local Government Board cannot intervene as suggested.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the claim of Mortimer Kelleher, Liscreagh, in the Millstreet rural district, for an additional half acre was considered in the last improvement scheme, under the Labourers Acts, for that district; that he sent in his representation form, claiming on the lands of John Hickey, and that the name of Cornelius O'Connor was substituted for that of Hickey; will he explain how this occurred; is he aware that Hickey was district councillor at the time in the Millstreet Union, and had access to the representation forms before they were investigated at the local inquiry; and was the claim of Kelleher rejected as a consequence of the manner in which his representation form was dealt with?

I understand that Kelleher's case was included in the council's last improvement scheme, but his representation, which was in the prescribed form, contained no suggestion as to the holding on which the additional allotment might be taken. There was consequently no substitution of occupiers' names in the form. Hickey was a district councillor at the time, and it was open to him as to other councillors to inspect the forms of representation. The council selected the additional allotment on O'Connor's land, and the inspector rejected the case on the ground that no satisfactory explanation was given why the additional half acre was not selected upon the same farm as the original plot.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick Ryan, Knocknageeha, Kilmaine, county Mayo, applied for an old age pension, and was granted a sum of 2s. a week by a pension officer named Mr. McEnry; that the local pensions committee met on 24th September, 1908, and increased the allowance to 4s.; that the pension officer appealed against the increase; that no steps were taken by the Local Government Board in the matter for a year; that in December, 1909, a new application was lodged toy this man, who was again granted 2s. a week, and that this grant, which was originally given by the pension officer, was appealed against by his successor; that the case is still pending, and this man has been left for sixteen months without the pension to which he is apparently entitled; and whether, seeing that the applicant is eighty-four years of age, and only living in the house with his married son and his wife, who are the owners of the stock which is on the land, and which was purchased by the fortune obtained at the time of their marriage, which took place six years ago, and at which time the old man assigned his interest to his son, he will take steps to have the case fully gone into and justice done to this man, by allowing him 4s. a week, which the local committee believed him entitled to?

The hon. Member has apparently been misinformed with regard to the action of the Local Government Board in this case. It is not the fact that no steps were taken by the Board for a year on the pension officer's appeal as they determined in February, 1909, that Ryan was not entitled to any pension. The second claim also is not still pending, as the Local Government Board gave their decision in February last upholding the pension officer's appeal on the ground that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. The assignment referred to will not take effect until the claimant's death, so that he is still the owner of the holding?

asked if a number of tenants on the estate of Mr. T. W. Sands, situate near Newtownsandes, North Kerry, refused to purchase their holdings because they considered the price exorbitant; whether the holdings of the tenants who refused to sign agreements have been inspected; and, if so, why have not the tenants been made aware of the inspector's report or of the prices fixed on their holdings by the inspector?

The Estates Commissioners have written to the solicitors having carriage of the sale intimating their estimated prices in the case of the tenants on this estate who have not signed purchase agreements, but the Commissioners have not yet been informed whether the tenants are willing to purchase at these prices. This estate is being sold by the owner direct to the tenants, and the terms of purchase are a matter of agreement between the parties.

asked why Messrs. Thomas Allman, P. B. Scanlon, and Edmond Dealing, of Knockreagh, Ardfert, have been served with notices to pay rent under threat of legal proceedings for the half-year ending 25th March, 1910, notwithstanding the fact that these tenants signed purchase agreements on 29th January, 1910; and whether the agent, Mr. William Haggard, of Tralee, who represents the landlord, M. H. Franks, has any authority from the Estates Commissioners to take such proceedings against the tenants?

This estate is pending for sale to the Estates Commissioners, who have made a proposal which has been accepted by the owner, but they are not yet in a position to enter into an agreement to purchase under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act (1903) as the statutory proportion of the tenants have not yet signed undertakings in accordance with the provisions of that section. Until the Commissioners enter into an agreement to purchase, the tenants are liable for rent as heretofore, and the interest in lieu of rent which the tenants who have signed undertakings to purchase have agreed to pay will only commence to run from the date of such agreement to purchase.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that many of the higher rates on the establishment have been left unfilled during the period of suspension; and whether he will be careful to see, on the establishment being reopened, that the men already on the establishment shall be preferred to hired men in regard to these higher rates?

It cannot be said without detailed inquiry whether such is the case or not. The suspension of the establishment has not prejudiced the advancement of men who are already established to the higher rates of pay. The men already on the establishment will be fully considered when such vacancies as may occur in the higher rates are filled up.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill does not meet the case of those landless cottars in the island of Lewis and other districts who are debarred from securing a holding under the Government Bill on account of their inability to equip, stock, and cultivate a holding, will he state how he proposes to deal with the cottar difficulty, especially bearing in mind that landless cottars in the island of Lewis, with their families, constitute a fourth of the population?

I am not able to accept the implication contained in my hon. Friend's question to the effect that the provisions of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Bill would not meet the case of the landless cottars.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the insanitary condition of many of the townships in the island of Lewis, as disclosed in the report of Dr. Dittmar, the medical inspector for the Local Government Board for Scotland, and confirmed by the medical officer of health for the county, and seeing that the money which the local authority can raise through the rates is not nearly sufficient to secure satisfactory improvement, will the Government take such action as may be necessary to admit of the funds at the disposal of the local authority being augmented by a special grant, so that the various townships in the island may be enabled to conform with the Public Health Act?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to my previous replies, given on 1st December last and other dates, on the subject referred to.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that Dr. Leslie Mackenzie, medical member of the Local Government Board for Scotland, has shown that in some parishes in the Highland crofting counties 70 per cent. of the deaths are uncertified, will he state what action the Government proposes to take in the matter?

No action can be taken without legislation; and there is no present intention to legislate.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that Dr. Dunn, medical officer for the parish of Lochbroom, Ross-shire, after cycling to the house of a patient some twenty-five miles away, was unable to return home by the same means owing to the boisterous weather, and had no alternative but to walk back to Ullapool by a short cut over the Croigach Rock, a precipitous spur of Benmore, whereby he ran the risk of losing his life, in order to be with a patient by whom his attendance was urgently needed the same night; and, seeing that medical officers in the Highland crofting counties are exposed to perils of this character on account of the insufficiency of medical men, will he state whether he can see his way to augment the staff and thus give effect to the recommendation of the Medical Relief Committee of 1904?

I am not aware of the facts of the case referred to by my hon. Friend. The question of medical relief in the Highlands is bound up with the question of Poor Law Reform, and will no doubt be considered in connection with any general measure that may be introduced dealing with the Poor Law.

asked if the Secretary for Scotland is aware that the arrangements made by the Congested Districts Board as to the division of Scuddaburgh at Idrigil, in Skye, have caused dissatisfaction to the parties interested; and if he will make a special inquiry into the circumstances of the case before finally deciding the matter?

This matter has been under the close attention of the Secretary for Scotland. The immediate cause of the dissatisfaction referred to by the hon. Baronet is a recent decision of the Crofters Commissioners granting an enlargement of holdings but excluding certain land at Scuddaburgh from the enlargement. Some of the parties interested have taken the ill-advised course of seizing the land in question. So long as those who have broken the law maintain their present attitude they must recognise that they are prejudicing any just claim to consideration which they may think they possess, and are only compelling the Board to enforce their rights as proprietors against unlawful invasion.

asked the Postmaster-General why the remuneration of the Post Office employés in Liverpool is higher than the remuneration paid to the employés in Birkenhead, although the cost of living in Birkenhead is shown in the Board of Trade Returns to be higher than in Liverpool?

The reason is that the units of work at Liverpool number 7,126, while at Birkenhead the number is 559. The scales of pay have been fixed in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Committee on Post Office servants in paragraphs 258 to 261 of their Report.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the R.M.S. "Lusitania" passed Queenstown harbour at 12.35 p.m. on Monday, 25th April, and that, had the Irish, Scotch, and North of England mails been landed at Queenstown, they could have been sent on by the ordinary 3 p.m. mail train, and would have been delivered in Cork on Monday evening, and in Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Tyne ports early on Tuesday morning; whether he is aware that the "Lusitania" did not reach Fishguard until after 6 p.m. on Monday, and that, even by the use of special trains, letters could not have been delivered in Glasgow and Edinburgh before Tuesday evening, a whole business day being thus practically lost; and whether the Irish mail had to remain at Fishguard until 2.15 a.m. on Tuesday, and when were letters delivered in Cork and Belfast, respectively?

I am having inquiry made, and I will acquaint the hon. Member with the result.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state what is the index number in volume of work for Ipswich, as ascertained by the Returns taken in October, 1909?

The October Returns relate only to letters and parcels. There are other items of business which have to be taken into consideration before the number of units of work can be determined. The necessary information is being collected, and the classification of Ipswich will be reconsidered, if necessary, when full information is available.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is with his knowledge and authority that the Telegraph Department of the Post Office submits tenders for the execution of work relating to the installation of fire-alarm apparatus for municipal and other public corporations in competition with outside manufacturers and traders; and whether he will take steps to prevent trading by Government Departments in competition with the tax-paying public?

also asked the Postmaster-General what is the reason why, when installing fire-alarm apparatus in Government buildings, the Post Office give a preference to American-made instruments in place of those of British manufacture; if he alleges such a practice is due to differences in price or quality; and, if so, of what does such difference consist, and upon what test and by whom has such decision been arrived at?

further asked the First Commisioner of Works why an American fire alarm system was installed by the Post Office throughout Windsor Castle, without any invitations being issued to tender, or any opportunity being given for British firms to compete for this work; what investigations were made as to the relative efficiency or cost of other systems; and upon whom does the responsibility rest for this neglect to give facilities for British manufacturers to compete on equal terms with foreigners for all public work within the cognisance of his Department?

I have been asked to answer the question addressed to the First Commissioner of Works, at the same time as the questions addressed to myself. The Postmaster-General has statutory powers for providing and maintaining telegraph lines on or under public roads, and in many towns is the only authority possessing such powers. It is for this reason that it is convenient for local authorities to have their fire alarm systems installed and kept up by the Post Office, especially in view of the fact that such systems, used by the public, fall within the exclusive rights relating to telegrams conferred on the Postmaster-General by the Telegraph Act of 1869. As regards the nature of the apparatus used this rests with the authority for whom the provision is made. The Post Office has no system of its own and so does not compete with those who manufacture and sell such apparatus. The fire alarm system at Windsor Castle was installed by the Post Office after careful consideration of the conditions to be met by the responsible officers of the Board of Works and the Post Office, who have full knowledge of the relative efficiency and cost of the various systems available. The rule adopted by the Post Office in the installation of fire alarm systems in Government buildings is to provide apparatus of the type which best meets the requirements of the case, as defined by the department concerned. Different types of apparatus are used to meet different conditions, and no preference is given to apparatus of American design except where it is believed to be decidedly more suitable than other patterns.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he had seen the resolution of the Associated Chambers of Commerce urging that clerks to surveyors of taxes should all be civil servants; and what action he proposed to take in the matter?

I have not, so far as I am aware, received a resolution on this subject from the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that in England, Wales, and Scotland none but established civil servants are allowed to touch or see any assessments made by the Special Commissioners, he will at once establish all the clerks in Ireland, as all the assessments in Ireland are made by the Special Commissioners, and all the work of copying Schedule B assessments and writing out the notices of assessment is performed by the surveyors' clerks?

I regret that I do not see my way to differentiate in the manner suggested between clerks in the offices of surveyors of taxes in the different countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the passing of the Budget and the amount of work thrown on surveyors of taxes thereby, he will instruct the Board of Inland Revenue to put off the quinquennial year of assessment to 1911–12, especially considering the fact that in the old books of assessment there is a column which can be used for the insertion of the duties for 1910–11, and that the preliminary work done for 1910–11 will do as well towards 1911–12 assessments?

I am afraid I cannot accept this suggestion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether it is proposed to include in the Census of 1911 information relating to divorce in accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Statistical Society, namely, that in addition to the three conditions as to marriage usually enumerated (single, married, widowed) that of divorce should be recognised in accordance with the practice of most other British and Continental countries?

The suggestion of my hon. Friend will be considered in connection with the preparation of the Schedules.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the exports of cotton manufactures (excluding yarns) from the United Kingdom to Germany and the value of the imports from Germany to the United Kingdom in each of the years 1890, 1895, 1900, and 1905, and each subsequent year?

The following statement gives the information desired by the hon. Member so far as it is available:—Statement showing the value of cotton manufactures (excluding yarns) of United Kingdom Production Exported (consigned) from the United Kingdom to Germany, and the value of similar goods imported into the United Kingdom which were consigned from Germany, in each of the undermentioned years—so far as the information is available:—