asked whether any training ship for boys was stationed in Irish waters; and, if there was, where was it posted?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could now give details as to the displacement, armament, and speed of the German battleship cruiser "Von der Tann" and the battleships of the "Helgoland" type?

No official information has been received as regards the details asked for of the vessels named, but details have appeared in the "Marine Rundschau" for June, 1910, of the "Von der Tann."

In view of the fact that the "Von der Tann" has already been through her trials, and that the facts have appeared in the public Press, may I ask whether it would be possible to get the information?

I can only get such official details as may be given as the hon. Gentleman will understand.

Would the right hon. Gentleman have a translation of the article in the "Marine Rundschau" for those of us who are not conversant with German?

I think the article has been translated in various newspapers, but I will ask for a translation.

asked what percentage of the cordite supplied to the Navy was made at the Government factory?

The proportion is not fixed, but it is high. It is undesirable to state the precise percentage.

asked whether any cordite was distributed to the Fleet which had withstood the heat test owing to the presence in its composition of minute quantities of mercuric chloride?

I have no reason to believe that any such cordite was issued to the Fleet, and every precaution was taken to prevent it.

asked how many of the destroyers provided for in the British and German programmes for 1909–10 had been launched and completed?

Of the destroyers of the British 1909–10 programme, one has been launched. The whole twenty are due for completion as follows:—Two in January, 1911; one in March, 1911; seventeen in April, 1911. Ten of the German destroyers of the 1909–10 programme have been launched, of which four have been completed.

asked how many docks capable of accommodating ships of the "Dreadnought" type under normal conditions would be available for the use of the British and German fleets, respectively, on the shores of the North Sea at the end of 1911?

The numbers are:— Germany, 7; Great Britain, 2.

Will the right hon. Gentleman name the two docks?

Yes, Hebburn and one of the floating docks.

Does the Admiralty consider that the Hebburn dock is large enough and suitable for the accommodation of "Dreadnoughts?" We were told some time ago it was not.

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the question he will see it is suitable. The question says, "docks capable of accommodating ships of the 'Dreadnought' type."

Can a "Dreadnought" use this dock at low water or only at high water?

I believe at any state of the tide. I am not sure, but I will inquire.

May I ask whether the one floating dock to be finished at the end of next year will be the dock at the Medway?

I trust both will be finished.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the statement made by the Prime Minister at the Imperial Conference, 1907, that emigration was a most important matter and a matter as to which there ought to be constant co-operation between the Imperial authorities and the different local communities, he would inform the House what communications, if any, had passed between the Imperial authorities and the different local communities on the subject during the last twenty years; and whether he would lay the correspondence upon the Table of the House?

The Secretary of State is aware of the statement of the Prime Minister referred to. As at present advised, however, he considers that the needs of the situation are sufficiently met by the presence in this country of officers of the self-governing Dominions specially charged with the business of emigration and by the provision of the Emigrants' Information Office, which, as the hon. Member is aware, affords full and reliable information to inquirers. The Secretary of State does not think that publication of correspondence would serve any useful purpose.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there has been any correspondence?

That is dealt with in another reply. I am giving to the hon. Gentleman the next question but one.

Mr. Speaker, may I respectfully say I want an answer to my question?

The hon. Member will get it if lie has the patience to wait for one minute, or less.

May I ask if the views of the Colonial Office are identical with the views of the Prime Minister on the question?

I understood that the hon. Gentleman referred to the words used by the Prime Minister on May 2nd, 1907. I took the precaution of taking his words down, and I think the House will see that the answer I have given fairly meets the case. The Prime Minister said:— There ought to be constant co-operation between the Imperial authorities and the different, local communities. I may point out that that is secured in the self-governing Dominions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the appointment of a gentleman from Holland as head of the Agricultural College at Bloemfontein; whether there was any precedent for appointing a foreigner to a position of this kind in a British Colony; and whether the Government agreed with the member of the Legislative Council, Orange River State, who inferred that the gentleman in question was selected because he possessed the redeeming merit of being a Hollander, and therefore not liable to the suspicion of inculcating any unwholesome or Imperial sentiments?

The Secretary of State has no information on the subject, and would not in any case wish to express an opinion on a local appointment made by the responsible Government of the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he was aware that the recent amendment of the regulations governing the emigration of assisted persons to Canada, to which his attention was recently called by the hon. Member for Devonport, conflicted with and practically nullified, so far as Canada was concerned, the emigration facilities specially provided by Parliament under the Poor Law, The Local Government Act, 1888, The Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, and The Labour Exchanges Act, 1909; whether he could inform the House if the Government of the Dominion of Canada gave any notice to the Government intimating this sudden change in their immigration policy; and whether he could cite any precedent where a Colonial Government had agreed to regulations conflicting with Imperial legislation without previous correspondence with the Colonial Office?

The immigration regulations of the Canadian Government are not in conflict with the Acts of the Imperial Parliament referred to. The new regulations do not prohibit assisted emigration from this country, but impose certain restrictions on such emigration. The new regulations were made known in this country, but not in sufficient time to enable the agencies concerned in all cases to adapt their arrangements to the new conditions. The matter has formed the subject of correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Dominion Government.

My question referred, not to the agencies, but to the amended regulations.

I think I have answered the question put to me. I have said that the regulations do not conflict with the Acts of the Imperial Parliament. They may be inconvenient, but they do not conflict.

Would the hon. Gentleman kindly quote the sections of the different Acts?

The hon. Member is asking too much.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that flour supplied for the making of bread was to a large extent made impure by subjecting it to a chemical process, such as air saturated with nitric acid, or by admixture of phosphate of lime or other chemicals, and that the practice of such interference with the natural purity of flour was largely on the increase; and whether any, and what, steps were being taken to protect the public from being supplied with impure or adulterated flour?

I have already directed an investigation of this matter by one of the Inspectors of the Foods Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at least half the millers in London and an even larger proportion in the country are adulterating all their flour in this way?

I have stated that the question is under investigation.

asked whether it was the intention of the Government to introduce legislation dealing with the equalisation of the rates in the metropolis?

I could not undertake to promise legislation on this subject during the present Session.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of raising the contribution from each Metropolitan Borough towards the Equalisation Fund so as to relieve the very heavily rated boroughs?

Notice should be given of that question.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture had given consideration to the exceptionally high prices prevailing for meat in this country, and to the fact that the supply of beef was mainly in the hands of the North American firms comprising what was known as the Beef Trust; and whether the Board was giving or would give, consideration to the pressing necessity of opening up other sources of supplies of meat to this country?

The high price of beef recently prevailing has not escaped the attention of the Board, but they are not aware of any sources of available supply other than those now existing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, if the information regarding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in certain provinces in Argentina had been officially notified by the Argentine Gov- ernment; if not, would he state the source from which such information had been notified to the Board?

The Board was informed through the Foreign Office that the Argentine Government had notified to them the re-appearance of foot-and-mouth disease in Argentina.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he would state why, inasmuch as the Argentine Government in August last officially declared that country to be free from foot-and-mouth disease, the Board should have taken no steps to verify such statement, in view of the request of the Argentine Government that live cattle should be allowed to be exported to this country for slaughter; and if he would explain why, in October last, the Board stated that the question of modifying the restrictions upon the importation of live cattle into this country from Argentina was then under consideration?

The Board do not question nor attempt to verify the accuracy of statements made by a foreign government. The modification of the restrictions was under' consideration last October at the request of the Argentine Government, but I would remind my hon. Friend that there are many considerations to be taken into account other than the freedom of a country from disease at any given time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the card index system was in use at all the Labour Exchanges, he would take steps to secure in future a return of all foreigners who had not been resident in the United Kingdom for at least six months who were placed in employment through the medium of the Exchanges?

I do not think it desirable to comply with this suggestion. The questions asked of applicants are directed solely to the object of securing information as to the individual's industrial efficiency and his suitability for vacancies notified to the Exchange, and further questions should not be added without strong reason. Moreover, in the present case the replies given could not be verified.

asked whether the managers of Labour Exchanges taken over from the Central (Unemployed) Body for London had been placed in charge of first-class offices at second-class salaries, notwithstanding the fact that they had considerable experience of the work, and that the newly appointed officials drawing first-class salaries had no actual experience?

With the consent of the Treasury it was arranged that officers of the Central (Unemployed) Body should be taken over by the Board of Trade, for employment in connection with Labour Exchanges, at their existing salaries. It has since been found possible to grade certain of these officers, and others will be put upon the scale of salaries in force for the general body of Labour Exchange officers as opportunity offers.

asked (1) how many Labour Exchanges were registering juvenile applicants; and in how many cases had special advisory committees for juvenile employment been appointed; (2) whether the President of the Board would secure that local education authorities or their representatives should be given a paramount influence on any special advisory committee for juvenile employment established in connection with the Labour Exchanges; and (3) whether he was prepared to assist juvenile Labour Exchanges established by local education authorities, under the powers given to him by Section 1 (1) of the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, to assist Labour Exchanges maintained by any other authorities or persons?

All the Exchanges are prepared to register juvenile or other applicants for employment. No advisory committees for juvenile employment have yet been definitely appointed, but a number of such committees are in process of formation by the Board of Trade as the result of negotiations with local education authorities and other bodies interested in the welfare of boys and girls. All these advisory committees will be constituted in accordance with the special rules framed by the Board of Trade with the concurrence of the Board of Education, and each will include an adequate number of members possessing educational knowledge and experience. In all cases the local education authorities will be fully consulted before such persons are chosen. Any application for assistance to a Labour Exchange under Section 1 (1) of the Labour Exchanges Act would be considered on its merits having regard to all the circumstances. It is obviously undesirable unduly to multiply agencies dealing with employers in the same district.

asked the President of the Board of. Trade if he would indicate what questions relating to pilotage would be dealt with by the Anglo-French Committee recently appointed; and if he would give the names of the members of the French Committee?

The French members of the Committee are:—M. Bignon, Deputé for the Dieppe District of the Seine Inférieure; M. Bazin, Sous-directeur for Merchant Shipping at the Ministry of Commerce; and M. Fromageot, Avocat. I hope to be able to make a further statement as to the questions to be dealt with by the Committee at a later date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he would have the most important figures given in the Parliamentary Paper on the Cost of Living in German Towns, being the Report of an Inquiry by the Board of Trade into Working Class Rents, Housing, and Retail Prices, etc., published in 1908 [Cd. 4032], brought up to the end of the year 1909?

The information in the Report referred to by my hon. Friend was obtained by personal inquiries in Germany which occupied a very considerable time and involved great labour and expense. In order to bring the figures up to date similar prolonged inquiries would be necessary, and the Board of Trade cannot, I fear, at present undertake this work, in view of the other important inquiries on which they are engaged.

When will the Report dealing with similar figures for the United States be published?

I must ask for notice of that.

In view of the fact that Tariff Reform workmen have apparently been able to secure in ten days information which is entirely contradictory to the results of the investigations of the Board of Trade, could not the right hon. Gentleman apply to them to supply him with information at a small expense in a short time?

If I thought the Board of Trade investigations were likely to be satisfactorily carried out in ten days I would certainly undertake them, but that is not the view of the Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the extensive reports of these working men?

asked when the Departmental Committee on Railway Agreements and Amalgamations was likely to issue its Report?

I understand that there are still certain witnesses whom the Committee desire to hear; but it is hoped that they will be able to proceed shortly to the consideration of their Report. I am not in a position to say when the Report is likely to be issued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the fact that a trades council in the West of Scotland had recently passed a resolution that in the trade boards about to be appointed the special requirements of Scotland could not be satisfactorily met except by the appointment of at least four representatives from the organised Scottish workers, four from the employers, and two official members appointed from persons resident in Scotland and having a knowledge of its industrial conditions; and, if so, would he say whether he would accede to this request?

My attention has been called to the resolution in question. The number of representatives of Scottish employers and workers on any trade must depend on the area covered and the total membership of the board. Every effort is made in framing regulations for trade boards to ensure that Scottish interests are adequately represented. The usual number of appointed members acting on a trade board is three, and in none of the boards at present contemplated is there sufficient reason for restricting two of the appointments to persons resident in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he could state the value of the total output of gold in the world for each of the past ten years; and if he had any report to show that such output was now in excess of the requirements of the world and was resulting in a depreciation in the value of gold and a consequent loss of its purchasing power?

If the hon. Gentleman will allow me, I will have the figures, printed with the Votes. The statistics of wholesale prices during recent years published by the Board of Trade appear to indicate that the large output has been absorbed without such a marked rise in the general level of prices as would indicate a substantial depreciation in the value of gold.

Are the statisticians of the Board of Trade giving their attention to the matter at the present moment, because the rise we are noticing in article against article is attributed by many to this cause?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will wait and see the figures.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can see his way to issuing letter-cards to be kept at every post office for sale at a penny each; and, if apprehension of loss be an obstacle, will he say what the loss is estimated to be, and what the actual loss now is on branches of the postal service of which poor people who would use penny letter-cards do not commonly avail?

Tenders have recently been invited for a new contract for the supply of letter-cards and other articles of stamped stationery. To prepare an estimate of cost on the basis of the prices fixed in a contract which is about to terminate would not serve a useful purpose. I am giving this subject careful consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could arrange that all future postmastership appointments in Welsh-speaking areas should be offered in the first instance to eligible Welsh-speaking officials; and whether or not there was a sufficient number of Welsh-speaking officials from which, in the interests of the service and the community, one could have been chosen to fulfil the duties of postmaster at Swansea?

In answer to the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for the Carmarthen Boroughs on Monday last. The requirements of the service do not demand a knowledge of Welsh on the part of the postmaster at Swansea, and had such a qualification been nevertheless regarded as indispensable the appointment which would have been made could not have been as satisfactory as the present one.

May I inquire whether it is not of equal importance that the Member for Swansea should be able to speak Welsh?

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can state how many of the higher administrative appointments in the Department are held by persons appointed by patronage and how many, by promotion from amongst those who entered the public service by open competition; and whether steps will be taken to secure that the patronage system will be abolished or limited in his Department?

With reference to the first part of the question, the whole of what is commonly known as the Higher Staff of the Board of Education is appointed by the President of the Board. With regard to the second part of the question, I am not prepared to suggest either the abolition or the limitation of the powers of appointment which are at present vested in the President. The qualifications required, both for the administrative and inspectorial branches of the Board, are various and, depending as they do largely upon practical experience and personal character, cannot be satisfactorily tested by examination. I may, perhaps, refer the hon. Member to an answer given on this point to the hon. Member for the North-East Division of Cork by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 11th June, 1909.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that it has been for many years past the practice of school teachers, managers, and local education authorities to give advice, information, and assistance to boys and girls with respect to the choice of employment or other matters bearing thereon; whether the statement in Circular 743, that the Board of Education contemplate early legislation with a view to giving local authorities statutory powers for the purpose of giving such assistance and advice, is intended to convey that the present practice of local education authorities is illegal; if so, will he promote the promised legislation during the present Session; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Labour Exchanges are advertising very unsuitable employments for boys and girls, and visiting schools to obtain children to fill these posts; and what steps he intends to take to assist local education authorities to restrain scholars from entering such employment and to enable suitable children to remain at day or evening school and be safely and successfully launched in the labour market under the guidance of the education authority?

In reply to these questions I hope shortly to introduce a Bill giving powers but not imposing any obligation upon local education authorities to maintain juvenile labour bureaux, through the agency of which they may be able to effect in some degree what I understand the hon. Member to desire. The details of the matter are engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board have now received Reports from every county in England and Wales showing the results for a complete year of the medical inspection of the children in the elementary schools; whether such Reports disclose the fact that over forty per cent, of such children are suffering from some physical defect, and that over twenty per cent, require, and should receive, some medical treatment; and whether, both in the interests of the national physique and to avoid the serious waste of public money consequent upon the attempt to educate children who are more or less physically incapable of receiving education, the Board propose to take any, and, if so, what, steps to remedy the condition disclosed by the above Reports?

With reference to the first part of the question, the Board have received reports for the year 1909 from about two-thirds of the local authorities concerned. It is not possible to state the facts revealed by the reports which have been received in the form suggested in the second part of the question. The Report of the chief medical officer, based upon the reports received from the local education authorities, will be prepared in due course and will deal fully with the conclusions which can reasonably be drawn from the results of the medical inspection for the year in question. As regards the third part of the question, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that local education authorities have the power, with the approval of the Board of Education, under Section 13 (1) ( b ) of the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, to make arrangements for attending to the health and physical condition of the children educated in public elementary schools. This power is being exercised in various ways by many authorities.

May I ask whether as soon as the whole of the reports on this subject have been received by the Board, the right hon. Gentleman will not issue an analysis of the several disorders from which the children suffer?

Yes, Sir, the Report of the chief medical officer will deal with that subject.

Will the Report include any report as to what children are actually being treated at the schools besides being examined?

I cannot say exactly what the Report will contain. I have no doubt it will deal with that subject in one way or another.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the present increase in the education rate generally throughout Scotland, if he will advise the Scotch Education Department to forego passing a regulation reducing the size of classes, as such would largely increase present assessments; and, if not, will he advise the increase of the Government Grant to cover expenditure so entailed?

The Department are in course of making inquiry as to the actual size of classes at present in all schools in Scotland, and any regulations which they may propose for further restricting the size of classes will) be framed with due regard to the probable increase of expenditure which may be caused to school boards and the amount and distribution of existing Grants.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the size of the classes in Scotland is not much smaller than in England?

I cannot say. The hon. Gentleman might put down a question.

asked the Lord Advocate who has the appointing of honorary sheriff-substitutes in Scotland; what qualifications and training are considered for such appointments; and is it usual to appoint men to administer justice in that capacity to the people who have in their hands the payment of the salaries of those so appointed?

The sheriffs have in Scotland the appointment of honorary sheriff-substitutes. No special qualification or training is prescribed. The 17th section of the Sheriffs Courts (Scotland) Act regulates such appointments. The answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.

asked whether the Government intend to put into force the suggestions contained in the Report from the Joint Select Committee on the High Court of Justice for the rearrangement of the circuit system; and, if so, whether the House would be given an opportunity of discussing the proposals?

The suggestions for the rearrangement of the circuit system which amongst other matters were urgently recommended by the Joint Committee for consideration are being considered by the Government. Care will be taken that the House shall have the opportunity of discussing any proposals involving any substantial alteration of the present circuit system.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the total acreage under barley in the year 1909 in Ireland, the gross yield, and what proportion of the total was used for malting purposes?

The total area under barley in Ireland in the year 1909 was 163,100 acres. The estimated gross yield of the crop was 3,574,193 cwts. The Department are not in a position to state what proportion of the yield was used for malting purposes.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has taken over the duties of the Vice-President of the Department?

The greater includes the less.

asked whether it is intended to issue regulations providing for special grants in aid to necessitous local education authorities for the year 1910–11; and, if so, when such regulations will be published?

Yes, Sir. I cannot yet fix a date, but I hope that it may be possible to issue them before very long.

asked how many valuers and assistant valuers have already been appointed under the Finance Act, 1909–10, and at what average salary?

Since the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, 189 valuers (72 on a permanent and 117 on a temporary basis) have been appointed for Great Britain at an average salary of £318. These appointments are in addition to the already existing Staff of Valuers (sixty-one in number) attached to the Estate Duty Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Down County Council with regard to the damage done to public roads by traction engines; and whether he will consider the expediency of putting a tax on these ponderous vehicles and of refunding the proceeds to local authorities?

I have received a communication on the subject from the hon. Member himself, and I need hardly say that I shall be glad to consider his suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the feasibility of meeting, in part, the cost of the naval defence of the Empire by means of an Imperial Customs tariff, based on the lines laid down by the late Mr. Hofmeyer at the Colonial Conference, 1907, such a tariff to consist of a 2 per cent, duty levied, independently of the duties payable under existing tariffs, on all goods entering the Empire from foreign countries; what amount, approximately, would have been collected if such a tariff has been in force during the financial year ending 31st March, 1887, and what amount, approximately, would have been collected if such a tariff had been in force during the financial year ending 31st March, 1907; and whether, in view of the increase in our naval expenditure, he will consult with the Governments of the oversea dominions and ascertain their views as to the advisability of instituting such a tariff?

I do not think I should be justified in imposing on the Departments concerned the amount of labour which would be required to form an estimate of the kind asked for by the hon. Member, nor do I see my way to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

asked whether it is intended that income from capital invested abroad which is not brought into the United Kingdom should be included in Super-tax Returns?

Under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, an individual is not required to include in his statement of income for the purpose of assessment to Super-tax income derived from capital invested out of the United Kingdom which is not at any time received, or brought, or remitted into this country.

May I ask whether in the next Budget that will be altered, and such income come within the purview of the Super-tax?

Could not the Super-tax be placed on all those industries which, in Free Trade England, as at present constituted, enjoy monopolistic advantages?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the remission of the Super-tax in the case of those incomes which are at present subject to double Income Tax taxation, as, for example, a Colonial living in Queensland and drawing an income from the United Kingdom?

I agree that it is a hardship, but the same thing happens in regard to Australia. I will put it the other way round. A man with an income in Australia has to pay although he lives here. I think it is a hardship, but it is a very difficult case to deal with.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the remedying of the matter through the agencies for the remission of Super-tax? This affords a way of dealing with the thing uncontro-versially, and without raising the other question of double taxation.

I must consider that. I could not give an answer oft-hand.

asked whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer was aware of the fact that if a member of a friendly society over seventy years of age who is not in certified illness, and therefore not receiving any benefits, applies for a pension, the amount of his contribution is not allowed for in calculating his income, although when in receipt of sick pay the authorities allow as abatement the amount he has to contribute for such benefit; and, if so, whether he can take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The payments in question are of the nature of insurance premiums and do not, under the provisions of the Old Age Pensions Act, constitute legitimate deductions in calculating a claimant's general means. When, however, the insurer is actually in receipt of a benefit, the value of the benefit has to be ascertained, and that value is clearly less than the gross amount received by the amount of any payment he has to make as a condition of receiving it. Therefore I do not think that there is any anomaly in the existing practice.

asked whether in any Amendment of the Old Age pensions Act. 1908, now under the consideration of the Treasury, provision is being made to meet the repeated demands of friendly societies that sick pay and distress gift grants receivable by a member may be exempt from being taken into consideration as ordinary income of a person who is applying for a pension under the Act?

The special difficulty in regard to the exemption asked for by my hon. Friend lies in the practical impossibility of distinguishing between different forms of thrift, such as the sick pay and distress grants given by friendly societies on the one hand, and on the other receipts from deposits in building societies or in savings banks, etc. I am afraid that in these circumstances I could not meet the wishes of the friendly societies without increasing the cost of old age pensions to an alarming extent.

asked what was the combined output of all the breweries in Ireland for the financial years ending March, 1909, and March, 1910, respectively, exclusive of any one brewery which manufactured half a million barrels or over?

The combined output of all the breweries in Ireland for the financial years ending March, 1909, and March, 1910, respectively, exclusive of any one brewery which manufactured half a million barrels or over, was:—

Standard Barrels.

In the year ended March 31, 1909 771,518

In the year ended March 31, 1910 780,471

asked whether Sir George Gibb and Sir Francis Hop-wood have been appointed heads respectively of the Road Board and the Development Board, with salaries of £3,000 a year each; whether there are any other posts in the Civil Service the occupants of which are paid at such high rates; and whether, in view of the demands on the national purse for social reform and Imperial defence, he will take steps to ensure that the successors of these gentlemen shall receive smaller salaries?

Sir George Gibb and Sir Francis Hopwood have been appointed Chairman of the Road Board and Vice-Chairman of the Development Commission, respectively, at salaries of £3,000 per annum each. These posts are paid at a higher rate than corresponding posts in other Government Offices because in each case the appointment is temporary, and not permanent, as in the Civil Service generally.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State had any information to the effect that 1,000 men of the Chinese garrison at Lhassa have been killed in a rising of the inhabitants?

A rumour has reached the Government of India that fighting has taken place in a district distant some days' march to the east of Lhassa, and that 500 Chinese troops have been killed; but no certain information has been received.

asked the Undersecretary whether he has official knowledge of the fact that a recently published pamphlet by Mr. Mackarness on the methods of the Indian police in the twentieth century has been proscribed and declared forfeit by the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam under the new Press Act; and, if so, whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the grounds of such action?

The pamphlet in question has been declared by the Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam and by five other local Governments to be forfeited to His Majesty under Section 12 (1) of the Indian Press Act, 1910, on the ground that it contains words which have a tendency to bring the Government established by law in British India into hatred and contempt. The Secretary of State considers that these Governments were fully justified in their action, and sees no reason for shrinking from applying the same law to obnoxious matter transmitted from England as is applied to similar matter produced in India itself.

Is the hon Gentleman aware that only fifty copies of this pamphlet were sent to India altogether, and that the Governor's Council has declared these pamphlets forfeited; and whether the pamphlet itself does not consist chiefly of extracts from official reports and replies given in this House?

It must be obvious to the hon. Member that the damage done by a particular pamphlet does not depend upon the numbers of the pamphlet imported. If the hon. Member will read the pamphlet in connection with the documents from which it purports to quote he will see how very mischievous has been the use that has been made of the quotations.

Is there one single statement in the pamphlet that is not a correct extract from some official document, and are statements of that kind not to be allowed to circulate either in India or in any part of the dominions?

If the hon. Member will confer with me after questions I will go through the pamphlet with him, and I will explain to him the enormous number of inaccuracies contained in every page.

On the proper occasion I shall endeavour to obtain information for the use of the public as well as for myself.

May I ask whether the publication of obnoxious matter like this and attacks of this character upon the police do not cruelly misrepresent the Indian people from whom the police are recruited, beside adding to the difficulty the police experience in detecting and punishing crime?

Every effort is made every year, both here and in India, to improve the Indian Police Force, and attacks upon the force which are wholly unsustained by evidence must produce a very serious effect upon the capacity of that force to retain public confidence and to preserve order.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, in view of his statement that the pamphlet contained inaccuracies, and was also likely to cause a breach of the peace, he will consider the advisability of proceeding for libel against the author?

I do not think I said anything about a breach of the peace

asked the Undersecretary whether he had any official knowledge of the fact that in five civil suits in the district of Dinajepore, in Eastern Bengal, damages were obtained against a sub-inspector of police for wrongful confinement and for the recovery of money alleged to have been extorted, and that the district superintendent of police, subsequent to the decree, took up the case departmentally and found the sub-inspector not guilty; and whether any further action has been taken in this case by the Government?

The Secretary of State has seen the report of a question and answer on this subject in the Eastern Bengal Council. He does not know whether any further action has been taken in the case, but he will inquire.

asked whether Maulvi Mazharul Huq, lately deputy-superintendent of police at Midnapore, whose conduct in the Midnapore conspiracy case was the subject of animadversion by the Chief Justice of Bengal, has been promoted to officiate as a district superintendent of police; and whether there is likely to be any further delay in the issue of orders on the result of the official inquiry into the conduct of the police and of other authorities which was directed by the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal in consequence of the judgment of the Chief Justice?

It is the case that this officer, who holds the substantive appointment of deputy-superintendent of police at Sonthal Parganas, and has served in the police force for thirty-one years, has been appointed to officiate temporarily as superintendent of the Police of that district during the absence of the permanent incumbent on leave. The arrangement is in accordance with regular practice, the object being to avoid unnecessary transfers by appointing the officer on the spot to fill a casual vacancy of a few months. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me on 1st March to the Member for Roxburghshire.

How long has this temporary appointment been made, and are we to imply from the appointment that there is no other officer capable of performing the duty to which this censured person has been promoted?

I am afraid I do not know without notice how long the appointment has been made, but it is temporary. If the hon. Member will consult the references I gave him he will understand this matter cannot be dealt with pending the decision of the civil courts, which may not be for some months yet.

Does the hon. Gentleman consider it advisable in the public interest that a police officer publicly censured by a judge for malpractices should be promoted immediately after?

An inquiry is being held, and the result of the inquiry cannot be made public at present. Pending that there is no reason why he should not hold a temporary appointment.

Is not that tantamount to censure upon the judge?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can say, approximately, how many old persons in Ireland certified by pension committees and by general local opinion to be more than seventy years of age and entitled to old age pensions are denied the pensions by the Local Government Board because, though always resident in Ireland, their names are not in the Census Returns; and, seeing that many are in receipt of pensions who would not be but for the evidence of those Returns, whether he will have all the cases reconsidered in which the silence of the Returns is. the sole obstacle?

The Local Government Board are not in a position to give the information asked for in the first part of this question. It is not open to them to reconsider their decisions which are arrived at after full opportunity has been given to pensioners or claimants to furnish evidence as to their ages. Any such person who thinks he has sufficient evidence of age can make a fresh claim.

asked on what grounds the old age pension of John Bourke, Culleens, county Sligo, is being withheld?

John Bourke's claim was disallowed by the pension sub-committee, and on appeal was also disallowed by the Local Government Board under Sub-section 2 of Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act as he admitted in his claim that he had lived in the United States for ten years, all or part of which came within the twenty years preceding the date of his claim.

asked the number of estates in regard to which proceedings for sale were instituted before the Estates Commissioners in the first five months of 1910, as compared with the number in the corresponding period in each of the three preceding years?

The number of estates in regard to which proceedings were instituted before the Estates Commissioners in the first five months of the present year was thirty-two. The numbers in the corresponding period of the three preceding years were 119, 663, and 564 respectively.

asked what was the number of applications received to the present date by the Estates Commissioners from vendors under the Irish Land Act, 1909, for advances by means of Guaranteed Two and Three-quarters and Three per Cent. Stock; and what is the amount of Stock of each denomination issued?

The Estate Commissioners have received 961 applications under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, from vendors in pending cases for payment in whole or in part by means of Guaranteed Two and Three-quarters per Cent. Stock. Of these applications 249, representing purchase money to the amount of £1,895,887, were for payment wholly in Stock, and 712, representing £7,458,580, were for payment partly in Stock and partly in cash. Two thousand three hundred and sixty-eight purchase agreements in direct sales have also been received applying for advances of £607,654 in Guaranteed Three per Cent. Stock. Up to the present £11,487 has been advanced in Two and Three-quarter per Cent. Stock and £14,800 in Three per Cent. Stock.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of indictable crimes of an agrarian character reported by the police in Ireland in the year 1909, and the number of such crimes in which offenders were convicted?

Four hundred and two indictable crimes of an agrarian character were committed in Ireland in 1909, including 178 cases of threatening letters and notices. Convictions were obtained in thirteen cases.

asked the Chief Secretary the names of the counties still subject to proclamations issued in 1907, declaring them to be in a state of disturbance, necessitating the employment of extra police; the names of the counties from which similar proclamations issued in the same year have been withdrawn; whether, as a result of the recent redistribution of the force, the free quota was augmented by the transfer to that establishment of a number of men from the extra force; and, if so, what was the number of men so transferred; what was the increased charges placed upon the Constabulary Vote; if he will state also whether the withdrawal of proclamations from certain counties was indicative of an improvement in the condition of affairs therein; and, if so, whether such improvement has been reflected, and to what extent, in the strength of the general establishment of the force?

The counties of Clare, Galway, Longford, and Roscommon are still subject to the proclamations issued in 1907. In the case of King's County and Leitrim the proclamations have been withdrawn. Under the recent redistribution of the Royal Irish Constabulary 361 men were transferred from the extra force to the free force, the increased charge to the Constabulary Vote being £12,440. The withdrawal of the proclamations in two counties was indicative of an improvement, but not to such an extent as to admit of the requirements of those counties being dealt with on the basis of the allocation of 1906 or to justify a reduction in the strength of the general establishment of the force.

also asked the Chief Secretary whether it was under his instructions that the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture refused to supply the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society with information as to the names of the credit societies from which repayment of loans was recovered by legal process; whether he will state the nature of the proceedings taken in each case and the amounts respectively sued for and recovered; and whether, seeing that these societies have been organised by the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, he will, as President of the Department, supply the secretary of the society with the information he desires?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I may say that the action taken by the Vice-President has my concurrence. The proceedings taken consisted of the service of writs upon certain guarantors in one or two cases. In the remaining cases the amounts were paid on the demand of the Chief Crown Solicitor, in whose hands the proceedings against the defaulting banks had been placed. In twelve out of the fifteen cases of default the question of taking proceedings was, in pursuance of the then existing practice, referred, in the first instance, to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, which investigated each of the cases and advised that proceedings for recovery should be taken. I see no reason, therefore, why the Organisation Society should be furnished with the names of the defaulting credit societies as to which they already possess information. As regards the three remaining cases, the Vice-President is of opinion that any publicity might involve certain persons in difficulty, and would be of no public advantage, and I concur in this view.

Is it within the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that he stated in this House as recently as last week that he saw no reason why the information asked for in this question should not be furnished?

Yes, I am aware of that. I inquired into the matter, and the reason given me is a personal one affecting the credit of one or two individuals, and I see no reason why they should suffer.

asked whether the Chief Secretary's attention had been called to the official report of the speech made by the hon. Member for North Longford (Mr. J. P. Farrell) at a public meeting in connection with the Ancient Order of Hibernians at Longford on Sunday, 5th June; and whether, having regard to the references made by the hon. Member to the probable action of the grand jury of county Longford in regard to the indictment to be presented against certain persons, including the hon. Member, on a charge of conspiracy, it is intended to apply for a change of venue in this case?

The process of applying for a change of venue is not applicable in the case of the presentation of a bill of indictment before a grand jury.

Does that mean that the hon. Member must go free?

No, it means that in the first instance the case must come before a grand jury of the county.

asked the right hon. Gentleman to state from the returns of deaths furnished quarterly to the Registrar-General the number arising from the use of firearms in the quarterly periods of 1909 and 1910?

The total number of deaths registered in Ireland in 1909 as. having been caused by firearms was forty-seven. Of these twenty-eight are classified as accidental, sixteen as suicidal, and three as homicidal. The figures for 1910 are not available, as the returns have not been tabulated.

asked when the Congested Districts Board will be able to start operations under the Act of 1909 in county Sligo?

The Congested Districts Board have already opened negotiations with some landlords in county Sligo for the purchase of estates, and will begin the work of preparing the lands for resale when they acquire them.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will direct that measures shall be taken to afford protection to the fishermen of Magharow and other places on the Sligo coast against foreign and Scottish trawlers, so as to keep these trawlers outside the three-mile limit of the coast of Sligo?

Steam trawling is prohibited off the coast of the county of Sligo, save between Streedagh Point and Easky. No application to have it prohibited in the excepted area has been received by the Department from the local fishermen. The Department will, in so far as the means at their disposal permit, enforce the law off the coast of the county in question.

May I take it that the Department would be willing to include in the three-mile limit that portion of the coast of Sligo now excluded?

Yes; but, as the hon. Member knows, there must be a by-law, otherwise prohibition cannot be enforced.

asked whether, from the correspondence that has taken place between the Congested Districts Board and Lord Clanricarde's agent, the right hon. Gentleman has any hope that the estate may be purchased by a voluntary arrangement during the life of the present owner?

I must ask the hon. Member not to press me too much on this point, as the Congested Districts Board are in negotiation with Lord Clanricarde's agent, and it would be unwise to say what the chances are of a voluntary sale.

asked whether the two chairs established, the first for the teaching of the law of contracts and of personal property, the second for the teaching of the law of real property and of equity, in the University College, Cork, under Statute B of the Irish Universities Act, 1908, have as yet had professors assigned to them?

I understand that one of these chairs has already been filled, and that the Dublin Commissioners, at their next meeting, will consider the applications of candidates for the other.

asked whether the Chief Secretary is aware that since the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland appointed a new district inspector to Circuit 8 B in August, 1909, his reports on the majority of schools show a serious decline of proficiency; whether he can ascertain from the Commissioners if this is to be attributed to inefficiency on the part of the teachers or to the methods of inspection adopted by the new inspector; whether he is aware that, owing to the high standard of proficiency demanded by him compared with other circuits, comparatively few schools have been described as very good or excellent by him, and that the great majority of teachers eligible for increments in this circuit have suffered loss through these reports in the past three years and teachers not eligible for increments through the operation of standard principles in the grades have not suffered so adversely in their reports; whether the Commissioners are aware that teachers looking forward for the award of increments are more energetic and enthusiastic in the discharge of their duties, and consequently their schools should show an improvement in proficiency rather than the decline indicated in the reports of Circuit 8 B; whether, where unfair reports have been given and managers have obtained a re-examination of their schools, the chief inspector, by his action in confirming the district inspector's reports, has rendered the right of appeal in this circuit nugatory; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The inspector in question was appointed to circuit 8 B in August, 1907. The Commissioners of National Education have no reason to believe that his reports do not represent fairly the condition of the national schools in that circuit, and they inform me that there is no foundation for the allegation made in the question with regard to the action of the chief inspector. If any instance of alleged hardship or unfairness is brought to the notice of the Commissioners it will be investigated.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has any statement to make as to the shooting outrage that took place about two miles from Athenry on Friday night, the 17th inst., when several shots were fired at a man named Thomas Collins, residing at Lisheenavalla, in Lough George district, near Galway, his horse being killed, but he himself narrowly escaping with his life; whether the police can assign any reason for the outrage; whether any arrests have been made; and what steps have been taken to prevent similar outrages in that neighbourhood?

I am informed by the constabulary authorities that as Collins was driving home on the evening of the 10th instant four shots were fired at his horse, wounding it so that it died in a few minutes. It seems clear that the shots were aimed at the horse, and not at the man. The reason for the outrage is altogether a matter of opinion. No arrests have been made, but the police are doing all they can to prevent outrages in the district, and an extra force has been stationed there for some time.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show how the police were able to state it was evident that shots were fired at the horse and not at the man? Does he know of any cases in Ireland where the horses have been shot at?

There were circumstances brought before my notice—I have not got them before me now—which seem to make it perfectly plain that the shots were aimed at the horse and not at the man.' The man was sitting at the back of the cart, and the horse died a few minutes after the shots were fired. Had there been in this case any intention of wounding the man the opportunities for doing so were quite easy.

Was the man wounded at all?

No, he was not.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the case of David Abernethy, of Moboy, Portglenone, county Antrim, whose name has on several recent occasions been before the Ballymena Rural District Council as an applicant for a new cottage under the Labourers Acts; whether his name has now been rejected from the council's No. 7 scheme on the ground that his earnings exceed 2s. 6d. per day; if so, will he cause an inquiry to be made as to the amount of this man's earnings, which there is good reason to believe do not exceed on an average 10s. weekly; and, seeing that Abernethy's present house is so inadequate that he, his wife, and six children are obliged to sleep in one small room, if he will give this case his earnest attention so that Abernethy may be provided with a new cottage at the earliest possible date?

The facts of this case are as stated in the first part of the question. The Local Government Board are at present in communication with the rural district council on the subject of Abernethy's application for a cottage.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether England was represented at the International Aerial Navigation Conference held at Paris last month?