asked the right hon. Gentleman to give particulars with respect to estates in which proceedings for sale under the Land Purchase Acts were instituted by owners during the first five months of the present year as compared with the corresponding period of the previous five years, setting forth the number of such estates, the number of originating agreements lodged, and the aggregate amount of the advances applied for in each period?

The number of estates in respect of which originating applications and requests were lodged during the five months ending 31st May in the years 1905–10 and the amount of advances applied for were as follows:— Five months ending 31at May. Number of Estates in which proceedings were instituted. Amount of advances applied for. 1905 799 £8,696,236 1906 589 5,578,918 1907 564 5,309,489 1908 663 5,255,470 1909 119 2,020,683 1910 32 626,940

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mrs. Catherine Walsh was evicted from Sir John Keane's estate, county Waterford, in August, 1887, and that her crops had been seized; that she duly lodged an application with the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement on her former holding or on some other suitable holding; and that the Estates Commissioners have recently informed her that they have decided to take no action with reference to her case; whether the Estates Commissioners will reconsider their decision on obtaining fuller information; and whether, as the evicted farm is in the landlord's possession, the Commissioners will acquire the same for the purpose of providing for evicted tenants in connection with the pending sale of Sir John Keane's estate?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Mrs. Catherine Walsh for reinstatement in her former holding on the estate of Sir John Keane, and, after inquiry, decided not to take any action in the matter or to provide her with another holding in addition to that on which she lives at present. The Commissioners see no reason to reconsider their decision.

asked how many emigrants left Ireland in April and May of the present year as compared with the same period in each of the preceding five years; and, seeing that want of land is the chief cause of the exodus, what practical measures, if any, are the Irish Government taking to accelerate the distribution of untenanted land among working people?

submitted the following statement showing the number of emigrants (natives of Ireland) who left Irish ports during the months of April and May in each of the six years, 1905–10, with the average for each of these months in the five years, 1905–9:— Months. … Number of Emigrants. April, 1905 … 6,067 April, 1906 … 8,451 April, 1907 … 7,814 April, 1908 … 4,163 April, 1909 … 6,558 May, 1905 … 4,351 May, 1906 … 6,150 May, 1907 … 6,712 May, 1908 … 4,228 May 1909 … 4,572 April. 1905–9 Average 6,611 May, 1905–9 5,203 April, 1910 … 6,888 May, 1910 … 5,459

Full particulars with respect to the purchase and resale of untenanted land are given in the Annual Reports of the Estates Commissioners.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if His Majesty's Coastguards are allowed to do the ordinary work of civilians and to receive payment for such work, to the detriment of workmen of the district who are in want of employment?

The reply is in the negative, with the qualification that under very exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the Admiral Commanding, Coastguard men may be employed on work in connection with Coastguard buildings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the quantity of spirits upon which duty was paid in Ireland for the years ending 1st May, 1909, and 1st May, 1910, respectively, and the amount paid for each period; and whether he will state how many distilleries have ceased working since the introduction of the last Budget; (2) what quantity of spirits was exported from Ireland for the twelve months ending 1st May, 1909, and 1st May, 1910, respectively; and whether he will state the quantity imported into Ireland during the same respective periods?

presented the following statements:—

(1) Of the Quantities of Home-made and Imported Spirits Duty paid in Ireland during the years from 1st May, 1908, to 30th April, 1909, and from 1st May, 1909, to 30th April, 1910. Year ended 30th April. Home-made. Imported. Total. Quantity. Duty. Quantity. Duty. Quantity. Duty. Gallons. £ Gallons. £ Gallons. £ 1909 … … 7,511,000 4,118,000 613,000 351,000 8,124,000 4,469,000 1910 … … 3,760,000 2,600,000 341,000 246,000 4,101,000 2,846,000 As regards the latter part of the question it is not clear whether it is desired to include in the number of distilleries which have ceased working, the number which have suspended work for the season, or only the number, if any, which have been permanently closed down. (2) Showing the quantity of Spirits Imported direct into Ireland from Foreign Countries and British Possessions, and Exported direct from Ireland to Foreign Countries and British Possessions from 1st May, 1908, to 30th April, 1909, and from 1st May, 1909, to 30th April, 1910.

— British Spirits. Foreign Spirits. Imported Direct. Exported Direct. Imported Direct. Exported Direct. Pr. Gals. Pr. Gals. Pr. Gals. Pr. Gals. From 1st May, 1908, to 30th April, 1909 … … … — 24,845 95,472 2 From 1st May, 1909, to 30th April, 1910 … … … — 13,584 69,898 —

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a petition from the grand jury of the town and county of Haverfordwest praying that the assizes should not be removed from Haverfordwest, where they have for so many years been held; and whether he will take whatever steps may be necessary, by appointing additional judges or otherwise,

to ensure that the assizes may continue to be held at Haverfordwest?

No such petitions have been received by me. They would be more properly addressed to the Lord Chancellor, to whose department the subject of the judges' circuits belongs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many officers and other ranks who have served in the Navy and the Army, respectively, are now employed in connection with the Labour Exchanges?

As I have already stated, in reply to a question asked on 9th March last by the hon. Member for the College

Division of Glasgow, I am unable to say how many persons employed in the Labour Exchanges branch of the Board of Trade have served in the Navy or Army.

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

The figures compiled annually by the Director of the United States Mint indicate that the value of the world's gold production in each of the years 1899–1908 was as follows. The corresponding figure for 1909 is not yet available:— £ 1899 … … 63,027,000 1900 … … 52,311,000 1901 … … 53,630,000 1902 … … 60,974,000 1903 … … 67,338,000 1904 … … 71,381,000 1905 … … 78,143,000 1906 … … 82,599,000 1907 … … 84,362,000 1908 … … 90,810,000

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation this Session restricting the borrowing powers of local bodies?

I am not proposing to introduce legislation with the object in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to make arrangements whereby the residents at Dawes Heath, Thundersley, Essex, may have a postal delivery on Saturday night?

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

asked how many sorters in the London district receive the maximum rate of pay of 62s. per week?

The number is 1,757.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture have recently appointed a Mr. Mytton as a temporary inspector; where he is stationed; and, if in North Wales, whether he is conversant with the Welsh language?

Mr. Mytton was appointed an assistant inspector on 19th March, 1909. He is stationed at Chester.