asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the total amount advanced under the various Land Purchase Acts, the total number of tenant purchasers, the total amount advanced under the various Labourers Acts, and the total number of labourers' cottages built?

Under the various Land Purchase Acts, from 1870 to 1909 inclusive, £60,465,000 has been advanced to 170,786 tenant purchasers. The total amount of loans sanctioned under the various Labourers Acts is £7,738,713, of which £5,854,990 has been advanced. The total number of cottages provided up to 31st March last was 29,186, and 6,249 others were in course of construction on the same date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the total emigration from Ireland since 1850; the total number of families evicted in the same period; and the total number of individuals evicted?

The total number of emigrants, natives of Ireland, who left Irish ports from 1st May, 1851, to 31st May, 1910, was 4,171,202. The number of families evicted from agricultural holdings in Ireland since 1850 was approximately 115,287. There is no record of the number of persons evicted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the number, average cost of erection, and average rent of the labourers' cottages erected under the Labourers Acts in each of the counties and provinces of Ireland?

The Hon. Member will probably find all the information which he requires in the Returns with respect to labourers' cottages in Ireland, which were ordered on 28th April last, and are now being prepared by the Local Government Board.

asked whether labourers' cottages erected under the Labourers Acts in Ireland are valued for rating purposes by the Valuation Office; how many of these cottages have been so valued, and what is the average valuation; and whether there is any power vested in the local authorities to exempt these cottages from rating or to grant a remission of the local rates to the tenants?

Cottages erected under the Labourers Act are valued by the Valuation Office, but it would take considerable time and labour to ascertain the number of cottages so valued and their average valuation. Local authorities have no power to exempt the cottages and plots from rating, or to grant a remission of the rates levied thereon to the tenants. Since the passing of the Local Government Act, 1898, the rates have been payable by the tenants, but Section 54 ( c ) of the Act provides for an adjustment of the rents previously charged for cottages then let, having regard to the increased burden thus thrown on the tenants, and the weekly or monthly rents were consequently reduced by a sum estimated to cover the additional liability. In the cases of all cottages since provided, the rents have been fixed by the local authorities after taking into consideration the fact that rates would be payable by tenants in addition to rents.

asked whether it is proposed to extend to Ireland the investigations which the President of the Local Government Board has authorised into the causes and processes of disease; and, if so, whether Irish medical men will be appointed for Ireland?

The scientific investigations concerning the causes and processes of disease undertaken in connection with the Annual Grant voted by Parliament are of a general character, and the results will be available for the benefit of Ireland as well as England.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the want of proper accommodation for the housing of the working classes in Portadown and to the statement made by Mr. Clow, J.P., at the meeting of the local urban council on 6th June, to the effect that a large manufacturer in the town had asked him to press the matter forward, as there was an absolute necessity at present for at least 100 houses, and the absence of house accommodation prevented the employment of large numbers of workers; and whether the Local Government Board would make representations to the local authorities with a view to the putting in operation of the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act in Portadown?

I am aware that statements to the effect indicated in the question were published in the newspapers, from which it also appears that the Portadown Urban District Council, at their meeting on the 21st instant, deferred for further consideration the proposal to provide 100 houses. The Local Government Board are not in a position to compel the district council to erect working class lodging-houses under the Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the system of housing which exists in Ulm, Wurtemberg, under which the town constructs the house, the purchaser pays 10 per cent, of the net price immediately, and goes on paying 3 per cent, interest and 2 per cent, amortisation in lipuidation of the purchase price until the whole of the money is paid, the town reserving its right to take back the house in case of default in the payment of the annual charge; and whether, if the consent of all parties in Ireland were obtained, he would consider the advisability of passing a similar measure for Ireland?

While the Local Government Board have no doubt that the schema referred to is an excellent one and very well suited to the people of Ulm, they cannot help feeling that the recent Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act is better adapted to the requirements of the urban districts of Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for War what will be the salary and allowances of the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean: what will be the strength of the staff and the estimated annual cost for maintenance and travelling; and where the headquarters will be situated?

I am not yet in a position to give the desired information.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. A. Barson, 4, Dagmar Terrace, Cross Street, Islington, N., made a declaration under The Vaccination Act, 1907, before Mr. Leuthwaite, a commissioner for oaths, before his child was four months old, and sent it to the vaccination officer within seven days; and whether he can state if Mr. Barson is now being pressed by the vaccination officer and public vaccinator to have his child vaccinated?

From information I have received from the vaccination officer, I find that the fact that a declaration of conscientious objection had been made was inadvertently overlooked in this case. I gather that since the error was discovered no attempt has been made to press for the vaccination of the child.