asked with reference to the statement in the Report of the Committee on Coolie Immigration as to the existence of a law in Trinidad which limits the amount of wages that may be paid to free and unindentured labourers, if he could state when this statute was first enacted; whether its object was to prevent a rise in wages at a time when labour was scarce; what penalties are imposed upon the employer who pays and the labourer who receives wages in excess of the statutory maximum; and what advantages the labourer is supposed to obtain in return for the restriction of his bargaining power as to the scale of his remuneration?

My hon. Friend is misinformed as to the existence of a law in Trinidad limiting the amount of wages that may be paid to unindentured labourers. There are, on the contrary, several provisions, designed to prevent under payment of indentured labourers, which incidentally tend to prevent indentured labour underselling unindentured labour. I am sending my hon. Friend a memorandum explaining fully the provisions of these complicated regulations.

asked whether in any other British Colonies or protectorates there were laws similar to that in Trinidad whereby free and unindentured labourers were precluded from receiving a higher rate of wages than that which was fixed by statute; and whether, at the other end of the scale, there was a minimum rate of remuneration for the protection of the labourer?

I have explained to my hon. Friend that there is no law in Trinidad containing such a provision as he suggests, nor do I know of any such law in any other British Colony or Protectorate. Provisions similar to those contained in Section 117 of the Trinidad Immigration Ordinance are included in the Ordinances of British Guiana, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he had any information that the Equatorial Rubber and Mahogany Concessions, Limited, claimed to have acquired a concession of over fifty square miles in the Axim district of the Gold Coast for a total annual rental of £52; that the Panni Lands and Rubber Estates, Limited, claimed to have acquired from the chiefs of Axim a lease of 64,000 acres for ninety-nine years at an annual rental of £21; that the Boinsu Rubber Company, Limited, claimed to have acquired from the Chief of Boinsu a lease of twenty square miles for ninety-nine years at an annual rental of £5; and that the Aywara Rubber and Cotton Estates claimed to have acquired four leases aggregating thirty square miles in the Axim district for an annual rental of £102; whether he could state if certificates of validity under the Concessions Ordinance had been granted to all or any of these claimants; whether he was satisfied that the legislation provided under the Customs Ordinance was sufficient to protect the aboriginal inhabitants of the Gold Coast from the consequences of agreements concluded by the chiefs with third parties; and whether he had considered if the public interest of the Colony was sufficiently safeguarded against arrangements of this character, which tended to place the economic development of the native races in the hands of European financial corporations?

The Secretary of State has no official information respecting the concessions to which my hon. Friend refers and is not aware whether they have been validated by the Supreme Court of the Colony on which the duty of protecting the interests of the natives, in respect of such concessions, is imposed by the law of the Colony. The Secretary of State will not fail to watch carefully the working of this law with a view to the introduction of further safeguards for native rights should such appear to be needed.

May I ask whether the Colonial Office contemplate taking any steps to put the land system of the Gold Coast under which the native chiefs can alienate the land of their followers on the same footing as in other British Colonies on that coast?

I am not prepared to make a statement now, but I shall be very glad to consider the matter if a statement of the particulars is placed before me.

asked the Undersecretary for the Colonies (1) whether he was aware that a court clerk of the Brass district of Southern Nigeria was sentenced to imprisonment for embezzlement of fines paid in gin, and what steps he would take in this matter; (2) whether the practice which obtained for some time in the Brass district of Southern Nigeria of accepting fines in gin was contrary to the instructions of the Colonial Office; if so, who was responsible for this practice, and whether any, and, if so, what, notice had been taken by the Colonial Office of such a breach of duty; (3) whether he was aware that the statement made by Bishop Tugwell, of Western Equatorial Africa, that fines were paid in gin in certain; courts of the Brass district of Southern Nigeria was proved, before the recent Committee of Inquiry into the liquor traffic of Southern Nigeria, to have been the common practice in six courts of the Brass district; if so, what action he proposed to take to put a stop to this practice?

The matter of payment of fines in gin was inquired into in 1908, and it was found that in certain native courts fines had been received in gin, contrary to the law. The practice has been absolutely prohibited since 1901, and the abuse which had grown up was stopped as soon as attention was drawn to it. In the circumstances, there would appear to be no ground for taking further steps in the matter of the alleged imprisonment, about three years ago, of a native clerk for embezzlement of fines illegally paid in gin.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that will be communicated to Bishop Tugwell, because it will be remembered that he was rather unfairly accused of making wrong statements on the matter?

I think if Bishop Tugwell keeps his eye on this matter he is pretty sure to know what has been stated to-day, and, if he does not, I will see that he is informed of it.

asked when the period of office of Sir Walter Egerton as Governor of Southern Nigeria would terminate; whether he had applied to be continued in office; and if any decision had been made in this connection?

Colonial Governors are Appointed not for stated terms but during pleasure, and the Secretary of State has every reason to hope and believe that Sir W. Egerton will continue to administer the "Government of Southern Nigeria for some time to come.

Is it not usual that shorter terms of office should be given to (Governors in this part of Africa?

It is the fact that the place where Sir Walter Egerton is administering as Governor is one of the most unhealthy character, and therefore he is to be congratulated on having filled the position with very great success, and without severe injury to himself.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. H. Tressing, in the South Nigerian Colonial Service; whether Mr. Tressing was convicted of manslaughter for shooting his servant; whether he was bound over to come up for judgment; whether he was continued in charge of the same workers for some time by the Governor; and whether his services in that connection have now been terminated?

Yes, Sir. The facts are as stated. It was proved conclusively at the trial before the Acting Chief Justice, sitting with native assessors, that Mr. Tresing, a mechanic in the Public Works Department, shot a native watchman by accident. The agreement on which he was serving was terminated, not on the ground of culpability, but because the result of his action had impaired his value s an efficient servant of the Government.

asked the Under - Secretary for the Colonies whether he will now consider the advisability, in the best interests of the homeland and of the self-governing Dominions oversea, of taking advantage of the resolution passed at the last Imperial Conference to hold a subsidiary conference on the question of emigration and immigration, to which should be summoned special appointed representatives of all the Governments concerned?

His Majesty's Government are not prepared to consider the possibility of summoning a special conference on emigration unless there is clear indication that the Governments of the self-governing Dominions desire such a conference.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend that this question of immigration and co-operative emigration should be placed on the agenda of the Imperial Conference?

I hope to be able to make a statement about the agenda of the Imperial Conference very shortly and to be able to publish papers on the subject.

If the subject is placed on the agenda paper will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Prime Ministers of our self-governing Colonies get longer notice than they got on the last occasion?

If the hon. Gentleman means to imply that on the last occasion we did not give due notice I am afraid I cannot accept his statement. I hope we shall give adequate notice of all such matters.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the statement made by the President of the Local Government Board at the Imperial Conference, 1907, that it had been the settled policy of Parliament for some years not to grant votes of Imperial money for emigration; whether that was still the policy of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, would he inform the House how it was proposed to give effect to the resolution, proposed by Mr. Deakin and carried unanimously, to the effect that the Imperial Government be requested to co-operate with any Colony desiring immigrants in assisting suitable persons to emigrate?

I am aware of the statement referred to. The policy, as stated by my right hon. Friend at the Conference, is still the policy of His Majesty's Government. As to the question of co-operation with the Dominions I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman's question on 22nd June.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention had been called to the statement made by the President of the Local Government Board at the Imperial Con- ference, 1907, that if the Colonies think that the work done by any of the Home emigration agencies was of such a character that it might be improved upon, the Government would be only too pleased to respond to any advice, suggestion, or information; whether the Government had received any such advice, suggestion, or information; and if so, what action had been taken or is it proposed to take in the matter?

I am aware of the statement in question, which still holds good, but no suggestions of the kind have, so far, been received from any of the Dominion Governments since the Conference of 1907.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement made by Mr. Deakin, late Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, at the Imperial Conference, 1907, that the Agents-General of the several States of Australia thought that no effective assistance was being given to them by the Emigrants' Information Office; whether he is aware that in replying to this criticism the President of the Local Government Board said that the reorganisation of the Emigrants' Information Office is under consideration; and whether he will inform the House what steps have been taken, or what steps it is proposed to take, in the matter of reorganising the Emigrants' Information Office?

I am aware of the statements referred to. No steps have been taken to alter the functions and organisation of the Emigrants' Information Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman state that His Majesty's Government will take any such steps?

There is no present intention. I mean no intention at the moment. The whole question is a very difficult one, and it is not one that we can possibly discuss usefully, I think, by question and answer.

Is the whole subject now under the consideration of the Colonial Secretary?

The question is embarrassing because the hon. Gentleman knows that I had a consultation with him on the subject. There is no immediate prospect of a change being made, but the matter is important and demands consideration.

asked whether the Secretary of State for the Colonies has any information showing that the Government of the United States of America has authorised American whaling ships to disregard Canadian jurisdiction in the Hudson Straits and in Hudson Bay?

I have seen a statement in the Press on the subject, but no official information has been received.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state what is the total amount repaid to the Treasury out of advances made under various Acts for the erection of labourers' cottages in Ireland; whether the Irish Land Commission has advanced the total amount authorised under Section 16 of the Labourers Act, 1906; if so, whether further sums can be advanced out of the Irish Land Purchase Fund without special legislation; and, if not, what steps the Government propose to take to continue the working of the Act of 1906 on the same financial basis as heretofore; and whether there is anything to prevent the National Debt Commissioners from making temporary advances to preserve the continuity of the policy of the Act, pending a new flotation of guaranteed land stock, or legislation if required?

Loans made by the Board of Works for the erection of labourers' cottages are repaid on the annuity system, and the amount of the sinking fund included in the annuity varies with the rate of interest charged at the time loans are made, and the term of repayment of such loans. It is not, therefore, possible to say what the amount of the sinking fund contained in the annuity as a whole is, without calculations involving considerable labour and time. The number of loans made is 1,220 at rates of interest varying from 2¾ per cent, to 4¼ per cent, per annum, and periods varying from twenty-five to sixty-eight and a half years. Allowing for accumulations, the total amount repaid to the board since the beginning of the service out of the total sum of £3,460,556 advanced was, up to 31st March last, £698,355. Under the Labourers Act, 1906, loans are made by the Land Commission for the erection of labourers' cottages by annuity extending over a period of sixty-eight and a half years at a fixed rate of interest for the whole term of 2¾ per cent, with a sinking fund of ½ per cent, in addition. I am informed that the total amount of the sinking fund repaid to date is £337. The whole amount authorised under Section 16 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, has been either advanced or earmarked to existing schemes. No further sums in excess of 4¼ millions could be advanced by the Irish Land Commission under that Section without special legislation, and it is not intended to propose such legislation at present.

Do I understand that it is impossible for the National Debt Commissioners to make temporary advances?

I do not think that there is any need to do so. I am informed that it will take three or four years to get through the money that is available for the cottages which it is intended to build under this section. There is plenty of money.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to Liberal finance in every rural district in Ireland there are schemes which cannot be proceeded with on account of the money not being forthcoming?

That cannot be the case because there are a great many cottages, 5,000 or 6,000, remaining to be built, and there is plenty of money for them.

But with regard to further schemes under the Labourers Acts which day by day are being put forward and which the Local Government Board are suspending because there is no money?

No such representation as that has reached us.

With reference to the right hon. Gentleman's statement that it is not proposed at present to introduce legislation on this question, is he not aware of the fact that the Chief Secretary for Ireland (Mr. Birrell) within the last couple of months stated that the question of introducing the necessary legislation to enable the labourers' schemes to go on was under the consideration of the Government, and that he had hopes that legislation would be introduced?

No representations ever reached me from the Irish Office.

Would it not be well that the Treasury in dealing with questions connected with the Irish Office should communicate with the Irish Office and find out how the matter stands?

Otherwise the Nationalists will put them out.

I think in this case the representations ought to come from the persons who want to borrow the money. If it is necessary to spend this money at all the representations should come from the people who desire to spend it. It is not the business of the Treasury to find out whether people want to spend money.

That is not exactly the point of my question. My question to the right hon. Gentleman is this: When questions are addressed to the Treasury dealing with Irish matters of this sort, is not it the duty of the Treasury, before giving an answer in this House, to communicate with the Irish Office and find out how the facts really stand?

That is so. I have communicated with the Irish Office, and it is in accordance with the information received from them that I have given the answer which I have given to the question on the Paper.

Is it a well-settled principle now that the Irish rural district councils are to communicate directly with the right hon. Gentleman or with his Department, and not with the Irish Local Government Board, which has been the practice for the last forty years?

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Irish Office has informed him that no applications are now before the Irish authorities for loans under the Labourers Acts?

No. I have made no such statement as that. What I said was that there was still some money available to build cottages, and that it would take two or three or four years to get to the end of these loans.

What has that to say to-the applications now made?

asked whether the Crown have since January, 1900, granted or renewed a number of leases within the county of London at increased rentals; and if he can state the total amount of such increase of annual rental, as well as the total amount of the fines or premiums received in respect of such Grants or renewals?

The information desired will be found in the Schedules to the annual Reports of the Commissioners of Woods, etc., in which full particulars are given of leases granted, showing the old and new rents and the fines, if any, taken.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what course the Treasury followed?

If the Noble Lord will look at the Schedule to which I referred him he will see the whole facts set out.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will now state specifically, giving in detail the money value of each, what are the services performed by the London and North-Western Railway Company on account of which the Lords of the Treasury have been considering for more than two years past whether the Kingstown Harbour dues, which the steamers of that company are legally liable for, shall be charged or not; will he give similar information as to the services performed by the Great Western Railway Company and the dues for which their steamers are liable; and when will a decision be come to on the entire matter?

During the last fortnight the negotiations between the London and North-Western Railway and the Treasury have been continued, and I hope I may be in a position to conclude them at no distant date.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman state that the, negotiations were suspended for a year or so?

I did not make any such statement.

asked whether there has been any correspondence, in addition to that already published in the shape of a Parliamentary Return, in reference to the use of the pier at Kingstown by the steamers of the London and North-Western Railway Company, and the dues to be paid for the use of Kingstown Harbour by that company; and if so, whether he will publish it either in a Parliamentary Paper or otherwise?

No further correspondence has passed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he or his predecessor said two years ago that further correspondence had passed even at that time?

No; I do not recollect making any such statement myself, and I cannot be answerable for what may have been said by my predecessor.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated that there had been further correspondence, but that it was not wise to publish it, as judicial proceedings were pending?

I do not recollect. If the hon. Gentleman will give me dates and particulars, I will look into the matter.

asked the Lord Advocate if, in view of the small proportion of local authorities which have applied to have pulmonary phthisis included in the list of notifiable diseases, and of the fact that the circular of the Local Government Board of 10th March, 1906, pointed out that a system of notification is essential for the effective application of the Public Health Act to pulmonary phthisis, he will consider the advisability of making the notification of this disease compulsory throughout the country?

Up to the present seventy-four local authorities representing almost 50 per cent, of the total population of Scotland have ex-tended the provisions of the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act, 1889, to pulmonary phthisis. The Local Government Board regard the progress made in this direction as very satisfactory. They will continue to urge on local authorities the advisability of extending the Notification Act to phthisis, but they do not think that such a measure as is indicated in the last part of the question is necessary or advisable meantime.

asked, in view of the fact that many local authorities have not yet taken any steps to carry out the recommendations of the Local Government Board, as suggested in their circulars of 10th March, 1906, and 15th July, 1908, in the latter of which it is stated that the obligation resting on local authorities to deal with pulmonary phthisis has become more imperative, if the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to compel such local authorities to fulfil their obligations towards sufferers from phthisis within their districts?

I am informed that the Local Government Board continue to press on local authorities the necessity for action in dealing with this question, and to warn them of their responsibilities in the matter, that in most districts preventive measures of some kind are in operation, and that the Board propose shortly to issue a further circular on the subject.

asked if it is the right hon. Gentleman's intention' this Session to introduce a Bill with regard to sheep stock valuations in Scotland?

I hope such a Bill will be introduced at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can explain how it was that the average attendance at the Towyn Church School rose rapidly from twenty to fifty-six; whether the Church of England parents in the district voluntarily contributed to this increase or were incited thereto by the incumbent; whether he can give particulars of the teaching staff; whether the incumbent is on the teaching staff or regularly takes charge of certain classes; and, if so, during what hours, in which subjects, and at what salary?

With regard to the first and second parts of the question the Board have no information. As the school has been removed from the Annual Grant List the matters referred to in the rest of the question do not come within the cognisance of the Board.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that until two years ago the average attendance of this school was over fifty, that the attendance only went down temporarily, and that it has now reverted to its former standard?

I have not the exact figures, but the attendance has been down for the last few years.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the incumbent or curate is not now teaching the children in attendance at the school?

It has nothing to do with the Board of Education who is teaching the children.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry?

asked whether the statement in his Report for the year 1908–9, page 65, that the Cardiganshire County Council has provided a holiday course of instruction in the Welsh language is accurate; whether he is aware that the holiday course held at Aberystwith was under the auspices of the Welsh Language Society, which has been arranging such a course every summer for some years with the assistance of many of the Welsh local education authorities; and whether the Board of Education has any knowledge of the voluntary work that has been done by the Welsh Language Society?

The statement referred to is not accurate. It was desired to show in the Report where the various summer courses took place, and, by inadvertence, the course in question was referred to as being provided by the authority in whose area it is given. The course referred to was that arranged by the Welsh Language Society. The Board are fully cognisant of the work of the Society, to whom they have been paying grants in respect of their summer courses since the year 1907.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that there is no collection of letters for the English or Irish provincial mails at Greystones, county Wicklow, on Sunday evenings, although towns and villages further down the same line have such service; and whether he intends to remedy this inconvenience?

I am inquiring whether the desired facility can be granted.

asked whether in the recent promotions of postmen in Dublin to head and assistant postmen the positions were, in three cases, given to junior men numbering 152, 162, and 183 on the seniority list; what steps were taken to ensure that among the men passed over there were none who were qualified by character and ability for these positions; whether nearly all of those passed over were Roman Catholics, while the three junior men promoted were Protestants; and if he will take steps to ensure that senior men are not passed over without proper inquiry, and that Roman Catholic postmen get their fair share of promotion at the Dublin office in future?

In accordance with the usual procedure invitations were issued to the postmen generally to apply for the vacant allowances, and fifty-nine applications were received. The officers selected occupied respectively the following places on the list of applicants:—9th, 12th, 20th, 21st, 32nd, 36th, 39th. They were regarded as the best qualified for the efficient performance of the superior duties. I am assured that the officer responsible for the selections had no knowledge of the religion of any of the applicants, and as no inquiries are made on this point, I am not aware what proportion of the postmen who have been promoted are Roman Catholics and Protestants respectively.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to whether the facts that have been published are correct or not?

No; I think it is very undesirable to inquire into the religious beliefs of Post Office servants.

As I know that there is general dissatisfaction on this matter—it is painful to me to ask these questions—and that it has caused great complaint in the City of Dublin, will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry and see that justice is done?

The Secretary to the Post Office in Ireland belongs to the Roman Catholic faith, and I cannot believe that there is any prejudice against Roman Catholics.

asked upon what principal of classification three maximums have been established for Post Office wages at Bristol, and what paragraph of the Hobhouse Committee's Report justifies such diversity of wages in one town?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the remuneration of postmen. In the town postal area of Bristol there is but one scale of pay for postmen, namely, that specified in paragraph 341 of the Select Committee's Report as applicable to offices in Class I. Sub-offices in the neighbourhood of the Bristol town postal area have been placed in Classes II. and III. in accordance with the principles explained on page 56 of the Parliamentary Return—Post Office (Changes in Wages, etc.)—issued in July, 1908.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question where I ask for reference to the paragraph of the Hobhouse Committee's Report which justifies three sets of wages?

There are not three sets of wages in the town. There is only one town postal area and one rate of wages.

Am I to understand that you have separated the city of Bristol into three sections?

There is one postal area, and there are some offices in the districts surrounding the city of Bristol on different scales in accordance with the principles followed in the Post Office, the wages paid varying with the amount of work performed in the different offices.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the local postmasters at Upton and Clap-gate (East Dorset) have each of them exhibited election bills and literature in favour of the Radical candidate during the by-election in that Division; whether he has caused any remonstrance to be made to such postmasters, or whether any objection has been intimated to them by their official superiors as to their being liable to dismissal; and whether any differentiation has been made in their cases and the case of the retired soldier postmaster at Lytchett Minster, upon whose cottage a Conservative poster was affixed in January last and allowed to remain, as to the consequences of such conduct?

There have been four cases in which my attention has been drawn, in Connection with the recent election in East Dorset, to breaches by sub-postmasters of the rule which forbids them from taking an active part in party politics. The first was that of a sub-postmaster from a neighbouring constituency, who spoke at meetings on behalf of the Liberal candidate. He was censured and informed that he could not be retained in the service of the Post Office if he persisted. He has not again infringed the rule. The next case was that of the sub-postmaster of Lytchett Minster, who exhibited on the walls of the post office placards in support of the Conservative candidate. He was seen on the subject, and requested to remove them, which he refused to do. He was then informed that if he deliberately disobeyed the rules of the Post Office he could not be continued in it service, and as he still declined to remove the placards he was suspended from his functions. At the same time I was informed that the sub-postmasters of Upton and Clapgate were exhibiting on their premises placards in the interest of the Liberal candidate. Similar instructions were immediately sent, and the sub-postmasters in both cases at once removed the posters. The allegation that any discrimination in any particular has been made in these cases in favour of one party as against another is wholly unfounded. I may add that as the sub-postmaster of Lytchett Minster has been a useful and efficient servant of the Post Office, and has, in addition, previously served with credit in the Army, I propose to reinstate him in his position, on an assurance being given that he will not again offend against the regulations of the Department. It must not, however, be assumed that this course will be followed if other similar cases occur.

Who was deputed to remonstrate with the postmaster at Lytchett Minster?

The surveyor sent one of his staff.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take steps to ensure that the scale of pay of the proposed girl messengers in the Post Office is not inferior to that of the boy indoor messengers whom they are intended to displace, seeing that the duties performed by them will be the same as those now performed by boys?

The scale of pay for girls, whom it may be decided to substitute for indoor boy messengers, has not yet been settled. But I would observe that the less strength of girls will necessitate the heavier duties which fall to this class being still performed by boys. This will make the services of the girls of less value than that of the boys, and their remuneration will consequently be somewhat less.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether Mr. Anthony Carroll, Crown Solicitor for Cork, obtained his directions as to a prosecution instituted against Patrick Hanley, on a charge of forcible possession; whether those directions were that the prosecution should be abandoned, as there was no evidence against the accused; whether Mr. Carroll had acted for the landlord against the accused in civil proceedings relating to the subject-matter; whether, when he found himself unable to utilise the Crown in the criminal matter, he became prosecutor himself and engaged counsel and solicitors to prosecute; whether it is intended to allow the conviction, so obtained, to stand; and whether Mr. Carroll has been allowed to offer to Hanley terms in Cork Gaol?

My directions in this case were not that the prosecution against the accused should be abandoned, but that it should be left in the hands of the private complainant who had instituted it. Mr. Carroll, I am informed, did act as solicitor for the landlord in the ejectment proceedings taken against the accused, but he never was the prosecutor in the criminal matter, and he took no part in the prosecution beyond retaining, as solicitor and agent for the complainant, an independent solicitor to conduct the proceedings. In submitting the case to me for directions, Mr. Carroll acted in the regular course of his duty, and in doing so he made no indirect use whatever of his position as Crown Solicitor. Mr. Carroll had no communication with Hanley in Cork Gaol. In the circumstances I see no reason to question the propriety of the conviction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Departmental Committee on Deep Excavations have visited and inspected any deep trenches in course of execution in this country; and whether they have begun to take evidence upon the subject?

The Secretary of State is informed that the Committee have already visited and inspected several works in course of construction, and are proposing to visit others. Arrangements have been made to commence the taking of evidence in London at the beginning of September.

asked whether it is proposed that the Departmental Committee on Deep Excavations should issue special interim Reports upon the causes of the recent disasters at Newport and Birkenhead Docks?

It is not proposed to ask the Committee to make interim Reports upon the causes of the disasters at Newport and Birkenhead Docks. The reference to the Committee is to inquire generally into the dangers attending deep excavation in connection with the construction of docks and other similar works, and to consider and report what steps can be taken to minimise such dangers. A Report on the causes of the Newport disaster has already been made by Mr. Squire, who is one of the members of the Committee, and has been presented to Parliament.

asked whether he can give the name of the member of the Departmental Committee on Deep Trench Excavations who is supposed to represent the workers' interest in the pending inquiry; and what are the terms of reference upon which the committee are seeking information?

The Committee is a small committee of expert engineers, and does not include representatives either of employers or workmen. The terms of reference are: "To inquire into the dangers attending deep excavation in connection with the construction of docks and other similar works, and to consider and report what steps can be taken to minimise such dangers."

Is there a single Member who has not at some time or other been retained as an expert adviser or engineer for big contracting firms?

I could not answer that off-hand.

asked whether the Report dealing with bronzing as a dangerous trade, announced in the general Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories as shortly to appear, will soon be in the hands of Members?

The Secretary of State hopes it will be in the hands of Members in the course of the next two or three weeks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is now in the country an ample supply of cordite for both the Navy and Army in case of sudden emergency or war, without counting the amount returned to the manufacturers as unsafe to use because it failed to pass the heat test?

The reply is in the affirmative so far as the Navy is concerned. As regards the Army, I would suggest that the hon. Gentleman should address the question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Are we to understand that there is no truth in the statement in the Press by Mr. Arthur Chamberlain that the only magazines in the country which are full are the magazines of the people who had cordite returned, and that, if the country were in danger, that the Government would have to pick up any cordite it could get?

I am not aware that such a statement has been made, but if it has been, it is devoid of all truth.

asked what is the amount of cordite which has been returned as unsafe to use because it had failed to pass the heat test?

Any cordite that has been returned to the makers has not been returned as unsafe but as not fully complying with the Government specifications.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty had been accepting cordite below the standard test, and, if so, whether he could state the reason; and whether the reserves of cordite in the magazines are now equal to the amount usually so kept?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative as regards private firms; a small amount from the Government Waltham Abbey factory has failed to pass the test and is being used up for proof and experimental work on shore. Until the amount now due on contracts, most of which is ready for delivery, is passed into store, the stocks will be not more than 1 per cent, less than the amount usually kept.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the account of the annual general meeting of Kynoch's at Birmingham on that question?

No, Sir, I regret that I have not.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will?

I cannot undertake to, read it.

asked what proportion of cordite has failed to pass the heat test during the last twelve months for the Navy; and whether all cordite which has failed to pass the heat test has been returned to the makers?

It is not in the public interest to give this information.

asked whether any cordite has ever been conditionally accepted for naval purposes?

A certain quantity of cordite that has recently failed to reach the full heat test is undergoing a confirmatory test which will take about eight months. Provisional payment on this cordite is being made to the firms, the latter guaranteeing to refund payment or replace the cordite if it fails to pass this test and is consequently rejected.

Where are these tests being carried out?

I could not tell the Noble Lord without reference to all the bases where these particular tests are made.

asked the Prime Minister why the Government allows the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes in India to be protected against competition from the United Kingdom and other countries and yet refuses to protect the manufacture of goods in this country against foreign competition?

I may remind the hon. Member that, in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Christchurch on 10th March last, on the subject of the Indian Tobacco Duties, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India stated that the duties in question have been imposed for revenue, and for no other purposes, and involve no alteration of the fiscal principles of Indian finance. I may further remind him that my hon. Friend added that the Government of India were considering the question of putting a corresponding Excise duty upon tobacco manufactured in India.

Can the Prime Minister say when the Government of India are likely to give an answer to this question, which was raised two or three months ago?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received copies of the resolutions passed by the International Ornithological Congress at Berlin, calling upon the Governments of the countries represented at the congress to prohibit the import and export of plumes of wild birds for millinery purposes and the prohibition of buying and selling such feathers as are not wanted for scientific purposes; and whether, under the circumstances, he would arrange for a short Departmental Bill dealing with this matter to be introduced?

Yes, Sir, I have received a copy of the resolutions adopted by the conference, and the matter will be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to secure the appointment of a Joint Committee of both Houses to inquire into the application of the provisions contained in the Local Government Acts, 1888 and 1894, relating to financial adjustments consequent on the alteration of the boundaries of a local government area, and to report to both Houses if they are of opinion that any amendments in such provisions are desirable?

The Government are prepared to accept the Motion for a Joint Committee which is being moved for in another place. In so doing they rely on the county councils concerned with the three Provisional Order Bills for the extension of boroughs, which are now before this House, consenting to withdraw opposition to the Bills so far as relates to the question of compensation for loss of rateable value, subject to the insertion in the Confirming Bills of a clause to the effect that if the Joint Committee recommend the payment of compensation for such loss the adjustments between the boroughs and the counties concerned shall be on those lines. I understand there is good ground for hoping that this course will be taken, and I am sure I can rely on my hon. Friend using his best efforts to that end.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to extend this Committee to Scotland?

I would rather have notice of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, seeing that these difficulties are very acute in Scotland, that it would be most desirable that he should include Scotland in the inquiry?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to take Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates?

On the 14th, as I stated on Thursday.

asked whether the Government propose to act upon the recommendation contained in paragraph 114 of the Report of the Departmental Committee on Small Holdings in 1906 to the effect that, in view of the great advantage offered to small holders by the employment in rural districts of the Raffeisen form of co-operative credit, an advance from the Post Office Savings Bank's deposits shall be made available for the use of village co-operative credit societies on approved security offered by a central co-operative agricultural credit association?

I promised, in answer to a question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29th ultimo, that either he or I would receive a deputation on the general subject of credit banks. I do not think that any object would be served by discussing particular aspects of it in the form of question and answer.

Is it proposed to receive the deputation at an early date, as the matter is of great public interest?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would communicate with me on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in view of the official notification that the German warship "Zieten" will be stationed at Lerwick, the capital town of the Shetland Islands, from 24th June until further notice, it is the usual custom of Foreign warships to be stationed for an indefinite time at a British port; and whether Germany allows British warships to be stationed at Heligoland or other German ports?

It is understood that the "Zieten" is engaged on fishery service, and there is nothing unusual in her remaining at Lerwick till further notice.

May I ask a reply to the second part of the question?

Our ships are stationed frequently at Heligoland whenever the exigencies of the service require. There is no difficulty in having our ships at suitable stations.

asked if the nucleus crews of the Nore flotilla boats had been wholly or in part, and, if in part, to what extent, withdrawn to complete the complements of the Third and Fourth Divisions during the manœuvres?

The answer is in the negative?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state, in respect of the Greenwich Hospital pension No. 13,500, granted to William Cruse, of Quay Street, Lymington, who was invalided for paralysis on 6th October, 1903, why the pension of £13 12s. per annum had been reduced to £9 2s.; and, in view of the fact that the pensioner was permanently invalided, whether he would take steps to increase the pension to the former rate?

William Cruse served only six years in the Royal Navy, and was invalided in 1893, not 1903, for a disease which was not occasioned by the service. Since the date of his being invalided Cruse has been receiving a pension varying from £9 2s. to £13 12s. a year; and in view of his short service and of the increasingly heavy claims on the funds available for Greenwich Hospital pensions, it is considered that a larger pension than £9 2s. would not now be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the German Government negotiated the sale of four destroyers, the "Jadika-i-Millet," "Muavenet-i-Millet," "Mahabet-i-Watan," and "Nuhum-i-Haniyet," to Turkey; whether the Elbing Yard of Schickau or the Germania Yard at Kiel was building units for the German navy to replace them; and whether he could assign any reason for such a sale having taken place?

It is understood that torpedo destroyers S165 to 168 have been sold to the Turkish Government, and that four others will be built to replace them. No reason can be assigned for the sale.

asked if the Admiralty had any official information to the effect that Austria would have four battleships of the "Dreadnought" class added to her Navy in 1913, and that in the same year Italy would have four vesels of this type?

The reply to the first part of the questoin is in the negative. Four vessels of the "Dreadnought" class are provided for in the Italian naval estimates.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to have full information on the subject laid before the House when he introduces the Shipbuilding Vote?

Yes, I will have all the information which is available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in possession of any information in reference to this question?

The information I have is that Austria will not have four battleships of the "Dreadnought" class added to her navy in the year 1913.

asked if, with the information in the possession of the Admiralty that Germany and Austria would possess twenty-five "Dreadnoughts" in 1913 compared with twenty-seven possessed by Great Britain, or a margin of two, it was still intended to defer the commencement of the five new ships of the new British programme until the end of the present financial year?

We have no information that Germany and Austria-Hungary will possess twenty-five "Dreadnoughts" in 1913. In estimating the British number at twenty-seven, the hon. Member has apparently not taken into consideration the British programme for 1911–1912. It is not, and never has been, the intention to defer the beginning of the five ships of the 1910–1911 programme until the end of the financial year.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has provided in the present financial year an amount of money equal only to about one-sixth of the cost of one ship?

I am aware of the figures referred to by the hon. Member; but the inference he wishes to draw from them is a mistaken one. In the earlier months of the building of a ship very little is earned, and it is impossible to pay, because the instalments do not become due. As a matter of fact, the ships will be begun long before the end of the financial year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he had any official information showing that the four battleships of this year's German programme could, if required, be completed in the course of the year 1912; and if he had reason for doubting that Germany would have seventeen vessels of the "Dreadnought" type available for war in the year 1912?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; but if the German Government wish to complete these vessels in the course of the year 1910, it is presumed that it would be possible for them to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Departmental Committee to inquire into the grievances of the employés of the Ordnance Survey had yet been appointed; if so, could he give the names of the Committee to the House; whether any representative of the Irish members of the Service had been appointed or was intended to be appointed; and whether he could give the terms of reference to the said Committee governing the inquiry?

Yes, Sir. A Departmental Committee was appointed on the 18th instant, to inquire into the pay and classification of the Civil assistants, temporary Civil assistants, and labourers employed on the Ordnance Survey, and to report whether, having regard to the conditions of their employment and to the rates current in analogous occupations their remuneration is adequate. Sir Walter Foster is chairman, and the other members of the Committee are the hon. Member for West Renfrewshire (Mr. G. D. Kelly), Mr. F. Newman Rogers, and Mr. G. L. Barstow. It will be observed that no one serving on the Survey in any capacity has been appointed on the Committee, but evidence will, of course, 'be received from representatives of the various grades of the Service.

Who is to be Secretary of the Committee?

I have not the name with me.

Is it a fact that Colonel Hedley, who was already in the Service, has been appointed to the Committee, and that many matters connected with his own administration will have to be inquired into? Will the hon. Baronet see that this is an impartial Committee?

I do not think the hon. Member is right in saying that Colonel Hedley's conduct ought to be inquired into. I will inquire who is Secretary. Of course, it will be an impartial Committee.

Will the inquiry be public? Will the evidence be available to Members of the House before the Report is published?

As far as I am aware, it will be like any other Departmental Committee.

Will the Minutes of Evidence be published, so that the House can form an opinion as to the merits of the Report?

As far as I am aware, it will be like any other Departmental Committee; but I will inquire and let the hon. Member know.

As the Irish section of this Service amounts to about 40 per cent, of the whole in point of numbers, does not the hon. Baronet think it would be right to have an Irish representative on the Committee?

We will consider the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if volunteers had been called for from the Royal Engineers serving on the Ordnance Survey for training in one-inch revision work; whether there were already Civil assistants trained in this work available; and, if so, could he say why the services of these civilians were not utilised instead of going to the expense of training other men?

It is desirable for military purposes that a certain number of Royal Engineers should be well acquainted with survey work on the one-inch scale, It is for this reason that volunteers for training in that work have been called for. There is no intention of replacing any of the civilians at present employed on the work by Royal Engineers, so long as their services are available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he was aware that the Belgian Government was about to publish a decree prohibiting the landing of broken-down English horses; and, if so, would he consider the advisability of putting a stop altogether to the export of horses which a foreign Government thought were not fit to be landed in their country and against the landing of which they were about to issue special legislation?

I have seen newspaper statements on this subject, but the Board have no official information as to the intention of the Belgian Government in the matter. The exportation from this country of horses which, owing to age, infirmity or any other reason cannot be conveyed without suffering is already prohibited.

Will the hon. Baronet ascertain definitely from the Belgian Government whether this law is about to be promulgated?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he could now state the results of inquiries made respecting the measures taken to provide applicants in Beddington with land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act?

The county council are in negotiation with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for some land at Bedding-ton which would be suitable for small holdings. The applicants for allotments will be provided for on the allotment ground already belonging to the parish council. There is considerable difficulty in obtaining the land required in this neighbourhood, inasmuch as most of it is ready for building.

asked how many approved applications for land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act had been received from Cheshunt by the Hertfordshire County Council; whether any land had yet been supplied; and, if not, whether the Board contemplated any action to facilitate matters?

There have been five applicants in the neighbourhood of Cheshunt. Two of them have been provided with small holdings by the County Council, another has been satisfied by private arrangement, and negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition of the land necessary to provide small holdings for the other two.