asked whether any persons were identified by the police as having participated in the cattle-drives that took place on the Pollock estate, county Galway, in April last; whether a force of thirteen police was present on the occasion of the second of these drives; and whether any proceedings had been instituted against the offenders; and, if so, what had been the result?

Some persons were identified on the occasion referred to. Twenty-one police were present on the occasion. No proceedings have been instituted. There has been no further outbreak and it appears that everything in connection with the sale of the estate has been satisfactorily settled.

May I ask why proceedings were not taken against persons who were identified as having taken part in these lawless proceedings?

The circumstances of the case, as the hon. Member knows, were very exceptional. Peace has been restored in the district, and the general view was that it would be undesirable to take proceedings.

Is there peace in Belfast?

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state by whose authority the district inspector of constabulary interviewed Patrick Kilby, the leader of the cattle-drivers on the Pollock estate, county Galway; whether that officer obtained from Kilby a written undertaken that there would be no repetition of the crime of cattle-driving provided the negotiations for the sale of the property were completed by a specified date; and, if so, whether he would communicate to the House the text of this undertaking?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on 23rd June last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that the urban council of Warrenpoint had adopted a by-law restricting the rights of the boatmen who plied for hire between Omeath and Warrenpoint; whether the Local Government Board had sanctioned such by-law; and, if so, whether, on representations as to its hardship on the boatmen of Omeath being made, the Board would reconsider the question?

The Local Government Board have no information regarding the by-law mentioned in the question.

Are the Warrenpoint Commissioners not quite within their rights in passing this by-law.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that a number of warders in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, did not get their leave of absence for the past two years; that up to the present date this year only thirteen had got full annual leave; and whether provision would be made so that all warders in Mountjoy Prison would get their leave this year?

No warder on the staff of Mountjoy Prison was refused his annual leave for the past two years, but a few did not ask for it. Ten warders have had their annual leave this year, and all will get it if they want it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could give the name of the warder in Mountjoy Prison who was selected for court duty, and how he came to be selected; how long had he been doing this duty; how much extra pay did court duty mean; could he say how many trades warders there were in Mountjoy Prison; how were they selected, and how much extra pay did the duty involve; and had warders with one or two years' service been selected for court duty while men of long service were deprived of the chance of earning extra pay?

I understand that Warder Mackerell was selected for this duty by the governor of the prison and has been generally employed on it for the last five or six years without extra pay. There are twelve persons employed as trades warders in Mountjoy Prison. Five are on special scales of salary and the remainder are ordinary warders with special allowances of from £5 to £10 per annum. Warders with one or two years' service have been selected by the governor to assist in court duty. They get no extra pay, but only subsistence allowance to cover out-of-pocket expenses for meals.

May I ask whether the warder who has been selected for this duty for the last five years by the governor was selected by the governor because of his Ulster accent?

Cork accent.

Orange accent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he could state what progress had been made with the compilation of the directory of Irish exporters; and the approximate date of its publication?

The compilation is well advanced and the book will probably be out in September.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that Mr. Phelan, who was evicted for one year's rent and costs on the 5th July, 1902, from his holding at Cloney, county Kildare, on the estate of Mr. Arthur Robert Verschoyle, had made repeated applications to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement but received no reply; and could he say if this case had been inquired into and when Phelan may expect to be reinstated or supplied with an equivalent holding?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to trace the receipt of any applications from a person named Phelan claiming to have been evicted from the Verschoyle estate.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he could state the nature and duties of the position occupied by the late Mr. James Harper in the Department of Agriculture; was his post intimately connected with the fruit-growing industry, requiring a thorough knowledge of the growing, packing, grading, and marketing of the fruits grown in Ireland; whether the vacancy had been filled, if so, by whom, and what were his qualifications and previous knowledge of the soft fruit trade; and whether a change had been made in the duties of the office?

Mr. Harper was in the first instance employed as an expert in fruit drying, but was subsequently appointed to represent the Department in connection with the marketing in Great Britain of Irish agricultural produce in all its various classes. No change has been made in the duties of the office. Mr. Sidney Smith, who has had a wide experience in the provision trade, has been appointed to the vacancy.

May I ask if Mr. Sidney Smith had the smallest bit of knowledge of the soft fruit trade, and as a matter of fact if he was not a commercial traveller for a Liverpool firm in the dry fruit trade?

That is only part of his present duty.

Are we to take it that the Department thinks that a proper man to be employed in the soft fruit trade is a man whose only knowledge of the trade is in the dry fruit trade as a traveller in Liverpool?

My hon. Friend will notice that his present duties extend far beyond that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what his other duties are?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on Captain Murphy's estate, Lullymore, Rathangan, county Kildare, met the landlord some time ago and asked him to sell, which he refused to do under any conditions; that the tenants through their solicitor forwarded a memorial to the Estates Commissioners setting out the facts of the situation; that there are fourteen tenants on this property whose families number ninety-one human beings, the aggregate of these fourteen holdings being seventy-five acres, all of which has been reclaimed by them from bog and heath; whether Captain Murphy, who is non-resident, has on his own hands in Lullymore about 200 acres and ninety-five let on the eleven months' system, in Kilpatrick on his own hands forty acres, let on the eleven months' system ninety acres, in Lullybeg on his own hands seventy acres, set by eleven months ten acres; have the Estates Commissioners considered the circumstances of this estate; and what action they propose to take in the matter?

The Estates Commissioners have received the memorial referred to, and are in communication with the owner on the subject. They have no information as to the other matters referred to in the question?

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate when the Estates Commissioners are going to reply to a memorial that has been sent by an Eden-derry solicitor?

I will call the attention of the Estates Commissioners to it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Constable Treacy, lately stationed at Clonaslee, Queen's County, against whom it was alleged that on a certain Sunday in October last, when acting as barrack orderly between nine and ten o'clock at night, he stopped two men outside the barracks, and, after procuring drink for them from an adjacent public-house, incited them to smash the bicycle belonging to the sergeant of a neighbouring station and throw it into the river; that on another occasion this constable supplied horns to two young men, prompting them at the same time to sound a local Protestant, lately married, with the object of annoying the sergeant; and that he advised certain persons to feign drunkenness before the sergeant, get arrested, and then go before a doctor and a magistrate and charge the sergeant with unlawful arrest; whether he is aware that evidence of a most reliable character is forthcoming in support of those charges; and will he grant a public sworn inquiry in order that the allegations against this constable may be thoroughly investigated?

My attention has already been drawn to the matters referred to in the question, which were investigated by two experienced police officers some months ago. The Inspector-General then came to the conclusion that the case of Constable Treacy would be sufficiently met by his transfer to another county, as already ordered on other grounds. I see no reason for any further inquiry.

asked the Chief Secretary how many estates have been sold in county Antrim under the Land Act of 1903, the acreage, the amount of the purchase price, and the number of years' purchase?

Purchase agreements for the sale of 217 estates in county Antrim have been lodged under the Irish Land Act of 1903. The purchase money applied for is £2,511,306 and the average number of years' purchase is 24.6 for all classes of rent. Statistics as to the acreage are not available at present.

asked the Chief Secretary how many estates were sold in county Antrim more than four years ago, the purchase money for which has not yet been paid by the Government; what is the amount of money required to pay for these estates; and whether, having regard to the loss inflicted on the tenants by the delay, he will take steps to raise the money at once?

In the case of twelve estates in county Antrim in which the purchase agreements were lodged before 31st March, 1906, the purchase money, amounting to £178,115, has not yet been advanced. In two of these cases the purchase money can be advanced when the requirements of the Estates Commissioners have been complied with. The other cases will be dealt with in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the total cost to the ratepayers of Ireland of administering the Dairies and Cowsheds Order; and whether he proposes to make this a charge on the Exchequer?

The total cost of administering the Order is about £10,000 a year. Recoupment of a portion of this cost can be obtained from the Local Taxation Account under certain conditions which I explained in my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member on 6th April last. I am not in a position to state the net cost to the ratepayers.

asked the Chief Secretary if he was aware that the "Longford Leader" newspaper of Saturday, 2nd July, contained a paragraph indicating that Mr. Michael Magaw had refused to surrender the Middleton farm, and that a monster meeting is to be held on Sunday next, 10th July, to deal with this latest attempt at grabbing in the county; whether this meeting will be permitted to take place; and whether any further action is to be taken against this and other newspapers which continue to publish intimidatory notices?

I am aware that the "Longford Leader" did make the publication referred to in the question. The matter is receiving the attention of the Government. Prosecutions are at present pending with respect to the publications in this newspaper.

May I inquire whether a prosecution will also take place in Belfast against the magistrates and others who held a public meeting to intimidate the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Strand Division (Mr. Walter Long)?

asked the Chief Secretary if he has seen the official report of the speeches delivered at a United Irish League meeting, held on Sunday, 19th June, in the vicinity of Newtownbond, for the purpose of denouncing Captain Bond and his agent; whether he is aware that the object of the meeting was to secure that until Captain Bond sold to his tenants a ring of fire should be drawn round Newtownbond, and that the Nationalists of the district should use the weapon at their hands; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen the official report of the speeches referred to in the hon. Member's question. I have no doubt that the object of the meeting was to try and compel Captain Bond to sell his lands to the tenants. The action of those concerned in the movement against Captain Bond is being closely watched, but at the present stage it is not considered expedient to institute a prosecution.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the remarks of Lord Justice Cherry, at the Clare Summer Assizes on Friday last, that there was a great deal of undetected crime in the county; and whether, having regard to this circumstance and the failure to secure convictions under the ordinary law, he intends to take special measures in this county to ensure that criminals are brought to justice?

My attention has been called to the observations of the learned judge. The difficulty in that county arises in connection with obtaining evidence, and I am not aware of any measure that would meet that difficulty.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if his attention has been called to an expression of high opinion in another place yesterday, that the best means— [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, Order."]

I would remind the hon. Member that he cannot refer to the Debates in another place.

asked how many of the Royal Irish Constabulary hold paid positions in addition to their work as policemen; and what is the regulation governing their action in this respect?

The only cases of the kind are those of five members of the force who have been specially appointed to act as ship inspectors under the Department of Agriculture. This work does not interfere with the efficient discharge of their ordinary duties. There is no regulation on the subject.

asked how long Sergeant Jenkins, Greenore, has held the position of ship inspector under the Department of Agriculture, and who appointed him; what are the duties of this office and what remuneration does he receive from it; what arrangements are made to discharge his duties as sergeant while he is acting as ship inspector; when was he in England as ship inspector, and for how long; who paid the expenses of his trip to England; who discharged his police duties while he was away; whether his locum tenens received payment for this duty; and, if so, whether the cost will be charged upon the ratepayers of county Louth as a charge for extra police?

Sergeant Jenkins has held the position of ship inspector at Greenore since 5th September, 1903. He was appointed by the Department of Agriculture. His duty is to see that the by-laws and orders of the Department with respect to the transit of cattle are observed. He is paid £36 a year. His employment as ship inspector only occupies him for a short time daily, and does not interfere with his duties as sergeant, his barrack being close to the port. He was in England from 28th to 30th November last as a witness for the Department, who paid his expenses. His duties during those three days were performed by the senior constable at the station without extra pay.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the holding of such a position as that of ship inspector under the Department of Agriculture, which may involve frequent absence in England or Scotland in the discharge of its duties, interferes with the efficient discharge of their own duties by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, he will have the practice of the police holding such positions discontinued?

There has been only one case during the past seven years in which a policeman holding the position of ship inspector has been absent in Great Britain. The difficulty suggested by the hon. Member has not, therefore, arisen, and does not seem likely to arise.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that it is a regulation of the Dublin Metropolitan Police that the members of the force shall devote their whole time to the police service; for what reason is there no similar regulation in the Royal Irish Constabulary service; and whether it is proposed to assimilate the practice in both forces?

The Constabulary Regulations do not state in so many words that members of the force shall devote their whole time to police service, but this is nevertheless the rule and practice of the force. The employment of certain members of the force as ship inspectors under the Department of Agriculture does not violate this rule as the work is practically police duty.

asked whether it is an official regulation that anyone joining the Dublin Metropolitan Police is not to belong to any political or secret society (that of Freemasons excepted); what are the grounds on which an exception is made in favour of the Freemason Society; whether it is proposed to continue this regulation; and whether a similar regulation applies to the Royal Irish Constabulary?

The matter is not one of official regulation. Both the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police are obliged to take an oath to the effect stated in the hon. Member's question, by virtue of the Statutes 6 and 7, William IV., c. 13, Sec. 17, and 6 and 7 William IV., c. 29, Sec. 44, respectively. No change could be effected under the existing law.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state from how many credit societies has the Department been compelled to recover their loans by means of legal proceedings?

Twenty-one cases were placed in the hands of the Chief Crown Solicitor. In fifteen of these cases the amounts due have been recovered. The remaining six cases are still pending.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what was the amount?

I am sorry I cannot.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a large farm of land was acquired some years ago by the Congested Districts Board in the neighbourhood of Athenry; that the farm was subsequently acquired by the Estates Commissioners; and that later on the greater portion of the farm was sold to the Agricultural Department for the express purpose of building a college thereon and maintaining the farm for the training and education of the young men of Connaught in the science of agriculture; will he state at what date the farm was purchased by the Department; what sum or sums of money have been earmarked for the purpose of building the college; is it the intention of the Agricultural Department to fulfil the promise made, on the strength of which they acquired the farm—namely, to build a college thereon; and whether he can state how the farm has been worked for the past five years?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by the Vice-President of the Department to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for South Mayo on 29th July, 1909?

asked the Undersecretary of State for India what the reasons are for the refusal to establish a chartered High Court of Judicature for the province of Burma, in lieu of the present chief court?

After careful consideration, the Secretary of State in Council has come to the conclusion that the establishment of a Chartered High Court, whether for the whole of Burma or for Lower Burma only, is not required in the interests of the Province.

asked the Undersecretary for India whether any decision has been passed on the application of a public meeting held at Rangoon, and presided over by the Chief Justice, for the establishment of a university for Burma?

No proposal on this subject has yet been put before the Secretary of State.

Has the matter not been put forward by the Government of Burma, or possibly by the Government of India?

The first movement in this matter must come from the Government of Burma. No representations from the Government of Burma or from the Government of India have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he had received any complaint as to the quality of the ammunition supplied during the last musketry course of the 4th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment; and what was the date of manufacture of the ammunition issued for that course?

The Secretary of State has received no complaint or information regarding the ammunition in question.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to obtain some information in view of the fact that a considerable number of the men who in previous years have been first-class shots this year failed to pass?

If my hon. Friend will give me any information he possesses I will only be too happy to make inquiries.

asked the Under-Secretary for India what were the imports of cigarettes into India in each of the last three months compared with the same months of last year?

The comparative figures in pounds are: March, 1909, 231,700; March, 1910, 204,618; April, 1909, 283,447; April, 1910, 171,466; May, 1909, 251,293; May, 1910, 17,744. Figures for June, 1910, are not yet available. I should explain, however, that for the purpose of obtaining information as to the quantity of cigarettes that pass into consumption, on payment of duty, in each month, these figures, as they stand, are useless, since it is necesary to take into account the quantity passed into bond or taken out of bond month by month.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that advertisements are inserted in the 2s. stamp books, but the purchaser only gets stamps to the value of 1s. 11½d., he will state whether he will now undertake to give the purchaser in future full value for his 2s.?

The revenue from advertisements at present defrays only a small part of the cost of issuing the stamps in book form, but the matter is receiving special consideration.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that if the receipts from the advertisements enable it, in a reasonable time, to be done, full value will be given?

That, I am afraid, is a hypothetical question. If the hon. Gentleman will assist me to obtain remunerative advertisers I shall be grateful.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a large number of advertising circulars posted at Prestatyn by the secretary of the Town Improvement Society, have been surcharged one penny, which has been demanded from the recipients in various parts of the United Kingdom; and whether he will grant facilities for the despatch of circulars from Prestatyn at the halfpenny rate?

I very much regret that, owing to a misapprehension on the part of the local officials, some of the circulars referred to by the hon. Member were wrongly surcharged. I have caused instructions to be given in the matter, which will prevent a recurrence.

asked the Lord Advocate what steps, if any, he proposes to take to carry into effect the undertaking of the Secretary for Scotland that the amount of the residue grant for voluntary schools would be 6s.?

The amount distributed to voluntary schools in Scotland under the provisions of Section 17 (11) of the Act of 1908 for the year ending 15th May, 1910, was £27,229 Is. 11d., being a sum of 5s. 9d. per head of the average attendance in these schools. This is a sufficiently close approximation to the sum of 6s. mentioned to justify the hope that by the exercise of greater economy by the secondary education committees as regards various first charges on the district funds and by the probable increase in the total amount of the Education (Scotland) Fund for the present year the sum named may be reached.

Is it a fact that the 5s. 9d. in question comes entirely from the residue of the Act of 1908?

It comes from the residue.

asked whether an application for an old age pension from Mr. John Tulloch, retired gardener, aged seventy-five years, living in the parish of Melrose, has yet been disposed of; and, if so, what decision has been come to?

I am informed that the claim is at present being dealt with by the pension officer, and has not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether police pensioners employed in Ireland as watchers in the Customs Department are not called upon to retire until the age of sixty-five, whereas civilians employed by the Department of Agriculture as ship inspectors to do similar work are, by Treasury regulation, compelled to retire at the age of sixty, although physically quite competent to carry out their duties; and whether he will consider the possibility of giving a discretionary power to the Board of Agriculture, Ireland, to retain such inspectors as are efficient at least as long as police pensioners and so prevent this discrimination in favour of persons who have other means of support than their salaries?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I understand that the facts are as stated. The Department consider that the rule requiring all ship inspectors to retire at sixty is a salutary one, and should not be changed.

The question on the Paper was directed to the Treasury as the retirement is called for by the Treasury, so, therefore, I think I am entitled to an answer from the Treasury representative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the hundred agricultural banks and credit societies which he stated to be in arrear for two years or more with their annual returns are all situated in Ireland; whether he can state to how many of these societies the Agricultural Department or the Congested Districts Board has lent money; and what arrangements exist for the regular audit or inspection of the accounts of these societies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no material for answering the second part. As regards the third part, every society registered under the Friendly Societies Acts is required to have its accounts audited not less often than once a year, and annual returns have to be furnished to the Registrar, containing the accounts as signed by the auditors.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the salmon fishings in Banffshire of Ballintore, Shand-wick, Rockfield, Geanies, and Leafield are to be let by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests privately to a syndicate instead of as hitherto by public tender; and, if so, whether he will reconsider the proceeding in view of the fact that such a course, if persisted in, would cause hardship to the inhabitants of the districts concerned?

As explained in reply to a question on 18th April last, the Commissioner has entered into an agreement for the letting of these fisheries to a company with the object of preventing the regrettable decrease of fish on the coast. The agreement is, however, provisional, and subject to the approval of the Treasury; and, having regard to the representations which have been made since it was concluded, further inquiries will be made before a final decision on the subject is arrived at.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what reply he has received from the London and North-We stern Railway Company to his communication regarding the action of the company in charging a toll for the use of the footpath connecting Willesden Junction with Hyde Road, Willesden?

The railway company's reply is to the effect that there was ample access to and from the Willesden Junction Station, but that they were asked to provide an additional footpath to afford a more direct access to the station for passengers having business in the Hyde Road district and also for the public wishing to pass between that district and Harlesden. The scheme, however, involved more expense than the company felt justified in incurring without some return, and they only agreed to carry out the work on the condition that persons using the path should pay Id. for a return journey, or, if they preferred to do so, take out season tickets at a cost of Is. per month, 5s. for six months, or 10s. annually.

With whom did the railway company consult before it agreed to undertake this expenditure which committed the company to charge a toll upon the footbridge?

I am afraid I cannot say, but I imagine with those representing the convenience of the district. If the hon. Member will put a question down I will endeavour to ascertain.

asked whether the Twentieth Century Equitable Friendly Society has refused to pay the death benefit to the widow of a deceased member; and, having regard to the fact that such society continues to receive contributions and are unable to meet their liabilities, what steps he proposes to take?

It has been brought to the notice of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies that the benefits to which certain members of the Twentieth Century Equitable Friendly Society were entitled have been unpaid, the direct cause being the locking up of the society's funds on mortgage. The society, by the last valuation of assets and liabilities, was shown to have a serious actuarial deficiency. The Chief Registrar required this fact to be brought before the members, with a view to their deciding what was to be done, and pointed out that, unless new tables of contributions and benefits approved by their valuer were adopted, the only alternative was dissolution. At their annual meeting last Whitsuntide the members decided upon the former course; and amendment of application is to be made for the necessary rules. I am not aware to what specific case the question refers, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars I will gladly look into it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can explain to the House the Admiralty objections to placing the Imperial Service Order medallists in the Royal dockyards on the same footing as seamen and Marines in the Royal Navy, who, having obtained a medal for meritorious service, are also granted a gratuity?

The Statutes governing the award of the Imperial Service Order and Medal apply to the whole of the Civil Service, and not merely to established employés of the Admiralty. I may, however, state that the conditions of employment in the naval and civil services are entirely different, and it would be impossible to establish any effective comparison between them on matters of detail such as that referred to in the hon. Member's question.

asked if there was a Committee on the question of the rank and status of the engineer officers of His Majesty's Fleet; and, if so, whether he can now state to the House the finding of that Committee?

I must refer the Noble and Gallant Lord to the reply given to a similar question from him on 30th March last.

May I ask whether the interval between the 3rd of March last and now has not been sufficiently long to-enable the right hon. Gentleman to reply?

No, Sir, the Committee to which the Noble Lord referred sat some years ago. Its proceedings were confidential, and remain confidential to-the present time.

Does that mean that the proceedings will not be published?

Yes, Sir, they will not be published.

Why did the right hon. Gentleman not say so before?

I did say so before.

asked the result of the investigations into the allegations of violations of the Fair Wage Clause in connection with painting work and cork dusting on His Majesty's ship "Gloucester," under construction at Messrs. Beardmore's, Clydebank, and on His Majesty's ship "Glasgow," and some torpedo boats, under construction at the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company's yard?

I understand that there is no agreed line of demarcation between painters' and red-leaders' work. Both firms have been communicated with, and both have reported that they are not employing any labourers on painters' work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any of the canvas required for the making of mail bags has been ordered from British manufacturers at a higher price than that quoted by British merchants for perfectly satisfactory Foreign-made cloth and such as has been used by the Department for very many years past; can he state the price now paid for British manufactured stuff and the price quoted for foreign, such as formerly used; and can he say whether similar preference will be given by the Government in the case of Irish manufacturers or foodstuffs.

In four out of sixty-eight items, representing 704,500 yards, the prices for British woven canvas were higher than those quoted for canvas of foreign manufacture. In the remaining sixty-four items, representing 350,900 yards, the tenders for British woven canvas were lower than those for foreign. In view, however, of the very small margins between the British and foreign prices, and the extra difficulty of inspection of foreign goods, I decided that the whole of the contract for this year should be placed with British manufacturers. It is not customary to publish the accepted prices, but the total additional cost, as compared with the lowest tenders for foreign canvas, amounted to £985 7s. 6d. on a contract of about £50,000. I shall be prepared to pursue a similar policy under similar conditions in respect of Irish produce.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Secretary of State for War to have Irish foodstuffs supplied to Irish soldiers in preference to foreign?

Are we to understand the right hon. Gentleman has been converted to Tariff Reform?

I think that would be an extraordinary deduction from the facts as stated.

asked (1) What is the amount of royalty per ton paid by the Whitehaven Coal Company on the Crown minerals now being worked by that company; and (2) whether he has claimed or obtained payment of royalties on the coal which has been worked under the sea beyond the three mile limit at the Wellington Colliery, Whitehaven; if not, what action he proposes taking to recover the same?

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer these questions together. The interest of the Crown in the mineral substances down to the bottom of the coal measures under the bed of the sea and below low water for a distance of ten miles from the lighthouse on St. Bees' Head was sold to the Earl of Lonsdale in 1881. In consequence of this sale no royalties are received or could be claimed by the Crown in respect of workings by the Whitehaven Coal Company.

Can a copy of the agreement under which the interest of the Crown was sold be seen?

I cannot answer offhand, but, speaking off-hand, I see no objection.

asked the terms of the document by which the rights of the Crown to mineral royalties for coal or other minerals being worked under the sea beyond the three-mile limit are protected, and the mines which are at present paying royalties to the Crown under the terms thereof?

In no cases up to the present have the Commissioners of Woods, etc., granted leases beyond the three-mile limit. In all leases of under-sea mines they require the lessees to leave a barrier on the seaward boundary so that they cannot work beyond the three-mile limit without committing a breach of covenant for which the lease would be forfeitable. The workings in under-sea leases granted by the Commissioners of Woods are usually inspected at least once a year by the Crown mineral inspector.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, seeing that under Section 54 of the Income Tax Act of 1853 rebates of Income Tax are allowed for payments on account of premiums for life assurance up to one-sixth of one's income, and that under Section 66 of the Finance Act it is provided that, in estimating the income of persons liable to pay Super-tax, the amount paid in assurance premiums is deducted and that, in consequence of these allowances, a person whose income is exactly £5,000 a year effects a saving in the amount of his taxes of £70 a year if he insures to an amount equal to one-sixth of his income, he will say what is the equivalent advantage which a workman, who is disqualified for the receipt of an old age pension on account of friendly society or trade union superannuation, may be said to receive in return for the premiums which he has paid out of his wages throughout his working life?

As the hon. Member is aware, the Old Age Pensions Act does not allow deductions in respect of insurance premiums in calculating the yearly means of a person for the purposes of the Act. There is no necessary analogy between the calculation of income for the purposes of taxation and the calculation of yearly means for purposes such as that of the Old Age Pensions Act, but even if the same rules were applied, the deduction would be allowable in respect of life assurance premiums only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes this year to revise the definition of profits assessable to Income Tax so as to avoid the anomalies and well-known injustices in the present method of the calculation of such profits?

If the hon. Member will be so good as to furnish my right hon. Friend with detailed information as to the cases referred to, he will be glad to give the matter his consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, although Super-tax forms have been issued, forms for claiming the increased lebate of Income Tax for upkeep of lands and buildings are not yet obtainable, and in consequence applications for this rebate have been hitherto refused; and if he will take steps to see that the benefits of the Finance Act are as readily accessible as the burdens?

I am informed that the forms referred to by the hon. Member are now in course of being printed, and will be available at an early date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government intend to appoint any surveyors under the Finance Act, 1909–10; and, if so, whether he is in a position to inform the House of the nature of these appointments, both as regards number and emolument?

If by "surveyors" the hon. Member means valuers, I may refer him to the answers given to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Cheshire) and to the hon. Member for Faversham respectively on 29th June last.

asked whether any deductions are made in assessing the Mining Royalties Tax for surveyors' costs and cost of collection?

The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, does not contain any provision for deductions from Mineral Rights Duty of the nature referred to by the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of any change by which the owners will not be taxed on what they do not actually receive?

I do not know. I shall have to bring that to the attention of the Chancellor.

asked whether the Super-tax office have been working overtime; whether such overtime includes any work on Sundays, and, if so, how much; what increase in salary of the staff will be involved; and on what Vote such increase will be taken?

With regard to the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, a few of the officers employed in connection with the work of Super-tax have been working over- time, which does not include work on Sundays; but it is not possible at present to state what will be the consequent increase in their emoluments. Any increase will fall on Sub-head A of the Inland Revenue Vote, "Provision for extra or for special services."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, where a building estate is developed by the erection and sale of small houses, each sale being carried out by means of a lease to the purchaser at a ground rent for a consideration representing the value of the house, the leases are subject, under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, to double Stamp Duty, notwithstanding that the total value of the rent and premium may not exceed £500; and, if so, whether he will introduce into the Finance Bill of this year a provision for extending to transactions of this character the exemption from double duty accorded by Section 73 of the Act of last year to other purchasers of small houses?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I informed the hon. Member for Clitheroe, in reply to a similar question on the 28th ultimo, my right hon. Friend has this matter under his consideration.

asked how many of the 10,000 deeds which were presented for stamping and assessment of Increment Duty during the months of May and June have had the Increment Value assessed and the duty paid, and the transaction closed up to the present time?

None, Sir.

Taking 200 deeds registered a day, has the Treasury any prospect of picking up the arrears in view of these accumulations?

It is a fact, as I have stated, that there has been some delay, but it is not anticipated to be serious.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say approximately how many of these 10,000 deeds had an interim denoting stamp?

I could not tell that without notice.

asked the amount of revenue collected from the duty on raw cocoa, prepared cocoa, cake chocolate, and sweets only partially composed of chocolate, such as chocolate creams, respectively?

The amount of revenues collected from the duty on cocoa, chocolate, and confectionary containing chocolate, during the year ended 31st March, 1910, was:— Cocoa, raw £205,374 Cocoa husks and shells 229 Cocoa or chocolate, ground, prepared, or in any way manufactured 97,139 Cocoa butter 361 Confectionery containing chocolate 7,205 £310,308 The duty received on cake chocolate as distinguished from other kinds of chocolate cannot be stated. I should add, in regard to the heading for confectionery containing chocolate, that the duty received on the chocolate contained in this confectionery was £5,704, the remainder of the duty being in respect of spirit and sugar.

asked whether grants out of the Development Fund for such objects as agricultural research or the development of any branch of rural industry will be made to meet capital outlay upon buildings and equipment or only for the purposes of annual maintenance; or whether such grants will be available both for capital outlay upon and the maintenance of such objects?

No distinction is drawn in the Development Act of last Session between advances in respect of capital outlay and annual maintenance, but it is manifestly impossible for my right hon. Friend to foresee what view the Development Commission may take on the subject.

asked if it is proposed in the Finance Bill to rearrange the Tobacco Duties so that the tobacco which is stripped shall bear the same extra duty which it bore in 1905, with results which were so beneficial to the stripping trade in this country?

My right hon. Friend does not propose to rearrange the Tobacco Duties.

Arising out of that reply, may I ask if the Treasury is not in possession of a considerable amount of further information since this duty was changed, and whether, under those circumstances, they will not reconsider the question?

No, I do not recollect the Treasury being in possession of any further information.

Is there no further information regarding the results of the change?

No, not so far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn by county associations to the difficulty in raising and maintaining cadet corps owing to the alteration of the original regulation promising free equipment; and whether he can see his way to providing such corps free of cost with arms and equipment from any stores that may have been discarded as obsolete for other units?

The money Grant for these corps was fixed on the understanding that there would be no free issues. I am considering what can be done in the way of sale of obsolete stores at low prices.

asked what was the cost of conveying the Berkshire Territorial Artillery from Salisbury Plain to Shoeburyness to fire their annual course?

The cost of the move was approximately £60.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that in future this unnecessary expense is not incurred?

These arrangements are always left to the General Officer Commanding in Chief, and he presumably knew whether the range was being used by other troops.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on that particular day the range was not being used?

I am not aware one way or the other. It is extremely unlikely the officer Commanding in Chief would not know on what days the range was being used.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the deleterious ingredients introduced into flour as the result of bleaching with nitrogen peroxide; and whether any measures are taken to prevent the supply to the Army of flour which has undergone this bleaching process?

I have not received any reports of the flour supplied to the Army being treated in the manner referred to. The specification governing supply under contract requires that the flour shall be the produce of good, sound wheat and dry wheat, without any adulteration whatever.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the President of the Local Government Board as to the question of the adulteration of flour?

In the Army we look after our own flour.

What means does the right hon. Gentleman take to have the flour analysed?

We have experts, and we have access to the laboratories we wish.

Does the salary of the expert appear on the Vote?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will answer it.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's experts advise rolling flour with a steam rolling mill?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that, as the result of bleaching flour with nitrogen peroxide, poisonous and deleterious ingredients are introduced; and whether, in the interests of the health of the men in the Navy, he will direct that flour bleached by this process should not be supplied for Navy purposes?

The matter is receiving the attention of the Admiralty, and the action taken will depend upon the result of the inquiries which are being instituted by the Local Government Board on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have the inquiry completed as soon as possible?

My right hon. Friend will see the inquiry is conducted as rapidly as possible by the Local Government Board.

Will the inquiry be extended to other forms of bleaching than that mentioned in the question?

That question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that, on the 28th ultimo, the band of the 8th Middlesex Regiment discoursed music at an Empire Day celebration at Brentford; whether he is aware that the gathering was organised by the Conservative Association, and that the hon. Member for the Constituency addressed the meeting on the Budget, the House of Lords, the Conference, Tariff Reform, and Mr. Roosevelt; whether this was a political gathering; and, if so, whether it is in accordance with the military regulations for a regimental band to be present?

I have called for a report on this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

I hope the right hon. Gentleman will let the House know.

asked whether the recruiting officer at Clonmel asked the Nenagh Urban District Council for permission to display a recruiting poster on any premises under their control; and what was the result of his application?

I have ascertained that the Nenagh Town Council were asked for permission for a recruiting poster and a booklet setting out the advantages of the Army to be displayed in the public library, but that the application was refused.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether cordite is manufactured otherwise than with acetone in any and, if so, what other countries; whether such process is easier and more expeditious than that in which acetone is employed; whether it has yet been proved that the cordite so produced is equally effective for all purposes as an explosive; and whether, when finally selecting between the alternative processes, he will bear in mind the potentialities of the manufacture of acetone either in the Forest of Dean or in the New Forest as a means of providing this country with a new and important woodland industry employing additional British labour both in the factory and in the forest?

So far as is known in my Department, no country is manufacturing cordite otherwise than with acetone. Whether any other process is easier and more expeditious is not known, and could not be ascertained without extended trials, nor has it been proved on any large scale of manufacture that cordite so produced would be equally effective as an explosive. In answer to the last part of the question, it is not proposed to adopt any alternative process as long as acetone is available, and the sources of possible supply to which the hon. Member refers are being borne in mind.