asked the Attorney-General for Ireland how many examiners of title there are in the Registration of Title Office; has their number been added to in consequence of the additional work imposed on them by the Irish Land Acts, 1903 and 1909; how many applications to discharge equities are awaiting the examiners at present; whether he is aware that solicitors commonly have to wait three months at least before requisitions are issued to them; whether this delay applies equally to every county in Ireland; and, if not, why are applications from certain counties dealt with sooner than those from ether counties?

There are now four Examiners of Title in the Registration of Title Office, one having been recently appointed. There are at present 294 applications to discharge equities undisposed of, and it is hoped that with the assistance of the New Examiner the arrears will be materially decreased in the near future. Applications are taken up in the order of lodgment, except in cases where special reasons for urgency exist.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he was aware that on 17th January, 1908, the Estates Commissioners addressed a letter to Peter Murray, evicted tenant, of Kilmeena, West-port, county Mayo, informing him that he had been noted as a person whom they had deemed suitable to be provided with a holding should an opportunity occur; that an inspector of the Commissioners visited Murray subsequently and assured him that he would soon get a holding; and can he state why the Lucan and other neighbouring estates having been acquired by the Commissioners or Congested Pistricts Board, this evicted tenant has not been provided with a holding as promised?

Murray's application was noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of certain lands which were the subject of proceedings under the Evicted Tenants Act. These proceedings were dropped, as it was found that the lands could not be acquired under that Act, but the Commissioners will consider Murray's application when other land is available. Murray's application has been brought under the notice of the Congested Districts Board, who have acquired the Lucan Estate from which he was evicted, but the Board are not in a position to provide him with a holding.

asked when the Return relating to drunkenness will be issued?

It is expected that the Return will be issued to-morrow.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have yet acquired the untenanted lands on the Cleary Minors estate at Athlacca, in the county of Limerick; and, if not, how soon will they acquire them?

The reply to the first part of the Question is in the negative-The formal proceedings for the sale of this estate under the Land Purchase Acts were only instituted in November last, and at this stage of the proceedings the Estates Commissioners are unable to reply to the latter part of the Question.

asked why the Privy Council have decided that the new bridge to be erected in the city of Water-ford is to be constructed of ferroconcrete, seeing that the Vice Regal Commission appointed in connection with this undertaking reported that ferroconcrete was unsuitable for the bridge at Waterford; and whether the Commission so reporting consisted of an eminent lawyer as chairman, three county surveyors having large experience outside their duties as county surveyors, the fourth engineering member being the most able and experienced in Ireland for this special work, and unanimously condemned ferroconcrete and recommended a steel structure?

The Waterford Bridge Commission was constituted as stated. The Commissioners recommended and submitted plans for a steel structure, but expressed no opinion in their report as to the merits of ferroconcrete. Appeals were received from all the counties interested (with the exception of Tipperary, North Riding) objecting to the plans and specification for a steel bridge adopted by the Commissioners on the grounds that such plans were too elaborate and that to adopt them would be attended with unnecessary cost. At the hearing of the appeals before the Committee of the Privy Council all the contributory bodies were represented by counsel and many expert witnesses were examined. All the parties interested, including the Waterford Corporation, agreed on urging that a ferroconcrete instead of a steel bridge should be erected, and the Committee, after hearing their views, decided in favour of a ferroconcrete structure.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the representatives of the contributory area to the cost of the new bridge at Waterford, including the counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary, Queen's County, and Wexford, got no opportunity of considering the Report of the Vice Regal Commission; whether the only recommendation from the city of Waterford in favour of ferroconcrete was founded on misconception and misrepresentation; whether, having made further inquiries into the merits of ferroconcrete for bridge construction, the Corporation of Waterford, by twenty-five votes to eight, condemned ferroconcrete and requested the Privy Council to sanction a steel structure; whether, seeing that this resolution of the corporation was unanimously approved by the Federated Trades and Labour Union of the city, and in view of the practically unanimous objection to ferroconcrete steps will be taken to have the recommendation of the Vice Regal Commission carried out?

A copy of the Report of the Commissioners, with specifications, plans, and estimates, was duly sent to each contributory body in accordance with the Statute. Seven out of the eight bodies concerned appealed against the Report of the Commissioners. These appeals were heard before the Committee of the Privy Council. All the contributory bodies were represented by counsel at the hearing, and had an opportunity of expressing their views, when it was decided, with the consent of all parties, that the bridge should be of ferroconcrete. A resolution was subsequently adopted by the Corporation of Waterford to the effect that they were strongly of opinion that a ferroconcrete bridge would not be a suitable structure. This resolution was submitted to the Committee of the Privy Council, who declined to alter their recommendation in favour of ferroconcrete. The Order directing the construction of a ferroconcrete bridge has been passed by the Privy Council, which has the entire power and responsibility in the matter, and there is no intention to reopen the question.

asked the Chief Secretary (1) if he would state what was the number of farms vested in tenants in the East Riding of the County of Cork during the year ended May, 1910, under the provisions of the Land Law (Ireland) Acts; and (2) the number of estates, and acreage thereof, acquired by the Estates Commissioners, either voluntarily or compulsorily, during the year ended 31st May, 1910, in the East Riding of the county of Cork?

During the year ended 31st May last the Estates Commissioners purchased or agreed to purchase twenty estates in county Cork comprising an area of 13,326 acres, and 1,159 holdings in the county were vested in tenant purchasers during the same period. The figures for the East Riding cannot be given separately.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state on what grounds the claims to old age pensions of John Conlon and Patrick Smyth, of Attymass in the Ballina pension sub-district, county Mayo, have been refused by the Local Government Board; if because of means, why the applicants have been afforded no opportunity to place evidence in support of their claims before the Local Government Board prior to the adverse decision of that body being given; and what steps must now be taken by these claimants to have their claims reconsidered?

The claims of the persons mentioned were disallowed because the Local Government Board were satisfied that the means of each claimant exceeded the statutory limit. When estimating the means in each case, the Board had before them a full statement (obtained by the pension officer, presumably from the claimant) as to the acreage and quality of the claimant's holding and the stock and crops thereon. Conlon has lodged a fresh claim which is now before the Board on appeal, and it is open to Smyth to do the same.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds an old age pension has been withheld from Julia Blake, of Kilconly, Tuam, whose case was passed by the Dunmore Sub-committee in November, 1909?

Mrs. Blake's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that she was unable to furnish any satisfactory evidence that she had attained the statutory age.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the reason that William Quinn, Lemonagh, Cloonbern, county Galway, has received no old age pension, in view of the fact that in January, 1909, the pension officer recommended that he should receive 4s. a week, which was confirmed by the Local Government Board on appeal from the pension committee which recommended that he should receive 5s. a week?

The Local Government Board on the 8th February, 1909, disallowed Quinn's claim to a pension on the ground that his means were in excess of the statutory limit.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board has received a memorial from the parish of Annaghdown, Drumgriffin, county Galway, with reference to the purchase of land within the district; and, if so, whether the Board will be able to take any action as requested?

The memorial in question has been received by the Congested Districts Board, who are in communication with the owners of the estates mentioned therein.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners will consider the desirability of sending down an inspector to inquire into the difficulties that have arisen between Mr. James Hoad and his sub-tenants before sanctioning the sale of the Rodney Estate, Caherneehena, Head-ford, county Galway?

When this estate is being inspected in order of priority, the inspector will make the usual inquiries and report as to all sub-tenancies on the estate, so that the Estates Commissioners may be in a position, before vesting the holdings in the tenants, to consider whether the sub-tenants should be declared direct tenants for the purposes of sale.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that all the excursion trains passing through Portadown on the morning of 26th June were attacked with stones by organised gangs; that similar attacks were made on the excursion trains returning from Dundalk on the same evening, including the down night mail from Dublin; that several passengers were injured in these trains, and that the police guarding the line were chased by a section of the Portadown mob while another section stoned the trains; whether any arrests have been made in connection with these attacks on the trains; and whether he can state the amount of compensation claimed by the Great Northern Railway Company during the past two years for damage done to their trains by gangs of rowdies in the Portadown district?

The police at Portadown saw two boys throwing stones at an excursion train on the morning in question, but failed to catch them. They have not heard of any other cases of stone-throwing that morning, but some stones-were thrown at the trains on their return in the evening. Three panes of glass were broken, but no one was injured. No arrests have been made, but proceedings, will be taken against three stone-throwers who have been identified. There was no organised mob, nor was there any interference with the police guarding the line. I understand that the Great Northern Railway Company claimed £59 10s. for injury to trains during the riot at Portadown in August last, and were awarded £27 11s. This was the only compensation claimed by the company during the last two years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that application has been made for the discharge of Private James Thomas Jenkins, 19th Hussars, Aldershot, with a view of his assisting to keep his widowed mother; whether inquiries were made by the police at Bassaleg which proved that work was waiting for him; whether the commander-in-chief at Aldershot refused to sanction such discharge; and if he will take steps to enable this soldier to support his mother by granting him his discharge?

I have made inquiries and find that the general officer commanding in chief has refused the application on the grounds that the promised employment is of uncertain character, that there are three other sons of full age, and that the soldier has shown little disposition to help his mother while in the service. The police report bears out this view of the case, and I do not propose to interfere.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the alteration made in 1894 in the punctuation of the Lord's Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer; and whether there is any authority in the annexed book of 1662 or otherwise for the punctuation now adopted by the King's printers and the University presses?

Yes, Sir. I have carefully consulted various authorities concerned in this matter. I am advised, as was the Secretary of State for the Home Department in 1902, that the punctuation of the "annexed book" is throughout of such a peculiar description that it would, if exactly reproduced in modern type, be inconvenient and confusing. The punctuation of different editions of the Prayer Be ok has varied considerably. The punctuation of the Lord's Prayer in the "annexed book" varies in different places, and in deciding which punctuation they should adopt in the petition "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven," I presume that the King's printers and the University presses consider they have adopted that which represents the structure of the Greek original. Personally, I am in full agreement with the Noble Lord on this point, and I am glad that we have found a common ground to stand on, though it be only the breadth of a comma; but I have no power to issue any instructions as to the punctuation of the Prayer Book. The steps necessary appear to be, first, the issue by the King of Letters of Business to Convocation; secondly, a recommendation of Convocation; and, lastly, an Act of Parliament. The prospect of this being effected within the present Session appears to me remote.

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Senate of Madras University has resolved upon certain proposals which in fact will compel students to take up Sanskrit, or other classical languages, to the neglect of the Indian vernaculars?

The Secretary of State has no official information on the subject, but he understands from the newspapers that the proposals in question do not compel students to take up a classical instead of a vernacular language, but merely give them the option of doing so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact, according to the Report of the recent Committee of Inquiry into the Liquor Traffic of Southern Nigeria, that the pension of the bale or head chief of Ibadan was suspended for about two months because he advised his people to cease to deal in spirits; will he say whether the suspension of the pension by the Colonial Administration had the sanction of the Colonial Office; and, if not, what notice, if any, was taken of this act of the Colonial Administration; and what steps the Colonial Office proposes to take to prevent the recurrence of any such proceedings in the future?

The stoppage of the stipend took place without the authority of the Colonial Government, and, of course, without the knowledge of the Secretary of State. The officer who took this step has been suitably admonished, and the Governor ordered the arrears to be paid as soon as the facts were brought to his notice. The action taken by the Secretary of State and the Governor in this case will doubtless prevent any recurrence of a similar incident.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether representations will be made to the officer administering the Government of British Guiana as to the advisability of introducing a Bill in the Legislature to prohibit the sale of spirituous liquors to children under sixteen years of age?

The Governor will be asked to advise upon the question raised, by my hon. Friend.

asked the Colonial Undersecretary whether at the time of the appointment of Colonel Claude Francis to the magistracy of the South-East Essequibo district in British Guiana, the Colonial Office was already in receipt of a despatch from the officer administering the Government of British Guiana setting forth the conditions the Legislature had some time previously decided should govern the appointment of magistrate; whether he is aware that the appointment of Colonel Claude Francis is not in conformity with those conditions; and whether it can be terminated?

So far as I have been able to ascertain, the answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. There is no legislative restriction as to the qualifications of magistrates for British Guiana, and there is nothing to prevent the Secretary of State from selecting for appointment an officer whom he believes to be well suited for the work, even though he may not possess technical legal qualifications. I may add that the case of Colonel Francis was very carefully considered before the appointment was made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Ottoman Government invited its creditors to register their claims with a view to payment eighteen months ago, and that a number of British firms have been put to considerable trouble and expense in proving their claims accordingly; whether any such firms have yet received payment in whole or in part; whether the Ottoman Government has yet arranged any scheme of payment or taken any serious steps in fulfilment of its proposed intentions in the matter; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to whether British merchants and investors have been or are being induced by the invitation above referred to to entrust the Ottoman Government with goods or money, and will consider the advisability of calling upon the Ottoman Government to act in the spirit of its invitation?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative; that to the second is in the negative; that to the third is that the Ottoman Minister of Finance has made a statement in his Budget speech that the debts of the Ottoman Government in respect of these claims amount to about £T14,000,000, and this sum will presumably be paid in due course; the answer to the fourth question is that I do not consider the course suggested would serve any useful purpose at this moment. The registration was not, even when the speech above referred to was delivered (towards the end of April), quite complete; and it is only fair to give the Turkish Government a reasonable time in which to carry out their declared intentions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government of Egypt is taking any steps to develop the Soudan as a field for the supply of cotton?

Sir Eldon Gorst states on page 65 of his Annual Report on Egypt and the Soudan, which has been presented to Parliament (Egypt, No. 1, 1910), that the Egyptian Irrigation Department have decided to double the allowance of "summer" water available for the Soudan, as soon as the raising of the Assouan dam is completed. This will improve the possibilities of the Soudan as a cotton producing country. The British Cotton Growing Association are interesting themselves in the Soudan from this point of view, and are being supplied with all available information on the subject. Sir Eldon Gorst points out that the development of cotton cultivation is a matter of money, and that the requisite funds must be found by private enterprise.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state (1) the number of men added to the Post Office establishment as postmen and porters, respectively, in each year from 1907 to 1910, inclusive; and (2) the number of lads who entered the Post Office service as telegraph messengers in each year from 1907 to 1910, inclusive?

The figures asked for are, as regards London, as follows:— Year ending 31 st March. Number of persons appointed as Boy Messengers. Postmen. Porters. 1907 1909 406 164 1908 1877 425 112 1909 1813 449 103 1910 1772 416 97

The figures for the provinces will take some time to obtain.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the good conduct stripe which should have been granted to Peter Swan, town postman, Dundee, on 1st January, 1908, has been deferred until 1st January, 1912; and, as this would practically mean that Swan would serve nine years for a stripe, and seeing that Swan's offence only involved his being off duty three hours, will he now review this case in the light of Swan's exemplary conduct since he committed the offence?

The offence which led to the deferment of Mr. Swan's third good conduct stripe for a period of four years was of a serious character, and the punishment was that usually inflicted in like cases. I will consider how far extenuating circumstances and the postman's subsequent good conduct justify any remission of the period of deferment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the number of shipwrecks and the loss of life on the coast of the Island of Alderney; whether there have been four wrecks within ten days of large steamers; whether he will give directions to proceed without delay with the erection of a lighthouse with a powerful foghorn on the east end of Alderney; whether the Trinity Board has managed to secure the site; and when they intend building?

My attention has been called to the shipping casualties which have occurred on the coast of Alderney, and to the fact that four large steamers have stranded there within a period of ten days during the past month. The Board of Trade have sanctioned the construction of a first-class light and fog-signal at the north-eastern end of the island, and I am informed by the Trinity House that they are now in treaty for a site for the lighthouse and fog-signal, that plans of the buildings are approved, and that tenders are being obtained with a view to their construction at the earliest possible date.

asked the Lord Advocate what provision, if any, is made for the education of the children of wandering tinkers in Scotland?

Provision for securing the education of children of the class referred to is made by Section 118 of the Children Act, 1908, to which I may refer my hon. Friend.

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.