Loans to Purchasing Tenants (Ireland).
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, before making a loan for farm buildings to a former tenant or lessee who has signed an agreement to purchase his holding from the landlord, still require the landlord to join in the application for the loan in many cases; whether he is aware that if the landlord does join the Estates Commissioners require the loan made to the tenant by the Board of Works to be repaid out of the landlord's purchase money; and whether he will consider some arrangement by which this consequence can be avoided in cases where landlords are willing to facilitate their former tenants in obtaining loans, but not to the extent of having the amount due in respect of the loans deducted by the Estates Commissioners when dealing with their estates?
Loans by the Board of Works to purchasing tenants pending the issue of the Land Commission Order vesting the fee simple in the purchaser are made necessarily on the basis of the tenancy interest—yearly, judicial, or leasehold—existing at the date of the signing of the agreement to purchase. In the great majority of cases the loans are made to the occupying tenants on the security of the tenancy interest only. In comparatively few cases the applicants are "future" tenants—i.e., holders of tenancies created after the passing of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881—and the Board are not free to lend to this class of tenant unless collateral security for the loan is forthcoming, and the signing of the purchase agreement by a future tenant does not relieve the Board of the necessity of requiring collateral security. The difficulty is generally overcome by the landlord charging his interest in the land with the loan. I am not aware that the practice of the Estates Commissioners is correctly stated in the question. I am informed that when the Board are asked by the solicitor for the vendor whether they claim against the purchase money in respect of a loan made to a purchasing tenant to which loan the landlord (vendor) is a party, the usual reply is that, if the effect of the sale be to vest the fee simple in the tenant, the Board will make no claim against the purchase money. I am informed that changes in the procedure are not considered necessary.
Customs and Excise Department (Kilkenny Borough Pension Committee).
asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Treasury has received from Mr. Doheny, solicitor, clerk of Kilkenny Borough Pension Committee, a representation, under date 2nd May, 1910, of the discourtesy shown by the Customs and Excise Department in disallowing, without any reference or inquiry to him, fees for seven claims, because the return from their local officials showed a smaller number than his; whether it is the general practice of that Department to act without inquiry on the assumption that their officials are in the right and that other parties are in error; whether the said discrepancy arose partly through the local officials unauthorisedly treating certain claims as non-investigated which Mr. Doheny had Treasury and Local Government Board authority to have dealt with before the committee as ordinary reports, and to include in his return for fees accordingly, and partly through a bonâ fide difference of interpretation of the words finally disposed of by the committee, as regards the particular quarter in which cases should be returned when an appeal is pending at the close of a quarter, respecting which matter Mr. Doheny, on 10th July, 1909, clearly indicated his practice to the local officials, so that any discrepancy should have been then and there accounted for; whether any expression of regret for the unreasonable correspondence he had been put to has been tendered to Mr. Doheny; and whether he has yet been paid the fees for the claims referred to?
Mr. Doheny's letter of the 2nd May was duly received by the Treasury and forwarded to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise for inquiry. It related to Mr. Doheny's claim for fees as clerk to the Kilkenny Borough Pension Committee for the quarter ended 31st December, 1909. Payment has already been made in respect of these fees so far as the claim of the clerk coincides with the figures furnished by the pension officer, leaving the discrepancy to which Mr. Doheny has called attention for further investigation. The matter is somewhat complicated; but every consideration will be given to Mr. Doheny's representations with a view to ensuring that he shall receive the full amount of fees to which he is properly entitled.
INCOME TAX.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether persons applying for a refund of Income Tax under Part 4, Section 71 (2) of the Finance Act of 1909, which provides that persons residing abroad may claim a refund of tax on dividends on foreign or Colonial securities if made within six months of the end of the financial year, are debarred from claiming this refund if such securities stand in the name of trustees of a marriage settlement or trust, on the grounds that these securities do not stand in the name of the persons claiming the refund; and, if so, whether he will take measures to have this hardship removed?
A person residing abroad who is entitled to income under the terms of a British Trust has no claim to a repayment of Income Tax under Section 71 (2) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, on the ground that the Trust income may arise in whole or in part from foreign or Colonial securities. I do not think that a further extension of the exemption conferred by the Sub-section is necessary.
ON-LICENCES (LONDON).
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the additional amount of Licence Duty demanded from on-licence houses in London within the London County Council area and within the Metropolitan Police area, respectively; and what proportion these amounts bear to the total duties demanded from on-licence holders in the rest of the United Kingdom?
It will be impossible to give the amount of additional Licence Duty in respect of on-licence houses in London or in the rest of the United Kingdom until the annual licence values of hotels and restaurants and of public-houses and beerhouses of an annual value exceeding £500 have been determined in cases where the licence holders exercise the option allowed by the Finance (1909–10) Act,?910, of being charged Licence Duty by reference to annual licence value.
Waterford Bridge.
asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a first meeting of the joint committee of management of the new bridge at Water-ford was held on the 21st instant, and that no agenda was prepared or notice of any business to be transacted given; that instead of making the necessary preliminary arrangements a majority of the committee proceeded to create offices, fix salaries, and make appointments; that a proposal that notice should be given by public advertisement of the committee's intention to make these appointments and invite applications from suitable candidates, which proposal was supported by the solicitor for Waterford County Council, the solicitor for Kilkenny County Council, and the solicitor for Waterford Corporation, was defeated; that the representatives of Tip-perary and Queen's County Councils withdrew under protest; that the Press was excluded, and only ex parte statements given; and whether steps will be given to compel the members of this committee to discharge their duties openly in accordance with law and precedent which governs other local bodies in Ireland?
I have no information on the subjects referred to in the question other than what appears in the local newspapers, and I have no control over the proceedings of the joint committee constituted and acting under Statute. If it has done anything illegal its proceedings can, I presume, be questioned in a court of law.
Canals and Waterways (Ireland).
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what causes the delay in presenting the Report of the Commissioners on the Rivers and Canals of Ireland, considering that the English Report has been presented over a year ago; and when will the Irish Report be presented?
I understand from the Chairman of the Royal Commission that part of the Report relating to Ireland has been drafted and is undergoing revision, but that some time must elapse before the whole is ready for submission to the King. The Report relating to England and Wales and Scotland was not issued till December last, and has been followed by three other volumes bearing on it, which required much time and labour to complete.
Children's Magistrates (London).
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is still the intention of His Majesty's Government to appoint one or more children's magistrates for London?
The existing system for dealing with children's cases in London has been but a few months in force, and until it has received a fair trial I do not propose to give fresh consideration to the question of appointing special magistrates.
Census, 1901 (Males and Females).
asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state the estimated number of males over twenty-one and females over twenty-one in the United Kingdom; and also the number of male electors on the Parliamentary and municipal register, and of female electors?
According to the Census of 1901, the numbers of males and females over twenty-one were 10,919,787 and 12,135,005 respectively. Very roughly, the increase since 1901 may be about per cent., but it is unsafe to estimate so long after a Census. The number of Parliamentary electors on the register for the year 1910 was 7,705,717. No figures are available to show the numbers of municipal electors.
Motor Cars (Speed).
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that signs limiting the speed of motor cars in certain places, simulating those erected under the regulations of the Local Government Board as provided for by the Motor Car Act, 1903, have been erected by persons or parties not having the sanction of the Local Government Board and without an inquiry having been held; and whether he proposes to take any, and, if so, what, steps-to ensure that such signs shall not be set up without the sanction of and a. previous inquiry by the Local Government Board?
My attention has been called to a few cases of the kind referred to, and I have communicated with the local authorities concerned.
Local Authorities, Englar and Wales (Outstanding Loans).
asked the President of the Local Government Board if he can state, or will he agree to a Return stating, the total amount of outstanding loans and the total amount of the receipts and expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales for each year from 1902 to 1908; and can he add thereto a similiar statement for the local authorities in Scotland and Ireland, respectively?
The following statement gives the particulars indicated for local authorities in England and Wales. For particulars for Scotland and Ireland, I must refer the hon. Member to the Secretary for Scotland and the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Statement giving particulars of the total amount of the outstanding loans of the local authorities in England and Wales (other than the Metropolitan Water Board), and the total amount of the receipts and expenditure of those authorities:—
Financial Year. Amount of Outstanding Loans at end of year. Total receipts during year. Total expenditure during year. Loans for waterworks, gasworks, tramways and light railways, electric light undertakings, harbours, docks, piers, canals, quays, markets, baths, and cemeteries. Loans for schools (public education). Loans for highways, bridges, ferries, and street improvements. Loans for sewerage and sewage disposal works, workhouses, hospitals, lunatic asylums, housing of the working classes, parks, libraries, fire stations, and other purposes. Total outstanding loans. Sums standing at the end of the year to the credit of sinking funds for repayment of loans. Amount of outstanding loans less amount of sinking funds. Increase year by year in amount in column 8. From loans. From rates, Exchequer grants, trading undertakings, and other sources, not being loans. Total receipts. Met out of loans. Met out of rates, Exchequer grants, receipts from trading undertakings, and other sources, not being loans. Total expenditure. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1902–1903 175,395,698 35,228,374 48,597,000 111,386,421 370,607,493 13,401,758 357,205,735 25,895,839 35,271,367 93,935,417 129,206,784 36,086 198 92,882,545 128,968,743 1903–1904 186,955,454 37,926,514 52,672,837 116.182,341 393,737,146 13,963,279 379,773,867 22,568,132 31,134,470 102,378,355 133,512,825 (*30,563,417) (*98,522,842) (*I29,086,259) 1904–1905 200,849,828 39,301,122 55,165,067 125,199,695 420,515,712 14,991,333 405,524,379 25,750,512 33,408,316 110,186,001 143,594,317 31,387,006 107,731,625 139,118,631 1905–1906 208,891,201 40,626,028 56,781,023 129,246,825 435,545,077 16,409,031 419,136,046 13,611,667 24,485,932 113,717,976 138,203,908 25,139,950 111,339,748 136,479,698 1906–1907 215,142,535 41,817,000 56,803,894 133,317,054 447,080,483 17,305,117 429,775,366 10,639,320 20,393,901 117,898,553 138,292,454 23,060,003 114,134,274 137,194,277 1907–1908† 220,463,649 42,766,360 66,985,262 135,307,307 455,522,578 18,342,307 437,180,271 7,404,905 20,686,656 119,420,562 140,107,218 10,029,417 118,728,026 137,757,443 * Year 1903–4, columns 13 to 15.—The amounts expended during the year 1903–4 by school boards for areas not comprised in London or in county boroughs, have not been ascertained and are not included in the table. See, on this point, page 14 of Part VII. of the Local Taxation Returns, 1903–4. † Year 1907–8.—The sums entered above in respect of the year 1907–8, may be subject to slight correction.
Seaview (Isle of Wight) Foreshore (Crown Rights).
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any, and what, steps are to be taken to establish the claim of the Crown to the foreshore at Seaview, Isle of Wight?
The proceedings which I have in view will be the ordinary information at the suit of the Attorney-General to establish the title of the Crown to the foreshore in question.
Slate Clubs and Dividing Societies.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Assurance Companies Act, which came into force on 1st July, applies to unregistered slate clubs and dividing societies and sick and provident societies, and whether it is intended to interfere with small local societies whose rates of contribution appear to be fairly adequate to provide the benefits offered?
The Assurance Companies Act applies to all societies (with the exceptions named in the Act) which carry on assurance business as defined in the Act. Whether it applies to any particular society or not must depend on the rules of the society. If any of the slate clubs and dividing societies referred to in the question are in fact carrying on such business they can gain exemption from the provisions of the Act by registration with the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and if this remedy should be inapplicable the Board of Trade have power in certain cases to grant exemption.
Claim Respecting Postal Order.
asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the migrations of a postal order for 20s., numbered W 83 094,695, and the official correspondence relating thereto, registered No. 69,413, which postal order was sent by a British soldier stationed at Northampton to his mother, Mrs. C. Mason, in Northampton, and made payable at Kingsley Park post-office, Northampton, but was, in fact, paid by some person unknown into the London County and Westminster Bank, who state that they received it from Mr. E. Vasseur, 166, Hue Montmartre, Paris; and whether he will favourably consider the claim of Mrs. Mason for the amount of the said postal order?
The postal order to which the hon. Member refers is stated to have been sent from Gibraltar on 4th January last to Mrs. Mason at Kingsley, Northampton, and not to have been received by her. It was paid on 12th January to the London County and Westminster Bank, where it is said to have been received from Mr. E. Vasseur, of 166, Rue Montmartre, Paris. Inquiry made as to its previous negotiation has been fruitless. I have no reason to believe the order to have been stolen in the post in this country. When an order has once been paid, the Post Office is not liable for any further claim in respect of it; and I regret that there are no grounds on which I can have the amount of the order in question made good to Mrs. Mason.
Post Office (Female Assistants).
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the minimum rate for female assistants under twenty-five years of age at Class 2 offices was fixed at 20s. per week by the Select Committee, and that a female assistant is now being employed at Derby at?6s. per week; and whether, in view of the Select Committee's recommendation and the fact that this female is only employed for a limited time at the convenience of the Department, he will increase the amount now being paid to that laid down by the Select Committee?
I am having inquiry made.
Letter Delivery (Sunday).
asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the towns and districts in the United Kingdom that have no Sunday delivery of letters?
The information asked for will be found in the list of Provincial Offices in the United Kingdom printed in the Post Office Guide, pages 157–517. Offices at which there is no Sunday delivery of letters are distinguished by the letters "nS."
Mails Landed at Queenstown.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the incoming Cunard liner "Campania" called at Queenstown on Tuesday, the 21st June, and during a delay of only thirty minutes landed the mails for Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England, thus enabling these letters to be delivered early on Wednesday morning at their destinations and replies to be despatched by the outgoing White Star liner on Thursday, thereby saving three to four days to most of these correspondents; and whether he can give the percentage of the mails carried by the "Campania" for the United Kingdom which were landed on this occasion?
The facts as regards the call at Queenstown of the packet "Campania" on the 21st ultimo are as stated, except that the actual stoppage was for forty-two and not thirty minutes, and much more time than this was occupied in slowing down and getting up speed again. The total number of bags of mails brought by the packet was 260, of which 203, or 78 per cent., were for the United Kingdom. The bags landed at Queenstown numbered 107, namely, eighty-six for Ireland and twenty-one for Scotland, constituting 52.7 per cent, of the mail for the United Kingdom and 41 per cent, of the total mail.