asked whether the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Government had called the attention of His Majesty's Government to the prospectus of the Anglo-Dutch Plantations of Java, Limited, and in doing so claimed the right to expropriate the estate; and whether, in view of the advertised advantage in this company of the right to forced labour for private profit, His Majesty's Government would refrain from giving any diplomatic support to the company in order that British shareholders may be saved from participating in a system indistinguishable from slavery?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As no appeal has been made by the Anglo-Dutch Plantations of Java, Limited, for the support of His Majesty's Government, the second part of the question is based on a hypothetical case, which I am not prepared to discuss; nor can I say without further information what is the true character of the labour referred to.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the prospectus it is specifically stated that the company are able to compel the natives to work?

They have not asked for our assistance, and when they do so it will be time enough to consider whether we ought to render it.

asked what were the net and gross tonnage of the German Imperial Navy in the years 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1909, or part of that time; and further what were the gross and net tonnage of the British Royal Navy in the years 1870, 1880, 1890, and 1909, or for part of that time?

I regret that I have not the information available, but I could have a return made of the displacement tonnage for effective fighting ships, if that would meet my hon. Friend's wishes.

asked whether the Indian prisoner Savarkar, while being carried to India for trial on charges of sedition and treason, escaped from the ship while calling at Marseilles; whether he was recaptured and brought back in custody by the French police; and whether he has made any communication to the French Government upon the subject?

I understand that the prisoner made an attempt to escape while the ship was at Marseilles, but was stopped with the aid of the French police. No occasion has arisen for communicating with the French Government on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to form a Board in respect of the cardboard box-making trade; and what steps will be taken after the formation of such a Board to bring its decisions to the knowledge of the many scattered home-workers in this trade, so that they may be able to avail themselves of the benefits which may be due to them in consequence of the decisions of the Trade Board?

The employers engaged in the paper box trade in Great Britain have elected their representatives on the Trade Board and the Board of Trade are proceeding with the nomination of the representatives of the workers. In accordance with the regulations as to giving notice, which have been laid before Parliament, every occupier of any place used for giving out work to out-workers will be required to exhibit notices of the minimum rates of wages fixed by the Trade Board and officers will be appointed for the purpose of securing the observance of the Act. I quite appreciate the importance of bringing the decisions of the Trade Board to the notice of the home-workers and shall be happy to consider any further means which the Trade Board may suggest for this purpose.

asked whether, in the light of further investigation into the affairs of the Law Guarantee and Trust Society, Limited, the President of the Board of Trade is now prepared to direct the Official Receiver to take the necessary steps for obtaining a compulsory liquidation with a view to securing full inquiry into the affairs of the company?

I have made careful and personal inquiry into the question, and have taken the advice of the Law Officers as to the powers of the Board of Trade, and I am advised that the Board of Trade have no power to order an inquiry into the affairs of a company in voluntary liquidation, and that the power to appoint an inspector under Section 109 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act is confined to living companies. I have, in answer to previous questions, pointed out that the only means provided by law for an official investigation into the affairs of a company in liquidation is the inquiry which is conducted by the Official Receiver into the affairs of every company which is ordered to be wound up by the court. The powers and duties of the Official Receiver do not, however, arise until an order for winding up has been made by the court. The only possible step open to any officer of the Board of Trade to secure a winding-up order is the presentation of a petition by the Official Receiver. The Official Receiver's right to petition the court is, however, limited to cases where he is in a position to prove that the voluntary winding up cannot be continued with due regard to the interests of the creditors or shareholders. A petition by the Official Receiver thus requires evidence of a special nature to support it. I am fully disposed to view with sympathy the wishes of hon. Members who have put questions to me on the subject of the Law Guarantee Trust and Accident Society. I have, however, as yet no such evidence before me, but if proper evidence is laid before me—that is to say, statements of definite facts, with the names of the persons who are willing to substantiate them on oath—I will at once lay the statements before my legal advisers in order to ascertain whether they are sufficient to give the court jurisdiction in the matter. I may remind my hon. Friend that the normal method by which an order is obtained for the winding up of a company by the court is by means of a petition presented by a creditor or by a shareholder; and in the present case it is open to any creditor and to any shareholder of the company to petition the court for such an order.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received from me personally a very specific statement of the facts, and has not he also received a representation from the Lord Chief Justice of England, who is a shareholder in this company, expressing his opinion that there is great need for a public and full examination?

The hon. Member kindly sent me the statement to which he refers, and I have read the report of the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice, and, as pointed out, certain statements are made therein. But in order that I may move I must have statements made by those who are willing to be responsible for them, and who are prepared to substantiate them on their oath if necessary, and I would be very glad to discuss such statements if my hon. Friend will submit them. Statements made in the newspapers in which the names of persons who are prepared to substantiate them are not given, are not quite statements in the sense to which I have referred. If those who have made them are prepared to come forward and substantiate them on oath I will be very glad to lay them before the Law Officers with that object.

How is it possible to substantiate statements on oath unless some court investigates the matter? It would not be done by a private oath.

I do not ask them to send that evidence to me on oath. What I would like to see is sufficient substantiation to justify me under the Act in moving in the matter. Evidence sent to me may afterwards have to be substantiated on oath if it is sufficient to justify the case being sent into court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the total value of the exports of manufactured cocoa and chocolate from this country for the year 1909–10; and whether he has any means of ascertaining the total amount of manufactured cocoa and chocolate supplied to the home market?

The total value of the exports of cocoa or chocolate ground, prepared, or manufactured in the United Kingdom in the year 1909–10 was £168,330, but this sum is exclusive of the value of the exports of confectionery containing chocolate, which amounted to £387,053. The value of the cocoa or chocolate ingredient in such confectionery cannot be stated. Some information with regard to the total output of cocoa and chocolate in the United Kingdom has been obtained under the Census of Production Act, and preliminary figures will be issued during the course of the year. It has not, however, been found possible to distinguish the output of confectionery containing chocolate of other classes of confectionery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that during a single week in January last the Press of the United Kingdom reported six inquests on servants killed while engaged in coupling or uncoupling railway vehicles during shunting operations, three of these being servants of railway companies, and three employés of owners or users of private sidings; will he state which of them in the ordinary course were reported to the Home Office; and whether all these accidents are collected and returned to Parliament by the Board of Trade in the annual Return of Accidents on Railways?

The three fatal accidents to railway servants which my hon. Friend probably has in mind occurred on 18th, 22nd, and 29th January, but one of them was not a coupling accident in the ordinary sense of the word. All these accidents would be included in the Board of Trade Return. Accidents on private lines are only reportable to the Board of Trade when they occur to servants of a railway company, and accidents to employés of the owners of such lines are in most cases reportable to the Home Office, and not included in the Board of Trade Returns.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the Report upon Anæsthetics issued by the Coroners' Committee and the decision of the Lord Chancellor in the case of Bellesby v. Heyworth, if he can state what steps the Government proposes to take, by legislation or otherwise, to protect the public against uneducated and unqualified persons practising medicine or dentistry?

May I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave last Wednesday to the hon. and learned Member for the East Toxteth Division of Liverpool?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the operation of spaying two rabbits under an anæsthetic by a skilled operator without his licence being in order has been declared a contravention of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, he proposes to take any action in regard to the corresponding operation which is performed in numbers of cases on young pigs and on young male cattle and sheep in this country every year by unqualified persons, and without an anæsthetic?

No, Sir. The operation on the rabbits, being "an experiment calculated to give pain" and performed without the necessary authorisation, was a breach of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876. The other operations to which my hon. Friend refers do not come within that Act; and I am advised that there is nothing illegal in them if carried out bonâ fide for commercial or domestic purposes and without causing unnecessary suffering. I have no evidence that the existing law with regard to them requires amendment.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say if this operation on rabbits performed by skilled operators and without pain to the animal is considered an offence under the Cruelty to Animals Act why persons are allowed to perform, perfectly untrained, the same operation on other animals without skill and with the infliction of pain?

I do not know that this operation is ever performed on rabbits bonâ fide for medical purposes. Obviously, an operation of a character that is performed already is one that would come within the scope of the Act.

Is it prohibited for one class of animals and not for another?

The law of the country has been framed in order to restrict and regulate operations upon animals for the purposes of scientific investigation, but it has not hitherto restricted the ordinary actions which are taken for commercial purposes in regard to certain animals.

Is it true as suggested in this question that these operations on young farm animals are conducted by unqualified persons, and that if performed by properly qualified persons they constitute cruelty?

They do not come within the scope of the Act, in my opinion.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government proposes to increase the number of mines inspectors in the near future; and, if so, can he inform the House when this increase will be made, and what position these inspectors will occupy as compared with those already appointed?

The subject is receiving my consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement at the present moment.

In the event of the number of inspectors being increased, will steps be taken to bring the fact to the knowledge especially of those in mining circles?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will cause accidents resulting from the use of bicycles and tricycles to be reported and registered in like manner with accidents resulting from motor-driven vehicles?

All accidents which are known to the Metropolitan Police to have been caused by motor cycles or other cycles, and which have resulted in either personal injury or in death, are recorded in the Commissioner's Annual Report (tables 13, 14, and 15). Accidents caused by motor cycles throughout England and Wales are included in the Return (No. 100 of 1909) or Street Accidents Caused by Vehicles.

In that case why cannot the accidents referred to in the question be included in that Return?

No. A return of accidents from all cycles would involve much labour and expense, more than would be justified.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some retail drapery firms in large cities fear that the Shop Hours Bill, recently introduced by him, may have the effect of giving the employés in these establishments two half-holidays in the week, one on Saturday afternoons and evenings, from the fact that the district where they are placed is deserted on these afternoons and evenings, and the other on some other day of the week arrived at by the vote of the locality; and, if so, will he see that some Amendment is introduced which will prevent this effect?

I shall be happy to consider any representations that may be sent to me on the subject. None have reached me up to the present, and, so far as I can see, there is no reason to fear that the Bill would lead to the results which my hon. Friend fears.

asked whether any proposal has been made to remove the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, hitherto sitting at Shrewsbury, to the city of Birmingham; and whether, in view of the inconvenience to prosecutors, witnesses, jurymen, and others having business at these assizes, an opportunity will be given for the discussion of the proposal in this House before it is carried into effect?

asked whether, in regard to the scheme for the alteration of the assize circuits throughout England, it is proposed to move the assize business now transacted at Stafford to Birmingham; whether the Home Secretary is aware of the feelings held on this subject by the various localities and authorities concerned; and whether he will give them an assurance that no decisive steps shall be taken without the advice and full knowledge of the localities concerned?

I can only refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Western Division of Cumberland last Wednesday. The matter is not one for my Department, but the Solicitor-General informed the House some time ago, in reply to questions from hon. Members, that opportunity will be given for discussion in the House of any proposals involving any substantial alteration in the present circuit system.

Will an opportunity be afforded for discussing the matter?

All questions relating to the business of the House should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

Would the alteration referred to be considered a substantial one?

I should not like to say without seeing what other alterations there are in contemplation.

asked what is the total number of persons, not at the time of appointment in permanent Government employment, who have been appointed since January, 1906, to positions in his Department with salaries exceeding £100 a year, and who did not previously to their appointment pass an examination by the Civil Service Commissioners; and what is the total annual amount of their salaries?

There was one appointment without examination in 1906, and there were five in 1908. The commencing salaries amount in the aggregate to £4,200. In all these cases a certificate was issued by the Civil Service Commissioners under Clause VII. of the Order in Council of 4th June, 1870, which provides that a certificate may be granted without examination if the head of the Department and the Treasury consider that the qualifications required for the situation are wholly or in part profes- sional or otherwise peculiar, and not ordinarily to be acquired in the Civil Service.

Does this cover the appointments under the various inspectorates?

Yes, I understand so.

asked the reason for the continued delay in the issue of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales?

I understand that the cause of the prolonged delay in issuing the Report of the Royal Commission is that a separate Memorandum undertaken by one of the Commissioners has not yet been received, and I propose to communicate again with the chairman of the Commission.

asked whether the Home Secretary's attention has been drawn to the case of Margherita Garibaldi, who was sentenced to death at the Staffordshire Assizes on Wednesday last for the destruction of her newly-born infant; whether he proposes to advise the clemency of the Crown; and, if so, would he make known his decision at the earliest possible moment?

I could not have answered this question if I had not already given my advice to His Majesty on this case. I advised His Majesty that the prerogative of mercy should be exercised, and the capital sentence was respited last Friday. The prisoner was at once informed.

asked what was the total amount distributed to the Metropolitan Police by way of gratuities or special allowance for extra work or services in connection with the funeral ceremonies of His late Majesty, and if the amounts paid will be specified under any Vote which can be discussed in Committee by the House; or will this charge wholly or partly fall upon the ratepayers of London?

The extra remuneration allowed to the Metropolitan Police in connection with the funeral of His late Majesty amounted to £8,527, which has been paid from the Metropolitan Police Fund. That fund is provided partly by local rate, partly by contribution from the Local Taxation Account, and partly by a Grant from the Vote for Police (England and Wales) in respect of Imperial and national services rendered by the Metropolitan Police.

Is the Home Secretary aware that the First Commissioner of Works on Friday last stated that the total cost of His late Majesty's funeral was £40,000, and was this item included in that amount?

I do not know whether it was included in the expenses of the funeral which were considered under the Vote on Friday last. I think not. It will be a charge occurring under the ordinary head of the police.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the judgment in the case of Wallis versus Haines and others, decided in the Court of Appeal on 21st June last, under which farmers and other purchasers of seeds will in future have to run the risk of mistaken description of the seeds, he will consider the advisability of introducing a Bill, similar to the Fertilisers and Foodstuffs Act of 1906, in order to fix the responsibility of guarantee as to kind upon the original grower of the seed and thereby prevent errors in description, fraudulent and otherwise?

Yes, Sir, but this matter is by no means free from difficulty from a legal point of view.

Will the hon. Gentleman confer with the Law Officers of the Crown in order to see whether this sort of misrepresentation can be stopped?

I have already replied that it is under consideration.

asked how many gardeners left the Royal Gardens, Kew, during the period from 1st January, 1909, to 31st December, 1909; how many obtained appointments in the Colonies; and how many obtained appointments in Great Britain?

Twenty-nine young gardeners left Kew in 1909. Sixteen of them are known to have obtained situations in Great Britain and four in the Colonies.

asked whether a decision has yet been arrived at as to the name of the secretary to the committee of inquiry into the grievances complained of by the Ordnance workers of the country; and, if so, will he give his name to the House?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked whether the question of appointing a representative from Ireland on the committee of inquiry has yet been decided; and, if so, will the hon. Gentleman state to the House the name of the person appointed?

This matter also is still under consideration.

asked what steps the Board of Agriculture takes to investigate the case of an applicant for a small holding who, upon the rejection or neglect of his application by a county council, appeals to the Board to have the matter reconsidered?

The Board ascertain the reasons for the rejection of an applicant by a council by inquiries made locally by one of their inspectors, or by other suitable means. They do not acquiesce in the rejection unless they are satisfied there are good grounds for the action of the council.

asked whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by applicants under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, in obtaining land in the counties of Surrey and Kent, it is proposed to appoint a Special Commissioner for either or both of those counties; and, if not, what steps the Board is taking, or proposes to take, to surmount the difficulties referred to?

The Board do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of Special Commissioners in the counties named. The difficulties are largely due to the high value of land in these counties, which cannot be overcome by any action of the Board. I may add that about 1,500 acres have been acquired by Kent and 300 acres by Surrey, and compulsory orders have been made for the acquisition of a further 111 acres in the latter county.

asked whether it is proposed to proceed further this Session with the Severn Fisheries Provisional Order Bill?

It is proposed to ask the Examiner to give notice on the 20th instant of the examination of the Bill so far as the Standing Orders are concerned.

Having regard to the fact that every riparian county except Worcestershire has reported adversely to this Bill, does the Government propose to treat it as a non-contentious measure?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

Will the Bill be presented in the form it is now in, or with the Amendments as proposed by the Board of Agriculture?

I think the hon. Member must wait.

asked whether the hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the pollution of the Darenth and other streams by the washings from tarred roads; and whether any inquiry has been made into the matter by his Department?

Complaints have from time to time been made to the Board of the death of fish in the Darenth attributed to various possible causes, but not specifically to washings from tarred roads. The attention of the Board has, however, been called to newspaper reports of cases, both in the Darenth and elsewhere, in which injury to fish by washings from tarred roads has been alleged. In the case of the Darenth the Board have been in communication with gentlemen locally interested, and have suggested that certain steps should be taken to ascertain the cause of the death of the fish in that river.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many rural authorities have applied in the last 12 months for powers to make by-laws to prevent cruelty in slaughter-houses, and how many of those applications have been acceded to; and whether the Board favours the application for and use of such powers?

I find that in the last twelve months the powers referred to have been conferred by the Board upon five rural district councils. No separate record is kept of applications for these particular powers, but I may say that they are freely given to rural authorities who apply for them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many local authorities have by-laws under the powers conferred on them?

Thirty in the year ending 30th June, 1909, and thirty in the year ending 30th June, 1910.

asked the President of the Board of Education when the regulations providing for special Grants in aid of certain local education authorities for the year 1910 will be issued; and whether it is the present intention of his Board to pay the full three-fourth Grants to all education authorities whose rate exceeds the produce of a rate of 1s. 6d. in the pound on the area of their authority?

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked whether, in view of the importance to all girls in their after-life of a knowledge of needlework and the art of mending and darning, and the growing feeling on the part of the domestic economy committees of local education authorities that insufficient time is now devoted to this subject in the elementary schools, the Board will consider the desirability of modifying the regulation under which the less practically useful subject of drawing has recently been made a compulsory subject for girls, with the consequent reduction of the number of school hours previously devoted to needlework?

The Board have every desire that ample time should be devoted by girls in public elementary schools to practical needlework in all its branches. It is not quite accurate to say that drawing has recently been made a compulsory subject for girls, but the Board attach considerable importance to its inclusion in their curriculum. If any local education authority finds difficulty in arranging the time-table so as to preserve a proper proportion between needlework, drawing, and the other subjects, the Board will be glad to assist them to the best of their ability.

I should like to know whether it is a fact that compulsory drawing by girls has excluded a good part of the needlework which used to be done in the elementary school?

I do not think that is necessarily so.

asked whether it is the intention of the Board to carry out any, and, if so, which, of the proposals contained in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Partial Exemption from School Attendance, issued in July, 1909; and whether, in view of the practically unanimous opinion of agricultural educationists that many of the boys best fitted for farm work do not in fact improve their education by remaining at school after the age of twelve years, and that boys who do not handle live stock before the age of thirteen years seldom develop into good stockmen, the Board will, while abolishing altogether half-time labour in the best interests of the child, the teaching staff, and the school, consider the desirability of permitting total exemption at the age of twelve years in the case of all boys in rural districts who, although backward in the literary work of the school, have displayed proficiency in the school garden or at manual instruction classes, and for whom beneficial employment to the satisfaction of the local education authority or of an after- care committee can be secured immediately upon their leaving school?

The Report is still under consideration, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement as to the action the Board propose to take on it.

Are we to understand that the Board is considering the proposal to reduce the age to twelve years in any circumstances?

The Board is considering the whole question of partial and total exemption with a view to legislation.

Before any decision is put in force will the House have an opportunity of discussing it?

It will have an opportunity, of course, when legislation is brought forward.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether there will be any, and, if any, what, relation between the rural education conference referred to in the Memorandum of arrangements between the Board of Education and the Board of Agriculture, dated the 22nd September, 1909, in reference to agricultural education and the Inter-Departmental Committee of the two Boards referred to in the same Memorandum, or whether it is intended that these two bodies shall work quite independently of each other?

If the hon. Member will refer to the Memorandum in question, and especially to the last sentence of paragraph 4, I think he will there find an answer to the main question, and that the alternative suggested at the end of the question does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he would submit to Members of this House a copy of the report of the Board inspector who visited Towyn Church school in June last?

The communications which passed between the inspector and the Board were informal. There is no report to submit. If there were, my right hon. Friend does not think anything would be gained by submitting it.

asked if the whole cost of the proposed addition to Towyn council school will fall upon the ratepayers; and in what proportion will the local and general rates contribute?

The answer to the first part of the question is, so far as the Board are aware, in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to Section 18 (1) ( c ) of the Education Act, 1902, and to the local education authority.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the death of Mr. H. Cox, after a long period of suffering, as the result of injuries received in the course of his duties in connection with the application of X-rays; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, he will recommend the widow for a Civil List pension?

I am aware of the sad circumstances of Mr. Cox's death. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, it is impossible for me to express any opinion until I am furnished in the usual manner with such information as is required in the case of all applications for relief from Civil List Funds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman sympathetically consider any applications that may be sent in?

asked the Prime Minister whether any opportunity will be given for the further discussion on the Vote of the President of the Board of Agriculture before the House adjourns in August?

No, Sir. There will be no further opportunity for discussion in connection with any specific Vote.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman considers part of a day sufficient to devote to this the most important industry in the country?

asked the Prime Minister when an opportunity will be given to discuss the question as to whether the Convention of London should or should not be ratified?

An opportunity will arise on the Second Reading of the Naval Prize Bill at the adjourned meeting of the House.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any date is fixed for that?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what would be the Import Duty paid to the Government out of £100 worth of raw tobacco of the value of a halfpenny per ounce; and what would be the Import Duty paid to the Government out of £100 worth of cigars of the value of £6 5s. per pound?

Assuming that by "£100 worth" is meant "£100 worth duty paid," and that the prices given are import values, the amount of duty included in £100 worth of duty-paid tobacco of an import value of ½d. per ounce would be £84 12s. 3d., and the amount included in £100 worth of duty-paid cigars of an import value of £6 5s. per pound would be £5 6s. The hon. Member will no doubt observe that the tax upon tobacco as compared with cigars maintains the same proportion as it has done for the last six years.

Is this a sample of Free Trade taxation in favour of the working people?

As I have endeavoured to point out, it is a sample of the finances of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Worcestershire (Mr. Austen Chamberlain).

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the consumer pays those import duties?

We have not had any representation from the exporting foreigner that he pays it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury upon what grounds Thomas M'Loughlin, of Cloonmore, Drumkeerin, county Leitrim, was deprived of the old age pension; whether he is aware that M'Loughlin produced a certificate of his age received from the Reverend Patrick M'Morrow, P.P., V.F., and that the registry clerk produced the baptismal registry to the pension officer; and, having regard to such facts, will an inquiry be ordered with a view of granting M'Loughlin the pension, and paying him the amount due since it became due?

desired that the question should be postponed.

May I ask is the right hon. Gentleman accustomed to postpone these questions, because they refer to old age pensions?

The question is postponed, because it is difficult to get, in a short period of time, all the facts of the case. Representations have to be made to the Pensions Officer in Ireland; and in a somewhat distant parish it is difficult to obtain particulars.

May I ask did the right hon. Gentleman communicate with my hon. Friend in postponing these questions?

I understood the Department always did. If such a communication has not been made it ought to be made.

I have not received any communication.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is yet in a position to state whether the request in the petition from the Banffshire road authorities to the Secretary for Scotland regarding the regulation of traction engine traffic will be given effect to?

Assuming that my hon. Friend refers to the question of the use of studs on the wheels of traction engines I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Roxburgh on 23rd June to the effect that there is not at present sufficient agreement to justify the Secretary for Scotland in dealing with this matter in the only manner possible—namely, by action applicable to Scotland at large.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the voluntary schools of Scotland are entitled, in accordance with the undertaking given by the Secretary of Scotland during the passage of the Education (Scotland) Act into law, to receive, out of the residue, 6s. for every unit of the whole average attendance in the voluntary schools; and whether he can state when this amount will be distributed?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question on this subject. To that answer I cannot usefully add anything.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to the report of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland which has just been issued there is a balance over the estimate of last year of £2,600, and in addition a balance of £17,000 carried on to this year; and whether out of that balance he will see that the voluntary schools get justice in this matter?

I have no doubt the voluntary schools will get complete justice in this case.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Government will be prepared to extend to Scotland the same terms that have been promised to England with regard to loans for school buildings, that is to say, that the period of repayment will be extended over fifty years instead of thirty years as at present?

The present period for repayment in the case of new buildings is forty years, not thirty as stated in the question. This period will now be extended up to a maximum of fifty years as is proposed in the case of England.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that John S. Barnard entered the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 26th September, 1896, and was then medically examined and passed as sound; whether he is aware that, subsequently, whilst serving in His Majesty's ship "Tyne," under Captain Bruce, on the China station, he was attacked by sunstroke at Corfu, and, as a result, invalided from time to time as suffering from melancholia, and for that reason was discharged the Service in April, 1905, with two good-conduct badges and a twenty-four months' gratuity of 4s. 8d. per week ceasing in April, 1907; whether he is aware that Barnard's application for light employment by the Admiralty has been repeatedly made and refused; and, seeing that, failing to get work, Barnard and his wife have been imprisoned on a charge of begging, and with their two children have no means of subsistence, whether he will take steps to have Barnard's case reconsidered?

There is nothing in the official records to indicate that this man has ever suffered from sunstroke, and the medical reports show that his invaliding for melancholia was not in any way attributable to Service causes. In these circumstances the pension which he has already received is the full amount to which he is entitled under the Regulations, and no further assistance can be granted to him. With regard to the man's present destitute condition, it may be mentioned that he married after his discharge from the Navy, and at a time when he had no employment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman admit that the man was perfectly sound?

No; I am afraid I am not able to admit anything beyond what I have said in the reply. If the hon. Member will address any further question to me I will inquire.

May I ask if the attacks of melancholia came on after the present Government came into power?

I should gather not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Income Tax assessors in the West of Scotland, when refused production of balance sheets by the taxpayers, adopt the system of threatening to raise the assessment, thus forcing the taxpayer to appeal, and having thus made the case an appeal they are entitled to insist on the production of balance sheets; and will he see that this practice is put a stop to?

I am not aware that any such action has been adopted by the assessors referred to. If my hon. Friend will be so good as to furnish me with the details of any specific case, I will cause inquiry to be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there may be a black list of complainers, and that they will be punished hereafter?

asked the actual or estimated cost per annum of the Department responsible for the collection of the Super-tax?

It is estimated that, under normal conditions, the cost of the salaries in this Department will be about £10,000 a year.

asked whether profits arising from betting transactions are at present chargeable with Income Tax?

I may refer the hon. Member to the case of Partridge v. Mellandaine (1886) 18 Q.B.D. 276 (II. Tax Cases 179), which decided that a person who attends races and systematically bets, is liable in respect of the profits he derives from the vocation of betting.

asked the amount received during the past financial year in respect of the duty upon playing cards?

The duty received upon playing cards during the financial year 1909–10 was:—Playing cards imported, £9,009; playing cards made in the United Kingdom, £29,928; total, £38,937.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many men and woman are ruined by playing cards?

asked the amount received during the past financial year in respect of licences for the manufacture of dice?

No Excise Licence Duty is payable in respect of the manufacture of dice.

asked the amount received during the past financial year in respect of Stamp Duty upon premium bonds negotiated in this country?

I regret that I am unable to supply the hon. Member with the information he desires.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the promised reduction in the basis of rental valuation upon which Licence Duty is to be charged on houses of over £50 of annual value in Ireland until the register of licence values is completed, he is considering the grant of equivalent treatment to houses of similar value in England and Scotland where the annual rental values are fixed on a much higher scale than the unreduced valuation in Ireland?

As I explained to the hon. Member in the reply which I gave him on this subject on the 14th instant, the valuation of licensed premises in Ireland rests on an entirely different basis to that in England and Scotland. The Finance Act of last year provides for a new valuation being made in respect of these latter countries, and this is being proceeded with at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is the third concession he has made to Ireland? I do not complain of it for a moment. The first was——

The hon. Member must put what he wants in the form of a question. This is not the time for argument.

I beg your pardon. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come to reconsider the question of valuation in England and Scotland?

As I have already explained, not only has the time come, but we actually provided in the Finance Bill last year that the question of value should be reconsidered, and it is being reconsidered at the present moment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that steps are being taken to proceed with the revaluation?

Certainly. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have been discussing it this morning. It is being proceeded with at this present moment. I agree it is very important to reconsider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, seeing that pension for which payment had been made by the recipient by way of compulsory deductions from his pay was practically on the same footing as periodical payments made on account of insurance, he would arrange that pensions earned by such payments should be deducted in calculating total income for Super-tax?

I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

In what respect do these deductions differ from payments on account of insurance?

That is a very large question, which has been discussed many times in connection with Finance Bills.

asked if, under Clause 2, Schedule 7, of the Finance Act of last year, many of the principal restaurateurs and caterers in London and the country would be compelled to either take out an ordinary public-house licence, which was in most cases impossible, or else surrender their off-licences to sell wines and spirits?

I have no notion as to what the hon. Member means. There is no Schedule 7 in the Finance Act of last year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he could give the House any information regarding the attack made on the uncle of the Raja of Naldanga; and whether it had been ascertained that he was shot for having given information to the police against political agitators against the British-Indian Government?

I regret to say that the uncle of the Raja was shot and very severely wounded on the night of 10th July. My latest information is that he is expected to live. It is thought probable that the motive for the crime was that suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention had been called to the fact that, in the case of the Tymon's estate, near Kilrush, the agreements were completed four years ago, and whether steps could be taken to expedite this matter?

When this estate is reached in order of priority it will be dealt with as soon as practicable. The Estates Commissioners cannot at present say when the sale will be completed.

asked whether, in reference to the estate of the Marquess of Conyngham, West Clare, of which the agent was Mr. Marcus Keane, of Beechpark, Ennis, county Clare, two memorials were, on 3rd April, forwarded to the Congested Districts Board, signed respectively on behalf of all the tenants of the Dough and Kilferagh townlands; whether in the Dough townland there were ten of the tenants whose estates were less than of £7 valuation, and in the Kilferagh townland thirty-one tenants whose estates were less than of £7 valuation; and whether, in view of the needs of the tenants, steps would be taken to expedite the settlement in regard to this estate?

The memorials referred to have been received by the Congested Districts Board, who are making inquiries as to whether the owner is willing to negotiate for a sale of this portion of his estate.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners had yet considered the claim of Martin McGowan, of Aughadunbane, Kinlough, county Leitrim, an evicted tenant on the Johnston estate, for a grant to enable him to rebuild his house and stock his farm; and, if not, whether they proposed taking some steps to assist this tenant?

M'Gowan's application will be considered by the Estates Commissioners when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority. Proceedings for sale of this estate were only instituted in October, 1908.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that on 1st July, when the members of an Orange band were returning from Annahoe House, Ballygawley, county Tyrone, where they were having a new banner unfurled, they were attacked and stones thrown and several shots fired at them, and that one of the bullets hit and injured the bicycle of one of the policemen who were accompanying the band; whether any steps had been taken to bring any of the assailants to justice; and, if not, what was the reason?

Proceedings by summons have been instituted by members of both parties in connection with the occurrence referred to in the question. The matter is sub judice, and I cannot, therefore, make any statement in reference to it.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would state the number of weapons and the quantity of ammunition surrendered under the Peace Preservation Act which it was intended to restore to the owners or their legal representatives?

It is not possible to give this information at present. No claims have as yet been made, and if any should be made they will have to be investigated very carefully by the police.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing that under The Probate Duties (Scotland and Ireland) Act, 1888, county councils in Ireland were entitled to a grant out of the produce of the Probate Duties in proportion to the amounts paid out of county cess on roads and bridges in the year 1887, that the Local Government Board for Ireland had certified that the amount paid out of the county cess on roads and bridges in the South Riding of county Tipperary during the year 1887 was £17,964, and that the county council of the South Riding of the county Tipperary had, through their officials, represented to the Local Government Board for Ireland that the sum of £17,964, as certified, was substantially too small, and that the South Riding of county Tipperary was, consequently, suffering a wrong in the allocation of the Grant, he would direct the Local Government Board to examine into the expenditure on roads and bridges in county Tipperary, South Riding, in the year 1887, and to issue a new certificate setting forth the amount correctly; and whether, in case there was a difference of opinion between the figures of the Local Government Board and those of the county council, the former would submit their calculations to the county council?

The amount certified as having been expended on roads and bridges by the grand jury of the South Riding of county Tipperary in 1887, and paid out of county cess was ascertained more than twenty years ago in the manner prescribed for all the counties in Ireland. The Local Government Board see no reason either to doubt the accuracy of the amount certified or to reopen the matter after such a lapse of time.

In view of the importance of the matter to the county council, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the Local Government Board to consider the matter in connection with the county council?

I think that, after the lapse of time, and seeing that the matter applies to all the counties in Ireland, it would be unwise to reopen an account, as to the accuracy of which there is no doubt.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could arrange that the gun practice from Ardhallow battery during the week commencing 18th July could be postponed till a later date, so as to avoid danger to life during the Clyde holiday week?

also asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he was aware that the Clyde was largely used for excursion, sailing, and boating parties during the Glasgow holiday week; and whether he could arrange that the firing from the Ardhallow fort should be suspended during that time?

I will reply to these two questions together. The dates for the practice of the Territorial Royal Garrison Artillery companies at Ardhallow are chosen so as to permit as many men as possible to attend training and gun practice without interfering with their civil occupation. The gun practice from Ardhallow Battery will be arranged so as not to interfere with the Royal Western Yacht Club races on 18th July.

We are greatly obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for the arrangement he has made for one day, but will he consider the advisability of extending it to the whole of the week?

I am afraid I cannot give that undertaking, as gun practice is a vital matter, but every care will be taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this gun practice is for the advantage of the few and the disadvantage of the many?

asked what was the number of men employed in Woolwich Arsenal in all departments before the war in South Africa and the number employed now?

On 11th October, 1899, the numbers employed in Woolwich Arsenal in all departments amounted to 17,164, and on 9th July last to 13,840.

asked whether the British military rifle is now adapted to the new pointed bullet?

The reply is in the negative. The present rifle will not be adapted to the new cartridge with pointed bullet until the sighting has been adjusted, and this will not be commenced until a stock of the new ammunition is available. Until then the present ammunition must be used. Manufacture of the new cartridge is proceeding, deliveries are now being made, and extensive trials are in progress.