asked the Secretary lip the Treasury whether, in reference to the claim for an old age pension by Mrs. Mary Conlan, of Attichristora, Lahinch, county Clare, No. 1,104 in committee's register, No. L.H. 5 in pension officer's register, he will take note that owing to her illness her application in November, 1908, was not accurate in details; whether it is agreed that she is now seventy-two years of age and in all respects entitled to the pension, except for the objection that at the age of fifty she went to Australia to her friends for the benefit of her health and remained there ten years; and whether, in view of the fact that except for this period she has lived in Ireland and has been resident there for the last twelve years, he will consider her entitled to the pension?

In the course of investigating this case the pension officer ascertained that Mrs. Conlan had resided in the United Kingdom for the past nine years, and that before that she had for a long time resided in Australia. He accordingly reported against the claim, on the ground that the claimant did not fulfil the statutory condition as regards residence in the United Kingdom (Section 2 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act). The claim was disallowed by the local pension committee, and, on appeal by the claimant, by the Local Government Board also. I have no power to revise the decision.

Payable from the Local Taxation (Scotland) Account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will undertake, in the forthcoming Bill on old age pensions, to remove the existing disabilities attaching to persons who, though otherwise qualified, are debarred from receiving a pension on the ground that they have resided in the British Colonies during the last twenty years?

My right hon. Friend has already undertaken to consider this point.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why it is that John Oates, of Drumsna, county Leitrim, in the Carrick-on-Shannon sub-pension district, has been deprived of his pension, although it has been proved that the man is over seventy years; and if his case will be reconsidered?

I am informed that John Oates has not been deprived of his pension, as suggested by the hon. Member, but that he failed to prove his title to one. The pension officer reported against the claim on the ground that there was no proof that John Oates was seventy years of age; and on appeal the claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board. It is open to John Oates to prefer a fresh claim, supported by any evidence of age which he now possesses.

asked the grounds on which Mary Fanning, Stradavoher Street, Thurles, was refused an old age pension by the pension officer at Thurles; whether Mary Fanning has been living apart from her husband for the last ten years; and whether she has any visible means of support?

A pension was in the first instance granted by the local pension committee in November, 1908; but almost immediately afterwards the officer obtained information which suggested that Mrs. Fanning had shared in the Poor Law relief granted to her husband during the quarter ended 31st March, 1908, and was in consequence disqualified for the receipt of a pension. A question was accordingly raised by the officer on 13th December, 1908. There is no record in the officer's book of any decision by the committee on this question, and though the officer has twice applied to the clerk for a copy of the committee's decision he has failed to obtain it. I am causing further inquiry to be made in the matter and will communicate with the hon. Member.

also asked the grounds on which Mrs. Mary Heffernan, Ballymore, Cashel, county Tipperary, was refused an old age pension by the pension officer?

The pension officer reported against this claim on the ground that the claimant was, at the time of investigation, in receipt of Poor Law relief, and the claim was disallowed by the local pension committee on this ground.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mrs. Bridget Hastings, of O'Connell Street, Kilkee, county Clare, Ireland, was granted an old age pension in 1909, but that the pension was withdrawn on 23rd June, 1910; whether the ground of withdrawal was a statement that Mrs. Hastings had forfeited her right to the pension by a residence in the United States of America; whether he is aware that her absence in America was due to an invitation from her daughter on account of her health, but that she never had any permanent residence in that country nor undertook there any remunerative work; and whether, under these circumstances, the pension may be again allowed to Mrs, Hastings?

The facts are as stated in the first two parts of the question. The pension was revoked by the local pension committee as the result of a question raised by the pension officer on the ground that, during her eight years' continuous absence in America, Mrs. Hastings had not retained a home in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the old age pension of Mary Hickey, Inches, Rath-more, was stopped owing to the fact that documentary evidence of age was not forthcoming; was the age of this woman subsequently found in the Millstreet Union Census of 1851, proving her to be at present seventy-three years old; did the Millstreet Pension Committee then grant her the full pension; if so, will he state why it is not now paid to her; and what are the grounds of appeal, if any such has been lodged by the pension officer?

The Local Government Board disallowed Mary Hickey's pension as she failed to produce satisfactory evidence that she had attained the statutory age. She subsequently lodged a fresh claim, and the pension sub-committee allowed her a pension, but the pension officer appealed on the ground that the evidence of age was insufficient. The Board, however, on the 13th instant, decided that Mrs. Hickey was entitled to a pension.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Dunmanway Pension Sub-committee, after a full investigation of his claim, made a pension allowance of 3s. per week to Timothy Crowley, Anaherlick, Coppeen, Enniskean; whether this man has now no inte- rest in the farm formerly held by him, it being made over to his son under a marriage settlement; and, seeing that he is qualified as to age, will he explain the grounds on which the Local Government Board reversed the decision of the Dunmanway Sub-committee and refused the pension; and what further steps it is intended to take in the matter?

I understand that in October last, shortly before making a claim for a pension, Timothy Crowley made over by deed to one of his sons his well-stocked holding of thirty-three acres, in return for a sum of money, and an annuity of £11 per annum for himself and another son, together with their feeding, clothing, and maintenance for life. The Sub-Committee allowed a pension of 3s. per week, but the Local Government Board, on appeal, disallowed the claim, as they considered that Crowley's means exceeded the statutory limit. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been called to the overworking of the staff at Somerset House, and to the fact that in the Estate Duty Office the officials are obliged to work several hours daily in excess of the official hours; whether, notwithstanding this, the majority of them are several days in arrears with the work imposed on them; whether any of them have been obliged to forfeit a portion of their annual holidays in order to clear off such arrears; and whether any have broken down in health under this excessive strain?

While the work has necessarily accumulated in the Estate Duty Office by reason of the delay in passing the Finance Act for 1909–10 with its legislative changes, it is not correct to say that the officials as a whole are either obliged to work evertime or are still in arrears with their work, and I am not aware that any one in the Estate Duty Office has broken down in health because of pressure of work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain local Excise authorities are refusing the exemption or reduction granted under Section 3 (Provisions applicable to retailers on licences) of the Schedule to the Finance Act, 1910, on the ground that the hotel is not closed during any part of the year; and will he see that the exemption or reduction referred to in the Schedule is extended to hotels, bonâ fide used as such, situated in towns which visitors resort to only during certain seasons of the year?

The decision on claims for a reduction of Licence Duty in the case of seasonal hotels, under paragraph 3 of the Provisions applicable to retailers' on-licences in the First Schedule to the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, rests, not with the local Excise officers, but with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise; and I can assure the hon. Member that all such claims will receive careful consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will give the date of the first notice issued by the Civil Service Commissioners for an open competition for statistical abstractors in the Civil Service, which was subsequently withdrawn; and whether he will state what were the conditions specified in the regulations appertaining thereto for the successful candidates as regards maximum salary, rate of superannuation, and age for retirement; and whether such regulations remained applicable to writers or copyists subsequently nominated by heads of Departments for promotion to appointments in the abstractor class?

The first notice issued by the Civil Service Commissioners for an open competition for abstractors was dated 30th January, 1891, and a notice three days later cancelled the competition. No competition was held until May, 1894, and that competition was limited to registered men copyists under sixty, and was held under conditions notified in April, 1894. No good object would appear to be served by reproducing the conditions specified nearly twenty years ago for an examination which never took place.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to both buyers and sellers by the new regulations dealing with the sale of untenanted land, recently issued by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by means of which contracts which were entered into for the sale of such land on a cash basis under the 1903 Act may now not be dealt with for several years; and whether he can hold out any hope that these regulations will be modified in the near future?

As I have already pointed out in reply to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for East Down, on 31st March last, the new regulations were necessary in order to give effect to Sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1909. The order of priority is maintained, with the difference that advances may now be accelerated by the acceptance in whole or part of stock. I cannot hold out hope of any amendment of the regulations which might tend to defeat the express object of the Section to which I have referred—namely, to induce vendors to accept stock in lieu of cash.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a King's scholar who, after passing his first division in Ireland, was employed in England for one year as an uncertificated teacher, and subsequently obtained a certificate in teaching, is qualified by this certificate for principalship under the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland?

The Commissioners of National Education, to whom I have referred this question, are unable to make any statement in regard to a hypothetical case of this kind. If the particulars of any individual case are submitted to them they will consider it.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Land Commissioners are in negotiation for the purchase of the Cagney and Harold estate, at Park, Pennywell, Limerick; whether James Hynes and Bridget Hynes have signed purchase agreements for the purchase of plots 35 and 36, respectively, as separate purchasers, and on the understanding that their holdings will be completely separated; whether facilities for separate entrance to the respective plots can be secured by obtaining possession of an adjacent ruined house hitherto used by the Hynes's, and whether the Commissioners will exercise their powers under the Land Act by obtaining such possession and creating such facilities when sanctioning the purchase of the estate; whether there are other plots on the same estate included in the proposed sale and purchase thereof, some of which were formerly part of the holding of the Hynes family, and which were surrendered owing to excessive rents; whether such plots are now necessary to create economic holdings, together with the aforesaid plots 35 and 36; and whether the Estates Commissioners will take all these circumstances into account when the said estate is being divided?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as pending for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked whether the holdings of a large number of tenants who have signed agreements to purchase on the Ormathwaite estate, in North Kerry, are partially flooded during the wet season of the year; whether he is aware that these tenants were promised assistance at the time of signing their agreements by the representatives of the landlord; and whether, before the vesting orders are issued, the Estates Commissioners will have the holdings inspected with a view of protecting the interests of the tenants?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on this subject on 23rd November last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can explain the delay in vesting their holdings in the tenants of Lord Carbery, at Ovens, county Cork, seeing that they have signed purchase agreements for the past four or five years; and can he state when the Estates Commissioners hope to have the vesting orders made in respect of this estate?

This estate is being dealt with in order of priority. The Estates Commissioners hope that the purchase money will be advanced and the holding vested in the tenants during the present financial year.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have been in negotiation with the trustee of the Loyd estate, situated at Killea, Templemore, county Tipperary; and whether, in view of the negotiations not having been successful, the Estates Commissioners will proceed to acquire the untenanted land on the estate under the Land Act, 1909?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify this estate as pending for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners investigated the claim of Mrs. Johanna Sullivan, whose husband, John Sullivan, deceased, was evicted from a holding of forty-three acres at Bownahow, near Drimoleague, county Cork, on the estate of Captain Beamish; is this holding now in the occupation of a planter named Hourihane; have any steps been taken by the Estates Commissioners to come to an arrangement with him; and will Mrs. Sullivan be reinstated in her old holding or one of equivalent value?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered the application of Mrs. Johanna Sullivan for reinstatement in her former holding on the Beamish estate, now in the occupation of another tenant, and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, on the eve of 1st July and early in the morning of the 1st, a number of Orangemen paraded through the village of Bessbrook and repeatedly discharged firearms near some houses occupied by Catholics; that the police made no effort to stop these men, who were known to Sergeant Ballantine and also known to other members of the force in Bessbrook; that no prosecution of any kind for discharging firearms followed; that, on 11th July, a crowd of Orangemen again started parading around the village and kept up a continuous discharge of revolver shots from about 11.30 p.m. till one o'clock, many of the shots being discharged over the houses of Catholics, to the terror and annoyance of the inmates; and whether, in view of the inaction of Sergeant Ballantine in coping with this conduct, he will be changed to some other district?

The constabulary authorities inform me that no shots were fired on either of the occasions referred to, and that no complaints of annoyance by the discharge of firearms or otherwise have been received from any person in the locality. It is not proposed to remove the sergeant to another station.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. T. H. Black-hall, of Knocknaveeha, Corofin, county Clare, is still employed by the Estates Commissioners; if so, has his conduct in instituting proceedings in the Superior Courts for the eviction of a man named Patrick O'Halloran from a farm known as Kiltane, in the parish of Carron, been inquired into; and, if not, will he have inquiries made into the matter?

Mr. Blackhall is still in the employment of the Estates Commissioners. The farm referred to is not the subject of proceedings for sale before the Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts, and they have no power to interfere in any legal proceedings with regard to it which Mr. Blackhall may have instituted in the High Court of Justice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has received any, and what, report from the Hydrographic Department during the last two years with regard to changes in the depth of water of Lough Swilly or any part thereof, or any changes that have taken place therein affecting navigation or otherwise; and, in view of the local and Imperial importance of this lough, what steps, if any, the Admiralty proposes to take to prevent further injury to this lough and to remove accretions therein interfering with its navigation?

By a recent survey in 1908–9 the depths in the lough itself do not appear to have altered appreciably since Captain Bedford's survey in 1855. In the upper part of Fahan and Farland Creeks shoaling has occurred in several places of from six to twelve feet, but little shoaling has occurred in Fahan Channel and Drum Gully, which respectively lead to them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, between the years 1830 and 1860, any reports were received by the Admiralty from Captain A. G. Bedford or any other persons with reference to the construction of sea embankments and reclamations of portions of Lough Swilly from the sea and their probable effects on the navigation of the lough; whether, in consequence of such report or reports, the Admiralty objected to the passing of the Bills authorising these embankments and reclamation; and, if not, what other action the Admiralty took when these Bills were before Parliament?

I have no further information on this subject beyond what was stated in reply to a question on the 2nd of this month. Even if Bills did come before the Admiralty at the time referred to all records would probably have been transferred to the Board of Trade under the Harbours Transfer Act of 1862.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the interval that has elapsed since the petition of the writers employed at the Admiralty was presented; and whether he could state when the reply is likely to be received?

My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to. The answers to the petitions depend on the decision arrived at with regard to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the writing staff at the Admiralty and dockyards. I hope this decision will be reached shortly. My hon. Friend will understand that the Admiralty alone have not complete discretion in such matters.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give a list of the ships and vessels on the effective list not commissioned for the manœuvres?

The list for which the Noble Lord asks is as follows. I have assumed that ships outside home waters and the Mediterranean are not referred to.

Battleships . Canopus Royal Sovereign Ocean Nile Trafalgar Empress of India Hood Formidable Ramillies Albemarle Resolution Irresistible Repulse Revenge Royal Oak Renown

Armoured Cruisers . Good Hope Suffolk Cornwall Cressy Cumberland Euryalus Protected Cruisers . Amphitrite Eclipse Argonaut Thetis Europa Barham Niobe Minerva Terrible Arrogant Latona Charybdis Sirius Andromache Edgar Apollo Gibraltar Iphigenia Highflier Medea Diana Destroyers . (Including torpedo boats—ex-coastal destroyers.) Crusader Bittern Eden Avon Dee Cherwell Foyle Panther Mermaid Velox T.B. 12. All 27-knot boats. All Mediterranean destroyers.

Submarines .

28—and depot ships Vulcan and Thames.

Torpedo Gunboats .

All except Sharpshooter and Hazard.

Torpedo Boats .

All.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Army Order 51 of 1910 has been ruled by the Army Council to be applicable to old comrades' associations, and that these associations are in future to be administered solely by past and present officers of the regiments concerned, who may be assisted by an advisory committee of warrant and non-commissioned officers and men; does he know that the majority of these associations were founded by ex-non-commissioned officers for the mutual benefit and assistance of members and their families, that the bulk of the members are civilians, over whom the Army Council can have no control, and that the officials do not receive any remuneration for their services; and whether he will cause the matter to be reconsidered, in order that the system of working that has been thoroughly tested and found to work well may not be interfered with, the appointment of the responsible officials, irrespective of rank, being left to the selection of the subscribers as hitherto?

It is understood that these associations were, prior to the date of this Army Order, supported and subscribed to solely by men who were not serving. The associations, however, were desirous of obtaining the assistance of serving soldiers, and the Army Council held that if they granted permission, and so gave official sanction to the associations, it would be necessary to ensure effective responsibility for the control of the associations. The Army Council are of opinion that this object will be best secured by adhering to the arrangements set forth in the Army Order.

asked the Secretary for War whether the military authorities propose to abandon the use of Templemore Military Barracks as a military station; and whether he can state when it may be occupied by troops?

It is not proposed to abandon the use of Templemore Barracks as a military station, but I cannot at present say when it is likely to be reoccupied.

asked the Secretary for War whether, in the case of men who were employed at Shoeburyness on the day of His late Majesty's funeral, only those who had been in the employment of the Government for six months received a day's pay; if so, whether he will reconsider the question with the view to making the same allowance to all those whom they employed at that place who lost a day's pay in consequence of the general mourning?

The casual labourers of under six months service to whom the hon. Member's question refers will receive pay for this day provided that they did a week's continuous work between 15th and 25th May, absence from work on the 20th not counting as a break. Instructions to this effect are being issued.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he can furnish a complete list of the schools for Europeans and Eurasians in receipt of Grants from Government, such list showing the amounts of the respective Grants and the bodies by which such schools are managed?

For the broad fa[...]ts as regards European and Eurasian education in India I would refer my hon. Friend to the statistics in Chapter X. of the second volume of the latest Quinquennial Report on the Progress of Education in India (Cd. 4636–1909). The preparation of the detailed list for which he asks would, in any case, require some time, but the Government of India will be asked whether it can be undertaken without disproportionate labour.

asked whether the Secretary of State for India is aware that on the North-Western State Railway in India 10,000 screw couplings are now required, at an estimated cost of £13,000, to replace one year's breakages, and that the breakages of screw couplings and draw gear constitute one of the largest sources of accident and damage to rolling stock on this railway; whether he is aware that the cost of repairs and renewals to coaching and goods stock on the North-Western State Railway during the year 1909 amounted to approximately £145,000, and that at least 30 per cent., or £43,500, of this amount is due to failures of the existing system of draw gear; whether he is aware that the locomotive, carriage, and waggon superintendents were unanimously of the opinion at their last conference that the present system of side buffers and screw couplings was obsolete and of inadequate strength for modern requirements, and that the only means of remedying this was to adopt an automatic buffer coupler; whether the annual sum which would be saved by eliminating the present breakages of couplings alone would pay 4 per cent. on the capital cost of the adoption of an efficient automatic coupler; and, if so, what action does the Government of India propose to take?

The Secretary of State has no information on the points raised in the question, which are within the competence of the Railway Board. A copy of the question will be communicated to the Government of India.

LEVY asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether an epidemic of smallpox has recently occurred in Bombay; whether records are kept as to the vaccinal condition of the cases in hospitals; and, if so, whether the Government have any information as to the causes of the severity of the outbreak?

Smallpox in an epidemic form was prevalent in Bombay City from the middle of February last to the middle of May. The Secretary of State understands that the practice in Indian hospitals is to keep a record of the vaccinal condition of every patient suffering from smallpox, but he has no information as to the data thus obtained in the recent epidemic in Bombay or as to the light thereby thrown on the causes of the outbreak. According to statements in the Bombay newspapers, the severity of the epidemic was largely due to cases imported by pilgrim ships returning from Jeddah and other ports in the Red Sea.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will inform the House what is the composition of the several legislative councils in India, stating as regards the members how many are nominated or elected, and how many are official or non-official, with their respective race and creed and names?

The Parliamentary Paper, Cd. 4987, contains all the information for which my hon. Friend asks as to the composition of the councils, and he will find the names of the Members in the current India Office list.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to recent speeches of the chairmen of the leading Indian railways at their general meetings, and in particular of the chairman of the Bengal and North-Western Railway, complaining of certain orders issued by the Railway Board, and pointing out that the methods which the latter desired introduced had raised the ratio of working expenses to gross earnings on the State railways by 20 per cent since the Board were appointed at the end of 1908, whereas the ratio on other railways bad remained practically stationary; whether the Secretary of State has received representations from the boards of all the principal Indian railways against the attitude of the Railway Board and the impracticable nature of their orders; whether the Railway Board have gone so far as to threaten to withhold their signature to the half-yearly accounts unless these orders are complied with; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement of a reassuring nature on the whole of the questions at issue?

The whole question of the orders by the Railway Board which are referred to is now under the consideration of the Secretary of State and he is not in a position at present to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Board of Education to issue forms of attendance registers for use in schools and classes recognised under the Regulations of technical schools, etc., for the year 1910–11; whether an announcement of this intention was made sufficiently early to prevent the publishers who have hitherto supplied these registers in the ordinary way of trade preparing their stock for the year; and whether anything can be done to prevent or recoup the loss involved upon such publishers by the issue of the commodity from the Board itself?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, the Regulations of the Board as to registration of such schools and classes are always liable to alteration from year to year, as the publishers are well aware, so that, in any event, the publishers may reasonably be expected to wait the issue of the Regulations before they prepare their stock. I am afraid I cannot see my way to postpone the initiation of a very necessay reform for the benefit of publishers who have not taken this precaution. I may say that, incidentally, the local education authorities and managers will be relieved of a certain amount of expenditure which they were previously called upon to incur in providing registers locally.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of the headmaster of the Littleport School, in the Isle of Ely, who is likely to be compelled to resign his post owing to his qualifications not complying with certain regulations; whether his attention has been called to the excellent and successful work done by the schoolmaster; and whether he can see his way to allowing him to continue to hold his appointment, at all events for the present?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I believe that the work of this teacher has been satisfactory, but I am afraid that I cannot see my way to making an exception to the requirements of the Code in his favour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to carry out the suggestions of the Departmental Committee presided over by Sir Mackenzie Chalmers, which inquired into the question of deaths resulting from the administration of anæsthetics, and whether any communication has been made to or received from the General Medical Council with a view to requiring a knowledge of anæsthetics and of their administration as an essential part of the medical curriculum?

As stated in the answer given on the 12th instant to a question by the hon. and learned Member for the East Toxteth Division of Liverpool, the recommendations of the Coroners' Committee are now under consideration, and I hope, when time permits, to propose legislation with regard to them. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 15 of the Committee's Report on Deaths from Anæsthetics and to the evidence given before the Committee by Sir Donald MacAlister, President of the General Medical Council. Sir Donald Mac-Alister explained that the General Medical Council in 1906 issued a recommendation that instruction in anæsthetics should be a compulsory part of the medical curriculum, and all examining and licensing bodies with power to grant qualifications entitling the holders to be registered under the Medical Acts have followed this recommendation so far as their powers permitted, or are seeking powers to follow it. Correspondence took place with the General Medical Council on this subject in 1908, but neither this Office nor the Privy Council Office has had any communication with the Council since Sir Donald MacAlister's evidence was given.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a memorial from a large number of the leading educationists of the country in support of the Cruelty to Animals Bill, designed to put down certain spurious sports; and whether, in consideration of the importance of the position and character of the memorialists, he would offer facilities should the opportunity arise, for the passage of the Bill?

I have received the memorial mentioned in the question. Speaking personally, I very much regret that I see no prospect of special facilities being accorded this Session to this excellent and sensible measure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that at Woolwich girls are being employed parading the streets with advertisement boards on their shoulders advertising a theatrical play; and whether any steps can be taken, either by legislation or otherwise, to put a stop to such a practice?

The Commissioner of Police informs the Secretary of State that the facts are as stated; and my right hon. Friend is advised that the practice of employing young women for this purpose could not be stopped without legislation.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies during what period the dredging operations for the removal of sewage from the Grand Harbour of Malta took place, and what was the average quantity of sewage deposited removed per diem by the machinery employed for that purpose?

The Secretary for State has not sufficient information concerning these dredging operations to enable him to answer, but inquiry will be made of the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the number of troops occupying St. Elmo barracks on 1st July; and what was the average number in occupation during the years 1904, 1905, and 1906?

There are no figures for 1904 available in the War Office. On 1st January, 1905, the numbers were 665, and 1st January, 1906, were 83, and on 1st July last, 352.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the bombardment by a Russian warship of Gunnishtepe, a small Persian town on the coast of the Caspian Sea; whether ten leading merchants have been arrested and the town destroyed; and whether he can communicate any official account of these transactions?

His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Tehran, to whom I addressed a telegraphic inquiry respecting this incident, reports that about three weeks ago some trouble arose in connection with the Russian fisheries at Gunnishtepe, near Astrabad, in the course of which a Mullah killed a Cossack of the Russian Consular Guard at Astrabad, and dangerously wounded another. The murderer and most of the villagers having escaped, the Russian authorities sent a gunboat from Ashurada to Gunnishtepe, which fired three shots as a warning on arriving. The murderer eventually surrendered to the Russian frontier post, saying that he would rather be tried by the Russians than by the Persians. His trial will take place in Russia, and the villagers will be required to pay an indemnity. Mr. Marling adds that the incident may now be considered closed, and that it caused no excitement at Tehran.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the Reports from the Consular staff on the Congo as to the most suitable localities for British traders, the local openings and prospects, the class of goods in native demand, and the faciltiies for transport; and how soon he will be able to publish such Reports?

The Reports shall be examined with a view to considering how much can be published at the present time with advantage to traders, but it is undesirable that firms should undertake any enterprise in the regions opened to trade without first employing local agents to report on openings for their special business. His Majesty's Consular Officers shall, if necessary, be called upon for further Reports as to any special points of general interest, such as the class of goods in native demand, and facilities for transport.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affair whether His Majesty's Government still decline to recognise any claims on the part of Russia to exercise jurisdiction over British vessels beyond the three-mile limit; whether he is aware that the fresh claim on the part of the Russian Government to advance the line south of which fishing is prohibited twelve miles northward would result in the confiscation of the best fishing ground in these seas and ruin the industry of eighty Hull trawlers; and whether he will resist by every means in his power this attempted extension of jurisdiction beyond any limit recognised by international law?

With regard to the first and third parts of the hon. Member's question, I am not aware that the Russian Government have put forward any definite claim to exercise jurisdiction over British vessels beyond the generally recognised territorial limits, except for purposes of Customs administration, and in the White Sea. As regards the second part of the question, the release of the "Onward," which has been officially announced by the Russian Government, shows that they do not assert the claim.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed again to send official representatives from Great Britain to the meeting of the International Committee on the Causes and Prophylaxis of Mental Diseases to be held this year, at Berlin, in October; and whether the Italian Government, with whom the formation of the Committee originated, has approached His Majesty's Government in the matter or has propounded any scheme for the future working of the International Committee?

The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the question of the participation of His Majesty's Government in the meetings of the Committee has, therefore, not yet been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is to be understood that the Government of Egypt will not co-operate with private enterprise in developing the Soudan as a source of supply of cotton?

No, Sir; but I am at present unable to add to the in formation which was given in reply to my hon. Friend's question of the 7th and 13th instant.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any application for a pension for Dr. Pepperdene, who has lost his arm as a result of disease contracted while carrying on work with X-rays; and, if so, can he say whether any pension will be granted?

I have received an application and I am considering the case.

asked the Attorney-General if his attention has been called to the observations of the hon. Mr. Justice Channell at the Chester Assizes with regard to the prosecution of Miss L. C. Wilson for alleged political intimidation, that if he knew who instigated the prosecution he should be inclined to make an order against him to pay the costs if he had the power; whether he will state who instigated or conducted the prosecution; and whether any and what sum has been or will be paid out of county or public funds in respect of the prosecution?

My attention has been called to this case and to the remarks reported in "The Times" to have been made by the learned judge at Chester. An information upon which the prosecution was founded was laid before the magistrates by Samuel Rowlands, and the magistrates adjudicated on the evidence in support of it by a committal for trial. Nothing was heard of the case by the Attorney-General until it was reported to him that the accused had been committed for trial by the magistrates, when he directed the Director of Public Prosecutions to take charge of the prosecution—a course which is not at all unusual. The costs of the prosecution will be paid out of the county rate in the ordinary way.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the abuse of the criminal law by prosecutions under the existing law relating to corrupt and illegal practices, he will amend the law so as to provide that no prosecution shall be undertaken without his fiat having been obtained as a condition precedent to any proceedings?

I am not at present inclined to amend the law relating to corrupt and illegal practices by providing that no prosecutions shall be undertaken without the fiat of the Attorney-General.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether officials of the Labour Exchanges are permitted to stand as candidates for local public bodies?

Labour Exchange officials are not allowed to become candidates for public bodies for which a public election is necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the unanimity of the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed in 1906 to report on necessary Amendments to the Bankruptcy Acts, to the urgency of the recommendations, and to the delay since the Report was presented, he will undertake to prepare and introduce legislation on this subject in the coming Session?

I am fully aware of the importance of this matter, but I fear that at present I cannot give a definite undertaking as to the legislation to be proposed next Session.

asked the Lord Advocate why John Geary, of 180, Garngadhill, Glasgow, has been refused a pension under the Old Age Pensions Act; whether he is aware that Geary is qualified as to age; that he served many years in the Army; that he was allowed by the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital in 1889 to go abroad for his health; that he went in that year to Brisbane and returned to Glasgow in 1898; that, during his absence abroad, his home was kept on by him, his wife occupying the same; and that he paid his rent, rates and taxes for those years of absence, and was through all those years on the voters' roll; and whether, if no other objection to his claim than one on the score of absence has been urged, he will recommend that the case be reconsidered with a view to having his pension paid, with arrears?

I am informed that the Local Government Board dismissed the appeal of John Geary on the ground that he bad been absent from the United Kingdom for a period of more than eight years cut of the last twenty. An absence of this length constitutes an absolute statutory disqualification even when the circumstances are such as those stated in the hon. Member's question, and accordingly the Local Government Board had no option but to disqualify the claimant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether certain season assistants employed at the Central Telegraph Office were compelled to take a day's leave on the occasion of the late King's funeral without receiving a day's pay; and whether he will consider the possibility of some relaxation of the rules which govern payment on Bank Holidays on this and other specially declared and enforced holidays?

In accordance with the usual practice on Bank Holidays, and days treated as such at the Central Telegraph Office, the services of certain season assistants were dispensed with on the occasion to which the hon. Member refers. Under the existing rules such officers are not entitled to any payment in respect of these days if they do no work on them until they have been employed for at least two months continuously. I regret that I should not feel justified in relaxing the rules which govern payment of wages on occasions of specially declared and enforced holidays.