asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many Second Division clerks are at present employed in the Customs Statistical Office; whether he can state the reason they were introduced and the nature of the duties they perform; and when their service in the Statistical Office terminate?

Five Second Division Clerks are being employed temporarily to assist in the Statistical Office to meet pressure of work, pending the settlement of certain questions affecting the business of the Office. They are performing duties similar to those assigned to Assistant Clerks. It is not yet possible to say when the necessity for such temporary assistance will cease.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what the administrative reasons are which render it impossible to receive documents at stamp offices, such as Cork, for adjudication—i.e., for transmission to Dublin for that purpose; what are the facilities which it is intended to grant in Ireland for the purpose mentioned; and what facilities have been granted for the same purpose in Great Britain since the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

The hon. Member's previous question of the 8th instant was understood as asking whether documents could be adjudicated at all Government stamp offices. This is not possible, because adjudication is conducted by a trained legal staff, under the personal supervision of the solicitors of Inland Revenue, and the work must necessarily be centralised at the head offices in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. In Ireland it is contemplated (following the practice in Great Britain) to allow documents to be sent through the post to Dublin, for adjudication there; and it is hoped that the hon. Member's suggestion will be adequately met by the adoption of this course.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, what was the amount paid by the Treasury last year in grants for the assistance of secondary education in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively?

Grants for secondary-education are not as a rule paid direct by the Treasury, and I regret, therefore, to be unable to give the hon Member the information desired. As different educational systems are in operation in the three countries, a comparative statement of the sums expended on secondary education, would be entirely misleading.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is now in a position to give the approximate date of the issue of the Report of the Customs and Excise Amalgamation Committee, of which he is chairman, and which has now been in existence for nearly two years; and whether, in view of the delay that from various causes has taken place, he will favourably consider the antedating of any new scale of salary recommended?

As I stated in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for the Louth Division of Lincolnshire, on Thursday last, I cannot fix an absolute date for the presentation of the Committee's Report to the Treasury, but I hope it may not be long delayed. In answer to the last part of the question, I regret that I cannot anticipate the conclusions which the Committee may arrive at.

asked how many valuers have been appointed to carry out the valuation of land under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; what is the aggregate amount of their annual salaries; and how many of these appointments are of a temporary and how many of a permanent character?

Including sixty-one valuers appointed for Estate Duty work prior to the passing of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, the number of valuers appointed to date is 769, at annual salaries amounting in the aggregate to £202,382 per annum. Of this number 169 are already on the permanent staff.

asked the approximate addition which the removal of the pauper disqualification under the Old Age Pensions Act would entail to previous grants for Ireland; and how much of this grant has been actually applied for since 1st January, 1911?

The number of "pauper" pensioners in Ireland entitled to pensions as from the first Friday in 1911 is, in round figures, 17,300; and on this basis, and assuming that all these pensioners are entitled to 5s. a week, the additional annual cost of Old Age Pensions in Ireland will be approximately £225,000. It is not possible to state how many "pauper" pensioners there will ultimately be in Ireland or what is the amount of pension applied for by such pensioners since the 1st January, 1911.

asked whether the Treasury will put in force Clause 7 of the Superannuation Act, 1909, and issue a regulation whereby the superannuation allowances and pensions of those persons who have served the State partly in the Army or Navy and partly in the Civil Service may be placed upon the same scale as those persons who have served wholly in the Civil Service?

Rules under Section 7 of the Superannuation Act, 1909, will shortly be laid before the House. I must, however, add that in view of the provisions of Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1892, the Treasury has no power to make any regulations of the kind suggested in the question.

asked whether the full arrears of her pension have been repaid to Mrs. Alice Kelly, of Meenahinnish, Killygordon, county Donegal, whose pension was stopped in or about April, 1910, and subsequently restored to her on verification by the Local Government Board of the facts as to age?

The answer is in the negative. No application for such a payment has reached the Treasury; but I am inquiring into the case, and will communicate with the hon. Member later on.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider, in connection with his Budget proposals, the exemption of local authorities and others controlling fire brigades from liability to pay the tax on petrol used for petrol-driven fire-engines and other fire-appliances?

My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider whether such an exemption is practicable and desirable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of foreign spirits was imported into Great Britain and Ireland respectively for each of the years ending 31st December, 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910?

A statement of the quantity of foreign spirits imported into Great Britain and Ireland respectively in each of the four years, 1907 to 1910:—

Year ended 31st December.			Great Britain.	Ireland.
			Gallons.	Gallons.
1907	…	…	8,838,451	109,644
1908	…	…	7,781,616	94,703
1909	…	…	8,372,455	83,935
1910	…	…	7,358,821	78,818

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of the Spirit Duty for the quarters ending 31st December, 1908, 1909, and 1910 respectively; and the respective amount for the nine months ending 31st December in the same years?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of spirits was taken out of bond in England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively for the eight months ending 31st December in each of the years 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910?

I am afraid that, with regard to this and the next question on the paper, I can only refer the hon. Member to an answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a similar question put by him on 28th November, 1910.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Income Tax collectors have received authority to allow the deduction of 2½ per cent. on Income Tax paid before 1st January, in accordance with his statements made in the House of Commons on 2nd and 3rd March, 1910; and whether the deduction allowed is 2½ per cent. of the total tax?

Income Tax collectors have authority, under Section 141 of the Income Tax Act, 1842, as amended by Section 10 of the Revenue Act, 1889, to allow discount at 2½ per cent. per annum to persons paying the tax in advance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts paid for licence duties by manufacturers, wholesale merchants, and retailers in respect of the financial year 1909–10, including any arrears that may have been collected in the financial year 1910–11?

The amounts paid in 1909–10 in respect of that year, at the old rates of duty, are shown at pages 63–4 of the First Report of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise (Cd. Paper 5302). The sums collected in 1910–11 as arrears properly belonging to 1909–10 of the additional duties imposed by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, have been collected as part of the revenue of 1910–11, and I cannot give the particulars in anticipation of my right hon. Friend's general review of the revenue of the year.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he can state what are the qualifications necessary for a magistrate voting for the election of a petty sessions clerk in Ireland; whether he can vote, although residing outside the district in which the election takes place, provided the district in question is included in his commission; and, if so, whether he must give a certain number of attendances to qualify?

The qualifications are provided under Section 7 of the Petty Sessions Clerk (Ireland) Act, 1858. In the case of a clerk for a single district the justices of that petty sessions appoint, in the case of one serving two or more districts, the justices of these districts do so. A magistrate may be able to vote at an election of clerk for a district in which the magistrate does not reside, but in such a case, speaking generally, a certain number of attendances would be required.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the age limit as to retirement under the sixty-five rule applies in the cases of aged petty sessions clerks in Ireland?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on how many working days during the year 1910 did the Registrar-General for Ireland attend at his office?

I am informed by the Registrar-General for Ireland that he attended at his office on 268 days in the year 1910, the total number of working days in the year being 257, if the customary annual leave of the Head of a Department had been taken.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to have John M'Manus, son of an evicted tenant, restored to the farm from which his father was evicted, or to provide him with a farm of equivalent value?

The hon. Member probably refers to the case of John D. M'Manus, of Cavanreagh, Blacklion, who applied for reinstatement in a holding from which he stated his father was evicted and which is at present in the possession of another tenant. The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered this application, and have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will ascertain from the Estates Commissioners the cause of delay in reinstating an evicted tenant, named Daniel O'Driscoll, on the estate of Dr. John Leader, county Cork, whose application has been favourably considered, and who was so notified on 17th January, 1908?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that O'Driscoll's former holding is in the occupation of another tenant who is now the owner of the lands, and the Commissioners have noted O'Driscoll's name for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as they may be able to acquire for distribution.

asked the Chief Secretary why the Estates Commissioners have not carried out the promise contained in their letter dated 30th December, 1907, E 36,299/7, and addressed to Mr. Edward Bennett, an evicted tenant on the Stubbs estate, county Cork, stating that his claim was considered bonâ fide, and that he would be provided with a holding?

In the letter to which the hon. Member refers Mr. Bennett was informed that his name had been placed on the list of persons whom the Estates Commissioners deemed suitable to be provided with holdings should an opportunity occur, and his application will be considered in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners may acquire for distribution.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he intends to take any steps this Session towards making effective provision for the better heating and cleansing of national schools in Ireland?

I am still hopeful of being able to do something in the matter this Session.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he had received representations from National School teachers' organisations in Ireland as to the necessity for increased powers to local authorities to enforce compulsory attendance at national schools; and whether he intends to propose legislation on the subject this Session?

Representations to the effect mentioned in the question have been received from National School teachers' organisations in Ireland, but, as I have already stated, I am by no means convinced that it would be expedient at present to extend the provisions for compulsory attendance at schools in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, having regard to the feeling of dissatisfaction existing in Ireland with reference to the state of secondary education in that country, the Government will appoint a Commission of educational experts to make a thorough investigation of the subject and draw up a scheme of reform?

I am aware that a feeling of dissatisfaction exists in Ireland with reference to the state of secondary education in that country, a feeling in which I fully share. The suggestion that the Government should appoint a Commission of educational experts to investigate the subject is one which deserves consideration.

asked on what grounds James Browne, of Meenticat, Drumkeen, Stranorlar, county Donegal, was refused an old age pension; was he informed of the grounds on which his application was refused; and, if so, by whom, and on what date?

The Local Government Board upheld the Pension Officer's appeal on the ground that Browne's means, as calculated under the Act, exceeded the statutory limit. The case came before the Board over fifteen months ago, and the documents are not now in their possession, so it is difficult to state positively whether the Board notified Browne of the grounds on which the appeal was based. It is the present practice of the Board to do so in all cases.

asked whether the attention of the Department of Agriculture has been drawn to a Resolution adopted by the Cork District Committee of the Irish Land and Labour Association to the effect that the question of an immediate advance in the rate of wages for all agricultural occupations is one which demands the best thought and practical effort of the various interests connected with the growth and development of the agricultural industry of Ireland, and suggesting that the Department should take steps by the appointment of a departmental committee, or otherwise, to ascertain the views of farmers, labourers, and other classes concerned as to what might constitute a reasonable standard of wages, under existing conditions, for the various Irish provinces; whether the Department has already testified to the necessity for an improvement in the rate of wages paid to agricultural labourers; and does it propose to use its influence and authority to deal with the question in any way?

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland have not seen the Resolution referred to. In the Report issued by the Department on Agricultural Labourers in Ireland for the year 1909–10, the opinion is expressed that the standard of wages for agricultural labourers is lower in Ireland than in Great Britain, but it is pointed out that the question is a difficult and personal one which only the Irish farmers and the Irish labourers themselves can solve. The Department, not having any authority to regulate wages, cannot take action on the lines suggested in the question.

asked whether the tenantry on the estate of Major R. Phibbs, situate in the electoral division of Cloonoghill, Tubbercurry union, county Sligo, entered into agreements for the purchase of their holdings in 1905; whether this estate has yet been vested in the Estates Commissioners; and, if not, whether it is contemplated to hand over its jurisdiction to the newly constituted Congested Districts Board?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that agreements were lodged in the Land Commission in 1905 for the purchase of the estate in question direct by the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Commissioners have referred the papers in connection with the estate to an inspector, and until his report is before them they will not be in a position to make any statement as to how the estate will be dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give the names of those landlords residing in the unions of Tubbercurry, Boyle (No. 2), and Sligo, county Sligo, who have been approached by the Congested Districts Board with the view of the purchase of their estates since the Act of 1909 came into operation; and whether he can state the general result of the negotiations and say what steps the Board propose to take in order to bring sales about?

The Congested Districts Board since 6th January, 1910, invited 132 landlords in the county Sligo to sell their estates through the Board, but returns are not kept according to Poor Law Unions, so that the information cannot be given in the form suggested in the question. Twenty-four estates (including five transferred from the Estates Commis- sioners) have been offered for sale to the Board. Of these twenty-four, one purchase has been completed, and the Board are about to make offers for two other estates. The remaining twenty-one estates will be valued as soon as possible, and offers made to the landlords. The Board intend to make "final offers" with a view to compulsory purchase of some estates in the county Sligo. It is not desirable that the names of the landlords in question should be given.

asked how many tenants purchased, in the counties of Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary, respectively, from the date of the passing of the Land Purchase Act of 1907 to the date of the passing of the Act of 1909; how many had purchased since the latter date and on the financial terms of the Act of 1909; and what was, under each head, the average and the amount of purchase money?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that purchase agreements for holdings on estates situate in the counties of Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary have been lodged as follows: At 3¼ per cent. annuities under the Irish Land Act of 1903 from the commencement of that Act (1st November, 1903) to the 15th September, 1909:—

Country.	Purchasing Tenants.		Purchase Money.		Average Number of Years Purchase.
Cork	18,196	…	£8,497,642	…	21.3
Limerick.	8,934	…	£4,711,795	…	21.4
Tipperary	11,016	…	£4,942,766	…	21.5

At 3½ per cent. annuities under the Irish Land Act 1909.

Cork	492	…	£204,109	…	19.1
Limerick.	180	…	£73,754	…	20.6
Tipperary	357	…	£130,720	…	19.9

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that there are only nine tenants upon the Lahaffe estate, New Inn, county Galway, five of them with valuations ranging from £1 7s. to £4 10s.; and whether it is the intention of the Estates Commissioners to advance money to others for the purchase of the only grass lands upon the estate and leave the small tenants unprovided for?

It is presumed that the hon. Member refers to the Lahiffe Estate, County Galway, which is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners in the Land Judge's Court under the Land Purchase Acts. The Com- missioners will not be in a position to consider the allotment of the untenanted land on the estate until they have received their inspector's report in reference thereto.

asked whether any communication was addressed to Mr. Martin M'Donagh, of Galway City, by the Congested Districts Board in reference to the purchase by the Board of the Maratigue Farm, near Athenry, and with what result?

A communication was addressed to Mr. Martin M'Donagh by the Congested Districts Board, and he offered to sell the lands in question. A valuation of the estate will be made by the Board's valuers as soon as possible, after which the owner will be informed what price the Board are willing to give.

asked when the Estates Commissioners expect to be able to deal with the estate of Captain Burke and others, situate in the district of Bally-doogan, Loughrea?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that proceedings for the sale of the estate in question to the Estates Commissioners under the Irish Land Act (1903) are pending before the Commissioners. The estate is on the principle register of sales to the Estates Commissioner (all cash), and having regard to its position thereon, and to the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Commissioners are not at present able to say when its turn will be reached. The estate will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked how soon may the tenants on the estate of the Earl of Sandwich, at Ballinlough, Kileely, county Limerick, expect to have their holdings vested in them; and, as the sale has now been made for more than five years, will the matter be completed as soon as possible?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the estate referred to is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash). Having regard to its position thereon and the claims of other estates in priority to it they are at present unable to say when its turn will be reached, but when reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received a petition from the tenants upon the Moylough portion of the Sir H. Gratten Bellew estate, in the county of Galway, protesting against the advance of money to a Mr. O'Rorke to purchase a large portion of the grass lands at present let upon the 11-months system; whether he is aware that Mr. O'Rorke holds about 400 acres upon the Jameson estate and 150 acres upon the Digby estate, and lives upon a large estate of his own about seven miles from the Sir H. Gratten Bellew estate; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to have the intentions of Parliament carried out by having the land distributed amongst the small holders on the estate?

The Estates Commissioners have received several memorials from the tenants on the estate referred to which will be fully considered when the estate is being dealt with. The Commissioners understand that Mr. O'Rorke has lands other than those which he holds from Sir Henry Gratten Bellew, but they cannot say whether the particulars given in the question as to these lands are correct.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the total sum deducted from the Total Taxation Account in Ireland under the order of the Lord Lieutenant dated 10th September, 1910?

The total amount of the deficit in the Local Taxation Account for the current financial year and of the consequent abatements cannot be stated until nearer the end of the financial year.

asked the Chief Secre- to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the reductions made in the payments out of the Irish Local Taxation Account in aid of the cost of the maintenance of papuper lunatics and other local services in Ireland, whether the Government have yet come to a decision on the question of making good the amounts by which the grants hitherto made for those purposes have been reduced; and, if so, whether an announcement on the subject can now be made, in view of the fact that the local authorities in Ireland are now estimating their expenditure for the coming local financial year and are at present at a loss to know how they stand in the matter?

I am not to-day in a position to give the desired information.

asked what action the Government intend to take to provide funds for the payment of expenses incurred by the clerks of the Crown and peace in Ireland for the necessary advertising and printing under the Voters and Jurors Acts in consequence of the refusal of the county councils, acting under legal opinion, to pay for the same in future?

I am not aware that the county councils have refused to pay the expenses of clerks of the Crown and peace in connection with the necessary advertising and printing under the Acts referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that in August or September last an inspector from the Estate Commission Office visited the Douglas estate, at Kilnashee and Clonaugh, to inquire into the allocation of turbary between the tenants on the sale of the property under the Act of 1903; whether the report of the inspector has yet been received; and what action has been taken on the report?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that an assistant inspector was directed to make local inquiries in connection with representations as to allocation of turbary received from certain tenants on the estate referred to, and his report was received in due course. As at present advised, the Commissioners do not consider that they can interfere with the arrangements which were made by the vendor, but the matter will be further considered by them when the estate is being inspected in order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the dissatisfaction created amongst the general body of traders and ratepayers in Trinity Ward, Dublin, by the proposal to erect a police station at the entrance to Great Brunswick Street, which would prove most detrimental to the business of the neighbourhood; and if he will recommend the Board of Works to select another site less injurious to the business interests of the residents of the locality?

I have received a resolution objecting to the erection of the bar- rack on the proposed site, but the Chief Commissioner of Police informs me that for a great number of years there has been a police station and barracks close by. It is now decided to close the present barracks and to build another and finer building, which I hope will be an ornament to the neighbourhood and will improve the value of the surrounding property. Government have only followed the good example set by the Dublin Corporation in this matter, who have erected also in the immediate vicinity their principal fire station.

asked the Chief Secretary with reference to the recent application of the Newry Urban Council for a loan for the purpose of the execution of a scheme for housing of the working classes, when the Local Government Board will give their decision; and whether, in view of the fact that in order that the district may benefit by their share of housing fund next year it will be necessary to borrow the money before the 1st April next, he will urge upon the Local Government Board the necessity of expedition in the matter?

The local inquiry was held in this case less than three weeks ago, and the Minutes of Evidence have only just been received. The inspector will lose no time in sending in his report, and the Council's application will then immediately come before the Local Government Board. Cases such as this, in which there is a possibility of getting a loan contract completed before the 31st of March, are always carefully watched by the Board.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether any scheme of redistribution of work has yet been arranged amongst the examiners in the Land Registry of Ireland Office, with a view to equalising as between different parts of the country the delays that occur in dealing with applications to discharge equities?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the attention of the Local Government Board had been drawn to the delay in obtaining contracts for the erection of labourers' cottages in the Killadeas district of Irvinestown Union, county Fermanagh; whether this delay is caused by the architect's specification requiring a stone to be used which the intending contractors cannot procure at a reasonable price; and would he suggest to the Local Government Board to press upon the district council the expediency of causing their architect to alter the specification in respect of the stone in such a way that it may be possible for contractors to tender for the erection of the cottages?

The Irvinestown Rural District Council in September last informed the Local Government Board that they experienced some difficulty in getting tenders for cottages, and considered that this was partly due to their architect only allowing the use of local bricks at a reduced figure. On the Board informing the Council that they should be guided by the advice of their architect in the matter, they again advertised, and it would appear that up to the present tenders have been accepted for twenty-five out of the forty-three authorised cottages. Any reasonable alterations in the approved specification which the Council and their architect may submit will receive careful consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the number of applications to fix fair rents, lodged up to date, by future tenants under the "Future tenant" clause of The Irish Land Act, 1909, the number of such applications actually disposed of; the number of cases disposed of in which fair rents were fixed; and the number dismissed?

Three hundred and fifty-seven applications to have fair rents fixed have been made to the Land Commission under Section 65 of the Irish Land Act, 1909 (Future Tenants), up to the 8th instant Judicial rents have been fixed in 206 of these cases, fifty-eight having been either dismissed, struck out. or withdrawn. The remaining cases are still pending.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that many of the inhabitants of the district of Termon, county Donegal, are obliged to travel nine miles to Milford in search of medical relief, and, after bringing the dispensary doctor to their homes, are frequently obliged to return to Milford a second time to obtain the medicine ordered by him for the sick; and whether it can be arranged that the dispensary doctor shall attend in Termon at least one day in each week?

The Medical Officer of the Milford and Kilmacrenan dispensary district resides at Milford, and poor persons from any parts of the dispensary district who require his services urgently at their homes must send for him to Milford. The dispensary district is of average size and population for a rural dispensary district (area, 28,658 acres; population, 4,242), and the Medical Officer attends twice weekly at Milford dispensary and once a week at a depot at Kilmacrenan. The electoral Division of Termon has an area of 11,086 acres and a population of 1,264 persons. The village of Termon is about two miles from Kilmacrenan and between seven and eight miles from Milford, but there are, of course, outlying portions of the division which are most distant. Patients belonging to the Termon Division can, therefore, procure their supplies of medicine either at Milford or Kilmacrenan, whichever may prove to be more convenient; and there has been no complaint to the Local Government Board or officially to the hoard of guardians as to the want of a dispensary depot for the division, nor has there been any application or proposal made for the establishment of such a depot. The medical officer would be entitled to a reasonable increase of salary in the event of a depot being established.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has received a resolution from the Dowra National School Teachers' Association praying that he will so award or extend the present provisions of the University Education Act, 1909, so that the children of the masses will have some opportunity of availing of university education in Ireland; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

The resolution referred to has been received. With regard to the final paragraph of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 10th instant to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for South Wexford.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would take the neces- sary steps to have the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, 1907, included in the schedule to the Expiring Laws Continuance Act of 1911?

The question of including the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act (1907) in the schedule to the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill of this year will be considered before the Bill is introduced.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the cause of the delay in reinstating Mr. Daniel McIlwaine, of Knocknabollin, Termon, county Donegal, an evicted tenant, whose case has been before the Estates Commissioners for some months?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received an application from Daniel McIlwaine for reinstatement in a holding on the estate of the Earl of Leitrim from which he was evicted, and it has been noted for consideration when this estate is the subject of proceedings for sale under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could state the number of evicted tenants whose claims are still awaiting consideration by the Estates Commissioners; is he aware that discontent exists amongst these owing to the delay in providing them with suitable homes and parcels of land; have certain representations been made to him on the matter by county councils and other public bodies in Ireland; and, seeing that the period for which the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, was passed expires this year, will he state what are the intentions of the Government in regard to future legislation on the subject?

If the hon. Member will refer to the last Report of the Estates Commissioners he will find that out of 12,011 applications received up to 31st March, 1910, from evicted tenants for reinstatement in their holdings, 798 had been provisionally noted by the Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land, 201 were noted for consideration when the estates are being sold under the Land Purchase Acts, and 2,290 applications received subsequent to the 1st May, 1907, had not been dealt with. The Commissioners have received resolutions from various public bodies on the subject of the reinstatement of evicted tenants. As regards the last paragraph, the question of including the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, in the schedule to the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill of this year will be considered before the Bill is introduced.

asked the Chief Secretary, in view of the fact that councils of the urban districts of Ireland have power to make bye-laws regulating the hours at which the sale of cattle and pigs may take place within their respective districts, whether representations will be made by him, through the Local Government Board for Ireland, to such councils to fix certain hours for the purpose mentioned, with a penalty for the violation of any such rules?

The power of making bye-laws, conferred by Section 103 of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, is limited to markets belonging to the urban sanitary authority. Where such power is possessed, its exercise lies at the discretion of the authority; and the Local Government Board have not received complaints which would tend to show that intervention such as that suggested by the hon. Member is required.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that members of the Territorial Forces who are also members of the Post Office staff can obtain special leave to attend courses of instruction and draw civil pay, whilst similar facilities are at present refused to members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and whether he will approach the Treasury to place members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on exactly the same footing as members of the Territorial Forces in this respect?

The proposal is one that has already been carefully considered, and has not been found practicable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether his attention has been called to the fact that Germany at the present moment has nearly twenty 36-knot torpedo-destroyers completed or ordered; and, seeing that this country does not possess one vessel of this type, but continues to build 27-knot destroyers, whether he will consider the advisability of discontinuing orders for destroyers of this low maximum speed?

I have no information supporting the statement contained in the first part of the hon. Member's question; but before any vessel is ordered for His Majesty's service the question of design is very fully considered.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now consent to publish, as a Parliamentary Paper, for the information of hon. Members, the document entitled Notes containing the Admiralty View of the Risk of Invasion?

In reply to the hon. Member's request, I shall be happy to lay upon the Table a copy of the notes supplied by the Admiralty for the use of the War Office in the Debate that was to have taken place in November, 1910, in the House of Lords, on a Motion by Lord Roberts.

asked the First Lord whether he is aware of the congestion that prevails in many of the artisan ratings in the Royal Navy; and what steps, if any, the Admiralty propose to take to meet the position?

Steps were taken last year to relieve the block in advancement of artisan ratings, and the question whether any further measures are practicable is at present receiving the consideration of the Board.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of workmen now employed by the contractors on the new dock works at Rosyth; whether he has received any suggestion from the contractors for the decent housing of the workmen; and what action, if any, his Department has taken to provide such ccommodation?

The number of men now being employed by the contractors on the dock works at Rosyth is 1,813. The responsibility for the housing of the workmen rests entirely with the contractors, but in order to assist the contractors in carrying out their responsibilities the Admiralty have placed at their disposal a site to be used only for the erection of workmen's dwellings.

asked whether attention had been called to the grievance of the seamen of the Royal Navy in having to pay heavy railway fares to their homes on Christmas leave; and whether it is possible to use vessels now lying idle in the Government dockyards for this and similar purposes?

I am aware of the circumstances mentioned in my hon. Friend's question; but it is unavoidable that wherever the ships may be when Christmas leave is given, expense in railway fares must be incurred by those men who do not live in the immediate neighbourhood of the port where their ship is at the time. The best arrangements are always carefully considered, having due regard to the convenience of the men as well as to the capacities of the different ports and the maintenance of the ships in readiness for service. I am not sure that I understand what vessels are referred to in the last part of my hon. Friend's question, but it is not considered practicable to convey the men to their homes by sea in Government ships.

asked whether the firm of Sir John Jackson, Limited, have recently signed contracts for public work at Portsmouth; and, if so, were the fair wage clauses inserted in such contracts in accordance with the resolution of the House of Commons?

A contract was made with Sir John Jackson, Limited, on the 3rd October, 1910, for a jetty and viaduct for the floating dock at Portsmouth. The old Fair Wages Clause was inserted in the contract in accordance with the Resolution of this House of the 13th February, 1891. In all future contracts there will be inserted the new Fair Wages Clause as passed by this House on the 10th March, 1909.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that the "Oldenburg" was officially ordered in April, 1909, and effectively commenced some months previously, while the expected date of delivery from the shipyard is the spring of 1912, it is to be assumed that the normal period of construction for German Dreadnoughts is three years and several months; or, in the alternative, whether the so-called anticipation of beginning this vessel has in no way expedited the date of completion?

It would be unsafe to assume an average period of construction from the case of a particular ship.

asked how many armoured ships are actually being constructed for the Italian and Austrian navies, their names, when they were laid down, and where?

The following armoured ships are under construction for the Italian Navy:—"Dante Alighieri," at the Royal Arsenal, Castellamere: "Conti di Cavour," at the Royal Arsenal, Spezzia; "Leonardo da Vinci," at Odero and Co., Genoa; "Giulio Cesare," at Ansaldo Armstrong, Genoa. Of these, the "Dante Alighieri" was laid down on 6th June, 1910, but the Admiralty have no official information as to the dates on which the remaining three ships were laid down. As regards Austria, the "Zrinyi" was laid down at the Stabilimento Teehnico, Trieste, in November, 1908. Two other ships, numbered "4" and "5," are also under construction at the same yard, but there is no official information at the Admiralty as to the dates on which they were laid down.

asked when the first naval dirigible airship is to be completed, and the causes of the delay in that completion?

The airship is nearly complete, and experiments in connection with her management and the training of her crew are in progress. The ship is experimental, and there has been no delay other than what is inevitable in these conditions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the destroyers provided for the New Zealand service in the last Estimates have yet been ordered; if so, when were the tenders accepted; and who are the builders?

Orders have been placed for all the torpedo-boat destroyers for which provision was included in the Navy Estimates for the current year. It has not been decided which three out of the total number will be allocated to the New Zealand service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the provisions of the Declaration of London have been submitted to, and considered by, the Board of Admiralty, with special reference to naval interests and the protection of British commerce; and whether the Board has signified its approval of the Declaration?

The Admiralty were represented at the International Naval Conference which led up to the Declaration of London. Its provisions were submitted to and considered by the Admiralty, and there was no occasion for the Board to signify their approval in a formal manner.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of so modifying the present musketry course of Territorial infantry battalions who would otherwise be unable to carry out their course owing to the condemnation of ranges, as to permit of their carrying out a course and so avoid being classed as inefficient?

Yes, Sir. A modification in certain practices of the Annual Musketry course for trained men of the Territorial Force is now being considered with the view of enabling certain ranges to be used which would otherwise be condemned owing to safety considerations.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that a man named Thomas Galliers, who was enlisted at St. George's Barracks on the 23rd January last, had six teeth extracted before enlistment at the recruiting station without any anæsthetic at one sitting; and whether it is the usual practice at the recruiting station to carry out dental operations of this magnitude without anæsthetics?

It appears, on inquiry, that this man had a few loose roots—the remains of three teeth—extracted in order to render him fit for enlistment. The man attended two days later without suffering any ill effects. No anæsthetic was used by the dentist, who apparently was unaware that he was permitted to make a charge for this.

asked the Secretary for War if he would state the number of infantry boots contracted for in each of the last four years, 1907–1910, and the number ordered in the contracts for 1911 placed in December, 1910; and if he would explain why the numbers ordered have varied so considerably in the period referred to?

The figures asked for are as follows, the year being the calendar year in each case:—

1907	433,630 pairs Infantry boots and shoes
1908	352,918 pairs Infantry boots and shoes
1909	259,765 pairs Infantry boots and shoes
1910	293,946 pairs Infantry boots and shoes
Dec, 1910 for 1911	160,730 pairs Infantry boots and shoes

The decrease is accounted for by the fact that the 1907 requirements were large, as war surpluses had been used up, and that since then requirements have fallen off owing to economies in the working of the stock and the introduction of a system of cash allowance to the soldier instead of issues in kind.

asked the Secretary for War whether the book entitled "Compulsory Service," written by General Sir Ian Hamilton and prefaced by an introduction by the Secretary of State for War, is in any sense an official work, or whether it is to be considered as merely expressing the personal views of the writers; and whether the permission granted to General Sir Ian Hamilton to publicly express his opinions upon controversial questions of military organisation will be extended to other officers on the active list who may hold views divergent from his and who may also wish to lay them before the country.

The work in question is not an official publication. It was originally prepared by Sir Ian Hamilton as a memorandum containing his personal views for my private information, and subsequently I decided with his concurrence that it would be in the public interest to have the document published. As regards the last part of the question this matter is governed by the King's Regulations, by which sanction may be given to an officer on the active list to make a communication to the Press if he previously submits the manuscript to the War Office for approval.

asked what is the present shortage of officers, respectively, in the Regular Army, the Special Reserve, and the Territorial Forces?

The shortages on the establishments are as follow:—Regular Army, 154; Special Reserve, 1,195; Territorial Force, 1,519. In the Regular Army ninety-five vacancies are in the infantry for which candidates are now available.

asked whether any special steps were being taken to remedy the deficiency of 1,514 officers and 44,106 non-commissioned officers and men in the Territorial Force?

The responsibility for the recruiting for the Territorial Force rests with the County Associations, and they are taking the measures they deem expedient to recruit up to the establishment.

asked whether it had now been definitely decided that the period of training for the infantry units of the Special Reserve is to be extended from twenty to twenty-seven days; and whether the proposed change will come into operation in the present year?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for War whether he has received any complaints as to the rates for wages paid to the navvies and labourers employed by the contractors upon the construction of the new barracks at Redford, near the Firth of Forth; what was the rate of wages complained of; and what rate his Department has now settled upon as fair for that district within the terms of the Fair-Wage Resolution of the House of Commons?

A complaint was received that in some cases labourers employed under the contract for the foundations of the new barracks at Redford, a few miles from Edinburgh, were not receiving the rate claimed for such work in Edinburgh. The matter was not free from difficulty, but to prevent the recurrence of any doubt the payment of the recognised Edinburgh rates has been stipulated for in the contract just made for the erection of the buildings.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the Government of India intend to take any action as a result of the report and survey of the Bhamo-T'êng Yüeh-Tali Fu route made by Mr. Lilley, of the Indian Public Works Department in 1907?

Any action to be taken by the Government of India must depend on the result of negotiations which are now proceeding between His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government.

asked the Under Secretary what progress has been made regarding the establishment of certain inland wireless telegraph stations referred to by him in July last; and how many are now completed, and where are they?

An order has been given for the necessary apparatus for four of the stations. The apparatus is now being manufactured.

asked whether twenty-two officers of the Indian police serving in the Bombay Presidency were in September last superseded in promotion by the appointment of an ex-superintendent of the Bombay city police, who was given rank above them; and, if so, whether such appointment was a breach of the rules of promotion?

The appointment in question was recommended for special reasons by the Government of India and sanctioned by the Secretary of' State in Council after full consideration of the circumstances. It involved no breach of the rules of promotion.

asked the Under Secretary for India if he would publish the correspondence which passed recently between Lord Minto and the ruling chiefs of India on the subject of Indian unrest?

This correspondence was published by the Government of India in their Gazette Extraordinary of 22nd January and 10th March, 1910, copies of which are in the Library of the House. It has also been separately published in the series of Selections from the Records of the Government of India.

asked what was the number of rifles passing through Muscat in the years 1909 and 1910, and what was the quantity of ammunition?

According to information supplied by the Muscat Customs 85,820 rifles and 12,420,000 rounds of ammunition were imported into Muscat during the year 1908–09. For the year 1909–10 the quantities of imported arms and ammunition are not stated, but the total value of these imports was returned at £103,862, as against £237,644 in the previous year.

asked the Home Secretary what has been the cost up to date of the extra police imported into the Rhondda and Aberdare Valleys in connection with the labour troubles; and whether the whole of the cost is to be borne by the county council?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Mile End Division on Wednesday last, all the Metropolitan police who have been employed in South Wales will receive, over and above the rate of remuneration sanctioned for Metropolitan police serving outside the Metropolitan police district, extra allowances graded according to their ranks. The amount of these extra allowances, which will be defrayed from the Exchequer, is estimated at not more than £15,000; the other charges involved are repayable by the county of Glamorgan, but I cannot yet state their amount.

asked the Home Secretary whether any extra pay will be allowed for extra duty or overtime done by the metropolitan police in consequence of the continued absence in South Wales of the constables stationed there; whether extra duty is still imposed on any part of the force; what money allowance will be made to those constables who have been invalided in the course of the disturbances; for how long the detachments of constables have been kept in Wales; and whether there is any precedent for keeping a large body of police outside their administrative area for so long a time?

No extra duty or overtime calling for pecuniary recognition has been done by the Metropolitan police in consequence of the absence of constables in South Wales. The first detachment was sent on the 8th November, additional detachments being sent on the 9th and 12th November. These men have gradually been withdrawn, and the last contingent of fifty men returned to London on Saturday. In connection with the Yorkshire and Derbyshire coal strike in 1893, 374 police officers were withdrawn from duty in the metropolis for ten weeks Injured police received full pay while on the sick list. Happily none have been invalided from the service.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 3rd January last a large number of Metropolitan Police constables were on duty in Sidney Street for periods ranging from thirteen to twenty-two hours, without adequate arrangements having been made to enable them to obtain refreshment; that the Rev. Lionel S. Lewis offered to provide refreshment for the constabulary and was refused permission; and what action he proposes taking to prevent a recurrence of this state of affairs in the future?

I have already answered the first part of this question. The Rev. Mr. Lewis did offer to take a cart full of provisions supplied by a benevolent lady, but it was represented to him that it was practically impossible for the cart to reach all the persons for whom the provisions were intended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the cost of calling out and employing the military in the recent battle in Sidney Street will be borne by the War Office or the civil authorities; and what is the estimated cost of the employment of the infantry, artillery, and engineer forces on that occasion?

The cost incurred by the War Office on the occasion of the so-called battle amounts, I understand, to the sum of £6. I have not yet considered the question as to the proper incidence of this charge.

asked whether bye-laws have yet been made by the Pharmaceutical Society under the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, Section 4 (b)?

I am informed that before formulating any by-laws under Section 4 (b) of the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, 1908, the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has to dispose of certain preliminary questions connected with the educational curriculum of pharmaceutical chemists and of chemists and druggists, and that the society is now actively engaged on these questions.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to alter or amend the regulations issued by Lord Gladstone in respect of the Aliens Act, 1905?

I must reserve my statement of policy until the Government Bill is introduced.

asked the Home Secretary if he will say what is the number of aliens who have been excluded during the years 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910, respectively, under Section 1, Subsection (c) of the Aliens Act, 1905; and what is the number of aliens convicted during the year 1910 of such aliens recommended by the courts for expulsion under Section 3, Sub-section (a) and (b) respectively of the Aliens Act, 1905, the number of such aliens against whom an expulsion order was made, and of aliens against whom an expulsion order had been made who were proceeded against for contravention of such order under Section 3, Subsection (2) of the Aliens Act, 1905?

No alien immigrant has been refused leave to land under the enactment mentioned in the first paragraph of the question. The figures asked for in the latter part of the question will, as in previous, years, be published as soon as possible. They have not yet been completed, but I may give them provisionally as follows:—Number of aliens received into prison on conviction in 1910, 2,271; number of recommendations for expulson, 403; number of certificates that aliens have been in receipt of poor relief within the meaning of Section 3 (1) (b) of the Act, 59; number of expulsion orders in respect of criminal aliens, 412; and in respect of other aliens, 47; number of aliens found in the United Kingdom in contravention of expulsion orders, 74, or about four per cent. of the total number of aliens expelled since the Act came into force.

asked the Home Secretary if it has come to his notice that the London and Provincial Prison Service desired to hold a representative meeting of their class in London; whether the Prison Commissioners have prohibited the holding of such conference; and whether the right of meeting together and federating for mutual benefit will be allowed to these civil servants?

Certain prison officers desired to convene a meeting at a hotel in London, at which persons unconnected with the prison service were to be present. The Prison Commissioners pointed out to them that such a meeting would be contrary both to Statutory Rule and to Standing Orders, but that meetings limited to members of the staff of each prison might be held, and that any representation addressed to the Commissioners or to the Secretary of State concerning the conditions of service would receive the fullest consideration. The action of the Prison Commissioners has my approval.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest at Clapham, on 30th January, on the death of an old lady caused through being knocked down by a boy who was roller-skating on the pavement; and whether, having regard to the fatal effects of this accident and to the rider of the jury condemning roller-skating on pavements, he will reconsider his decision not to allow by-laws forbidding this practice?

My attention has been called to this case, and I am informed, as the result of inquiries which have been made, that the correctness of the old lady's statement that she was knocked down by boys roller-skating on the pavement is open to great doubt. The police have failed to discover any corroborative evidence. The old lady, who was ninety-one years of age and suffering from senile decay, is stated to have been in the habit of imagining things which never occurred. Upon the general question, I have received no evidence that the dangers arising from roller-skating by boys and girls are so much greater than the ordinary dangers of traffic in the streets, particularly motor traffic, that the practice ought to be prohibited by by-law. Such a by-law would create a new offence punishable by the criminal law, and, if sanctioned in one metropolitan borough, punishable only when committed in one particular locality not divided from the rest of London by any noticeable boundary. It would lead to the imposition of fines, and possibly to the detention and imprisonment of children and young persons for indulging in a form of amusement which would be legal on one side of the road and illegal on the other. I am very reluctant to increase the number of occasions when the children of the poorer classes may be brought into the police court and rendered liable to imprisonment. If the prohibition of roller-skating in the streets is eventually proved to be necessary, the step should be taken upon a united demand on behalf of the local authorities of the whole Metropolis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police have yet succeeded in tracing David Davies?

The answer is No.

asked the Home Secretary what are the conditions other than those contained in Schedule A of the Penal Servitude Act, 1864, annexed to the licence to be at large granted to David Davies?

I mentioned the terms of the special condition in reply to a question last Wednesday.

asked the Home Secretary what were the sentences of the four prisoners whose sentences have been remitted since 1st December, 1910, for reasons neither administrative, nor on grounds of health, nor for any special reason such as facilitating the expulsion of an alien; how much of the sentence was remitted in each case; what were the grounds in each case on which the remission was made; why one prisoner, who had a term of preventive detention to follow his term of penal servitude, was released on licence; and whether this release indicates a change of policy at the Home Office with regard to the Prevention of Crime Act, 1908?

One was released after serving a few days on the application of the prosecutors, concurred in by the chairman of the court that tried him; another was released after serving ten weeks of a sentence of four months on the application of the magistrate who had sentenced him; a third, a boy of seventeen, who had been sent to prison largely to remove him from a bad home, was released after serving two months out of six, on employment away from home being offered him; and the fourth, a woman, was released after serving eleven months out of eighteen in order that she might go to a home where she would have suitable care and training. The circumstances attending the release of the convict from Dartmoor have already been made public. They do not indicate any general change of policy.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Alexander Burger, who was sentenced for felony at the last Southampton Quarter Sessions, having returned to England within two months of having been deported for another offence; and what steps the Government propose taking to put an end to such violations of the law?

The facts of this case are not correctly stated in the question; but it is true that an alien named Alexander Burger came before the Recorder of Southampton at the last Sessions and that he had been previously expelled from this country. He had, indeed, been expelled three times, and was liable to a sentence of imprisonment for twelve months for his repeated contraventions of the Expulsion Order. The Recorder imposed a sentence of one month's imprisonment, and I thought it right to represent to him that such a sentence was calculated to encourage this alien, and others, to return to the United Kingdom after expulsion rather than to deter them. The Recorder courteously put before me the reasons which led him to pass such a light sentence, but I remain of opinion that the imposition of the full penalty provided by the statute in this behalf is the right way to prevent these violations of the law.

asked the Home Secretary whether the British police authorities receive reports from Continental police authorities with regard to the movement of known criminals from abroad into this country; and whether information is received by the British police authorities from the same source with regard to the movement of known Anarchists into this country?

From time to time the Continental police, principally in cases connected with extradition proceedings, have given information with regard to criminals coming to this country. Communications are occasionally received from the police of other countries as to reported Anarchists who have disappeared from their observation.

asked the Home Secretary if he could state when the Departmental Committee's Report on Electricity in Mines and the Minutes of Evidence will be presented to the House?

The Report was presented last week and should be in the hands of Members shortly. The Minutes of Evidence have been presented to-day.

asked the President of the Board of Education, whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. C. M. Neaves, of Ashford national school, who was fined by the magistrates for an alleged assault upon one of his scholars on 30th August, 1909; whether he is aware that an inquiry has been held by the Middlesex County Council, the committee of inquiry consisting of three barristers of standing, who had evidence before them which was not available at the hearing, and that the committee unanimously reported that, after hearing the whole case, they came unhesitatingly to the conclusion that no excessive punishment had been administered by Mr. Neaves on 30th August, 1909; and whether, as Mr. Neaves has been advised that he has no right of appeal in the matter, the President will consult with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the advisability of so amending the law as to provide that an appeal may be allowed from all petty sessions to quarter sessions in the same manner as that provided for in The Metropolitan Police Court Act, 1839 (2 and 3 Vic, c. 71, s. 50).

I am aware of the case, and I believe that the statement in the second part of the question is substantially correct. I shall, of course, be happy to place such information as I have at the disposal of my right hon. Friend, but I think the facts would hardly justify me in attempting so extensive an incursion into his province as is suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he has official Returns, showing the results of the medical inspection of elementary school children in England and Wales for a complete school year; and, if so, what proportion of such children are found by such Returns to be suffering from some physical defect or ailment; and what proportion of the latter are in a condition to render medical treatment advisable?

I must refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Board's Chief Medical Officer for the year 1909, published in December last. He will there find the fullest information available. I would refer the hon. Member especially to Section II. of the Report, and perhaps, more particularly, to page 27 in that Section.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say what precautions are being taken by the Chinese Government to ensure the safety of European doctors working in the plague district of Harbin?

His Majesty's Minister at Peking reports that all the doctors have been inoculated with Haff-kine's vaccine. They are comfortably installed in a railway car, with the exception of one who is living with the British Consul. The Chinese Government have done their utmost for the personal comfort of the doctors, whose private letters show appreciation of their considerate treatment. They wear masks, oilskin boots, and complete overalls when dealing with cases of plague. The French doctor (Mesny), who was not inoculated, became infected owing to a patient coughing in his face while examining him unmasked. Dr. Jackson, the British doctor, died after continuous hard work among a crowd of infected coolies. It is believed that he was too exhausted to maintain proper precautions. The heroism of the doctors, Sir John Jordan reports, is beyond praise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the recent action of the Russian Government in respect of a proposal to extend the three-mile limit to twelve miles in the waters of the White Sea, and to the fact that the Russian Government are not parties to the North Sea Fisheries Convention of 1882, will he consider the expediency of arranging an international conference with the object of arriving at some agreement under which inshore waters, spawning beds, and other suitable areas for breeding purposes such as the Moray Firth would be closed against beam and other trawling?

Until the full result of the international investigations, which are proceeding, and the nature of the measures which may be recommended are known, it would be premature to express any opinion on the question of concluding an international agreement for the control of methods of fishing beyond the ordinary three-mile limit.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the estimated male and female adult population of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, on 1st January, 1911?

The male and female adult populations (i.e., the numbers living over twenty-one years of age) of the several parts of the United Kingdom on 1st January, 1911, are estimated to be as follows:—

	Males.		Females.
England (including Monmouthshire)	9,024,000	…	10,163,000
Wales (excluding Monmouthshire)	525,000	…	531,000
Scotland	1,276,000	…	1,418,000
Ireland	1,198,000	…	1,272,000
	12,023,000		13,384,000

It must, however, be remembered that at a date so far removed from the last Census enumeration, all estimates of population, and more especially those relating to any particular section of it, are of very doubtful value, and may prove to be far from accurate when the result of the forthcoming Census becomes known

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he would take steps to urge all public authorities under the direction of his Department to provide sanatoria for the benefit of those people who are too poor to pay the fees at existing private establishments?

Arrangements for the treatment of the sick have already been made by Boards of Guardians by the provision of separate institutions or sick wards; and in suitable cases I am urging the combination of such bodies for the provision of special institutions, where these are required. Sanitary authorities have also provided about 700 hospitals, with approximately 20,000 beds, mostly for the isolation of cases of infectious disease.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the volume and value of the natural indigo and synthetic indigo, respectively, imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and also the volume and value of any other indigo substitutes imported during the same years?

The following statement gives the information desired by the Noble Lord, so far as it is available:—Statement showing the quantity and value of natural indigo and synthetic indigo imported into the United Kingdom in each of the undermentioned years:—

Year.	Natural Indigo.		Synthetic Indigo.
	Quantity imported.	Value of Imports.	Quantity Imported.	Value of Imports.
	Cwts.	£	Cwts.	£
1906	7,641	111,445	39,042	147,325
1907	11,116	151,297	41,379	158,481
1908	8,644	132,875	37,761	134,052
1909	10,051	139,335	33,494	117,100
1910	3,380	43,054	28,196	101,249

The imports of indigo substitutes are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the practice of many German and Continental railway authorities of providing emergency axes in the corridors of passenger trains for use in case of accident; and whether, in view of the loss of life in the fire which followed the collision near Hawes Junction in December, 1910, which might have been partially avoided had there been axes available to rescue passengers from the debris, he will take steps to secure that similar provision is made by the British railway companies?

I am at present in communication with the railway companies as to the carriage of salvage tools for use in emergency on passenger trains.

asked what is the number of hours extra duty performed by sorters and postmen attached to the East Central section during the four weeks ending the 14th, 21st, and 28th January and the 4th February, and the cost of the same; and what is the number of hours daily that telegraph messengers are employed in this office assisting postmen by bag carrying, etc., on the first delivery and also at the facing of letters on the evening duty?

The number of hours extra duty performed by sorters and postmen attached to the Eastern Central District Office, including the Registered Letter Section, during the four weeks ended the 14th, 21st, 28th January, and the 4th February, and the cost were as follows:—

Week ended		No. of Hours.	Cost.
			£	s.	d.
14 January	…	10,0635¾	502	6	4½
21	…	10,294½	515	14	6½
28	…	9,603¼	495	10	4½
4 February	…	10,993	567	7	5

The average number of hours daily for which boy messengers were employed during the week ended the 4th instant in assisting postmen in bag carrying on the first delivery and in facing letters on the evening duty were 136 and 234, respectively. Proposals for a revision of the force of the Eastern Central District Office, required by growth of work and rearrangements following on the occupation of the building are now in course of preparation, and steps will in the ordinary course be taken to reduce the overtime as far as possible by employing established staff to meet regular requirements. Fresh arrangements are to be made for assisting postmen in bag carrying.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the growing population consequent on the development of a building estate, he can see his way to restore to the post office at Denny Bottom, near Tunbridge Wells, the facilities for the issue of money orders and Post Office Savings Bank business until recently enjoyed by the inhabitants of that district.

I regret that the circumstances do not at present justify the reintroduction of Money Order and Savings Bank business in the Post Office at Denny Bottom.

asked the Lord Advocate if he will state what progress has been made with the scheme for the breaking up of the farm of Mangersta, parish of Uig, island of Lewis, into new holdings?

The Congested Districts Board have been informed that the proprietor has selected tenants for the thirteen holdings into which the farm of Mangersta has been broken up.

asked the Lord Advocate, having regard to the fact that since the introduction of motor traffic local authorities in the Highland crofting counties have had an extra burden placed on them in the matter of road upkeep, can the Secretary for Scotland now see his way to support an application from the Mid-Ross district committee for a Grant in aid of the improvement of the Garve and Ullapool road, out of funds placed at the disposal of the Road Board, established by the Treasury, under the terms of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, especially bearing in mind that the road between Garve and Ullapool is used for the conveyance of the mails from the South to Ullapool and the Lochbroom districts and constitutes the only means of communication by road with the North-West of Ross-shire?

Under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, the Treasury are required to consult with the Secretary for Scotland before approving of the construction of a new road in Scotland, but, apart from that provision, the Secretary for Scotland has no powers or duties in regard to roads under that Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will take steps to have the law enforced by those county councils who are neglecting their duty in relation to small holdings in those districts where men are waiting to get land?

All necessary steps are being taken to enforce the administration of the Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the absence in Ireland of swine fever, he will cause the repeal of the order prohibiting the exportation of store pigs to England and Scotland from Ireland?

Swine fever unfortunately still exists in Ireland. Ninety-five outbreaks of that disease were reported there in 1910, as against eighty-eight in 1909, and during the first five weeks of the present year, nineteen outbreaks have been reported, as compared with five in the corresponding period of 1910. In these circumstances the withdrawal of the Order to which the hon. Member refers would not be justified.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he would explain why the Departmental Committee on the Ordnance Survey were deprived on 6th February, the date of the opening the Parliament, of their committee room at 31, Abingdon Street, Westminster, overlooking the entrance to the House of Lords, and were relegated to temporary and unsatisfactory accommodation at the Royal Commissioners' House, Old Palace Yard, Westminster; and why the Departmental Committee's room at 31, Abingdon Street, was, on the date above mentioned, occupied by spectators viewing the Royal procession?

The removal of the Departmental Committee on the Ordnance Survey from 31, Abingdon Street, had already been contemplated in the interests of economy in connection with a general rearrangement of accommodation for similar purposes in the vicinity, and the Committee were accordingly transferred to Royal Commissions House. Had it been notified to the Office of Works that the Committee desired the use of the rooms in 31, Abingdon Street for viewing the Royal Procession on 6th February, the necessary arrangements would have been made, but it was understood that a Committee would meet for business on that date for the purposes of which the accommodation provided in Royal Commissions House was much more suitable and quiet than that at Abingdon Street. Every effort has been made to obviate inconvenience to the Committee, and as objection has been raised to the Board room and Secretary's room in the Royal Commission House not being on the same floor, the completion of the rearrangement of accommodation has been deferred, and the Committee moved back into 31, Abingdon Street until room can be obtained elsewhere to satisfy this requirement. In reply to the latter part of the question, no official use could be made of the rooms at 31, Abingdon Street on the day referred to.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the hoarding now erected in St. James's Park, at Storey's Gate, is temporary only; and whether, when building operations are completed, the park boundary will be restored to its former position?

The hoarding now in position is temporary only. On the completion of building operations there will be a slight alteration of the former boundary, resulting in an addition, to the area of the park.