asked the Secretary to the Treasury if his attention had been drawn to the case of Mrs. M. Slyfield, the widow of Sergeant Slyfield, who, although seventy-four years of age and not able to support herself, had been refused an old age pension on the ground that, having resided with her husband in India, she had not fulfilled the conditions of residence in the United Kingdom; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the widow of a soldier who has served with her husband abroad should not thereby be debarred from the benefits of the Old Age Pension Act?

My attention has been drawn to the case referred to, and I agree that it is one in which hardship is created by the definition of "residence" as it at present stands under the Regulations pursuant to Section 2 (2) of the Old Age Pensions Act. The question of revising that Regulation is being carefully considered, and I hope to be able at a very early date to introduce an Amending Regulation to meet such cases.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can explain the delays which occur in paying the quarterly fees to the clerks of the different pension subcommittee in the county Kilkenny; and whether he can provide for prompt payment to all clerks who have their returns properly made out at the end of each quarter?

The accounts for these fees are rendered to the Customs and Excise Department by the clerk to the Pension committee for the county, and as soon as possible after the accounts have been received and examined, orders for payments of the amounts due are sent to him for distribution among the clerks to the sub-committees. No undue delay has taken place in making these remittances, and any delay that has occurred has been due to the difficulty experienced in obtaining the necessary explanations of discrepancies in the accounts. The accounts for the quarter ended 31st December last were received on the 4th instant, and orders for payment of the clerk's fees were issued on the 15th instant.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that several of the inmates of the Castle-comer Union Workhouse to whom pensions under the Old Age Pension Act were granted took their discharge from the workhouse before receiving any pension, and that after cashing their first pension order they sought and obtained admission to the workhouse as paying inmates, having been admitted on the separate register by way of loan; whether he is aware that two of these pensioners, namely, Margaret Curran and Anne Tracey, have been deprived of their pension books by the pension officer, although there was no authority for so doing; and whether he will give instructions to have the pension books restored to them, and place the pensioners in a position of carrying out their intention of repaying the guardians the cost of their maintenance according to the terms of their admission on the separate register as being relieved by way of loan?

The facts are as stated. Instructions have been given for the restoration of pension with arrears to Margaret Curran and Anne Tracey; but these instructions must be understood as being without prejudice to any directions the Treasury may hereafter give as to summary stoppage of pension, if, as the result of the questions which have been raised, it is decided that maintenance in a workhouse constitutes a disqualification, even though it be paid for by the inmate.

asked whether, in view of a recent prosecution, adequate steps have now been taken to prevent a recurrence of a system of fraud, whereby an ex-employé at Somerset House was enabled, during an approximate period of four years, to make fictitious claims for rebate of Income Tax, which claims were duly paid; and whether, in view of the facility with which the claims of this man were settled by the authorities, similar facilities will be granted to the general public who submit genuine claims for rebate?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, no special facilities were granted in the case referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on which of the official valuations of agricultural land in Ireland do revenue officers now make assessments in cases of sale or devolution; which did they follow prior to The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and what is the difference in duty before and since on the sale or devolution of an average residential holding of 100 acres in Ireland held by a tenant subject to a fair rent, by a payer of interest in lieu of rent pending completion of purchase, by a purchaser subject to an annuity, and by an owner in fee?

Valuations of agricultural land in Ireland for the purpose of assessment to duty have been in the past, and still are, made in accordance with the respective provisions of the law relating thereto. The third part of the hon. Member's question is of too hypothetical a nature to admit of a definite reply.

asked what has been the cost of the valuations of land hitherto made under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and what has been the financial result to the Exchequer of the taxes based upon them?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my replies to the Noble Lord the Member for the Thirsk and Malton Division of Yorkshire, and to the hon. Member for the Chelmsford Division of Essex on the 13th and 8th instant respectively.

asked if the proposed grants to county authorities by the Road Board are to be made solely on condition that the local authority contributes an additional sum for the same purposes?

The Grants to county authorities by the Road Board are in most cases made in the shape of contributions towards the cost of approved works of road improvement.

asked what is the minimum sum a small trader, licensed grocer, in a country town in Ireland, whose landlord pays the Income Tax, is to pay Income Tax or duty on, or is he bound to pay any tax at all?

The liability of an individual to Income Tax is determined by the amount of his statutory income; and in the absence of precise details, I am unable to state what the amount of tax (if any) payable by an individual, such as the hon. Member refers to, would be.

asked when Estate Duty is tendered on the amount as the value of the property why is it not accepted; and when the Estate Duty is refused is interest charged on the amount of such duty when ascertained?

In practice, Estate Duty, when tendered, is accepted as a provisional payment, until the value of the property is settled. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor if he is aware of the delay that takes place in passing estate duty accounts, and the difficulties in which owners of property are placed by such delay; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of things?

Yes, Sir, I am aware that there has necessarily been some delay in the past in making the valuations of property for the purposes of Death Duties; but it is hoped that such delay will in the future be reduced to a minimum.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the cause of the delay in considering the application of Michael Kennedy, Tourbrien, Newport, county Tipperary, for an old age pension, seeing that the application was made in the usual way last November, and that the applicant wrote to the pension officer on 18th January inquiring the result of his application?

Michael Kennedy's claim, the second that he has made, is dated 3rd December, 1910. At the time it was received the pension officer was busily engaged in investigating claims from persons applying for pensions in anticipation of the lapse of the poor relief disqualification; and, seeing that the local pension committee and the Local Government Board had already declared Kennedy to be disqualified for the receipt of a pension, his second claim was held over for a time. It will be submitted to the committee as early as possible. I am informed that the pension officer did not receive the inquiry referred to at the end of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a pension was granted to Andrew Lucey, of Castleisland, county Kerry, and paid to him from January to June, 1910; and will he state what was the cause of the payment being then stopped?

Andrew Lucey appears to have been awarded a pension from the 1st of January, 1909, which was, however, discontinued by the Local Government Board in September, 1909, on a question raised by the pension officer on the ground that Lucey's wife was in receipt of Poor Law relief. A further claim made by Lucey is now before the Board on an appeal by him against a decision of the local pension sub-committee disallowing it. It is stated that his wife is still in receipt of relief, and if this proves to be the case the Board will be obliged to disallow his claim again.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the application of Bridget Dahill, Charleville, county Cork, for an old age pension, which, when considered by the local subcommittee, was twice granted but was disallowed on appeal, although, on the last occasion, she produced a sworn declaration of a woman over ninety years who testified that Mrs. Dahill was over seventy years, she having known her since childhood; and, seeing that her application has again been decided in her favour, will he recommend the granting of the pension, having regard to the fact that the pension officer agrees with the decision of the committee, but according to the regulations he is compelled to appeal?

There have been two appeals to the Local Government Board in the case referred to. In June, 1909, the Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer against a decision of the Charleville Pension Sub-committee awarding Bridget Dahill a pension of five shillings a week on the ground that she had failed to show she was seventy years of age. The papers relating to this claim are not now in the Board's possession. A fresh claim is now under their consideration on appeal, but they have not yet completed their inquiries respecting it. The pension officer has not reported to them that he agrees with the committee's decision awarding a pension in the case.

asked the Chief Secretary how many assistant teachers at present employed in National schools in Ireland have received notice of withdrawal of salary; how many of these would retain their positions if the average attendance required was reduced from fifty to forty; and would he recommend the Commissioners to make the average number required forty, as no additional expenditure would be incurred?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that 206 assistants are under notice of withdrawal of salary owing to insufficient average attendance. In 154 of these cases the average required to warrant retention of salary is fifty, but if this average were reduced to forty, 141 of the assistants concerned would be retained. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the reduction in the average would not lead to additional expenditure. The matter is at present under the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state when the Estates Commissioners propose to distribute the lands of Longfordpass, county Tipperary, estate of H. O. Langley, Thurles; and whether he can state the cause of the delay in the redistribution of those lands?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the estate referred to is being dealt with in order of priority, and a scheme for the allotment of the untenanted lands will be prepared as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of extending the operations of the Feeding of Children in Schools Bill to Ireland, seeing that the State is under the same obligations on this point in Ireland as in Great Britain; and whether he is aware that this work is being partially attempted by some philanthropic ladies owing to its urgency?

The Act referred to by the hon. Member enables local education authorities in England to assist in the provision of meals for necessitous children and to defray the expenses out of the local rates. As national schools in Ireland are not under the control of local education authorities the Act is not applicable to Irish conditions. I am aware that in a number of national schools connected with convents in Ireland the children are provided with meals and that the work is being attempted by other philanthropic ladies in Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of sub-commissioners, lay and legal, whether permanently or temporarily appointed, at present in the service of the Irish Land Commission; and will he give the names and services of those gentlemen, and state the names of those whom it is proposed should deal with applications to have fair rents fixed for a third statutory term?

The number of legal and lay assistant-commissioners at present attached to the Land Commission is as follows: four legal, of whom three are temporary, and thirty-one lay, of whom three are temporary. Particulars as to their services, with the exception of one (Mr. R. J. Kelly, B.L., who was appointed a temporary legal assistant-commissioner on 5th September, 1908), will be found in House of Commons Papers, Nos. 231 and 237, of the year 1906. The assistant-commissioners now dealing with applications to fix fair rents deal with all such cases, whether the applications are for a first, second, or third statutory term. I will forward the hon. Member a nominal list of the gentlemen appointed, showing whether they are permanent or temporary, and on what work they are now employed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of labourers' cottages erected in each of the rural districts of the county of Tyrone under the Labourers' (Ireland) Acts from 1883 to 1906, and the number erected since 1906 under the Act passed in that year?

The Local Government Board Returns are only made up to 31st March last. The following table shows the number of cottages authorised and built, respectively, in each rural district in county Tyrone up to 31st March, 1910:—

Rural Districts in County Tyrone.	1883 to 31st March, 1907.		1883 to 31st March, 1910.		Under 1906 Act.
	Authorised.	Built.	Authorised.	Built.	Authorised.	Built.
Castlederg.	8	8	41	12	33	4
Clogher	—	—	49	16	49	16
Cookstown.	31	18	86	79	55	61
Dungannon	25	—	80	48	55	48
Omagh	219	204	391	297	172	93
Strabane No. 1	82	80	377	186	295	106
Trillick	5	5	25	5	20	—

asked the Chief Secretary whether an application for reinstatement was received by the Estates Commissioners from an evicted tenant named John Riordan, of Gurranes, Glounthane, Mallow, on the estate of Mrs. Grant, which application was investigated by J. P. Hanlon, inspector, and considered bonâ fide by the Commissioners; whether he is aware that the applicant died last year leaving a wife and seven children; and, seeing that his name has recently been removed from the list of tenants to be reinstated, will he say what is the cause and why was not his wife's name substituted?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they received the application referred to, and Riordan's name was provisionally noted for consideration. On further consideration and inquiry the Commissioners decided to take no further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received the report of their inspector who last week visited the farm from which a man named Nolan was evicted on the Drummond estate, at Knocknadarrow, county Kerry; and, as the farm is advertised to be sold on the 10th proximo by the Irish Land Commission for non-payment of interest by the present occupier, will the Estates Commissioners stay proceedings until Nolan's claim shall have been decided?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have received their inspector's report regarding the case referred to, and hope to be able to effect an arangement between Mrs. Nolan and the present occupier of her former holding. They have stayed the proceedings for the recovery of the interest due on the holding for the present.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the amount required to make good to the county authorities in Ireland the deficiency in the grants for the maintenance of pauper lunatics for the current financial year?

It is not yet possible to state the total amount of the deficit in the Local Taxation Account (Ireland).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men belonging to the Royal Fleet Reserve who joined the Canadian Navy lost 6d. a day retainer; and whether they were informed before volunteering that they could not draw their retainer whilst serving in the Canadian Navy?

All Royal Fleet Reserve men who were accepted for service under the Canadian Government had to be reentered in the Royal Navy for that purpose, and consequently had to be discharged from the Royal Fleet Reserve thus forfeiting their right to draw Royal Fleet Reserve retainers. Steps were taken to inform the men concerned. All such men, however, on their return to England will be re-enrolled in the Reserve and will count their service under the Canadian Government, if satisfactory, as time qualifying for Royal Fleet Reserve pension or gratuity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many docks capable of taking battleships and armoured cruisers of the "Dreadnought" class are there, built, building, and projected, in Great Britain and Germany; what are their dimensions; and where are they situated?

There are twelve docks in Great Britain capable of taking the "Dreadnought," and ten docks building or projected capable of taking the same vessel. Their positions are as follows:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the recommendation, put forward some months ago by a jury to the county council, that the Admiralty be asked to provide a steam ambulance for conveying persons injured or invalided on board warships in Plymouth Sound in the Hamoaze to the naval hospital at Stonehouse, whether the council forwarded the recommendation to the Admiralty, what reply was sent, and what steps the Admiralty propose to take to carry out the jury's recommendation?

A motor ambulance has been ordered for use at Devonport, and is to be delivered not later than 11th May next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the question of establishment as it affects the crews of His Majesty's tugs, with the view of increasing the number of men on the establishment list; whether he is aware that twenty years ago every man was established on reaching the age of eighteen years, and that in the present circumstances the numbers are very considerably reduced; will he further consider the question of leave and give some extension of four days a year, in view of the length of time these men are required to be aboard their vessels; and, seeing the long hours of their employment, will he take the necessary steps to bring their wages more nearly into line with those paid to crews of private tugs?

The numbers on the establishment were very carefully revised last year, and it is not proposed to reopen the question at present. The reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, except that the numbers of established men are less, both for these crews and in the dockyards generally, than they were before the establishment was suspended some years back. The proposals in the remaining parts of the question are now under consideration in connection with the annual petitions from the men themselves.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the tragic death of Frederick Blatchford, a shipwright employed in the Devonport Dockyard, on 30th December, 1910; whether he is aware of the circumstances attending the accident, namely, that the hatchway down which the deceased fell was not closed, that the electric light was not burning, and that no look-out was provided; whether he is aware of the censure passed by the coroner, and whether this censure included the statement that nine out of every ten accidents the coroner had to deal with ought to have been prevented; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter, so as to prevent the loss of valuable lives in the future by similar acts of gross negligence?

The facts are substantially as stated. The electric light was not in use in that part of the vessel, but the alternative system—namely, by Colomb's candle lamps—was provided, and one of these lamps was immediately over the locker where the accident happened. Dockyard men when working on board are supplied with candles, and it is quite usual for them to carry out their work without any other lights. Additional instructions are being issued to secure greater safeguards from risk of accident in places not electrically lighted. It is not considered that negligence can fairly be urged against anyone other than the victim of this regrettable accident.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state summarily the proportional expenditures upon the building of warships of the principal classes, other than "Dreadnoughts," in the British and German navies respectively since 1906?

The ships, other than "Dreadnoughts" and submarines, laid down after the 1st April, 1908, are as follows:—

Germany	1	armoured cruiser.
	10	protected cruisers.
	60	destroyers.
Great Britain	18	protected and unprotected cruisers.
	66	destroyers.

In view of the different manner in which the Estimates in the two countries are prepared, it is not possible to arrive at any exact comparison of expenditure, but generally it may be assumed that there is not much difference in the cost of building vessels of the same kind in Great Britain and Germany.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he can state at what time it was discovered that the forecast made by the Admiralty in 1909 as to the probable strength of the German navy in 1910–13 was found to be mistaken?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the forecast made by me in a speech in this House on the 16th March, 1909. That forecast was founded on the fact that, in addition to orders having been given in advance of the beginning of the financial year for component parts of the ships of the German 1909–10 programme, the contracts for two of these ships had been promised in the autumn of 1908, and the keel plate of one of them had been laid at least two months before I spoke. There has been no contradiction of these facts; and the presumption to which they gave rise, that the anticipation of the beginning of the German 1909–10 programme might be followed by an anticipation of the date of its final completion, was strengthened by the fact that much larger sums were asked for as first instalments in payment for the 1908–09 and 1909–10 ships than in the case of the ships laid down in the preceding year. We now know that the early promise of contracts was made only for financial and labour reasons, that the large first instalments for the 1908–09 and 1909–10 ships meant not a faster rate of construction, but the building of ships of much greater cost, and that there is no intention on the part of Germany to deliver her ships from the shipyards at dates in anticipation of the year in which the final instalments are voted. I am now happily in possession of official information as to the dates when the German ships are expected to be delivered from the shipyards. The date when I publicly amended the forecast to which I had given expression on 16th March was thirteen days afterwards, on 29th March of the same year, when I made the following statement, which will be found in the OFFICIAL REPORT, 1909, Vol. HI., col. 138:—

The German Government have since explained that they will not have thirteen ships until the end of 1912. … It appears certain now that the German ships will not be ready for trial before that date. If you take off the time for going on trial, we shall at every point in 1911, even on the figures which I gave before, have a superiority of three."

I would point out that in the quotation I have given it is obvious that the word "date" should read "year."

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is prepared to inquire into the present method of disposing of unused stores by auction, and to consider the substitution of a more economical method?

The best methods of disposing of unused stores are subject to frequent consideration, and other methods than auction are resorted to whenever desirable in the public interests.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the Board of Admiralty has any regular or recognised advice upon delicate or intricate questions of Maritime and International Law affecting the Navy and Naval questions except that obtainable from the Law Officers of the Crown?

Apart from the assistance of experienced officers of the Admiralty, the Board have the advantage of the advice of the Treasury Solicitor and King's Proctor on questions of Maritime and International Law. Assistance is also rendered by the Foreign Office.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men actually entered the Royal Navy during the year 1910–11?

I shall not be in a position to answer the Noble Lord's question until the 1st April next. Should he require a statement of the numbers of men entered into the Royal Navy between the 1st April, 1910, and the 11th February, 1911, inclusive, the figure is 7,864.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is a shortage in our coal reserves; and whether, in the event of strained relations of war being declared, it would be necessary to import steam coal from America for the use of the Navy?

It is not considered to be in the interests of the public service to discuss the question of the Navy fuel reserves, but the Admiralty is satisfied that an adequate reserve is maintained. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of John Connors, who enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 2nd Regiment, No. 35/333, in the year 1875, and who served in the Egyptian War, and received a medal and clasp for Tel-el-Kebir and Khedive's star, who, when his time was up, re-enlisted in the Limerick City Artillery, in which he served for sixteen years, thus giving twenty-eight years' service; and, as this man is now in delicate health and unable to work, whether something will be done for him in view of his length of service?

This man is not eligible under the regulations for any award from Army funds. Service in the the Army Reserve and the Militia does not reckon towards pension.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the case of Thomas Mafter, who enlisted in the Limerick County Militia in the year 1874, regimental number 3188, who gave a service of thirty years in that corps, and whose character was very good, and who has two medals; and whether, having regard to the fact that this man is now out of health and unable to work, something will be done for him in view of the length of his service

This man is not entitled to any award from Army funds. Pensions are not given for ordinary Militia service.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the shortages in officers and men of the Special Reserve and Territorial Force for 1st January, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, respectively?

The shortage in officers and non-commissioned officers and men in the Special Reserve and Territorial Force in the years from 1st January, 1907, to 1st January, 1911, was as follows:—

	Officers.		N. C. O's. and Men.
1st January, 1907—
Militia	1,091	…	37,517
Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteers	2,810	…	89,979
1st January, 1908—
Militia	1,231	…	39,115
Imperial Yeomanry and Volunteers	2,707	…	95,905
1st January, 1909—
Special Reserve	1,293	…	11,267
Territorial Force	2,629	…	103,410
1st January, 1910—
Special Reserve	1,225	…	18,047
Territorial Force	1,518	…	39,236
1st January, 1911—
Special Reserve	1,253	…	21,880
Territorial Force	1,514	…	44,106

asked the Secretary for War whether he will, with a view to restoring confidence amongst the junior officers of the Army, order an immediate and impartial inquiry into the case of General Waldron, and with a view also to clearing the character of Sir Charles Hadden and General Brunker?

This officer's qualifications for promotion to the rank of Major-General were more than once considered by the Selection Board, who were unable to recommend him for such promotion. After close consideration of the case I approved of his supersession. I have no doubt as to the correctness of the decision, and I am not prepared to institute any inquiry such as is suggested. The characters and reputations for ability of Major-General Sir Charles Hadden and Major-General Brunker require no fresh testimony for those competent to judge.

asked the number of officers in the Army who have obtained certificates of proficiency in aviation; and whether the War Office has decided what type of aeroplane is most suitable for Army purposes?

Twelve Army officers have obtained certificates of efficiency in aviation. The aeroplane for Army purposes is still in the experimental stage and no type has yet been selected as the most suitable.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will explain why the men in the departmental corps, A.S.C., A.O.C., R.E., R.A.M.C., A.P.C., and A.V.C., cannot draw proficiency pay on ceasing to be eligible for service pay on re-engagement; and whether he can see his way to grant them proficiency pay, and thereby retain the use of the best clerks and technically-trained non-commissioned officers and men by encouraging them to re-engage instead of getting untrained recruits?

Service pay, which was an inducement to men to extend their periods of service with the colours, is no longer given because the period of original enlistment of men is now considered sufficient. The men of the corps named receive extra pay for their proficiency in the shape of corps or engineer pay, and there is no ground for giving them proficiency pay in addition.

asked how many troops were detailed for service in Sidney Street in the recent battle with two alien criminals; and what was the total number of rounds of ammunition fired on that occasion?

The troops detailed were as follows:—

	Officers.		N.C.O.'s and Men.
Scots Guards	4	…	70
Royal Horse Artillery	1	…	34
Royal Engineers	3	…	12

Five hundred rounds of ammunition were fired.

asked the Secretary for War whether, under the provisions of Army Orders for February in the Royal Warrant dealing with the pay of staffs of the Territorial Force, those adjutants appointed prior to 12th June, 1910, receive 2s. 6d. a day less than those appointed after that date; and, if so, whether he can see his way to rectify the difference between the two rates?

This question has been fully considered. The grant of the higher rate mentioned, which took effect from the 12th July, and not the 12th June, as stated in the question, was adopted to stimulate greater competition for the position of adjutant in the Territorial Force, and there is therefore no reason to make it applicable to those officers appointed under the old conditions.

asked the Secretary for War whether, in view of the opinions of eminent medical men as to the national importance of establishing a standard for bread containing a minimum of 80 per cent. of the nutritive value of wheat, and the announcement of a number of British milling firms undertaking to supply the required quality, he will consider the desirability of adopting standard bread for use in the Army?

The question of the supply of standard bread is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary for War if tenders have been invited by the War Office for 50,000 pairs of canvas shoes; and, if so, whether he will see that, with due regard to the needs of the Service, the contracts, when placed, shall call for the work to be done at such time and season as to regularise employment in the trade?

This order, which is probably only a portion of the year's requirements, is to meet the immediate wants of the Service, and early delivery is therefore essential. The consideration mentioned will be most carefully borne in mind, and every effort will be made to give effect to it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Muscat arms traffic question was discussed or raised by England at the Hague or the International Arms Conferences; and, if so, what was the attitude adopted by France?

The Muscat arms traffic question was discussed at the Brussels Arms Conference. The French Government did not feel able to renounce the rights of unrestricted trade which they enjoy under their Treaty with Muscat of 1844.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, as a result of a recent visit by him to Pentonville Prison, a number of sentences have been reduced and prison punishments remitted?

In the course of a visit to Pentonville in the autumn of last year certain cases of youthful offenders came under my notice in respect of which I felt myself justified in recommending some small reductions of sentences.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state whether dispossessed teachers of schools not only lose their livelihood but also their pension increment whilst out of work?

Under the superannuation scheme established by the Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1898, as in the case of most pension schemes, the allowances payable are determined by the length of recorded service. It is, however, provided by Rule 13 of the Treasury Rules made under Section 6 of the Act that an interval of unemployment, not exceeding six months, may be counted as recorded service on condition that the teacher shall have made the requisite contributions to the Deferred Annuity Fund in respect of that period as if he had been in recorded service.

asked the President of the Board of Education if his attention has been directed to the case of the three children of Mr. Philip Palmer, of Thurlton, Norfolk, who, having recovered from illness, were refused re-admission to school on the ground of inability to produce a doctor's certificate; whether he is aware that Palmer's sole income is 7s. 6d. per week, awarded him as compensation for an accident, therefore he is unable to engage a private practitioner; whether Palmer has applied for and been refused medical assistance, though the school examiner advises that the parish doctor should examine the children and give the necessary certificate; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter?

I have no information about this case, which has not come before the Board of Education. I am, however, making inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the attention of his Department had been drawn to the system of education invented by Madame Montessori in Rome; and whether it is proposed to make any trials of it in this country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, I am not prepared at present to make a definite statement. The matter is, however, being carefully considered. A report on the system has been received through the Foreign Office, and the Board have taken steps to obtain further information in regard to it by inquiry on the spot. The Board hope to receive a report in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Education what Grant, both total and per head, is given to each of the following schools: the Manchester Grammar School, the Hulme Grammar School, Manchester, the Hulme Grammar School, Oldham, the Manchester High School for Girls, and the Leeds Grammar School; on what basis is the grants given; and what is the composition of the governing body in each case?

The Hulme Grammar School, Manchester, is not in receipt of grant from the Board of Education. In the other schools named, the grant for the last school year in respect of which grant has been paid was:—

(1908–9)	£
Manchester Grammar School	3,816
Manchester High School for Girls	1,951
(1909–10)
Oldham, Hulme Grammar School for Boys	523
Oldham, Hulme Grammar School for Girls	546
Leeds Grammar School	996

The Grants above-mentioned were paid on the basis set forth in Article 36 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools. These grants are not necesarily earned by every pupil in a Secondary school which receives

grants under the Regulations. The total amounts set out above work out at the equivalent per head on the total number of pupils (whether grant-earning or not) in the schools on 31st January in the year in respect of which the grant was paid, of—

	£	s.	d.
Manchester Grammar School	4	7	4
Manchester High School for Girls	3	11	7
Oldham, Hulme Grammar School for Boys	3	11	2
Oldham, Hulme Grammar School for Girls	3	16	11
Leeds Grammar School	3	12	5

The governing body in each case is constituted in accordance with the statutory scheme governing the school foundation. To set out its composition in full in each case would take up a great deal of space, but I shall be happy to give my hon. Friend privately any details he may desire.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that the officer administering the Government of British Guiana has on occasions provisionally appointed a consul or vice-consul of a foreign country to a seat on the Executive Council of the Colony; and whether this is a violation of the Constitution?

In May last the Governor appointed provisionally to the Executive Council a partner in a local mercantile firm, who is also Consul for Italy in the Colony. I am not aware of any legal objection to the appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether advice has been given to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington to further, by direct or indirect means, the reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States?

The answer is in the negative. The matter originated purely with Canada. But it is of course within the duty of His Majesty's Ambassador to give such assistance as the negotiators for the Dominion may request, and all British subjects are entitled to receive.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the reason why the British Vice-Consul at Antung, who was appointed in 1907, was withdrawn in 1909; and whether, having regard to the important position of Antung on the River Yalu, being the boundary between Korea, now annexed by Japan, and Manchuria, he will, in the interests of British commerce, appoint a successor to the Vice-Consulate with all reasonable despatch?

The British Vice-Consul at Antung was transferred temporarily to Mukden in October, 1909, in order to enable the Consul-General at the latter post to pay more frequent visits to the commercial centres in his district. In December of the same year His Majesty's Minister at Peking reported that, according to his information, British commercial and political interests at Antung were insufficient to warrant the permanent presence of a Consular officer there, and that, for the present, they would be sufficiently protected by periodical visits from Mukden. I will inquire of His Majesty's Minister whether he has had any reason to modify his opinion during the past year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could communicate to the House any particulars he has received of the murder of Sain-ed-Dowleh, in Teheran; the circumstances under which the alleged assassins were arrested; the nature of the claim made by the Russian Consul; and the nature of the investigations now going on in Teheran; and whether the accused are born Russian subjects or protected Russian subjects born in Persia?

I have no information subsequent to that contained in the reply returned on the 8th instant to the hon. Member for Leicester. I have not heard that the nationality of the alleged assassins has been called in question, or that there have been any complaints of the action taken respecting them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the trial of Fanit Bey, leader of the Nationalist Party in Egypt, for writing a preface to a volume of poetry, and to his sentence to one year's imprisonment; whether there was a jury in this case, and, if not, what was the nature of the tribunal; under what law was Fanit Bey tried; and whether he will lay upon the Table an official Report of the proceedings at the trial?

Mohamed Fanit Bey, to whom the hon. Member is probably referring, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for writing a laudatory introduction to a volume of highly seditious poems. I understand that the case was tried before the Assize Court in accordance with the requirements of the ordinary law. It is not proposed to lay any papers on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is anything in International Law to prevent Parliament from increasing the limit of the area within which steam trawling is prohibited to five miles instead of three miles from low-water mark?

It would be contrary to a generally accepted principle of International Law to prohibit foreign fishing vessels from trawling beyond three miles from low-water mark.

asked the Postmaster-General the total sum expended on capital account since the purchase of the telegraphs in 1869; the annual revenue derived therefrom; and the loss, if any, which has been sustained?

The hon. Member will find the particulars for which he asks in a Return presented to Parliament a few days ago and now being printed.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in Carlow at the delay in the completion of the works of the telephone service; whether he is aware that over twelve months ago the Secretary of the General Post Office wrote from Dublin that they were only awaiting the authority of the Treasury in order to commence the work without delay; and whether he will take the necessary steps to obtain the authority of the Treasury in order to have the work proceeded with?

Proposals for the extension of the telephone system to Carlow under guarantee have been before the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury for some time. Pending receipt of their Lordships' authority I regret I am unable to put the work in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether, having regard to the two robberies that have recently taken place at Gillingham, in the county of Kent, he will cause inquiry to be made as to the post office accommodation of that town; whether he is aware that the population of the town exceeds 40,000; that at times additional accommodation has to be acquired for the purpose of dealing with the postal business; that no one resides on the premises; and that the present post office premises are inadequate for the needs of the town, inconvenient for the officials, and insecure; and whether he will take steps to provide the town with a suitable post office?

The question of post office accommodation at Gillingham has already been receiving attention. Considerable alterations to the present office were carried out last year, and I think that, as so improved, the accommodation meets the requirements sufficiently well. It is not unusual in cases of this kind to have no one residing on the premises; but I am considering whether they can be made more secure. The lease of the premises has still some years to run, and in the meantime the circumstances do not seem to me to warrant the expense of a new office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the correspondence by means of letters to and from Doonaha, West Clare, and in view of the fact that a number of old age pensioners require to go to a distance of four miles to the nearest post office, he will consider the advisability of establishing a post office at Doonaha?

I am having inquiry made, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked when it is proposed to commence the construction works necessary for the extension of the telephone from Monaghan to Clones?

The general question of the extension of the telephone system in Ireland is under the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and I must await their decision before undertaking the proposed extension to Clones.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has completed his inquiries into the case of the meal hours of telegraph messengers; and whether he will inform the House as to the result?

I have ascertained that thirty minutes is the usual period allowed to boy messengers employed on continuous duties. At offices where only twenty minutes are granted the boys are allowed time in which to prepare their food before the commencement of the relief. From the inquiries which have been made I am satisfied that in the arrangements made at each office full consideration is given to the comfort of the boys.

asked the annual amount paid to railway companies as payment for telegraph work performed by them on behalf of the Government?

The amount paid to railway companies as payment for telegraph work performed by them during 1909 on behalf of the Post Office was £55,510. This amount includes the payments made for delivery of telegrams as well as for transmission. It does not include payment for maintenance of telegraph lines on Railways.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a considerable proportion of Government telegraph work on railways is performed by signalmen; whether this is in accordance with the Government's requirements; and whether, in future, he will direct that this work be performed by telegraph clerks so as to relieve signalmen from this addition to their ordinary duties?

The railway companies do not contract to perform telegraph work on behalf of the Post Office, but do it under an obligation imposed upon them by Statute. The work is auxiliary to their own telegraph business, and would, as a rule, be performed by the same staff. But I have no official information on the subject, and have no title to intervene in the manner suggested in the question.

asked whether a different basis for estimating the cost of living in order to ascertain the classification of towns has been adopted in Scotland from that operating in the rest of the United Kingdom; and, if so, why?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The late Mr. Wilson Fox, as representative of the Board of Trade, explained the reasons which led to the adoption of the separate cost of living standard for Scotland in the evidence which he gave before the Parliamentary Committee. I would refer the hon. Member to the Minutes of Evidence (7248).

asked the Prime Minister if he can state when the Report of the Royal Commission on Vivisection will be published?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. I am informed that the Report is under consideration, and that although no date can yet be fixed, it is hoped that it may be submitted shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before setting up the Committee on Public Accounts, he will afford the House an opportunity of considering the desirableness of extending the scope of such Committee to the examination of the Estimates prior to their presentation?

Assuming that such a Committee were set up, I doubt whether it should be identical in composition with the Committee on Public Accounts.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, with reference to the Grants made to highway authorities by the Road Board, he will, with a view to the regularisation of employment, endeavour to secure that the work in this connection is carried on chiefly in the winter months; and if he will represent to the Road Board that the work initiated by them is peculiarly of a character to be spread with advantage over the lean years of a trade cycle in mitigation of unemployment?

Section 18 of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, provides that, in making advances in respect of work involving the employment of labour on a considerable scale, regard shall be had, so far as is reasonably practicable, to the general state and prospect of employment, and the Road Board" in making advances, will have regard to the provisions of this section.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in any contemplated amendment of the Poor Law, he proposes to remove the restrictions placed on boards of guardians in their work of boarding out or placing in cottage homes the children residing in workhouses?

I am considering the question of revising the regulations with regard to the boarding-out of Poor Law children. I shall be happy to receive any suggestions which the hon. Member may offer me.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any substantial use is being made by Rural District Councils of the powers conferred on them by the Housing and Town Planning Act for erecting or improving labourers' dwellings; and, if the answer is in the negative, whether he can state the reason for their not being put into active operation?

I have evidence that substantial use is being made by Rural District Councils of their powers under the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909. As regards the improvement of dwellings, to which Sections 15 and 17 of the Act are applicable, returns received show that in the four months between the passing of the Act and the 31st March, 1910, Rural District Councils made closing orders affecting 162 houses, as compared with 119 in the whole of the year to 31st March, 1909. I cannot give the hon. Member any figures as to the action by Rural District Councils under Section 15 of the Act, but I shall be pleased to show him some reports already received from Medical Officers of Health for the year 1910, which indicate commendable activity on the part of Rural District Councils in the direction of getting houses put into a proper state of repair. With regard to the erection of working-class dwellings, applications have been received since the 1st January, 1910, from eight Rural District Councils with a view to the raising of loans for this purpose mounting to over £6,800, and in several other cases I have information that Rural District Councils are preparing plans, or have proposals for schemes under Part III. of the principal Act under consideration. No loans for this purpose had been sanctioned in the previous year.

asked the President if his attention has been directed to a case of a person who was convicted of driving his motor at a speed of 31 miles an hour, and that the said person's licence contained seven endorsements, all for furious driving; and if he will consider such an amendment of the law as will prevent such a person possessing a driving licence?

My attention has been drawn to a newspaper report of a case which is apparently the one to which my hon. Friend refers. The adequacy of the penalties imposed for infringement of the provisions of the Motor Car Act will receive my consideration, but I cannot promise to introduce legislation on the subject at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Departmental Committee on Railway Amalgamations and Working Agreements has finished its sittings, and when it is expected to issue its report?

I understand that the Committee have concluded the hearing of evidence, but that it is not yet possible to say when the report will be issued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will lay upon the Table of the House a list of names of railway companies who have entered into working agreements, with the names of two or more combined?

The Railway Returns show all cases where one railway company works the railway of another company. In the case of other agreements, which my hon. Friend may have in mind, the Board of Trade have no complete information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that part of Cardwell Bay, Greenock, Firth of Clyde, is being reclaimed from the sea; whether he is aware that the land thus reclaimed forms part of the field recently bought by the Admiralty for a torpedo factory; and whether his Department propose to take any action to prevent the sea being reclaimed for any private owner, who may sell the land thus formed to another Government Department at a similar high price?

I am aware that a small reclamation is going on at Cardwell Bay, but I am informed by the Admiralty that the site is some distance from the land which they purchased in 1908 for a torpedo factory, and that the Department are not likely to require any further land in the district.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the loss and inconvenience caused to the people of Portstewart, county Antrim, by reason of the failure of the Midland Railway Company to run the steam tram from Portstewart station to Portstewart on the last Sunday in September, which is the busiest day of the whole season with the people of the town; whether the tram is run on every day in the year except on this Sunday; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter with a view to meeting the wishes of the people of Portstewart in regard to it?

I have received no complaints of the failure to run the tramcars on this line on the date named, but I am sending a copy of the hon. Member's question to the company for any observations they may have to offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was now able to give any information as to when the Report on wages and conditions of labour in the United States of America will be published?

As I have already informed the House, the completion of this Report is being pressed on, and the Volume will be issued as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the closing by the Great Southern and Western Railway Company of the railway stations at Drumcondra and Glasnevin, Dublin, he has fulfilled the promise he made on 11th July last to communicate with the company on the subject; and, if so, whether he has received any answer to such communication?

I communicated with the railway company as promised, and I sent a copy of their reply to the hon. Member on 13th July last. I am sending him another copy in case he has mislaid it.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the approaching Coronation, it is proposed to improve the appearance of the front of Buckingham Palace, by cleaning or otherwise?

The reply is in the negative. It is unlikely that cleaning would effect the improvement suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if the contracts for the erection of the new post office at Bolton have been let; when building is expected to commence; and whether any, and, if so, what date has been fixed for its completion?

The contract for the erection of the new Post Office at Bolton has not yet been let. The date of doing so depends upon the date of Parliamentary sanction being given for the expenditure to be incurred on the Service. The beginning of building operations can be made about three weeks after a tender is accepted, and the work completed in a period of two years.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he is aware that the grill ventilators in the Tea Room and News Room are fruitful sources of colds and chills to Members; and will he direct the substitution of ventilators on the Tobin system or any other, instead, removing those complained of?

I am sorry to learn of the troubles to which attention is now drawn; but the ventilation of these rooms, under the conditions in which they are occupied, is a matter not unattended with difficulty. During the Easter Recess a fresh air inlet, to discharge overhead, will be substituted, experimentally, for one of the existing ventilators in the News Room, and should this prove successful, similar alterations will be made generally.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, which of the administrative recommendations made by the Select Committee on Hops have been given effect to by the Board; and especially whether statistics as to conditions and prices in foreign markets, new methods of culture and curing of hops, and the extent and use of foreign hops in this country have been prepared for circulation amongst hop-growers?

The Select Committee recommended that information as to improved modes of cultivation and the latest statistics of the foreign trade and industry should be placed at the disposal of hop growers, and the Board have given effect to this recommendation so far as it is at present in their power by publishing from time to time articles and information as to crop prospects in their Journal. We hope to be able to do more in this direction. I shall be glad to supply a list of the articles already published to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board proposes, as the result of the President's recent conference with representatives of the joint-stock banks, to make use of the services of such banks in carrying out the Board's contemplated scheme for the establishment of agricultural credit banks in the rural districts; and, if so, whether, and how, it is proposed to establish the latter on a co-operative basis?

My Noble Friend the President of the Board hopes to have an opportunity before very long of explaining the conclusions at which he has arrived on this important subject. It would not be convenient to deal with it in reply to a question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have approved or propose to approve the application of the National Sugar Beet Council or any other non-trading body or bodies for a grant out of the Development Fund in order to make experiments in the production of sugar beet on a sufficiently large scale to test its commercial possibilities in Great Britain prior to the erection of factories for its conversion into sugar; and, alternatively, whether the Board have themselves applied or propose to apply for such a grant for the above purpose?

The Board have not yet reported to the Development Commissioners, and until they have done so it would be premature to make any statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can state when the scheme of afforestation which has been prepared by the Board may be expected to be published; whether a part of this scheme refers to England; whether the scheme provides for the direct planting of land in England by a Government Department on Crown lands or lands hereafter to be purchased,

VACCINATION IN SCOTLAND, 1901–10.
Year.		Births.	Infants successfully vaccinated.	Percentage of Infants successfully vaccinated.	Statutory Declarations of Conscientious Objections.	Small-pox cases reported to Local Government Board.	Deaths from Small-pox.
1901	…	132,280	111,160	84.034	—	1,990	278
1902	…	132,360	112,775	85.203	—	915	80
1903	…	133,593	114,146	85.443	—	550	41
1904	…	132,663	112,383	84.713	—	2,527	185
1905	…	131,453	111,928	85.147	—	128	4
1906	…	132,056	109,809	83.153	253	23	1
1907	…	128,891	97,453	75.609	7,258	8	1
1908	…	131,406	91,194	69.399	15,846	82	6
1909	…	128,720	84,036	65.286	22,746	6	0
1910	…	124,000	†	†	†	11	0*
* Figures for 1910 for the whole of Scotland are not yet available. The figure 0 is applicable only as regards the eight Principal Towns, and forty-eight Selected Registration Districts, having an estimated aggregate population of 2,717,595.
† Figures not yet available.

The Board have not actually submitted their proposals on the subject of afforestation to the Development Commissioners, and this being the case it would be premature for me to make any public announcement as to their nature. I may say, however, that loans to landowners for the purpose of enabling them to plant trees could not be made out of the Development Fund.

asked the total cost of the investigation held by the Special Commissioner in regard to small holdings in the North Riding of Yorkshire?

The total cost was £497 17s. 3d.

asked the Lord Advocate whether there has recently been a marked decline in the percentage of infants vaccinated in Scotland; whether there has been at the same time a marked increase in smallpox cases; and whether the Local Government Board for Scotland has found it necessary to impress upon local authorities the necessity for making provision in view of a probably extensive outbreak of the epidemic?

The statistical information desired by the hon. Member is set out in the following table:—

asked the Lord Advocate whether he could state what was likely to be the annual cost to the Education (Scotland) Fund of the proposed scheme of superannuation applicable to elementary and secondary school teachers in Scotland?

The cost of the scheme to the Education (Scotland) Fund depends on many factors, some of which, for example, the Treasury contribution under Section 14 (6), Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, have not yet been determined, but the cost of the scheme as it stands to the Education (Scotland) Fund may be put at about £120,000, in the first years of working. This charge on the Education (Scotland) Fund will, of course, take the place of the existing charge on that Fund under Section 13, Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, which is estimated for the present year at £17,800, and is a steadily increasing charge. The scheme will probably not be laid on the Table of the House for at least three months from this date, and it is impossible to forecast what modifications affecting the cost may be decided upon.