asked the Secretary to the Treasury, 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, would he state whether the Road Board, established by the Treasury under Sections 7 and 8 of The Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, were prepared to consider an application from the Mid-Ross district committee for a grant-in-aid of the improvement of the Garve and Ullapool Road, especially bearing in mind that the road between Garve and Ullapool was used for the conveyance of the mails from the South to Ullapool and the Lochbroom districts, and constituted the only means of communication by road with the north-west of Ross-shire?

The Road Board have intimated they are prepared to contribute the sum of £5,000 out of the monies now available towards approved works of road improvement in the County of Sutherland. The particular work or works to which this sum will be applied is now under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, as regards the amounts that have been deducted in respect of defaulting annuitants under the Land Purchase Acts from the Government grants payable to the Kerry County Council, when the annuities from such defaulting annuitants were being collected, why they are not transmitted to the county council monthly, or otherwise, instead of being lodged to the credit of the guarantee fund to meet future contingencies; and why the county council have been refused a list of the arears outstanding at the time the last deduction was made?

The deduction made from the Local Taxation Grants to a county in each year consists of the amounts chargeable against the county in respect of the arrears for that year less the amount of previous years arrears which have been recovered during the year. I see no reason for any change in this system. I am informed that it would not be practicable, and would serve no useful purpose, to furnish a list of defaulters at any given date. Arrears are paid by defaulters from day to day, and by the time a list for any given date could be prepared, many would have already paid, and the list would be out of date.

asked what has been the amount of advances made to the present date in Guaranteed Three per Cent. Stock by the Estates Commissioners since the passing of the Irish Land Act of 1909; and what is the number of estates and of purchasers in respect of which such advances have been made?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that in sales direct from landlord to tenant advances amounting to £161,130 have been made in Guaranteed Three per Cent. stock since the passing of the Act of 1909. Those advances were made in respect of 484 holdings situate on 134 estates. In sales to the Estates Commissioners and under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, advances amounting to £24,800 have been made in Guaranteed Three per Cent. stock for the purchase of 106 holdings situate on ten estates.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have entered into negotiations with Mr. John Woulfe Flanagan for the purchase of his estate, situate at Ross, near Boyle, county Sligo, which contains many small holdings and a large tract of untenanted land; and, if so, what has been the result of such negotiations?

Negotiations with the landlord of the estate referred to were opened by the Congested Districts Board on the 17th May, 1910, but owing to the illness of the landlord were suspended. The Board will at once resume negotiations.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state for the whole of Ireland the number of tenants who agreed to purchase their holdings under the terms of the Land Act of 1903 from the commencement of that Act until the 15th September, 1909, with the total amount of the purchase money, and the average percentage of reduction from former rents represented by the annuity; and if he will also give corresponding particulars in respect of voluntary agreements under the terms of the Land Act of 1909?

224,503 purchase agreements in direct sales under the Irish Land Act, 1903, were lodged to the 15th September, 1909, representing a purchase money of £74,994,332, and 5,156 purchase agreements under the Irish Land Act, 1909, representing a purchase money of £1,523,288 have been lodged. The average percentage of reduction on all classes of rents as compared wth the annuities being respectively 27.2 and 28.6.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Dominick M'Menamin, of Ballinacor, Killy-gordon, county Donegal, was deprived of his pension on the report of a Local Government Board auditor; and, if so, what facts this gentleman investigated before making his report?

Dominick M'Menamin produced no evidence that he had attained the statutory age, and the Local Government Board's inspector who visited him reported that, judging from his appearance, he would say that M'Menamin was certainly under seventy years of age.

asked the Chief Secretary how many purchase agreements for holdings situate in the county Waterford have been lodged under the Irish Land Act, 1903, from 1st November, 1903, to 15th September, 1909, and from the latter date under the Irish Land Act of 1909 up to date; and what is the number of purchasing tenants, the total purchase money, and the average number of years' purchase?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 3,397 purchase agreements at 3¼ per cent. annuities under the Irish Land Act, 1903, representing a purchase money of £1,710,494 for holdings situate in the county of Waterford, were lodged to 15th September, 1909, the average number of years' purchase of all classes of rents being 21.8. Thirty-two purchase agreements at 3½ per cent. annuities under the Irish Land Act, 1909, have been lodged, representing a purchase money of £7,893, the average number of years' purchase of all classes of rent being 17.6.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that negotiations were opened in April, 1907, for the purchase of the holdings of the Carnamaddy tenants on the estate of Mr. Richard Hague, and that the purchase has not yet been brought to a con-elusion; and whther he will urge the Congested Districts Board to push on the negotiations with Mr. Hague with a view to the conclusion of the purchase?

Negotiations were not opened in April, 1907, for the purchase of the holdings on the estate referred to. In March, 1910, the Congested Districts Board received an application from the tenants asking them to purchase. The Board communicated with the agent, but he has not yet intimated the owner's willingness to sell. The Board will now ask the agent for a definite answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in certain cases, appeals against assessments of licensed property were lodged in October, 1910, but have not yet been heard by the Commissioners of Income Tax; whether he is aware that nevertheless the collectors are now applying for the payment of the second moiety of the Licence Duties on the basis of the annual value which is thus in dispute; whether he will take steps to expedite the decision on the appeals; and whether, pending such decision, he will issue instructions for the collection of the second moiety of the duties to be suspended?

My right hon. Friend is aware that in the present year many causes have operated to delay the hearing by District Commissioners of Taxes of appeals against assessments of licensed property. He has no power to expedite the hearing of these appeals, but no doubt the Commissioners are fully alive to the desirability of dealing with outstanding cases as soon as possible. Licence Duty is chargeable on the annual value of the premises at the commencement of the licence year, and where that value has not been reduced on appeal the second moiety of the duties is payable on the basis of that value. It would not be possible to authorise the collection of the second moieties to be delayed until the appeals have been heard, but in any case where the annual value is reduced on appeal effect will be given to the reduction made by repaying any duty found to be overpaid.

asked whether attention has been drawn to a statement of grievances put forward by the clerks to the surveyors of taxes; and whether any statement can be made with regard to it?

I am aware of the matter referred to by the hon. Baronet, and have no statement to make with regard to it. But the question of clerks to surveyors of taxes will shortly be reviewed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, who have already approached the Treasury on the subject.

asked what was the total amount of income derived from agricultural land in the United Kingdom, including farm houses and other buildings held therewith, and coming under review for the purposes of Schedule A of Income Tax, in the financial years 1899–1900, 1907–8, 1908–9, and 1909–10; and what are the like particulars in respect of such property in England and Wales only?

No figures from purely agricultural land are available. The heading "Lands" in the statistics of the Income Tax contained in the annual Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue is not confined to agricultural land. The gross income from "Lands" brought under review for the purpose of the Income Tax (Schedule A) is:—

Year.		Total for the United Kingdom.		England and Wales only.
		£		£
1899–1900	…	52,814,291	…	37,110,545
1907–1908	…	51,956,000	…	36,429,000
1908–1909	…	51,894,836	…	36,384,362

The figures for the year 1909–10 are not yet available.

asked what was the total amount of income coming under review for the purposes of Income Tax in the United Kingdom in the financial years 1899–1900, 1907–8, 1908–9, and 1909–10 respectively; and what proportion of such income was in each of the above years derived respectively from (1) investments of personalty, professions, and businesses; and (2) real property under Schedule A; and what are the like particulars in respect of England and Wales only?

The gross income brought under review for the purposes of the Income Tax was:—

Year.		Total United Kingdom.		Brought under review in England and Wales only.
		£		£
1899–1900	…	791,735,413	…	682,020,599
1907–1908	…	980,117,000	…	848,548,633
1908–1909	…	1,009,935,926	…	873,994,849

The figures for 1909–10 are not yet available. Those for 1907–8 are estimated, owing to a necessary change in practice following legislation. The proportions asked for in the second part of the question are not known. The available information will be found in the Annual Reports of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

asked whether attention has been called to the judgment of Mr. Justice Channell in the case of Wiggles-worth v. the King, in which the learned judge referred to the interpretation placed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise upon Section 44 (1) of The Finance (1909–10) Act, as obviously unjust and such as one would not think any body of honourable men could have deliberately intended; and whether it is still proposed to exact payment of duty in accordance with the interpretation so characterised by the learned judge?

As I explained to the hon. Member for Hammersmith, in reply to a question on the 14th February, my right hon. Friend has been in conference with representatives of the licensed trade on the subject of the proper method of computing annual value for the purpose of Licence Duties, and he has promised to include in the financial provisions which Parliament will be asked to pass before the close of the financial year an Amendment dealing with this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been drawn to the case of Mr. Edward English, now resident in Sheffield, who, after being in receipt of an old age pension in Peterborough, went to Canada to reside with his son, but finding he had been misled, returned to this country after an obsence of only five months, and is in consequence debarred from receiving an old age pension, under the section of the Old Age Pensions Act regulating the period of residence Abroad, which constitutes him an alien, although he has paid rates and taxes for forty-nine years; whether he will consider the possibility, either by a short amending Act or by regulation, of remedying such cases of hardship; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to the case referred to. With reference to the second and third portions of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for East Limerick on the 14th instant, and to the hon. Member for the Wilton Division on the 15th instant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cruisers are detailed for the protection of our commerce and foodstuffs in time of war; what is their speed and gun-power; and whether they are fully manned?

It would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Board of Works on a recent occasion refused to accept the certificate of Sir Christopher Nixon in the case of an application for sick leave made by a clerk, Mr. J. T. Maloney; and can he state on what grounds the certificate of a former president of the Royal College of Physicians was passed over and Mr. Maloney ordered to consult Dr. Wynn?

The facts as stated are not correct. Mr. Maloney consulted Sir C. Nixon after he had been examined by Dr. Wynne, not before as stated in the question. The Board did not refuse to accept Sir C. Nixon's certificate. They acted on it after personal communication with him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would frame special regulations regarding employment in the Board of Works, Dublin, in view of the fact that medical certificates are not accepted when once a member of the staff has more than forty-three days' sick leave in three years and eight months?

The Board of Works do not refuse to accept medical certificates under the circumstances mentioned; on the contrary, they insist on them, and if they think it necessary obtain, in addition, the opinion of the Government medical referee, or, in his absence, of other medical men.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury in respect of what county or county boroughs, or portions of same, the Commissioner of Valuation in Ireland has already carried out the valuation described by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and whether he will circulate as a Parliamentary paper examples of the method by which valuations are carried out in Ireland under the Act as applied to, say, four or five typical cases?

Though the valuations are made in portions of several county boroughs, no county, county borough, or ward is completed. The provisional valuations as issued will show how the total and assessable site values are arrived at.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he will state what qualifications a resident magistrate is expected to possess; whether a knowledge of law is one of them; and, if so, to what extent?

No qualifications are prescribed by statute for the position of Resident Magistrate in Ire- land. A Resident Magistrate ought to possess a knowledge of law to the extent of being competent to hear and determine cases in courts of summary jurisdiction.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he will state the number of magistrates entitled to sit at the petty sessions court of Drumconrath, in county Meath; how many are Protestants and how many are Catholics; and whether he can state the respective Protestant and Catholic population of the district over which the jurisdiction of the court extends?

I am informed that there are six magistrates now entitled to sit at the Petty Sessions Court at Drumconrath. It is believed three are Protestants and three are Catholics. The latter include an existing magistrate recently authorised to sit at Drumconrath. No information is available upon which it would be possible to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he was aware that, at a petty sessions held in Drumconrath, county Meath, on the 28th January last, the justices present being Messrs. Sullivan, resident magistrate, Steen, and M'Keever, a boy named James Ingoldsby was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour, and at the end of that period to find sureties or to be imprisoned for a further period of three months with hard labour; whether a memorial had been presented to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland setting out that the magistrates acted in excess of their jurisdiction by attaching hard labour to the second term of imprisonment for three months; what action he proposes to take in the matter; and whether he is aware that Ingoldsby was a first offender, and that the police-sergeant of the district gave him an excellent character?

I am informed that the name of the person prosecuted was James Cassidy, not James Ingoldsby, and that the date of the proceedings was 20th January. Cassidy pleaded guilty to an offence under 9 Geo. IV. c. 69 Section (1), and received the sentence mentioned in the question. Cassidy was, I understand, a first offender, and received a good character from the police, but I am informed that on the occasion in question Cassidy presented his gun at and threatened to shoot a man who went to the keeper's assistance, and assaulted him by striking him in the face. Regarding the provision for imprisonment with hard labour in default of finding sureties, the hon. Member will find on reference to the Act and Section already quoted that imprisonment with hard labour for such defaut is expressly authorised in the case of an offence under that section. The imprisonment ordered in default of sureties has been reduced to three months without hard labour. Cassidy has entered into the necessary recognisances, and has been discharged.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Pat Bushel, who was evicted in 1895 by Major Balfe, of Castlerea, and who has been promised several times by the Land Commissioners to be reinstated in a farm, and will he explain why this promise has not been fulfilled; whether he is aware that Mr. Stuart, acting for the Land Commission, on 4th May, 1907, sent Bushel a telegram saying that he was going to reinstate him in a farm and asking Bushel to meet him in Castlerea, and that next day Stuart wired him not to come, and since then Bushel has heard nothing; and whether, seeing that in replying to a question put about Bushel's case on 31st March, 1910, he stated that the Land Commissioners had noted his name for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land on an estate for which they were negotiating, but which they had not yet acquired, he will take steps to secure the fulfilment of the promises made to the evicted tenant, Pat Bushel, by the Land Commission?

The case of Pat Bushel, whose former holding is in the occupation of another tenant, has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land. The Estates Commissioners did not find themselves in a position to give him an allotment on the estate referred to in the reply to the question of the hon. Member on 17th March last, and they have at present under consideration the possibility of providing him with a holding elsewhere.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the cause of the delay in the erection of labourers' cottages in Enniskillen union, county Fermanagh; and, considering that a contract for build- ing sixty cottages was given some time ago to a contractor and that only eight of these cottages have been completed within the stipulated time, and as some differences exist between the engineer and the contractor, whether the Local Government Board will intervene and have the work carried out at the engineer's and contractor's expense in the interests of the labourers who have to continue to reside in hovels, some of which have already been condemned as unfit for human habitation?

As regards the first paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked on the 22nd November last by the hon. Member for North Fermanagh. It is not the practice of the Local Government Board to interfere in local disputes of this nature, but it is for the Enniskillen Rural District Council themselves to take action with a view to terminating the differences which have arisen between their architect and the contractors. The Council at their last meeting on the 17th instant, after discussing the delay, decided to refer the matter to their solicitor for advice as to the steps they should take with a view to expediting building operations.

asked whether, on the 9th December, 1910, Mr. Myles O'Donnell, on behalf of the Congested Districts Board, promised the tenantry that immediate steps would be taken to effect a satisfactory scheme of drainage on the Mount Dillon estate, county Roscommon; and, if so, whether any or what steps have been taken to fulfil the promise?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that the late Mr. Myles O'Donnell had no authority to make the alleged promise. There are no tenants on the lands of Mount Dillon purchased by the Board, and it is not understood how the alleged promise referred to in the Question could have been made to the tenantry. Before disposing of the untenanted lands in their possession the Board will carry out such drainage works as they deem necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the case of Patrick Scully, Cooldurrow, Blue Ball, Mountbolus, Tullamore, who was proceeded against by the Irish Land Commission for payment of instalments due out of the lands of Elnaghbrack, purchased by a person of the same name; whether he is aware that on another occasion the Irish Land Commission have charged the above Patrick Scully with lands in Clondonnell Glebe, not in his possession, and that he has been put to £10 legal costs in these proceedings; whether he is aware that at the last King's County quarter sessions, when it was shown that Patrick Scully was wrongly proceeded against, the Irish Land Commission undertook to rectify the mistake; and, seeing that, notwithstanding this undertaking, Patrick Scully is now being proceeded against afresh, whether steps will be taken to stop these proceedings and refund Scully his costs?

The Land Commission informs me that in the case apparently referred to Pat Scully, as tenant, agreed to purchase portion of the lands of Clondonnell Glebe, on the estate of the Bank of Ireland, in the King's County, stated to be held under a tenancy from year to year. The only costs which appear to have been incurred by Pat Scully have been those which arose in connection with proceedings by the Commissioners for non-payment of interest in lieu of rent duly provided for in his agreement. On one occasion Scully represented to the court that owing to an error in his address he had got no receivable order on which to make payment; an adjournment of the case was therefore made, and the debt due was accepted without costs. None of the receivable orders or other communications sent to Scully at the address at Annaghbrack Glebe appear to have ever been returned "undelivered." There are no proceedings at present pending in this case.

asked how many persons, being licensed publicans at the time of appointment, have been appointed justices of the peace in Ireland within the past three years?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that it is the general practice not to appoint licensed publicans as magistrates. In order to afford the information requested it would be necessary to examine the papers connected with every appointment to the magistracy in Ireland during the period mentioned, which would take a considerable time and would serve no useful purpose, seeing that persons holding licences are not disqualified by law from being magistrates.

asked whether, seeing that the Estates Commissioners decided five years ago that Richard Foy, whose father was evicted from a farm in Ballinarrow, Bunninadden, county Sligo, was a fit person to be provided with a holding, he will say what steps are being taken to have him so provided?

The farm from which Foy's father was evicted is in the occupation of another tenant. Foy's application has been noted for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Estates Commissioners may acquire in the neighbourhood of the holding on which he at present resides.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Leigh White, of Bantry, has offered the Castletown Bere and Glengariffe portions of his estate for sale to the Congested Districts Board; whether he is aware of the tract of untenanted land in the possession of Mr. Leigh White at Glengariffe; whether the Congested Districts Board will insist on the said land being sold with a view to relieving the congestion which exists at Glengariffe; and whether he can state how far negotiations have proceeded in connection with the sale of this estate?

Mr. Leigh White has offered to sell to the Congested Districts Board the entire of his tenanted estate in Castletown Bere and Glengariffe districts. The estate as offered has been valued, and a member of the Board proposes to visit the estate to inspect the untenanted lands not offered for sale and to make other inquiries. The Board will require the vendor to sell to them all untenanted land suitable for agricultural purposes which is not demesne land or which is not exempted by the compulsory clauses of the Act of 1909.

asked whether the Leahy estate, Castletown Bere, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board, and, if so, at what date; and what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire this estate?

The Leahy estate was offered for sale by the landlord to the Congested Districts Board on 1st November, 1910. Negotiations have reached an advanced stage, and it is hoped that it may be possible to announce the result soon.

asked the Chief Secretary what was the number of district lunatic asylum accounts for the three months ended 31st March, 1899, which have been received and audited; what is the number which have not been received and audited; will he state what are the reasons preventing payment forthwith in respect of the former, pursuant to the judgment of the Court of Appeal; and whether it is proposed to make a proportionate abatement from such payments in accordance with the Lord Lieutenant's order dated 10th September, 1910

There are twenty-three asylum accounts altogether, of which fourteen have been received and audited, seven are being audited by the Local Government Board, and two have not yet been received. Payments in the case of the audited accounts will be made at once. The payments for the quarter in question are not to be subject to proportionate abatement.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, on the basis of the income and liabilities of the Local Taxation Account, established under Section 58 of The Local Government Act, 1898, during the present and past financial years, the Account will be insufficient to meet the statutory payments therefrom in the next financial year; if so, whether he has taken into consideration the question of the condition of affairs that will result to the rating authorities in Ireland by having to meet from the proceeds of the rates about to be struck the accumulated deficiencies of the Account in the present as well as the approaching financial years; and what steps the Government propose to take to obviate so heavy a burden falling upon the ratepayers?

I am not in a position to state whether there will be a deficiency in the Local Taxation Account in the next financial year. There is no prospect of the rates having to meet an additional charge on account of the insufficiency of the Local Taxation Grants such as would be productive of undue hardship on the ratepayers.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the finances of county councils, rural and urban district councils, and boards of guardians throughout Ireland are disorganised in consequence of the short payments to those bodies out of the Local Taxation Account established under Section 58 of the Local Government Act, 1898; whether, inasmuch as this shortage will have to be made good by Irish ratepayers generally, he can state what the total deficiency amounts to; is he aware that inconvenience is also caused to the local authorities who are at present engaged in the preparation of their estimates of expenditure to be met from the rates in the coming year by the delay on the part of the Government in communicating to them information on this matter; and will he give an undertaking that there shall be no further delay?

I am not aware that the finances of the local authorities have been disorganised in consequence of short payments from the Local Taxation Fund. It is not yet possible to state the total amount of the deficit in the Fund. There has been no unnecessary delay in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the area of the untenanted land the Estates Commissioners have purchased from the trustees of the Cleary Minors property at Athlacca, county Limerick; has the Lord Chancellor, who is guardian of the minors, disposed of eighty acres of this untenanted land, together with the glebe house and eleven acres in addition, to a man who is already farming 200 acres; and whether, in view of the discontent that will arise if this land is handed over to a rancher, the Commissioners will take steps and refuse to make an advance for any portion of the property unless they are allowed to purchase the whole estate?

Proceedings are pending for the sale to the Estates Commissioners of 741 acres on the estate referred to, but they have not yet acquired the lands. The Lord Chancellor has accepted a proposal for the purchase of Athlacca Glebe, and the interest in a portion of Athlacca, but these lands form no portion of the property about to be acquired by the Commissioners. At this stage of the proceedings the Estate Commissioners must decline to express any opinion on the matter referred to in the concluding portion of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would state why it was that John Reilly, Market House Road, Granard, who was evicted from his farm at Derryniggan, near Carrigallen, county Leitrim, was neither restored to his farm nor an equivalent holding provided for him, notwithstanding the fact that he was twice brought from Granard to Ballinamore, a distance of over twenty miles, to interview the Estates Commissioners' inspectors, one of whom definitely promised to recommend his case for favourable consideration; and will his case even now receive attention?

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of 22nd June, 1908, the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the application of John Reilly, and, having regard to the comfortable circumstances of the applicant, and to the fact that the holding is in the occupation of a tenant, the Commissioners have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Irish county councils, in striking a rate under the Irish Universities Act, can stipulate that portion should be devoted by the University authorities to aiding exceptionally clever boys and girls at primary schools to be selected for university training examinations in primary subjects conducted by the university college authority themselves; and, if not, whether he will make any proposals this Session for the amendment of the Act in that particular?

I do not think it would be in the power of the County Councils to raise or apply money for the purpose indicated in the question. Under their Charters and Statutes the Universities and colleges could not apply moneys provided under the Irish Universities Act (1908) to such a purpose. The same test applies in the case of County Councils under Section 10 (2) of the Act, where the proposal is not one for assisting students at a University by means of exhibitions, scholarships, or the like. I do not propose to introduce any legislation in the matter. The question raised does not involve an amendment of the Universities Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state how far negotiations have proceeded in regard to the sale of the estate of R. J. Stacpoole, of Killard, county Clare; and whether, in view of the number of tenants whose holdings are of less than seven pounds valuation, this estate may be dealt with as soon as possible?

The Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given to identify the estate referred to as pending for sale before them under the Land Purchase Act. Negotiations for purchase of the estate have not been undertaken by the Congested Districts Board, but they will at once make inquiries.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he would say whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that in local government elections the notice of withdrawal is published previous to the notice of decision as to the validity of nomination papers in Schedule I to Election Order of 22nd December, 1898; and will he consider the advisability of removing this practice and, if necessary, introduce legislation?

The Election Order has been in operation since the year 1899, and I am informed by the Local Government Board that so far as the Board is aware no objection has been raised to the regulations relating to the withdrawal of candidates. If the hon. Member would communicate with the Local Government, and state the ground of his objection to the regulations, his views will be carefully considered.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether any steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to acquire possession of the Murphy estate, at Aglish, county Kerry; and, if not, whether, having regard to the circumstances of the estate, and particularly its proximity to the Ventry estate, at Barleymount, which has already been sold to the Board, he will direct that steps be taken in the matter as early as possible.

Inquiries as to this estate have been made with a view to purchase. The landlord died recently, and the Congested Districts Board will renew their inquiries to his successor in title.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the diminution in each county in Ireland of the Government grant in aid for the maintenance of lunatic asylums as compared with the previous year?

I am not yet in a position to answer this question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from Terence Mahony, Ardglass, Charleville, county Cork, an evicted tenant on the John R. Daly estate; and, if so, has his application been placed on the approved list?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the assessable value of England and Wales outside London was at the end of 1899 £126,238,808, and the average amount of poor rates raised during 1899–1900 per £ of assessable value was 2s. 7.8d.; whether he is aware that for the year 1908–9 the assessable value had increased to £156,212,298, being an increase of 23.7 per cent., and the average amount of poor rates raised to 3s. 6.2d.; whether he can supply corresponding figures for Ireland for the same years; and whether he is aware that the average amount of poor rates during 1908–9 in rural parishes in England and Wales was 3s. 10¼d. in the £?

I am aware that the figures with regard to England and Wales are as given in the question. The rateable value of Ireland in the year 1899 was £14,643,810, and in the year 1908–9 was £15,600,071, being an increase of 6.5 per cent. The average amount of poor rate raised in the year 1899–1900 was 2s. 9.5d. in the £, and in the year 1908–9 was 2s. 8.9d. in the £. The poor rate raised in rural districts in Ireland in each of the years above mentioned was 2s. 4.4d. and 2s. 2.1d., respectively.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is the intention of the Estates Commissioners to provide Michael Carroll, who was evicted from the estate of Colonel Newenham, at Clonnigarra, near Dromin, county Limerick, with an equivalent on the estate of Cleary Minors, at Athlacca, county Limerick?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from Michael Carroll seeking reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the estate of Major Newenham, and now in the occupation of a judicial tenant, and after inquiry and consideration, have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if the Estates Commissioners will acquire the untenanted land on the estate of Stafford Delmege, at Garryspillane, Knocklong, county Limerick; if so, how soon may it be available for distribution among the deserving people of the locality; has the place been inspected; and what is the cause of the delay in having the sale completed, seeing that it is now six years since the tenanted portion of it was settled for?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of A. W. Stafford Delmege, county Limerick. Agreements for the purchase of their holdings by the tenants on the estate were lodged with the Land Commission in April, 1907, and the estate has not yet been reached in order of priority. When it is being so dealt with due inquiry will be made as regards the untenanted land thereon.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial from tenants under £5 valuation on the townlands of Ballyluskey and Ballygriffin, near Croom, county Limerick, asking them to acquire eighty acres of land, the property of S. W. Birney, of Carass Court, Croom, with a view to having their holdings enlarged; and, if so, will the necessary steps be taken to have this land acquired and distributed according to the spirit of the Land Act?

The Estates Commissioners do not appear to have received the memorial referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the case of James Kelly, of Maghera, county Derry, who, on 4th September last, was remanded in custody on a charge of stabbing until 12th September at Maghera; whether he is aware that, contrary to the terms of the warrant of committal, the accused was brought before a magistrate at Derry, instead of at Maghera, on 12th September, and further remanded until the 19th, without notification to the prisoners solicitor, Mr. Louis Walsh, who attended at Maghera, and that a summons against the district inspector for disobeying the warrant was refused; and whether the district inspector will be called upon to explain his conduct in this matter?

My attention has been called to the case referred to in the question. James Kelly was remanded from Maghera Petty Sessions on 5th September, 1910, in custody to Londonderry Gaol, on a charge of stabbing. Following a practice frequently adopted in such cases, Kelly was brought up before the Resident Magistrate on 12th September, at Londonderry, and further remanded. The police were not aware that Mr. Louis Walsh was acting as Kelly's solicitor, otherwise he would have been notified that: the prisoner would be brought up for a formal remand at Londonderry on 12th September. The Resident Magistrate refused to grant a summons against the District Inspector.

asked the Chief Secretary on what grounds Michael Mahon, Pound Road, Granard, Thomas Walker, Tully, Coolarty, and Bridget Reynolds, Cartroncard, Coolarty, have been deprived of an old age pension, not-withstanding the fact that the ages of Walker and Reynolds have been vouched for as seventy-two and seventy-four respectively, by an older person who is over eighty years of age, and will he direct further inquiry to be held into these cases with a view to their being given the pension which is their lawful due?

The Local Government Board have not received any appeal in the case of Michael Mahon, and they have therefore no information as to why he has not received a pension. The Board disallowed Thomas Walker's' pension in February, 1910. His name did not appear in the Census Return of his parents' family in 1841, and his age was recorded as being only five years in 1851, and no other satisfactory evidence was produced. He has made a fresh claim which the Board are at present investigating. Bridget Reynolds' claim was twice disallowed in 1909 on the ground that she participated in outdoor relief granted to her husband. There was no evidence as to her age. If she considers that she is now eligible for a pension it is open to her to make a fresh claim.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of Margaree Looney (district Ennis, station Kilkee, number in pension officer's register 3779), who was in the enjoyment of an old age pension for eight months, but who was deprived of the pension on the grounds of there being no documentary evidence of age, the Local Government Board will reconsider the claim and give due weight to the report of the pension committee and the evidence which is available of at least five respectable old men who have known applicant since childhood, and who are prepared to certify that she is well over seventy years of age?

The case of Margaret Looney has been three times before the Local Government Board, who on each occasion have given due consideration to all the evidence submitted. They are not empowered to reconsider their decision.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Julia Sullivan, of Shenagh, in the sub-district of Headford, county Kerry, has been deprived of the old age pension, although having complied with the provisions of the Act in every respect regarding the question of age; and whether, having regard to the fact that the pension committee states that she is clearly entitled to a pension, he will see that the case be reconsidered?

The Local Government Board upheld the Pension Officer's appeal against the decision of the Killarney Pension Sub-committee to continue Mrs. Sullivan's pension, on the ground that she had not reached the statutory age, her name not appearing in the Census Return of her parents' family in 1841, and no other satisfactory evidence being produced. It is not open to the Board to reconsider their decision.

asked the Chief Secretary why it is that Peter Reilly, of Bohey, Drumlish pension district, county Leitrim, in the Mohill Sub-pension Committee, has been refused an old age pension by the pension officer, although granted to him by the Pension Committee, considering that he was seventy years of age last June; that he has only a small farm of bad land, which is worked for him by his son as the applicant is unable to do any work himself; and if the Local Government Board will authorise the pension officer to give this man the pension, considering the circumstances of his case?

The Local Government Board disallowed Reilly's claim as they considered that the profits of the farm in his occupation exceeded £31 10s. per annum. It is not open to the Board to authorise the pension officer to give Reilly a pension.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he could state the grounds on which Mrs. Honor Donoghue, of Castle-park, near Kilmihil, West Clare, was deprived of an old age pension which she had enjoyed for some months; and whether the Local Government Board will reconsider its decision, and consider not only the testimony of old residents of the district, but the opinion of the pension officer who has looked into the evidence?

The Local Government Board, having regard to the testimony and opinion referred to, instituted a special search with the result that the family of Mrs. Donoghue's parents was traced in the Census Returns of both 1841 and 1851. In the former her name did not appear, and in the latter her age was recorded as being five years. It, therefore, appeared that she was yet unborn in June, 1841, and is still under seventy years of age. As no other satisfactory evidence was produced as to her age the Board accordingly upheld the appeal of the Pension Officer.

asked the Chief Secretary whether an inquiry was recently held by an inspector of the Local Government Board into an improvement scheme under the Labourers Acts promoted by the Newcastle West Rural District Council; has the inspector yet furnished his report on this scheme, or when may it be expected; and, seeing that many of the applicants under the scheme are urgently in need of better houses, will the matter be pressed forward as speedily as possible?

An inquiry has been held as stated. Inspectors do not now furnish reports to the Local Government Board before making their orders, the responsibility in such matters devolving entirely upon themselves under Section 6 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906. The Board understand, however, that the order confirming the scheme in this case has been prepared, so that the inspector will no doubt be shortly in a position to issue his order. The scheme as authorised cannot, however, be carried into execution until more money is made available by legislation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that tenants of labourers' cottages are obliged, under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1898, to pay the local rates; and whether, seeing that these rates average 9s. or 10s. a year, and represent an addition to this extent in the annual charges imposed on labourers for their cottages and plots, he will give any opportunity in the discussion on his Bill for the Amendment of the Labourers Acts for the consideration of a clause embodying reform on this point?

It is the fact that tenants of labourers' cottages are now required to pay rates, but an adjustment was made in the case of existing tenancies after the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898, and in the case of subsequent tenancies rural district councils have, no doubt, made allowance when fixing rents for the fact that rates must also be paid. The Local Government Board, moreover, before confirming regulations made by rural district councils, under Section 29 of the Labourers Act of 1906, satisfy themselves that the rents proposed to be charged are not unreasonable, after making due allowance for the fact that the tenants will also be liable for rates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state whether the recommendation to grant an increase of wages to the labourers employed in certain Government establishments, as embodied in the Report presented by the Advisory Board appointed in the early part of last year, will apply to labourers employed at the Deptford Victualling Yard and the West India Docks Naval Stores Depot?

The Inter-Departmental Committee appointed in June, 1909, to advise Government Departments desiring information on the payment of fair wages, were consulted last summer with regard to the wages paid to ordinary labourers by good employers in the localities referred to by my hon. Friend. The Committee's report on this matter was recently presented and is now under consideration. It is hoped that an announcement can shortly be made on any changes in the rates for Government labourers in the London district, which would be justified by the rates current among good private employers for similar work.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Albert Ernest Hennessey, late chief writer in His Majesty's Navy, who, after completing seventeen years' service, was discharged on 2nd June, 1910, from the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, on the ground that his services were no longer required; whether he will inform the House of the circumstances that led to Hennessey's dismissal; if discharged for misconduct or incompetence, will he explain why Hennessey's character and ability were assessed as very good on discharge; if discharged for an offence under the Naval Discipline Act, will he explain why Hennessey was not given a trial by court-martial; if dismissed on suspicion as the result of confidential reports, is he aware that no charges have been made against Hennessey, and that he has never been given an opportunity of defending himself; whether he is aware that the last account rendered in H.M.S. "Leander," during Hennessey's period of service in that ship, was up to 30th September, 1907, and that all accounts to that date were examined by the Fleet Paymaster, passed as correct, and forwarded by him to the Accountant-General's Department for further examination and passed?

The decision to discharge Hennessey was the result of a careful consideration by the Board of Admiralty of the whole circumstances of the case and of a minute and protracted examination of the ship's books.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to the recommenda- tion, 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 the 11th May next.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would 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 was 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; would be 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 of 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 for this regrettable accident.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the number of small-pox cases in the Navy has been very small for the last few years, owing to the strict measures of isolation now adopted, and the numerous improvements in the general treatment of the men, he can see his way to extend to naval recruits the same liberty of conscience in regard to vaccination as has already been granted to other branches of the Government services?

As the danger of the spread of infection is very largely increased by the peculiar conditions of life on board ship it is not proposed to relax the present regulations with regard to vaccination.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he has any information he can give the House as to a recent strike of between 500 and 600 workmen engaged upon the new dock works at Rosyth, and as to the cause and circumstances of the same?

There appears to have been a dispute between the contractors and their men, which was easily settled. I have ascertained that on the night of the 9th instant eighteen crane drivers and 100 men employed on the monoliths struck work. Similar numbers were absent en the day shift on the 10th instant. Up to about three weeks ago the men worked for 101½2 hours and were paid for 10½; it was then arranged for them to work 10 hours only and to be paid for 10. When the men found that they were getting less weekly pay they struck apparently for this reason; but the arrangements now made by the contractors have satisfied the men, who have returned to work.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Martin Spellman, of Ardgallow, near Boyle, county Sligo, was recently discharged from the 4th Battalion Connaught Rangers without either pension or compensation; whether he is aware that this man, whose character is of the best, has no means of supporting himself and his four children; and, if so, whether under the circumstances, his claim for a pension will be considered by the War Office?

This man has no claim to a pension from Army funds. The hon. Member was informed to this effect in July last.

asked whether, if a private soldier contracts consumption or any other disease when in His Majesty's service which makes him incapable of earning his own living, he is discharged from the Army and can only receive a pension of 8d. a day as a maximum; and whether this also applies to accidents which happen when not on active service?

The maximum for disease or accident which is not the result of military duty is 1s. a day. For injuries due to military service the maximum is 2s. 6d. The actual Grant depends upon the origin of the disablement, the degree of disability, and the length of service.

asked whether it is proposed, prior to the commencement of the breeding season this year, to give any intimation through the county committees, or otherwise, to existing or intending horse-breeders as to the price to be paid for remount horses at three years off, as to the number required annually by the War Office, and as to the prospects of breeders finding a market for their produce?

As the hon. Member is aware, it will be some considerable time before the scheme matures, so far as concerns Army requirements, and it would be difficult to give an accurate forecast far ahead, as to numbers and prices; but we will do everything to see that breeders have such information as we can give as soon as possible.

asked what steps are being taken, or are in contemplation, by His Majesty's Government for the prompt supply of an adequate number of horses for military purposes, in view of the existing shortage, which is likely to increase owing to the general use of motor vehicles?

By the census taken by the police the numbers of horses available throughout Great Britain have been ascertained, and from these the quotas required from the various counties have been calculated, and county associations have been informed of the corresponding requirements in detail for the Regular Forces and the Territorial Force. In certain cases counties have undertaken experimentally a classification of the horses to meet these requirements, and, as the result of their reports, some important points of organisation are at present under consideration. I shall make a statement as to progress when the Estimates come before the House.

asked whether, in view of the injury caused to, and the apprehensions felt by, flock-masters on Salisbury Plain, owing to the stampeding of their in-lamb ewes through fright caused by the whirr of unseen aeroplanes, he will take steps to prevent aviation for military purposes in that locality during the lambing season?

No complaints to the effect that ewes have been frightened by aeroplanes have been received. Perhaps the hon. Member would be so good as to give me some detailed information on the subject?

asked whether the Government intend to raise the minimum rate of wages paid to labourers in the employ of the War Office as from 1st April next; if so, whether he can state to the House what will be the minimum rate of wages paid to these men; and whether he will see that the minimum rate paid to the labourers employed at His Majesty's Gun-wharf, Devonport, is the same as paid to labourers doing similar work at Woolwich, seeing that the cost of living at Devonport is practically the same as the cost of living at Woolwich?

I must ask the hon. Member to refer to the reply which I gave to similar questions put by the hon. the junior Member for Leicester and the hon. Member for Deptford on the 9th instant. The latter portion of that reply applies equally to Devonport.

asked whether the extra pay of 2s. 6d. a day granted under A. O. 28, 1911, to regular officers appointed adjutants of the Territorial Force is to be granted only to those appointed after 12th July, 1910, or to those whose time of serving may be extended after that date, and not to those adjutants still serving who have been appointed previously to 12th July, 1910, seeing that these latter have had hard and extra work in organising their units while the Territorial Force has been in the process of making?

Will the hon. Member kindly refer to my reply to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for the Bodmin Division of Cornwall on the 16th instant, to which I have nothing to add.

asked whether large areas of country in Rhodesia have been infected by the malady known as sleeping sickness, and have been declared proscribed areas; whether, in such areas, all cultivation and other work has been suspended; and, if so, what organised effort is being made, and by whom, to stamp out the disease and destroy the cause of infection?

Yes, Sir; considerable areas in the Luapula and Luangwas Valleys have been declared sleeping sickness areas. I do not think that cultivation is necessarily suspended, though it is necessary sometimes to clear areas near the rivers and the disease is a most serious hindrance to ordinary life and industry. Travelling is forbidden without permits, villages have been removed at the expense of the Government, and the British South Africa Company is taking various other measures in co-operation with the Belgian authorities for dealing with the sickness. The company has strengthened its medical staff, and is now sending out a special commission of investigation with a scientific staff and a fully equipped laboratory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the destitution caused among the colonists and natives of Rhodesia consequent upon the prevalence of sleeping sickness over large areas, which have been proscribed; whether any, and what, steps have been, or will be, taken to afford relief where necessary, and by whom; and whether there is adequate medical assistance to grapple with the known cases and to enforce precautions against the spread of the disease?

I am not aware of any special destitution, certainly not among the Europeans, of whom there are very few in North-Eastern Rhodesia. But the prevalence of this terrible disease must necessarily cause suffering among the populations affected. In reply to another question I am indicating the measures taken by the British South Africa Company, which is responsible for the Government of the country, to grapple with the disease.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the claim made by Mr. Fenwick in the Trinidad Legislative Council, on behalf of the sugar planters, that they are entitled to the exclusive right of employment of the indentured labourers, even after their term of indenture has expired; and whether that claim is upheld by the Colonial Department?

I have received no official information that such a claim has been made, and none such could be admitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information concerning the offer by Messrs. Seigert and Sons of a plot of land, upon which labourers' cottages at present stand, to the town board of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad; and whether, in the absence of a popularly elected municipal authority, he will see that effective steps are taken to secure the views of those who, under an elective system, would be the electors of Port-of-Spain?

I have no details of the offer referred to by my hon. Friend. Any representations which the ratepayers may have made to the town Board will no doubt have received due attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state how the Newfoundland export trade, which is principally fish, will be affected in the markets both of Canada and the United States by the reciprocity agreement between those two countries; and whether any negotiations are in progress for reciprocal arrangements between Newfoundland and the United States to secure for Newfoundland the entry of her fish upon the same footing as Canadian fish?

Any reduction in the duties on imports into Canada from the United States of America will apply also to imports from Newfoundland. Nothing

Description of Fish	Imports from United Kingdom.		Imports from Canada.		Imports from New foundland and Labrador
	Quantity.	Value.	Quantity.	Value.	Quantity.	Value.
Fish, fresh—	Lbs.	£	Lbs.	£	Lbs.	£
Salmon	—	—	680,057	15,519	250	5
All other	*	2,751	*	321,487	*	624
Fish, cured or preserved—
Anchovies and Sardines, packed in oil or otherwise	*	18,081	*	214	—	—
Cod, Haddock, Hake and Pollock, dried, smoked, salted or pickled	9,347	139	18,449,875	148,842	6,696,398	53,078
Herring—
Dried or smoked	2,815	41	211,353	1,226	—	—
Pickled or salted	25,294,544	182,916	3,310,166	13,112	740,349	2,036
Mackerel, pickled or salted	11,388,030	123,847	5,945,788	50,763	274,200	2,486
Salmon, pickled or salted	—	—	681,013	13,715	—	—
All other	*	84,250	*	57,749	*	148
Lobsters, canned or uncanned	12,757	591	8,791,562	242,513	8,514	509
Shrimps and other shell fish, and turtles	*	268	*	16,803	—	—
Fish, sounds	33,869	1,558	109,731	6,012	—	—
* Quantity not stated.

The Hon. Member will find the remainder of the information he requires in the Paper Cd. 5537, issued last week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much of each class of fish is imported into the United States from the United Kingdom and from Canada; what is the present duty in each ease; what will be the duty under the proposed trade arrangement between Canada and the United States; and the corresponding figures for Newfoundland fish entering the United States?

The following is a statement showing for the year ended 30tb June, 1909, the quantity and value of the undermentioned descriptions of fish imported into the United States from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Newfoundland (including Labrador) respectively:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value during the years 1908 and 1909 of the exports of goods wholly or mainly manufactured from the United Kingdom to Canada and the Argentine, respectively; what duties are levied by Canada and the Argentine on agricultural implements and locomotive engines imported from the United Kingdom; and what has been the value of the imports of food and drink

A—DUTIES ON IMPORTATION INTO CANADA.
Articles.	Rates of Duty under British Preferential Tariff.
Shovels and spades of iron or steel; shovel and spade blanks and iron or steel cut to shape for same; also lawn mowers, including horse lawn-mowers	20 per cent., ad valorem.
Axes, scythes, sickles or reaping hooks, hay or straw knives, edging knives, hoes, rakes (except horse-rakes), pronged forks	15 per cent., ad valorem.
All other agricultural implements	15 per cent., ad valorem.
Implements in use by settlers for at least six months before their arrival in Canada (exclusive of machinery or articles imported for use as a contractor's outfit, of implements moved by mechanical power and for use in any manufacturing establishment, or for sale), provided that they are imported with the settler on his first arrival, and are not sold or otherwise disposed of, without payment of duty, until after twelve months actual use in Canada	Free.
Cream separators (and steel bowls for cream separators)	Free.
Milking machines	15 per cent., ad valorem.
Cultivators, ploughs, harrows, horse-rakes, seed drills, manure spreaders, weeders, and windmills, and complete parts thereof, not including shafting	12½ per cent., ad valorem.
Mowing machines, harvesters, self-binding or without binders, binding attachments, reapers, and complete parts thereof, not including shafting	12½ per cent., ad valorem.
Hay loaders, potato diggers, fodder or feed cutters, grain crushers, fanning mills, hay tedders, farm, road or field rollers, posthole diggers, snaths	15 per cent., ad valorem.
Portable engines with boilers, in combination, horse powers and traction engines, for farm purposes (including gasoline traction engines), windstackers and threshing machine separators, including baggers, weighers and self-feeders therefor, and finished parts thereof for repairs	15 per cent., ad valorem.
Finished parts of iron or steel for repairs of portable engines for farm purposes	15 per cent., ad valorem.
(NOTE.—Machines or parts of machines, valued at not less than 45s. 1⅓d. exported for repairs, may be entered for duty at the value of such repairs if identified upon re-importation within one year.)
Locomotives, etc.—Locomotives and car wheel tires of steel in the rough	Free.
Locomotives for railways and tramways	22½ per cent., ad valorem.

NOTE.—In order that the above articles may be entitled to the benefits of to the British Preferential Tariff, they must be the manufacture of the United Kingdom or certain British Possessios, and imported direct from some British country into Canada.

The following is a statement showing the rates of Customs duty at present leviable on various descriptions of agricultural implements and machinery and on locomotive engines of United Kingdom manufacture on importation into Canada and Argentina respectively:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state on how many of the 102 items in the reciprocity agreement between the United States and Canada the preference with the United Kingdom is diminished; and on how many the preference is completely wiped out.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that of the 102 items on which the duties would be lowered for goods entering Canada from the United States under the proposed reciprocal agreement, seventy-two are items in which British preference is lowered, and thirty are items in which British preference is wiped out; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I would refer the hon. Members to the Return Cd. 5537, issued on Thursday last, giving full particulars of the changes of duty which would result from the adoption of the proposed agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been drawn to the unusual haste with which the recent Industrial Training Ordinance was pushed through the Trinidad Legislative Council, the Second Reading, Committee, and Third Reading stages all having been taken in one day; and whether an Act which, by Section 11, prevents a skilled artisan from suing his employer in any court of the colony for any wages higher than those of an unskilled labourer unless he holds a certificate of the Training Board, is such as will receive the assent of the Colonial Department?

I have not yet received the Ordinance referred to, and I am not aware if the procedure with regard to it was that described by my hon. Friend. When the Ordinance arrives its provisions will receive the fullest consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet able to state whether the extra taxation in Trinidad, which has now been imposed for over nine months and which was imposed for the purpose of railway extension, has had the effect of increasing the cost of living among the working class of that island?

I have no information as to the effect which the revised Trinidad Customs Tariff has had on the cost of living in the Colony, but my hon. Friend may like to know that the Trinidad tariff compares favourably with that of other West Indian Colonies as regards the duties imposed on the principal articles of consumption of the labouring classes. I may add that under the revised tariff the duties on flour, bread, and rice remained unchanged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the circumstances under which the Governor of Trinidad suppressed the Savana Grande Local Board; if so, is he satisfied that the Governor acted after full inquiry into the circumstances, and the probable influence of the recent floods in making the work of the local board extremely difficult; and, if not, will he cause inquiry to be made?

I have heard that the Governor, on the advice of the Executive Council, ordered that the Director of Public Works should exercise the functions of the Savana Grande Local Road Board. The Trinidad law provides for such a contingency, and the matter no doubt received the fullest consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Trinidad law which demands a bond of £200 before a newspaper can be established, thus making it extremely difficult for the less wealthy members of the community to establish a Press in furtherance of their own special interests; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I am aware of the provisions of the Trinidad law, which has been adopted as a model elsewhere in the West Indies. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the facts concerning the Rev. Dr. Morton, who is alleged to hold the position of manager in over twenty schools in the island of Trinidad, devoting thereto only part of his time; whether any of these schools, and, if so, how many, are housed in buildings erected by the reverend doctor, at an expenditure of £60 or £70, for which he receives a yearly rental of £32 10s.; and whether this is the same Rev. Dr. Morton who gave evidence before the East India Emigration Committee?

I understand that the Reverend J. Morton who gave evidence before the Indian Emigration Committee is engaged in missionary work in Trinidad, and I think it likely that he is a manager of some of the Assisted Schools in that Colony. The Governor will be asked to report upon the matters to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the railway has been opened beyond Kuala Semantan towards the Kelantan frontier, and to what point the permanent survey has been completed; whether the trial surveys have been made from Kuala Tembeling to the Pahang-Kelantan frontier; and, if so, whether the route to be followed by the railway on entering Kelantan has yet been decided upon?

I have no information later than the end of November last. At that date the line was only open as far as Triang (fifty-six miles from Gemas), but the rails had been linked in for a distance of seventy-three miles from Gemas, and considerable progress had been made with the earthwork of the Semantan-Kuala Tembeling section. The permanent survey was completed as far as the Kelantan boundary in May last. A survey of the country beyond that boundary was begun on the 1st June last, and twenty-seven miles of trial survey had been completed by the end of October. I am not aware precisely what route is being surveyed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he, in future issues of the annual volumes of Statistics of Public Education, will show the number of boys and girls, arranged according to their years of age, as shown in Parliamentary Paper No. 333 of Session 1910?

The Board hope soon to make arrangements by which the statistics of the number of boys and girls in attendance at ordinary Public Elementary schools shall be arranged according to their years of age. The precise method to be followed is at present under consideration and will probably differ in some respects from that adopted in the preparation of Parliamentary Paper No. 338, of Session 1910.

asked the Home Secretary whether certain persons have recently been arrested in Berlin who are alleged to have been in communication with the persons awaiting trial in connection with the recent murders of police constables in Houndsditch?

Neither the City nor the Metropolitan Police know anything of any such arrests.

asked the Home Secretary what was the number of aliens arriving in ships carrying five or less alien passengers who landed at non-immigration ports in 1910; and what was the number arriving in ships carrying more than five and less than twenty-one alien passengers who landed at immigration and non-immigration ports respectively during 1910?

I regret that the information desired cannot be furnished without a special analysis of papers involving the expenditure of much time and labour, which I do not feel justified in instituting.

asked the Home Secretary if he could state upon what basis the number of alien cabin passengers landing at Liverpool is calculated in the Return (Cd. 5310), seeing that the numbers for the months of May and June, 1910, when the American tourist season is at its height, for the port of Liverpool are given as only 45 and 26 respectively?

The figures quoted are the number of alien cabin passengers landed at Liverpool from ports in Europe and the Mediterranean only. This appears clearly in the title of the return and in the head of the table.

asked the Home Secretary whether he intends to introduce legislation this Session which will give the one day's rest in seven to the constabulary of Scotland?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the hon. Member for the Holborn Division has already introduced a Bill on this subject. An opportunity for ascertaining the opinion of local authorities in Scotland, which has hitherto been far from unanimous in support of the proposal, has thus been provided; and the Government do not at present propose to initiate legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many on-licences have been suppressed under the 1904 Act in the years 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910 respectively?

The figures desired are given in the annual volumes of Licencing Statistics. For the years 1905 to 1909 they are as follows:—194, 892, 1,735, 1,235, and 1,293. The information for 1910 is in preparation, but is not yet complete.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he could state the total cost of the recent Poor Law Royal Commission for England and Wales?

The total expenditure to date is:—

	£
From Temporary Commissions Vote	34,573
From Stationery Office Vote (net)	14,000
From Public Buildings Vote	4,330
Total	£52,903

Some small disbursements not expected to exceed £100 remain to be made.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the almost universal prohibition of outdoor relief to the able-bodied man, proposed by the new draft order under consideration, will, as drafted, apply also to the wives and children of such men; whether this prohibition of the outdoor relief now given in many unions will mean (otherwise than under exceptional circumstances, in periods of special distress) that no form of relief will be henceforth practically available for such women and children other than admission to the general workhouse; whether the reception of children into the workhouse is contrary to the present policy of the Local Government Board; and whether he is aware that the continuance of the general workhouse, for any class whatsoever, was condemned by every member of the recent Royal Commission on the Poor Laws, including the late permanent secretary to the Local Government Board and its present senior medical inspector?

The effect of the Order suggested by the Departmental Committee, so far as regards the relief of the wives and children of able-bodied men who are themselves relieved in a workhouse, would be similar to that of the Orders at present in force. I may point out, however, that the Modified Workhouse Test Order, which permits outdoor relief to the wives and children of men who are relieved in a workhouse, is now in force in only a very small number of unions, whereas under the draft Order this form of relief could be employed, subject to the Board's consent, by any Board of Guardians who may desire to adopt it. I do not find that the draft Order necessarily involves the placing of children in a general workhouse. Apart from the provisions of the Boarding-out Orders, the institutional relief which the Order in question contemplates would, in the case of children, comprise such Poor Law establishments as separate schools, cottage homes, certified schools, and other similar institutions.

asked what amount of wheat is consumed by the United Kingdom per annum; what is the quantity of wheat which was exported from Canada, Australia, South Africa, and India during 1910; and what percentage of the total requirements of the United Kingdom this would represent?

presented the following statement:—(1) The estimated consumption of wheat and wheat flour (in equivalent of grain) in the United Kingdom during the year 1910 was 34,400,000 Imperial quarters. [In 1909 the consumption was 33,700,000 Imperial quarters.](2) Statement showing the total exports of wheat and wheat flour (in equivalent of grain) from British India, the Commonwealth of Australia, British South Africa, and the Dominion of Canada to all destinations for the latest twelve months for which returns are available:—

——	Total Exports of Wheat avid Wheat Flour (in equivalent of Grain).
British India—	Imperial quarters.
By Sea (a)	5,112,000
By Land (b)	13,000
Commonwealth of Australia (c)	6,599,000
British South Africa (a)	33,000
Dominion of Canada (a)	9,599,000
Total	21,356,000

(3) 21,356,000 is 62 per cent. of 34,400,000.(a) For the year ended 30th November, 1910. (b) For the year ended 30th September, 1910. (c) For the year ended 31st October, 1910.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state when the completion of the inquiry into Earnings and Hours of Labour in the United Kingdom in 1906 is to be published?

Five reports have already been issued, and it is hoped to complete the results of this inquiry in four further volumes during the course of the present year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he could see his way to have a post office at Bilboa, Cappamore, county Limerick; whether, in view of the fact that hundreds of people in this district have to go three or four miles to have letters posted, steps will be taken to have them convenienced in some way; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the matter as soon as possible?

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

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is his intention, after 31st December, 1911, to bring all telephone users under the new tariff known as the measured rate system; and, if so, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that such an alteration would, in the opinion of the Association of Chambers of Commerce in the united Kingdom, mean a heavy tax on commerce and industry in this country?

The suggestion in the first part of the question is based upon a misapprehension. No definite decision as to the future charges for telephone service can be properly arrived at until after the arbitration for the settlement of the price to be paid for the National Telephone Company's system. I am shortly to receive deputations from various bodies interested in this question, and shall give their representations all due weight.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state whether the sum of £9,000 is still paid to the British India Steamship Company for conveyance of the East Africa, Uganda, mails; and, seeing that it is on record that a saving of some £7,000 could be effected by the withdrawal of this contract, it is intended to continue the said subsidy?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. The Government considers it desirable to maintain a British Contract Service for the conveyance of mails between Aden, Mombasa, and Zanzibar, as there are advantages attaching to it represented by regularity, control, and speed, beyond its pecuniary value for the conveyance of mails as measured on the basis of Postal Union Transit charges.

asked the Postmaster General, whether, in view of the rising importance of East Africa and Uganda and the toll imposed on the produce of the country by the charges of the Suez Canal Company, he will consider, in the event of his being unable to grant an adequate subsidy to the Union Castle line, who are now running a direct line by the Suez Canal, for the benefit of the Country, the desirability of bringing before his colleagues in the Cabinet the question of devoting a portion of the profit made by the Government towards lightening the burdens on British commerce?

The Union Castle Company are unwilling to enter into a Mail Contract for the conveyance of mails between Aden and East African Ports for the postal subsidy which I have been able to offer. It would not be for the Post Office to make proposals for subsidies other than for postal services.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state when the new post office buildings in Wick are to be commenced?