asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he would state on what dates the battleships "Texas" and "New York" were laid down for the United States; the "Jean Bart" and "Courbet" for France; and when it was anticipated they would be commissioned?

According to our informa- tion, the "Texas and "New York" are not yet laid down, and the dates of their completion are not known. The "Jean Bart" was laid down on the 10th November, 1910, and the "Courbet" on the 1st September, 1910. Both ships are to be ready for commissioning on the 1st August, 1913.

asked whether there has been any delay in the construction and completion of the destroyers of the Basilisk type?

Of the sixteen destroyers of the "Beagle" class, eleven were delivered before the contract date, and three on or within a few days of the contract date. One, the "Racoon," was delivered six weeks late, and one, the "Nautilus," met with an accident and is at present five months overdue.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to put into operation the penal clause in regard to the date of the contract?

In the case of the "Nautilus," it was an accident. Of course, the point will be carefully examined.

asked the total cost of the most recently completed submarine built in Chatham Dockyard, and the total cost of a similar vessel built by contract?

It is difficult, if not impossible, to make up the total cost of a vessel built in a dockyard, including a proper allowance for establishment charges, in such a way as to give a basis for an exact comparison with the cost of a similar vessel built by contract. Moreover, in the special case of submarines, the contractors have carried out many experiments at their own expense, and have also supplied the dockyard with the working machinery drawings. These considerations must be borne in mind in drawing any conclusion from the fact that in the dockyard accounts the latest submarine completed at Chatham is returned as having cost £40,270, while the latest vessel of the same type built by contract cost £49,549.

asked if he will state the means of propulsion of the cruiser "Chatham," on the stocks at the dock- yard of that name; and the number of propeller shafts with which she is to be fitted?

The main propelling machinery in H.M.S. "Chatham" will be Parsons turbines arranged on four shafts.

asked whether there have been any complaints regarding the sea-worthiness and steadiness in a sea-way of the ocean-going destroyers known as the Tribal class; and, if so, whether steps are being taken to remedy the disadvantages arising therefrom?

With a single exception, which has since been remedied, the official trials regarding the sea-worthiness and strength of all the vessels of the Tribal class have been carried out satisfactorily.

asked whether the eight battleships of the "Royal Sovereign" type, the "Nile," and "Trafalgar," were still considered in official estimates of relative international naval strength?

These ships must be taken into account in some sense until they are sold, or their armaments surrendered; but the Admiralty has no desire to exaggerate their fighting value.

asked if there is any intention of altering the hours or the wages of the joiners and others in his Majesty's dockyards?

The rates of wages are the subject of petitions which have been received from the joiners and other classes of workmen in his Majesty's dockyards. The petitions are at present under consideration and no statement can yet be made as to the decisions that may be arrived at. With regard to hours, the reply is in the negative.

When may we expect to have the answer?

I will inquire.

asked whether the First Lord of the Admiralty is aware that he told the House of Commons on 20th September, 1909, that nearly 1,000 young seamen annually were subjected to the punishment of the cane; whether there had been any reduction in the number since that time; whether the difficulty of giving a Return of the number of canings, in the Navy could be surmounted, and records required of every such punishment in such a form as would enable his department to grant the Return which had been repeatedly asked for.

The documents from which the desired Return could be prepared are designed for a purpose wholly different from the compilation of statistics of this kind, and the amount of clerical labour involved in collecting the figures would be considerable, but I shall be happy in the course of the next few days-to furnish my hon. Friend with approximate figures as was done on the former occasion referred to.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is not able to say there has been a reduction in the-number since the last report, or whether any record could be kept which would enable the public to know the number of canings?

As I have told my hon. Friend, in the course of a few days I hope to give him the comparative figures with those already furnished, and in that way they could be compared. I doubt whether the additional information, or exact record, would be worth the additional trouble.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered at all the expediency of making an exact Return of the canings, having regard to the fact that these-canings are inflicted by the rich on the-sons of the poor, and the rich are not caned?

Is it the view of the Admiralty that these young seamen are not amenable to any other kind of influence than that of physical pain?

Oh, no; I think my hon. Friend will find that the number of cases is not so large as to leave an impression that it is a very customary form of punishment.

But why are the poor boys and not the rich boys caned? Why are not the midshipmen caned too?

I have always understood that on board ship the midshipmen do not go without a certain amount of punishment inflicted by their fellow officers.

Is that a justification?

asked what is the average number of officers and men required to fully man the commissioned ships of war in the whole British Navy?

The manning requirements of the Navy are governed by the total complements of ships that would be maintained in commission in war, and the numbers voted annually by Parliament are determined by the average number of officers and men so required.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a single figure or indication of the number required?

I think I have not made myself quite clear to my hon. Friend. I did not gather from his question whether he wishes to know the number of ships which would be fully commissioned in war or which are now commissioned in peace. He has not put that point to me. I have pointed out to him that the number of men we have on Vote A at any moment is governed by the number of men required in war. I do not suppose that the hon. Member wishes me to give the number of ships that we shall have in war.

asked whether the Admiralty are contemplating advertising for tenders for the construction of magazines and ammunition factories on the site of the naval base at Rosyth; and, if so, whether such contracts will include the new Fair-Wage Clause as decided by resolution of the House of Commons?

A tender is about to be accepted for the works in question, which are not at Rosyth, but at Crombie. The contract will include the new Fair-Wages Clause.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in how many cases, if any, in the year 1885 France exercised the alleged right of treating rice as absolute contraband of war; in how many cases, if any, in that year ships of war belonging to the Government of France captured and seized neutral vessels carrying rice to Chinese ports north of Canton; and whether any of such cases were adjudicated upon in a prize court, and with what result?

Parliamentary Paper, France No. 1, 1885, C. 4359, includes the correspondence which took place at the time between the British and French Governments respecting the rights of neutrals, and was laid in 1885. At the request of the right hon. Member for East Worcestershire, and for the convenience of Members, I propose to lay a paper containing the correspondence on the special point referred to by the hon. and learned Member. I do not think that any case arose in the French Courts, for during the remainder of the war no seizure appears to have been made. It is stated by Mr. Hall in his book on International Law (6th edition, page 659), that shipments of rice appear to have been entirely stopped by fear of capture. The only case of a British ship reported to the Foreign Office was that of the "Amoy," whose owners appear to have postponed the vessel's departure from Shanghai in order to discharge the 5,000 bags of rice which she had shipped. It seems, therefore, that no seizures were made because the threat stopped shipments.

May I ask whether there is any case in the last ten years in which a neutral ship carrying food has been dealt with in a Prize Court on the ground that the food was absolute contraband of war?

If the hon. Member will give me notice of the question I shall be glad to give him information.

What are the grounds of Mr. Hall's statement to which he has referred?

I cannot tell you what the grounds of his statement are. Mr. Hall is a reputable writer and I suppose he was informed as to the facts.

A question on international law had better be placed upon the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been called to the type of passenger coach employed by the North Eastern Railway Company on their electric train service on the Tynemouth branch; whether he was aware that on these coaches, which are unattended by servants of the company, the only exit is by means of hinged doors opening inwards into a vestibule which is frequently so crowded with standing passengers that the door cannot be opened or easily reached by persons wishing to alight; and whether, in view of recent railway accidents at home and abroad, where many casualties have been caused through the' inability of passengers to escape from wrecked carriages of a similar type, he will cause inquiry to be made by Board of Trade experts as to the suitability of rolling stock of this character for suburban passenger service?

I have communicated with the Railway Company on the subject of my hon. Friend's question and have received a reply of which I am forwarding him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a branch of the labour exchange is urgently required in Athlone, county Westmeath, which is the largest industrial centre in the Midlands of Ireland; and when he expects to be able to establish one in that place?

Steps are now being taken to secure suitable premises for a Labour Exchange in Athlone, but I am not yet able to say when the premises are likely to be ready.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what is the population of Athlone?

I am afraid not offhand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade upon what grounds the promoters of the British exhibit at the forthcoming International Exhibition of Hygiene at Dresden were refused by his Department the grant which they asked for, although similar assistance had been, given to the exhibition in Turin; and whether such discrimination has been interpreted in any quarter as a slight upon the German nation?

At the time when this country was invited to take part in the Dresden Hygiene Exhibition, the Board of Trade had already entered into engage- ments to organise official British sections at International Exhibitions at Brussels, Buenos Aires, and Vienna in 1910, and at Rome and Turin in 1911. In these circumstances and in view of the exacting demands made upon British manufacturers by too frequent participation in International Exhibitions the Board of Trade felt unable to undertake, or to give official support to, the organisation of an exhibit of commercial products at the Dresden Exhibition of Hygiene. I have, however, expressed to the organisers of the Exhibition in London the cordial interest which His Majesty's Government take in the Scientific side of this undertaking. I am convinced that no fair-minded person can possibly have construed the action of His Majesty's Government in the manner suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether separate trade boards have been set up in Ireland under The Trade Boards Act, 1909, to deal with Irish industries; and whether he will adopt the same practice with regard to Scotland?

In accordance with the provisions of Section 2 (1) of the Trade Boards Act separate Trade Boards are being established in Ireland for paper box making and ready-made wholesale bespoke tailoring. The Act contains no similar provision with regard to Scotland, and after careful consideration, and after consultation with persons affected, it has been deemed undesirable to set up distinct boards for Scotland in the case of those trades for which Trade Boards have been established.

asked how many representatives Scotland has on the Trade Board appointed under the Trade Boards Act of 1909 to deal with the lace finishing trade; and if he will give the names of those appointed to represent the interests of that country?

The first Trade Board that has been established in the lace trade is concerned with a branch of the trade which, so far as our information goes, is not carried on to any material extent in Scotland. There are consequently no Scottish representatives on this Board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this trade is largely carried on in Ayrshire?

If my hon. Friend will bring information to my notice I will give it attention. My information is that this particular branch is not carried on to any very large extent in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the total number of men employed in and about the docks and wharves of London; what number of these are permanently employed; the number casually employed; whether he has received any information as to the conditions now prevailing for calling upon men; and whether it is now the practice to call men for periods of employment lasting not more than one hour?

In the Board of Trade Labour Gazette returns are given showing the daily number employed at all the docks, and 110 of the principal wharves. The average daily number in January was 14,384, but I am unable to say how many individuals are represented by this number. As regards the other points in the question, the information in my possession is not quite up-to-date, but I will take steps to supplement it, and will communicate the results to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the through goods and parcels traffic from Ireland to England handled by the Great Western Railway and the Great Southern and Western Railway, viâ Fishguard, is cleared in the Railway Clearing House, London, although passenger receipts on these lines are dealt with in the Irish Railway Clearing House in Dublin; and whether, seeing that steamship companies are by Act of Parliament debarred from being members of the London Clearing House, whilst there is nothing to prevent them belonging to the Irish Railway Clearing House, he would take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to compel these companies and others following a similar practice to deal with this trans-Channel traffic from Ireland to England in the Irish Clearing House?

The arrangements made among Railway Companies for clearing their traffic are not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trade, and as at present advised I do not think I can usefully take any action in the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the importance to English bakers of blending the flour of the hard and strong wheats grown in Manitoba and other Canadian provinces with that of English-grown wheats to produce the texture and quality of bread most liked in this country, the certain prospective drain upon the sources of supply of the former as the result of the reciprocity treaty between the United States and Canada, the non-production of flour possessing the same characteristics in other parts of the world, and the successful results of the experiments conducted by the Cambridge Department of Agriculture in breeding wheats combining the baking qualities of the best Canadian with the cropping qualities of the best British wheats, the Board will apply for a special grant out of the Development Fund in order, in the interests both of the producer and the consumer, to promote the production of a much larger quantity of seed wheat of the above newly-established breeds for use by British farmers than the resources of the Department render possible?

The Board are fully aware of the importance of the subject to which the hon. Member refers, and in forming proposals for the consideration of the Development Commissioners, the Board have had in view the desirability of giving further assistance to the work now being done at Cambridge.

Is not this purpose at least as important and as beneficial to farmers generaliy as the breeding of light horses?

As I have already told the hon. Member we are considering the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention had been called to the case of John Dean, a gardener of Strood, in Kent, who after applying for a small holding in the year 1908, and being then approved by the Kent County Council as a suitable applicant, was kept waiting for three years without any offer of land, and was at last informed by the council that his application was rejected, no reason being given for this decision; and whether the Board have made any independent inquiry into the case?

The Board have been in correspondence with the county council as to this case, and they have instructed one of their inspectors to make further inquiry into the whole matter at once.

Do I understand that the inspector will see this man personally and not merely inquire from the county council?

If the hon. Member desires I will instruct the inspector to see the man.

asked whether several of the applicants for small holdings in the neighbourhood of Swanscombe, Kent, were approved more than two years ago; and whether up to the present the Kent County Council had submitted a scheme to the Board of Agriculture in order to supply these applicants with land?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. It is right, however, that I should add that there are special difficulties to be overcome in the locality owing to the fact that most of the farms are let on lease, and that the valuations would be heavy. The county council have, however, been offered a farm which will be to let before long.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he has the particulars of the results of the experimental growing of sugar beet during the past year in various counties in England, Scotland, and Ireland; and if he can state what was the average for each county of the tonnage of beet per acre and the percentage of the saccharine obtained from the juice?

I am sorry that I cannot supply the hon. Member with the particulars for which he asks. The experiments to which he refers were not conducted by the Board.

May I ask if the Board is not going to obtain this information?

I do not quite see how they are to get it. Perhaps the hon. Member will confer with me and make a suggestion.

May I ask whether and when the Board is going to conduct experiments on their own account in the matter of growing sugar beet on a sufficiently large scale?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton as representing the First Commissioner for Works, if he is aware that it is now three years since the erection of the new post office for Bolton was promised; that the present premises are utterly inadequate to meet the growing needs of the town; and whether he intends to ask Parliament for sanction in his next Estimates to proceed with the erection of the new building without any further delay?

The building programme for post offices is settled in consultation with the Treasury and the Postmaster General. The scope of this annual programme is limited by the sum which the Chancellor of the Exchequer is prepared to allow for the Service; and it has been decided that the case of Bolton, with others, must give way during the next financial year to the even more pressing needs of other places.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he would consider the advisability of placing a couple of annunciators in the tea and newspaper rooms respectively?

The First Commissioner of Works is not convinced that the additional convenience that would be afforded by installing these annunciators would warrant the considerable expenditure involved.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that two vacancies now exist on the Edgeworthstown magisterial benches, both formerly held by Catholics; whether he is aware that an influentially signed requisition has recently been presented to the Lord Chancellor, requesting him to appoint a local Catholic merchant and farmer to one of these vacancies; whether any steps are about to be taken to fill the vacancies; and, if so, will this gentleman's claim be considered?

I am informed that one magistrate of the Edge-worthstown district died quite recently, and another ceased to be qualified, one it is believed a Catholic, and the other a Protestant. A memorial has been received by the Lord Chancellor in favour of the appointment of a gentleman who is a farmer living near Edgeworthstown, and it is under consideration.

asked if he will state the number of Catholic and Protestant gentlemen in County Longford recently appointed to the commission of the peace in that county; whether any and, if so, how many Catholic names submitted for appointment have been rejected by the Lord Chancellor; whether the names so rejected have been refused appointment at the instance of the Lieutenant of the County; and what steps the Government intend to take to equalise the balance on the bench, seeing that Longford County is 91 per cent. Catholic to 9 per cent. Protestant in population?

During the last three years three gentlemen have been, as I am informed, appointed to the County Longford Magistracy. All three were recommended to the Lord Chancellor by the Lieutenant of the County, and of the three two are believed to be Catholics and one a Protestant. During the period mentioned the names of two other gentlemen were submitted to the Lord Chancellor. The names of these two gentlemen were not forwarded by the Lord Chancellor to the Lieutenant of the County. As to one of them the Lord Chancellor did not at the time consider his appointment desirable, and the case of the other is under the Lord Chancellor's consideration. The Lord Chancellor is always prepared to consider any steps that may be suggested with a view to rendering the County Magistracy as representative as possible of all sections.

Is not the Lord Lieutenant of this county, who practically, as my right hon. Friend knows, exercises a veto over these appointments, Lord Long- ford, a very well-known Conservative Nobleman who was twice promoted by a Conservative Government?

The answer shows that the matter was dealt with by the Lord Chancellor himself.

Are they not submitted by the Lord Chancellor to Lord Longford before the appointments are made?

It is in accordance with the immemorial practice.

May I ask whether, in the case of the two names that were not submitted by the Lord Chancellor to the Lord Lieutenant of the County, it is now proposed by the Lord Chancellor to deal with those two names himself without reference to the Lord Lieutenant?

I am not able to give particulars of the matter, but the Lord Chancellor must have some good reason for the judgment he came to with regard to one man.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he was aware that, although the Irish County Surveyors' Association had been requested to prepare a map for the purposes of the allocation of the Road Improvement Fund, the Road Board, without waiting for the surveyors' map, issued their own map; whether he was aware that dissatisfaction had been expressed by several of the county surveyors at the roads selected in their respective counties by the Road Board, mainly on the ground that the Road Board's scheme was devised for the convenience of tourists and that the representatives of several of the counties had intimated that they would not undertake the improvement of the roads on the Board's scheme if it entailed any extra cost on them; and whether he would take steps to arrange for an exchange of views between the representatives of the Road Board, the Irish county surveyors, and the county councils, at an early date and before any scheme for Ireland was finally determined on?

Arrangements have been made for an exchange of views between the Road Board and representatives of Irish county Councils and county surveyors before any scheme of road improvement in Ireland is finally determined upon.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he was aware that contracts had recently been given by the Stationery Department to firms of manufacturers who do not close their factories on Saturday afternoons; and whether he would take steps to prevent Government work being done by such firms in the future?

The question presumably refers to Contracts for the supply of paper. The National Union of Paper Mill Workers of Great Britain and Ireland recently wrote asking that the Stationery Office would confine its Contracts to manufacturers who shut down their mills from Saturday midday until Monday morning. As it appeared, however, that out of 200 paper mills only fifty-five conformed to the practice) and as these did not include the makers of several classes of papers required by the Stationery Office it was impossible to comply with the request of the Society.

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the total number of secondary schools in receipt of the higher grant of the Board which had been permitted to provide less than the usual 25 per cent. of free places; whether the circumstances under which the variation from the regulations was allowed were reviewed from time to time; and, if so, at what intervals the reconsideration was undertaken by the Board of Education?

The normal requirement of 25 per cent. of free places has been reduced, in respect of the current school year, in 125 of the 909 schools in receipt of the higher grant in England and Wales. All cases where a reduction of the normal requirement has been made are reviewed from time to time but there is not a fixed interval common to all. Any change of the conditions under which the reduction of requirement was originally made, and any new circumstances arising subsequently, are taken in consideration as occasion requires.

asked the Postmaster-General if he could entertain the suggestion that municipalities might be allowed to purchase the telephone systems in each of its own towns, while the trunk lines should remain in the hands of the Post Office?

I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this point.

asked the Postmaster-General if he could give an assurance or an undertaking that those towns or cities which now, under the National Telephone Company, enjoyed a day and night service would, when the telephone system was taken over by the Post Office, continue to enjoy that privilege and advantage?

The places in question will, in general, continue to enjoy the facilities to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention had been called to the suicide of a lad named William Lawman, aged seventeen, at Little Addington, in Northamptonshire, and the evidence given at the inquest, in which it was stated that the boy had been sent to work for a farmer with no agreement as to money wages, and that no provision appeared to have been made by the board of guardians for the care of the lad after leaving their charge; and whether he would inquire if it is the usual practice of this board of guardians to send lads to work for farmers under similar conditions, and if no steps are taken to see that the lads are properly cared for and brought up?

I have seen a report of the inquest and am making inquiries into the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he was aware that many education authorities in the country were willing and anxious to feed necessitous school children during such periods that the schools were closed owing to holidays, but were unable to do so owing to the fact that certain auditors had declared that payment out of the rates for food so supplied was illegal; and whether, under the circumstances, he would issue a circular informing local education authorities that expenditure out of the rates on the feeding of school children during school holidays would, if surcharged by the auditors, be authorised by the exercise of the powers he possessed and which he proposed to use for legalising illegal expenditure out of the rates on festivities in connection with the forthcoming Coronation?

I am aware that certain local education authorities have incurred expenditure on the feeding of school children during the holidays; but, as I stated in the House on 15th July, 1909, in reply to a question on the subject, I am advised that the authorities are not empowered to defray such expenditure. The question of extending the scope of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906, is not one for me but for Parliament to decide, and I do not consider that I could properly exercise the powers which I possess under the Local Authorities (Expenses) Act, 1887, in the manner suggested in this question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department consider that it is more important to sanction illegal expenditure on festivities connected with the Coronation than to sanction expenditure for the feeding of hungry school children?

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he had received any request from the Corporation or Distress Committee of Stoke-upon-Trent for assistance from the Unemployed Grant to carry out schemes for the benefit of the unemployed within their area; and what action, if any, he had taken in the matter?

Four schemes of work were submitted to me by the Distress Committee of Stoke-upon-Trent, to be carried out partly by means of loans and partly by payments out of the Parliamentary Grant. A loan of £4,150 was sanctioned for recreation ground purposes in connection with one of these schemes, and a payment was made of £200, the amount asked for by the Distress Committee as a contribution from the Parliamentary Grant. As re- gards the three other schemes, no application for sanction to loans has yet been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposed to introduce a Public Works and Engineering Bill this Session?

I hope to be able to proceed with this Bill, but in the present state of public business I am afraid I cannot fix any date for its introduction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he would give the names of any persons who were alleged to entertain a suspicion that David Davies, generally known as the, Dartmoor shepherd, had been enticed away for political purposes; and what, if any, were the grounds of such suspicion?

It would be obviously undesirable for me to make any statement on this subject. I have no doubt the facts, whatever they may be, will ultimately come to light.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any ground whatever for saying that there was a suspicion that this man had been enticed away for political purposes?

I told the House the other day that it was reported to me that there was a strong suspicion in certain quarters that this man had been enticed away for political purposes. The actual expression used was "political dodge." That was the statement I made, and I have nothing to add to it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in future abstain from suggesting that anonymous persons entertain unfounded suspicions?

They may be anonymous persons, but that their suspicions are unfounded I am unable to prove.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been directed to the advisibility of uniform marriage laws for the United Kingdom, and especially of compulsory civil marriage; whether he would initiate an inquiry or legislation on this subject; and whether, with a view to obtaining uniformity of marriage law and regulations throughout the British Empire, he would consider referring this question to the forthcoming Colonial Conference?

asked the Prime Minister whether he would introduce a Bill to give a system of compulsory civil marriage, uniform for the United Kingdom?

I am aware that this question has given rise to a considerable amount of discussion and has formed the subject of correspondence with the Dominions. Marriage law is not, however, among the subjects mentioned by any of them in connection with the approaching Conference; and, as at present advised, I am not disposed to recommend that it should be brought before the Conference, nor am I prepared to promise legislation on the subject.

In view of the fact that he has so greatly curtailed the activities of private Members recently, will the Prime Minister consider whether he cannot give us an opportunity of rendering some service by appointing a Select Committee?

asked the Prime Minister whether, under a scheme of payment of Members, Members of the Government were to receive a yearly salary in addition to their present emoluments?

I must reserve any statement on this matter until the time comes for the introduction of the scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say when this Bill will be introduced?

No.

Will it be a Bill at all?

I do not say that it will.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the direct interest of India in the subjects to be discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, any representatives had been or would be appointed to attend the Conference on behalf of the Government of India?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if there would be an opportunity for the Associated Chambers of Commerce or for other bodies to bring questions up for discussion at the Colonial Conference which affected the rights and interests of English companies and individuals trading with the Colonies?

Questions can only be brought before the Conference by the Governments represented and through their representatives. As the hon. Member will have seen, the list of subjects for discussion is already very lengthy, but any representations from the Chambers of Commerce to His Majesty's Government would, of course, receive attentive consideration.

May these representations come from the bodies themselves, or must they come through Members of Parliament?

Not necessarily through Members of Parliament.

asked the Prime Minister, upon what authority the Government relied for the assertion that the Re port of a Drafting Committee appointed by an International Conference, when such Report contains a reasoned commentary elucidating the provisions of a convention signed on behalf of the Powers represented at such Conference, becomes, if formally accepted by the Conference, an authoritative interpretation, binding on the signatory Powers, of the instrument so signed; whether any record of such a practice exists in any State paper or other authoritative document issued by the Government of this country or of any of the Powers represented by the Naval Conference in London"; and whether he was aware that a view on this subject, contrary to that entertained by His Majesty's Government, is held by such authorities as Professor Ullman of Vienna and Professor Fiore of Naples?

It is obvious that if the delegates who are sent by the respective Governments to attend a conference think it desirable to accompany the instrument which they sign by a commentary, which is described in the meetings of the Conference as an official commentary, which is accepted by the delegates on that footing, and which is formally adopted at a plenary meeting of the Conference, the commentary must be regarded as accepted by the Governments, unless the action of their delegates is disavowed. The object of such a commentary is to explain the meaning of the signed instrument, and to lessen the possibility of such ambiguities arising as are likely to occur subsequently in construing articles which are of necessity drawn up in very concise language; it is in this sense that the commentary becomes an "authoritative interpretation," because it is the explanation of the meaning which the signatories to the Convention have placed upon it themselves. I am not aware of any occasion having arisen for the drawing up of a State paper such as is referred to by the hon. and learned Member. I am not acquainted with the precise, views which may be entertained on this particular subject by Professor Ullman and by Professor Fiore.

If this Conference is authoritative why is the Report, as well as the Convention, not signed by the Powers?

The Reports have never, in similar cases, been signed by the Powers. This Report has been accepted by the delegates. There is no previous instance in which the Report has been signed by the Powers.

asked the Prime Minister if the Declaration of London will be formally submitted to the Board of Admiralty for approval before it is brought before the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

No, Sir; I see no necessity for such reference.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the widespread and genuine uneasiness in regard to the effect of the Declaration, he will reconsider his decision, and cause the provisions of the Declaration to be laid before the Board of Admiralty for full examination and formal report?

asked the Prime Minister if consultative committees, recommended in the Report of the Royal Commission on Justices of the Peace, have been appointed; and, if so, will he state the counties where such committees are at present engaged in co-operating with lords lieutenant?

Committees have been appointed in some and will be appointed in the other counties, as necessity arises for the selection of new Justices. There are ninety-five counties or liberties in Great Britain (exclusive of Lancashire) and 216 cities and boroughs, with separate commissions of the peace, and it is not practicable to classify the counties and state at present what stage the work of Committees already in existence has reached. If my hon. Friend desires the information as regards any particular county, I will ask the Lord Chancellor for it and furnish it to him. I may add that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has appointed an Advisory Committee, who are at present engaged for the County Palatine in co-operating with the Lord Lieutenant. He is considering the appointment of other advisory committees in connection with the boroughs.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the disturbance that was imminent in the Kinvarra district, county Galway, during the past twelve months owing to the attitude taken up by the trustees of the Sharpe estate in respect to the sale of the estate; does he know that an understanding was arrived at last October, as between the agent to the property and the tenants, to the effect that a request would be made immediately to the Congested District Board to acquire the entire estate, including the town; has such a request been made; and what is the cause of the delay in dealing with this estate?

I am aware that a certain amount of dissatisfaction existed in Kinvarra in connection with the sale of the Sharpe Estate. The estate comprises twenty-five agricultural tenancies and about forty-five houses in the town of Kinvarra. On the 2nd December last the agent of the estate wrote to the Congested District Board stating that the Trustees were willing to sell if a fair price is offered, but that they were unwilling to go to any expense about mapping until they see whether the sale could be arranged. On the 10th December the Board wrote suggesting a way out of the difficulty. No answer has yet been received.

asked the Chief Secretary if he was aware that the district in and around Kinvarra was one of the most congested in the West of Ireland; had it come to his knowledge that the people for years back had been requesting the various public departments to purchase the available lands in the neighbourhood for allocation amongst them; could he say what time had now elapsed since the Blake-Foster Estate, Kinvarra district, was first offered for sale; was he aware that the agent, Mr. W. E. Holmes, Roscommon, offered the estate to the Congested Districts Board last May; and, having regard to the history of the estate and the conditions which prevail on this property, whether he would direct the attention of the Congested Districts Board to the estate and state the cause of their inaction?

I am aware that the district surrounding Kinvarra is poor. The Blake Foster estate was offered to the Congested Districts Board on the 22nd September last, not in May, as alleged, and an inspector has been directed to visit the estate and make a valuation at as early a date as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the estate of Colonel Lopdell, Athenry, situated at Cappamore, Kinvarra, county Galway, is one of the estates to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners; has the estate been inspected and purchase sanctioned by the Commissioners seeing that a considerable number of years have passed by since the tenants agreed to purchase their holdings; and, having regard to the quantity of mountainous land on the estate which would become available for allotment if the property came on for settlement, whether he will call the attention of the Estates Commissioners to the delay in dealing with this property?

The estate referred to has not yet been inspected. It will be dealt with in order of priority, but, having regard to its position on the principal register of direct sales, the Estates Commissioners cannot at present say when its turn will be reached. When so reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board has been furnished with maps and all particu- lars respecting some grazing lands which Mr. Brady Murray, B.L., Northampton House, Kinvarra, has offered for sale to the Board; and whether, in view of the urgency of relieving congestion in the district, he will make a representation to the Board so that an inspection may be made of the lands with a view to purchase?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that Mr. Brady Murray has lodged the necessary maps and rentals to enable an inspection of the estate to be made. The estate will be valued as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any request to sell his estate in the districts of Durras, Funshin, and New Town has been made to Major Wilson Lynch Belvoir, Sixmile Bridge, Clare, by the Congested Districts Board; and when, and with what result?

The Congested Districts Board intimated to Major Wilson Lyneh's agent their willingness to purchase his estate in the county Galway, but they have not yet received any offer to sell. The landlord will now be definitely asked whether he is willing to sell.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state what action the Estates Commissioners have taken with regard to the lands known as Clonrellick, being portion of the Little estate, near Moate, county Westmeath; and whether they have recognised as tenants, and intend to make advances under the Land Purchase Acts to, the nominal occupiers of those lands whose tenancies were created, as was admitted in Mr. Justice Wright's Court, solely for the purpose of obtaining such advances, or if, having investigated all the facts connected with this case, the Estates Commissioners have decided that the lands in question should not be declared an estate under the meaning of the Act?

The Estates Commissioners have had inquiries made by one of their inspectors in reference to the purchase agreements signed by the proposed purchasers, and the nature of their tenancies. No advances have been sanctioned in these cases. Pending, however, the result of certain proceedings in another estate, instituted in the High Court in reference to the practice of the Commissioners in declaring or refusing to declare lands to be an estate, the Commissioners do not consider it desirable to make any statement as regards the case referred to in the question.

Will not the compulsory clauses of the Land Acts be made applicable to cases such as this outside the Congested Districts?

I will consider that question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in the matter of the appointment to the vacant office of Estates Commissioner now about to be made, inquiry will be made into the antecedent connection of prospective candidates with landlordism in Ireland with a view to preventing the appointment of a person who is, or has been, connected with the administration of landlords' properties in Ireland, or has at any time been connected with the rent office, whether as a clerk or otherwise; and whether care will be taken that a person of the type of the late commissioner, who is not hostile to the tenant's interests, will be appointed?

When filling the vacant office of Estate Commissioner every effort will be made to secure an efficient successor to the late Commissioner, whose loss I greatly deplore.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is the intention of the Government to promote legislation with a view to so amend the Labourers Acts that occupiers of property under them may become owners on the same terms as tenant farmers under the Land Purchase Acts, and that local rates may thereby be relieved?

The Government do not intend to introduce legislation of the nature indicated in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state why it is that in Lisnaskea Union, county Fermanagh, a scheme for building labourers' cottages, under the Labourers Act of 1906, has not been proceeded with before this, although an inquiry was held in November, 1909, for the purpose of promoting a scheme; and whether any further action will be taken in the matter, as some of the labourers are at present residing in houses some of which have been condemned as entirely unfit for human habitation?

The Local Government Board sanctioned the requisite loan to carry out the scheme referred to on 15th March last, and the arbitrator lodged his award last June. The Board understand from the clerk of the rural district council that titles to the greater number of the plots authorised to be acquired have now been completed, and the council hope to invite tenders for fencing the plots at an early date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Road Board proposes to allocate to Ireland £150,000 from the Road Improvement Fund, the total road mileage of Ireland being upwards of 50,000 miles, whilst it is proposed to allocate £175,000 to Scotland with a road mileage of only 24,000 miles approximately; and whether he will make representations with a view to obtaining equitable treatment for Ireland?

I understand the Grants from the Road Improvement Fund for Ireland and Scotland are as stated. The road mileage of Ireland is 58,330 miles. I have no information as to that of Scotland, but assuming that it is correctly stated in the question, I do not think that the mere difference in mileage is sufficient ground for making representations to the Road Board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal of the Road Board has been very unfavourably received in Ireland, and will he make representations to have a new scheme prepared?

Well, Sir, most things are unfavourably received in Ireland. I will do my best to consider whether there is anything in this particular case. I only pointed out to the hon. Member that a mere difference in mileage is not a sufficient basis for a ground of complaint.

Would it not be well to consider the merits of this case?

Its merits, certainly!

asked the Chief Secretary if scholarships in England are available to the pupils of primary schools which carry them on to the secondary schools where they have access to other scholarships which bring them on to the Universities; and whether the Government will do anything to link up primary education in Ireland with the national university?

I understand that, in all secondary schools recognised by the Board of Education in England for grants in the higher scale, free places are offered at the beginning of each school year to pupils who have been under instruction in public elementary schools. The question how similar advantages can be provided for pupils in primary schools in Ireland is one deserving of most careful consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject. It cannot be done by amendment of the Universities Act. It is open to pupils of secondary schools in England or Ireland to compete for scholarships at the Universities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong local feeling in connection with this matter?

I know.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that several public bodies in the county Waterford have recently passed resolutions renewing their protest with regard to the delay in acquiring the Nugent Humble Ranch for the benefit of the evicted tenants, and against granting public money to enable Mr. Charles Nugent Humble to purchase evicted farms from his brother under the Irish Land Act of 1903; from what public bodies have such resolutions recently been received by the Estates Commissioners; and whether they have yet dealt with the applications of Mr. Charles Nugent Humble for the advances applied for, having regard to the advances previously obtained by him and to his tenure of the evicted farms?

The Estates Commissioners have recently received resolutions from the Waterford County Council and the Dungarvan Urban Council. The Commissioners have considered the application for the advance of £2,667 for the purchase by Mr. Charles Nugent Humble of four holdings on the estate of Sir John N. Humble. Mr. C. N. Humble, having already obtained advances amounting to £2,823 under the Land Purchase Acts, the Commissioners have informed the solicitors having carriage of the sale that they are not prepared to advance more than £177 in respect of these four holdings, making the total advances to Mr. Humble under the Land Purchase Acts £3,000. A I have already informed the hon. Member the Commissioners instituted proceedings for the compulsory acquisition under the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, of certain lands held by Mr. C. N. Humble, but the owner appealed and the High Court decided that the Commissioners could not acquire these lands compulsorily. In these circumstances the Commissioners cannot take any further action with a view to the compulsory acquisition, under the Evicted Tenants Act, of the lands affected by the decision of the High Court.

Is it not a fact that the ground of the decision of the High Court was that the Commissioners only proposed to take portion of the land of Mr. Humble, and will the Commissioners now, having regard to the decision of the court, propose to acquire the whole of the land?

I will put that before the Commissioners.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, although the shorthand writer of the House of Commons or his deputy is, under the provisions of the Elections Petitions Act, 1868, Section 24, to attend and take down the evidence given at the trial of an election petition and from time to time to cause the evidence to be written at length, and a copy of such evidence is to accompany the certificate made to the Speaker by the judges, the evidence given at the trial and taken down by the shorthand writer does not include the questions of counsel to which the answers of witnesses are replies nor the remarks of counsel nor the observations of the learned judges, while from the shorthand writer's reports the addresses of counsel to the bench are excluded; and whether, having regard to the fact that circumstances have arisen or may in the future arise under which remarks from the bench, the questions of counsel to witnesses, and the addresses of counsel may be essential to place the Members of this House in full possession of the incidents of such trials, any steps can be taken to render the shorthand writer's reports of the trials of election petitions as complete as the official shorthand writer's reports of ordinary trials, especially on the criminal side of the courts?

The copy of the transcript forwarded to the Speaker of the evidence given at the trial of an Election Petition does include the questions of counsel as well as the answers of the witnesses and the remarks of counsel and the observations of the learned judges made in the course of the taking of the evidence. It has not been the practice, nor is it required by the Act, to include the addresses of counsel, but steps were taken in May of last year to ensure that in future the addresses of counsel to the bench should also be supplied to the judges if they desired it and forwarded to the Speaker.

Is it only at the desire of the judges? It is very essential that this House should have the report?

There is no provision in the Act for that. It can only be done now by order of the Bench.

asked whether the Government intend this year making any provision in the direction of enabling students of national schools matriculating into the universities; and is it proposed to assist such students by establishing secondary schools throughout the country?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked on the 20th instant by the hon. Member for Cork City. There is no necessity for the establishment of additional secondary schools, the difficulty is to enable pupils in primary schools to profit by those that exist.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has under consideration the estate of Mr. Wilson Fitzgerald, Tarmon West, near Kilkee, West Clare, in respect to which an application was made by the tenants in March, 1910; and whether proceedings in connection with this estate will be expedited?

The Congested Districts Board received an application in March, 1910, from the tenant on the estate referred to. They were in communication with the agent before his death, but failed to obtain a definite reply as to whether the owner was willing to enter into negotiations for the sale of his estate. The Board will now communicate direct with the owner.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give any information as to what the Estates Commissioners contemplate doing with regard to the Westby estate, Kilballyowen, West Clare, the division of which is being awaited by the tenants who would be eligible under the provisions of the Land Act of 1909?

The purchase agreements in this case were not lodged until May, 1908, and, having regard to prior claims of other estates, it will not be reached for inspection for some time; meanwhile, the Estates Commissioners are not in a position to make any statement in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the delay in putting into operation the provisions of the Land Act of 1909 in West Clare; whether he is aware that the suspense is injurious to the whole agricultural community; whether he can state what estates in West Clare have been considered, and what has been the attitude of the landlords with regard to selling; and whether it is proposed to make the compulsory clauses operative in those cases where the delay has been caused by the landlords' unwillingness to sell?

No unnecessary delay has taken place in putting into operation the provisions of the Land Act of 1909 in the congested districts of county Clare. The Congested Districts Board have in a large number of cases invited owners to negotiate for sale. Eighteen estates have been offered for sale, including a few small ones transferred from the Estates Commissioners, and the Board have come to terms for the purchase of seven of these estates. The Board are in negotiation for other properties, and have decided to institute proceedings for compulsory purchase in some cases. As regards the proceedings of the Estates Commissioners, 124 purchase agreements in direct sales in the county, representing a purchase money of £33,440, have been lodged with them under the Act of 1909. They have also received memorials requesting them to acquire under the Act untenanted land on seven estates. In one case they are not prepared to take any action unless on the request of all parties. In another case it has been ascertained that the land is tenanted, and in two other cases they have decided to take no action. In the remaining cases the Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made.

Would it be possible to give the names of those cases where it has been decided to put the compulsory clauses into force?

I do not think there would be any objection.

asked whether, upon the Lahiffe estate, in the parish of New Inn, county Galway, there are only nine tenants, six of whose holdings range from £1 7s. to £4 10s. rental; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to refuse to sanction the sale unless 105 acres grazed by Messrs. Dooly and Treasey are acquired by the Commissioners for the purpose of enlarging the holdings of small tenants, it being the only grazing land upon the estate?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 13th instant to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state when arrangements were made by the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of the Crofton estate, at Clooncellan, Ballymurry, and Ballybeg, in the county of Roscommon; whether these townlands formed one estate, and if any other townlands were included in it; whether Ballybeg consisted of untenanted land and the other town-lands of uneconomic holdings; whether Ballybeg has been given to graziers not formerly on the estate; whether it has been vested in them; if so, when; and whether, at the same time or since, the tenants' holdings have been vested in them?

also asked the nature and value of the tenancy, formerly held by a man named Payne, in a farm on the Pollock estate, now in the possession of the Estates Commissioners; what was the price agreed to for its surrender; and whether he will publish the correspondence which has taken place between the former tenant and the Estates Commissioners or their inspectors, on the one hand, and between the Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board, in regard to this matter and to the farm at Ballybeg, on the Crofton estate, now in the possession of Mr. Payne as a joint occupier with his brother?

further asked whether the farm of Ballybeg, on the Crofton estate, was purchased by the Estates Commissioners as untenanted land; that on this estate there is a number of small holdings; that it was understood between the Commissioners, the landlord, and the tenants that this farm would be used for the enlargement of these holdings; and that the landlord has stated he agreed to a reduction in the price at first arranged on the representation that money would be required for making roads and fences through it; whether he is aware that, in face of all these facts, the land has not been so used but given to a migrant grazier and his brother; and whether he will state why the brother of this man has been included in the arrangement?

The lands on the Crofton Estate purchased by the Estates Commissioners in July, 1910, consist of 360 acres at Clooncraft and Clooncellan, occupied by twenty-two tenants, and 330 acres of untenanted land at Ballybeg and Toomona allotted by the Commissioners to Messrs. John and James Payne, who surrendered 523 acres on the Pollock Estate for the relief of congestion on that estate, on which there were about 200 uneconomic and congested holdings. The Paynes held their land on the Pollock Estate under a lease for twenty-one years from 1902, and were offered by the owner £3,000 to surrender, which they refused. Of the twenty-two tenants on the Crofton Estate, six occupy holdings with a valuation of between £5 and £10, and thirteen occupy holdings under £5 valuation. The lands sold to the Paynes are a considerable distance from these holdings, and there is untenanted land much nearer, which, when acquired, can be utilised for enlarging them There was no understanding that the lands of Ballybeg would be utilised for the enlargement of holdings, nor was the price cut down on that account. The only condition made by the owner was that the Commissioners should advance to the tenants of Clooncraft and Clooncellan the amounts at which they had already agreed to purchase, and the Commissioners accepted that condition. The Estates Commissioners, when applying under the Act of 1909 to the Congested Districts Board for their consent to the purchase, informed the Board of the purposes for which they required the Bally- beg lands There was no correspondence with the Messrs. Payne; the matter was arranged at interviews with them. The Paynes and the other purchasers on the Crofton Estate are in possession of the lands acquired by the Commissioners which will be vested in them in due course. The correspondence between the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Boards is confidential and cannot be laid on the Table of the House.

Is this land now actually vested in the Paynes and is the tenanted land vested in the tenants? And is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of uneconomic holdings in the immediate vicinity of this land, and that the giving of the land to the Paynes deprives these tenants of any chance of making their holdings economic?

I am told there is other untenanted land much nearer to the present holders of these uneconomic holdings than the land now allotted to the Paynes.

I do not mean the tenants on the Crofton estate, but in the immediate vicinity of the land, but not on the Crofton estate?

The question is a very important one. It really comes to this: Whether, in order to relieve economic pressure in other parts, it is lawful to introduce these Paynes into the county Roscommon. The Estates Commissioners, being most anxious to settle the Pollock estate, and to provide for people upon that estate, thought this was a case in which land might be taken, without injury to Roscommon, in that county, and let to the Paynes. They adopted that course, and I hope they may not be discouraged from pursuing, after most careful consideration, a similar course in the future. Otherwise the whole question of uneconomic treatment in Ireland becomes wholly impossible.

This matter is really so important that I must press the right hon. Gentleman for a further answer in regard to it. Is he aware that there is very considerable congestion in the immediate vicinity of this land, and, if so, how can he hold out any hope that this congestion will be relieved unless by the use of the land in the district, and whether any account was taken of the local opinion in this matter before the land was given away from the use of these people?

Most certainly! That point was most carefully considered, and the Estates Commissioners believed there was untenanted land in this neighbourhood which could be used, and sufficiently and properly used, for the relief of persons in that neighbourhood whose holdings were uneconomic. Unless some discretion is left to them in this matter, the whole matter is one that can never be dealt with at all.

I wish to give notice that at the earliest opportunity I shall draw attention to the whole facts.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state for what reason Regular officers appointed adjutants of Territorial infantry prior to 12th July, 1910, are excluded from the receipt of 2s. 6d. per day additional pay?

Will the hon. Member be so good as to refer to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Bodmin on the 16th instant to which I have nothing to add.

asked what is the rate of additional pay for Regular officers appointed as adjutants of yeomanry, artillery, infantry, and engineers in the Territorial Force before and after 12th July, 1910; and whether the new uniform rate will mean different scales of pay for officers holding similar appointments, and a decrease in the case of yeomanry adjutants?

Officers of the Regular Forces appointed adjutants of yeomanry before the 12th July, 1910, draw 5s. a day additional pay; those appointed on or after that date draw 2s. 6d. a day. Officers appointed adjutants of artillery, engineers and infantry before 12th July last draw no additional pay: those appointed or extended on or after that date draw 2s. 6d. a day.

Will this apply to all applicants?

Yes; to all those I have mentioned. They are all of the same scale.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention had been called to the case of A. V. Connelly, who came before the magistrate for West London on a charge of desertion from the 6th battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, but who was stated to be only 15 years and 9 months old, and whose ease was in consequence remitted by the magistrate to the children's court; if he can state when and where the boy was enlisted, how he came to be enlisted, and if he passed a medical examination; and what satisfactory assurance he can give that there are no other boys of a similar age enrolled in the Army?

This recruit was enlisted for the Special Reserve at Hounslow on 25th January, and was duly passed by the medical officer and the approving officer. He gave his age as 17 years 10 months and his late employer, to whom reference was made for character, and in whose employ he served for twelve months, made no exception to this statement. He is up to the physical standards now in force.

Is it not a fact that but for the accident of this case coming before the court the boy's age would never have been discovered, and that this is but one of many similar cases?

The boy's appearance was such that this case would have been discovered. I hope there are not many such cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question, "What satisfactory assurance he can give that there are no other boys of a similar age enrolled in the Army?"

Only that we take all the pains we possibly can to make sure.