asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Railway from Lobita Bay, in Portuguese West Africa, is in operation, and, if so, for what distance; and whether it is contemplated to bring it, in the near future, into connection with the Rhodesian Railway system?

According to a report from His Majesty's Consul at Loanda, dated 30th November last, the railway had then reached 320 kilometres, and was expected to be open to traffic for that distance very shortly. I have no later information, and till the railway has reached the Congo territory I do not see how it can be connected with any other system of existing railway.

asked whether the conversations on the subject of the Bagdad Railway which have taken place with both Turkey and Germany at various intervals in the last few years are likely to lead to a definite conclusion at an early date?

No concrete proposals are at present before His Majesty's Government, and as this is a matter in which the initiative necessarily rests with one or both of the Powers named in the hon. Member's question, I am unable to express an opinion.

May I ask is it the case that according to a "Ceneral News" telegram Sir G. A. Lowther, the British Ambassador to Turkey, stated to the Porte that Great Britain could not enter upon negotiations respecting the Bagdad Railway so long as Turkey failed to recognise the British Protectorate of Koweit?

We have made no statement of the kind. What we have said is that we are prepared to consider proposals whenever proposals are put before us.

If there are any maps or plans of the proposed Bagdad Railway showing how it is constructed, perhaps it would be possible to display them in the tea room or elsewhere?

I will look into that. I must remind the hon. Member that the Bagdad Railway is a German concession in Turkish territory, and I cannot say what plans there are.

asked whether, with reference to the resignation of Drs. E. H. and H. O. Ross from the Public Health Department of Egypt. Sir Horace Pinching, the late Director General, was consulted upon the question of what offers he mad" to the Drs. Ross which induced them to surrended positions in the Navy in order to join the Egyptian service; whether Sir Horace Pinching has, or has not, admitted that he offered them permanent appointments in the Egyptian service; and whether the Government proposes to accept responsibility for the actions of its responsible officers and accredited agents in Egypt?

Dr. E. H. Ross held an appointment on the permanent staff of the Egyptian Public Health Department until his resignation, which, it is understood, took effect from the beginning of this month. From a letter addressed by Sir Horace Pinching to Dr. H. C. Ross (dated 25th May, 1906), a copy of which has been communicated to me, it is evident that this gentleman's appointment was temporary. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I returned to his question of 25th May, 1909. The reply to the last part of this question is in the affirmative, but I must point out that officials of the Egyptian Health Department are in the service of the Egyptian, and not of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention had been drawn to the proposal of Dr. Graham, the Director-General of the Public Health Department, Cairo, to take the water supply for the town from a point in the Nile below the town; whether the Foreign Office had any power to prevent the carrying out of this scheme; and whether it was possible for the Foreign Office to consult the previous directors of the Public Health Department, like Sir Horace Pinching, on Dr. Graham's proposal?

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 34 and 35 of the Report from His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo for the year 1909, where the subject is fully dealt with. His Majesty's Government do not propose to address the Egyptian Government with regard to this question, which, as the hon. Member will see, has been so thoroughly investigated by the most competent experts in Egypt.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would ascertain from the Estates Commissioners when the settlement of the Clarke estate, at Borrisokane, county Tipperary, will be carried out?

The Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to deal with this estate, as there are a number of other estates in priority to it on the register of sales to the Commissioners; but when its turn is reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary if he had received a memorandum from the Irish Tobacco Growers' Association, and whether he would bring it under the notice of the Development Commission?

I have received the memorandum referred to, and have forwarded it to the Development Commissioners.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will bring under the notice of the Department of Agriculture the strong desire in Ireland amongst tobacco growers to give some evidence before the Development Commission?

Yes, they will have the opportunity of doing so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he would take such steps as may be within his power to expedite the sanctioning of the scheme, now for some time under consideration, for providing, under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, suitable homes for the artisans and labourers of the town of Ennis?

The arbitration award was lodged on the 15th inst., and the case is receiving prompt attention from the Local Government Board.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been called to the case of the late Mary Kehoe, a prisoner committed for trial to Water-ford Gaol, who died in the ordinary cells on 1st February last, after several days' illness; and if he could state why she was not sent to the prison hospital previous to her death?

My attention has been called to the case referred to. Mary Kehoe died on 1st February in an ordinary cell in Waterford Prison. She had been in fair health since her committal to prison on 25th November, 1910, but on the evening of 30th January complained of toothache and a pain in her chest. The acting medical officer visited her that evening and prescribed for her. The next morning the medical officer visited her and found her very much better, and did not think it necessary to send her to the hospital. Her death resulted from a sudden and unexpected attack of angina pectoris.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that on the night of the 12th February cattle were driven from grazing land at Castlelacken, on the estate of Colonel Knox, over the cliffs, and were badly injured on the rocks below; and whether any persons have been arrested for this offence?

asked whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 7th instant, a cattle-drive took place on Castlelacken demesne, near Ballycastle, county Mayo, the property of Colonel Knox, and that twelve head of cattle were driven along a pathway towards the sea, and were beaten and forced to walk over a cliff from twenty-five to thirty feet high into the sea; whether bunches of hair and pieces of skin were found on the rocks from which the cattle were precipitated, indicating that they had been brutally treated in the endeavour to force them over the cliff; whether a cattle-drive took place in March last on the same lands; what steps were then taken to prevent a repetition of the offence; what arrests have been made in connection with the present case; and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of this kind of outrage in the neighbourhood?

The Inspector-General informs me that the occurrence took place on the night of the 7th instant, and that the facts are substantially as stated-Tufts of hair were found on the rocks, but no pieces of skin. One beast was badly injured, and another is missing. In March last fifty-two head of cattle were driven off these lands, but were not injured. The police have been doing, and will continue to do, all that is possible to prevent a repetition of the offence. No arrests have been made.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that William Pawley of Canary, county Armagh, who is in receipt of an old age pension of 2s. per week, has been incapacitated from work owing to an accident in July last, and that consequently his yearly means have been so reduced as to entitle him, in the opinion of the Armagh North rural pension sub-committee, to an increase of his pension to 5s. per week; whether the Local Government Board, on appeal, have vetoed the increase; and whether he will lay upon the Table all reports and evidence laid before the Local Government Board in their consideration of this case?

The pension sub-committee, on a question raised by William Pawley, increased his pension from two shillings to five shillings per week, as they considered that his yearly means had been reduced owing to his having become incapacitated from work. The Local Government Board, however, after careful local investigation by an inspector, who visited Pawley's farm and heard what he had to say in support of his application, came to the conclusion that he was not entitled to the proposed increase. The papers and reports in this case were intended for the confidential use of the Board and cannot be laid on the Table.

asked whether, in the case of Mrs. Bridget Halloran, of Moyfadda, near Labasheeda, West Clare, who was born in 1836, and who was now bed-ridden, an old age pension of 4s. which had been granted to her was disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that the claimant had sufficient means; whether she possessed only ten acres of inferior land which by unremitting industry and care had yielded a bare subsistence; and whether the decision of the Local Government Board would be reconsidered?

The acreage of Mrs. Halloran's holding is as stated, and the Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal on the ground that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. It is not open to them to reconsider their decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note particularly that there is in this case an element of thrift?

If a person has through thrift more than the income stated in the Act he cannot have both thrift and pension.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mrs. Kate McGrath, of Carrowbloughmore, Farrihy, West Clare, was in receipt of an old age pension from January, 1909, to September, 1909, but was deprived of the pension on the sole ground that her name was not to be found in the Census returns of 1841 and 1851; whether he is aware that the pension committee on more than one occasion recommended the pension, being convinced by her appearance that she was well over the statutory age; and, seeing that the opinion of the pension officer alone remained adverse to the applicant, whether the Local Government Board will reconsider this case?

Kate McGrath's family was not traced in the 1851 Census, but appears in the 1841 Census return. The claimant, however, was not found as one of the members, and it would, therefore, appear that she was as yet unborn in 1841. The Local Government Board did not disallow the claim on account of the pension officer's opinion, but because there was no satisfactory proof furnished to them that she had attained the statutory age. It is not open to them to reconsider their decision.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come when he should no longer allow pension officers to override the decisions of the committee?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what class of evidence will be accepted in such cases as satisfactory by the Local Government Board and the Treasury?

It is impossible for the Board or anybody else to say beforehand in any given ease what will satisfy them. All I say is that they require to be satisfied.

asked the Chief Secretary if he was aware that on the night of the 13th February the residence of Lieutenant Kirwan, R.N., Bawnmore, county Galway, was fired into, and if any arrests have been made in connection with the occurrence?

The residence of Lieutenant Kirwan, Bawnmore, county Galway, was fired into on the evening of the 12th instant. No arrests have been made.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the application of James Breen, Breanlea, Kilgobnet, an evicted tenant on the Dennehy estate, had been brought to the notice of the Estates Commissioners; and whether he could state what action the Estates Commissioners had taken with a view to his reinstatement and the purchase of his holding?

An inspector has been directed by the Estates Commissioners to make enquiries in this case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the tenants on the Palmer estate, near Kenmare, were desirous of purchasing their holdings; and could he state what action, if any, had been taken by the Congested Districts Board to complete the purchase negotiations?

I am aware that the tenants on the estate referred to are desirous of purchasing their holdings. The estate has been offered to the Congested Districts Board, who will arrange for a valuation of it as soon as possible.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners had completed their inspection of the Colomb estate near Caherciveen, with a view to its purchase; if so, to what extent would their valuation be binding on landlord and tenants; and whether, in view of the dilapidated condition of the houses of the tenants, would the Estates Commissioners, in lieu of handing the estate over to be dealt with by the Congested Districts Board, erect buildings and carry out other improvements to the same extent as if the estate had been originally purchased through the medium of the Congested Districts Board, so that the tenants might not be at any disadvantage?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Rupert P. Columb, for the sale of which direct sale purchase agreements have been signed by the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1909. An inspector has been directed to visit the lands, and when the Estates Commissioners receive his report they will consider what action they will take in reference to the property.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Inspector will visit the lands?

I cannot give the exact date.

I hope it will be soon.

I will press it on.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that, in the case of the Fitzgerald estate, Kinlea, Kilmihill, West Clare, the landlord had offered to sell to the Congested Districts Board, and that the disputes that had arisen in connection with this estate had involved extra police tax to the extent of over £400 a year; and whether, in view of a peaceful settlement, the matter would be dealt with as expeditiously as possible?

The offer of the Congested Districts Board for the estate referred to has been recently accepted by the owner, and the Board will proceed with the re-arrangement of the holdings and distribution of turbary as soon as the vendor gives possession. The Inspector-General informs me that the charge for extra police employed in connection with the dispute is about £170 per annum.

asked the Chief Secretary if he could say whether any negotiations or interviews had taken place between the English and Irish Departments of Agriculture in relation to the establishment, with State assistance and supervision, of agricultural credit banks in rural districts in all parts of the United Kingdom; and whether this was a project for which support might be expected from the Government?

The question of agricultural credit has been discussed by representatives of the Departments mentioned. I am not aware that any proposals have been made as regards assistance from the State towards the establishment of Agricultural Credit Banks.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that, as a general rule, the courts of petty sessions in Ireland sat on the day after the weekly market or monthly fair, and that persons arrested in these fairs or markets, charged with indictable offences, or offences which might be punished with imprisonment under the Summary Jurisdiction Acts, or with drunkenness, were detained in custody, from the time of arrest in the fair or market until the sitting of the petty sessions court next day, in the strong room or cell of the local Royal Irish Constabulary barrack; and would he state what sleeping accommodation was provided in these strong rooms for such persons awaiting trial?

I am not aware that any such general rule as that indicated in the first paragraph of the question exists. No sleeping accommodation is supplied in the strong room in police barracks other than that afforded by an inclined wooden platform. Prisoners are not unnecessarily detained, and, when detained, are treated with much consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the executive committee of the Irish County Councils General Council held on Friday, 17th instant, protesting against the proposals of the Road Board in reference to the allocation of Ireland's share of the Development Fund; whether he would examine the reasons on which this protest was based; and, whether, having regard to the reception accorded to the Road Board's proposals in Ireland, he would make representations to the Road Board to withdraw the scheme recently submitted, and to propose a new scheme after consultation with the local authorities in Ireland interested in the scheme.

I have seen the resolution referred to. The Road Board have issued a circular to all the county councils in Ireland inviting them to a conference in Dublin early in March, when doubtless the views of the Irish County Councils General Council will receive careful attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman support the views of the general council of County Councils?

I will consider them.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been directed to a resolution passed at a meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Irish Road Congress held last week in Dublin; whether he was aware that this body included amongst its members the county surveyors of Ireland, who had intimated personal knowledge of Irish roads and national traffic requirements; and, in view of these facts, would he request the Road Board to enter into communication with the General Purposes Committee of the Irish Road Congress with a view to having a new and more acceptable scheme for Ireland substituted by the Road Board for that which they recently submitted to the Irish local authorities?

My attention has been directed to the resolution referred to. It is a fact that the Irish Road Congress includes amongst its members a number, if not all, of the county surveyors in Ireland. I would suggest that the Irish Road Congress should communicate their views to the Road Board with a view to their consideration at the proposed conference to be held in Dublin next March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that invitations are extended to the local surveyors to attend the congress?

I will see what I can do. It is not my congress.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the fact that the county borough council of Limerick had applied for a loan of £5,135 in order to carry out a first scheme of housing under The Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1909; whether the plans in connection with this scheme had been forwarded to the Irish Local Government Board; was he aware that the ground on which it was proposed to build in this case was almost wholly owned by the borough council; and if and when the scheme was approved by the Local Government Board, would he see that there would be no unnecessary delay in granting the loan, so that work on this much-needed scheme of housing would be commenced as soon as possible?

The facts are as stated in the first three paragraphs of the question. If, and when, the scheme is approved by the Local Government Board, the question of granting a loan from public funds will rest with the Treasury.

As he knows a good deal about this case, will the right hon. Gentleman assist the Corporation to press its claim on the Treasury?

Subject to my general relations with the Treasury, I will do my best.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the Athlone Rural District Council had passed a resolution, which had been forwarded to the Congested Districts Board, asking for the purchase by that Board of the Edwin Hughes estate, situated near Athlone, setting forth also that there were several families whose holdings were completely flooded; and whether the Board would send an inspector to this estate on an early date?

A copy of the resolution referred to has been received by the Congested Districts Board. The Board communicated with the owner asking if he were willing to sell his estate, but did not receive a reply. They do not propose at present to send an inspector to the estate.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the doctor who gave evidence at the inquest on Mr. Thomas McClory said that death arose from heart disease, from which McClory had been suffering for years, and that there were no traces of injuries from which death was likely to result; whether the injuries to his face were consonant with McClory falling down whilst on his way home; whether McClory, the day after it was alleged he was the victim of a brutal and unprovoked assault, spent the whole day from seven in the morning to ten at night in Raithfriland; whether McClory, when questioned by the police, was unable to say where he met with his injuries; and whether the police had any information which pointed to the fact of there being an assault at all; and, if so, of what was its character?

The doctor's evidence at the inquest on 29th December was to the effect that when McClory visited him on 15th December his face was bruised and his nose was broken, and he complained of having been beaten on the previous night. The doctor went on to say that on a superficial examination of the body on the day of the inquest he saw no marks that would account for death He further stated his opinion that the cause of death was heart disease, and that the injuries which he saw may have accelerated it. McClory was a deformed and decrepit old man. The police are satisfied that the injuries to his face which they saw were caused, as stated by him, by his being beaten on the face and knocked down on the road. It is true that McClory spent the day following the assault in the polling booth at Rathfriland in the discharge of his duties as election agent. When questioned by the police that morning he told them exactly where the assault as described above took place, but was unable to give the names of his assailants. The police are satisfied of the truth of his statements.

Is it not a fact that a coroner's jury, composed almost entirely of Unionists, found that the man's death was accelerated by the violence of the Unionists who attacked him?

They found that death was accelerated by the wounds inflicted.

Did not the alleged assault take place in the Nationalist quarter of the town?

There is no Nationalist quarter of the town.

If the police have not discovered who committed the assault is the hon. Member entitled to call the culprits Unionists?

I did not say what were the politics of the people.

Is it not a fact that the three persons whom the police suspect in connection with this murderous attack are all Unionists?

I cannot go into that.

I can tell you.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he had approached the Treasury to know if they were prepared to provide funds for the erection of vested schools in Ireland; and, if not, from what source was it proposed to obtain the money required to erect those vested schools in Ireland, the preliminary investigations in which, and the plans of which, in some cases had been completed for many months?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question of the hon. Member for North Kildare on 22nd November last, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the provisions of the Transvaal Estate Duty Act, 1909, had been brought to his attention; and if he had received any memorials with reference to this Act and the question whether its provisions were ultra vires and in conflict with the English law and the practice of the courts?

Yes, Sir, complaint of the kind referred to has been made to the Colonial Office. The question of double Death Duties is one of the subjects proposed by the Union Government for discussion at the Conference.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this particular question will be brought up; there is great feeling among the public in regard to it?

Any question suggested by any of the Dominions for discussion will be considered.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he was aware that a Commissioner of the Local Government Board held an inquiry into the question as to whether the parish of Ystradfellte, in the county of Brecon, should continue to belong to the Neath Urban District, or whether it should be transferred to the Brecon Rural District; whether the inquiry was held in November, 1909; whether the Commissioner has yet reported upon the inquiry; and, if not, whether it was possible, after fifteen months' consideration, to obtain from the Commissioner a report which would put a period to the suspense of all parties concerned?

The inquiry referred to was an inquiry as to the transfer of the parish from the Neath Union to the Brecon Union. The report of the inspector who held the inquiry was very carefully considered, and the parish council have been informed that the Local Government Board see no sufficient reason for the transfer of the parish from the Neath Union to the Brecon Union.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he was aware that, under Article 34, 11 and 12 Vic, Poor Law Amendment, power is given to any ratepayer in the various districts to inspect the books of boards of guardians at the time they are under audit by the Local Government Board; if he was aware that on 3rd January last Mr. John Yallop, who resided within the Edmonton Union area, was refused permission to inspect the books of the Edmonton Union, and that at the Wood Green Petty Sessions an order was refused to Mr. Yallop to allow him to inspect the books; and if he proposed taking action in the matter?

By the Local Government Board's regulations, any owner of property or a ratepayer interested in the accounts of the officers of a Board of Guardians is entitled to inspect during the audit, any books, documents, etc., relating to the accounts of such officers, but to such extent and in such manner only as will not, in the judgment of the auditor, interfere with the audit. I am informed that Mr. Yallop attended on the 3rd January, while the audit was in progress, and was informed by the assistant auditor that he had no objection to the books required being then inspected, but that he should apply to the Clerk to the Guardians for permission to do so. The Clerk to the Guardians was not present, and Mr. Yallop was informed by the Assistant Clerk that he could not then have the books he required. I understand that, when the matter was reported to the Clerk shortly afterwards, he gave instructions that, if Mr. Yallop called again, he was to be allowed to see such of the books as were not actually being used by the auditor. I have no-official information of the result of Mr. Yallop's application in the matter at the Wood Green Petty Sessions.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, with reference to the question of the hon. Member for Kincardineshire on the 4th November, 1908, whether the subject of accidents caused by the employment of dazzling headlights on motor-cars had received his further consideration; and, if so, whether he could now take steps, by regulation or otherwise, to compel the use of such appliances as would reduce to a minimum the excessive glare?

Further consideration has been given to this matter, but I regret that I have not as yet been able to find a saris-factory means for dealing with it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of prohibiting the use of these large search-lights in the streets of London, where the streets being well lighted, there is no necessity for them?

I am glad to say that since attention was called to this matter by my hon. Friend, the makers of these lamps have seen the wisdom of not pursuing the policy of having the high-grade lamp that they first instituted, and the tendency is to avoid the difficulty to which the hon. Member opposite referred. I am considering this matter in conjunction with the police, and if we can still further diminish the use of these particular lights, which are a danger to horse drivers and others, we will do our best in that direction.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the inquiries now being made by the officers of the Board in connection with bread include the question of the relative nutritive values of bread containing different proportions of the germ and the inner cuticle of the wheat berry, which are eliminated in the ordinary process of roller milling, and of ordinary bread containing none of these constituents?

The subject referred to in the question is being considered in connection with the inquiry into matters relating to flour and bread which is now proceeding. A preliminary report on the subject will, I hope, be shortly issued.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the use of borax in the preservation of meat is a criminal offence in America and that borax is allowed to be used in specially marked boxes for exportation to this country from America, he has taken any steps to preserve the health of our people from the bad effects of American meat preserved by borax?

I am advised that, so far as the public health is concerned these matters are sufficiently dealt with by the regulations which have been made under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907. I do not consider that further steps are at present called for.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the American Government marks as fit and wholesome for human food the remainder of the carcases of animals from which parts affected by tuberculosis, malignant tumours, and other diseases have been cut out, he has taken any steps to prevent such meat, either tinned, chilled, or frozen, from being sold for food in this country without due notice to purchasers as to the origin of this meat?

Under the Public Health (Unsound Food) Regulations, 1908, the Medical Officer of Health is empowered to seize any article of food landed within the district which is unsound, unwholesome, or unfit for human consumption. I do not at present think it necessary to make further provisions on the subject I may observe that the rules laid down by the United States Authorities governing the inspection of carcases of cattle intended for export, either inter-state or foreign, are not less stringent than those observed in this country. In the case of the pig the United States standard is less stringent than that obtaining in this country, and, in accordance with the provisions of the Foreign Meat Regulations, American pork, fresh, chilled, or frozen, is only admissible if it comes in the form of the whole carcase, so as to permit of examination for disease.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this country carcases of any animals suspected of tuberculosis or other malignant disease are altogether destroyed; and that under the American Regulations it is not so? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to the American Regulations the diseased parts only have to be cut off, and the rest of the carcase is stamped by the American Government as sound and fit for human food?

I have nothing to do with the American Regulations; but this I do know; that there is no country in the world where the Regulations as to the importation of unsound, unfit, and unwholesome food are as stringently administered as in this country.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that our examiners in this country can tell whether the meat that is sound——

That is a subject for debate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now considered the report of the medical officers upon the conditions of employment in telephone exchanges; and when it is proposed to publish the same?

The report has been under close consideration, and the details of its various proposals have been, or are being, worked out by the Department. The question of publication is not yet decided.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state on what grounds he has come to the decision that he cannot establish the permanently employed night telephone operators in the Post Office service; and whether he has considered whether these officers, performing responsible duties and engaged on continual night duty (which includes Sunday work without extra pay) and an attendance of twelve hours per week above that of established officers performing night duty, are sufficiently remunerated with a maximum of 30s. per week?

The work of night telephone operators is now carried out by men who do not necessarily have the age and other qualifications laid down for entrants into the Civil Service. It does not lend itself to rotation with other Post Office work, does not afford training for higher employment, and cannot advantageously be offered as a permanent career to young men. For these reasons I cannot favour the establishment of these operators. I regret that I am not in a position to improve their pay. The net weekly attendance in most cases exceeds by about six hours, not twelve hours, the attendance given by an established officer performing all-night duty, but the work is very much lighter than that of such an officer.

asked the Postmaster-General, with reference to the recent appointment of a superintendent at Chester post office, why, seeing that the local officer then filling the vacancy had acted not only as substitute for the superintendent for a period of three months, but also as substitute for the postmaster on leave, without evoking any complaint, it was found necessary to send to Chester, as acting superintendent, the officer from Wellington, Salop, now appointed to the post of superintendent; and what effect such appointment to the post of superintendent at the Chester post office has had upon the prospects of promotion of the chief members of the post office staff at Chester?

After carefully considering the qualifications of all the eligible officers at Chester I was satisfied that none was fully qualified for the vacant superintendentship. The officer transferred from Wellington, Salop, was fully qualified. I am considering the possibility of granting a reciprocal promotion to the Chester staff.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the decision recently made by which the public are no longer able to obtain money orders, licences, and savings bank accounts at Beetham sub-post office in the Carnforth district; and whether he is aware that residents in and near the village who have had such facilities for many years past are much dissatisfied?

I have carefully considered representations made to me on this subject, and I regret that, in view of the small number of transactions of the nature specified, I should not be justified in sanctioning the resumption of money order and savings bank business and the issue of licences at the post office at Beetham, Carnforth.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that during the month of January a newspaper packet from Australia addressed to Mr. E. C. Tilley, 38, Kitchener Road, East Finchley, London, N., was surcharged the sum of 4d.; that Mr. Tilley refused acceptance of the packet on these conditions; and that when he subsequently made inquiries with regard to the packet and the reason for the surcharge he was informed that the packet could not be found; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

I find that Mr. Tilley's inquiries with regard to the packet in question were not received until some days after his refusal to accept it, and that in the meantime, being of no intrinsic value, it had been destroyed in ordinary course. There is no reason to suppose that the surcharge was not correctly made, and the matter seems to call for no further action on my part.

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that if an addressee refuses to receive a package at the time of delivery on the ground that, in his opinion, he is surcharged unfairly, the Post Office are then entitled to destroy the package?

All packages which are of no intrinsic value and which are not delivered, are kept for seven days, and then destroyed. If any complaint is made in the meantime about the packet the matter is looked into. This person not only refused to pay the surcharge, but made no complaint until after the time had elapsed for destruction.

Might not a longer period than seven days be allowed? Seven days seems rather short.

I will consider that.

asked the Prime Minister whether any instructions were given by the Government to His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington with regard to the reciprocity negotiations between Canada and the United States; if so, what was the tenour and effect of such instructions; and whether the Ambassador has sent in any report as to the result of his action in compliance therewith?

As I informed the hon. Member for Hammersmith on the 16th instant, the answer is in the negative.

Do we understand that no instructions at all were given to our Ambassador at Washington?

No instructions were sent.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information showing that the South African preference now given to Great Britain will not be continued unless Great Britain gives in return a preference to goods coming from South Africa; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

also asked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the Resolution introduced into the American House of Representatives, directing the President to open negotiations with Great Britain for the annexation of the Dominion of Canada to the United States of America; and wheher he intends to send any communication to the Government of the United States on the subject?

The answer to these questions is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a prominent American politician has let the annexation cat out of the bag, and that President Taft is trying to get it back again?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington any despatch as to the effect of the proposed reciprocity agreement between the United States and Canada in leading to full commercial union between the two-countries and its bearing upon the political relations between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada; and, if so, whether he will lay that despatch upon the Table of the House?

Despatches have been received and we are considering what papers could be laid.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement made by the Canadian Postmaster-General that Mr. Bryce has helped all through these negotiations between Canada and the United States?

Our attention has been called to a short report, but we are not yet in the possession of full information of what was said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make definite inquires on this point, and lay papers on the Table?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider the desirability, as soon as he has control of the telephone service, of providing a directory for telephone users that shall not contain advertisements inserted among the names of subscribers?

I do not think that the large financial sacrifice which would result from adopting the suggestion of the hon. Member would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Woolmore, charged at Epping on the 10th February with neglect of her five children, who was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment; whether he is aware that the doctor's evidence for the prosecution was that the cottage and the children were dirty, that the children looked exceedingly well in health, but that the conditions would be serious in case of illness; that it was also adduced that the woman was of sober habits; and that the woman pleaded that she was hampered by the cottage having no water supply, and that she was ill; and whether, seeing that she had to fetch all the water required from a mile distant, often carrying her youngest child with her, he will take action with a view to mitigating the sentence passed upon her?

My attention has been called to the case. The facts are not quite correctly stated. The evidence showed that the children and the cottage where they lived were, owing to the mother's neglect, in an indescribably filthy condition. The woman had been repeatedly warned. There was water fit for washing purposes in a pond close to the house, and drinking water had to be fetched only about 200 yards. The justices tell me that in sending the woman to prison they had regard chiefly to the interests of the children, and hoped that before her release a better cottage would be found by the father. The case is a difficult one to deal with. The reports I have received from the prison medical authorities show that the woman is weak-minded, and indifferent to her imprisonment. She is being carefully treated, and her release at this moment would not be for her good or for the good of the children. I have decided that I would not be justified in interfering with the sentence: and I hope that before its expiration the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (with whom I am in communication) who prosecuted, and the many benevolent persons who have taken an interest in the case may be able to make some arrangement for the family which will prevent their reverting into the same miserable condition as before.

May I ask is it not a fact that the only water supply was some 200 yards away from the cottage; whether that water was not pump water, and whether or not it was fit for the purposes of drinking? And, also, is it not a fact that the medical officer who inspected the children stated that they were healthy, and that the whole complaint of the children themselves was the fact that the cottage was insanitary; and is it not a fact that the woman on 13s. 6d. per week had to keep five children, her husband, and herself?

I think my answer covers all that.

Will the Home Secretary consider this point? That the woman has been in prison six weeks; that the children are in the workhouse; that the whole family life has been decimated; and whether, under these circumstances, the woman is not entitled to some reconsideration of her sentence?

It is not a question of mercy. If the use of the prerogative of mercy would have beneficial results I should not hesitate to apply it, but in this case it is more a question of treatment. Arrangements must be made to prevent the miserable condition in which these children were living being restored when the mother comes out.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, instead of allowing the woman to remain in prison, of having her put into hospital and carefully nursed, as the whole of her condition, both mental and physical, was due to the fact that only 13s. 6d. per week was available for the sustenance of the whole family of seven?

I said the woman is reported as being weak-minded by the prison medical authorities, and she is receiving treatment in accordance with her condition. She is not being punished, but is being treated as a person in her condition should. I cannot say whether she is in the prison hospital at present, but she is under the constant supervision of the prison medical officer.

Arising out of that——

The hon. Member must put down any further questions.

asked whether instructions had been given to the Metropolitan police to enforce Section 30 of the Explosives Act, 1875, with regard to the hawking and exposure of an explosive known as electric sparklers in the public streets; and, if not, whether such instructions will be given?

No instructions of the kind have been issued, but the matter is now engaging my attention.

asked if the Celtic shepherd, David Davies, will be allowed to return to Dartmoor Prison and resume the occupation he pursued there prior to his release, if he surrenders to the authorities or is captured by the detective who is now searching for him?

As the question is hypothetical and depends on circumstances, some of which are not within my knowledge, I am afraid I cannot enter into any undertaking at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to punish him any further for breaking his parole?

I do not think I should reply to that question until I know the facts. My present intention is not to punish because he did not comply with one or two unusual conditions that attached to his licence, for the purpose of keeping him out of trouble.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will not consider the propriety of publishing a free pardon in the papers for the purpose of inducing this shepherd to come out of his hiding-place?

I do not think it would be suitable for me to put into the papers a notice that if he came out of his hiding-place all would be forgotten and forgiven.

What are the use of licences if these people can so easily elude the vigilance of the police?

That is a very large question, with which I should be glad of the opportunity of dealing.

asked the Secretary of State whether he is aware that the exhibition of the red flag and the use of trea- sonable language on the national monument erected to commemorate the services of Nelson are resented by loyal citizens without distinction of party; and whether he will arrange for the speakers at anarchist, republican, and insurrectionary meetings held in Trafalgar Square to be accommodated with a platform other than the plinth of the Nelson column?

The use of the plinth for public meetings has been allowed by successive Governments for many years, and I see no reason to interfere with the established practice. If any speakers use seditious language they can, if necessary, be prosecuted; but there is no ground for differentiating between the treatment of speakers at one meeting and speakers at another.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's opinion that long usage of a bad practice justifies its continuance?

asked whether any report has been received of the investigations made by Dr. Rocyn Jones respecting the infectious disease among the colliery horses in Monmouthshire?

I have received a report by Dr. Rocyn Jones, the County Medical Officer for Monmouthshire, and Mr. Martin, lately Inspector of Mines for the Southern district, of the results of the investigations made by them at my request into the sanitary condition of certain Monmouthshire mines; and it is now under my consideration.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to issue it as a Parliamentary Paper?

I must have notice of that.

asked whether, in the course of an inquiry into the administration of the Heswall reformatory school and certain charges of cruelty against the Superintendent of the School, it had been established and so found by the Under-Secretary that canings contrary to the regulations and with a cane too large for its purpose had been inflicted; that in the case of twenty-seven boys permanent scars had resulted from canings or birchings; that on one occasion in 1909 the Superinten- dent kept all the boys in the school standing by the side of their hammocks from ten o'clock at night till five the following morning; and that in the month of November, 1909, he directed some of the boys at the school to throw fifteen pails of cold water over a lad named Palmer; and whether the Superintendent against whom these charges have been established still retains his appointment?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Report of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State he will find that charges of cruelty against the Superintendent were not substantiated; that the substitution in certain cases of the cane for the legal regulation punishment of the birch was done under a belief that it was a humaner form of punishment; that in two cases during the first five years the Superintendent has inflicted punishment outside the regulations, for which he is censured. On the other hand, he will find that high tribute is paid to the excellent and self-sacrificing work which the Superintendent has been doing at Heswall, to his successful efforts to reduce the number of corporal punishments, and to the very great physical and moral improvement—as testified by external and internal evidence—in the condition of the boys. I am sending the Report to the Managers, but under these circumstances I see no reason to recommend the dismissal of the Superintendent. My hon. Friend has recommended some general investigation into the Government regulations and present practice of Reformatory and Industrial Schools; and I hope shortly to appoint a strong Departmental Committee to investigate these matters.

Are we to understand that that part of the question which says that: "On one occasion, in 1909, the Superintendent kept all the boys standing by the side of their hammocks from ten o'clock at night till five the following morning" is not true?

It certainly is true, but the whole matter is fully described in the report, which goes into the matter at great length and in the most minute detail, and which I have now presented as a Parliamentary Paper.

How does the right hon. Gentleman justify the retention of the Superintendent who was guilty of conduct of that kind?

I think if the hon. Member read the report he would be in a better position to put questions on the subject.

The right hon. Gentleman says he has no power to remove the superintendent; then with whom does the power lie——

The power rests with the managers of the schools. The Home Office may decline to send any more boys there. But as it is now, however, in a very good condition, I do not propose to adopt that course.

Did the right hon. Gentleman advise the school committee to dismiss the superintendent?

It is a very delicate question, and I have given it very considerable attention, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave many days' personal examination to the subject, and we came to the conclusion that we should not be justified in making an example of this officer in view of the circumstances of the case.

In consequence of the answers of the right hon. Gentleman, I shall have to ask leave later to move the adjournment of the House.

asked whether, in drawing up his scheme for workmen inspectors of collieries, he will provide that for all Welsh collieries only Welsh-speaking workmen inspectors be appointed?

It will not be necessary to insert any provision on the subject in the scheme now under consideration, as the requirement in the Coal Mines Act as to the appointment of Welsh-speaking inspectors in Wales will apply to the new class of sub-inspectors equally with the existing inspectors.

asked whether he is aware of the effect caused in the police force by the dismissal of Inspector Syme; and will he, therefore, publish or lay upon the Table of the House a full Report of the proceedings and evidence in the inquiry which resulted in such dismissal?

I have no reason to think that the dismissal of Inspector Syme has had such effect on the force as the hon. Member suggests. I believe the men generally appreciate the care and consideration with which the Commissioner deals with cases of misconduct in the force. It would be contrary to practice, and would, so far as I can see, serve no useful purpose, to lay on the Table the papers mentioned in the question. I shall be glad, however, to lay, if the hon. Member desires it, on the Table the judgment of the Commissioner which goes fully into the whole subject, and with which I concur.

As there is a considerable amount of feeling outside on this matter, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has looked personally into this matter and is he satisfied that the course taken is justified?

Yes, I have indeed gone carefully into the matter myself. I have had long interviews with the Commissioner and also with ex-Inspector Syme. I very much regret to say that I see no chance whatever of altering the present position, which has grown out of small events, and has led to gross insubordination on the part of that officer.

May I ask whether any part of the report of the proceedings, denied to Members of this House, has been communicated to any party outside?

I did communicate the judgment of the Commissioner to certain parties outside who took great interest in this particular case, because I thought they wanted to know what was said. I shall be glad to lay the judgment on the Table of the House.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the warders and certain other officials of Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, who live outside the prison are only allowed 5s. a week for lodgings; and, whether, seeing that the average price for suitable lodgings in Newport and the district is 6s. 6d. to 7s. a week, he can see his way to inquire into the matter, and, if necessary, to increase the lodging allowance of the non-resident warders and similar officials of Parkhurst Prison so as to place them on an equality with resident warders?

No officer at Parkhurst below the rank of principal warder receives more than 5s. a week. No general application for increased lodging allowance has been received from the officers at Parkhurst, but if an application from any officer were received, and it were shown that he had to pay excess rent for accommodation sufficient for himself and his family, it would, of course, receive consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, where an Advisory Board in connection with Labour Exchanges holds its meetings in the afternoon, some members of the board have to absent themselves from their employment in order to attend, with a consequent loss of wages; whether he is aware that, when the meeting is held in the town in which the member resides, no expenses are allowed; and whether he will take steps either to compensate such members for their loss or secure an alteration in the hour of meeting?

The matters to which my hon. Friend refers have been brought to my attention and are now receiving careful consideration.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he will state the cost incurred in opening and maintaining the Labour Exchanges from February, 1910, to 30th December, 1910, the number of applications made for work during that period, and the number of temporary and permanent vacancies filled?

The expenditure on Labour Exchanges from February, 1910, to 30th December, 1910, in respect of salaries, travelling, stationery, and incidentals was approximately £100,000. The amount of the expenditure incurred in respect of the hire and adaptation of premises for Labour Exchanges cannot at present be stated. The number of applications for work made during that period was 1,588,534. These numbers include the re-applications by persons whose applications had lapsed or been cancelled. There is also a certain amount of duplicate registration. The above numbers cannot, therefore, be taken as in any way representing separate individuals. The total number of vacancies filled during that period was 374,313, exclusive of the vacancies for casual employment filled by two Exchanges in Liverpool and Manchester dealing with cotton porters and cloth porters respectively. What proportion of the number given were temporary or permanent cannot be stated.

asked whether the Board of Trade has taken any action to compel railway companies and owners of private waggons to have all waggons fitted with brake levers on either side?

A rule on this subject was proposed last year under the Railway Employment (Prevention of Accidents) Act, 1900, but it has not been brought into operation, as certain railway companies and an association of coal freighters owning waggons have required objections lodged by them to the rule to be referred to the Railway and Canal Commissioners. It is expected that the objections will shortly be filed with the Court.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the group of rocks upon which H.M.S. "Collingwood" struck outside Ferrol are more than thirty feet below water; whether the survey of 1893 ignored all dangers below thirty feet; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to secure a new and complete survey of Ferrol and other parts on these coasts which are habitually visited by His Majesty's Fleet?

A depth of twenty-seven feet was found on the rock on which H.M.S. "Collingwood" struck. The survey of 1893 includes dangers below thirty feet. A new survey by the Spanish authorities of the Spanish coasts has for some time been in progress.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to when the survey is likely to be completed?

I will inquire, if the bon. Member will put down a question.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he will state the weekly wage, the amount stopped on establishment, and the full pension granted at sixty years of age to hammermen and smiths respectively employed in Sheerness Dockyard?

The weekly wage for hammermen is 21s. to 28s., and for smiths 34s. to 45s. The amounts stopped on establishment are as follows:—

1s. per week upon rates not exceeding 24s.

1s. 6d. per week upon rates not exceeding 36s.

2s. per week upon rates not exceeding 42s.

2s. 6d. per week upon rates not exceeding 48s.

The amount of the full pension is determined by the same rules in both cases, according to the length of service and rates of pay during the last three years of service, as laid down in the Superannuation Acts.

asked whether, in view of the higher nutritive value of bread containing the germ and inner cuticle of the wheat berry over ordinary white bread, he will consider the desirability of providing that, in Admiralty contracts, no bread and flour shall be supplied containing these eliminated constituents?

It was the practice until recent years to supply the Navy with "stone-ground" flour produced in Government mills at the victualling yards; but there was considerable prejudice amongst the men against the dark-coloured bread and puddings which this flour produced, and very little was consumed. It was consequently decided to dismantle the Government mills, and to purchase from millers the "roller-ground" flour which is used in the private trade. The bread, etc., made from this flour is very popular in the Navy. Before eliciting the present opinion of the Fleet on the subject it is proposed to wait until the Local Government Board experts, who are at present investigating the comparative nutritive qualities of the various descriptions of flour, have made their report.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the opinion of some of the leading millers in the country the so-called standard bread consists of ordinary bread made with ordinary flour to which a little pig meal has been added?

I was not aware of that. I can only repeat that the bluejackets who had this bread do not seem to like it.

Before any change is made, will the opinion of the men be obtained?

Yes, Sir. The sailors have strong opinions of their own as to whether they like food or they do not.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will direct the attention of the Development Commissioners to the success which has already attended the production of tobacco in Ireland on a small scale, with a view to enable the experiment to be continued on a larger scale so that a greater number of small landholders may engage in the industry?

I understand that the Development Commission are taking steps to satisfy themselves as to the possibilities of further tobacco cultivation in Great Britain and Ireland.

Will the scheme be extended to Scotland for the same reason?

I said Great Britain and Ireland.

Perhaps I may be allowed to put a supplementary question myself, although it is a thing I do not care about doing. I want to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in considering what can be done in this matter in Great Britain, whether he will bear in mind that on this subject, as in the case of forestry, Ireland has made a great many experiments, and is much more ahead, and should be treated first in the matter.

asked whether he is aware that leases of small houses for the period of one year or less than a year are now being universally constituted in Scotland by oral agreement in consequence of the high stamp duties put on such agreements, if written, by the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; that such oral agreements lead to want of clearness, and consequent disputes and litigation, besides loss of revenue to the State; and whether he will reduce the duty payable on such leases to 1d. if the rent is £10 or under, as enacted in the Stamp Act, 1891?

My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to, which is at present under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the clerks in the offices of sur- veyors of taxes are grouped in different classes; and whether promotion of a clerk to a higher class means not only increased official responsibility, but also, in the case of his being transferred from a country to a London district, increased personal expenditure; whether a clerk promoted to a higher class is for a time paid the same salary that he received while in the lower class; and whether he will take any, and what steps to avoid the overlapping of the minimum wages of the higher class and the maximum wages of the lower class?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, promotion to a higher class as a rule means a higher scale of salary with a higher maximum and with pension rights in the case of clerks promoted to the two higher classes. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not propose to alter the existing scales.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether two-thirds, or thereabouts, of the clerks to the surveyors of taxes are not upon the establishment of His Majesty's Civil Service but are in the direct service of the Board of Inland Revenue upon agreements terminable by a notice of one week only; and whether, having regard to the confidential and responsible nature of their duties, and to the fact that the system of employment in the offices of surveyors of taxes of clerks who are subject to dismissal at one week's notice has been condemned by the London Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies, and also by the surveyors of taxes themselves, he will take any, and what, steps in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I do not consider it advisable at the present time to take any action in the direction indicated by the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he had received a copy of a memorial from the clerks to surveyors of taxes requesting consideration of their conditions of service; and, if so, whether a statement could not be made on the various points contained in the memorial, and of which consideration was promised to a deputation of the clerks who laid their case before him in July, 1908?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Baronet the Member for Hawick Burghs on Monday last.

May I ask whether these clerks may be expected to be put in the position of other officials of the Inland Revenue?

I am afraid I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fall in rateable values in London and elsewhere owing to the new Licence Duties under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and whether he is prepared to make any compensation to the local authorities affected?

My attention has been called to the possible effect of an increase of the Licence Duties in this direction. The clause in the Revenue Bill, which I explained to the House last Monday, dealing with valuations for Licence Duty, will, of course, tend to mitigate this effect. Having regard to the very liberal concessions now to be made to the local authorities, pending a comprehensive settlement of the question of Exchequer Grants-in-Aid of local taxation, I cannot undertake to make any further transference of burdens from the shoulders of the public in their capacity of ratepayers to the shoulders of the public in their capacity of taxpayers.

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will keep an open mind on the question of taking away from the Local Authorities their half share of the Land Taxes?

I should be very glad to revert to my original position of taking a contribution in respect of old age pensions, and handing back to the Local Authorities their half share, because that would be a benefit to the Exchequer of £1,200,000 a year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his original promise to give half of the Land Taxes to the Local Authorities was made without conditions?