asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that to a great extent the uniforms for naval cadets at Dartmouth and Osborne are made by home work; and would he state what precautions are taken to ensure that such uniforms are not made in homes where there is any infectious disease, but are made under proper healthy and sanitary conditions?

The provision of uniforms for naval cadets is undertaken by their parents and guardians. If any clothing is alleged to be made under unhealthy conditions, it would seem to be a case for action under the Factory Acts, which are administered by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would cause inquiry to be made into the facts concerning the destroyer "Maori," which caused a man to lose his life by being washed off the barge "Petrel" on 8th February at the Nore, and as to the second destroyer (name unknown) which steamed by and rendered no assistance; and whether the Admiralty will cause some compensation to be given to the man's family?

A full inquiry is being made into the facts alleged in the hon. Member's question. No claim for compensation has yet been received, but should it appear that the Admiralty is liable, compensation will be paid.

asked if it is proposed to still further reduce the coastguard service in the present year; and, if so, can he state what stations it is proposed to close?

It is not proposed to make any further reductions in the force during the present year, nor is it proposed to close any more stations.

asked what was the reason for the selection for closing of the two coastguard stations of Queenborough and Killingholme and the detachment Balaclava; what stations have taken over the duties of the stations closed; were the 148 men reduced employed at these stations; and have a number of other coastguard stations been reduced in addition to the stations actually closed?

The coastguard stations at Queenborough and Killingholme and the detachment at Balaclava were closed because revised arrangements came into force for carrying out the duties for which they were responsible, whereby their retention became unnecessary. The Board of Customs and Excise took over all the duties at Queenborough and part of the duties at Killingholme; the remainder of the duties at the latter station were transferred to the coastguard at Skitter Point, and the duties carried out at Balaclava were transferred to the coastguard at Fortuneswell. The 148 men reduced were not taken specially from the stations closed, but this number was reduced throughout the coastguard generally at stations which had complements in excess of the numbers required to carry out efficiently the duties for which they were responsible.

Am I right in understanding that, in addition to the coastguard stations actually closed, a considerable number of other stations were reduced in number?

No, Sir. The reduction did not take place in regard to the specific 148 men employed at those particular stations, but the reduction took place throughout the service.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could now give the dates upon which the two Austrian "Dreadnoughts" were laid down; and when he anticipates they will be launched and commissioned for service?

The only official information we have respecting the Austro-Hungarian "Dreadnoughts" building is that one will be launched in the middle of this year and another at the end of the year.

asked how many submersible vessels will be complete, building, or projected, for the British, German, and French Navies on 31st March next?

The figures are:—

Great Britain: 62 completed; 12 building.

France: 58 completed; 23 building and projected.

Germany: 8 completed.

I have no information as to the number of submersibles building, or projected, for the German navy.

asked whether the battleship cruiser "Indefatigable" was commissioned for service prior to the completion of her official acceptance trials; and, if so, whether this is in accordance with the general practice?

The "Indefatigable" has been commissioned. Although the principal trials have been completed, the final acceptance trial of the machinery has not yet been carried out. This is not in accordance with the general practice, but minor modifications in the machinery fittings required prior to final trial have made the departure from general practice desirable in this case.

Are we to understand that the engines have been opened and examined prior to acceptance and Commission?

Yes, I understand it is only in regard to some minor defects of the machinery fittings that the delay in the final trial has taken place. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of any further questions on this point.

asked whether any difficulty was experienced in maintaining the requisite numbers in stoker ratings; and whether there is at the moment any deficit in this branch of the service?

The answer to both parts of the hon. Member's question is in the negative.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he would state whether the First Sea Lord gave his consent to the publication of the notes containing the Admiralty view of the risk of invasion, which were included in the second edition of Sir Ian Hamilton's book on "Compulsory Service"; whether the White Paper recently issued, in which the notes were reprinted, is a reproduction of the First Sea Lord's original memorandum or a summarised version; and why in the White Paper the initials appended to the notes were omitted?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and the notes as reprinted in the White Paper are a reproduction of the original memorandum. As regards the last part of the question, it would be contrary to the practice of the Admiralty for the initials to be appended to a Command Paper formally presented to Parliament.

asked whether the Admiralty are yet in a position to reply to his letter to them of the 12th January, 1911, as to the granting of a free kit and free annual issue of clothing to petty officers and men of the Royal Navy, as is the case with all ranks in the Army?

The subject of the Noble Lord's letter is receiving careful consideration. I would point out that the whole conditions relating to pay and allowances are so widely different in the Navy and Army that no such parallel as that attempted in the Noble Lord's question can properly be drawn.

Is it not a fact that all grades in the Army have a superior grade to that in the Navy, and that they also get the allowance to which I have called attention?

No, Sir. I think if the Noble Lord addressed the same question to the Secretary of State for War he would get an emphatic negative as the answer.

asked if junior men working under the electric engineer, Portsmouth Dockyard, have been placed on the establishment, whilst senior men with good records have been passed over; and if he will explain the system of placing men on the establishment?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. In the selection of men to fill vacancies on the establishment, regard is paid to the abilities and character of the men as well as to their seniority.

asked if men on the established list in receipt of pensions, and who live outside their dockyard town, are obliged to go to that dockyard town to draw their pensions; and, if so, whether some change will be made so that these pensioners may be allowed to draw their pensions at the post office of the town in which they live?

I understand that it is not the case that dockyard pensioners in the position stated are compelled to draw their pensions at the dockyard, it being open to them to obtain payment, as many do, either by means of negotiable receipts which may be passed through a bank, or from the local collector of Revenue and Customs. I am further informed that in very exceptional cases where pensioners live at long distances from the dockyard or Revenue Office, and are prevented by age or infirmity from attending there, payment is arranged through the local post office.

asked whether the electrical fittings for the gun-mounting of H.M.S. "Invincible" have again broken down; whether these fittings have continually broken down after the guns have been fired; whether H.M.S. "Invincible" has been placed in dock, or in a basin, preparatory to taking out the whole of the electrical gun-mounting fittings and replacing them by hydraulic machinery; whether such an alteration would take at least six months to carry out; and whether he would state to the House the original cost of the electrical gun-mounting fittings for the ship?

Certain of the electrical fittings for the gun-mountings of the ship are not entirely satisfactory, and the contractors are now effecting improvements at their own cost. The answer to the third part of the Noble Lord's question is in the negative, and to the fourth part in the affirmative. With regard to the last part of the question, it is not possible to separate the cost of the electrical gun-mounting fittings from the total cost of the gun-mounting machinery of the "Invincible," which was the same as the cost of the gun-mounting machinery for the "Inflexible" with hydraulic mountings.

Will it take six months?

The answer to the third part of the Noble Lord's question is in the negative, but the supposition the Noble Lord puts that it would take six months is correct. As a matter of fact, what is being done will not take six months, but only three months. The opportunity is being taken for the long refitting of the ship to be undertaken at the same time as the change is made in the electrical mountings.

Then the ship is going to be changed from electrical to hydraulic fittings?

No, Sir. If I used the word "change" I should have said "repair" or "modification."

Of electrical fittings?

Yes, of electrical fittings.

When will this ship be able to take her place among the effective ships of the Fleet?

I think the improvements which are now being effected by the contractors will run concurrently with the long refitting and together they will occupy a period of about three months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Portuguese Government has recently given permission to the Empreza Nacionel Steamship Company to convoy 800 servicaes from Angola, in the s.s. "Cazengo," to the cocoa plantations on the islands of San Thomé and Principé?

I am informed by both His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon and His Majesty's Consul at Loanda that there is no truth in the statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information regarding the murder of British subjects at Grosny, in the Caucasian Government of Terek; and whether steps are being taken to bring the murderers to justice?

The British Vice-Consul at Rostov-on-Don reported on 23rd February that two British subjects, Messrs. MacGarvey and Bernard, had been murdered by robbers at Grosny on the preceding night. His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has been in communication with the Russian Government with a view to the apprehension of the murderers, but I have not yet heard that they have been discovered and arrested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he would consider the advisability of discuss- ing at the Imperial Conference the question of developing the supply of cotton in those colonies and dominions where climatic conditions would justify the hope that the crop could be effectively raised?

In view of the number and importance of the subjects already proposed for discussion, I fear that no useful purpose would be served by a proposal to discuss the question referred to. The matter is one which mainly affects the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, and they are not parties to the Conference, but I am in frequent communication with all parts of the Empire where cotton-growing is possible, and miss no opportunity of pressing its greater production.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in view of the disadvantages resulting from the absence of direct steamer communication between Jamaica and the united Kingdom, he would favourably consider proposals for the re-establishment of a service on the basis of equal contributions towards the subsidy from Jamaica and the Imperial Treasury?

No proposals for the re-establishment of a direct mail service between this country and Jamaica have been received from the Island Government. If such proposals came before me, they will, of course, receive careful consideration; but I may say at once that I see no prospect of an arrangement being made on the basis suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he would, at an early date, lay upon the Table of the House Papers relating to the case of a native, recently sentenced to death in Rhodesia, who was reprieved by Lord Gladstone?

As I stated in reply to a question on 21st February, it is not proposed to lay Papers at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware of cases of men who, having their names on the register of Labour Exchanges and after obtaining employment by their own endeavour, have had to apply to charitable bodies for railway fares to reach their situation; and whether the Labour Exchange regulations can provide the necessary assistance in such cases where men can produce satisfactory written promise of work?

Under Section 2 of the Labour Exchanges Act the power of making advances is limited to cases of workpeople proceeding to employment which has been found for them through a Labour Exchange. It would not, therefore be possible to make regulations for advances of travelling expenses in such cases as those to which I understand my hon. Friend to refer; that is to say, cases in which the employment is not found through the Labour Exchange,

asked whether W. J. Burbidge, a man with a wife and four children, employed by the Bath unemployed workmen committee in their bureau since 1st April, 1909, and afterwards employed by the Government Labour Bureau authorities at Bath at the salary of £70, was dismissed from his post without any reason being assigned for his dismissal, and a young man, unmarried, named L. Calloway, from Bristol, having no local knowledge, was given the post at the higher salary of £85; and if, since the dismissal of Mr. W. J. Burbidge, the average number of men found work has fallen from 128 to 44 per month?

Mr. Burbridge's employment was a registration clerk in the Bath Exchange. His engagement was subject to the condition that it might be terminated at any time by a month's notice on either side without cause assigned. As a matter of fact he was not dismissed, but was given an opportunity of resigning his post, and his resignation took effect on 31st January. His successor, who is a native of Bath, was transferred from the Bristol Exchange at his existing salary. The figures quoted in the question are not correct. Exclusive of temporary post office employment the number of persons placed in situations through the Bath Exchange and its extensions has risen from fifty-five in January to sixty-nine in February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what powers, if any, are exercised by the Board of Trade for the purposes of insuring that the rolling stock employed by railway companies for the conveyance of passengers is of such a pattern as regards facilities for egress as not to involve, in the opinion of those who advise the Board of Trade, risk of unnecessary loss of life in the event of accident?

also asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has considered the reply which he has received from the North-Eastern Railway Company as to the pattern of the electric passenger coaches in use on their Tynemouth branch; and whether he will call for a report from the Board of Trade experts with a view to determining whether a type of coach fitted with windows that do not open and with hinged doors opening inwards into vestibules which are sometimes crowded with standing passengers, such doors being unattended by any servant of the company and frequently situated at only one end of the carriage, involves serious risk of unnecessary loss of life in the event of collision, derailment, or other accident?

The design of the passenger rolling stock used by railway companies does not require the approval of the Board of Trade, except in the case of certain tube railways. As regards the particular carriage in question, I will ask one of the Inspecting Officers of Railways to examine them, and if it appears necessary we will put any suggestions that he may make before the railway company for their consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the proposed reciprocity agreement between Canada and the United States of America, tin-plates exported from this country will be able to enter the United States by way of Canada free of duty?

The Bill now before the Congress of the United States of America for giving effect to the arrangement relates only to goods "the growth, product or manufacture of the Dominion of Canada," and does not extend to goods manufactured elsewhere imported viâ Canada.

Would not our Treaty with the United States, which contains the most- favoured-nation clause, allow the tin plates to so enter?

That is a question which has been raised in the United States more than once, and it is still under consideration. It is not necessarily included in the most-favoured-nation clause.

asked the Postmaster-General if the Assistant Controller of the East Central Section, General Post Office, has issued a notice stating that men are wanted as auxiliary sorters and postmen; if so, whether it is his intention to increase auxiliary labour at this office; and if he is aware that for more than a year past there have been several vacancies for auxiliary postmen in this section for which candidates cannot be found owing to the inadequate pay offered, namely, 7s. 6d. per week for five nights' work and no uniform supplied?

In accordance with the practice which has existed for some years past, a notice was recently exhibited inviting applications to fill a number of vacancies for auxiliary sorters and postmen. No increase of auxiliary labour in the Eastern Central Section was in question. Only one vacancy for an auxiliary postman has existed for a year. The difficulty in filling it was not due to the inadequacy of the pay but to certain restrictions which it is no longer thought necessary to impose.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in the case of crossed postal orders, he could issue an instruction that where the person to whom the order is made payable is personally known to the postmaster, the order may be cashed at the post office; and whether he could, in the interest of a number of people, remove the prohibition on the negotiation of postal orders?

I should not be justified in any circumstances in instructing a postmaster to cash a crossed postal order over the counter, as this would be breaking faith with the remitter who is told that an order, if crossed, is payable only through a bank, nor would it be in the public interest to make postal orders negotiable which would be, in effect, to convert them into a paper currency.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a memorial, signed by a number of people in the district, midway between the towns of Kinlough and Ballyshannon, requesting that a post office be opened in the townland of Derryherk, county Leitrim; and whether, on taking into consideration the delay in delivery and posting of letters and parcels through want of this office, and that the people are prepared to give a guarantee, he will further consider the matter?

The Memorial was duly received, but the amount of business which would probably be transacted is not sufficient to justify the expense of an office. I was not aware that the residents are prepared to give a guarantee, and I will have further inquiry made on that point. A letter-box has recently been erected in the locality.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will inquire for what reason the steamer "Orcadia" passed the Eday pier, Orkney, on a recent occasion, although the sea was comparatively smooth, the tide up, and the postmaster waiting on the pier with the mail-bag in his hands?

On the occasion to which the hon. Member refers, I am assured that the weather was squally, with snow showers, and the Captain of the "Orcadia," who had to decide in his discretion whether the call at the pier should be made, considered that it would not be safe. I may add that the Sub-Postmaster endeavoured to have the mails put on board the steamer by a boat, but the local boatmen would not undertake the work on account of the weather.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now state what decision has been arrived at in regard to the question of the retention of members of the National Telephone Company staff upon the transfer of the telephone service to the State?

I would refer the hon. Member to a memorandum read in this House by Lord Stanley, the then Postmaster-General, on the 9th August, 1905, in which an undertaking was given that every member of the National Telephone Company's staff in receipt of less than £700 a year, who, on 31st December, 1911, has been not less than two years continuously in the service of the company will be taken into the service of the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether any further steps have been taken to establish the penny post between France and this country; and whether the question of an universal penny post will be considered at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

I regret that it has not been possible to take any further action towards the introduction of penny postage with France. The Government of New Zealand has expressed its desire to bring the question of universal penny postage before the Imperial Conference.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Development Commissioners have any scheme or schemes under consideration or in contemplation which could be turned to account during the next period of trade depression in providing employment on a considerable scale?

I understand that the Commissioners have, or expect to have shortly under their consideration schemes and applications for advances from the Development Fund for the purposes, among others, of forestry, harbour improvements and construction, and land reclamation and drainage. The question how far the schemes, if ultimately sanctioned by the Treasury and adopted, will provide employment depends, of course, on the amount of money available, having regard to the position of the Development Fund and the other claims upon it.

Will not the final responsibility of the Commissioners of the Development Fund exclude any expenditure for charity?

I must ask for notice of that. I could not answer offhand.

Will schemes which promise to provide employment receive priority of treatment over any scheme for the improvement of horses?

asked why only 200 clerks to the surveyors of taxes were placed on the establishment of His Majesty's Civil Service; in what respect were these 200 more worthy of consideration than their fellow clerks; and what is the number of hours work per week, and the nature of that work, performed, respectively, by those that are established and those that are not?

I beg to refer the Noble Lord to my reply to the hon. Member for the Hornsey Division of Middlesex on the 27th ultimo. As regards the last part of the question, the hours of service required of surveyors' clerks depend on the pressure of work in the particular districts to which they are attached. Payment for overtime is calculated in respect of hours in excess of 42 per week. The nature of the work performed by established clerks is a more responsible character than that of unestablished clerks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole question. It is a matter which is causing grave anxiety?

No, I do not think I am prepared to do that.

asked the Lord Advocate what is the number of higher-grade primary schools in Scotland, the number of pupils attending, and the total amount of State Grant voted for their upkeep during the year ended March, 1910?

For the year ended August, 1910 (this being the month to which the Department's statistics are compiled), the number of higher grade schools in receipt of Grants under the Scotch Code was 191, the average number of pupils on the register was 26,043, and the amount of State Grant paid to the schools (including the grant in relief of school fees) was £122,680.

asked whether, for the convenience of Members, questions addressed to the Scottish Office in his absence could be answered by the Solicitor-General or the Scottish Whip?

The answer to the question of the right hon. Member is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has recently withdrawn grants amounting to £10,000 from the education authority for the county of London, owing to the authority neglecting to carry out the instructions conveyed in certain articles of the Code; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of dealing in the same manner with those education authorities who refuse to efficiently administer the Education (Provision of Meals) Act and the Acts and regulations relating to medical inspection and treatment of school children?

With regard to the first part of the question, it is the practice of the Board to reduce the grants payable in respect of any public elementary school in which there is a serious failure to comply with the provisions of the Code, for which no adequate excuse can be found. The Board's practice in this respect is not confined to London. With regard to the second part of the question, the provision of meals and the medical treatment of school children are voluntary services. The Board of Education have a statutory control over local education authorities who choose to exercise their powers in respect of these services, but they have no authority to require local education authorities either to provide meals for school children or to make arrangements for their medical treatment. No question of a reduction of grant for failure to perform these services can, therefore, arise. As regards medical inspection, I am not aware that any local education authorities have refused to carry out their duties in this respect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making grants to education authorities to enable them to carry out this work?

I am afraid I cannot at the present moment recommend any extension of the grant system to voluntary services.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, when a public cemetery, administered under the Burial Acts, 1852 to 1900, has been divided into two parts, and one part has been consecrated, the Home Office sanc- tion the application of the designation Nonconformist ground to the part which has not been consecrated?

It does not rest with the Home Office to give any sanction with regard to the terms by which the various parts of a burial ground may be designated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this designation "Nonconformist" has been applied m Birkenhead for the first time in the history of the Burials Acts and that it has excited very strong opposition? Will he, under the circumstances, make some inquiry into the matter?

I am afraid I must have notice with regard to that question.

I will put a question down.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that recently the vicar of St. Crantock, Cornwall, refused to permit the burial of a Nonconformist, who had lived for more than seventy years in the parish, to take place in the grave in which the wife of the deceased was buried in the parish churchyard, unless at the burial the rites of the Established Church were observed, on the ground that the deceased had lost the rights of a parishioner; and whether he will initiate legislation with the object of making Section 1 of the Burial Laws Amendment Act, 1880, applicable to the burial of Nonconformists who in relation to the place of burial may be non-parishioners?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, will he say if he will postpone the initiation of legislation until there is some chance of its being carried in another place?

The Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880 authorised, in certain circumstances, the burial of deceased persons in consecrated ground without the performance of the Church of England service, but at the same time expressly provided (in Section 9) that it did not authorise the burial of any person in any place where such persons would have had no right of interment if the Act had not passed. In the present case the deceased person appears not to have had any right of interment, and I am advised that the vicar was therefore within his rights in refusing burial unless the condition he imposed was complied with. I am sure that this harsh and narrow action on the part of the vicar, though no doubt dictated by conscientious scruples, will be viewed with reprobation by all right thinking people, whatever their religious opinions may be. I will consider whether I can find an opportunity to propose an alteration of the law which would prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

Will the right hen. Gentleman give the name of this harsh and narrow-minded vicar?

I think sufficient indication is given in the question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend him for promotion?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a case tried at the Berkshire winter assizes in which a man aged twenty-three was charged with attempting a grave offence against a girl of weak intellect under sixteen years of age; whether he is aware that Mr. Justice Eldon Bankes, the presiding judge, in his charge to the jury, stated that when the jury heard the evidence they would have no doubt that the girl was not only a consenting party, but probably an inciting party to what was done, and that the defence of the accused was that he thought the girl was older than she happened to be, whereupon the prisoner was discharged; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to strengthen the law in regard to this particular offence?

I have made inquiries as to the facts of the case in question. The observations quoted were made by the learned judge in his charge to the grand jury, who found a true bill, and the accused was thereupon tried before a petty jury. His defence was that the girl, who was, in fact, fifteen years and seven months old, had the appearance of being over sixteen, and that he believed that she was over sixteen years of age. The jury who heard the evidence and saw the girl believed the accused and acquitted him. As far as I have been able to ascertain, there was no evidence at the trial that the girl was of weak intellect. I do not think that this case affords any reason for strengthening the law in regard to this particular offence.

Is it customary for judges to assume the innocence of prisoners, and to so direct the jury as to practically invite them to acquit the accused?

On a point of Order. Is it in order, under the Standing Order which says no accusation shall be made by a Member of this House against the fairness of a judge, for the hon. Member, under the guise of a question, to make what is in fact an accusation against this judge?

I have looked into this case. It is for the judge to advise the jury, and it is specially his duty in a case like this, where the prisoner was undefended by counsel. The learned judge referred to is a judge in whom the greatest confidence is reposed.

Were these observations made by the judge before or after the evidence was heard?

The charge to the grand jury was naturally made before the evidence was heard by the petty jury.

Is it in accordance with law for a judge to assume the innocence of an accused person before evidence is heard?

It is not only the practice, it is a most ancient tradition.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the fact that a column of "The Times" can be spoken in less than fifteen minutes, and the desire of many hon. Members to take part in the Debate, he would give his consideration to the proposal that hon. Members, other than Members of the Government or Front Opposition Bench and leaders of the Irish and Labour parties, desiring to speak should, at the time of handing in their names, state for how many minutes they desire to speak, to which time they would be strictly limited?

This is, I think, a novel proposal, and I should like, before further considering it, to have evidence that it meets with something like general support.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in considering this matter, he will bear in mind that a good many people think it would be, the most convenient and fairest course to take a ballot for opportunities to speak in the same way as seats are balloted for' in the Ladies' Gallery?

asked the Prime Minister if he can yet inform the House in what way the Government propose to deal with the unique situation resulting from the speech of Mr. Justice Grantham, at Liverpool, on the 7th February?

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government propose to take with reference to the speech made by Mr. Justice Grantham at Liverpool on 7th February?

His Majesty's Government have given full consideration to this matter, the gravity of which, as I said the other day, they entirely recognise. They observe with satisfaction and without surprise that the speech referred to has been universally and emphatically condemned by professional and public opinion. In the hope and belief that this unanimous verdict of censure may prevent the recurrence of an incident so inconsistent with the judicial character and the best traditions of the Bench, they do not propose to invite Parliament on this occasion to take the extreme step of addressing the Crown for the removal of the judge.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the fact that on 14th February, on the hearing of the case of Smith v. the Lion Brewery Company, the House of Lords was constituted of four Law Lords, and their Lordships being equally divided in opinion, the decision of the lower court stood, and the parties to the case were thus put to useless expense; and whether he will consider the desirability of legislation requiring the House of Lords to be constituted of an uneven number of judges, so as to avoid the waste of the time of the judges and the money of the public?

I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that the effect of the equal division of opinion in the House of Lords in the case of Smith v. the Lion Brewery Company was that the decision of the Court of Appeal stood affirmed. Accordingly the parties were not put to any useless expense, for the decision was effective. It is a very rare occurrence, for the House of Lords to be evenly divided in opinion, though it has occasionally occurred there as well as in other courts, and it is not thought necessary to take any legislative step.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he had received a memorandum accompanying a request for a public inquiry into the conduct of the Metropolitan Police on 18th, 22nd, and 23rd November last; if such memorandum had had his consideration; and what reply had been given to the request for an inquiry?

I have received the memorandum referred to and considered it. It contains a large number of charges against the police of criminal misconduct, which, if there were any truth in them, should have been made at the time and not after a lapse of three months, and should, if they could be supported by evidence, have been preferred in a police court. My reply to the memorandum was, therefore, to the effect that the proper course would be to prefer the charges in the ordinary way in a police court where the evidence can be taken on oath and tested by cross-examination and where the accused persons would have an opportunity of answering specific accusations. This is the remedy that the law provides, and in my opinion there is no other satisfactory way of ascertaining the truth of any specific charge. I may add, however, for the information of the House, that I have made inquiry of the Commissioner with regard to certain general statements included in the memorandum and find them to be devoid of foundation. There is no truth in the statement that the police had instructions which led them to terrorise and maltreat the women. On the contrary, the superintendent in charge impressed upon them that as they would have to deal with women, they must act with restraint and moderation, using no more force than might be necessary, and maintaining under any provocation they might receive, control of temper. The statement that there were a large number of plain clothes officers in the crowd who were, it is suggested, guilty of indecencies, is equally false. Apart from some detectives, specially summoned when it was found that a large number of pickpockets and thieves were present, not more than a dozen plain clothes officers were employed, and, with the exception of one who assisted in an arrest, none of them handled the women in any way; but the crowd, which had assembled in response to invitations scattered broadcast by the Women's Social and Political Union, contained a large number of undesirable and reckless persons quite capable of indulging in gross conduct. It is perfectly possible that some of these were guilty of the indecencies alleged, and for their presence in Parliament Square the women themselves are responsible. Of the 200 women arrested, not a single one complained of being hurt or made at the time any charge against the police of undue violence or of misconduct. If any charge can be made against any named individual, it can even now be investigated either by the Courts or by the Commissioner of Police; but I am not prepared to order an inquiry into vague and general charges collected in response to advertisements in "Votes for Women," and brought forward by irresponsible persons long after the event.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in England and Wales 700 persons are annually burnt to death owing to flannelette garments catching fire; that during the months of November, December, and January last over 400 persons were burnt to death in consequence of their clothing catching fire; and that it is possible to treat flannelette in such a way as to render it permanently resistant to flame; and whether the Government contemplate the introduction of any legislation as a result of the evidence presented to the coroners' committee on this question?

The figures referred to by my hon. Friend have not been brought to my notice, and I do not know on what authority they are given. From the Registrar-General's last Returns, which are based on coroners' certificates, it would appear that in 1909 the number of deaths from burning clothes was 689, but only in seventy-three cases is it stated that the clothing was made of flannelette. As regards the possibility of treating flannelette in such a way as to render it permanently resistant to flame, I must refer my hon. Friend to the findings of the coroners' committee on the point. I fear there is no prospect of legislation on this question during the present Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is his intention to issue as a Parliamentary Paper the Report of Dr. Rocyn Jones, county medical officer for Monmouthshire, and Mr. Martin, late inspector of mines, upon the sanitary condition of certain Monmouthshire mines?

The Report is under my consideration, and I have not yet come to any decision on the question of its publication.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been called to the recommendation contained in the Final Report, page 51, of the Royal Commission on the Land Transfer Acts in favour of the abolition of all copyhold tenures and the conversion of the same into freeholds; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for this purpose?

The recommendation of the Royal Commission is under consideration with the rest of the Report bearing on the general question of registration of title to land.

Do the Government propose to introduce legislation this Session upon the lines of the Report?

What I said just now is that the recommendation is under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is yet in a position to state the results of the investigation which he has instituted into the practice of adulterating flour by the addition of phosphates, whether made from the bones of animals or lime and sulphuric acid, and the nature of the action which he contemplates to put a stop to this practice?

I am expecting to receive at an early date the Report of my officer who has been investigating the question of flour. When I have received it, the whole question will have my careful consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked a similar question in this House about five months ago, and the reply he gave me on that occasion was in similar terms?

It is perfectly true that when the hon. Member asked that question I deemed it advisable to extend the scope of the inquiry. I am glad to say that the whole Report will probably be out next month.

In the meantime may I assume that people are to go on being slowly poisoned?—

Oh, no. The hon. Member must not assume that. The interest that is being taken in this question is due to the fact that the Press ascertained I had appointed two officers to make this investigation eight months ago.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will not object to my putting a further question to him a fortnight hence?

I think long before a fortnight the Report will be on the Table.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the attention of the Department had been called to the fact that, in violation of the Merchandise Marks Act, some millers, who are known to the Local Government Board, resort to the practice of adding phosphates to the flour milled; and if it is the intention of the Department to put in force the powers which they possess to check this practice?

The Board are in communication with the Local Government Board on this subject. They would be very willing to consider the possibility of instituting proceedings under the Merchandise Marks Act in any specific case which may be brought to their notice.

Is it not a fact that specific cases have been brought to the notice of the Board, and that they have taken no action?

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that by the present regulations of the Board any money received by county councils as proceeds on the sale of timber on small holdings must, if possible, be devoted to paying off debt, and that where permanent improvements are required fresh money must be borrowed for the purpose; and whether he can see his way to allowing the money received under such circumstances to be devoted to permanent improvements on the holdings?

I am aware that the Board have expressed the view that such proceeds should preferably be applied in the reduction of the loan raised for the purchase of land, but that where this is not practicable the proceeds should be carried to the credit of the capital account of the particular scheme in respect of which they arise, and I consider that in principle this is right. At the same time, in the case of the allotments at Chew Magna, which perhaps the hon. Member has in mind, I offered no objection to the proposal of the Somerset County Council to apply the proceeds directly to works of adaptation under Section 8 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us some really definite rule upon the subject, so that we may know exactly what money we may devote to improvements?

It is very difficult to lay down a general rule in the varying circumstances and the different conditions. We are doing our best.

asked how many copies of the original Form IV. were sent to Ireland; and if he will direct that some copies of the amended Form IV. which has been prepared for circulation in Ireland be placed in the Vote Office for the information of Members?

As to the number of forms issued in Ireland, I have nothing to add to the replies recently given by my right hon. Friend and myself to questions asked by the hon. Member and by the hon. Members for Enfield and Barkston Ash. Copies of the amended Form shall be presented to the House.

How many of the Forms IV. were sent to Ireland?

I will make inquiries.

How many of the Forms were issued in Ireland?

I have already given that answer four or five times in this House—just over 3,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will make arrangements that royalty owners shall only pay the Royalty Tax on the net amount of royalty income that they receive after making those necessary deductions for collection, etc., which are allowed in the case of other classes of taxpayers?

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to make any alteration in the principle of the tax.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will State the number of Mahomedan and Hindu inhabitants of Kashmir, and the number of State officials of these two faiths, respectively?

According to the Census of 1901 the number of Mahomedans in Kashmir was 2,154,695, and of Hindus 689,073. I am unable to state the number of officials in the State professing these two faiths,

Could the hon. Gentleman make inquiries and discover the numbers?

It is the immemorial practice of the Government of India not to interfere in internal matters affecting administration.

asked whether the Maharajah of Kashmir forbids the slaughter of cattle for food and the importation of beef in any form, thereby depriving not only the majority of his own subjects but also the hundreds of Europeans resident there of their most natural meat diet; and, if so, what steps will be taken to induce the Maharajah to repeal this law in the interest of his own subjects and all European residents and visitors?

This is a matter relating entirely to the internal affairs of a feudatory state. The Secretary of State has no official information on the subject, and, having regard to the fact that he would not propose to take any action even if the hon. Member's allegations were verified, inquiry would not be profitable.

asked whether the petition on the part of the officers of the Indian police to be granted the same pension rules as those granted to the Indian public works, telegraph, and forest services has been received; and, if so, what steps are being taken in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The subject is under the consideration of the Government of India.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any decision has been come to with regard to the disposition of the land known as Clooneen-Hartland, in the county Roscommon; whether the Land Commissioners will take into consideration the claims of some forty congested holdings adjoining the Clooneen-Hartland ranch, and the fact that there is no other land in the district suitable for enlarging the holdings of some forty congests; whether an agreement to purchase has been lodged with the Land Commissioners by Mrs. Walpole; and, if so, whether, seeing that this lady is the wife of an extensive grazier who has already received advances of public money to the full amount permitted by the Land Acts, the Land Commissioners will not treat with Mrs. Walpole as a separate and independent tenant?

The estate referred to is being sold direct by the owner to the tenants, and an agreement has been lodged, signed by Mrs. Walpole, for purchase of a holding at Cloneen, of which she states she is the tenant. The estate has not yet reached its turn to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners, but when it is due inquiry will be made into the matters referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the old age pension committee of Caherciveen passed, on 5th January, the claim of Timothy Sullivan, East End, Caherciveen, for an old age pension; and whether, in view of the fact that the claim was disallowed on a previous occasion because of an error in the record of visits paid to the United States by the claimant, the new claim will now be allowed?

The Local Government Board see no reason for believing that there was any error made with regard to the visits that the claimant paid to the United States. His new claim is at present before the Board on appeal, and further inquiries will be made into the matter.

asked if the Local Government Board have authorised boards of guardians to require old age pensioners under treatment in workhouse infirmaries to refund the cost of their maintenance during the time they are under treatment?

The answer is in the negative. When boards of guardians make such a proposal it is the practice of the Local Government Board to refer them to the terms of Section 6 of the Old Age Pensions Act under which an assignment of a pension is declared to be void.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can furnish full details with regard to the saving of one million and a-half to the rates, which is estimated to have been received through the termination of the pauper disqualification in connection with old age pensions; whether he can state the numbers of outdoor and indoor paupers which were estimated to be likely to receive old age pensions and the numbers of each class who actually claimed them; and whether he can give the average at which relief was estimated, both for outdoor and indoor paupers?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for North Salford on Monday last. The estimate made last year of the number of persons debarred from receiving pensions by pauper disqualification who would during the current quarter obtain pensions was about 230,000. The number who obtained pensions as from 6th January, 1911, was 163,165 only.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give me the difference between the estimated number of indoor paupers likely to receive old age pensions and those who have claimed?

No, I do not think I could do that. The hon. Member will find the numbers set out in the answers to which I have referred him.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be willing to give the same information with regard to the county of London?

I am not quite sure I can get the figures; but I do not see any difficulty in doing it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been directed to the hardship suffered by persons who may have been absent from the United Kingdom for a certain time and are unable to obtain their pension, although they may have been only a few years absent abroad, until they have resided twenty years after their return in the United Kingdom; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing an Amendment reducing the period in the event of the Government introducing a Bill to amend the Old Age Pensions Act?

A great many questions on this and similar points have been addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself, more particularly on the 8th, 9th, 14th, and 20th of February, and I have nothing to add to the answers then given?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the number of cases there are of this kind, he will consider the advisability of taking powers in an Amending Act to make an exception in cases of admitted hardship, where a man may have been only a year or two away, and where, failing to receive a pension, a man would have to go upon the rates?

My attention has been drawn constantly from all parts of the House to cases of such hardship. I have dealt with them in the several answers to which I referred.

Would not the remedy for these admitted hardships be to pass an Amending Act which would not be opposed on any side of the House, but which could not be introduced by a private Member because it is a money Bill?

I am quite aware of the last point, but I am not quite so sure that the passage of the Bill would be so facilitated as my hon. Friend suggests. [HON. MEMBERS: "Try it."] If there is a general concensus of opinion upon the point, that particular principle could be dealt with in an Amending Act.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hon. Members opposite have tried to introduce such a Bill?

No.

May I ask the Prime Minister in view of the general agreement on this matter whether he could not see his way to give time for an amending Bill on the understanding that it would meet with general agreement?

The point is new to me, but I will consider it.

asked whether the Board of Education have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Kinlough Rural District Council, county Leitrim, protesting against the proposed amalgamation and closing of schools in that district; how many schools the Board purposed closing, and where situated; how many schools they purposed building, and where; and whether, in the interest of education and convenience of the children and parents, the Board would abandon their scheme and continue the schools which have done good service and maintained the standard average attendance?

The resolution referred to has been received by the Commissioners of National Education. The Commissioners inform me that grants have been withdrawn in the case of Askill and Ward-house schools. The Commissioners have under consideration an application for a grant to erect a central school-house to replace Glenade and Loughmarron schools and a similar application in respect of Boyannagh and Loughill schools. In the former case the proposed central school would be situated at an intermediate point on the road between the existing schools, and in the case of the latter near the junction of the three roads leading from Loughill, Askill, and Boyannagh, but the site is not yet definitely fixed. The Commissioners consider that the educational interests of the pupils will be much better served in properly equipped central schools of modern design and conveniently situated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the townlands of Treanbawn, River- stick, and Turksland, upon the Lahiff estate, county Galway, are situated about sixteen miles from the main portion of the estate, and that upon Turksland there are six tenants living on uneconomic holdings, while there are no tenants living upon the adjoining townland of Treanbawn, which is entirely used for grazing purposes by two men not living upon or near the estate, whose grazing terms will expire next year; and, under the circumstances, will he direct that those three townlands be excluded from sale until the grazing land is acquired for the improvement of small holdings upon the estate?

As already stated in reply to the hon. Member's question for 13th February the estate referred to is the subject of proceedings for sale to the Estates Commissioners in the Land Judge's Court. The Commissioners have not yet obtained possession of these lands, but the matters referred to in the question will be carefully considered before any scheme for the allotment of the land on the estate is approved.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will request the Congested Districts Board to communicate with Mr. Guest Lane, South Mall, Cork, agent for the Prixley estate, Castletown Bere, with a view to the sale of the said estate to the tenants?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they are not prepared to enter into communication with the agent of the estate named in the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any reason?

I think it is better not to state the reasons why the Congested Districts Board do not act in a particular case.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he would direct the Estates Commissioners to have the estate of Major O'Kelly inspected without further delay, as tenants two years ago agreed to pay competitive rent for grass land pending the inspection?

The hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Major Arthur D. D. Kelly, county Galway, Formal proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners were instituted by the owner in October, 1908. When the estate has reached its turn it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether communications have been received by the War Office on the state and need of repair of the military road running from Rye to Winchelsea; whether tolls have been, and are still, levied from the traffic using this road for the purpose of its upkeep and repair; whether the county council of East Sussex have expressed their willingness to take over and maintain this road, provided that it is first placed in a state of repair; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the tolls the War Department is statutorily liable to expend on the maintenance of the road any revenue derived therefrom, which last year amounted to £210, as against the sum of £222 which was actually expended on the maintenance. Prolonged negotiations have been proceeding with the county councils of Kent and East Sussex, with a view to their taking over the road and properties appertaining thereto, but their demand for a capital expenditure on the part of the War Department of over £16,000 as a preliminary measure has checked the progress of these negotiations. There are no funds, apart from the properties attached to the road, available for such an expenditure, and I am not prepared to ask the House to provide them at the expense of the taxpayer. I may add that the road has no longer any military use.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making an application to the Roads Board in reference to this road, jointly with the council or alone?

I have no objection to considering it.

asked what is the deficiency in the number of officers in all branches of the Army at the present moment?

The total shortage of officers in the Regular Army, Special Reserve, and Territorial Force amounts to 2,871.

asked how many men in the Army returned as effective are under twenty years of age?

There were 29,263 such men, rank and file, serving in the Regular Army on 1st February, the latest date for which returns are at present available.

asked what the deficiency of horses would be on general mobilisation at the present moment?

Excluding those available from the peace establishment and the registered list, 125,064 horses would be required on general mobilisation. As I have explained in my Memorandum on Army Estimates for 1911–12, it is proposed to substitute motor vehicles for horse transport on a large scale, and this may be expected greatly to reduce the number of horses required on mobilisation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say what the deficiency would be?

I do not know that there would be any deficiency. Such is the enormous quantity of horses available.

Do the right hon. Gentleman's figures refer to all branches of the Army or only the Regular force?

To all branches of the Army.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to replace horse-drawn vehicles by motor-drawn?

We shall begin very quickly and go on by degrees.

asked in what proportions the War Office propose to allocate the amount of £85,000 taken in the Estimates for the coming year as between dirigibles and aeroplanes?

Part of this sum is taken to cover the maintenance of the factory. As regards the remainder it is premature to give definite figures for the proportionate sums to be spent on dirigibles and aeroplanes.

How much of the £85,000 is set apart for dirigibles and aeroplanes?

I should not like to say how much, but a substantial sum.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the camps at Glen Imaal, county Wicklow, are occupied by artillery the whole summer, that it always rains there, and that unnecessary discomfort is caused to the men by the absence of any dry accommodation; and whether he can see his way to provide a few big huts where the men could get their meals, and enlarge the drying-rooms so that all the men could dry their clothes at the same time?

Requirements of this nature arise at all standing camps, and are met by degrees as funds permit. At Glen Imaal a number of huts have been already provided for stables, cook house, sergeants' mess, dining rooms, drying room, etc. I cannot in the immediate future undertake to make further provision in the direction suggested.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ascertained for himself the truth or otherwise of the amazing statement in this question that it is always raining at Glen Imaal?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that officers on manœuvres are made to pay 1d. per diem to Government for hire for furniture in barracks, although they may be away from barracks for as much as six weeks; and if he will arrange that officers shall not pay hire while absent from barracks on duty?

The facts are as stated. So long as an officer has a furnished quarter he must pay a continuous rent of 1d. a day for the furniture. The rate charged is based upon such continuous rent.

asked whether officers on the active list may avail themselves of the privilege of keeping horses under the new boarding-out system?

Yes, Sir. Officers are allowed to avail then of this privi- lege on the same conditions as civilians, but with certain restrictions as regards the use of public accommodation, forage, etc.