asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he was now in a position to make any announcement to the House with regard to the taking of prompt and effective steps to deal with the conditions of slavery in San Thomé and Principé?

It is for the Portuguese Government, and not for His Majesty's Government, to take and announce steps of this character. It is not with the conditions of contract labour in San Thomé and Principé, so much as with the conditions of the recruitment of labour in Angola, that the Portuguese Government have had to deal. So far as I am aware, no recruiting has taken place in Angola during the past year, and as long as that is so there is obviously no need to say anything more about it.

asked on what date the first official communication was received from Mr. Bryce respecting the reciprocity-negotiations between Canada and the United States; and what was the nature of that communication?

As papers are to be laid soon, I propose to defer any statement about the nature or dates of communications which have passed, till they can be commented upon as a whole.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it will be possible, in view of the great interest taken in this matter, for the papers to be laid at once?

Yes; I am having a statement prepared on the subject, and it will be laid as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention had been called to the official Report of the debate in the Canadian House of Commons, of 21st February, 1911, which shows that M. Lemieux said that the arrangement of reciprocity with the United States was not unfriendly to England because it had been approved by the British Government, and had been made with the assistance of Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador to the United States; and if he will now lay Papers showing what steps were taken by Mr. Bryce to bring about this reciprocal arrangement?

I have already explained the real position in reply to questions, and papers shall soon be laid.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the assistance given by Mr. Bryce in these investigations has the approval of His Majesty's Government?

Yes, certainly; Mr. Bryce's action has been approved by His Majesty's Government, and I explained the other day how it came to be taken.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the statement made by M. Lemieux in the debate in the Canadian Parliament is a correct one?

I have already answered the question more than once.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the other day, in answer to this very question whether Mr. Bryce had been instructed by His Majesty's Government to further and assist these negotiations, he said, "the answer is in the negative"?

I said no instructions had been sent to Mr. Bryce. I was asked a supplementary question as to whether the Canadian Government had asked that definite instructions should be sent to Mr. Bryce and I said they had not so far as I remember made a special request. During recent years Mr. Bryce had frequently given assistance in many matters to Canadian Ministers, and Canadian Ministers had particularly expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for the assistance Mr. Bryce had given. It had been, therefore, regarded during recent years as a matter of course that when Canadian Ministers went to Washington they would receive his assistance without special request.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been directed to the statement made by M. Lemieux, the Postmaster General of Canada, in the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday last, to the effect that the reciprocity treaty between Canada and the United States had been made with the assistance of Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador to the United States, and that it had the approval of the British Government; and if he will state what form that assistance took?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given.

Will the papers when laid show the nature of the assistance given by Mr. Bryce to the negotiators?

They will contain Mr. Bryce's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention had been called to the differences of opinion which exist as to the proper meaning of Article 33 of the Declaration of London, which declares that, Les articles de coatrabande conditionelle sont saisissibles s'il est établi qu'ils sont destinés à l'usage …. des administrations de l'état ennemi; whether the words, administrations de l'état ennemi, are to be construed as excluding all the civil departments of the enemy state; whether such view is in accordance with the illustrations given of the meaning of this Article in M. Renault's Report; and whether for the elucidation of this subject he will lay upon the Table the correspondence which has passed between the Foreign Office and the Bristol branch of the Navy League in continuation of the correspondence between those parties which has been already printed in Cd. 5418, but which did not go beyond the letter of 25th November, 1910, from the Foreign Office to the said Bristol branch?

The words, "administrations de l'état ennemi" are expressly declared in the Report of the Committee of the Conference to signify departments of the central government. This necessarily includes its civil departments, but local or municipal bodies are expressly excluded. The later correspondence with the Bristol branch of the Navy League is not worth laying in addition to papers already published, but to remove any doubt on this point I am prepared to lay it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in those cases where the rules of international law as laid down in the Declaration of London differ from the rules of international law as laid down and applied by the Prize Courts of this country, such new or altered rules could be enforced as against our fellow subjects in this country or in our overseas dominions and possessions without the authority of and Act of Parliament?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The Declaration of London will be applied by the Prize Courts in the countries which ratify it as part of the law of nations. The answer to the hon. Member's question is, therefore, in the affirmative.

When it is applied by the Prize Courts it corresponds with international law and therefore it would require the assent of Parliament.

I understand that the assent of Parliament is not required to enable Prize Courts to administer international law.

May I ask whether new laws which are to be enforced upon British subjects within British jurisdiction do not require the sanction of Parliament?

If the hon. Member will put down a question as to the powers of Prize Courts generally, I will endeavour to answer it on the whole point, but I cannot answer a wide question of that kind without proper notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the event of British capital becoming interested in the Bagdad Railway, he will take steps to secure that there would be some guarantee or agreement that where Great Britain had a right to protect, these interests would be protected, either by Great Britain or the other Powers concerned?

I cannot say until I have been informed of the precise terms upon which the British participation in the undertaking takes place, or is contemplated. We shall, of course, take what steps are in our power to protect British interests generally.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering that the Khanikin route is the only route of entry, not only for British, but for all Indian goods, into Persia, that are too heavy or too bulky for mule or camel transport, he will take steps to secure that the interests of Great Britain and of India in the proposed branch line from Sadijeh, some twenty or thirty miles north of the town of Bagdad, to Khanikin, on the Persian frontier, are duly protected, especially from the possible effect of rebates or preferential rates or other forms of unfair competition that might be brought in by other countries?

The hon. and gallant Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the urgency of further financial provision for the British school in Constantinople, he would ascertain the views of the British Ambassador by telegraph?

The answer is in the negative. I am quite sure that, in the strenuous competition, which exists on all sides, to increase the public expenditure of the country, I cannot make a claim for this particular object prevail by telegraph reports.

Has not His Majesty's Ambassador expressed to the Foreign Office his approval of helping the school in every way possible, and, in view of that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance that he will do something in the matter?

As far as I recollect, His Majesty's Ambassador has expressed his approval, but it entails further public expenditure, and there are other people besides His Majesty's Ambassador who have put forward claims with very good reasons for increases of public expenditure. The Government cannot meet them all, and until I get a full report from the Ambassador on the question, I obviously am not in a position to take any steps in regard to this particular claim.

Has it not been persistently advocated as part of the right hon. Gentleman's policy, that our trade should be assisted, particularly in educational branches abroad, and is not this a case where a desire might be shown to carry that policy into effect?

That is perfectly true, but it is equally true that claims to assist British trade and British interests come from all sides, and the Government must have an opportunity of deciding as to which is the most urgent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the House any information as to a railway scheme recently described by the Turkish Finance Minister in the Turkish Chamber of Deputies as the Constantinople to Basra Chester scheme; if the scheme is a British scheme, involving a concession for the construction of the line to a British syndicate; and if the scheme has the approval and support of the British Foreign Office?

I have received reports from His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople on the subject of Mr. Chester's scheme for building railways in Asiatic Turkey, and I understand that it is proposed to build a line from the Gulf of Alexandretta through Diarbekir in the direction of Lake Van, with a branch to the south-east in the direction of Sulimanieh. I have not yet heard whether the concession has been granted by the Turkish Government. Mr. Chester is a United States citizen, and I have received no information to the effect that a British syndicate is interested in his scheme. There has therefore been no question of giving the proposal the official approval or support of His Majesty's Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this concession or this application for a concession includes a scheme for railways to Bagdad and Basra from the coast of the Mediterranean—that portion mentioned by the Turkish Finance Minister?

I would ask for notice of that question. I have given all the information in my possession.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has seen the statement issued by the Commissioners of Intermediate Education, Ireland, at the time of paying results last time, in which they stated that they had to draw on their reserve fund to meet the expenses of the year, and that they could not do so again; and whether, seeing that Ireland is entitled to at least £100,000 per annum from the Imperial Exchequer for secondary education, he will take steps to secure this Grant for Ireland this year?

I have seen a copy of the statement referred to. I am not in a position to promise that any additional money will be granted this year for Intermediate Education in Ireland.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, seeing the condition of secondary education in Ireland, teachers without fixed or adequate salaries, without registration, pensions, or security of tenure, and also considering the growing desire in Ireland since the establishment of the national university, to give better facilities for education to the children of the poor by connecting and linking the three systems, primary, secondary, and university, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small committee to consider and report on the best means of bringing this about?

The question of appointing a committee to inquire into the condition of secondary education in Ireland has been under consideration, but I do not think it is likely that a committee will be appointed.

asked whether the delay in vesting the estate of W. E. Marshall, Callinaferry, county Kerry, in the tenants is due to the negligence of the Estates Commissioners, who for a year and a half after the landlord got his money never took any steps to let the tenants know that any further agreements were necessary; and whether, considering this delay, for which the Estates Commissioners are solely responsible, the Commissioners will reconsider their decision regarding those tenants and give them the benefit of purchase from the time that the landlord was paid his money?

The Estates Commissioners are not responsible for the delay in the case referred to. The purchase money of the estate was paid on the 29th July, 1909. A trust deed relative to the upkeep of the embankments was prepared, approved of by trustees, and when finally settled, was sent for signature by the trustees and the tenants concerned, in March 1910, and was only returned duly signed last month. The Commissioners have no power to comply with the suggestion in the last paragraph of the question.

When will the estate be vested?

I cannot say, but the matter will be pushed on quickly.

asked whether a memorial was presented early in 1910 to the Congested Districts Board by the tenants on Sir Morgan O'Connell's estate, near Waterville, requesting the Board to open negotiations for the purchase of the estate; what action has been taken in the matter; and whether the landlord has now expressed his willingness to sell the property to the tenants?

The memorial referred to was received, and the Congested Districts Board wrote to the owner stating that they would be willing to negotiate for the purchase of his estate, but no reply has been received. The Board are again approaching the landlord on the subject.

asked whether Mr. Patrick Nagle, of Coolonan, a tenant on the estate of Lady Beatrice Pole-Carew and another, declined to sign a purchase agreement on the terms proposed by the vendors, which meant a reduction of 4s. 6d. in the £ on his second term rent, on the ground that the same was quite inadequate, and that his solicitor pointed out in a letter to the inspector of the Estates Commissioners on 14th April, 1909, that the Commissioners had the right to prevent any vendor from imposing unfair terms on a tenant who had refused to sign a purchase agreement, and that it was their duty to fix a fair price at which he could afford to buy; whether the sale of the estate was closed and Mr. Patrick Nagle excluded without any intimation having been given to him or his solicitor as to what the Commissioners considered a fair price, or as to whether the Commissioners were of opinion that the price at which the vendors offered to sell the holding was an equitable one; whether intimation to the last-mentioned effect was only given to the tenant's solicitor on 3rd October, 1910, long after the sale of the estate had been closed; and whether it is in accordance with the usual practice of the Estates Commissioners to exclude a tenant who has not signed a purchase agreement without having informed him of their view on the subject of the terms offered him, and without any intimation of their intention to exclude him, or of the fact that they had excluded him, until the latter fact was obtained from them on inquiry by the tenant a considerable time subsequent to the event?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the vendors offered to sell to Patrick Nagle, a second-term judicial tenant, on the same terms as to the other second-term tenants, who had agreed to purchase their holdings. Nagle refused to purchase at these terms and, as no agreement for the purchase of his holding was lodged with the Commissioners, the holding was not included in the lands declared an estate for the purposes of sale and vested in the purchasing tenants. It was not the duty of the Commissioners to fix a price in this case, nor have they any power to compel Nagle to purchase at the price offered by the vendors, which the Commissioners considered fair. The Commissioners acted in this case in accordance with their usual practice. If he is now prepared to purchase, it is still open to him to do so by entering into an agreement with the owners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statutes under which agricultural land is sold to tenants in Ireland not at its true value, but in non-zone cases at the amount for which a holding is security, and in zone cases at an amount exceeding value and security by the measure of embarrassment and the desire to escape from untenable tenancy; whether he has made himself acquainted with the Weir case, in which prices were fixed upon nominal rents which had not been paid, and the Estates Commissioners were rebuked from the Bench for having withheld prices known by them to be in excess of both value and security, and were prohibited from making any inquiry regarding value in such cases; and whether, in order to prevent any increase of tax upon agricultural land, Revenue officers will be forbidden to assess probate or other duty on the purchase price, or treat that price for any purpose as if it were the value?

The hon. Member's objection goes to the root of the zone provisions of the Act of 1903, which were fully discussed in connection with the Act of 1909, which had the effect of reducing the maximum zone limit by two years. I see no reason to reopen the question. I have no power to give any directions to Revenue officers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the tenanted and untenanted lands, the property of Mr. Eyre Stack, situate at Ballyconory, Listowel, have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; whether he is aware of the number of uneconomic holdings in the district; and whether the Congested Districts Board will take immediate action for the purchase of the lands in order to relieve congestion in the district?

The estate referred to was offered to the Congested Districts Board under the Act of 1903, but the owner was informed that owing to want of funds they could not purchase the lands. The Board will again ask if he is now willing to sell.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in the Listowel union owing to the amount given by the Congested Districts Board for distribution by the parish committees; and whether he can state if the amount granted for Listowel union is given on the same principle and basis as the grants to other unions in Ireland?

The amount for Listowel parish has been given on the same principle and basis as the grants to other Unions in Ireland. I am not aware that any dissatisfaction exists.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he can yet arrange a date for the discussion of the present state of land purchase in Ireland?

I am afraid that I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Chief Secretary if he was aware that on the sale of the Langdale estate, in the county of Monaghan, Mary Conlon, an evicted tenant, was reinstated in her holding from which she was evicted; that she applied for a grant to enable her to restock the farm and to put the buildings into repair; and that recently the Commissioners had stated that they did not propose to take any action in reference to the matter; will he now state on what grounds the Commissioners arrived at this decision; on what date the holding was inspected on behalf of the Commissioners; when the report of the inspector was lodged with the Commissioners; and would he request the Commissioners to reconsider their decision with a view to giving this evicted tenant a fresh start?

The reply to the first three paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. The holding was inspected, but the Estates Commissioners, in the exercise of the discretion vested in them by statute, refused to make a grant in this case. They see no reason to reconsider their decision.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have purchased certain untenanted lands on the Crichton estate, in the parish of Kilbride, county Roscommon; if so, do these include the lands formerly held by Dr. Dillon and Mr. D. Owens; and whether such lands will be reserved for distribution amongst the occupiers of uneconomic holdings in the district.

The owner has instituted proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners. Dr. Dillon and Mr. D. Owens hold certain lands on the estate, the former under lease, the latter as a yearly tenant. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority, and, until the Commissioners have their inspector's report before them, they will not be in a position to make any further statement in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the state of the national schools, Coalisland, county Tyrone; whether the Commissioners of National Education have repeatedly called on the manager, the Rev. P. Quinn, P.P., to get the schools rebuilt, and that the application for the necessary funds was sent in over two years ago; whether the manager secured a site, employed an architect, and had special plans drawn up, which were approved of by the Board of Works' engineer; and whether, in view of the urgency of this case, where a school is required providing accommodation for 300 children, he will take immediate steps to see that the necessary funds are provided?

The facts with regard to these schools are correctly stated in the question. The case is one of several which have recently been the subject of correspondence with the Treasury, but I am not in a position to say when money will be available to deal with this particular case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that last year on several occasions he gave practically the same answer to numerous questions from these benches, especially to the hon. Members for West Belfast and Kilkenny City, and will he state whether he proposes to let this matter, so far as he is concerned, stay in its present state of stagnation? If not, will he use his utmost influence with the Treasury to see that some steps are taken in this matter?

I can assure the hon. Member it is not a case of stagnation. As I have already explained, the National Board of Education have to arrange how they will deal with the money placed at their disposal by the Treasury for the erection of new buildings. It is a difficult question.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say in his previous answers that the Treasury were prepared in all urgent cases to exempt these urgent cases from the suspension of the Treasury Grant, and is not this case distinctly an urgent one?

It is really a difficult matter. There is no doubt about the facts, It is in the power of the National Board to deal with urgent cases out of their turn, so to speak, and to make a distinction between these cases, but the difficulty is to decide which are the most urgent.

Who is to decide? Is it the National Board or the Treasury, or the right hon. Gentleman himself?

asked the Chief Secretary the result of the consideration given by the Commissioners of National Education of Ireland to the claim made by the National School teachers for the monthly payment of their salaries; and whether he can hold out any hope that arrangements will be made that these salaries shall be paid monthly from the commencement of the next financial year?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question of the hon. Member for Cork City on the 16th inst.

asked whether the police authorities have yet placed under arrest the persons suspected of the fatal assault on the late Mr. Thomas M'Clorey, of Rathfriland?

No arrests have yet been made, but the police are pursuing their inquiries.

May I ask whether it is intended to place under arrest those persons who are suspected of having committed the murder, and, if not, why the usual practice is to be departed from?

My information is that the man was unable to identify his assailants, and that there were no witnesses of the assault—at all events, none have come forward. There are, of course, rumours and suspicions as to the identity of the assailants, but the evidence is not sufficient to justify arrest.

If the victim had been a landlord everybody suspected would have been placed under arrest.

That is not a question which should be put.

Is it not the practice in Ireland whenever a murder takes place to arrest all who are suspected of having committed the murder? Why has the usual practice been departed from in this case?

There has been no departure from the usual practice in this case. I am sorry to say that a difficulty exists in making arrests in other parts of Ireland.

There is no difficulty in Galway.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the condition of the harbour at Newcastle, county Down; and whether, in view of the necessity for rendering it safe for fishing boats and for preventing the accumulation of sand at the mouth of the basin, he will draw the attention of the Development Commissioners to the desirability of extending the north pier?

I understand that the Board of Works drew the attention of the county council to the accumulation of sand at the mouth of Newcastle Harbour, and the county council stated that a contract had been made for removing the silt. The question of extending the North Pier has not been before the Board of works, but it is open to the county council to make representations on the subject to the Development Commissioners through the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the application for an old age pension of John Currane, Mastergeehy, county Kerry, has been refused on the ground that his name cannot be traced in the Census records; and whether, in view of the fact that his claim has been on each occasion approved by the local committee since the first claim was lodged at the end of 1908, he will cause further inquiry to be made into the matter?

The cases of several persons named John Currane have been before the Local Government Board, but none of them can be identified as that of the person referred to by the hon. Member.

asked on what grounds the application of Patrick Sheehan, Doory East, Mastergeehy, county Kerry, for an old age pension has been refused, in view of the fact that he has furnished all the evidence he could procure in proof of his having exceeded the statutory age; whether the applicant's father was a labourer, and that some of his children were brought up by relatives who happened to be a little better off than he was, so that the Census enumerators possibly could never find the whole family together at any time; and whether further inquiry will be made into the facts of the case?

The Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal on the ground that there was no proof that Patrick Sheehan had reached the statutory age. If Sheehan can produce satisfactory evidence that he has attained the age of" seventy, it is open to him to make a fresh claim.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will cause an inquiry to be made into the case of Mrs. Honoria Ward, who satisfied the old age pension sub-committee at Clifden, county Galway, that she, being over seventy years of age, was entitled to an old age pension, but the appeal of the pension officer against her claim was sustained by the Local Government Board; and whether, in view of the evidence that this woman was born in 1840, he will have the case re-considered?

In the case of Honor Ward, of Fountain Hill, Claddaghduff, Clifden, the Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal, as there was no satisfactory evidence that she had reached the statutory age. There was no evidence put before the Board that the claimant was born in 1840.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that it is the custom and practice of the Local Government Board to take the opinions of paid officials of the Government in preference to the sworn testimony of independent and reliable witnesses, such as clergymen, doctors, rate-collectors, etc., in all matters pertaining to the granting of old age pensions in Ireland; and whether in future cases where applicants whose names cannot be found in the Census will be decided on the merits of evidence produced before the local pension committee?

The Local Government Board do not accept the opinions of pension officers in preference to those of other persons regarding the age or means of claimants for old age pensions, nor can the Board, as an independent appellate tribunal, decide appeals solely on the merits of the evidence brought before local pension committees. Their practice has always been to consider the evidence submitted on its merits, irrespec- tive of the conclusions formed by other persons after consideration of part or the whole of such evidence.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a Resolution adopted by the Dromore West District Council, county Sligo, requesting the Congested Districts Board to take action in order to acquire untenanted lands within the district for the purpose of relieving congestion; and whether he can give any assurance that effective steps will at once be taken to relieve the congestion which is well known to exist in this district?

The Resolution referred to has been received. The Congested Districts Board are taking action in this district. Four estates that have been offered for sale will be inspected as soon as possible.

asked out of what funds the Irish Board of Agriculture made a grant in aid of the funds of the Dublin Vacant Land Cultivation Society in August last?

The grant in question was paid out of the funds placed at the disposal of the Department by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899.

asked the result of the inquiries which the Estates Commissioners have directed to be made in respect to the congestion complained of in the memorials received by the Estates Commissioners from the occupiers of the congested holdings on the estate of the Earl of Normanton, situated at Bishopswood, Dundrum, county Tipperary, and the estate of Colonel Trant, situated at Ballinahow, Thurles, county Tipperary; and what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take to remedy the congestion complained of?

As regards Lord Normanton's estate the owner has lodged the necessary documents, and the lands will be inspected at an early date. As regards Colonel Trant's estate, the Estates Commissioners have asked for further particulars, and will consider the matter when they are furnished.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a memorial from the occupiers of congested holdings on the estate of the Going Minors, situated at Ballyphilip, Ballingarry, county Tipperary; whether the tenants on the estate have expressed their desire to purchase their holdings on reasonable terms; whether within the past week several of them have received letters from Mr. Morgan, solicitor, demanding payment of full rents and arrears and costs, and threatening further proceedings unless payment is made immediately; and whether, under the circumstances, he will advise the Estates Commissioners to take prompt steps to effect an amicable arrangement on this estate?

The Estates Commissioners have received the memorial referred to, and have requested the memorialists to furnish them with further particulars, so that the purchase of this estate may be considered. The Commissioners have no power to interfere with any legal proceedings which the owner may institute for the collection of the rents due by the tenants.

asked if the Monaghan County Council have provided in a scheme under the University Act that any Roman Catholic student who gets a scholarship provided out of the rates must go to the Dublin College of the National University, and to nowhere else, while any other successful student may go to any Irish university selected; if it is competent for the county council to do more than assist by scholarship any student to any university; if such a condition, driving all Roman Catholic students from county Monaghan to this particular college, is contrary to the professed undenominational character of the university; why this Ulster county council uses the ratepayers' money to deflect its Roman Catholic students to Dublin; and if similar conditions have been made by other Nationalist county councils?

The only knowledge I have of the matters referred to in the hon. and learned Gentleman's question is drawn from a short newspaper reference to the scheme. I do not infer that there is any religious qualification imposed in connection with the scholarships, which are offered for free competition; but that it is stipulated that in the case of a successful Catholic competitor the scholarship should be held at Dublin College of the National University. In the case of a successful student of any other denomination, the scholarship can be held at any university or college selected by the student's parents. Without having the precise scheme before me, it would not be possible, even if it were open to me, to express any opinion on its legality. If the council have in any way transgressed their powers the ratepayers have their remedy.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this scheme, and, as head of the Local Government Board, will he instruct the auditor to see that the rate struck is legal?

As a member of the Mixed Committee appointed by the Monaghan County Council to draft the scheme in question, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that although the scheme has been before the public for some weeks no dissatisfaction has been expressed by any ratepayer in the county, Catholic or Protestant?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been brought to the difference between the Belfast University and the Dublin National University, it being necessary that the students should take compulsory Irish at Dublin?

I have no desire to enter into any legal point which I have no right or authority to decide, but I am sufficiently acquainted with the University Act to know that the county councils are authorised to assist by scholarships any student of any university.

Is it not a fact that the scholarships which have been provided by the Monaghan County Council are open to students of all religious denominations without distinction, and that the County Council of Armagh county represented by the hon. and learned Member (Mr. Moore) has not voted one penny for University education of any kind?

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners are taking any steps to acquire the untenanted lands of Ballynorth, near Askeaton, in the county of Limerick, on the O'Grady estate; and, if so, whether there is any likelihood of a sale being effected in the near future?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made and communicated their estimate of price to the representatives of Dudley O'Grady. The Commissioners understand that their interest in the lands is not such as would enable them to sell under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have yet purchased the untenanted lands at Mount Henry, Coolcapper, in the county of Limerick; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay, having regard to the fact that the landlady, Miss O'Grady, Delmege, has long since signified her willingness to sell the lands?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 19th April last to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to acquire the untenanted lands at Craggs, Borrigone, in the county of Limerick, on the Cooper estate; and whether he is aware that the landlord is willing to sell these lands to them, and that a great number of small holders in the district have petitioned the Commisioners to acquire these lands for them?

The Estates Commissioners understand that the owner of the estate referred to is not prepared to sell at their estimated price. Formal proceedings for sale of the lands to the Commissioners have not yet been instituted by him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the estate of John Flood, situated at Cornagee, Dowra, county Leitrim, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board through the Land Judge's Court, and that the Court refused an offer of £621, although the net yearly rental was only £36 18s. 2d.; and whether, having regard to the poor quality of the land, the inconvenient situation of the property, and to the fact that the poor tenants will soon be called upon to pay another year's rent at the old high rate, the Board would take such steps as are necessary to bring about the completion of the sale and thus relieve congestion on the estate?

The offer made by the Congested Districts Board of £621 has been refused by the Land Judge, and the Board cannot take any further steps until the estate is offered for sale by auction in the Land Judge's Court.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is in a position to state when the Second Reading of the Bill for providing the additional million under the Labourers (Ireland) Acts will be taken; and whether reasonable opportunities will be afforded for a Debate on the general principles of the measure?

The Second Reading of the Bill will be taken at the first opportunity, and as I am not aware that general principles of the Bill are at all controversial I trust that the Second Reading will not be further opposed, and that it may go upstairs to be discussed.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he would say in what way the Estates Commissioners protect, pending completion of sale, tenants who, relying upon their protection, have, under duress, signed purchase agreements at prices found by the Commissioners to be in excess of the amount for which the holdings are security; whether they are indifferent to the weakening of the security caused by making the extra payment with borrowed money or with money due to be spent on the necessary improvement and working of the holdings; and whether, in the specific instance on Colonel James Smyth's estate, Westmeath, they will make themselves parties to the landlord's conduct by allowing him to exclude from the sale a holding so circumstanced and to evict the tenant, who is willing to buy at the price the Commissioners have found the holding to be worth?

The rate of interest in lieu of rent payable by a purchasing tenant pending the advance of the purchase money is a matter of agreement between the vendor and the purchaser and is not one in which the Estates Commissioners can interfere. The Commissioners are not prepared to advance in full the amounts applied for in respect of certain holdings on the estate referred to in the question, and the solicitors having carriage of the sale have been so informed.

Is not the Commissioners' decision that a holding is not security for a larger sum than that offered substantially a decision that the holding is not worth more, and while the Congested Districts Board takes action to restrain the landlord in such cases in the exercise of their compulsory power will the Estates Commissioners take similar action?

No; they have no power to do anything further in these cases than they have done. The interest which is paid in lieu of rent is a matter of agreement between landlord and tenant.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the general desire in Ireland that a special fund should be provided by the State to enable talented students of primary schools to obtain secondary education with a possibility of matriculating in a university; and whether he proposes to take any action in that direction this present Session?

The matter is one deserving of most careful consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give facilities for a Bill for this purpose, which is, according to the Paper, to be introduced to-day?

I have not seen the Bill. I do not know what it involves.

asked the Chief Secretary, whether he can see his way to opening the inspectorships under the Board of National Education in Ireland to competition limited to teachers under that Board, and discontinue the appointment of external inspectors having no experience in teaching and no interest in education?

The Commissioners of National Education could not approve of the proposal to confine the competition for inspectorships to national teachers. National teachers are eligible for these appointments, and have privileges in regard to age not granted to other candidates. It is not correct to say that the inspectors appointed under the present system have no experience of teaching and no interest in education.

asked the Chief Secretary, if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps to purchase the untenanted lands on the Fosberry estate, situate at Clorane, in the county of Limerick, for the purpose of dividing them among the small holders and labourers in the district?

No proceedings for the sale of the land referred to appear to have been instituted before the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the feeling expressed on both sides of the House, the Government will appoint a Select Committee to examine the various methods adopted by public bodies, both in this country and abroad, to regulate the length of individual speech in Debate, and report thereon to this House as soon as possible?

I could not adopt this suggestion unless I were satisfied that it was supported by a general demand.

asked the Prime Minister whether it was at the request of the Liberal Members of the Conference that it was agreed that its deliberations should be kept secret; and whether the Conference was agreed that questions in dispute should be submitted to a joint session of representatives of both Houses?

asked whether the Unionist leaders at the last Conference meeting urged that an official statement should be made as to the extent to which agreement between the two Front Benches was reached, but that the four Liberal leaders opposed this request, arguing that if silence were observed the method of Conference could be kept alive for use on a future occasion?

The decision of the Conference on the subject of publication was unanimous. In my opinion and (I am authorised to say) in the opinion also of all the surviving members of the Conference, it would be inconsistent with this decision to make any further statement in reply to the questions on the Paper.

May I ask whether he is able consistently with the arrangement which has been arrived at to say whether the agreement as to secrecy was made at the beginning or at the end of the Conference?

It was announced in this House at the beginning of the Conference that all the proceedings would be confidential.

asked the Prime Minister if he will explain to the House the views of the Government in the matter of State-aided emigration from the Motherland to the self-governing Dominions oversea; whether the Government are prepared to set aside a sum of money annually to be used towards assisting suitable and desirable persons to emigrate; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of extending the machinery of the Labour Exchanges so that if an applicant has work awaiting him in some one of the oversea Dominions he may be able to obtain from the State the same financial help towards the payment of his passage money as he can now obtain towards his travelling expenses if work awaits him in any part of the United Kingdom?

asked what, if any, steps have been taken by the Government to carry into effect the resolution dealing with emigration and immigration within the Empire passed unanimously by the members of the Conference?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the expectations held out on behalf of the Government at the last Imperial Conference that the Emigrants' Information Office should be reconstructed, any and what steps have been taken towards such reconstruction; and, if none, will he explain the cause of the delay, and undertake that the matter shall receive early consideration?

I will reply at the same time to the question which the hon. Member has put to the Prime Minister and the two questions which he has put to myself. I am not aware what precisely is meant by the statement that expectations were held out at the last Conference that the Emigrants' Information Office would be reconstructed. The views of the Government on the question of emigration were stated at that Conference by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board on pp. 170–172 and pp. 177–178 of Cd. 3523. In particular it was stated (page 177) that it had not been the policy to grant votes of Imperial money for emigration and (page 172) that if the Self-Governing Dominions considered any of the work done by the home agencies could be improved, any suggestions from them would be cordially welcomed. I may further refer the hon. Gentleman to the note printed on page 25 of Cd. 5273. He is aware that the question of the representation of the Dominions on the Managing Committee of the Emigrants' Information Office will be discussed at the forthcoming Conference on a resolution of the Commonwealth of Australia. The question of the possibility and best method of utilising the machinery of the Labour Exchanges in connection with applications and vacancies noted in the Oversea Dominions has for some time been engaging the attention of the Board of Trade and the subject has been put down for discussion at the Conference.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that expectations were held out by the President of the Local Government Board?

No; I am afraid I do not carry in my mind what expectations have been entertained in consequence of any views which have been expressed by my colleagues.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state if the Clancarty estate, county Galway, has been offered to or purchased by the Estates Commissioners?

Proceedings have been instituted before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of this property under the Irish Land Act, 1903, portion of it as a direct sale, and portion, including the untenanted land, as a sale to the Commissioners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he received from the Governor-General of Australia a telegram, dated 24th December, 1910, recommending for discussion at the approaching Colonial Conference the advisability of the reform of the present units of weights, measures, and coins; and, if so, why he omitted all reference to weights and measures when enumerating in his letter to Governors-General, etc., dated 20th January, 1911 [Cd. 5513], the list of subjects proposed by the Commonwealth for submission to the Conference?

The reference to "currency and coinage" on page 12 of Cd. 5513 should have been to "coinage and measures"—the subject of the tenth Australian resolution on page 9. That resolution will be discussed with the others at the Imperial Conference.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send an amended list or a supplementary list to the Governors-General who may make the correction to which he has just referred with regard to weights and measures?

No; it will not be necessary, because if the hon. Member looks at the Australian resolutions on page 9 he will see it is included.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, owing to a Permanent Under-Secretary of State not having yet been appointed, important matters at the Colonial Office are left unattended to and the efficiency of the staff is thereby impaired; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

I have seen the statements in question, which are for the most part, inaccurate. I have refrained from making any appointment to the vacant post of Permanent Under-Secretary, pending the meeting of the Imperial Conference, as important questions affecting the future conduct of business relating to the Dominions will come before the Conference, and I consider that it would be discourteous for me to take any step which might seem to prejudge the result of that discussion. This decision is naturally attended by some inconvenience to myself, but it is wholly untrue to assert that important matters remain unattended to, or that the efficiency of the staff is detrimentally affected. I am glad to think that I shall be able to avail myself of Sir Francis Hop wood's experience and knowledge at the Conference, as, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer's and his own concurrence, I intend to reappoint him, during its session, to his former post—of course, in an honorary and unpaid capacity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the offices of High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States and Governor of the Colony of the Straits Settlements being united in a single official, he has considered the desirability of the chief resident officer of the Federated Malay States being an officer of a considerable degree of independence; whether the change made since 1st February in the designation of that official will alter his status in such a manner as detrimentally to affect the interests of the Federated Malay States when they may conflict with those of the Colony; and whether due weight has been given to the strong unofficial opinion against the change in the Federated Malay States?

I am satisfied that the change, which was made with the cordial approval of the native rulers, and after the fullest consideration, is in the interests of good administration, and will in no way detrimentally affect the Federated Malay States.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the amounts voted by Parliament to each of the three countries, England, Scotland, and Wales, for secondary education and for higher grade primary schools, respectively, in the year ended March, 1910; and what is the amount voted to Ireland for the same purposes in the same period?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh on Monday, the 13th ult.

Is it not a fact that in England about £800,000 is voted for secondary and higher grade schools, while in Ireland not a penny is voted?

No; I cannot admit the comparison of figures in any way.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department have given consideration to the grievances of the preventive men in His Majesty's Customs; whether he was aware that the men in this branch of the service perform their duties efficiently, and that their duties and conditions of work are laborious; and whether, in view of the low standard of their wages at present and the tardiness and irregularity in the course of their promotion, he could promise that their grievances would be looked into and redressed?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question on this subject addressed to me yesterday by the Noble Lord the Member for Newton.

asked what is the Treasury estimate of the total amount of returning officer's expenses incurred at a general election in Ireland which the proposed Government measure, if passed and applied to Ireland, would have been discharged by the Treasury?

I regret that it is not possible for me at this stage of the proceedings to give any estimate of the kind asked for.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, if a medical practitioner in claiming rebate of motor spirit duty is not bound to prove payment of duty by manufacturer or dealer, will he explain why the rebate due to Dr. Gibbon, of Mullingar, in respect of 1909 and 1910, duly claimed and vouched, has not yet been paid, and has in effect been refused; and, as many cases depend upon this one, will he say when payment will be made in all those cases of overdue rebate?

A claim for rebate of Motor Spirit Duty in respect of 1909 has been made by Dr. Gibbon, of Mullingar, but has not been allowed because the firms who are stated to have supplied the dealers from whom Dr. Gibbon purchased the spirit could not show to the officer engaged in testing the validity of the certificates of sale that duty had been paid to the Crown on the spirit in question. Two claims for rebate in respect of 1910 have also been made by Dr. Gibbon. Payment of these claims has been delayed because the certificates, submitted with the claims, were incomplete. It is expected, however, that the claims will be decided upon at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will state the total number of free places in secondary schools in England and Wales given in consideration of the higher grant from the Board; and what, approximately, would be the average fee had each student to pay for himself?

In the 785 secondary schools in England and Wales receiving the higher grant from the Board, the number of free places which had to be offered at the beginning of the current school year in order to meet the Board's requirements was 10,497. The number actually given was, however, 13,289, besides 322 more which were offered but not taken up. The variation among the fees charged in these schools is so great that it is impossible to say, even approximately, what the average fee would be. The fees differ not only as between school and school, but also in the same school according to the age of pupil, the area from which pupil comes, and other circumstances.

asked whether, as the result of the statement contained in the Annual Report for 1909 of the chief medical officer of the Board that 20 to 40 per cent. of the 6,000,000 children in the public elementary schools of England and Wales suffer from extensive and injurious decay of the teeth, and in view of the opinion of the medical officers that such condition is largely traceable to the consumption of bread from which the germ and the skins of the grain have been mechanically extracted to ensure whiteness, and of the general ignorance as to food values and the preparation of food for human consumption, any steps are being taken by the Board, by the preparation of a special syllabus of domestic economy instruction or other- wise, to minimise the magnitude of youthful physical degeneracy disclosed by the above Report?

The Board's medical officers have expressed no opinion as to the relation between the consumption of bread of any particular character and decay of the teeth. The best hope of arresting tendencies to physical degeneration appear to the Board to lie in the development of the school medical service and of school hygiene in its various aspects. In this connection the Board rely upon the efforts of local education authorities, care committees, and others to secure the co-operation of parents. The Board do not propose at present to attempt to deal with the matter by means of the issue of syllabuses, but the hon. Member need feel no doubt that the whole subject is engaging the earnest consideration of the Board.

asked if education authorities in administering the Provision of Meals Act are obliged to ascertain that a child is destitute before supplying it with food?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the expenditure of rates for the provision of meals by a Local Education Authority. The conditions under which such expenditure may be incurred are set out in Section 3 of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906. That section requires as a preliminary to expenditure out of the rates for this purpose that the Local Education Authority shall have resolved that children attending an elementary school within their area are unable through lack of food to take full advantage of the education provided for them, that they shall have ascertained that funds other than public funds are not available or are insufficient in amount to defray the cost of food furnished in meals under the Act, and that they shall have been authorised by the Board of Education to spend money out of the rates for the provision of such food.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the date upon which the Army Estimates will be introduced?

No, Sir; but I hope that I may be in a position to make a statement next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the amount of private Members' legitimate time has been absorbed by Government business, he will consider the desirability of allotting extra days to private Members after the Coronation?

It would be premature to make any statement on this subject as yet.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the Colonial Conference of 1887 expert evidence was called in to assist the deliberations; and whether he will consider the advisability of following the same course at the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the first meeting of the 1887 Colonial Conference was attended by the Prime Minister of the day and many of his colleagues, as well as by Members of the late Ministry, former Secretaries and Under Secretaries of State for the Colonies, Members of both Houses of Parliament, and other eminent men well known for their interest in matters relating to the Colonies; whether this arrangement met with the approval of the Conference; and whether he will consider the advisability of issuing similar invitations for the opening meeting of the Imperial Conference of 1911?

I will answer the next question at the same time. The precedents for the forthcoming Conference are those of 1897, 1902, and 1907, which were Conferences with the Prime Ministers of the self-governing Dominions, and its constitution has been defined by the first Resolution of the Conference of 1907. I do not see how the Conference of 1887 can be cited as a precedent, since it included other persons than Ministers, and also Crown Colony representatives. Any expert assistance which may be required will be provided by the official assistants of the Ministers, who will be present.

With reference to the 1887 Conference, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proceedings were arranged by the Prime Minister himself, and not by the members of the Conference?

That does not in any way affect my answer. The proceedings of this Conference are determined by the resolutions of the last.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Government is prepared to consider the advisability of lending money to Scottish fishermen at a low rate of interest and on reasonable conditions as to repayment, to assist them in the purchase of steam fishing vessels or motor boats, with a view to enabling them to adapt the national industry in which they are engaged to modern competitive conditions?

Private enterprise has hitherto been very successful, according to my information, in meeting the necessities occasioned by the transition from sail to mechanical power, and there seems no strong case for the intervention of the Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that private enterprise is sufficient in Scotland while Government assistance is given freely in Ireland?

My information is that it is sufficient in Scotland.

Is the proposal not clearly within the scope of the Development Act, and will the right hon. Gentleman agree to receive a deputation on the subject?

If the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper I will answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can say how many persons were in England and Wales committed to prison in 1910 in default of payment of pecuniary penalties, and how many of these were under the age of eighteen years; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation on the subject at an early date?

There are no returns of the number of prisoners under eighteen, and they could not be given without much research. Moreover, they could not be very accurate, as the Prison Commissioners would have to rely on the prisoner's own statement as to whether he is above or below eighteen. I hope shortly to introduce legislation which will greatly reduce the number of persons committed to prison in default of the payment of fines.

asked if the number of the Poles and other aliens employed in Lanarkshire and the adjoining counties is increasing; through what ports they enter into this country; do they come in under contract to work in the mines; and are any of them rejected by the emigration authorities under the provisions of the Aliens Act?

There is no reason to think that the number of foreigners employed in the Scottish mines is increasing. The inspector of mines for the district reports that so far as he has been able to ascertain the number during the last four or five years has remained more or less stationary. The arrivals, as observed under the Aliens Act, of foreigners who express the intention of seeking work in Scottish mines have during the same period shown a decrease. The principal port of entry is Grimsby, but some come through London, Leith, and Grangemouth. So far as my information goes, they do not come under contract. Those of them who are found to be undesirable immigrants within the meaning of the Aliens Act are refused leave to land.

May I ask if these Poles are required to comply with the regulations under the Act?

They are subject to the ordinary regulations of the Act.

asked if the Poles employed in the Lanarkshire coal mines have given notice of their intention of remaining in this country permanently; if any of them are becoming naturalised; or if they return to Russia with their savings?

No such notice as indicated in the first part of the hon. Member's question is necessary. Very few, if any, of these Poles become naturalised. I am informed that very few of them return to Russia, but that a certain number proceed to America.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these questions about aliens in Lanarkshire mines have any connection with the fact that a by-election is proceeding in the North-Eastern Division of Lanarkshire?

asked the Home Secretary if he can state how many Poles or other foreigners from Russia or Austria are now employed in the coal mines in Lanarkshire; if such Poles can speak English; and, if not, what steps have been taken to avoid risk of danger to themselves or the other miners in the event of any accident occurring?

Exact figures are not available; but the number is estimated roughly at about 2,000. The majority speak English sufficiently well to understand the instructions given to them by the officials; those who are unable to do so are employed with others who have been in Scotland some time and have a knowledge of the language. The abstract and rules are printed in Lithuanian for the use of these foreigners. Careful inquiry has been made from time to time, but no evidence has been forthcoming to show that their employment is a source of danger.

asked the Home Secretary if he will say in what counties the search for David Davies, the Dartmoor shepherd, is being conducted?

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on Tuesday last.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the circumstances attending the death of Mrs. Emily Stewart, a widow of 85, who said she had been knocked down in Cropley Street by two boys who were roller-skating on the pavement; whether he is aware that at the inquest at the City mortuary on 27th February there was no evidence rebutting the statment; that the jury, in fact, found that she had been knocked down by two boys; that Inspector William Duncan admitted that roller-skating in the streets was a nuisance; that a juror expressed the opinion that it ought to be prohibited; and that the coroner, Mr. Danford Thomas, thoroughly endorsed that opinion; and whether, having regard to this additional indication of the dangers of roller-skating in the streets and these expressions of opinion, he will now reconsider his refusal to sanction by-laws by local authorities relating to the practice?

I have seen a newspaper report of the inquest in this case, from which it would appear that there was evidence rebutting the statement that the deceased was knocked down by boys on roller-skates. But whatever may be the facts of this particular accident, I see no reason to alter my views which I have already fully explained. I am prepared to consider a general by-law to regulate the practice where it can be shown to be dangerous, but I am not prepared to prohibit it any more than I would prohibit cycling, or driving, or motoring, because occasional accidents may occur; nor can I consent to make it a criminal offence in particular Metropolitan boroughs, while leaving it to be treated as a lawful pastime in other parts of the Metropolis.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has considered the very great danger caused to the children themselves by the habit of using roller skates in very crowded thoroughfares, and whether he is prepared to order the police to stop the traffic at such places as Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus in order to allow this pastime?

I am informed that this practice is not only common but general in Berlin, and I do not think we need take a more drastic view of children's pastimes than is taken by the police in Berlin.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also take into consideration the conduct of boys who skate round Tufnell Park?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware of the unrest existing on the part of the general and trading public whose contracts are generally based on railway weights, in connection with the weights of merchandise carried by railway companies, on account of the condition of their weighing apparatus; whether the requrements of the Weights and Measures Acts, and regulations relating particularly to Section 1 of the Act of 1889 and to Regulation 9 of the Weights and Measures Regulations, 1907, are complied with as regards railway companies; and, if not, will the Board take steps to require from inspectors of weights and measures, or alternatively from their local authorities, a Return giving a list of railway companies' weighbridges in their inspectorial districts, showing the number of weighbridges which do not bear a stamp, as provided by the Act, and the dates of the stamps of the weighbridges which bear such?

Weighing instruments in use on railway companies' premises for the purposes of trade, as defined in the Weights and Measures Acts, are subject to the provisions of those Acts and of the Regulations made thereunder. It is the duty of Inspectors of Weights and Measures to see that such instruments have been duly verified and stamped, and to test them from time to time. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case in which he has reason to believe that the Acts are not being put in force I will call the attention of the local authorities to the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident to a shunter named Burdett whilst riding on the step of a shunting engine at Colwick Yard, Great Northern Railway, on 17th November, 1910; if so, whether his attention has been called to the dangerous method of working in this yard, where the men are neither supplied with uniform nor rule book; and whether any representation has been made by the inspecting officer who conducted the Board of Trade inquiry?

An inquiry was held into this accident (which took place on 28th October) and the Board have been in communication with the company as regards certain recommendations contained in the sub-inspecting officer's report. The company state that it is their practice to provide every supernumerary porter regularly employed with a copy of the rule book, and that it is regretted that there was a failure to do so in this instance. I do not gather that absence of uniform had any bearing upon the accident. The Board of Trade are still in correspondence with the company as to the method of working the yard.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that uniform is the only method by which the men can be distinguished, and that therefore the absence of uniform has a distinct bearing on this man's death?

That will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trip-cocks in operation on the Metropolitan and other railways are so placed as to render their operation dangerous to the men; whether he is aware that the men's lives are unnecessarily risked in having to leave the motor cab to attend to these cocks; and, having regard to the fact that there are trip-cocks in use which obviate these dangers, he will take steps to deal with the matter?

Only one accident is recorded as having occurred in closing the trip-cock on any railway on which this apparatus is in use. An inquiry was held into that accident, and both the position of, and the method of closing, the trip-cock were gone into. I am advised that it is not altogether desirable to arrange for the closing of the trip-cock from the motor cab, but the company concerned has been asked to consider whether other means can be adopted for preventing possible danger to the men.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London and North-Western Railway Company have added to the work of enginemen and firemen at certain stations by compelling them to clean their footplates, and threatening them with punishment in the event of their failing to do so; and, having regard to the fact that such work can only be performed when the engine is standing in order to comply with the company's instructions in these matters, which makes it practically impossible for the men to carry out Rule 55, and having regard to the importance attached to the observance of this rule, whether he will communicate with the London and North-Western Railway Company with a view to their co-operating and assisting the men to carry out a rule framed for public safety?

I have invited the observations of the railway company upon the representations contained in this question, but, as my hon. Friend was informed in reply to his question of 13th February, I am unable to make any statement on the subject of Rule 55 until the reports of the inspecting officers on recent accidents have been received, and we have had time carefully to consider them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fluctuations in employment in the slate trade, being as it is dependent on the building trade, whether he has considered the request made by the quarrymen's union for the inclusion of slate quarrymen in the proposed Bill for insurance against unemployment?

I should be reluctant to extend the scope of the proposal at the outset beyond the three great groups of trades—building, engineering, and shipbuilding.

asked the Postmaster-General whether women were employed during last Christmas at the Tunstall office on duties terminating at times varying from 9.30 p.m. to 11.40 p.m.; whether they were released from duty without conveyance or escort; whether a woman was also employed at this office on 23rd and 24th December who was not a member of the staff; and, if so, what payment was made for her services?

I am making inquiry, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether complaint has reached him of the inconvenience caused by the non-delivery of letters on Sunday at the Glencree reformatory school, county Wicklow; and whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?

Complaint has reached me of the inconvenience caused by the non-delivery of letters on Sunday at the Glencree reformatory school, but in view of the loss already incurred on the service in the locality I regret that I do not feel justified in sanctioning the extra delivery.

asked what the cost of the Aden-Mombasa mail service was in the years 1908–9, 1909–10, and what was the estimated cost for 1910–11?