asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether instructions have been given to the land valuers under The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, to value separately those portions of a holding that have a higher value than the remainder of a holding; if so, whether they are further instructed to spread their valuation over the whole area so as to present a uniform valuation; and whether it is intended to charge Increment Duty on the portions separately valued on the basis of the uniform rate of valuation, seeing that those portions are likely to be first dealt with and that such valuation does not represent their true value?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part of the question, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have no power, except at the request of the owner, to adopt a smaller unit of valuation than a hereditament in separate occupation, but the valuers are instructed, where parts of one unit have different values, to apportion the original site value between those parts, as provided by Section 29 (2) of The Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910. With regard to the last part of the question, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the provisions of Section 29 (4) of that Act.

asked when the copies of the amended Form IV. for Ireland will be available for the information of Members?

I hope to be able to have these copies in Member's hands in a few days.

asked whether a clergyman's manse or parochial residence is now liable to be assessed for Income Tax and its valuation added to the clergyman's gross income, and whether there are any exceptions to this rule; whether the taxes paid on the manse are deducted from the total income; whether a deduction can be made from the valuation of the manse in respect of those parts which are used for professional duties; whether a payment made compulsory upon a clergyman by the Ecclesiastical Law of his Church may be deducted from his total income; whether a clergyman is allowed to deduct a certain sum for the purchase of books; and whether glebe land around a manse is now liable for Income Tax?

As regards the first part of the question, the annual value of a clergyman's manse or parochial residence is liable to be assessed to Income Tax; but the question whether such annual value forms part of the income of the clergyman for Income Tax purposes depends on the particular circumstances of each case. With regard to the second part, no deduction in this respect is made from statutory income. As regards the third and fourth parts, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1907, and of Section 60 (Schedule A, No. V.) of the Income Tax Act, 1842, respectively. The reply to the fifth part of the question is in the negative, and to the sixth part in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will refund to county councils any extraordinary expenditure actually incurred by them in filling up the forms sent to them under the land clauses of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had under consideration the increased volume and more onerous character of the work thrown upon clerks to the surveyors, both established and unestablished, as the result of the Finance Act and of other recent legislation; and, if not, whether he will take the matter into consideration with a view to placing all clerks to surveyors who have either served a reasonable period of probation, or obtained the Civil Service Commissioner's certificate, on the establishment?

I have nothing to add to the replies given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on the 27th ultimo.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the difference in the character and importance of the work undertaken by a clerk to a surveyor of taxes, scale A or B, who is established, as compared with a clerk, scale D, who is unestablished?

I beg to refer to my reply to the hon. Member for West St. Pancras on the 7th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vacancies there were, for examiners in the Patent Office in the year 1910–11; how many appointments were made; how many candidates were examined; what fees were charged such candidates; and to what the total cost of such examinations amounted?

Patent Office, examination of September, 1910: Vacancies, 9; appointments made, 9; number of candidates, 157; fee charged to candidates, £5 each (total, £785); cost, £452 5s. 9d.

asked how many women and girls entered for the examinations for appointments as abstractors or clerks in the Post Office in the year 1910–11; what fees were charged to them for such examinations; what was the cost of such examinations; how many of the candidates were successful; and how many have obtained appointments?

Woman and girl clerk examinations of April and October, 1910:—

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can arrange that the wages of the gardeners and labourers employed under the Board of Trade will be paid the same rate of wages as the corporation labourers; and whether he is aware that the wages of the park labourers in London is 68 per cent. higher than those paid in Dublin?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dublin (College Green) on the 5th July, 1910.

asked over what period the present stock of stamps held by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue will supply the requirements of the United Kingdom; what stock has it been considered necessary in the past to hold in reserve at Somerset House; what quantity of stamps has been delivered at Somerset House by the new contractors since the 1st January; and do the quantities so delivered fulfil the conditions of the new contract?

The present stock of ½d. and 1d. postage stamps held by the Inland Revenue is sufficient to supply the requirements of the United Kingdom for a period of about two months. The stock of other denominations is sufficient for from six to twelve months. In the past it has been considered necessary to hold a reserve stock of ½d. and 1d. stamps sufficient to last six months. As it is proposed to issue the new George V. stamps at the time of the Coronation it has not been considered necessary to maintain the former large reserve of the existing stamps. With regard to the third part of the question, a first delivery of sixty-eight reams has been made by the contractors, and the stamps so delivered fulfil the conditions of the new contract.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state how many appeals from the old age pension committees in Cavan are at present pending; can he state how many old age pensioners in Cavan have been struck off and deprived of pensions for the last two years on the ground of insufficient age, as disclosed in the Census returns; and will he state if and how often fresh claims may be made by applicants who have been disqualified on the grounds merely that they cannot be traced in the Census records which have been so often shown to be inaccurate?

The information asked for in the first two parts of the question is not available. In reply to the third part there is nothing in the Old Age Pensions Act on Statutory Regulations to prevent an unsuccessful claimant from making a fresh claim as soon as he pleases. But, if the fresh claim is made within four months of the date of a previous claim which has been disallowed, the Pension-officer is not bound to investigate it unless the claimant satisfies him that there is a prima facie reason to believe that the ground on which the former claim was disallowed is no longer in operation.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to an application made for an old age pension by a man named Pat Scully, Bookeen, Kilnadeema, Loughrea; whether he is aware that the rent of his land is £2 3s. yearly; and whether an old age pension-will be granted to this applicant?

Patrick Scully has made three claims. On each occasion the pension officer appealed against the award by the Loughrea Pension Sub-committee of a pension of 5s. a week, and the Local Government Board disallowed the pension on the ground that Scully's means exceeded the statutory limit. When he made his first claim he was occupier of two farms, comprising about forty acres, well stocked and cropped. Before making his second claim he assigned these farms to his sons, apparently with a view to securing a pension. At the time he made his third claim, which was disallowed by the Board on the 2nd ultimo, he appears to have again become the occupier of the smaller of the two farms.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say whether, before the pension officer appealed from the decision of the local pension sub-committee, who gave Mrs. Johanna Quirke, of Kilconlen, Abbeyfeale, in the county of Limerick, a pension, he had search made in the Census of 1851 to ascertain whether she was on the Census of that year; if so, can he state what was the result of the search; whether she was on that Census; and what was her age stated to be?

Search was made in the Census Return of 1851, but the family to which Mrs. Quirk belonged could not be traced from the information she supplied.

asked if the Treasury has received the petition from the clerks of the tax collectors; and is it proposed to take any action thereon?

The question is not understood. I cannot trace the receipt of any petition from the clerks of tax collectors.

asked the amount per head of population contributed by the Imperial Exchequer in the last financial year towards university education in Ireland, in England, in Wales, and in Scotland?

The amounts voted for the purposes of university education in the year 1909–10 will be found in the Estimates for that year under Vote 15 Class I, and Votes 7 and 13 Class IV. But comparative figures in the form suggested by the hon. Member would, I think, be misleading.

asked whether a chairman has yet been appointed to the Treasury Committee on grants to university colleges, in place of the Rev. Dr. Woods, resigned?

A chairman has not yet been appointed.

asked whether, in making their grants for road improvements, the Development Commissioners have made it a condition that the county receiving that grant should make a contribution from its own funds; and, if so, what authority the Commissioners have for doing this?

I assume the hon. Member refers to the Road Board. The applications for grants towards works of road improvements are greatly in excess of the funds at the Board's disposal, and the assistance which the Board are able to give takes the form of a contribution towards the cost of such improvements. This is within the statutory functions of the Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of amending the present regulations as to Increment Value Duty, under which no allowance is made for interest on capital up to the time that a property is marketable in the case of estate development?

My right hon Friend is unable to give the assurance required by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked whether valuations made under the land clauses of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, will be considered as confidential; and, if not, to what persons or public bodies information on the subject will be communicated?

The valuations referred to by the hon. Member would be communicated by the Inland Revenue only to the extent authorised by Section 30, Sub-section 2, of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the British Government is the only exception amongst all commercial countries that has not either proposed or passed legislation to prohibit gambling in options and futures; whether, in view of the proposed Canadian-American reciprocity agreement, and that the Canadian Government passed its Criminal Code Act in 1892, prohibiting such gambling transactions with the one object of preventing American manipulations of its products, stocks, and shares on the Canadian exchanges, the Government will consider the advisability of adopting similar legislative measures for British and Irish exchanges in order to protect the producers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers, and various interests concerned in the three Kingdoms, India, South Africa, Canada, and other Colonies from International gambling operations in agriculture, trade, and finance; and whether, in order to make such legislation effective, the Government will arrange to put forward this subject, under consideration, at the forthcoming Imperial Conference to be held in London, to ensure Imperial co-operative legislation?

In view of the number of subjects to be brought forward at the Conference and the limited time available, I am not prepared to recommend that this subject should be discussed.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the amount advanced by the Irish Board of Works during the year 1910 for the purpose of providing better housing accommodation for the farming population of Ireland; how much was spent directly in erecting new dwellings, and what sum was expended for the improvement or enlargement of old residences; how many applications for loans for these purposes were received, and what number were granted; how many farmers of valuations ranging between £30 and £40, £20 and £30, £10 and £20, and £5 and £10, respectively, applied for building loans; and what is the rate of interest charged and the period allowed for repayment?

The time which would be occupied in ascertaining the information desired by the hon. Member would be so considerable that I regret I cannot reply to any but the last part of the question. Loans are made by the Board of Works under the Land Improvement Act of 10 Vic, and the 31st Section of the Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1881. In both cases the irate of interest is approximately £3 10s. per cent. and repayment is made by an annuity of £6 10s. for twenty-two years. Under the Land Improvement Act loans for buildings may alternatively be repaid in thirty-five years by an annuity of £5 at the option of the borrower.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that the county boroughs council of Limerick have applied for a loan of £5,135 in order to carry out a first scheme of housing under the Housing of the Working Classes (Ireland) Act, 1909; whether the plans in connection with this scheme have been forwarded to the Irish Local Government Board for their approval; is he aware that the Irish Local Government Board have approved of a portion of the scheme and have sanctioned a loan of £1,700 for building purposes, and that the remaining portion of the loan, £3,435, will be sanctioned as soon as some-alterations in the plans, suggested by the Local Government Board, are made by the engineer; and whether, this being a voluntary scheme and the greater portion of the ground being the property of the county borough council, the Treasury will at once grant the loan, so that there shall be no unnecessary delay in starting this work in the interests of the health of the people?

I am informed by the Board of Works that the application from the Limerick Corporation was only received on Monday last, 6th March. It is being considered without delay.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the English Board of Agriculture have undertaken not to send to Wales an inspector ignorant of the Welsh language; that a knowledge of Welsh is required for postmasters in Wales; and whether he will see that in the Irish-speaking district of county Galway, especially in Connemara, only school inspectors will be appointed who have a knowledge of the Irish language?

I am not aware that any such undertaking has been given by the English Board of Agriculture. There is no rule on the subject as regards postmasters in Wales, but it is the practice to select only a candidate who knows the language where such is necessary. I cannot promise that only those inspectors who know Irish will be employed in Connemara.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that John Toorish, of Strabane, has acted as registration agent whilst holding the position of sanitary officer; and if it is in accordance with the regulations of the Local Government Board that a public official should be a political agent?

The Local Government Board are not aware that John Toorish, sanitary sub-officer in Strabane urban district, has acted in the manner indicated. There is nothing to prohibit such action, but the Board are adverse to local officers engaging in work of a political character.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the nature of the actuarial inquiry now being held into Irish financial relations; what were the terms of reference; when the inquiry will be completed; and whether a copy of the result will be laid upon the Table of the House?

The inquiry referred to is not of a public character, and I am not now in a position to give the particulars of the information desired in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a man named Patrick Donohue, his wife, and eight children are at present living in a wretched cabin in the neighbourhood of their former holding whether Donohue was evicted out of his holding on Colonel J. Lopdell's estate, Cappamore, Kinvarra, county Gal-way, sixteen years ago; and whether, in view of the promises made to reinstate the evicted tenants or otherwise provide for them elsewhere, can he explain why steps have not been taken by the Estates Commissioners to deal with the case of Donohue and his family?

I have no information as to the first paragraph of the question. The Estates Commissioners received an application from Patrick Donohue for reinstatement in a holding now occupied by six other tenants. His application was not lodged within the period mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and cannot be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Burton Persse has parted with part of his estate in the neighbourhood of Athenry to the Estates Commissioners, he will advise the same body to take over the Boyhill farm, which Mr. Persse is willing to part with?

The lands referred to are situate in the congested districts of county Galway. If the owner institutes proceedings for sale of these lands to the Estates Commissioners they will consider whether this is a case in which they should ask the consent of the Congested Districts Board to the acquisition of the lands under Section 58 of the Irish Land Act, 1909.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has received any memorials from the tenants on Lord Ash-town's estate and the neighbouring estates asking the Board to communicate with Lord Ashtown in reference to the sale of large tracts of untenanted land which he holds in the district; and what steps have the Board taken in the matter?

The Congested Districts Board have received memorials from the tenants respecting the purchase of the estate referred to. The Board accordingly informed the agent that they would be prepared to negotiate for the purchase of such lands as the landlord would be prepared to sell, but no offer of the lands has been made to them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. M. M'Donagh, of Galway, expressed a willingness, through his solicitor, Mr. Blake, at the late quarter sessions, at Loughrea, to sell the interest of his farm at Monatigue, Craughwell, county Galway; have the Congested Districts Board refused to purchase on the ground of not having money to purchase; and, if so, can he say if any steps have been taken lately to open negotiations with a view to purchase?

Mr. McDonagh has offered to sell to the Congested Districts Board his interest in the farm referred to. The lands will be valued and an offer made as soon as practicable having regard to the claims of other cases.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will inquire as to whether the Estates Commissioners intend sanctioning the sale of the farm known as the Kiltulla farm, Oranmore, on the property of Theobald Blake, to some people living a distance away from the farm; whether the owner has expressed his willingness to sell to the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board; and whether, in view of the state of congestion which exists in the district, he will advise the taking over of this farm in the interests of the uneconomic tenants in the district?

The Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board are unable to identify the lands referred to as pending for sale before them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, owing to the absence of a beacon on the bar of Kilmakilloge harbour in the Kenmare River and of a buoy on the Book Rock, the harbour is very dangerous to fishing boats seeking shelter; and whether the Congested Districts Board will have an inquiry made with a view to remedying these defects?

Several proposals have been considered by the Congested Districts Board with a view to remedying the defects complained of, but no decision has yet been arrived at. The place will be visited and further inquiries made when an inspection committee of the Board are next in the district.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of repealing Section 1 of the Pauper Children (Ireland) Act, 1902, forbidding the boarding-out of anyone but orphans and deserted children; whether he is aware that this rule does not exist in England, Scotland, or Wales; and whether he has received a resolution on this subject from the South Dublin union?

The resolution referred to has been received. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked on 21st February by the hon. Member for East Waterford.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state what is the present position of the following three Cavan evicted tenants, M'Nally, Wynne, and Lynch, as regards their prospect of getting farms in time so to use them that they may be productive by the harvest of this year?

The applications of the evicted tenants referred to have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land which may be acquired by the Estates Commissioners, but they are not at present in a position to say when it will be possible to provide them with holdings.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say whether any of his Departments have up to the present considered the necessity or advisability of investigating the alleged merits of the bread known as standard bread; can he say whether any of this particular commodity is obtainable in Ireland; and is he aware that exceptional facilities are available in the Ballyhaise mills for producing the particular class of flour necessary for the production of standard bread?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. Standard bread is obtainable in Ireland. I am not aware that greater facilities for producing the particular class of flour necessary for the production of standard bread exist at the mill named than at other mills throughout Ireland.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether artificer engineers are entitled to extra pay when engaged upon repairing work on a ship to which they do not belong; if so, will he take steps to ensure that this regulation is impartially carried out?

Extra pay is payable in the circumstances stated at the discretion of the commander-in-chief or senior officer present, in accordance with the King's Regulations, and no complaint of a breach of the regulations has reached the Admiralty?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that loss has occurred to the fishermen at Beer owing to the action of one of His Majesty's ships; if he is prepared to compensate these men for their loss; and if he will direct that in future firing practices and other operations should be carried on further out to sea?

No report has been received of the loss referred to, but I am having inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the shortage of officers and candidates for commission in the Regular Army, he has given consideration to the transfer of officers serving as adjutants in the Territorial battalions to the Regular Army and filling the vacancies thus created by the sergeant-majors commissioned as combatant officers?

There is at present no shortage in Regular infantry battalions. Further, the proposal would not be in the best interests of the Territorial battalions, and I am not prepared to entertain it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain the delay in the selection and issue of the new cavalry sword, and say when the issue will be completed?

The equipment of the Cavalry of the Line at home has been completed, and it is expected that the programme of re-equipment will be completed by the deliveries on the orders for the coming financial year. Issue has proceeded in accordance with the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to an incident a few days ago, after dinner at the officers' mess of the Army Service Corps at Aldershot, when a quarrel arose because two young officers bearing foreign names were irritated by the persistent ridicule of their comrades; whether several officers have been reprimanded and two placed under arrest; and what punishment, if any, has been administered?

The General Officer Commanding Aldershot reports that the statement that any quarrel took place in the Army Service Corps Officers' Mess, or that any instance has occurred of officers with foreign names having been subjected to ridicule, or that any officers have been reprimanded on account of any incident of a like nature is unfounded; and that no incidents bearing any similarity to those referred to have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether separation allowances will be granted in the coming year to non-commissioned officers and men of the Territorial Force, as the refusal to grant such allowance neces- sarily prevents numbers of desirable married men from joining this now diminishing force?

Separation allowances will be issued to non-commissioned officers in accordance with the regulations, but not to privates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the strength of the expeditionary force available for mobilisation, the number of Regular troops included therein, the shortest time in which the force be mobilised and ready to embark, and, when mobilised, what would be the average percentage of men actually serving in the ranks per Regular line battalion and other units?

The numbers of men serving in the Regular Forces at home and in the Reserves are ample to meet the requirements of the expeditionary force, but the proportions vary according to the number of serving Regulars who may from time to time be available. In June last the latest date for which checked figures are available, there would have been 68,141 Regulars serving with the colours, (as distinct from Reservists) in the expeditionary force. The further details required regarding the arrangements for mobilisation I cannot undertake to publish.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, on the expiration of the present contract for meat at the Curragh; on the 31st May next, he will give instructions to those concerned throughout the different commands within the British Isles that in future British soldiers shall be fed on British meat and not on foreign meat, and whether undesirable portions have of necessity been excised from the carcases or not?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, any undesirable portions of meat are rejected. Only complete quarters of frozen meat from America are accepted under the contract conditions.

asked the Secretary for War whether, in view of the fact that St. Patrick's Day is a bank holiday in Ireland, he will arrange a holiday for those working in the War Offices and Departments in Ireland; and whether he is aware that all other public departments in Dublin are closed on that day?

Nothing has recently occurred to alter in any way the replies which I have given to previous questions put by the hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Secretary for War (1) whether, in view of the disparity between the amounts of forage appearing upon the requisitions to the Army forage contractor for the camps on Salisbury Plain by the Army Service Corps officer in charge of the forage supply, and alleged by the contractor to have been supplied, and the amounts appearing in such officer's stock books, for which alone the contractor receives payment, he will consider the advisability, as a matter of business, of requiring a receipt for all forage actually delivered to be given by the Army Service Corps officer to the contractor or his agent, and so obviate the dissatisfaction resulting from the present system; (2) whether he is aware that during the months of August, September, and October, 1910, the Army Service Corps officer in charge of the forage supply repeatedly declined to take from the Army forage contractor on Salisbury Plain contract hay of admittedly good quality from the same farm and out of the same stacks as hay previously accepted, on the footing that the units were tired of it; that the same officer passed for acceptance in October several tons of hay at Bulford, Netheravon, and Tidworth camps which a month previously he had himself rejected at Hamilton camp; and whether, in view of the uncertainty and loss to the contractor resulting from such methods, he will take steps to put the selection and supply of forage upon a more satisfactory and businesslike footing?

Negotiations are in course for the settlement of the points in dispute, and it is not, therefore, possible to give any information at present.

asked whether the extra-duty pay of adjutants in the Yeomanry has been or will be reduced by one-half; and, if so, whether the change applies to officers who have accepted these appointments at the higher scale of pay and have incurred responsibilities in the expectation of its remaining unaltered?

The additional pay of adjutants of Yeomanry will in future be 2s. 6d. instead of 5s. Adjutants who were appointed before 12th July, 1910, will remain entitled to 5s. for the remainder of the period for which they were appointed.

asked what is the normal period for which non-commissioned officers are posted as instructors to the Territorial Force, Royal Garrison Artillery; and do they, at the expiration of this period, on reverting to the Regular Force, retain the ranks which they held as instructors to the Territorial Force?

Since 1st September, 1910, non-commissioned officers of the Regular Forces posted as sergeant instructors to the Territorial Force have been posted for a tour of service of two years, with power of extension to five years. Non-commissioned officers are posted to the Permanent Staff of the Territorial Force in their Army rank, that is, in the rank held by them in the regular unit from which they were posted. On the expiration of a tour of service on the Permanent Staff of the Territorial Force, non-commissioned officers will revert to their line units in the same Army rank as was held by them on the Permanent Staff. Non-commissioned officers appointed to the Permanent Staff of the Territorial Force before 1st September, 1910, were permanently posted thereto, and are not required to revert to the Regular Forces unless their services are specially required, or unless they are found to be unfitted for their position on the Permanent Staff. In the latter case, if the circumstances require it, the Army Council may order their reversion in a lower rank than that held by them on the Permanent Staff.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet issued regulations dealing with the work of bronzing in factories, in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee which was published last year?

In accordance with the usual practice, copies of the report of the inspectors who were instructed to make the inquiry were circulated in the first instance to the manufacturers concerned. The observations received from the manufacturers have now been considered, and I have approved the issue of draft regulations, based on the recommendations of the inspectors, in accordance with the procedure laid down by Section 80 of the Factory Act. This will be done at once.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the circumstances surrounding the death of a man, named Oakley, on whom an inquest was held at Southwark Coroner's Court on 17th February; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to promote legislation dealing with the hours of labour and conditions of employment in bakehouses?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question on this subject on the 28th February. I am not in a position to add anything to that answer at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the sanitary restrictions to prevent insect infested and diseased fruit and vegetables from coming into the Transvaal have recently been rescinded; and, if so, will he use his influence to safeguard the interests of agriculturists whose livelihood is thus jeopardised?

According to the local Press certain inspectors of plants were removed from the Transvaal border. It appears that the matter, which is one of local administration, was to be brought to the attention of the Union Government.

asked the Sectary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of cases where other countries grant a subsidy to their mercantile marine, and the total amounts annually paid in each case, the names of the shipping companies receiving such subsidy, and the ports between which such subsidised trade is carried on?

A Parliamentary Paper, comprising reports from His Majesty's representatives abroad on this subject, was issued in June, 1901, and deals with the points now raised by the hon. Member. I will, however, consider whether the situation has since been sufficiently modified to render necessary the issue of a fresh Parliamentary Paper.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the desire expressed by the President of the United States of America for a treaty with this country under which all disputes, of whatever nature, between the two nations would be referred to arbitration; and whether he can take any steps to respond to that desire and to further that object?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington has reported that the United States Government contemplate proposing some such treaty, and a reply has been sent, that any proposals they may make will, of course, meet with the most sympathetic consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the cause of delay in the formation of an advisory committee in connection with the Dublin Labour Exchange; whether he can state the cause of delay in the erection of a suitable building for the Labour Exchange in Dublin; and whether he is aware that employment and accommodation are urgently required?

The formation of an Advisory Trade Committee for Ireland, which will be representative of the interests concerned, has necessarily taken some time, but there has been no avoidable delay, and I hope the Committee will be constituted shortly. The delay in building a permanent Labour Exchange in Dublin is due to alterations in plans. I am aware that the present building is not very suitable, and I hope that the building of the new Exchange will be commenced at an early date.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that several assistant clerks (new class) are employed temporarily in the offices of superintending engineers in the provinces, notwithstanding the promise given in June, 1910, that these officers should be replaced by clerical assistants at the rate of one per month; that these assistant clerks view with anxiety the increasing tendency to prolong indefinitely such temporary service, since their prospects are likely to be adversely affected thereby; whether, under these circumstances, as some of the officers have served several years as assistant clerks in the engineering department, and have therefore acquired valuable technical experience, he will consider the advisability, on economical grounds, of recommending the Treasury to agree to the retention of the services of such officers as have been actually certified by their superior officers to be qualified for such promotion by length of service and official ability by drafting them to the grade of third-class clerk, a grade only slightly superior to that of the assistant clerks; and whether, if he can give no such assurance, he can indicate a date upon which these assistant clerks might reasonably expect their temporary service to terminate?

Five assistant clerks are at present employed temporarily in the offices of Superintending Engineers in the provinces. Of these one only has served as an assistant clerk for more than two years. There is no intention of prolonging their temporary service indefinitely, and it is hoped that it will be possible to terminate it within six months at the most from the present date. I am not prepared to recommend to the Treasury that any of them should be drafted on the third-class of clerks.

asked what is the total number of persons holding investments purchased through the Post Office Savings Bank; and what is the total amount of their investments?

According to the last return taken at the end of December, 1910, the total number of stock accounts in the Government Stock Register of the Post Office Savings Bank was 165,419 and the amount of Stock standing to the credit of the Stockholders £23,151,868. As, however, holdings in different classes of Stock are treated as separate accounts, the number of stockholders would be less than the number of accounts, but I am unable to give the actual figure.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the reservation of places in the Post Office for boy messengers completing a term of service with the colours has been recommended by the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and accepted by himself; and whether he will state if the number so employed will form part of the 50 per cent. of places now reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors in the Post Office, or whether it will be in addition to that number?

I have accepted a recommendation of the Standing Committee on boy messengers that boys who complete a period of service with the Colours should have a certainty of succeeding to vacant postmanships. Vacancies so filled will form part of the fifty per cent. now reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors in the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he issued a circular to the heads of his Department on 30th January last, stating that he had accepted the First Report of the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and detailing immediate steps to be taken in connection therewith; whether the Report contains the assurance of future employment in the Post Office for those messengers who serve a term of service in the Army; and whether, in view of the fact that a proposal to recruit the Army by boys whose only other alternative will be dismissal at a stated age, is a matter of public interest, he will give instructions for the immediate publication of the Report?

A circular was issued to District Surveyors and Heads of Departments on the 30th January announcing my acceptance of the First Report of the Standing Committee on Boy Messengers, and detailing steps to be taken in connection with it. The Report proposes the assurance of future employment as postmen to those messengers who qualify for vacancies reserved for ex-soldiers and ex-sailors by a period of service with the colours. Instructions were given on the 13th February for printing the Report, and I hope that it will be available in the course of a few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he was aware that Mr. Hirst, of Oulton, near Leeds, the arbitrator appointed by the Board of Agriculture to determine the amount due to a tenant farmer, Mr. Hugh Baldwin, of Wildsden, Yorks, from Mr. Bus-field Ferrand, of St. Ives, Bingley, Yorks, under the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, refused to give particulars specifying the amount awarded in respect to any particular matter, the subject of the award, as required by the said Act; if so, whether he will, when appointing arbitrators for the Board in future, decline to employ Mr. Hirst; and if he is aware that for hay in stock, manurial value applied to the farm, fixtures, and improvements for which Mr. Baldwin, the tenant, claimed £600 or thereabouts, the arbitrator only awarded £373, gross, notwithstanding the fact that the tenant offered to produce evidence in support of his claim based on bonâ fide offers to purchase in regard to over 80 per cent. of the materials covered by the award?

The arbitrator has supplied the details which the tenant is entitled to require under Rule 10 of the Second Schedule to the Act. The Board have no power to review Mr. Hirst's award. We have no reason to doubt his fairness and experience and we are not prepared to say that he will not be appointed in future.

asked if Scotland will be included in the area to be reported on by the newly appointed Departmental Committee which is reporting on security of tenure for farm tenants?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it is proposed to place a representative of the small holdings and allotments movement on the Departmental Committee to be appointed to inquire into the position of tenant farmers in England and Wales on the occasion of a change in the ownership of their holdings?

One of the members of the committee will be specially well qualified to consider the question from the point of view to which my hon. Friend refers.