asked what were the quantities of tobacco taken out of bond for consumption in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1908, 1909, and 1910?

I am presuming that the hon. Member wishes to know the quantities retained for home consumption, not the quantities taken out of bond, i.e., entered for home consumption. The figures are as follows. Retained for home consumption, i.e., after deducting drawbacks, etc.:—

—	1908.	1109.	1910
	Lbs.	Lbs.	Lbs.
Imported	90,027,033	87,600,272	89,974,690
Home-grown	50,193	54,019	86,206
Total	90,077,226	87,654,291	90,060,896

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state whether the Road Board has received applications for assistance for the improvement of roads in Caithness; and, if so, what reply he has been able to make to such application?

The Road Board have received applications for grants for the improvement of roads in Caithness to the amount of £32,775, and have indicated to the county authorities that they are prepared to make a grant of £3,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the assistant examiners appointed by the Civil Service Commissioners are paid at a fixed rate or according to the number of candidates examined or by a combination of both methods?

The assistant examiners are chiefly professors, lecturers, and schoolmasters, who from time to time undertake occasional work for the Civil Service Commissioners. They are paid according to the amount of work done, the chief factor in which is the number of candidates examined. None of those examiners accounted for under Sub-head B of the Vote for the Civil Service Commission receive any salary or fixed annual payment.

asked whether unsuccessful candidates in Civil Service examinations are entitled to recover any part of the stamp fees they have paid on entrance to the examinations?

Unsuccessful candidates in Civil Service examinations are not entitled to receive any part of the stamp fees they have paid on entrance to the examinations.

asked why it was necessary to hire special halls for Civil Service examinations during the current financial year?

Examinations are held all over the country, and the number of candidates occasionally runs into thousands. Buildings used simply for Civil Service examinations and large enough to accommodate the candidates would stand unused during most of the year.

asked if the land valuers appointed under the Finance Act are previously examined by the Civil Service Commissioners or otherwise?

Valuers under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, are appointed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, under the authority of the Board of Treasury, in accordance with Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1859, but they are not examined by the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked whether the scales of remuneration have been increased in any branch of the Civil Service during the current financial year?

Applications for improved scales of pay are constantly being received from various Departments of the Civil Service, and many have no doubt been acceded to in the course of the current financial year, but exactly which it would be difficult to specify without considerable research.

asked what, if any, was the increase in the number of Civil Service appointments in the year 1910 compared with 1909?

I regret that I am unable to state what was the increase, if any, in the number of Civil Service appointments. The total number of certificates issued by the Civil Service Commissioners during the calendar year 1910 was 10,148, as compared with 7,911 in the year 1909; but these figures would not include appointments for which Civil Service certificates are not required, while they would include appointments to vacancies arising in the normal course and promotions in cases in which a certificate is necessary.

asked how many provisional valuations have been served on owners of property to the present date or to 1st February, 1911, and how many of such valuations have been definitely accepted by the said owners?

The number of provisional valuations served on owners of property in Great Britain to the 28th ultimo amounted to 222,919. The information necessary to enable me to reply to the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the consensus of opinion in the House on the subject of removing the disabilities under the Old Age Pensions Act in respect of, firstly, disqualification of a man through receipt of poor relief by his wife, and, secondly, disqualification through temporary residence abroad, he will introduce a Bill to remove the disqualifications referred to?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has this matter under consideration, and he hopes to be able before long to make a statement to the House.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the New-pallas pension committee, county Limerick, passed the claim of Mrs. O'Neill, Ballyphillip, Killity, county Limerick, on the 12th of December last, and that the pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board; and, if so, what has been the result?

In this case the pension officer raised a question on the ground of means and the Local Government Board, on appeal, disallowed the pension in September, 1909 A subsequent claim made by her was also disallowed on appeal. A third claim was passed by the Oola pension committee on the 12th December last, and it is now before the Board on appeal. Decision in the case has been postponed pending delivery of the judgment of the Court of King's Bench in the Gormley case.

asked the Chancellor whether, in view of the promised legislation for compulsory insurance against sickness and invalidity, and the importance of the German experience and statistics, he will publish as a Parliamentary Return a translation of the Entwurf of the Reichsversicherungsordnung?

I fear this would be a very laborious, and consequently a lengthy and expensive undertaking. Moreover, I understand that much of the Bill has already been discussed and modified by a Committee of the Reichstag, so that the text of the Bill is becoming obsolete. In the circumstances, the preparation of a translation would hardly be justifiable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is proposed to work the invalidity insurance scheme through an insurance office; and whether, if it is decided to administer the scheme through insurance offices, he will see that no one office is given a monopoly?

Full particulars of the Government's proposals will be given to the House as soon as the Bill is ready to be introduced.

asked whether the annual roll of valuation for rating purposes prepared by the Irish Valuation Office contains all the information required by Form. IV.; and in what way the information obtained by the Irish Valuation Office differs from that required by the assesors for rating purposes in England?

The answer to the first portion of the question is in the negative. The information available in Ireland differs from that required by Assessors for rating purposes in England in that it includes in a very large proportion of oases full particulars of the buildings, annual site value of the land, etc.

asked whether the officials employed in the compilation of the Census receive the same remuneration in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland?

The case of Ireland is not comparable with those of England and Wales and of Scotland—the work of enumeration, for example, being to a large extent carried out by the Royal Irish Constabulary. As between England and Wales on the one hand and Scotland on the other, there is a general similarity in the terms of remuneration, but not absolute uniformity.

asked whether Clause 6 of Scale 7 of the Finance Act, 1910, applies to halls licensed as music-halls adjoining or attached to licensed premises and used for the purpose of public meetings, concerts, dances, and private entertainments, although such halls may not necessarily be open and used every night of the week, and where one assessment covers the whole of the premises?

The question whether premises come within No. 6 of the "Provisions applicable to retailers' on-licences" in the First Schedule to the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, depends upon the circumstances in each case. If the hon. Member has a case in mind, and will furnish me with the particulars, I will make inquiry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that agricultural land, including buildings situate in urban districts, is now contributing by way of increased rates for objects from which it derives no benefit and which are only rendered necessary by the requirements of the urban community, and so entail an increase in the rates paid in respect of agricultural land; and, seeing that agricultural land was made liable to make this contribution solely on the ground that it would ultimately benefit by being increased in value, whether, in arriving at values for Increment and Undeveloped Land Duties on land forming part of the same estate and situated in the same urban district, he will arrange that credit at compound interest shall be given for all such contributions?

I am unable to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chancellor whether, with the object of encouraging thrift, he intends to take steps to democratise Consols by issuing them through the Post Office to persons of small capital so that they could invest in them; and whether he would, when next issuing Irish Land Stock, do so in a way that would enable small investors to invest their money in it and without having to go to the trouble and expense of getting it done by a stockbroker?

Any such steps will require very careful consideration, and my right hon. Friend does not see his way to promise the necessary legislation, at any rate for the present.

asked whether final notices for Income Tax, Schedule D, have yet been sent out in every part of England and of Ireland, stating that costs will be added if not paid in seven days; and, if so, on what dates were these issued?

Final notices are being issued an England, and in Ireland such notices will be issued shortly, where necessary. The question of costs does not arise unless a distraint be found necessary for recovery of the duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Treasury have issued, or authorised the issue of, a printed form to dairy farmers requiring them to state what income they derive from the sale of milk as distinct from other farm products; whether such form is being issued to farmers throughout the country, or to those in certain localities only; and what is the object of the issue of such form?

I am not aware of the issue to dairy farmers of any special form; but I may refer the hon. Member to the provisions of the 3rd Rule of Case-III. of Schedule D, 5 and 6 Vic, cap. 35,. Section 100, under which the ordinary printed form of return under Schedule D is issued, where necessary.

asked the-Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in Scotland the final notices demanding payment of Income Tax within seven days, failing which payment within seven days the matter will be placed in the hands of the sheriff officer, are issued a considerable time before corresponding notices are issued in England; and, if so, whether he will take steps to bring the practice in Scotland into harmony with the practice in England?

The regulations regarding the issue of the notices referred to are similar in both countries, but the date of issue may vary locally according to the size of the area for which a collector acts.

asked whether, under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, motor fire escapes, escape vans, and tenders, used in connection with fire brigade purposes, are subject to duty for licences for motor cars; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of exempting them?

It is provided in Subsection (6) of Section 86 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, by which the duties on licences for motor oars are imposed, that no duty shall be payable under the section in respect of any motor fire engine. There is no specific exemption in respect of motor fire escapes, escape vans, and tenders used in connection with fire brigade purposes, and I am not aware to what extent vehicles so described are used, or that any question of liability to Licence Duty has been raised in respect of them. But if any particular case has arisen which has led to the question being put, I would ask the hon. Member to give me the particulars.

asked 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 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 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 "ach 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 the sixth part in the affirmative.

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 Chancellor 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 Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will extend the Public Trustee Act to Ireland this Session?

I see no opportunity of introducing legislation on the subject dur-the present Session.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of labourers holding union cottages in each of the six unions in Kerry who have been provided with turbary under the provisions of Section 24 of The Labourers Act, 1906; and what unions in Ireland have availed themselves, and to what extent, of the provisions of this section of the Labourers Act?

The records of the Estates Commissioners are not kept by Poor Law Unions, and they are unable to furnish the information asked for in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the delay in proceeding with the erection of labourers' cottages in the Moira rural district, and to the fact that 130 labourers in the district are at present living in houses which have been condemned as insanitary, and what action he proposes to take in this matter; whether he is aware that the rents charged in this district for cottages already erected constitute a hardship on the labourers; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to the reduction of the rent?

My attention has been called to this matter. Ninety-seven out of the 101 cottages authorised under two schemes are being built to replace condemned houses, and no doubt the completion of these cottages will relieve a number of the cases referred to. The council have in contemplation a further scheme for about 100 cottages. The Local Government Board have requested the council to make reductions in the rents, of the cottages before confirmation of the regulations framed under Section 29 of the Labourers Act, 1906.

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 Galway, 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 he is aware that four men, namely Martin Moran, M. Glynn, George Graham, and John Coen, were brought before the magistrates some weeks ago on a charge of being concerned in the Kilcolgan murder case, and that the prisoners, through their solicitors, complained that clean linen and underclothing sent to them by their friends had been detained by the prison authorities; and will he explain by what authority the Governor of Galway Prison, or anyone acting under his command, refused to deliver to the prisoners all articles sent to them from their friends outside?

The hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. The General Prisons Board inform me that the prisoners referred to received all the articles sent to them by their friends.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland 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 what publication of historical documents has been made from the Irish Record Office during the past twelve months?

No volume has been published during the past twelve months, but two volumes are being printed.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether, in order to remove some portion of the admitted grievances under which jurors labour in Belfast, he will arrange that jury cases should be taken first, that two or three juries should be sworn each day so as to let the remainder of the jurors away, and that Civil Bill appeals should be taken last?

I do not think that the hon. Member's proposal regarding the swearing of juries a practicable one, but the matter is in no way under my control. Respecting the hearing of the Civil Bill appeals, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on the subject on the 6th inst.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a number of men in the neighbourhood of Dunseverick earn their livelihood by fishing, and that they are handicapped by reason of the poor harbour accommodation; and whether he will direct the officials of the Department of Agriculture to inquire into the matter with a view to having better accommodation provided at an early date?

No complaint has been received from the local fishermen as to the want of landing accommodation in the place referred to. The Department of Agriculture will, however, have the matter looked into.

asked the Chief Secretary when land purchase losses have so matured as to be deducted from the annual grants to local bodies in relief of the rates, whether those bodies will in future be furnished with details of the losses for which they are thus made liable; whether those bodies are furnished with particulars of any adjustment consequent on the subsequent recovery of the losses by the Land Commission; will he state the reason for permanent concealment in dealing with this particular public money; why those bodies are not informed of the amounts to be deducted before preparing their annual estimates; and what is the amount deducted from the grants due to each local body and the whole of Ireland this year in respect of land purchase losses?

It is a mistake to speak of land purchase losses in this connection. When Land Purchase Annuities are in arrear beyond the prescribed date the amount of the arrear is temporarily deducted from the local taxation grants payable to the county concerned, and when the arrears are subsequently recovered the county is credited therewith. The deduction in each year consists of the amount chargeable against the county in respect of the arrears for that year less the amount of the previous year's arrears which have been recovered during the year. As I have frequently stated, it would be impracticable and would serve no useful purpose to furnish a list of defaulters at any given date. Arrears are paid by defaulters from day to day, and by the time a list for any given date could be prepared many would have already paid, and the list would be out of date. The adjustments required by the certificates of the Land Commission and the National Debt Commissioners in respect of land purchase liability in the several counties are made in the office of the Local Government Board and are published from time to time in the Board's Annual Reports, copies of which are sent to the secretaries of county councils and to the clerks of certain other local bodies. There is consequently no concealment on the part of the Board. The county councils were informed by the Board of the sums to be deducted in respect of this liability at the earliest possible date.The following statement shows the net deductions from and net additions to the share of each county in the second instalment of the Estate or Death Duty Grant

for the year 1910–11 in respect of sums withdrawn from the Guarantee Fund established in connection with land purchase and the repayments to the fund on account of previous deductions as obtained from certificates made in pursuance of regulations under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act, 1891, and the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the totals of such net deductions and net additions:—

Counties.	Deducted on account of sums withdrawn from Guarantee Fund.			Added on account of sums repaid to Guarantee Fund.
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Antrim	…			8	10	3
Armagh.	519	15	2	…
Carlow.	188	17	7	…
Cavan	24	18	7	…
Clare	…			86	7	8
Cork	490	7	10	…
Donegal	121	9	7	…
Down	79	16	8	…
Dublin	136	12	1	…
Fermanagh	…			89	12	3
Halway	711	5	0	…
Kerry	1,156	10	2	…
Kildare	1,321	2	9	…
Kilkenny	208	7	9	…
King's County	…			195	10	10
Leitritn	66	5	1	…
Limerick	835	19	2	…
Londonderry	181	0	10	…
Longford	166	12	5	…
Louth	180	19	1	…
Mayo	256	2	5	…
Meath	1,001	10	8	…
Monaghan	233	16	10	…
Queen's County	139	4	9	…
Roscommon	…			29	2	11
Sligo	710	9	8	…
Tipperary, North Riding.	390	0	0	…
Tipperary, South Riding.	1,034	8	0	…
Tyrone	…			145	8	1
Waterford	729	9	3	…
Westmeath	…			4	17	6
Wexford	…			235	7	3
Wicklow	669	8	6	…
£	11,553	9	10	794	16	9
Net Deductions £	10,758	13	1

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners received in last June a resolution adopted by the executive of the United Irish League of Limerick county and city, giving the names of genuine evicted tenants who are yet to be provided for; and, if they have received the Resolution, what steps have been taken with a view to the speedy restoration of those whose claims the local executive think just and fair ones?

The Estates Commissioners received in August, 1910, a Resolution of the nature referred to, and, in reply, stated that they had inquired into the application of the persons mentioned, and had decided to take no action in their cases.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that for the past twenty years there has been in existence a regulation of the National Board forbidding inspectors seeking promotion from canvassing individual commissioners; whether this regulation was broken by the present junior chief inspector when seeking promotion to his present position a few years since; whether this chief inspector has since threatened some of his subordinate inspectors that if they canvassed similarly he would have them dismissed; and, if so, can he explain why the commissioners promote one inspector and threaten to dismiss another for doing the same thing?

There is a regulation of the Commissioners of National Education forbidding canvassing for promotion on the part of their officers. The Commissioners have no reason for believing that the junior chief inspector ever canvassed for any appointment or promotion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state when the Return [relating to agricultural prices in Ireland], moved for by the hon. Member for Enfield on the 22nd of last month, will be laid upon the Table?

The Return will be ready within a week.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the amount of the unexpended balance of the Marine Works Grant, 1902?

The Board of Works inform me that when the works in progress have been completed and the accounts closed it is anticipated that approximately £54,000 will have been expended out of the £100,000 provided under the Marine Works (Ireland) Act, 1902.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the names of the baronies in the county of Limerick that contributed to the guarantee fund of the old Waterford, Limerick, and Kerry Railway, which amounted to £11,480, and which was paid back to the Limerick County Council on the amalgamation of that railway with the Great Southern and Western Railway?

The guarantee of the county Limerick towards the undertaking of the Limerick and Kerry Railway was confirmed by the Limerick and Kerry Railway Act, 1873. No names of baronies are mentioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, by the Order in Council of the 9th May, 1891, Army officers transferred for service under the Admiralty are guaranteed all their rights and privileges as Army officers; whether, notwithstanding that order, Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Brabazon, having been appointed deputy naval ordnance officer, was, on 16th August, 1908, invalided on the report of a fleet surgeon, and, without the authority of a medical board, and was, in spite of his protest and the opinion of his private medical adviser, that he was fit for duty, placed on half-pay until 29th June, 1909, with a consequent loss to him of £283 10s.; and whether this sum, having been deducted in breach of the regulations, can now be made good to him?

The hon. and learned Gentleman accurately recounts the facts-of this case. The Admiralty, while admitting that Colonel Brabazon could not be invalided out of the Service without the finding of a military medical board, declined to employ an officer in a responsible position while he was considered by their own responsible medical advisers to be unfit for it, and, consequently, Colonel Brabazon was on half-pay from the completion of his full-pay sick-leave until found fit by a naval medical board. Colonel Brabazon's place in the interval was filled by the promotion of another officer, and full pay could not be given to two officers for the same appointment when the regulated amount of full pay sick leave had expired.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Admiralty Circular Letter No. 140, of the 19th December, 1902, lays down that the minimum rate of pay for engineer-commanders on promotion would be 24s. per diem; whether he is aware that engineer-commanders now only receive 18s. per diem on promotion; and whether he intends to take any steps in the matter?

The answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. It must, however, be pointed out that the rate of pay laid down in the Circular Letter quoted had reference solely to engineer officers advanced to the rank of engineer commander under the regulations for advancement then in force. The accelerated promotion introduced temporarily by Circular Letter No. 187 of the 1st November, 1903, was not intended to carry with it any benefit as regards full pay, and this was clearly stated at the time. Consequently those engineer lieutenants who have been, or may be, advanced in the ordinary course to the rank of engineer commander after less than eight years on the senior list—the qualification for advancement required when Circular Letter No. 140 of the 19th December, 1902, was issued—will not receive pay at the rate of 24s. a day until they have completed eight years on the lists of engineer lieutenant (senior) and engineer commander combined.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could state the rate of wage paid to artificer engineers at the time they enter His Majesty's service; when such rate was fixed; how long they must serve before they are entitled to increased pay; and whether he can see his way to provide that promotion shall follow seniority of pass rather than length of service?

The rate of pay of an engine-room artificer on entry as acting engine-room artificer, 4th class, is 5s. 6d. a day; this rate was fixed on the 30th November, 1882; and increased pay can be received after three years' service. I regret to have to inform my hon. Friend that there is no change in the circumstances which would justify the suggested alteration of practice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Henry Wood, lately serving in the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a bandsman, was removed to the Royal Naval Asylum at Yarmouth on the 23rd December, 1910; whether he is aware that the whole of this man's pension is being retained for his maintenance; that if the man had been sent to a borough asylum the whole of his pension would not have been kept back; and whether the Admiralty can see their way to making the man's wife and children an allowance while the man is an inmate of Yarmouth, Asylum?

The answer to the first and second parts of the Noble Lord's question is in the affirmative. If the man had been sent to a county or borough asylum, the guardians of the parish chargeable with the cost of his maintenance would have had the first claim on his pension, and as the cost of maintenance in such asylums invariably exceeds 1s. 1d. a day, the Guardians' claim would absorb the whole of the pension. With regard to the last part of the question, there is at present no evidence in the possession of the Admiralty affording sufficient grounds for the award of an allowance, but if it is desired, Mrs. Wood may apply to the Admiralty stating her circumstances, when the case will be further investigated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the grounding of H.M.S. "Collingwood," "Temeraire," and "Agamemnon," at the entrance of Ferrol Harbour, on an uncharted rock, on the 15th February, 1911, whether he is aware that H.M.S. "Prince George," after collision with H.M.S. "Hannibal" on the 17th October, 1909, was taken into Ferrol Harbour on the 18th October, 1909, through the same channel under her own steam, being thirteen feet by the stern, having 1,600 tons of water in her stern compartments, and her rudder jammed and immovable; whether he will state the amount of damage done to the "Collingwood," "Temeraire," and "Agamemnon," respectively, and the time such damage will take to repair in each case; why no court-martial has been held, as is usual in such cases; and whether the uncharted rock is the same one upon which H.M.S. "Howe" grounded in the year 1893?

I have not been able to obtain all the information required to admit of the question being answered today, and I must therefore ask the hon. Member to be good enough to postpone his question for a few days.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he is aware that the firm of Armstrong, Whitworth, and Company, at their works at Openshaw, Manchester, are violating the fair wage clause by employing men to do grinding, glazing, and buffing at 24s. per week, the trade rate in the district being 38s. per week; whether he is aware that this firm is being constantly complained of with regard to the way in which it evades the spirit, if not always the letter, of the fair wage clause; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the matter?

I am not aware of the circumstances stated in my hon. Friend's question, but inquiry will at once be made.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state for what reasons are the special pensions given to retired naval officers as specified under Vote 14, Table A, page 170, Navy Estimates, 1910–11; and whether he will publish the names of these officers as in the case of the pensions for good and meritorious services as given on the following page?

The special pensions referred to are naval pensions which exist for the purpose of affording some relief to such retired officers as, in the opinion of the Admiralty, may be most deserving. The names of the recipients of pensions for good and meritorious services are inserted in the Estimates with the view of giving prominence to the names of officers who have rendered signal service to the State, but as the pensions to retired officers are granted on a different basis, no reason is seen for similarly publishing the names of the seventy-three recipients. The names of both classes of officers appear on pages 736 and 738 of the quarterly Navy List.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the fact that some chargemen of trades in the Royal dockyards get 1s. 6d. per day, while others are only allowed 1s. per day; can he say on what grounds the difference is made, and in particular whether the work performed by chargemen paid 1s. per day is in all practical respects identical with chargemen paid 1s. 6d. a day, allowing for the difference in trades; and will he consider the advisability of placing all chargemen of trades on the same footing in repect of the allowance made them by making a uniform payment of 1s. 6d. per day?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and the grounds for differentiation are length of service combined with general and professional ability. The suggestion made in the last part of the question will be considered with the petitions that are now under review.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, in connection with the assembling of the Home, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Fleets in Mounts Bay last June for review by His Majesty, about seventy men were granted short leave to visit towns in the district; that these men were ordered to return by 7.0 a.m. on Monday, 1st July; and that, when the men returned on Sunday evening to Penzance, they found that the Fleet had left Mounts Bay owing to stress of weather, and had proceeded to Torbay, where instructions had been left for the men to proceed overland; whether any, and, if so, what refund has been made to the men in respect of railway fares and other expenses from Penzance to Torbay, amounting to 9s. 10d. each, other than 1s. each for subsistance; and under what Regulation is this allowance for expenses being withheld?

The hon. Member's question apparently relates to Monday, the 25th July. The King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions do not provide for the payment of expenses incurred in such circumstances. I may add that a general signal was issued by the Commander-in-Chief at 8.26 a.m. on the 24th July, giving warning of the possibility of the fleet having to proceed to Torbay on the afternoon of that day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any members of the military council have been, or are about to be, delegated to inspect our fortresses and forces in the Mediterranean and Egyptian commands in the present year; if so, whether he can state the total cost of such inspection, and on what Vote it appears on the Army Estimates for 1911?

The Hon. Member is apparently alluding to the present visit of the Quartermaster-General and the Master-General of Ordnance to Egypt and to the Mediterranean to settle various questions in connection with the new barracks and buildings in progress and local defences. It is roughly estimated that their journey will in all cost about £350, chargeable to Vote 6.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether troops on manœuvres are debarred from using private parks except with the consent of the owners; whether considerable areas have in past years been in this way closed to the troops during manœuvres; and whether he contemplates taking any steps to make park-land subjects to the same burdens in this respect as land out of which farmers have to earn a living?

Parks are not specifically exempted by the Manœuvres Act from use by the troops, but as it was considered that the wording of Proviso 1 of Section 2 of the Act might be held to exempt them it has been the practice to ask for leave of the owners for their use. The refusal of owners in certain cases to grant the use of their parks has seriously interfered with the arrangements for the manœuvres. It is intended to take an early opportunity of introducing legislation to amend the Act to make the application to parks quite clear.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the cost of supplying officers' messes in the United Kingdom with furniture up to date, and what sum has been received at the rate of 1d. per diem, from officers as hire during the same period?

The information asked for could not be obtained without altogether disproportionate labour, but I am satisfied that the rent charged does not more than compensate for the cost incurred.

asked the Secretary of State for War, if representations have from time to time been made to him in favour of Army pensions being paid weekly; and whether he can hold out any hope of such a system being adopted?

As I have stated on previous occasions in this House, arrangements can be made for weekly payments in cases where circumstances render it desirable, but it is doubtful whether an universal system of weekly payments would be in the best interests of the majority of the men.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the rate of daily pay and pension for regimental sergeants-major prior to the passing of the Territorial Forces Act in depôts and in the Militia; and what is the present rate of pay and pension for the regimental sergeants-major of the Line and the Special Reserve?

The rates of pay are as follow:—

				s.	d.
Depots	…	…	…	5	0
Militia	…	…	…	4	9
Line (Infantry)	…	…	…	5	0
Special Reserve	…	…	…	4	9

The rates of pension are as follow:—

Depots and Line.	s.	d.
With 21 years qualifying service	3	6
" 25 years qualifying service	4	0
" 30 years qualifying service	4	6

Militia and Special Reserve.
With 21 years qualifying service 25	3	3
" 25 years qualifying service	3	9
" 30 years qualifying service	4	3

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the restrictions upon forage and public accommodation upon officers who get horses under the boarding-out system?

The horses so issued are not to be foraged at the public expense, and are not to be in occupation of stables to the exclusion of any horses on the establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, of the five aeroplanes nominally available for the use of the new air battalion, one is a wreck and two are obsolete; and whether it is intended to equip the battalion with new machines of a modern type?

The machine which was wrecked has been repaired and is now serviceable. Two machines are not up-to-date and the improvement of one of them is under consideration. Both, however, are available for instruction. The provision of additional machines of modern type is in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reasons for the age, weight, and rank limits imposed in connection with the new air battalion and the restriction of members to men with not less than two years' service; and whether he will take steps to secure that those regulations will not rule out young men possessing special qualifications?

It is clearly desirable that officers should not have to learn the rudiments of military training after joining the air battalion, and for this reason a minimum of two years' service has been fixed. It is also clearly desirable that an officer joining should be young, not too heavy, and of rank junior to those under whose orders he will serve. Officers having special qualifications can be specially considered if they do not in all respects comply with the conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the reasons why the South Aidershot Contract (No. 2) has been withdrawn from the list of triennial contracts for which public invitations for tender were offered in "The Builder" and other papers?

The Service has been withdrawn from the list, as a question has arisen as to the amount of work involved in this particular case.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several members of the civil staff of C. R. E. Salisbury district, working at Bulford Camp, are wholly unable to obtain house accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the camp, and live at villages several miles distant thereform; that the roads over Salisbury Plain forming the only approach to such villages are often in very rough condition, resulting in serious wear and tear to bicycles; that application has been made to the War Office for a cycle allowance of 10s. per month to meet the consequent expense to which such members of the civil staff are put, similar to that allowed to messengers delivering correspondence; and whether, seeing that Bulford Camp is in these respects an exceptional station, he can see his way to authorise such allowance as being in the nature of, or analogous to, the allowances made for inevitable travelling expenses within the meaning of the allowance regulations, and not distinguishable in principle from the issue of season tickets to officers on the same staff at Bulford necessarily living at Salisbury?

No application on this subject can be traced as having reached the War Office. In dealing with any such application the special circumstances at Salisbury Plain would, of course, be taken into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1), how many schedules for the work at Redford, near Edinburgh, were sent out to Scottish measurers; and how many of these were unutilised and the payments made on application forfeited; and (2), whether he is aware that the schedules for the new barracks at Redford, near Edinburgh, given out to measurers, were arranged according to the English system of measuring, and that this fact made it difficult, if not impossible for Scottish measurers to utilise these schedules; whether he is aware that Scottish measurers complain that all new work for his department in Scotland is arranged in this way; and will he take steps to have in future the Scottish work of his Department given out in the language of the country?

The form of the bills of quantities supplied in connection with the tenders for the erection of Redford Barracks has for many years been in general use for War Department building contracts without question. Quantities were issued to twenty-four Scottish, one Irish, and four English firms, of whom eleven Scottish and two English firms did not eventually tender. The reasons for their not tendering are unknown, except in the case of one Scottish firm, who gave the form of the bills of quantities as a reason. A representation on the subject was received some weeks afterwards from the Edinburgh Building Trade Association, and is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of Slate for War what is the present strength of the detachment for duty with the 1st Division Bridging Battalion Royal Engineers now stationed at Christchurch?

A detachment composed of one sergeant and two rank and file belonging to the 1st Bridging Train, Royal Engineers, is stationed at Christ-church in charge of the pontoons.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how the numbers of officers and men which by the Estimates are authorised to be maintained are arrived at, and if by reference to the opinion of the military advisers of the Crown; and what are the numbers of officers and men which, in the opinion of the military advisers of the Crown, are necessary and adequate for the defence of the Empire and other military operations which the Army is intended and expected to discharge?

These numbers are inserted in the Estimates on the authority of the Army Council.

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 Home Secretary of State whether he is aware of the case of Frederick Stallard, who was sentenced eighteen months ago to four years' imprisonment, having been taken into custody while playing billiards with some coiners; whether, seeing that Stallard was in regular employment, eleven years in one situation and seven years in another, he has considered the evidence upon which he was convicted; whether his conduct whilst in prison has been exemplary; and whether, in view of these circumstances, together with the fact that his son has recently died and that his wife is lying seriously ill, Stallard might be at once released?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the case of Henry Frederick Stoddart, who was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on 9th February, 1910, of making counterfeit coin, and sentenced to four years' penal servitude. The convict applied to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against his conviction, but the application was refused. He was not taken into custody while playing billiards, as stated in the question. He was arrested while actually engaged in making counterfeit coin. Having regard to all the circumstances of the case, I regret that I see no sufficient reason for advising any interference with the sentence passed by the court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in deciding to refuse Mr. Abbey the benefit of the new prison treatment on the ground that he has been guilty of serious violence, he was aware that the charge against him was only one of disorderly behaviour, that nothing was proved against him save that he attempted to scale a wall of 10, Downing Street, and that the magistrate was so far from regarding the case as serious that he offered Mr. Abbey the alternative of twenty-one days' imprisonment, or of being bound over in his own recognisances, and whether it is the case that Mr. Hugh Franklin, who received the benefit of the special treatment, had been sentenced to two months' imprisonment with no option for an attempted personal assault; and whether, in classifying cases as serious or otherwise, he will bear in mind the view taken by the magistrate and the prosecution?

I was fully aware of the charge against the prisoner, but the circumstances in which it was committed appeared to give it a serious character. In the other case referred to, as I was the object of the attempted assault, I was reluctant to take a severe view of the offence.

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that the sixty-six National scholarships originally founded by the Science and Art Department were for industrial students, and were not to be awarded to the children of parents if their income exceeded £200; if these scholarships were discontinued in 1910, and for what reason; and if most of the aforementioned scholarships were awarded to students of secondary schools and not to students following industrial occupations; and (2) whether he is aware that the eighteen Royal scholarships originally founded by the Science and Art Department, and open to all British subjects, without limit of income, were increased to sixty in 1910; and, if so, will he take the necessary steps to alter the conditions of award so as to give industrial students attending evening classes some chance of being successful in the competitions for such scholarships?

National scholarships were originally restricted to students of the industrial classes as defined in the Science and Art Directory—that is to say, to persons and the children of persons satisfying certain tests of occupation, income, or attendance at schools of particular categories. These limits were removed by the Science and Art Department in 1897 on the recommendation of the Departmental Committee appointed in 1896. No material changes in the conditions of award have been made for some years past. The scholarships have not been discontinued, but have been continued with a somewhat increased value under the name of Royal Scholarships. In this category both the former National Scholarships and the former Royal Exhibitions have been merged, and the total number of scholarships now available is eighty. Industrial students attending evening classes are eligible to compete for them, and, in fact, eighteen out of the twenty Royal Scholarships awarded in the year 1910 were won by students of that type.

asked the President of the Board of Education if Circular 761 was received by local education authorities on 22nd February, 1911, which deals with qualifying tests for Royal scholarships, allowing only nine weeks to work through the syllabus of magnetism and electricity, a new subject specified and included under physics; if in previous years the students had to pass the qualifying subjects for National scholarships, and if in 1910 for the first time such examinations were held in September; and whether he proposes for the next two years to revert to the old conditions in force before 1910 until due notice can be given of the new conditions for the competitions?

The facts are not quite accurately stated in the question. The circular in question was issued on 17th February. Magnetism and electricity is not a new subject, but is one in which candidates have been required to produce evidence of qualification for some years past. The Board have not, in effect, made any alterations in their requirements as to the qualifications which shall be possessed by candidates to whom scholarships are awarded. They have merely taken steps to secure more certainly than hitherto that the qualifications which have always been required are, in fact, possessed by the scholarship holders. As at present advised, I see no reason to adopt the suggestion in the concluding paragraph of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that, in the list of qualifying subjects given in Circular 761, the examination in theoretical mechanics (fluids) is held on the same evening as geology, one of the competitive subjects in Group E, and that the examination in practical mathematics is held on the same evening as botany, one of the competitive subjects in Groups D and E; and, if so, what steps will be taken to enable students to work papers on both subjects?

The Board are aware that a few cases may possibly arise of the kind indicated in the question; they can in no circumstances be more than a very few; and where necessary alternative papers will be available to remove the difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he was aware that many of the students for Royal scholarships, Groups D and E, will have to work papers in twelve subjects, eight of which are qualifying subjects; whether, in the case of industrial students, these papers have to be worked after days spent in the workshop or mill; whether the Board of Education require first classes in all the preliminary subjects; and will a result be accepted instead of the present requirements?

If the hon. Member intends to imply that the eight subjects referred to must necessarily be taken at one and the same examination, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Students are permitted to take the necessary qualifying subjects in successive years, without limitation of time, and this is, in fact, the almost universal practice. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative, except as regards freehand drawing, for which a pass is accepted. I see no reason to make the change suggested in the concluding paragraph of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that it is proposed to hold the examinations in the qualifying subjects for Royal scholarships during May, 1911, thus cutting out some twelve weeks for study between then and September, in which month they were held in 1910; and, if so, whether he will alter the examinations to some time in September, seeing that sufficient notice has not been given?

Having regard to what has obviously been the purpose of the regulations for many years past, the Board do not consider that any grievance can properly be said to arise from the small change referred to. But if any individual cases are brought to the Board's notice of persons who, being not yet qualified in some of the requisite subjects, are examined in but fail to qualify in them at the coming May examinations, I will consider the possibility of giving those who have provisionally succeeded in the competition another opportunity in September, so far as this year is concerned. I may add that the change in the date of the qualifying examination from September to May is intended, among other things, to save candidates from the grave inconvenience of finding, on the eve of the college session, that they are disqualified by the test examination to hold the scholarship provisionally awarded to them in the examinations of the previous May.

asked the President of the Board of Education if the conditions given in Circular 761, re qualifying tests for competition for Royal scholarships, refer to 1911 only, and if new conditions have to be published for 1912; and if notice of two or more years will be given before any alterations in the conditions of awards are made?

The conditions apply to the year 1911 only. The Board cannot pledge themselves to give two years' notice of every change, however trivial.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information as to the extremely high-handed proceedings in Northern Nigeria by the mission under Professor Frobenius; and, if so, what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent the repetition of proceedings likely to disturb the confidence of the natives in the administration?

I have received no information on this subject, and I am confident that the interests of the natives will be fully safeguarded, if occasion should arise, by the Protectorate authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of the United States of America maintains the view that food consigned to a belligerent in time of war ought only to be regarded as contraband when it is plainly destined for the use of the armed forces of that belligerent?

For the present views of the Government of the United States of America I can refer the hon. Member to no more recent publication than the Declaration of London, which the United States Government have signed. Prior to that Declaration, as the hon. Member will perceive by a reference to Page 14 of Blue-book Miscellaneous No. 5 (1909), Cd. 4555, that Government considered provisions were contraband when actually destined for the enemy's military or naval forces.

asked whether the Turkish Government has granted a concession for the construction of a railway from Baghdad to the Persian Gulf; and, if so, whether such projected railway traverses territory in which the predominant interests of Great Britain are recognised by His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative, such a concession having been granted by the Ottoman Government many years ago, and having assumed its final form in the Baghdad Railway Convention of March, 1903. The commercial interests of British-Indian traders between Baghdad and the Persian Gulf are fully recognised by His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that on Friday morning, 3rd March, the 8 o'clock train from Upton Park to Hounslow contained at least 800 passengers, whilst there was only seating accommodation for about 300; and if it is the intention of the Government to take any action to prevent this overcrowding?

I have asked for the observations of the London Tilbury and Southend Railway Company upon my hon. Friend's question, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he possesses any record, or the data from which could be compiled any record, showing in how many cases since the passing of The Trade Unions Act, 1871, trades unions, when sued by their members for benefits or recognition of their rights, have successfully set up the defence that they were illegal associations?

The Board of Trade have no means of compiling a record of the cases to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any reason to revise his estimate to the effect that the amount of British trade with Canada affected by the proposed reciprocity arrangement only amounted to £300,000; and whether he can also state what is the amount of British trade with the United States which will be subject to higher duties than those to be levied on corresponding articles from Canada?

I will look into the points raised in the question and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the advisability of summoning the advisory committee of the Commercial Intelligence Branch to report on the probable effects of the proposed United States-Canada reciprocity arrangement on British industries, such as those concerned with galvanised iron, wire, iron, motor cars, tin-plates, etc.?

I do not propose to take the course suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any inquiry is being instituted at the Board of Agriculture on the probable effects on the sales of British wheat by the diversion of supplies of Manitoban hard grains to the United States under the operation of the proposed reciprocity Agreement?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of hundredweights of hops imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1910 from Germany, Bavaria, and the United States of America?

The imports of hops into the United Kingdom in 1910 consigned from the United States amounted to 88,326 cwts., and from Germany as a whole to 52,879 cwts. Consignments of hops from Bavaria are not distinguished from those from other parts of Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information on the dispute between the coal owners of Scotland and the Scottish Engine Keepers Collieries Associations, and if the Comptroller-General of the Labour Department has succeeded in effecting any agreement between the parties in the conference now being held at Glasgow and in averting an imminent strike which must involve, not only the engine keepers but also over 90,000 miners, the closing of all the mines and blast furnaces in Scotland, and dislocation of the whole trade of Scotland and possibly of the United Kingdom?

The Board of Trade have been in communication with the parties concerned, and, after negotiations, it was arranged that the Comptroller-General of the Labour Department should preside at joint conferences. As a result of these joint conferences I am glad to say that an agreement upon the points in dispute was arrived at late on Monday last. The agreement is subject to confirmation by the respective associations concerned, but it was adopted unanimously by the representatives present at the conferences, and I have every hope that it will be finally accepted. The notices to cease work which had been tendered by the men, and which would have matured yesterday, have been extended to the 1st April, and I understand that the result of the ballot of the men will be known on the afternoon of 28th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether reports have been received from His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in the various dominions on the trades of the countries they represent; and what is the reason for the delay in their publication?

A large number of reports are continually received from His Majesty's Trade Commissioners, the substance of which is either published in the Board of Trade Journal or otherwise brought to the knowledge of traders interested in this country. I am not aware of any delay in dealing with these reports in the most appropriate manner, and the Board of Trade act in this matter on the advice of their Commercial Intelligence Committee, which represents the best commercial opinion in the country. In addition to the reports referred to above (the furnishing of which forms the most important and urgent part of the Commissioners' duties from the point of view of British traders), it is proposed in future to issue general annual reports by the Commissioners on the trade of the Dominions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether there is any Trade Commissioner in the West Indian Islands, or any representative in those dominions whose duty it is to report upon the course of British trade in that part of the Empire; and, if so, will he call for a report as to the effect of the proposed arrangement between Canada and United States upon West Indian interests?

The Board of Trade have no such officer in the West India Islands.

asked the President of the Local Government Board with reference to the mortality of children under five in Poor Law institutions, whether he has yet been' able to obtain fuller statistics to supply the want noted by the Royal Commission; and, further, what the result has been of Dr. Barwall Smith's inquiry as to the causes of the heavy mortality?

I am obtaining some statistical information with reference to infant mortality in Poor Law Institutions, but it is not yet complete. I understand that the results of Dr. Darwall Smith's investigations will not be ready for some time.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a public vaccinator of the Barnsley Union attended at the house of Mrs. Haigh, of Barnsley, after she had legally made a statutory declaration of conscientious objection under the Vaccination Act, 1907, and vaccinated the child in respect to whom such declaration of objection was made; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take, not only with regard to the action of the public vaccinator in question, but also of that of the vaccination officer of the union, who had entered the name of the child on the list he sent to the doctor, although he had received the certificate of declaration from the child's mother?

I have seen a newspaper account of this case, and the statement of facts given in the newspaper agrees generally with that in the question. It appears that the woman's husband had left her, but that this information was not given to the vaccination officer. When a husband and wife are living together the husband is the person entitled to make the declaration of conscientious objection. According to the newspaper account, the woman stated at the meeting of the Board of Guardians, when the case was considered, that, whilst she believed in vaccination, she did not want the child vaccinated, as it might have interfered with her work, and also that she consented to have the child vaccinated. On the information at present before me, it does not appear necessary to take any further steps in regard to the case.

asked when the Report of the Committee on Boy Labour would be laid upon the Table?

The First Report of the Standing Committee on Boy Labour in the Post Office was presented on the 6th of last month, and is now being printed. I hope that it will be available to-morrow, Friday, the 10th instant.

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many local authorities have adopted the Notification of Births Act, the names of the county boroughs which have not adopted the Act, and the average infant death rate in 1905 and 1910 in those county boroughs which have, and in those which have not adopted the Act?

The Act has been adopted for or put in force in 271 areas of local government, viz.:—

How the Act was put in force.	Metropolitan Boroughs (including City of London).		County Boroughs.	Non-County Boroughs.	Urban Districts other than Boroughs.	Rural Districts.
By adoption by local sanitary authorities	22	Comprising the whole County of London.	53	46	59	1
By an Order under Section 3	7		—	—	—	—
* By adoption by the Worcester County Council	—		—	4	7	17
* By adoption by the Herts County Council	—		—	3	16	13
* By adoption by the Leicester County Council	—		—	1	9	13
Total	29		53	54	91	44
* The adoptions by the County Councils of Worcestershire, Hertfordshire and Leicestershire were in respect of the whole of their administrative counties except the Urban Districts of (1) King's Norton and Northfield (Worcester), (2) Stourbridge (Worcester), (8) Watford (Herts), and (4) Market Harborongh (Leicester), the Urban District Councils of which had previously adopted the Act. The administration of the Act in the Stourbridge Urban District was subsequently transferred to the County Council of Worcestershire by an Order under Section 2 (4) (b). The adoption by the Hertfordshire County Council does not take effect until the 1st June, 1911, and the formalities for the adoption of the Act by the Leicestershire County Council are not yet complete.

As regards the latter part of the question, the figures for 1910 are not available, and the figures for 1909 are therefore given in the following tables:—County Boroughs in which the Notification of Births Act is in force, with the infant mortality rates (deaths under one year of age per 1,000 births) in 1905 and 1909.

Name of County Borough.			Infant Mortality.		Name of County Borough.			Infant Mortality.
			1905	1909.				1905.	1906.
Bath	…	…	91	83	* Great Yarmouth	…	…	132	125
Birmingham	…	…	154	134	Grimsby	…	…	174	118
Blackburn	…	…	146	126	Halifax	…	…	131	97
Blackpool	…	…	133	112	Ipswich	…	…	144	92
Bolton	…	…	167	128	Kingston-on-Hull	…	…	152	114
Bootle	…	…	155	122	Lincoln	…	…	148	82
Bradford	…	…	144	116	Liverpool	…	…	153	144
Brighton	…	…	101	96	Merthyr Tydvil	…	…	193	143
Burnley	…	…	173	156	Middlesbrough	…	…	173	158
Burton-upon-Trent	…	…	87	102	Newcastle-upon-Tyne	…	…	135	119
Bury	…	…	147	130	Newport (Mon.)	…	…	125	115
Cardiff	…	…	118	103	Northampton	…	…	126	110
* Chester	…	…	122	118	Norwich	…	…	174	119
Croydon	…	…	95	80	Nottingham	…	…	155	150
Derby	…	…	151	123	Oldham	…	…	150	119
Dudley	…	…	167	140	Portsmouth	…	…	133	96
Exeter	…	…	122	99	Preston	…	…	154	136
* Act adopted since 1905.