asked whether a complete knowledge of French was required of candidates for admission into the Foreign Office; and if any examination was undergone by them?

A thorough knowledge of French is required of candidates for the Foreign Office. Their examination is conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked how many English-French interpreters were employed at the Foreign Office?

English-French translations are dealt with by members of the ordinary staff of the Foreign Office, and no special interpreters are employed.

In the event of the Parliamentary representatives of the Foreign Office being unable to speak French or any other foreign language, are special interpreters attached to them?

No, they use the ordinary channels.

asked what legislation would be necessary as a preliminary to the ratification by His Majesty's Government of the Conventions signed at the Hague in 1907 for regulating the duty of neutrals in time of maritime war?

A Bill shall shortly be introduced, the provisions of which will answer the question of the hon. Member.

asked whether His Majesty's Government had ratified any and, if so, which of the thirteen Conventions drawn up at the second Peace Conference, held at the Hague in 1907; and whether legislation would be required as a preliminary to the ratification of Conventions numbered 1 to 11, or any, and which of them, by His Majesty's Government?

Numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 14 of the Conventions etc., which resulted from the second Peace Conference at the Hague, have been ratified by the King, as will be seen from the Treaty Series which have been laid before Parliament. The remainder, as was stated in answer to the hon. Member for Plymouth last Monday, require legislation to give effect to them.

asked whether such legislation as might be neecssary as a preliminary to the ratification by His Majesty's Government of the Conventions signed at the Hague in 1907, or any of them, would be submitted to this House in sufficient time for it to be laid also before the Colonial Conference?

A Bill to provide the necessary legislation to give effect to the Conventions signed at the Hague, which have not yet been ratified, with the exception of that which relates to the establishment of an International Prize Court, will be introduced very shortly. I cannot at present, say when it will be possible to introduce the Naval Prize Bill. In any case the legislation is all of a technical character, dealing with machinery, and I do not suppose it will be discussed at the Imperial Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had yet received the Report of His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Egypt, and when that Report was likely to be published?

I hope to receive the whole Report about the beginning of May, and it will be laid as usual as soon as possible after it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the case of a young American lady who, whilst on a visit to Naples a few days since, met with an accident, and was taken to the hospital, where the doctor in charge refused to attend the case on the ground that the patient was a foreigner; whether he was aware that the lady was then conveyed on a stretcher to the international hospital, but was refused admission, with the result that she received no medical atten- tion until an hour and a half after the accident, and subsequently died; and would he make inquiry with a view to prevent British subjects from being exposed to similar treatment when travelling in Southern Italy?

I have not received any information with regard to this case, but will make inquiries.

Has the British Foreign Office any jurisdiction in regard to an American subject?

I understand the point in the question to be whether I would make inquiries as to what happened, with a view to preventing British subjects being exposed to undue risks. That is the reason for my reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if, when he came into office, there was in existence any understanding or undertaking, expressed or implied, in virtue of which Great Britain would be under obligations to France to send troops, in certain eventualities, to assist the operations of the French Army?

The extent of the obligation to which Great Britain was committed was that expressed or implied in the Anglo-French Convention laid before Parliament. There was no other engagement bearing on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the nature of the general reciprocity scheme referred to in Mr. Bryce's despatch of 10th January, 1911 [Cd. 5523, No. 5]; does No. 5 represent the whole despatch from Mr. Bryce on 10th March, 1911; do the words general reciprocity scheme refer to the proposal for Free Trade in everything which President Taft stated at Atalanta on 10th March he had instructed his representatives to offer to the Canadian Government; at what date did Mr. Bryce communicate this proposal to His Majesty's Government and seek their instructions as to the line of action he was to take in regard to it; what was the nature of the communication Mr. Bryce had from Canadian Ministers; and what were the difficulties incident to the adoption of this general reciprocity scheme which still appeared serious at the date of Mr. Bryce's despatch?

No. 5 is not the whole despatch from Mr. Bryce, but the part omitted referred to a different matter. The nature of the general reciprocity referred to is presumably reciprocity in manufactured goods, as well as in natural products; but I may add that, as has been stated by the Canadian Minister of Finance, the Canadian Government were not prepared to undertake to have Free Trade in manufactures generally. With regard to President Taft's speech at Atalanta, I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member of the 23rd instant. Generally speaking, I should like to say that I cannot make statements about difficulties affecting Canadian interests which Canadian Ministers may have anticipated in the course of the negotiations, and expressed to Mr. Bryce. To do so would obviously destroy the confidence which exists between Canadian Ministers and His Majesty's Government.

In the negotiations between Canadian and United States Ministers was a request made that British imports into the United States should be treated on the same terms as Canadian?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he could state the attitude of His Majesty's Government on the fortification of the Panama Canal; whether any representations on this subject had been made to the Government of the United States; and, if so, would he lay any correspondence upon the Table?

The answer to all three questions is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that for more than forty years His Majesty's Government had made repeated representations to the Government of the United States respecting the conditional interpretation of most-favoured-nation treatment in the treaty of 1815; that in 1829 the United States Government informed the Government of France that the interpretation of most-favoured-nation treatment could never be put into the power of any third party for settlement; whether His Majesty's Government had any reason for believing that the United States Government had abandoned this attitude and would now be prepared to submit the long-standing differences about most-favoured-nation treaties to arbitration; and whether they would make such representations in particular in connection with the discrimination against British goods in the United States markets contemplated by the proposed reciprocity agreement with Canada?

The answers to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. I do not propose to make any statement in regard to the rest of the question at present.

In the event of any agreement being arrived at between the United States and this country, will the question of most-favoured-nation treatment be excluded or otherwise?

I must ask the hon. Member to accept my answer. I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he could state the result of his communications with the Admiralty on the subject of providing additional protection for the Irish fishing industry against the illegal operations of steam trawlers during the coming fishing season; had the Admiralty an option on a number of large steam trawlers for the North Sea in the event of an outbreak of war; and, if so, whether, in the event of the Admiralty not agreeing to detach special cruisers for the protection of the Irish fishing interests, he would represent to the proper authorities the advisability of chartering one or more of these trawlers for the protection of the fishing industry in peace time?

It is not the duty of the Admiralty to enforce the provisions of fishery by-laws which restrict or prohibit steam trawling. The Admiralty protect territorial waters from encroachment by foreigners, and for this and other purposes the Rear-Admiral Commanding in Ireland has vessels under his command and has always given prompt response to requests made by the Department in connection with fishery matters. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has been the result of the communications to the Admiralty to which he referred in his answer last week?

No. I advised the Admiralty rather for the purpose of giving them information.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that recently a shot was fired near the house of Captain Maxwell, at the Bridge, Croom; whether any damage was done; whether any arrests were made; and what precautions the police were taking to prevent such incidents in the future.

On the 20th January last a shot was fired near the house of Captain Maxwell. Some pellets of small shot lodged in the hall door and door jamb, but no other damage was done. No arrests have been made. The police are paying all necessary attention to the matter.

Have any arrests been made?

No.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into the matter?

The police are endeavouring to ascertain in order to make arrests if possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that recently the residence of Lieutenant D. A. R. Kirwan, R.N., Bawnmore, Galway, was fired into; how many shots were fired; what reason was assigned for the incident; what arrests were made; and what precautions the police were taking to prevent such incidents in the future?

On the 12th February a number of shots, probably seven or eight, were fired into the residence of Lieutenant Kirwan. No reason can be assigned, as Lieutenant Kirwan is very popular. No arrests have been made. The police are taking all necessary precautions in the matter.

Have the police given any reason for the apparent difficulty in tracing the perpetrators of this crime?

No; they have given me no information on that point.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever been informed that it is the terrorism that exists in this neighbourhood which prevents people from giving evidence?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, early in the morning of the 18th October, 1910, the house of three old ladies named Curley, who live near Trim, county Meath, and twenty-seven tons of hay, seven tons of straw, and thirty barrels of oats were maliciously burned, the lives of the ladies being endangered; and that on their return home, on the night previous to county court Judge Curran awarding them £128 compensation, a further ten tons of hay were maliciously burned; whether any reason can be assigned for these occurrences; whether any arrests have been made; and what precautions the police have taken to prevent them in future and to protect these ladies' lives?

I understand that the county court judge awarded £128 compensation for the malicious burning of hay, straw, and oats belonging to these ladies, and that a second burning took place on the night following the day on which compensation was granted, and not on the night previous. The motive is a matter of opinion. No arrests have been made. The police will pay all necessary attention to the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that recently eleven shots were fired into the house of a farmer named Collins, residing at Lisheenaralla, about two miles from Oranmore and seven from Galway, the windows of the house being smashed and some of the splinters striking a little girl standing in the kitchen, cutting her about the face; whether this farmer was fired at a few months ago, and on a former occasion his horse was shot dead in the cart in which he was driving while on his way home; whether any reason can be assigned for this series of outrages; whether any arrests have been made; and what precautions the police are taking to prevent them in future and to protect the man's life?

On 18th January last a number of shots, presumably about eight, were fired at the house of John Collins. Twenty-eight grains of shot entered the window of the kitchen, and some of the splintered glass lodged in the hair of Mrs. Collins, her son, and a girl who were sitting at the fire. No one was injured A son of John Collins was fired at on 30th September last, and on 10th June last, while he was driving home with a horse and cart. The horse was shot in the head, and died soon afterwards. No arrests have been made. It is not usual in such cases to assign reasons which can only be a matter of conjecture. All necessary steps have been taken for the protection of the Collins' family.

Has any arrest been made in connection with the shooting of the man who was driving home in his horse and trap?

No, sir.

asked whether, on the 29th of January last, a shot was fired at a train in which the Members of Parliament for South, South-East, and West Cork, who were returning from a monster meeting held at Skibbereen, under the auspices of the All-for-Ireland League, were travelling; that the shot smashed the glass in the window of a first-class carriage in which a reporter of the "Cork Examiner" and a reporter of the "Cork Free Press" were seated; and that the panels and photographic views in the carriage were riddled with shot; and whether, seeing that it was stated publicly in the Skibbereen court-house that the miscreant who fired the shot was well known to the police, he will state what steps, if any, have been taken to bring him to justice?

I understand that a shot was fired at the train as stated in the question. The police immediately investigated the matter, but have obtained no evidence to justify a prosecution. A solicitor, defending a prisoner in another case, stated publicly in Skibbereen Courthouse that the person who fired the shot at the train was well known to the police, but the District Inspector informs me that there was no foundation for this assertion.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on 13th January last twenty-five head of cattle and seventy-seven head of sheep were maliciously driven off the farm of Mr. John L. Cotton, at Ballinakill, county division of Ballymoe; whether any injury was caused by the drive; whether any arrests were made; and what precautions the police are taking to prevent such incidents in the future?

I understand that Mr. Cotton has lodged a claim for £50 compensation for the driving of his cattle as mentioned in the question. No arrests have been made. The police will endeavour to prevent a repetition of the offence.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that recently two cases of threatening notices or letters were reported to the police in Galway, Mrs. Ryan, of Mace, whose house was fired into several times on last New Year's night, receiving a letter ordering her to give up the farm of land which is her principal means of support; whether letters were also received by each of her workmen cautioning them against working for her; whether during the last three years Mrs. Ryan has been rigorously boycotted and is under police protection; whether the envelopes of the threatening letters, which were delivered by mistake to another Mrs. Ryan, of Craughwell, bore the Craughwell post-mark and the letters were signed Craughwell Camp; whether any arrests were made; and what steps the police have taken to trace the writers of the intimidating notices?

The attention of the police has been called to these cases. The threatening letters to Mrs. Ryan's workmen were not delivered to them. They were delivered at Mace in Mrs. Ryan's postbag, and when she saw that they were posted in Craughwell she handed them over to the police. Mrs. Ryan has been partially boycotted during the last three years. No arrests have been made. The police have used every effort to trace the writers of the letters, but so far without success. A protection post has recently been formed at Mace.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to applications made on several occasions during the past eight years by the manager of the national schools in the parish of Caherconlish, county Limerick, for a grant towards the building of a school in the village of Caherconlish which would be central for the children of the whole parish; whether he is aware that the Kilmurry school, which is within the parish, was closed three years ago and the annual grant withdrawn on account of its dilapidated state; that the two small schools now in the district, viz., Caherconlish and Inch St. Laurence, are in a very bad state of repair and without proper accommodation for children; and whether senior and district inspectors have time after time reported the urgent necessity that exists for a new school in Caherconlish; and if, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, steps will be taken to have the grant sought for given, and thus provide the necessary accommodation for the well-being of the children of these districts?

Proposals for the erection of a new schoolhouse to replace those at Caherconlish, Inch St. Laurence, and Kilmurry, have been before the Commissioners of National Education for some years. It was not, however, until May, 1910, that the solicitor to the Commissioners was in a position to report that the title to the site might be accepted. The case is included in the list of applications requiring immediate attention, which was submitted to the Treasury in December last, but the Commissioners have not indicated that the case is more urgent than many others, and I cannot therefore take any special steps with regard to it.

had the following question on the Paper: To ask the Chief Secretary whether the seventeen men prosecuted at the Cork assizes for a political riot at Bantry, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, were all members of the All-for-Ireland League, while no prosecutions were instituted against any member of the opposing crowd connected with the United Irish League; was it proved by the police witnesses for the Crown that the meeting held by the latter body at Bantry was mainly composed of strangers who arrived by special trains from Cork city and elsewhere, and that a number of those strangers, known to the police, were seen by the police to assault with stones and batons the inhabitants of the town and to break the windows in the houses of the policemen as well as of the townspeople; is he aware that at the inquiry in the police court it was sworn by one of the officers in charge of the police, District-Inspector M'Mahon, that the United Irish Leaguers guilty of these offences were as typical a set of rowdies of the corner-boy class as he had ever knocked up against; will he say why District-Inspector M'Mahon's evidence was withheld by the Crown from the jury at the assizes; why were no proceedings taken against any member of the United Irish League mob; were the counsel engaged for the prosecution by the Crown the same counsel habitually engaged by the United Irish League and the Irish Parliamentary party in their legal business, and, in a case involving so much strong political feeling, why was not some nonpartisan counsel, such as the Solicitor-General for Ireland, commissioned to represent the Crown; is he aware that at a meeting held a week or two afterwards at Crossmolina, county Mayo, where two Members of Parliament were waylaid with stones, batons, bottles, and revolvers by an organised crowd in the interest of the United Irish League, a man named Moclair, a pensions officer in the pay of the Government, admitted that he discharged his revolver five times in the street and broke a pane of plateglass in a shop window with a stone; that no proceedings for conspiracy or riot, such as were taken against the Bantry traversers, were instituted against Moclair or against any other member of his mob; that he did not think it necessary to make a personal appearance to the ordinary police summons served upon him, and was nevertheless let off with a fine of 10s., and is still retained in the Government service; and what is the explanation of the different treatment extended by the Crown to members of the All-for-Ireland League and of the United Irish League on such occasions?

On a point of Order. Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question——

I have not asked it yet.

May I ask whether there is any rule or regulation of the House governing the length of questions by hon. Members?

No; there is no rule about the matter.

It is the only chance that we have.

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am informed the men prosecuted and convicted at Cork were members of the All-for-Ireland League, and it is true that no other prosecution was instituted with reference to the riot at Bantry. The meeting, I believe, was largely composed of persons who had come from Cork City and elsewhere, but there is no police evidence, so far as I can trace the matter, identifying any of those persons in connection with the breaking of windows, either in the houses of policemen or of the townspeople. Some of these persons, not, as I think, many, were seen throwing stones during the progress of the riot, but the police reports show that they threw the stones in retaliation for and in defence against the unprovoked and violent attack made upon them, both with stones and sticks, by the crowd of which the persons convicted at Cork formed part. It will be found on an examination of the depositions that the police evidence was substantially to the same effect. District-Inspector McMahon, in describing one section of the people who came from Cork, did refer to them in the terms indicated in the question, but the district inspector in no way conveyed that the persons he was speaking of were guilty parties on the occasion. The district inspector's evidence was altogether of a general character. He did not profess to identify anybody, and I am informed that he was not called as a witness for the prosecution because there was an abundance of merely descriptive evidence of the riot given by other witnesses. He was, however, in court, and was available for examination by the counsel for the accused, had they considered his evidence in respect of service to them. The prosecutions were confined to the persons charged, because on the police reports they and those acting with them were the aggressors in and authors of a wholly unprovoked and a preconcerted riot prolonged for several hours, in the course of which many persons, including several policemen and their officer were severely injured by the deliberate and persistent attacks upon them by the All-for-Ireland League party, some of the police being struck with stones and seriously wounded on their heads and faces. The acts of their opponents were, on the contrary, considered by the police mainly as a defence against the organised attacks made on them, and on no occasion did they attack the police. It is an unfounded idea that the two eminent counsel who conducted the prosecution are in any sense partisans. They are, and have been for many years, as is well known in Ireland, the permanent Crown prosecutors for the county of Cork, where the offence was committed and the trial was held.

Regarding the Crossmolina meeting, judging from the accounts given by the police, the hon. Member takes a highly-exaggerated view of what occurred. I am glad to say no one, so far as I know, was injured on the occasion. The man Moclair did, I am informed, fire some shots from a revolver, but this was not done at or during the meeting, nor till long afterwards. The shots were fired as Moclair was driving away from Crossmolina at about a quarter to eight o'clock in the evening. It was never suggested the shots were fired at anybody, and for the offence of firing in the street Moclair was prosecuted, and was fined in the maximum penalty, with costs. For the breaking of the window, an incident which took place also long after the meeting, Moclair paid £2 by way of compensation. There is no foundation whatever for the imputation made in the concluding part of the hon. Member's question.

In reference to the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask: Is it not the fact that those men were acquitted of the charges of conspiracy and of assault; further, is it not the fact that this row at Bantry was the only occasion on which any crowd of All-for-Irelanders came into collision with the police, while there were many occasions on which the opposing crowd have come into collision with the police without any prosecutions having been instituted against them either for conspiracy or for assault?

All I can say in reply to that is that the hon. Gentleman is right in stating that charges of assault were not found against them, but that a charge of very gross riot was. For that alone they were sentenced to six months hard labour. As to what are the relations between this party and the police I am not in a position to make an answer.

I would like to ask the Chief Secretary, as the responsible Minister, whether he will grant us a public inquiry that will discover what is true as between the allegations in this question, and the answers that have been supplied to the Attorney-General for Ireland, seeing that any possibility of debate upon the subject has for the moment been rendered impossible in this House?

No, Sir; I cannot say that I see any ground whatever for a public inquiry.

Was there not conclusive evidence given in the Bantry cases that this mob came down from Cork, and, without anyone molesting or interfering with them, smashed several windows of the houses of the members of the All-for-Ireland League, and also the windows of other houses; is he also aware that one of the policemen saw one of these men striking another with a baton, and that, though the policeman knew the man, he did not prosecute him; and how can he account for the one-sided action——

The hon. Member is asking too many questions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman make himself responsible for the statement that no revolver shots were fired during the progress of the meetings in Crosmolina? Is he aware that one man in the same carriage with two Members of Parliament had his skull split open with a stone during that night?

I never heard such a thing suggested before. The police reports that have come to me are to the effect that one man alone fired a revolver shot, as I have described.

May I inform the right hon. Gentleman——

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have received memorials from the tenants on the estates of Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Sanders Knox-Gore, Lord Harlech, Mr. Wade Thomson, Mr. George O'Malley Ormsby, Mr. Charles Boyd, senior, and Rev. J. Nicholson, all situated in the parish of Castleconnor, county Sligo; and if he will state what steps the Board have taken to acquire those estates, and when the lands will be available for the settlement of congestion in this district?

The Congested Districts Board have received memorials from the tenants on the estates referred to, and communicated with the owners with a view to opening negotiations for sale through the Board. The estates of Charles Boyd, Lord Harlech, and Mrs. Sanders Knox-Gore have been offered to the Board, and will be inspected as soon as practicable. It is understood that the maps and other documents necessary to enable an inspection to be made are being prepared in the case of Mrs. Perry Knox-Gore. The remaining three estates referred to have not yet been offered to the Board.

asked if the Congested Districts Board have arranged any scheme other than the parish committees by which small farmers, whose valuation is over £7, can either get a free grant or a loan at a low rate of interest to enable tenants to improve and enlarge their dwelling-houses and out-offices; and, if so, whether he can state on what terms the loan or free grants can be made?

The Congested Districts Board have approved of a scheme, outside of the parish committee scheme, under which tenants on estates purchased by the Board can get free grants and loans in connection with the improvement and enlargement of their dwelling-houses and out-offices. The terms and conditions on which such assistance is given are set out in a poster, a copy of which I will forward to the hon. Member.

asked if the Congested Districts Board have universal compulsory power, under the Land Purchase Act of 1909, in the congested counties, to acquire any estate for the purpose of resale to the tenants where the landlord or his representative has refused to sell the estate voluntarily, either to the tenants direct or to the Congested Districts Board?

If the hon. Member will refer to Section 60 of the Irish Land Act, 1909, he will, I think, agree that the Congested Districts Board have power, if they think fit, to take steps for compulsory purchase in the cases referred to in the question.

I take it the Congested Districts Board can exercise compulsory powers on any estate no matter what size.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been directed to the request of the tenants on the Verschoyle Estate, near Ballina, that the estate should be purchased by the Congested Districts Board; whether he can state if the landlord has given on lease or otherwise to his bailiff, who has already a large holding of land, a considerable area of bog land which tenants of small, congested, and uneconomic farms desired to have divided amongst them; and whether, in the circumstances, the Congested Districts Board will take immediate steps to acquire this estate compulsorily?

Communications have been received by the Congested Districts Board from the tenants asking them to purchase this estate. The Board wrote to the agent with a view to negotiating for the sale of the estate through them, but so far the estate has not been offered to the Board. The Board have no information as to the alleged disposal of the bog land by the owner. They have not considered the question of acquiring the estate compulsorily.

asked why Lucy Smith, of Drumshinny, Arva, county Cavan, has been refused a pension; is he aware that her husband, who is her junior, is drawing a pension; and will he have the reason for disallowing pensions clearly stated on the form notifying the same in each case.

The Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal on the ground that Lucy Smith had not reached the statutory age. The Board have no information regarding her husband. The Board's decision is notified on a form prescribed by the regulations which they have no authority to alter, but a claimant or pensioner in whose case an appeal is lodged is always made aware of the ground of appeal.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now able to promise to introduce legislation this Session to remove the disqualification for an old age pension imposed on British-born women who are the widows of unnaturalised foreigners?

I regret that it is not possible as yet to make any definite statement on this matter.

asked at whose request, and by whose authority, an engineer to the Board of Works, Ireland, visited Cootehill to make a map of, and report on, the Bridewell in that town in 1910; to whom, in the first instance, were the map and report submitted; and by whose directions he attended the court to give expert evidence in the civil action brought by the Cavan County Council against the Hon. H. E. Maxwell, high sheriff, and John Mills, court-keeer.

One of the assistant surveyors of the Board of Works examined the premises at Cootehill and made a plan and report at the request of the solicitors for the high sheriff, Messrs. Allen and Halpin, who were advised by their counsel in the matter. This was done by the authority of the Board of Works, owing to the public interest in the question in dispute, namely, the extent of the courthouse premises at Cootehill. For the same reason, and with the authority of the Board, the surveyor attended and gave evidence at the trial.

asked the number of evicted tenants reinstated under the Evicted Tenants Act in the Parliamentary division of West Kerry; and how are the records of reinstatements kept for each county, whether by estate, parish, union, or otherwise?

The records of the Estates Commissioners are kept by counties, and not by parishes, unions, or Parliamentary divisions. I am, therefore, unable to give the number of evicted tenants reinstated in West Kerry.

asked what is the cause of the delay in making a grant to Mr. Frank Butler, of Coolbane, Killorglin, county Kerry, evicted tenant on the Hart Minors estate; whether the evicted tenant was reinstated without any assistance from the Estates Commissioners, who have since done nothing for him; and when do they propose to consider his case?

The Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a grant of £80 for the purchase of stock and £80 for buildings in this case. Butler has let the lands for grazing, and he is to communicate with the Commissioners' inspector when he proposes to work the lands himself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the man has not been able to get back to his holding, and that he is actually being prosecuted for rent before he has got back?

That is contrary to my information, which is that he has Jet land for grazing purposes, and that he can have the sum as soon as it his intention to work the land.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether the Estates Commissioners have actually sued this man?

I will.

asked what, if any, provision will be made for the deficit existing in the funds available for intermediate education in Ireland during the interval between the present time and the furnishing of its Report by the committee which it is proposed to set up to consider the relations between Imperial and local taxation?

As I do not know how long the interval referred to in the question will be it is impossible for me to give any definite answer.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that stones were thrown at a meeting held in Castletown Bere immediately before the latest General Election; that the Parliamentary candidate and his friends were driven from the platform by a fusillade of stones; that a policeman received a blow from a stone; that the windows of the hotel immediately behind the platform were broken; and, seeing that a large force of police were present under the command of a county inspector and that the stone-throwers were well known to the police, will he explain why no arrests were made and no prosecutions instituted in connection with this matter?

The police authorities inform me that on the occasion of a political meeting at Castletown Bere on 10th December last, some stone-throwing took place, during which a policeman was struck, but not seriously injured, and some windows were broken in the hotel opposite which the meeting was held. The speakers had not, however, to leave the platform. The police at once pursued the stone-throwers. No complaints were made, and no one was injured, except the policeman referred to. There was no arrest or prosecution, as the police were unable to identify the stone-throwers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Inspector Byrne who was in charge of the constabulary force, when asked why he did not arrest the man whom he saw strike the policeman, said he gave him a stroke of a stick which was sufficient?

I should not like to interfere with the discretion of so high an authority.

asked whether the definition of an agricultural labourer in the Labourers Acts has frequently been held by inspectors of the Local Government Board not to embrace deep-sea fishermen; whether he is aware that eight or nine claims of fishermen from the Baltimore districts were rejected at the inquiry recently held into an improvement scheme of the Skibbereen Rural District Council; and, in view of this fact, will he introduce a special clause into his Labourers Bill entitling fishermen as such without any limiting qualifications to cottages and allotments of land?

I am informed by the Local Government Board that only one application for a cottage lodged by a fisherman in connection with the scheme of the Skibbereen Rural District Council was disallowed on the ground that the applicant did not work for hire, as required by the definition of agricultural labourer. Six applications from fishermen for additional allotments were rejected on other grounds. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question asked yesterday by the hon. Member for Mid-Cork.

asked whether the definition of an agricultural labourer in Section 93 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, has been variously interpreted by inspectors of the Local Government Board, some holding that the expression, any person working for hire in a rural district whose average wages do not exceed 2s. 6d. a day, means 2s. 6d. a day for six days of the week; whilst others maintain that it means this amount for the seven days of the week; whether he is aware that numerous labourers have had their claims rejected owing to the six-day interpretation of certain inspectors; and whether, seeing that the average of 2s. 6d. a day was intended to apply to every day in the year including Sundays, he will, so as to remove all future misconception on this point, introduce an Amendment into the Labourers Bill now before Parliament which will put an end to the conflict of opinion at present existing in the matter?

I am not aware that there has been any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of the section. If the labourer earns not more than 2s. 6d. a day, even though he works seven days in the week, he comes within the new class of agricultural workers defined in Section 93 of the Irish Land Act of 1903. No amendment of the existing law appears to be required.

May I ask if 2s. 6d. applies to every day of the week including Sunday?

A man who earns not more than 2s. 6d., although he earns it seven days a week, comes within the new Clause.

asked whether it has yet been decided, as between the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board, which of these two bodies are to deal with the reinstatement of evicted tenants in the congested counties on the West Coast of Ireland?

The Estates Commissioners deal with all cases under the Evicted Tenants Act in the Congested Districts Counties and a special arrangement has been agreed to by the Congested Districts Board and the Commissioners as regards cases arising on estates purchased by the Board.

Have the Estates Commissioners compulsory powers in the congested districts counties for the reinstatement of evicted tenants?

I believe they have.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to securing the freest possible expression of the will of the people by their duly elected representatives, he would favour the introduction of the system of voting by ballot in this House, and making it an offence punishable by heavy penalties for any Whip or other party official to infringe the secrecy of such ballot?

The answer is in the negative.

Would it be convenient for the right hon. Gentleman to vouchsafe any reason for that somewhat comprehensive answer?

No, Sir; I shall be very glad to discuss the matter with my hon. Friend.

Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation on the subject?

That depends upon who the deputation is.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in stating in his speech on our standard of naval strength on 26th May, 1909, that the end was to ensure for this country in any conceivable condition, and against all possible hazards, unassailable naval superiority which would give us complete command of the sea, and make any attempt to interfere with any part of the Empire or sea-borne commerce an impossibility, he is to be understood as ruling out of calculation, in computing our requisite naval strength, the fleets of any other Powers with whom we may, at the time, be on terms of intimate friendship?

I do not think that matters of this kind can be conveniently or adequately dealt with by question and answer. I can only refer the hon. Member to the speech which he quotes and to the speech made on the same occasion by the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his absence an entirely new definition of the two-Power standard was laid down by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?

I am not aware of that.

May I ask whether or not we are to understand that the Government arrived at no decision upon this particular question? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is a question of supreme importance, and that in arriving at our standard of naval strength previous Governments had regard to the power of the fleets of other countries?

I think this question shows the inconvenience of dealing with these matters by way of question and answer.

May I ask whether it takes a longer time to make a battleship or an enemy?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in accordance with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Land Transfer Acts, a Bill will be introduced at an early date for the compulsory enfranchisement of copyholds?

I am not able to give any undertaking at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state if the policy and tactics of the Government necessitate the abandonment of Highland land legislation until Welsh Dissestablishment has been dealt with; and, if not, will the Government introduce a Scottish Land Bill to run concurrently with a Bill for Wales?

I cannot add anything at present to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend last week—20th March.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is intended to separate any land legislation dealing with the Highlands from land legislation dealing with the whole of Scotland?

As at present advised there is no such intention.

Is the Government not pledged to bring in a Small Holders Land Bill for Scotland?

The answer I gave last week deals explicitly with that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since 1906 measures dealing exclusively with Scotland have been placed on the Statute Book, but that no such favour has been shown to Wales?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the judgment in the Osborne case is being disregarded by many of the trade unions whose representatives in the House of Commons have been financed contrary to the rule then laid down; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce a Bill this Session to deal with the question of trade union funds?

I have no information as to the first part of the question, and I cannot at present make any statement as to the second part of the question.

Has the attention of the Prime Minister been drawn to the speech made by the Leader of the Labour party in which he said that at a recent election forty members received financial assistance contrary to the Osborne judgment?

Until the hon. Member quoted that speech my attention had not been called to it.

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member to impute law-breaking to other hon. Members of this House?

Is it not a fact that the hon. Member for Leicester has called himself a breaker of the laws, and has openly defied and flaunted them?

Are there any rabbits or dukes about?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the magnitude of the capital now involved in municipal reproductive undertakings and the increased range of legislation requiring accurate statistical data for its due consideration, he will carry out some of the recommendations of the committee appointed by the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, which reported in December, 1879, with regard to the establishment of a small central office for specialised statistical work to prevent overlapping and to supply the want of cooperation between Government Departments and different municipalities in the publication of statistics, and to collate and to deal with returns from different sources in their general as distinguished from their Departmental or local significance?

The suggestion is attended by many practical difficulties; but I will give further consideration to the question.

asked whether the Prime Minister is able to say what business will be taken when the House reassembles after the Easter recess?

I will make a statement on this subject next week.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee with the constitution of the Advisory Committee on Fishery Subjects; that no representative of any English fishery board has been appointed to that Committee; and whether he will endeavour to secure that in respect to this, as well as with regard to grants for fishery development, England may receive at least some share of the consideration which has been extended to Scotland and Ireland?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the constitution of this Committee has caused great dissatisfaction in Lancashire, and that it is composed of precisely those bodies who are already getting more than their fair share of Government grants?

I was not aware of that.

Will the Prime Minister inquire into the matter?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state if the Estates Commissioners have power under the Land Act of 1909 to buy tenanted lands direct from the landlord, or by purchase agreements signed by the tenants and lodged with the Estates Commissioners, in the congested counties in the West of Ireland with or without the consent of the Congested Districts Board?

If the hon. Member will refer to Section 58 of the Irish Land Act of 1909, he will, I think, have no difficulty in coining to the conclusion that with the consent of the Congested Districts Board the Estates Commissioners can buy tenanted lands in congested districts, but that without such consent they cannot buy any land in those districts unless it is required for the purposes of the Evicted Tenants Act.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can give any details concerning the recent disturbances at Lissenhall?

The question probably refers to the occurrences on the night of the 11th instant when ten iron gates on the property of Miss Alice Carroll, county Tipperary, were wrenched from their fastenings and thrown on the ground, and a field of about five acres was scored over by a plough. The marks were made as if to divide the field into plots. A claim for compensation has been lodged.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for these outrages, and can he say what compensation has been paid?

I do not know. I only know there has been a claim, but I do not know the amount.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there have been any arrests in this case?

No, Sir.

asked whether he is aware that there are large bodies of rural workers and artisans in Ireland to whom the benefits of the Labourers' Acts in the matter of better housing do not apply; whether the masses of these men and their families are compelled to live in dwellings which are unfit for human habitation, and for which exorbitant rents are charged; and, seeing that no legislative machinery exists for providing them with better housing accommodation, will he extend the definition of an agricultural labourer so as to include them, or propose some special legislation which will put them at least on the same footing as those workmen and artisans for whose housing needs urban councils and town commissioners are empowered to cater?

The object of the Labourers' Bill now awaiting Second Reading is merely to continue the benefits of the existing Acts to the persons qualified under them to obtain cottages, and who have not yet been provided with them. That this class stands in need of proper cottage accommodation is undoubted. Having regard to the financial provisions of these Acts it would be impossible to extend them in the manner suggested.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether any special legislation will be introduced?

I am not at present in a position to suggest the introduction of any special legislation.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the necessity exists for such legislation?

I believe the necessity for it exists all over the world, as well as in Ireland. There can be no doubt about it.

asked the Under-Secretary of Stale for India whether the Calcutta improvement scheme involves the levy of an export duty on raw jute of two annas per 400-pound bale; and, if so, whether the Government of India will be asked to exempt all exports of raw jute to Dundee or other British ports?

I have nothing to add to the answer given on 21st March to the Noble Lord the Member for Hornsey.

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has now received any information as to religion or morality being made subjects of tuition in schools in Burma under State control; and whether the Government of Bombay is taking any measures to supply text books on morality for the use of its schools?

As an experimental measure facilities are being afforded for the imparting of religious instruction in those Government and local board schools in Burma where parents and guardians ask for it. Such instruction may be given in the school building out of school hours by teachers selected by the parents, subject to a veto by the inspectors of schools in the case of undesirable persons. No member of the school staff may be employed to teach religion. I may add that no preference is given to any particular religion; that pupils can only be taught religion at the request of their parents; that public funds do not contribute to the cost, and that no ceremony or ritual is permitted on the school premises. As regards Bombay, the subject has been discussed at a conference over which Sir George Clarke presided last April, and a handbook of moral lessons for the use of teachers is in course of preparation.

May I ask whether the educational system in Burma is not similar in almost every detail to the system proposed by the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland in the Education Bill of 1906?

Hon. Members can form their own opinion about that.

Considering that Indian morality is based upon religion, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the Bombay text book officially to be used, precautions will be taken to avoid anything that could annoy any of the religious communities on such matters as capital punishment, the remarriage of widows, polygamy, and child marriage?

I think in reply to the hon. Member I had better read an extract from the right hon. Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay:—

"What is needed are books of this kind in which the moral lessons should be drawn wholly from Indian life, history, biography, mythology, and literature."

asked the Under-Secretary if he will state what are the ages at which children are allowed to work in textile factories under the new Indian factory law, and in other than textile factories under the existing factory law?

The age limits of children in the new Act, as in the existing Act, are nine to fourteen years for all classes of factories alike. I will cause a copy of the new Act to be placed in the Library when it reaches this country.

asked whether, as the now Factory Act at present before the Government of India makes no improvement in the hours of women workers, he proposes to take any steps to secure the same relative improvement for the women as for the men?

Both Sir Hamilton Freer-Smith's Indian Factories Committee and the Labour Commission reported that as regards day work the conditions of employment of women in Indian mills was satisfactory. Women were generally em- ployed on piecework, were free to come and go as they pleased, and of their own accord worked less than the statutory eleven hours. Their physique was uniformly excellent. In abolishing night work for women in textile factories, and in narrowing the limits within which the day employment of women is permitted, the new Act has gone as far as appears to be demanded.

asked whether, seeing that unfiltered drinking water has been a cause of cholera and typhoid, he will endeavour to have it made compulsory on all factory owners in India to supply a reasonable quantity of filtered drinking water to all employés during working hours?

The maintenance of an adequate supply of good drinking water in Indian factories is already secured by rules made under the Factories Act by the local governments. The Labour Commission found that little, if any, exception could be taken to the arrangements for supplying water; and that in many factories special attention had been given to the question.

asked whether steps have been taken to secure the adoption by the Indian Legislature of provisions forbidding the manufacture of matches with yellow phosphorus in India, or their importation from that country?

The Government of India have informed the Secretary of State of their intention to legislate on the lines of the White Phosphorus Matches Prohibition Act, which prohibits the manufacture, sale and importation of such matches in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether land is still being alienated in fee simple, or on long leases at fee farm rents, in British East Africa or Uganda; and, if not, what is the longest lease granted without any possibility of revision of rent?

With regard to the alienation of Crown land in the East Africa Protectorate, the policy which the Governor has been instructed to follow will be found on pp. 29 sqq of Command Paper 4117. That policy contemplates the grant of freehold only on homestead farms up to 320 acres, all other grants being made on leasehold tenancies of ninety-nine years with a revision of rent at the end of the thirty-third and sixty-sixth years. It is difficult to summarise satisfactorily within the limits of a reply to a question the system hitherto followed in Uganda; but, roughly, the system has been one of leasehold tenancies for different periods up to a maximum of ninety-nine years, the rent increasing with the period of the lease, coupled with the right of acquiring the freehold of the whole, or a part, of the land leased on certain conditions of development. The question of revising this system is under my consideration, and in the meantime the Governor has been instructed not to grant any lease with the prospect of acquiring the freehold of more than 1,000 acres.

asked whether the Governor of Jamaica has decided, with the advice of his Privy Council, that henceforth the planters who require East Indian coolie labour must pay the whole cost of their introduction and repatriation themselves instead of the burden being thrown on the whole community, including those planters who employ free labour; and whether this change is due to the action or advice of His Majesty's Government?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The change is not due to my action, but has my approval.

asked the Under-Secretary if he will state what number of indentured Indian coolies are employed in Natal under agreement between that Colony and the Government of India; whether the suicide rate among these coolies is equal to 501 per million; if so, whether he will take steps for immediate investigation into its causes; and whether His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of stopping the exportation of coolies to South Africa, especially in view of the treatment they receive there and of the conduct of the Governments of Natal and the Transvaal towards their free kindred?

According to the latest statistics the number of Indian coolies under indenture in Natal was 40,931. The number of suicides amongst these indentured labourers in 1909 was twenty. My hon. Friend will see, if he compares these actual figures with his calculation, that this is an excellent example of the dangers attendant on the use of percentages; or more accurately permillionages. The treatment of indentured coolies has received the careful attention of the authorities in South Africa and India. It has already been decided that indentured emigration from India to Natal shall cease with effect from the 1st July next, on the ground not that there has been any general ill-treatment of the coolies in Natal, but that the unsatisfactory position cannot be perpetuated which was created by the divergence between the Indians' and the Colonists' standpoints, and the absence of any guarantee that Indians will be accepted as permanent citizens of the South African Union after expiration of their indentures. An announcement in these terms was made in the Indian Legislative Council in January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the statement of Mr. Frank Cogill before Lord Sanderson's Committee to the effect that the mining companies are assuming more or less that they have the surface rights of the lands conceded to them in the Gold Coast; and what steps are being taken to safeguard tribal rights in land in these areas?

The exact extent of the surface rights of the several mining companies on the Gold Coast is one on which I prefer not to give an opinion, as it may probably be made the subject of judicial decision. The law provides that no concession shall be valid unless the customary rights of natives are reasonably protected; and it is the policy of the Government to preserve the tribal system so far as possible.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to a company recently floated where these land rights are stated to have been granted by the chief to the company?

Yes, my attention has been directed to that.

asked whether any information has been received from the Canadian Government indicating that it is their intention at the forthcoming Conference to ask to be relieved from the obligation of extending most-favoured-nation treatment to foreign countries in the case of treaties negotiated by the Mother Country to which the Canadian Government have not expressly adhered; and whether any proposals have been made by the Canadian Government to enable them to negotiate treaties of the reciprocal character specially favoured by the United States?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any official information showing that the United States Government have named three members of an International Joint Commission which is hereafter to deal with all issues between Canada and the United States, independently of Downing Street, and that such Commission will exercise both legislative and judicial functions in respect of boundary waters and all other questions involving the rights, obligations, and interests of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, either in relation to each other or to their respective inhabitants, if both Governments agree to refer such questions to the Commission for decision; and, if so, whether he has any Papers to lay upon the Table?

The President of the United States of America has appointed three Commissioners under the Treaty of 11th January, 1909. The hon. Gentleman appears to have misapprehended the scope of the Treaty, which does not provide for the settlement of all questions independently of Downing Street, inasmuch as Article 10 stipulates for the consent of His Majesty the King. The full text is printed in the Treaty Series Command Paper 5,223, and it is not proposed to lay more Papers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been called to the recommendation in the Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the dangers attendant on the use of lead in the potteries, in which they urged that Government Departments should insist on being supplied with lead- less-glazed ware; whether he will state what action has been taken by the Colonial Office in this connection; and whether only those glazed bricks, sanitary ware, electric fittings, and domestic articles are purchased by the department in which leadless-glaze has been employed?

This Report has already engaged my attention. The Colonial Office does not purchase for its own use any of the goods mentioned, though a small amount of crockery was obtained a short time ago for a refreshment committee, most of which was, I am informed, leadless-glazed ware.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the conveyance of mails for British East Africa still costs £9,000 per annum, although a saving of £7,200 per annum would result from sending the mails by French or German packets; and whether this shipping bounty has the sanction of the Treasury; and, if so, on what grounds?

The net cost of the conveyance of mails for British East Africa is as stated by the Postmaster-General in his reply to the hon. Member on 2nd March last. The present subsidy payment was agreed to by the Treasury in return for very considerable improvements in the service of steamships to the Protectorate. The improvements thus obtained, together with the other advantages attending a service of British vessels, are held to justify the payment of the existing subsidy.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the improvement was in the mail service, accelerating the delivery of the mails, or whether it was merely in order to gratify the shipping companies?

It was certainly not to gratify the shipping companies. Whilst, of course, regard must be had to the interests of the taxpayers, the amenities of British Colonies have also to be taken into consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a direct service of British vessels running out to Mombasa and that this service is absolutely unnecessary either for mails or passengers?

I am afraid I cannot agree with that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me when this subsidy was arranged?

I do not like to speak definitely from memory. It is an old-standing contract.

When will it come up for revision?

I should want notice of that.

Does the Colony contribute anything to this £7,200?

These points of detail, if I may say so, had better be put by notice.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been directed to the discontent prevailing amongst Excise and Customs officials in consequence of the prolonged delay in issuing the Report of the committee of inquiry, and in settling the question of salaries, an increase in which was promised to the rank and file of the amalgamated service two years ago; whether he can now state when the Report will be issued; and whether, in the meantime, the salaries question will be dealt with and the promised increases made?

No promise of increased salaries has been made to Customs and Excise officials. No unavoidable delay in presenting the Report of the Amalgamation Committee has occurred—but until it has been both presented to and considered by the Treasury—which will be done as soon as possible—the question of salaries and conditions of service cannot be otherwise considered.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will grant a Return showing the number of additional posts created since January, 1906, in each of the departments of State; the amount of the salaries attached thereto; and the appointments made by nomination and as the result of competitive examination, respectively?

I will endeavour to give the Return asked for if the hon. Member will kindly confer with me first as to the exact form it should take.

Will the right hon. Gentleman include in the Return those additions to the salaries of existing officials caused by the new duties put upon them by the new land taxes?

If the hon. Member will refer to his hon. Friend, I shall get the result of their mutual conference when they come to me.

asked what are the objections to the refunding to the Scottish teachers of the contributions paid by them towards a pension scheme under the Act of 1898, having regard to the draft superannuation scheme for teachers recently issued?

Section 1 (2) (c) of the Elementary School Teachers, Superannuation, Act, 1898, expressly provides that there shall be no return of contributions; and the Treasury have no power to authorise any departure from the terms of that Act.

asked if any and, if so, what compensation or allowance can be made to the dependents of Mr. J. Carroll, late clerk to the surveyor of taxes at Lewisham?

The Treasury have authorised the award of the gratuity and the additional allowance under the Superannuation Act, 1909 (together £29 3s. 3d.), to which Mr. Carroll's length of service entitled him. They have no power to make any grant to his dependents in addition to this award.