asked the Secretary to the Treasury, having regard to the fact that the road from Dingwall to Ullapool is largely used by motorists visiting the Western Highlands of Scotland, if the Road Board will consider the expediency of making a grant towards the improvement of this road, especially bearing in mind that it is used for the conveyance of His Majesty's mails to Ullapool?

The Road Board do not propose at the present time to make a grant towards the cost of improving the Dingwall to Ullapool Road.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why a professional man is called on to pay Income Tax in January on the income for the year which only ends on 6th April; how is he to calculate his income in advance; whether landowners are only asked to pay Income Tax on the rents actually received by them; and whether the same rule is applicable to professional men?

The annual profits accruing to persons from any profession, trade, etc., are assessable under Schedule D of the Income Tax Acts on the aevrage profits of the three preceding years, and the duty is by law payable on or before 1st January in the year of assessment, which begins on 6th April and ends on the following 5th April. As regards the third part of the question, lands in Great Britain are assessable on the rack rental value in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Acts, and, as a rule, the rack rental is represented by the rent payable. In Ireland, the assessment is based on the amount of the Poor Law valuation, but arrangements are made whereby, in the case of agricultural lands, the Income Tax (Schedule A) is accepted from landlords on the actual rents received.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state what is the acreage of the Department of Agriculture's holding at Ballyhaise, county Cavan; and what is the extent of the land under timber?

The total area of the holding referred to is 829 acres, and the area under timber is 155 acres.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state whether in the civil action brought by the Cavan County Council against the Hon. H. E. Maxwell, high sheriff, and John Mills, court-keeper, in the year 1910, to recover possession of Cootehill Bridewell, any of the Irish Law Officers gave any instructions or advice to either of the defendants, or any person acting on their behalf; whether there was, or is, any understanding that the legal expenses of the defendants would be paid from public funds; and whether any part of the expenses of the defendants have been paid by the Irish Government?

The Irish Law Officers gave no instructions or advice to the defendants referred to, or to anyone acting on their behalf. It was, however, pointed out to the High Sheriff that, as the legal custodian of the Cootehill Bridewell it was his duty to defend the possession of the Bridewell which was believed to be part of the courthouse premises, and which, indeed, at the Cavan Assizes, in July, 1909, had, in a similar case, been held to be so, in a judgment by the late Lord Justice FitzGibbon. There was, during the litigation, no understanding that the legal expenses of the defendants would be paid from the public funds, but since the termination of the action the Government has agreed to pay them.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the delay in reference to the sale of the Donat Sampson property, county Clare.

This estate is the subject of proceedings in the Land Judge's Court, and the Estates Commissioners have issued a request under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, with a view to purchasing the property. It will be dealt with in order of priority.

asked what is the cause of the delay in completing the purchase by the tenants on the Hill estate, at Kilcoleman, Doneraile, county Cork, seeing that the owners are now in receipt of 4 per cent. interest, and assured the tenants when arranging terms of purchase that the lands would be vested within twelve months, the date of signing purchase agreements being 15th May, 1906?

The Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken steps in regard to a petition received from the Moyloughbeg tenants on the Michael estate, county Galway, in reference to a grazing farm upon the estate; and whether the Board will secure it for the purpose of enlargement of uneconomic holdings in the district?

A communication was received in November last requesting the Congested Districts Board to acquire the farm in question. The Board had previously written to the agent with a view of opening negotiations for the sale of the estate through the Board, but so far the estate has not been offered to them.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants upon the Ahascragh and Doon portions of the Clonbrook estate, county Galway, were promised that by signing agreements to purchase in March, 1908, that sale would be completed within twelve months from that date; and whether he would now instruct the Commissioners to give tenants the benefits of the Act with as little delay as possible?

As I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on 23rd March, 1910, the Estates Commissioners gave no undertaking that the sale of this estate would be completed within one year from March, 1908. The estate, which has not yet been reached in order of priority, will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will explain the present position of affairs on the Pringle estate, Ballycastle, county Mayo, which has been recently acquired by the Congested Districts Board; what arrangement is it proposed to make as to the liquidation of the arrears owing by the bulk of the tenants; it is the intention of the Board to wipe these out completely and not add them to the purchase money, which would merely stereotype the poverty of the district; whether any assurances have been given to Mr. M J. Healey, honorary secretary, All-for-Ireland League, who has been acting for the tenants; and, if so, what are their nature; are there large areas of grazing lands on the estate; and how is it proposed to utilise these pending their distribution amongst the tenants later on?

The Congested Districts Board made an offer for this estate, which was accepted by the owner on the 15th November, 1910. The completion of the sale is still pending before the Land Commission. The price offered by the Board includes all arrears of rent due by the tenants to the 1st May, 1910. When the estate is vested in the Board, and they are in a position to sell the holdings to the tenants, the arrears due by each tenant to 1st May, 1910, will be liquidated in accordance with the Board's usual practice. No assurances have been given to Mr. M. J. Healy, but letters addressed by him to the Board asking for information were fully replied to in the ordinary course. As regards the grazing lands on the estate, possession is to be given before 1st April, and when possession has been obtained grazing stock owned by landholders in the neighbourhood will be taken on the lands at a price per head, preference being given to the stock of small landholders.

asked what proposals of the Department of Agriculture have been submitted to the Development Grant Commissioners for the improvement of the circumstances of the fishermen in North county Wexford?

The Department of Agriculture have taken into consideration the circumstances of Wexford as well as those of other districts in submitting proposals which are now under the consideration of the Development Commissioners, and they cannot make any statement regarding particular cases.

asked what was the evidence submitted to the Local Government Board in the appeal brought against the continuing of the pension of William Tinny, of Carrick, Castlefin, county Donegal, to prove that he had not attained the statutory age; and what was the evidence which satisfied the Board that he was not the same William Tinny who according to the Census of 1841 is now seventy-two years of age?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 6th March.

asked the Chief Secretary why the pension of Charles M'Carthy has been discontinued; and whether, seeing that the pensions committee hold that M'Carthy is fully qualified, he will recommend that the case be reconsidered?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked on 25th November last by the hon. Member for North Kerry. The Local Government Board have no power to reconsider their decision in the case.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has refused to grant the appeal for an old age pension in a case of a man where the only disqualification arose from the fact that his wife had left him and was living with another man, and she being in receipt of poor relief it was held by the Local Government Board that her husband was in receipt of poor relief; and if such decision has been given, by what authority under the Act it has been given?

The Board are advised that poor relief given to a wife disqualifies the husband for receiving an old age pension. They have held, however, that relief given to a woman living in adultery would not disqualify the husband, unless by resuming cohabitation or otherwise he had condoned the wife's misconduct.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners received an application from Thomas and John Maher, claiming reinstatement as the representatives of their father, who was evicted in 1897 from a holding of 86 Irish acres in the townland of Clonohill, on the De Vesci estate, Abbeyleix, Queen's county, and can he say what steps the Estates Commissioners propose taking in this case?

The holding formerly occupied by Thomas Maher, senior, is in the occupation of another tenant, and Maher's name has been noted for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Estates Commissioners may acquire.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, as the Charleville Rural District Council still persists in the legality of their appointing Maurice Hassett tenant to a labourer's cottage in the Ballyhea district, he will cause inquiry to be made by the Local Government Board into the rate of wages per week received by Hassett as clerk in a creamery?

The rural district council still maintain that Hassett is an agricultural labourer within the meaning of the Acts, and the Local Government Board are giving the case their careful attention. It would be impracticable for the Board, with their limited staff of inspectors, to make a special local investigation into each case in which complaint is made that the tenant appointed by a rural district council is not entitled to be a tenant under the Labourers Acts. It is open to any person interested to take proceedings against a council which lets a cottage to a person who is not a bonâ fide agricultural labourer.

asked whether the Elm Hill, Moylough, county Galway, portion of the French estate, will be administered by the Congested Districts Board?

The Congested Districts Board have under consideration the question of purchasing the lands of Elm-hill on the French estate. A decision will be arrived at as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have acquired any land in North Kerry for the purposes of relieving congestion; whether the district of Leitrim in this constituency has been scheduled as a congested area for the past twenty years; were representations made at any time to the Board that they should acquire the untenanted land in Moyvane, on the Fitzgerald estate, for division amongst the uneconomic holders and labourers of the district; is this estate before the Estates Commissioners at present, and, if so, what steps will be taken in reference to the untenanted land thereon; whether he is aware that there are about fifty small holders on the Blacker-Douglas estate who require an enlargement of their holdings; and is it proposed to consider their claims in connection with the distribution of any untenanted land which may be acquired in the locality?

The Congested Districts Board have acquired the Collis-Sandes and Hussey estates in North Kerry for the purpose mentioned. The electoral division of Leitrim has been scheduled as "congested" since the formation of the Board in 1891. Representations as to the acquisition of the land of Moyvane were made to the Board, but they declined to negotiate for its purchase, as it was understood that the Estates Commissioners were dealing with the Fitzgerald estate. This estate and also the Blacker-Douglas estate are the subject of proceedings for sale before the Estates Commissioners under the Act of 1903, and when they are being dealt with in order of priority due inquiry will be made as regards any untenanted land available for distribution.

asked in what manner were the buildings erected in the town of Newmarket out of the moneys bequeathed by the Aldworth family vested in the townspeople; how did the market-house revert to the Aldworth family, the money having been advanced by the Commissioners of Charitable Bequests to pay for its erection; what were the gross earnings of the Newmarket Loan Fund Society for the year 1910; what were the expenses of administration; and how were the profits distributed?

In November, 1841, the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests sanctioned a scheme by which £350, portion of the Aldworth Bequest to the town of Newmarket, was to be devoted to the erection of a market house, upon Mr. Aldworth, the then owner, executing a lease of the site for three lives or sixty years, and it may be inferred that the market house reverted to the Aldworth Estate on the expiration of this lease. The money was not advanced by the Commissioners, but by the executors. The gross earnings of the Newmarket Loan Society for the year 1910 were £55, and the expenses of administration during that year were £54. The profits were added to the society's reserve fund.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state when, and under what circumstances, Bernard Loftus, formerly of the 1st battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was discharged from the Army; when, and in what circumstances, he was injured while stationed at Malta; whether he is now incapacitated and receiving treatment as an outdoor pauper of the Dromore West Union, county Sligo; and what provision has been, or will be, made for him by the Army authorities?

This case shall be investigated, and the result will in due course be communicated to the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the desirability of sending remounts to Cavalry regiments after instead of before the drill season, at which period every available man is required in the ranks.

Horses are at present supplied to Cavalry regiments as required. It is essential that the War Office should purchase horses all the year round, in order not to lose the market. The Noble Lord's proposal would either stop the purchase of horses during the greater part of the year or necessitate keeping horses at depots when accommodation for them is not available, and would involve considerable expenditure. The suggestion cannot be adopted for the reasons given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state how many second division clerks have been appointed to superior positions in the War Office since 1906; and what was the number of such promotions in the previous five years?

The figures for the War Office and the Royal Army Clothing Department are as follows:—From 1st January, 1906, to 20th March, 1911:—

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the question of paying certain adjutants of Yeomanry who are Reserve officers more than £100 per annum; if so, whether such pay will be retrospective?

The question is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the approximate cost of each new sash, and the aggregate amount which the officers of the Infantry will be called upon to pay owing to the new order for such sashes?

The approximate cost will be from £5 to £6 each. The aggregate cost for Infantry officers would amount to between £25,000 and £30,000.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the widespread and continuous robberies of bicycles in London and throughout the country during 1910 and the three previous years, and can he give to the House the number of cases in which cycle thieves and receivers have been arrested and convicted; the number of bicycles stolen from free public libraries, public baths, museums, picture galleries, and other public institutions, and the number of cases in which such stolen property has not been recovered; and whether, in view of the sentences inflicted in such cases, he will propose any legislation on the subject?

No statistics on the subject are available. It is, of course, notorious that a large number of bicycles are stolen, but I have no reason to think that the sentences passed on bicycle thieves when convicted are inadequate, or that special legislation on the subject is called for in the public interest.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received an answer from the London County Council to his communication on the subject of slow-moving vehicles in the streets of the Metropolis; and whether, in view of the definite recommendation made for the control of such vehicles by the Royal Commission as far back as 1905, of the increase of pressure on the streets caused by the development of motor traffic since that date, and of the probable further increase of congestion in this coming summer, he will use the full and active influence of the Home Office in the direction of arming the police with the increased powers recommended in 1905?

I have not yet communicated with the London County Council in this matter, which is one that involves considerable difficulties, as the Royal Commission recognised and stated. But I have it under consideration, and will do anything that I properly can to promote this desirable reform.

asked the Home Secretary if he will ascertain how many hours William Lodge and Percy Atwell, two teamsters who were fined at the Bingley police court, in Yorkshire, on 22nd March, for being asleep whilst they were in charge of horses and wagons on the public highway had, each of them, been on duty when they committed the offence?

I have communicated with the police, and am informed that neither defendant appeared at the hearing, but Atwell sent a letter stating that he had been on duty for over twenty hours. They are unable to give me any information with regard to the other man.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that motor splash-guards have been fitted to the near side wheels of the Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Company, Limited, plying between Hammersmith and Piccadilly, and that the same kind of guards are fitted to the motor services at Kingston-upon-Hull and Widnes; and whether the Commissioner of Police for London, when licensing motor - omnibuses, will insist that such splash-guards shall be fixed?

I am aware that the company named had a special kind of mudguard on some of their omnibuses, but they have now removed it. As I told the hon. Member a few days ago, none of the mudguards submitted to the Commissioner of Police so far have proved satisfactory. I have no information as to whether this mudguard is in use in the provinces.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to his Draft Order altering the legal working hours of wearing apparel workers for two months prior to the Coronation, if he has considered the case of a girl coming to London to work by a workmen's train, compelled to wait about the streets until 9 a.m., the proposed hour of beginning work, remaining at work until 9 p.m., and then returning to her home at say 10 p.m., thus occupying from about 7 a.m. until about 10 p.m., or fifteen hours per day or more; and if he is aware that a considerable number of workers will be thus affected by the proposed alterations?

The Order is intended to meet the case of those dressmakers who now come to work at 9 a.m., and leave at 8 p.m., but who during the two busy months will have to work the additional hour which the law now allows. It is believed that it would be inconvenient to many of them to come at 8 a.m.; and so the Order, if made, would permit them, instead of coming at 8 a.m. to stay till 9 in the evening. Either arrangement might be adopted in the workshop as may be most convenient.

asked the Home Secretary what was the total amount contributed during December, 1910, by asylum officers under the pension provisions of the Asylum Officers Superannuation Act, 1909; and what was the total number of those officers who so contributed?

I have not got the information asked for, but I shall be happy to communicate with the Lunacy Commissioners, with the view of seeing whether a useful Return on the subject of the working of the Act can be prepared.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the suffering among workpeople which would be dealt with by the Checkweighing in Various Industries Bill, introduced by Mr. Gladstone in 1909; and, if so, what steps he will take with a view to its re-introduction?

I hope to proceed with this Bill if opportunity is offered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Miss Emily Carnall, of Buchanan Street, Pendleton, was employed by the Pilkington Tile Company for thirteen years, during some portion of which time she admittedly had suffered from lead poisoning; that, subsequent to her terminating her employment with the firm in 1909, she was certified by Dr. Berry, of Pendleton, and by Dr. Martin, the certifying surgeon of Salford, to whom she went under the impression that he was the certifying surgeon for Pendleton, to be suffering from lead poisoning; that, on applying to Dr. Holmes, the certifying surgeon for her own district, she was refused a certificate; that the medical referee, Dr. Judson Bury, decided against her appeal after hearing Dr. Holmes and not hearing Dr. Berry; that Dr. Judson Bury's finding was, on this account, referred back to him by the county court judge for Salford; and that a subsequent finding, because of its unsatisfactory character, was referred back also; whether, seeing that, subsequent to Dr. Judson Bury's final decision against her, Miss Carnall was examined by several specialists and kept under observation by Dr. Ernest Reynolds in the Manchester Royal Infirmary, that these doctors are of opinion that Miss Carnall's case is one of undoubted lead poisoning, and that, notwithstanding that Miss Carnall is ill, destitute, and incapacitated from following her employment, the Pilkington Tile Company have refused to make her any payment, he will say if Miss Downing, who was taken ill at the same time as Miss Carnall, and is now receiving compensation for lead poisoning, was also refused a certificate by Dr. Holmes; whether, in view of these facts, he will consider if there has been a miscarriage of justice in Miss Carnall's case; and, if so, what action he purposes to take in the matter?

These cases were inquired into last year, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I then gave in this House on 2nd and 16th March. I have no information as to the subsequent history of these cases. The Compensation Act makes the decision of the referee final in a matter of this kind, and I have no power to take any action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many arbitration treaties and agreements of a permanent and of a temporary character are known to the Foreign Office to be now in operation between England and foreign nations, between our self-governing dominions and foreign nations, and between foreign nations.

The answer to the first point is that there are no arbitration treaties between this country and foreign states of unlimited duration. There are thirteen which have been concluded for a period of five years, most of which have been renewed for a further period of five years. In addition to the above, treaties have been signed with the Argentine Republic and Brazil which have not as yet been ratified by the King. All these treaties and agreements apply to the whole of the British Dominions and Possessions. The foregoing are, of course, exclusive of agreements that have been concluded for submitting special cases to arbitration, such as the North Atlantic Fisheries, the case of Savarkar, and others, as a result of which, for the most part, awards have been pronounced. The answer to the last point is that there are about seventy-two according to a recent list prepared by the International Arbitration Bureau at The Hague.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will state what is the rating of the silver yen to gold in Japan's artificial gold standard system, India's rupee reckoned at sixteen pence gold, representing, approximately, a ratio of gold to silver of one to twenty-two?

According to the new gold standard adopted by Japan in 1897, one kilogramme of pure gold is coined into 1,333⅓ yen; that is to say, one gold yen contains.75 gramme of pure gold. The gold coins are minted 900–1000ths fine, and the weight of the 10 yen gold piece is, therefore, 8.3,333 grammes. The silver yen weighs 416 grains 900–1000th fine. Each silver yen, therefore, contains 374.4 grains, or 24.26 grammes of pure silver. The ratio between silver and gold is, therefore, as 32.34 to 1.

asked the Prime Minister whether any official calculation has been made of the financial effect on Church of England livings in Wales of the disendowment of the Church of England in the Principality; and, if so, whether taking the average over all livings, such disendowment would leave to the incumbents no more than 1s. 5½d. in the £ of the amount they are now receiving?

I have no materials which would enable me to give an answer.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the circular letter of the Comptroller of the London County Council, dated the 13th instant, relating to the grants to boards of guardians under Sections 24 and 43 of The Local Government Act, 1888; whether he is aware that it is therein stated that on account of the deficiency in the Exchequer Contribution Account the council have decided to make payments on account only, varying from 80 per cent. to 75 per cent. in respect of the grants payable under Section 24; whether he is aware that this will entail loss on the ratepayers of London; and what further sum will be available for the purpose of making good the grants for teachers in Poor Law schools, registrars of births and deaths, and pauper lunatics?

My attention has been drawn to this circular letter by various Boards of Guardians, and I am aware of the decision at which the county council have arrived in regard to the payments under Section 24 of the Act referred to. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether sanitary authorities have power to supply vaccine lymph or to pay for vaccinations; and, if so, under what Act and section?

In some few cases sanitary authorities have been empowered to provide facilities for vaccination by virtue of orders issued by the Local Government Board in pursuance of Section 130 and 134 of the Public Health Act, 1875. There is no provision in the general law otherwise enabling them so to act.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the payment of grants under the Customs and Excise Account to local education authorities has been in arrears by thousands of pounds, and has imposed a substantial burden on local authorities for interest on overdrafts; and if he proposes to see that the grants are more punctually paid in the future?

I do not find there has been any unavoidable unpunctuality in the payments of these grants. In the financial year 1909–10 the local authorities had been by 30th November, 1909, actually paid more than they subsequently proved to be entitled to for the whole year, and it became necessary afterwards to readjust the matter in various ways. In the present financial year, in view of the fact that the Revenue Bill has not passed, it has been necessary to pay a slightly smaller sum than last year, in order to avoid the difficulties of over-payment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any, and, if so, what action has been taken in connection with the report, dated 4th October, 1909, of the Commissioner appointed to inquire into the affairs of Measures Brothers, Limited; and, if no action has been taken, when does he pro-prose to take any, and what will it be?

The report mentioned in the hon. Member's question was laid by the Board of Trade before the Director of Public Prosecutions, and proceedings have this morning been begun at Bow Street police court against Mr. R. H. Measures by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he can state the number of seamen who failed to join British foreign-going ships at ports in the United Kingdom during the years ended 31st December, 1909, and 31st December, 1910, respectively; and the number of continuous discharge books suspended during the same periods?

During the year ending 31st December, 1909, 8,242 cases of failure to join British foreign-going ships occurred. The number of cases reported to the Board of Trade under the provisions of Section 65 (2) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, was 1,169, and the number of continuous discharge books suspended under that section was 726. The corresponding figures for the year ending 31st December, 1910, were 10,343, 1,925, and 899.

asked the President of Board of Trade whether he can state how many Chinamen were engaged on British ships at the mercantile marine office at Poplar during the years ended 31st December, 1909, and 31st December, 1910, respectively, distinguishing those who signed agreements at the mercantile marine office from those who signed on board ship?

The number of Chinese seamen engaged at the mercantile marine office, Poplar, for British ships during the year ending 31st December, 1909, was 1,624, of whom 361 were engaged on board ship. The number for the year ending 31st December, 1910, was 1,204, of whom 150 were engaged on board. The numbers of Chinamen engaged at Poplar is no indication of the number sailing from London, crews being largely engaged there for vessels at other ports. Out of the numbers given above, 911 Chinese were so engaged in 1909 and 761 in 1910.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the bankruptcy proceedings of Frank Fardell Smith, of Oxford, when the unsecured creditors received £31 8s. 10d. in dividend, and the costs of the Board of Trade officials were £202 10s. 9d.; and, if so, whether he will consider the possibility of minimising the costs of realising estates in bankruptcy?

The figures quoted in the question give an altogether inaccurate statement of the facts of the case. The total of the Board of Trade fees amounted to £36 17s. out of a total cost of administration of the estate of £185 15s. 5d. The number of creditors in the bankruptcy (on which the Board of Trade fees, to some extent, depend) was large—namely, 186. The principal items of cost other than Board of Trade fees, and over which they had no control, were: Court fees, £5 8s.; law costs of petition, £15 13s. 5d.; remuneration of trustees, £32 17s. 8d.; auctioneers' charges, £42 14s. 9d.; possession charges, £18 16s. 2d. The amount paid to preferential creditors was £26 12s. 6d., and to unsecured creditors, £31 18s. 10d., making a total of £58 11s. 4d. The estate was administered by a non-official trustee, who was appointed by the creditors, and acted under the supervision of a committee of inspection appointed from among the creditors. In such a case the Board of Trade have no control over the costs of administration beyond the audit of the trustee's accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the promises which have been made to the miners on strike in the Rhondda Valley, that when their trade union funds are exhausted an appeal will be made to the country for further funds to continue the strike; and whether the Government is taking any steps to bring about a settlement of the dispute?

I am afraid I cannot say anything more at present than that, as the House is already aware, the Board of Trade have throughout been in communication with the parties to this dispute, and that any further developments that may occur will be carefully watched and considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether one of the two staff posts created in the central office of the Labour Exchanges Department has been filled by the appointment of an officer who has been in the service of the Board less than a year, and who was originally appointed as a manager of a Class 3 Exchange at a little over half the present salary; and whether it is to be the practice to fill the higher posts of the central office in this indirect manner to the exclusion of Civil servants, for whom promotion in the Board is already sufficiently scarce?

The officer to whose appointment my hon. Friend appears to refer applied at the same time as other candidates for a Labour Exchange appointment, but was abroad when the first selection of applicants was made. In April, 1910, ho was appointed to the central office with the rank of a Class C manager, and, as a result of his work, he was promoted to fill one of the two staff posts created in December last, the other being filled by an established Civil servant. The claims of Civil servants to promotion in the Labour Exchanges branch always receive full and careful consideration when suitable vacancies occur.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish the House with a list of the staff of the central office of the Labour Exchanges Department, distinguishing between those who entered the service of the Board by means of open competitive examinations under the auspices of the Civil Service Commissioners, and those who were appointed by the President under the Labour Exchanges Act; whether he will show the relative positions of these two classes of public servants in regard to salaries and seniority; and whether there is anything in the nature of the duties performed by those who were appointed by the President which renders the work unsuitable for Civil servants appointed through the medium of the Civil Service Commissioners?

I will circulate with the Votes a list giving the particulars desired by my hon. Friend with regard to the central office of the Labour Exchanges. The great majority of the staff of the Labour Exchanges are unestablished officers, and it was not found possible to recruit this staff by the method of com- petitive examination. The whole question is under careful consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the value of the importation of manufactured articles for home consumption into the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, in January, 1911?

The figures for the United States are now available. The value of the total imports of wholly and mainly manufactured goods into the United States in January, 1911, was £11,604,000, and the re-exports in the same month, £140,000, leaving a balance of £11,464,000. The value of the total imports of wholly and mainly manufactured goods into the United Kingdom in January was £13,066,000, and the re-exports £2,400,000, leaving a balance of £10,666,000. I should add that the imports into the United States are valued f.o.b. at the ports of export, whilst those into the United Kingdom include the cost of freight and insurance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he received on or about the 8th April, 1910, a letter from the Welsh Plate and Sheet Manufacturers' Association, representing fifty-one sheet and tinplate works, with an annual wages total of £1,300,000, pointing out the serious injury which would be caused to their members, and to many thousands of operatives employed at their respective works, if the proposed new Japanese tariff on tinplates, black plates, and galvanised sheets comes into force upon the expiration of the present commercial treaty with Japan on the 16th July next; if so, what action he has taken in the matter, and with what result; and (2) whether he is aware that a considerable quantity of oil is imported into Japan from the United States, all of which is packed in canisters or cases made exclusively of tinplates; that such oil is at present subject to an import duty upon arrival in Japan, but that the canisters or cases containing it are admitted free of any duty whatever; and whether, in view of the fact that under the proposed new Japanese tariff no alteration is to be made in the above arrangement, but that the duty will be increased upon British tinplates by 30 per centum, he will enter forthwith into negotiations with the Japanese Government with a view to preventing such preference to the United States to the detriment of an important British industry?

I will answer this and the succeeding question together. I am not at present able to make any statement on the subject of the treaty negotiations which have been proceeding between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that in the case of the registration of Form E at Somerset House, in accordance with the Companies Consolidation Act, 1908, the officials of Somerset House, without legal authority, have refused to receive the form unless the value of goodwill attaching to licensed property be separately entered apart from the other value of such property in the balance sheet of the company, although no such distinction is asked for in the case of goodwill attaching to property not being licensed property; and whether the officials at Somerset House are acting under special instructions in this matter?

The hon. Member has been misinformed. The separation of goodwill from other assets is asked for in all cases where goodwill is shown as an asset of a company, no distinction whatever being made between the various classes of property to which goodwill attaches.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state when he intends to introduce the Bill making it compulsory for certificated officers to be carried on all coasting vessels; and whether, at the same time, he will introduce legislation making it compulsory for all pessenger vessels trading in the Home trade limits to carry a certain number of qualified able seamen?

The Bill referred to will deal only with the question of certificated officers. I cannot yet say when it will be introduced, but I hope it will not be long delayed.

asked the Postmaster-General if the National Telephone Company's service to Dartford is comprised within the London system, and if the Post Office telephone service to the same place is on the trunk system; and if he will, for the convenience of the inhabitants of this part of Kent, bring both services within the London system forthwith?

Dartford is situated just outside the boundaries of the London telephone area, and subscribers on the Post Office Exchange there have to pay a trunk fee on each call to a London subscriber. The National Telephone Company serves several subscribers at Dartford by means of circuits to an exchange within the London area. I recognise that some difficulties are thus created; but I regret that no change can be made, at any rate until the system of the National Telephone Company is taken over by the State.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to complaints that shamrock posted in Dublin on 14th, 15th, and 16th March was not delivered in England until the 18th, the result being inconvenience and loss to Irish traders; whether, seeing that this delay occurred owing to instructions issued whereby shamrock was kept back from the English despatch, he will take steps to ensure that in future, notwithstanding any public notice issued, proper care and attention is given to this increasing item, and that no instruction will in future be issued which shall in any way delay shamrock packets; and whether this delay was pointed out to the Dublin authorities shortly after the instruction was circulated?

No complaints of delay to packets of shamrock posted in Dublin for England on the 14th, 15th, or 16th March have been made to the London, nor, so far as I am aware, to the Dublin office, but my attention has been called to reports in Dublin newspapers alleging such delay. If a failure to deliver on Friday, the 17th (St. Patrick's Day) has occurred in any case, it is due either to some oversight or to late posting on the part of the sender in spite of the warning notice which has been exhibited at every post office in Ireland to the effect that posting not later than Wedensday, the 15th, was necessary in order to secure delivery in England on St. Patrick's Day. The only instruction issued in connection with these shamrock packets had the object, and to a considerable extent the effect, of expediting their delivery in England.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, if any prosecutions have taken place at Glasgow recently in connection with the sale of alleged Irish produce; if so, how many people were prosecuted; and what were the nature of the offences and the penalties imposed?

The following statement gives the information desired:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agricultural whether the Board have any definite information as to the number or proportion of the cattle in Great Britain at present affected with tuberculosis; and whether bovine tuberculosis is on the increase or not.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No definite evidence is available to show whether bovine tuberculosis is on the increase or not.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that Mr. John Hirst, an arbitrator appointed by the Board in March last year to determine the amount due, under the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, to Mr. Hugh Baldwin, farmer, on the termination of his tenancy under Mr. William Ferrand, of St. Ives, Bingley, Yorks, refused to specify, at the request of Mr. Baldwin, one of the parties within the meaning of the Act, the amount awarded in respect of certain particular matters, each of which were subject of the award according to the provisions contained in the Second Schedule of the Act; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the question on this subject which was asked by my hon. Friend on the 8th instant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any, and, if so, what, steps are taken by the local fisheries committee to enforce compliance with the by-law prohibiting trawling within the three-mile limit on the Northumberland coast; in how many instances within the last twelve months have reports been made by the Coastguards of the infringement of the bylaw; in how many cases have proceedings been taken against the offending trawlers; and with what result?

The Committee employ police or patrol boats at certain seasons or as occasion arises. The Coastguards have not reported any breach of the law during the last twelve months. During 1910 one trawler was prosecuted and fined £10, with £1 14s. 10d. costs, and gear forfeited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether any and, if so, which of the Governments of the German Empire, Denmark, and France respectively, financially support and, if so, to what approximate annual total extent in the case of each country, any bank or other institution to enable actual cultivators and would-be cultivators of agricultural land to become the owners of the same; whether it is or has ever been the practice of such bank or other institution to advance the whole of the purchase money to actual cultivators and would-be—cultivators respectively of agricultural land desiring to purchase; and, if so, in which, country or countries; and whether, if he has not the information available, he will take such steps as may be necessary to endeavour to obtain the same?

In Denmark there are no land purchase banks. In France there are many societies for granting working loans to cultivators of the soil, and these societies may make loans to persons who wish to buy land. In Germany the system is too complicated to give details in an answer. I should be glad to put the hon. Member in the way of obtaining further information on the subject generally if he will communicate with me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that a consignment of seven deer was recently discharged from a Hamburg steamer at Leith and forwarded by rail to Ross-shire; and "will he say what steps are taken to guard against any risk of foot-and-mouth disease being introduced by ruminant animals coming from such a quarter and spreading through the country?

Yes, Sir; the deer were examined previous to landing by one of the Board's veterinary inspectors.

asked the Lord Advocate, if he will state how many new holdings have been formed in the island of Lewis and on the mainland of Ross-shire, respectively, since the Congested Districts (Scotland) Board was established in 1898?

I am informed that the Congested Districts Board have helped, or offered to help, in the following:—

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if the road alterations proposed to be carried out in St. James's Park in connection with the King Edward VII. memorial are identical with a portion o£ the improvement scheme to St. James's Park which was submitted to His Majesty's Office of Works by Mr. F. W. Speaight on 31st March, 1909?

The answer is in the negative. It is obvious that any path leading from one given point to another must bear a certain similarity to any other path going in the same direction.

asked how much the House of Commons voted for the maintenance of St. James's Park for the last financial year?

A sum of £40,090 was voted for the year 1910–11 for the maintenance of St. James's, Green, and Hyde Parks. No separate allocation is made for anyone of these three parks, which are under one superintendent and are worked by one staff.

asked what is the total acreage of St. James's Park at present; how much was taken from it by the widening of the Mall a few years ago; and how much more will practically be thrown into the Mall by the proposed alterations suggested by the Mansion House Committee?

The area of St. James's Park proper, within the railings is at present fifty-three acres; and the area withdrawn from the park for the actual construction of the new Mall is 1.6 acre. Until plans are made the First Commissioner is afraid that it is impossible to reply to the last part of the question; but in accordance with the Prime Minister's answer yesterday full opportunity will be given to this House to express their opinion before any action of any kind is taken.

asked whether the attention of the First Commissioner of Works had 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 potteries, in which they urged that the Government departments should insist on being supplied with leadless-glazed ware; whether he will state what action has been taken by the Office of Works 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?

In October, 1908, the First Commissioner ordered that in future leadless glaze only should be used wherever possible, and should be so specified in all contracts. This is still the policy of the Office of Works. The First Commissioner hopes that this attitude, which will be firmly maintained in the future, has stimulated the use of leadless glaze.