asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the displacement, indicated horse-power, designed speed, and armament of the protected cruisers of the "Chatham" class; when were the three vessels of this type laid down; and when was it anticipated that they would be completed?

The particulars asked for in the first part of the question are substantially the same as for the "Weymouth" class. The "Chatham" was laid down on the 3rd January last, and the anticipated date for her completion is the 31st August, 1912. The "Dublin" and "Southampton" are being laid down this week, and the contract dates for their completion are the 18th June, 1912, and the 19th August, 1912, respectively.

asked whether any destroyers now building for the British Navy are fitted with geared turbines; if so, how many; and what are their displacement and anticipated speed?

It is undesirable to give such information regarding ships while under construction. I shall be happy to give the information at a later date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Charles Parsons and Company have already stated they are building two destroyers with these engines?

Yes, they stated they were building them but they did not state they were building them for the British Admiralty.

They did, Sir.

No, Sir.

asked whether any vessels, to be fitted with heavy oil or other internal combustion propulsive machinery, are now under construction for the British Navy; if so, what they are; and where they are being built?

Internal combustion propulsive machinery is being fitted in submarines and certain small craft. The suitability and development of this type of machinery for other classes of vessels is receiving careful consideration.

asked when it was anticipated that the battleships "Colossus" and "Hercules" would be delivered from the contractors?

It is expected that both ships will be delivered by or about their contract date—the 1st July next.

asked when it is proposed to order the destroyers of the 1911–12 programme; and when it is hoped they will be completed?

The destroyers of the 1911–12 programme will probably be ordered in July, and will, it is hoped, be completed in eighteen months from that date.

asked whether H.M.S. "Lion" after launching was found to be leaky; whether some feet of water was let in forward; and whether the caulking of the leaks is sufficient to withstand the sudden shock of shell, torpedo, or collision?

The reply is in the negative.

asked whether, during the acceptancy trials of H.M.S. "Indefatigable," the bulkhead to the fore end of the engine-room gave way; whether, during the same trials, the steam-pipe joints were found defective; if so, how long it took to carry out repairs; and what was the result of the subsequent trials?

No defects such as those indicated in the question have been discovered during the acceptance trials which are expected to be completed today. Several steam-pipes, when undergoing the preliminary water-pressure tests, gave out, and this has involved a delay of about four weeks in the date of the acceptance trials.

Are we to understand there is nothing wrong about it at all?

That is the information I have here.

asked whether the two submarines to be constructed for the Commonwealth Navy had yet been ordered; to what type they belong; and when the third of the trio provided for in the complete unit is to be built?

The two submarines for the Commonwealth Navy have been ordered, and belong to the type approved for the 1910–11 programme. With regard to the last part of the question no decision has yet been made.

asked whether the Navy own any aeroplanes at the present moment or whether they have any on order?

The reply is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the settled policy that the Admiralty should have nothing to do with aeroplanes, and that that branch of aeronautics is to be dealt with by the War Office.

I cannot say whether it is settled in the sense of permanency, but so far as experimental work is concerned the War Office has taken the aeroplane branch and the Admiralty are experimenting with dirigibles.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Germany is sending to South America one of her latest cruisers, and America is also sending ships of the Dreadnought type, he will take steps to safeguard British national and shipbuilding interests by including the latest type of battleship or cruiser in the squadron visiting those waters?

It is understood that the "Von der Tann" is paying a short friendly visit to South American ports in much the same way as our own Fourth Cruiser Squadron did a short time ago, and the "Delaware" has conveyed the body of the late Chilian Minister to Valparaiso as a mark of international courtesy. Due regard will be paid to the safeguarding of British national and shipbuilding interests, but no undertaking can be given as to the particular type of ship that may be sent.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is prepared to receive a deputation representing commercial interests on this matter? There is much feeling throughout the country in regard to it.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will make private representations to me on the subject. I would rather not reply in answer to a supplementary question.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the Coronation day and the day following will be public holidays in the county of London, it is intended that the workpeople employed in the Deptford Victualling Yard and the West India Dock Naval Store shall be granted and be paid for such holidays?

The matter is now receiving the attention of myself and my colleagues, and I hope that the establishments referred to will be informed of the decision shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that target practice in Gerrans Bay was a source of personal danger to the fishermen; whether he was aware that a number of nets have been damaged; and what steps he proposed to take to prevent the continuance of the danger and damage?

No complaints have been received at the Admiralty as regards target practice in Gerrans Bay. Enquiry is being made as to the reported damage to nets.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he would cause a Return to be laid before this House stating the names and nationality of neutral vessels which were captured by the belligerents during the Franco-Chinese War and the Russo-Japanese War, stating the nature of the cargoes carried and the results of such belligerent action?

I will lay a return of the captures which were reported to the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will cause a Return to be laid before this House of the neutral vessels which were captured during the Russo-Japanese War, and subsequently adjudicated upon by Russian and Japanese prize courts, stating the nationality of the ships, the nature of the cargoes carried, and the decisions of the prize courts?

Arrangements have already been made by the First Lord of the Admiralty for the publication of the decisions of the Russian and Japanese Prize Courts arising out of the Russo-Japanese war, and it is hoped that they will be issued during the coming summer. The work is of considerable magnitude, and will be contained in two volumes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information that the residents of the Bahamas have asked the Legislature of the Colony to open negotiations with the Dominion of Canada with a view to the inclusion of the Bahamas in the Canadian Federation; whether such proposal has been made in consequence of the injury to the trade of the islands caused by the tariff of the United States of America on their produce, and with a view to securing the benefit of closer commercial relations with other parts of the Empire; and was he in a position to inform the House if any communications or petitions have been received by the Colonial Office on the subject; and, if it was not considered premature, would he state whether the Government would be prepared to further a proposal, if desired by both parties, that the Bahamas should become a province of Canada?

I have received the text of a resolution to this effect, passed by the local legislature, but at present I have no further information on the subject. I have asked the Governor for fuller particulars, and in the meantime I am unable to make any further statement, or to indicate what will be the view of His Majesty's Government with regard to the proposal.

asked what was the maximum annual revenue obtained by the Colony of Hong Kong for the opium farm; what is the revenue for this year; and what is the estimated revenue for next year?

I cannot, without much longer notice than the hon. Gentleman has given me, state the maximum annual revenue from this source. The rent paid by the farmer under the contract which expired early in 1910 was $1,452,000, to which must be added receipts from divan licences, which amounted in 1909 to $1,860. The rent of the present farm, which will continue during 1911 and 1912, is $1,183,200 a year. This is the total revenue now derived from opium owing to the closing of the divans.

asked what has been the total cost to the Colony of Hong-Kong for the upkeep of Imperial post offices in China during the last twenty years; and whether it is proposed to continue charging the Colony for the upkeep of these post offices in the future?

Hong Kong has been relieved of all expense in respect of these post offices since the beginning of the present year. In these circumstances, the hon. Gentleman will perhaps not press for a reply to the earlier part of his question, which I could not in any case answer without much longer notice.

asked whether, for calculating the military contribution upon the revenue of the Colony of Hong Kong, it is the custom to calculate the percentage charged upon the amount received by the post office without deducting what it costs to run that Department; and, if so, what has been the amount collected from the Colony upon this item since the present method of collecting the military contribution has been instituted; and does the cost of running the post office exceed the receipts?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the affirmative. I cannot answer the second part without much longer notice than the hon. Gentleman has given. In recent years the cost of the Post Office has sometimes exceeded and sometimes fallen short of the receipts. For the present year the estimated revenue is $403,100 and the estimated expenditure $456,897.

Is it the case that the Colony pays an Income Tax of 20 per cent. of the receipts of a Department on which it loses $60,000 a year?

I cannot make the calculation as rapidly as the hon. Member, but I will work it out and give an answer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, what was the total number of allotments of under one acre in England and Wales?

The following statement will, I think, supply the information desired by the hon. Member so far as regards land held for allotments by local authorities in England and Wales:—

asked whether the quantity of land acquired or agreed to be acquired (referred to in column 4 of the table supplied on the 13th of March, 1911) is the total land acquired or agreed to be acquired for small holdings up to 31st December, 1910, under The Small Holdings Act, 1908, since the Act came into operation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question on 22nd March.

asked what proportion, or thereabouts, of the agricultural land of England and Wales is rented, owned, mainly rented, and mainly owned, respectively, by the occupiers of such land; what proportion, or thereabouts, of the agricultural land of Denmark, France, and the German Empire is, respectively, rented and owned by the occupiers of such land; and whether facilities will be given for the passing into law of the Land Purchase Bill and the Small Holdings Bill now before Parliament, under the first of which it is proposed that the State shall loan to farmers the whole of the capital with which to purchase their holdings when they are for sale, or the farmers are dispossessed, and under the second of which it is proposed to loan to suitable would-be small holders the whole of the money with which to purchase holdings for cultivating purposes?

In 1910 87.80 per cent. of the land under crops and grass in England and Wales was rented and 12.20 per cent. was owned. The Board have no information as to the proportion of that "mainly-rented" and "mainly owned," the definition of agricultural land is not precisely the same in the other countries named, but it may be stated approximately that in Denmark 87 per cent., in France 53 per cent., and in Germany 86 per cent. of the agricultural land is owned by the occupiers. The concluding inquiry should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

Would it not be more helpful to hurry on the Valuation Act and thus enable people to get land at a reasonable price?

asked whether any foreign Governments advance direct the full purchase money for the small ownership of land, as is done in Ireland; and, if so, what are those Governments?

I am not aware of any instances of the kind.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of the existing paid staff of the Development Commission; what is the total amount of the salaries of such staff; what is the number of the Commissioners; which of such Commissioners are paid salaries, and what is the amount of each salary; what total amount of funds have the Commissioners, in conjunction with the Treasury, had control of for the financial year 1910–11; and what amount of money has been paid, or agreed to be paid, for such period in connection with the recommendations or operations of the Commission, and how much of this is for England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland respectively?

The number of the existing paid staff of the Development Commission is six (excluding a messenger), and the total amount of the salaries is £2,820. The number of the Commissioners is eight, of whom only one (the vice-chairman) receives salary (£3,000 a year). The total amount of the Development Fund for the financial year 1910–11 is £900,000. The actual payments during the year have been in respect of the Light Horse Breeding Schemes, as follows:—To the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, £3,944; to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland, £4,600. It is not possible to divide the first figure between England, Scotland, and Ireland.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether grants for public education have grown in the case of England from £10,212,810 in 1902–3 to £14,375,442 in 1911–12, or an increase of 41 per cent.; in the case of Scotland from £1,405,963 in 1902 to £2,336,594 in 1911–12, or an increase of 66 per cent; in the case of Ireland from £1,333,277 in 1903 to £1,653,324 in 1911–12, or an increase of only 24 per cent.; whether a considerable portion of the increase in the cases of England and Scotland is due to the grants given to secondary education, which in Ireland gets no grant from the Treasury; and whether, under those circumstances he would consider the advisability of a grant for secondary education in Ireland similar to that given in Scotland?

The figures quoted by the hon. Member are correct. In reply to the rest of his question, I would refer to my reply to his question of yesterday's date.

asked whether it was possible to assess agricultural landowners for the purposes of Income Tax upon their actual net income, like the owners of personal property, under Schedule D; and, if not, why it is impossible?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, during the Debates on this subject on the 4th May and 20th September, 1909.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a straight answer to a straight question, as to whether this is possible?

I have given a perfectly straight answer. The hon. Member will find a large number of reasons set out in these speeches. The two principal of which are: (1) That the removal of the collection may prove a source of evasion of the principle of the tax; and secondly, that there are something like two million assessments to deal with.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say it is not possible in the case of agricultural land, but that it is possible in other cases?

Everything is possible, but in some cases it is highly inconvenient.

asked how many schemes had been sanctioned by the Development Commissioners; and the character and cost, respectively, of each such scheme?

The schemes finally sanctioned by the Treasury on the recommendation of the Development Commissioners are:—

Has there been a grant approved in aid of agricultural co-operation?

I must ask for notice of that.

Is it not the fact that the grant of £10,000 for horse breeding in Ireland is an annual grant, otherwise it would be out of all proportion?

I am not sure: I should like notice.

Is it not the case that the whole grant is £40,000 and that only £5,000 is allocated for that purpose?

I have given the information supplied to me. I will make further inquiry.

asked if the Road Board sanctioned the scheme of the Norfolk County Council; if he was aware that the council was induced to accept and expend grants without being informed, until it was committed to such acceptance and expenditure, that grants would only be made contingent upon a certain proportion being expended by the council; whether he is aware that the carrying out of such a condition at this stage would involve expenditure in excess of the council's estimate for the year; whether the Board has been requested to reconsider its determination; and, if so, whether he can now state the response made or to be made to this appeal?

The details of the works of improvement in the County of Norfolk, towards which the Road Board are contributing, have been settled with the County Council, and the grants, amounting to £8,000, were made on the 28th March. It was open to the Council at any time during the settlement of the details of the works proposed to be undertaken, and is still open to them, to limit their expenditure by omitting any of the works with which they do not desire to proceed. The omission of one or more of the works would not affect the grants to the other works.

Are councils induced to undertake responsibility without being informed of the conditions on which they are supplied with the money?

I am quite sure that if councils apply for assistance they are made acquainted with the conditions on which the grant is made.

Will the Government consider the desirability of appointing some Member of this House who is also a member of the Road Board to inform the House as to its working?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if it was the settled policy of the Road Board to only sanction schemes on condition that the local authority undertakes to find a specified sum; if all local authorities have been notified to this effect; and whether, as the imposition of such conditions is calculated to frustrate the promotion of schemes, he would consider the advisability of abandoning this demand upon the local authorities?

The grants which the Road Board have hitherto made towards the cost of proposed works of road improvement have taken the form of contributions to the estimated cost. The Board find that local authorities generally are quite willing to proceed with their proposed works with the assistance of the grants.

Who takes the responsibility for the work—the local authority or the Road Board?

Generally speaking, it must be the local authority, as the Road Board has no staff.

Will the House have an opportunity of discussing the policy of the Road Board?

That does not arise out of the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman define what is meant by "local authority"? Does it include non-county boroughs?

Every application to the Road Board must come through the authority concerned.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware that W. Fullman, 42, Banyard Road, Southwark Park Road, London, did not receive a vaccination form at the time of registration; that the registrar, Mr. Hirst, promised to send the document on, but failed to do so; that Mr. Fullman went to the registrar on 22nd February and obtained the form, upon which he immediately made his declaration and posted the same to the vaccination officer on the 23rd February; and whether, as the delay which had placed the parent outside the time limit was entirely the fault of the registrar, he will give instructions to the vaccination officer to accept the declaration in this case?

I have made inquiry into this case and find that the facts, as stated in the question, are not disputed. The Local Government Board are addressing a letter to the vaccination officer stating that, in the circumstances, they do not consider that proceedings should be taken against the parent for neglecting to procure the vaccination of the child.

asked why officers of the Civil Service and of local authorities already in receipt of good salaries have been appointed as census enumerators and clerks, instead of giving capable persons wholly unemployed a chance of earning something?

The first object of the Registrar-General was to obtain the services of competent persons to act as enumerators; and amongst the best qualified persons are some who have been trained in the Civil Service or Municipal Services. But the "election of enumerators was not confined to such persons.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the suffragette agitation against the Census is likely to affect prejudicially the accuracy of our statistics of population; and if he will give the House the earliest official information as to the approximate number of persons of both sexes who have evaded the law by failing to disclose their ages upon the Census paper?

I do not anticipate that the suffragette agitation against the Census will have any appreciable effect upon the accuracy of the statistics of population. According to the information that has reached me up to the present, the number of individuals who have evaded being enumerated is altogether negligible.

Is it intended to take proceedings against those who deliberately evaded the Census?

In the hour of success mercy and magnanimity must be shown.

asked when the first results of the Census may be expected to be communicated to the public; in what form will they be issued; and whether the population figures of the various Parliamentary constituencies will be issued at the earliest possible date?

The preliminary report on the Census of England and Wales, dealing with the totals of the population (male and female) in the various administrative and registration areas (as furnished by the local Registrars of Births and Deaths) will, it is hoped, be issued in the course of June next. The population of the several Parliamentary constituencies will be given in this Report.

asked whether any special difficulties have been experienced in taking the Census; whether the population of the United Kingdom have co-operated willingly in filling in the Census schedules; and whether there is reason to believe that, compared with previous Census' enumerations, the results of the 1911 Census will show increased accuracy and reliability?

So far as I have learned at present there have been no special difficulties experienced in the taking of the Census in this country, and I hope that the results will be certainly not less accurate and reliable than those of preceding Censuses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the street in which I have the honour to live no attempt has been made to collect the papers?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me the name of his street there will be a man there to-morrow morning.

asked if the Local Government Board had any initiative in limiting the speed of motor cars in large towns, or whether it is necessary for the Department to wait until action is taken by the municipality?

The Local Government Board are empowered by Section 8 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, to make regulations for prohibiting or restricting the driving of motor cars, but this power is only exercisable in respect of a highway, or part of a highway, which does not exceed sixteen feet in width, or on which ordinary motor car traffic would, in the Board's opinion, be especially dangerous. In view, however, of Section 9 of the Act, the Board would not, save in exceptional circum-stances, exercise this power in the absence of a proposal made by or through a local authority.

asked what is the total number of men registered by distress committees since the opening of registers in October last, and up to 31st March, in the county of London; how many of the men registered received work; the average duration of such work; and what steps it is proposed to take for dealing with the number of men still unable to obtain work?

I am informed by the Central (Unemployed) Body for London that the total number of men registered between the dates referred to was 24,249, and that 3,890 were provided with work for an average period of over eight weeks. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed by the Central Body that, except for special colony cases and for emigration purposes, the registers were closed on 4th March.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the infant and child mortality that has been going on for the past two or three weeks has arisen almost entirely in those districts where unemployment most prevails?

I shall be pleased to have from the hon. Member the name of any district in which he would like me to make inquiry.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether there will be overlapping as between the existing county nursing associations and the district councils, under the Health Visitors Bill, in the provision of assistance and advice in maternity cases in the rural villages; and, if so, whether he will amend the above Bill to prevent such overlapping and to secure effective co-operation between them?

As the hon. Member is aware, the adoption of the Notification of Births Act requires the consent of the Local Government Board. Before consenting to the adoption of the Act, it is the Board's practice to inquire as to the means available for utilising, to the advantage of the mothers and infants, the information as to births which would be received under its provisions. In some cases it has been found that no existing agencies are available, and that it is desirable that the local authority should be able themselves to appoint health visitors. I do not think there is any danger of serious overlapping.

asked in how many counties county nursing associations exist, and how many of them work in conjunction with the local authorities in affording help and advice in maternity cases within their administrative areas?

There are twenty county nursing associations affiliated to the Queen Victoria's Jubilee Institute for Nurses, and several other county nursing associations not so affiliated. Grants are in most of these cases made to the associations by the county councils or the education committees. The work of these voluntary associations is not under my control but I have no doubt they render efficient help to the local authorities in assisting to combat sickness and mortality.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any official cognisance of these nursing associations apart from their work in conjunction with the county councils?

Yes, we have; and I cannot assume that the provisions of the Health Visitors Bill will be otherwise than an assistance to these ladies in their work.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to put an end to the idea existing among a section of the electorate that the House of Lords as a political body is responsible for legal decisions arrived at by Law Lords sitting as a court of appeal, he will cause the name of that court to be altered in Government publications from House of Lords to Supreme Court of Appeal?

I have no power to carry out this suggestion, and I see no necessity for it.

Are there not a number of even well educated persons, even graduates of Oxford and Cambridge Universities who would be unable to distinguish between the position of the Law Lords and the other Members of the House of Lords?

I hope not.

asked the Prime Minister whether ho can state the date of the introduction of the Budget; and, if not, whether he can name a date when an announcement will be made?

I cannot yet name the date. I hope to be able to do so soon after Easter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the question of the housing of the labouring classes in the rural districts, to report thereon as to what extent, if any, land which might otherwise be used for building cottages is being withheld by the owners, and to the possibility of providing better housing accommodation without monetary loss to those owners, with a view to introducing legislation dealing with the whole matter if found necessary?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. At present it does not seem either necessary or desirable that a Royal Commission should be appointed to inquire into the question of the housing of the labouring classes in rural districts. So recently as the year 1906 a Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to consider the Housing of the Working Classes Acts Amendment Bill, went very fully into the question, and the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, effected important amendments designed to facilitate the compulsory acquisition of land by local authorities for the purpose of the erection of houses for the working classes. It has not been shown that the existing powers under that Act are not sufficient to meet all ordinary circumstances if local authorities do their duty.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been also called to a Clause in the Report of that Committee which deals with the question of the hon. Member, and finds as a fact that land has been withheld in rural districts?

I am aware of all the circumstances connected with rural housing, and I would advise my hon. Friends on both sides of the House to stimulate the local authorities rather than to stimulate myself.

Is it not a matter of extreme delicacy for the local authority in their district to put their powers into force, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making this a national service and providing for it out of national revenue?

Until we have further experience of the Act of 1909 I think it would be premature for me to pronounce an opinion on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state in what year the Imperial and Defence Committee was established; who composed the Committee originally; and what subjects were especially assigned to the Committee for systematic and scientific investigation?

The Committee of Imperial Defence was constituted on its present basis on 4th May, 1904, and then, and now, consists of the Prime Minister, with such other members as, having regard to the nature of the subject to be discussed, he may from time to time summon to assist him. The Committee is a purely advisory and consultative body. The scope of its investigations embraces all questions bearing on the problem of Imperial Defence. These are usually of a confidential nature, which it would not be in the public interest to divulge.

Is it not possible to answer the first part of the question as to the composition of the Defence Committee originally?

No; on its present basis it dates from 1904.

Was there not an Imperial Defence Committee previous to that of which the Duke of Devonshire was a Member?

I believe there was, but I have no personal knowledge of it.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a Resolution of the Free Church Council urging that, after the passing of the Parliament Bill, the Government at the earliest opportunity should introduce an Education Bill securing freedom from sectarian tests and denominational influences; and whether it is in the contemplation of the Government to use the passing of the Parliament Bill for the introduction of an Education Bill of such a character?

It is certainly the hope of the Government after the Parliament Bill has become law to introduce and carry legislation dealing with education on the lines of the pledges repeatedly given by them and their supporters to the electorate.

May I ask if this legislation is to be carried out before the Preamble of the Parliament Bill is brought into force or after?

Will this legislation precede Home Rule?

Is it intended that the support which the Irish Members are now giving to the Parliament Bill is to be used in destroying the present system?

Will the Prime Minister take steps to promote an interchange of opinion, with a view to settling this matter by consent before any Bill is introduced?

I should be very glad if it were possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before continuing further with the Committee stage of the Parliament Bill, he will consider the advisability of making public the proceedings of the Conference, in order to assist the House in its deliberations on the Bill?

Has not the right hon. Gentleman got enough of advice in the shape of 900 Amendments?

Will the right hon. Gentleman go so far as to tell us that his frequently expressed desire for a compromise last year is still his desire?

I have no power, even if I had the disposition, to accede to this suggestion.

May I ask him whether he thinks that he and the Leader of the Opposition would be in a position to discuss this point, knowing all the time practically what is in each other's minds, while the rest of us are in the dark?

asked what is the amount of the Imperial charges in the United Kingdom in the years 1886 and 1910; and whether it is the intention of the Government in the forthcoming Home Rule Bill to follow the proposal in Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill of 1886, and levy one-seventeenth part of the Imperial charges in Ireland?

There are difficulties in furnishing the figures for the year 1886. For the year 1884–5 the Imperial charges amounted to £63,753,000. The corresponding figure for the year 1909–10 is £90,646,000. It would obviously be premature to reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction which has been caused by the constitution of the advisory committee appointed by the Development Commissioners to advise on fishery matters; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that England and Wales shall be adequately represented on that committee?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Development Commissioners have recently appointed an advisory committee on fishery subjects; whether any persons have been appointed on such committee as representatives of either the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, or of local sea fishery committees, or of other English fishery interests; if so, whether he will give the names of such persons; whether the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Committee has expressed its dissatisfaction with the constitution of such advisory committee; and whether it is proposed to take any, and, if so, what, steps to secure the appointment upon such advisory committee of any representatives of the fishery interests in England and Wales?

I think there has been a great deal of misconception as to the scope and character of the Advisory Committee on Fishery Development appointed by the Development Commissioners. The Advisory Committee is intended to act in an advisory capacity only. It was appointed, not to represent separate interests or localities, but to form a body of experts capable of advising the Commissioners on fishery matters when expressly referred to them, on which the Commissioners desired a technical opinion. The Commissioners will alone consider proposals and schemes and the ultimate decision as to what recommendations, if any, shall be made to the Treasury, rests entirely with the Commissioners as a body and not with the Advisory Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how the various bodies will bring their applications before the Commissioners, whether through the Treasury or direct?

I think the general practice is that they apply to the Department concerned and the schemes go through the Development Commissioners and comes back for ultimate sanction to the Treasury.

Has the Lancashire Fisheries Committee forwarded an application to the Board of Agriculture which has not yet reached them?

I could not say that without notice, but not so far as I know.

Will the Development Commissioners although they have the determination of the grant, be guided in their determination by the advice given them?

I am afraid I have not made my meaning clear. What I meant to explain was this. The Development Commissioners have no one amongst them who is personally familiar with fishery questions. Schemes are put before them and they have no one to set out to them the technical difficulties and to advise them how to go into the schemes. It is for that purpose only that the Advisory Committee has been appointed.

If the Advisory Committee were appointed for that purpose, why is there no single member of that committee who has any practical knowledge of fishery questions whatsoever?

I am afraid I must differ from the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the nature of the objection to the reconsideration of the question of combining the judicial functions of the Privy Council and the judicial functions of the House of Lords in one ultimate court of appeal for the whole Empire; and whether the question will be considered at the approaching Imperial Conference?

This question will be considered at the approaching Conference. In the meantime I had better express no opinion on the point raised in the early part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee have laid down the rule that Colonial courts should follow the decisions of the Court of Appeal here, and that on various subjects of law there are conflicting decisions in the Court of Appeal here and in the Privy Council itself?

I should like notice of that.

asked what action the Government propose to take with reference to a lecture upon the Irish Brigade in the Transvaal, delivered in Dublin on 29th March by an official of the Dublin Corporation of the name of John M'Bride, who held the rank of major in the Boer Army, in which lecture disparaging references were made to the visit of the King to Ireland and threats used against the Throne, together with direct incitements against recruiting in the Army, Navy, and police forces?

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting held in Dublin on the 29th ultimo, at which an official in the employment of the corporation said that they had in Ireland several movements for the purpose of bringing life into the country, and one of these was to prevent recruiting for the British Army, Navy, and police forces, which, if successful, would do more to hurt England than centuries of constitutional agitation, and added that they should strike against the Throne and the British Empire and for the freedom of Ireland; whether he is aware that the chairman, in proposing a resolution, stated that he had in his pocket three written pledges from the Lord Mayor that he would be no party to presenting a loyal address to the Sovereign; and whether, in view of the visit of the Court to Dublin Castle in the near future and the feeling aroused among the more loyal element of the population, he can see his way to advise the Viceroy on the measures best calculated to discourage such conduct as that mentioned?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, and may I at the same time reply to Question No. 81, relating to the same matter. I have seen newspaper reports of the meeting referred to by the hon. Gentlemen. The reports vary a good deal, but only in one of the Dublin newspapers of 30th March is to be found the particular language of threats and incitement indicated by the hon. Gentlemen, and set out in the first part of the question of the hon. Member for the Enfield Division of Middlesex. Judging by the reports, however, highly reprehensible language was used on the occasion, but I am informed there is no evidence forthcoming which could be availed of in the courts. Except by a proceeding in the courts there is no other way of dealing with the matter, and in these circumstances I do not think it is possible for action to be taken.

Will the Attorney-General address some remonstrance to the Lord Mayor and Corporation of Dublin, who still retain in their employment a man who has given utterance——

The hon. Member is making a speech.

How long is it since the hon. and learned Gentleman has instituted any proceedings of any sort against this anti-enlistment campaign in Ireland?

On every single occasion where evidence was forthcoming to establish a prosecution one has been brought.

Has the hon. and learned Gentleman issued statements in the Press about that?

None whatever.

May I ask if, on Friday last, the Dublin Corporation, by 28 votes to 8——

The hon. and learned Gentleman is not responsible for the actions of the Dublin Corporation.

In view of what has happened, will the hon. and learned Gentleman direct a police-constable notetaker to attend the next meeting?

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman also instruct the police notetakers to attend meetings in the North of Ireland at which hon. Members above the Gangway deliver incitements to civil war?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention had been drawn to the admission made by the Labour party that they were simply setting aside the law, and declined to recognise the decision of the judges declaring that trade union funds could not be used for the maintenance of Members of Parliament; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter? And (2) whether his attention had been drawn to the report of the executive of the Labour party for 1910, which states in regard to the Parliamentary fund that election loans amounting to £1,597 were granted for the financing of candida- tures of societies affected by the Osborne Judgment; that the loans granted the previous year had been repaid; that these further grants will be refunded in due course; and whether he purposes taking steps to safeguard the interests of members of trade unions who are opposed to union funds being used to finance a political party?

Has attention been drawn to the repeated declarations of warlike intentions on the part of hon. Members opposite in the' event of any enactment to set up a Parliament in Ireland?

I believe that the allegations of fact made by the hon. Member in these questions are not admitted, and I have no knowledge as to how far they are accurate. It is in any case not a matter in which the Executive Government can interfere.

Will the right hon. Gentleman examine the statements and see if they are accurate and if they are admitted by the hon. Member (Mr. Ramsay Macdonald); and, if so, will he take steps to prevent the Labour party and the hon. Member from openly violating the laws of the country?

If the hon. Member will forward any information he has to the Attorney-General he will consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also suggest to the Attorney-General that information should be ascertained as to the source of the funds of hon. Members opposite?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he had considered the application of the district council of Southall, Middlesex, for an improved postal service, especially in respect of an evening delivery, and if he can hold out any hope of granting the same?

I have considered the application of the urban district council of Southall for an additional delivery of letters. The amount of correspondence delivered in Southall is at present far below that which is considered to warrant the establishment of a fifth delivery, and I can hold out little hope of being able to grant the request for some time to come. The council has already been informed to this effect.

asked whether tenders are not asked for on the occasion of the expiry of a mail contract; and, if so, what is the reason?

It is the usual practice to invite tenders in such cases, but occasionally it is found necessary or expedient to make an exception. If the hon. Member will let me know what exceptional case he has in mind I will inform him of the reason.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state upon what grounds the post office at Dukinfield has been closed to the public at 8 p.m. instead of remaining open, as hitherto, until 9 p.m.; whether he is aware that the town council of the borough have unanimously disapproved of this action on the part of the postal authorities; whether he is also aware that such curtailment of the hours of business inflicts inconvenience and loss upon the inhabitants by compelling them to go a considerable distance for any postal business; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the postal facilities previously enjoyed shall be restored?

The post office at Dukinfield has been closed at 8 p.m. because the amount of business transacted after that hour was not sufficient to warrant the extended hours formerly in force. Representations received from the town council were placed before me and have received due consideration. In view of the small amount of business formerly transacted after 8 p.m. I do not think that any real inconvenience will be experienced as soon as the public become accustomed to the change. The result has been merely to bring Dukinfield into line with other offices of about the same standing, and I regret that I cannot see my way to grant the hon. Member's request.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the possibility of introducing legislation with a view to mitigating the growing evil by which a very large number of youths, at the age of leaving school and when they ought to be learning a useful trade, are employed as golf caddies, thereby learning to lead a precarious existence?

This is a very useful and important point. The occupation of a golf caddie is peculiarly unsuited to young persons and peculiarly suitable for adults not strong enough for active labour or partially incapacitated for some cause. If golf clubs would gradually adopt the practice of making use of the Labour Exchanges when engaging new caddies, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would probably be able to supply them with exactly the proper class of person and to stop altogether the misdirection of youth. The general question of juvenile employments is under consideration.

asked whether the contract for home safes was granted to the C. O. Burns Company; whether an inquiry was made either in the United States or in this country as to whether they were in a position to carry out their undertaking; whether any firms were given to understand that the initial order would not exceed 10,000; and whether a second opportunity of tendering was given to the C. O. Burns Company?

As I informed the hon. Member on the 23rd ultimo the tender of the C. O. Burns Company for the manufacture of Home Safes was accepted on 15th October last. The Company were known to have supplied suitable safes of this kind to a number of Savings Banks in this country, and it was not, therefore, considered necessary to make the inquiries indicated by the hon. Member, particularly as it was arranged that the contract should be executed in the United Kingdom by a British company to be formed by Mr. Burns. The contract is now being executed. It is not the case that any firms were given to understand that the initial order would not exceed 10,000. There is nothing in the form of tender to indicate what the initial order would be, alternative prices being invited for supplies in excess of 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on the 23rd ultimo, no preferential opportunity was given to the C. O. Burns Company.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will ascertain particulars regarding the bankruptcy of this firm, and whether it is not a fact that the contract was violated in that way?

I did not undertake to make inquiry. It is evident that the contract was not broken.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the English firm that has the contract for these safes for the Post Office, and state whether they are making them?

The firm is registered in the name of Fiscus, and I believe they are not making the safes, but they are arranging for their manufacture.

asked the Attorney-General if he will consider whether it is desirable at an early date to introduce legislation to amend Section 1, Subsection (f) (ii.) of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1898, whereby counsel for the Crown is permitted to cross-examine a prisoner as to previous convictions of such prisoner, with a view to altogether prevent or to restrict such cross-examination in cases where the nature or conduct of the defence is such as to involve imputations on the character of the prosecutor or the witnesses for the prosecution?

I am making inquiries as to the way in which this particular provision of the Act in question has worked in practice. Until I know the result of these inquiries I would prefer not to express any opinion upon the propriety of introducing legislation to alter the law, but I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that this matter will receive very careful consideration.

asked the Attorney-General whether it is now too late for the Public Prosecutor to intervene, as the result of the judge's finding, in the case of Docket v. various defendants, tried at the Leominster County Court, on the 13th June, 1910; at what date it became too late; at what date his own attention was first called to the case; and at what date the Public Prosecutor's attention was first drawn to it?

My attention was first called to this case by the hon. and gallant Member on June 17th, 1910, and on the same day I communicated with the Director of Public Prosecutions, who informed me, first, that the judgment had not been delivered, and, later, that leave to appeal had been given to the plaintiff, who thereupon gave notice of appeal to the High Court. It appears, from the full inquiry made by the Director of Public Prosecutions in consequence of the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member, that of the six claims dealt with in the county court on June 13th, 1910, four related to transactions dating from 5th July, 1907, to 17th March, 1909. Assuming these to have been of a corrupt character, of which it is only fair to say that the evidence was very unsatisfactory, no prosecution could have been instituted, inasmuch as by the Corrupt Practices Act proceedings must be commenced within twelve months of the commission of the alleged offence, and, as appears from the dates given, more than that period had expired before the trial in the county court. With reference to the two remaining claims there is no ground for a prosecution on the facts disclosed. One was for a loan of 7s. 6d., of which 2s. 6d. was repaid in October of 1909, whilst the other was a loan to a person, which was not either in 1909 or 1910.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the crew of the steamship "Buxton," owned by the Deddington Steamship Company of Hull, signed articles on board ship at Antwerp on 28th March, and that the crew were engaged by a shipping master named O'Connor; if he is aware that the seamen did not receive their advance notes in the presence of the consular officer, but had to proceed to O'Connor's house to get them; if he is aware that eight francs were deducted from the advance notes then given to the seamen and firemen for what O'Connor called shipping fees; and, if, in order to abolish this disadvantage to seamen, he will at once introduce a Bill making it compulsory for all masters signing crews on British ships in foreign ports to give the advance note to their men in the Consul's office, in the presence of the Consular officer, and requiring the amount of the advance of wages to be entered in the articles of agreement?

I understand that the crew of the s.s. "Buxton" were engaged at Antwerp on the 28th March. No application was made by the crew, in the presence of the Consular Officer before whom they were engaged, for any advances on account of their wages, and no advance notes were issued by the master. I am informed, however, that several members of the crew, subsequent to signing the agreement, obtained advances from the shipping master through whom they were selected, but I have no information as to the fees alleged to have been paid. I am afraid that the matter is not one in regard to which legislation would be likely to afford an effective remedy.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will allow a letter to be sent to the Consul with the view to the protection of these seamen who are simply the victims of crimps?

I will be very glad to confer with my hon. Friend on that point.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware of the custom of the Shipping Federation and other free labour associations to hire offices inside the London Docks for the purpose of employing men; and, if so, will the Port of London Authority take steps to secure the removal of such offices from docks and other premises controlled by the authority?

I understand that the Shipping Federation rents offices at the Victoria and Albert Docks, and that offices are rented by shipowners and stevedores from dock authorities both in London and at other ports. The letting of offices on dock premises is a matter entirely within the jurisdiction of the Port Authority.

May I ask whether any arrangements are in process or are going to be made for the establishment of a Labour Exchange, so that all labour may be taken into the docks from a neutral office rather than from the office of a federation of this kind?

I must inquire into that. I cannot give an answer off hand.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what objection there is to the Memorial to the late King Edward VII. taking the shape of an arch over the Mall, so that the site selected by the Memorial Committee may be retained without destroying the sylvan beauties of St. James's Park?

The First Commissioner will be happy to communicate the suggestion to the Memorial Committee, but is unable to say what view they will take of it.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will extend to all Members, who express the desire, the permission that he has already given to the hon. Member for West Nottingham to see the original document E Memorandum No. 21, known as the Holmes' circular, with all the relevant papers, endorsements, etc.

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state how many memoranda containing expressions of opinion which he does not share have been circulated among members of the staff of the Board; how many copies of each of these memoranda have been circulated; and whether steps have been taken to recall all which express opinions not in harmony with those of the President?

I do not think anything is to be gained by any attempt to enumerate such memoranda. With regard to the last part of the question I can only repeat what I said in reply to my hon. Friend on Monday, namely, that it is m accordance with my wish that educational subjects, on which there is wide divergence of view, should be freely discussed and inquiries made amongst the Board's officers under confidential conditions.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why, inasmuch as some of the memoranda in question are similar to that which has been recalled, there should be exceptions made in these, and why the precedent established in the case of the Holmes' circular should not be followed in regard to those which are on similar lines?

I cannot admit that these memoranda are on similar lines, and they certainly have not been subject to similar rules.