asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposed to exchange information with Germany on the subject of naval construction, in view of the declaration of the German Imperial Chancellor against the policy of the limitation of armaments?

The speech of the Imperial Chancellor, to which

Does the Foreign Secretary see any value in the exchange of information about naval building in this country when the Imperial Chancellor expressly said he would agree to nothing in the way of limitation of armaments? Is there any public purpose to be served?

If the hon. Member will refer to the speech I made on the 13th March, he will see that I deprecated the use of the phrase "limitation of armaments," but I distinctly said that "reduction of expenditure" was a better phrase. So far as exchange of information might remove distrust between any two countries, it would have an effect upon reduction of expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he was aware that no English translation of the Decree of Monharrem (1881) had ever been laid upon the Table of the House; and if, in view of the importance of the document, he would lay it in English, together with the other Papers promised in connection with the Baghdad Railway?

An English translation of the Decree of Monharrem, together with a translation of the "Décret Annexe" of 1903, which modifies the former, shall be laid.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication of how soon these Papers will be laid? A considerable time has already elapsed.

Yes, Sir. There is a great deal of translation to be done. I think, as I said on Tuesday, about the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the question of perpetual leases would be dealt with in the new Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, or in a separate agreement?

The question of perpetual leases will be dealt with in a separate agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a new Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty has been signed by His Majesty's Government?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if British India and certain other Colonies and Dependencies would be excluded from the operation of the new Anglo-Japanese commercial treaty, and, if so, for what reason?

I would refer the hon. Member to Article 26 of the new Anglo-Japanese Treaty, which has just been issued.

If they do not adhere to the treaty will there be a statutory tariff with Japan, or will they, under the operation of the most-favoured-nation clause, secure the same advantages, so far as the tariff is concerned, as this country does?

I must ask the hon. Member to give notice of that question.

Has my right hon. Friend any reason to believe that the Colonies would submit to any commercial treaties imposed upon them by the Imperial Government, or would submit to the commercial terms which are involved in this treaty for the Home Government?

I think if the hon. Member will refer to Article 26 he will see that it provides ample liberty. I do not think the suggestion in the question arises now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will say in what part of M. Renault's Report, and on what page of the Blue Book Cd. 4554, any reference is made to the correct translation of the French words in Article 49 of the Declaration of London—peut compromettre le succès des opérations—and whether the only reference in that Report to the correct translation of the French of Article 49 is in regard to the words—peut compromettre la sécurité du bâtiment de guerre?

The only direct reference is as stated, but the hon. Member must be aware that the word "compromettre" occurs only once in the article, and that it refers both to the ship and to the operations. In so far as the Report of the Conference indicates the proper English translation of one of the phrases of which the word "compromettre" forms the essential part, it naturally affects the translation of both the phrases grammatically dependent from the same verb.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the context of the word "compromettre" is different in the two cases?

I do not think it is. I think it is the same, and therefore it is properly translated by the same expression.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the American translations of these words are?

I think the American version is the same, but I am not certain. I ask the hon. Member to give notice. I think in these two instances it is the same.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the passage in M. Renault's Report, on page 49 of the Blue Book, Cd. 4554, which states that the true destination of conditional contraband will usually be more or less concealed, that the captor must prove it in order to justify their capture, that in the absence of the presumptions contained in Article 34 the destination is presumed to be innocent, and that this is the ordinary law, according to which the captor must prove the illicit character of the goods which he claims to capture; and whether, in view of this statement, reliance can be placed on the statement of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Baltic, on the 15th March, 1911, that the past practice has been to throw the burden of proof as to the destination of conditional contraband on the owners of the captured vessel or goods?

I must point out that to speak of "M. Renault's Report" is an incorrect and misleading description of the Report of the Conference. Hitherto the ordinary law as administered by Prize Courts has not placed the burden of proof upon the captor: that the been the case, for instance, in the Russian Prize Courts and in our own. The Declaration of London for the first time establishes the general rule that the burden of proof lies on the captor, and it is to this that the Report refers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman refer to any authority which tells us that in ordinary cases the burden of proof in such matters is not on the captor but upon the owner of the captured boat?

I am informed that has been the case in the Russian Courts, and even in our own Prize Courts.

Is there any authoritative statement on the subject in any book?

Of course, the important thing in these matters is the practice of the Prize Courts. We find that the practice of the Russian Prize Courts and the British Prize Courts is what I have said, and that is a strong indication of what the rule is.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he would ascertain from the official auditors' reports and state the number of instances in the last six years in which the Mullingar District Asylum Committee, the Mullingar District Council, and the Mullingar Board of Guardians, respectively, in giving a contract rejected a lower tender and accepted a higher, with, in the case of each institution, the number of instances in which the special reason stated was to help an Irish industry, and the number of instances in which an Irish product was rejected and a non-Irish one at a higher price accepted?

From the auditor's reports it appears that for the years ended March, 1906 and 1907 the Mullingar Rural District Council, and for the years ended March, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908 the Mullingar Board of Guardians accepted unnecessarily high tenders for the supply of books, forms, and other articles, and that when auditing each half-year's accounts the auditor surcharged the amount of the loss against the members who voted for the higher tender. These amounts were recovered and lodged to the credit of the accounts. The auditor's reports do not contain the information asked for in the remainder of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners pay no attention to allegations of duress under which tenants are forced to sign purchase agreements at exorbitant prices; whether their minutes show that, though the allegation is frequent, it is overruled without inquiry and the exorbitant prices enforced in almost every instance; whether they will make any inquiry into the three cases on the Levenge estate, Westmeath, in which they are aware that duress is being practised at the present time; and whether they will see that the grass farm of Tubberquill on that estate is, under the sale, made available to the small neighbouring tenants who signed purchase agreements subject to this being done?

Before that question is dealt with may I ask whether it will be answered as the matter is sub judice. When we ask similar questions we are told they are in reference to subjects which are sub judice.

I do not think my answer will refer to anything which is sub judice. There is no foundation for the allegation in the first paragraph of the question, nor are the Commissioners aware of the duress alleged to be practised on the Levenge estate. The cases of certain tenants on that estate who have not signed purchase agreements are engaging their attention at present. The Estates Commissioners are in communication with the vendor's solicitors as to the lands at present in the occupation of the vendor.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners in administering Land Purchase Acts have any regard to a local want and an exceptional opportunity for satisfying it; if so, whether he will explain how it is that while in some cases of tenanted land suitable for distribution, but not offered for sale, they communicate with both landlord and tenant, get them to sell their respective interests simultaneously, and distribute the land, in the case of nonresidential farms on the Gradwell estate, Westmeath, publicly offered for sale by the tenant, Mr. M'Culloch, the Commissioners refuse to ask the landlord to join in the sale, and the land is about to pass from the neighbouring congested people to a rancher; and, if this is not the policy of the Government, whether he will see that the land is purchased and distributed under the Acts passed for that purpose?

The powers of the Estates Commissioners are limited to the purchase of land in fee simple, and they have no power to purchase a tenant's interest nor, having regard to the statutory authority under which they act, can they bid at public auctions such as that referred to. If the owner purchases the tenant's interest in the lands referred to in the question, and offers the lands as untenanted to the Commissioners, they will consider the question of acquiring them for purposes of distribution.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Estates Commissioners are at present acquiring from both tenant and landlord land in the same neighbourhood in which this is situated?

If they are, they are buying the fee simple from the landlord.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that the Tonlagee Farm, county Roscommon, estate of Mr. John Beirne, Ballinasloe, has been purchased by the Congested Districts Board; that the sale has been pending since 1907; would he state if Mr. Beirne has accepted the offer of the Board; if so, does the Board refuse to take up possession according to agreement; and what is the cause?

The Congested Districts Board have been negotiating for the sale of this estate for some time. The owner refused an offer made by the Board, but an offer made on the 5th January last has been accepted, and arrangements are now being made by the Board for taking possession.

asked whether the tenants of Mr. W. H. O'Sullivan, of Bantry, residing at Breenymore, Bantry, have memorialised the Congested Districts Board with a view to the purchase of their holdings, and with what result; whether the tenants of Mr. W. H. O'Sullivan, residing at Rooska, Bantry, have requested the Congested Districts Board to negotiate for the purchase of their holdings; if so, with what result; and, if Mr. O'Sullivan has refused, will the Congested Districts Board put the compulsory clauses of the Purchase Act of 1909 into operation in order to compel Mr. O'Sullivan to sell his interest in the holdings of the tenants referred to?

The Congested Districts Board have not received a memorial from the tenants in respect of the lands at Breenymore, county Cork, on the estate of Mr. O'Sullivan, but they have received a memorial from the tenants residing on the lands of Rooska, on the same estate. The owner was written to by the Board with a view to negotiating for a sale, but no reply has been received. The question of putting the compulsory clauses of the Act of 1909 into force in this case hat not been considered by the Board.

asked in view of the knowledge of the Estates Commissioners that their indifference to duress facilitates its practice, what evidence the Commissioners require before they investigate an allegation of duress; whether a letter from, or on behalf of, the vendor threatening seizure for arrears and contingent eviction unless his terms are accepted would be sufficient when a tenant is presented with the choice of losing his home or signing an agreement to purchase at a price which all parties know the holding cannot repay; which do the Government and the Commissioners prefer he should do; if the former, will he be reinstated and compensated; and, if the latter, will the holding be valued and the price reduced to the value?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that when dealing with an estate in order of priority they inquire into any allegation that any tenant had been induced to sign an agreement to purchase his holding by duress or other improper means, and take such action as they consider the circumstances of the case require.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state why the vesting orders have not been issued on the Ashbrook estate, at Carrigkittle, Kilteely, county Limerick, as the agreements were signed in November, 1905; and, in view of the fact that the tenants on an adjoining estate, who did not purchase until 1906, have received their vesting orders, will steps be taken to have the above sale completed, and thus bring some advantage to the tenants, who have been paying at the rate of 4 per cent. since 1905?

The purchase agreements in this estate were lodged with the Estate Commissioners in January, 1906. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority, but when so reached it will be dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Sergeant Sharp, Royal Irish Constabulary, of Wood-lawn, county Galway, has recently asked a railway porter named Coen to withdraw his children from the National School of which Mrs. Cahill is principal teacher; whether Sergeant Sharp informed Coen that if he did not do so his son would cease to be employed by Lord Ashtown; whether Lord Ashtown about two years ago called at the office of the Commissioners of National Education in Dublin and reported Mrs. Cahill for an alleged violation of rules; whether in consequence the Commissioners caused an inquiry to be held; whether Mrs. Cahill was, after a full investigation, declared not to have infringed the rules; and whether, as Sergeant Sharp is accused of transgression of duty in this matter, he will cause a constabulary inquiry to be held into it?

I am informed that Sergeant Sharp has not at any time spoken to Coen about the attendance of his children at any school. In 1909 Lord Ashtown called at the office of the Commissioners of National Education and reported that certain children had been withdrawn from the Woodlawn National School, and suggested that an inspector should be sent down to ascertain the cause. After full inquiry, the Commissioners decided that no action need be taken in the matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has made inquiry; and, if not, will he inquire of the manager?

I have not heard of it before, but I will inquire.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Constable Cronin, of the Dublin metropolitan police, who was so seriously injured in the discharge of his duty on the 4th of May last that he has since been compulsorily retired from the service; whether he is aware that this man, whose injuries necessitated the amputation of his right leg, has been offered a pension of 6s. weekly, subsequently raised to 8s. weekly, after protest by the injured man; whether he is aware that the police authorities have issued, and continue to issue, a circular promising to intending recruits a full pension in the case of malicious injury; and whether, in all the circumstances of the case, he will have the matter fully inquired into?

As I have already pointed out, in reply to the questions on this subject on 3rd April, Cronin has received the highest pension which the law allows in the circumstances of his case. In the case of a constable of less than fifteen years' service full pay can only be awarded in a case other than a case of accidental injury?

asked what was the grant from the Exchequer for primary education in Ireland for the year ended the 31st March, 1910; the number of pupils on the rolls of the schools managed by the National Board for the same period; the number of pupils on the rolls of schools not under the control of the National Board; the average grant from the Treasury per pupil on the rolls; the average grant per head of the population; what was the number of pupils on the rolls of secondary schools, and the grant they received from the Exchequer for the same period; and how these figures compare with the corresponding figures for England and Scotland?

I am not at present in a position to give the information asked for in the question, but if the hon. Member wishes to move for a Return I will consider whether it may be possible to grant it.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has made himself acquainted with the official promises given to national teachers in 1900, that no teacher then in the service should suffer solely from the raising of the average attendance of pupils; whether the Commissioners of National Education are aware of the continued decline of population where the ranching system prevails, and the consequent impossibility of maintaining an average; whether they have received memorials from teachers showing the loss of assistants, of status, and of merited promotion owing to this cause, over which the teachers have no control; whether he is aware that teachers of good record are threatened with further diminution of income on this ground alone; and whether he can give any assurance that, in the case of teachers in the service prior to 1900, the promises of that year and the general practice in the Civil Service will be observed, and no reduction of the teachers' income made in respect of average alone?

The average attendance warranting payment of salaries to national teachers has not been raised since 1900. On the contrary, the average attendance in the case of assistant teachers has been lowered. As I have already informed the hon. Member the payment of teachers since 1900 has been according to an entirely different scale and different conditions from those obtaining prior to 1900, and the new system has improved the position of national teachers materially. No system of payments could be devised that would prevent occasional hardship in individual cases, owing to a falling off in the population of the country and a consequent decline in the average attendance at the schools.

Does the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance on the last clause of the question?

No.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, having regard to the date of Easter and to the absence from home of many teachers who will be attending the National Teachers' Congress at Belfast on 18th April, he will request the Commissioners of National Education to despatch the warrants for payment of teachers' salaries not later than 12th April, so that they can be cashed by the teachers before leaving for the congress?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that it is proposed to issue the money orders to the managers of schools on Thursday 13th instant in all regular cases where the school returns and claims for payment are furnished in due time. It is not practicable to have the orders for payment ready for issue at an earlier date.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will ask the Congested Districts Board to institute inquiries in connection with the injury caused to the fishing industry and danger to fishermen's lives by a wrecked coal boat lying as a derelict on the fishing grounds situate between Beale Head and Ballylongford, North Kerry; and whether, in view of the continued injury and danger caused, the Congested Districts Board will take immediate action for the protection of the fishing industry as well as the lives of the men engaged therein?

The Congested Districts Board have no information as to the wreck referred to. Inquiries will be made, but the case does not appear to be one in which the Board would be likely to intervene.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Congested Districts Board or the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) to send an inspector to inquire into and report as to the great danger caused by the wreck?

I will see first what the Congested Districts Board says.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention has been called to the statement in the general Report on Irish, published in the Appendix to the Seventy-sixth Report of the Commissioners of National Education, that very often the time available for teaching Irish in national schools is wasted or frittered away unprofitably; and if he will consider the advisability of abolishing the payment of fees for teaching Irish as an extra subject, and using the money so saved to remove the limitation as to the number of teachers who can receive first-grade pay, and to promote the health and comfort of the children by making a grant for the heating and cleansing of the national schools?

My attention has been called to the statement referred to. The Commissioners of National Education do not hold themselves responsible for the opinion expressed in the general reports of their inspectors, but at the same time they can see nothing in the statement that would warrant them in recommending the abolition of the payment of fees for Irish as an extra subject. These fees are paid only when Irish is taught in a satisfactory manner. The money granted for the encouragement of instruction in the Irish language cannot be used for other purposes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that an extra fee will be paid for teaching French as an additional subject?

No.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Education authorities in Ireland as well as in England agree that the teaching of the language of a country is the first and most important element of teaching?

I think if the hon. Member reads the report referred to he will find that, although the inspector criticises in some respects the manner in which Irish is taught, he is perfectly agreed that it is a most valuable thing to be taught.

Is the policy of the Commissioners to teach Irish at considerable expense to the country, and to allow the children to proceed to schools to learn other subjects which are not in a fit sanitary condition and ill-heated for the reception of children?

The sanitary condition of the schools does not arise out of the question.

asked whether the Commissioners of National Education propose to grant additional holidays to Irish schools under their administration in respect of the Coronation and their Majesties' visit to Ireland; and, if so, whether, in view of the convenience to teachers and parents, they will make an early announcement of their intentions?

The Commissioners of National Education have decided to allow managers to close their schools on 22nd and 23rd June and on 10th and 11th July. An early intimation to this effect will be made to the managers.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the people of Cahirciveen for many years have been clamouring for an improved water supply, the present dearth of water being a danger to the public health; that the Local Government Board, on 19th December, 1909, held a sworn inquiry into the matter, and, as a result of the inquiry, gave notice to the rural district council that they would put into force their compulsory powers under the Public Health Act unless the council should proceed at once to provide a water supply; whether he is aware that, on 13th December, 1910, the Local Government Board issued a sealed order to the rural district council defining the area of charge, and that, although the council have laid the plans of Mr. Hick-son, C.E., before the Local Government Board, and requested them to sanction a loan, nothing has since been done; and can he say when serious action will be taken in the matter, in view of the approach of the summer months and the failure of the water supply, which will be inadequate during the summer months?

The facts are as stated in the question, except that the date of the default inquiry was the 16th, not the 19th, December, 1909. The plan of the reservoir has been received by the Local Government Board, but the rural district council have not yet submitted their application for a loan, although reminded on the 14th March that they should do so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is yet in a position to state the rateable valuation of the farm now held by the Estates Commissioners, acquired by them from Messrs. Payne on the Pollock estate; and the rateable valuation of the farm given in exchange on the Crofton estate in county Roscommon?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that they have not got particulars of the separate Poor Law valuation of the farm referred to, but will make inquiries. As I have already informed the hon. Member the Poor Law valuation of the lands of Ballybeg allotted to the Messrs. Payne on the Crofton estate is £389.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the difficulty of ascertaining the valuation of this farm?

It was part of a larger valuation, and there is some difficulty in making the proper apportionment in order to see how much belonged to the actual holding.

Was not the whole of the farm acquired by the Commissioners?

No; the difficulty arises from the fact that that was not so.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at Cloughjordan, county Tipperary, on the fair-day about three weeks ago, a party of Gospel preachers were addressing the crowd in the street when the parish priest, the Rev. M. Costigan, came upon the scene and ordered them to desist; that when the preachers paid no attention to him he forced his way through the crowd and struck one of them with his stick or umbrella; that, urged on by the priest's example, someone in the crowd struck one of the preachers a blow with a stone, inflicting a wound on the head; and that two or three policemen were witnesses of the whole proceedings and made no attempt to interfere or to arrest the priest or the man who threw the stone; and will he say whether any arrests have been made since, and what proceedings it is proposed to take against the Rev. M. Costigan?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether these preachers drove from fourteen miles away from another town called Roscrea and forced themselves into a crowd of people who were transacting their business at a fair, and who were entirely Catholic, and whether they made use of words which offended these people very much?

I will answer the question on the Paper. The Inspector-General informs me that a party of Gospel preachers addressed the crowd in the streets of Cloughjordan on 13th March. A fair was in progress at the time. The Rev. M. Costigan came on the scene and sent away a few people who were listening to the preachers. He pushed his way through the crowd, but the police who were present did not observe him strike any of the preachers with a stick or umbrella. A crowd gathered, and much excitement prevailed, and one stone was thrown which struck one of the preachers on the temple, inflicting a slight wound, but the police cannot say who threw the stone. No arrests were made, and there is not sufficient evidence for a prosecution. With regard to the question put to me, I think the whole House will agree that a fair in a Catholic community is not quite the place to choose for preaching.

Is it not the fact that it is the practice of these itinerant preachers in Ireland to address open-air meetings in Catholic districts, while in Protestant districts meetings are held in tents and halls, and whether in the course of these open-air meetings they use grossly and unnecessarily offensive expressions with regard to the Catholic faith?

I cannot answer for the usual practice of itinerant preachers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that these men who are only preaching the Gospel after all, and are doing what they conscientiously believe to be right, will receive adequate protection, and if he has had other instances of this intolerance brought to his knowledge?

I do not think, for a considerable time at all events, I have had my attention called to a disturbance of this kind, but anyone must know that it is impossible to lay down general rules, but the obligation of keeping the peace must be observed by both sides.

Is it denied that this parish priest struck the preacher across the face with a stick or umbrella?

Yes; it is denied by the police.

The police did not see it.

The rev. gentleman himself also denied it.

He did not say it.

It is so at all events.

asked whether, with the purpose of having things sold for what they really are, and in view of the dissatisfaction prevailing in Ireland at the present state of the law, the Government will grant facilities for passing a Bill for the compulsory marking of imported frozen and chilled meat into Ireland?

I cannot promise any facilities for the passing of this Bill.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a tenant has been evicted within the past year on the Thompson-Orpin estate, Balluduff, county Waterford; that two other evictions are pending; and that nearly all the tenants on this estate sent a memorial to the Estates Commissioners a year ago point-out that it comes within the definition of congested townlands under the Irish Land Act of 1909, and asking the Estates Commissioners to take steps under that Act to compel a sale; whether the Estates Commissioners have considered this memorial; whether they propose to make a further delay before dealing with it; and whether they will now direct one of their inspectors to investigate the circumstances of the estate under the powers conferred on them by the Act of 1909?

The Estates Commissioners have no information as to evictions on this estate. They received the memorial referred to and have the matter at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the following persons, namely, Anne Ganly, Bridget Nilan, Mary Melvin, Margaret Melvin, Henry Mara, Margaret M'Dermottroe, and Honor Winston, all of whom are over seventy years of age, who are resident in the infirmary of Castlerea Workhouse and paying their full cost of maintenance, have been refused their applications for old age pensions; and whether he will state the grounds upon which this refusal was made?

No appeals have been received in these cases, and the Local Government Board have no information regarding them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury why Michael Fahey, of Erry Armstrong, Clara, has been refused a pension; is he aware that this man's mother died as far back as 28th March, 1844; has he seen a death certificate by Father Michael Bracken to this effect, and that Michael Fahey was at the date referred to five years old; and will he have the whole circumstances of this case reviewed?

I am informed that Michael Fahey has been granted a pension of 5s. a week as from the 24th of last month.

asked what steps, if any, have been taken to secure the reinstatement of Thomas Gill, an evicted tenant on the Orpen estate, near Kilgarvan, county Kerry?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Thomas Gill for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the estate referred to, but, as the application was not received within the period mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, it could not be dealt with under that Act. Gill's application will be considered by the Commissioners when they are dealing with this estate which is the subject of proceedings under the Land Purchase Acts.

When will the estate actually be dealt with? Will it be within the next year or so?

I will find out,

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite it?

As far as I can.

asked what was the date in each of the years between 1902 and 1907 on which the required annual conference was held between the chief inspector of national schools and the various local inspectors of the Galway circuit?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked by the hon. Member for South Wexford on this subject on 6th March.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the 24th ultimo a resolution was unanimously adopted by the Irish County Councils General Council, protesting against the scheme for the administration of the grant for the improvement of Irish roads, mainly on the grounds of the inadequacy of the sum proposed to be allocated to Ireland; and, if so, whether, in view of the statements embodied in the resolution, he will institute an inquiry with the view of Ireland receiving her due share of the grant provided by the Act?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a similar question asked on the 3rd April by the hon. Member for North Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on 23rd May, 1910, a memorial signed by a number of small farmers or cottiers residing in the parish of Tubercurry, county Sligo, was sent to the Congested Districts Board pointing out that there were a number of non-residential grazing ranches in the district suitable for the enlargement of small holdings, and praying that, as the district was one of the most congested in Ireland, the owners of these waste lands be approached with the view of purchase; whether he is aware that on 26th May, 1910, the Congested Districts Board, in acknowledging the receipt of the memorial, asked for information as to the names of the landlords and occupiers of the lands referred to in the memorial; whether such information was supplied; and, if so, whether these landlords have since been approached, or any steps taken to have congestion relieved in this congested district?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that as a result of the correspondence referred to by the hon. Member they have given directions for the valuation of the Hugh-Mossman Estate with a view to its purchase. Mrs. Howley, who was formerly a tenant on this estate, has already signed an agreement to purchase from the Estates Commissioners, and this land is therefore not available for the purposes of the Board. The estate of Miss Nicholson is being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners, and the estates of Captain Cooper and the representatives of the late Mr. Walker have not been offered to the Board.

asked what is the cause of the delay in reinstating Mr. Maurice Barry, Lougher, Annascawl, county Kerry, evicted tenant on the Ventry estate?

When the estate referred to is vested by the Congested Districts Board they will consider the claims of the representatives of Mr. Maurice Barry for reinstatement.

Am I to understand that this evicted tenant is not to be reinstated until the estate is vested?

Until the estate is vested it will be impossible to reinstate him.

Is it not the fact that it is the Estates Commissioners and not the Congested Districts Board who have to deal with the reinstatement of evicted tenants, and will he ask them to deal with this?

I will ask them to, but they can only do it by arrangement with the purchaser.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mr. Patrick Scott, J.P., of Scribbagh Garrison, county Fermanagh, is the same person that has repeatedly been fined for drunkenness in Belleek Petty Sessions court, in which he now adjudicates, and elsewhere in the county; in particular was he so fined at Belleek in May, 1909, and at Enniskillen on the 29th November, 1910; and will he suggest to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland the desirability of relieving Mr. Scott of his duties as a justice?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that Mr. Patrick Scott is not in the ordinary Commission of Peace, but became an ex-officio magistrate for the county Fermanagh, in October, 1909, by virtue of his election to the office of chairman of the Ballyshannon No. 2 Rural District Council. On 29th November, 1910, Mr. Scott was brought before a magistrate out of Petty Sessions at Enniskillen, and was fined in the sum of 1s. on a charge of intoxication. That matter was reported to the Lord Chancellor, and, having considered the circumstances of the case, he did not consider it incumbent upon him to remove Mr. Scott from the magistracy. No other charge of intoxication appears to have been brought against Mr. Scott since he became a magistrate, and a conviction for intoxication prior to the election of a chairman of a council, and his becoming a magistrate, has never been regarded as a ground for interference.

Are there not in that particular locality hundreds and thousands of respectable people fit to be justices of the peace, and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this man is removed, and someone of respectability put in his place?

That is a matter entirely for the Lord Chancellor, and not for me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Estimates each year are seriously increased by having to take away from this class of magistrates the cases which are put before them, in order to have a fair trial in Belfast?

I do not know why we should, on account of this one act of impropriety assume anything as to this Gentleman's general conduct.

asked whether the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities have issued directions to take extracts from the Census returns and copy them into a book called the Householders' Register; and, if so, why this has been done, seeing that the Census Act and the regulations made under it direct that the returns shall be treated as confidential and that any enumerator who discloses any information such as is required above is liable to a severe penalty?

No such directions have been issued. It is the practice to revise annually the Register of Householders which is kept at each Constabulary Station in Ireland, and advantage is taken of the necessary visits of the police in connection with the preparation of the Annual Agricultural Statistics, and of the present Census, to obtain information for this Register. Nothing of a confidential nature in connection with the Census is disclosed by the enumerators.

Will advantage also be taken to ask those interested householders whether they are in favour of Home Rule, or not?

No; I do not propose to.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Major John M'Bride, an official in the employment of the Dublin Corporation, in the course of a lecture on the 29th March last at the Sinn Fein Offices, Harcourt Street, Dublin, stated that though the sword had fallen from their hands at present they hoped to pick it up again, and they would not stop until they had swept away every vestige of the British Empire, and that they should strike how they might and when they might against the Throne and the British Empire and for the freedom of Ireland; and whether any, and, if so, what steps he and the Irish Law Officers of the Crown have taken against this person for sedition?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to similar questions on this subject.

Is it the intention of the Government to send a police note-taker to the next lecture that Major M'Bride gives?

If when the police receive notice of this intelligent gentleman's intention to deliver a lecture, I should not at all be surprised if a note-taker was one of his audience.

asked the Chief Secretary if the Royal Irish Constabulary are or have been acting as bailiffs in the eviction of town tenants; and, if so, will he give orders that they are not to be so employed?

The Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851, Section 15, Subsection 3, empowers magistrates to issue their warrants to the police in such cases. When this is done the police carry out the duty imposed on them.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have authorised the statement that they are willing to advance loans of £50 to be repaid in fifty years by an annual payment of £1 8s. 6d.; if so, whether these loans are granted only in the congested counties, or are all agricultural occupiers whose valuation is under £7 entitled to them; and what are the conditions and purposes for which such loans are granted?

The Congested Districts Board have approved of a scheme under which a loan of £50 can be obtained for the erection of a dwelling house with slated roof, repayable in fifty years by instalments of £1 8s. 6d. a year. The scheme only applies to the Congested Districts Counties, and is confined to tenant purchasers of agricultural holdings, the rateable valuation of which does not exceed £7.

asked what are the total expenses of the Land Commission and the Estates Commissioners, respectively, for each of the last five preceding years?

The expenses of the land purchase side and the fair rent side of the Land Commission are not kept separately and cannot be precisely estimated. Many officers of the Land Commission perform duties relating to both sides.

Will it not be convenient in future if the expenses of the two Departments are set out separately?

I will see whether that can be done.

asked the Prime Minister whether the present actuarial inquiry into the financial relations between Great Britain and Ireland will adopt as established the conclusions of the Financial Relations Commission; whether it will extend over the whole period since the Act of Union or only since that Commission; whether it is restricted to the actual public cash transactions between the two countries, or will take account of such things as the preponderance of public expenditure in one country as compared with the other, and the drain of rent, and now of purchase money, out of Ireland to absentee landlords; about what time its Report is expected; whether it will be accompanied by' sufficient data to enable business people to check its conclusions; and whether, in this matter affecting every class and section of the Irish population, he undertakes that there shall be no secret bargains with individuals, and that all information proper to be given to any shall be given at the same time and as fully to all Irish representatives?

This question proceeds upon an entire misapprenhension as to the character and purport of the inquiry referred to. The Committee is a purely advisory body for the sole benefit of the Cabinet, and, as it is not intended to publish any report, no information concerning its operations can be given. The names of the persons composing the Committee will, I expect, be made public before the end of the week.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in April, 1903, a detailed answer was given by the Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty's Government, in reply to a question askng for information as regards the nature of the proposals which had been made to His Majesty's Government on the subject of the Baghdad Railway; will he state whether any proposals or suggestions have recently been made by any foreign Government to His Majesty's Government on the same subject; if so, will he state their nature; and, in view of the political and commercial considerations involved by the construction of this railway, will he give the House an opportunity of discussing any proposals which may be made before they receive the consent of His Majesty's Government, thus following the precedent set in 1903?

The statement in 1903 was apparently made when negotiations were in a very much more advanced stage than is the case with the present negotiations. It would not be desirable to make a statement at present.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of having a Return submitted showing the number of plural voters in each Constituency in England and Wales?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I have considered this proposal before, but I am advised that it would be impossible to give such a return. The Register for any Constituency does not show which of the electors has a vote in another Constituency. It would be an impossible task to compare each name in each register with each name in every other register; and it would be equally impossible to make special inquiry with regard to each of the 7,000,000 names on the Registers.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is not in consequence a great deal of exaggeration made about the plural voters in the country?

May I ask whether it would not be a comparatively easy task to give these particulars in regard to each constituency?

I am told it is not at all easy to give the information, but I think there is no doubt about the conclusions which could be drawn from the information, however obtained.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will make a beginning by giving us the figures for the Universities and the City of London?

asked whether, seeing that the Imperial questions of common interest which are to be brought up at the coming Imperial Conference cannot be adequately discussed without the share of India being at the same time considered, especially in the case of questions concerning combination for Imperial defence, and in view of the fact that the Premier of New Zealand has stated that he intends to bring up at the Conference the question of an Imperial Navy, the Government will consider the advisability of the direct representation of the Government of India by their own representatives, and also by expert opinion to determine the interests and the share of India in Imperial Naval defence.

Under the Resolution with regard to the Constitution of the Conference agreed to at the last Conference only Ministers can be members of the Conference, and the Secretary of State for India will attend when his presence is required.

asked who are the persons known as the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, and if these Commissioners have any power or authority to examine the accounts of the old sinking fund to see that the moneys properly payable to that fund are in fact collected are paid to that fund, and paid over to them for the purpose of redeeming the National Debt?

The National Debt Commissioners are:—

The Speaker of the House of Commons,

The Chancellor of the Exchequer,

The Lord Chief Justice of England,

The Master of the Rolls,

The Paymaster-General,

The Governor and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England,

and their powers and functions are governed by the Acts 26 Geo. 3 c. 31, 48 Geo. 3, c. 142, and numerous subsequent statutes. These functions are as regards the Sinking Funds mainly confined to the application for the purpose of redemption of debt of sums issued to them by the Treasury under various Acts. The duty of seeing that these issues are duly made rests not with the Commissioners but with the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

May I ask if these Commissioners ever meet, and if they do, when was the last occasion on which they met? May I ask further, whether their powers are strictly limited to receiving money and extinguishing national debt, or whether they have any power to look into this fund?

I have given the hon. Gentleman references to the statutes in which he will find all their powers enumerated. There has been no meeting of these gentlemen within my recollection.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in what manner they have power to make a protest?

I can only say to the Noble Lord, as I have already informed the hon. Gentleman opposite, that he will find all their powers in the statutes I have enumerated.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state how many agricultural schools have been established by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland since the year 1899, the names of these schools, the capital cost of each school, the amount subsequently spent in repair or extensions in each case, the number of students each year since the establishment of each school, and the amount expended annually since the establishment of each school?

The Return promised in reply to a previous question by the hon. Member is in course of preparation by the Department of Agriculture, and on completion will be forwarded to him direct.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that I put this question a month ago, and was informed that the information would be furnished in a week?

I am not surprised.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, when arriving at the average wages of any person working for hire in a rural district for twelve months, as required by Section 93 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, amending the Labourers Acts, the inspectors of the Local Government Board accept as the basis of their calculations 365 times 2s. 6d, or fifty-two times 15s.; and can he state what were the intentions of the Government of the day in this respect when the Clause in question was considered in Committee of this House?

The Local Government Board are not aware that the question whether the total wages earned by applicants for cottages in the year should be divided by 365 or 313 to find the average per day, or by fifty-two to find the average per week, has ever been closely examined by their inspectors. The applicant is usually asked what are his weekly wages, and, according as he works six or seven days, the average per day is at once ascertained. It was stated in Committee on behalf of the Government on 8th July, 1903, that it was the average daily wage that was intended.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state the sum budgeted for by the Government of India for dealing with the plague which is now ravaging certain districts?

Provision for plague expenditure and for other sanitary and medical charges is made in the Indian Estimates under the head "Medical," for which a sum of £1,301,600 has been allotted. I am unable to give the estimate for plague expenditure separately. In addition to the provision made in the public accounts considerable sums are expended on account of plague by district boards and municipalities. In 1908–9 recurring grants aggregating £200,000 a year were made to the provincial Governments by the Government of India for expenditure on sanitary improvements with special reference to the prevention of plague. And in 1910–11 non-recurring grants aggregating £380,000 were made for the same purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the increase in mortality from plague during the cold season is due to the fact that people are then driven indoors to sleep in their plague-infested huts; and whether the Government contemplates making financial provision for the erection of sanitary houses in health camps at each of the infested districts?

The increased prevalence of plague in certain parts of India at the present time of the year is believed to be due to the fact that this is the season of greatest prevalence of rats and rat fleas. It is a well-recognised measure of precaution that on the first sign of the presence of plague the residents should evacuate their dwellings. The Government and the local authorities encourage and assist them to do this by the supply of tents and hutting materials, by erecting temporary dwellings, by providing guards for the vacated houses, and by money rewards. Expenditure on this account is included in the grants mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member's previous question. Special grants have also been made to local Governments by the Government of India for the purpose of improving general sanitary conditions, including the housing accommodation of the population.

Can the hon. Gentleman state how many people are at the present time in these health camps or sanitary houses in the plague districts?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to give notice of that question.

asked what was the cost of public education in Scotland in the year ended 31st March, 1910; what is the average cost to the Treasury per pupil on rolls; and what is the average contribution from the Treasury per head of the population for the same period?

Understanding that by "cost of public education" is meant the whole cost falling under the following main heads, the amount for the year 1909–10 is approximately £4,086,190, made up thus:—

asked the President of the Board of Education what was the number of children on the rolls in the public elementary schools of England during the year ended 31st March, 1910; the average grant from the Exchequer per pupil on the rolls for the same period; and what is the contribution for elementary education per head of the population?

I hope the hon. Member does not attach any special importance to the words "on the rolls" as it is much easier to give him the information that he desires on the basis of average attendance. I assume for the purpose of my answer that the average attendance basis will satisfy him. The total number of children in average attendance during the year ended 31st March, 1910, in public elementary schools, including "special" schools, in England and Wales was 5,384,152. The average grant from the Exchequer per pupil in average attendance during the same period was £2 1s. 4d.; and the contribution in grants from the Exchequer for elementary education was equivalent to 6s. 2d. per head of the population on the basis of "the population as estimated to-the middle of 1910."

asked the President of the Board of Education whether some members of the higher staff of his Department are recruited otherwise than by means of open competition, chiefly from graduates of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge; whether the clerical staff is recruited by means of open competition; and how many promotions have been made to the ranks of the higher staff, junior examiners and upwards, from the members of the clerical staff during the last five years?

By Treasury minutes laid before Parliament the posts of examiner and inspector under the Education Department and the Science and Art Department were placed under the operation of Clause IV. of the Superannuation Act, 1859, and the holders of these posts under the Board are thereby exempted from obtaining certificates from the Civil Service Commissioners. This was done on the understanding that persons appointed to these posts should, as a rule, have obtained high honours at one of the universities (not necessarily Oxford or Cambridge). In practice, the persons appointed have, as a rule, had educational, legal, or other experience as well, and are appointed at a later age than the limit for the Civil Service, Class L., Competitive Examination. The clerical staff are supplied by the Civil Service Commissioners, either through the open competition for second division posts or through the competition for assistant clerkships which is limited to boy clerks. One promotion of a second division clerk to a junior examinership has been made within the last five years.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that there should be an opportunity for these clerks when they are otherwise capable of receiving the higher posts in the Education Department?

Yes. I not only think so, but I have acted on that principle and the one second division clerk who was promoted to the upper division was promoted by me.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that entirely different qualities are required of those who are to act as examiners and inspectors, from those that will probably be required from second division clerks, and has it not been found by experience to be necessary to follow the practice that is adopted?

That is perfectly true, and is well recognised in all Government departments, I believe. But there are exceptional cases sometimes, and when one comes across exceptional cases, I do not think it is absolutely wise to keep the second division in an absolutely watertight compartment.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that in April, 1907, the Trustees of Hele's Charity School at Plymouth closed their establishment with the sanction of the Department on condition that application for a new scheme was promoted; whether such application was promptly made, and from that time onwards no effective action has been taken by his Department, with the result that this charity, with an income of about £540 a year, is precluded from assisting the education of poor boys in the district; and what steps are being taken by the Board to fulfil its obligations in the matter?

The Board of Education assented in April, 1907, to the closure of the charity school on the understanding that the trustees would make a formal application sufficient to enable the Board to establish the necessary scheme under the Charitable Trusts Acts for the reorganisation of the charity. No formal application was in fact made, but it has been understood that the trustees were quite ready to apply. The Board were compelled to postpone their action on this, as on numerous other cases, in view of the great pressure of similar work in connection with endowments. More recently, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, a Departmental Committee has been sitting to inquire into the administration of Educational Endowments, and the Board felt it desirable to postpone action on these matters as far as possible pending the receipt of the Committee's Report. I have now, however, given instructions that consideration of the case shall be resumed, and that steps shall be taken with a view to the preparation of a scheme as soon as the formal application is received.

Have any applications been received?

No formal application has been received.

Since April, 1907, has no application been received in the interests of this school?

No. As far as I can find no formal application has been received from this school. We cannot act without a formal application, as the Noble Lord may know.

How soon after formal application is made will the Board of Education see that the income of this charity is used towards the education of these poor boys?

As soon as formal application is made the case will be proceeded with without any delay whatever.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can give the name of the one Catholic voluntary school out of a total of 103 of all denominations which have been closed since the previous return was issued on 18th March, 1910; can he state whether any and, if so, what Catholic school has been recognised in the place of that closed; and whether there was any interval of time during which the Catholic children of the district were unable to obtain instruction in a Catholic voluntary school?

The name of the school was Thornley Roman Catholic School. It was replaced by Wingate Thornley St. Godric's Roman Catholic School. There was no interval between the closing of the one and the opening of the other.

In view of the fact that a false interpretation has been given to this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman consider, in giving returns in future, the advisability of distinguishing schools which have really been closed and schools for which other schools have been substituted?

Yes. I shall be glad to consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend. I do not know whether it can be applied in all cases. Perhaps in this case we might make it clear by a footnote.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will publish as a Parliamentary Paper the observations of the Central Welsh Board upon the Report of the Welsh Department on the work of the Central Board, with the comments of the Board of Education thereon?

I have only this week been informed that the Central Welsh Board looked for the comments of the Board of Education on the statement of the Central Welsh Board referred to in the question. When the statement reached me I obtained the observations of the Chief Inspector for Wales on it. I propose now to send down to the Central Welsh Board his minute to me which may be taken to embody the views of the Board of Education with regard to the main criticisms contained in their statement. At present, therefore, I think that to follow the course suggested in the question would be premature.

asked what the Financial Relations Commission found to be Ireland's taxable capacity in 1894–5, the amount of Imperial taxes actually paid by Ireland that year, the difference, and the amount of Imperial taxes paid by Ireland in the financial year ending 31st March, 1911?

The General Report, signed by eleven of the thirteen members of the Financial Relations Commission, states that "whilst the actual tax revenue of Ireland is about one-eleventh of that of Great Britain, the relative taxable capacity of Ireland is very much smaller, and is not estimated by any of us as exceeding one-twentieth." The separate Reports of different groups of members show, however, that there was no general consensus of opinion how relative taxable capacity should be ascertained. The amount of tax revenue contributed by Ireland in 1894–5 was £6,763,715. The total tax revenue contributed by the United Kingdom was £85,347,940, of which one-twenty-first part is £4,064,188. The figures for 1910–11 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the position of the Irish Provident Assurance Company; if this company are doing business under their own name, or have they become amalgamated with any other company; has any rule of court been made with regard to them; and whether care will be taken that the interests of policy holders who have money invested in this company will be safeguarded in the event of amalgamation or otherwise?

A society named the Irish Provident Friendly Assurance Society was registered in Ireland under the Friendly Societies Act, 1896. This society transferred its engagements to a company incorporated under the Companies Acts, named the London and Provincial Insurance Company, Limited, by Special Resolution, which was registered at the Central Office of the Registry of Friendly Societies on 19th August, 1910, in pursuance of the Friendly Societies Act, 1896, Section 71 and 75, and Treasury Regulation 47, and the registry of the society was accordingly cancelled on 22nd August, 1910. The society has thus ceased to exist, and the Registrar of Friendly Societies has no information as to the subsequent transactions of the company. I would suggest that any further inquiries should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Has any inquiry been made of the policy-holders who hold policies and have paid their money into this company to see that their interests are safeguarded?

Will the hon. Gentleman put that down on the Paper?

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether it is not a fact that agents of this company received money from policy-holders under false pretences?

I think that all that had better be put on the Paper.

asked why James Brunton, a licensed grocer in Biggar, Lanarkshire, has this year, for the first time since his father built the premises in 1885, been charged Licence Duty by the Inland Revenue Commissioners for a store and stable situated 100 yards down the street from his shop?

I am making some inquiries into this case, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury 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 beg to refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for St. Austell's.

asked why young men of inexperience in the Inland Revenue have received great increases in salary by promotion to positions of the work of which they have had but slight knowledge, seeing that they have been promoted over the heads of experienced men of twenty-five to thirty years of service, who have to supply the technical knowledge these specially promoted men lack, and that the promotion of the older men would have meant a considerable saving to the Revenue?

Promotions in the Inland Revenue Department are made on merit, and I am unable to accept the assumption contained in the hon. Member's question.