asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state in what year the present conditions as to the sale and transfer of Consols were made; and whether, in view of the exception taken to the present method of transfer, etc., he will take steps to bring the conditions of sale and transfer into line with modern requirements?

The system of transfer by entry in the books of the Bank of England was first introduced in connection with a Government loan raised in 1714 (afterwards redeemed), and was subsequently applied to the various loans afterwards consolidated into Three per Cent. Consolidated Stock (now Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Consolidated Stock) with regard to which stock it has been in operation since the stock was first introduced. The question of introducing a different method of transfer, either as an alternative to or in substitution for, the present method, is under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the date on which it is proposed to introduce the Finance Bill?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for North-East Manchester last Wednesday.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way in the forthcoming Budget to make an allowance in respect of the duties on male servants and carriages employed and kept by medical practitioners for the purposes of their profession, similar to the allowance they at present enjoy in regard to motor cars?

I cannot make any announcement with regard to proposals to modify taxation in anticipation of the usual financial statement of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state why the Treasury cannot furnish the number of persons in the United Kingdom and Ireland who are liable to pay the Super-tax on incomes between £5,000 and £10,000 per annum, £10,000 and £15,000, £15,000 and £20,000, £20,000 and £25,000, £25,000 and £30,000, £30,000 and £35,000, £35,000 and £40,000, £40,000 and £45,000, £45,000 and £50,000, £50,000 and £60,000, £60,000 and £70,000, £70,000 and £80,000, £80,000 and £90,000, £90,000 and £100,000, £100,000 and £120,000, £120,000 and £130,000, £130,000 and £140,000, £140,000 and £150,000, and the number over £150,000 per annum, the numbers given for those between £5,000 and £10,000 of course including those who pay on larger incomes; and whether steps will be taken to render such information available in future?

It would, in any case, be impossible to furnish statistics, which would not subsequently require considerable qualification; and my right hon. Friend is not prepared to give any undertaking to take the steps referred to in the concluding part of the question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state who I as been appointed secretary to the Development Commissioners; what his length of public service is; what his knowledge and qualifications for the position are; and what is the salary attaching to the post?

Mr. H. E. Dale, who has been appointed secretary to the Development Commission, entered the Civil Service in 1898 as a clerk in the Colonial Office. The salary of the present post is £1,000 a year. Mr. Dale had a distinguished academic career, and I am satisfied that he is well qualified to be the secretary of the Commissioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the following information in regard to Mr. N. F. W. Fisher, who is to be appointed a Special Commissioner of Income Tax: when he entered the Civil Service; what class he entered; his age on entry; his commencing salary; when he was appointed private secretary to the chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, and what special ability he had shown to merit that promotion; what was his position and salary at the time he was selected for a Special Commissioner; why he has been selected for that position; what his salary in that position will be; and is he a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge?

The information desired by the hon. Member is as follows:—Mr. Fisher entered the Civil Service on the 24th October, 1903, as a first division clerk at the age of 24 years, with a commencing salary of £150 per annum. He was appointed private secretary to the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue on the 18th June, 1908. The appointment of his private secretary is a personal matter concerning the Chairman, in which my right hon. friend has no voice. At the time of his selection to be a Special Commissioner he was a committee clerk in the Inland Revenue Department at a salary of £625, on the scale of £600—£800; he was selected on merit. The scale of salary of the post is £850: £25: £1,000. Mr. Fisher is a graduate of Oxford.

Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain Commissioners of Income Tax have assessed at the unearned rate incomes which are known to them to be wholly earned, and have made retrospective assessments of this kind against which appeal is in terms of the statute impossible, the assessment being made after the date prescribed for appeals; and whether he will make provision against the continuance of such assessments?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of a specific case, I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Treasury, when asked by the National Education Board for Ireland to start a scheme of higher grade schools in Ireland similar to those in England and Scotland, actually reduced the Education Estimate for the coming year by over £3,000, while for England and Scotland there is an increase of nearly half a million; and, if so large an increase can be found for English and Scotch education, why cannot the small sum necessary to start such a scheme be found for Ireland?

I must refer the hon. Member to my replies to him on the 4th instant, and to the hon. Member for Birr on the 5th instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total amount of Income Tax payable before the 31st March last has been delayed in collection until the year 1911–12 by the request to railway companies and others sent out by the Treasury; whether he will state the name of the official to blame, and what punishment has been administered to that official; and whether he will introduce legislation to restore to the Sinking Fund the money which it has lost by this transaction?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Baronet's question is that no such request was sent out by the Treasury. As regards the second part of the question, I beg to refer him to my answer of the 3rd instant. With reference to his concluding inquiry, I am not in a position to anticipate the Budget proposals of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds the claim to an old age pension has been rejected in the case of Mary Sullivan, Cahirnageeha, in the parish of Cahirdaniel, county Kerry?

In July, 1909, the Local Government Board allowed a question raised by the pension officer on the ground that Mary Sullivan had not reached the statutory age. She has since made another claim, which is at present being investigated by the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that boards of guardians in Ireland have expressed dissatisfaction owing to the fact that they can claim no part of an old age pension in respect to a pensioner's maintenance; and whether the Government has any intention of amending Section 3 of the Old Age Pensions Act with a view to allowing boards of guardians to take charge of persons who are eligible for an old age pension?

I am aware that many boards of guardians have expressed dissatisfaction as suggested in the question. It is not intended at present to amend the Old Age Pensions Act.

asked whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been drawn to the application of Mrs. Daniel O'Leary, Shelburne Street, Kenmare, for compensation arising out of her eviction from her farm at Shandrum, Kilgarvan; has the Lowe estate been finally sold; and, if so, what steps, if any, have been taken to safeguard Mrs. O'Leary's claim?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from Mrs. Mary O'Leary for reinstatement in a holding at Shandrum on the Lowe Estate, formerly jointly occupied by her late husband and his brother, and now in the possession of her nephew, and have decided to take no action in the matter. Proceedings for the sale of the Lowe Estate, County Kerry, direct from the landlord to the tenants are pending before the Commissioners. An agreement signed by Daniel and Mary O'Leary for the purchase of a holding comprising 199 acres of the lands of Shandrum has been lodged with the Commissioners. The estate has not yet been reached in its order of priority.

asked why the Estates Commissioners have not sent down an inspector to bring about an arrangement whereby Denis Murphy, the son of an evicted tenant, may be reinstated in his late father's farm, now in the possession of one Kingston, in Carriclogh, barony of West Muskerry, county Cork; and whether the Commissioners have received a memorial from the local Unionists asking that Kingston be sustained against the claim of the son of a bonâ fide evicted tenant?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the papers in this case are with an inspector in the country, and the matter will be considered when they are returned.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that William Neill, of Bansha, Killorglin, held the lands of Ballyseedy, Tralee, county Kerry, from which he was evicted by process of law; that he held those lands as agricultural tenant down to 1885; whether, seeing that he is in every way entitled to reinstatement under the terms of the Evicted Tenants' Act, 1907, steps will be immediately taken to have him reinstated in those lands?

The Estates Commissioners have ascertained that Neill did not hold the lands as tenant, and they decided to take no further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether applications for reinstatement have been made by John Dunne, who was evicted twenty-one years ago from his holding at Tipperan, Kilcullen, county Kildare; is he aware that John Dunne has grown-up sons well qualified to work a farm; can he say whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired or are about to acquire untenanted land in Kildare; and when may John Dunne hope to receive benefit from the Land Purchase Act of 1903?

John Dunne's application for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the estate of Sir Kildare Burrowes, county Kildare, was not received within the period limited by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and it cannot be dealt with under the provisions of that Act, but it will be considered when the lands come before the Estates Commissioners under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary what steps had been taken by the Estates Commissioners in the case of Mr. Bernard O'Rafferty, of Coolegreany, county Wexford, whose father was evicted from his farm on the Brooke estate, and when he will be provided with a holding?

The Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered Bernard O'Rafferty's application for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by his father on the Brooke estate, county Wexford, and now in the possession of tenant purchasers, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of evicted tenants whose applications for reinstatement, under the Evicted Tenants (Ireland) Act, were received, and in which cases no action was taken; whether it is intended to take no further action whatever in such cases; or whether, in the event of untenanted land becoming available, the Estates Commissioners will take some steps to reinstate some of these people?

Table XXVII. of the Appendix to the Estates Commissioners' Report for the year to the 31st March, 1910, shows that up to that date 12,011 applications for reinstatement were received from evicted tenants or their representatives. Of these 1,561 were outside the provisions of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, 4,580 were refused by the Estates Commissioners, 2,581 were reinstated in their former holdings or provided with other holdings, 999 applications have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners or when the estates to which they relate are being dealt with by the Commissioners. The remaining 2,290 applications were received after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and cannot, therefore, be dealt with under the Act. They will be considered when the estates to which they relate are the subject of proceedings for sale under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of Peter Farrell, now living in the United States, who in 1885 was evicted from his farm at Kilnaconon, county Longford, and for whom the Estates Commissioners promised, through their inspector, Mr. George Campbell, to provide an equivalent holding elsewhere, any action has since been taken to redeem that promise; and, if not, will it be now pushed forward so that this old man, who is anxious before he dies to be restored to a home on his native soil, will not be disappointed in the end?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Peter Farrell for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on the King Harman estate, county Longford, and his name was provisionally noted. The holding has been purchased by the present occupier under the Land Purchase Acts, and the Commissioners, on further inquiry, have decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he was aware that James Malony, an evicted tenant on the Vandeleur estate, who had been sub-tenant to Theodore Bradley, who has now become a tenant-purchaser, was promised reinstatement by Bradley as soon as the Vandeleur estate should be sold, and that a written agreement for that purpose was submitted to Bradley by the landlord's solicitor on the occasion of the sale, and was repudiated by him; and what steps the Estates Commissioners will take to enforce Bradley's promise and restore the evicted tenant to his holding?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from James Malony for reinstatement in a holding of three acres on the Vandeleur estate formerly occupied by him as sub-tenant to Theodore Bradley. Bradley has signed an agreement for the purchase of his holding from the owner under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, have decided to take no action in the matter of Malony's application.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the impatience expressed through many public channels in West Clare with regard to the protracted delays that have occurred in the administration of the Land Act of 1909; and whether the provisions for compulsory sale will be put into operation without delay in the case of every landlord who has not up to the present shown a disposition to facilitate the Land Act by concluding reasonable agreements with the tenants?

There is no just ground of complaint with regard to the administration of the Act in county Clare. The Congested Districts Board have made offers for fourteen estates comprising 8,980 acres, valued at £59,000. It would be quite impossible to put into operation at once compulsory powers in regard to a number of estates even if it were desirable to do so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board have yet arranged for the purchase of the Miss Nicholson estate, situated in the electoral division of Cloonacool, rural district of Tubbercurry, county Sligo; and, if so, whether the untenanted grazing farm on the estate will be utilised for the enlargement of the small holdings surrounding it?

This estate is being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners. Formal proceedings for the sale to the Estates Commissioners of 150 acres of tenanted and 60 acres of untenanted land on the estate of Agnes M. Nicholson, county Sligo, have been instituted by the owner, but the estate has not yet been reached in order of priority. When so reached the question of the distribution of the untenanted land will be considered by the Estates Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the land from which Patrick Fleming was evicted at Carrigeen, Mr. Frank Bennett, Creggane, Roscarbery, landlord, has been for many years derelict and on the owner's hands, and that some two years ago the Estates Commissioners caused this land to be valued with the object of reinstating the evicted tenant; and if the Commissioners can hold out any hope that Patrick Fleming will be put back on his old holding at an early date?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of Fleming's former holding, and informed the owner of their estimated price which they would be prepared to advance if formal proceedings for sale of the holding to the Commissioners were instituted by him, but the owner has not instituted such proceedings up to the present. Fleming's name has been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners.

asked whether the Duke estate, comprising the townlands of Branchfield, Clooneen, Cloonburg, Doomone, and Kilmorgan, situate in the parish of Ballymote, union of Sligo, has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, with what results?

The lands mentioned have not been offered to the Congested Districts Board. Untenanted lands at Killaraght have been offered by the same owner to the Board and they have invited him to offer to sell to them the tenanted lands referred to in the question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the lands of Lugacatha and Ballinvogher, parish of Ballymote, barony of Corran, and county Sligo, were offered for sale over eighteen months ago to the Estates Commissioners by the landlord, Mr. A. J. Creighton, J. P.; and, if so, whether he can state what steps, if any, are being taken to have this sale completed?

The Estates Commissioners are unable to identify the lands referred to as being the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has entered into negotiations with the owner of the Murphy estate, situated in Castleplunkett, county Roscommon, and if these negotiations have proved abortive; whether, in view of the fact that upon the estate there is a number of occupiers of uneconomic holdings and at the same time a large amount of untenanted land, and that, the surrounding estates having been secured by the Board, improvement works carried out in the district will add to the value of Mr. Murphy's interest in his estate, the Congested Districts Board will without delay take the necessary steps to secure the compulsory acquisition of this estate?

Negotiations have been proceeding for some time between Mr. Murphy's agent and the Congested Districts Board with reference to the purchase of the lands referred to. The owner has recently offered to sell to the Board the "Castle Farm," which forms portion of the estate, and he has signified his intention of offering the remainder of the lands—tenanted and untenanted—about the end of this year. The Board do not at present contemplate taking any steps to acquire the estate compulsorily.

asked whether representations were made to the Congested Districts Board, immediately after the present Board was formed, requesting that body to open up negotiations with the owner of the Hughes estate, in the parish of Ballytubber, county Roscommon; and whether such negotiations were opened up, and, if so, what is the result?

Representations were made to the Congested Districts Board, as stated in the question. The Board at the time informed the owner that they would be willing to enter into negotiations for the sale of the estate, but no offer has been made by him. The Board are asking him definitely whether he will agree to negotiate for the sale of the lands.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of any negotiations for the sale of the Massey estate, situate at Ballylin, Ardagh, county Limerick; have the Estates Commissioners been approached in regard to its purchase; if so, by whom; and can he state who is the present owner of the estate, entitled to demand rent and to enter into a purchase arrangement?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of these lands and communicated to the owner's solicitors their estimate of the price they would advance if formal proceedings for sale were instituted before them under the Land Purchase Acts. A number of applications have been received by the Commissioners from people in the locality asking for allotments on the untenanted land, but no formal proceedings have yet been instituted by the owner for the sale of the lands. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the title under which the lands are held.

asked whether the holding consisted of the former evicted holdings of Messrs. John Power and John Sullivan has been vested in Mr. Mills W. Purcell, on the estate of Eliza Williams, county Water-ford; what is the entire area of the holding; what was the former rent; what is the amount of the advance made by the Estates Commissioners, and the present annuity; whether, as Mr. Purcell expressed his willingness to accept £200 for his interest in the lands, the Estates Commissioners will offer the same to him, if they consider such amount reasonable, in order to enable them to reinstate Mr. John Power and the representatives of John Sullivan; and whether, with a view to deciding on the reasonableness of Mr. Purcell's demand, they will direct their inspector to investigate the matter?

Mr. Purcell entered into an agreement under the Irish Land Act, 1903, to purchase his holding at Newtown. It contains 123 acres and 2 perches, and the former rent was £111 2s. The price was £2,698, of which Mr. Purcell lodged £444 in cash and the balance £2,254 was advanced by the Commissioners, and the holding vested in him subject to a land purchase annuity of £73 5s. 2d. The Commissioners will not make any payment to Mr. Purcell to surrender the lands, and have decided to take no action in reference to the reinstatement of John Power, or the representatives of John Sullivan. The reply to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received a resolution from the Grange branch of the United Irish League, county Waterford, calling attention to the fact that the Commissioners recently purchased 127 acres of the untenanted lands on the estate of Mr. Fuge, at Glencorrin, county Waterford, and allowed him to retain 150 acres, being the choice portion of the lands, while the land purchased is scrubby and very difficult of access; whether he is aware that the 150 acres retained consist entirely of land from which tenants were evicted, though described by Mr. Fuge as demesne; and whether the Estates Commissioners will reopen negotiations with Mr. Fuge, and, if necessary, apply their compulsory powers to purchase the 15 acres, which is much needed for evicted tenants and small holders?

The Estates Commissioners have received the resolution referred to. The owner has offered 121 acres of untenanted land to the Commissioners for purposes of distribution, and has accepted their formal proposal to purchase. He also proposes to sell 154 acres of demesne land to the Commisioners for repurchase by him under Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and has accepted the Commissioners estimated prices for these lands. The Commissioners are not aware that this demesne consists of evicted holdings, and see no reason to alter their decision to allow Mr. Fuge to repurchase his demesne.

asked whether, in the case of the Edgeworth estate, county Longford, any inspection has yet been ordered, or when the estate may be reached in its order of priority?

If the hon. Member refers to the estate of Mr. A. E. Edgeworth, D. L. Edgeworthstown, county Longford, it has not been reached in order of priority, and having regard to the prior claims of other estates the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when its turn will be reached.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that John Molloghan, of Dernacross, county Longford, has been deprived of the passway to his bog by reason of the fact that, after the agreements for sale of the Maconchy estate were signed, the landlord resold portions of the bog to other persons regardless of his right of pass, which sale was subsequently sanctioned by the Land Commission, as a result of which Molloghan has been deprived of his bog without compensation; and whether under these circumstances he will request the Estates Commissioners to direct that Molloghan will be compensated for the loss he has suffered in this transaction?

The holding of John Mollohan, of Derrynacross, was vested in him on 12th March, 1908, in accordance with the terms of his purchase agreement. No right of way is referred to in the purchase agreement, but if the holding had a right of way appurtenant to it prior to purchase such right of way is still appurtenant to the lands. The bog was sold by the vendor to trustees for the benefit of the tenants, and if Molloghan has any grievance he should communicate with the trustees. The Estates Commissioners have no power to compensate him for any loss he may have sustained owing to any action of the trustees.

asked whether Lord Ardilaun has offered to sell his property in the Clonbar and Cong districts of county Galway to the Congested Districts Board; if not, whether, in view of the fact that the tenants on these properties are anxious that sales should be effected, the Congested Districts Board will communicate with Lord Ardilaun to ascertain his Lordship's intentions in this respect; and whether he will state if other estates in this neighbourhood are about to be purchased, and, if so, which?

The reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the negative. The Congested Districts Board will ask the owner if he is willing to sell any of his lands in the district. The Board have purchased the estate of Dr. Boyd, and are at once making an offer for the estate of Mr. O'Kelly in the district.

asked whether any progress has yet been made with the vesting of the Thompson estate, Clonfin, county Longford; whether any survey or inspection of the untenanted lands offered for sale by the landlord has yet been made; and, if not, when steps will be taken for the division of these lands?

The Estates Commissioners hope to be in a position to deal with this estate during the present financial year, 1911–12.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state the reasons which guided his decision to withdraw his offer to purchase 490 acres of the Douglas estate for the benefit of the evicted tenants or their descendants in county Longford; whether he is aware that the landlord has now let on the English system to ten persons these lands, thereby shutting out the evicted tenants from any hope of relief in that direction; and whether, before these tenants enter into possession, he will revive the application to acquire these lands compulsorily, as was originally intended?

The Estates Commissioners gazetted these lands under the Evicted Tenants Act with a view to compulsory acquirement, but after inquiry they decided to discontinue the proceedings. There are now only three county Longford evicted tenants, none of whom were evicted from the Douglas estate, who have been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land, and who have not yet been provided with holdings; and in the case of two of these tenants proceedings are pending for the sale of their former holdings on the King-Harman estate to the Commissioners.

asked when the farm known as Chaldramoran, adjacent to Ballyroddy, Elphin, will be divided among the small land holders of the district, with a view to removing the congestion that at present exists?

The Congested Districts Board cannot yet fix a date for the final settlement of the Chaldramoran farm, but no unnecessary delay will occur.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to state the progress of negotiations for the sale of the Westby estate, Kilballyowen, West Clare; and whether due regard will be paid to the exclusive claims of uneconomic holders in the distribution of the estate?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 22nd February to the question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member.

asked when a final settlement may be expected of the proceeds of the sale to the tenants of the estate of the late James McSheffry, Esq., J.P., Drumaville, Malin, county Donegal; and what is the cause of such prolonged delay?

The Land Commission inform me that the purchase money of the estate referred to was advanced by the Estates Commissioners on 5th January last, when it was paid into Court to the credit of the matter. The title to the purchase money has been examined and the notices to claimants issued, and the case-will be listed before the Judicial Commissioner on the 24th instant for allocation of the funds.

asked what county councils in Ireland have propounded or are considering scholarship schemes under the Irish Universities Act; and which counties have struck a rate to provide for such scholarships?

Provision has been made in the Estimates of the following county councils for a rate under the Irish Universities Act, 1908:—Carlow, Clare, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, King's, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Queen's, Roscommon, Sligo, Tippcrary, North Riding, Tipperary South Riding, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow, and County Boroughs of Dublin and Water-ford. In all these twenty-two cases schemes have been made or are being considered with the exception of Carlow, Leitrim, Queen's County, Sligo, Waterford, and Waterford County Borough.

asked the Chief Secretary when and by whom and under what authority the name of the office formerly known as the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) was changed to that of the Land Registry (Ireland); and if he will state the reason for this change of name?

The style of the Department established under the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act, 1891, was fixed by the Orders of 1st September, 1910, made by the Land Judge, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, under the provisions of Section 94 of the Act of 1891. The name "Land Registry of Ireland" was chosen as being the name in which suits under Section 11 (2) of the Act must be brought, and also because the new style more accurately represents the work of the Department, which is that of the registration of the title to land.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that there is delay in dealing with work under the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act in the central office; whether this delay is due to congestion of work or under-staffing of the department; whether, in view of the increase of the work of this office consequent on the operation of the Land Purchase Acts, any increase has been made in the office staff, and, if so, when, and to what extent; and will he state whether, in view of the fact that purchasers of holdings bought out under the Irish Land Purchase Acts may be seriously prejudiced by any delay in the registration of the conveyance to them, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to having the work under the Local Registration of Title Act disposed of efficiently and expeditiously?

I am aware that there has been delay in dealing with the work of this office, the number of applications for registration having considerably increased during the past year owing to the operation of the Land Purchase and Labourers Acts. Considerable additions have been made from time to time in the staff, and it is now double what it was a few years ago. Steps are now being taken to provide additional accommodation, and application is being made for the necessary sanction for such an increase of the staff as will be sufficient not only to clear off the arrears of work, but to deal with the work as it comes in.

asked the total amount paid to Revising Barristers in Ireland in 1910; and what was the total cost of holding Revising Barristers' courts exclusive of the fees paid to Revising Barrisers?

The remuneration of the Revising Barristers for 1910 amounted to £3,489, in addition to £639 9s. for subsistence allowances and £211 0s. 6d. for travelling expenses. The total cost of holding the Revising Barristers' Courts, including the above expenses for subsistence and travelling, was £1,942 9s. 6d.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, when appointing Mr. John Sweeney recently to be a justice of the peace for the county of Donegal, was aware that he was a licensed publican and also a commissioner for oaths, and was there any special reason to appoint a publican to an already very well filled local bench; is he aware that this Mr. John Sweeney, J.P., is the same person who was, on the 14th of February last, for selling drink on premises not duly licensed, fined £50, and at the same court was also fined for a breath of the Children's Act, both convictions being by a numerous bench at Burtonport, in the same court in which Mr. Sweeney usually assists in dispensing justice; and what steps does the Lord Chancellor propose to take?

Mr. John Sweeney was appointed a magistrate for county Donegal three years ago on the recommendation of the lieutenant of the county. The Lord Chancellor was not aware that Mr. Sweeney possessed an ordinary public-house, but understood that he was an hotel proprietor and a Commissioner for Oaths. Mr. Sweeney was on 21st February last convicted of the illegal sale of spirits and beer at his hotel in Burtonport, which is not licensed, and was fined nominally £50 in each case, but reduced by the magistrates under their powers to £12 10s. in each case, with a recommendation by the Bench that the amount be further reduced to 10s. in each case. Mr. Sweeney has not been prosecuted for any offence under the Children's Act. The Lord Chancellor will make further inquiry into the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the chairman and two members of the Tipperary North Riding County Committee of Agriculture have been surcharged by the Local Government auditor, E. A. MacCarron, Esq., for the illegal payment of £80 made to the Tipperary North Riding Joint Committee of Technical Instruction; whether he can state the circumstances under which the County Committee of Agriculture made this payment to the Joint Committee of Technical Instruction; whether the County Committee of Agriculture had the sanction of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction to make the payment referred to, as required by the conditions of the schemes of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction; whether the payment in question was made by the County Committee of Agriculture by the direction of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction and with the knowledge and approval of their inspector; and whether, if so, he will recommend the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction to remit this surcharge?

I am aware that the chairman and two members of the Tipperary North Biding Committee of Agriculture have been surcharged with a sum of £80 transferred by them out of the funds allocated to them for agricultural schemes and paid over to the Joint Committee of Technical Instruction, for the purpose of scholarships at the Dundrum School of Domestic Economy. This course was adopted with the sanction of the Department of Agriculture, who, however, subsequently saw reason to doubt its legality and suggested an alternative which was not adopted. The Local Government Board auditor held the transfer to be illegal. The Department have no power to remit the surcharge, but they have suggested a plan which they hope may afford a way out of the difficulty.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state if the Department of Agriculture have reported the quantity of Chinese pork imported into Ireland, specifying the quantity landed at each port; whether he can state how it was inspected and the result of the inspection, and who the importers and purchasers were; and whether he is able to state if any of this Chinese pork was cured and sold as Irish bacon?

The attention of the Department of Agriculture has been drawn to the question of the importation of Chinese pork into Ireland. Inquiry is being made in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the allocation of the unemployment grant to the respective distress committees of Dublin, Londonderry, and Newry; whether he is aware that Newry has received a greater grant than Londonderry; and, if so, what is the explanation or basis of such allocation, seeing that the population of Londonderry is more than three times that of Newry, and unemployment and distress as prevalent?

Out of the total of £5,000 distributed, Dublin received £3,182, Newry £250, and Derry £200. No application was received from the Londonderry Distress Committee until the 22nd March, at which date the allocation of the available balance of Ireland's share in the Parliamentary Vote of £5,000 was practically completed. Several fires in Newry in the middle of the winter accentuated the distress existing in the town.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, on Sunday 12th February, Constable Murray, of Drumree, informed Mr. Fox that Mr. Geraghty, ex-postmaster, made a charge against him of having fired at him; whether Teragathy had made similar charges previously against Mr. Fox; and is it open to individuals to make such charges with impunity, and, if not, will the police authorities assist Mr. Fox to vindicate his character by producing such letters as they hold containing those charges if Mr. Fox brings his accuser into court?

I am informed by the Inspector-General that Constable Murray did not at any time inform Mr. Fox that Thomas Geraghty, ex-postmaster, had made a charge against Mr. Fox of having fired at him. Thomas Teragathy has never before made a similar charge against Mr. Fox. The police cannot assist Mr. Fox in any way as there are no letters from Thomas Teragathy to produce.

asked the Chief Secretary when he will carry into effect the reform requested by the National Board, as promised by him, to secure assistant teachers in their position by allowing, before salaries are withdrawn, a fall of ten units in the present appointing averages; whether he hopes to arrange for the payment of national teachers monthly; and when he will be in a position to give the promised contribution towards the heating and cleaning of national schools?

The Irish Government recommended that a change should be made in the rules governing the tenure of assistant teachers, and the matter is before the Treasury. No provision has been made for the monthly payment of salaries of National teachers, but the matter will not be lost sight of. As regards the heating and cleansing of National schools, negotiations are still going on, and I am not without hope of being able to effect the object in view without recourse to legislation, but I am not in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether a National school teacher named Daniel Dooley, Kilbricken, Mountrath, has taken possession of an evicted farm at Castletown, Queen's County; is he aware that this farm was bequeathed by the former owner to a man named Keenan, and that Dooley was witness to the will; and whether it is in accordance with the rules of the Board of National Education that National school teachers should mix themselves up in disputes about land in the manner in which Dooley has done?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 14th March.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will give the names and addresses of the persons who acted as inspectors or judges of mares, under the schemes for encouraging improvement in the breeds of horses, of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland, in the years 1909, 1910, and 1911; and will he state by whom these persons were appointed?

The following lists give the names and addresses asked for. All these temporary appointments were made by the Department of Agriculture, except in the case of Mr. E. A. Ryan in 1911, who acted as a substitute on one day on behalf of and at the request of a veterinary surgeon who was ill:—

asked the Chief Secretary whether, before the appointment of Mr. John R. Crozier, of Ederney, county Fermanagh, to be a Justice of the Peace for county Fermanagh, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland was aware that this gentleman, when sued at the Easter Sessions, Enniskillen, for a sum of £10, in the witness-box denied the debt; that the county court judge, having heard the case, stated in open court that he did not believe Mr. Crozier, and would have given a decree against him but for a legal defence raised by his solicitor, and refused Mr. Crozier expenses on the ground that he had told what was not the truth; did the Lord Chancellor make any inquiry from the lieutenant of the county before the appointment; and, if not, will he suggest to the Lord Chancellor that such inquiry would be desirable before similar appointments are made?

I am informed by the Lord Chancellor that he was not aware before the appointment of Mr. Crozier to the Commission of the Peace of the proceedings at Quarter Sessions referred to, and accordingly no inquiry was made in the matter. It is not within my province to make any suggestion to the Lord Chancellor as to the inquiries he may consider it necessary to make before appointing gentlemen to the Commission of the Peace.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Government has promised to the Welsh Members that the English Board of Agriculture will not in future send to Wales inspectors ignorant of the Welsh language; whether he will reconsider the question of the National Board of Education (Ireland) sending into Irish-speaking districts in the county of Galway inspectors able to speak the Irish language; and, if not, will he state why Ireland should be treated differently to Wales in this important matter?

I am not aware that any such promise has been given by the Government. I cannot promise that only those inspectors who know Irish will be employed in county Galway.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Lord Kenmare has in the immediate vicinity of Killarney, exclusive of his demesne, a large amount of untenanted land; and whether steps will be taken to secure some of this land for the purpose of providing farms for the evicted tenants and allotments for the working men of Killarney?

The Congested Districts Board have instituted proceedings for the acquisition of 704 acres of untenanted land on the estate of the Earl of Kenmare, county Kerry, under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. The owner has lodged a petition under Section 2 (5) of the Act, which has not yet been determined.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Longford District Council at its last quarterly meeting, requesting the Local Government Board to suspend the issue of a sealed order enforcing the Dairies and Cowsheds Order till after the June local government elections and the coming into office of the new board; and will he direct the Local Government Board to accede to this request?

A resolution to the effect indicated was passed by the Longford Rural District Council on the 18th March. The council have taken no steps whatever to administer the Dairies and Cowsheds Order which came into force nearly three years ago; and the effect of the postponement sought would be to delay the appointment of a veterinary inspector until a late date in the summer, although it is of importance that his inspections should be commenced as soon as possible, in order that any alterations or improvements in cowsheds which may be found necessary may be carried out while the dairy cattle are out at grass. In the interests of public health I am not prepared to give the direction asked for in the question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the Spanish battleships "Espana," "Alfonso III.," and "Jaime," were or are expected to be laid down, launched and completed?

The dates of laying down and completion are as follows:—

also asked whether the United States battleships "Texas "and "New York" have yet been commenced; and, if so, when they were laid down?

The "Texas" has been commenced but the date she was laid down is not known. We have no information regarding the date of the laying down of the "New York," but it is understood the vessel will be laid down shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he would consider the possibility, in view of the class distinctions the present method suggests, of arranging that all cadets travelling by special train should be accommodated in vehicles of one class?

Yes, Sir, I shall be glad to see what can be done in the direction the hon. Member suggests.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to give the information asked for respecting the damage sustained by the Beer fishermen, and to state what compensation he is prepared to offer?

A report has been received of loss of pots belonging to one fisherman of Beer, and in the particular circumstances of the case the Admiralty are prepared to allow £1 11s. 6d. as an act of grace. I may add that it is not practicable to carry out target practice far out at sea, sheltered waters of suitable depth being necessary. The range off Beer Head is little used.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can say when a reply may be expected to the petition from the naval shiprights?

The petition referred to by the Noble Lord is under consideration in conjunction with other representations received on behalf of the shipwright class. A reply will be made as soon as a decision is arrived at, but careful investigation of the various points brought out in these representations must necessarily take some time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent experience of economic causes tending to promote temperance, he can see his way to increase the money provision to seamen in lieu of grog, as tentatively foreshadowed by the Secretary to the Admiralty in 1908?

The question of increasing the money allowance (grog money), paid in lieu of the spirit ration, was very fully considered in 1908, and reports were obtained from the Fleet as to the probable effect of any change. It was open to question in the light of the evidence received whether the interests of temperance would really be promoted by increasing the allowance. The position to-day is substantially the same as in 1908, and it is not proposed, therefore, to reopen the question. The point, however, is one which the Admiralty will keep in view.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the amount in respect of which Greenwich Hospital and its grounds are valued for the purpose of arriving at the amount payable to the local authority for rates?

The value of the Royal Hospital School and Grounds at Greenwich is assessed at £5,500 for the purpose of arriving at the amount paid by Greenwich Hospital to the local authorities as a contribution in lieu of rates. So far as the Royal Naval College is concerned, the contribution in lieu of rates is borne by the Vote for Rates on Government Property (Class I., Vote 13), which is administered by the Treasury.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the funds of Greenwich Hospital bear any part of the cost of allowances made to the wives and dependents of officers of the Navy killed on service; and how much is contributed annually by the hospital for the wives and dependents of men in the Navy killed on service?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The amount paid out of Greenwich Hospital funds for pensions to widows and allowances to children and gratuities to dependent relatives other than widows and children of men killed or drowned on service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines is about £6,400 a year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether ho is aware that, on the 21st July, 1897, Edward Thomas Ashley was invalided from the Royal Marines through active service in the Benin Expedition with on injury pension of £18 5s. per annum, and that his character throughout his service and on discharge was very good; will he say whether any conditions were attached to the grant of such pension; whether he has four children dependent on him, that he is unfit for heavy work, and that during the last three years he has supplemented such pension by light work in an hotel at wages of 17s. 6d. per week; and whether, seeing that, on the 30th March, 1911, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty withdrew such pension on the ground that Ashley had been earning good wages in one situation for the last three years, he will obtain the reconsideration of this decision?

Ashley was invalided in 1897 for remittent fever—contracted in the Benin Expedition—after service with very good character, but extending over three years 286 days only. The Regulations do not contemplate the award of permanent pensions in cases of this kind, and Ashley's pension was accordingly granted from year to year, its renewal being dependent principally upon his earning capacity as affected by the disability which occasioned his discharge. The pension was continued at varying rates under the periodical medical reports until 31st March of this year, the basis of award being the man's inability to contribute to his own support. The pension was stopped when it was found that the man had been earning 17s. 6d. a week for the previous three years. I see no reason for revising this decision.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cadets at Dartmouth have suffered from infectious illnesses during the past term; how many cadets have suffered from more than one illness; and how many cadets have contracted a second illness in the sick quarters?

The reply to the first part of the question is 242; to the second part, thirty; and to the third part, six.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what provisions are made at Dartmouth and Osborne for the isolation of cases of infectious illness, and particularly of early cases awaiting a definite diagnosis; whether such provisions are in accord with the most recent practice at public schools; and, if not, whether he will give instructions for the amendment of any defects in the existing system?

At Dartmouth there are two separate blocks in the hospital containing four entirely isolated floors, each floor capable of accommodating sixteen to twenty cases. Suspected cases and cases awaiting diagnosis are isolated in small, separate rooms. At Osborne, as soon as any possibility of an infectious case comes under observation it is at once placed in one of the isolation rooms attached to the college sick quarters. If the case proves to be infectious it is transferred by ambulance at once to the infectious hospital. The isolation room is at once disinfected. At the Infectious Hospital there are four separate ward blocks, each taking about twenty patients, in which different infectious diseases can be separated. Attached to each block there is also a single isolation room which is used for observation of separate cases. I understand that these precautions are in excess of the practice which obtains in the public schools of this country.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who arranges the scale or diet for the cadets at Osborne and Dartmouth, and who superintends the meals; whether any officer messes with the cadets or attends during meal times; and whether any opportunity is given to the cadets to make complaints as to the quality or condition of the food?

At Osborne the scale of diet is arranged in detail by the Fleet Paymaster each week, and is approved by the Captain. At Dartmouth the scale of diet is arranged by a Committee consisting of the Commander, the Fleet Surgeon, and the Fleet Paymaster, under the supervision of the Captain. At both colleges a lieutenant is present in the cadets' mess room during all meals, and his duty is to receive and investigate any complaint which may be made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can say whether the Swift Meat Company has any other frozen meat contract than the three days a week supply to the Curragh Camp; did the Swift Meat Company apply for a tender form on their own account, or were they supplied from the War Office with tender forms without making application; whether he is aware that the Swift Meat Company and other American firms, before putting the hind quarters of beef into the refrigerator, extract by machinery the juice of the meat which is converted into bovril or other soup; and, seeing that it is a recognised condition of trade that very large trade corporations supply retail traders only, can he see his way to comply with the conditions universally accepted in these matters?

Contracts for the supply of meat to the troops are made locally by the military authorities of the command. So far as can be ascertained, the contract for the supply to the Curragh Camp is the only frozen meat contract at present held by the Swift Company. In order to secure adequate competition invitations to tender are advertised in the Press and are also sent to firms likely to be interested. An invitation was sent to the Swift Company. I am not aware that it is the practice of American firms to extract the juice from the meat before refrigerating it, and I think it extremely unlikely that the practice prevails with regard to the meat delivered under the contract. The terms of the contract require that the contractor shall be engaged in the meat trade, and it is not considered that it would be to the public advantage to make further restrictions as suggested in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, when next tenders are invited for the supply of meat to the Army, he will, in justice to the British farmer, who contributes to the cost of the Army, stipulate that the meat supplied must be British-fed meat?

It is not proposed to make any change in this respect in regard to contracts for supply of meat.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War with reference to the fact that infantrymen receive a money allowance which provides for a supply of two pairs of boots each year and that soldiers are compelled to purchase their boots out of Government stores, he will explain why the contracts for infantry boots in 1911 call for only 160,000 pairs?

The smallness of the current order is largely due to the fact that substantial surpluses had accumulated on previous orders. But a considerable effect has been produced on the number of orders by the allowance system.