asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether ho can state the reason why an old age pension was not granted in the case of John O'Sullivan, of Grey-grove, West Clare?

I understand that O'Sullivan's claim was disallowed by the Local Government Board because he had not resided in the United Kingdom during the whole of the last twenty years.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if an old age pension has been refused to Mrs. Glendenning, of 13, Hill Top, Knottingley, who is seventy-two years of age; and, if so, will he state upon what grounds?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Local Government Board received an appeal in this case, and decided that the claimant was not entitled to receive an old age pension on the ground that she had not satisfied the pension authorities that for the preceding twenty years she had had her residence, as defined by regulations under the Old Age Pensions Act, in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an old woman named Mary Corish, who is an applicant for an old age pension, can produce no proof that she has reached the statutory age, only she has a vivid recollection that all the particulars with reference to her age were entered in the 1891 Census by her late master, who was quite familiar with them; whether at the request of the Wexford Pensions Committee, she endeavoured to procure a copy of this entry, and applied to the Registrar-General, enclosing the usual fee of 2s., and was refused all information, owing it was stated to the fact that the Census returns of 1891 were confidential documents; and whether, owing to the fact that this woman cannot otherwise become eligible for an old age pension, he will request the Registrar-General to allow a search to be made?

The Registrar-General informs me that the Census Returns of 1891 are confidential documents, and it is not, therefore, possible to have an inspection of them made for the purpose indicated?

asked the Chief Secretary whether the claim of Mrs. Margaret Burke, Dullas, Croom, county Limerick, for a pension is still in consideration by the Local Government Board; did the latter body on 26th February last receive by registered letter the marriage article between the applicant and her son-in-law, according to which she was entitled to her support in the house, or, in lieu thereof, a sum of £10 per year; and, in view of the agreement stated, will he explain why this woman is deprived of a pension, and will steps be taken to uphold the decision of the local pension committee and thus enable the applicant to get the pension?

The marriage agreement referred to was seen by the Local Government Board, but, having regard to the size of the farm on which Mrs. Burke is maintained, they considered that the value of the privileges she enjoys exceeds £31 10s. a year. Accordingly on the 5th April the Board on Mrs. Burke's appeal upheld the decision of the local pension sub-committee rejecting her claim.

asked whether the Local Government Board have yet decided the appeal in the case of Patrick O'Brien, an inmate of the Croom workhouse, Croom, county Limerick, who is an applicant for an old age pension; and, having regard to the fact that his age cannot be found in the Census of 1841 or 1851, and that his age was recorded in the union books in 1907 as being sixty-seven, will the pension be allowed?

On 23rd March the Local Government Board gave a decision upholding the pension officer's appeal, on the ground that there was no satisfactory evidence of Patrick O'Brien having reached the statutory age. The statements of age in workhouse books are untrustworthy as evidence, and O'Brien's name did not appear in his parents' family, which was traced in the Census Return of 1841, the presumption therefore being that he was then unborn.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a resolution from the Macroom Board of Guardians and District Council, protesting against the fact that persons in the district who are entitled to old age pensions are deprived of them because they are unable to find any return of their ages in the parish register or in the Census Returns of 1841 or 1851; whether they also draw attention to the fact that small farmers who have made over their farms and general belongings to their sons on marriage, having reserved merely a small annuity for themselves, are debarred from the benefits of the pension scheme; and what answer will he make to the request of the Macroom Board that further instructions should be issued to the pension officers regarding these people, so that the pensions to which they are justly entitled should be secured to them?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. Pension officers are not under my control, and I cannot therefore give them any instructions.

asked the Chief Secretary why the claim for an old age pension made by James Tighe, Tallagh, Binghamstown, county Mayo, has been disallowed by the Local Government Board; and, seeing that no trace of this man can be found in the Census returns for 1841 or 1851, and as other documentary proof cannot be found, will he explain why the evidence offered by local people of position who have known Tighe all their lives, and are prepared to declare their belief that he has passed his seventieth year, is not accepted by the Local Government Board?

The Local Government Board upheld the pension officer's appeal on the ground that there was no satisfactory evidence of James Tighe having reached the statutory age. His parents' family was traced in the Census return of 1841, but his name did not appear therein. The statements of local people referred to in the question were too indefinite in character to be of value as evidence.

asked the Chief Secretary why the claim for an old age pension made by Mrs. Mary Holmes, Main Street, Belmullet, county Mayo, has been disallowed by the Local Government Board; and, if on the question of means, will he state how the calculation as to her means has been made?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer on the ground that half the means of claimant's husband exceeded the statutory limit of £31 10s. a year. Mrs. Holmes and her husband appear to be in fairly good circumstances, although they allege that all the property belongs to their children. There are two holdings of land, well stocked, which were stated to belong to a son of the same name as the claimant's husband. Two daughters have money to the amount of £228 13s. 10d. in the Post Office Savings Bank, and there is a shop held in the name of claimant's husband which Mrs. Holmes stated in January last belonged to a daughter, but which was apparently not transferred to her until March.

asked the Chief Secretary why the claim for an old age pension made by Mrs. Bridget Connor, Ardmore, Binghamstown, county Mayo, has been disallowed by the Local Government Board; and, seeing that the baptismal certificate of the eldest son of Mrs. Connor's marriage was produced in support of the claim, showing him to be now in his fifty-fourth year, will he give directions for Mrs. Connor to receive a pension?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the pension officer on the ground that there was no satisfactory proof of Bridget Connor having reached the statutory age. The baptismal certificate of Patrick, stated to be Mrs. Connor's eldest son, was not submitted, and the parish priest informed the Board that it is was unobtainable; but a certificate of the baptism in 1861 of a son named James, stated to be the second child, was produced. There was, however, no conclusive evidence that James was the second child. Mrs. Connor's age was recorded in the Census Return of 1851 as seven years, from which she would appear to be now about sixty-seven years old.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that on 3rd January last the Carnarvon pension committee allowed the claim of Elinor Williams, 5, Moriah Square, Carnarvon, and that the pension has not yet been paid, although full information as to the applicant's age has been supplied by an alderman of the county council; and what action does he propose to take in the matter?

In connection with the appeal which has been made in this case, I have now obtained from the Registrar-General a copy of the entry in the register of births, which shows that the claimant was born on the 25th December, 1841. She has not, therefore, attained the age of seventy, and I have accordingly no alternative but to disallow the claim.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the approximate number of persons among whom the sum of £20,577 is to be paid during this year as solely applicable to the valuation of Ireland under the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910?

About 100.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the number of individuals receiving salaries, wages, and allowances in connection with the Valuation Office in Ireland, respectively, on the 1st April in the years 1910 and 1911?

The total staff on the 1st April, 1910 was 113, and on 1st April, 1911, was 194.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state how many persons were engaged up to the 1st April, 1911, to supplement the usual staff connected with the Valuation Office in Ireland in consequence of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910; and whether any steps have been taken, or are in contemplation, to increase the usual staff during the present year in consequence of the Finance Act; and, if so, can he give the approximate number?

Seventy-two persons were engaged to supplement the usual staff up to the 31st March, 1911. This number will be increased to about one hundred during the present year.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any regulations have been made by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue as to the payment of collectors of Income Tax under Section 4 of the Taxes Regulation of Remuneration Act, 1891; and, if so, how copies of such regulations can be obtained?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any, and what, steps have been taken to signify the disagreement of the Government with the action of the chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue and certain collectors of Income Tax suggesting the postponement of the payment of Income Tax due last year until the present financial year; and whether any proceedings are to be taken under Section 10 of the Inland Revenue Act, 1890?

The chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue has taken no action which requires the notification to him of any disagreement between the Government and him. The subordinate official concerned has been suitably communicated with.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, through no fault of the tenants, the two Chute estates, the Mahony, Quill, M'Gillicuddy Eager and O'Connell estates, in the parishes of Glen-car and Tuogh, county Kerry, have not been sold; whether the Congested Districts Board will now take steps to have these properties valued, acquire them under their compulsory powers, and sell them to the occupying tenants under agreement to purchase; and whether, in view of the resolutions to this effect unanimously passed at a public meeting held by the tenants at Glencar on the 2nd April, the Congested Districts Board will act promptly in the matter, and subsequently carry out the necessary improvements?

I am aware that the tenants of the estates referred to are anxious to purchase their holdings. The Congested Districts Board will discharge their duties in respect of these and other estates as quickly as circumstances permit, but they are unable to make definite statements now as to the course that may be taken in each case.

asked what is there to prevent the Estates Commissioners from ascertaining from documents in their possession what is the excess in the rate of interest payable by the 157,295 tenant purchasers on non-vested estates over the 2¾ per cent. guaranteed by the Purchase Act of 1903; and, inasmuch as the Estates Commissioners supplied to this House an estimate that it will take £180,000,000 to £200,000,000 to complete the purchase of the soil of Ireland, and as only £74,994,000 worth has yet been purchased, on what ground can the Estates Commissioners deny that the tenants on non-purchased estates are paying considerably more than £1,000,000 per annum in excess of their reduced annuities if they were enabled to purchase at the current rate of reduction of 28 per cent.?

The rate of interest m lieu of rent payable by tenants in direct sales under the Land Purchase Acts is a matter of agreement between the parties. In order to ascertain the amount of the difference between the interest so paid by the tenants in pending direct sales, and the annuities at 3¼ per cent. which will be payable when the holdings are vested in them, it would be necessary to examine over 130,000 pending agreements, and the Estates Commissioners do not think the result would be in any way commensurate with the labour involved. In the majority of cases the interest in lieu of rent payable by the tenant purchasers is fixed at the rate of 3½ per cent., and they are therefore paying only five shillings per cent. more than they will pay when their holdings are vested. On the other hand, such interest is very much less than the rent formerly payable. The total purchase money of estates sold, or for sale, of which proceedings are pending before the Commissioners under the Acts 1903–09, amounts to 87½ millions. It is not possible for the Commissioners to form any estimate of the difference between the rents paid by tenants on estates which are not the subject of proceedings for sale, and the annuities which would be payable to them if estates were sold and their holdings vested in them under the Land Purchase Acts.

asked how many years it will take to conclude all sales pending at the 1st January, 1911, estimating the rate of progress by the number and amount of the sales carried through in the year 1910; and will he state the total purchase prices of the estates sold in 1910, specifying whether paid for in cash only, stock only, or partly in cash and partly in stock?

The rate at which estates the subject of pending purchase agreements are dealt with and the purchase money advanced depends not only on the amount of money which may be available during each year but also on the number of vendors who may elect to accept payment either wholly in stock, partly in stock, and partly in cash, or who decide to wait for payment in cash. Under the regulations vendors have up to the 1st April in each year to elect for the succeeding year to accept payment either wholly or partly in stock, and the Estates Commissioners cannot possibly forecast how many vendors may so elect each year, or the amount of money which may be available for land purchase in such year. During the year to 31st March, 1911, advances were made to the amount of £7,344,952. This sum includes £2,307,760, advances financed by the issue at ninety-two of £2,508,435 guaranteed two and three-quarter per cent. stock issued under Section 3 (2) of the Irish Land Act, 1909. It also includes £406,984 advances in guaranteed three per cent. stock. The total advances applied for in estates pending for sale on the 1st April, 1911, amounted to £46,395,916.

asked the net amount paid out for the purchase of lands under the Land Purchase Acts in each of the last five years, specifying whether paid in stock or in cash, and under what Acts the sales were effected?

The amount of advances made under the Irish Land Act, 1903, in each of the last five years is as follows:—

asked whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners had been directed to the state of congestion of Cam, near Athlone, county Roscommon, and of the fact that a certain measure of relief can be afforded by the distribution of the untenanted lands on the St. George estate in that parish, now in the possession of the Commissioners; and whether, in view of these facts, the Commissioners will take immediate steps to have this land split up amongst the people of the district?

Proceedings for the sale to the Estates Commissioners of 169 acres of tenanted and 840 acres of untenanted land on the townland of Cam, on the St. George estate, are pending before the Commissioners. The owner has accepted the Commissioners' proposal, and will hand over possession to the Commissioners as soon as he has settled with the tenants as regards the rent due by them.

asked when the Estates Commissioners will distribute the untenanted land recently acquired by them upon the Crichton estate, in the parish of Kilbride, county Roscommon?

The Estates Commissioners have purchased and distributed 221 acres of untenanted land on the estate referred to. The owner has also instituted proceedings for the sale of 1,489 acres, including 72 acres of untenanted land, to the Commissioners, and this estate will be dealt with in order of priority.

asked when the estate of H. J. B. Clements, Manorhamilton, county Lcitrim, would be vested in the Estates Commissioners, and what further reduction on instalments would accrue to the tenants thereafter; and whether the Commissioners would yet include the sale of the town of Manorhamilton, which is situated on the estate?

This estate is being sold direct by the owners to the tenants under Section 1 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority, and, having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Commissioners are unable to say when its turn will be reached. The rate of interest in lieu of rent agreed to be paid by the tenants pending the vesting of the holdings is 3½ per cent. on the purchase money. When the holdings are vested, the annuities payable will be at the rate of 3¼ per cent. The town of Manorhamilton is not included in the estate pending before the Estates Commissioners.

asked whether, at the sale of the Kenmare estate, county Kerry, an agreement was entered into by Lord Kenmare, as part of the purchase arrangement, to provide free turbary and limestone for the tenants on the Coolies portion of the estate; and whether this part of the agreement has yet been carried out?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate has not yet been reached in order of priority to be dealt with by them. The purchase agreements signed by the tenants and lodged in the Land Commission make no reference to the matters referred to in the question.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has completed the purchase of the estate of Lord Lucan in the neighbourhood of Castlebar, county Mayo; and whether the Board will pur- chase the grass lands within the urban area of Castlebar for distribution amongst the town tenants if the said lands he offered for sale by the landlord?

The Congested Districts Board have arranged terms of purchase for the estate of Lord Lucan in the neighbourhood of the town of Castlebar. The Board do not propose to purchase the grass lands in the urban area. These lands are at present in the occupation of merchants and other persons residing in the town in premises held by many of them as subtenants.

asked the Chief Secretary with reference to the reported sale of the Homepatrick estate, near Skerries, in the county of Dublin, whether the estate in question contains a considerable portion of untenanted land and the town of Skerries; whether the untenanted land and the town of Skerries have been included in the sale: and whether the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned an advance in this case?

This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct from the landlord to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. There is no untenanted land included in the estate pending before the Estates Commissioners, and no agreements have been lodged in respect of the town holdings in Skerries. The estate has not been reached in order of priority and having regard to the prior claims of other estates the Commissioners are unable to say when it will be dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary with reference to the sale of the Alexander estate, at Garristown., in the county of Dublin, whether an advance has been made to an intermediate landlord for the purchase of a town holding and garden not in his possession, but in the possession of an occupying tenant named John Gormley; if so, was inquiry made as to the facts of this case before the advance was sanctioned; and under what enactment it was possible for an advance to be made to a person other than the actual occupier?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the Alexander estate, county Dublin, was sold direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. John Gormley signed an agreement to purchase his holding at Garristown, and it was vested in him in October last. The Commissioners cannot trace any sub-tenant of the name of John Gormley on the estate.

asked if he can say what is the cause of the delay in completing the sale of the estate of Robert S. De Vere, situated at Drominacrine and Bowhard, in the county of Limerick, the tenants on which signed agreements to purchase in May, 1907; and when will the estate be vested in the tenants?

This estate will be dealt with in order of priority, but, having regard to the prior claims of other estates, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners recently received a petition from the tenants on the estate of James O'Grady Delmege, situate in the parish of Rathronan, in the county of Limerick, known as the Glensharrold estate, asking them to put in force their compulsory powers under the Land Acts for the purchase of the estate, as it is a congested estate within the meaning of the Act; whether, having regard to the fact that no agreement can be arrived at between the landlord and tenants, the negotiations for purchase having fallen through, he will state what action the Estates Commissioners intend to take in the matter; and whether they will accede to the request contained in the petition?

The petition referred to was only received by the Estates Commissioners on the 10th instant, and will be considered by them in due course.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that an inspector of the Congested Districts Board was on the lands of Cockstown, Ardrahan, county Galway, in the possession of Mr. John M'Namara, victualler, Gort, as an annuitant tenant, which he has offered for sale for distribution amongst uneconomic holders adjoining, on the 6th March, 1911; will he state with what result; whether he is aware that those lands were being dealt with by the Estates Commissioners since July, 1909; and what steps are being taken to carry into effect the wishes of the small tenants adjoining?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that Mr. John M'Namara's lands have not been inspected, but they will be inspected as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Estates Com- missioners have acquired the estate of Mr. Daly, Ballydavid, in the townlands of Ballydavid and Carrarae, electoral division of Kilmeen, Loughrea; and whether he can give any indication as to the possible time when the Commissioners may be able to deal with this property?

The Estates Commissioners have issued a formal proposal for the purchase of 415 acres and 334 acres of untenanted land on the townlands of Carrowroe and Ballydavid on the estate of Mrs. Bessie Daly, county Galway, and they are awaiting the acceptance of their proposal by the owner, who lives in Australia.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the lands of Brook-wood, upon the Bagot estate, county Gal-way, held by Doctor Crean, of Ballyhaunis, have been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners, or have negotiations taken place between the Commissioners and Doctor Crean in reference to the purchase of the said land; are they still going on; and, if not, can he state the reason?

The Estates Commissioners were in negotiation with Dr. Crean with the view of acquiring some of the lands of Brookwood, but have not been able to come to any arrangement with him as to price.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the area of the grazing and untenanted lands on the Massy estate, in the neighbourhood of Macroom, county Cork; whether any steps have been recently taken by the Estates Commissioners to acquire these for the purposes of distribution; is he aware that an arrangement was entered into between representatives of the tenants, including the hon. Member for Mid Cork, and legal agents acting for the owners, at a special sitting of the Estates Commissioners, held in their board room, Dublin, in November, 1906, that this untenanted land should be specially handed over to the Commissioners for distribution amongst the evicted tenants, labourers, and small holders; and that the workers in the town of Macroom were to be particularly provided for in this respect; was a shorthand note of the proceedings connected with this arrangement taken by an official of the Commissioners; does any minute of the arrangement referred to now exist; in what position do negotia- tions for the purchase of the Massy estate by the tenants at present stand; and when the untenanted and grazing lands come into the hands of the Commissioners, will it be seen to that they are utilised in full accordance with the terms of the arrangement referred to?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that an interview took place on the 23rd November, 1906, between representatives of the owner and tenants and the Commissioners at which terms of sale were agreed upon by the owner and the tenants. There is no shorthand note of the proceedings at the interview but a minute was drawn up embodying the terms agreed upon which make no special reference to residents in the town of Macroom. The owner agreed to these terms of sale, but died in 1907, when the estate went into Chancery. An order for sale has been made by the Land Judge in whose Court the estate is now the subject of proceedings, and the Commissioners issued a request under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, to the Land Judge to be furnished with the usual documents which have recently been lodged. The estate comprises some 10,615 acres of tenanted, and 3,080 acres of untenanted land which appears to consist for the most part of mountain and bog. When dealing with the estate the Commissioners will have regard to the arrangement come to during the lifetime of the late owner.

asked what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to comply with the requests contained in the memorials forwarded to them complaining of the congested state of their holdings on the Trant estate at Ballinahow Thurles, county Tipperary; Going estate at Ballyphilip, Thurles, county Tipperary; and the Earl of Normanton's estate, Bishopswood, Dundrum, county Tipperary; and whether the Estates Commissioners propose to declare these estates congested areas under the Land Act, 1909?

The Estates Commissioners have directed an inspection to be made of the lands on Lord Normanton's estate referred to. The memorials regarding the lands on the Trant and Going estates are at present under the consideration of the Commissioners.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have made an amended offer for the untenanted lands on the estate of Surgeon-General Roe, of Loran Park, Roscrea; whether the owner has intimated to the Estates Commissioners his refusal of this amended offer; and whether the Estates Commissioners will proceed to acquire the untenanted lands compulsorily under the Land Act, 1909, in order to remedy the congested state of the district?

The Estates Commissioners had a preliminary inspection made of the lands, and intimated to the owner their estimate of the amount which they would be prepared to advance if formal proceedings for sale were instituted by him. He was unwilling to accept the Commissioners estimated price, and has not instituted proceedings for sale. Proceedings under the Evicted Tenants Act for the compulsory acquisition of certain lands from which tenants had been evicted have been instituted by the Commissioners, and pending the result of these proceedings they have taken no action as regards the residue.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board have received a memorial relative to the sale of the estate of Mrs. Forde, situate at Breenymore, Bantry, county Cork, to the tenants; and, if so, have the Congested Districts Board taken any action with regard to it, and with what result?

The Congested Districts Board received the memorial referred to, and wrote to the owner, who is not resident in Ireland, but they have rot yet been informed whether the owner is willing to negotiate for the sale of the lands.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the Crown took proceedings recently against Mr. Martin Finnerty, county Galway, to pre-vent him from acting as district councillor; whether the Crown allowed Mr. William Hastings, of Ballinasloe, county Galway, to act for years as urban councillor after his being disqualified in consequence of his becoming contractor to the council whilst being member of the same; and can he state the reason of the different treatment of those two men?

Proceedings were taken with the authority of the Government against Mr. Martin Finnerty for acting as a District Councillor, when disqualified by the fact that he had been convicted of an offence and sentenced to hard labour. The disqualification of Mr. Hastings arose, I am informed, from his connection with a contract with the council while he was a member. That was a matter of which the police had no official knowledge, and it was primarily one for the consideration of the ratepayers. In fact, prosecutions were instituted by private complainants on the subject against Mr. Hastings.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has any incriminatory evidence against the persons who committed an outrage on a public monument in Baltinglass, county Wicklow, in the early morning of 1st January last, and also on the house of a respectable shopkeeper in the same street on the same occasion; and, if the evidence in the possession of the authorities is sufficient, will he have the offenders brought to justice as soon as possible?

The Inspector-General informs me that every effort has been made to obtain evidence in this case which would justify a prosecution, but without avail. The acts apear to have been meaningless, and were probably done as a practical joke.

asked the cause of the delay in making a grant to Mrs. Burke, of Castlemaine, county Kerry, an evicted tenant on the Godfrey estate?

The Estates Commissioners do not appear to have received any application from an evicted tenant of this name seeking reinstatement to a holding on the Godfrey estate, county Kerry.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that within the past four years over 30 licensed publicans have been appointed to the commission of the peace in Ireland, and of these only one has been required to get rid of his licence, which he did by assigning it to his son; is he aware that during the ten years 1895 to 1905 only three persons holding licences were appointed to be justices of the peace in Ireland, and they were required, as a condition of their appointment, to allow their licences to lapse, and this condition was rigidly enforced; and will he suggest to the Irish Government that a return to the older practice in this matter is very desirable?

It is not possible, unless by examination of the papers connected with every appointment to the magistracy in Ireland during the periods referred to by the hon. Member, to say how many licensed publicans have been appointed to the Commission of the Peace. The number of licensed publicans appointed is believed to be very small, and the general practice in such cases has been to require an undertaking to transfer the licence, and in nearly every case such transfer was made. It is not correct to state that only one such person has been required to transfer his licence. I have no power to make the suggestion indicated in the last paragraph of the question to the Lord Chancellor.

asked whether Mr. John M'Hugh, of Pettigo, licensed publican, has been recently appointed a justice of the peace for Donegal county; what were the special reasons for his appointment, as there are in the small village of Pettigo, with a monthly petty sessions, already two justices resident, Messrs. Aiken and M'Crea, and five other justices resident within two miles; is Mr. M'Hugh to be allowed to continue to hold his public-house licence; and is he the thirty-sixth licensed publican appointed to be a justice of the peace in Ireland since the present Government came into office?

The Lord Chancellor is informed that Mr. John M'Hugh, of Pettigo, county Donegal, is not and never was a licensed publican, but is a farmer and auctioneer. He has not been appointed to the Commission of the Peace for county Donegal, but for the adjoining county of Fermanagh, in which county the larger portions of his farms are situated.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is intended that Mr. John Sweeney, J.P., licensed publican. Burton Port, county Donegal, should continue to act as a J.P., and also as com-missioner for taking affidavits for the High Court of Justice, in Ireland, and if he is continued in both capacities will he be entitled to charge a fee for taking affidavits as a commissioner which he would take gratis as a justice, and is the taking of affidavits on licensed premises regular according to the rules of the Lord Chancellor dealing with commissioners for affidavits?

The Lord Chancellor informs me that he has now obtained full information as to the case affecting Mr. Sweeney, heard at Dungloe Petty Sessions on 21st February, and having regard to all the circumstances he does not think it necessary to take any further action in the matter. Mr. Sweeney, on his appointment to the magistracy, was informed that he should not charge any fee as Commissioner for the taking of affidavits or in respect of any other act which in his capacity of magistrate he might be empowered to do. It is not the practice to sanction the taking of affidavits on licensed premises.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the frequent employment of Crown prosecutors in Ireland to act in civil matters on behalf of the United Irish League; whether he will consult the rota Judges in the East Cork election petition as to the propriety of the two senior prosecuting Crown counsel for county Cork and the junior Crown prosecutor for Cork City appearing on behalf of the respondent in this petition; whether, if charges of corrupt or illegal practices should be established before the petition Judges, the counsel in question would be officials who in the ordinary course should prosecute at assizes the persons for whom they are now retained; and whether, seeing that Crown solicitors are forbidden to take private practice in their counties where such practice might conflict with their duty in criminal cases, he will consider the desirability, with a view to increasing public confidence in the administration of the law, of extending a similar rule to Crown counsel?

I cannot give any particulars relating to the general civil practice of the Crown Prosecutors in Ireland. Many of them are counsel of high standing, and their services are from time to time engaged by various classes of the people. There is, and could be, no limitation upon the privilege of members of the Bar to accept business from any persons desirous to retain them. I do not know if the gentlemen referred to are engaged as counsel for the respondent in the East Cork election petition, but, if they are, the matter is one of private concern to themselves, and is in no sense one for the consideration of the election judges. No counsel would think of prosecuting persons for whom they acted professionally in the case or transaction out of which the prosecution arose, and in the event supposed by the hon. Member the services of other counsel would be availed of. There is no analogy between the positions of Crown counsel and Crown solicitors, and there is no reason whatever for taking the course suggested at the conclusion of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the need for the provision of a slip in connection with the quay at Caherciveen; and whether, in view of the fact that the estimated cost does not exceed £50, that there is no means at present by which the fishermen can haul up their boats to a place of safety in the case of a storm arising, and that there is a suitable spot immediately adjoining where the boats could be placed, he will urge the Congested Districts Board to complete the work in hand by the provision of a slip?

Representations have been made to the Congested Districts Board as to the desirability of constructing a boat-slip at Caherciveen, and an inspection of the place will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any labourers holding union cottages in Ireland have been provided with turbary under the provisions of Section 21 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and Section 24 of the Labourers Act, 1906; and does he propose to take any, and, if so, what steps to secure, where possible, turbary for union cottages?

As regards the first paragraph of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by him on the 5th April. The Estates Commissioners in framing regulations under Section 21 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, have regard to the requirements of agricultural labourers coming within the provisions of Section 24 of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906.

asked the Chief Secretary whether, in the case of the Marshall estate, Callinaferry, the National Debt Commissioners have made a profit of over £500 since the vendor was paid; if so, whether this loss to the tenants is due to the neglect of the Estates Commissioners in not taking the necessary steps to have the estate vested in proper time; and what steps does he propose to take in order to make good to the tenants the loss they have incurred through no fault of their own?

The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that the National Debt Commissioners have made any profit in this case. They have only been paid the interest payable to them pursuant to the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the tenants have only been required to pay the minimum rate of interest prescribed by that Act pending the vesting of the lands in them. The delay in vesting the holdings in the tenants was occasioned by their not signing the necessary deed providing for the maintenance of the embankment on the estate. This they have now done, and the lands will be vested in them as soon as practicable.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Mounted Sergeant George Talbot has recently been promoted to a head constableship, and transferred from the constabulary depot to Belfast; if he has only twenty-two years' service in the Royal Irish Constabulary; if several other sergeants, senior to him in service and ability, were passed over; whether he never held the position of acting sergeant, but only that of temporary acting sergeant, and was promoted from the rank of constable to sergeant; who conducted the recent examination which resulted in Mr. Talbot's promotion over his competitors and seniors; and what influence was brought to bear to secure Mr. Talbot's various promotions over his seniors in service in the Royal Irish Constabulary?

The Inspector-General informs me that Sergeant Talbot, of the mounted force, at the depot, has been promoted to the rank of Mounted Head-Constable, and transferred to Belfast. He has served twenty-two years in the force. In accordance with the regulations and in order to find the most eligible candidate, the first seven eligible mounted sergeants on the seniority list were selected to compete for the vacancy. Of these four were senior to Sergeant Talbot and two junior. Sergeant Talbot obtained first place at the examination, and was, therefore, appointed. The examination was conducted by a county inspector, a district inspector, the veterinary surgeon, and the riding master. There is no regulation to prevent a temporary acting-sergeant being promoted directly to sergeant. This man's promotion was solely due to his own merit, and there is no ground for the insinuation conveyed in the last paragraph.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether anything can be done by way of pension to assist Michael Hernan, for seventeen years a constable in the Royal Irish Constabulary, who sustained an injury to his back at Killybegs, in June, 1905, while at drill, and was for two months under the care of Dr. O'Donnell, of Dunkineely, and who, owing to this injury, left the force without knowing that he should have taken steps as to pension before resignation; and, as Hernan has never recovered from the injury and is almost unable to work, will the Royal Irish Constabulary authorities allow him some pension notwithstanding the irregularity?

Michael Hernan served in the Royal Irish Constabulary for seventeen years and was discharged from the force on 20th October, 1905, having resigned in order to avoid dismissal. On 16th May, 1905, the ex-constable received a "spinal strain" when receiving instruction in physical drill and was non-effective until 5th June, 1905, but was not afterwards non-effective from this cause. At the time of his resignation he was in the full discharge of his duties, and no question was raised as to his being physically unable to perform them. In the circumstances there is no legal power to grant him a pension from Royal Irish Constabulary funds.

asked the number of Catholics holding the commission of the peace in county Cavan, and the proportion to the total number holding the commission of the peace in that county, and also the proportion of Catholics in the county to the whole population of the county?

There are 156 persons holding the ordinary commission of the peace in the county Cavan, of whom seventy-eight, or exactly one-half of the total number of magistrates in the county, are believed to be Roman Catholics. The exact proportion of the Roman Catholics to the whole of the population of the county at the present time cannot be stated until after the publication of the returns of the recent Census.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will inquire whether the Urban District Council of Portadown have been carrying out their banking business in accordance with the Public Bodies Order; will he state how many accounts this council has with its bankers; whether any report has been made in reference thereto by the Local Government Board auditor; and, if so, to what effect?

The banking business of the Portadown Urban District Council has been, and is, carried out in accordance with the Public Bodies Order. At the present time there is only one account with the Treasurer, and no necessity exists for a second as there is no expenditure out of loans. The auditor called attention some time ago to the separation in a second account of a contribution from the Great Northern Railway Company towards the making of a new road, but there was nothing irregular in this, and the two accounts have since been amalgamated.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners received, a considerable time ago, a memorial from the tenants on Captain Murphy's estate, Lullymore, Rathangan, county Kildare; if so, has it been replied to and in what terms; are the Estates Commissioners aware that Lullymore is a congested area, and that evictions are likely to occur; and whether he will say what action the Estates Commissioners will take in connection with this estate?

A memorial has been received in this case, and the Estates Commissioners have directed inquiries to be made in the matter.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if he will state whether, in case proceedings instituted by the official solicitor in connection with the affairs of a lunatic were dismissed with costs, whether such costs are payable by the official solicitor personally or out of public funds; will he say further whether the official solicitor is paid a salary, and in what way is the appointment made and held?

In the case put by the hon. Gentleman the costs would be paid either out of the lunatic's estate or out of the Lunacy Fund. The official solicitor is not paid a salary. He is appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and holds his office presumably at the Lord Chancellor's pleasure.

asked whether the cases of the following evicted tenants on the Mundy estate, Dingle, county Kerry, Samuel Lovell, Johanna M'Kenna, and John Bowler have been inquired into, and what steps do the Commissioners propose to take regarding them?

The Estates Commissioners have received applications for reinstatement from Samuel Lovell and Johanna McKenna, who state they were evicted from the Townsend estate, and from John Bowler, who states his father was evicted from the Murphy Estate. McKenna's application was received after the date mentioned in the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and cannot, therefore, be dealt with under that Act. The eviction of Bowler's father appears to have taken place more than twenty-five years before the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903, and he does not, therefore, come within Section 2 (1) (d) of that Act, Lovell's name has been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land acquired by the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is prepared to give the Irish prison warders the same grade and pay as the English, Scotch, and Welsh prison warders, the Irish prison warders numbering about 400, while in Great Britain prison warders number about ten times that number; whether he is aware that last year the Prisons Board saved over £4,000; and whether, in view of the desirability of putting the prison service on an equality and the saving of last year, he will put the prison service of Ireland on the same footing as the service in Great Britain?

The scales of pay of the Irish prison warders, who number about 350, were substantially and generously increased in 1908. The surplus on the Vote for 1909–1910 was £4,358. The Government has never admitted the principle that there should be the same scales of pay for prison officers in Ireland as in Great Britain. The ranks, duties, increments, rate of promo- tion and posts carrying extra emolument are quite different and admit of no definite comparison.

asked the Chief Secretary the number of prisons, minor prisons, and bridewells closed in Ireland since the present chairman, Mr. Gibbons, took over the charge of the General Prisons Board; what was the number of clerks and others then employed in the offices of the Prisons Board, and their positions and salaries; whether he will give the amount of their present salaries; if any additional appointments have been made; if so, state the positions and salaries; can he state the reason for the increase of Mr. Medcalf's salary; what qualification has Mr. Abraham to fill the position of architect; has he any indentures or knowledge of drafting; and whether, in order to safeguard trade unions, the General Prisons Board will, in future, when appointing trades warders, see that those appointed have indentures?

Five prisons, six minor prisons, ten bridewells, and one lock-up have been closed in Ireland since the appointment of the present chairman in 1895. Information as to the staff of the General Prisons Board and salaries will be found on page 312 of the Estimates for 1895–96, and on page 128 of the Estimates for 1911–12. The duties of the medical member of the Board are now performed by the inspector of reformatory and industrial schools, who receives £250 for these services. The other changes in the staff during the period referred to by the hon. Member can be obtained by comparison of the Estimates for 1895–6 with those for the current year. Mr. Medcalf's salary was increased in 1899, on his appointment to the new office of Controller of Industries. Mr. Abraham does not fill the position of architect, but that of clerk of works. He is a competent clerk of works and has the requisite knowledge of drafting. He has obtained a certificate of qualification for this post from the Civil Service Commissioners. No trade warders are now appointed to the Prisons Service. The present system is to appoint competent warders with special allowances.

asked the Chief Secretary why the fees for teaching Irish have not been paid to the teachers in the schools of Killeany and St. Ronan's, situate in the Aran Isle, county Galway; is he aware that the examination was held so long ago as last August; and, seeing that the fees have been paid in other schools where the examination took place at a much later date, will he call the attention of the National Board to the matter, so that the fees may be paid to those teachers?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that the fees have been paid in the case of the schools referred to. These fees could not be paid at an earlier date, as the question of the competency of some members of the teaching staffs of these schools had to be inquired into and considered by the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board, or the Board of Agriculture, to provide pier accommodation for the people living on the island of Tawin, Oranmore, county Galway; is he aware that fishing is the main industry of which these people live; can he state how many deaths from drowning owing to the want of pier accommodation, took place in sight of the people on the island, who were unable to render assistance, within the past few years; and whether, in view of the urgency of providing the inhabitants of the island with a pier to enable them to carry on their principal means of livelihood, he will communicate with the Board or Boards responsible, and do something to assist in a practical way those poor islanders?

No steps are being taken by the Congested Districts Board to construct a pier on the island, which is now connected by a bridge with the mainland, and there are, in their opinion, many other places where landing accommodation is more urgently required. None of the inhabitants live by fishing, and the Board understand that there is not even one fishing boat in the island. There were two drowning accidents off the island during the past ten years. Before the island was included in the Congested Districts, the Department of Agriculture offered to co-operate with the County Council in providing a small pier, but the offer was not accepted.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Mrs. Anne M'Morrow, widow of Patrick M'Morrow, an evicted tenant on the estate of H. J. B. Clements, Manorhamilton, for a grant in aid of building her dwelling-house and stocking her farm; and whether, having regard to the fact that M'Morrow lost his life through being compelled to live in a mud cabin in the bed of a river after being evicted, and that his widow and orphans have no means to work the farm, the Estates Commissioners would give her a free grant to enable her to build the house and work the farm?

The question of making a free grant to Mrs. M'Morrow will be considered by the Estates Commissioners when the estate is being dealt with by them in order of priority.

asked if the Estates Commissioners have received an application from Robert Graham, Aughaleagiue, Ederny, county Fermanagh, who was evicted in 1895 and has since been living on a small piece of reclaimed land belonging to his wife near his former holding; and, if so, will the Commissioners deal with the application under the Evicted Tenants Act or note Graham's case with a view to providing him with an economic holding on some neighbouring estate?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from Robert Graham seeking reinstatment in a holding on the Bird Estate, county Fermanagh, formerly occupied by him. As his application was not received within the period limited by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, it cannot be dealt with under that Act.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the editor of the paper, which was held guilty of the publication of false statements of fact in connection with the recent North Louth election, is sitting on the bench as a magistrate to hear cases arising out of the report of the election petition judges; whether the accused are defended by this magistrate's brother; whether informations have already been refused in some cases; was the Attorney-General's counsel directed to prosecute; if not, why was he present to attempt to uphold the conviction by one of the persons reported for bribery in North Louth; is it intended, as in the case of eight of the Bantry prisoners recently convicted at the Cork Assizes, to send up an indictment against the persons reported by the judges in North Louth, notwithstanding the refusal of informations at Dundalk petty sessions; and will the assize trials be held in Dundalk in cases arising out of the election petition there?

I understand the fact is as stated in the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question. The magistrate indicated is sitting contrary to the protest offered by the Crown Solicitor at the beginning of the cases. I have no knowledge whether or not the solicitor for the defence is a brother of one of the magistrates. Informations have already been refused in some cases, but I can make no statement on the question of taking further action until I have had the opportunity of considering the depositions sworn before the magistrates. Nor can I, at this stage, make any statement as to the place of trial. My counsel was not directed to prosecute. The cases are being conducted by the Crown Solicitor. As to the appearance of my Counsel in the other case alluded to, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to his question on the subject dated the 3rd April.

asked how many men were trained and certificated in the primary training colleges in Ireland during the five years ending 1910; how many of those so trained and certificated left Ireland to become teachers in England and Scotland, and what was the amount expended on the training of those who so left Ireland; and how many of those trained and certificated during the period referred to have been unable to obtain employment as teachers in the primary schools of Ireland, and are still unemployed?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that 1,112 men teachers were trained and certificated in the primary training colleges in Ireland during the five years ended 1910. The Commissioners are not in a position to give the information asked for with regard to the number of teachers trained and certificated who left Ireland to become teachers in England and Scotland, but it would appear that some twenty at least of the 1,112 teachers referred to have given probationary service for the award of a training diploma in English or Scotch schools. The cost of training these twenty men was £2,000. The Commissioners are not in a position to give with any degree of exactness the number of recently trained teachers who are at present unemployed, but from an examination of the lists for 1906 and 1907 it appears that of the 467 and 447 King's scholars who qualified as teachers at the end of their two years' course of training in those 464 and 440 subsequently obtained employment in public elementary schools, and three and seven had not secured appointments.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he can give the approximate date for the publication by the Department of Agriculture of the Directory of Exporting Manufacturers of Ireland?

It is hoped that the directory referred to will be published about 1st May.

asked whether it is within the power of a national school manager to detain a teacher's salary papers unduly; whether it is obligatory on him to sign them at the end of each quarter; and, in case of a manager's refusal to sign them or his vexatious delay in so doing, will he state what remedy is open to the teacher affected thereby?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that no national school manager has a right to detain a teacher's salary papers unduly. If a teacher has any grounds of complaint against his manager in respect to this matter he has the right to appeal direct to the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether Dr. P. Goold Raleigh, Macroom, was a candidate for the recent vacancy in the medical inspectorship of the Local Government Board to which Dr. M'Cormack was appointed; whether he is aware that he was influentially recommended for the position; and, in the circumstances, can he state why the appointment was not conferred on him?

There is no record of Dr. Raleigh having made an application to the Local Government Board for employment as a medical inspector.

asked the President of the Inter-Departmental Committee with special grant in aid of certain necessitous areas will be continued this year, and, if so, whether it is proposed to make any material changes in the regulations under which it is distributed?

Pending the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee with regard to the relation of Imperial to local taxation the Government do not consider it desirable to extend the scope of the Special Grant for Necessitous Areas, which has always been properly regarded as a purely temporary measure of relief. The grant for the year 1911–12 will, therefore be strictly limited to a sum of £350,000, for which provision is made in the Estimates. It will be confined to those areas which have participation in the grant during the year 1910–11 or previous years; but I am not in a position to state whether the basis of distribution among these areas will be the same as in the year 1910–11.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he will state what appointments at the Board of Education were subject to open competition through the Civil Service Commission in 1902; what corresponding appointments are there now; how many appointments on the higher grades of the staff of the Board of Education have been made each year since December, 1902, after open competition and without competition conducted by the Civil Service Commission, respectively; how many of these appointments, and which of them, have been by promotion from the staff; and how many by selection of persons not previously on the staff of the Board?

The appointments to the staff of the Board which were subject to open competition through the Civil Service Commissioners in the year 1902 were Second Division clerkships, boy clerkships, and women clerkships. The same appointments remain subject to open competition at the present time. The statement appended furnishes an answer to the rest of the question:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, previous to October, 1910, the number of signal boatswains was sixty-two, and the number of chief signal boatswains was five, and that eight signal boatswains were added to the list in October, 1910, making seventy; whether, on account of the latter number, one more chief signal boatswain should have been made; and, if so, whether the Admiralty can see their way to making this one more chief signal boatswain?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that seven signal boatswains were added in October, 1910, making a total of sixty-nine and not seventy. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what progress has been made with the proposals for the improvement of the married quarters at Bury Barracks?

The drawings in connection with these proposals are being prepared locally and the alterations should be completed this year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state whether Article 50 of Royal Warrant, by which a captain in the Royal Field Artillery must obtain the rank of major by the age of forty-five or retire, applies to those officers who were taken on at over age, when wanted during the South African War, seeing that it has already been laid down that the age limit of those who had not attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel by fifty years of age has been extended to fifty-two; and whether he will grant some extension to certain officers who served during the South African War, and will be ruled out for age otherwise as captains?

The rule in question is of general application, but proposals are at present under consideration which may affect the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Census figures will be available for the information of Members; whether he will in the meantime ascertain from the chief constable of Liverpool the number of Chinese in Liverpool; what occupations they are engaged in ostensibly; how they arrived in Liverpool; how many Chinese females there are resident in Liverpool; whether he will obtain similar information from the chief constables of Birkenhead and Bootle; whether he will introduce legislative measures to expel Chinese from the country; and whether he will endeavour to learn how these Chinese arrived and settled in Liverpool, and who is responsible for their introduction?

I cannot answer the first of these questions; and, as regards the suggested inquiries, I do not feel justified in asking the police to conduct a special census of the kind indicated. Persons of Chinese nationality are subject to the same liability to expulsion as other aliens if they misbehave themselves, and I see no reason for any special measures against them. It is impossible to say, without a domiciliary inquisition—which is not in my opinion justified—how and in what circumstances individual Chinamen now resident in Liverpool or elsewhere arrived in the United Kingdom; but I may say that from returns obtained under the Aliens Act, 1905, it appears that the numbers of Chinese, other than seamen, who arrived at Liverpool as steerage passengers were 142 in 1909 and 97 in 1910. The question of Chinese immigration into Liverpool has been engaging the attention of my Department, and I have now under consideration the steps which may be necessary to deal with it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that during the twelve months ending 31st March, 1911, 212 Chinese seamen deserted from vessels in the port of Liverpool, and that a further 543 Chinese seamen were paid off from vessels in the port of Liverpool during that period; whether he will ascertain if these 755 Chinese are still in Liverpool and neighbourhood; and whether he will take steps to relieve Liverpool from the presence of these aliens, and, if so, what measures he proposes to adopt?

I have not previously seen the figures given by the hon. Member; and they do not, of course, come within my cognisance in the administration of the Aliens Act, as the provisions of that Act do not apply to ships' crews. Assuming the figures to be accurate, it would, of course, be impossible to make a separate inquiry with regard to each of the 755 individuals; but I will consult the chief constable and see whether he can give me any information on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that trachoma is increasing in this country; whether the introduction and increase of this disease is due largely to the immigration and presence of undesirable aliens; whether he will introduce more drastic legislation to exclude these diseased and undesirable aliens from entering this country; and, whether he will state what measures, if any, will be adopted by the Government in connection with undesirable aliens generally with a view to their expulsion?

I am not aware of any evidence that trachoma is increasing in this country. I know that the disease exists widely among aliens in certain parts of the United Kingdom; and it is the fact that alien immigrants are from time to time found on inspection under the Aliens Act to be suffering from trachoma. In these cases leave to land can be and is refused. As at present advised, I see no reason for further legislation on this point.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that his recently issued order, allowing dressmakers to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the months of May and June, has aroused much opposition on the part of a number of dressmakers' assistants affected thereby; and whether, before signing the aforesaid order, he will give favourable consideration to such representations as may be made to him by deputations or in writing on behalf of those who feel themselves aggrieved by the new order?

The order referred to, which is in draft only, does not propose to increase the legal hours which can be worked by dressmakers' assistants. Re-presentations have been received on the subject, and my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State, has arranged to see a deputation on the subject next week. All such representations will be carefully considered before any further action is taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether, as a result of an exchange of views between the Turkish Government and the British Foreign Office, the Turkish Cabinet have decided to give the contract for the building of two Turkish "Dreadnoughts" to Messrs. Armstrong?

I have seen in the Press that a statement to this effect is reported to have been made in the Turkish Parliament. I am inquiring what the actual statement was. His Majesty's Government have expressed the view to the Turkish Government that certain orders for ships and guns should be placed with British firms as a result of negotiations entered into by the Turkish Government on their own initiative; but His Majesty's Government have not supported any one firm or group to the exclusion of others, so far as all firms were competing for work to be executed in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Legislature of Jamaica on Friday last passed a resolution in favour of the re-establishment of the direct steamship service between Jamaica and Great Britain, and expressed their willingness to contribute a reasonable subsidy in aid of the cost; and whether, under these circumstances, the Government are prepared to continue to pay their portion of the subsidy?

A telegram stating that the legislative council has passed a resolution to the effect stated in the question reached me yesterday. I am not at present in a position to reply to the latter portion of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recent exhibition in London of what is alleged to be the head of Oliver Cromwell; whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the authenticity of this relic; and, if satisfied that this is really the head of the great Protector, he will take such steps as may be necessary to secure the relic for the nation, and arrange for the same to be buried with all reverence and respect at the cost of the State, and, thus put an end to this exhibition of the human remains of a great Englishman?

I understand that the genuineness of the alleged head of the Lord Protector is not generally-admitted, and I am therefore not in a position to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been drawn to the case of William James Kent, aged twelve years, of Camberwell, who was removed from his home to the South Wharf of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and vaccinated there in spite of the protests of the father that he was a conscientious objector and had obtained exemption for the boy from a Metropolitan police magistrate; whether he is aware that the boy was afterwards taken to the Joyce Green Hospital amongst a number of small-pox patients, and, after having been detained there for sixteen days, was sent home again, the medical superintendent having written that he could not say definitely what had been the matter with the boy; and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have inquired into the case of William James Kent. I find that he was supposed to foe suffering from small-pox, and was sent to South Wharf on 9th March. The medical officer there, having some doubt whether the diagnosis was correct, but realising that the boy had been exposed to the infection of small-pox, took the responsibility of vaccinating him. The nurse who removed the case to the South Wharf informed the doctor that the father did not want the boy to be vaccinated, but no other protest was, as I understand, made. While there was a doubt as to the diagnosis, the patient could not be safely returned home, and he was, therefore, sent to Joyce Green, where he remained till the 25th March, when he was discharged.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state what would be the product of the penny rate alluded to in Section 17, Sub-section (1), of the Small Holdings Act, 1908, for England and Wales and for each county thereof respectively.

For the figures showing the calculated produce of a penny rate, in England and Wales on the assessable value for the purposes of the Poor rate I may refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his question of the 3rd April. Similar information can be calculated for each county from the figures of assessable value given in Part I. of Local Taxation Returns.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he hopes to be soon able to introduce the Milk Bill which has been so long promised?

I am still hoping that it may be possible to deal with this question in the course of the present Session.

asked the President of the Local Government Board by whom the enumerators in the recent Census were chosen, upon what principles the choice was made, and whether the practice of appointing political agents of either party for this purpose had the sanction of his Department?

The enumerators were selected in the first instance by the Registrars. The Registrars were instructed that the persons whom they proposed for appointment should be intelligent, trustworthy, active, and likely to conduct themselves with propriety and tact in the discharge of their duties, and were recommended to give preference to classes of persons who, from official experience or training, might be expected to make suitable enumerators. I am not aware that there was any practice of appointing political agents.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received communications from various boards of guardians suggesting that able-bodied men who refuse to attempt to maintain themselves or their wives and children should be more stringently dealt with, and that for this purpose legislation should be introduced at an early date whereby such men could be detained and colonised by the Government at labour colonics to be established by the Government; and whether he proposes to take steps for early legislation in this direction?

Resolutions to this effect have reached me from rather more than a dozen boards of guardians. No promise of legislations on the subject can be given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether several of the great commercial nations have either proposed or passed laws prohibiting or restricting gambling operations on their stock and produce exchanges since the last Government Blue Book respecting options and future contracts was issued in 1904; whether he will communicate with the Foreign Office and Colonial Office, as was done in 1902 by the then President of the Board of Trade, with a view to obtain the information necessary to complete and bring up to date the particulars relating to the various actual and proposed legislative measures in all European and foreign countries, as well as in Egypt and Canada, and issue the same in the shape of a continuation Blue Book of 1904 for the information of the House?

I will take steps to have information collected supplementary to that published in previous blue books on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can make any statement as to the nature of the inquiry which is proceeding in reference to the existing friction between the senior assistant superintendent of telegraphs at Cork and the staff of that office, and how soon a decision is likely to be taken?

The inquiry is completed. I am satisfied there is no friction worthy of notice between the senior assistant superintendent of telegraphs and the staff at Cork.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will furnish the names of all boroughs within the United Kingdom containing a population of 18,000 and upwards, which have within the last six months had the public postal facilities previously enjoyed in their head post offices curtailed; whether any such offices are now in consequence closed to the public more than one hour before the despatch of the last evening mail; and whether such curtailment of facilities has resulted in reducing either the working hours or the total number of the staff of those employed in these post offices?

The information is not readily available, but I am having inquiry made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will state what action, if any, has been taken by the Board, after communication with the other departments concerned, with a view to issuing an order against the importation of vaccine products liable to propagate foot-and-mouth disease in this country, so as to prevent the spread of the disease here in the manner in which outbreaks have been propagated in the United States.

No action has yet been taken in the direction suggested. The matter is still under consideration.