asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any British Force had been landed in Mexico; if so, under what circumstances; and whether he was in a position to give further information regarding the situation and the measures which were being taken to protect British interests?

A force of men from His Majesty's ship "Shearwater" were landed at San Quentin (Lower California) at the request of British subjects and United States citizens for the protection of their lives and property, the Mexican officials having withdrawn from the town. The force was re-embarked after a few hours. The second part of the question is answered in my reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, S. (Mr. W. Thorne).

asked what steps, if any, had been taken by the Government to protect British commercial interests in Mexico in view of the disturbed state of the country; whether any representations had been made to the United States Government that the recognition of the Monroe doctrine by Great Britain was conditional upon the power of the United States Government to maintain its paramountcy on the American continent and to protect established British interests, especially in such countries as the Central American Republics and Mexico; and whether there was any contemplation of joint action between Great Britain and the United States Government in support of the Diaz administration and against the insurrection, professedly in order to protect British and American interests?

Except in a few isolated cases in which His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has applied to the Mexican Government for protection, His Majesty's Government have not received complaints that British commercial interests have been injuriously affected. The reply to the remainder of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the delays to British steamers at Buenos Ayres owing to the want of proper facilities for discharging their general cargoes; whether he is aware that the berthing of steamers in the docks at Buenos Ayres and the deposits for the reception of their cargoes are under the control of the Argentine Government; that steamers arriving in Buenos Ayres have to wait long periods, in some instances as much as twenty days, before obtaining a discharging berth for general cargo; that this delay is largely due to the Argentine Government refusing to limit the time goods remain in the Government warehouses, in order to make profits out of storage rent; that in some instances goods remain stored in these warehouses for very long periods; that these delays are inflicting losses upon British shipowners; and whether he will communicate with the Argentine Government with a view to improving the conditions of the ports of Buenos Ayres and Rosario, so as to facilitate the discharge of British vessels and reduce losses to British shipowners?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have received no complaints in regard to any of the points mentioned by the hon. Member. I am, however, aware that there has been great congestion of shipping at Buenos Ayres. In 1907 a Committee of nine members was appointed to make regulations for the services of the port, of whom three are British.

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate with the Argentine Government in the matter?

I cannot promise to do that.

Why not?

It is unusual to communicate with the Government of other countries about their ports.

asked whether the proposed exchange of information on matters of naval construction between the British and the German Governments was to take place before or after the presentation of the Naval Estimates for the year to Parliament?

I am unable to make any statement concerning the details of the proposed arrangement at this stage.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman answer the question whether it will be before or after the presentation of the Naval Estimates?

If I cannot give the details I cannot answer that question.

asked whether at the present time Ottoman Christian subjects now made amenable to military service in Turkey were handed over to the Turkish military authorities by the Egyptian authorities after having sought refuge in Egypt, with a view to avoiding military service under conscription; whether that practice constituted a reversal of the policy hitherto followed by the Egyptian Government; and, if so, whether any in structions had been issued to the British advisers of the Egyptian Government to countenance that change of policy?

I have no information on the points raised by the hon. Member, but His Majesty's Acting Agent at Cairo will be asked for a report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention had been called to the action of the Kesteven County Council in letting off the shooting rights over small holdings belonging to the Council, without reference to the occupiers of the holdings and against their interests; whether he was aware that a memorial of protest signed by 14 of the small holders was disregarded by the Council; whether any provision for letting the shooting rights in this way was included in the scheme submitted to the Board; and what was the policy of the Board in the matter?

Enquiry has been made into this matter. It appears that all the occupiers signed agreements containing a clause reserving the shooting rights. After doing so they sent a letter of protest to the Small Holdings Committee of the County Council who have apparently determined to adhere to the arrangement. No provision for letting the shooting rights appears in the draft scheme submitted to the Board. Each case must be considered on its merits, but the Board do not see any objection in principle to the separate letting of shooting rights inasmuch as it enables the rents payable by the small holders to be proportionately reduced.

Will the Board sanction a scheme even where the tenants object to the shooting rights being let over their heads?

It would be a question for consideration whether or not it was desirable to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he was aware of the practice of certain county councils on the receipt of applications for land under the Small Holdings Act, 1908, to put a representative of the Commissioner of Canada in communication with the applicants in order to induce such men to emigrate; and whether he would take any steps to prevent the Act being carried out in this way?

I am not aware that such a practice exists. The Kesteven County Council, to which the hon. Member for Burnley specially directed my attention in a supplementary question, strenuously deny that they have at any time followed the course suggested.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiry as to the Lindsey County Council, Lincolnshire?

Certainly, if the hon. Member desires.

Will the hon. Gentleman extend his inquiries?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, how many of the small holders on the Woodrow Estate, Catshill, of the Worcestershire County Council are a year or more in arrear with their instalments of purchase money; how many persons agreed to buy holdings on this estate; how many of them are still in possession of their holdings; and what is the area of land held by each person?

Two tenants are more than a year in arrear with their rent; twenty-seven agreed to buy their holdings; and twenty-one are still in possession of them. Eight hold 3 acres, four hold 4 acres, three hold 5 acres, four hold 6 acres, and five others hold, respectively, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 18 acres.

Are we to understand that out of these twenty-eight who have purchased their holdings six have lost them?

That is a question that the hon. Member, I think, must give me notice of.

asked how many of the tenants of the Catshill allotment estate of the North Bromsgrove Urban District Council were in arrear with their rent on September 29th, 1910; what is the total number of tenants on the estate; the acreage of the same; and the rent paid?

Five tenants were in arrear with their rent on the date named. There are eighty-two tenants on the estate, which comprises 62 acres. The rent paid is £2 10s. 6d. per annum.

asked how many small holdings were during the year 1910 constituted upon the large estates owned by the Crown and under Government administration; and whether these bear a due proportion to those constituted on property in private ownership?

The answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Burnley yesterday will afford the hon. Member all the information which it is in my power to give.

Will the Government in this connection consider the advisability of converting into small holdings all farms falling vacant within the Duchy of Lancaster, and so show their genuineness in this matter?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper, and I should require notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of converting into small holdings all farms falling vacant on the Crown lands?

That again is not the question.

asked whether any precautions were being taken, and, if so, what precautions, to prevent the importation and distribution of horses suffering from infectious diseases into this country; whether any restrictions and, if so, what restrictions were placed on the movement of horses when imported; whether similar restrictions and regulations as to the importation and distribution of horses were in operation in Ireland as in the United Kingdom; whether the Board issued orders through the Board of Trade to the shipping companies and railway com- panies for the thorough disinfection of horse boxes and stables belonging to them; and, if so, what was the nature of such orders?

The Glanders and Farcy Order of 1907 provides that no horse brought from abroad shall be landed in this country unless accompanied by a certificate of freedom from disease. The Order is enforced by the various Local Authorities. No restrictions are placed on the movement of horses when imported. Provision is made in the Animals (Transit and General) Order of 1895 for the cleansing of horse-boxes used in railway traffic. I will send copies of the two Orders to the hon. Member for his information. The information asked for relating to Ireland should be obtained from the Chief Secretary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether he could give the name or names of the land banks in Germany which advance 90 to 100 per cent. of the money for purchase of farms?

The names of the banks were not given in the information which the Board obtained through the Foreign Office on this subject. I will obtain them if the hon. Member wishes.

Will the hon. Gentleman get that information, and also state whether the banks are Government banks or limited liability companies?

I will inquire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he could give the rate of interest charged, the terms, and the length of time for repayment, charged by the German land banks to enable tenants to purchase their holdings?

It would appear that an annual payment at the rate of 4 per cent. of the amount of the loan is made for a period of 60½ years. Interest is calculated at the rate of 3½ per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether he could give the number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, and the number of existing cases, in Russia, Germany, and France, during March last, respectively?

One hundred and ten thousand one hundred and twenty animals were attacked with foot-and-mouth disease in 2,045 communes in European Russia in November last. In France the disease was reported to exist in February last in 145 places (étables) in forty-two communes. In Germany the disease existed in March last in 10,153 places (gehöfte), in 2,627 parishes (gemeinden). These figures are taken from the latest available official returns. The figures for March are not available, but the Board have no reason to believe that any material change in the situation has occurred.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the figures in Germany for March; they have been published by the German Government?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I will get the information.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that that point is covered by the question on the Paper?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a copy of a resolution from the Castlerea Board of Guardians, requesting an alteration in the law, in order to assimilate with that existing in Great Britain, enabling the board of guardians to board out destitute children, notwithstanding that their parents are alive; and whether he can say if there is any immediate probability of such an alteration in the law being introduced by him?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for East Waterford on 21st February last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the grounds upon which the Local Government Board disallowed the pension granted by the Castlerea pension committee to Patrick Reddy, Claboy, Ballintubber, county Roscommon; if he is aware that the pension committee was satisfied, in the absence of evidence from the Census returns and baptismal certificates, that this man was over seventy years of age, and, acting upon the certifi- cate that his youngest brother, if alive, would be seventy years of age next November, granted him the pension; and whether, in view of this fact, the Local Government Board will reverse their decision?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the Pension Officer on the ground that Patrick Reddy had not reached the statutory age. No satisfactory evidence as to age was produced by Reddy, and his parents' family was traced on the Census returns of 1841 and 1851. In the former year Patrick's name did not appear as a member of the family, while his age was recorded in the Return of 1851 as seven years. He would therefore appear to be about sixty-seven years old at the present time. The brother Martin referred to would, if alive, be older than Patrick, not younger, as alleged. In the circumstances there is no reason why the Board should reverse their decision, even if such a course were open to them.

asked the Chief Secretary what further steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to complete the purchase of the Trinity College estate in and around Caherciveen, Portmagee, and Valentia Island?

Nothing further has been heard by the Congested Districts Board from the Trinity College authorities in this matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Congested Districts Board will approach the agent of Trinity College on this matter?

I will communicate with them.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the tenants on the Aylward estate, near Strokestown, in county Roscommon, have requested the intervention of the Congested Districts Board, with the object of getting the estate sold and suitably treated, so that the uneconomic holdings may be enlarged; and whether the Congested Districts Board have taken any steps in the matter?

The requisitions referred to have been received, and the owner was informed that the Congested Districts Board would be willing to negotiate for the purchase of the estate. No reply has yet been received from him.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board had taken any and, if so, what steps to negotiate for the purchase of the estate of Mr. Myles O'Mahony, in the parish of Tuogh, county Kerry?

The Congested Districts Board have taken no steps for the purchase of this estate.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board had under consideration at its last meeting the resolution passed at the public meeting in Glencar on 2nd April with reference to the compulsory purchase of the estates in the parishes of Glencar and Tuogh; and, if so, what action does the Board intend to take?

The resolution referred to has not been received by the Congested Districts Board.

asked the Chief Secretary whether any and, if so, what progress has been made in the negotiations for the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the estate of the late Major Mahony, at Dooks, county Kerry; has the Board been in communication with the agent on the subject; and has any definite offer been made by the Board by which the interests of the evicted tenants have been safeguarded?

The Congested Districts Board inform me that they are awaiting the lodgment of the maps and rental in the case of this estate which the agent has been asked to furnish.

Will the tenants of this estate be consulted in this matter, or are the negotiations to be carried on over their heads altogether?

Oh, no, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary if his attention had been called to the remarks of Judge Curran, at the Mullingar Quarter Sessions on 10th April, that the blank calendar did not represent the state of the county; is he aware that since the last quarter sessions ten cases of malicious injuries, three cases of unlawful assembly, two of forcible possession, one of larceny, one of cutting the person, and one of assault endangering life were reported to the police, and that there have been fifteen cattle drives recently in Westmeath; and if he has any explanation to offer why proceedings have not been instituted in any of these cases?

I have seen a newspaper report of the remarks made by the judge at the recent Mullingar Quarter Sessions. Proceedings have been instituted in all cases in which the offenders have been detected by the police, and thirty-nine persons have been prosecuted in connection with the particular offences referred to by the hon. Member. Ten of the cases of cattle driving are the same as the ten cases in which claims for compensation for malicious injury were made.

asked the Chief Secretary what have been the annual grants for building, enlarging, and endowing national schools in Ireland for the years from 1906–7 to 1910–11; what was the similar average for the five years preceding 1906–7; and what is the amount granted in this year's Estimates?

The total amount provided in the Estimates for building grants for national schools in Ireland for the five years beginning with 1906–7 was £230,000. The amount provided in the previous five years was £137,500. The amount in the Estimates for 1911–12 is £65,000.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Report of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland for 1905–6 on the question of grants for building and improving schools; and seeing that in that Report the Commissioners declared that an annual grant of £100,000 for five years would be required to deal with the arrears which had accumulated in consequence of the practical suspension of grants for the previous four years, will he state what steps he proposes to take?

My attention has been called to the statement in question. I have received an assurance that the sum of £240,000 which the Treasury undertook to provide for the purpose of building grants during the six years ending 31st March, 1913, will be substantially increased, and I shall be in a position to state the exact figures when the Vote for Public Education in Ireland is under discussion.

When will that be?

I hope at an early date.

Before Whitsuntide?

I hope so.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he could state the circumstances in which two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary attended an adjourned meeting of the delegates of the Killimer, Kilmihill, and Kilmurry branches of the United Irish League, called on 9th April to select a candidate for the approaching county council election, there having been no police at the previous meeting and nothing suggestive of disorder having arisen?

I am informed by the inspector-general that, on the occasion referred to, two policemen happened to be on duty in the neighbourhood of the meeting. They had not been previously ordered to attend, and were unaware that the meeting was to be held.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give further information regarding the progress of the punitive measures which are being taken against the Abors?

The Secretary of State is advised that the season is too late to admit of punitive measures against the Abors before the rains begin. A force sent into the country now might be cut off by swollen rivers. The question of the action to be taken directly the cold weather begins is under the consideration of the Government of India.

Is there any further news of the party that are now in that country?

Not since the telegram which the Secretary of State caused to be published in the newspapers the day before yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the assassination of Mr. Mainwaring, assistant superintendent of police, at Alutgama, Ceylon, by a native police constable, Pens Singho, who shot him with a carbine; whether the native military police in Ceylon have free access to ammunition; and, if so, in view of this recent occurrence, whether he will consider the desirability of placing it in charge of the station-house officer or some other responsible official?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been drawn to this unfortunate occurrence. I understand that the ammunition in the Alutgama Police Station is kept in a strong-box, under lock and key, but that on the day of the murder the strong-box had been left open for the purposes of the inspection on which Mr. Mainwaring was engaged when he was shot.

asked whether the proposed new waterworks at Mombasa have yet been sanctioned; and, if so, when work upon them will be commenced?

The works in question have not yet been sanctioned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is an anticipation that they will be sanctioned in the near future?

reply was inaudible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any official reports of recent disturbances and fighting in the New Hebrides; and, if so, what steps he is taking to restore order?

I have no official information as to the disturbances in the New Hebrides recently reported in the Press, and I have no reason to suppose that the two resident commissioners will need any assistance to enable them to restore order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any report as to the sale of intoxicating liquor and arms and ammunition to the natives of the New Hebrides prohibited by Articles LVII. and LIX. of the Convention of 1996; and whether he will take the necessary steps to have the regulations of the Convention respected?

A new joint regulation to prevent the consumption of alcoholic liquor by natives in the New Hebrides has just reached me, and the covering despatch from the High Commissioner intimates that he may possibly be able, at a future date, to suggest further safeguards. I am asking him to report fully upon these questions as soon as he is able to visit the New Hebrides.

Does that also refer to arms and ammunition: they are part of my question?

I am afraid I have omitted to notice that my reply was especially with reference to the alcoholic liquors.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, owing to the taking of land for the Warwickshire Territorial Force Association, the rateable value of the parish of Kingsbury, near Tamworth, has decreased to the amount of £453 10s., in consequence of this land not being liable to rates; and, seeing that the loss to the local rates for the year ending 31st March, 1911, was £84 8s. 1d., and in view of the hardship thus entailed on local ratepayers, whether the Treasury will give an annual grant to make good such loss?

I regret that I cannot comply with this proposal. Grants in lieu of rates are only made in respect of premises in the occupation of the Crown for the public service when such premises are provided and maintained directly out of Votes of Parliament. The premises in the occupation of county associations do not come under this category, being in a similar position to Volunteer premises prior to the Territorial Forces Act, for which no contributions in lieu of rates were given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these were not premises, but land?

For the purpose of a contribution in lieu of rates from the Imperial Exchequer premises and land are of the same value.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a very great hardship to the parish which has suffered, and which has to make up the deficiency from the rates; surely the Treasury ought to give the balance in a case like this?

It will be open to the local associations to make a voluntary contribution. Whether they will be prepared to do so, of course, I cannot say; but they will be in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state upon what date he proposes, in conformity with his promise, to furnish the names and addresses of all persons, companies, and firms who have, during the month of March, been called upon or otherwise communicated with by any officer of the Inland Revenue with a view to the postponement of the payment of Income Tax until after the 31st day of March, 1911?

I have already, in reply to a question the day before yesterday, furnished the names of all the companies upon whom an official of the Inland Revenue called. No other companies were, so far as I can ascertain, communicated with, and I have therefore no further information to give.

Does that apply to persons and firms?

So far as I am aware there are no persons or firms. I used the description "companies" in the largest possible sense.

asked whether it is proposed to extend to small Income Tax payers the extension of time for payment which has already been given to railway companies and other large contributors to the Income Tax; and, if not, whether he can state the reason for discriminating between two classes of taxpayers?

No extension of time has been given either to railway or other large companies. Certain railway companies were asked to pay the tax due within three weeks of it becoming due, and no individual Income Tax payer has been given less than that time in which to pay any tax due.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was unusual pressure put in certain districts upon small Income Tax payers?

No, Sir; I am not aware of that fact. If the hon. Member will give me any information I shall have inquiries made.

asked what were the instructions given by the chairman of the Board to the official of the Inland Revenue which he is stated to have misunderstood, and were they given verbally or in writing; and, if in writing, will he lay them upon the Table of the House?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London on the 3rd instant. The instructions were given orally.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what were the instructions, in order that the House may have an opportunity of judging how far they were misunderstood by the person to whom they were given?

It is a little difficult to explain to the House how the official misunderstood his orders. The instructions, as I understand given orally were, that payments due by these companies should be paid on or by the 30th March. For some reason or other the official misunderstood that, and chose to construe that as meaning April.

Is there any record at all of these instructions?

No, Sir; because it was never for a moment supposed they would be misunderstood. Therefore there is no necessity of keeping such record.

I should like to know why should it be necessary to give instructions at all that the eight railway companies in question should pay their taxes at the statutory time?

As I understand, it has been the practice for a very considerable period in the particular case of the railway companies—which, as I explained to the House, are governed by special laws—to ask them to pay upon such and such a date. We were merely following the usual practice.

Is it not a fact that under the law railway companies have to pay the last moiety of their Income Tax by 30th March, and is it not a fact that they have always paid on that date, or within a few days of that date; and, if so, what was the necessity of going round and asking them to pay by the 30th March?

I do not know whether that is the law. I did not know hon. Members were going to ask me these questions of detail. It is the case that railway companies are bound to pay their tax at some date subsequent to 20th March. It is obvious if their payments are to be included in the financial year, they must be paid within a few days of that date. The year comes to an end eleven days after that date, and, as I explained to the House, in asking them to pay on 30th March, we are merely following the usual practice.

Was it one official made the mistake or several officials?

As I have already several times explained to the House, it was one official.

When and how did the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue find his instructions were misunderstood—

The first I learned of it, and I believe the first news the Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue had of it, was the question put to me by the hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London.

asked whether instructions were given to the collectors of taxes in Birmingham to postpone the collection of the Property Tax, although the payment of that tax is due in January; whether, on this delay being pointed out to taxation officials by persons liable to pay this tax, the reply has been given that the matter will be attended to; whether it is the case that this tax has not yet been collected in Birmingham; and whether similar delaying orders have been given to tax collectors in other parts of the country?

I am not aware that any instructions in the sense indicated have been given to collectors of taxes in Birmingham or elsewhere; but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of a specific case, I will cause inquiry to be made.

I shall be delighted to do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the need for more magistrates in the Forest of Dean Division of Gloucestershire; and what steps will he take in the matter?

asked whether, in spite of many representations, the justices of the peace sitting at the last Herefordshire quarter sessions have refused to put in force the provisions of the Licensing Act of 1904, in order to reduce the excessive number of licences in the county; and whether steps will be taken, in view of the present position of the magistracy in Herefordshire, to bring to an end the great preponderance of one political party?

asked whether, in view of the fact that dissatisfaction has been aroused by the conduct of the Lord Chancellor in connection with his appointments of justices of the peace, he will give a day for the discussion of the subject?

asked whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction with the present method of making appointments to the bench, he will give an early opportunity of having the matter discussed in this House?

asked the number of counties in which advisory committees have been appointed in conformity with the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Appointment of Justices of the Peace; and can he say what are the counties in which such committees have not yet been appointed?

I am in communication with the Lord Chancellor on the various subjects raised in these questions, and hope to be in a position to make a statement early in next week.

Is not this dissatisfaction alleged, confined to certain disappointed applicants?

May I ask the Prime Minister as there is a possibility of an unsatisfactory answer from the Lord Chancellor, he will give us an opportunity of discussing the question?

The hon. Gentleman must see that is a contingent question.

asked the Prime Minister why, in defiance of precedent, a Departmental Committee of the Treasury has been appointed to inquire into the measures to be taken to readjust the distribution of assigned revenues and grants among local authorities instead of a Select Committee of this House; whether his attention has been called to the correspondence between the Secretary to the Treasury and the London County Council as to the representation of the county of London upon the Departmental Committee; and what he proposes to do in order that the case of London may be properly considered?

The Government, after careful consideration, came to the conclusion that a strong Departmental Committee was the body best fitted to undertake this inquiry. My attention has been called to the correspondence referred to, which appears to show on the part of the County Council a misapprehension of the functions of the Committee. There is no question of the representation thereon of particular interests or localities, nor is there any reason to fear that the case of London will not be fully and impartially considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the judges selected to try election petitions sit in those cases both as judge and jury, and that there is no appeal, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to ensure that no judge shall be selected to try an election petition whose decisions in the previous year have been reversed by the Court of Appeal two out of three times or oftener?

I do not think this is a practical suggestion.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of removing election petitions entirely from the purview of the judges of the High Court, and make the tribunal Mr. Speaker, assisted by the Law Officers of the Crown as legal assessors?

asked upon what day it is proposed to move that Mr. Speaker do leave the Chair for Committee of Supply on Civil Service Estimates?

Perhaps the hon. Member will wait until I make my statement as to the business for next week.

asked whether an application for a grant from the Development Commission was received by the Commissioners of the Treasury from the St. Andrew's Harbour Trust and acknowledged by them on 5th November last; whether similar applications were received from Anstruther and acknowledged by the Treasury on 22nd November; whether another application was received from Pittenweem; whether these applications were forwarded to the Board of Trade; whether receipts of these applications were duly acknowledged by that Department; and, if so, will he take steps to have them dealt with?

The applications in question were duly received by the Treasury and acknowledged. They are now under the consideration of the Board of Trade, who have not yet, I understand, forwarded any of them to the Development Commission. I have no power to interfere with the procedure adopted by the Board of Trade.

Am I to understand there has been a delay of five months since the Board of Trade received this application?

I cannot undertake to make any reply, but I know they are now under the consideration of the Board of Trade.

asked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the timber stagings which are being erected in Westminster Abbey, any and, if so, what, precautions are being taken against an outbreak of fire?

Full precautions are being taken. A fireman is on duty by day and by night, in addition to the fireman of the Abbey. Telephonic connection has been established with the London Fire Brigade. An officer of the Brigade has inspected the Abbey, and has expressed himself satisfied with the arrangements.

Have the stagings been insured against fire.

I should like notice of that question.

asked whether a notice has been issued, or any other action taken, prohibiting or restricting London Territorials from using Hyde Park for their drills or parades; if so, whether it has been done by a subordinate official or is it an action for which a Minister is responsible; and whether, having regard to the long-continued use of Hyde Park for this purpose, and to the effect any such prohibition will have on the popularity of the Territorial Force in London, the decision will be reconsidered?

No change has been made in the rules which have governed the use of Hyde Park for drills and parades. Territorial troops are permitted to drill there as in past years on application to the proper authority. It appears that there has recently been some misunderstanding upon this subject; but it has been removed.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the registration requirements of Article 14 of the Evening School Regulations, 1910, have proved so difficult and complicated that in many cases teachers have been withdrawn almost entirely from the work of teaching in order that they might comply with requirements which the local education authorities of the country hold to be unnecessary and vexatious; and have the Board of Education now decided to withdraw or materially amend the requirements respecting registration?

I have no reason to believe that the local education authorities have been so demoralised, as the hon. Member suggests, by the changes in the regulations as to registration of attendances. The changes were necessary in order to secure proper control of the expenditure of public money. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had complaints from various local authorities as to the working of these regulations?

Yes, Sir, but none of the complaints would justify the statement contained in the hon. Member's question.

Is it not a fact that owing to these new regulations the payment of the salaries of the teachers has been deferred for a very long time?

I do not know that there has been any connection between the two facts.

asked whether the Board of Education were informed in November last by the education authority for Leeds that the new system of registration entails upon the teachers a very considerable amount of duplication of effort, and that it was estimated that in the evening schools of Leeds there would be 2,000 attendance registers in use, as against 700 for last session; whether he is aware that the regulations of the Board respecting registration in evening schools have been condemned by practically every education authority in the country; whether he is now proposing to amend them; and whether, having regard to the failure of the regulations of last year on this subject, he will consult with people familiar with the work before issuing a new set of regulations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board are not in a position to check the estimate of the increase of the number of attendance registers, bcause the registers have not yet been sent up to them. In any case, however, it must not be assumed that the increase in the number of registers creates a proportionate increase in the labour involved in the process of registration. As rgards the second part of the question, I have heard a good deal of somewhat rash criticism of the regulations in question, which were necessary to secure proper control of the expenditure of public money. In reply to the third part of the question, certain Amendments are under consideration. I cannot accept the assumption underlying the fourth part of the question, but I may tell the hon. Member that in connection with the consideration now proceeding of revised regulations, the Board have had the benefit of the advice of competent persons closely in touch with the work being done in the various localities affected.

asked whether the only promotion of a second division clerk to the rank of junior examiner within the last five years took place during his predecessor's tenure of office in November, 1907?

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for giving me an opportunity of correcting a mistake which I made unintentionally and in all good faith when answering one of his Supplementary questions on the 6th April. The appointment referred to in the question was made by my immediate predecessor in office. I have since refreshed my memory, and I find that what occurred in the case in which I proposed to transfer a member of the clerical staff to the higher staff, was that the officer concerned, after carefully considering the proposal, declined my offer, as he already received as Staff Clerk a salary superior to that which for several years he would have received as an Examiner.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has, in fact, made no such promotion to the rank of junior examiner?

No, Sir. I have stated quite explicitly in my answer that it was my predecessor who actually made the promotion. I made an offer of promotion to a second division clerk, but he did not accept my offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received an application from the St. Andrew's harbour trust, setting forth the necessitous condition of the harbour and asking for a grant from the Development Fund, which was forwarded to him by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury on or about 5th November last; whether similar applications have been received from Anstruther and Pittenweem; whether he will state when the Development Commissioners propose to inspect these harbours; and whether adequate notice of the dates of their visit will be given in order that representations may be prepared to lay before the Commissioners?

An application from the St. Andrew's Harbour Trustees for a grant from the Development Fund was received from the Treasury on the 7th November last. Similar applications from Anstruther and Pittenweem have also been received. I am at present in communication with the Secretary for Scotland with regard to these applications, but am unable to state what action will be taken by the Development Commissioners when the applications are before them. There has been and will be no avoidable delay on the part of the Board of Trade in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a delay of five months with regard to this application, and also that the Development Commissioners are inspecting ports to the north of Fife at this moment?

I do not think there has been any avoidable delay.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the fact that the Coronation mugs for Wallasey, Cheshire, are to be made in Germany, but are not to be stamped as made in Germany; and whether, in view of the law as to the marking of goods manufactured abroad, he intends to take any action in the matter?

I understand from the newspapers that the order referred to as given to a German firm has been cancelled, and that it has been placed with an English firm. If a case should arise of an attempt to introduce goods the importation of which is prohibited by the Merchandise Marks Act steps will, of course, be taken to put the provisions of that Act into force.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the real point of this question, which is that it is possible at present, I understand, to introduce goods into this country without any foreign mark on the goods themselves, and will he take steps to rectify that?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can now state what steps are being taken to compel rail- way companies to provide some uniform mechanical appliance to substitute Rule 55, having regard to the inspecting officer's report on the Hawes Junction and Pontypridd disasters?

I have carefully considered this matter, and I have asked the railway companies to consider the desirability of providing mechanical or electrical appliances at places where detentions are frequent, or where trains are liable to stand out of sight of the signal cabin. Where mechanical appliances were provided Rule 55 would be no longer necessary in its present form.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the critical state of affairs in Lourenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, South-East Africa, and the prejudice and danger occasioned thereby to British subjects and British vessels; will he explain why a British man-of-war has not been sent to Delagoa Bay to protect British interests; whether this is due to the inefficient condition of the vessels forming the Cape Squadron; whether there is a German cruiser or man-of-war at Delagoa Bay or in the neighbourhood; and whether, in the absence of any British man-of-war, a German warship, if present, will afford protection to British subjects?

In consequence of reports received from Lourenzo Marques of possible disorders which might involve prejudice to British subjects, orders have been given for the Commander-in-Chief in H.M.S. "Hermes" to proceed there, and he will arrive on the 23rd April. H.M.S. "Hermes" has just completed a refit, and is efficient. No German man-of-war is at Delagoa Bay, though the "Seeadler" is going to Durban to be in readiness for the protection of German subjects.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Admiralty will take steps to prevent the recurrence of the very unfortunate circumstance which occurred at Zanzibar, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, where British subjects and British interests had to seek protection and assistance from foreign men-of-war?

That is a long way from Lourenzo Marques.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state why the orders for the departure of His Majesty's cruiser "Forte" to Delagoa Bay was cancelled?

The reason was that the Admiral wished to go in his own flagship, and the "Forte's" refit was arranged to take place as soon as that of the "Hermes" was completed.

Is it not a fact that the "Forte" was under repair at the time?

The "Hermes" was under repair. I may say that the "Forte" was kept at Durban up to the 25th March ready to proceed to Lourenzo Marques.

Are we to understand that the Admiralty had no vessel which they could send up to Lourenzo Marques?

I have already stated that the "Forte" was kept at Durban ready to proceed to Lourenzo Marques.

Is it not a fact that the pace of the "Forte" is only twelve knots an hour?

I cannot say. I must have notice of that question.

Will the hon. Member say why on the first intimation of these disorders a British man-of-war was not sent to Lourenzo Marques; and will he also state whether it is not a fact that the reason a vessel was not sent was due to the inefficient state of the ships?

No, it was not due to the inefficient state of the ships. The "Forte" was due for refit, but it does not follow that she was not effective or unfit for any active service which might be required of her. I may instance the work she did at Cape Point in helping to save the crew of the wrecked Portuguese liner.

But the "Forte" is not the only vessel stationed there. What was the condition of the other vessels?

Is this an additional reason why we may sleep quietly in our beds?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the reduction in the payment previously made for the cooking of meals for the postal staff in Manchester; and whether, in view of the need for such work and the increased number of persons now employed, he can cause a favourable reply to be sent to the memorials addressed to him on the subject?

This matter is under inquiry, and I will inform the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to arrive at a decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the committee recently appointed to consider the relations between imperial and local taxation consists almost exclusively of officials of Government Departments and county borough authorities, and contains only one person who can properly be deemed to represent the interests of agricultural ratepayers, who are the most serious sufferers from the present incidence of local taxation; and whether, in order to ensure that the decisions of the committee shall be received with respect and confidence by every section of the community, the Government will increase the representation upon the committee of county areas and rural ratepayers?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for the Eddisbury Division last, Tuesday.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he asked me to defer this question for three days, in order to give him an opportunity to reply?

The whole question was answered by the Prime Minister not ten minutes ago. If the hon. Member will look at the Paper to-day he will find that the whole subject has been most adequately dealt with, and I can add nothing of any value to the right hon. Gentleman's statement.

May I remind the right hon. Gentleman that London is not the rural districts?

Perhaps the hon. Member does not understand that the principle which would apply to London will apply to the rural districts.

No, I do not.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the Doncaster Corporation applied to the Local Government Board for permission to borrow £31,500 for the erection of 138 working-class dwellings, and that the application was refused; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing local authorities with greater power in spending ratepayers' money without the intervention of the Board?

As a result of pressure from the Board, proposals were submitted by the Corporation of Doncaster with a view to carrying out the housing obligations imposed upon them by the Doncaster Local Acts of 1904 and 1908, under which a large number of working-class dwellings had been demolished. The proposals were carefully considered, and a local inquiry held at which considerable opposition was manifested to the proposals, including opposition from the Doncaster Trades and Labour Council. The Board have refused to sanction the proposals on the ground that the site is not suitable, and that it would be difficult to use it for the erection of houses for the working classes in such a manner as would secure healthy conditions for the occupants of the houses. The Board have requested the Corporation to submit amended proposals for the erection of houses on some other site, and the Corporation propose to take this course. I am sure the hon. Member would agree with me in thinking that a low-lying site of about seven acres, difficult of access, and enclosed on one side by the River Don, on another by a railway on an embankment, and on another by a lofty viaduct, can scarcely be regarded as an ideal site for housing the working classes, and that the moral of the story is scarcely that which he suggests.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the 7th Hussars have done sixteen years' foreign service out of the last twenty-five years, he will advise a further period of home service, so that the respective terms may be more in proportion to the usual periods of home and foreign service?

The reply is in the negative.

asked the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that since the Trawling in Prohibited Areas Prevention Act came into operation sixteen months ago forty-six foreign trawlers have been reported as fishing in the Moray Firth on 303 occasions, he can give any estimate of the number of days these same foreign trawlers have fished in these waters without being reported?

The Moray Firth is patrolled continuously by one or other of the Fishery cruisers, and I have no reason to believe that foreign trawlers working in the Moray Firth often escape observation. It is impossible to give any estimate of the kind suggested.

asked how many, respectively, of the eight Dutch, of the nine, respectively, Belgian, Danish, and Norwegian, and of the eleven German trawlers, habitually fishing in the Moray Firth, in waters closed to British trawlers, attempted to land their fish in British ports; on how many occasions was the fish condemned; and why it has hitherto been considered inexpedient to disclose the number of the vessels of the various nationalities exploiting the waters which the Government preserved for their benefit?

Two Danish trawlers and one Norwegian trawler, after being observed at work in the Moray Firth, attempted to land fish in a British port, and on each occasion the fish were condemned. The reason why it has hitherto been considered inexpedient to disclose the names and numbers of the vessels of the various nationalities observed trawling in the Moray Firth is that it would give to the trawlers so observed information as to when they had and when they had not been observed, and so aid them in disregarding the by-law.

Can the Lord Advocate explain why the information was only obtained through my asking the question of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and why it was withheld from me when I persistently asked for it from the Scotch Office?

Because the answer is so obvious.

Is not the obvious answer that the Scotch Office wish to screen themselves?

asked the Lord Advocate, with reference to the case of the conviction of Durrant, trawl master, on 16th January, and as to which he stated that all the attendant circumstances were considered, is it the case that no proper nautical bearings were taken of Durrant's supposed position, which was fixed by-cross bearings taken from the land, one on the 13th June by Fair Isle fishermen, and the other on Sunday, 9th October, by the Fiscal from Lerwick, it being admitted that Durrant's trawler was not there at that time; and if he can explain how a vessel's correct position can be ascertained by bearings taken in such a manner?

Questions as to the bearings taken in connection with this case were raised at the trial, the defence alleging that the bearings were not properly ascertained. The Sheriff, however, found that the case was sufficiently proved. I cannot admit as accurate my hon. Friend's description of the methods by which the trawler's position was fixed. According to the evidence accepted as reliable by the judge who tried the case, the offences were committed within a mile and a half of the shore, and therefore well within the three-mile limit.

asked the Lord Advocate, with reference to the conviction of the master of the trawler "Sarah," of North Shields, as to which it was explained that the special circumstances of the case, namely, the presence of foreign trawlers fishing alongside and the unblemished record of forty-three years' service as a trawl master, presumed a modified sentence of a fine, will he consider the possibility of restoring the trawling gear, of the value of £70, which was also confiscated?

The forfeiture of the trawling gear is a matter independent of the fine. The trawling gear is presumably the property of the owner of the trawler and not of the master, and it was sold on 24th March.

asked the Lord Advocate if his attention had been called to the case of Captain Powdrell, who was fined £ 150 at Wick for illegal fishing in the Moray Firth on the 29th instant; if he is aware that when" Captain Powdrell was arrested by the fishery cruiser "Norna" there was a fleet of foreign trawlers, mostly Norwegian, trawling round a dan between Captain Powdrell and the land; can he state the number of such vessels and where it is supposed that they landed their catch; and if those vessels are included in the number of foreign trawlers already reported?

My attention has been called to the case to which my hon. Friend refers, in which Captain Powdrell, of the trawler "Sunshine," who has been convicted of illegal trawling on various previous occasions, was fined £100 for illegal trawling in the Moray Firth, and an additional £50 for disobeying the orders of the officer of the fishery cruiser. I am informed that the trawler "Sunshine" was trawling in company with three foreign trawlers (two German and one Danish) about five miles from the land outside a dan placed about three and three-quarter miles from Wick Head. On observing the cruiser the "Sunshine" trawled out to sea for about thirty-five minutes before being overtaken. There were no other trawlers in the vicinity except those referred to. I have no information as to where the foreign trawlers landed their fish, except that they did not land them at any British port. These foreign trawlers are included in the number of those already reported.