asked the Secretary to the Treasury if a reply has been sent My the Treasury to the memorial of the assistant clerks (new class) asking for increase of salaries, and if such reply is a refusal to grant any advance on the ground that the present scale of pay is fully adequate; if so, is this to be taken that the Treasury have decided upon a scale of salary by which a man receives a guinea a week at twenty-one and £100 a year at twenty-eight as adequate pay for Civil Service clerks, most, of whom have passed two competitive examinations; and will the Treasury reconsider the question with a view of putting these men on a rate of pay a little nearer the ordinary commercial rate for similar work?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Assistant clerks are normally recruited from an examination for which only boy clerks or boy copyists are eligible. Their scale of salary was considerably improved in 1909, and rises to £150, or, in special cases, to £170 a year, together with pension rights, which remuneration seems adequate for the work performed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that considerable misunderstanding prevails as to the minimum quantity of two gallons, or one dozen reputed quart bottles, of spirits which may be sold at one time under a spirit dealer's licence; whether such minimum quantity may consist partly of whisky, brandy, rum, gin, liqueurs, etc., if the total quantity of any two or more of the above is not less than two gallons, as provided in the First Schedule of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, or whether the whole quantity must be of one denomination as specified in Section 102 of the Spirits Act, 1880; and, if the latter provision still applies, will he define the meaning of the term denomination, and say what, if any, combination of spirits it covers?

Provision 1 of the "Provisions applicable to Wholesale Dealers' Licences" in the First Schedule of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, provides that a dealer in spirits may not under that licence sell spirits in any less quantity than two gallons or one dozen reputed quart bottles. This provision merely defines the quantity which may be sold, but does not alter or affect the provision of Section 102 of the Spirits Act, 1880, which restricts the sale by a dealer (unless he also holds a licence enabling him to sell spirits by retail) to a minimum quantity of two gallons of the same denomination at one time for the same person. There is not any distinct statement in the Spirits Act, 1880, in reference to the term "denomination." but the different descriptions of British spirits referred to in the Act are given in the definition Section (Section 3) as plain spirits, compounds and spirits of wine The different denominations of foreign spirits are shown in full detail in the Customs Tariff, but for the purposes of this question the denominations of potable foreign spirits may be taken to be brandy, rum, Geneva, liqueurs and "unenumerated" spirits.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the claim of the next of kin of Patt Flynn, evicted tenant on the Lewis estate, Woodford, county Galway, was considered at the time when the Estate Commissioners were dealing with the estate under the Evicted Tenants Act, and with what result; who is in possession of the holding at present; and will he say if the Commissioners recognise the disposal by tenants living out of the county of their interest other than to the Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that Annie Flynn has been reinstated in the holding formerly occupied by Pat Flynn deceased. She is in possession of the holding which is worked for her by Francis Conroy as her agent. As regards the last paragraph of the question under Section 11 (1) of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, an evicted tenant to whom a holding on lands acquired under the Act is given cannot sell his or her interest in the holding without the consent of the Land Commission. The Commissioners are not aware that Annie Flynn proposes to sell her interest.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a sworn inquiry was held in the year 1904 as to constituting Ballyclare, county Antrim, an urban sanitary district; if so, will he say if the Local Government Board ordered accordingly; and, if so, what has been done towards carrying the order into effect?

Ballyclare was constituted an urban sanitary district as from 1st October, 1905, and since that date the Ballyclare Urban District Council have transacted the usual business of an urban sanitary authority.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the cause of the delay in proceeding with the erection of the labourers' cottages in the Lisbellaw district of the Enniskillen Union, and in particular why the plot No. 101, Totnamallard, acquired nearly two years ago, has not been built on though the labourer for whom it is intended, William H. Johnston, is urgently in need of house accommodation, and will the Local Government Board urge on the council to proceed?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 21st February last. The Local Government Board understand that the work in connection with the cottages is now progressing, but they have no information regarding the particular case mentioned by the hon. Member. The matter is receiving the attention of the Board.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has received a copy of a memorial which has been addressed to the Estates Commissioners by the tenants on the M'Mahon estate, Mountfield, county Tyrone, asking the Commissioners to exercise the powers vested in them by the Land (Ireland) Act, 1909, to purchase by compulsion the congested portion of the estate; whether the Estates Commissioners have taken any steps to carry out the wishes of the tenants; and, if not, when he expects they will be in a position to do so?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the memorial referred to has been received, and is at present under consideration.

asked why the claim of John Mullan, Dunamoney, Dungannon, county Tyrone, to be reinstated as an evicted tenant on the Charlemont estate has not been dealt with by the Estates Commissioners?

The Estates Commissioners have received an application from John Mullan for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by him on estate of Earl of Charlemont, county Tyrone, and now in the possession of another tenant, and have noted his name for consideration in the allotment of un-tenanted land acquired by them.

asked the Chief Secretary at whose request the Congested Districts Board have refused to recognise the election of the Achill parish committee, under the presidency of the Rev. Father Colleran, A.D.M.; whether, as certified by Dr. Croly and the local sergeant of police, the meeting of ratepayers was duly constituted, and the only disturbance of the proceedings was due to a small local political faction; and whether, if the election is to be called in question, he will direct an independent public inquiry, so as to put an end to any suspicion of the proceedings of the Congested Districts Board being influenced by political partisans?

The Congested Districts Board received representations signed by a number of rural district councillors and influential ratepayers of the parish of Achill protesting against the constitution of the parish committee under the presidency of the Reverend M. Colleran. The Board, having made inquiries, decided, under their regulations for parish committees, that a new election should be held. There is no power to hold the inquiry suggested, nor do I see any reason: for doing so.

asked the Under-Secretary for India, whether he can give an approximate date for the introduction of legislation with regard to the prohibition in India of the manufacture, sale, and importation of matches in the making of which yellow phosphorus has been employed?

Region whence imported.		Quantity of Wheat Meal and Flour imported into the United Kingdom.
		Annual average, 1891–5.	Annual average, 1896–1900.	Annual average. 1901–5.	Annual average, 1906–10.
		Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.
Australia and New Zealand	…	73,000	45,000	479,000	366,000
South America	…	21,000	82,000	270,000	100,000
United States and Canada	…	17,446,000	18,565,000	14,813,000	10,283,000
European Countries	…	1,789,000	2,406,000	2,262,000	1,588,000
Total from All Sources	…	19,348,000	21,102,000	17,848,000	12,294,000

asked what were the average annual exports of wheat meal and flour from the United Kingdom during each of the five years ending respectively 1895, 1900, 1905, and 1910, and showing the proportions of such exports as were milled in the United Kingdom and milled abroad, respectively?

Period.		Quantity of Flour exported from the United Kingdom to All Destinations.			Percentage—Proportion of.
		United Kingdom manufacture.	Foreign & Colonial manufacture.	Total.	United Kingdom manufacture.	Foreign & Colonial manufacture.
Annual average		Cwts.	Cwts.	Cwts.	Per Cent.	Per Cent.
1891–1895	…	246,608	208,447	455,055	54·2	45·8
1896–1900	…	474,773	377,866	852,639	55·7	44·3
1901–1905	…	778,412	112,518	890,930	87·4	12·6
1906–1910	…	1,324,732	98,187	1,422,919	93·1	6·9

NOTE.—Flours blended in the United Kingdom, even though c attaining a certain proportion of imported flour, are classed on exportation as the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom. The quantity of such blended flours exported is not ascertainable.

I do not anticipate that the Bill can be introduced until the Legislative Council assembles in Calcutta at the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he fill give the annual average for each of the five years ending respectively 1895, 1900, 1905, and 1910, of the total imports into the United Kingdom of flour and wheat meal, distinguishing separately the imports from Australia and New Zealand, South American countries, the United States of America, and Canada, and European countries respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired by my hon. Friend:—

The following statement shows the annual average quantity of wheat meal and flour (1) of United Kingdom manufacture and (2) of foreign and colonial manufacture exported from the United Kingdom to all destinations in each period of five years ending 1895, 1900, 1905, and 1910:—

asked the Under-Secretary for War the number of recruits joining the Regular Army during each of the last five years, and also the number rejected as unsuitable for various reasons during the same periods?

If the hon. Member will kindly refer to page 45 of the General Annual Report (Cd. 5481) he will find all the details he requires.

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether it is intended to establish a rifle range at Ballycannon, county Clare, in spite of the fact that the land to be used has been claimed by the small farmers of the district, who require it to increase their holdings?

The reply is in the affirmative. As my Noble Friend the Secretary of State explained to the hon. Member on 21st November last, the land in question is mostly rough heather, and only a small part is suitable for agricultural purposes. The land is the only available property which would meet the requirements of a range which is very badly needed.

asked the Secretary for the Colonies if he has received representations from the Dominions inviting co-operation by the Government in enforcing the provisions of their Wild Birds' Protection Acts by preventing the sale in this country of plumage at present illicitly obtained for import into Great Britain?

There has been no recent correspondence with the Dominion Governments on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the possibility of allowing the working hours of the junior clerks in the Foreign Office to terminate, except in cases of emergency, at two o'clock, instead of at four o'clock, on Saturday afternoon?

The matter will be considered.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Mrs. Glendinning, of 13, Hill Top, Knottingley, has spent the whole of her life in England and Australia; and, if so, at what date she will be qualified to receive an old age pension?

The claimant in this case appears to have been resident in this country before she went to Australia, and to have resided here since her return. On the information before me, however, she has only resided in the United Kingdom for about fourteen years out of the twenty years required by the Old Age Pensions Act.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Wellingborough, a town of 20,000 inhabitants, has only four postal deliveries a day, at 7 a.m., at 9.15 a.m., 5.15 p.m, and 7.20 p.m., respectively; and whether he can arrange for a fifth delivery between 9.15 a.m. and 5.15 p.m.

There are four deliveries of letters by postmen daily in Wellingborough, commencing at the times stated, and there is a delivery to callers at the post office at 2.30 p.m. The amount of correspondence is, I regret, at present far too small to warrant the establishment of a fifth delivery by postmen. But I will see whether any better arrangement of the existing facilities can be devised.

asked whether objection is taken to a Post Officer employé taking part in a municipal election by doing such work as canvassing and bill distributing?

Post Office servants are not prohibited from taking part in municipal elections. There is, however, a general rule, the necessity for which is obvious, that postmen must not at any time distribute bills of any kind which have not been through the post.

asked the Attorney-General whether the action commenced by his predecessor in January, 1907, at the relationship of the Corporation of the City of London, against Mr. Robert Horner, the lessee of Spitalfields Market, has yet been set down for trial; and, if so, what is the approximate date when it is expected to come on for hearing; and whether, in the event of the action not yet having been set down for trial, he will inform the House as to the time within which he anticipates this will be done?

The action referred to by the hon. Member has not yet been set down for trial. The action is of an exceedingly complicated character, and it has been necessary to examine a large number of books and institute numerous interlocutory proceedings in connection therewith. I am, however, informed by the City Solicitor, who has the conduct of the proceedings on behalf of the relators, that there is every prospect of the case being set down for trial within the course of the next six weeks.