asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received the resolution passed by the Central Chamber of Agriculture regarding foot-and-mouth disease; and whether he is going to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I shall be happy to consider any observations which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, to whom the Resolution has been sent, may desire to make on the subject.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would state upon what dates during the present year Mr. Morgan, tax assessor, Pontypridd, visited Mountain Ash in connection with his duties as Income Tax assessor, the address of his office or place of call in Mountain Ash, and the number of disputed claims adjusted by him at Mountain Ash; and whether, as each visit paid to Mr. Morgan at Pontypridd under compulsion and threats by him involves the loss of a day's wages by workpeople and of loss and inconvenience by business people, he will instruct Mr. Morgan to visit Mountain Ash and see objectors there at a time and place which would put them to least inconvenience?

I am informed that Mr. Morgan has visited Mountain Ash during this year about a dozen times in connection with his duties, namely, on January 31st, February 7th, 10th, 14th, 21st, 28th, March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and April 4th, and also on other dates of which no exact identification is now possible and also that a considerable number of claims have been settled by him there. In order to further meet the convenience of the taxpayers, Mr. Morgan, who is both assessor and collector, holding his office not from the Board of Inland Revenue, but from the District Commissioners of Taxes for the locality, will be provided with an office in Mountain Ash as from the end of May next.

asked what was the amount of Income Tax collected in the first eight days of April, 1896, and April, 1906?

If by the term "collected" the hon. Baronet means paid into the Exchequer, and by the term "first eight days" the first eight working days, then the figures, though not strictly comparable in all respects, are as follows:—

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would state on what principle the eight railway companies who were asked to defer payment of Income Tax were selected?

The eight railway companies referred to were approached, as being the largest and most important companies, and therefore the largest payers of tax, which, as I have repeatedly explained to the House, was intended to be collected on the 30th of March.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the North Eastern Railway Company, which is a very much larger company than the majority of the other companies, was not approached.

My recollection is, although I cannot say off-hand with certainty, that the North Eastern has not got its head office in London.

Why is it necessary to expedite the collection of Income! Tax from railway companies because they have their offices in London?

An official of the Inland Revenue can visit the head office of a railway company in London, but he cannot do so if the head office is in York.

Could he not write a letter?

Certainly. I believe I that is one of the requisitions of the Civil Service Commissioners?

Why were these railway companies asked to pay on the 30th of March instead of on the 20th or before then?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman was in the House when, at the end of last week, I explained the matter, and stated that we were following a practice which has obtained for a considerable number of years past.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he stated on a previous occasion that the tax was not due until a date subsequent to the 20th of March, and whether in the Income Tax Act the case is not distinctly the opposite, and that the tax is due on or before that date?

I am not aware of it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer to the Official Report?

asked what was the amount of Income Tax standing to the credit of the Commissioners or collectors on various accounts a I the Bank of England on 31st March last but not transferred to the credit of the Treasury: and at what date these sums were so transferred.

The Commissioners of Inland Revenue have no separate accounts at the Bank of England for the several Duties under their management; but their Departmental Cash Book showed in respect of Income Tax a cash balance of £148,000 on the morning of the 31st March and of £164,000 on the morning of the following day. Round sums of £160,000 were transferred on Income Tax Account to the Exchequer on each of those two days. I have no knowledge of the amount of Income Tax standing on the 31st of March to the credit of collectors of Income Tax?

asked whether collectors of Income Tax in Brighton and other towns of between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants are paid at fixed rates or by poundage; whether the payment of collectors in the whole of England is on an uniform basis; and whether the whole salaries are paid at regular stated intervals like other offices of the Civil Service?

The rates of payment to collectors are regulated by the provisions of 54 and 55 Vic, cap. 13, sec. 4, which are applicable to collectors referred to as well as all other collectors in England. Payment of the remuneration is made in periodical instalments at varying dates according to the progress which the individual collector has made towards the completion of his yearly duties. Remuneration is to be prescribed by the Inland Revenue with the assent of the Treasury, but not less than that paid in 1890.

asked whether the Board of Inland Revenue claims that under the statute local Inland Revenue Commissioners, in making retrospective assessments, are bound to assess all incomes at the full rate, without abatement for earnings within the limit; and, if so, seeing that this construction of the law puts a premium upon official negligence or dilatoriness in the issue of notices, inasmuch as the Revenue in such cases profits by all delays beyond the statutory date for appeal, whether the Government would undertake legislation empowering Commissioners to make retrospective assessments on the same principles as others?

Where a claim for relief in respect of the "Earned Rate" of Income Tax has not been made before the 30th September in the year for which the tax is charged, Income Tax at the full rate is chargeable. The obligation to claim is on the taxpayers, and I do not see my way to propose legislation in the matter.

Is there not negligence in sending out these notices. Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are cases where the omission has occurred two years running?

I have been in correspondence with the hon. Gentleman as to a particular case, but I do not think I can admit there is negligence to the extent suggested.

But are there not cases of omission for two years running?

I can only say the Inland Revenue officials are required to act under the terms of the statute.

asked the amount of Income Tax, exclusive of Super-tax, collected during the first eight days of April in each of the following years, 1907, 1908, 1909, and 1910?

As regards 1908, 1909, and 1910, I beg to refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth on 12th instant. The corresponding figure for 1907 is £2,420,000.

asked whether surveyors of taxes are in order in issuing notices demanding returns of income for Income Tax purposes, seeing that no Income Tax is in existence for the year 1911–12 in the absence of a Budget, or whether their action is due to another misunderstanding?

The authority for the action taken is contained in Section 30 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1890.

Do I understand that there is a penalty attached to any person refusing to return his income until the Bill is actually passed?

If the hon. Gentleman likes to make the experiment he will see what the result will be.

asked whether the Development Commissioners will consider favourably the grant of money from the Development Fund for the purposes of industrial as distinct from agricultural development?

The Development Commissioners are of course bound to consider any application coming within the scope of the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909. The questions how far the purposes named in the Act include industrial as well as agricultural development, and whether any particular application is within the scope of the Act, are not questions to which it seems possible to return a general answer.

May I ask whether the application from the Stoke-on-Trent Council was not refused by the Development Commissioners on the ground that their powers did not include the provision of money for industrial development?

No, Sir; that is not my recollection. The refusal had reference not to the general, but to the particular question proposed by the Stoke-on-Trent Pottery Association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware I went to the Development Commissioners, and they told me that was the ground of their refusal? Can I see their letter?

I do not know what the Development Commissioners told my hon. Friend. All I know is what they stated in their letter to me.

Can I see the letter?

I see no objection.

Is not the money for economic developments, whether industrial or agricultural?

Would not any grant for the purposes of industrial development be ultra vires?

This only shows the difficulty of answering questions raised by my hon. Friend and by the hon. Gentleman opposite at question time. Surely these are matters for debate?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware I raised this question on the adjournment of the House, and got no answer.

I am aware of that, and I endeavoured twice to reply to my hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the statement in the recently issued Report of the Small Holdings Commissioners that a considerable number of county councils have already expressed their desire to appoint organisers of agricultural co-operation if the necessary funds are placed at their disposal, he will specify which of the county councils have expressed this desire?

Formal applications for grants for the purpose in question have been made by the county councils of

• Carmarthen,
• Cornwall,
• Glamorgan,
• Gloucester,
• Monmouth,
• Northumberland,
• Oxford,
• Salop,
• Somerset,
• Wilts,
• Worcester,
• York (West Hiding).

May I ask if it is the intention of the Board of Agriculture, if possible, to make grants not only to county councils, but to the Agricultural Organisation Society for this purpose; and, in that case, will it not be an additional responsibility which will not make for efficiency?

I think the hon. Member must not take it that the Board of Agriculture are going to bind themselves in any particular way with regard to these grants.

asked whether the Board, before applying to the Development Commissioners for a grant from the Development Fund to be applied by the county councils towards the promotion of agricultural co-operation, consulted the councils as to their financial requirements for this purpose, or whether the application of the Board was spontaneous, and based entirely on its own initiative and calculations?

Informal communications took place between the County Councils Association and the Board, before the Board submitted their application to the Development Commissioners.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, before applying to the Development Commissioners for a grant out of the Development Fund to be used for the purpose of promoting agricultural co-operation, the Board consulted the Agricultural Organisation Society as to the amount required for this purpose, the method of its application, and the proper channel for its appropriation?

No. Sir, but the Board are represented on the Committee of Management of the Society, and they were well aware of the views entertained on the subject by the more active members of that Committee.

Is this a point on which the President of the Board and the hon. Baronet are in agreement?

I must ask for notice of that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, what was the number of men employed in the Royal dockyards at the time establishment was suspended and what was the number of established men; at what date was the establishment reopened, and what was the number of men on the establishment at the date of the reopening; what number of men has been established since the reopening, and how many of these men reached the age limit for eligibility for establishment during the period of the suspension; what is the number employed at the present time; and what is the number of established men?

The figures asked for are approximately as follows:—

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me how it came to pass that it was not opened until the 2nd of June, 1910, when he told me the previous February that it would open forthwith? And can he tell me how many of those ninety-nine people who were eligible for establishment at the time, and how many of these have been established?

With regard to the second part of the question, the hon. Member must give me notice, because I could not say without enquiry. With regard to the first part of the question, I refer him to the answer I frequently gave him upon the same question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to an accident to John McCafferty at 12.30 on the night of the 17th April, on the new dock works Rosyth; and whether he can state the kind of conveyance used to carry the injured man to his lodgings, and the time which elapsed from the accident till the man was seen by the medical attendant?

It has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information required to enable me to reply to this and the next two questions put by my hon. Friend, and I must therefore ask him to be good enough to postpone them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to cases of absence of ships of the British Navy when the presence of a British warship was urgently wanted for the protection of British subjects, property, and interests in British possessions or Protectorates, or British Colonies; whether a German or American warship was there or in the immediate vicinity; whether he can state instances other than those of Jamaica, St. Lucia, Zanzibar, and the present one of Lourenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, where British subjects have had to look to the German or American flag for protection and assistance; and whether, in every instance, suitable and appropriate thanks have been tendered by the British Government to the German or American Governments for its courtesy and efficiency in protecting and assisting British subjects?

In reply to the first part of the question, it is not admitted that any cases of importance have occurred in which a British warship has not been available within a reasonable time when urgently required for the protection of British subjects. It is not correct that British subjects at Lourenzo Marques have to look to the German flag for protection and assistance at the present time.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British ships were not on the spot, and may I ask whether, in view of the alleged superiority of the British Navy over the German and American Navies, is it not somewhat humiliating to this country to have to look to foreign countries for assistance, and whether the Admiralty will not take immediate steps to provide the requisite number of cruisers?

That is a variety of questions. The hon. Member had better put them down.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he would state at what date the post of Assistant Comptroller of the National Debt Office became vacant; what were the qualifications requisite for the post; and by whom have the duties of the post been performed during the vacancy?

The post of Assistant Comptroller of the National Debt Office became vacant on 30th July, 1910. The occupant of the post should be able to render assistance to the Comptroller-General in the legal and financial questions connected with the Department; and be capable of conducting the business of the Office during the absence of the Comptroller-General. The duties of the post have been performed during the vacancy by the present Comptroller-General.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me in how many instances previously any one has been appointed to this post who have not been previously members of the Civil Service?

I must have notice of that question. I do not think it would be difficult to find a precedent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether any of the Civil servants are qualified for this post who had previously been serving in that Department or any other Civil Service Department?

No, Sir; I think not.

asked if provision will be made during this financial year for carrying into effect a scheme of sylviculture in Scotland, if such a scheme is recommended by the committee recently appointed by the Secretary for Scotland; and, if so, what is the amount of the sum so allocated?

I am unable to make any statement on this subject until the report of the committee has been received and considered.

Does that mean that no money has been put by for afforestation in Scotland this year?

No, Sir, I meant what I said, which was that nothing could be said about the matter until the report of the Committee had been received and considered.

Has any money been allocated for the purpose of afforestation in Scotland?

That is not the question on the Paper.

That is the question I ask.

perhaps the Noble Lord will put a question down and give me notice.

asked whether, in view of the difference in the administration of the Old Age Pension Act in Great Britain as compared with Ireland, any special instructions were issued to pension officers in Ireland; and, if so, will the same be laid upon the Table of the House, and thus afford an opportunity to Members of seeing how and by what means the annual income of applicants for pensions in Ireland has been ascertained?

I cannot admit that there is any difference of principle in the administration of the Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland as compared with Great Britain. General instructions, in reference to the method of estimating means, were issued directing pension officers in all cases to estimate means derived from the occupation of land in Ireland on the same basis as that followed in other parts of the United Kingdom, namely, by reference to the actual stock and crops.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what occupation value is placed upon a single room in a house where the value of the whole premises is only 30s.?

I must have notice of that question.

If it is true as the right hon. Gentleman has stated, that there is no difference of principle in the administration of the Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland as compared with Great Britain, how is it possible that a man with fifteen or sixteen acres in England can obtain a pension, while a man with ten or twelve acres in Ireland cannot?

There may be a difference in the value.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an occupation rent of 1s. per week is charged on the room of a house when no rent is charged on the whole house?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether payment of pensions has been sanctioned to people who had, previous to their application for pension, held forty, and in some cases fifty, acres of land; has the Local Government Board received appeals from the pension officers against the granting of pensions in such cases by the local pension committees; and, in view of such, as stated above, being the case, by what means is the annual income of applicants arrived at?

also asked whether appeals have been received against the granting of pensions to applicants who have an annual income of only £10 per year and the use of a room; and, if so, have the appeals been upheld; and why applicants whose sole income is the amount stated in the question should be deprived of the benefit of the Act?

The particulars given are not sufficient to enable me to trace the individual cases to which no doubt the hon. Member refers. I can only say generally that every endeavour is made to arrive at a fair estimate of the means of the claimants as they are required to be calculated for the purposes of the Old Age Pensions Act.

asked what evidence of age is sufficient to enable an applicant for an old age pension to become eligible under the Act when no record of the same can be found in the census returns and no baptismal certificate can be produced?

In the absence of documentary evidence of age the Board are willing to give consideration to any other kind of evidence which may be adduced.

asked the President of the Board of Education if at any recent meetings of His Majesty's inspectors, convened by circular from the Board, the sub-inspectors were excluded from presence at some of the meetings or parts of the meetings; and whether, in these instances, admission was given to the junior inspectors?

It has not been the general practice for twenty or thirty years past for sub-inspectors to attend divisional conferences. Their large number would, if present, entirely alter the nature of the meetings and the kind of work that can be carried out there. As the number of junior inspectors is small this point has not hitherto arisen in their case, and they have been present at divisional but by no means at all conferences of inspectors. As their number has of late considerably increased I have already had under consideration a return to the earlier practice of restricting the divisional conferences to His Majesty's inspectors. But the decision as to the particular officers who are summoned to attend any particular conference depends of necessity upon the nature of the subjects to be dealt with, upon the kind of discussion or deliberation that is wanted at the time, and various other considerations.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the fact that, of 1,344 students attending the Tottenham Polytechnic and evening continuation classes, 312 work at their employment between fifty and fifty-five hours, 113 between fifty-five and sixty, thirty-nine between sixty and sixty-five, twenty-two between sixty-five and seventy, and eight between seventy and seventy-five hours per week; and that, of the 1,344 students, 316 do not reach their homes before 7.30, 124 before eight, and sixty-one before 8.30; whether he can state if these conditions are general throughout the country; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation for the provision of continuative education which will place no strain upon the mental or physical powers of young people?

The particular facts with regard to the students in the technical and evening schools at Tottenham were first brought to my attention by my hon. Friend. I think it may be taken for granted that similar conditions prevail in many parts of the country, with the exception that the distances between the homes of students and the places where they are employed are probably greater in London and its neighbourhood than in most provincial towns. The question how best to secure opportunities for such instruction under conditions which may render it effective without imposing a strain upon the pupils which may render it more harmful than beneficial is at present engaging my attention.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is optional with a postmaster not to deliver letters and telegrams to a man with whom he is not on friendly terms on the grounds of insufficient address, though he has no reasonable grounds for supposing that the letters and telegrams are for another man of the same name whose position and occupation would not suggest the probability of such being sent to him; whether he is aware that Thomas Geraghty, postmaster of Drumree, county Meath, is in the habit of thus treating the correspondence of Mr. Patrick Fox; and, if so, will a stop be put to this practice?

Letters and telegrams addressed "Fox, Drumree," are, in accordance with instructions, properly treated as undeliverable for want of a true address, as there are two persons both named Fox, both jobmasters, and both living in Drumree, who lay claim to anything addressed "Fox, Drumree."

asked if the right hon. Gentleman will state what amount of money in the way of payment of overtime, etc., to the staff at Dublin was saved by the shamrock pressure arrangements for 1911, and if he considers such a saving justified the delay to public correspondence which occurred on the occasion; will he say what punishment, if any, has been meted out to the officer responsible for the 1911 arrangements; and whether he will consider the advisability of adopting different arrangements for 1912?

A saving of £47 in overtime and trip allowances in Dublin resulted from the revised arrangements made this year for the shamrock pressure. These arrangements were, however, made not with the object of reducing expense, but with that of ensuring more expeditious treatment of the packets, and they appear to have been largely successful. The result of this year's arrangement will of course be taken into consideration in arranging for the shamrock pressure next season.

asked the Post master-General, whether, having regard to the number of patronage appointments which are being made to various departments of the Civil Service, he is considering the possibility of transferring to some of these appointments the surplus supplementary third-class clerks in departments of the Post Office, other than the secretary's office; whether, seeing that that surplus supplementary staff was created as a result of the report of a departmental committee, he will say what steps are being taken to reduce the various establishments to the authorised numbers; whether the surplus supplementary staff is awaiting with anxiety information regarding its ultimate disposal; and if he will state the amount of saving which it is anticipated will result in each Department when the staffs have been reduced to the numbers authorised in the revision following the report of the Departmental Committee?

The question of the disposal of the redundant Clerks referred to is engaging my attention, together with the representations which have been made to me on the subject by the officers affected; but I am not at present in a position to state what measures will be taken to reduce the establishments to the authorised numbers. The estimated savings when the revisions have been fully carried out are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, after hearing a report as to the representations of the important deputation of women trade unionists which was received by the Under-Secretary on Wednesday, 19th April, he had decided not to proceed further with the contemplated variation of the hours of dressmakers and others during the two months prior to the Coronation?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the facts laid before the Home Office by the deputations recently received, he was now prepared to withdraw the Draft Order relating to the hours of work of milliners and dressmakers?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the repeated representations made on behalf of those employed in the dressmaking trade, he would now decline to proceed further with the proposed Order varying the hours of employment during the next two months?

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in reply to the representations that have been made to him with regard to the Draft Order altering the working hours of workpeople engaged in the making of wearing apparel, he can now state if it is intended to proceed with the Order?

I have received a report of the deputation which waited upon my hon. Friend and also the results of a special investigation in the subject which I ordered to be made by the lady inspectors of the Factory Department. Both reports demonstrate that while a certain number of firms and their employés would prefer the extra hour of work at the end of the day to an hour at the beginning, the great majority of the women and girls would rather desire the additional employment in the early morning; and a large proportion of the firms which might be affected did not propose to make use of the Order. In these circumstances, I do not propose to make the Order.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements have now been made for accommodation for Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans to view the Coronation procession, beyond that on the Crimean Memorial in Waterloo Place; and what will be the total number who will be thus provided for?

Arrangements will be made for the attendance both on 22nd and 23rd June of in-pensioners from the Royal hospitals at Chelsea and Kilmainham and of a representative detachment of the Veteran Reserve. Crimean and Indian Mutiny veterans are included in both these categories, but I am not able to give the exact numbers at the present time. The total representation of veterans of all categories will probably exceed 1,500 on each day.

It is to include both arms of course—the Army and the Navy?

No doubt there will be veterans from the Navy as well as from the Army.

asked the Home Secretary the number of accidents reported and entered upon the accidents register at the works, which have occurred in the Fairfield shipbuilding yard since the beginning of this year; how many of these have been fatal; and whether his inspectors have taken special notice of this yard?

The number of accidents at the Fairfield shipbuilding yard reported under the Factory Acts since the 1st January is 283, including three fatal accidents. The figures refer to the whole of the works, where more than 5,000 persons are employed. The works in question have received special attention from the inspecting staff, six visits having been paid this year.

asked the Home Secretary what action it was proposed to take on the report of the Royal Commission on the Care and Control of the Feeble-Minded, and whether he would consider the possibility of introducing a Bill embodying at any rate some of the recommendations contained in the report?

I am most anxious for action in this field; and work preparatory to legislation is proceeding. I am not wholly without hope of being able to introduce a Bill this Session, but only universal goodwill could carry it forward into law.

asked the Home Secretary whether the time had now come when he could hold out hopes of the tariff for taxi-cabs being fixed at 6d. per mile, or, at any rate, at 8d. for the first mile and 6d. for each succeeding mile?

I cannot make any statement on this subject pending the receipt of the report of the Committee which I have appointed to inquire into the question of taxi-cab fares.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he had received applications from any local authorities for an extension of the speed limit on public roads when the Prince Henry motor cup is to be competed for; and if he would cause full inquiry to be made with regard to the said competition before giving it is his approval?

I have received no applications of the kind referred to. I do not gather from the information before me that the competition is a speed competition, and I may say that I am not empowered to give or withhold any approval with respect to it.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, if his attention had been called to the charges made against the master of Brighton Workhouse by a Poor Law officer named James Pigeon when charged at the police court for stealing from the workhouse; and if he purposes to instruct one of his inspectors to investigate the charges by means of a public inquiry into the administration of the workhouse?

My attention has been called to this matter, and investigation has already been made by my officers. It is still under my consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if a labour master at Belmont workhouse, who was one of the chief witnesses against the men charged in connection with the recent riot at that place, was formerly employed by the Bermondsey Board of Guardians and dismissed owing to his being found guilty of indecent behaviour; that since the riot he has been dismissed by the Belmont workhouse authorities for a grave breach of discipline; and whether, under these circumstances, he will cause inquiry to be made as to how it was possible for a man with such a record to obtain so responsible a position as that of labour master at Belmont within a few weeks of a police conviction?

The facts regarding the man's leaving the employment of the Bermondsey Guardians are, I understand, generally as stated in the question. The Fulham Guardians did not communicate with Bermondsey when he was engaged at Belmont as his appointment was only a temporary one. When permanent appointments were made at Belmont he was given a week's notice of the termination of his temporary engagement, and I am informed that it was during this week that the breach of discipline, to which the hon. Member refers, took place. He was one of the witnesses at the police court proceedings last December, but I understand that no inmate was convicted on his uncorroborated evidence.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the three Commissioners for the reduction of the National Debt who meet to transact the business of the Commission, and who are empowered by the Act 58 Geo. III., c. 66, to transact such business on behalf of the whole body of Commissioners; and how such business is transacted if the three Commissioners never meet?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question—

On a point of Order. Do you not consider, Sir, the Prime Minister should answer a question relating to the administration of one of the Departments?

It has nothing to do with me.

It is a question of irregularity on the part of one of the Departments?

If you can obtain the information from the Department you had much better get it direct from them.

The names of the National Debt Commissioners were supplied to the hon. Member on the 6th instant, and the Statute referred to authorises any three of them to act on behalf of the whole body. It is the practice for the Secretary and Comptroller-General to embody in the form of a Minute any transaction requiring the authority of the Commissioners, and to obtain the signatures of three of them before proceeding in the matter.

May I submit that no answer has been given to my question. I asked the names of the three Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt who meet to do the business of that body. Three is a quorum, and without that they can do no business.

I pointed out that the Secretary and the Comptroller-General obtain the names of any three of them.

Do these gentlemen meet to form a quorum?

If the hon. Gentleman had listened to the answer he would have understood that any business required to be transacted was embodied in the form of a minute and that the signatures of any three Commissioners were obtained to that minute.

asked the Prime Minister if the proceedings of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt are now governed by the Act 26 Geo. 3, c. 31; and, if so, how the proceedings to be heard before such Commissioners are transacted and entered in proper books, as provided by such Act, if a quorum of the Commissioners does not meet from time to time to transact business?

The Act 26 Geo. 3, cap. 31, to which reference is made, is repealed, with the exception of Sections 14 (in part), 15, and 16, which are still operative as regards the National Debt Commissioners. There are no formal meetings of the Commissioners, the business being transacted in the manner indicated in my answer to the last question.

May I ask if the portion which is not repealed is not that part of the Act which provides that the Commissioners must meet, especially with regard to making appointments?

I think the hon. Gentleman had better put any questions down about those three particular sections which he wishes to ask.

May I ask if these Commissioners never meet?

I answered, in reply to a question, "not within my memory."

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of known cases of undue profit made by private contractors for the public service, and of allegations which have been repeatedly made as to profits obtained by private contractors for various items of armament, and in view also of the small number of firms which in some instances form the sole market from which the Government can draw its supplies, and of the consolidation of capitals and adoption of price agreements in British industry in recent years he will appoint a Select Committee of this House to consider and report upon the whole subject of the relations of the various Government spending departments and private contractors and the precautions taken to secure that the taxpayers' money is spent economically?

The question raised by my hon. Friend has long been engaging the closest attention of the Departments concerned. The Government see no necessity at the present time for the appointment of a Select Committee, as they have every reason to believe that the interests of the taxpayer are being carefully safeguarded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there are some hundreds of contractors in the country capable of carrying out great public works, and that only about a dozen are ever invited to tender?

There are special reasons for that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the India Office do publish their requests for tenders in the newspapers, and that it is only other Government Departments which have this system to exclude competition?

It depends on the character and subject of the contracts concerned.

May I ask if it is not becoming increasingly difficult for Government Departments to safeguard themselves in this matter?

May I ask whether, in reference to these contracts, the Government Departments view with peculiar jealousy offers made to them by firms whose directors are sometimes Members of this House?

I would ask for notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the result of the election petitions for King's Lynn and Exeter, he intends to introduce legislation to remedy defects in the present law relating to election petitions?

I think that experience shows that there are features in the present procedure which are not satisfactory and which require careful reconsideration. I cannot for the moment go further.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in contemplating legislation in reference to this question he will take into consideration some arrangement whereby puisne judges who have been actively engaged in politics should not be on the rota of judges to try election petitions. Is he aware that chief judges are excluded under the provisions of the Act?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant facilities for discussing the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for East Down relating to the action of the Corporation of the City of Dublin in refusing to present an address of welcome to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the forthcoming Royal visit to Ireland?

The answer is in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is the only person who can give an opportunity to the House of voicing its indignation in the way indicated in my Motion? Will he not, for the dignity of the House, allow some discussion?

I do not think it is worth so much attention.

asked the Prime Minister if he can yet give a date for the Second Reading of the House Letting and Rating (Scotland) Bill, and of the Burgh Police (Scotland) Amendment Bill?

I am not at present in a position to give a date for the Second Reading of these Bills.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to assure the House that either or both Bills will be passed this year?

I hope they will, at any rate, get a Second Reading.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the greater exposure of the Eastern Crown Colonies to attack from the sea, and of the larger volume of the sea-borne trade of the Eastern Dependencies as compared with that of the self-governing Dominions, he will take steps to ensure that Imperial Naval Defence shall be discussed at the imperial Conference in regard to the interests of the Dependencies as well as in regard to the interests of the self-governing Dominions; and whether, in view of the influence which the naval defence of the Dependencies must, on account of their strategical position, necessarily have on that of the self-governing Dominions, he will reconsider the advisability of having these strategic problems discussed as a whole at the Conference, rather than as separate and unconnected problems at different times?

As the safety of the Eastern Crown Colonies as well as that of the self-governing Dominions depends on our power to secure the command of the sea—the discussion at the Conference of Imperial Naval Defence must naturally and necessarily involve consideration of strategical questions affecting the defence of both.

asked the Prime Minister whether he no longer anticipates proceeding with the reform of the Second Chamber on the lines indicated in the Preamble of the Parliament Bill?

I do not see the necessity for my hon. Friend's question, as the Government have not in any way modified their policy in the matter referred to.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman adheres to his previous declarations?

Yes, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to proceed with the Preamble of the Bill before or after the introduction of the Home Rule Bill?

The Preamble of the Bill must be considered before the Bill passes through Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether, owing to the long hours and sweating prevalent in the baking trade, he can see his way to give any facilities for the Second Reading of the Hours of Labour (Bakehouses) Bill?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. The whole subject of the conditions of work in bakehouses, in regard to the effect both on the health of the workers and on the public health, is being investigated by my Department in conjunction with the Board of Trade and the Local Government Board; and until the inquiries are completed I am afraid I can make no statement on the question of legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Bill at present before the House has been more than once blocked by friends of the Noble Lord? Will he use his influence with them to get the block removed?

I do not know that I have any such influence.

asked the Prime Minister whether, for the better information of the working men of Great Britain, he would arrange that the prefatory note in the report entitled "Cost of Living in American Towns," recently issued by the Board of Trade, be printed in leaflet or pamphlet form and distributed from the various labour exchanges throughout the country?

The American report has been published in exactly the same manner as the other reports of the series, and a comprehensive summary of it appears in the Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" for this month.

Why was not that report published prior to the recent General Election? or, if the report was not ready, why was not the election postponed, seeing that in many constituencies throughout the country the main issue was Free Trade v. Tariff Reform?

Will the right hon. Gentleman include in the published reports one on the percentage of unemployment amongst unorganised workers in the State of New York for the last five years?

That has, I believe, already been published, but the suggestion is well worth consideration.

asked how many small holdings have been constituted by landowners since the passage of the Small Holdings Act, 1907, without the intervention of the county councils, on the occasion of farms falling vacant on their estates; and whether such holdings are included in the figures given in the recently issued Report of the Small Holdings Commissioners?

The Board have no means of obtaining the information required. The figures given in the annual report relate only to those cases in which applications made to a county council have been satisfied by private landowners through the intervention of the council.

Does the hon. Baronet consider that the statistics relating to small holdings are reliable when they omit altogether a large number granted by private arrangement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Irish Provident Assurance Company has transferred its engagements to the London and Provincial Insurance Company, Limited; has any inquiry been made as to the position of policy holders under the first-named company as to the moneys paid in by them; are they properly safeguarded; whether moneys paid by them since the amalgamation have been accepted as bonâ fide payments by the agents of the company; and will the Board of Trade see that no loss is suffered by the policy holders who have paid in large sums of money on the strength of the policies issued by this company?

I have no exact knowledge as to the position of the Irish Provident Assurance Company. So far as I am aware no amalgamation has taken place between the Irish Provident Assurance Company and the London and Provincial Insurance Company, Limited; but I am informed that individual policy holders in the former company have, by agreement, been transfered to the latter company. I may add that my attention has been called to the reports of certain legal proceedings in Dublin before Mr. Justice Barton in December and January last, from which it appears that the court has approved the preparation of a scheme of arrangement by two well-known actuaries. Before, however, any such scheme can become binding on the policy holders, it must, under Section 120 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, be agreed to by a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the policy-holders present either in person or by proxy at the meeting, and it must be approved by the court. The interests of the policy holders seem, therefore, to be safeguarded as far as possible; but it is not within the powers of the Board of Trade to see that no loss is suffered by the policy holders.

Will the right hon. gentleman see that no amalgamation takes place between the two offices without some opportunity being afforded for discussing it in Parliament?

We have no power. It is a question of transfer of policies. The transfer cannot take place without the assent of three-fourths of the policy holders themselves, and I hope therefore they will be able to protect themselves.

What protection have they?

Unless three-fourths of them agree the transfer cannot take place. Therefore if a large majority are against it obviously they can prevent it.

Will the policy holders of the Irish Provident Association get their money back if they refuse to become amalgamated with the other company?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received a petition from the Olofa and chiefs of the Iloffa country in the Ekiti country, Nigeria, praying that they may be relieved from the oppressions under which they suffer through their country being arbitrarily divided; and if he will consider the possibility of affording them redress by restoring the country to its position as a tribal province of Southern Nigeria?

I have received the petition to which my hon. Friend refers, and I have requested the Acting Governor of Northern Nigeria to furnish me with a report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State whether he was aware that the Governor of Malta had appointed Mr. Howard and Dr. Mattei as the unofficial members of the Executive Council, notwithstanding that the elected members belonging to the popular party on the Legislative Council had expressed a desire to see Mr. Howard and Mr. Muscat appointed; and whether, seeing that an undertaking was given on the 27th July, 1909, on behalf of the Government, that the members of the popular party should be consulted in making these appointments, he would communicate that information to the Governor, with an intimation that that course must be followed in future?

There are two parties among the elected members of the Legislative Council of Malta, and I do not know that one has more claim to be called the popular party than the other. Definitions of popularity are always difficult. The Governor advised that one member from each party—namely, Mr. Howard and Dr. Mattei—should be submitted to His Majesty for appointment to the Executive Council. I concurred, and advised His Majesty accordingly.

Did not the Under Secretary for War (Colonel Seely), when he occupied a similar position to the right hon. Gentleman, state on the 27th of July, 1909:—

"The two new if embers will, I can assure them, be gentlemen who would hare been selected by their colleagues on behalf of what is known as the popular party in the island."—[OFFICIAL REPORT. 27th July. 1909, col. 1066].

I think my right hon. Friend understated the case. There are two popular parties.

asked the rules at present governing military contributions of the Crown Colonies, Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, and Hong Kong; the revenue, less land sales, etc.; the amount of military contribution; the actual proportion which the latter bore to the former for the same Crown Colonies last year; and the revenue and expenditure for purposes of defence of the Federated Malay States?

The Straits Settlements and Hong Kong contribute 20 per cent. of their revenue, less land sales, and certain other deductions, which it would take too long to specify, and Ceylon contributes 9½ per cent. of its revenue, with similar deductions. The maximum contribution is, however, limited in the case of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements to the cost of the garrison; and in that of Ceylon to three-fourths of the cost. The last year for which figures are available is 1909. In that year the revenue of Hong Kong, less land sales, amounted to $6,732,529, and the military contribution to $1,210,739; the revenue of the Straits Settlements to $8,708,942, and the contribution to $1,582,262; the revenue of Ceylon to Rs.38,169,494, and the contribution to about £86,000. Ceylon also provides the cost of land and buildings required for military purposes. The revenue of the Federated Malay States for 1909, less land sales, amounted to $24,962,617, and the expenditure on defence to $448,213.

asked the Secretary of State whether the military contributions of the Eastern Crown Colonies are regulated solely with regard to immediate local requirements as to military garrisons; whether, in the case of Ceylon, these latter are greatly minimised by consideration of the nearness of India and of the security of Singapore and Hong Kong; whether this system of fixing contributions results in this Crown Colony expending on defence a very much smaller proportion of its revenue than do the other dependencies mentioned above; whether, with due regard to the financial position of Ceylon and to the fact that the security of the Eastern Dependencies and of their seaborne trade depends on naval as well as military defence, he will consider the advisability of treating the contribution of Ceylon as a defence rather than as a purely military contribution, and of putting it on a footing as regards proportion of revenue similar to that of the other Eastern Crown Colonies with a view to the provision of more effective naval defence in the East; and whether, in consideration of the financial resources of the Federated Malay States, and the protection they derive from other imperial units, he will consider the practicability of securing some form of co-operation on their part for the same purpose?

Under the arrangement which has been in force for about fifteen years the maximum limit of the military contribution in the case of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements is the whole cost of the garrison; in the case of Ceylon, for special reasons, it is three-fourths of the cost. The strength of the garrisons and the contributions of the colonies are determined by a variety of considerations, both imperial and local, which it is impossible to discuss by way of question and answer. The Federated Malay States, although they are not British territory, already make a very substantial contribution to the defence of the Empire by maintaining, in accordance with the Federation Agreement of 1895, a highly efficient regiment (the Malay States Guides) which is intended to reinforce the garrison of Singapore in time of war.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in August last, determined the compensation to be paid in respect of the American Stores beerhouse, Stepney, at £530, although the total trade done at 14s. per barrel profit only produced £62 10s. per annum, and the county licensing committee for the county of London had considered £80 amply sufficient to compensate all parties for the extinction of the licence; whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue gave the county licensing committee, or its valuer, an opportunity of appearing before them before allotting this sum of £530; and whether, in the future, the county licensing committee will always be invited to-appear before the Commissioners before the amounts to be paid in cases of compensation referred to the Commissioners are determined?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second and third parts, it is the practice of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, before making their award, to invite both the Compensation Authority and the persons interested in the award to make a full statement of all circumstances relevant to a proper determination of the compensation value, and this practice was followed in the case to which the hon. Member refers. The reply to the concluding inquiry is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the areas to which he proposes by Clause 4 of the Dublin Police Bill to restore Sunday traffic in drink comprise four parishes with a population of about 20,000 people; that they have had total Sunday closing since 1878; that the Dublin Corporation Act, 1900, which added them to the city, expressly preserved the exemption from Sunday drink traffic in those areas; that the clergy, temperance societies of all denominations, and the respectable inhabitants are strongly opposed to the change; and is there any precedent in modern British legislation for the reopening on Sundays of public-houses where they have been closed on Sundays for over thirty years.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts mentioned in the first three paragraphs of the question. Resolutions have been received in opposition to the proposed change, but there is a precedent for it. It is a great anomaly to have a small part of the Metropolitan Police District deprived of the power which is granted to by far the greater part of the area.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a resolution of the Strokestown guardians and council protesting against the police tax occasioned by the employment of extra police in connection with the Ballybeg farm dispute, caused by the action of Government officials in transferring to this farm the present occupants from an adjoining county, in view of the fact that the late owner in disposing of it expressly requested that it should be divided among his congested adjoining tenants?

My right hon. Friend has received the resolution referred to. There is no foundation for the statement that the late owner of Ballybeg farm, in disposing of it, expressly requested that it should be divided among his congested adjoining tenants,

asked whether the bee pest in the Isle of Wight is that known as foul brood; whether it is spreading to the mainland; and if any steps have been taken by the Irish Board of Agriculture to prevent the importation of queen bees from infected areas into Ireland?

The disease known as foul brood or bee pest, which the Department of Agriculture have power to deal with under the provisions of the Bee Pest Prevention (Ireland) Act, 1908, is totally distinct from that known as the "Isle of Wight Bee Disease." The latter disease has now spread to the mainland of England, but it has not yet appeared in Ireland. The Department have no powers under which they could prohibit the importation of bees or bee-keeping appliances from Great Britain, but they have recently issued a notice warning Irish beekeepers against the danger of purchasing bees and bee-keeping appliances from districts in Great Britain other than those in which it is known that disease does not exist. They have also issued a memorandum to all inspectors appointed under the Bee Pest Prevention (Ireland) Act, 1908, giving particulars as to the symptoms of the Isle of Wight Bee Disease and instructing the inspectors to watch for any signs of this disease.

Will the Irish Department of Agriculture for the protection of Irish bee-keepers co-operate with the Board of Agriculture in this country?

Yes; I have no doubt where it is possible they would do so as a matter of course.

asked the Chief Secretary what numbers of policemen were brought to guard the evicted farm of Michael Veale, in Old Parish, county Waterford, on Sundays the 9th and 16th instant; what is the principle on which the property of an Irish landlord is regarded as deserving of special protection even from the possibility of being slightly trespassed upon; whether, at the time various contingents of police were being conveyed to the vicinity of this farm on the 16th instant, a case of housebreaking occurred in Dungarvan, and property was stolen; whether the police have any time left to protect the property of the general community when their services are requisitioned to preserve the grass on derelict farms where there are no cattle to graze the same; has any person been made amenable for the burglary referred to; what is the cost of the concentrating of the police on the 9th and 16th instant; and who is to bear it?

Thirty constabulary were employed on the 9th April, and seventy on the 16th April, to prevent intimidatory meetings being held on the farm from which Michael Veale had been evicted. They were not there to prevent trespass, and the ordinary duties of the police in Dungarvan were not interfered with. A case of burglary which occurred in that town on the 16th April was immediately investigated by the police, but no person has so far been made amenable. The cost of the police employed on the two occasions referred to will be paid out of the Constabulary Vote, and no portion of the expense will fall upon the local rates.