asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will state whether a British naval force has been despatched to the Persian Gulf to deal with a trade in arms by sea between Arabia or elsewhere and the coasts of Persia or of Baluchistan; if so, is that force instructed to deal with the trade by exercising in time of peace the rights of war, including the visit, search, and capture of vessels and property belonging to friendly states; and, if so, will such vessels and property be submitted to the judgment of any prize court to decide whether they are good prizes or not, and (2) if he will state whether His Majesty's Government consulted the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether it is lawful to exercise during a time of peace acts of hostility, including the visit, search, and capture of vessels and property belonging to friendly states adjacent to the Persian Gulf.

The importation of arms has been prohibited by various States bordering on the Persian Gulf, and it is under authority given to His Majesty's Government by those States that British ships are acting. There is no question of exercising rights of war or acts of hostility during a time of peace, and there is therefore no case for submission to a prize court or for reference to the law officers.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a statement made by the Right Hon. James Bryce, in the House of Commons on the 11th April, 1904, that food, by the general consent of nations, was not contraband of war unless it could be clearly proved to be intended for military or naval purposes; whether the Government have any reason to apprehend that any of the greater naval Powers will, when belligerents, declare food to be absolute contraband in the face of such general consent of nations; and whether, in view of this definite statement by a historian and jurist of recognised authority as to the necessity of proving a hostile destination in order to justify the seizure of food as contraband, reliance can be placed on the statement of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Baltic, on the 15th March, 1911, that the past practice has been to throw the burden of proof as to the destination of conditional contraband on the owners of the captured vessels or goods?

I have referred to the whole speech made by Mr. Bryce on the 11th August (not April), 1904. I see no reason to modify, or add to, what I have said in answer to previous questions of the Hon. Member. I adhere to the statement referred to by the hon. Member in the last part of his question.

Does the hon. Member agree with the statement of Mr. Bryce as set forth in the question?

To answer that question will require a discussion of the whole of Mr. Bryce's speech and sentences other than those quoted by the hon. and learned Member, and therefore it would be a matter of considerable length to argue. for which this is not the proper time.

Can the hon. Member refer to any part of the speech which contradicts the statement made in the question?

That again is a matter for argument which I should have to enter into at length. There is nothing inconsistent in Mr. Bryce's speech with the position I have taken up.

asked whether British subjects taking up residence in Germany or remaining in that country beyond a specified time are obliged to supply certain particulars concerning themselves to the police; whether he can say what the particulars thus required to be furnished are; and whether any complaints have been received from British subjects as to the inconvenience or loss caused to them by supplying such particulars to the German authorities?

British subjects, in common with all other aliens sojourning in the German Empire for more than three weeks, are required to produce a passport as evidence of identity. The only cases of inconvenience occasioned to British subjects that have been brought to my notice have been due to their not having provided themselves with the required passport, which can always be obtained on producing the necessary evidence of their national status from the nearest British Consular Officer, at the cost of a few shillings.

Will the Foreign Secretary make arrangements to have British Consuls in Germany who can speak English? It is very awkward for English workmen to have to go to a German who cannot speak English.

If the hon. Member will bring to my notice the name of any British Consul who cannot speak English I shall be glad.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman can say in what countries British subjects taking up residence or remaining within the boundaries of the state for a certain period are required to register themselves with the police, or supply to the police or other authorities certain particulars with regard to themselves; and whether these requirements operating in the case of British subjects have given rise to any substantiated complaint as to inconvenience or loss?

I am forwarding to the hon. Member a statement which has been prepared in the Foreign Office, and which I may add is also reproduced in the Continental Bradshaw's Guide, which sets out the requirements of foreign countries in regard to British subjects resorting thereto or residing therein. With the exception of occasional complaints by persons of the Jewish faith in regard to the passport requirements of the Russian Government, I am not aware of any substantial inconvenience or loss having been occasioned by the observance of the conditions imposed in foreign countries.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had received an application from the Conference of Scottish fishermen asking him to receive a deputation; and whether he was able to grant this request at an early date; and, if so, could he state the day?

The answer to the first and second part of the question is in the affirmative. I have made arrangements to receive to-day a deputation re presenting the line and drift net fishermen on the east coast of Scotland.

Will the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs be present?

My right hon. Friend will not be present.

asked whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Taft stated that Americans would be willing to arbitrate on all questions, he can say whether America is willing to arbitrate about the Monroe doctrine and about the fortification and neutralisation of the Panama Canal?

I can make no statement on the subject at present.

Is it not a fact that according to President Taft's view the American Senate have power to say whether a question shall go to arbitration or not?

I think I have covered that point by the answer I have already given.

asked if he would state whether British Consuls are under the direction and control of the Foreign Secretary or the President of the Board of Trade, and to which office do Consuls report on matters concerning shipping, trade, and commerce; whether it is the duty of the Consul to make representations or protests to foreign authorities without waiting for instructions, or whether they must communicate with London and receive instructions before doing so; whether he would state why no action had been taken by the British officials at Buenos Ayres to mitigate the loss and prejudice occasioned to British shipowners and merchants by reason of the extraordinary delay to British vessels in obtaining discharging berths in the docks at Buenos Ayres and delivering their goods to the consignees; and whether he was aware that this state of affairs had prevailed at Buenos Ayres for many months past, and, unless promptly remedied, would result in the partial or complete paralysis of British trade with the Argentine and consequent injury and prejudice to British working men?

As regards the first part of the question, His Majesty's Consular Officers are under the direction and control of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to whom they report on all matters concerning shipping, trade, and commerce. They also, however, report to the Board of Trade on certain matters connected with the Merchant Shipping Acts. It is not the duty of a Consul to make representations or protests to foreign authorities except in urgent or exceptional cases. With regard to the latter part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I returned to the question asked by him on the 20th instant. If he will furnish me with full particulars of the complaints which have reached him, I will inquire into the matter.

I shall be very pleased to do so. May I ask whether the hon. Member is aware that some British Ministers abroad, in contrast with German Ministers, seem to think it is infra dig. to give their attention to matters of this sort?

No, Sir; I am certainly not aware of it.

I shall be pleased to give the hon. Member personal instances.

asked if the Foreign Secretary can state for how long a period it is expected that Sir Eldon Gorst will be absent from Egypt; and who is in charge of the British Consulate during his absence?

It is impossible to say precisely when Sir Eldon Gorst's health will. permit him to return to Egypt. During his absence, which I hope will not be a long one, His Majesty's Agency and Consulate-General will, in accordance with the usual practice, be in the charge of the Acting-Councillor.

Will the hon. Member give me the name of the Consulate-General in charge during Sir Eldon Gorst's absence?

I will communicate with the hon. Member.

Is Sir Eldon Gorst in England now?

Sir Eldon Gorst has left Egypt, but I do not know whether he has arrived in England.

asked the right hon. Gentleman if he will state when Sir Eldon Gorst's Annual Report on the affairs of Egypt will be laid upon the Table?

I hope to lay Sir Eldon Gorst's Report on the Table on 10th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can say what was the total number of deaths due to bubonic plague in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in the months of February and March; and what practical steps are being taken by the Government of India in the matter?

The number returned for February was 43,508, and for March 95,884. The measures that are being taken are described in a statement recently made in the Legislative Council of the United Provinces, a copy of which I shall be happy to show the hon. Member. Reliance is mainly placed upon evacuation of dwellings and inoculation, together with rat destruction and disinfection of houses.

Is it not a fact that this is one of the preventible diseases, and that before 1910 it was practically unknown in those provinces?

It is recrudescent. It is viewed very seriously by all those scientific and other authorities who were hopeful of a permanent diminution of cases of plague. Every effort is being made to stamp out the disease.

Will it be necessary to postpone the Durbar celebration which is to take place in those provinces if those efforts are not successful?

No, I do not think so.

asked the hon. Member (1) whether any compensation was paid to the 4,018 workers who were injured by accident in the textile and other factories of India, or to the relatives of the 125 workers who were killed in such factories during 1909; and (2) whether any compensation was paid to the 294 workers who were injured by accident in the mines of India, or to the relatives of the 131 males and twenty-one females who were killed in such mines during 1909?

No compensation was paid, or became payable, under any enactment, as the Indian law contains no provisions similar to those of the Employers' Liability Act. I cannot say to what extent voluntary compensation has been paid, or damages for negligence recovered by suit.

May we take it for granted that there is some law, if not on a type with our own, by which a native can secure compensation if he is injured through the negligence of his employer?

There is a good deal of difference between the Indian and the English law, but, if my hon. Friend wishes, I can explain it to him privately.

asked why are the powerful high-angle fire guns specially designed for Gibraltar some ten years ago, as a result of the inquiry on the spot by Admiral Rawson and General Nicholson, not now in their assigned positions at that fortress; and where are they?

In consequence of changes of armament at Gibraltar made on the recommendation of General Owen's Committee certain high-angle fire guns prepared for that fortress were not mounted there, but have been used elsewhere. It is not in the interests of the public service to state where they have been mounted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the officers of the 1st battalion of the South Wales Borderers are at present quartered at barracks at Chatham, which have been condemned over fifty years; whether the Royal Engineers have now in their office plans fifteen years old of new barracks which come up every year for consideration, and are every year postponed; whether the barracks in which the men of this battalion are quartered are well arranged and up to date; and whether he will arrange that the officers of this battalion shall have as good quarters as the men?

This battalion is at present quartered in Chatham lower barracks. The question of rebuilding has been raised from time to time and in 1906 it was decided to retain the buildings in habitable condition for one battalion and to demolish those that were unfit. These barracks were formerly occupied by two battalions. Since 1906 the buildings retained for use have been repaired, and though not up to modern type are quite fit for occupation. Two condemned blocks have been demolished. The commanding officer's quarter has not adequate accommodation and re-provision elsewhere is now under consideration, but there has never been any question of the single officers' quarters not being suitable, and no alterations are proposed.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many single-room married quarters for non-commissioned officers there are in the barracks?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the reasons for the creation of a new appointment described in Army Estimates as retired officer employed as messing adviser at the War Office; what are the new duties to be performed by this officer; why the total cost is put down at £800, though the salary is to be only £300, besides pension; and who is to be the first holder of the appointment?

I am not in a position to add anything to the answer I gave to a similar question on the 5th of this month.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the name of the officer will be announced?

The name will be announced in due course. I cannot give the date.

Will he give his whole time to the office?

I think so; yes.

asked whether the Territorials who will be on duty at Carnarvon at the investiture of the Prince of Wales are to receive pay; and what allowances will be granted to them?

The arrangements for employing the Territorial Force on the occasion in question are now under consideration, and I am not therefore able at present to make any statement on the subject.

When will you be in a position to do so?

I will let the hon. Member know.

asked what is the number of policemen in Ireland who are qualified to examine a horse for soundness or for fitness for military purposes; and how the inspection is to be carried out in those districts where the police are not experts?

As my right hon. Friend pointed out to the Noble Lord in the Debate on the Army Annual Bill, it is proposed that the preparation of the necessary lists of horses in Ireland shall be carried out entirely by the military authorities in that country, after first obtaining the authority of the Lord Lieutenant. No question therefore of the qualification of policemen for this duty arises.

Is it not specially provided in the Army Annual Act that the Irish Constabulary will be responsible for the return, and is it not a fact that I brought forward an Amendment suggesting that the military authorities might be allowed to do it?

My recollection is that my right hon. Friend's statement was the direct contrary to that stated by the Noble Lord.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the constabulary in Ireland are usually recruited from the farming class, and that in consequence their training is considerable, and they are the best judges of horseflesh in the country?

I think that very likely may be so.

asked in view of the fact that the constabulary in Ireland are to be the only authority for drawing up the census and classifying horses in Ireland for military purposes, if the War Office has received assurances, and from whom, that, in the event of the constabulary being under the control of a separate legislature, permission will be given to the Constabulary to carry out this task?

The police authority in Ireland for the purposes of the Army Act is the Lord Lieutenant. The assumption upon which the Noble Lord's question is based is erroneous, and the reply to the question is therefore in the negative.

What connection is there between the judging of horseflesh and Home Rule for Ireland?

I cannot give an answer to that.

May I ask whether there are two horse schemes for Ireland, one given by the Under-Secretary and the other by the Secretary of State for War?

The answer I have given is in accordance with all the statements made on the subject.

asked whether, under the new horse scheme the general officer commanding having received his authority from the Territorial Association, is responsible to the association; and, if not, to whom is he to be responsible?

The general officer commanding-in-chief will place the proper officers under his command at the disposal of the county associations for the purposes of the horse census. He is responsible to the Army Council. My right hon. Friend fully explained the situation during the course of the Debate on the Army (Annual) Bill,

May I ask if the Territorial Association does not delegate its power to the general officer commanding-in-chief, who therefore must be a subordinate?

No, I think not. The scheme will be administered by sensible people in a sensible way, and I do not think any of these difficulties will, as a matter of fact, arise.

May I ask whether, under those circumstances, it would not be better to eliminate the Territorial Associations altogether instead of having divided control?

I have nothing to add to what was said very fully in the Debate.

asked in view of the fact that civilians may be employed under the new horse scheme, and will be subject to discipline under the general officer commanding, under what regulation will they come and to what punishments will they be liable; and will they have the right of appeal to the delegating and apparently superior authority, the Territorial Association?

The civilians who may be appointed by the county associations will act under the instructions of the associations, and, if found unsatisfactory, will doubtless be removed from their appointments by the associations.

Are these civilians to be appointed by the general officer commanding-in-chief?

No; they will be appointed by the association.

Is the association to appoint people as well as the general officer commanding-in-chief?

Yes; the two authorities will act in co-operation, as I have said.

asked whether Territorial, Infantry, and cyclist adjutants are included in the list of officers required to inspect horses under the new remount scheme?

Yes, Sir; if they are suitably qualified for the purpose.

asked how many prize cadetships are to be awarded to candidates for entrance to Woolwich and Sandhurst, respectively, in November next?

It is proposed to offer five prize cadetships at Woolwich and fifteen at Sandhurst in November next.

asked at what age boys enter and leave the Duke of York's Royal Military School; what proportion enter the Army; when the annual report is issued; and whether it would be possible to have this report printed, in order that information might be available as to the effects of the military training on the boys?

Boys enter the school between the ages of nine and eleven, and leave at the age of fourteen, except those boys, thirty in number, who as study boys, remain on with a view to becoming students in training for Army School-masterships, and a few who are employed in the band who in due course pass on into the Army. About eighty per cent. of the boys join the Army. No annual report on the school is issued, but I shall be glad to send the hon. Gentleman information on any point which he desires to consider.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, whether the military authorities have diverted and closed certain public footpaths across lands known as the Old Park, situated in the county of Canterbury, to the inconvenience not only of the citizens of Canterbury, but to the inhabitants of the port of Fordwich and the neighbouring villages in the adjacent county of Kent; and whether, as this encroachment is an infringement of the ancient privileges of the citizens of Canterbury and a curtailment of the inalienable rights of the public, he will give immediate instructions to have the present obstructions removed, so that this source of annoyance may not be allowed to develop into a breach of the peaceful relations between the civil and military populations which the civil authorities are so anxious to maintain?

I am making inquiries and will inform the hon. Member of the result of these inquiries in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that no payment has as yet been made to Mr. Robert White, of Bill-hay Farm, near Tisbury, in the county of Wilts, in respect of six sacks of oats sold to the Government in August last for the use of the Scots Greys, who were then quartered at his farm during the manœuvres; that no reply has been sent to any of his letters respectfully demanding payment of what is due to him; and whether it is proposed to leave this debt undischarged, owing to the neglect of some formality on the part of the vendor or for any other reason?

Inquiries shall be made at once.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, considering that the report on clothing, submitted by officers commanding units, refers solely to the cut, material, workmanship, and wear of such clothing, he will call for a separate report on the pattern of the present field service clothing with special reference to the shortness and tightness of the jacket, and the difficulty the men have in firing when lying down and in all positions where full freedom of the arms is necessary, with a view to the consideration of the question as to whether a field service jacket of a looser and easier pattern, with expanding seams at the back and long enough to cover the seat and the fork, would be preferable to the one now in use?

In addition to the annual report on clothing, general officers commanding submit annually a special report under Paragraph 63 of the King's Regulations. In no case has fault been found with the pattern or specification of the service dress jacket. The regulations as regards fitting were explained to the hon. and gallant Member in reply to a question put by him on 7th March last, but the Army Council is considering whether the necessity for securing unrestricted freedom of movement under the circumstances mentioned can be in any way emphasised in these regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reports of illegal recruitment of women at Santo and Tanna, or other islands in the New Hebrides, during the last twelve months; and, if so, what steps he has taken to put a stop to the cruelties complained of?

I understand that there have been cases of improper recruitment in the New Hebrides, but I have not received any report as to the number of such cases during the last twelve months. I will ask the new High Commissioner to report fully on the matter as soon as he is able to visit the New Hebrides.

May I ask if it is not the case under the Convention between France and England that France may recruit in the island women and children under their own regulations without consideration for any regulations this country may pass or approve?

In matters of international agreement of that sort I should like to have notice before I answer.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how long the scheme for afforestation in Great Britain, prepared by the Board of Agriculture, has been before the Treasury for consideration; and at what date information upon the scheme will be communicated to the House?

A Memorandum dealing with Forestry in England and Wales was forwarded by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to the Treasury on the 17th February last. I am unable at present to make any statement as to the details of the scheme, which is now being considered by the Development Commissioners, to whom the Treasury sent it on the 24th March.

May I ask whether the Development Commissioners have acquired any land for afforestation or not?

I do not think that arises out of the question, but I will make some inquiries.

asked what was the amount of interest lost to the Imperial Exchequer by the postponement of payment of Income Tax by eight railway companies on the suggestion of the Inland Revenue?

None, Sir.

May I ask whether, in a question of this sort, there is ever any surcharge involved on the officers implicated?

No; I see no reason why there should be.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his Department had received an application for a grant out of the Development Fund towards the bridge at Guardbridge; and, if so, whether he could state the decision of the Commissioners with regard to it?

No such application has been received in the Treasury, but I understand that the St. Andrew's District Committee of the County Council of Fife have applied to the Road Board for a grant towards the cost of erecting a new bridge over the River Eden at Guard-bridge, estimated to cost about £10,000, and that the Board have promised a grant of £2,000 subject to the approval of the Treasury.

Am I to understand that if we apply for a grant from the Development Fund it would also be considered, or are we precluded from doing so?

I could not answer that without notice, but I do not see why the district committee should be precluded.

Does not that show that the Development Bill applies to industry as well as to agriculture?

I do not think I have ever denied that. Every scheme must be considered on its merits.

asked the number of assistant clerks (new class) who have died since the beginning of 1908; and the number who have left the service on account of ill-health.

I fear I cannot furnish the information desired.

asked if a reply has been sent to the memorial of Class 1 clerks in the Admiralty, asking to be treated in the matter of salary the same as the Class 1 clerks in the office of the Secretary to the Admiralty; if so, what is the nature of that reply; and, if the request has been refused, on what grounds is the differential treatment justified?

The considerations affecting the clerks in the secretary's office do not apply in the same degree to clerks in the other Departments of the Admiralty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what are the considerations in this case?

That would necessitate a description of the work of the various departments, and the information could not be given in an answer to a question.

asked if the work performed by the Class 1 clerks in the office of the Secretary to the Admiralty is of a more important nature than that done by Class 1 clerks in the other departments of the Admiralty; if not, why is a difference made in the salaries of clerks of the same class in the several departments of the Admiralty; and if it is intended to maintain this difference?

I presume my hon. Friend's question has reference to the recent restoration to the Junior Class 1 clerks in the Secretary's Department of the initial scale of salary of £200–£500. Only two departments of the Admiralty are at the present time being recruited from the Class 1 examination, namely, the Secretariat and the Transport Department, and in their case the undoubted superior importance of the work in the Secretary's Department and the consequent greater responsibility of the directing staff, justify the distinction.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty stated that the only reason why the first class clerks' salaries had been raised was owing to the fact that a similar rise had taken place in two other departments?

I did not see the answer to the question, but I shall be happy to discuss it with the hon. Member.

asked whether the National United Insurance Society, of 65, West Regent Street, Glasgow, can show any security for policy-holders; where the money providing this security is invested; how much money has this society invested in securities; and how much money it has to its credit in the Clydesdale Bank?

According to the society's statutory return for 1910 the security for policy-holders would appear to have consisted of:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will grant a Return of allotments and small holdings in Great Britain, in continuation of Return Cd. 6144, issued in 1890, so that it may be seen what is the number of allotments in Great Britain, and not merely, as now, the number which are held or obtained by local authorities?

I understand that the Return to which the hon. Member refers entailed an expenditure of some £3,000. It is doubtful if the value of a new Return would be considered to justify such an expenditure, but I will require.

asked if the Government proposed to make any fresh arrangements to facilitate and improve the working of the Small Holdings Act?

The President of the Board proposes, with the concurrence of the Treasury, to increase the number of Small Holdings Commissioners from two to eight, so as to enable him to take active steps to assist and press the County Councils to satisfy the outstanding demand for small holdings, and to put in force the provisions of the law in cases of default, where necessary. The Commissioners will possess the full statutory powers conferred upon them by the Act of 1908. A group of counties will be assigned to each of them, and they will be stationed in such towns or places as the President may from time to time select. Their appointments will be of a permanent character. In certain districts inspectors will be stationed to assist the Commissioners in the discharge of their duties. The President has also submitted to the Treasury certain proposals to enable him to press forward the organisation of agricultural co-operative societies and especially credit and insurance societies for the purpose of meeting the requirements of small holders. He hopes to be in a position to make an announcement with regard to these proposals in the course of a few days.

Will the hon. Gentleman state if these new officers are to be appointed as a result of examination or by patronage?

I have nothing to add to the statement I have already made.

May I press for an answer on that point?

The hon. Gentleman must give notice.

Will the hon. Baronet state whether the salaries of these new Commissioners have been voted by this House or will they come before the House?

Of course, the salaries will come at the proper time before this House. I have stated already that Treasury sanction has been obtained.

Have the centres of the districts been fixed? If not, will, the hon. Baronet see that as soon as they are public notification is given of the address of the Commissioners so that intending applicants may get at them as quickly as possible?

As I have said the Commissioner will be stationed in such towns or places as the President may think fit.

Will the Commissioners have power to take into consideration the heavy cost of administration on the small holders under the Act?

They will have the same powers as the two Commissioners have at the present moment.

Are we to understand that these new Commissioners are to be in the same independent position as the present two Commissioners.

Yes, they will be in exactly the same position: they are appointed under the same section of the Act.

I would call attention to the fact that there are many more questions on the Paper.

Shall we be permitted to raise this question on the Civil Service Estimates?

I shall not then be in the Chair.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will state what was the total amount of agricultural land belonging to the Duchy; and what portion was let in holdings of fifty acres or less in the years 1904, 1907, and 1910, respectively, with the percentage in each case?

The total amount of agricultural land belonging to His Majesty, in right of his Duchy of Lancaster, in the years 1904, 1907, and 1910, and the portion let in holdings of fifty acres or less in those years, with the percentages which the latter bore to the former is approximately as follows:—

asked whether the Government will demonstrate their sympathy with the small holdings movement by converting all farms falling vacant within the Duchy of Lancaster into such holdings or by offering them to the councils of the counties in which they are situate, to enable them to satisfy some of their unprovided applicants?

I cannot promise to convert all farms falling vacant, which are the property of His Majesty, in right of his Duchy of Lancaster, into small holdings, or in every case to offer such farms to the county councils of the counties in which they are situate; but, as a matter of fact, pursuant to the established practice of the Duchy to encourage small holdings, all farms which have become vacant in recent years, and which are suitable for small holdings, have either been let direct to small holders or have been offered to county councils, and my intention is to continue this policy.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how many farms in the Duchy have been let in that manner?

All I can speak of is what has been done during my own tenure of office. Last year I was able to offer a large farm of 324 acres and another of 256 acres.

Were they taken advantage of?

I think not,

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman works through the county councils wherever possible?

I have made it a point to communicate with the county council whenever I have had a farm vacant which was suitable for small holdings.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will in future offer to one of the new Small Holdings Commissioners rather than to the county councils?

We keep in touch with the Board of Agriculture.

asked what steps the Board of Agriculture is taking to stamp out the Isle of Wight bee disease, and whether the Board is prepared to issue regulations or literature on the subject?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a similar question on the 3rd instant. Until these investigations have been more successful than has yet been the case no administrative action on the part of the Board is possible, but the Board are in communication with beekeepers on the subject, and any serviceable information which can be obtained will be issued forthwith.

Is there any ground for thinking that the disease comes from the pollen of the flower?

It has been suggested, but there is no absolute information.

If the Board have no special information cannot they take some steps to check the spread of the disease?

Certainly, we will do so if we find it possible.

asked whether a large quantity of milk had been imported from the Continent lately into London and sold as new milk, and in that case how he proposes that the cows from which the milk is drawn should be kept under inspection, as is done in this country; whether a considerable amount of milk is remanufactured from condensed milk and sold as new; and, if so, whether he can have this milk labelled?

The answer is in the affirmative to the first part of the question. The second part should be addressed by my right hon. Friend to the President of the Local Government Board. Inquiry is being made as to the practice of remanufacture of condensed milk, and I should be glad to receive any information which the hon. Member may possess with regard to it.

What use is it to have inspectors in this country if foreign milk is imported without the cows being inspected?

That is a question of an argumentative character.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of George Townsend, who was charged at the Towcester divisional petty sessions with a breach of the Poaching Prevention Act, and with being in possession of a gun and live cartridges at Towcester on 14th March, for which alleged offence he was fined 30s. and his gun confiscated; if the evidence showed that Townsend was stopped by the police whilst cycling along the high road, on the ground that he had a gun on his cycle, had mud on his trousers, and was followed by a mongrel collie dog; if Townsend proved that he had a licence to carry a gun, and a witness for the defence declared that he had been with defendant the whole time and they had not left the high road; and if, in view of these facts, he proposes to take any steps in the case?

I have communicated with the justices, but I regret that I have not yet received their reply. I should be glad if my hon. Friend would repeat his question in a day or two. I have telegraphed to expedite matters.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the Police (Weekly Best-Day) Act does not apply to the members of permanent fire brigades which exist in about a dozen of the largest towns, excepting London, in the United Kingdom, whilst the members of all police fire brigades, whose duties correspond with theirs, are affected by the Act in question; and if he will take any steps to secure equality of treatment for all firemen in this matter?

The Police (Weekly Rest-Day) Act applies only to members of county or borough police forces. I do not see my way to introduce proposals for legislation in the sense suggested by the hon. Member. The matter is one which should be brought to the notice of the local authorities who have the control and are responsible for the maintenance of the fire brigades.

asked the Home Secretary if he had read the report, sent to him by the Member for West Bradford, of a case tried at Bingley, Yorkshire, which stated that a teamster employed by Mr. Henry North, of Bradford, was fined for being asleep in charge of horses and a waggon, when he had been on the road for twenty-six and a half hours; and if, having regard to the opinion of the magistrates expressed in court that the owners of the horses are more to blame than the drivers in these cases, he would now deal with this matter by legislation or otherwise?

Yes, I have read the report which the hon. Member has been good enough to send me, and which the inquiries I have made show to be substantially correct. I entirely agree with the opinion expressed by the magistrates, and think it desirable that there should be power to deal with the employer instead of the driver in such cases; but as regards the question of legislation, I am afraid I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 11th instant.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the fact that the official return of Welsh Church Endowments laid before the Royal Commission on the Church in Wales shows that more than one-half of the benefices in Wales would have been deprived of the totality of their endowments by the Government's Welsh Disestablishment Bill of 1909; and whether he will give an undertaking that in any future Government Bill for the Disestablishment of the Church in Wales such deprivation of endowments shall not take place?

The return in question distinguishes income from private benefactions since 1703 from all other income; and probably the hon. Member has in mind the fact that in rather more than half of the whole number of benefices mentioned in the Return there is no income from benefactions since 1703. Under the Established Church (Wales) Bill, 1909, however, the line between private benefactions preserved or not preserved to the Church was drawn at 1662, and not 1703. The difference, though no doubt small, is in favour of the Church. I cannot give any undertaking as regards a future Bill.

asked the Home Secretary how many boys between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years were convicted and dealt with otherwise than by fine or imprisonment who, if committed, would have passed through Strangeways Prison, Manchester, during the year 1910?

I have now obtained the information in as complete a form as possible, and have sent it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Dr. Eason, the senior ophthalmic surgeon to Guy's Hospital stated this month that less than a quarter of the number of aliens who came into this country in 1910 were rejected for eye disease (trachoma) than was the case in 1909, and that this was because the examination was relaxed, he will make the regulations sufficiently strong and the examination so careful that no more aliens shall be permitted to enter this country and spread blindness amongst our own people?

It is not the fact that the medical inspection under the Aliens Act has been in any way relaxed in 1910; and Dr. Eason did not say that it had been. He merely inferred that it might be so from the reduction in the number of rejections for trachoma in 1910 as compared with 1909, and he now admits that his inference was wrong. The real reasons for this reduction are, firstly, that in consequence, no doubt, of the rejections in previous years the number of aliens suffering from trachoma who arrived on immigrant ships decreased; and, secondly, that the figures for 1909 were swollen through the arrival in special circumstances of numbers of Armenians and Syrians who were suffering from the disease. The hon. Member will find information on the latter point on page 8 of the Annual Report for 1909 of the Inspector under the Act.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received any information from His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin as to the expulsion of Mormon missionaries from Germany; and, if not, whether he can state when he expects to receive the information?

No information on the point has yet been received from His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, but the matter is being carried forward, and I expect to learn at a very early date the result of the inquiries which are being made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in various parts of the country, notably in the North, the spirit and temper of the people is rapidly rising, and may result in rioting and conflict with the police unless prompt steps are taken?

That does not arise out of a question about Mormonism in Germany.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received any reports from the Chief Constables of Liverpool, Bootle, and Birkenhead, or any one of them, with regard to Chinese aliens; and, if so, will he state the nature of the reports or report, or alternately issue it or them to Members of this House; or, if he has not yet received any reports, can he state when he expects to receive them; whether he can yet state how many, if any, Chinese women are in Liverpool; and, if none, whether the Chinamen in Liverpool are celibates or misogynists?

As I promised the hon. Member, I consulted the Liverpool police with reference to the 755 Chinese seamen mentioned in his questions of the 12th and 19th instant. I have now received a report from the Chief Constable, from which it appears that there are no grounds for supposing that any of these seamen were really passengers seeking to gain admission to this country through an evasion of the Aliens Act; nor in the course of administration of that Act have any grounds for such a suspicion come to my knowledge. I may say that during the year covered by the hon. Member's figures the number of Chinese seamen engaged for outward voyages at Liverpool was much larger than the number who were paid off or deserted there; and in the course of his report, the Chief Constable states that, apart from seamen, the number of whom ashore varies, of course, from day to day, the number of Chinese resident in Liverpool is estimated at 286 men and three women, and the number resident in Birkenhead is estimated at 63.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the signing on of so many Chinamen in British ships does not interfere with British labour?

That is a question I had to deal with when I was at the Board of Trade, and I was under the impression that the language test that we then instituted or enforced would have a considerable effect in reducing the number of Chinamen engaged in these waters, and serving on ships cruising in these waters, but any further questions on that point should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Can he say whether the language test has any effect in reducing the number of Chinese?

I think that is a question which should be put to the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the recent Report on the cost of living in the United States the comparison of food prices is between those of 1909 in the United States and 1905 in the United Kingdom; that owing to the rise-in food prices in recent years the comparison is misleading and inaccurate; and whether he will issue a Supplementary-Return showing the food prices in the United Kingdom in 1909, to permit a proper comparison being drawn between the prices of food in the two countries?

If the hon. Member will be so good as to look at page v. and pages lxiii. to lxvii. of the Report, he will see that due allowance has been made for the rise in prices between 1905 and 1909.

asked how many persons were provided with employment by the labour exchanges in connection with the recent Census enumeration?

One hundred and two-persons were engaged through the labour exchanges in connection with the recent Census.

How many of these persons were already in receipt of permanent salaries, either from the Government or local authorities, and in how many cases were these permanent officials appointed?

The hon. Member must give notice of a question of that sort.

asked the President if he is now in a position to frame regulations for establishing a qualifying examination for all candidates applying for appointments under the Labour Exchanges Act?

As has been previously stated, the Board of Trade are carefully considering the question of the method of appointment to posts under the Labour Exchanges Act, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the President whether he is aware that German manufacturers, in recommending their goods to merchants in this country, state that it is not necessary to have their goods marked made in Germany; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made and put a stop to any practices of this kind?

I have no official information as to the practice referred to in the question. If the hon. Member will supply me with information as to specific cases the Board of Trade will be in a position to consider whether the alleged statements do or do not suggest an evasion of the Merchandise Marks Act. No doubt the hon. Member is aware that the Act does not require imported goods in all cases to be marked with their country of origin.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the present system of providing drinking water in buckets for the children at the Temple School, Temple Balsall, is to be allowed as a permanent arrangement; and whether the Board are satisfied that the water now supplied to the scholars, which is said to come from a well below the level of the churchyard, is sufficiently pure to be used for drinking purposes?

I understand the question to refer to a school known as Lady Katherine Leveson's School, Temple Balsall. The question of water supply has been under consideration in connection with plans for the improvement of the premises. My right hon. Friend is making further inquiry into the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the repeated condemnation of the water supplied by the trustees of Lady Katherine Leveson to the almshouses, council school, etc., at the Temple, Temple Balsall, and to the fact that the council school has had the water supply cut off for about a year on account of it being condemned by the medical authority; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have been in communication with the local authority, and I understand that the question of providing a proper water supply is now receiving the serious consideration of a special committee which they have appointed. I will not lose sight of the matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that the figures as to population obtained by the recent Census in regard to nearly every city, town, village, and parish in Scotland have already been published in the local newspapers, whereas similar statistics of population are being withheld from publication in England; whether he will state what reason exists for this difference of procedure in England and Scotland respectively; and whether, having regard to the public interest felt in these questions and the general desire that these statistics should be made known at the earliest opportunity, he will give directions that the same early publicity shall be given to these statistics in England which has been given in Scotland?

I presume that the Scottish figures have been communicated to the Press by the local officials. The officials in this country were instructed that they were not at liberty to divulge information derived in the course of their duties. I think it is better to wait a few weeks for the issue of the Preliminary Report on the Census than to allow the publication of anticipatory figures which might afterwards be found to be somewhat erroneous.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the figures for Scotland are incorrect?

On the contrary, but the Noble Lord will see the difference between figures secured from a country of roughly 5,000,000 of people and figures secured from a country of roughly 36,000,000 of people.

Within what time will the figures be known?

I believe summaries for England and Wales will be, as promised, ready about June.

Is there any objection to publishing the figures of the different localities in England as soon as they are ready?

The view has been that in regard to England and Wales, with a population estimated at this moment at 36,000,000, considering the large difference between the two countries and the small difference between waiting ten years or nine years and nine months, we are warranted in taking the later period.

asked the President if he will stated the number of persons in "ach metropolitan union certified as lunatics or imbeciles for the year ending 31st March, and the total fees paid in each union to medical men for certifying such persons.

I have no information as to the number of lunatics and imbeciles certified during the year in question. Inquiry has recently been made through one of my inspectors as to the fees paid by guardians under Section 285 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, to medical practitioners for the examination of alleged lunatics during the year 1910, and I shall be pleased to furnish the hon. Member with information respecting such payments in the several metropolitan unions as soon as the particulars are available.

Can that information be circulated to all the representatives of the communities?

Yes; it will be in the form of a return, and I will circulate it with the votes.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that the Chiswick education committee have resolved that the head teachers of the council schools shall make an inquiry with a view of ascertaining which children attending such schools have not been vaccinated, for the purpose of advising the parents on the matter; whether this is part of the duty assigned to teachers under the code of the Board; and, if not, what steps will be taken to put a stop to the proposal?