asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the expenditure now incurred in providing two units of uniform by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to the sixty or more assistants who had, after an absence of fourteen months, been returned from the Excise to the Customs branch; whether he has considered whether the wearing of uniforms by Customs assistant examining officers and surveyors is necessary and desirable, in view of the frequent colds contracted by officers being obliged to wear it after lying in damp vaults and cellars overnight; whether uniform was forced to be worn under threat of suspension by the Board of Customs and Excise, at the instigation of the clerks in the Secretary's office; whether, if uniform must be worn, he will explain why collectors in the capacity of surveyors were not compelled to wear it; why junior examining officers, at a salary of £110, had to purchase uniform when upper section preventive officers, at a salary of £200, had uniforms supplied by the Crown; and whether he will consider if the wearing of uniform by officers of the landing and warehousing departments can with advantage be completely abolished or otherwise supplied to all examining officers, surveyors, inspectors, and collectors at the public expense?

The question of uniform is being considered by the Committee on the amalgamation of the Customs and Excise Services, of which my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury is chairman.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt have the sole management of the Government annuity system, the chief posts in that department are filled by members of the staff who possess actuarial qualifications?

The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative. The actuarial work connected with the Government annuity system is supervised by the actuary attached to the National Debt Office.

asked whether any members of the staff of the National Debt Office were recently recommended by the Comptroller-General for promotion to the post of assistant comptroller; and, if so, if he will state on what grounds the recommendations were refused?

I will refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Birmingham on last Thursday.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state the amount of the increase put on the. Estimates this year for the purpose of education in the National schools of Ire land; and if he will state the amount of the Exchequer contributions to the teachers' pensions for each of the last ten years, together, with the amount payable as pensions annually to the various classes of teachers?

The Estimates for Public Education (Ireland), 1911–12, show a decrease of £3,533, as compared with the previous year. The Exchequer contributions to the Pension Fund for each of the last ten years were:—

			£				£
1901	…	…	38,307	1906	…	…	18,000
1902	…	…	18,000	1907	…	…	18,000
1903	…	…	18,000	1908	…	…	18,000
1904	…	…	18,000	1909	…	…	18,000
1905	…	…	18,298	1910	…	…	18,000

The amount payable as pensions on 31st December in each year from 1901 to 1910 to National school teachers in the various classes was:—

Year.		Males.				Females.
		3rd Class.	2ns Class.	1.2 Class.	1.1 Class.	3rd Class	2nd Class.	1.2 Class.	1.1 Class.
		£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1901	…	9,803	12,771	5,699	3,476	5,824	8,241	4,564	2,987
1902	…	10,115	13,182	5,508	3,579	6,657	8,996	5,070	2,903
1903	…	10,362	13,967	5,725	4,013	7,277	9,705	5,409	2,939
1904	…	10,375	14,279	5,937	4,397	7,834	10,455	5,512	2,912
1905	…	10,771	15,425	6,186	4,669	8,634	10,929	5,942	3,130
1906	…	10,682	15,966	6,004	4,766	9,129	11,220	6,367	3,053
1907	…	10,583	15,822	5,824	4,902	9,561	11,928	6,473	3,383
1908	…	11,023	15,690	5,848	4,839	9,845	12,634	6,762	3,576
1909	…	11,055	16,063	5,803	5,061	10,680	13,405	7,319	3,790
1910	…	10,965	16,380	6,197	5,504	11,204	14,290	8,162	4,149

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state in what year the free sampling system on importation of wines and spirits was abolished by the Board of Customs; and if he can state approximately the total amounts paid since that date in the United Kingdom as duty on such samples?

The system referred to has not been abolished, but has been restricted to importations in. cask since 1882. No separate accounts are kept of the duties paid on samples of wine and spirit imported in bottle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in regard to the assessment to Income Tax a clergyman is allowed to deduct from his total income one-eighth part of the valuation of his manse, irrespective of whether he pays rent for his manse or not, the said one-eighth being an equivalent for the use of those parts of his residence mainly and substantially used for the purposes of his duty or function as such minister or clergyman?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1907.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when a clergyman's total income, less his legal allowances, is less than £160 a year, his manse in that particular case is liable to be assessed for Income Tax and such assessment added to his total income so as to bring it over the amount of £160?

I beg to refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 7th March last, and to the cases of McDougall v. Sutherland (1894), 31 Sc. L.R. 630, and 3 Tax Cases 261, and Corke v. Fry (1895), 32 Sc. L.R., 341 and 3 Tax Cases 335.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether argicultural land, other than glebe land, occupied by a clergyman and used for agricultural purposes is liable to be assessed for Income Tax and its valuation added to the income of the clergyman?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the reply is in the affirmative, if the clergyman owns the land.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what are the particular circumstances by which the Income Tax authorities are guided in assessing or abstaining from assessing a manse or parochial residence for purposes of Income Tax?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the decisions in the cases of McDougall v. Sutherland (1894), 31 Sc. L.R. 630, and 3 Tax Cases 261, and of Corke v. Fry (1895), 32 Sc. L.R. 341, and 3 Tax Cases 335.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether directions are given to collect, in the month of September, the total assessment on a clergyman's income although his income is not known by him until the 5th April following; and whether he will explain why in some cases applications from three different quarters have been made on a clergyman for Income Tax on his manse?

As regards the first part of the question, the reply is in the negative. If the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases referred to in the second part of the question I will cause inquiry to be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of clergymen's parochial houses or manses in county Armagh which are assessed to Income Tax, indicating the number belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and the Presbyterian Church respectively?

I will cause inquiry to be made into the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the estate of Samuel Hussey, Gortalea, county Kerry, is soon to be dealt with by the Estates Commissioners; whether he is aware that two-fifths of the tenants have refused to sign agreements because of dissatisfaction with the terms and methods of the sale; whether a quantity of untenanted land hitherto in the landlord's possession has been divided by the landlord amongst a few of the largest tenants on the estate; whether the occupants of poor uneconomic holdings have a prior claim on the land; and, if so, whether he will see that the Estates Commissioners, before passing the estate, shall go carefully into all the circumstances with a view to securing justice all round?

The papers relating to this estate are with an inspector with a view to an early inspection Apparently six out of the twenty-one tenants have not signed purchase agreements. The other matters referred to in the question will be inquired into when the estate is being dealt with.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the estate of Mrs. Hannah Lewis, of Balinagar, Woodford, county Galway, comprising the townlands of Ballygown, Drimnamuckla, Drimkeary, Balinlough, Cregg, Thureen, etc., has been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, can he state when the Board expects to be able to deal with this congested estate?

The lands referred to in the question have not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board. The lands of Moyglass, on this estate, have been offered to the Board, and a valuation is being made.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the sheriff of county Cavan, in 1910, seized a pig worth £7, the property of Patrick Cooney, Drumbinnis, Bailieboro', county Cavan, for an overdue instalment of rent, and afterwards demanded the same amount, which was paid, under the threat that the Land Commissioners would proceed to sell his small holding; and, if so, what action the Commissioners propose to take in the matter?

The Land Commission inform me that proceedings were taken against Patrick Cooney for non-payment of a land purchase annuity due by him, and a decree was obtained for the amount of the debt due and the legal costs. As the amount due was not then paid by Cooney the decree was placed in the Sheriff's hands for execution. A pig was seized by him, but it proved insufficient to meet the amount due, with the result that a further demand was made to Cooney for the balance which he paid without the necessity of a further levy. In all such cases, if t he arrears due are not recovered by civil proceedings the Commissioners put the holding up for sale with the view of preventing loss to the ratepayers. The Commissioners do not purpose taking any further action with regard to the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will arrange with the Department of Agriculture to have the cloth-testing plant now lying idle in the Royal Irish Constabulary depot transferred to the Linen Hall Barracks; whether those premises are now unused by the Board of Works; whether he is aware that if this arrangement is carried out the plant could be utilised for testing purposes by the military authorities in Ireland, the General Prisons Board, the Post Office, the Dublin metropolitan police, and any other Government Department requiring its service; and whether he is aware that a linen testing plant has been recently established in Belfast?

The Department of Agriculture cannot legally expend any portion of their funds in connection with a cloth-testing plant. The machines for testing cloth at the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot are in constant use, and are not available for use by other Departments. Part of the Linen Hall Barracks is occupied by Government offices, and t he Board of Works have before them proposals for the letting of another portion. I understand that a textile testing and conditioning house was opened some months ago in a space lent for the purpose in the Belfast Municipal Technical Institute, but the undertaking receives no aid from public funds.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention had been called to the inconvenience caused to the poor in the Ballinderry portion of the Glenavy dispensary district by the fixing of the new dispensary at the village of Glenavy, which is on the border of the Crumlin dispensary district, thus practically depriving the poor of the Ballinderry district of medical relief; and whether he would have inquiries made, with a view to the dispensary being fixed in a place where the people of Ballinderry district may be able to reach it without unnecessary inconvenience?

The proposal in this case is to provide a residence for the medical officer of the Glenavy Dispensary District. There already exists a dispensary depot at Ballinderry, which it is not intended to disturb. The medical officer has hitherto resided at Glenavy, but the guardians provisionally selected three sites for a residence, one at Glenavy and two at Ballinderry, in the Ballyscolly Electoral Division. The medical inspector to the Local Government Board visited the district in March last and reported on the sites. The Board communicated with the guardians, and expressed their opinion that the site at Glenavy was the most convenient and suitable, and should consequently be adopted. The guardians, having considered this letter and memorials in favour of the several sites, decided on the 4th ultimo to acquire the site at Glenavy.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention had been called to the flooding of the Torren river from Car-land to Newmills, county Tyrone, and to the loss caused annually to the farmers and others in the district thereby; whether he is aware that a sum of £300 is calculated as sufficient to prevent this flooding and consequent loss; and whether he will use his influence to have the necessary improvements effected through the Development Grant or otherwise?

I have not received any complaints as to floods in this river, and I was not aware that an estimate had been made of the cost of improving it. As the river does not form part of any existing district there is no power take action under the Arterial Drainage Acts. The question of an advance from the Development Fund is one for the Development Commissioners, to whom application must be made in the manner prescribed by the statutory regulations.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the Registered Accountants Bill now before Parliament injuriously affects a number of county council officials in Ireland; and if he will take steps to safeguard their interests before that Bill becomes law?

I am not aware that the Bill would have the effect suggested, but should the Bill proceed to Committee the matter will not be lost sight of.

asked whether the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary at any time cautioned Head Constable Talbot, who has recently been promoted, against using outside influence in order to obtain promotion; whether when he was temporary acting-sergeant he received a message from headquarters to the effect that letters from influential people on his behalf would militate against him; whether very shortly afterwards a double promotion was meted out to him; whether there is any official record of such letters; if so, will he say from whom were they received; and has the Inspector-General at any time received any letters from persons outside the force on this officer's behalf?

The Inspector-General informs me that the reply to each of these questions is in the negative.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have received an application for reinstatement from William Doherty, who was evicted from a farm situated at Carnahalla, Cappawhite, county Tipperary, estate of Lord Lismore; whether he can state what steps the Estates Commissioners propose to take in order to have William Doherty reinstated in his former holding; and whether, in case there may be obstacles in the way of his reinstatement, the Estates Commissioners will provide him with a farm elsewhere?

The Estates Commissioners received an application from William Doherty for reinstatement in a holding formerly in the occupation of his father-in-law, and now in the possession of another tenant, and after inquiry and consideration decided to take no action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Constable Glass, of Raphoe, county Donegal, is frequently sent to do duty on fair days in St. Johnston; whether the authorities are aware that this constable has a cousin in the licensed trade in St. Johnston; and whether this practice has his sanction?

I am informed that Constable Glass has only once during the past six years been on duty at a fair in St. Johnston. The constable has been stationed in Raphoe for the past fifteen years, and his cousin has been in business in St. Johnston, which is in another subdistrict, for the past eleven years. The constable is reported to be most energetic and meritorious, and the constabulary authorities did not consider it necessary, in the public interest, to transfer him to another station.

asked whether the Congested Districts Board has communicated with Messrs. Owen and Brown, inviting them to sell their estate near Ballyglass. county Mayo; and whether they have agreed to sell to the Board?

The maps and rentals in the case of this estate were lodged with the Congested Districts Board by the owners on the 1st May, and the estate will be inspected with as little delay as possible.

asked why the old age pension of Margaret Stevenson, of Knocknaballan, Kilmacrennan, county Donegal, has been taken away; was the Local Government Board made aware of the fact that this woman's parents were married in or about the year 1830, and that she herself was born in or about the year 1834, and that a number of respectable old people in the district are prepared to testify to her being now nearly seventy-seven years of age; and whether, if these facts were before the Local Government Board, they will be prepared to reconsider Their decision on a fresh application being lodged?

The Local Government Board allowed a question raised by the pension officer on the ground that Mary Stevenson, of Drumbrick, Termon, county Donegal, who is apparently the woman referred to, had not reached the statutory age. Her parents were married, according to the Census Return of 1841, in the year 1837, and, in 1841, had two children, John, three years old, and Edward, nine months old, no child being either absent or dead. If Miss Stevenson considers she is now in a position to show that she fulfils the statutory condition as to age it is open to her to make a fresh claim.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would inform the House what are the names and tonnage of British and foreign cruisers on the North Sea, Atlantic, Mediterranean, North America and West Indies, China, Australia, Cape of Good Hope, East Indes, and West Coast of America stations?

As regards British cruisers and their stations, I must refer the Noble Lord to pages 269 to 270c of the current Navy List, and to the body of the work for their tonnage. As regards foreign cruisers, the Noble Lord will find in the Dilke Return a full nominal list with their tonnage, but the precise information asked for is only compiled in a confidential Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if, during the recent trouble at Delagoa Bay, His Majesty's ship "Hermes," flagship of the Cape squadron, was in dockyard hands unavailable; if his Majesty's ship "Pandora" was in dockyard hands and unavailable; if His Majesty's ship "Forte" was so much in need of refit that her speed could hot have been more than from twelve to fourteen knots; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to reinforce the Cape squadron?

I am not aware that there has been any actual trouble at Delagoa Bay. One of His Majesty's ships was always available to proceed there if required, as the "Forte" was not taken in hand by the dockyard until the "Hermes" had completed her refit. The "Hermes" eventually proceeded there as a precautionary measure. As regards the maximum speed of which the "Forte" would have been capable in April immediately before her refit, I presume this would be a matter of conjecture, but she carried out all the duties required of her efficiently, and on the 19th April was engaged in assisting a Portuguese vessel, which was wrecked. The "Pandora" is fitting new shafts. There is no present intention of increasing the force at the Cape.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he anticipates the issue of the Dilke Return?

I hope that this Return will be issued early next week.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has any information in regard to strikes in German shipbuilding yards; and, if so, whether any warships under construction in the yards affected are likely to be delayed thereby?

Information has been received of the existence of a strike and lock-out at Messrs. Schichau's yard at Danzig, and it is understood a lock-out for ten days has been enforced at the Vulcan yard at Hamburg. It is not considered that the latter will have any effect on the date of completion of the ships under construction; but until the strike at Danzig is ended it is premature to say what effect it may have in that yard.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the number of officers on the Active List who at present constitute the General Staff; whether this body is strengthened by the inclusion of any civilian element; and, should the answer be in the affirmative, the duration of such appointment; and in whose hands the appointment to serve on the General Staff rests?

The number of officers on the Active List who at present constitute the General Staff, exclusive of India, is 182. There is no civilian element included in this body. Appointments to it are made by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state approximately the number of unemployed trained teachers at the present time and the number of students who will be leaving the training colleges during the present summer; and whether, having regard to the number of students who are now entering the training colleges every year, he sees any likelihood that the excess in the number of teachers over vacancies will continuo for several years to come?

For the reasons explained in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Bristol on the 9th February last, it is not possible to give figures of any value as to the total number of trained teachers who are employed at any time. Perhaps I can best answer the question by giving the latest complete figures in the possession of the Board as to the employment of the teachers who left the Training Colleges in July, 1910. The date to which these figures relate is 1st January of this year in the case of all colleges except the London County Council Colleges, for which the figures relate to the 31st January. The figures show that out of a total of 5,497 students who left college in July, 1910, 4,758 (about 87 per cent.) had obtained employment in schools satisfying the undertaking by the dates named, of whom 4,256 (about 78 per cent. of the total number) were in permanent employment. 584 students (about 11 per cent.) were reported as not having obtained employment by the dates named, and of these 102 (about 2 per cent. of the total number), were reported as not seeking employment owing to illness, continuation of studies, or other reasons. There were 137 students as to whom no information was available. Since the date to which these figures refer there have been ninny further vacancies in the schools which have had to be filled, and representations which have recently reached me from local education authorities show that there is now, in some parts of the country at any rate, considerable difficulty in obtaining certificated teachers. For instance, one local education authority has informed the Board that in their experience the supply of teachers has never been so short since the Education Act of 1902 came into force. Correspondence which has passed between the Director of Education for the county of Nottingham, on the one hand, and the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers and the Secretary of the Unemployed Teachers Committee on the other, shows that after communicating with the Unemployed Teachers Committee the Nottingham authority were only able to obtain one application for a post as certificated teacher. A copy of this correspondence was recently published in the education press. Similar representations have been received from other local education authorities, and the attention of the Board has also been directed to a serious decrease in the number of pupils applying for Bursarships with a view to entering the teaching profession. I may point out that, in order to secure that at the date when each batch of teachers leaves the training colleges a sufficient number of vacancies should be available to absorb the whole number without any interval of waiting, it would be necessary that for some considerable period antecedent to that date the schools of the country should be understaffed to a serious extent. There are considerable administrative difficulties in the way of arranging that the output of the training colleges shall come about by instalments. It happens that some local education authorities are turning out more students than are sufficient for the actual needs of their localities. This circumstance, coupled with the fact that a great many teachers prefer to wait for employment in their own neighbourhood rather than to seek employment in other places where there is a demand for their services, results in a surplus of teachers in some localities. The number of students leaving the training colleges in the present summer will probably be about 5,700.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the congestion in the main arteries of vehicular traffic in London arising from the obstructive action of horse-drawn heavy vehicles, which keep in or towards the middle of the roads and streets; whether he will enact a by-law enforcing slowly moving vehicles to keep their near side wheels within a yard of the kerb, unless when actually passing slower-moving vehicles in front of them, or those standing alongside the kerb; whether with a view to the greater convenience of the public proceeding to or leaving railway stations in the City, and to or from business premises in the City, he will arrange to keep at least one main artery free from slow-moving traffic between the hours of 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and whether he will prohibit the standing of vehicles in this thoroughfare during the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.?

I would refer the hon. Member, so far as regards the suggested by-law requiring slow and heavy vehicles to keep close to the kerb, to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for the Hawick Burghs on the 21st February and 30th March last. I may also draw his attention to the provisions of Section 78 of the Highway Act, 1835, which require drivers of vehicles to keep their vehicles to the near or left side of the road for the purpose of allowing the free passage of other vehicles. As regards the City of London, I am informed that a bylaw dealing with the matter will shortly be submitted for my approval under the City of London (Street Traffic) Act, 1909. I have no power to adopt the suggestions as to keeping one main artery free from slow-moving traffic and prohibiting the standing of vehicles therein during specified hours; and, further, I am advised that they are impracticable. It may be observed that the standing of vehicles in streets longer than may be necessary for the purposes of loading or unloading or taking up or setting down passengers is already prohibit ed under the Metropolitan and City Police Acts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state what improvements, if any, were introduced into the conditions of service of the Northern India Salt Revenue Department, in 1900; and whether the principal changes consisted in a reduction of salaries in face of a recommendation by the Public Service Commission to the contrary?

The main effect of the changes made in 1900 in the organisation of the Northern India Salt Department was to improve the pay and prospects of the Assistant Commissioners, for which appointments superintendents are eligible, and of the inspectors, from whose ranks assistant superintendents are to some extent recruited. The pay of superintendents and assistant superintendents was not altered, as the Government of India considered that no case for revision existed. But as five post s in the lowest grades were brought under reduction as not being required, the prospects and average pay of all future assistant, superintendents and superintendents were improved. No salaries were reduced. The recommendation made in 1888 by the Public Service Commission had never been acted upon.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that an epidemic of small-pox is now raging in Madras, the deaths from the beginning of the year having been (according to the Registrar-General's Returns) in January, 40; in February, 60; and to 18th March, 82; representing a fatality rate of 360 per million population; whether he is aware that the official returns of the city show that during the past, few years the annual average number of public vaccina- tions per thousand of population has been more than three times greater than the number officially recorded as carried out in London; and whether he will ascertain what steps are being taken by the authorities in Madras to cope with the epidemic apart from vaccination?

The Secretary of State regrets that the city of Madras is suffering from an epidemic of small-pox. He understands that the Corporation have opened isolation hospitals, and that a special staff is employed under the health officer to carry out measures of disinfection and to bring cases to light. Owing to the form in which the Madras vaccination returns are kept, exact comparison with those of London is not possible. As an example I would remind my hon. Friend that revaccinations are not included in the London statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the cordial relations which exist between His Majesty's Government and the Russian Government, representations will be made to persuade the Russian Government to give orders for the immediate release of a British subject who has been imprisoned at Warsaw for expressing political opinions?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the similar question asked to-day, but would remind him that His Majesty's Consul reports that Miss Malecka is arrested for conspiring against the Russian Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Disestablishment and Disendowment Bill of 1909 would take away from the arch-deaconry of Monmouth £34,329 from the total endowments of £36,029, leaving £1,700 or approximately 1s. in the £; that, out of the 137 parishes in the archdeaconry, 87 would have every farthing taken from them, that 10 parishes would retain an income of under £10 a year, and that, of these, two parishes would receive £1 a year; and whether, in the event of the reintroduction of the Bill, he is prepared to amend the Bill with a view to remove these hardships?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I presume the hon. Member refers to the Established Church (Wales) Bill, 1909, and to the official Return of 1906, which gives particulars of private benefactions since 1703. Some of the figures given do not appear to be quite in accordance with the Return, and, moreover, as I pointed out on 25th April, the line between private benefactions preserved or not preserved to the Church was drawn in the Bill of 1909 at 1662, and not 1703. I cannot make any statement as regards a future Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what inquiries he has made, and what information he has obtained, as to the housing conditions at Llanelly; whether the provision of additional workmen's dwellings in the district is necessitated by the prosperity of the tinplate trade, and to the influx of a large number of navvies and other casual labourers who are engaged in building new works, tramways, and waterworks; whether more workmen own their own houses in Llanelly than in any town in the kingdom in proportion to the population; whether the workmen who are in receipt of good wages are reluctant to share their homes with strangers of the casual class; whether he is aware that Miss Stepney, the chief landowner in the town, and her father, the late Sir Arthur Stepney, did all that they could to cooperate with the local authority to settle the housing problem in the town; whether Mr. Thomas Jones, the agent for the Stepney estate, is the chairman of the Llanelly District. Council's housing committee, and is not doing everything in his power to assist in providing workmen's dwellings; and what powers, if any, has he to compel either the local authority or the large firms which are extending their works to make proper provision for the housing of the workmen in the town?

I have made inquiries, and am informed that the tinplate trade at Llanelly is very prosperous; that the population of the district has increased about 25 per cent. since 1901, and that the number of houses has increased in like proportion; that at the present time 133 houses are in course of erection, plans for 101 houses having been passed by the local authority since 1st January, 1911; that practically all these houses are for the accommodation of the working classes; that about 6 per cent. of the workmen's houses are occupied by their owners; that there is a temporary influx of navvy and casual labour in connection with the construction of tramway and water works and of new tinplate works; that there may be some unwillingness on the part of many of the resident workmen to take in casual labourers as lodgers; that the existing common lodging-houses are insufficient to deal with the influx of casual labour, and that at least three other houses of this description are in course of construction. I have seen a statement by Miss Stepney, from which it appears that there has been every disposition to assist in the development of her estate for building and in the provision of workmen's dwellings, and I am informed by the clerk of the local authority that not only Miss Stepney, but the other principal landowners are ready to grant leases of land at reasonable rentals. I have before me official information showing the intention of the local authority themselves to provide further houses for the working-classes under the Housing of the Working-Classes Act, and a first instalment of the scheme is about to be submitted to me. I understand that Mr. Thomas Jones, the Chairman of the Housing Committee, has given much time and labour to further the proposals. I have no general authority to compel local authorities, companies, or persons engaged in the construction of works to provide temporary housing accommodation for the labourers employed in their construction.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he can state to which of the officers of the Board the duty is entrusted of reviewing the reports of the inspectors appointed by the Board to hold local inquiries in regard to appeals against closing and demolition orders under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909; whether the duty is exercised subject to any defined rules or regulations; if so, whether these can be perused by anyone interested; (2) whether, in view of the fact that an owner against whom a closing or demolition order is made under the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, has on the facts no right of appeal to a court of law, he will consider the expediency of altering the procedures so as to secure to an appellant the right to appear before the authority by whom the inspectors' reports are reviewed; and (3) whether, in addition to the communications previously received from other local authorities, he has received a communica- tion from the St. Pancras Borough Council expressing dissatisfaction with the present appeal against closing and demolition orders, and asking him to take steps for the promotion of legislation to effect the amendment of the law in the direction of the substitution of a judicial tribunal for the Local Government Board as the appeal tribunal; and what steps he proposes to take?

I will reply to this and the two following questions together. The hon. Member has been informed, in reply to previous questions on this subject, that the appeal is made to the Board, and the Board decide it after carefully considering the whole of the facts. In many instances the cases have been referred to myself or to the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board for final decision. The duty of deciding the appeals is exercised subject to the provisions of the Housing Acts, and the procedure generally is in accord with that which has been in operation for at least thirty years in connection with appeals under Section 268 of the Public Health Act, 1875. I see no reason to alter it. I have received a communication from the St. Pancras Borough Council. I do not propose to take any steps in the direction indicated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the danger to railwaymen caused by the present want of method in the numbering and labelling of goods and mineral waggons; and whether he can see his way to take the matter up with a view to having the numbers and labels exposed to view in one uniform position?

The Board of Trade have no record of any accidents which were attributable to the present mode of numbering and labelling goods and mineral waggons; but an inquiry has been ordered into a recent fatal accident to a goods guard which, it has been suggested, may be connected with this question, and after receiving the report of the inquiry I will consider whether any useful action can be taken in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the papers issued to applicants at the Labour Exchanges contain any reference in regard to the nationality of the applicant; and whether any means exist for ascertaining the number of aliens who register their names for employment?

The registration forms in use at the Labour Exchanges do not contain any reference to the nationality of an applicant; but Labour Exchange managers are instructed that where there is reason to believe that an applicant for employment is not of British nationality, such applicant shall be asked to state his nationality and the length of time he has resided in the United Kingdom, and if it appears from his replies that he has been a resident less than six months he shall not receive notice of a vacancy for employment unless no other applicant equally suitable is on the "live" register of the Exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of sorters in the London postal service who, during each of the past five years, have, as the result of mental and nervous diseases, died; and the number who during the same period have received medical treatment for neurasthenia and kindred complaints?

The number of deaths as the result of diseases of the mental and nervous systems amongst sorters in the London Postal Service during the past five years was as follows:—

			Total Number of Sorters.			Number of Deaths.
1906	…	…	5,562	…	…	3
1907	…	…	5,612	…	…	0
1908	…	…	5,765	…	…	4
1908	…	…	5,931	…	…	3
1910	…	…	6,092	…	…	0

There are no figures available at my office. of the number of officers who have received medical treatment for neurasthenia and kindred complaints, and to collect them from the several districts would involve an expense which would not in my opinion be justified; but I will, if the hon. Member so desires, furnish him with particulars of the superannuations from these causes during the period in question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that no reply has been given to a memorial from the Manchester branch of the United Kingdom Postal Clerks' Association, dated 19th August, 1910, on the subject of the threatened delegation of work now per- formed by postal sorting clerks and telegraphists to postmen; whether he is aware that postmen have recently been tried on work which has been done by sorting clerks and telegraphists at Manchester for upwards of twenty years; will he say whether the change is contemplated as a continuance of the present policy of the cheapening of labour, which has been systematically carried on by the present Government since the Hobhouse Committee furnished its Report; and whether, in view of the statement of the President of the Board of Trade at the Leeds Conference of the United Kingdom Postal Clerks' Association, on 20th April, 1908, that there was no desire or intention on the part of the Department to supersede sorting clerks by postmen, or to interfere with what are the proper and legitimate duties of sorting clerks, he will allay the unrest now prevalent on this subject in the Manchester post office by maintaining the present allocation of work to the various classes, thus ensuring an efficient postal service to the commercial community of Manchester and Salford?

I have recently appointed a committee under the chairmanship of the Assistant Postmaster-General to enquire into the question of the performance by postmen of certain sorting duties, and, pending the report of that committee, I have been unable to reply to the memorial referred to. I have appointed the committee not in pursuance of a policy of cheapening labour, but with the object of assigning the sorting of correspondence to the various classes on a uniform basis so far as circumstances permit. Inward preliminary sorting, on which postmen have recently been tried at Manchester, has been performed by postmen at a number of offices both in the provinces and in London for many years and in those cases has been considered proper to postmen, and capable of being carried out by that class without injury to the efficiency of the postal service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Irish manufacturers are refused the opportunity of tendering for the supply of cloths for uniforms in Dublin; that there are no facilities for testing the materials in Dublin city; and that suitable testing plant is available, being idle in the depot of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether he will arrange to have the Post Office uniform cloths tested by this plant?

If arrangements can be made for testing cloth in Dublin without undue expense, I will accept delivery of cloth there.