asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the continued imprisonment of an English lady at Warsaw and the consequent, injury to the interests of the Anglo-Russian entente, he will request the Russian Government to order her release?

I cannot at present add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leeds yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in view of the refusal of the Russian authorities to release the English lady who is still imprisoned at Warsaw, he will take into account the prejudicial effect thereby exerted upon the interests of the Anglo-Russian entente, and request the Russian Government that her release may not, be delayed?

I cannot, at present add to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Leeds yesterday.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to give us the information?

I have not yet got a reply from the Russian Government. As soon as I have the information, of course, I shall be very glad to give it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any Excise Duties are imposed in Egypt; if so, will be state on what articles; at what rates the duties are imposed; and what are the corresponding Customs rates?

I have no recent information on the subject. So far as I am aware, an Excise Duty of 8 per cent. ad valorem is levied on salt, which is the same as the existing Import Duty. By a decree issued in 1901, an ad valorem duty was levied on manufactured cotton goods, equal to the Import Duty on the corresponding goods; it was to be calculated on the sum total of the year's sales, with a deduction of 20 per cent., and small local manufactories, in which only handlooms were employed, were to be exempted. The Société Générale des Sucreries et de la Raffinerie d'Egypte agreed in 1904 to pay duties to the Egyptian Government, the total of which was not to fall short of £E12,000 a year. The Import Duty is generally S per cent. ad valorem. I will ask for more recent information in case there have been changes since.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if any agreement had been arrived at between Russia and Japan subsequent to the Anglo-Japanese agreement; and, if so, whether its provisions will be made known?

I assume by Anglo-Japanese agreement the hon. and gallant Gentleman means the recent commercial agreement?

Yes.

So far as I am aware, no agreement has been arrived at subsequent to the conclusion of the Commercial Treaty between this country and Japan on 3rd April last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether it is the custom for employers to retain two months' wages in hand from the workers; whether in case of bankruptcy the workers have the legal right to claim one month's pay only from the defaulting employer; and, if so, whether it is proposed to alter the law relating to the payment of wages to prevent the victimisation of the working population?

Such enquiries as the Secretary of State has been able to make go to show that in factories, as in other kinds of employment in India, wages are generally paid by the month. Where this is the case, payment is made about the middle of the month following that for which the wage is due. The Secretary of State is not aware that as much as two months' wages is ever kept in hand by employers. In some factories fortnightly payments have been introduced, and in others a portion of the staff is on weekly wages. In these cases the amount of pay kept in hand is small. Under the Indian Insolvency Law the employé has a priority claim in respect of four months' wages up to a maximum amount of Rs. 100 in the Presidency towns and of Rs. 20 elsewhere. No amendment of the law is at present contemplated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can secure from the Mill Owners' Association of Bombay Returns showing the total amount of lapsed wages of their operatives for the last three years; and the number of weeks' labour such lapses represent, in the current coin?

The Secretary of State will ask the Bombay Government to ascertain from the Mill Owners' Association of Bombay whether they can supply the return mentioned in the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State has yet received information from the Government of India with regard to the Purneah torture case which occurred in 1909 and was mentioned in the recently published Report of the Inspector-General of the Bengal police; if so, whether he can inform the House what was the result of the judicial investigation into the death of the man who was admitted to have died at the hands of the police; what was the nature of the torture disclosed at the trial; what charge was brought against the police concerned; and what punishment has been inflicted upon them?

Two sub-inspectors of police were tried on charges of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and of wrongfully confining a man to extort confession. As the result of the trial they were acquitted and the charges decided to have been false. One of the sub-inspectors and two constables have been departmentally punished for binding without sufficient care the arms of the man, who subsequently died, and for delay in bringing their prisoners to headquarters. The Secretary of State is awaiting a further report from the Government of India, on receipt of which I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can yet give the name of the first holder of the new office of retired officer employed as messing adviser at the War Office; whether it is necessary that the holder should be a retired officer, and, if so, why; and whether he will be expected to give his whole time in return for the salary of £2300?

The office will be held by Colonel B. G. Morgan, D.S.O. is simpler and more economical to employ a retired officer than to withdraw an officer from the active list. The officer's whole time will be at the disposal of the War Office.

Is this the Colonel Morgan who was invited to retire from the Army in consequence of the adverse comments on his conduct during the South African war by the Butler Committee and the Royal Commission presided over by Mr. Justice Farwell, and, if so, will the hon. Gentleman state the facts which now justify his reinstatement?

Yes, Sir; it is the same-officer.

What is the justification?

The justification is that no corruption was in any way proved against that officer, only undoubted culpability under the Regulations, for which he was asked to retire. But he is a very able officer. It is considered that he will do this work better than anybody else, and that there is no reason at all why he should not be re-employed to do it.

Is it not possible to, find an officer equally suitable for the post, who has not been found culpable?

That is exactly the point. This officer is an officer of very exceptional ability. He can do the work better than anybody else.

Is not the fact that he was found guilty of making a mess during the South African war a good reason for appointing him as messing officer?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether the warrant officer to whom the actual responsibility for the re-sighting experiments rendered imperative by the introduction of the new bullet was entrusted, has, since the completion of such experiments, received any special recognition from the Army Council, either in promotion or pay, such as the results obtained by his qualifications deserve; and (2) whether the Army Council are aware that the Government of New Zealand, appreciating the value of the services of the chief experimental warrant officer at the Hythe School of Musketry, have not only invited him to accept a commission in the Colonial forces of the Crown but have also offered him a considerable augmentation of pay; and whether, having regard to the long service and qualifications of this warrant officer, the Army Council will now in these circumstances take active steps to give effect to the previous recommendations which have been forwarded to the War Office by officers of the highest standing, and recommend him to His Majesty for a commission in the British Army so that the value of his future services may not be lost to the Mother Country?

In these questions the hon. Member is apparently alluding to Sergeant-Major Wallingford. The good work he has done at the School of Musketry is well known to the Army Council, but it is considered that his technical and instructional efficiency there does not specially qualify him for a quartermastership elsewhere in preference to other deserving warrant officers. No official information regarding the offer of the New Zealand Government has reached the War Office. The work connected with the re-sighting experiments mentioned formed part of his ordinary military duties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an order has been issued to the Territorial Force in Wales intimating that no pay will be granted to those members of it who are under arms at Carnarvon on the occasion of the investiture of the Prince of Wales; whether those who do attend will be required to give their services for three days; and what steps he proposes to take to enable the Territorials to take part in a national celebration without serious financial loss?

No such order has been issued. The arrangements for employing the Territorial Force on the occasion in question are still under consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the officer commanding at Chester has informed all those under his command that no pay will be given to the Territorials?

The reply to a telegram sent to the officer commanding is that no order of the kind has been issued. There must be some misunderstanding.

asked whether officers holding appointments as adjutants of yeomanry are not granted extension except on the ground of useful work in that capacity; whether he is aware that adjutants who were appointed before but granted an extension after the 11th July, 1910, received extra pay of 5s. a day during the original term of appointment, but only receive extra pay of 2s. 6d. per day during the period of extension; and whether he will take steps to get rid of this difference?

Au adjutant who was granted an extension before the date of the Royal Warrant in February last, will retain the old rate of 5s. a day. Adjutants granted an extension after that date will receive only 2s. 6d. a day. There is no intention of reversing this decision.

May I ask if in giving this extra the hon. Gentleman would not have received a better class of officer?

That is not the question; the matter has already been very fully considered.

asked if Lieutenant-Colonel Donegan had been relieved of the command of the Royal Army Medical Corps at Parkhurst. Isle of Wight; and, if so, for what cause?

This officer has been relieved of his charge by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief pending investigation by the Court of Inquiry ordered on the recent case of suicide.

Is it not rather invidious to remove the officer before the Court of Inquiry came to a decision?

It depends upon what reason there may have been for it. In this case I think it was perfectly justified.

Was not the reason that justified his removal that he stated he called attention to the over-work?

Oh, no; that had nothing whatever to do with it.

Is it not a fact that this officer was transferred while the Court of Inquiry was sitting, and before the decision of the Court was made known?

It was considered desirable that during the Court of Inquiry he should not continue to hold his former position.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that officers and non-commissioned officers who give evidence will not have their future prejudiced?

That has nothing to do with the question, but of course I will give that undertaking.

asked whether Lieutenant - Colonel Swabey, late R.A.M.C., was retired on a pension on attaining the age of fifty-five years, on the 4th February, 1911, that this officer has served for twenty-nine years and 364 days, that lie has only been awarded a pension on the twenty-five years' service scale, and not on the thirty years' service scale, a difference of about £45 per annum; and whether, in view of the fact that this officer had completed thirty years' service with the exception of twenty-four hours, he will grant the concession of a pension upon the thirty years' scale?

The facts are as stated in the question. It was not possible to retain this officer in the Service beyond the age of fifty-five fixed for his retirement by the Royal Warrant of Pay, the terms of which are absolute. It is therefore impossible to make the suggested concession.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer served for four months and four days on probation before he got his commission in 1881, and has therefore really served thirty years four months and four days?

This officer, undoubtedly, has had very bad luck; but I am afraid it is impossible to make exceptions under the terms of the Royal Warrant. The hon. Member will understand if you make one exception you must go on making them in other cases.

Is it the practice to treat officers entitled to pensions in this shabby Manner—

It is the practice to adhere absolutely to the terms of the Royal Warrant.

May not something be done for distinguished service? Colonel Swabey is a very distinguished officer, and served with distinction through the South African War?

His case was very fully considered by the Selection Hoard. It is impossible to do anything more.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this officer, who was born in Canada, had completed thirty years with the exception of twenty-four hours?

I said the facts were as stated in the question.

Can the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making this case an exception?

asked whether lieu-tenants in the Indian Army are automatically promoted to the rank of captain after nine years' service; and, if so, whether he will reconsider his decision not to apply this system of promotion by tone to the Royal Garrison Artillery, and thereby provide a permanent remedy for the stagnation in promotion in that branch of the service and the consequent falling off in supply of the junior officers?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative. There is at present no stagnation in promotion to captain, thirty promotions having taken place in the last four months, and there is every reason to hope that this flow will be maintained. There is, I am glad to note, no falling off in the supply of junior officers.

asked the number of subaltern officers in the British service who are waiting for appointment to the Indian Army, and whether he has any official information showing that the popularity of the Indian Army is due to the better prospects offered by the system of fixed promotion by time?

The first part of the question should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India. In reply to the second part of the question there is no official information to this effect.

asked how many boys left the Duke of York's School during the year ending 31st December, 1910, and how many of them entered the Army; how many old boys are now serving in the Army and in what ranks; what is the record of character of those now serving; and how many of those educated at the Duke of York's School, if any, deserted from the Army during the year ending 31st October, 1910?

The information is as follows:

asked what is the annual average sum lost to the country through desertions from the Army during the last five years; and whether any inquiry has recently been held as to the causes of desertion?

Desertions from the Regular Army involve a direct loss of some £15,000 a year for debts of deserters to the public, rewards for their apprehension, and the conveyance of arrested deserters and escorts. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative. If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the General Annual Report he will see that there has been a steady decrease in desertion during the past few years.

Does this remark apply to six years ago, when the other party was in office?

I do not think that has anything to do with the matter.

It is quite unnecessary to answer that question.

asked whether an inquiry is being held into the causes of the accident to the Lebaudy dirigibles; and if he can state what sum is allocated for the construction of dirigibles during the, current year?

The flight of this dirigible, when the recent accident occurred, was made under private arrangements. The military are merely responsible for-furnishing all the assistance they are able to give. I have already informed the hon. Member that the total provision in Estimates for the manufacture, purchase, and repair of aircraft is £85,000. The allocation of money between airships and aeroplanes from this sum cannot at present be stated. At the time of the accident the airship was entirely under the control of the manufacturer.

May I ask if the cost of it will therefore fall upon the manufacturer?

Yes, I think so. It certainly will not fall upon the public Vote.

Will any of the money allocated for the repair of dirigibles be used for the purpose of the repair of this particular ship?

I hope not, I am sure.

asked the number of Regular soldiers in any one Cavalry regiment stationed either at Colchester or Brighton, or other station in the Eastern Command, employed with the staff away from the regiment as officers' servants, as servants in the officers' and sergeants' mess, employed with the remounts, or in any other capacity than that of a Regular soldier in the ranks undergoing continuous military training?

I should not be unwilling to obtain the information for which the hon. Member asks if upon consideration he still desires to press the matter. I can, however, assure him that the great majority of the men employed are fully trained, and that their training is properly kept up, and I hope that this may satisfy him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has instructed the Governor of the Gold Coast Colony to omit from the Annual Estimates the Vote for the Colonial Chaplaincy at Accra?

Yes, Sir.

asked whether the revenue and military contributions of the Eastern Crown Colonies in 1909 were, if stated in pounds sterling approximately as follows: —Hong Kong: Revenue, £673,000; military contribution, £121,000; Straits Settlements: Revenue, £871,000; military contribution, £158,000; Ceylon: Revenue, £2,544,000; military contribution, £86,000; whether, owing to the present regulations governing the military contributions of these Crown Colonies, while the revenue of Ceylon was nearly three times that of the Straits Settlements, the military contribution of the former was only little more than half that of the latter; whether, while the lesser Crown Colonies pay a contribution of 20 per cent. of their revenue, minus certain deductions, the contribution of Ceylon only actually amounts to about 4 per cent. of the revenue, less sanctioned deductions; and, whether, if Ceylon contributed in the same proportion as the other Crown Colonies, her defence contribution would not be nearly £400,000 per annum more than at present?

In the case of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements the sterling equivalents of the sums which I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's question on the 24th April are approximately: —Hong Kong: Revenue, £611,000; contribution, £106,000; Straits Settlements: Revenue, £1,020,000; contribution, £184,597. The figure which I gave far the Ceylon contribution was an estimate. I now learn that the proper amount payable in respect of the financial year 1909–10 is £101,858. The sterling equivalent of the revenue for 1909 was approximately £2,544,000. These figures will enable the hon. Gentleman to see approximately what the Ceylon contribution would be if that Colony paid the same percentage of its revenue as the other Eastern Colonies. It would be enormously greater than the actual total cost of the garrison—whereas the contributions of the other Eastern Colonies on the higher percentage do not cover the cost of the garrisons.

asked whether, in view of the flourishing financial condition of Ceylon, the advantage the Crown Colony has long enjoyed in comparison with the other Eastern dependencies in the matter of expenditure on. armaments, and the protection which it obtains from the armaments of other Crown Colonies and of India, he will consider the advisability of revising the regulations which govern the contribution of Ceylon, in the interests, as regards future defensive requirements of the Eastern dependencies generally, and of their large sea-borne trade; and whether, if due regard be paid to the strategical position and other qualifications of Ceylon as a central naval base, this could be effected without detriment to the prosperity and further development of the Crown Colony itself?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government are not prepared at present to consider any radical change in the system of Military Contributions by the Eastern Colonies which was arrived at some fifteen years ago by an inter-Departmental Conference, after prolonged and exhaustive inquiry; though correspondence is now proceeding between the Colonial and the War Offices as to the exact interpretation of the arrangement come to with the Government of Ceylon as a result of the recommendations of the Conference.

Is that confined to Military contribution, and is there any consideration of the question of Naval contribution?

I am dealing with Military contribution.

The question of Naval contribution has not yet been entered into.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the introduction in the Malta Legislative Council of an Ordinance Bill, the object of which is to amend certain articles in the criminal code, whereby contraventions or misdeameanours may be punished by hard labour instead of by imprisonment without hard labour as before; and whether, seeing that the punishment of hard labour carries with it the loss of franchise and that the official members of the council are in a permanent majority and can, therefore, always defeat the efforts of the unofficial elected members, he will refuse to sanction the ordinance which opens up the possibility of loss of franchise as the penalty for simple misdemeanours, instead of reserving that punishment for crimes classed as felonies?

I have no information on the subject, but will make inquiries.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the case of unprovoked assault by Lieutenant James Robert Simson, of the West African Regiment, who is stationed at Wilberforce Barracks, Sierra Leone, upon James Jenkins Johnson, of Freetown; whether he can say what penalty was inflicted by the court; whether he is aware of the number of cases in which soldiers of the West African Regiment endeavour to compel by force native labourers to carry their luggage, and that, when remonstrated with, they declare that they are acting upon the instructions of heir officers; whether he will cause full inquiry to be made; and whether he will impress upon the military officials in Sierra Leone the necessity of treating the natives with consideration and respect and of seeing that those under their command do the same?

I will ask for particulars of the alleged incident, which has not previously been brought to my notice.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman has any information as to whether the Commonwealth Ministry are going to resign as a result of the adverse vote on the Referendum?

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information that this resort to the Referendum has led to Oesarism, Jacobinism, Anarchism, or any other Churchillism?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what is the amount of the expenses incurred in connection with the employment by him of the Metropolitan Police in the county of Glamorgan, liability for the payment of which it is sought to impose upon the ratepayers of the county by means of retrospective legislation, as proposed by the Expenses of Aid to Police Bill?

I cannot at present state the exact amount which will be payable by the county of Glamorgan under the Bill referred to in respect of the expenses of the Metropolitan Police employed in the county since 1st November last, but it will probably be about thirty thousand pounds. This does not include the special allowances, amounting to £14,100, already paid to the men out of the moneys voted by Parliament.

asked if the right hon. Gentleman can state the number of alien criminals convicted during last year; and how many were of American (United States), German, Russian, and Russian Poland nationality respectively?

The only figures I can give are those of aliens received into prison on conviction. The total for the year throughout the United Kingdom was 2,271. Of these 607 described themselves as or were found to be Americans, 394 Russians (including Poles), and 357 Germans.

asked when it was proposed to publish the evidence relating to the treatment of pit ponies which was brought before the Royal Commission on Mines, and upon which their Report was based?

The volume containing the minutes of evidence taken by the Commission is in the hands of the printers, and I hope it will be issued next Saturday.

asked the Home Secretary if he could now state the result of his action in the matter of offences against the Factory Act by the firm of Ben Evans and Company, Limited, of Swansea?

Ten summonses were issued against the firm for illegal employment of women during part of the time allowed for meals. These cases were heard at the Swansea police-court on 1st May, and penalties of 30s. were inflicted in each case, with costs. A further charge of illegal employment of a woman after legal hours was dismissed through failure of evidence.

Can the hon. Gentleman state how it was that the factory inspectors of this district were wholly unaware of these irregularities, and indeed have denied that they existed?

I think this is the first time those irregularities were brought to the notice of the inspectors, and they made an investigation immediately.

How is it that the inspectors were unaware of the existence of these irregularities?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will give instructions that poor persons shall not be interfered with by the police while exercising their art of fortune telling as long as persons are permitted to carry on the same pursuit in the purlieus of the West End, and advertise openly the profession of the supernatural?

In reply to a similar question, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, when he was at the Home Office, in 1893, gave the following reply:— "By the Vagrancy Act, 1824, every person using any subtle craft., by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive and impose on any of Her Majesty's subjects is to be deemed a rogue and a vagabond, and to be subject, on conviction, to imprisonment. The mere practice of palmistry is not, so, far as I am aware, illegal; the essence of the offence created by the Statute is the intention to impose, and the object is to protect the young and the ignorant. The police have instructions to watch cases of-suspicion, and whenever there is good ground for believing that fraud or imposition is being practised they will be directed to prosecute." The practice laid down by my right hon. Friend is still followed by the police.

May I ask the hon. Member whether he is aware that Mr. Plowden, the police magistrate at Marylebone, said, "there were so many of her craft at the present time advertising themselves in the streets of London who were not interfered with, and who had no doubt a more fashionable clientele than she could boast of, that he could not but feel some kind of pity that she should be the only fish that was landed out of the shoal that was vexing the streets of London just now. He hoped that all theses fortune-tellers would see this case, and realise that they, too, were in imminent danger of being brought before the court," and whether this does not show that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor?

As far as the general question is concerned, if my hon. Friend will give me any special case which he thinks comes within the interpretation of the law I will have it inquired into.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have now received any further information with reference to the fraudulent marking of cattle as Irish; and what steps they propose to take to put an end to this practice?

I am unable to add anything to the answer I gave to a similar question of the 3rd instant to the hon. Member for Ripon.

asked whether the Board have yet made their report on an application made by the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee in July last, for a grant-in-aid of fishery development under the Development Act, 1909; and, if not, when they expect to do so?

No, Sir; but it is hoped very shortly to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary whether he will state what, prior to purchase, was the total gross and net rental and total assessment for rating purposes of the 3,686 acres which have been acquired compulsorily for small holdings after valuation by the official valuers?

As a great deal of the land acquired compulsorily was not separately assessed for rating purposes, I have no means of obtaining the information asked for.

Did the valuers when making the valuation get hold of the rateable assessment? Is the hon. Baronet aware that in the schedule of the Small Holdings Act there are particular instructions to the valuers that they are to take rateable value into account in fixing the purchase price?

The whole of the circumstances have to be considered.

Will the hon. Baronet inquire how these valuers can live up to the schedule of the Act and up to the principles and instructions laid down in the schedule unless they find out what the rateable value is?

I think the only answer I should get would be that they are complying with the Act.

asked what has been the sum total of fees paid to valuers in connection with the purchase of the 3,686 acres for £123,272 acquired compulsorily for small holdings, and to how many different firms of valuers these fees have been paid?

Fees amounting to £1,100 have been paid to nineteen different arbitrators.

Would it not be cheaper to employ one man under the Government?

asked whether the two present small holdings commissioners, Messrs. Cheney and Baines, after having between them the whole of England and Wales as their sphere of work, will henceforward have one-eighth only of this area; and whether it is proposed to reduce their present salaries and prospective pensions to conform with those of the six new commissioners?

The details of the allocation of the work among the several commissioners are not yet settled by the President, therefore I am not in a position to make any statement at the present moment on the subject. It is not proposed to reduce the present salaries and prospective pensions of Messrs. Cheney and Baines.

asked how many persons had applied for small holdings or allotments in the county of Glamorgan; the area of land acquired for these purposes; and the number of applicants for whom holdings or allotments had been provided?

Four hundred and eighty persons have applied, 1,222 acres have been acquired, twenty-three applicants have been supplied with land direct, and thirteen have been provided for through the Barry Small Holdings Association.

Have any steps been taken to accelerate the pace with which land can be acquired for the remaining applicants?

My hon. Friend may rest assured we shall do all we can.

Are any of these applicants agricultural labourers?

I do not think that arises out of the question.

May I ask if there is any limit to the quantity of land which can be given to an applicant, and whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that in a recent case in Aberdare the bulk of the land acquired was given for a grazing farm?

The limit under the Act is fifty acres.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the hon. Baronet is aware that ex-Royal Engineers serving as civil assistants in the Ordnance Survey have been regularly undergoing deductions from their gross pay on account of civil pensions, but that this arrangement has now been changed as from 1st May, a new order having been issued on the subject by the Director-General; whether he is aware that this new arrangement seriously injures the men concerned by reducing the basis of their future claim to civil pensions; and whether he will issue an order so as to prevent the men's case being thus prejudiced while the subject is under the consideration of Lord Ilkeston's Committee, and direct that the new scheme shall not be put into operation pending the Report of that committee?

The new Order was issued with a view of correcting a system which was detrimental to the men. The President will consider the advisability of withdrawing the Order pending the Report of Lord Ilkeston's Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that the proposals to depute civil assistants of the Ordnance Survey now employed in the Survey Office to perform out-of-door work in connection with land valuation will, unless suitable allowances are provided for them to meet out-of-pocket expenses, cause hardship to the men employed; whether he is aware that the allowances at present proposed to be granted will in no way meet the expenses to which these men must necessarily be put in carrying out the work; and whether he will ask Lord Ilkeston's Committee to inquire into the conditions of such employment and to report what special arrangements may be necessary so that the land valuation work should not throw an unnecessary burden on a deserving body of men?

As the men referred to are not being asked to do anything which is not implied in the conditions of their service on the Survey, I see no reason for referring the matter to Lord Ilkeston's Committee.

Surely there would be no objection to referring the question of this new charge to the Ilkeston Committee?

My hon. and gallant Friend knows that this is something which has arisen subsequently. If he desires it, I will consult with him about this matter, and see if it is possible.

These men are doing a new duty altogether, and I hope he will call the attention of the Committee to this matter.

asked whether, in the case of ex-Royal Engineers employed as civil assistants in the Ordnance Survey, on the issues of the scales of pay in December, 1909, the Director-General decided to deduct the whole of the military pension from their civil pay until fifty years of age, and after fifty years to deduct only half the military pension; whether in January, 1910, the Director-General cancelled this latter order and issued an order depriving these men of the half military pension after fifty years of age; and, if so, whether lie will take immediate steps to put these men back in the same position as they were at the time of the issue of the scales of pay in 1909, and issue such orders as will prevent in the future the Director-General altering the conditions of service of these men without reference to the head of the department?

I understand this matter has been explained clearly to Lord Ilkeston's Committee, which will doubtless make some recommendation in its Report.

asked whether the inspectors of the Board under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Acts in Wales have had any previous veterinary or scientific training; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact recently that at Ruthin police court the magistrates refused the inspector his costs on the ground that he had no expert or veterinary knowledge; and whether, for the sake of farmers and the general efficiency of the Board's officials, he will inquire into the matter?

The costs were asked for by the superintendent of police, not by the Board's inspector. The costs were refused, I understand, because the chairman of the bench considered that the evidence might have been furnished by the police, and not for the reason stated. The inspector, Mr. Prichard, is not a veterinary inspector and was not giving veterinary evidence.

Will the hon. Baronet state whether this particular gentleman, or any of these inspectors, were subjected to examination prior to their appointment?

The hon. Gentleman must give me notice of that question.

asked if the hon. Baronet will state how many inspectors under the Contagious Diseases of Animals Act were appointed in Wales during the last three years, and what was the nature of their previous experiences and qualifications for the post?

Two; both of whom had practical experience in agriculture before appointment.

Can they both speak Welsh?

I do not know.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture last summer made charges against the police force of Cardiganshire of neglect in the administration of the Contagious Diseases Animals Act, and of making false statements in connection therewith; whether as the result of such charges a public inquiry was held; if so, by whom; and what was the result of the investigation?

In May. 1910, the Board brought to the notice of the local authority for Cardiganshire certain apparent irregularities in the administration of the Sheep-Scab Order, inasmuch as it had been alleged that no steps had been taken to verify thirteen reports of suspected sheep-scab made in January and February, as required by the Order. The local authority investigated the matter, and arrived at the conclusion that their officers were free from blame in the matter. No public inquiry has been held.

How can the hon. Baronet expect the police to have any expert knowledge of sheep-scab or any other contagious disease?

The police are not expected to have such expert knowledge.

asked whether, in view of the report issued by the inspector of the Eastern Sea Fisheries District, stating that much injury is done by trawlers to inshore fishermen in territorial waters on the Norfolk coast, that the maximum fine is £20, whereas in Scotland it is £100, and that the actual fines imposed are often much below the maximum, the Board will issue a circular calling the attention of the magisterial benches concerned to the need of adequately protecting the inshore fishermen?

I understand that it would not come within the province of the Board to issue such a circular.

asked the Prime Minister whether the matters to be taken into account by the secret ex parte Committee appointed to investigate Ireland's financial relations for the sole benefit of the Cabinet include the preponderance of expenditure of public money in one country as compared with the other, the drain of rent and now of purchase money out of Ireland to absentee landlords, the greater proportion of old and incapable persons in Ireland owing to the forced emigration of the young and able-bodied; and whether all statistics, estimates, and calculations on these and other matters submitted to the Committee will also be submitted to Parliament, which is expected to legislate on the Committee's findings?

I am not in a position to answer the hon. Member's question.

In view of that answer, I shall feel obliged to move the Adjournment of the House; but I do net know, Sir, whether the Standing Order requires it to be done now or at the end of Questions.

The Standing Order, or at least the Order passed yesterday, forbids it being done at all.

I will ask for your ruling after Questions.

I will be very glad to give it now. It will save the hon. Member the trouble of waiting. The Order passed yesterday provides that no Motion for the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order 10 can be moved whilst discussion is taking place on the Report stage of the Parliament Bill.

asked what special sources of information are available to His Majesty's lieutenants of counties in Ireland as to the suitability or otherwise of candidates for the office of justices of the peace in that country?

I do not know that there are any special sources of information available to His Majesty's lieutenants of counties in Ireland. But the lieutenants are closely associated with their respective counties, and all general sources of information are open to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the police are asked to pass judgment on the nomination of magistrates, and does he think it proper that the police should have the power of appointing magistrates, in Ireland, as is practically the case?

I am not aware the appointment of magistrates in Ireland is in the hands of the police.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that before a man is appointed to the Commission of the Peace in Ireland the local police have to report what there is against him, and that this debars hundreds of Nationalist applicants?

asked whether it is compulsory on the Lord Chancellor for Ireland, before making appointments to the magisterial bench in Ireland, to receive a nomination from the lord-lieutenant of the county or a recommendation from him of the person or persons to be appointed; and whether, if such be the case, persons whose political opinions are counter to the county lords-lieutenant have been appointed, notwithstanding the fact that strong recommendations from other sources have been received by the Lord Chancellor in favour of the appointment of gentlemen who have not been recommended or have not looked for the recommendation of the county lords-lieutenant on political grounds?

The Lord Chancellor possesses the power of making appointments to the county magistracy without the previous sanction of the lieutenants of counties. The exercise of this power is a matter within the discretion of the Lord Chancellor, and necessarily depends upon the particular circumstances of each case. As I have already stated, the Lord Chancellor is always prepared to consider suitable names in connection with the county magistracy, which may be forwarded to him from any representative source.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that I hold in my hand documents which are undoubted proofs that the allegations contained in my question are absolutely correct, by reason of which 95 per cent. of the magistrates of the county of Kilkenny are Tories? Will the right hon. Gentleman devise some means by which this disgraceful inequality may be removed?

I do not know what the right hon. Gentleman holds in his hand, but I think he ought to be satisfied that the Lord Chancellor is showing very considerable activity in this matter, and has added very much to the bench since he was appointed to his high office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious losses suffered during the last four years by Mr. R. Higgins, of Preston Deanery, and other cattle breeders in the same neighbourhood, owing to the pre-Valence of Johnes disease; whether the expert advisers of the Board have as yet sufficient knowledge of this fatal disease to be able to trace its cause or confidently to recommend remedial or preventive measures; and, if not, whether the Board will institute a special inquiry on the subject in the above district, accompanied by feeding experiments, with the object of obtaining further information about it?

Yes, Sir. Mr. Higgins has been in correspondence with the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Board, but sufficient information about this disease is not available so as to justify the application of remedial or preventive measures by the Board. The subject is being specially inquired into by the Board in conjunction with the Royal Veterinary College, not only as regards this district but the country generally.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a British subject over seventy years of age who has resided in England for his or her lifetime, with the exception of twelve months spent in a foreign country, is prevented from receiving an old age pension; and if action will be taken should any cases of hardship be brought to his notice?

Such a case could only arise if the person in question had no home in the United Kingdom during his absence abroad. Some hard cases of this kind have been brought to my notice, and the provisions of the Act under which they arise will be considered with a view to meeting them when the proposed amending Bill is introduced.

May I ask when we may expect that amending Bill to be forthcoming?

That rests with my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, and also by leave of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a petition signed by 8,000 inhabitants of the Isle of Man on the subject of old age pensions and asking him to receive a deputation; and, if so, is he now in a position to give his reply?

I have received a petition from the Joint Labour Associations of the Isle of Man and other residents, stated to number 8,000 adults, praying that the Imperial Parliament will be pleased to apply the Old Age Pensions Act of 1908 to the island. The provision of old age pensions for the islanders is a matter within the competence of the Insular Legislature, as is also the provision of the necessary funds for their payment. I am informed that measures for the increase of the Insular Revenue are now before Tynwald. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation. As the hon. Member is aware, a Committee is about to proceed to Man which will consider, among other matters, the financial administration of the island.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a number of letters from various labour associations protesting against the overcrowding upon the Metropolitan District Railway; and if he proposes to take action with regard to this matter?

I have received resolutions on the subject from certain East. End branches of the National Union of Clerks, and in one of these reference is made to the overcrowding between the City and Upton Park. The London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Company, as well as the Metropolitan District Railway Company, are concerned in the train service between these places, and I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of a letter which I have received from the former company.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that sanitary accommodation must be provided at all new railway stations, he will take steps to ascertain how far this regulation is complied with?

It is the usual practice of the Board of Trade to require the provision of sanitary accommodation at new stations on ordinary railways. Such stations are inspected by officers of the Department, and it is ascertained on inspection that the requirement in question has been carried out. In the case of light railways and of stations on tube railways situated near public sanitary accommodation the provision of such accommodation at the stations is not required.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to say whether he will take steps to inquire whether there is a certain amount of free sanitary and lavatory accommodation provided at all stations?

If my hon. Friend will give me a case or two I will inquire into them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the perfect legibility of typewritten characters which is essential in code messages, he will consider the desirability of providing all issuing telegraph offices of a certain degree of importance, measured by the telegrams issued therefrom, with type-printing machines, the Hugnes or other similar machines, and offices of lesser importance with ordinary typewriters, so that all messages may be issued in typewritten form, as is the case in most parts of the Continent?

The high first cost and maintenance charges of automatic printing telegraph instruments will always be a bar to their employment where the traffic is not large, but my right hon. Friend hopes to extend their use at the more important offices. Ordinary typewriters to be worked by the receiving telegraphist are being tried at some other places, but there are difficulties in the way of their general introduction, and, of course, where only a score or so of messages are dealt with in the day their use would not be economical.

asked the number of sorters in the Foreign section, not on the acting overseers' list, who have performed overseer duties during the past five years; what is the total number of days performed on such duties; and how much has been paid in substitution as a result?

Thirteen sorters in the Foreign section, not on the acting overseers' list, have performed overseers' duties for a total of 1,000 days during the last five years. The sum paid to these officers in respect of substitution has been £1 19s. 11½d. Up to 1908 substitution payment was only made after the completion of six months' continuous performance of the higher duties. Since 1908 it has been made after the completion of a period of fifty-six days in each calendar year.

asked the number of hours extra duty performed by sorters attached to the Foreign section during the month of March, and the cost of the same?

Fourteen thousand nine hundred and thirty-three hours of extra duty, at a cost of £968, were worked by sorters attached to the Foreign section during the month of March. A revision of the force is now in course of preparation, and, as usual, the opportunity will be taken to abolish overtime as far as circumstances will permit. In anticipation of this revision an increase of force is being provided.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the telegraphic communication with the Island of Tiree has been for some months interrupted, and that loss and inconvenience has been suffered in consequence; whether he will arrange that this should be dealt with at once; and whether he will consider the desirability of strengthening the repairing staff so that such breakdowns might in future be dealt with without delay?

Telegraphic communication between Tiree and the mainland has been interrupted since December last until yesterday, when the repair of the cable was completed. The delay in effecting this repair was mainly due to the only Post Office cable ship able to work in the deep water on the West of Scotland being laid up for refit. Provision has been made in this year's Estimates towards the construction of another vessel of this class.

asked the Lord Advocate if he is yet in a position to say if the parish council authorities in Scotland will be in a position to entertain the poor on the occasion of the Coronation?

The Local Government Board has no power to sanction, nor have the parish councils power to incur illegal expenditure. The poor rates can only be expended on the necessary maintenance of the poor, and any expenditure in connection with Coronation treat s or allowances, in excess of such maintenance, would be illegal. If, therefore, such expenditure is incurred, it must be met by voluntary assessment, or by subscriptions.

Ts the hon. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board in England have issued an anticipatory circular exempting local authorities from surcharges in cases of this kind?

Yes, they have statutory power to do so, but in Scotland it is not so.

May I ask if it is not possible to bring in a short Bill removing this inequality between the two countries?

I do not think it is desirable to do so. Scotland, in my judgment stands in a better position than England in this matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, since the issue of Admiralty Order of 13th April, 1907, all grades of writers in Admialty establishments, with the exception of those of the first class, have been entitled to annual increments; and will he state the reason for this discrimination, and also take steps to place the first-class writers on an equality with other grades, and arrange for their increments to accrue annually?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am unable to make any announcement pending a decision on the recommendation of the Committee on Writing Staff.

asked whether the recommendations of the Macnamara Staffing Committee, appointed in July, 1908, are based on the points raised in the petition of the Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation, dated January, 1908?

Until we are in a position to make an announcement of the decisions of the Government on the matter, I think my hon. Friend will agree that it would be premature to indicate what the recommendations are.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now say when a reply to the petition of the Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation, dated January, 1908, will be given?

The petition in question was referred to a Committee presided over by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, and the reply to the petition was included in the Committee's recommendations.

May I ask when effect will be given to the recommendation?

There is more than one Department involved, and I am afraid I cannot state definitely.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman fix an approximate date? Can he fix the limit at five years?

I hoe it will be sooner than that.

Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he could supply Members with a copy of the report of the local works officers at Rosyth which enabled him to come to the conclusion that 5d. per hour was a fair wage for navvies working in the trenches of the new dock; whether he has asked for any further report upon the wages question at Rosyth; and if he still holds that 5d. per hour is a fair wage for the work of a navvy on the Firth of Forth?

It is undesirable to publish copies of departmental reports, which are necessarily confidential. The latest report I have received on the subject is from the Director of Works, who returned yesterday from a visit to Greenock, Loch Long, and Rosyth, and states that after many inquiries as to the rates paid to navvies on large works in that part of Scotland, he finds that 5d. an hour is the ordinary rate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the names of the firms to which application was made? I have personally visited several firms and am told that no information has been asked for.

I can assure the hon. Member that various firms have been asked these questions.