asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will state

The net income (corresponding to the net produce of Income Tax) for the year 1908–9 was:—

		Schedule C.		Schedule D,
		£		£
Great Britain	…	41,665,955	…	416,132,312
Ireland	…	527,531	…	11,330,927

The figures for the year 100940'11re not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the operation of the Finance Act, 1907, repealing Section 133 of the Income Tax Act of 1842, under which, when the net profits of a particular year fell short of the assessment of the three preceding years, a rebate could be obtained, the shareholders of the Golden Horse Shoe Estates Company, Limited, are compelled to pay tax at the rate of 3s. 4d. in the pound, instead of 1s. 2d.; whether such consequences in the case of a business with declining profits were foreseen by him at the time of the repeal; and, if he will favourably consider the introduction of a modification in the law to deal with the position so created?

Section 133 of the Income Tax Act, 1842, was repealed on the recommendation of the Ritchie Committee on Income Tax (1904), and I do not consider that any alteration of the law is necessary.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the number Carter, Conibeer, Smith, Stimpson, and Walkington, in the Customs Statistical Office, have been relieved of the disciplinary duties they were performing on the 19th April?

I am informed that no change has been made in the duties performed by these minor staff clerks.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether. in view of the number of assistant clerks in the Customs Statistical Office who are eligible by service for promotion, he can promise that the five second. division clerks performing the duties of assistant clerks will not be placed on the establishment of that office. having regard to the small percentage of new class assistant clerks promoted in that department?

Five temporary second division clerks have been employed in the Statistical Office since May, 1910. It is not desirable to make any permanent additions to the staff of the office pending the settlement of the matters referred to It is not desirable to make any permanent of 13th instant, and I am unable to make any further statement on the subject in the meantime.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been drawn to the case of the allotment holders under the Brislington parish council, who, numbering 105 and renting between them some ten and a-half acres. at a rental in the majority of cases of only 10s. per annum, have each to pay 1s. stamp duty on the agreement for tenancy; and whether he can see his way to exempt allotment tenancy agreements, when the rent is under a certain sum, from stamp duty altogether, and, if not, then to reduce the duty?

My attention has been called to the case referred to. As regards the last part of the question, I beg to refer to my reply to the hon. Baronet the Member for Wandsworth on the 25th of July last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he was prepared to include in the return already promised the number of persons who have been appointed to positions in the Civil Service without having previously passed an examination by the Civil Service Commissioners since January, 1906, irrespective of the legislation that has been passed since that date?

The Return granted on the Motion of the hon. Member for Taunton is nearly complete. To include the whole number of persons appointed to the Civil Service would involve recasting the Return and collecting fresh statistics from all Departments. I regret, therefore, to be unable to assent to this addition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to include women home-workers, to whom material to be worked in their own homes is given out by employers, in the national insurance scheme; and, if so, upon whom and in what manner will the responsibility for the employers' contribution be fixed?

Outworkers in trades specified in any Special Order made under Part VI. of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, will be included, and they will be regarded as employed by the person who gives the work out.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many employés, chiefly clerks, are now paid full salary during sickness; and whether he will introduce such modifications in the Insurance Bill as will allow the employers in such cases to pay their employés as well as their own contributions and to receive the benefits?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to avoid the delay which would be caused by referring the National Insurance Bill to a Select Committee, he can see his way to referring it to a special committee of the House, selected from Members who will pledge themselves to devote sufficient time to its consideration, giving power to such committee to hear evidence from representatives of the friendly societies, industrial insurance companies, and their agents, and others interested?

The Government are considering the arrangements to be made for the Committee stage of the Bill, and their decision will be announced shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Clause in the State Insurance Bill, imposing a charge on employers of labour, will be so framed as to enable them to deduct Income Tax from the amount to be paid by them under the operation of this Clause?

I will refer the hon. Member to the terms of Clauses 3 and 4 of the Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Section 49 (3) of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, in pursuance of which Licence Duty, where over £60 is made payable, at the option of the licence-holder, in two halves, was a temporary arrangement or whether that Sub-section still remains in force?

The sub-section referred to was not passed as a temporary arrangement, and it is still in force.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of Exchequer bonds now outstanding, distinguishing the amount classed under other capital liabilities from the rest; and what is the amount of Treasury Bills now outstanding?

The amount of Exchequer Bonds now outstanding is £31,991,700, namely:—

Classed under Unfunded Debt—
Two and Three-quarter per £ Cent. Bonds, repayable by annual drawings of £1,000,000, and expiring 18th April, 1915	4,000,000
Three per Cent. Bonds issued under War Loan Redemption Act, 1910	21,000,000
	£25,000,000

Classes under other capital liabilities:—
Three per Cent. Bonds issued under Capital Expenditure (Money) Act, 1904	4,781,700
Three per Cent. Bonds issued under Cunard Agreement (Money) Act, 1904	2,210,000
	£6,991,700
The amount of Treasury Bills now outstanding is £10,500,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that there is no provision under the existing laws of taxation for the repayment of house duty which has been handed over to the Inland Revenue Department in error, he will introduce some change in the practice of the Department in the interest of the taxpayer?

Except in cases where the House Duty Acts require the taxpayer to take action with a view to establishing his claim for relief within a specified period, applications for repayment, if made within a reasonable time, are considered on their merits, and I do not think that any change of practice is. necessary.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that the south pier of the harbour at Bray, county Wicklow, has been carried away by the action of the sea, and if not repaired at once will lead to the destruction of the harbour; and if he will undertake that the Government will carry out the necessary repairs?

I have received no information of any serious damage to the south pier of Bray Harbour. The Board of Works have no jurisdiction over or responsibility in connection with the harbour, which was constructed under the Bray Township Act, 1890, and is vested in the Bray Urban District Council.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the promised branch of the labour exchange would be established in Galway?

I am informed that considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitable premises at Galway, and I am not at present able to give the date on which the labour exchange will be opened.

asked the Chief Secretary in whom is vested the custody of the famous ruin of Dunluce Castle, county Antrim; whether the Irish Board of Works has heard that portions of the castle have been undermined by the action of the sea and are in danger of collapse; and whether he could see his way to recommend the placing of a sum of money at the disposal of county councils for the acquisition of ancient monuments, on condition that their upkeep and protection are provided from the rates?

Dunluce Castle is private property, and neither the board of works nor the county council, therefore, have power to spend money upon it.

asked whether any request has been addressed to the pension officers for Ballinalee sub-district, in county Longford, to attend meetings of the committee of which they have got in each case due notice; why they did not comply with this request; and will they now be directed to do so?

I am making inquiries into this matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked on what grounds an old age pension has been refused to Norah Brennan, Beenbane, Waterville, in view of the fact that her claim was approved by the local sub-committee in February, 1909, was again approved in. June, 1910, and when the claim was made for a third time in April, 1911, the pension officer recommended her for the full pension of five shillings, stating that the claimant was four years of age in 1841: and whether, in view of these facts, the claim will now be approved by the Local Government Board?

As no appeal has been lodged against the decision of the subcommittee of the 5th April, 1911, the Local Government Board have no jurisdiction in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary the circumstances under which an old age pension was refused to R. Webb, of 64, Bridge Street, Derry; whether he is aware that this man's name does not appear in the Census returns for 1841 or 1851; that he was born at Templemichael, Toureen, county Cork, and baptised in the Protestant church there, which was closed up about 1873; and that consequently the baptismal register is not available; and, seeing that the applicant is well known by repute to be over seventy years of age, whether he will make inquiries into this claim with a view to having it allowed?

This case has not come before the Local Government Board, and, consequently, I have no information respecting it.

asked the grounds on which John Walker, of Lisraghtigan, county Longford, and his wife were deprived of their old age pensions; whether the pension officer in this case stated his opinion privately that they were deserving objects for the pension, and afterwards got them removed from the list; and whether any inquiry had since been held into the matter; and, if not, would he now direct one?

I have no information regarding these cases, which have not come before the Local Government Board.

asked the grounds upon which Anne Fagan, Coolorty, county Longford, whose age is 73 years, and who had been in receipt of an old age pension of 5s. weekly for two years, has now been deprived of the same and her book taken from her without any explanation or notification of any charge against her; and will he direct Major Fair, local government inspector, to hold an inquiry into this case with a view to restoring her pension?

The case referred to does not appear to have come before the Local Government Board on appeal, and they have, therefore, no power to hold the inquiry suggested.

asked on what ground has James Likely, of Rockhill, who was granted a pension of 5s. a week on 3rd October, 1910, by the Ballyshannon subcommittee, and whose age was stated in evidence to be more than eighty-five years, been deprived of that pension by the Local Government Board; and whether inquiry will be made with a view to the restoration of his pension to this man, who is in impoverished circumstances?

The Local Government Board upheld an appeal of the pension officer against the decision of the Ballyshannon Pension Sub-committee on the ground that James Likely's means exceeded the statutory limit. He has a farm of about twenty acres.

asked whether Major Wilson Lynch offered his estate at Duras, Kinvarra, comprising the townlands of Funshinmore, Gortskeagh, New Town, Caffabeg, in county Galway, and Augnish, county Clare, to the Congested Districts Board; and with what result?

The owner has expressed his willingness to negotiate for the sale of his estate through the Congested Districts Board, but the maps and other documents to enable an inspection to be made have not yet been lodged. I understand that some delay has been caused in this case owing to the serious illness of the owner.

asked whether any correspondence has passed between the trustees of the Sharp Estate, Kinvarra, county Galway, and the Congested Districts Board in respect to the sale of the Sharpe property; and, seeing that a promise was made so long ago as 0th November, 1910, by Mr. Kirwan, agent to the trustee, to offer the entire estate to the Congested Districts Board, can he state if the estate has been acquired, and the probable date of dealing with it?

The estate referred to, comprising the lands of Kinvara and Inishroo, has been offered to the Congested Districts Board, and will be inspected as soon as practicable.

asked what estates in the Connemara division of county Galway have been purchased since the passing of the 1909 Land Bill; if he will give the names of those estates in the said division which the Congested Districts Board are negotiating to purchase; and whether the purchase is likely to be completed this year?

The statistics of the Estates Commissioners are not kept by Parliamentary Divisions. The Congested Districts Board have purchased the P. J. Davy Estate in the Connemara Division of Galway since the passing of the Act of 1909 and are in negotiation for the purchase of the following estates in that area, namely, Henry B. Clements, Mary Duane, B. J. Duane, John J. Darcy, Marcus Lynch, George S. Mansfield, Scottish Insurance Co., Ltd. (formerly Blake Foster), N. 0. Scott, Colonel Hackett, R. Berridge, Representatives H. E. V. Blake, J. W. Lee, P. St. Leger Higgins, A. E. M. Coleman, Rev. Geoff E. Browne, Standard Life Assurance Company, Geo. Ed. O'Flaherty, and Mrs. Grace Lambert.

asked what is the present condition of the negotiations with regard to the sale of the townlands of Eribul, Moyralla, and Carrowniskey, all situated on the estate of Lord Leconfield, West Clare; and whether, in view of the fact that the tenants memorialised the Congested Districts Board more than a year ago regarding the purchase of their holdings, this matter will be expedited?

No portion of Lord Leconfield's estate, county Clare, has been offered to the Congested Districts Board. The Board have been in communication with the agent, who has informed them that nearly all of Lord Leconfield's estates have already been sold by direct sales to the tenants under the Act of 1903, and that he desires to carry out any further sales in the same way under the Act of 1909 and not through the Board. It appears that only a portion of the estate remaining to be sold is situated in a congested districts county. The memorial referred to was received.

asked the Chief Secretary whether lie is aware that some tenants on the estate of Lord Cork, in Ballyferritter, Dingle, county Kerry, have not been allowed to sign a purchase agreement because they went into court to have a fair rent fixed; and whether steps will be taken at once to intimate the landlord that these tenants should be allowed to sign as soon as possible?

The estate of Lord Cork, county Kerry, is being sold direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners have no information as to the statement in the question, but when the estate is being dealt with in order of priority they will inquire into the cases of any tenants who have not signed purchase agreements.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will explain the Estates Commissioners' reasons for their decision not to declare Mrs. Anne Brosman to be a direct tenant on the estate of Mrs. K. E. Magell, at Disreen, county Kerry, for the purpose of sale under the Irish Land Acts, of the farm of land occupied by her as subtenant to Mrs. Patrick Keane; and whether the Commissioners will reconsider their decision?

The question as to whether on the sale of an estate a subtenant should he declared a direct tenant for the purposes of sale is entirely a matter within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners, and in the particular case referred to in the question the Commissioners decided to vest the entire holding in the tenant, in accordance with the terms of his purchase agreement under the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked the Chief Secretary if he would furnish a list, by counties, showing the names of the auctioneers whom the Land Commission have been in the habit of employing; when they were first employed; and would he state by whom these persons were selected or appointed, and their remuneration, and by whom it is paid?

There is no regularly established list of auctioneers employed by the Irish Land Commissioners. They select from time to time such auctioneers as may, from their standing and residence, be considered most suitable for conducting sales of defaulters' holdings under the Land Acts. I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by furnishing a list of such auctioneers. All expenses, including auctioneers' fees, connected with the sale of a holding are defrayed out of the proceeds of the sale.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have acquired the untenanted lands on the Purcell estate, Graigue, Shanballymore; and, if so, what disposal of these lands do they intend?

Proceedings for the sale of the estate of Raymond John Purcell, county Cork, East Riding, direct from the landlord to the tenants are at present pending before the Estates Commissioners. It would appear that the owner is in possession of certain lands which he has not included in the estate which is the subject of proceedings for sale. When the estate is reached in order of priority this matter will be duly considered by the Commissioners.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. David S. Kelly, clerk of two petty sessions districts, Maghera and Castledawson, county Derry, is seventy-five years of age, and that Mr. Kelly has frequently to employ a substitute to do the necessary work of the two districts; whether he is aware that loss and inconvenience is caused to the people, especially those resident in the Maghera district, the largest petty sessions district in the county, by having to travel eight miles to the residence of the clerk at Castledawson whenever they require a summons or to enter a defence; whether the Civil Service rule of retirement at sixty-five applies in this case, if so, will Mr. Kelly be retired on pension?

Mr. Kelly, clerk of Petty Sessions- of Maghera and Magherafelt, was sixty-three years of age in June last. He attends to his duties regularly at both petty sessions, and has not been absent except when on leave, or when he has to attend elsewhere to take depositions, in which case he employs a substitute. Mr. Kelly resides at Castledawson, which is 2½ miles from Magherafelt, and no complaints have been made as to any inconvenience caused to the public by the present arrangements.

asked the Chief Secretary if he has received a copy of a resolution adopted unanimously by the members of the Croom District Council requesting the Estates Commissioners to give the earliest possible consideration to the claim of Mr. John Dorgan, of Graigue, Ballinlena, in the county of Limerick, who many years ago was unjustly evicted from his holding, and whose case is yet unsettled; and whether the Estates Com- missioners intend to reinstate this man without further delay?

I have received a copy of the resolution referred to. The Estates Commissioners inform me that Dorgan's former holding is in the occupation of another tenant, and his name has been noted for Consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners may acquire.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that James McGauran, an evicted tenant, has applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement in his farm, now untenanted, situated in Rossmore, on the Bloomfield estate, county Fermanagh; whether a similar application has been made by Michael McGauran as to a farm on the same estate; and can he state what decisions the Commissioners have come to on these applications?

The Estates Commissioners have received applications from James and Michael McGauran for reinstatement in holdings formerly occupied by them on the Bloomfield estate, county Fermanagh, arid have their cases at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Patrick Moore, of Ballykeen, Dunquin, county Kerry, an evicted tenant on the Ventry estate, has been noted as entitled to a holding; and whether steps will be taken at once to find a holding for him, seeing that the Ventry estate is sold to the Congested Districts Board?

The Estates Commissioners have noted Patrick Moore's name for consideration in the distribution of such untenanted land as they may acquire. Particulars of his application for reinstatement has been furnished to the Congested Districts Board, who are at present dealing with the estate of Lord Ventry, on which Moore's former holding is situated.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in many parts of Ireland at the action of the Lord Chancellor in the appointment of magistrates; is he aware that the district councils of Gort and the town commissioners of Loughrea recommended the appointment of fully qualified local men; and that the Lord Chancellor ignored their recommendations and ap- pointed men to strengthen the bench of magistrates all over the county overwhelmingly Conservative; and, having regard to the fact that the bench of magistrates at Gort and Loughrea is practically a Tory bench, will lie communicate with the Lord Chancellor and endeavour to have effect given to the resolutions and memorials forwarded by the public bodies in the two districts?

I am not aware that there is any ground for dissatisfaction with regard to the appointment of magistrates in Ireland. About four years ago, the Gort Rural District Council and the Loughrea Town Commissioners each recommended two persons for the County Galway magistracy, but the Lord Chancellor, after full investigation and consideration, did not at the time deem it desirable to appoint them. The Lord Chancellor is always prepared to consider suitable names for the County Galway magistracy. I have no knowledge of the political views of the magistrates referred to, nor do I feel called upon to make any representation to the Lord Chancellor on the subject.

asked whether any measures had been taken to identify and punish the policeman who on Easter Monday afternoon, while riding a bicycle, ran over the son of Mr. Michael Walsh in Eyre Square, Galway, breaking the child's collar-bone?

This matter was reported to the police authorities the morning after it happened, and every effort was made at once to identify the policeman concerned, but so far without success. It is only right to add that so far as can be ascertained the affair was accidental, and that the child who was picked up by the policeman was apparently uninjured. It was only in the evening when examined by the doctor that its collar-bone was found to be broken.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the names of the Boards of Poor Law guardians in Ireland who have applied to the Local Government Board for authority to expend money for emigration purposes since 1.st January, 1906, to the present date under the provisions of the 12 and 13 Vic., c. 104, s. 26, and the number of people who were emigrated by the several Boards; will he state whether subsidies in part payment of passages were paid or if the full travelling expenses were paid; and whether, during the period mentioned, any application for such authority was refused by the Local Government. Board?

The following boards of guardians in Ireland have applied to the Local Government Board for authority to expend money for emigration purposes since 1st January, 1906, to the present date:—

Antrim	Ennis	Listowel
Ballinasloe	Ennistymon	Londonderry
Ballymahon	Gort	New Ross
Bally Vaughan	Killadysert	Newtownards
Belfast	Killarney	Roscommon
Caherciveen	Kilmallock	Roscrea
Cork	Kilrush	Thurles
Dublin North	Limerick	Youghal

The details for the several years will be found in the Board's Annual Reports for the years 1907–8 and 1909–10. The further information asked for could only be obtained, as already stated, after exhaustive search through the Board's records.

asked the number of extra police now serving in county Longford; how many of these have been drawn from other counties in which they only made up the quota in these counties, and were these replaced by other men; and whether he will explain why a peaceful district, such as county Longford is now and always has been, is required to maintain an army of extra police there, and charge their cost to the county, whilst draining them from other counties to which they are properly chargeable, and which receive no relief from the charge when so absent?

The number of extra police now serving in the county of Longford is twenty-four. This additional force was appointed to the county when the last statutory redistribution of the police took place in 1909, and they do not belong to other counties. A moiety of the cost of this extra force is charged to the county at large. The present state of the county does not admit of any reduction in that number.

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that about three years ago the urban council of Westport, county Mayo, acting on repeated reports of the local medical officer of health that many houses occupied by workmen in the district were unfit for human habitation, formulated an experimental scheme for the erection of ten houses under the Housing of the Working Classes Acts; can he state why this scheme was not approved by the Local Government Board until a few weeks ago; why the loan then sanctioned by the Local Government Board for the purposes of the scheme has not yet been issued by the Treasury; will he advise the immediate issue of the loan so as to enable the council to have the houses erected during the present summer months; and can he give any assurance that a new housing scheme now in preparation by the council will be considered and disposed of with-in a more reasonable time by the Local Government Board and the Treasury?

The loan was sanctioned by the Treasury on the 8th May, and notification of same was issued on 10th May to the clerk of the urban district council.

asked whether the Department of Agriculture in Ireland still files copies of the Consular and Trade Reports of the United States of America; are similar reports of other Continental countries available at the Department's offices; and has the Department taken any steps to make the information in such Reports available in the remoter parts of Ireland?

Copies of these reports are received regularly and filed by the Department of Agriculture, and are available for inspection at their offices. No other country supplies the Department with similar Reports. The Department have not considered it necessary to make any direct publication in the remoter parts of Ireland of information contained in the reports, but they are carefully examined, and any information bearing on Irish interests is duly noted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Land Commission Report is due since 31st March; and if he can say when it will be laid upon the Table of the House?

The Report for the year ending 31st March last is in course of preparation and will be presented to parliament as soon as possible, but I am not yet in a position to name a date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether be was aware that both in the Army and the Civil Service men are allowed to coin-mute their pensions; and whether he would consider the advisability of men of the Royal Navy being allowed to do so, and thus remove an appearance of invidiousness in this respect regarding the naval service?

I am aware that partial commutation of pensions is allowed in the Army, subject to certain restrictions, and that Civil Service pensions can be commuted if granted under special circumstances. The question as regards the Navy has been fully considered, but the introduction of any such system was found to be inadvisable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a considerable number of artisans in the Royal Navy have been ordered to be disrated through no fault of their own; whether men holding the ratings of armourer's mate, armourer's crew, blacksmith's mate, cooper's crew, painter, second-class, plumber's mate, and leading carpenter's crew, were rated under an order by the Admiralty sanctioning special advancement; and, if so, whether these men have to revert back to their former ratings; whether they are to refund the additional rates of pay which took effect on promotion, if so, in what manner; and whether he will explain to the House how the mistake occurred?

The Noble Lord no doubt refers to orders recently given for the cancellation of certain erroneous advancements of the artisan ratings mentioned. Directions were given by an Admiralty letter of the 23rd June, 1910, that all such ratings who possessed certain qualifications which were named, were to be specially advanced to the next highest grade of their class as from the date of the letter. Owing to a misreading of these directions in some cases men were advanced who had not the required qualifications, but only obtained them after the date of the letter. The retention of the higher ratings by those so advanced could not be permitted without unfairness to other men of the same rating senior on the list. The advancements have, therefore, been cancelled, and any overpayments made to the men concerned are to be refunded at the rate of 10s. a month.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ship is to be chartered for the King's visit to 'India; and whether provision has been made in the Navy Estimates:for the expenditure involved?

The P. and 0. steamship "Medina" has been chartered. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state how many officers there are at Bordon and Longmoor camps, Hampshire, respectively; and whether the Government proposes to increase either establishment?

According to the latest Returns available at the War Office, there were 139 officers quartered at Bordon, and fifty-nine at Longmoor. There is no intention of increasing the present normal garrisons at Bordon or Longmoor.

asked the Under-Secretary for,War whether, having regard to the prevailing sense of hardship consequent upon the change of attitude of the Department towards lads' brigades who are not able to become cadet corps affiliated to the Territorial Army, he will circulate with the Votes a Memorandum stating when and for what reason the departmental attitude was changed, and the number of corps affected by the decision, and to whom the use of carbines and the privilege of inspection by Army officers in uniform has been refused?

As the House has already been informed of the reasons for the policy of the Government towards the lads' brigades I am afraid I cannot undertake to circulate a memorandum on the subject. There is no official information to show the number of corps affected by the decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if an officer serving in India, who is desirous of coming Home to serve in the Territorial Forces, will have his travelling expenses paid or be allowed free passage on a troopship?

An officer serving in India or elsewhere abroad if appointed to an adjutancy in the Territorial Force, is not entitled to passage by packet or transport at the public expense unless specific instructions to the contrary are issued by the Army Council, on the grounds that no other qualified candidate is serving at home. No other appointments of officers serving abroad or in India are made to units of the Territorial Force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a certificate of proficiency in shorthand in the Army is only granted to officers in possession of a Pitman certificate or a certificate of the Society of Arts; whether he is aware that a Pitman speed certificate is awarded for a test of five minutes' duration as against a test of seven minutes' duration imposed by the Society of Arts; whether lie is aware that the percentage of errors allowed to pass for the Pitman certificate is much greater than that allowed by the Society of Arts; whether he is aware that the Scottish Phonographic Association, the largest shorthand association in the United Kingdom, has now refused to recognise the Pitman certificate; and whether he will consider the advisability of some change in the regulations in regard to shorthand?

An officer in possession of either the Pitman certificate or the certificate of the Society of Arts is recorded as proficent in Shorthand. I am informed that in some quarters the certificate of the Society of Arts is considered superior to the Pitman certificate, but so far as Army officers are concerned, either certificate is considered sufficient. Accordingly no change in the regulations is regarded as necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will state what is the approximate percentage of soldiers who try to learn Pitman's shorthand, but fail to obtain a certificate of proficiency; whether he is aware that simpler systems exist; and whether lie will consider the advisability of leaving the system to be learned to the choice of the individual, and of making the certificate of the Society of Arts alone recognised in the Army?

The percentage of failures amongst those who are known to have presented themselves for examina- tion during the last four years was 30 per cent. Some systems claim to be simpler than the Pitman, but I am informed that the Pitman is the most popular system. The system to be learned is left to the choice of the soldier and the certificate of the Society of Arts is alone recognised by the regulations for the soldier. In the Army schools it is essential that only one system should be taught in order to secure uniformity, and accordingly the Pitman system, as being the most popular, has been adopted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he was aware that Staff-Quartermaster-Sergeant H. B. Stickney, who with his wife and four children left England for South Africa in December last, was, on his arrival in Cape Town placed under arrest for five days by the military embarkation staff officer because he declined to allow the medical officer of the Government transport "Rohilla" to vaccinate his children, nothwith-standing the fact that certificates of exemption from vaccination had been granted in England in respect of the children; whether the whole party prior to leaving England had been certified by Major Boyle, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, to be free from infectious disease and fit to embark for South Africa; would he explain under what authority the officer at Cape Town acted; whether it was the practice of the War Office to ignore certificates of exemption granted under the Vaccination Acts of 1898 and 1907; would he explain under what authority he was informed, on arrival at Tempe on 9th January, by his commanding officer that he would not be allowed to reside in quarters with his wife, and that his children would not be allowed to attend the military school; was he aware that on the 22nd February Sergeant Stickney was arrested for residing with his wife and children at Naval Hill, and on the 8th March tried by district court-martial at Tempe and sentenced to the loss of five years' seniority; would he state why, during the arrest of her husband, Mrs. Stickney and her children were placed under the surveillance of a sentry; was he aware that on the day the district court-martial was pronounced Major Old-field attended at Sergeant Stickney's quarters to remove Mrs. Stickney and her children, when the sergeant then consented to have his children vaccinated by the Army medical officer; would he state what action he proposed to take in the case; and would Sergeant Stickney be restored the seniority in rank of which he had been deprived?

The facts of the case are as follows:—Prior to proceeding to South Africa the Army medical officer at Leeds, acting under paragraph 1,502 King's Regulations, examined Mrs. Stickney and the four children, and on her assertion that they had all been successfully vaccinated, duly certified them fit. Before embarkation it was discovered that Mrs. Stickney's statement was untrue, and that the family had never been vaccinated. Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney was duly informed that under the Regulations lie could not. take his family unless they were vaccinated, and he then signed a certificate to the effect that he quite understood that he was permitted to embark his children only on condition of his allowing them to be vaccinated on board. This permission was a special concession to Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney, and was contrary to the Regulations which enjoin vaccination prior to embarkation. On board the transport, when the medical officer directed the children to attend for vaccination Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Stickney refused to carry out his undertaking. He was accordingly arrested on arriving at Capetown by the general officer commanding there for his conduct in regard to the certificate, but on the case being reported to the general officer commanding in chief he was released without. prejudice to re-arrest under the King's Regulations. On reaching Tempe he deliberately, in defiance of orders, took his family into public quarters. For this ha was tried by court-martial and sentenced to loss of seniority. As, however, the proceedings of the court-martial have been subsequently quashed, owing to technical irregularities, he is now relieved from all consequences of his trial.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he was able to state what precautions have been taken under the opium treaty with China, signed on the 8th inst., to prevent opium from other countries, such as Persia, etc., reaching China while the supply from India is being stopped?

In connection with the Agreement of 1907 for restricting the export of opium from India, the Chinese Government undertook to reduce progressively the import of Persian and Turkish opium into China and to extinguish it by 1917. The measures taken to this end by the Imperial Maritime Customs are described in Mr. Councillor Leach's General Report on the Opium Question in China, presented to Parliament in October, 1908. The Secretary of State understands that these measures are still in force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that in 1893 the privilege of the retention of the title of honourable under certain conditions was granted to Colonial Members of Council; that the extension of this privilege under suitable conditions to Indian Members of Council is much desired in India; and whether he will take steps with a view to Indian officials and Colonial officials being placed as far as possible on an equality in this respect?

I am aware of the Orders of 1893 granting to Colonial Members of Council, under certain conditions, the privilege of retaining the title of honourable after they cease to hold office. But the case of Indian officials is not analogous, and the Secretary of State, after full consideration, is not prepared to move in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state at what date and under what ordinance the system of revising rents on a basis of 5 per cent. on prairie value at the thirty-third and sixty-sixth years of ninety-nine year leases was introduced into the British East Africa Protectorate; whether this provision was approved by the Legislative Council; if so, whether that approval was unanimous or only obtained through the preponderance of the official vote; and when he expects that the amended Crown Lands Ordinance foreshadowed in Command Paper 4117, of 1908, will be issued?

The system was introduced by Rules dated the 28th February, 1911, made by the Governor, under Section 33 of the Crown Lands Ordinance, 1902. The approval of the Legislative Council is not required for Rules made under that Section. An Ordinance is now being drafted on the lines laid down in Lord Elgin's despatch of the 19th March, 1908, but I am not yet in a position to say when it will be issued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state whether a Land Tax graduated according to the size of the holding, as outlined in Command Paper Cd. 4117, of 1908, is now in force, or about to come into force, in the British East Africa Protectorate; if so, does it apply even in those cases where the revising of rents by the Government on a basis of five per cent. of capital prairie value will absorb the whole unimproved annual value, and where such tax must fall directly upon the tenant's improvement?

No Land Tax is at present in force, but the Governor has been instructed to include provision for such a tax in a new Lands Ordinance, which is now being drafted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of coal mines in each inspection district where fifty men or under are employed; and what proportion do these small mines bear to the larger mines each in England, Scotland, and Wales?

(1) The number of mines under the Coal Mines Regulation Acts in each inspection district where fifty men or under were employed above and below ground in 1909, the last year for which figures are available at the moment, is as follows:—

Scotland	125
Newcastle	63
Durham	54
York and North Midland	202
Manchester and Ireland	73
Liverpool and North Wales	52
South Wales	171
Midland and Southern	324

(2) The proportion these small mines bear to the larger mines, each in England, Scotland and Wales, is:—

		Mines employing 50 persons and under.	Mines employing over 50 persons.
		Per cent.	Per cent.
England	…	35.66	64.34
Scotland	…	25.53	74.47
Wales	…	24.13	75.87

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the total municipal expenditure for the year ending 1910, and the total municipal debt to the same date?

The latest available information relates to the year ended 31st March, 1909. The figures for that year are approximately as follows:—Total expenditure, £56,333,000. Loans outstanding at the end of the year, £268,106,000. Total amount standing to the credit of sinking funds and other similar funds for the extinction of debt, £17,428,000. These particulars relate to the Corporation of the City of London, the Metropolitan Borough Councils, and the councils of all other boroughs in England and Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the new duties proposed by Holland to be put on goods imported into that country will materially affect English exports to that country; whether the Government is taking any steps to protect British interests; and what they propose to offer to Holland in these negotiations?

A translation of the proposed new Customs Tariff of the Netherlands has been communicated to all the principal Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations in order to elicit their views as to its probable effect on the trades of their districts. When the replies have been received His Majesty's Government will be in a position to decide as to what representations, if any, it may be desirable to make to the Dutch Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms were included in the formation of the Imperial Tobacco Trust; how many firms are included in it at present; what is the age limit for employés; and how many tobacco factories have been closed down in Ireland since the formation of the Trust?

I understand that the number of firms originally included in the Imperial Tobacco Company was thirteen. I have no information as to the present number, or as to the ages of the company's employés. Since the formation of the company in December, 1901, four manufacturers, then carrying on business in Ireland, have allowed their licences to lapse, as have also two small cigarette manufacturers who commenced business after that time; but I am not aware of their reasons for so doing.